Armenia’s rank has improved by 3 points in this year’s Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, but we’re still ranked in the “noticeable problems” category. Continue reading
Tagged Armenia, Azerbaijan, Freedom of Speech, Georgia, Iran, Media, Press Freedom, RSF, Russia, Turkey
Armenia — Presidents of Iran and Armenia meet in Yerevan, 27Mar2011 | Official photo from http://www.president.am
Reuters news agency has published a report, claiming that Iran is seeking to expand its banking foothold in Armenia and thus trying to skirt bank sanctions the Islamic Republic is facing because of its nuclear program. Continue reading
Here’s a rather simplistic video dispatch by STRATFOR, a US based company which provides “analysis and insights into political, economic, and military developments”. Continue reading
Nagorno-Karabakh -- Military parade in Stepanakert, archive photo
A US think-tank has concluded, that “the inherent weakness and lack of discipline among the frontline units” of the Azerbaijani army along the Contact line with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s Self-Defense Army make the danger of renewed hostilities and escalation more — not less — likely, given the tendency to over-react to incidents and misread the battlefield environment. Continue reading
Posted in Armenia, Politics, Region
Tagged Azerbaijan, Iran, Karabakh, Nagorno-Karabakh, Oxford Analytica, Russia, South Caucasus, Stepanakert
Armenia -- An Iranian couple takes pictures in Yerevans Republic Square, 21Mar2011.
Head of Armenia’s Tourism agency has said the number of visitors to the country is growing at the rate of 20-25% annually, even though a World Economic forum report indicated that Armenia seriously lags behind its neighbours in tourism competitiveness rating. Continue reading
Tagged Armenia, attraction, Gyumri, Iran, recreation, Tourism, Tourists, Vanadzor, Yerevan
At least 10,000 Iranians are expected to visit Armenia during the ongoing celebrations of Nowruz. Farsi speech can already be heard across downtown Yerevan, with groups of tourists strolling in the streets, taking pictures and visiting cafes and restaurants. Continue reading
Map of Armenia and Iran
Posted in Armenia, Economy, Region
Tagged Armenia, Iran, Islamic republic, Mohammad Reza Rahimi, Tigran Sargsyan
Hundreds of Iranians have flocked central Yerevan marking the Iranian New Year (Nowruz) and enjoying the relative freedom of the Armenian capital. Some say up to 13 thousand Iranians have arrived here, although I wasn’t able to varify the number at this point.
Map of Armenia and Iran
In an interesting analytical article, Emil Danielyan, writing for Jamestown Foundation notes: “Armenia is showcasing its close relationship with Iran at a delicate time in its negotiations with two other, less friendly neighbors: Azerbaijan and Turkey. With the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations and the resolution of the Karabakh conflict looking increasingly problematic, authorities in Yerevan seem to be hedging their bets by pursuing more multi-million dollar commercial projects with Tehran.” Continue reading
Nrnadzor is the southernmost village of Armenia. The 28 kilometer leading from Meghri to Nrnadzor is stunning, even if dangerous.
