Latest Articles about Armenia
ARMENIA’S GIVEAWAYS TO RUSSIA: FROM PROPERTY-FOR-DEBT TO PROPERTY-FOR-GAS
Armenian critics describe the government's new agreement with Russia, giving up infrastructure property for moderately priced gas, as the equivalent of giving up the family's milch cow -- or at least selling the cow for the price of milk. The preliminary Armenian-Russian sale-and-purchase agreement, first... MORE
BLESSING ARMENIA’S DEBT SERVITUDE
On March 31 in Moscow, the Foundation for the Orthodox Peoples' Unity bestowed its annual award on Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Russia's Gazprom company for their support to Russian spiritual and religious values (Noyan Tapan, March 31). By fortuitous coincidence, Gazprom doubled the price... MORE
U.S. ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW AID PACKAGE FOR ARMENIA
The United States has officially committed itself to providing $235.65 million in additional economic assistance to Armenia, in a further indication of its deepening ties with the South Caucasus country. The sum, substantial by Armenian standards, is to be provided over the next five years... MORE
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS PLANS TO BUILD NEW NUCLEAR PLANT
The Armenian government has pledged to press ahead with the realization of its extremely ambitious plans to build a new nuclear power station in place of the aging Metsamor plant, which is due to be shut down by 2016. Underlining the seriousness of its intentions,... MORE
YEREVAN INSISTS KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS ALIVE DESPITE PARIS FIASCO
Armenia's leadership seems to be still holding out hope for a resolution of the Karabakh conflict this year despite the failure of the latest Armenia-Azerbaijan summit in France. Senior officials in Yerevan say they are looking forward to the upcoming meeting of international mediators that... MORE
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO REPLACE DEFIANT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
Armenia's Office of the Human Rights Defender is facing an uncertain future after a government-engineered leadership change. The country's first human rights ombudsperson, Larisa Alaverdian, is set to be replaced by a staunch loyalist of President Robert Kocharian after two years of high-profile activities that... MORE
PUTIN-KOCHARIAN LOVE FEST CONCEALS REAL PROBLEMS
Russia's gas price hike to Armenia, demands for property in return for temporary price relief, supply cuts following the pipeline blasts in the North Caucasus, unilateral Russian announcements about adding weaponry to the Russian base in Armenia, and finally three murders of ethnic Armenians within... MORE
GAS FROM IRAN TO BREAK GAZPROM’S MONOPOLY IN ARMENIA
Moscow's intention to double the price of gas supplies to Armenia (see EDM, January 17) vindicates Yerevan's decision to de-monopolize the market by importing gas from Iran. Armenia thus becomes the first among formerly Soviet-ruled countries (outside Central Asia) to diversify its supply sources away... MORE
ARMENIA GAINS SHORT REPRIEVE FROM 100% PRICE HIKE ON RUSSIAN GAS
At a December 16, 2005 meeting in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gazprom's top management informed Armenian President Robert Kocharian that the price of gas supplies to Armenia would rise from the existing level of $54 to $56 per 1,000 cubic meters to $110,... MORE
ARMENIAN OLIGARCH MAKES BID FOR POWER WITH NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Armenia's arguably wealthiest government-connected businessman has caused a stir in the domestic political arena by setting up a new party with far-reaching political ambitions. Gagik Tsarukian appears to have enlisted the support of prominent public figures and even an opposition leader for his bid to... MORE