Month: May 2008

Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 26 2008

Sukhumi has every proof that Abkhaz Armed Forces brought down all
Georgian drones – minister

SUKHUMI May 26

The Abkhaz Defense Ministry is ready to provide every proof for the
fact that it was the Abkhaz Armed Forces that brought down all
Georgian unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

"I can easily prove that all Georgian numbed aircraft were brought
down by the Abkhaz Armed Forces. We have every necessary means for
this," Abkhaz Defense Minister Merab Kishmariya told Interfax.

The Abkhaz Armed Forces have both every necessary tactical means, air
defense complexes and other arms, and aircraft, the minister said.

"Abkhazians, Russians, Georgians and Armenians serve in the Abkhaz
army, and if the aircraft was brought down by a Russian serviceman of
the Abkhaz army, this does not mean that it was brought down by a
servicemen of the Russian army. And if the aircraft was brought down
by a Georgian servicemen of the Abkhaz army, it would be stupid to
state that Georgia brought it down," Kishmariya said.

The Ukrainian Times
May 27, 2008 Tuesday

EBRD BUYS EQUITY STAKE IN ARMENIAN MEAT PRODUCER

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is
acquiring a 28.3% stake in the Armenian meat producer NatFood CJSC for
$4 million. The funds will be used for expanding business by building
new production facilities with state-of-the-art equipment in
compliance with international quality standards.

The Armenian market for processed meat is growing rapidly and the
companys strategy is to become a leading player. The emergence of a
middle class who can afford and ask for products of better and safer
quality is seen as a special opportunity. The companys products, sold
under the Biella brand name, already enjoy high reputation on the
local market.

NatFood was established as a spin-off of the meat processing business
of Valletta LLC. Valletta was founded in 1999 as a trading group by
the local entrepreneur Henrik Zakharyants, who was previously the sole
owner. It has since grown into a wide-ranging business group,
including wholesale, retail and food processing.

EBRD first vice president Varel Freeman said: The Banks acquisition of
an equity stake showed our confidence in our new partner. We have been
very impressed by the strong performance of the company over the past
years and we will now support its further development and
strengthening.

Armen Khudinyan, CEO of NatFood, added: Having the EBRD on board in
the truest sense of the word – is a massive boost for our
enterprise. It does not only strengthen us financially but we will
also benefit from the Banks expertise and know-how in our country and
region.

To-date, the EBRD has invested more than 170 million euros in 50
projects in all sectors of the Armenian economy. The strong growth in
recent years has also resulted in higher demand for EBRD finance.

According to the latest forecasts by Vahram Ghushchyan of the Armenian
Ministry of Economy, foreign trade will increase by 42% this year and
gross investments/GDP by 26.1%. He stated that Armenia would introduce
e-governance with the aim of having one window entrance for investors
for a term of five years and with 50% of services to be rendered
online. However, skeptics who took part in the country update and
networking session within the EBRD Business Forum in Kiev noted that
Armenian panelists presented rosy prospects and numbers.

World Market Research Center
Global Insight
May 27, 2008

Armenian Foreign Reserves Fall During Q1

by Venla Sipila

According to data from the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), the
country’s gross international reserves at the end of March stood at
$1US.602 billion. This level marks a fall of 3.4% in total reserves
since the end of December 2007. Specifically, foreign currency
reserves decreased by a similar amount, to stand at $1US.595 billion
at the end of the first quarter of 2008. Meanwhile, Special Drawing
Rights (SDR) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased by
nearly 23% over the first quarter, amounting to $7US.5 million at the
end of March. The CBA does not hold any gold reserves.

Significance:Strong foreign currency inflows in the form of workers’
remittances and foreign direct investment (FDI) have in recent years
boosted Armenia’s foreign currency reserves, and import coverage
currently comfortably exceeds the critical level of three months. In
this sense, the fall in reserves over the first quarter of this year
is not alarming. Indeed, Global Insight projects Armenia’s import
cover to decrease somewhat this year, while still expecting reserves
to remain strong enough to pay for imports and provide the means for
any possible currency support requirements. However, while the
reserves counterbalance the weakening impact of rapidly rising imports
on Armenia’s overall external payments position, the currently
more-than-adequate import coverage should not avert attention from the
fact that Armenia’s export potential remains weak. The wide current
account deficit also poses a source of external vulnerability,
especially given Armenia’s reliance on remittances and private
transfers for its foreign currency needs.

RIA Oreanda, Russia
May 27 2008

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received Armenia Yasuo Saito

Yerevan. ">OREANDA-NEWS . May 27, 2008. The Prime Minister said to be
highly appreciative of the assistance provided to the government and
the people of Armenia for several years now with a view to
implementing structural and economic reforms, infrastructure
development etc. and extended his gratitude for fruitful cooperation
and support. The Prime Minister also emphasized the Note on alteration
of the amount of the loan made available under the May 29, 2005
exchanges of notes with the aim of strengthening Armenia’s efforts for
economic stabilization and development to be signed on May 27, 2008
with the RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The Note
provides for the allocation of additional funds to Armenia’s energy
sector which is another step forward on the way to continued effective
cooperation and our country’s enhanced energy security. Tigran
Sargsyan prioritized the activation of the efforts of the
intergovernmental commission which according to him offers good
opportunities for discussion of issues of mutual concern, work
coordination and submission of proposals on extra projects and new
areas of collaboration. In this context, the Prime Minister mentioned
tourism, research and development, small and medium-size enterprise
and a number of other sectors as prospective areas for mutually
beneficial cooperation.

During the meeting, the need for establishing Armenia’s embassy in
Japan was emphasized on either side. Ambassador Yasuo Saito expressed
readiness on the part of the Japanese authorities to possibly assist
Armenia with this task considering that the future embassy would help
strengthen the Armenian-Japanese relationship.

The interlocutors have also referred to the cooperation on the
international arena, inclusive of the United Nations.

RIA Oreanda, Russia
May 27 2008

RA Prime Minister Received Republic of Slovakia Minister of Justice

Yerevan. ">OREANDA-NEWS . May 27, 2008. In stating the positive
dynamics of political relations between the two countries, the Prime
Minister said that economic ties still fell short and expressed hope
Mr. Harabin’s visit would promote progress in this field as
well. Tigran Sargsyan prioritized the creation of an appropriate legal
framework between the two countries by stressing the need for signing
an agreement on avoidance of double taxation as shortly as possible,
as well as on air communications and an arrangement on military
cooperation.

Noting that the furtherance of relations with the European Union kept
on standing high on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, the head of the
Armenian government prioritized the signing of a memorandum of
understanding with Slovakia on cooperation in the field of
euro-integration, as well as the interaction under the EU-Armenia
Joint Action Plan. Tigran Sargsyan also touched upon the proposal of
the Slovak side on establishment of a nuclear power plant
decommissioning fund.

Slovakia’s Minister of Justice, Vice-Prime Minister Stephan Harabin
briefed the RA Prime Minister on his country’s latest economic
developments and reforms inclusive of the ones underway in the
judiciary. He spoke of Slovakia’s failures and achievements in this
area which in his words might be of service to Armenia. He said to
have agreed with his Armenian counterpart Gevorg Danielyan upon a
responsive visit during which Slovakia’s experience might be presented
in more detail. Stephan Harabin advised that he has drafted a bill on
Armenian Genocide condemnation which will be submitted to Slovakia’s
National Council for consideration.

According to him, the bill is a statement of the historical truth and
may be seen as an important tool for the prevention of similar crimes
in future as, in his opinion, failure in its condemnation in early
20th century resulted in further genocides.

The head of the Armenian government thanked Mr. Harabin for his
interested approach and strong arguments on this issue and, wishing
him every success in his future activities, reiterated the importance
of the present visit as to the development of the Armenian-Slovak
bilateral relations.

RIA Oreanda, Russia
May 27 2008

VTB Bank Sponsors Tour of Pyotr Fomenko Workshop Theatre to Armenia

Moscow. OREANDA-NEWS . On May 21-28, 2008 The Pyotr Fomenko Workshop
Theatre is on tour in Yerevan, Armenia, for the season of Russian
culture, reported the press-centre of VTB Bank.

War and Peace. The Beginning and Family Happiness, plays based on Leo
Tolstoys works, will be performed at G. Sundukyan National Academic
Theatre and K.S. Stanislavski State Russian Theatre. War and
Peace. The Beginning is the winner of three Golden Mask awards, and
Family Happiness was rated one of the worlds top 100 theatrical
performances of the 20th century.

VTB Bank is the general sponsor of this tour.

One of the key areas of VTB patronage activities is to support tours
of Russian theatres. The Bank was the general sponsor of various
cultural events both in Russia and the CIS countries and plans to
further promote Russian culture abroad.

Its not the first time VTB Bank has brought a Russian theatre to
Armenia. On 21 May 2005, Yerevan received the ballet company and the
orchestra of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre. VTB Bank was among
the events organizers. The Bolshoi presented its two best performances
Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.

TODAY IN LARNACA

Gibrahayer – Wednesday May 28 – The official inauguration of the
Armenian Genocide Monument in Phinikoudes, Larnaca, will take place
today at 6:30 pm by His Excellency the President of the Cyprus Republic
Demetris Christofias, where the first Armenian Genocide survivors
landed.
A high-level delegation from the Armenian Republic will also be present.
Images on Gibrahayer dot com

MAY 28 GRAND FIESTA

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF SINGER KARNIG SARKISSIAN & SAHAG SAHAGIAN &
ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VAHAN HOVHANESSIAN

Gibrahayer 19 May – Nicosia

The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Gomideh has announced a May 28 Grand
Fiesta on the occasion of the rebirth of the Armenian nation by marking
the 90th anniversary of Armenian independence with the participation of
Armenian presidential candidate Vahan Hovhannessian and singers Karnig
Sarkissian and his band as well as Sahag Sahagian (composer of
Kedashen).
The celebrations will begin at PASYDY on Sunday 8 June at 6:30pm and
will continue with a Banquet at The Holiday Inn at 8:30 pm with the
participation of the Armenian popular singers.
The raffle of The Armenian National Committee of Cyprus – giving out
three major prizes will take place during the Banquet.
The two events on the same day, are being organised by the ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Gomideh and sister organisations AYMA/HMEM,
Hamazkayin "Oshagan" Cyprus Chapter and The Armenian Relief Society
(HOM) "Sosse" Cyprus Chapter.

Who promised Bernard Fassier to return five territories

28-05-2008 13:40:58 – KarabakhOpen

Bakililar.az reports that the French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Bernard Fassier said currently they are negotiating the return of the
Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. After the return of five
occupied territories Karabakh will be ready to negotiate the status
with Azerbaijan, he reportedly said.

This is what the Azerbaijani newspapers wrote. Bernard Fassier has not
denied the reports on his statements. It is also difficult to find
refutations in the Armenian press. Either the Armenian politicians are
busy with new appointments and redistribution of property or everyone
is used to the statements of the co-chairs, but the Armenian political
elite overlooked the statement by Fassier.

It is notable that the Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan did
not respond to this statement (everyone is already used to the silence
of the Karabakh ministry of foreign affairs). The silence of the
Armenian foreign ministry may mean that either Fassier’s statement
means nothing or the Armenian minister agrees to the return of five
territories and he himself told Fassier about it.

For some time now the return of territories has been the main issue of
the talks for the Karabakh settlement. The settlement is related to the
return of territories not only in Azerbaijan but outside its borders.
Moreover, the Armenian media speak about the return of territories as a
`necessary compromise’, without going deeper into the matter and
handing the trump card to our opponents.

And the former Russian co-chair of the Minsk Group Kazimirov went even
further stating during the recent international conference in
Stepanakert that Armenia and Karabakh should sign an agreement with
Azerbaijan not to resume military actions, and in return for the
commitment of Baku not to wage a war the Armenian sides must return all
the seven territories around the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous
Region.

So why does Karabakh need these territories? Maybe in order to rid of
them as soon as possible to have nothing to seize on. Apparently, the
strategists thanks to whom the present border between the Armenian
states and Azerbaijan has occurred were bad soldiers and were bad at
security issues. Or the current Armenian politicians are bad at maps
and have never been at the border of NKR.

PM Tigran Sargsyan’s congratulation on the Republic Day

armradio.am
28.05.2008 12:28

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan issued a congratulatory message on
the occasion of the Republic Day. The message states, in pat:

`Dear compatriots,

I congratulate you on the Republic Day – the 90 the anniversary of
proclamation of the First Republic of Armenia. After a break of nearly
600 years, on May 28, 1918 the restoration of the independent Armenian
statehood was a result of the glorious heroic battles the Armenian
people fought in Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa. We should
never forget the May victories that were achieved due to national
unity, exceptional unanimity, becoming the basis for the new
expressions of the freedom-loving spirit of our people, the new
historical feats in the Artsakhi war. The victories achieved in the
battlefield give us the will and resoluteness to preserve and develop
what has been achieved through the joint struggle of generations,
strengthen our independent statehood to resist the contemporary
challenges and to create a more prosperous future for our people.

Once again I congratulate all of us on this beautiful day – on the
occasion of the Republic Day, and wish you health, peaceful sky and
strong faith in the future of our people and the independent Armenian
statehood."