Month: November 2009

OSCE MG US CO-CHAIR IMPRESSED WITH STRONG WILL OF THE PARTIES TO SETTLE KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 12:35:00

ArmInfo. The strong will that was demonstrated by the presidents in
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict created deep impression,
the U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Robert Bradtke said after
the Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting in Munich on November 22.

R. Bradtke thinks impressive the way, which two presidents worked
with the co-chairs, their willingness to discuss the points that are
quite difficult and quite controversial. As someone who is relatively
new to this process, R. Bradtke admits that the presidents’ will was
what impressed him the most. The negotiations between the presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia were held on November 22 in Munich, Germany.

For his part, French Co-chair Bernard Fassier said together with
the US and Russian co-chars they will now start preparing for a new
meeting. However, the co-chair did not specify where and when the
meeting will take place.

During the discussion the presidents and the mediators touched upon
the problems that still need solution, he said. The mediators were
charged how to settle these problems, which was very important,
B. Fassier said.

He highlighted the "important progress" achieved during the meeting
in Munich despite "some difficulties" remain relevant.

OSCE MG COCHAIRMEN: NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS NO MILITARY SOLUTION

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 12:19:00

ArmInfo. OSCE MG cochairmen emphasized at the briefing upon the
meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Munich that
Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no military solution.

As the Armenian presidential press service told ArmInfo, OSCE MG
cochairmen estimated the talks between the parties as constructive
and said there is no alternative to the negotiation process.

According to the source, the foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan were instructed to keep on working with OSCE MG cochairmen
based on the Madrid principles for achievement of peaceful settlement
of the conflict.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI PARTY TO BREAK CEASE-FIRE REGIME OVER THE PAST WEEK

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 11:00:00

ArmInfo. Over the past week the Azerbaijani party systematically broke
the cease-fire regime at the line of contact between the armed forces
of Nagornyy Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

As ArmInfo correspondent reported from stepanakert, according to the
operative data, the enemy fired at the positions of the NKR Defence
Army practically in all the directions. In particular, on 20-21
November breakings were fixed at southern, south-eastern, eastern
and north-eastern directions. Subdivisions of the NKR Defence Army
on duty replied adequately.

TOTAL VOLUME OF EQUITY CAPITAL OF 11 ARMENIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES GROWS BY 48% OVER A YEAR

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 09:43:00

ArmInfo. Total volume of equity capital of 11 Armenian insurance
companies by October 1, 2009 made up 9.3 bln drams ($24.3 mln), that
exceeds the similar period, 2008, by 48%, and over 9 months, 2009 –
by 25%. Moreover, about 80% or 7.4 bln drams ($19.2 mln) fell on the
authorized capital.

According to the data of Ranking of Armenia’s insurance companies,
prepared by Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), the
equity capital of INGO Armenia insurance company, Rosgosstrakh-Armenia
and RASCO companies exceeded 1 bln drams. ISG Company had the minimum
size of equity capital – 0.4 bln drams, that is lower the standard
mark. Total current liabilities of 11 insurance companies made up
4.3 bln drams as of October 1, 2009, having increased by 15% per
annum, and over 9 months, 2009 – by 1%. 41% or 1.8 bln drams in their
structure fell on the current bill payable, with 8% annual growth and
4% reduction over 9 months. The share of insurance reserves in the
current liabilities made up 56% or 2.4 bln drams ($6.2 mln), with 25%
annual growth and 10% growth over 9 months. INGO-Armenia leads by
the size of insurance reserves – 407 mln drams. Alfa-Insurance has
the minimum volume (48 mln drams).

JOURNALISTIC CONTEST ‘BEST IN PROFESSION’ STARTS

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 14:41:00

ArmInfo. The journalistic contest ‘Best in profession’ has started.

As Inter-state fund for humanitarian cooperation of the CIS
member-states reported, the contest will be held in 5 nominations:
‘the best TV programme’, ‘The best radio programme’, ‘the best
publication in Internet’, ‘The best publication in the printed mass
media’ and ‘The best photo’. The journalistic works in the period
from 15 October 2009 – to 15 October 2010 will be received. The works
should be presented to the commission not later than 1 November 2010.

The topic of the contest is ‘I am living’. The winners of the contest
will be given diplomas and prizes. One can apply to International
Confederation of Journalist Unions to take part in the contest:
Moscow, Zubovskiy avenue 4, telephones: (495) 637-77-70, 637-52-91.

YEREVAN HOSTS SUB-REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ROTTERDAM CONVENTION

ArmInfo
2009-11-23 14:05:00

ArmInfo. Sub-regional conference of the persons, responsible for
implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals
and pesticides started in Yerevan today. Representatives of Armenia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Moldova and Russia take part in the conference.

As Nature Protection Minister of Armenia Aram Harutyunyan said,
the primary goal of the event is raising of awareness about the
Basel Convention on control of transboundary m®vement of hazardous
wastes and their disposal, the Stockholm Convention about persistent
organic pollutants (POP) and the Rotterdam Convention. In particular,
the parties will focus on the issues related to strengthening of
chemicals and waste management at a national level. A. Harutyunyan
recalled that Armenia ratified all the afore-indicated conventions:
Basel Convention – in 1999, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions – in
2003. Moreover, the goals of all the three conventions are interrelated
and aim at protection of peoples’ health and environment from impact
of chemicals and waste.

As the minister said, in view of the fact that the Law on Chemicals
will be developed in Armenia by 2011, implementation of principles of
the Rotterdam Convention plays a significant role. In particular, the
republic’s government approved a list of 33 forbidden chemicals and
pesticides in 2005. As for the current situation in the country, the
minister said that monitoring of hazardous waste is under completion,
and its results will become known by late of 2009. A. Harutyunyan
recalled that there is a considerable number of tailing dumps in the
territory of Armenia. ‘Our goal is to watch for them to be exploited
according to the projects, otherwise, this will threaten pollution
of land and water resources’, the minister said.

To note, sub-regional conference of the persons, responsible for
implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, will be over on November
27.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETARY MEETS THE US AMBASSADOR

armradio.am
23.11.2009 14:25

Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia Arthur
Baghdasaryan received US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenian-American
cooperation.

At the request of the Ambassador, Arthur Baghdasaryan presented the
functions of the Armenian National Security Council, as well as the
process of reforms implemented in different directions.

Reference was made to regional issues, including the normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIFTH FRUITFUL ARMENIA CONFERENCE KICKS OFF IN YEREVAN
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
23.11.2009 14:54

The fifth Fruitful Armenia conference kicked off in Armenia today.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony. Greeting
the participants of the conference, and characterizing the conference
as important and symbolic, the Head of Armenian Government noted:

"Our fifth meeting evidences that the Fruitful Armenia conferences are
effective. Symbolic is the fact that the fifth meeting is dedicated
to young people who have a say. We attach great importance to the
innovations in the field of agriculture and the innovative ideas
brought forward by talented youth. We stand ready to support you in
your endeavors, since we need fresh ideas."

The fifth Fruitful Armenia conference is held in Armenia November
23-24.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA, INDIA INTERESTED IN DEEPENING BILATERAL COOPERATION

armradio.am
23.11.2009 17:05

Armenian Ambassador to India Ara Hakobyan presented his credentials
to the President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

Ambassador Hakobyan conveyed the greetings of the Armenian President
and noted that Armenia prioritizes the development of comprehensive
cooperation with India.

Touching upon the current state of bilateral relations and the
perspectives, Ambassador Hakobyan noted that the reciprocal visits
of high-level delegations would contribute to the further development
of political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

For her part, President Pratibha Patil noted that India attaches
great importance to the deepening of relations with Armenia. She
expressed hope that the newly appointed Ambassador would contribute
to the development of the Armenian-Indian cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CYPRUS TALKS CONTINUE WITH ‘GOOD WILL’

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
23.Nov.09

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has underlined
that efforts to reunify Cyprus and its people will continue with
persistence and good will.

In an address at a mass at the Armenian Church in Nicosia, read out
by Deputy Minister to the President Titos Christofides, President
Christofias stressed "we remain committed to our goals for the creation
of a peaceful, united and prosperous homeland for all its citizens,
Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins".

He reiterated that "efforts to reunify Cyprus and its people will
continue with persistence and good will, asserting our rights based on
principles. We pursue a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single
sovereignty, citizenship and international personality as well as
unified economic institutions".

Referring to the Armenian people living in Cyprus, he said that "tight
bonds of friendship and common struggles describe the historic paths
of Greek Cypriots and Armenians in our country".

"Cyprus and its people have always been present to the important
historic times of the Armenian people", he said.

The Cypriot President recalled that Cyprus was the first European
state, which adopted a resolution recognising the Armenian Genocide.

The religious groups in Cyprus, he said, are an important part of
Cyprus and enrich its multicultural society.

President Christofias reassured that the government does its utmost
to contribute to maintaining he religious groups` identities.