Month: October 2008

ARMENIA EMPHASIZES THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIFACETED TIES WITH SWITZERLAND

armradio.am
08.10.2008 17:12

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today received the Members of
the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary group of the Federal Assembly
of the Swiss Confederation headed by Christine Egerszegi-Obrist.

The President emphasized the importance of the development of
multifaceted ties with Switzerland and noted with appreciation that
a rather interesting agenda of bilateral cooperation has been formed
over the past years.

According to Serzh Sargsyan, the establishment of the diplomatic
representation of Switzerland will become an important step for the
further reinforcement of collaboration.

"We aim at European values, and our objective is to have Armenia become
a contemporary, powerful country, where the citizen will feel safe and
protected," the President underscored. He attached special importance
to the role of parliamentary ties in the development of Armenian-Swiss
cooperation 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 G enocide became a unique starting point, which originated
from the past and is targeted towards future."

President Sargsyan welcomed Switzerland’s balanced position on sensible
issues of our country. Regarding the Karabakh issue, he 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."

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

The interlocutors dwelt on Armenian-Swiss programs implemented in
different spheres.

OSCE MONITORING REVEALS NO BREACHES OF ARMISTICE

armradio.am
08.10.2008 17:30

In compliance with an earlier agreement with the Nagorno Karabakh
authorities, the OSCE Mission today conducted a planned monitoring
at the contact line of the armed forces of NKR and Azerbaijan near
Karakhanbeyli settlement in Fizuli region.

Armenpress was informed from the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
that from the positions of the NKR Defense Army the monitoring was
conducted by the coordinator of the OSCE Office Imre Palatinus
and Field Assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Antal Herdich and Irzhi Aberle.

No breaches of the cease-fire regime were registered during the
monitoring.

Nevertheless, the Azeri side failed to lead the mission to its front
positions as a result of which the monitoring was conducted from a
longer distance.

>From the Karabakhi side the monitoring mission was accompanied by
representatives of the NKR Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA, SWITZERLAND INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING INTERPARLIAMENTARY TIES

armradio.am
08.10.2008 17:47

On October 8 Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia
Hovik Abrahamyan received the members of the Switzerland-Armenia
parliamentary group of the Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation
headed by Co-Chairs Welly Loyenberger and Dominique de Buman.

Greeting the Swiss counterparts, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed
confidence that their visit will contribute to the development of
interparliamentary ties between the two countries, which will, in turn,
have a positive influence on the development of interstate ties in the
trade-economic, scientific-cultural, healthcare and other spheres. On
behalf of the National Assembly, Mr. Abrahamyan expressed gratitude
to the Swiss Deputies for their active support to the adoption of
the resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Co-Chair of the Switzerland-Armenian parliamentary group of the Federal
Assembly of the Swiss Confederation Dominique de Buman assessed the
meeting as symbolic, noting that the parliament plays a great role
in democratic states as generator of ideas. On behalf of all members
of the delegation he congratulated Hovik Abrahamyan on being elected
to the post of President of the National Assembly. Turning to the
resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Buman reminded
that it was initiated by jean Clod Verdi, and after the death of the
latter he assumed the continuation of the process of presentation
and adoption of the bill.

At the request of the Swiss Deputies, Hovik Abrahamyan informed them
about the activity of the National Assembly, the state governance
system and domestic issues.

SPEAKER HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN MET WITH THE HEAD OF THE OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE

armradio.am
08.10.2008 18:12

On October 8 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan received the Head of the OSCE Yerevan
Office Sergey Kapinos.

Greeting the guest, Hovik Abrahamyan noted that he is familiar with
the process of discussions and agreements with the National Assembly
during his one-year activity as Head of the OSCE Yerevan Office and
is ready to contribute to their accomplishment.

Serggey Kapinos noted that their organization is ready to continue
the training of the NA staff. He informed the Armenian Parliament
Speaker about the memorandum on organization of seminars on issued
so parliamentary control over force structures to be signed with
the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense,
National Security and Interior Affairs.

Mr. Kapinos conveyed the appreciation of his leadership regarding the
creation of the ad hoc committee to investigate the March events and
the establishment of a fact-finding mission.

ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN

armradio.am
08.10.2008 17:56

On October 8 the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Kazakhstan Vasili Ghazaryan presented
his credentials to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Ambassador conveyed to Presidnet Nazarbayev Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan’s invitation to visit Armenia. President Nazarbayev
stressed the importance of expanding and deepening the Armenian-Kazakh
cooperation, noting that the historic ties between the two countries,
the similarity of positions on urgent issues of world politics and
absence of political discrepancies create a reliable basis for it.

Turning to the Armenian-Kazakh economic relations, the parties noted
that the pace and development of cooperation in that sphere and the
annual increase of bilateral commodity turnover serve as a basis for
positive predictions.

During the meeting the parties turned to issues of cooperation within
the framework of the CIS and the CSTO.

GEGHAM GHARIBJANYAN: THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO PEACE TALKS AND DIALOGUE

armradio.am
08.10.2008 18:25

On October 8 Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan received the
delegation headed by the Vice-Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of
the Czech Parliament Jan Kasal.

Gegham Gharibjanyan highly appreciated the traditionally warm and
friendly relations between Armenia and Czechia. He emphasized the
importance of the further development of cooperation.

Turning to the forthcoming presidency of the Czech Republic over the
European Union, Deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanyan expressed hope that
it will contribute to the deepening of Armenia-EU relations. In this
context Gegham Gharibjanyan noted that the deepening of cooperation
with the European Union is one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign
policy and our country is interested in ensuring progress in the
sphere.

At the request of the guests, Gegham Gharibjanyan presented Armenia’s
position on the latest developments in the region and the settlement
of the Karabakh (Artsakh) issue. He notes in particular that Armenia
opposes the military resolution of conflicts, underlining that there
is no alternative to peace talks and dialogue.

ARMENIANS OF FRANCE DEMAND A LAW AGAINST GENOCIDE DENIAL

Gibrahayer
Oct 7, 2008

Jean Eckian – Independent correspondent, Paris, October 1, 2008 –
About 300 Armenians gathered yesterday, October 1, in front of the
French Senate to require that the socialist bill, punishing with
one year imprisonment and 45,000 euros fine, the denial of Armenian
genocide adopted by The National Assembly (October 12, 2006), is
approved by senators as soon as possible.

Indeed, the past two years, France has been the scene of intense
denials with several desecrations of memorials and threats on the
individuals.

It’s with the slogan Â"Denial is a crime. For punishing it, I want
a Law! Â" chanted by the crowd, that several speakers of Armenian
organizations of France and French deputies have called the senators
to understand that civil security and public order are threatened
on French soil in the disrespect of the law of January 2001, which
stipulates:Â" France recognises publicly the Armenian genocide of
1915 Â".

Today, the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France
(CCAF) which had joined film director Robert Guediguian and his wife,
actress Ariane Ascaride, request that senators put the sanction of
the Armenian Genocide in the agenda of their work.

On In October 2006, at the casting of the French positive vote,
Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ha d declared in Erdine
(Turkey), Â" Because of certain limited representatives, France whom
we know as the country of freedom is obliged to live with this shame
Â", he had hammered. " If France does not cancel this text, It is
she who will lose and not Turkey ", he said.

Mourad Papazian, chairman of ARF Dashnaktsoutiu n Europe, in particular
announced another gathering in front of the French Senate on November
22 when nearly 10,000 people are expected to attend.

–Boundary_(ID_3a9HGfsh3ASd49/oachFsA)–

ARMSWISSBANK BECOMES MARKET MAKER FOR NEWLY LISTED "VALETTA" LLC BONDS

ARKA
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. ArmSwissBank becomes a market maker for
newly listed "VALETTA" LLC bonds.

Starting from October 7, ArmSwissBank is to officially provide buy and
sell prices for the third tranche of nominal coupon bonds of "VALLETTA"
LLC (Armex: VALTB3), Marketing and Communication Department of NASDAQ
OMX Armenia reported. In its status of a market maker ArmSwissBank is
to ensure that investors are always able to buy and sell the bonds
of the company on Armex to promote liquidity of the securities on
the secondary market.

The third tranche consists of 10,000 bonds with nominal value of AMD
50,000, maturity 36 months, and coupon yield of 11% per annum. The
bonds have been listed on the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) since
September 25, 2008.

ArmSwissBank that has been a member of the stock exchange since
September 2007, is currently also the market maker for the bonds
of previous issues by Valletta (VALTB1, VALTB2), as well as the
bonds of ArmRosGasProm (HRGAB2), Armenian Copper Programme (ARCPB1),
and Express Credit Universal Credit Organization (XPKUB1). All the
mentioned bonds all listed on Armex.

Valletta LLC has been operating in Armenia since 1990. Its main fields
of activities are trade (export-import, wholesale-retail sale), fast
food (SFC), tea and coffee production and promotion of enterpr ises
to an independent status. The company has processing enterprises,
restaurants, shop networks, house appliance importing firms.

In January 2008, Swedish exchange operator OMX Group acquired 100%
of shares of the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) and the Central
Depository of Armenia (CDA). After the combination of NASDAQ and OMX
in March 2008, Armex and CDA have become fully owned by the NASDAQ
OMX Group, Inc. ($1=304.05Drams).

MAJOR BUSINESS TO PROVIDE INCREASE IN TAX RECEIPTS

ARKA
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. A 22.1% increase in tax receipts planned
under Armenia’s state budget for 2009 can be provided only through
major business, Chairman of Parliament Commission on Financial,
Credit and Budget Issues Gagik Minasyan said.

State budget tax receipts are to total 726bln Drams next year –
a record-high level as compared with the previous years.

"We do not have an alternative under the circumstances of this increase
in tax receipts and the planned GDP growth of 9.2%," Minasyan told
journalists. The "shadow" sector of the economy should be reduced
and major business companies pay taxes due, otherwise it will be
impossible to reach such an increase in tax receipts as no heavy tax
burden can be placed on small business, Minasyan said.

Under the state budget approved by Armenian Government on September
25, budget revenues are to total 905bln Drams next year, on-budget
expenditures are planned at 945bln Drams with budget deficit
constituting less than 1% of the GDP – 40bln Drams. Tax to GDP relation
is to reach 17.4% in the year 2009. ($1=304.05Drams).

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA RAISES INTEREST RATE BY 1PCT TO 12% P.A.

ARKA
Oct 8, 2008

YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia raised bank
interest rate by 1pct up to 12% per annum. The decision was made by
the CBA Board yesterday, the CBA Press Service reported.

The previous change in interest rate was effected on December 3 last
year when the Central Bank reduced bank interest rate by 1pcvt down
to 11% p.a.