Month: October 2008

MEMORANDUM ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND INDIAN GOVERNMENTS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Government of Armenia approved today
at its session the suggestion on signing memorandum of understanding
between Armenian and Indian governments on creating an Armenian-Indian
Information Telecommunication Technology Excellence Center.

Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsian explained that the signing of the
agreement will give an opportunity to develop IT sphere in Armenia,
create new jobs, involve scientific potential in the works, prepare
high-quality specialists of IT sphere.

According to the minister, in IT sphere certain steps have already
been undertaken in consolidating Armenian-Indian cooperation in IT
sphere, particularly the sides signed a memorandum of understanding
on Cooperation in the IT and Services sphere.

The specialists of the Indian IT center who visited Armenia in 2007,
studied the opportunities of establishing such center in Yerevan and
as a result worked out and presented the above mentioned memorandum.

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT H. ABRAHAMIAN RECEIVES S. KAPINOS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Speaker of Armenian parliament Hovik
Abrahamian received today the head of the OSCE Yerevan office Sergey
Kapinos.

The public relations department of Armenian parliament told Armenpress
that Hovik Abrahamian greeted the guest and noted that he is aware
of the discussions and the process of agreements between the office
and the Armenian parliament and noted that he is ready to support
the implementation of these agreements.

Head of the OSCE Yerevan office Sergey Kapinos referred to the
cooperation and noted that their organization is ready to continue
in 2009 the training classes of parliament’s staff which were held
until 2006.

He also informed the speaker of the parliament about the memorandum
which will be signed in the nearest future with the head of the
parliamentary defense, national security and home affairs permanent
commission on conducting seminars on the issues of the parliamentary
oversight over the force institutions which is an adopted process in
the OSCE member countries.

Mr. Kapinos said that OSCE authorities are pleased with the creation
of a parliamentary ad hoc commission dealing with inquiry into March
1-2 events and formation of a fact finding mission.

At the end of the meeting an agreement was reached on signing a
memorandum of cooperation with Armenian parliament in the nearest
future.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT UNDERSCORES DEVELOPMENT OF TIES WITH SWITZERLAND

ARMENPRESS
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today members of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary
group of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland headed by Kristin
Egerzeg-Obrist. Presidential press service told Armenpress that
during the meeting the president underscored the development of
multilateral ties with Switzerland and said that during the recent
years a quite interesting agenda of bilateral partnership has been
formed. According to Serzh Sargsyan, for the consolidation of further
partnership an important step will be establishing Swiss diplomatic
representation in Armenia. "We are striving to European values and our
aim is to make Armenia a contemporary, strong country, where a human
will feel secure, and protected," the leader of the country pointed
out. In Armenia-Switzerland cooperation he particularly underscored the
parliamentary relations and expressed his gratitude for the recognition
of the Armenian genocide by the National Assembly of Switzerland in
2003. The head of the Switzerland-Armenian parliamentary group said
that the two peoples are bearers of similar culture, the two countries
are not rich with natural resources but they have principles, skills
and knowledge. President Sargsyan greeted the balanced approach
of Switzerland towards the regional developments and issues of our
country. In respect of Karabakh issue the president said "Our goal
is to reach peaceful regulation of conflict on the basis of mutual
compromises taking into consideration historic facts and of course
future of the people." Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations,
the president once again repeated that the Armenian side is ready to
establish relations with Turkey without pre-conditions and afterwards
discuss a number of issues. During the meeting the sides also referred
to Armenian-Swiss programs implemented in different spheres.

ARE MUTUAL CONCESSIONS THE ONLY WAY OUT?

A1+
[06:00 pm] 08 October, 2008

"We aim at European values, and our objective is to make Armenia a
contemporary and powerful country in which a citizen will feel safe and
protected," Serzh Sargsyan said during today’s meeting with the Members
of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary group of the Federal Assembly
of the Swiss Confederation headed by Christine Egerszegi-Obrist.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that the establishment of the diplomatic
representation of Switzerland in Armenia will become an important
step for the further reinforcement of collaboration.

He also attached special importance to the role of parliamentary
ties in the development of bilateral ties and expressed gratitude for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the National Assembly of
Switzerland in 2003.

The Head of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary group noted that
the two peoples are carriers of a similar culture, the two countries
have nearly the same relief, are not rich in natural resources,
have no access to the sea, but have beliefs, capabilities and
knowledge. According to the Swiss Deputy, "the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide became a unique starting point, which originated
from the past and is targeted at future."

President Sargsyan welcomed Switzerland’s balanced position on sensible
issues of our country. Regarding the Karabakh issue, Serzh Sargsyan
said, "Our objective is to reach the peaceful resolution of the issue
based on mutual concessions, taking into consideration the historical
realities, and primarily, the future of people."

With regard to Armenian-Turkish relations, the President once
again stated that the Armenian side is ready to establish relations
with Turkey without preconditions, and discuss the existing issues
afterwards.

The interlocutors also dwelt on Armenian-Swiss programmes underway
in different spheres.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HATSPANIAN TO BE EXILED?

A1+
[04:11 pm] 09 October, 2008

At the moment, participant of the Artsakh war, French Armenian Sarkis
Hatspanian’s home is under blockade and it has stayed under blockaded
since last night. Sargis Hatspanian visited his family members for
the first time since he went underground after the events of March
1, however the police surrounded his home 10 minutes later. "I think
the only reason for that is because I supported Levon Ter-Petrosian,"
told "A1+ Sargis Hatspanian. Police surrounded the house and said that
Sargis Hatspanian has an illegal status in Armenia and must be exiled.

A short while ago, as Hatspanian informed, NA deputies Armen
Martirosian and Artsvik Minasian visited Hatspanian, who handed his
ten-year residency and French passports to the police and Artsvik
Minasian. The latter have gone to the police station to check the
accuracy of the information. Police told Minasyan that the president
had decreed the exile of Hatspanian on March 10, yet Hatspanian says
that he is hearing that for the first time. Hatspanian has appealed to
the Nagorno-Karabagh Foreign Minister, NA Deputy Chairman and asked
for political asylum due to the fact that he has lived in Karabagh
for four years.

"I am probably the only Armenian from the Diaspora who has responded to
inaccuracies, falsified elections, pressures on citizens. I have held
a hunger strike at Freedom Square after the presidential elections
and have expressed my views from the podium at Freedom Square," says
Hatspanian. In the end, he said that he has never violated any law
and always abides by the laws. "I have done a lot for my homeland
and they probably take that for granted," says Hatspanian.

AMERICAN EXPERTS AT GENERAL PROSECUTOR

Panorama.am
20:22 08/10/2008

The General Prosecutor of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan received John Farmer
an expert from USA and Steven Kessler, the legal consultant of the US
Embassy in Armenia, reported the press service of Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the source the officials have discussed the measures
taken by the legal bodies after the mass disorder in Yerevan, the
aftermaths, shortcomings, the methods study and investigation tactics.

The American expert said that they will discuss with the State
Secretariat of the US how to contribute to the investigation
process. The General Prosecutor mentioned that the American experts
are welcome to Armenia and added that necessary materials could be
sent to America for expertise.

J. Farmer informed that the experience of American experts studying
"September 11" case will be provided to the Ad Hoc Committee of the
National Assembly on investigating March 1 events.

"EXTRACTED PRODUCTS PURCHASED UNDER SHADOW"

Panorama.am
20:25 08/10/2008

By the order of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan the supervision
service has conducted an investigation in the exploited minings located
in the administrative territory of Yerevan and nearby, reported the
press service of the President’s Administration.

According to the source, the results of the study have been discussed
during a consultation at the President. The Prime Minister, the Head
of Staff, the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources, Economy,
Environmental Protection, the Mayor of Yerevan, the Chairman of Real
Estate Cadastre, the heads of State Revenues Committee were also
present at the meeting.

The President said that such checkings should be conducted often,
in order to struggle against shadow, corruption. Hovhannes Hovsepyan,
the head of the Supervision Service announced that according to the
results of the study the extracts have been kept and their revenues
hided under shadow.

The President of Armenia encouraged all the responsible bodies to
take appropriate measures to meet the challenge.

ARMENIA, CHINA EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERPARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION

armradio.am
09.10.2008 17:28

On October 9 Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Hovik
Abrahamyan received the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic
of China to Armenia Hong Jiuyin.

The Ambassador conveyed to the Armenian Parliament Speaker the
congratulations of the President of the Standing Committee of the
All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives of the People’s Republic
of China U Bango and an invitation of an official visit. Believing that
the Armenian-Chinese parliamentary ties and cooperation are part of
the friendly relations between the two peoples, Mr. U Bango expressed
willingness to deepen the contacts and have a positive contribution in
all spheres of development of interstate cooperation. The Ambassador
noted that U Bango is preparing to pay an official visit to Armenia,
which was postponed because of the devastating earthquake in China.

During the meeting the parties stressed the importance of
interparliamentary cooperation. It was noted that the Chinese
experience is very educating and important for Armenia, therefore the
parties agreed to hold joint business forums, where the perspectives
of economic ties will be discussed.

PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL MEETS CZECH DEPUTIES

armradio.am
09.10.2008 17:38

President of the Civil Court of Appeal of the Republic of Armenia
Edward Muradyan received the delegation of the Commission on
Constitutional and Legal Issues of the Chamber of Deputies of the
Czech Republic headed by Vice-Speaker Jan Kasal.

The President of the Court of Appeal presented the structure of
Armenia’s court system, the activity of the newly created specialized
courts that have been operating since January 2008, and spoke about
the structure and staff of the Civil Court of Appeal. Mr. Muradyan
presented the changes referring to the Judicial Council. He said that
today it actually consists of judges, and the judges and the court
system are responsible for any decision.

Among others, the interlocutors turned to issues of training of judges
and the Judicial School.

DISCUSSION ON THE GEORGIA WAR AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN THE REGION

armradio.am
09.10.2008 17:47

The annual seminar-discussion of the Marshall Fund of Strategic
Research on the "Five-day war in Georgia and its influence in the
region" will take place in Yerevan on October 10.

The event will be attended by the Ambassadors Extraordinary and
plenipotentiary of the US and the Federal Republic of Germany,
Commandant of the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the
Armenian Ministry of Defense, Major-General Hayk Kotanjian, graduates
of the Marshall Fund, etc.