Month: October 2005

KOCHARIAN SINGLES OUT SPHERE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGIES AS IMPORTANT DIRECTION OF ARMENIA’S COOPERATION WITH INDIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Bharion Singh
Sekhavat, Indian Vice-President, who arrived in Armenia on an
official visit emphasized the high level of political relations
between the 2 countries at the October 6 meeting with RA President
Robert Kocharian. India’s Vice-President remembered Robert Kocharian’s
official visit to India paid in 2003 with warmth.

RA President considered Indian Vice-President’s visit to Armenia as
an important step aimed at developing the bilateral relations.

Mentioning the centuries-old interrelations between Armenian and Indian
peoples, affinity of the languages and cultures, the sides noted that
they left their noticeable trace on the peoples and cultures of the
2 countries.

According to RA President’s Press Service, the interlocutors emphasized
rather efficient cooperation of the 2 countries at international
instances with pleasure.

In the opinion of the interlocutors, the economic contacts between
Armenia and India don’t completely reflect the existing possibilities.

RA President singled out the sphere of high technologies as an
important direction of cooperation. India succeeded in this sphere
and Armenia announced the development of this sphere as its priority.

“We expect concrete steps that will enable to form a wider field for
cooperation,” Robert Kocharian said.

It was mentioned that there are already examples of successful activity
of Indian business circles in Armenia. Indian businessmen have made
investments in the sphere of Armenian mining, diamond cutting and
gold procession, India has rendered great assistance to Armenia in
the issue of agricultural reequipment.

The two countries expressed readiness to continue cooperation in
the spheres of science, education as well. It was mentioned that
many Indian youths study in Armenia at present. “Our goal is to turn
Armenia into a center of intellectual services and education,” Robert
Kocharian stressed.

The interlocutors also attached importance to the role of the Indian
Armenian community in the development of the Armenian-Indian relations
mentioning that the community members have completely integrated to
country’s life.

1ST TIME CBA TO PUBLISH INDEXES OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN DECEMBER 2005

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia will publish
the indexes of economic activity, business environment and consumer
confidence in December 2005 for the first time, Chairman of the
Armenian Parliament Tigran Sargsyan said at the RA National Assembly.

He reported that these three indexes are supposed to reflect social
impulses. “They will allow to form stable expectations, and we believe
that within this conditions, the fluctuations of AMD exchange rate
will more smooth and the more stable financial environment will be
formed”, Sargsyan said.

Publication of the indexes is one of the initiatives of the CBA aimed
at development of Armenia’s financial system. The CBA conducted a
survey among 734 households and 361 organizations to compose indexes
of economic activity, business environment and consumer confidence.

The publication n of these indexes will be quarterly at first, and
it will be monthly in future. A.A. -0–

HOVHANNISIAN: “ONE MORE CHANCE TO CONNECT STRUGGLE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM WITH NK CONFLICT WAS MISSED”

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. “In summer the world was shocked by
London terrorist acts. The voice of Armenia and Armenians wasn’t heard
in the noise of condemnation,” this was mentioned in the open address
of Raffi Hovhannisian, founder and head of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, Chairman of the Zharangutiun
(Heritage) party, first RA Foreign Minister, publicized on the
occasion of organization’s 11th anniversary. While, according to him,
“the inability of the Armenian leaders to voice our decisive word on
the anti-terrorist front, to emphasize our worthy role leaves the
country out of the procees of world development depreciating the
value and meaning of our victims.”

In R.Hovhannisian’s opinion, the authorities missed one more
opportunity to connect the general struggle against terrorism with
the Artsakh conflict in the best way. “It’s time to remind to the
civilized society that an Artsakh soldier fighting some years ago
for his freedom also ran across with Afghan mojaheds, with hired
pilots bombing peaceful towns. The hypocritical officials and obliging
diplomacy displayed spinelessness being unable to present the captive
foreign hirelings and documents confiscated from them to the world
as a weighty proof of our great contribution to struggle against the
international terrorism.”

“Then while they were telling tales about their own adherence to
principles, they weren’t able to widely voice the fact that ill-famed
terrorist Shamil Basayev defended the positions of our enemy in Shushi
in the Karabakh-Azeri war, then he organized a slaughter of hundreds of
peaceful people in Russia. As a result the Artsakh struggle for human
rights and freedom that formerly enjoyed world support became only
a territorial problem discussed by several international officials,”
Raffi Hovhannisian declared.

LENMARKER: “EU’S IDEOLOGY IS OPEN BORDERS”

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Artur Baghdasarian, RA NA Speaker,
and Goran Lenmarker, OSCE PA Special Representative on Nagorno Karabakh
issue, attached importance to peaceful settlement of conflicts and
extension of democracy in the South Caucasian region at the October
5 meeting mentioning that it will enable the regional countries to
develop with a prospect of integration to the large European family.

RA NA Speaker informed his interlocutor about the process of
constitutional reforms taking place in Armenia, after the successful
end of which the other laws will be also reformed and will be brought
in correspondence with the European standards. Both of them attached
importance to the integration of the whole society to the process of
constitutional reforms.

In connection with the current stage of Nagorno Karabakh peaceful
settlement Goran Lenmarker mentioned that the report on this issue
made by him in Washington was entitled “Golden Chance” and it is very
symbolic as he really considers that a golden chance is created for
both Azerbaijan and Armenia for overcoming the conflict and achieving
progress. Artur Baghdasarian noted that Armenia has always hold the
position of peaceful settlement of the conflict and expressed hope
that the problem will get a peaceful and fair solution.

Issues concerning establishment of Armenian-Swedish interparliamentary
contacts were also discussed at the meeting.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA NA Public Relations Department,
the same day the delegation led by Goran Lenmarker met with the
members of OSCE PA Armenian delegation at the NA.

Vahan Hovhannisian, head of OSCE PA Armenian delegation, NA
Vice-Speaker, noted that Lenmarker’s report on Nagorno Karabakh
issue made at OSCE PA Washington session provoked serious interest in
Armenian and Azeri societies and it was noticeable that report’s brave
proposals corresponding to the changes of time on the one hand were
attractive an on the other hand gave rise to additional caution, which
can be considered a high estimation for the report. As a result of the
propaganda the report had rather a positive reaction in the Armenian
society. All the political forces in Armenia realize the necessity of
bilateral concessions in the issue of final solution of the Karabakh
problem. It’s difficult to find a political force ready for mutual
concessions in Azerbaijan, so, in Vahan Hovhannisian’s affirmation,
searching for such a political force within the framework of OSCE
PA can bring positive results. NA Vice-Speaker highly estimated the
direct negotiations held between Armenian and Azeri delegations in
Brussels, a well as the meeting of the delegations and OSCE Minsk Group
representatives in Washington on Lenmarker’s initiative. An opinion
was expressed that the work in this direction must be continual.

Vahan Hovhannisian suggested that taking as a basis Goran Lenmarker’s
studies, an ad hoc working group be created. The working group will
be headed by Goran Lenmarker and will involve Armenian and Azeri
sides, as well as OSCE PA Deputies well-aware of the conflict. The
group will work at a joint resolution. He suggested that the issue
about coming to agreement on creating a joint resolution be discussed
with participation of the 2 delegations on the eve of Vienna summit,
which can be considered the first coordinated step by EU new neighbors.

Lenmarker was pleased to accept Vahan Hovhannisian’s proposals and
noted that this golden chance must be taken by the parliamentarians.

As regards Turkey-EU relations, in Goran Lenmarker’s estimation,
Turkey-EU negotiations will be positive for Armenia, too. And in
connection with Armenia’s blockade by Turkey Lenmarker gave assurance
that Turkey must open the borders, as European Union’s ideology is
open borders.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

5TH INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIZED EXHIBITION “HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACY EXPO 2005” TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 19-21, 2005

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. The 5th international specialized
exhibition “Healthcare and Pharmacy EXPO 2005” will be held at
the RA National Healthcare Institute in Yerevan on October 19-21,
press-service of LOGOS EXPO Centre reported ARKA News Agency. This
exhibition is dedicated to new achievements in pharmacy, laboratory
equipment, diagnostics and medical technologies. The goal of this
exhibition is presentation of these new achievements to doctors and
specialists of Armenia. The exhibition will be held according to the
following thematic parts: prophylactic medicine, clinical medicine,
stomatology, pharmacy, diagnostics, motherhood and childhood, medical
equipment and hygiene.

According to press-release, the exhibition will be held within IV
National Scientific-Medical Congress “Health of a Man”, which will
discuss a wide range of issues related to healthcare and pharmacy.

Participation in this exhibition will allow over 500 specialists
to improve their professional level, exchange experience and gain
new knowledge.

This exhibition is organized by LOGOS EXPO Centre Company and is
supported by the RA Ministry of Healthcare. A.A. -0–

HEAD OF TURKISH DELEGATION IN PACE: DISCUSSION OF A FRAME DOCUMENT ON DOESN’T IMPLY ANY LIABILITIES BY TURKEY TO ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 5. /ARKA/. Discussion of a frame document on
(membership of Turkey in the EU -ARKA) doesn’t imply any liabilities
by Turkey to Armenia, the Head of Turkish delegation in PACE Murad
Merjan stated in his interview to TREND. In his words, Turkey is also
willing to establish relations with its neighbors, but on some terms.

“To open the Turkish -Armenian border it’s necessary that official
Yerevan established normal relations with its neighbors, and refuses
from territorial claims”, he said, noting that “if it doesn’t happen,
then one cannot expect normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations”.

According to him, Turkey is the first Turk and Islamic state, which
began negotiations with the EU on its membership in it. “I hope that
in the end of the discussions Turkey will become a full member of
the EU. This process is important for the whole world”, he said. A.H.

OSKANIAN: ARMENIA HAS THREE GOALS IN ITS RELATIONS WITH NATO

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. Armenia has three goals in its relations
with NATO, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said at the “Rose
Route” seminar organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO in
Yerevan. He said the first goal is institutionalization of relations
with NATO regarding security issues, struggle against trafficking,
terrorism and arms control. The second is reforms in Forced Arms of
the RA, which suppose civil control over forced arms. And the third
aspect is Armenia’s participation in NATO’s peacemaking operations.

He said that Armenia already participates in some of NATO’s peacemaking
operations.

Oskanyan pointed out that Armenia is interested in activation of its
relations with NATO in the context of regional security issues as
it needs multilevel system of security. He said that “the public of
Armenia has very close relations with Russia, the Russian military
bases are displaced in Armenia, Armenia is the member of CSTO, but
at the same time Armenia closely cooperates with NATO, and this is
the idea of complementarism”. A.A. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VIVACELL ENTERS VANADZOR AND GYUMRI

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

GYUMRI, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Ralph Yirikian, Director General of the
company VivaCell – the second operator of mobile phone communication
in Armenia, told reporters on October 6 that the company has provided
coverage for Lori and Shirak marzes. He noted that VivaCell’s services
will be made available throughout Armenia by late October.

In the words of R. Yirikian, during 3 months of the company’s
operation, it has ensured coverage of nearly 65% of the country’s
territory – Yerevan and 8 marzes. Work is underway to extend coverage
to Syunik and Tavush marzes. R. Yirikian said that some mountainous
settlements of Shirak will be able to use VivaCell’s services from
2006.

Romik Manukian, the regional governor of Shirak marz, noted that
VivaCell’s mobile phone communication services will be available to
70 communities of the marz.

KOCHARIAN, REPRESENTATIVE OF PA OF OSCE PROSPECTS OF NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan and Special
Representative of the Chairman of Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE
for Nagorno Karabakh Goran Lenmarker discussed current stage and
prospects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, the RA Presidential
Press-Service reported ARKA News Agency. They exchanged opinions on
Lenmarker’s report on Nagorno Karabakh. Kocharyan presented the current
stage and prospects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Kocharyan
also discussed issues of developing cooperation with the OSCE, and
pointed to the importance of inert-parliamentary cooperation in this
context. A.A. -0–

CIS INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONS’ SITTINGS TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 5

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. NT was informed from the RA National
Assembly PR Department that the sittings of the Standing Commission
on Science and Education and the Standing Commission on Economic and
Financial Issues of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (IA) were
held on October 5 in Yerevan. Mikhail Krotov, Secretary General of
the IA Council, said the drafts discussed will be put on the agenda
of the Assembly’s plenary session to be held in Saint Petersburg on
November 18.

The first sitting of the Standing Commission on Science and Education
covered the moral and legal aspects of biomedical studies conducted
in CIS member states. The sitting was in essence the international
conference’s first part attended by representatives of international
organizations conducting research in the field, as well as by European
and US experts. The speakers addressed the international legislation on
genetic studies and underlined the necessity to create an appropriate
legislative field in CIS member states.

In his speech, Maurisio Salvi of the European Commission discussed
issues of genetic tests, which, in his words, are of great significance
for further development of science. They are interesting from the
political point of view as well: the science on life and biotechnology
is of paticular strategical importance to Europe and ranks second on
the list of priorities after high technoligies. It was noted that the
democratic society must ensure that it will not be used for immoral
purposes or in violation of basic human rights. The creation of a gene
bank, according to M. Salvi, requires the citizen’s consent and should
be done in conditions of confidentiality and human rights protection.

Organizational issues and model laws of CIS countries were discussed
at the second sitting of the Commission.

The Commission made positive conclusions about the model bills
on innovation activities and on status of educational worker. The
discussion of the bill on nonstate higher educational institutions
was postponed on the grounds that the sphere is successfully regulated
by the Law on Education in some of the CIS member states.

Issues related to humanitarian cooperation and scientific and
educational integration were discussed by the Commission as well.

Positive decisions on the model bills on the state reserve and on
bankruptcy of banks were taken at the sitting of the CIS IA Standing
Commission on Economic and Financial Issues. The issue of applying
model laws in economy and the financial sector of the CIS IA member
states was also on the agenda. The participants indicated that model
laws encourage exchange of experience, and no need “to invent a new
bicycle” arises every time. The regular sitting of the Commission
will be held in February-March 2006 in Saint Petersburg.