Tag Archives: Armenia

Armenian exports rise

JUNE 6 2017 (The Bulletin) — Exports from Armenia have increased by 16.1% in the first four month of the year compared to the same period in 2016, media reported quoting the national statistics service. Russia was still the biggest trade partner and China the second biggest. Like the rest of the region, Armenia has been shrugging off an economic malaise triggered by a fall in oil prices and a recession in Russia that has lingered from 2014.

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(News report from Issue No. 332, published on June 12 2017)

Mkhitaryan receives award from Armenia

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MAY 28 2017 (The Bulletin) — Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Manchester United footballer, received Armenia’s highest order for “Services to Motherland” at a ceremony presided over by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. Mr Mkhitaryan who has played for Manchester United for one season is arguably the world’s best-known Armenian. He is certainly the best footballer Armenia has produced and is the first Armenian to play in the English Premier League.

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(News report from Issue No. 331, published on June 5 2017)

Armenia’s CB raises inflation target

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MAY 31 2017 (The Bulletin) — Armenia’s Central Bank raised its inflation target for 2017 to 2.5% from 0.6%, a leading indicator that it feels the worst of an economic downturn has passed. Armenia has been struggling to deal with deflation over the past couple of years. Recent data showed the economy starting to grow. The government targets 3.2% growth.

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(News report from Issue No. 331, published on June 5 2017)

International Crisis Group warns that Armenia and Azerbaijan are close to war

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JUNE 2 2017 (The Bulletin) — Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer to all-out war over disputed Nagorno- Karabakh than at any time since a 1994 ceasefire was agreed, the influential think tank International Crisis Group wrote.

This is just the latest warning, although it is also one of the most high-profile, that a conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh has become a real possibility.

“Both sides, backed by mobilised constituencies, appear ready for confrontation,” the ICG wrote. “These tensions could develop into larger- scale conflict, leading to significant civilian casualties and possibly prompting the main regional powers to intervene.”

Russia maintains a large military base in Armenia, while Turkey is one of Azerbaijan’s biggest allies.

ICG said since fighting in April 2016, tension around the region has worsened

“Since mid-January 2017, deadly incidents involving the use of heavy artillery and antitank weapons have occurred with varying degrees of intensity; May saw a significant increase, including reports of self- guided rockets and missiles used near densely populated areas,” it wrote.

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(News report from Issue No. 331, published on June 5 2017)

NATO deal to scrap unused vehicles in Armenia

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MAY 29 2017 (The Bulletin) — NATO has struck a deal with Armenia to pay for 130 unusable military vehicles to be decommissioned, media reported. The cost of decommissioning the vehicles is estimated at 1.3m euros. NATO deals with Armenia are important as they show that Armenia, one of Russia’s closest allies, is prepared to work closely with the West’s main military structure.

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(News report from Issue No. 331, published on June 5 2017)

Armenia sets up anti-corruption unit

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MAY 25 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Armenia’s government has set up a new anti-corruption unit, media reported, designed to screen high- ranking officials taking jobs that might present a conflict of interest. Anti-corruption measures have been increased across the globe after a string of highly public leaks showed just how strong the links were between corruption and various officials in governments worldwide.

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