Month: December 2008

USAID/WORLD VISION HAND OVER RURAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

armradio.am
09.12.2008 13:02

On December 10, the official signing ceremony of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between four Marzpetarans (Tavush, Lori, Syunik
and Gegharkunik) and World Vision Armenia will take place, marking the
official transfer of the USAID Medical Outreach Teams (MOT) Project
to the Government of Armenia. The MOU, signed by the Governors of
the four marzes and World Vision Armenia National Director Mark
Kelly in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch and
RA Minister of Health Harutyun Kushkyan, will ensure continuation
of improved access to quality primary healthcare services in rural
Armenia. In particular, the health institutions of Tavush, Lori,
Syunik and Gegharkunik Marzes will take over the provision of all
primary health care services to their remote communities.

The USAID-funded MOT project, which started in February 2004 and
will be completed in February 2009, was designed to improve access to
primary health care for people living in hard-to-reach communities. The
Project was implemented in the marzes of Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik,
and Syunik, and covered over 88,000 people living in 123 villages.

Medical Outreach Teams, including general practitioners, gynecologists,
pediatricians, laboratory technicians, and ultrasound specialists,
worked together with local health institutions and provided over
91,000 consultations to remote border communities.

According to the MOU, World Vision Armenia will hand over major project
assets, including medical equipment and vehicles, to the Marzpetarans
to guarantee the sustainability of the MOT. The ceremony today was
in recognition of the commitment by the Armenian government, local
health authorities, communities and medical providers to continue
providing those valuable services.

GULNARA SHAHINIAN OF ARMENIAN ELECTED INTO THE GROUP OF EXPERTS ON ACTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS

armradio.am
09.12.2008 13:41

Thirteen independent experts from as many countries will be the first
members of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings (GRETA), a new body that will monitor the implementation of
the Council of Europe anti-trafficking convention.

The Committee of the Parties of the convention, which has met in
Strasbourg on 5 and 8 December, elected the following members of
GRETA for a term of office of four years, beginning on 1 January 2009:

-Vessela Banova (Bulgarian) -Louise Calleja (Maltese) -Josie
Christodoulou (Cypriot) -Davor Derencinovic (Croatian) -Vladimir Gilca
(Moldovan) -Hanne Sophie Greve (Norwegian) -Nicolas Le Coz (French)
-Alexandra Malangone (Slovak) -Nell Rasmussen (Danish) -Leonor Maria
Da Conceicão Cruz Rodrigues (Portuguese) -Gulnara Shahinian (Armenian)
-Robert Stratoberdha (Albanian) – Diana-Florentina Tudorache (Romanian)

GRETA will use a similar methodology to other Council of Europe
monitoring bodies. It will publish reports evaluating the measures
included in the Council of Europe on Action against Trafficking in
Human Beings.

The convention, which entered into force on 1 February 2008 and has
been ratified by 19 states, aims to prevent this crime, protect the
victims and prosecute the offenders.

–Boundary_(ID_8ibfIwAGhP8lCNSPnD7Jqg) —

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COE OFFICE IN ARMENIA ORGANIZES A PUPPET PLAY IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
09.12.2008 14:31

The protection of children from violence and promoting children rights
is one of the key Council of Europe activities aimed at constructing
a violence-free Europe. To raise public awareness in the European
societies and alert the CoE member states about the need to combat
violence against children, the Council of Europe initiated Building
a Europe for and with Children campaign. Launched in April 2005
at the Monaco conference, the campaign aims to bring to the fore
the Council of Europe children rights protection instruments and
encourage debates on the issue at various fora on international,
regional and local levels.

In this context, the Council of Europe Information office in Armenia,
in cooperation with the the Armenian Centre of the International
Association of Puppeteers and "The Future is Yours!" NGO has prepared
a thematic interactive play that views children rights violation in
the Armenian context. The play displays scenes from school, home and
playground and encourages children to raise and analyze important
issues affecting their everyday life. The Special Representative
of the Council of Europe Secretary General to Armenia, Silvia Zehe,
will make opening remarks at the event.

The play will be performed on 10 December, at N.1 boarding school
for children.

ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS CALL ON THE PRESIDENT OF TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
09.12.2008 15:05

Nearly 300 Armenian culture and art workers – academicians, doctors,
heads of public and media organizations – addressed an open letter
to the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, in which they call on him
to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The letter states, in part:

"Dear Mr. President, The new situation in the South Caucasus
established after the latest events, Armenian President Serzh
sargsyan’s daring step of inviting you to Armenia and the meeting that
took place once again confirm that the establishment of good-neighborly
relations between Armenia and Turkey requires courageous and realistic
solutions. First of all, we face the long-standing issue of recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

Let’s honestly accept that this problem has been dividing the two
peoples ever since 1915. Mr. President, in this case we deal with a
dreadful crime against humanity. This is not only the demand of the
Armenian people, but also the fair expectation of the international
community.

The current diplomacy of Turkey and the propaganda cannot close the
dark pages of our common history. Your generation should accept the
undeniable truth and recognize the Armenian Genocide. We think this
is first of all necessary to the Turkish people. This way it will
get rid of the burden of history=2 0and will stand next to other
states open-faced. Only this way it is possible to close that page
and confidently step into future.

Your visit to Armenia and Turkey’s initiative targeted at establishing
stability in the Caucasus inspire certain hope that a realistic
political flow is gradually shaping in Turkey, but these efforts may
easily fail if the state does undertake decisive steps by ending its
current policy of Armenian Genocide denial," the letter states.

"PRIOR TO THE AUCTION OF SOULS" NOVEL TO BE PRESENTED AT AGMI

armradio.am
09.12.2008 15:10

On December 10, the presentation of the cartoon style "Prior to the
Auction of Souls" novel by Tigran Mangasaryan will take place in the
Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute’s hall named after Komitas. The
book is written on the basis of the eyewitness of Armenian genocide
Aurora Mardiganyan’s memoirs titled as "Ravished Armenia," which was
first published in 1918 in New York in English.

In one of the first documentary memoirs of the eyewitness of Armenian
genocide, the author, survivor of the Genocide Arshaluys (Aurora)
Mardiganyan from Chmshkatsag gave a detailed account of the terrible
experiences she endured during the genocide.

In 1918 in California, at "Metro Goldwin Mayer" studio, director
Oscar Apfel made a silent film "Auction of Souls," which actually
became the first genocide movie, based on Aurora Mardiganyan’s memoirs.

The premiere of the "Auction of Souls" was held on February 16, 1919,
in Plaza Hotel, New York under the auspices of Oliver Harriman and
George Vanderbilt, members of American Committee for Armenian and
Syrian Relief.

Tigran Mangasaryan’s graphical novel was published in connection of
the 90th anniversary of the shooting of "Auction of Souls.

EBRD BOOSTS OPERATIONS OF PROCREDIT BANK IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
09.12.2008 15:38

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing
ProCredit Bank in Armenia with USD 7 million to further boost its
on-lending to micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The loan will
consist of two tranches of USD 2 million and USD 5 million.

The loan will help ProCredit Bank in Armenia to continue its financing
programme which aims to reach out to small and medium-sized businesses.

Chikako Kuno, Director of the EBRD’s Group for Small Business, said
that micro and small businesses are critical for economic development
and increasing employment opportunities, yet they often lack access
to finance.

This latest loan directly supports this dynamic sector in Armenia. "The
role entrepreneurs play in promoting the transition towards a market
economy cannot be overstated, and that is why we pay so much attention
to this sector", she added.

Bertolt Hertzfeldt, Executive Director of ProCredit Bank in Armenia:
"The increasing diversification of our funding base in general
highlights the growing maturity of the bank. The additional financing
will help us to extend our outreach among small businesses and will
support their development."

Assisting MSE sector is in line with EBRD’s strategy for Armenia. EBRD
is the largest single investor in Armenia having invested some EUR
202 million in 52 projects20in all major sectors of the economy. The
country is part of the Early Transition Countries Initiative, launched
in April 2004, which uses a streamlined approach to financing to
mobilise more investment and encourage economic reform.

SABIR RUSTAMKHANLY: "IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TIRKEY AND ARMENIA IS NOT A POSITIVE FACT"

Today.az
tics/49458.html
Dec 6 2008
Azerbaijan

"The principles of cooperation between Turkey and Armenia have not
been defined yet", said chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party Sabir
Rustamkhanly.

He noted that the cooperation between the two countries is maintained
on words, as no definite actions are taken in this direction.

"Naturally, we would not like any diplomatic ties to be established
at all, as this does not comply with national interests. It would
be better for Turkey to adhere to the position, it always adhered
to. In particular, Turkey will not improve ties with Armenia until
the latter withdraws its forces from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

This position reflects the interests of not only Azerbaijan but also
Turkey. Armenia does not recognize the territorial integrity of Turkey,
it will not reject the international recognition of the so-called
"Armenian genocide" and will not want to return the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan. Which diplomatic ties can be implied with such ambitions",
announced he.

Rustamkhanly also noted that Azerbaijan can not prevent Turkey from
improving ties with Armenia.

"Turkey is an independent state, which has its own policy. Naturally,
some of its details may seem unclear to us. Yet, considering the
current geopolitical situation, we would not like these relations to
improve. The improvement of these relations is not a positive fact",
concluded he.

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PREMIERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC CONTACTS, GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS

ITAR-TASS
Dec 6 2008
Russia

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian and Armenian prime
ministers have held talks to focus on closer economic interaction,
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday summing up
results of the meeting with his counterpart Tigran Sargsyan.

"Our relations develop dynamically. Bilateral trade grows from year
to year," Putin said, adding, "In 2007, mutual trade went up by almost
17 percent."

In his words, "Russia’s investments play a significant role in the
development of the Armenian economy."

"The total amount of Russia’s investments, accumulated in the Armenian
economy, have already reached 1.6 billion U.S. dollars," he said.

In addition, the presence of Russia’s companies in the economy of
Armenia is being expanded. Among those companies are Gazprom, INTER
RAO UES, Russian Railways and VTB (Vneshtorgbank), the Russian prime
minister said.

"The two countries have good prospects for closer cooperation in the
fuel and energy sector, non-ferrous metallurgy, transport, construction
industry, banking sphere and information technologies," Putin said.

"The current results is just the beginning," he said with the reference
to the meeting. "We are going to boost interaction," he said.

Putin said that they also discussed problems triggered by the global
financial crisis. He added that the talks would be continued to focus
on bilateral interaction in details.

Sargsyan repeated that Russian-Armenian relations develop
dynamically. The two countries fulfil projects in the energy and
infrastructure sectors.

"In 2008, bilateral interaction in the traditional spheres [energy and
infrastructure] expanded very much," the Armenian prime minister said.

"Currently, Russia and Armenia cover every sphere by their
interaction," he said, adding that about 1,000 Russian companies are
operating in Armenia.

The Armenian prime minister stressed that "it is very important to
hold consultations similar to their Friday talks at the complicated
moment the global economy is passing through."

"We should coordinate our efforts in order to overcome the crisis
problems, which our economies have faced," he said.

Sargsyan expressed hope that the new agreements reached during today’s
talks will make it possible to overcome economic difficulties.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PREMIER OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON ALEXY II’S DEATH

ARKA
Dec 8, 2008

MOSCOW, December 8. /ARKA/. At a briefing held jointly with his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan offered
condolences on the death of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy
II on behalf of the Armenian president, Government and people.

"I would like to offer condolences on the death of Patriarch Alexy II.

This is grief not only for Russians, but also for Armenians. We
have always shown a warm attitude to the Patriarch because the
interconfessional relations were always in his highlight," Sargsyan
said.

According to him, Alexy II’s patriarchate was marked by the formation
of very warm relations with the Armenian Apostolic Church.

"I am sure that the whole Armenian people shares the Russian people’s
grief over the patriarch’s death," T. Sargsyan said.

ARMENIA ACCEDES TO RAILWAY AGREEMENT UNDER EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY

ARKA
Dec 8, 2008

YEREVAN, December 8. /ARKA/. Armenia, among the other countries
participating in the Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRACECA)
has acceded to an agreement on expansion of railway communication
with neighbors under the European Neighborhood program.

RA Minister of Transport Gurgen Sargsyan pointed out that the Armenian
delegation participated in the jubilee meeting of the TRACECA Ministers
of Transports in Baku on December 4. The Armenian delegation was led
by Head of the Foreign Relations Department, RA Ministry of Transport,
RA Permanent Representative in TRACECA Gagik Grigoryan.

"Armenia is a full TRACECA member and signed a number of agreements,
particularly the ones on the expansion of rail junctions with neighbors
under the European Neighborhood program," Sargsyan said.

He pointed out that the meeting discussed two major issues: the
importance of TRACECA program for the expansion of the trans-European
network toward the neighboring countries, particularly the development
of the south-east corridor; and the implementation of a relevant
program of action.

The representatives of the participating countries signed a resolution
of the jubilee meeting and discussed the issues related to the regular
meeting to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, next year, G. Sargsyan said.

TRACECA (the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia)
– an international organisation=2 0of economic
cooperation. Intergovernmental Commission of the 14 member States of
the Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian region.

Permanent Secretariat based in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Established in 1998, upon signing of Multilateral Agreement on
International Transport for the development of the Transport Corridor
Europe-Caucasus-Asia.

The following states participate in the TRACECA program: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.

A total of 45-45mln tons of cargoes are transported yearly through
the TRACECA communication lines in various directions. Besides,
every year, the European Commission initiates four or five projects
(mostly technical ones), to the amount of â~B¬13-15mln.

Specifically, a total of 10-12mln tons of oil and oil products are
transported from Central Asia to Europe During TRACECA’s 10-year
activities international institutions have invested over â~B¬1bln in
the projects.

During 15 years the European Commission has funded 15 investment and
61 technical projects to the amount of â~B¬157mln.

The corridor development work made the freight turnover increase
from 3mln tons in 1993-97 up to 9mln tons in 1998 and 53mln tons in
2007. A total of 150mln tons of cargoes have been transported through
the corridor since 1998.

–Boundary_(ID_Yc8lJ2E7jdn0BsR6Vt9cIQ)–