Month: May 2008

SHARL AZNAVOUR’S MUSEUM

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 06, 2008
Armenia

By the end of this year Sharl Aznavour’s museum will open in Yerevan.

According to the architect of the museum, and the author of the plan
Narek Sargsyan, it was Robert Kocharyan’s idea to build a museum
devoted to the great patriot.

The building will include Aznavour’s residence, where he will live with
his family during his visit to Armenia, exhibition halls, a hall with
180 seats, amphitheatre with 80 seats a café and an administrative
section.

The museum will be ready by the end of October.

ARMEN GEVORGIAN APPOINTED MEMBER OF CIS ECONOMIC COUNCIL

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 6, RA President Serge Sargsian
signed a decree on relieving Manuk Topuzian of the duties of a member
of the CIS Economic Council.

Under the President’s another decree of the same day, RA Deputy Prime
Minister, Territorial Administration Minister Armen Gevorgian was
appointed a member of CIS Economic Council.

ONE MORE SENTENCE ON SUSPENDED IMPRISONMENT PASSED IN YEREVAN CRIMINAL
COURT

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Yerevan Criminal Court presided over by
judge Alexander Azarian, under the May 6 judgement, sentenced Karlen
Manucharian accused by the article of mass disorders (part 2, Article
225) to three years’ suspended imprisonment with two years’ probation
term. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by the RA
Cassation Court. It should be mentioned that by the defendant’s
mediation the case was examined by the speeded-up order.

The examination of another case on mass disorders against Mkrtich
Abrahamian presided over by judge Karine Ghazarian did not take place
in the same court because of the absence of the witnesses, the case’s
examination was postponed until May 14. The examination of the case
against Hamlet Abrahamian accused of using violence to a power
representative not dangerous for his life and health was also postponed
in the general jurisdiction court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash
communities, presided over by judge Armen Danielian, because of the
absence of the lawyer. The next sitting is fixed for May 13.

IN EDUARD SHARMAZANOV’S OPINION, STRIKING AN ATTITUDE OF A TUTOR BY
ANY POLITICIAN IS WRONG

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Until the PACE June session the Armenian
authorities will solve all problems pointed out by that organization.
Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of the RA National Assembly RPA faction,
gave assurance at the May 6 press conference. In his opinion, the
working group created for that purpose by RA President Serge Sargsian,
led by head of his administration Hovik Abrahamian, will work
efficiently in spite of the circumstance that the group does not
include representatives of not onlty extra-parliamentary, but also
parliamentary opposition.

Touching upon Levon Ter-Petrosian’s speech at the opposition’s
congress, E. Sharmazanov said that though his tone was more quiet
compared with speeches of the preelection period, the accentuations
were almost the same. In the RPA deputy’s opinion, striking an attitude
of a teacher by any politician is wrong today, be it the President of
the country or the opposition leader.

E. Sharmazanov said that bringing forward preconditions for a dialogue
by the first President is not right, either. According to him, in the
preelection period and after the elections S. Sargsian called all
political forces without exception for a dialogue, but the opposition
leaders instead of "conducting a dialogue divided the nation into dregs
and their own people." In E. Sharmazanov’s words, the President has
done his first step and now the ball is in opposition’s field.

Touching upon government’s program, he gave assurance that it will be
efficient, as the basis of the program are S. Sargsian’s preelection
program, government’s five-year program, and the program of coalition
forces. Meanwhile, according to E. Sharmazanov, there can be no
miracles: "there are some problems, and a surgical operation is needed
for their solution, and it should be done."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REAFFIRMS ARMENIA’S READINESS FOR
REGULATING NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS

PARIS, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The first official meeting between Eduard
Nalbandian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia,
and Bernard Kouchner, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of
France, was held in Paris on May 5. Bilateral, regional, as well as
issues of international mutual interest were discussed during the
meeting.

Eduard Nalbandian introduced the viewpoints of the leadership of
Armenia on the provision of regional security, the regulation of the
existing conflicts and the development of cooperation. In this respect
special attention was paid to issues connected with the current process
and prospects of the negotiations on the regulation of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. Eduard Nalbandian stated about the readiness of
Armenia for continuing the negotiations on the basis of the suggestions
of the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group, highly appreciating the
efforts of the mediators in the direction of the conflict regulation.

Bernard Kouchner made assertions that his country will continue its
efforts in the OSCE Minsk Group in the direction of finding ways for
the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

After the second half of the current year under the light of the
presidency of France in EU the Ministers touched upon issues on more
deepening the cooperation with Armenia within the frameworks of the EU
Neighbourhood Policy.

The meeting was followed by a press conference of the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia and France.

Reaffirming the readiness of Armenia for regulating the Nagorno
Karabakh issue through peaceful negotiations, Eduard Nalbandian stated:
"Today there is a precise demand for creating constructive surroundings
for negotiations and establishing mutual confidence between the
parties. Today there is a precise demand for reaffirming that there is
no alternative for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue through
peaceful negotiations. Tomorrow I will meet with my colleague in
Strasburg and I hope that we will continue the constructive dialogue
for finding ways for the solution of the issue with the help of
mediators."

In connection with the regulation of the relations with Turkey, the RA
Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the current generation of the
two peoples has received a heavy inheritance from the past and that the
political leaders should make compromising steps with all
responsibility in order to turn that black page. "Armenia in its part
is ready, we suggest reestablishing relations without any preconditions
and this will be in the interest of the whole region, in the interest
of our peoples," Eduard Nalbandian said.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the Press and
Information Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eduard
Nalbandian left for Strasburg on the same evening to take part in the
118th session of the CE Ministers’ Committee.

The meetings of the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs with Elmar
Mamedyarov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, as well as
the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE MInsk Group are scheduled for May 6 and
will finish late in the evening.

"BEFORE CONQUERING SHUSHI ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES WERE NOT READY FOR
SUCH OPERATION," ARKADI TER-TADEVOSIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Only specialists can make deep and
objective analyses about the Artsakh war and the liberation of Shushi,
in particular. This statement was made by Major-General Arkadi
Ter-Tadevosian, a participant of the Artsakh war, at the press
conference, which was held on May 6. He reminded that the "Artsakh War"
book by writer, publicist Zori Balayan has recently been published and
"it is mentioned on one of its pages that Shushi was liberated by the
very Arkadi Ter-Tadevosian and on another one that it was liberated by
another."

"Then we were just not ready to take Shushi as we had, all in all, 3500
people, there was not the necessary amount of arms-ammunition and by
the military laws, we had no right to make an operation," the General
said. That was why, according to him, there was no order from Yerevan
on liberating Shushi. The situation, however, in the words of Arkadi
Ter-Tadevosian, was that the Azerbaijani side "massacred everybody" and
70 commanders asked themselves what was the difference if they were
killed then or after. "Then I asked Serge Sargsian whether we were
going to conquer Shushi and he gave a positive answer," the General
told.

Arkdi Ter-Tadevosian remembered the names of his war fellows,
mentioning that the selfless carriage of volunteers, in particular,
should be appreciated. In his observation Ashot Ghulian, Yuri
Hovhannisian, Valeri Babayan, Jirayr Sefilian, Samvel Babayan, Valeri
Chechian and Nver Chakhoyan played a great role in the liberation of
Shushi.

OVERALL BALANCE CAPITAL OF ARMENIAN CREDIT INSTITUTIONS GROWS BY 7.9%
IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 21 credit institutions with their 40
branches operated in Armenia as of March 31, 2008. According to data of
the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), their actual authorized fund made
11,458,300 thousand drams (over 37 mln 296 thousand USD) on the
indicated date, growing by 4.8% in the first quarter of 2008. The
overall balance capital of the credit institutions made 13,434,307
thousand drams as of March 31, 2008, increasing by 7.9% in the first
quarter.

The overall liabilities of Armenian credit institutions made 35,339,991
thousand drams as of March 31, 2008, growing by 14.3% in the first
quarter of 2008. The same indices with respect to overall assets made
48,774,298 thousand drams and 12.5% respectively.

Standard credits and debts made up 97% of the credit institutions’
credits and bills receivable of a total of 46,271,641 thousand drams as
of March 31, 2008.

The total amount of credits, deposits, as well as sums provided by
leasing and factoring by the credit institutions to residents made
44,811,697 thousand drams as of March 31, 2008, growing by 13.2% in the
first quarter. Sums provided to industry made 4,610,900 thousand drams
(1.1% growth in the first quarter), sums to agriculture – 5,292,911
thousand drams (37.9% growth), to construction – 2,806,102 thousand
drams (49% growth), to transport and communication – 2,297,184 thousand
drams (45.3% growth).

Sums to trade made 8,446,601 thousand drams, growing by 12.9% in the
first quarter of 2008. 1,368,917 thousand drams was alloctaed to the
financial sector of the economy (10.6% growth), while consumer credits
made 7,210,875 thousand drams (2.1% growth). Sums to mortgage crediting
made 4,928,883 thousand drams (8% growth), to other sectors – 7,849,324
thousand drams (6.4% growth).

The gross incomes of the credit institutions made 3,056,123 thousand
drams in the first quarter of 2008. During the indicated period, their
gross expenditures amounted to 2,337,917 thousand drams, while net and
undistributed profits made 262,496 thousand drams.

NONLIFE INSURANCE LICENCE GRANTED TO LONDON-YEREVAN Co INSURANCE COMPANY

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 6 sitting of the Central Bank
of Armenia (CBA) Board, which was conducted by the CBA deputy chairman
Arthur Javadian, London-Yerevan Co LLC was granted a new – nonlife
reinsurance licence, while Hov-Sak LLC received a licence for
orgranizations of pawnshops.

NT was informed by the CBA press service that by the Board’s decision,
Araz and Kamela branches of Malatia Universal Credit Organization LLC
were registered.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROFIT OF ARMENIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES MAKES 315.6 MILLION DRAMS AT
END OF FIRST QUARTER OF 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 31, 2008, the overall assets
of Armenian insurance companies made 9,428,936 thousand drams (over
25.3 mln USD) – against 9,419,317 thousand drams as of February 29,
2008. According to data of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), on the
indicated dates the overall monetary resources of these companies
amounted to 96,650 thousand drams and 80,047 thousand drams
respectively, their fixed assets – 391,876 thousand drams and 374,406
thousand drams, own capital – 6,565,132 thousand drams and 6,442,203
thousand drams, and their authorized capital – remained at the same
level and made 5,781,788 thousand drams.

The Armenian insurance companies’ bills payable with respect to
budgetary and compulsory social insurance payments made 105,216
thousand drams as of March 31, 2008 and 103,843 thousand drams as of
February 29, 2008, their bills receivable – 258,897 thousand drams and
238,027 thousand drams, while insurance reserves made 1,957,778
thousand drams and 1,925,502 thousand drams respectively.

The total amount of insurance premiums made 1,411,494 thousand drams
and 1,000,679 thousand drams respectively on the indicated dates, while
the amount of insurance premiums paid to re-insurers made 374,946
thousand drams and 270,056 thousand drams respectively.

The total amount of insurance compensation paid by insurance companies
made 249,939 thousand drams as of March 31, 2008 and 155,125 thousand
drams as of February 29, 2008, the share of re-insurers in insurance
compensation – 103,542 thousand drams and 63,821 thousand drams, the
total amount of insurance sums – 1,383,385,166 thousand drams and
1,364,863,071 thousand drams respectively.

The undistributed profit of insurance companies amounted to 315,574
thousand drams as of March 31, 2008, and to 179,659 thousand drams on
February 29, 2008.

SECOND FORUM ON ARMENIAN TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS HELD

YEREVAN, MAY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The second forum on competitiveness of the
Armenian tourism "New Challenges and Markets" was held in Yerevan on
May 6 with the participation of representatives of state and private
sectors, international organizations, more than 120 educational
institutions. The event was organized by the RA ministry of economy,
the USAID-financed Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Project,
and the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA).

Speeches of welcome were made by the CAPS Director Hayley Alexander and
the the USAID’s Economic Growth Office Director Rolf Anderson.

Then the keynote speaker of the forum’s first sitting, RA minister of
economy Nerses Yeritsian gave a report "Development of State Strategy
and Action Plan of Tourism". By the tourism development concept, which
was approved by the RA government in February 2008, it is envisaged in
case of a 9% growth in the number of travels to Armenia, their number
will make 3 million in 2030 – against 381 thousand travels in 2006,
while in case of 11% annual growth in revenues from these travels,
their amount will make 3 billion dollars against 299 million dollars in
2006.

The head of the ministry’s tourism department Mekhak Apresian spoke
about the current state of Armenia’s tourism sector, while the ATDA
director for marketing Syuzanna Azoyan addressed the subject "Promotion
of Armenia in International Market in 2007-2008". In particular, in
2007 an electronic poster on Armenia was put on EuroNews website and an
advertisement page about Armenia was included in the CNN Traveller
monthly. In February 2008, an article was published in addition to this
advertisement page. Besides, in 2008 Armenia was on the list of the
best tourism places at the famous tourism website Lonely Planet. In
2007, the ATDA organized Armenia’s participation in 9 international
tourism exhibitions in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, Georgia,
Japan, France and the UK.

Various subjects related to the current state and development prospects
of Armenia’s tourism were presented and discussed at the forum.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress