Month: December 2008

EX-PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA: TURKISH INITIATIVE OF CAUCASIAN PLATFORM UNTIMELY

ArmInfo
2008-12-24 13:54:00

Turkish initiative of Caucasian Platform is untimely, ex-president
of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze says in an interview with iamik.ru.

‘To speak of peace in the Caucasus, it is necessary to establish
relations of Azerbaijan and Armenia i.e. to settle the conflict over
Karabakh, to settle problems with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In
the North Caucasus some peoples are also speaking of independence,
in particular, Ingush people.

Only after settlement of these problems one can speak about Caucasian
peaceful space’, Shevardnadze said. As regards the stances of the
neighbor-states during the August events, ex-president of Georgia said:
and psychologically supported Georgia. The situation with Armenia
differs a little. Russia’s influence is very big there. There are
Russian military bases there. They are more restricted. Asked about
the information that Russian aviation bases in Gyumri were used during
the August incidents, Eduard Shevardnadze said: ‘If Russia coordinated
its actions with the Armenian leadership I don’t think that Armenians
would agree with that. It is not in their favor’.

As regards the opinion that the key to settlement of conflicts in the
Caucasus is in Moscow, Shevardnadze believes that it is right to some
extent. ‘But Russia has already faced its own problems. It will no
longer be able to come out against progressive ideas originating in the
Caucasus so decisively. Russia will find itself in deep crisis. OPEC
member-states cut petroleum recovery and it cannot prevent that. It
also reduces petroleum recovery and sale, as well as gas and wood
production. All this affects the budget, which in its turn affects
the military capacity and potential’.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ACP ARMENIAN COMPANY MAY RECEIVE FIRST TRANCHE TO $50 MLN FROM RUSSIAN VTB IN 2009

ArmInfo
2008-12-24 14:56:00

Armenian metallurgical company Armenian Copper Programme (ACP) may
receive the first tranche to $50 mln from the Russian VTB Bank in 2009,
ACP Director Gagik Arzumanyan told ArmInfo.

He said the Company is currently negotiating with the bank for
attraction of the first tranche. "We hope the credit mastering will
start from 2009", G. Arzumanyan said. He also said it is scheduled
to direct the funds to preparation and exploitation of the Teghut
copper-molybdenum deposit in the north of Armenia.

To recall, the credit agreement between the Russian VTB and ACP
Company to the sum of $249,5 mln was signed in Yerevan on May 27,
2008. The credit has been extended for 12-year period and, according
to President-Chairman of VTB Board of Directors Andrey Kostin, "it has
an increased degree of risk for the bank". It is scheduled to start
exploiting the deposit in 2011. The ore reserves at Teghut deposit
make up 450 mln tons, copper reserves – 1,6 mln tons with 0,355%
average content and molybdenum reserves make up 99,000 tons with
0,021% average content. It is also envisaged to mine 25-30 thsd tons
of copper and 800 tons of molybdenum annually that will assure 40-
50% of the total copper mining and to 20% of molybdenum mining over
the republic in general. The license for exploitation of the deposit
was given to the company in 2001 for 25-year period. To note, 81%
shares of the Armenian Copper Programme CJSC belong to the Vallex
F.M. Establishment and 19% shares – to the Russian citizen Valery
Mejlumyan. Upon the results of 2007, the turnover of "Vallex" Group
made up $160 mln and the profit – $20 mln.

SEYRAN OHANYAN HOSTED DELEGATION HEADED BY ALI BAGHER

;p=0&id=698&y=2008&m=12&d=24
23.12 .08

On December 23, 2008 the Minister of Defense of the Republic of
Armenia, Mr. Seyran Ohanyan received the delegation headed by the
Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Bagher accompanied by the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia Seid Ali Saghaian.

At the beginning of the meeting the Minister welcomed the guests,
expressing hope that the bilateral discussions will once again confirm
the positions of Armenia and Iran on regional questions and issues
of regional cooperation.

During the meeting Mr. Ohanyan noted that the relations established
between the two countries, the centuries-old friendship and the
historical-cultural similarities provide enough ground for the
deepening and development of ties in the future.

At the end of the meeting the parties exchanged views on a number
of issues related to regional security and stability, determined the
programs for the near future.

Turning to the issue of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
the parties stated that Iran’s balanced position is of great importance
for the peaceful resolution of the issue.

The parties stated that the existing multifaceted cooperation stems
not only from the interests of Armenia and Iran, but also the region,
as a whole.
From: Baghdasarian

U.S. ONCE PROMISED RUSSIA TO BLOCK GEORGIA’S WAY TO NATO IF IT USES FORCE AGAINST SOUTH OSSETIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2008 13:26 GMT+04:00

The U.S. once promised Russia to block Georgia’s way to NATO if it
uses force against South Ossetia, Russia’s Foreign Minister said.

"We warned our American counterparts against consequences of
Saakashvili’s regime. In response, they said that the use of force
against South Ossetia will deprive Georgia of any chance to join NATO,"
Sergei Larvov said.

"Nevertheless, the U.S. keeps supporting Georgia’s accession to the
Alliance after the August hostilities," he said, Novosti Georgia
reports.

ARMENIA SHOULD BE DEMOCRACY MEDIUM IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2008 13:50 GMT+04:00

The voting rights of the Armenian delegation in the Council of Europe’s
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) can be suspended at its next session
due in late January.

"This will damage the process of Armenia’s integration into European
structures and the country’s foreign policy, since the Council of
Europe is an organization which highlights human rights protection,"
Victor Yengibaryan, President of the European Movement Armenia,
told a news conference today.

"If a country fixes violation of human rights it will certainly have
a negative impact. Nevertheless, we should not get into panic because
our delegation can be deprived of the vote. We should just explain
that Armenia in transition period but we want to move forward and be
a better democracy," he said.

Europe expects greater efforts to strengthen democracy in Armenia,
according to him.

"We should become the carrier of European and democratic values in
the South Caucasus," Mr. Yengibaryan said.

IRAN TABOOS TURKIC NAMES AND NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2008 14:23 GMT+04:00

Shops and restaurants with Turkic names in Tabriz, Iran, received
Persian names lately. Turk restaurant was renamed into Ertak; Istanbul
market became Rman, for example.

New Year festivities were banned. Students, who decorated a fir in
one of youth clubs, were warned against conduction of any events,
while the club was smashed up by the police, 1news.az reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO DEVELOP RELATIONS BETWEEN EU AND SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2008 14:32 GMT+04:00

The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Mr. Peter Semneby
named Eastern Partnership one of the main goals of his current visit
to Azerbaijan.

"The initiative aims to develop relations between the European Union
and the South Caucasus, as well as Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The
proposals put forward cover particularly the sectors of trade, energy
and regional stability and will be discussed within three months. They
also take into consideration specific features and tendencies of each
country," Mr. Semneby said.

He said the European Union welcomes the Moscow Declaration signed by
Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia and hopes for a soonest presidential
meeting to develop the dialogue.

"The European Union will provide all kind of assistance for resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but will not compete with the OSCE
Minsk Group," the EU official said.

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP OFFERS NEW MECHANISMS FOR ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.12.2008 14:53 GMT+04:00

European Movement Armenia became fill-fledged member of European
Movement International on December 13.

"On December 12 and 13, the European Movement Armenia delegation
along with delegations from 30 other countries attended a session of
the European Movement International," Victor Yengibaryan, President
of the European Movement Armenia, told a news conference today.

"Henceforth, our delegation will have the vote in discussions and
decision making," he said, adding that the organization is planning
to establish branches throughout the republic.

"Europe is interested in cooperation with the South Caucasus
counties. The new Eastern Partnership initiative is open and efficient,
since it offers new mechanisms for the Armenia-EU cooperation,"
he said.

OSCE HOPES TO SEE PROGRESS IN THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT IN 2009

armradio.am
24.12.2008 16:59

OSCE hopes that there will be progress in the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict next year. "We hope we will see progress
in this direction in 2009", Dora Bakoyannis, new OSCE Chairwoman and
Greek Foreign Minister, said in her interview with Trend News.

The OSCE chairman-in-office and Finnish foreign minister Alexander
Stubb officially handed over office of the chairman to the Greek
Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in
Helsinki on December 4.

Greece will chair the OSCE from January 1.

Bakoyannis said Greece believes that frequent meetings between
Azerbaijani and Armenian representatives will lead to the establishment
of mutual confidence which is essential to solve the conflict.

"Greece fully supports these efforts and encourages constructive
engagement from both parties, in line with the Statement delivered at
the Helsinki Summit earlier this month by the French Foreign Minister
on behalf of the European Union", Bakoyannis said.

The last statement by the foreign ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair countries says the Moscow declaration signed by the sides
opens new and promising stage in the general striving to establish

ARMENIA FUND COMPLETES RENOVATION OF HADRUT HOSPITAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF TOGH-HADRUT GAS PIPELINE IN KARABAKH

armradio.am
24.12.2008 17:06

Hayastan All Armenian Fund has completed two crucially important
projects in Hadrut region: renovation and furnishing of the regional
hospital and construction of the Togh-Hadrut gas pipeline.

Built in 1982, Hadrut regional hospital was in poor condition and
did not meet the requirements of the modern healthcare industry. It
was essential to get the hospital better serve the medical needs of
the region of around 12,000. The overall project included renovation
of the walls and roof, floors and ceiling; doors and windows were
replaced making wards in the hospital brighter and comfortable to
stay in. Water and electricity supply networks, as well as heating
and sewage systems were renovated too.

To avoid possible spreading of contagious diseases, a separate entrance
was constructed for the infectious diseases’ unit. To make medical
care more diversified and service-oriented, the Fund donated to the
hospital four brand new emergency vehicles equipped with adequate
medical facilities. One of the vehicles was provided to the medical
post of Togh village located about 20 km from the hospital.

On behalf of the hospital management and residents of Hadrut region
Araik Yeremyan, head of the hospital, thanked the Fund for the
important initiative and good quality work. He said he believes
that patients will feel safe comfortable and in the newly renovated
hospital, which in its turn, will make things easier for the medical
staff. According to Mr. Yeremyan, there is a great need for qualified
specialists. This problem is partially solved by conducting training
courses at the hospital.

Ministry of Health of Nagorno Karabakh encourages initiatives on
trainings and conducts open-door days on which patients undergo free
medical check-ups.

The 22 km long Togh-Hadrut gas pipeline will soon be commissioned
too. The newly built hospital, as well as the nearby 7 villages with
around 5200 residents, will be supplied with long-awaited gas. The
project, with the total cost of AMD 444 million, was undertaken within
the Artsakh Rebirth project.

According to the Fund’s deputy director, responsible for construction
works, Mr. Ararat Khlghatyan, the pipeline construction was going on
in challenging landscape conditions. The working staff overcame all the
obstacles though, and currently, the pipe is being tested for safety.

"When the Fund launches a project, it consistently implements
other projects in the same community as well – be it a hospital
reconstruction, school or water main construction. By this, the Fund
aims to contribute to the overall development of the community. This
is the policy the Hayastan All Armenian Fund pursues", says the acting
executive director of the Fund Mr. Ara Vardanyan.