Month: December 2008

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER TO BE REPLACED

Haykakan Zhamanak
Dec 4 2008
Armenia

Armenian Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan will be replaced ,
pro-opposition Haykakan Zhamanak has reported, quoting its unnamed
sources in the government.

The chief of the Armenian General Staff, Col-Gen Yuriy Khachaturov,
will become defence minister contrary to a desire of some people to
see former president Robert Kocharyan in this post, the report said.

The report speculates that Defence Minister Ohanyan will go abroad
for a medical treatment and would not get back to his job, the report
concluded.

OSCE ‘REVITALIZED’ AT HELSINKI MINISTERIAL COUNCIL, HIGH-LEVEL TALKS ON EUROPEAN SECURITY TO CONTINUE

AKIpress News Agency
December 8, 2008 Monday
Kyrgyzstan

The spirit of Helsinki has revitalized the OSCE, and the meeting of
foreign ministers gave new impetus to discussions on European security
challenges, said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister
Alexander Stubb, at the close of the OSCE Ministerial Council in
Helsinki on December 5.The two-day meeting, which was attended by a
record 50 foreign ministers from the OSCE’s 56 participating States,
concluded with the 2009 Greek Chairmanship indicating willingness
to convene a high-level meeting to continue the talks on European
security that took place here.In the closing address, Finnish Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen said that the meeting had been "constructive
and substantive"."During these two days the ministers have had the
unique opportunity to share views and exchange ideas on security
challenges and possible next steps. From our point of view the OSCE is
a natural forum to discuss European security issues, also at the high
level if needed," he said.Stubb called the meeting a success, although
the ministers did not agree a joint political declaration. "I’m a
little bit disappointed that we didn’t get a political declaration.

I think we had a window of opportunity to do it – we missed it. But at
least we were able to sort a few of the key issues," he said.Thirteen
decisions were taken by the OSCE ministers, including agreement on a
ministerial statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They welcomed
the "constructive and positive momentum in the peace process for the
political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", and encouraged
the sides to intensify negotiations.The foreign ministers also agreed
to enhance OSCE efforts to improve the situation of Roma and Sinti,
and to combat trafficking in human beings. Other decisions concerned,
among other issues, small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of
conventional ammunition, and countering terrorism.The Greek 2009 OSCE
Chairmanship was tasked with pursuing dialogue on strengthening
the legal framework of the OSCE. Marking the 60th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ministers also
reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the declaration.The
Chairman-in-Office referred to the foreign ministers’ discussion on the
future of European security that took place yesterday as a high point
of the meeting: "It was refreshing, it was frank, it was open, and it
was analytical, and that in and of itself to me is part of the spirit
of Helsinki."Greek Foreign Minister and 2009 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
Dora Bakoyannis emphasized the Greek Chairmanship’s commitment to
continuing the talks."The discussions we have started in Helsinki
should be taken forward. As the incoming Chairmanship, Greece stands
ready to take forward proposals to continue our high-level dialogue
on Euro-Atlantic security, perhaps through the convening of a special
meeting to deepen the debate and clarify the questions that remain,"
she said.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA OFF TO BULGARIA

armradio.am
10.12.2008 10:47

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the
President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, is leave for
Sofia today for a two-day official visit, President’s Press Office
reported.

The same day the Armenian President will meet his Bulgarian counterpart
Georgy Prvanov. The meeting will be followed by Armenian-Bulgarian
consultations in an extended format, after which the two Presidents
will sign documents and give a joint press conference.

Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Georgy Prvanov will adopt a joint
Communiqué on the results of the visit. They are expected to sign
a protocol of organizing and conducting Days of Bulgarian Culture
in Armenia in 2009 and Days of Armenian Culture in Bulgaria in 2010,
the working plan on the cooperation in the field of state governance
between 2009 and 2014, an agreement on cooperation in the sphere
of archiving, as well as a protocol on excluding double taxation of
income and property.

The Presidents of the two countries are expected to attend the opening
ceremony of the Armenian-Bulgarian Business Forum.

During the two-day official visit the Armenian President will have a
working dinner with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Sergey Stanishev,
will meet with the President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria,
Georgy Pirinsky and will lay a wreath to the memorial to the U
nknown Soldier.

At the National Gallery for Foreign Art Presidents Serzh Sargsyan
and Georgy Prvanov will be present at the opening of the exhibition
of Sergey Parajanov’s collages.

Mr. Sargsyan will also visit the Armenian Embassy in Bulgaria.

–Boundary_(ID_w/EFPvPSXiogVmH+FTRR6w)- –

NAGORNO KARABAKH CELEBRATES CONSTITUTION DAY

armradio.am
10.12.2008 11:23

NKR President Bako Sahakyan issued a congratulatory address to the
citizens of the republic in connection with the anniversary of the
NKR State Independence Referendum and the Constitution Day, Central
Information Department of the Office of the NKR President reported. The
address reads as follows:

"Respected citizens of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Dear compatriots,

The 10th of December is one of the most memorable days for our
people. On that very day in 1991 our people officially sealed their
will to form a free, independent and sovereign state. And it was not a
coincident that 15 years later on this very day of 2006 the people of
Artsakh once again expressed their resoluteness to further strengthen
and develop independent statehood and on a nation-wide referendum
adopted the basic of the country – the NKR Constitution. It has marked
the irreversibility of our state policy to build democratic country,
our commitment to the follow international norms and integrate with
the civilized world.

The basic law of the country is among the attributes of independent
statehood. It guarantees rights and freedoms of people and citizens,
regulates internal life of the state and its relations with the
world. It is a specific bridge between the past, the present and the
future of the country and its people. The Constitution clearly states
that independence and secure existence of Artsakh have no alternatives.

Dear friends, I congratulate all our people once again on this
very important holiday and cordially wish you peace, good health
and happiness.

All the best to you."

ANNUAL SITTING OF THE ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION COUNCIL IN BRUSSELS

armradio.am
10.12.2008 12:02

The annual sitting of the Armenia-European Union Cooperation Council
took place in Brussels on December 9. A high-level delegation of
Armenian officials headed by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
participated in the sitting.

>From the European side the delegation was headed by Jean- Pierre
Jouyet, the Minister for European Affairs of France, which presides
over the European Union.

Presenting the steps Armenia takes in the direction of implementing
the Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy, Minister
Nalbandian said its implementation is one of the priorities of
Armenia-EU cooperation, which is evidenced by the establishment of
an interdepartmental commission coordinating the cooperation with
European structures. Minister Nalbandian attached importance to the
signing of the agreement on detaching the group of EU advisers to
Armenia for the effective implementation of reforms in different
spheres through cooperation with the European Union.

During the sitting reference was made to the process of accomplishment
of the Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy. Both parties
expressed appreciation for the successful implementation of the
Action Plan, noting that the potential of the program has not yet
been exhausted and there are considerable prospects for expansion
of cooperation.

The European side welcomed the declaration on Nagorno Karabakh adopted
in Moscow on November 2, the joint declaration of the Foreign Ministers
of the OSCE Minsk group co-chair countries of December 4 and the
December 5th declaration of the OSCE Ministerial Council and encouraged
to intensify the efforts towards the resolution of the Artsakh issue.

The European Commission presented the proposal of Eastern Partnership,
which envisages deepening of partnership between member states of
the European Union.

At the request of the European side, Minister Nalbandian presented the
process of negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement, as well
as the steps targeted at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

ARMENIA, EU SIGN AN AIR COMMUNICATION AGREEMENT

armradio.am
10.12.2008 12:12

Within the framework of his visit to Brussels the Foreign Minister
of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, had a meeting with the Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita
Ferrero-Waldner.

Minister Nalbandian and commissioner Ferrero-Waldner discussed a
number of issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation and exchanged
views on the latest developments in the region.

Following the meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Minister for European Affairs of France Jean- Pierre Jouyet and
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner signed an agreement on "Certain
aspects of air communication between the Republic of Armenia and the
European Community, which will contribute to the air communication
between Armenia and EU member states, as well as Switzerland,
Lichtenstein, Iceland and Norway.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SITTING OF THE ARMENIA-GEORGIA INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION IN TBILISI

armradio.am
10.12.2008 13:28

The Armenian government delegation headed by Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan paid a one-day visit to Georgia to participate in the seventh
sitting of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation.

Before the sitting Tigran Sargsyan had a meeting with the Prime
Minister of Georgia Grigol Mgaloblishvili. Later the heads of
government of the two countries met with the working group of the
Intergovernmental Commission and participated in the recurrent sitting
of the Commission.

The Prime Ministers of the two countries expressed gratitude to
the Intergovernmental Commission for productive work, noting that
the friendly relations between Armenia and Georgia are successfully
developing. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the 7th sitting of
the Commission will serve as an additional impetus for the deepening
and expansion of those relations.

Tigran Sargsyan and Grigol Mgaloblishvili were united in their opinion
on the necessity of leading an open, transparent and understandable
policy, underlining that it should be visible also to the world powers
interested in the region. They expressed confidence that the documents
signed would give new drive to interstate relations, noting that the
governments of the two countries have to work hard to implement the
agreements reached. Tigran Sargsyan and Grigol Mgaloblishvili noted
that during their meeting they discussed issues of bilateral and
regional importance. Reference was made to the issue of the Armenian
St. Norashen Church. It was noted that the Armenian and Georgian
Churches are linked with centuries-old friendly ties.

The Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of the initiative of the
Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church to form a joint commission to
discuss issues connected with St. Norashen and other Armenian Churches,
where all the problems will be discussed and solved via dialogue.

A number of documents were signed upon the completion of the sitting
of the Intergovernmental Commission. It was decided to hold the next
sitting in Yerevan in 2009. The time and agenda will be fixed later.

Within the framework of the visit RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
met with the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, visited the
Armenian Embassy in Georgia, the Armenian St. Norashen Church, the
pantheon of renowned Armenian writers and public figures of Tbilisi.

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN’S CONGRATULATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

armradio.am
10.12.2008 14:44

The President of Parliament of the Republic of Armenia, Hovik
Abrahamyan, issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the
Human Rights Day. The message states:

"In 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and ever since 1950 December 10th has been celebrated
as Human Rights Days.

Both the world and people have changed over the past 60 years,
however, the human rights and freedoms formed in the times of Greek
philosophers, have mostly stayed unchanged. The notion formed in
France 219 years ago, in 1789, has acquired a new and more complete
meaning today, preserving the most essential, the idea that from the
very birth people are bestowed with basic rights, which should be
guaranteed by the state.

After gaining independence the Constitution of the Republic of
Armenia also consolidated the human rights and freedoms. After the
constitutional reforms the Institute of the Human Rights Defender was
established in Armenia, and in a short while the National Assembly
appointed a Human Rights Defender whose supreme duty is to defend
human rights and freedoms in Armenia.

After the constitutional reforms the Standing Committee on Defense
of Human Rights and Public Issues was established at the National
Assembly, having the task to provide support and information to the
citizens in20the sphere of defense of human and citizens’ rights
and freedoms.

Offering my congratulations on the Human Rights Day, I want to ensure
that the laws and agreements targeted at the defense of human rights
and freedoms will remain in the focus of attention of the National
Assembly. Special attention will be paid to their accomplishment,
since no matter how ideal the laws are, it’s possible to improve the
life with correct implementation of laws."

WB TO EXTEND $30MLN WORTH LOAN TO ARMENIA FOR EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

ARKA
Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, December 10. /ARKA/. The World Bank is to extend a $30mln
worth loan to Armenia for educational reforms to be implemented
in 2009-2014, Head of WB Education Programs on Armenia Juan-Manuel
Moreno said.

Currently the program is in its preliminary evaluation stage and the
final budget of the program may change, he told journalists.

The loan is allocated for 20 years under IDA (International Development
Agency) favorable terms – at 0% interest rate and with a 10-year
grace period.

It is the third WB loan allocated to Armenia for educational
reforms. Under the first program approved for 1997-2002 the country
received $15mln. The second program was on education quality and
relevance for a total of $19mln; it was approved in 2004 and is to
be completed in the beginning of 2009.

Moreno reported that Armenian Government is to provide $6-7mln
co-financing for the educational reform program for 2009-2014. As a
result, the total budget of the program will go up to $37mln.

The program is expected to be discussed in March; in May the WB
Executive Board will consider and approve it after which the document
will be sent for Armenian Parliament’s approval. Most probably,
implementation will commence in November 2009, Moreno said.

The new loan program is to continue educational reforms in schools,
training of teachers with emphas is placed on math and natural
sciences. Further assistance will be provided in computerizing schools
and implementing financial management reforms.

Among other aspects of the program are assistance to the government in
introducing 12-year educational system, ensuring Internet accessibility
in schools, forming pre-schools institutions, implementing the Bologna
process in the country’s higher education system, Moreno said. Yet,
details and various components of the program still remain to be
clarified, he added.

The lending terms are quite favorable to Armenia, and the WB puts no
pre-conditions for the project, apart from the government’s interest,
Moreno said.

Under the draft program, about $4.5mln is to be allocated for
pre-school education reforms, about $9mln for building the 12-year
educational system and approximately $6.6mln for the higher education
reforms. About $4mln will be provided for computerization and IT
development in the field. The remaining funds are to be used to
continue reforms implemented under the second loan program.

DOORS OF ARMENIAN CHURCH SURB NORASHEN IN TBILISI OPENED BEFORE ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER

ArmInfo
2008-12-10 09:31:00

ArmInfo. On December 9, representatives of the Armenian community
in Tbilisi opened the doors of the Surb Norashen Church before the
Armenian prime minister and Armenian delegation, afterwards the
Lord’s Prayer was read. As ArmInfo special correspondent reported,
one had to literally break the doors to enter the church.

Head of the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC),
Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan expressed confidence that thanks to joint
efforts the given church will return to the fold of the AAC Georgian
Diocese. In May 2008 representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church
erected a metallic fence with Georgian church attributes around the
Surb Norashen Church, which was built in the 15th century and in the
30s of the 20th century closed and turned into a book depositary. In
1994 attempts were made to turn the St.Norashen Church into a Georgian
church, however, this didn’t happen thanks to big efforts.

"Today candles were put in this church for the first time over the
last 70 years. Our people have waited for this minute for a long time,
and the doors were opened by the grace of God",- Bishop Mirzakhanyan
said. He expressed confidence that the Armenian prime minister’s visit
will play a serious role in the settlement of the problem. "We hope
that our brothers, the Georgian people, the government of Georgia and
the Georgian Orthodox Church, will be able to solve this problem for
the sake of our friendship," Mirzakhanyan said.

Presently, Surb Norashen Church is in a deplorable state. For many
years it has been closed. Its interior is seriously damaged. "We hope
that some day the church will be restored," Mirzakhanyan said.

To note, Tbilisi is home to 100,000 Armenians, it has 5 Armenian
churches but only 2 are active.

To remind, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Armenian delegation
comprising Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy
Nerses Yeritsyan, Minister of Energy Armen Movsissyan, Minister of
Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Deputy Minister of Culture Gagik Gyurjyan
and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Levon Rukhkyan took part in the
7th meeting of the Armenian-Georgian inter-governmental commission on
economic cooperation and visited the cemetery of outstanding Armenian
writers and public figures.

Sargsyan met with President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili.