Tweet
VIKTOR KRIVOPUSKOV: WHAT DOES RUSSIA CLAIM? A QUESTION THAT NO ONE CAN ANSWER
ArmInfo
Tuesday, October 4, 15:55
ArmInfo's exclusive interview with Viktor Krivopuskov,
Rossotrudnichestvo Federal Agency Office, Advisor to the RF Embassy in
Armenia, Candidate of Science (Philosophy), honorable member of the
Union of Writers of Armenia.
Mr. Krivopuskov, recently the Armenian information market has been
filled with publications expressing discontent at the active work
in the Russian Embassy in Armenia, as well as Rossotrudnichestvo. In
particular, they say that the Russian language is forced in Armenia.
There have been also attempts to revise the joint Armenian-Russian
historical heritage. This question may be unpleasant for you, but
would you comment on it, please?
Over the last 20 years of independence in the post-Soviet countries,
many information, charitable and humanitarian funds and structures
extended their presence to create public opinion. Today's information
technologies allow making a lot of fuss about nothing and selling
that fuss for big money, while, Russia's efforts are concentrated on
specific actions and plans contributing to the social and economic
development of Armenia and not followed by information fuss. Such
publications often find their naive readers who take those postulates
as a real damage to their country by Russia. In such publications
Russia is presented as a "historical governor", "historical monopolist"
and the Ambassador of Russia "as pointing the finger", which creates
an opinion that Armenia is far from real independence.
Such insinuations force certain opinion to the public. No one can
answer the question what does Russia claim? It is evident that Russia
does not manipulate. On the contrary, it has faced manipulations. The
point is that Russia is present in Armenia economically and it is a
strong basis for boosting also the humanitarian cooperation.
Our Office is seriously engaged in restoration of the Russian language
in Armenia. Our pilot project in Armenia has been taken as a basis for
educational centers teaching the Russian language in abroad. The level
of Russian Studies is so high in Armenia that it has become possible
to create a practical model of supporting and developing the Russian
language as a non-native. In this context, we are blamed for forcing
the Russian language. It is an absurd. We have over 2,500 applications
from the parents who want they children to receive additional Russian
language lessons. We have 20 various courses working three times in a
day. We work in Yerevan so far, but this summer we implemented pilot
projects in 11 towns and villages in Armenia.
Probably those were the parents of the schoolchildren who
insufficiently learn Russian at school...
The biggest number of applications we have received from the parents
of children at the pre-school age. We have a program "Degrees"
for pre-school children and we opened Pushkin Summer Schools of the
Russian Language at almost all the summer camps at the request of
their administrations. I have received new data on social surveys,
which have revealed that 94% of the polled parents in Armenia want
they children to know Russian excellently. Earlier that figure was 75%-
80%. The most interesting in the surveys is that the Russian language
is spoken only in 7% of families. It is normal considering that Armenia
is a mono-national country. These data show that the so-called critics
have no reason to worry. The Russian language is the second language
in the mono-ethnic country. It is a language of intellect, culture and
earning, at least. After all, there are 1,500 enterprises with Russian
capital in Armenia and many of them are backbone enterprises, he said,
commenting on the opinion that the Russian language is forced in the
country. Aspiration of Armenians for learning the Russian language is
normal like the necessity of learning English to work at British and
U.S. enterprises and organizations. We work in this dimension very
seriously. Now, we are going to organize Russian language courses for
almost 1000 employees of the VTB Bank Armenia. We organized similar
courses for the 4.500 workers and engineers and technicians of South
Caucasus Railway last year.
Knowledge of Russian is very important for such an up-to-date
innovative Russian enterprise. The leadership of the Yerevan
Municipality is well aware of that and does not want to work with
the people unable to communicate with their foreign colleagues and
exchanging experience. Such and even more acute issues are on the
agenda of also the military-technical cooperation, armed forces,
frontier service, and the emergency situations ministry. I think,
everything is as clear as a day.
Russia is said to create conditions for emigration of Armenians. Would
you comment on this quite doubtful thesis?
In such hard times for the social and economic life of the country,
the country must consolidate efforts to promote projects leading
the country out of such situation also through creating conditions
for development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Instead,
there are accusations even addressed to the Yerevan Office of the
Russian Migration Service allegedly for stimulating migration. If
the population had incomes in the country, it would not leave it for
earning. Isn't it good that 2166 people left for Russia within 4 years
and they do not live on sufferance, but have a legal status and an
opportunity to find a legal job, good salary and social guarantees? In
addition, the Diaspora in Russia is an important source of income for
the people in the country. Here are the official data: for the seven
months of 2011 the non-commercial bank remittances of individuals to
Armenia totaled 772 mln dollars, with Armenians working in Russian
having transferred 663 mln dollars to Armenia, which is 85% of total.
In addition, the people leaving for Russia do not sell their homes
like those who leave for Europe, for instance. I am sure that in
case of relatively good living conditions, many Armenians will return
from Russia.
You have touched upon a very important issue: development of SMEs
in Armenia. Is it possible to transfer the Armenian-Russian economic
cooperation from big projects to a big number of small and medium-sized
ones that will become a basis for intensive economic development of
the country?
Here is an example: the youth forum organized by Prosperous Armenian
Party Leader G. Tsarukyan in Tsakhkadzor involved not just the
youth but leaders of the youth regional governments from 25 regions
of Russia for the first time in the post-Soviet history. It was
possible last year only partially. The Russian-Armenian Forum of
International Cooperation promoted mutual contacts. In fact, we expect
Russian experts who will arrive in Armenia to study creation of joint
ventures and establishment of direct cooperation with villages and
towns. We urge governors to encourage Diaspora representatives to make
investments in their native towns, villages, schools, hospitals in
Armenia. Together with the Ministry of Territorial Administration we
have opened a Center of Interregional Cooperation at our Office. We
have a database that allows the parties interested to get all the
necessary information and materials online. We have studies the entire
historical, economic and migration material. I am from Rostov and I
know that Rostov and Ararat region can hardly help each other, as the
agricultural production of these regions is identical, whereas Ararat
and Arkhangelsk can cooperate in a range of promising and mutually
advantageous projects in the sphere of agricultural processing.
Arkhangelsk may invest in creation of JVs, import fruits and
vegetables etc.
There is also another approach. For instance, 25,000 out of 35,000
Armenians living in Voronezh region of Russia are from the Armenian
region of Vayots Dzor. They can initiate and drive social-economic
cooperation with their native region, launch production of cheese,
butter, sour-cream and other products and sell it both inside Armenia
and in Russia. We are currently studying the project of "Voronezh"
investments in the village of Privolnoe, Vayots Dzor region.
All this is a very important part of the national program "Return
Home". As soon as the economy in the Armenian regions is enhanced
and new productions are launched, people will start returning to
the motherland. In that case we will again face the problem with
the Russian language. It is necessary open at least small number of
Russian language classes at general education schools for the children
that received primary education in Russia.
A Research and Innovative Cooperation Center has been set up at
Rossotrudnichestvo Office. Please, brief about it.
All of us know that there is brain drain from Armenia. But, is it
Russia's problem? We have created the Russian-Armenian Center of
innovative Cooperation (the only one in the CIS so far) provided
that no project "will leave" the country. We try to inspire the
scientific and technical-research society of Armenia with hope that
all the projects will be implemented in the place as integral parts o
the inter-state program of innovative cooperation of the Commonwealth
states for 2012-2020. Rossotrudnichestvo is charged with implementation
of the program. Our Armenian projects will be commercialized first
of all. We helped the young academicians to consolidate and create
the Council of Young Scientists. In March 2011 together with the
National Academy of Science and the Scientific Committee, we held
a three-day seminar in Aghveran. Today we have a school of young
innovators that father twice in a month to make research reports and
exchange knowledge.
There is another project: Byurakan Observatory. We have launched
cooperation with K.V. Keldish Institute of Applied Mathematics of the
Russian Academy of Science and take relevant measures to bring back
the observatory to the level of the best observatories in the world.
This will allow creating conditions to bring back the scientists. At
present, Byurakan Observatory employs some 40 scientists while
under Viktor Hambartsumyan they numbered 400 people. The program
of preparing astrophysicists at the Yerevan State University will
increase the Observatory's staff twofold next year.
In addition, Rossotrudnichestvo works on a project of a Center
of Collective Access of Universities and Schools of Armenia to
Educational Resources of Universities in Russia. The project will
provide on-line access to the educational materials and information
of over 15 universities of Russia, such as the Moscow State Technical
University after N. Bauman, Moscow State University after A. Pushkin,
Russian University of the Friendship of Nations and others.
Investment climate in Armenia is imperfect. We speak of development
of joint entrepreneurships. Is it worth making so many efforts and
investing in the infrastructure amid so many obstacles to development
of business?
Political will of the president and the government is very important.
Understanding of the situation is also necessary. Russian Ambassador
V. Kovalenko and our Rossotrudnichestvo have initiated development
of inter-regional cooperation as we are sure that we can seriously
influence the process of SME development in conditions of the
semi-blockade and limited transport routes. Of course, it will require
additional measures to life the obstacles. It is a long process. After
all, joint entrepreneurship is a business. It is necessary to fight
for it, study the risks and life obstacles. It is important that the
given process has been initiated on the joint governmental basis.
Armenian enterprises were transferred to Russia under the "assets
for debts" contract. When we will see the fruits of that contract?
Here is another topic for speculations. First, these enterprises are
gradually taking leading positions in the country though the process
of their reanimation was not easy. Do you think that in Russia such
plants were in a good state? No, of course, the most important is that
they have not disappeared from the industrial field of the country and
are gathering pace. Mars Plant, for instance. Few people know that in
the Soviet times the plant did not manage to operate at full capacity.
Transferred to Russia, it was saved from destruction. Now, it is
an innovative and profitable enterprise. Moreover, a CNC center
with linear motors has been created at the plant and it is ready to
production. It is the creation of Armenian researchers and engineers
under good management. Another project: Hrazdan TPP. It has never
been idle and will become the best in the region soon. A question
arises as to whether anyone can set something against what Russia
does today jointly with the leadership of Armenia?
Thanks.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ArmInfo
Tuesday, October 4, 15:55
ArmInfo's exclusive interview with Viktor Krivopuskov,
Rossotrudnichestvo Federal Agency Office, Advisor to the RF Embassy in
Armenia, Candidate of Science (Philosophy), honorable member of the
Union of Writers of Armenia.
Mr. Krivopuskov, recently the Armenian information market has been
filled with publications expressing discontent at the active work
in the Russian Embassy in Armenia, as well as Rossotrudnichestvo. In
particular, they say that the Russian language is forced in Armenia.
There have been also attempts to revise the joint Armenian-Russian
historical heritage. This question may be unpleasant for you, but
would you comment on it, please?
Over the last 20 years of independence in the post-Soviet countries,
many information, charitable and humanitarian funds and structures
extended their presence to create public opinion. Today's information
technologies allow making a lot of fuss about nothing and selling
that fuss for big money, while, Russia's efforts are concentrated on
specific actions and plans contributing to the social and economic
development of Armenia and not followed by information fuss. Such
publications often find their naive readers who take those postulates
as a real damage to their country by Russia. In such publications
Russia is presented as a "historical governor", "historical monopolist"
and the Ambassador of Russia "as pointing the finger", which creates
an opinion that Armenia is far from real independence.
Such insinuations force certain opinion to the public. No one can
answer the question what does Russia claim? It is evident that Russia
does not manipulate. On the contrary, it has faced manipulations. The
point is that Russia is present in Armenia economically and it is a
strong basis for boosting also the humanitarian cooperation.
Our Office is seriously engaged in restoration of the Russian language
in Armenia. Our pilot project in Armenia has been taken as a basis for
educational centers teaching the Russian language in abroad. The level
of Russian Studies is so high in Armenia that it has become possible
to create a practical model of supporting and developing the Russian
language as a non-native. In this context, we are blamed for forcing
the Russian language. It is an absurd. We have over 2,500 applications
from the parents who want they children to receive additional Russian
language lessons. We have 20 various courses working three times in a
day. We work in Yerevan so far, but this summer we implemented pilot
projects in 11 towns and villages in Armenia.
Probably those were the parents of the schoolchildren who
insufficiently learn Russian at school...
The biggest number of applications we have received from the parents
of children at the pre-school age. We have a program "Degrees"
for pre-school children and we opened Pushkin Summer Schools of the
Russian Language at almost all the summer camps at the request of
their administrations. I have received new data on social surveys,
which have revealed that 94% of the polled parents in Armenia want
they children to know Russian excellently. Earlier that figure was 75%-
80%. The most interesting in the surveys is that the Russian language
is spoken only in 7% of families. It is normal considering that Armenia
is a mono-national country. These data show that the so-called critics
have no reason to worry. The Russian language is the second language
in the mono-ethnic country. It is a language of intellect, culture and
earning, at least. After all, there are 1,500 enterprises with Russian
capital in Armenia and many of them are backbone enterprises, he said,
commenting on the opinion that the Russian language is forced in the
country. Aspiration of Armenians for learning the Russian language is
normal like the necessity of learning English to work at British and
U.S. enterprises and organizations. We work in this dimension very
seriously. Now, we are going to organize Russian language courses for
almost 1000 employees of the VTB Bank Armenia. We organized similar
courses for the 4.500 workers and engineers and technicians of South
Caucasus Railway last year.
Knowledge of Russian is very important for such an up-to-date
innovative Russian enterprise. The leadership of the Yerevan
Municipality is well aware of that and does not want to work with
the people unable to communicate with their foreign colleagues and
exchanging experience. Such and even more acute issues are on the
agenda of also the military-technical cooperation, armed forces,
frontier service, and the emergency situations ministry. I think,
everything is as clear as a day.
Russia is said to create conditions for emigration of Armenians. Would
you comment on this quite doubtful thesis?
In such hard times for the social and economic life of the country,
the country must consolidate efforts to promote projects leading
the country out of such situation also through creating conditions
for development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Instead,
there are accusations even addressed to the Yerevan Office of the
Russian Migration Service allegedly for stimulating migration. If
the population had incomes in the country, it would not leave it for
earning. Isn't it good that 2166 people left for Russia within 4 years
and they do not live on sufferance, but have a legal status and an
opportunity to find a legal job, good salary and social guarantees? In
addition, the Diaspora in Russia is an important source of income for
the people in the country. Here are the official data: for the seven
months of 2011 the non-commercial bank remittances of individuals to
Armenia totaled 772 mln dollars, with Armenians working in Russian
having transferred 663 mln dollars to Armenia, which is 85% of total.
In addition, the people leaving for Russia do not sell their homes
like those who leave for Europe, for instance. I am sure that in
case of relatively good living conditions, many Armenians will return
from Russia.
You have touched upon a very important issue: development of SMEs
in Armenia. Is it possible to transfer the Armenian-Russian economic
cooperation from big projects to a big number of small and medium-sized
ones that will become a basis for intensive economic development of
the country?
Here is an example: the youth forum organized by Prosperous Armenian
Party Leader G. Tsarukyan in Tsakhkadzor involved not just the
youth but leaders of the youth regional governments from 25 regions
of Russia for the first time in the post-Soviet history. It was
possible last year only partially. The Russian-Armenian Forum of
International Cooperation promoted mutual contacts. In fact, we expect
Russian experts who will arrive in Armenia to study creation of joint
ventures and establishment of direct cooperation with villages and
towns. We urge governors to encourage Diaspora representatives to make
investments in their native towns, villages, schools, hospitals in
Armenia. Together with the Ministry of Territorial Administration we
have opened a Center of Interregional Cooperation at our Office. We
have a database that allows the parties interested to get all the
necessary information and materials online. We have studies the entire
historical, economic and migration material. I am from Rostov and I
know that Rostov and Ararat region can hardly help each other, as the
agricultural production of these regions is identical, whereas Ararat
and Arkhangelsk can cooperate in a range of promising and mutually
advantageous projects in the sphere of agricultural processing.
Arkhangelsk may invest in creation of JVs, import fruits and
vegetables etc.
There is also another approach. For instance, 25,000 out of 35,000
Armenians living in Voronezh region of Russia are from the Armenian
region of Vayots Dzor. They can initiate and drive social-economic
cooperation with their native region, launch production of cheese,
butter, sour-cream and other products and sell it both inside Armenia
and in Russia. We are currently studying the project of "Voronezh"
investments in the village of Privolnoe, Vayots Dzor region.
All this is a very important part of the national program "Return
Home". As soon as the economy in the Armenian regions is enhanced
and new productions are launched, people will start returning to
the motherland. In that case we will again face the problem with
the Russian language. It is necessary open at least small number of
Russian language classes at general education schools for the children
that received primary education in Russia.
A Research and Innovative Cooperation Center has been set up at
Rossotrudnichestvo Office. Please, brief about it.
All of us know that there is brain drain from Armenia. But, is it
Russia's problem? We have created the Russian-Armenian Center of
innovative Cooperation (the only one in the CIS so far) provided
that no project "will leave" the country. We try to inspire the
scientific and technical-research society of Armenia with hope that
all the projects will be implemented in the place as integral parts o
the inter-state program of innovative cooperation of the Commonwealth
states for 2012-2020. Rossotrudnichestvo is charged with implementation
of the program. Our Armenian projects will be commercialized first
of all. We helped the young academicians to consolidate and create
the Council of Young Scientists. In March 2011 together with the
National Academy of Science and the Scientific Committee, we held
a three-day seminar in Aghveran. Today we have a school of young
innovators that father twice in a month to make research reports and
exchange knowledge.
There is another project: Byurakan Observatory. We have launched
cooperation with K.V. Keldish Institute of Applied Mathematics of the
Russian Academy of Science and take relevant measures to bring back
the observatory to the level of the best observatories in the world.
This will allow creating conditions to bring back the scientists. At
present, Byurakan Observatory employs some 40 scientists while
under Viktor Hambartsumyan they numbered 400 people. The program
of preparing astrophysicists at the Yerevan State University will
increase the Observatory's staff twofold next year.
In addition, Rossotrudnichestvo works on a project of a Center
of Collective Access of Universities and Schools of Armenia to
Educational Resources of Universities in Russia. The project will
provide on-line access to the educational materials and information
of over 15 universities of Russia, such as the Moscow State Technical
University after N. Bauman, Moscow State University after A. Pushkin,
Russian University of the Friendship of Nations and others.
Investment climate in Armenia is imperfect. We speak of development
of joint entrepreneurships. Is it worth making so many efforts and
investing in the infrastructure amid so many obstacles to development
of business?
Political will of the president and the government is very important.
Understanding of the situation is also necessary. Russian Ambassador
V. Kovalenko and our Rossotrudnichestvo have initiated development
of inter-regional cooperation as we are sure that we can seriously
influence the process of SME development in conditions of the
semi-blockade and limited transport routes. Of course, it will require
additional measures to life the obstacles. It is a long process. After
all, joint entrepreneurship is a business. It is necessary to fight
for it, study the risks and life obstacles. It is important that the
given process has been initiated on the joint governmental basis.
Armenian enterprises were transferred to Russia under the "assets
for debts" contract. When we will see the fruits of that contract?
Here is another topic for speculations. First, these enterprises are
gradually taking leading positions in the country though the process
of their reanimation was not easy. Do you think that in Russia such
plants were in a good state? No, of course, the most important is that
they have not disappeared from the industrial field of the country and
are gathering pace. Mars Plant, for instance. Few people know that in
the Soviet times the plant did not manage to operate at full capacity.
Transferred to Russia, it was saved from destruction. Now, it is
an innovative and profitable enterprise. Moreover, a CNC center
with linear motors has been created at the plant and it is ready to
production. It is the creation of Armenian researchers and engineers
under good management. Another project: Hrazdan TPP. It has never
been idle and will become the best in the region soon. A question
arises as to whether anyone can set something against what Russia
does today jointly with the leadership of Armenia?
Thanks.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress