New U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Miles will help Armenia overcome the repercussions of anti-Russian economic sanctions in Armenia, the Armenian newspaper Lragir cites U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric Ruben. The latter stated that the U.S. was eager to assist other post-Soviet countries. The goal of U.S. sanctions is Russia alone, so post-Soviet countries need support to compensate for the losses. Armenia is outstanding in this aspect, because it is located in a critical region, the economic situation in the country is important for the preservation of the geopolitical status quo in the Caucasus and stability.
U.S. ex-Ambassador John Heffern was actively encouraging investing in Armenia. He was regularly visiting the U.S. and meeting with members of the Armenian community, persuading them to invest in Armenia. Heffern was also showing interest in opening the Carrefour network in Armenia, to no avail so far. Heffern’s mood when he was leaving the country was far from optimistic. Moreover, he did not manage to conclude the deal on the sale of Contour Global to the Vorotan Hydro Plant Cascade. Although the authorities have declared the deal close to completion, no final decision has been made thus far.
The newspaper assumes that new Ambassador Miles may actually get a chance to conclude the deal and bring U.S. capital to the energy sector of Armenia, displacing Russia. The U.S. may use financial injections via international institutions to spread influence in Armenia. They saved the country from a financial and economic catastrophe in December. The U.S. may also invest in separate sectors to achieve the same goal. The situation is unclear due to uncertainty of Russia’s reaction, considering that the latter takes any U.S. assistance to Armenia as an anti-Russian step. Moreover, the criminal and oligarchic system in Armenia is in charge of almost althe entire Armenian economy, transforming it into a sort of a joint-stock company with their own power levers. Breaking this system is strenuous indeed, the best solution could be the formation of a parallel economy. Hence, U.S. assistance may appear much needed. This means stimulation of new, technological sectors, tourism, education and civil control.
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Azerbaijan has filed a bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). SCO Director General Dmitry Mezentsev said that bids were filed by India, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Syria, Belarus, Armenia and Bangladesh to gain the status of observers and dialogue partners. “The bids, the attention to the organization are very important and valuable for us. It is an indicator that the organization has gained authority and has influence in the region,” stated Mezentsev.
In an interview with the Kaspiy newspaper, political analyst Rasim Agayev opined that Azerbaijan’s bid was a step fitting the multi-vector foreign policy of the country. The SCO encompasses such powers as China, India and Russia. It does not stand against such blocs as the Eurasian Union or the EU. It offers many benefits without any major risks. Elkhan Shakhinoglu, a political analyst, the head of the Azerbaijani Center for Analytical Research “Atlas”, is confident that observer status in the SCO meets the interests of the country. SCO members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and observers India, Pakistan and Iran are partners of Azerbaijan in one way or another.
“We need to be in touch with regional affairs, the status of SCO observer gives us such an opportunity. Moreover, Azerbaijan is a key state in the region, we are active in many regional energy projects. SCO countries are also united by regional projects. It may give the country an additional advantage, especially in light of the upcoming conclusion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction, which will eventually connect China with Great Britain.”
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Ingush Leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov ordered the delivery of the possession of empty basements of multi-storey apartment buildings in the capital of the republic to individuals for temporary exploitation without rental charges. In Yevkurov’s opinion, the proper approach of municipalities and house owners could help organize lucrative business with minimal expenses, creating a worthy accompaniment for the realization of anti-crisis measures and reduction of tensions in the employment market. The Ingushetiya paper reported that about 70 people were employed at the Olymp Sports Club, opened in one such basement. Edgar Didigov, heading the club, noted that its location in the center of the city was making it more popular. In most cases, visitors were residents of nearby houses in Magas. Training at the sports club costs 2,000 rubles a month. A recreation center was opened in another basement, offering lessons in handicrafts and painting. The working group formed by officials of the mayor’s office monitors abandoned basements. They will conduct talks with their owners. Should no owners of a certain basement be found, the room will be devolved to people ready to make use of the available space.
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18 agricultural investment projects of Kabardino-Balkaria were put on the list of priority projects for realization in the North Caucasian Federal District within the framework of the import-displacement program. The decision to add them to the list was made at a session of the working group for development of industrial production in the NCFD of the governmental commission for socio-economic development of the NCFD. The projects cost over 50 billion rubles, the Kabardino-Balkarskaya Pravda paper reports. The projects specialize in vegetable and poultry growing and factories producing canned food. Muayev Dadov, Kabardino-Balkarian deputy prime minister and minister for agriculture, believes that realization of the investment projects would boost production of agricultural products, create new and modernize old industries, engaging Kabardino-Balkarian farmers in food security more actively.
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Road construction in Dagestan is going uphill, according to the Dagestanskaya Pravda paper. Several bridges, roads, asphalt factories have been built and dozens of new vehicles purchased in the last 2-3 years. The Makhachkala-Airport road is close to completion. By the end of February, all work will have been completed, the road will have opened by March 8. Mamedgaji Mejidov, deputy head of the section for construction and reconstruction of roads of the Transportation and Road Agency, said that the road met international standards using advanced technologies. The 10-km section of the M-29 “Kavkaz” Highway (from Krasnodar through Grozny, Makhachkala, to the border of Azerbaijan) has been completed. Head of the Federal Road agency Roman Starovoyt attended the official opening of the road. The traffic intensity in the republic exceeds 25,000 vehicles a day. The section locals call “the road of death” has crossovers 300m long, a bridge 30m long, 8 drainage outlets. As a result of reconstruction, the road was split into four lanes 3.75m wide each. The road ring in Manas will be completed in the future, it will connect 16 highland districts of Dagestan. 136km out of 644km of the federal road running through Dagestan were reconstructed in 2002-2010, about 350km in 2010-2014. Roman Starovoyt took part in a council with officials of the Azerbaijani road construction services in the Magaramkentsky District and discussed construction of a bridge over River Samur on the Azerbaijani border. The construction project was signed by Russia and Azerbaijan on August 13, 2013. The existing bridge over the river was built in 1953, it does not satisfy the modern traffic needs. The capacity of the Yarag-Kazmalyar and Samur crossing posts will be increased.
Caucasus domestic and foreign political events in local pressNew U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Miles will help Armenia overcome the repercussions of anti-Russian economic sanctions in Armenia, the Armenian newspaper Lragir cites U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric Ruben. The latter stated that the U.S. was eager to assist other post-Soviet countries. The goal of U.S. sanctions is Russia alone, so post-Soviet countries need support to compensate for the losses. Armenia is outstanding in this aspect, because it is located in a critical region, the economic situation in the country is important for the preservation of the geopolitical status quo in the Caucasus and stability. U.S. ex-Ambassador John Heffern was actively encouraging investing in Armenia. He was regularly visiting the U.S. and meeting with members of the Armenian community, persuading them to invest in Armenia. Heffern was also showing interest in opening the Carrefour network in Armenia, to no avail so far. Heffern’s mood when he was leaving the country was far from optimistic. Moreover, he did not manage to conclude the deal on the sale of Contour Global to the Vorotan Hydro Plant Cascade. Although the authorities have declared the deal close to completion, no final decision has been made thus far. The newspaper assumes that new Ambassador Miles may actually get a chance to conclude the deal and bring U.S. capital to the energy sector of Armenia, displacing Russia. The U.S. may use financial injections via international institutions to spread influence in Armenia. They saved the country from a financial and economic catastrophe in December. The U.S. may also invest in separate sectors to achieve the same goal. The situation is unclear due to uncertainty of Russia’s reaction, considering that the latter takes any U.S. assistance to Armenia as an anti-Russian step. Moreover, the criminal and oligarchic system in Armenia is in charge of almost althe entire Armenian economy, transforming it into a sort of a joint-stock company with their own power levers. Breaking this system is strenuous indeed, the best solution could be the formation of a parallel economy. Hence, U.S. assistance may appear much needed. This means stimulation of new, technological sectors, tourism, education and civil control.* * *Azerbaijan has filed a bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). SCO Director General Dmitry Mezentsev said that bids were filed by India, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Syria, Belarus, Armenia and Bangladesh to gain the status of observers and dialogue partners. “The bids, the attention to the organization are very important and valuable for us. It is an indicator that the organization has gained authority and has influence in the region,” stated Mezentsev. In an interview with the Kaspiy newspaper, political analyst Rasim Agayev opined that Azerbaijan’s bid was a step fitting the multi-vector foreign policy of the country. The SCO encompasses such powers as China, India and Russia. It does not stand against such blocs as the Eurasian Union or the EU. It offers many benefits without any major risks. Elkhan Shakhinoglu, a political analyst, the head of the Azerbaijani Center for Analytical Research “Atlas”, is confident that observer status in the SCO meets the interests of the country. SCO members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and observers India, Pakistan and Iran are partners of Azerbaijan in one way or another. “We need to be in touch with regional affairs, the status of SCO observer gives us such an opportunity. Moreover, Azerbaijan is a key state in the region, we are active in many regional energy projects. SCO countries are also united by regional projects. It may give the country an additional advantage, especially in light of the upcoming conclusion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction, which will eventually connect China with Great Britain.”* * *Ingush Leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov ordered the delivery of the possession of empty basements of multi-storey apartment buildings in the capital of the republic to individuals for temporary exploitation without rental charges. In Yevkurov’s opinion, the proper approach of municipalities and house owners could help organize lucrative business with minimal expenses, creating a worthy accompaniment for the realization of anti-crisis measures and reduction of tensions in the employment market. The Ingushetiya paper reported that about 70 people were employed at the Olymp Sports Club, opened in one such basement. Edgar Didigov, heading the club, noted that its location in the center of the city was making it more popular. In most cases, visitors were residents of nearby houses in Magas. Training at the sports club costs 2,000 rubles a month. A recreation center was opened in another basement, offering lessons in handicrafts and painting. The working group formed by officials of the mayor’s office monitors abandoned basements. They will conduct talks with their owners. Should no owners of a certain basement be found, the room will be devolved to people ready to make use of the available space.* * *18 agricultural investment projects of Kabardino-Balkaria were put on the list of priority projects for realization in the North Caucasian Federal District within the framework of the import-displacement program. The decision to add them to the list was made at a session of the working group for development of industrial production in the NCFD of the governmental commission for socio-economic development of the NCFD. The projects cost over 50 billion rubles, the Kabardino-Balkarskaya Pravda paper reports. The projects specialize in vegetable and poultry growing and factories producing canned food. Muayev Dadov, Kabardino-Balkarian deputy prime minister and minister for agriculture, believes that realization of the investment projects would boost production of agricultural products, create new and modernize old industries, engaging Kabardino-Balkarian farmers in food security more actively.* * *Road construction in Dagestan is going uphill, according to the Dagestanskaya Pravda paper. Several bridges, roads, asphalt factories have been built and dozens of new vehicles purchased in the last 2-3 years. The Makhachkala-Airport road is close to completion. By the end of February, all work will have been completed, the road will have opened by March 8. Mamedgaji Mejidov, deputy head of the section for construction and reconstruction of roads of the Transportation and Road Agency, said that the road met international standards using advanced technologies. The 10-km section of the M-29 “Kavkaz” Highway (from Krasnodar through Grozny, Makhachkala, to the border of Azerbaijan) has been completed. Head of the Federal Road agency Roman Starovoyt attended the official opening of the road. The traffic intensity in the republic exceeds 25,000 vehicles a day. The section locals call “the road of death” has crossovers 300m long, a bridge 30m long, 8 drainage outlets. As a result of reconstruction, the road was split into four lanes 3.75m wide each. The road ring in Manas will be completed in the future, it will connect 16 highland districts of Dagestan. 136km out of 644km of the federal road running through Dagestan were reconstructed in 2002-2010, about 350km in 2010-2014. Roman Starovoyt took part in a council with officials of the Azerbaijani road construction services in the Magaramkentsky District and discussed construction of a bridge over River Samur on the Azerbaijani border. The construction project was signed by Russia and Azerbaijan on August 13, 2013. The existing bridge over the river was built in 1953, it does not satisfy the modern traffic needs. The capacity of the Yarag-Kazmalyar and Samur crossing posts will be increas