Month: November 2009

"ENCOURAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION ARE A NECESSITY IN ANY BUSINESS"

Aysor
Nov 26 2009
Armenia

VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of "Mobile TeleSystems", announces that the
Company’s General Manager Ralph Yirikian lectured at the Agribusiness
Educational Center.

"What is important for a company that foresees continuous development?

What is right: to give way to bureaucracy, to tighten the working
conditions, or to undertake obligations and responsibility for
employees and society? How important are the methods of encouragement
and the necessity to be guided by corporate responsibility?" asked
VivaCell-MTS General Manager opening up his management lecture for
the students of the center.

VivaCell-MTS, Armenia’s leading mobile operator has been committed
to the most civilized way of management from the first day of its
inception. Productive team work and employees’ loyalty to the brand
are the result of the guarantees for safety they get in the Company.

"Encouragement and motivation are a necessity in any business. Each
employee should be the focal point of attention and care. Managers
should lead by example having respect as a key pillar," mentioned
Ralph Yirikian.

Those, who pay importance to the Corporate Responsibility in the
matters of management, Yirikian believes, do not give way to excessive
bureaucracy, and so avoid diminishing the value of relations between
employer and employees.

Armenia’s leading mobile operator calls on the young people
anticipating active involvement in management matters to choose
strategies with perspective – be guided the principles of
respect, industriousness, readiness to cooperate, and undertake
responsibilities, always to look far ahead and aspire innovativeness,
and give much place to the concept of Corporate Responsibility.

During the question and answer session following the lecture, the
gathered had the chance to get the full picture about the activities
of Armenia’s leading mobile operator.

REPUBLICAN BECOMES A BURDEN
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
26/11/09

The fact that the Republican Party became the bearer of the best
traditions of the Soviet Communist Party is not news. Doubtlessly,
alongside with these best traditions, RP bears new traditions,
from the point that besides bureaucratic traditions, the Republican
bears also criminal-oligarchic traditions. These traditions regularly
replace each other during the period of activities of the party. Now
it seems to be the period of soviet traditions as applications to
join the Republican Party are accepted.

Such a phase was registered in the summer of 2006 when Serge Sargsyan
became a member of the Republican Party and later the head of the board
of the party and a number of other figures joined the party and became
members of the board those who represented the Armenian oligopoly
system. In addition, their role in the Republican immediately increased
and they became a counterbalance for the co-called Margaryan wing.

The Margaryan wing bore all this because the party was going to run
in the 2007 parliamentary election which was considered a springboard
of presidential election. The joining of Serge Sargsyan and his team
to the party was considered a guarantee of its victory.

Now it seems to also be a phase of collective joining. But the
forthcoming election seems to be only in two years. Which is the
reason why the Republican accepts new members two years before the
election? Is Tigran Sargsyan with his team the guarantee for the
Republican success like in 2006 it was Serge Sargsyan with his team?

Maybe Serge Sargsyan and his team were more trained and readier,
because of which they joined the party only one year before
the election because there did not need or did not have time to
get prepared. Tigran Sargsyan and his team are not so prepared in
political processes and they need much time to get ready to secure
the Republican victory this is why they join the party two years and
several months before the election.

But the Republican is possible to get ready for extraordinary
elections. Nevertheless, when Serge Sargsyan and his team were
considered guarantees for the Republican victory everything was
understandable considering the situation in Armenia. But when Tigran
Sargsyan and his team are considered such one, the situation becomes
a little doubtful. First, Serge Sargsyan and his team are still in
the Republican Party consequently, they can still be a guarantee for
the Republican success. What is the need to bring Tigran Sargsyan
and his team too? Besides, Tigran Sargsyan’s team does not enjoy
the trust of the oligopoly system and neither the society. Another
question is that Sargsyan manages to change fully the oligopoly system
showing to the society that he not only speaks but also acts. Will he
succeed? If Serge Sargsyan assists him, he may succeed. But in this
case, by making Tigran Sargsyan a Republican member, Serge Sargsyan
in fact acts against the Republican party. And if he makes Tigran
Sargsyan a Republican member but does not help him, he can swallow
Tigran Sargsyan, Tigran Davtyan, Nerses Yeritsyan and the others in
one second.

Either the Republican Party or Tigran Sargsyan come out to be
swallowed. Both together are also possible to be swallowed. In
other words, both will be engaged in swallowing each other creating
possibilities for Serge Sargsyan to be engaged in the hard work of
setting up another governmental force because the Republican Party
is evident to become a governmental burden from a governmental
force. For Serge Sargsyan who has many links with abroad, this has
to be already clear.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ABOUT MORE THAN 113 MLN DRAMS WERE ALREADY ANNOUNCED

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
November 24, 2009

Fund-raising anticipated for restoration and development of Shoushi
is going on in Artsakh. According to the last data, received from the
republican headquarters regulating it, by 17.00 o’clock on November
24, in tote 4 mln 70 thousand and 216 drams were transferred to the
corresponding bank account by organizations and establishments, and
individual persons. As a whole, a sum equal to 113 mln 290 thousand
and 58 drams was declared.

The republican headquarters on national fund-raising makes an appeal
to the inhabitants of Artsakh to actively participate in donation
and bring sizeable contribution to the NKR restoration programme.

NKR PRIME MINISTER’S NEW MEETINGS IN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF AMERICA

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
November 24, 2009

On November 23, NKR Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan had a meeting
with the members of the ARF Central Committee of West America at the
head of the Central Committee representative Avetik Izmirlyan.

At the meeting issues concerning the Karabakhian-Azerbaijani conflict
settlement, Armenian-Turkish relations and the Homeland-Diaspora
cooperation were discussed.

The Head of the Government underlined that the permanent development of
Artsakh represents a most important basis for the consolidation of the
Armenian statehood and all the national parts of the Armenians should
unanimously contribute to this process. In this term Ara Haroutyunyan
attached importance to the restoration of Shoushi which, in its turn,
is a central point in the fortification of Artsakh.

The Leader of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Secretary of the Information Department
of the NKR President’s Office Davit Babayan, the permanent NKR
representative to the USA Robert Avetisyan participated in the meeting.

The same day the NKR delegation at the head of the Prime Minister
visited the national college of Vahan and Anoush Shamleyans and met
with the teaching staff and students of the college.

Ara Haroutyunyan highly appraised the role of this institution in the
nationally Armenian education of the younger generation underlining
that school is the very centre where the creation of the future of
the nation begins.

The Prime Minister signified the longstanding relation of the college
with the secondary school of Ashan emphasizing it as a striking
example of Homeland-Diaspora cooperation.

* * *

On November 23, Ara Haroutyunyan visited the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of North America and met with the Leader
of the Diocese Archbishop Hovhan Terteryan, representatives of the
parochial church council and the Armenian community.

The Prime Minister presented the NKR social and economic state,
the present-day phase of Karabakhian-Azerbaijani conflict settlement
and the process of various programmes implemented in Shoushi to the
participants of the meeting.

In his speech about Homeland-Diaspora relations Ara Haroutyunyan
underlined the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the future
development and extension of these relations, in the consolidation of
the independent Armenian statehood and in the process of preservation
of the Armenian nationality in Diaspora.

The same day Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan met with the benefactor
Isaac Vardanyan as well.

During the meeting issues related to the construction programmes to
be implemented in Artsakh were discussed.

Ara Haroutyunyan expressed his gratitude to Isaac Vardanyan for his
permanent assistance to Artsakh and expressed his hope towards their
active cooperation in future as well.

NKR DELEGATION IN LOS ANGELES

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Depart
November 23, 2009

On November 21, the NKR delegation at the head of Prime Minister Ara
Haroutyunyan arrived in Los Angeles.

On November 22, the Head of the Government had meetings with the
benefactors Levon and Ashkhen Arsenyans, Gevorg Voskanyan and Rafik
Khachatryan.

During the meeting issues related to the implementation of various
programmes in Artsakh were discussed.

Ara Haroutyunyan expressed his gratitude to the benefactors for the
unwavering support they permanently provide, simultaneously noting
that such manifestations of patriotism encourage and provide a new
stimulus to the population of Artsakh.

The Executive Director of "Armenia" All-Armenian Fund Ara Vardanyan,
secretary of the Central Information Centre of the NKR President’s
Staff Davit Babayan and the NKR Permanent Representative to the USA
Robert Avetisyan participated in the meetings.

* * *

The same day, the NKR delegation participated in the solemn ceremony
dedicated to the "Telethon 2009" which was organized by the "Armenia"
All-Armenian Fund. About 350 representatives of the Armenian community,
social and business circles partook in the ceremony.

Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan and the Leader of the Artsakh Diocese
of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan attached
importance to the necessity of consolidation of the Armenians’ unity
all over the world, for solution of national problems by means of joint
efforts, restoration and development of Shoushi in their speeches.

PRIME MINISTER ENCOURAGES ACTIVITY OF AMERICAN ARMENIANS COMMUNITY

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
November 21, 2009

On November 20, the Prime Minister Ara Haroutytunyan visited central
offices of the "Boston Globe" and "Motherland" daily papers and met
with journalists.

At the meeting issues of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement,
the development of Armenian-Turkish relations, and of socio-economic
situation of the NKR were touched upon.

The same day, the Prime Minister visited the central office of the
Armenian Assistance Union, and had a meeting with leadership of the
organization headed by Maida Melkonyan, Chief of Central Department.

Heads of Canadian and Californian brunches of the Armenian Assistance
Union, as well participated in the meeting through TV Bridge.

Ara Haroutynyan highly appreciated consequent and patriotic activity
and the role of the organization in the deal of pre-school system
development in Artsakh and expressed confidence that the AAU will
continue to expand its activity in the NKR.

Special place was attached to discussion of cooperation opportunities
in the healthcare system.

* * *

On November 20, in honour of our delegation a dinner was organized
in which more than fifty representatives of the Armenian community
took part.

During the arrangement, Ara Haroutyunyan had awarded Raffi Pstkchyan,
Director of the USA Eastern Coast "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund with
the NKR Prime Minister’s Memorable Medal.

Spiritual Leader of Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Paregev Martirosyan,
Head of the Chief Informational Department of the NKR President’s
Staff Davit Babayan, and Permanent Representative of the NKR in the
USA Robert Avetisyan were present at the meetings.

THE PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA VISITED GRAND CANDY ENTERPRISE

T uesday, 24 November 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan visited today Grand Candy
enterprise. The head of government called at the factory’s printing
house, walked round the confectionery shops to get a first-hand view
of technological and manufacturing processes.

Following the tour of the factory, the head of government answered
journalists’ questions. He said in particular: "Today Grand Candy is a
successfully developing entity with thousands of jobs available. The
bulk of raw material procurements are made to domestic suppliers
considering that this can foster other sectors, too, inclusive
of agriculture. I believe this will open up good development
prospects because by entering into closer cooperation with domestic
manufacturers, "Grand Candy" can lower the cost-price of its output
and have a competitive edge.

Asked about the soviet-era trademarks used by the Company especially
for chocolates, due to which Russian- or Ukrainian-make products of
the same name cannot be imported into Armenia, the head of government
noted: "This is a result of natural competition conducted in line
with the market rules. We should see that the competition is fair
and consistent with relevant laws to the benefit of our consumers
and citizens. The State is called to ensure that accurate rules are
applied as changing regulations may impair the competition and oust
individual manufacturers from the market. Indeed, we will continue
seeing that the rules go unchanged to keep the Company safe from
possible interventions."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ON THE WAY TO WORLD WAR TWO VICTORY 65TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Today the State Commission on Organization of Great Patriotic War
Victory 65th Anniversary Celebrations called its first session,
presided at by commission chairman, Republic of Armenia Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan.

"The festivities dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the victory had
in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 provide a unique opportunity to
pay tribute to those participants of World War Two who are still with
us, as well as to those who gave their lives for the glorious victory."

The meeting discussed the possibility of Armenia’s participation
in the CIS Heads of Government meeting-approved jubilee actions and
adopted a national program of festive events.

In conclusion, corresponding assignments were issued to the heads of
concerned State agencies.

VISIT TO HEALTH CARE MINISTRY EXPERT CENTER OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan today visited the Expert Center
of Pharmaceutical and Medical Technologies by the Ministry of Health
Care to get a first-hand view of the activities of the organization.

The Prime Minister’s agenda featured a closed consultative meeting
on pharmaceutical issues at which the head of government was briefed
on the efforts made to address the existing problems.

The meeting was followed by a news conference during which Tigran
Sargsyan said that the Center has a role to play in our region
as the unique such agency available in South Caucasus. Its highly
professional staff meeting all modern standards was said to be the
Center’s key asset.

The Prime Minister then spoke about the existing bottlenecks: "First of
all, the Center needs to be supplied with state-of-the-art equipment,
and the staff needs training. Indeed, wages should be competitive as
compared to other such entities operational on the domestic market. As
you may see, premises are inadequate, and the government should think
of a possible improvement."

Asked about the recent rise in drug prices, the head of government
advised that the commission on economic competition had discussed
the question and is due to submit its findings to the government
and the public-at-large: "Either we have growing concerns about the
situation on the pharmaceuticals market, and the matter was high
on the agenda of today’s consultative meeting. The number of major
importers is increasing every day. Sometimes invoice prices are 2-3
times as much as the retail ones which means that the profit margin
is too high on the market, and quite naturally the State has a say
in these conditions," the head of the government said in conclusion.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARAPETYAN: ALIYEV’S STATEMENTS ARE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Yerkir
25.11.2009 18:35

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Speaking at a news conference on November 25,
Hrayr Karapetyan, a member of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia and
the chairman of the parliamentary committee on Defense and National
Security, said that some NATO member countries help in arming
Azerbaijan.

This raises our concerns, Karapetyan said. He also raised concerns
about the close cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan.

This cooperation contradicts the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) principles as Armenia is a member of this
organization while Azerbaijan is not, and the member states of
the organization are supposed to engage in collective defense of a
country attacked.

"A questions raises, what is the difference between us and
Azerbaijan then. We are a CSTO member, Azerbaijan is not. Is it
right to closely cooperate with a county that make such belligerent
statements?" Karapetyan asked.

He also said that the belligerent rhetoric by the Azerbaijani president
did not receive adequate responses neither from the international
community nor from the Armenian leadership. He said this is due to
the fact that Aliyev’s statements are not taken seriously.
From: Baghdasarian