SOME 83,000 ARMENIANS REGISTERED OFFICIALLY AS JOBLESS IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2009
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20, /ARKA/. A total of 83,000 Armenians were
registered officially as jobless in January-October 2009, the National
Statistical Service told ARKA.
According to official figures, the number of jobless rose year-on-year
by 11.4%. In October the number of unemployed people drooped by 0.1
percent from September.
ARMENIA’S GDP IN JANUARY-OCTOBER SLASHES BY 17.5% YEAR-ON-YEAR
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20, /ARKA/. Armenia’s GDP in January-October, 2009
slashed by 17.5% year-on-year, the country’s National Statistical
Service said today.
According to the official figures, in terms of money the GDP totaled
2.466 trillion Drams. In October 2009 GDP was 5.1% down from the
previous month.
In January-October 2008 Armenian economy grew by 9.2 percent. ($1 –
387.39 Drams).
ARMENIA SHOULD NOT FALL BEHIND GLOBAL PROCESSES IN EDUCATION SECTOR – MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20. /ARKA/. "Armenia should not fall behind global
processes in education sector", said Arman Kirakosyan, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
"Armenia has always occupied high position in education sector and
transferred scientific values from generation to generation. Today,
in the era of technologies, it is very important not to fall behind
global processes", said Kirakosyan.
For this purpose it is necessary to develop close international
cooperation in education sector. Armenia is involved in the activities
of many international organizations of education sector and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively assists in this endeavor. Naira
Zohrabyan, Head of Standing Committee on European Integration Issues
said that policy of "European Neighborhood" and initiative "East
Partnership" is a good chance for cooperation in education sector.
INECOBANK TO START MONEY TRANSFER OPERATIONS THROUGH CONTACT SYSTEM
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20, /ARKA/. Inecobank, one of Armenian commercial
banks, said in a statement it will start remittance operations from
November 23 through CONTACT international money transfer system.
CONTACT is a money transfer system that allows quick and effective
transfer of money to one’s relatives and friends without opening
account. It takes a few minutes to make a transaction. Money is
available within several hours. Transfers are made in rubles, US
dollars and Euros to 85 countries . Minimum amount of the transaction
is not fixed. Rate of commission: 2% – in rubles across Russia, 3%
– in foreign currency (dollars, euros). When transferring money to
CONTACT by foreign partner companies, a non-standard rate of commission
can be applied.
Inecobank offers money transfers also through Money Gram, Migom,
LEADER systems and through Russian Promsvyazbank’s speedy system of
money transfers.
Inecobank was registered in 1996. It was the first Armenian bank to
serve purchase of consumer goods on installment plan in 1997. Some
13.5 % of its shares are held by Deutsche Investititions-und
Entwicklunsgesellschaft mbH and 10% by the International Financial
Corporation (IFC). The bank cooperates also with EBRD, USAID, KfW,
the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and other international
lending organizations.
As of September 30, 2009 its assets totaled 45.9 billion Drams,
liabilities-9.7 billion Drams, credit investments-27.8 billion Drams,
liabilities before clients-13.8 billion Drams. Its net profit in
January-September 2009 totaled 421.7 million Drams. The bank has 9
branches. ($1- 387.39 Drams).
ARMENIAN OPPOSITION CRITICIZES NEXT YEAR BUDGET
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20, /ARKA/. Armen Martirosian, a parliament member
from the opposition Zharangutyun (Heritage) party, lashed out today at
the draft 2010 budget saying it ignores a set of important questions.
He said his party would vote against it.
Speaking at a parliament briefing he said both spending and revenue
items of the budget as well as allocation of government funds must be
reconsidered. He added that the government had ignored the inflation
factor while drafting next year’s budget.
Ara Nranian from another opposition party-the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF)- said next year’s budget does not inspire optimism
because the living standards will be worsening due to the dwindling
money transfers from Russia and other countries from Armenian labor
migrants, stagnating salaries and social benefits.
As a result, he said, Armenian citizens will be spending less which
in turn would affect local producers.
According to Ara Nranian, the draft 2010 budget does not offer ways
how to improve the business environment and attract investments.
Heghine Bisharian from the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) coalition
partner, disagreed with both saying next year’s budget, despite the
limited resources, would ensure consistent implementation of all
projected programs.
Galust Sahakian, a deputy chairman of the governing Republican Party
and head of its parliamentary faction, singled out the social spending
item of the budget saying it will not be cut. He described it as
‘logical’ saying also revenues will start growing from H2, 2010.
According to the 2010 draft budget, the government plans to collect
676. 6 billion Drams of revenues, and spend 859.6 billion Drams. The
deficit is projected at 183 billion Drams and the GDP at 3.214 trillion
Drams. Armenia’s state debt is expected to hit $3.6 billion, economic
growth is projected at 1.2%. The deficit to GDP ration is projected
at 6%, down from 7.5% for 2009.
IN JANUARY-OCTOBER 2009 INFLATION OF 3% WAS FIXED IN ARMENIA
ARKA
November 20, 2009
Yerevan
YEREVAN, November 20. /ARKA/. In January-October 2009 inflation of 3%
compared with the same period in 2008 was fixed in Armenia.
In October 2009 compared with December 2008 increase of consumers’
prices of 3.2% was fixed. In October, compared with September 2009
inflation of 0.5% was fixed.
According to state budget, in 2009 inflation in Armenia is planned
on the level of 4% (1,5%).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PILOT INTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR DISABLED PEOPLE LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA
news.am
Nov 20 2009
Armenia
A pilot employment program for people with disabilities has been
launched in Armenia, RA Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security
Jemma Baghdasaryan told a press conference. She reported that two
enterprises employ people with disabilities in Armenia.
The new program is based on Lithuanian and Swedish experience. "We
thus want to resolve the social integration problem of people with
disabilities" Baghdasaryan said. She said that enterprises employing
disabled people may receive tax benefits. Baghdasaryan reported that
175,000 disabled people are registered in Armenia, with 114,000 of them
being of working age. The disregard of disabled people’s interests
during the construction of housing and operation of transport is
another problem.
Armen Alaverdyan, Chairman of the Unison NGO, said that the owners
of elite residential buildings refuse to adapt them for chairbound
people. "We sometimes make attempts to persuade the owners of the
magnificent buildings to provide them with ramps and wider doorways,
but they say it means additional expenses," Alaverdyan said.
The RA Ministry of Labor and Social Security has announced a monthly
campaign to attract public attention to disable people’s problems. The
campaign will be conducted in Yerevan, Gyumri and Spitak.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
A NEW TRAFFIC NET IN YEREVAN
Aysor
Nov 20 2009
Armenia
In the first 3 months of 2010 is expected to finish the works carried
out to ease the traffic of the capital. As the Aysor.am reporter
was told by the information and public relation’s department of
Yerevan Municipality the traffic net is being recovered. Because of
the lessening of the passenger’s at the evenings the number of the
transportation means is being lessened too.
In the municipality they inform that at present it is not realistic to
speak about providing safety to the transportation means at late hours
in Yerevan. The authorities can respond to that concerning issue after
obtaining the necessary amount of transportation means, especially
buses, as the number of the buses in Yerevan at present is about 12.0%.
At present they continue the works of improvement in the bus stops
of civic transportation. They repair the bus stops, refurnish them.
From: Baghdasarian
TURKISH PARLIAMENT WILL NOT RATIFY PROTOCOLS: CHIEF EDITOR OF MOSCOW-BASED NEWSPAPER
Today
Nov 20 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with chief editor of Mowcow-based ‘Konservator’
newspaper of Azerbaijani origin Rustam Arifjanov.
Day.Az: The Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents are expected to
meet in the second half of November. What can one expect from the
presidents’ meeting?
Rustam Arifjanov: It should be noted that presidents’ meeting was
formerly preceded by foreign ministers’ meeting while this time it
will be opposite of it.
The heads of state will meet roughly in the second half of November
and ministers will meet later.
I must say that this is not the usual format which suggests that may
adopt some decision at political level and foreign ministers will be
develop ways to implement them. However, there is no feeling that a
breakthrough will happen in settlement of the conflict any more. The
positions of both countries are still really opposed.
However, the situation has changed to a certain extent. Turkey and
Armenia signed protocols some time ago which urges Armenia to take
some decision on Karabakh and puts Azerbaijan in a new situation.
The ratification of protocols in the parliament of puts country’s
leadership in a very difficult position. There are too many people
both in pro-government and opposition forces who are wary of
ratification. The coming debates in parliament and in society play
into the hands of Azerbaijan, because many things will be called by
their names. And I’m not sure that Turkish parliament will ratify
the protocols any time soon.
Q: There are many forces also in Armenia who do not want protocols
to be ratified. President Sargsyan recently took steps that seem
unreasonable. What is the reason? Harmed relations with the diaspora
or a desire to somehow recover, or something else?
A: The fact is that the diaspora is not experiencing economic hardship
from the current situation in Armenia. For them the question of
"genocide" is a matter of historical, ideological, political nature
while it is of economic nature for Armenia which is in a blockade.
Therefore, a number of parties in the country including Dashnaksutun
who live through diaspora’s money, do not want to establish relations
with Turkey.
But the Armenian parliament is composed of not only those parties,
but also a number of others who believe that opening the borders
will improve life in Armenia. They alsounderstand that no profound
changes will happen. I do not think that the Armenian business will
move towards Turkey because Armenian businessmen are well aware that
there will not be accepted with open arms. As the Turkish business,
they will face all sorts of obstacles in Armenia.
Q: Why then to jeopardize the real financial inflow from diaspora
for the sake of dubious economic benefits from establishing relations
with Turkey?
A: First, Sargsyan’s precarious position forces him to take such
steps. Both people in the country and the diaspora believe that the
last presidential election was illegitimate. Despite the outward
political calm, they can recall it to Sargsyan any time. Naturally,
in such a situation he needs to rely on someone. First, he relies on
Russia. We all are aware of Russian military bases in Armenia and
that country’s major energy companies have already been bought by
Russian companies. In part, it all calms Sargsyan.
However, Azerbaijan has surely heard about the latest message from
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the federal government. Speaking
about foreign policy, he noted a clear pragmatic approach not to
take any action contrary to the country’s interests which often
occurred earlier. That is, if Russia’s support to Armenia harms
Azerbaijan-Russia relations, the Kremlin will support Armenia no
longer.
Armenia realizes it. Therefore, Sargsyan is hastily seeking other
support sources. Actually, they do no have many sources. This is
the U.S. and Europe. However, the latter constantly put pressure on
Turkey to establish relations with Armenia while they demand Armenia
to withdraw its claim of recognition of the so-called "genocide".
The upcoming discussions of protocols in the Turkish parliament will
be very tense. MPs will be continually link opening of borders with
the return of occupied Azerbaijani lands. As a result, parliament is
likely to not ratify the protocol, and the president of the country
will have to do nothing, but shrug his shoulders.
Q: Do you think Turkey has chances to become leader in the region?
A: Of course, it is beneficial for world powers that Turkey will be
not only a regional leader, but leader of entire Muslim world. Not Iran
or even Saudi Arabia, but Turkey. This country is more understandable
for them and besides it is also a secular state. The fact that the
country is being ruled by pro-Islamic forces do not worry them. So,
they will provide all possible support to Turkey.
With regard to regional leadership, it is worth paying attention to
establishment of relations with Syria, and even with that part of the
Iraqi state which is autonomous and headed by the Kurdish government.
After all, the Kurdish problem is very painful for Turkey. But once
Americans eventually leave Iraq, it will be possible to save the
country only by creating a separate Kurdish and Arab states.
Otherwise, the bloodshed would be inevitable.
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL DEDICATED SATURDAY
Twin Falls Times News
Nov 20 2009
Idaho
The Armenian Memorial Project’s Armenian Genocide memorial and tree
will be installed in Twin Falls City Park at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The plaque will include text for the remembrance and acknowledgement
of Armenian immigrants’ contribution to the Twin Falls community. The
public is welcome to attend.
The project has funded the project on its own, and donations will
be welcomed at Saturday’s installation. Money left over after the
installation will be donated to the Twin Falls Public Library to
purchase books related to the subject.
The memorial was approved by the Twin Falls City Council on Sept. 28.