Yerevan & Rio De Janeiro to Become Sister Cities?

First Los Angeles, and now Rio de Janeiro?

The Mayor of Yerevan signed a protocol of friendship and cooperation in Rio de Janeiro between the two cities. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, César May, will visit Armenia. Furthermore, Rio de Janeiro will host a week of Armenian films towards the end of March.

Yervand Zakharyan, the Mayor of Yerevan, sure is up to a whole lot these days. Go forth, Yervand!

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Yerevan & Los Angeles Become Sister Cities!

Also known as twin cities, this link provides mutually beneficial interactions.

The twin cities agreement between Yerevan and Los Angeles will give an impetus to further bilateral cooperation, Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa stated...

In his speech, Villaraigosa stressed Armenia's valuable contribution to the development of Losd Angeles as a city of many nations and cultures. In his turn, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan pointed out that the agreement envisages closer cooperation in high technologies, public management, economic, cultural and educational relations.

I only wish this meant that we could exchange food simultaneously between the two cities. Nothing beats Armenian food!

Source: Arka

Trees Cut Down to Build New Hotel

Another story that I'm too disgusted to even type.

The grove near Aghayan 19 and Teryan 56 no more exists. Two days ago the residents of those houses woke up to find out that the 20 healthy trees of the grove have been chopped down. They could not prevent the trees from being cut as the policemen did not allow them to interfere. Several residents managed to take photos with cell phones.

The plan to cut down the grove was created in 2002 by Nushikyan Association which intends to build a four-storied hotel instead. The project had been rejected more than once but in 2006 it was finally accepted.

The residents of the nearby houses have created a committee protecting their rights, with Rouben Torosyan at the head. They have sent letters to Robert Kocharyan, RA Prime Minister, the head of the Police, as well as the RA Ombudsman and the Public Prosecutor. Mayor Yervand Zakharyan had promised that the trees would not be cut down.

Capitalism over common sense, as always. When will it change? When will Armenia itself be uprooted for the construction of a series of pipelines or something completely devastating on a massive scale?

What I do like about this story is the democratization of media: people with cell phones. Imagine if they had not been there: would this story have had the same impact? Doubtful.

Source: A1+

Armenia's Richest Men!

There is some controversy about the list of Armenia's Top 10 richest people that is to be published by Forbes Armenia, but something tells me it is pretty close, especially the top spot. Only the net worths of two people are given: Tsarukian at $400-500 million and Sargsyan at about $150 million.

I will be doing individual profiles of some of these people later on, so keep reading the blog. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!

1. Gagik Tsarukian - Businessman

Companies: Multi Leon - Kotayk Abovyan Beer Factory, Abovyan Plant of Measuring Equipment, Yerevan Chemical Drug Company, Mek Furniture Network, Aviaservice, Multi Stone Stone Processing Company, Yerevan Ararat Brandy, Wine and Vodka Factory.

2. Armen Avetisyan - Chairman of the State Customs Committee.

Fact: Admitted all the country's big importers are his friends.

3. Mikael Baghdasarov - Businessman

Companies: Mika Corporation - Armsavingsbank, Armavia Airlines, Mika Cement Plant, Mika Limited oil trading company.

4. Hrant Vardanyan - Businessman

Companies: Grand Holding - Grand Tobacco, Grand Candy

5. Khachatur Sukiasyan & Family - Businessman

Companies: Various.

6. Yervand Zakharyan - Mayor of Yerevan


7. Robert Kocharyan - President of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: It is known that Kocharyan was "elected" in 2003 with unfair means.

8. Serge Sargsyan - Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: Once "Head of Propaganda and Agitation Division of the Stepanakert City Communist Party Committee."

9. Andranik Manukyan - Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia


10. David Harutyunyan - Republic of Armenia Minister of Justice


Well, there you have it! Of importance, the majority of the people on this list are government officials.

If you liked this post, consider Digging it up!

Sources: ArmeniaPedia, and the original Forbes list.