Month: November 2009

WHEN CBA CHAIRMAN WAS APPOINTED PRIME MINISTER, ARMENIAN ECONOMY SUFFERED A STROKE, ARTSVIK MINASIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 13, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. When the chairman of the
Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Tigran Sargsyan was appointed prime
minister and the monetary policy was moved to the economic field,
the economy suffered a stroke. Member of the National Assembly’s
"ARF" faction Artsvik Minasian made this statement at the November
13 press conference. According to him, some newly-established body
rather than CBA should control the financial market.

Speaking about inflation recorded in the country in recent months, A.

Minasian pointed out the existence of monopolies as the first reason,
the absence of any mechanisms to counteract inflation within the
economy as the second reason, and the irresolution of the government
that fails to get rid of monopolies as the third reason for inflation.

Noting that inflation has already reached 5%, the NA deputy added
that although the government and CBA will start conducting a curbing
policy, it will be an artificial step.

As for the 2010 draft state budget discussed at the National Assembly,
A. Minasian said it is "just a budget to keep body and soul together"
and this document does not satisfy the requirements that the government
had originally set itself. The ARF representative reminded that
at the beginning of the global financial and economic crisis, the
Armenian prime minister expressed confidence that the crisis would
not do especial harm to Armenia, whereas now the authorities declare
that being a small country, Armenia felt at once the strong impact
of the crisis.

LEVON ARONIAN DRAWS IN 7TH ROUND OF MIKHAIL TAL MEMORIAL

Noyan Tapan
Nov 13, 2009

MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Two rounds remain until the end of
the Mikhail Tal Memorial chess tournament in Moscow. Games of the
7th round were held on November 12. Levon Aronian (Armenia) drew
with Russian chess player Vladimir Kramnik who earned 5 points and
continues to be in lead in the points table. Levon Aronian, Boris
Gelfand (Israel) and Magnus Carlsen (Norway) share 4th-6th positions
with 3.5 points each.

IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT OCCUPIED TERRITORIES SURROUNDING NAGORNO-KARABAKH SHOULD BE RETURNED TO AZERBAIJAN: RUSSIAN EXPERT

Today
458.html
Nov 13 2009
Azerbaijan

"Russia believes that settlement of any conflict in the Caucasus
contributes to the resolution of all conflicts in the region, in
particular, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Director General of
Russia-based Effective Policy Fund Kiril Tanayev said.

"From an optimistic viewpoint, all frozen conflicts will one day be
resolved. It is wrong to expect everything to be resolved "in a few
days." I think it is widely believed that territories surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh should be returned to Azerbaijan, and a resolution
will be achieved at some point," he added.

Tanayev also commented on recent media reports claiming that Turkey
may become OSCE Minsk Group co-chair.

"I think this is some kind of analytical speculation. Any change
in format of the negotiations involves not only the opinion of
mediators countries, but, above all, countries that are parties to
the negotiations, namely, Azerbaijan and Armenia. I think on any
changes to format of the negotiations depends on positions of these
countries," Tanayev noted.

U.K. AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW WITH NEWS.AM

news.am
Nov 13 2009
Armenia

NEWS.am has posted an article by The Guardian "Britain accused of
‘genocide denial’ over Armenia" dated Nov. 3, where David Leigh quotes
Geoffrey Robertson Q.C. who maintains "Recognising the Genocide would
provide no practical benefit to the U.K." The author also quotes the
U.K. Foreign Office documents "revealing the government’s refusal
to recognise the so-called Armenian massacre of 1915" saying —
"Anglo-Turkish relations are too important to be jeopardised by the
issue." So, all these excerpts inter-alia stirred deep concern.

Upon our request His Excellence Ambassador of The United Kingdom to
Armenia, Mr. Charles Lonsdale has kindly agreed to comment on the
article for NEWS.am.

Q.: Does the "truth-denying" course "provide practical benefit to
the UK"?

A.: We will look at the points raised in Geoffrey Robertson’s opinion,
though we should note that it is the opinion of one lawyer and not
a legal judgement.

Q.: What are the prospects of Turkey’s joining EU if it persists in
Genocide negation?

A.: Recognition of the events of 1915-16 as Genocide is not a
pre-condition for Turkey’s membership of the EU. However, under the
political criteria for membership Turkey is expected to maintain
‘good neighbourly relations’ with countries in the region.

Q.: As crimes against humanity, how does Holocaust differ from the
Armenian Genocide and why the great powers are so inconsistent on
the matter?

A.: We acknowledge and regret the terrible suffering that afflicted
the Ottoman Armenian population early in the past century. We must
ensure that such suffering is not forgotten. But we believe that it
is first and foremost for the Turkish and Armenian people to address
their common history. We would encourage any process which helps them
do so in an open, honest and constructive manner.

Q.: Please comment on the extract from the article: "The border
between the two countries was re-opened last month after being closed
since 1993, thanks to an accord which includes a promise to set up
a commission of historians to re-examine the affair."

A.: This is really a question for the journalist who wrote the
article. For our part, we congratulate Armenia and Turkey for the steps
that they have taken in their reconciliation process. We encourage
both countries to ratify the protocols signed in October and to take
further steps to address their differences and complete the process
to rebuild relations between the two countries.

RA MINISTER OF DIASPORA HRANUSH HAKOBYAN SENT A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY AND RELATIVES OF IRANIAN ARMENIAN ACADEMIC HARMIK DAVTYAN

Noyan Tapan
13.11.2009

YEREVAN: RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan sent a letter
of condolence to the family and relatives of Iranian Armenian
public-national figure, academic Harmik Davtyan who died on November
12. The following is stated in the letter that was provided to "NOYAN
TAPAN" by the RA Ministry of Diaspora:

"I was informed with profound sorrow about the death of prominent
Armenian public-national figure, academic in the sphere of
psychiatrics, Dr. Harutyun (Harmik) Davtyan. The Armenian people
highly appreciate a person like Harmik Davtyan who was a great
scientist dedicated to the Homeland and a person who has made a
remarkable contribution to the development of the Iranian Armenian
community and the deepening of friendly relations between Iran and
Armenia through his public-national activities. The life and career
of Dr. Davtyan are the brilliant manifestation of the individuality
of a gifted scientist and his contribution to the development of the
science of psychiatrics in Iran is invaluable.

The death of Harmik Davtyan is a loss for the Iranian and Armenian
nations and his memory will remain alive in our hearts.

Accept my profound condolence and support. We wish vigor and peace
of soul to the family and relatives of the deceased."

‘ARMENIA’S BUSINESS PLANNING PROJECTS ARE MODERATE’

Aysor
Nov 13 2009
Armenia

"Armenia’s businessmen have very moderate number of business planning
projects. They do not view plans for future. It is necessary to
study opportunities to be able to put them in practice with new
business planning cycle to enter the higher level of cooperation
with the European Union," said at today’s press conference Director
of Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre, Alexey Sekarev.

He pointed out that Armenian businessman have to know which trade
agreements are involved in framework of the Eastern Partnership to
be able to export own products to European markets. "There are lots
of requirements, technical standards related to the agreements and
other factors. Of this, short-term and long-term versions will be
presented at seminar," said Alexey Sekarev.

AEPLAC’s Director also pointed out that there are some new areas,
in particularly, those of innovation and of sphere which doesn’t
demand on high transport costs.

"This has already entered into force in EU and has been involving
EU candidate-states. Some of these resources entered into force in
Armenia, while Armenia is moving towards free trade agreements in the
framework of Eastern Partnership. Armenia’s businessmen can make use
of these resources," he added.

ANKARA HOPES FOR PROGRESS ON KARABAKH ISSUE: SENSOY

news.am
Nov 13 2009
Armenia

Ankara will switch Armenian-Turkish relations into a new track through
Protocols’ signing. In addition, the establishment of diplomatic
relations will be followed by the border opening and communication,
Turkish Ambassador to U.S. Nabi Sensoy told APA news agency.

"To our mind, this will benefit not only Armenian-Turkish relations,
but also the peace, stability and security in the South Caucasus,
particularly to settlement of &’frozen’ conflicts," Sensoy stated.

The diplomat said that Ankara hopes for a progress in
Armenia-Azerbaijan talks over Nagorno-Karabakh. "Turkey will always
continue to keep Azerbaijan’s interests a priority," he underlined.

"Turkey will continue its efforts aimed at active encouragement of
the final solution of the conflict, based on the territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan," the Ambassador concluded.

ARMENIAN FESTIVAL PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING

Times and Transcript
ewstoday/article/856237
Nov 13 2009
Canada

Four days of events look at legendary composer Komitas

Stumble Upondel.icio.usDiggFacebookPrintEmailSpeak UpThe Third Moncton
Armenian Festival is set to get under way in the city November 26 to
29, and this year the focus will be on Komitas, Armenia’s legendary
composer, ethnographer, poet and specialist in folk dance and the
study of music.

1 of 2

Dariush Zarbafian plays a santur, an ancestor of the piano, at a press
conference yesterday announcing the Third Moncton Armenian Festival,
which runs Nov. 26-29. RON WARD/TIMES & TRANSCRIPTDariush Zarbafian
plays a santur, an ancestor of the piano, at a press conference
yesterday announcing the Third Moncton Armenian Festival, which runs
Nov. 26-29. Four days will be filled with activities and discoveries
of the world of Komitas: a big opening show, three exhibitions,
two concerts and a mini-film festival.

Organizers are promising a feast for the senses leading to
understanding, sharing and communicating about Armenia, whose rich
but tormented history dates back at least 2,000 years.

The festival was initiated by members of the Maritimes Armenian
Association, which unites about 200 families in the Maritime provinces.

Each year’s festival has been planned to take the public on a different
voyage of discovery — from the origins of the great historical Armenia
to the contemporary Republic of Armenia and the grand Armenian diaspora
in the world.

* For more information, e-mail: [email protected], go to
festivalarmenien.com or call Sylvia Kasparian at (506) 853-6031.

ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN ARE BEING PREPARED FOR FREE TRADE WITH EC

ARKA
Nov 13, 2009

YEREVAN, November 13. /ARKA/. Seminar for Armenian businessmen on
the changes of trade regime between Armenia and European Union within
the program "East Partnership" took place on Friday in Yerevan.

The seminar "Proposed trade frames with EU" was organized jointly
with Armenian-European consulting center of economic policy and right
(AEPLAC), Ministry of Economy of Armenia and group of EU consultants.

Businessmen, members of the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs,
Association of Businessmen and Union of Exporters participated in the
seminar. "The subject of the seminar was current and future trade
regime with European Union. Future trade relations between Armenia
and EU is a deep and global free trade regime", said Aleksey Sekaryov,
Head of AEPLAC to the journalists.

He said that this process will take five years and the goal of this
event is to prepare Armenian businessmen for it. "We should know what
is trade regime, get introduced to technical norms and standards of
EU for exporting our products", said Sekaryov.

This preparation is organized beforehand because Armenian businessmen
have rather narrow horizon of planning, they have to learn about
higher level of trade regime and cooperate with EU.

They have to learn about it now for including it into new cycle of
planning. It is necessary to increase quality of control and implement
reforms in the sphere of protection of intellectual ownership,
standardization, sanitary and fito-sanitary control in Armenia.

Mushegh Tumasyan, Deputy Minister of Armenia mentioned that the goal
of the Government of Armenia is to increase export of Armenian products
to EU countries. "Our goal is to promote export to EU countries.

It is rather difficult process which is conditioned by the quality
of the product and certain entrepreneurial skills", said Tumasyan.

"Europe greatly supports Armenia and it is important that civil society
organizations and the society know that there is progress and the
life is improving", said Uffe Holst Yensen, Head of Department of
European Support delegation of EU in Armenia.

EU market is the largest in the world and the program "East
partnership" initiated by EU gives opportunity to participant-countries
to enter European market. "East partnership" is Polish-Sweden
initiative in the frames of neighborhood policy targeted at the
improvement of relations of EU with post-soviet countries. The program
should involve neighbor-countries of EU – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia,
Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ARMENIA’S NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS FUND TO MEET NOVEMBER 14-15

ARKA
Nov 13, 2009

YEREVAN, November 13, /ARKA/. The Board of Trustees of Armenia’s
National Competitiveness Fund said today its recurrent session will
be held in Yerevan on November 14-15. According to a statement by
the Fund, prime minister Tigran Sarkisian, who is also chairman of
the Board of Trustees, will deliver a speech.

The gathering will discuss development of Armenian and world economies
as well as projects of the Fund. Particularly, it will discuss the
strategy of cooperation with Diaspora and development of new sports
in lake Sevan as a new tourist product.

Among other key speakers are Rob Kitchin and Mark Boyle, two professors
from the National University of Ireland and Peter Gottwald ad Franck
Daniel Ersam, sporting and tourism experts from Munich, Germany.

Participants of the meeting will discuss also a preliminary planning
for Pan-Armenian network and hear reports on establishment of the
Pan-Armenian Bank.

Armenia’s National Competitiveness Fund was founded in 2007 as
a non-government organization, acting by the principle of public
and private sectors cooperation. The Board of Trustees of the Fund,
chaired by prime minister, comprises government officials, prominent
businessmen from Armenia and Diaspora as well as a representative of
the international donor organization.