Month: November 2006

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE POLICY IMPORTANCE FOR INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT” OPENS IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Oct 31 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Exchange of the best international
experience on the open source software (OSS) policy may contribute
to the necessity for OSS introduction in Armenia. Larisa Minasyan,
Director of the Open Society Institure Assistance Fund’s (OSIAF)
Armenia Office, said this at the opening of the two-day international
conference “Open Source Software Policy Importance for Information
Society Development.” Experts from Armenia, Russia, Bulgaria,
Macedonia, and Tadjikistan are participating in the conference,
the main purpose of which is to introduce representaives of the
Armenian government, civil society and IT industry to the OSS use
and the policy implemented in this sector. Tagui Tumanyan, of the
Center for Information Law and Policy (CILP), presented the results
of a survey on usage of OSS conducted in Armenia’s 14 ministries
(of foreign affairs, education and science, finance and economy,
and others) and universities (the American University of Armenia,
Yerevan State University, and other big universities), which show a
low level of OSS usage. Out of the programs implemented in Armenia
with the assistance of donor organizations, T. Tumanyan indicated
the UNDP-supported program “Regions”, which created the opportunity
to organize electronic dialog between government bodies and citizens
in some Armenian marzes (provinces). Another program developed with
the use of OSS is the computer translation program implemented
with the assistance of the Soros Foundation. T. Tumanyan also
attached importance to the creation of high-efficiency servers
intended for scientific papers, which function with OSS usage in
40 educational institutions. David Sandukhchyan, CILP Director,
informed conference participants that the strategy of e-governance in
Armenia, which was worked out for a year, has been submitted to the
RA government. Foreign experts invited to take part in the conference
will tell the participants about experience of OSS usage in state and
local governments and educational institutions of their countries,
about obstacles to OSS adoption and factors contributing to it. The
conference is organized by the Internews Center for Information Law
and Policy (CILP), the Open Society Institute Assistance Fund (OSIAF)
and the organization Internet Society of Bulgaria.

EU COUNTRIES’ 53.9% SHARE IN DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA IN 2003 INCREASES TO 76.5% IN 2005
Noyan Tapan
Oct 31 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-August 2006, European
Union (EU) countries accounted for 36.9% of Armenia’s foreign
trade. 50.8% of goods exported from Armenia was exported to EU
countries. In the indicated period, EU countries accounted for
30.6% of Armenia’s imports. The RA Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Karen Chshmaritian presented this data during the October
31 press conference, noting that the EU is the most active trade
partner of Armenia. According to him, in 2001-2005, the average
annual share of the EU in Armenia’s foreign trade made up 36.9%,
its share in the country’s exports – 37.3%, in imports – 32.3%. In
the same period, the companies of EU countries accounted for 42.6%
of foreign investments in Armenia, their share in direct investments
over this period amounting to 49.9%. In 2003, EU countries accounted
for 53.9% of the direct foreign investments in Armenia, while in 2005 –
for 76.5%. K. Chshmaritian said that in 2005, foreign investments in
Armenia amounted to 400 million USD, investments of EU countries’
companies – to 215 million USD, 187 million of which was direct
investment. According to the minister’s forecasts, in 2006, the total
amount of investments in Armenia will grow by about 20%. The minister
noted that Greece is in first place by the amount of investments in
Armenia in 2005, followed by Germany and France.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INVESTMENTS OF RUSSIAN COMPANIES IN ARMENIA WILL GROW, ARMENIAN MINISTER OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSURES
Noyan Tapan
Oct 31 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, NOYAN TAPAN. In 1991-2005, Russia was in first
place in terms of foreign investments made in Armenia. The RA Minister
of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmaritian stated this
at the October 31 press conference. As for the concern at the small
amount of Russian companies’ investments in Armenia that the Russian
President Vladimir Putin expressed on October 30, K. Chshmaritian said
that this concern is related only to the data of 2005. In 1991-2005,
Russian companies have invested about 400 million USD in Armenia. This
is equal to the total amount of foreign investments in Armenia in 2005.

NEW LIBRARY INAUGURATED AT ARF BUREAU OFFICE
Yerkir
31.10.2006 17:09
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A library named after Armenian Revolutionary
Federation figure Hrayr Marukhian was inaugurated on October 30 at
the ARF Bureau office in Yerevan.
The ceremony was attended by members of the ARF Bureau, ARF chapters
from Armenia, Artsakh and other countries.
ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian and Hrayr Marukhian’s widow
Anahit inaugurated the new library.
In his remarks, ARF Bureau member Albert Achemian said that Marukhian
was both a skilful political figure and intellectual. “He was a great
fan of books and a great reader,” Achemian said.
Achemian also said that ARF Bureau has decided to bring a copy of the
ARF archives to Armenia using modern technology as well as bring the
items kept at the ARF’s Paris museum to Armenia.
The newly established library began to operate in March on the basis
of the books brought to Armenia from Athens. Later, books were also
brought from the ARF office in Lebanon, making the library complete.
Currently, the library contains full collection of many ARF
publications, including the Droshak copies published between 1890
and 1904.
The library has about 5,000 books currently.
ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian said that the library would
be very useful not only for the ARF members but also for all those
who may use the books of the library for their studies.
Shaghik Marukhian, Hrayr Marukhian’s daughter, said that the library
would be helpful especially for the young people who are engaged in
political and social sciences.
“As for the emotional value of the library, I have to say that the
party was the first family of my father, and it is natural that all
his books have been returned to the party,” Marukhian said.

ARAM KHACHATRYAN’S STATUE TO BE OPENED IN MOSCOW
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 10:38
The opening ceremony of Aram Khachatryan’s statue will be held in
Moscow today. The event will be attended by the Mayor of Moscow
Yuri Luzhkov and the Armenian delegation headed by President Robert
Kocharyan. The monument was erected near the House of Composers.

CONFERENCE ON “NEW THREATS AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY” TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 10:43
An international conference on “New Threats and Global Challenges in
the 21st Century” will open in the Yerevan State University today. The
event is timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Byurakan
Astrophysical Observatory, therefore the second day of the conference
will be held in Byurakan.
The international conference will provide a theoretical overview of
new threats and global challenges of the 21st century; the methods
and measures for Armenia to adequately and effectively confront them
and the new threats and global challenges of the 21st century within
the context of the OSCE area. The main objective of this effort is
to carry this conference forward and to leverage this event as an
impetus for greater and continued co-operation.
Scientists, researchers and academia representatives from the USA,
Europe, Southern Caucasus and Armenia will participate in the event.
The event is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan in co-operation
with the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

GEORGY PETROSYAN: NKR APPROACHES REGARDING THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT UNCHANGED
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 12:00
The approaches of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic regarding the conflict
settlement have not changed, NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan told
” Armenpress.”
The Minister refused to make any predictions about the terms of
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. “Nagorno Karabakh stands for
the rapid resolution of the conflict and establishment of friendly
relations with Azerbaijan, as a guarantee of stability and development
in the region,” Georgy Petrosyan said.
He is confident that only the peace that guarantees the security of
the conflicting parties, freedom and dignity will be enduring.
In response to the question whether it is possible to agree upon
the pivotal issues of settlement in the current year, the Foreign
Minister said that the year 2006 was full of optimistic statements
and predictions about the Karabakh conflict settlement, which,
unfortunately, do not correspond to the real state of negotiations,
which resulted in certain disappointment.

THIRD FORUM ON “MASS MEDIA AS BUSINESS” TO BE HELD IN TBILISI
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 14:36
November 2 the third forum of South Caucasian mass media on “Mass
media as business” will be held in the “Sheraton Metechi Palace”
Hotel of Tbilisi. It has been organized by the OSCE representation
in Georgia. Editors and media managers from Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia will participate in the conference.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: INCLUSION OF THE “FROZEN CONFLICTS” ISSUE IN UN AGENDA VERY IMPORTANT
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 14:48
Inclusion of the issue of “frozen conflicts” in UN General
Assembly agenda is very important, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov told the journalists, “Trend” agency reports. He
noted the “the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is considered “frozen” and
will be discuused November 4 at the UN General Assembly siting.” “By
September 2007 the decision of the General Assembly will be known,”
the Minister said.
Mammadyarov informed also that the question will be discussed with
the Foreign Minister of Georgia, who arrived in Azerbaijan today.
From: Baghdasarian

TBILISI TO HOST FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARIES
ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 15:28
Early December festival of documentaries of South Caucasian countries
will be held in Tbilisi. The event is aimed to activate the cooperation
of cinematographers of the South Caucasus. Organizers of the festival
told “Trend” agency the films will focus on the following topics:
man against nature, the hero of our time, cultural complacency
and globalization. Directors aged 16-27 from Armenia, Georgia and
Azerbaijan can participate in the competition.
The subtitles must be in English or Russian. Professional education
is not compulsory. Authors of the three best films will be awarded
prizes worth 250, 150 and 100 Euros. A seminar dedicated to documentary
films will be held in the framework of the festival.