U.S. blacklists two Armenian entities for business ties with Iranian firmAugust 14, 2019 - 11:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States Department of Commerce has blacklisted two Armenian entities, according to a notice posted on Tuesday, August 13 on the website of the U.S. Federal Register, including for "engaging in a business relationship with a sanctioned Iranian organization". The two Armenian entities were among 17 entities that the bureau added to the Entity List, with the restrictions set to go into force on Wednesday. The Entity List identifies entities for which there is reasonable cause to believe, based on specific and articulable facts, have been involved, are involved, or pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. In particular, the Department of Commerce decided to impose restrictions against Markel Closed Joint Stock Company (Markel CJSC) and Yerevan Telecommunications Research Institute (YETRI) Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC). YETRI CJSC, the decision said, has obtained CCL (Commerce Control List) items that were reexported without the required licenses, and the person who is both Executive Director of YETRI CJSC and President of Markel CJSC has been engaged in a business relationship with a sanctioned Iranian organization. In January, the United States had targeted with sanctions an Armenian general sales agent providing services to an already sanctioned Iranian carrier, Mahan Air, the Department of Treasury said back then. Armenia-based Flight Travel LLC was sanctioned "for acting for or on behalf of Mahan Air." Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |