Artsakh newsletter

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I donated 50 bucks.

[Mher]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I donated 50 bucks.

efficient and inspiring organizations with great decisions in terms of strategic project choices.

Does anyone know if/when the Russian gala that contributes to the fund is supposed to take place this year?

One this road is complete, I would like to see next years fund target Gyumri or Vanadzor

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

No idea about Russian gala but this road has to be built.....no ifs or buts about it, it has to happen sooner or later.
Strategic advancement in terms of Artsakh security should be enough reason, let alone trade.

Yes, I would like to see funds for Gymri and Vanadzor as well.

[Federate]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I like the Gyumri and Vanadzor idea as well. Armenia seriously needs a "second city", the emphasis on Yerevan is overblown.

On the topic of Vardenis - Martakert road, I noticed that there is a segment of highway missing that takes you more directly from Yerevan to Vardenis. Instead you go up to Sevan and drive along its shore back down to reach Vardenis. Maybe a highway can be built that connects the two more directly? It would cut Yerevan-Artsakh drive even more dramatically. I don't know how feasible it is but if it is, definitely worth a look. If you wanna see what i'm talking about click here https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yere...72!2d40.180556 or simply go on Google maps and type directions from Yerevan to Vardenis.

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

Thanks Fed

[Tsov]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I like the Gyumri and Vanadzor idea as well. Armenia seriously needs a "second city", the emphasis on Yerevan is overblown.

On the topic of Vardenis - Martakert road, I noticed that there is a segment of highway missing that takes you more directly from Yerevan to Vardenis. Instead you go up to Sevan and drive along its shore back down to reach Vardenis. Maybe a highway can be built that connects the two more directly? It would cut Yerevan-Artsakh drive even more dramatically. I don't know how feasible it is but if it is, definitely worth a look. If you wanna see what i'm talking about click here https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yere...72!2d40.180556 or simply go on Google maps and type directions from Yerevan to Vardenis.

You'll have to go through the Geghama mountain range which is a very high range. Even if it's somehow to lay a road it will be very costly and the resulting road will be very wiggly. While the road to Sevan is a straight highspeed motorway.

The only way to make good and faster replacement of the Sevan road would be to make a tunnel but that really be a major and costly effort. So for the time being the Sevan motorway is the best way.

[Federate]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

You'll have to go through the Geghama mountain range which is a very high range. Even if it's somehow to lay a road it will be very costly and the resulting road will be very wiggly. While the road to Sevan is a straight highspeed motorway.

The only way to make good and faster replacement of the Sevan road would be to make a tunnel but that really be a major and costly effort. So for the time being the Sevan motorway is the best way.

Thanks for the explanation Tsov and welcome to the forum. That also kinda explains why there's basically no settlements in that area.

[Mher]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I like the Gyumri and Vanadzor idea as well. Armenia seriously needs a "second city", the emphasis on Yerevan is overblown.

On the topic of Vardenis - Martakert road, I noticed that there is a segment of highway missing that takes you more directly from Yerevan to Vardenis. Instead you go up to Sevan and drive along its shore back down to reach Vardenis. Maybe a highway can be built that connects the two more directly? It would cut Yerevan-Artsakh drive even more dramatically. I don't know how feasible it is but if it is, definitely worth a look. If you wanna see what i'm talking about click here https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yere...72!2d40.180556 or simply go on Google maps and type directions from Yerevan to Vardenis.

Armenia desperately needs a second city, and Yerevan desperately needs a new kentron. The entire life of Armenia is focused on from Hraparak to Opera. It's very unhealthy sign for a country to be so centered around one city. Such a set up is common in backward countries where the ruling business elite reside in a single highly desired location and price out the rest of the country from it and condemn them to unpaved roads and lack of running water and electricity. If you look at some of the more successful European countries with excellent wealth distribution and human development, many don't have a single city the size of Yerevan despite having a population 2-3X Armenia's. Alternatively, there's little distinction between their largest cities.

And thank you for that explanation Tsov

[Tsov]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

Artsakh Brandy Headed for Havana After Winning CUBAEXPO 2014 Competition

Knar Babayan

12:55, December 10, 2014

Brandy produced in Artsakh and made from local grapes will soon be sold on Cuban store shelves afterwinning a slew of international medals. Ten and fifteen year-old 'Madatov' brandies, produced by the Stepanakert Cognac Factory CJSC, won gold medals at the 18th Wine and Alcohol Beverage Competition recently held in Moscow. The company’s 'Berdashen Khdoghni' one year aged wine won a silver medal. The 'Madatov' brandy also won a “best brand” medal at the CUBAEXPO 2014 held last month in Havana. To find out more, Hetq spoke with Stepanakert Cognac Factory Director Rouslan Israyelyan. What beverages do you produce and with whom do you collaborate? We focus on making brandy but also produce six types of fruit vodkas and the same amount of wines. Given that the vodkas are marketed under the name 'Karabakh', the Azerbaijanis raised a clamor, as usual, and tried to prevent them being sold at a duty free shop at one of Russia’s airports. We cooperate with the Yerevan Brandy Factory and supply them with young alcohol that we distill with their special equipment. It speaks to the fact that our product is high quality. Many have complained about this year’s drought in Artsakh. Has it affected your harvest? This year we collected 2,560 tons of grapes, less than half of last year’s 5,200 tons. Luckily, last year’s harvest was so good that we were able to preserve some of the grapes for this year’s production. Our plant has the capacity to collect 6,000 – 6,500 tons of grapes. We plan to gradually increase brandy production to one million bottles annually. Are the grapes all locally grown? Yes, except for the apricot and a bit of the cornel vodkas. We’ve been importing the fruits from Armenia. All the bottling paraphernalia also comes from Armenia. So where are the brandy, vodkas and wines sold? Naturally, most is sold overseas; especially in Russia, Australia, and Belgium. Cuba will soon be added to the list. Our brandies have garnered international recognition after the Cuba Expo. Many want to work with us. But we aren’t in any rush and closely review all proposals. One of the problems we face is in terms of quantity. If we see that we can’t fulfill a client’s order we won’t accept it. Are your prices competitive? Are prices are expensive when compared to similar products of other local business, but at the same time they are inexpensive when compared to, let’s say, the Yerevan Brandy Factory. Prices are based firstly on quality. It’s no wonder, then, that a ten year aged brandy can’t be sold for 1,500 AMD. How many employees work at your plant and what’s their average salary? We have 300 permanent workers at the main plant, at the Martouni and Karmir Shouka branches, and out in the fields. At peak season this number grows to around 700. Regarding salaries, they aren’t huge but are paid on time. This is what’s important and it’s an improvement over past years. There were times when workers wouldn’t get paid for months. (Since Mr. Israyelyan failed to give us specific salary numbers, Hetq asked a few workers who told us that they receive 50,000 AMD (US$110) per month maximum) Armenia will soon be entering the Eurasian Economic Union. How will this affect you as an exporter? It will not affect us in any way since the export of alcoholic beverages is exempt from taxation. We only import some bottling items. But since these are also used to export goods, they are also not taxed. They’re regarded as raw materials to be exported.

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter



November 15-30, 2014

Issue# 99

SECURITY



On November 12, Azeri forces shot down Artsakh Army helicopter during a training flight. Baku refused to provide international access to the incident area. NKR defense army retrieved the corpse of one pilot, the remains of the two other crew members in a special operation. The pilots - major Sergey Sahakyan, first lieutenant Sargis Nazaryan, and lieutenant Azat Sahakyan (in the picture) - received military honors as they were laid to rest in a state funeral in Yerevan.

POLITICS

Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan visited California, participated in the annual telethon of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund. In the USA, President also met with public figures, Diaspora organizations and businessmen. At a special reception President Sahakyan awarded American and American-Armenian state and public figures for promoting international recognition of the Artsakh’s independence.



Following the visit to the United States, President Sahakyan visited Italy, discussed bilateral ties with Senators, members of the research and academic community.

International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) expressed support to the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts to resolve the Karabakh issue in its summit’s final resolution.
Artsakh’s Askeran and French Bouc-Bel-Air sign Declaration of friendship.

The Mayor of the French city of Valence Nicolas Daragon joined the France-Karabakh Friendship Circle.

Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan stressed the importance of increasing the interest of youth in foreign policy during a meeting with participants of the Voice of Artsakh Youth project organized by the European Integration and Institute for Public Diplomacy and Artsakh Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs.

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

The NKR government submitted draft of FY 2015 state budget to parliament’s consideration. The document remains socially oriented, government says.


Tobacco fields are set to increase to 200 hectares in Artsakh. Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan discussed the issue with local private and public sector.

Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund concluded its 17th international telethon securing more than $12 million in donations and pledges for the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway and other significant projects.

Stepanakert Brandy Factory’s “Madatov” product received the Best Brand award at the CUBAEXPO 2014 fair, Havana. The brandy also took gold during the International Competition of Wines and Alcoholic Drinks in Russia, while Berdashen wine won silver.


SOCIETY & CULTURE


1.8 percent more Artsakhtsis were born from January to October 2014 comparing to last year. Number of marriages also increased by 66% in 2014.

Artsakh Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Narine Aghabalian visited France to meet French state and local government representatives as well as French-Armenian Diaspora organizations. During her visit, Minister Aghabalian also attended the concert of the “Voices of Artsakh” group in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a town near Paris.

NTERVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS

While visiting California, Artsakh President Sahakyan answered questions from the mass media at his meeting with leading Armenian-American media groups.

The Fresno Bee covered Artsakh President’s visit to Fresno, California.

HISTORICAL REFERENCE



Artsakh War Hero Monte Melkonian (Avo), one of the legendary commanders, would have turned 57 this year. Born in California, Monte joined the Artsakh Defense Army during the Karabakh war of 1991-1994 and fought against Azerbaijan’s aggression. He commanded the Artsakh Self-Defense Forces in Martuni and participated in military operations in Shahumyan, Shushi, Kelbajar, Aghdam and other areas. On June 12, 1993, Melkonian was killed in combat near the village of Merzuli during the Aghdam operation. He was posthumously awarded the state honor of Artsakh Hero for his service to the republic. Watch the Artsakh TV report and a documentary about Monte Melkonian. Also watch documentary in English with Avo's interview that contains war scenes.



This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States on behalf of the government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C