CIVILNET

📍 A free trade deal between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran will go into effect mid-May, a development observers say could significantly boost Armenia’s economy.📍 Armenia’s Central Bank left interest rates unchanged at 6.75%, citing increased global uncertainty and risks amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war.📍 Armenia issued a $750 million eurobond on the London Stock Exchange as it seeks to manage its growing national debt. The bond matures in 10 years with a 7.1% yield.📍 Officials defended Armenia’s new cryptocurrency regulations, even as firms decried the rules as too onerous and warned they could lead to the sector’s virtual elimination.📍 Interview with Central Bank Deputy Chair Armen Nurbekyan (in Armenian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK6L_8XlVHI📍 Interview with Bitcoin Armenia’s Eduard Avetisyan (in Armenian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK2UUIe7RMk#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

Dr. Mustafa Aydin, a professor of international relations at Kadir Has University is in Yerevan to participate in a conference organized by the Caucasus Institute entitled “Gathering Storm: Regional Security of the South Caucasus in the Context of the Crisis of the Global Order.” He speaks with CivilNet about Turkey’s evolving role amid global and regional upheavals, as well as the country’s positioning between the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. The discussion focuses on how Turkey views the South Caucasus and, in particular, normalization attempts with Armenia. Aydin emphasizes the importance of people-to-people contact between Turks and Armenians to debunk myths they hold about each other and increase mutual understanding. 0:00 Turkey’s role amid global conflicts 3:42 Turkey and Russia in the South Caucasus 7:13 Political views of the South Caucasus toward Russia 9:06 Why doesn’t Turkey open its border with Armenia? #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Kolya Stepanyan, a writer and a veteran made a life-changing decision to repatriate to Armenia in 2019 and serve in the military, only to find himself in an all out war and stranded behind enemy lines for 70 days. In this podcast interview with CivilNet, the 2020 Artsakh War survivor shares his story of survival, the bonds that he formed, and how he channeled his emotions into writing his debut novel Where.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian examines why Azerbaijan will never sign a peace agreement with Armenia and how its survival depends on continued conflict. He breaks down the latest tactics used by the Baku regime to stall negotiations, including territorial disputes, constitutional changes, and EU mission contradictions. He also covers the importance of U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s unprecedented call for Azerbaijan to release Armenian hostages. Finally, he explores Armenia’s economic successes, from record-breaking banking profits and booming tech exports to key government moves in the mining and gaming industries. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

International lawyer Karnig Kerkonian discusses Armenia’s approach to normalization and the withdrawal of its international court cases under pressure from Azerbaijan. He warns that sacrificing legal rights for a treaty is akin to Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler before World War II. Kerkonian provides insights into the diplomatic failures that led to this moment and the dangerous path ahead if this strategy continues.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Today’s special report from Daily Armenia covers the end to normalization negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, announced yesterday by the foreign ministries of both countries.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian examines Ruben Vardanyan’s powerful voice message sent from prison. With excerpts from his statement, he details the gravity of Vardanyan’s words, from his condemnation of the show trial against him to his larger reflections on Armenia’s political and societal failures. In Vardanyan’s call for peace, he not only denounces injustice but also recognizes the shared humanity of his captors. This broadcast was recorded before Ruben Vardanyan announced an end to his hunger strike on March 13, 2025.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian

Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, professor of history at the American University of Armenia, speaks with CivilNet about Armenia’s acceptance of the final provisions of a normalization treaty with Azerbaijan, which was announced today. He discusses whether this is a real breakthrough or another ploy from the Aliyev regime, as well as the many lingering uncertainties that could still derail the process.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

In this special edition of the CivilNet podcast, commentator Eric Hacopian raises the alarm on Azerbaijan’s hidden intentions behind the expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which he believes is to murder Ruben Vardanyan and the other Armenian hostages who are currently enduring sham trials and torture in Baku. He explains what the Armenian government, international partners, and Armenians throughout the world must urgently do to prevent the worst. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Basel Issmail is a resident of Armenia with roots in the coastal regions of Syria, where in recent days more than 800 of his fellow Alawis have been massacred by forces with links to the new government, with confirmed casualties continuing to rise. He joined us to give an account of the first-hand accounts of the violence he has been told from those close to him still in the Latakia region and sound the alarm about this ongoing ethnic cleansing. With reports of Armenians having been killed as well, Issmail warns that every minority group in Syria is a potential target. 0:00- Who are the Alawite community in Syria? 2:40- How did the takeover by HTS paramilitary lead to massacres? 5:34- Terrorism being fueled through social media platforms. 6:14- Are other minority groups like Armenians in danger as well?8:18- Why is there very little reporting on the killings?#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ