Month: October 2008

ARMENIAN MINISTER OF JUSTICE IS IN SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

BRATISLAVA, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation of the RA Ministry
of Justice led by Minister Gevorg Danielian is in the Slovak Republic
on a three-day visit. As Noyan Tapan correspondent reported from
Bratislava, this is the return visit of Stefan Harabin, the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of the Slovak Republic to
Armenia in May. The Slovak side presented the Armenian delegation with
the reforms implemented in the justice system of Slovakia. Minister
Gevorg Danielian positively estimated visit’s results and said that the
Slovak experience is rather interesting and can be immediately used to
solve a number of problems in the system of the RA Ministry of Justice.

Within the framework of the visit the Armenian delegation laid a
wreath to the memorial of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in
Bratislava. Lubomir Jahnatek, the former Deputy Prime Minister of
the Slovak Republic, Minister of Economy, a number of members of the
Armenian community of Slovakia and Ashot Grigorian, the Chairman of the
Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe and the Armenian community
of Slovakia also took part in the ceremony. The latter had initiated
the mutual visits of the two countries’ Ministers of Justice.

LEVON MELIK-SHAHNAZARIAN CONTINUES TO CLAIM THAT HIS ATTEMPTED MURDER WAS INSTRUCTED BY AZERI PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The investigation into the attempted
murder of the political scientist Levon Melik-Shahnazarian in
the spring of 2008 was completed and the case was sent to court,
L. Melik-Shahnazarian stated at the October 9 press conference,
insisting on the claim he made months ago that the president of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Azeri special services are behind this
crime.

"After shots had been fired at my house in Dilijan on April 22, an
unknown person called and warned me not to write articles and speak
on television any more. Otherwise, he threatened to settle scores
with my family members, about whom he had detailed information,"
L. Melik-Shahnazarian said.

Following that call, the political scientist applied to the appropriate
Armenian bodies. The investigation revealed that Georgian citizen
Arshak Aghababian ("Turki Arshak") whose mother is an Azeri and father
an Armenian was the person who committed the attempted murder and
then threatened L. Melik-Shahnazarian on the phone. It became clear
durind A. Aghababian’s questioning that he received an instruction
to kill L. Melik-Shahnazarian from the Azeri criminal "authority"
Arkhan who promised to pay 100 thousand dollars. "Arkhan told Arshak:
"Do whatever you want: shoot him, strangle him or destroy in any other
way, we do not want him to write articles on Azeri subjects any more,"
L. Melik-Shahnazarian said.

A. Aghababian together with a friend committed an attempted murder,
and being sure that L. Melik-Shahnazarian had been killed, he called
the client and told him about it. However, several days later the
client found out that the political scientist was alive and he
refused to pay the money to A. Aghababian. A. Aghababian started
threathening L. Melik-Shahnazarian, forcing him to spread false
rumors and organize an imitation of his murder so that Aghababian
could receive the promised 100 thousand dollars for the murder.

The trial of A. Aghababian will take place in Dilijan soon. He is
charged under the RA Criminal Code’s Article 305: attempted murder
of a state or public figure, committed in order to terminate the
activities of that person. In the opinion of L. Melik-Shahnazarian,
such crimes cannot be organized without the respective instruction
of a head of a country, in the given case – Ilham Aliyev. He did not
rule out that an attempted murder with respect to him may be committed
again and that a wave of terrorist actions may begin in Armenia.

"SWITZERLAND-ARMENIA" PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF SWISS FEDERAL ASSEMBLY TO VISIT ARMENIA ON OCTOBER 8-13

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The members of the Swiss Federal
Assembly’s "Switzerland-Armenia" parliamentary group headed by
Christine Egerszegi-Obrist will arrive in Armenia on October
8. According to a press release of the RA National Assembly PR
Department, the group’s meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
is scheduled for the same day.

The delegation will be received the RA National Assembly speaker Hovik
Abrahamian. A meeting with the National Assembly "Armenia-Switzerland"
friendship group headed by Ara Babloyan is envisaged. The members
of the Swiss parliamentary delegation will visit the Caucasus Media
Institute.

On October 9 the group members will be received by the RA deputy
foreign minister Gegham Gharibjanian and the RA deputy minister of
economy Ara Petrosian.

The delegation members will visit the Armenian-Swiss specialized
school. On the same day they will pay a tribute of respect to the
memory of the Armenian Genocide victims at the Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial Complex.

On October 10 the members of "Switzerland-Armenia" parliamentary group
will go to the NKR representative office in Armenia. A meeting with the
RA deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgian is scheduled for the same day.

The delegation members will aslo meet with representatives of the
opposition.

On October 11 the Catholicos of All Armenian Karekin II will receive
the delegation in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, after which
they will go to Byrakan observatory in Aragatsotn marz.

On October 12 the members of "Switzerland-Armenia" parliamentary
group will pay a visit to "Arevamanuk" psychological center in Gyumri
(Shirak marz). A meeting with the executive officals of "Development
of Organic Agriculture" and "Peace and Conciliation" programs will
take place on the same day.

The delegation will leave Yerevan on October 13.

RA PRESIDENT TO TAKE PART IN SITTING OF CIS COUNTRIES’ HEADS IN BISHKEK

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Serzh Sargsyan
leaves for Bishkek on October 9 to take part in sittings of heads
of CIS member-countries and Interstate Council of Eurasian Economic
Community. As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA President’s Press Office,
RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, RA Resident Plenipotentiary
in CIS regulations and other bodies, RA Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Belarus Oleg Yesayan, other high-ranking officials
are members of the delegation led by S. Sargsyan.

The sitting of Presidents of CIS countries will be opened with a
meeting of heads of states in a narrow staff, which will be followed
by a meeting in an extended staff.

The CIS countries’ heads will discuss drafts of strategy of CIS
economic development by 2020, of considering cooperation in the sphere
of energy as a pivotal direction of CIS member-countries’ cooperation
in 2009, as well as a wide range of issues regarding CIS further
development, cooperation of memher-countries in various spheres.

In the capital city of Kyrgyzstan S. Sargsyan will also take
part in the work of the Interstate Council of Eurasian Economic
Community. Armenia has a status of an observer in that organization.

STATE FOOD SAFETY AND VETERINARY INSPECTION REVEALS VIOLATIONS AT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The State Food Safety and Veterinary
Inspection of the RA Ministry of Agriculture consucted checks at
1,100 economic entities of Armenia in January-September 2008. The
inspection head Grisha Baghian said at the October 9 press conference
that as a result of the checks, some economic entities were subjected
to administrative responsibility. The total amount of fines made 45
million drams (about 150 thousand USD), exceeding by 12 million drams
the amount of fines imposed in the same period of 2007.

According to G. Baghian, among the most widespread violations are
the sale of old foodstuffs, as well as foodstuffs without the
required marking, certificates and the necessary technological
instructions. Following the checks, some shops were closed down,
and the sale of certain meat products was banned. As a result of the
checks, 27 tons of dairy products and 7 tons of meat products were
disposed of, the same amount of meat products was sent from the check
point back to Georgia. Besides, 6 tons of fish, 26 thousand bottles
of beer and 12 thousand bottles of vodka were disposed of.

G. Baghian said that the inspection is conducting checks at
comprehensive schools and kindergartens as well. The checks revealed
that the food given to kindergarten babies and that sold in school
lunchrooms does not meet the food safety standards. The inspection head
announced that numerous violations were disclosed within a week, and
the directors of these educational institutions and the food-selling
companies were warned to eliminate the shortcomings. The inspection
will continue checks in November.

It was mentioned that no checks were conducted in Armenia’s schools
and kindergartens in the past 20-25 years.

In the words of G. Baghian, checks of the weight and quality of bread
on sale in shops are underway, while the results will be announced
in a month.

BY GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 2008-2009, ARMENIA IN 97th POSITION BY ITS COMPETITIVENESS AGAINST 93rd PLACE LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. By the Global Competitiveness Report
(GCR) 2008-2009, Armenia is in 97th place by competitiveness out of
134 countries – against 93rd place in 2007. The chairman of "Economy
and Values" research center Manuk Hergian said at the October 9
press conference dedicated to the release of the report that it is
the fourth year that Armenia has been included in GCR. In his words,
GCR is an internationally recognized and authoritative annual report
that compares, assesses and analyses the economic competition of
various countries, aa well as the factors that affect their economic
development.

M. Hergian said that in a GCR, the countries are classified based on
the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which is based on 12 pillars
of competitiveness: macroeconomic stability, education, health, etc.

According to the GCR 2008-2009, the three most competitive countries
in the world are the U.S, Switzerland and Denmark. Among the CIS
countries, Russia is the most competitive one, followed by Kazakhstan
and Azerbaijan. M. Hergian underlined that the index did not take
into account the impacts of the international financial crisis as
the data used by the report represent the annual indices of 2007.

He noted that Armenia’s competitive position has not undergone a
notable change as compared with last year and continues to be at
quite a low level.

In his words, Armenia is now facing serious challenges related to
raising the country’s competitiveness, and in case of overcoming these
challenges Armenia will be able to maintain high rates of economic
growth. He said that at the present stage of development, Armenia’s
main challenges are related to development of the microeconomic
bases of its competitiveness, however, the macroeconomic risks have
also increased in the past year. It was mentioned that the primary
prolems of the Armenian government are the elimination of the current
shortcomimgs in the resource and commodity markets, and ensuring an
institutional field aimed at a stable macroeconomic environment and
business development.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN ARAGATSOTN, GEGHARKUNIK, AND SHIRAK REGIONS ON OCTOBER 26

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 26, local self-government
elections are scheduled in the communities of the Aragatsotn,
Gegharkunik, and Shirak regions.

As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Tatev Ohanian, the
Spokesperson of the RA Central Electoral Commission, 3 non-partisan
candidates, current Mayor Gagik Tamazian, Ashot Azizian, and Grigor
Baloyan are registered for participation in the elections of Ashtarak
Mayor.

The candidates for Aparan Mayor are RPA member, current Mayor Gor
Abrahamian, ANM member Alexan Avetisian, and non-partisan Razmik
Petrosian.

The candidates for Talin Mayor are non-partisans, current Mayor
Mnatsakan Mnatsakanian, Armen Sargsian, Edward Grigorian, and RPA
member Gurgen Grigorian.

The only candidate registered for Gavar Mayor’s elections is current
Mayor, member of the United Labor Party Gurgen Martirosian.

The candidates for Sevan Mayor are current Mayor, RPA member Gevorg
Malkhasian, non-partisans Hrachik Karapetian and Vardges Kocharian.

The candidates for Martuni Mayor are RPA members, current Mayor
Bagrat Haroutiunian, Rashid Hakobian, Orinats Yerkir party member
Kamo Gasparian, and non-partisan Garik Hakobian,

The candidates for Chambarak Mayor are current Mayor, non-partisan
Yurik Avalian, RPA members Kochar Kocharian and Rita Hovhannisian.

Five candidates are registered for Vardenis Mayor’s elections, RPA
members, current Mayor Vardan Barseghian, Vardan Yeranosian, and
Volodya Khloyan, member of the Union of National Democrats Gevorg
Bokhian, and non-partisan Samvel Martirosian.

Four candidates are registered for Gyumri Mayor’s elections, current
Mayor, RPA member Vardan Ghukasian, National Assembly independent
deputy Martun Grigorian, member of the National Self-Determination
Union Daniel Darbinian, and non-partisan Karapet Nersisian.

The candidates for Artik Mayor’s elections are current Mayor,
non-partisan Hmayak Abrahamian, RPA member Khachatur Varagian,
member of the National Self-Determination Union Annman Khachatrian,
and ANM member Mkrtich Mkrtchian.

It should be mentioned that the registered candidates can use the
right of withdrawing their candidatures until October 16, 18:00.

ARMENIA EXPECTED TO HAVE DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH OF GDP THIS YEAR TOO

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia is expected to have a
double-digit growth of GDP this year too – thanks to the high activity
in the construction sector, is said in the section on Armenia of
Grant Thornton company’s International Business Report 2008, which
was presented on October 8 by Gurgen Hakobian, Armenian representative
of the company.

By the report, based on the high food import prices and international
oil prices, as well as on the great domestic demand it can be
expected that in late 2008 the consumer price index will make about
7%, exceeding the announced inflation index of 4%. Nevertheless,
according to G. Hakobian, this index is lower as compared with those
of neighboring countries, and it is expected that in 2009 it will
decline and remain within the announced limits. This year’s budget
will have a deficit in the amount of 1.2% of GDP, as a result of
which the real appreciation of foreign currency will become possible.

It is noted in the report that in the majority of the 34 countries
studied, enterprises of the private sector are optimistic about
the prospects of the year. It is the fifth year that India tops
the table as a country which is most optimistic about the economy,
while Japan is at the bottom due to its pessimism. The enterprises of
Armenia’s private sector are more optimistic about the results of 2008
than last year. The level of optimism concerning profitability has
exceeded the world average, while the level of optimism about export
is slightly lower than the world average. The index of real growth
of the employment was lower in Armenia than was forecast in 2007.

As regards the importance of the factors decisive for international
investments, the size of an economy and its development potential are
important for Armenian as well as international entrepreneurship. The
number of exporting enterprises in Armenia (34%) is below the
world average (39%) and the 2007 index of 36%. The number of
importing enterprises makes 72% in Armenia, exceeding the world
average of 39%. Two thirds of Armenian businessmen see their
rivals in the domestic market. This index exceeds almost two-fold
the world average. Enterprises of Armenia’s private sector (83%)
and international businessmen (70%) consider the quality of products
and services as their greatest competitive advantage. 75% of Armenian
enterprises consider human resource and skilful workforce as the main
competitive advantage – as compared with the world index of 55%.

It is noteworthy that surveys are conducted by Grant Thornton’s
representatives in various countries. The company operates in more than
100 countries. An increasing number of countries is being involved in
surveys with every passing year. It is the second year that Armenia
has participated in studies.

TODAY HAYPOST IS POSTAL OPERATOR MEETING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, HANS BOON SAYS

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Today the HayPost company is a postal
operator meeting the international standards. Hans Boon, HayPost’s
Director General, stated during an event organized on October 9,
on the occasion of World Post Day.

According to him, it is not only the holiday of sphere’s workers, but
also the holiday of everybody, as there is no one in the world who has
not used postal services. According to H. Boon, 1.2bn letters and 16m
parcels are sent through post every day in the world. He said that
the world postal network has 665 thousand permanent postal offices
with 5.5m employees, who have made postal system a structure having
the most compact network in the world.

According to H. Boon, the company does its best to record positive
results in Armenia’s postal activity, and it is not accidental that
today HayPost takes a proper place in the World Post Union. It was also
mentioned that the volume of HayPost’s postal circulation has increased
two-fold over the past two years. Besides, money transfers and payment
deals through the postal system have increased five-fold. "It is
obliging, and we should do our best to jointly record new success
in the postal system, as well as to provide high-quality service to
Armenia’s population," H. Boon said.

Some workers of the sphere received awards by HayPost on the occasion
of World Post Day. Special prizes were given to 10 postal workers of
various regions of Armenia by the RA Social Security Fund.

"ARMENIA EXPO 2008" INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 14

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The 8th international trade and
industrial exhbition "Armenia Expo 2008" will open at Yerevan’s
Dynamo Stadium on October 14. The exhibition is being organized
on the initiative of the Logos Expo center and with the support
of the RA ministry of economy, the RA foreign ministry, the Union
of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA). More than 120
industrial and commercial companies will participate in it.

The director of the center Ara Stepanian said at the October 7 press
conference that Armenia Expo is considered one of the major exhibitions
in the region, with the number of its participants – foreign
organizations growing year by year. In his words, the exhibition
allows foreign companies to find reliable partners in Armenia.

At the same time he noted that unlike the previous years, this year
the number of participating companies will not exceed 120 as the
halls of Dynamo Stadium are small. In response to the question about
why K. Demirchian Sport and Concert Complex has not been chosen as
the place for holding the exhibition, A. Stepanian replied that the
management of the complex should be asked this question. "Negotiations
with the management lasted over 3 months. As a result, DigiTec and
Armenia Expo (both are considred brand exhibitions) are held in
places not convenient for such events," he said, adding that he has
repeatedly applied to the government but no solution to the problem
has been found so far. Whereas, according to him, 20-30% of business
links in the world are established through exhibitions.

Within the framework of Armenia Expo 2008, the European Economic
Chmaber of Commerce, Industry and Trade will organize an international
conference on October 15 with the support of the RA ministry of
economy. Problems of food indutsry, as well as issues related to the
export of mineral waters and natural and tinned fruit and vegetables
to European markets will be discussed at the conference.