Armenia

Compiled from the June 2007 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:

Republic of Armenia

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 29,800 sq. km. (11,500 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Maryland.

Cities: Capital—Yerevan.

Terrain: High plateau with mountains, little forest land. t

Climate: Highland continental, hot summers, cold winters.

People

Nationality: Noun—Armenian(s). Adjective—Armenian.

Population: (official est.) 3,213,011 de jure (3,002,594 de facto). These figures represent the final results of the October 2001 census, as announced in January 2003.

Ethnic groups: Armenian 98%; Yezidi 1.2%; Russian, Greek, and other 0.8%.

Religions: Armenian Apostolic Church (more than 90% nominally affiliated).

Languages: Armenian (96%), Russian, other.

Education: Literacy—99%.

Health: Infant mortality rate—20/ 1,000. Life expectancy—66.6 years.

Work force: (1.24 million; 10.5% unemployed) Industry and construction—24.5%; agriculture and forestry—24.6%; trade—17.3%; education—13.4%; other—22.2%.

Government

Type: Republic.

Constitution: Approved in November 2005 referendum.

Independence: 1918 (First Armenian Republic); 1991 (from Soviet Union).

Government branches: Executive—president (head of state) with wider powers relative to other branches, prime minister (head of cabinet), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative—unicameral National Assembly (parliament). Judicial—Constitutional Court.

Political subdivisions: 10 marzes (provinces) in addition to the city of Yerevan, which has the status of a province.

Political parties: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun, Country of Law (Orinats Yerkir), and the Heritage Party. Other parties include: People's Party of Armenia, National Accord Party, Republic Party, New Times Party, United Labor Party, Dashink Party, National Democratic Union, and the Armenian National Movement. In addition, there are dozens of other registered parties, many of which become active only during national campaigns, if at all.

Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy (2005)

GDP: $4.867 billion.

GDP growth rate: 13.9%.

Per capita GDP: $1,514.

Inflation: 0.06%.

Natural resources: Copper, zinc, gold, and lead; hydroelectric power; small amounts of gas and petroleum.

Agriculture: Products—fruits and vegetables, wines, dairy, some livestock.

Industry: Types—chemicals, electronic products, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textiles.

Trade: Exports—$950.4 million: diamonds, scrap metal, machinery and equipment, brandy, copper ore. Export partners (2004)—Belgium 18%, Israel 15.3%, Russia 12.5%, U.S. 8.1%, Netherlands 7.2%, Iran 5.5%, Georgia 4.3%. Imports (2004)—$1.767.9 billion: natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, and diamonds. Import partners—Russia 11.3%, Belgium 10.1%, Israel 8.4%, Iran 7.1%, U.S. 7.6%.

PEOPLE AND HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ethnic groups in Armenia include Armenians (95%), Kurds, Russians, Greeks, and others. More than 90% of the population is nominally affiliated with the Armenian Apostolic Church. Languages are Armenian (96%), Russian, and others.

Armenia first emerged into history around 800 BC as part of the Kingdom of Urartu or Van, which flourished in the Caucasus and eastern Asia Minor until 600 BC. After the destruction of the Seleucid Empire, the first Armenian state was founded in 190 BC. At its zenith, from 95 to 65 BC, Armenia extended its rule over the entire Caucasus and the area that is now eastern Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. For a time, Armenia was the strongest state in the Roman East. It became part of the Roman Empire in 64 BC and adopted a Western political, philosophical, and religious orientation.

In 301 AD, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, establishing a church that still exists independently of both the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches. During its later political eclipses, Armenia depended on the church to preserve and protect its unique identity. From around 1100 to 1350, the focus of Armenian nationalism moved south, as the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, which had close ties to European Crusader states, flourished in southeastern Asia Minor until conquered by Muslim states.

Between the 4th and 19th centuries, Armenia was conquered and ruled by, among others, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, and Turks. For a brief period from 1918 to 1920, it was an independent republic. In late 1920, the communists came to power following an invasion of Armenia by the Red Army, and in 1922, Armenia became part of the Trans-Caucasian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1936, it became the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Armenians voted overwhelmingly for independence in a September 1991 referendum, followed by a presidential election in October 1991 that gave 83% of the vote to Levon Ter-Petrossian. Ter-Petrossian had been elected head of government in 1990, when the Armenian National Movement defeated the Communist Party. Ter-Petrossian was re-elected in 1996. Following public demonstrations against Ter-Petrossian's policies on Nagorno-Karabakh, the President resigned in January 1998 and was replaced by Prime Minister Robert Kocharian, who was elected President in March 1998. Following the October 27, 1999 assassination in Parliament of Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, Parliament Speaker Karen Demirchian, and six other officials, a period of political instability ensued during which an opposition headed by elements of the former Armenian National Movement government attempted unsuccessfully to force Kocharian to resign. Kocharian was successful in riding out the unrest. Kocharian was reelected in March 2003 in a contentious election that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the U.S. Government deemed to fall short of international standards.

As a result of the May 2007 parliamentary elections, 103 seats of the 131 in the National Assembly (90 elected on a proportional basis and 41 on a district-by-district majoritarian basis) are members of pro-govern-mental parties. The Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia formed a coalition; the ARF Dashnaksutyun Party signed a cooperation agreement with this coalition. The Heritage Party and Orinats Yerkir remain opposition parties. While in the past opposition parties, despite philosophical differences, tended to vote together on key legislative issues, there has been no agreement among the opposition parties to date to do so.

The Government of Armenia's stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary democracy as the basis of its form of government. However, international observers have questioned the inherent fairness of parliamentary and presidential elections during each of the previous nationwide elections (1995, 1999, and 2003) as well as during the 2005 constitutional referendum, citing polling deficiencies, lack of cooperation by the electoral commission, poor maintenance of electoral lists, and access to polling places. The 2007 parliamentary elections, however, demonstrated an improvement over previous elections. The new constitution in 2005 increased the power of the legislative branch and allows for more independence of the judiciary; the executive branch nevertheless retains more power than most European countries.

The Government's human rights record remained poor in 2006; while there were some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained. Security forces beat pretrial detainees. Impunity remained a problem. There were reports of arbitrary arrest and detention. Lengthy pretrial detention remained a problem. There were some limits on press freedom, due in part to self-censorship and denial of television broadcast licenses. The law places some restrictions on religious freedom. Societal violence against women was a problem. Trafficking of women and children was a problem, which the government took some steps to address.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 2/1/2008

Pres.: Robert KOCHARIAN

Prime Min.: Serzh SARGSYAN

Min. Chief of Staff of the Cabinet: Manuk TOPUZYAN

Min. of Agriculture: Davit LOKYAN

Min. of Culture & Youth: Hasmik POGHOSIAN

Min. of Defense: Mikayel HARUTYUNYAN

Min. of Education & Science: Levon MKRTCHYAN

Min. of Energy: Armen MOVSISYAN

Min. of Environmental Protection: Aram HARUTYUNIAN

Min. of Finance & Economy: Vardan KHACHATRYAN

Min. of Foreign Affairs: Vartan OSKANIAN

Min. of Health: Harutyun KUSHKIAN

Min. of Justice: Gevorg DANIELYAN

Min. of Labor & Social Issues: Aghvan VARDANYAN

Min. of Sport & Youth: Armen GRIGORIAN

Min. of Territorial Admin.: Hovik ABRAHAMYAN

Min. of Trade & Economic Development: Nerses YERITSIAN

Min. of Transport & Communication: Andranik MANUKYAN

Min. of Urban Planning: Vardan VARDANIAN

Chmn., National Bank: Tigran SARGSYAN

Ambassador to the US: Tatoul MARKARIAN

Permanent Representative to the UN, NewYorkk: Armen MARTIROSYAN

Armenia's embassy in the U.S. is at 2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008; tel: 202-319-1976; fax: 202-319 -2984.

ECONOMY

Armenia is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. It is a landlocked country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, bordered on the north by Georgia, to the east by Azerbaijan, on the south by Iran, and to the west by Turkey. Up until independence, Armenia's economy was based largely on industry—chemicals, electronic products, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textiles—and highly dependent on outside resources. Agriculture accounted for only 20% of net material product and 10% of employment before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Armenian mines produce copper, zinc, gold, and lead. The vast majority of energy is produced with imported fuel, including gas and nuclear fuel (for its one nuclear power plant) from Russia; the main domestic energy source is hydroelectric. Small amounts of coal, gas, and petroleum have not yet been developed.

Like other New Independent States of the former Soviet Union, Armenia's economy suffers from the legacy of a centrally planned economy and the breakdown of former Soviet trading patterns. Soviet investment in and support of Armenian industry has virtually disappeared, so that few major enterprises are still able to function. In addition, the effects of the 1988 earthquake, which killed more than 25,000 people and made 500,000 homeless, are still being felt. Although a cease-fire has held since 1994, the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has not been resolved. The consequent closure of both the Azerbaijani and Turkish borders has devastated the economy, because of Armenia's dependence on outside supplies of energy and most raw materials. Land routes through Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed; routes through Georgia and Iran are inadequate or unreliable. In 1992-93, GDP fell nearly 60% from its 1989 level. The national currency, the dram, suffered hyperinflation for the first few years after its introduction in 1993.

Nevertheless, the Government of Armenia, helped by the cease-fire that has been in effect in Nagorno-Karabakh since 1994, has been able to carry out wide-ranging economic reforms that paid off in dramatically lower inflation and steady growth. Armenia has registered strong economic growth since 1995, building on the turnaround that began the previous year, and inflation has been negligible for the past several years. New sectors, such as precious stone processing and jewelry making, information and communication technology, and even tourism are beginning to supplement more traditional sectors such as agriculture in the economy.

This steady economic progress has earned Armenia increasing support from international institutions. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as other international financial institutions (IFIs) and foreign countries are extending considerable grants and loans. Total loans extended to Armenia since 1993 exceed $1.1 billion. These loans are targeted at reducing the budget deficit, stabilizing the local currency; developing private businesses; energy; the agriculture, food processing, transportation, and health and education sectors; and ongoing rehabilitation work in the earthquake zone.

Continued progress will depend on the ability of the government to strengthen its macroeconomic management, including increasing revenue collection, improving the investment climate, and making strides against corruption. A liberal foreign investment law was approved in June 1994, and a Law on Privatization was adopted in 1997, as well as a program on state property privatization. The government joined the World Trade Organization on February 5, 2003.

Environmental Issues

Armenia is trying to address its environmental problems. It has established a Ministry of Nature Protection and has introduced a pollution fee system by which taxes are levied on air and water emissions and solid waste disposal, with the resulting revenues used for environmental protection activities. Armenia is interested in cooperating with other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS—a group of 12 former Soviet republics) and with members of the international community on environmental issues. The Armenian Government has committed to decommissioning the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant as soon as alternate energy sources can be identified.

DEFENSE AND MILITARY ISSUES

Armenia established a Ministry of Defense in 1992. Border guards subject to the National Security Service patrol Armenia's borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian Border Guards continue to monitor its borders with Iran and Turkey.

The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty was ratified by the Armenian parliament in July 1992. The treaty establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of military equipment, such as tanks, artillery, armored combat vehicles, combat aircraft, and combat helicopters, and provides for the destruction of weaponry in excess of those limits. Armenian officials have consistently expressed determination to comply with its provisions.

Armenia has provided data on armaments as required under the CFE Treaty. There are indications that Armenia is trying to establish mechanisms to ensure fulfillment of its arms control obligations. Armenia is not a significant exporter of conventional weapons, but it has provided substantial support, including materiel, to separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In March 1993, Armenia signed the multilateral Chemical Weapons Convention, which calls for the eventual elimination of chemical weapons. Armenia acceded to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state in July 1993. The U.S. and other Western governments have discussed efforts to establish effective nuclear export control systems with Armenia.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Armenia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Commonwealth of Independent States, NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Trade Organization.

Nagorno-Karabakh

In 1988, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, voted to secede and join Armenia. This eventually developed into a full-scale armed conflict. Armenian support for the separatists led to an economic embargo by Azerbaijan, which has had a negative impact on Armenia's foreign trade and made imports of food and fuel more expensive, three-quarters of which previously transited Azerbaijan under Soviet rule.

Peace talks in early 1993 were disrupted by the seizure of Azerbaijan's Kelbajar district by Nagorno-Kara-bakh Armenian forces and the forced evacuation of thousands of ethnic Azeris. Turkey in protest then followed with an embargo of its own against Armenia. A cease-fire was declared between Azeri and Armenian/Nagorno-Karabakh forces in 1994 and has been maintained by both sides since then in spite of occasional shooting along the line of contact. All Armenian governments have thus far resisted domestic pressure to recognize the self-proclaimed independence of the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” while at the same time announcing they would not accept any peace accords that returned the enclave to Azerbaijani rule. Approximately 526,000 of the estimated 800,000 ethnic Azeris who fled during the Karabakhi offensives still live as internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan, while roughly 235,000 of 360,000 ethnic Armenians who fled Azerbaijan since 1988 remain refugees.

Negotiations to peacefully resolve the conflict have been ongoing since 1992 under the aegis of the Minsk Group of the OSCE. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by the U.S., France, and Russia. Negotiations have intensified since 2004.

According to Armenia's Office of the Geographer, Karabakhi Armenians, supported by the Republic of Armenia, now hold about 11% of Azerbaijan and have refused to withdraw from occupied territories until an agreement on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is reached. Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to observe the cease-fire that has been in effect since May 1994, and in late 1995 both also agreed to OSCE field representatives being based in Tbilisi, Georgia, to monitor the cease-fire and facilitate the peace process.

U.S.-ARMENIAN RELATIONS

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991 brought an end to the Cold War and created the opportunity to build bilateral relations with the New Independent States (NIS) as they began a political and economic transformation. The U.S. recognized the independence of Armenia on December 25, 1991, and opened an Embassy in Yerevan in February 1992. The United States has made a concerted effort to help Armenia and the other NIS during their difficult transition from totalitarianism and a command economy to democracy and open markets. The cornerstone of this continuing partnership has been the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets (FREEDOM) Support Act, enacted in October 1992. Under this and other programs, the U.S. to date has provided nearly $1.5 billion in humanitarian and technical assistance for Armenia. U.S. assistance programs in Armenia are described in depth on the website at: http://www.usaid.am/main/en/129/.

On March 27, 2006 Armenia signed a Millennium Challenge Compact with the United States; the agreement entered into force on September 29, 2006. The agreement will provide $235 million to Armenia over five years to reduce rural poverty through the improvement of rural roads and irrigation networks.

U.S.-Armenian Economic Relations

In 1992 Armenia signed three agreements with the U.S. affecting trade between the two countries. The agreements were ratified by the Armenian parliament in September 1995 and entered into force in the beginning of 1996. They include an “Agreement on Trade Relations,” an “Investment Incentive Agreement,” and a treaty on the “Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment” (generally referred to as the Bilateral Investment Treaty, or BIT). Armenia does not have a bilateral taxation treaty with the U.S. The 1994 Law on Foreign Investment governs all direct investments in Armenia, including those from the U.S.

Approximately 70 U.S.-owned firms currently do business in Armenia, including such multinationals as Procter & Gamble, M&M-Mars, Xerox, Dell, Microsoft, and IBM. Recent major U.S. investment projects include the Hotel Armenia; the Hotel Ani Plaza; Tufenkian Holdings (carpet and furnishing production, hotels, and construction); several subsidiaries of U.S.-based information technology firms, including Viasphere Technopark, an IT incubator; a Greek-owned Coca-Cola bottling plant; petroleum exploration by the American-Armenian Exploration Company; jewelry and textile production facilities; a large perlite mining and processing plant; and Jermuk Mother Plant, which produces one of the more popular brands of mineral water in Armenia.

U.S. Support To Build A Market Economy

The U.S. continues to work closely with international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to help Armenia in its transition to a free-market economy. Armenia has embarked upon an ambitious reform program, which has allowed a gradual transition from humanitarian aid toward more developmental assistance. U.S. economic assistance programs, primarily under the administration of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have three objectives: to help create a legal, regulatory, and policy framework for competition and economic growth in energy, agriculture, housing, and other sectors; to promote fiscal reform; and to develop a competitive and efficient private financial sector. Other agencies, including the Departments of State, Agriculture, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Energy, Justice, and the Peace Corps sponsor various assistance projects. The U.S.-Armenia Task Force, established in 2000, is a bilateral commission that meets every 6 months to review the progress and objectives of U.S. assistance to Armenia.

Specific USAID programs focus on the development of a private sector and small and medium-size enterprises, including microcredit programs; energy sector reform, focusing on efficient management of Armenia's physical resources; democracy and good governance programs, including the promotion of a well-informed and active civil society; social sector reform, including benefits administration for vulnerable populations and targeted vocational training; health sector reform, including improvement of management and delivery of primary healthcare services with an emphasis on preventive medicine; and earthquake zone assistance, which provides housing and economic reactivation for victims of the 1988 earthquake. Under this program, more than 4,000 families who lost their homes have participated in a housing certificate program allowing them to secure permanent and adequate housing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative provides targeted and sustained technical, financial and marketing assistance to small and medium-sized agribusinesses and farmer-marketing associations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cochran Fellowship Program provides training to Armenian agriculturists. USDA and USAID also have launched efforts to revive production and export of Armenian vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural products.

U.S. Humanitarian Assistance

Over the past decade the U.S. has provided over $1.5 billion in assistance to Armenia, the highest per capita amount in the NIS. Humanitarian aid originally accounted for up to 85% of this total, reflecting the economic effects caused by closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, destruction in northern Armenia left from the devastating 1988 earthquake, and the virtual paralysis of most of the country’ factories.

As conditions in Armenia have improved, with the stabilization of the economy and increased energy production—including the restarting of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant at Metsamor—U.S. assistance programs have moved away from humanitarian goals to longer-term development ones.

U.S. Support To Achieve Democracy

Technical assistance and training programs have been provided in municipal administration, intergovernmental relations, public affairs, foreign policy, diplomatic training, rule of law, and development of a constitution. Specific programs are targeted at promoting elections that meet international standards, strengthening political parties, and promoting the establishment of an independent judiciary and independent media. This includes financing for programs that support civil society organizations, local non-governmental organizations (NGO) capacity building, National Assembly professional development, and local and community-level governance.

State Department and USAID educational exchange programs play an important role in supporting democratic and free-market reforms. Assistance in the translation and publication of printed information also has been provided. Exchange programs in the U.S. for Armenian lawyers, judges, political party members, business people, government officials, NGO activists, journalists, and other public figures focus on a range of topics, including the American judicial and political system, privatization, specific business sectors, the media, and civil society. The State Department has funded an ongoing project to provide Internet connectivity to schools at various levels throughout the country; these centers provide both educational and community-building opportunities.

USAID has funded international and domestic groups to monitor national elections. USAID also has funded programs to educate voters and to strengthen the role of an array of civic organizations in the democratic process.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

Last Updated: 2/19/2008

Last Updated: 2/19/2008YEREVAN (E) 1 American Ave., (37410) 46-47-00; 49-42-00, Fax (37410) 46-47-42, INMARSAT Tel Emer. Iridium 4179 770 4310; 4179 222 9728, Workweek: Mon-Fri / 9:00am-6:00pm, Website: http://yerevan.usembassy.gov.

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet

August 31, 2007

Country Description: Armenia is a constitutional republic with a developing economy. Tourist facilities, especially outside Yerevan, the capital, are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may be difficult to obtain.

Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. For stays longer than 21 days, but not exceeding 90 days, an official invitation from a qualifying entity in Armenia is required. U.S. citizens may purchase visas for a stay of up to 21 days online at http://www.armeniaforeignminis-try.am/ for the fee of USD 60 or upon arrival at the port of entry for the fee of $30 US. Visas for up to 120 days may be purchased at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or the Consulate General in Los Angeles for the fee of USD 61.

For further information on entry requirements, contact the Armenian Embassy at 2225 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 319-1976 and (202) 319-2983; the Armenian Consulate General in Los Angeles at 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, tel. (310) 657-7320, or visit the Embassy of Armenia's web site at http://www.armeniaemb.org for the most current visa information.

Safety and Security: A cease-fire has been in effect since 1994 around the self-proclaimed “Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh,” an unrecognized ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan. However, reports of intermittent gunfire along the cease-fire line and along the border with Azerbaijan continue. Because of the existing state of hostilities, consular services are not available to Americans in Nagorno-Karabakh. Travelers should exercise caution near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and consult the Country Specific Information for Azerbaijan if considering travel to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian territory. Armenia's land borders with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan remain closed and continue to be patrolled by armed troops who stop all people attempting to cross. There are still land mines in numerous areas in and near the conflict zones.

Several political rallies occurred in Yerevan in the spring of 2004 and in the fall of 2005. Though the majority of these demonstrations were peaceful, police forcibly removed protesters from the scene in at least one instance in 2004. Political rallies in the run-up to the May 2007 Parliamentary elections were mostly peaceful. However, some demonstrators were beaten by police during one march in central Yerevan. Americans should be mindful that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

Armenia is an earthquake and landslide-prone country. In addition to these natural disasters, there exists the possibility of chlorine gas spills and radiation poisoning due to industrial accidents; the Soviet-era Armenia Nuclear Power plant is located in Metsamor, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Yerevan. The plant was closed temporarily in 1988 following a devastating earthquake, but reopened in 1995. Armenia is currently under international pressure to close the plant permanently, due to safety concerns.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.

Crime: Crime against foreigners is relatively rare in Armenia. Breakins, particularly of vehicles, and theft are the most common crimes, but there have been instances of violent crime as well. In May 2004, an American citizen was murdered in Yerevan; the crime remains unsolved. While the incidence of violent crime remains lower than in most U.S. cities, American citizens are urged to exercise caution and to avoid traveling alone after dark in Yerevan. Several American investors have also reported being the victims of financial scams and disputes over property ownership.

Information for Victims of Crime: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: Though there are many competent physicians in Armenia, medical care facilities are limited, especially outside the major cities. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians in the area. Most prescription medications are available, but the quality varies. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Armenia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Travel in Armenia requires caution. Public transportation, while very inexpensive, may be unreliable and uncomfortable. Travel at night is not recommended, and winter travel can be extremely hazardous in mountain areas and higher elevations.

Travelers should avoid the old highway between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan in the Tavush region, as well as the main highway between the towns of Kirants and Baghanis/Voskevan. The U.S. Embassy has designated this portion of the road off-limits to all U.S. government personnel because of its proximity to the cease-fire line between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, a line which has seen numerous cease-fire violations over the years.

On weekends, there are an increased number of intoxicated drivers on Armenian roads. American citizens are urged to exercise particular vigilance while traveling on the main highway from Yerevan to the resort areas of Tsaghadzor and Sevan. Traffic police will attempt to stop individuals driving erratically and dangerously, but police presence outside of Yerevan is limited.

Armenia does have emergency police and medical services, but they may take time to reach remote regions.

With the exception of a few major arteries, primary roads are frequently in poor repair, with sporadic stretches of missing pavement and large potholes. Some roads shown as primary roads on maps are unpaved and can narrow to one lane in width, while some newer road connections have not yet been marked on recently produced maps. Secondary roads are normally in poor condition and are often unpaved and washed out in places. Street and road signs are poor to nonexistent. Truck traffic is not heavy except on the main roads linking Yerevan to Iran and Georgia.

Minibuses are considered more dangerous than other forms of public transportation. Travelers who choose to ride minibuses should exercise caution because these vehicles are often overcrowded and poorly maintained, commonly lack safety measures including seatbelts, and are frequently involved in accidents.

Though crime along roadways is rare, the police themselves sometimes seek bribes during traffic stops. Drivers in Armenia frequently ignore traffic laws, making roadways unsafe for unsuspecting travelers. Pedestrians often fail to take safety precautions and those driving in towns at night should be especially cautious. In cities, a pedestrian dressed in black crossing an unlit street in the middle of the block is a common occurrence.

The quality of gasoline in Armenia ranges from good at some of the more reliable stations in cities to very poor. The gasoline and other fuels sold out of jars, barrels, and trucks by independent roadside merchants should be considered very unreliable.

Aviation Safety Oversight: Asthere is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Armenia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Armenia's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA's web site at http://www.faa.gov.

Travelers on Armavia International Airways may experience prolonged delays, sudden cancellation of flights, and flights departing earlier than scheduled. In addition to frequent delays, flights are sometimes overcrowded with passengers without seats standing in the aisle along with excess unsecured cabin luggage. Even basic safety features such as seat belts are sometimes missing. Air travel to Armenia via European carriers is typically more reliable. Ticketed passengers on flights leaving Yerevan should reconfirm their reservation 24 hours prior to departure.

Special Circumstances: Armenia remains largely a cash-only economy. Credit cards are accepted at some businesses, including major hotels and restaurants in Yerevan, but rarely outside of the capital. Limited facilities exist for cashing traveler's checks and wiring money into the country. There are a number of ATMs in the center of Yerevan. Dollars are readily exchanged at market rates. Travelers may experience problems with local officials seeking bribes to perform basic duties. Armenian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Armenia of items such as firearms, pornographic materials, medication, and communications equipment. For export of antiquities and other items that could have historical value, such as paintings, carpets, old books, or other artisan goods, a special authorization is required in advance from the Armenian Ministry of Culture. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Armenia in Washington, D.C. or Consulate General in Los Angeles for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Dual Nationality: In addition to being subject to all Armenian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Armenian citizens. Male U.S. citizens over the age of 18 who are also considered to be Armenian citizens may be subject to conscription and compulsory military service upon arrival, and to other aspects of Armenian law while in Armenia. Since the summer of 2005, Armenian authorities have regularly detained U.S. citizens on these grounds upon their arrival in the country. In most cases, ethnic Armenian travelers who are accused of evading Armenian military service obligations are immediately incarcerated and later found guilty of draft evasion. Penalties for those convicted are stiff and, by law, include jail time. Those who may be affected are strongly advised to consult with Armenian officials and inquire at an Armenian embassy or consulate to their status before traveling.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating Armenian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Armenia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues website at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Registration and Embassy Locations: Americans living or traveling in Armenia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Armenia. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan maintains a computer terminal in the consular waiting room available to U.S. citizens for registration. The U.S. Embassy provides Internet access to the general public through the American Corners program and through the U.S. Embassy's Information Resource Center. American Corners are located in Yerevan (2 Amiryan Street, phone: (374-10) 56-13-83) and Gyumri (68 Shirakatsi Street, phone: (312) 2-21-53). By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American Avenue, tel. 011 (37410) 46-47-00 and fax: 011 (37410) 46-47-42. The Consular Section is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with time reserved for American citizen services from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for official U.S. Embassy holidays. For more information, see the Embassy's web site at http://yerevan.usembassy.gov.

International Adoption

April 2007

The information in this section has been edited from a report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Disclaimer: The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and current understanding. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

Patterns of Immigration: Please review current reports online at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Adoption Authority: Armenia is a party to the Hague Convention on Inter-country adoption. The National Adoption Committee of the Republic of Armenia is the central authority under the Hague Convention. It is an advisory committee to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, chaired by the Minister of Justice and its members include representatives from different ministries. The contact information is: Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Government building #1 Republic Square, Yerevan, Armenia. Tel. (374 10) 56-53-83, or 52-68-31.

Eligibility Requirements for Adoptive Parents: Married couples and single people are eligible to apply to adopt Armenian children. The age difference between the unmarried adopter and an adopted child may not be less than 18 years.

Eligibility Requirements for Children to be Adopted: There are many children living in orphanages, however ONLY those children whose parents have died, disappeared or signed a statement of relinquishment of their parental rights, and whose families do not visit them, thus abandoning them are available for adoption. The names of children who are available for adoption are inscribed on a list kept by the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues. A child's name must remain on this list for three months before he or she is declared available for inter-country adoption. For this reason, it is impossible to adopt a very young infant from Armenia. Consent for child adoption can only be given after the birth of the child. Children who may qualify as orphans who are not living in orphanages are subject to the same requirements for adoption availability.

Residency Requirements: Prospective adoptive parents do not have to fulfill any residency requirements to adopt in Armenia.

Time Frame: A home study performed by a local U.S. adoption agency should be the first step in adopting a child from Armenia. A copy of the home study and proof of subsequent USCIS approval must be submitted to the Armenian National Adoption Committee in order to apply for approval to adopt. Once approval has been granted, it can take several months to identify a child and several more months to secure the proper paperwork from different government agencies to support an application to adopt that particular child. Start to finish, a time-frame of one to two years is common.

Adoption Agency and Attorneys: Armenian law does not recognize the involvement of professional facilitators, adoption agencies or attorneys; it allows the prospective parents to grant power of attorney to an individual to handle most aspects of the adoption process on their behalf. Some U.S. adoption agencies have contacts with experienced local individuals who can be given power of attorney. In many cases, prospective parents grant this power of attorney to individuals whom they trust, relatives, friends or acquaintances. Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research the professionalism, and ethics of any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services, in the United States and in Armenia.

Adoption Fees: Official fees necessary to procure the documents needed in support of the adoption amount to approximately USD 65. However, the practice of charging official and unofficial expediting fees varies, depending on the practice of the particular government agency or local office. Attorneys or other individuals assisting prospective adoptive parents with the adoption may charge additional fees for services rendered. Prospective parents are advised to obtain detailed receipts for all fees and donations paid to orphanages, either by the parents directly or through their U.S. adoption agencies. The U.S. Embassy requires a copy of receipts and information on fees paid in the U.S. and in Armenia at the time of the immigrant visa interview.

Adoption Procedures: The documents under List 1 below must be submitted to the Armenian National Adoption Committee. This can be done in person in the Republic of Armenia or by registered mail, through the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or the Armenian Consulate General in Beverly Hills, California. For information on filing in the U.S., please refer to the Armenian Embassy website http://www.armeniaemb.org.

The National Adoption Committee has one month in which to conduct a study and issue a conclusion on the ability to adopt. That conclusion is valid for one year. Once the National Adoption Committee grants the permission to adopt, the adoptive parents may identify a child, from the children eligible for inter-country adoption listed in the registry kept by the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues. The prospective parents or their representative may go to the Ministry and view the list, or they may go directly to orphanages and once they locate a child, may verify his/her status by viewing the list.

Once the child has been identified, the prospective parents or their representative must submit the documents under List 2 below to the municipality in which the child resides. Once those documents are received, a court date is set.

Prospective adoptive parents can expect to travel to Armenia to sign adoption papers, attend a court proceeding, and have an 1-604 orphan investigation interview and a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.

Court Proceedings: Adoptive parents and the child (if over 14) must be present for court proceedings. The court may request the presence of biological parents, orphanage representatives, or the child if the child is over the age of 10. The court proceeding are closed to the public. If the adoptive parents have asked to change the child's official name, date of birth, place of birth, or wish to add themselves to his documents as parents, the court will decide those questions in the course of the ruling. According to Armenian law, the date and place of birth may be changed for the purpose of protecting the privacy of the individuals involved, only if the child is under the age of one year old. The birth date cannot be changed by more than 3 months.

Cases may be rejected on the basis of incomplete or fraudulent paperwork, among other issues addressed in Armenian law. Prospective adoptive parents may be disqualified based on mental disease, drug addiction, alcoholism, tuberculosis, AIDS or other serious infectious diseases.

If any party wishes to cancel the adoption proceedings, that request will be adjudicated by the regular dispute court in Armenia. After the hearing the court will issue a preliminary decision and 15 days after that, the government will register the final court decision.

After that, the adoptive parents may obtain the adoption certificate and the child's new birth certificate at the local registration office (ZAGS) of the child's municipality. They must also visit OVIR, the Armenian passport agency, to obtain an Armenian passport for the child. The child must have a passport before the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy.

Also, before the adoptive parents depart Armenia with their new son or daughter, they must go to the Notar-ial Office of the Ministry of Justice to get all of the new documents certified with an apostille. This is required for departing the country.

Required Documents: List 1: Request Registration Following is the list of documents necessary to request registration as prospective adoptive parents:

• Copy of the adoptive parents’ U.S. passports.
• USCIS approval: Form I-171H and current home study that includes a description of the family composition and the place where the adopted child will reside; work verification letter(s), indicating position and salary; and letters of reference provided by at least 3 individuals or organizations.
• Tax return for the most recent tax year.
• Copy of marriage certificate (if married).
• If divorced or widowed, a copy of the divorce decree or spouse's death certificate is also required.
• Spousal consent, if only one spouse is legally adopting the child.
• Medical evaluation report confirming that the prospective adoptive parent does not suffer from any type of psychological condition, alcoholism or drug abuse, HIV AIDS or other STD, active tuberculosis or other irreversible infectious disease.
• Local police report for adoptive parents.
• Power of attorney, if the documents will be submitted through an authorized representative.

Each of the above documents must be legalized with an apostille obtained from the State Department of the State that issued the document and submitted together as one package. All documents must be translated into Eastern Armenian, the official language of the Republic of Armenia.

List 2: Municipal Approval

The following documents should be submitted to the regional court presiding over the child's district:

• The full names of the adoptive parents and child.
• Whether or not the parents want to change the child's name, his date of birth, place of birth, or to list themselves as parents on his documents.
• Adoptive parents’ passports or other identification.
• Adoptive parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Spousal consent, if married and only one spouse is legally adopting the child.
• Child's consent if the child is over age 10.
• Child's birth certificate and medical records.
• Statement of child's centralized registration from the Ministry of Social Security.
• Written consent of adoptive parents, birth parents and the orphanage. (Also, if applicable, death certificates of birth parents and consent of biological grandparents, if the biological parents are not adults.
• Government approval of adoptive parents.

Please note that Armenia is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for the Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (as is the U.S.). Therefore the apostille procedure should be used for all documents issued or notarized by a U.S. State.

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 319-1976
Fax: (202) 319-2982
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.armeniaemb.org

Armenian Consulate General
50 North La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 210
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Tel: (310) 657-7320
E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Immigration Requirements: Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult USCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions. Please see the International Adoption section of this book for more details and review current reports online at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Embassy of the United States of America
1 American Avenue
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: (+374 10) 464-700, 494-686
Fax:(+374 10) 464-742, 464-737
E-mail: [email protected]

Additional Information: Specific questions about adoption in Armenia may be addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. General questions regarding intercountry adoption may be addressed to the Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State, CA/OCS/CI, SA-29, 4th Floor, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, toll-free Tel: 1-888-404-4747.