NKR PRESIDENT HELD A CONSULTATION WITH…
Azat Artsakh Daily
16 Dec 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR
On 15 December NKR President Bako Sahakyan held a consultation with
the supreme command staff of the NKR Defense Army at the head of
defense minister Movses Hakobyan. Issues related to army building,
situation along the line of contact between Nagorno Karabagh and
Azerbaijan armed forces and amelioration of social conditions of the
servicemen were discussed at consultation.
COURT SITTING ON "CASE OF SEVEN" TO BE OPEN-DOOR
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. According to RA Cassation Court
Spokesperson Alina Yengoyan, a trial has been fixed on the criminal
case on the part of seven defendants, which will be held at 12:00,
December 19, at Yerevan court sitting hall N 1 in Arshakuniats Avenue,
24/1 (Shengavit community general jurisdiction court). The court
sitting will be open-door, which implies that any person aged 16
and above can be present at the court sitting on the above mentioned
criminal case.
However, for the purpose of providing security of the judge, trial
participants, and other people, citizens’ entrance to the territory
of the above mentioned court will be possible only with a document
confirming person’s identity.
It should be mentioned that the seven people are: NA deputy Myasnik
Malkhasian, Hakob Hakobian, Sasun Mikayelian, former RA Foreign
Minister Alexander Arzumanian, Suren Sirunian, Shant Haroutiunian,
and Grigor Voskerchian.
SPEAKER OF RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the
speaker of the RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamian was received
by the chairman of the Standing Committee of All-Chinese Assembly U
Bango on December 15. The Armenian ambassador to China Armen Sargsyan
was present at the meeting.
According to the RA National Assembly PR Department, U. Bango stated
that this visit will become a new stimulus for developing the relations
between the two countries.
H. Arahamian said that the speaker of the Chinese parliament was
expected to pay a visit to Yerevan in May, but the destructive
earthquake prevented Mr. U Bango from leaving China. Conveying the
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan’s regards and wishes of success to
the Chinese president Hu Jintao, Hovik Abrahamian asked to pass to him
the invitation to come on an official visit to Armenia. He underlined
that the traditional friendly links of the Armenian and Chinese peoples
are continuing nowadays, which is evident from the political dialog and
mutual visits at the high level, the consistent expansion and deepening
of mutually beneficial cooperation in the social-political, economic,
scientific and cultural spheres. The cooperation and mutual assistance
at the international level have deepened the trust of the sides. The
speaker of the RA National Assembly attached special importance to
the joint projects being implemented in such spheres as chemistry,
energy, agriculture, science and technology, defence, and culture.
Speaking about interparliamentary relations, H. Abrahamian said that
deputy friendship groups function at two parliaments, expressing
his support for promotion of their activities. He pointed out that
Armenia attaches great importance to consistent development of
friendship and cooperation with China, and considerable potential
exists in this respect, taking the opportunities of two countries
into consideration. He underlined the importance of identifying new
possibilities of cooperation under conditions of the global financial
crisis, which will help reduce the impact of the crisis. H. Abrahamian
invited U. Bango to pay an official visit to Armenia.
The chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-Chinese Assembly
U. Bango said that he will pass the invitation of the Armenian
president to Hu Jintao. Mr. Bango also restated his intention to
visit Armenia which was delayed by the earthquake. He noted the
significance of the Declaration on Cooperation signed by the presidents
of two countries in 2004, after which the bilateral relations began
developing rapidly. It was mentioned that the bilateral cooperation
has given good results in the economic sphere as well: in particular,
the trade growth made 51% last year. U. Bango expressed a high
opinion about cooperation in energy and mining industry. The Chinese
government allocated gratis 15 million yuans to Armenia with the
aim of encouraging economic cooperation. Noting that Armenia is a
reliable partner for China, U. Bango spoke about the necessity to
establish closer interparliamentary links. He expressed satisfaction
at the fact that during his visit, the speaker of the RA National
Assembly will also go to Hainan Province famous for its dynamically
developing industry: chemical industry, mechanical engineering,
petroleum industry, tourism, adding that programs on foundation of
joint ventures may be worked out as a result of this visit.
During the meeting H. Abrahamian and U. Bangi signed a memorandum of
mutual understanding, cooperation and exchange of experience, restating
the willingness to develop friendly relations and cooperation. Noting
that interparliamentary links are an essential component of
interstate relations, the memorandum emphasizes the importance of
making contacts of the parliaments more active both in the bilateral
and multilateral formats in order to strengthen mutual understanding
and trust and increase the scope of common opinions. The memorandum
asserts a willingness to deepen the coordination of consultations and
positions on bilateral and international relations. The memorandum
stresses the importance of encouraging contacts of the parliamentary
committees, exchanging legislative experience in trade, economic,
agricultural, energy, educational, cultural and environmental spheres,
and establishing closer links between the friendship groups. The
memorandum pays great attention to cooperation of the two parliaments
in terms of international relations by organizing frequent meetings
of delegations and consultations at international organizations.
In the words of the speakers of the parliaments of Armenia and China,
this memorandum is the first document between the two parliaments
and opens a new page of cooperation in interparliamentary relations.
AZERBAIJAN’S BELLICOSE STATEMENTS CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO SETTLEMENT OF CURRENT PROBLEMS, RA PRESIDENT AND OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL CONSIDER
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Appreciating OSCE’s constant
assistance to the reforms implemented in Armenia, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan said during a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Marc
Perrin de Brichambaut that Armenia as a member state is interested
in expanding the cooperation circle by involving new spheres and
problems. According to the RA President’s Press Office, S. Sargsyan
attached importance to partnership with OSCE also taking into
consideration the fact that the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process
proceeds within the framework of that organization.
The interlocutors spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
possibilities and OSCE’s role in the process of settlement. Serzh
Sargsyan and Marc Perrin de Brichambaut attached much importance to
the statements of OSCE Foreign Ministers and OSCE MG co-chairing
countries’ Foreign Ministers on Nagorno Karabakh settlement. They
held the same opinion that bellicose statements cannot contribute to
settlement of the current problems, and the August events once more
showed the danger of solving conflics by force.
The sides also touched upon the political and economic reforms
implemented in Armenia. Mentioning that President Sargsyan during his
tenure has undertaken brave and broad-minded steps in the direction
of carrying out reforms, the OSCE Secretary General inquired in
what spheres the organization can be helpful. The problem of people
detained in consequence of the March 1-2 events was also touched upon
at the meeting.
ACCORDING TO LEVON ZURABIAN, TRIAL MADE BY AUTHORITIES ON "CASE OF SEVEN" WILL TURN JUST AGAINST THEM
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. In response to Armenian National
Congress’ (ANC) application to provide the RA government sitting
hall to them on December 19 "the authorities said some inarticulate
sentences to ANC representatives," from which oppositionists only
understood that they are refused. And as ANC Coordinator Levon
Zurabian said at the December 16 press conference, it was impossible
to understand the reason of refusal from those sentences. Mentioning
that they have also applied to the authorities to provide a hall to
them some day between December 20 to 23, L. Zurabian stated that if
they are again refused, ANC conference will be held in some small
hall, to find which will be comparatively easy. According to him,
for the present, the Congress excludes the variant of leaving for
Georgia and holding the conference there. According to L. Zurabian,
taking into consideration the circumstance that the number of people
wishing to take part in the conference will reach thousands and they
all cannot take a seat in a small hall, all conference speeches will
be videod and will be given out to the people in an unprecedented
number of DVD copies.
L. Zurabian said that the day of holding the conference has not
been clarified finally yet. However, according to him, opposition
activists are glad that it will not be held on December 19, when the
first court sitting on the "case of seven" is fixed. "Now we will
completely concentrate on the trial," the ANC Coordinator said. He
called everybody, "who values the future of Armenia and Armenian
children," for taking part in the court sitting on that day and
supporting the political prisoners. "The case of the seven has been
made with violation of many criminal-judicial norms. Indeed the regime
tried to lay its own crimes, seizure of power and organization of
mass disorders on the opposition," L. Zurabian said. He gave assurance
that the trial made by the authorities will turn just against them.
HARD FINANCIAL-ECONOMIC SITUATION IN ARMENIA HAD GOT WORSE BEFORE WORLD CRISIS, FORMER RA CBA CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "The 2008 economic year started
very badly in Armenia: the event undertaken by the authorities by
the name "elections" damaged country’s economy," Bagrat Asatrian, the
former Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), stated at the
December 16 press conference. According to his evaluation, Armenia’s
economic growth rates decreased from the very beginning of the year, an
unprecedented inflation was recorded, the year started with a reserve
loss amounting to 50m USD, which was an exclusive index. In fact,
as B. Asatrian concluded, the financial-economic condition had got
worse in Armenia before the world crisis. According to him, in that
period the authorities deceived themselves and did not wish to see the
existing problems. Besides, according to B. Asatrian, the 2009 state
budget was not brought in line with the threats of the world economic
crisis to mitigate their consequences even if a little in Armenia.
The other participant of the dispute, National Assembly Bargavach
Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) faction member Vardan Bostanjian said
that B. Asatrian’s speech has a political shade of meaning. Touching
upon the evaluations voiced by his opponent, he said that it
is impossible to constantly preserve the rate of high economic
growth. As to the budget, according to V. Bostanjian’s evaluation,
"it is a complicated document made up as a result of the joint work
of the executive and legislative powers."
Opposing to V. Bostanjian, B. Asatrian stated that he is not opposing
to his country. "Those opposing were the organizers of the slaughter
in Yerevan streets on March 1, they are today’s deputies, who have
become deputies by violating the law," he said. B. Asatrian also said
that he has information that even for solving economic problems the
authorities intimidate people. He gave an example that to regulate
the dram exchange rate "from above" they called and warned exchange
points workers that unless they obey the orders, the 6th department
will solve that problem.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON REGIONAL SECURITY PROBLEMS TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN IN APRIL
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues regarding Nagorno Karabakh
settlement, Armenian-Turkish relations, regional cooperation and
security were discussed at the meeting of RA National Security Council
Secretary Artur Baghdasarian and OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin
de Brichambaut held in Yerevan.
According to the information received from the RA National Security
Council Press Office, emphasizing the danger of military way
of conflict solution, Artur Baghdasarian attached importance to
continuation of the negotiations within the framework of OSCE Minsk
Group and to Moscow Declaration signed within that framework. He
emphasized the necessity to gradually improve the Armenian-Turkish
relations.
The sides discussed the Russian initiative of European security,
attached importance to issues of providing peace and stability in
the Caucasian region in that context.
Artur Baghdasarian reported that an international conference dedicated
to the regional security problems will be held in Yerevan in April.
ACCORDING TO RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S EVALUATION, EUROPE NEEDS NEW SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian during the meeting with OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin
de Brichambaut held in Yerevan stated that Europe needs new security
architecture, which should take into account all current concerns.
According to the information received from the RA Foreign Ministry,
Minister Nalbandian said that Armenia as an OSCE member-state is
interested in continuing cooperation in all three spheres of OSCE
activity and in that respect attaches importance to organization’s
reformation to make it more efficient.
Speaking about the possibilities of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, Edward
Nalbandian emphasized OSCE’s role in the process of problem settlement
and attached importance to OSCE Foreign Ministers’ statement adopted
in Helsinki and OSCE MG co-chairing countries’ Foreign Ministers’
statement on Nagorno Karabakh settlement.
HENCEFORTH ROSGOSSTRAKH-ARMENIA TO INSURE DEPOSITS WITH AMERIABANK
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Ameriabank has signed an agreement
with Rosgosstrakh-Armenia insurance company, by which henceforth
natural persons’ deposits of any amount with Ameriabank will be
completely insured, irrespective of the currency, the director
general of Ameriabank Artak Hanesian announced at the December 16
press conference.
He said that under the law, deposits of up to 2 million drams (about
6.5 million USD) are guaranteed by the Deposit Payment Guaranteeing
Fund, while all deposits of over 2 million drams with Ameriabank will
be insured by Rosgosstrakh-Armenia. A. Hanesian pointed out that not
only new deposits but also those made in the past will be insured. He
informed those present that the total amount of deposits subject to
insurance makes about 8 million USD now.
In the words of A. Hanesian, the authorized capital of Ameriabank
amounts to 18.2 billion drams, which is the highest index in
the Armenian banking system. The overall capital grew 4.5fold in
January-November 2008 and makes about 20 billion drams, while overall
assets grew 5fold as compared with early 2008 and make more than
45 billion drams. The bank’s credit portfolio amounts to 28 billion
drams and it is envisaged increasing it to 30 billion drams by the end
of 2008. The deposit accounts amount to 12 billion drams – against
3.7 billion drams in early 2008. It was mentioned that Ameriabank’s
profit currently makes 830 million drams, but it will also increase
by late 2008.
A. Hanesian said Ameriabank is continuing discussions on purchase of
a bank in Armenia. "We are now examining the indices of some banks so
as to make final decisions on either a merger or purchase of a bank,"
he noted.
According to him, the global financial crisis has not had an impact
on Ameriabank and on the whole banking system of Armenia. "However,
we currently examine the market more carefully and cooperate with
other banks in order to avoid possible risks," A. Hanesian said,
adding that the situation and tendencies in foreign financial markets
are in the center of their attention.
ONE OF FIDE GRAND PRIX TOURNAMENTS TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN, IN 2009 AUGUST
Noyan Tapan
Dec 16, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The first tournament from FIDE
Grand Prix series is held on December 14-29 in the capital city of
Kalmykia, Elista.
Grand master from Yerevan, double champion of World Chess Olympiad
Vladimir Hakobian will perform in the tournament. His rivals will
be Peter Leko (Hungary), Alexander Grushchuk, Dmitry Yakovenko,
Ernesto Inarkiyev, Yevgeni Alexeyev (all of them from Russia),
Shahriyar Mamediarov, Teymur Rajabov, Vughar Hashimov (all of them from
Azerbaijan), Pavel Elyanov (the Ukraine), Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria),
Rustam Kasimjanov (Uzbekistan), Vang Ju (China), and Etienne Bakro
(France).
By the decision of the International Chess Federation, one of the
Grand Prix tournaments will be held in Yerevan, on August 8-24, 2009.