Month: July 2007

Rene van der Linden uses cliche and diplomatic expressions offering
support in the matter of the ‘frozen conflict’s’ settlement in the
South Caucasus, the NKR president’s advisor thinks

arminfo
2007-07-04 14:21:00

PACE President Rene van der Linden uses cliche and diplomatic
expressions offering support in the matter of the "frozen conflict’s"
settlement in the South Caucasus, the NKR president’s advisor Arman
Melikyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

much these interests coincide with ours. This is a problem that claims
settlement. Anyway, it is a problem, who, whom and how can actually
help in this region>, – Melikyan said.

To recall, at present PACE president is in Armenia within the framework
of the regional visit. Speaking on the eve of his visit, Rene van der
Linden said that his aim in returning to the region is to see how PACE
can do more to solve the frozen conflicts in the countries of the South
Caucasus.

Every Year 15% of Armenian Population are Involved into Labour Migration

arminfo
2007-07-03 23:05:00

Every year 15% of the Armenian population are involved into labour
migration, Head of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration
Agency for Migration Gagik Yeganyan told journalists, Tuesday.

At the same time, he said over the last 3 years, positive migration
balance is observed in Armenia. Moreover, the number of persons
voluntarily returning to the motherland annually rises by 20-25%.
Thus, G. Yeganyan said mass migration period is over. However, the
Government still has a number of current tasks to settle. It is
necessary to bring the migration legislation of the country in
accordance with relevant international standards. Under the programme
of contribution to migration policy formation in Armenia "Return to
Armenia," migration legislation will be improved through analysis and
assessment. G. Yeganyan said that in 2007, experts of the programme
will render technical assistance to drafting laws On Refuge and On
Organisation of Outside Service.

To recall, a regular discussion of the programme "Return to Armenia"
was held in Yerevan, Tuesday, with participation of a number of
departments and establishments of the country. The programme is
implemented by combined efforts of the British Council, the
International Center for Human Development and Armenian Ministry of
Territorial Administration.

ARMENPRESS

TWO ARMENIAN FCs IMPROVE THEIR WORLD STANDING

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS: Yerevan’s Banants FC
with 77 points has improved its standing by moving
from 243-d place to 221-st on the list of world’s best
football clubs. The list is compiled annually by World
Football History and Statistics.
Another Armenian FC-Pyunik- with 63 points is
number 304. It has also improved its rating from 323-d
position last year.
The list is toped by the Spanish Sevillia FC,
followed by British Chelsea and Argentinean Bocca
Juniors.

Market of cell phones in Armenia ‘grew white’ lot: expert of ‘Euroset’
company

arminfo
2007-07-04 14:47:00

The "Euroset" Russian company, which is the biggest world retailer of
cell phones, has recently opened the fourth specialized shop in
Yerevan, Executive Director of "Euroset Armenia" Namir Al-Mashta told
ArmInfo.

He said that the first two shops of cell phones were opened in Yerevan
in January and February, 2007, and two more shops have been opened one
of these days. The Company intends to settle down in the regions as
well. It is scheduled to open the shops in Vanadzor, Gyumri and
Stepanakert. In general, according to the Company’s plans, it is
envisaged to increase the network of shops to 30 and work
up a sufficient part of the Armenian market, Namir Al-Mashta said. He
thinks that the market of cell phones in the republic has "grown white"
lately, while import of "grey" phones reduced much. The service also
improved due to the state regulation of the market.

As Namir Al-Mashta told ArmInfo earlier, penetration of cell
communication in Armenia in early 2007, made up 35% in all. However, it
has a great development potential that induced the "Euroset" to enter
this market. He said, for comparison, that penetration of cell
communication in neighbouring Azerbaijan and Georgia makes up about
65-70%.

RURAL COMMUNITIES IN SHIRAK AGAIN HIT BY NATURAL
DISASTER

GYUMRI, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS: A hail and a heavy rain
on July 3 overnight damaged hectares of
crops-vegetables and potato- in the northwestern
province of Shirak. According to local authorities,
some 15 rural communities were affected, especially
the villages of Hovuni, Marmashen, Kapa and some
others.
Farmers and experts estimate that the damages
amount to 70-100 percent, meaning that in some
communities actually all crops were destroyed.
The hail also damaged some buildings in these
communities, broke windows of houses and torn away
roofs.
That was the second disaster that hit some of these
villages in less than a month. Farmers lament they are
not able to restore the damages. A special commission
set up by the governor’s office is touring these
communities to asses the amount of damages.

ARMENPRESS

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION UP 1.3 % IN SIX MONTHS

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s agricultural
production in the first six months of 2007 amounted to
98.3 billion Drams, 1.3 percent up from a year ago.
According to the figures, released by the country’s
national statistical service, the growth was due to
increase in production of milk, by 227,000 tons and
meat by 33,000 tons.
Also some 201 million eggs were produced, almost 20
percent up from a year ago.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am

15:12 04/07/2007

Yerevan today, Tbilisi tomorrow ,then Baku

Today Mr. Rene van der Linden ,President of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
arrives in Yerevan.He announced that the aim of the
visit to the region is to discuss and find ways to
solve the frozen conflicts. He intends to raise also
the rights of the opposition, freedom of expression.
He is due to meet also with NGO representatives. He
will also meet RA President R.Kocharyan ,the
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,NA Speaker
Tigran Torosyan. He also intends to meet with members
of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on European
Integration and with NA party leaders. A press
conference will be held at the NA to discuss the
results of Linden’s visit. Linden will leave to
Tbilisi on July 5, and will be in Baku from July 8 to
10.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Parties failed to assume responsibility

04-07-2007 14:54:36 – KarabakhOpen

Masis Mayilyan, NKR presidential candidate, held an interview with the
reporter of the Web site of the Mitq Analytical Center. Below is part
of this interview on the urgent internal problems of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mr. Mayilyan, various evaluations of the pre-election situation in NKR
are heard in Armenia. What is your opinion on the current political
situation in Artsakh? Do the Armenian political forces somehow
influence the reforms underway in the republic?

It is already obvious that the election of a new president of
Nagorno-Karabakh caused controversial reactions among the society and
the political forces. It became clear that many are not ready to solve
this crucial political problem. First of all, it was displayed in the
behavior of the parliament forces which did not name their candidates.
Apparently, the parties could not assume responsibility and decided to
act to the political plans of the executive.

The government, which is going to leave, whose constitutional function
should be providing equal opportunities for a free election, is not
ready for this situation either. In fact, the government made efforts
to mobilize the administrative resource to support one of the
candidates, who is referred to as the `common candidate’. The
atmosphere of free expression of the will of citizens underwent
unjustified information pressure. The idea of predetermined outcome of
the election is instilled in the public consciousness. I think the NKR
society does not deserve such a treatment.

There are a number of NGOs and political parties in Artsakh. How do you
assess the political activity of the NKR society and parties? Does it
affect state building and development adequately?

The political parties are underdeveloped, which is one of the factors
which slow down the political life in the country. The parties must
become independent organizations and avoid the dictate of the executive
power. We haven’t arrived at this point yet. It is not accidental that
the NGOs and the media are now performing part of the political
functions in the country. At present, these organizations have
independence and political maturity. I do not think this is the how the
things should be. It is just an effort of the society to fill in the
political vacuum. I hope the upcoming election will stimulate the
transformation of the political forces and establishment of practical
political organizations.

The world media refer to NKR as the locomotive of democracy in the
region. What will the role of Karabakh be in the South Caucasus in your
opinion?

We need not be touched by such evaluations of others. We must be such
and not be referred to as such. Today we cannot be satisfied with the
level of democracy in the country.

His Holiness Karekin II receives President of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe

armradio.am
04.07.2007 16:35

On July 4, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received Rene van der Linden, President of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This is
President van der Linden’s second visit to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, the first occurring in August 2005.

His Holiness welcomed the PACE President to the headquarters of the
Armenian Church and reflected on their past meetings, in Armenia as
well as in Astana, Kazakhstan, last year during the Second Congress of
the Leaders of World Religions. Van der Linden expressed his
appreciation to the Armenian Pontiff for his ongoing efforts at
creating and maintaining a favorable environment and positive climate
aimed at benefiting the stability and peace of the region.

The Catholicos of All Armenians and the PACE President discussed the
continuing efforts directed to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict which would insure the free and secure life of the
Armenians of Artsakh, the willful and deliberate destruction of
Armenian cultural monuments in the region, and the status of the
Armenian Church in neighboring countries.

RA Defense Minister, Ambassador of India stress the need for military
cooperation

armradio.am
04.07.2007 17:00

On June 4 RA Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan received the
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Armenia, Mrs.
Rina Pandey.

The Ambassador congratulated Michael Harutyunyan on assuming the
Defense Minister’s Office.

During the meeting the parties turned to the provisions of the
memorandum of understanding between the Defense Ministers of Armenia
and India signed in 2003.

Noting the considerable progress in the Armenian-Indian diplomatic,
trade-economic and cultural relations, the parties emphasized the
importance of cooperation in the military sphere.

Speaking about the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, the
Ambassador noted that despite the frequent cease-fire violations by the
Azeri side, the Armenian side is inclined to solve the issue in a
peaceful way.

A number of issue related to regional security and stability were also
discussed.