Month: November 2009

ARMENIA, SWITZERLAND SIGN BILATERAL AGREEMENTS

armradio.am
11.11.2009 10:38

On November 10 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian,
paid a short working visit to Switzerland. Upon his arrival in Bern,
Minister Nalbandian had a meeting with his Swiss counterpart Michelin
Calmy-Rey. The parties discussed a broad range of bilateral, regional
and global issues.

The interlocutors appreciated the unprecedented development of
bilateral relations evidenced by a meeting between the Presidents
of Armenia and Switzerland Serzh Sargsyan and Hans-Rudolf Merz,
the talks between the Foreign Ministers, as well as Switzerland’s
mediation in the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations. The relations were reinforces by Charles Aznavour’s
appointment as Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland and the opening
of the Swiss diplomatic representation in Armenia.

Touching upon the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations,
Edward Nalbandian expressed gratitude for Switzerland’s mediation in
the process.

Edward Nalbandian and Michelin Calmy-Rey signed agreements between
the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Federal Council of
Switzerland on regular air communication and the elimination of visa
regime for persons with diplomatic passports.

The signing ceremony was followed by a joint press conference.

LUKASHENKO: THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE SOLVED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

armradio.am
11.11.2009 14:05

The Nagorno Karabakh issue should be solved by the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenoko
said in an exclusive interview with Trend News. "I have always told the
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia that this problem should be solved
by the two Presidents. One should not rely on any intermediaries,
although there is the OSCE Minsk Group. If Minsk as the center of this
group can contribute to resolution of the conflict, we will be happy
to do it. But only the two presidents can solve this issue," he said.

According to the President of Belarus, the involvement of
intermediaries may be good, but it binds the opinions of the third,
fourth and fifth parties. "Everyone will try to build a policy for
itself. If I reason correctly and you agree with this, then you must
agree upon the fact that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
can solve this problem. How to solve? First of all, it should take
place based on interests of people residing there. They cannot live
in such situation and conditions. Smart people will always find a
way to resolve it, or at least, they must find."

"Therefore, we support the process in the direction that this issue
should be resolved by the two countries, two presidents and two
peoples. Sit down, be determined and resolve. And people will always
be grateful for it," Lukashenko said.

ARMENIA, GERMANY INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING INTERPARLIAMENTARY TIES

armradio.am
11.11.2009 14:44

On November 11 the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Hovik
Abrahamyan, received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of Germany Hans-Jochen Schmidt.

Greeting the guest, the Armenian Parliament Speaker congratulated
the Ambassador on appointment and expressed hope that he would spare
no effort to contribute to the development of the Armenian-German
cooperation.

Mr. Abrahamyan appreciated the level of trade-economic, political and
cultural contacts, as well as the programs implemented in Armenia by
the German Development Agency.

The interlocutors agreed that it was necessary to develop the
interparliamentary cooperation and use all the opportunities provided
by the interparliamentary ties.

During the meeting the parties discussed the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions, paying special
attention to the role of the parliaments of the two neighbor countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SCHOOL REVITALIZES SPITAKASHEN

armradio.am
11.11.2009 14:58

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has built and furnished a school
in Spitakashen, a border village in Artsakh’s Martuni Region. The
construction and furnishing with a price tag of close to 200 460 000
AMD was co-financed by the fund’s Toronto affiliate and the government
of Artsakh.

The official inauguration of the school will take place in May 2010
conditioned by the visit of the sponsors and benefactors.

Attending the opening ceremony were Nagorno-Karabakh minister of
education Vladik Khachatryan, head of the Martuni administration
Lyudmila Azizyan, Hayastan Fund Executive Director Ara Vardanyan,
Deputy Director Ararat Khlghatyan, principal of the school Shiraz
Hayrapetyan, mayor of Spitakashen Armen Khachatryan, residents of
the Spitakashen.

The new building is immediately well distinguished within the rural
landscape background. In a few weeks the school will receive its 74
pupils with its well-equipped and heated classrooms, well-lit library,
beautiful events hall, and a large playground. The school designed
for 130 students, and if necessary, will accommodate students from
close-by villages.

"School construction is a major development goal of the Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund, which has already built more than 200 kindergartens
and schools throughout Artsakh and Armenia, and today this list
was replenished with a new project. I hope that down the years,
these children will contribute their knowledge to the welfare of our
homeland", said Ara Vardanyan, the Fund’s Executive Director.

"The old school built in 1935 had become not only terribly unsafe for
students and teachers but it also lacked almost all the elementary
facilities. In order to enter the school, the pupils had to pass
through the cultural center located on the ground floor of the
building. Today 74 students are able to attend a wonderfully appointed
and comfortable school, a fact that will have the added benefit of
raising the overall quality of education", said the school’s principal
Shiraz Hayrapetyan addressing his words of gratitude to the Artsakh
Government and Fund’s Toronto affiliate.

ARMENIA SHOULD RATIFY THE PROTOCOLS WITHOUT WAITING FOR TURKEY’S ACTIONS
Nvard Davtyan

"Radiolur"
11.11.2009 15:10

The Turkish Parliament will ratify the protocols in December or
January, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan told a press conference
today. However, according to him, the Armenian Parliament should not
wait for Turkey’s actions, especially considering that the process
was initiated by Armenia.

"Besides, the more we delay the ratification, the more we’ll revitalize
the Karabakh issue in the context of Armenian-Turkish relations,"
he said.

"It was good that the word Karabakh was not included in the protocols.

The more we delay the ratification, the more time Azerbaijan gets to
exert pressure on Turkey. Therefore, we should hurry to ratify the
documents," Stepan Grigoryan noted.

ARMENIA UNLIKELY TO YIELD THE LIBERATED LANDS IN EXCHANGE FOR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
Nvard Davtyan

"Radiolur"
11.11.2009 16:17

Political Alexander Iskandaryan find sit hard to definitely say
whether Turkey will ratify the protocols or not. In his opinion, even
if something happens, it will be in January-February. In April it will
already be clear in which direction the process of normalization of
relations will move.

The assertions that the Armenian side is going to yield the liberated
lands of Artsakh in exchange for normalization of its relations with
Turkey are unlikely, Iskandaryan told a press conference today.

"Definitely, Turkey will get something, but it’s going to be in a
different place, on a different issue and from a different country,"
the political scientist stated.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION TO REHABILITATE MAIN CANALS

armradio.am
11.11.2009 17:12

On November 11, 2009 the Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia
(MCA-Armenia) SNCO signed a contract with a consortium consisting of
Arpa-Sevan OJSC (Armenia) and Sade (France) to rehabilitate/repair 35,4
kilometers of sections on the Arzni-Shamiram, Lower Hrazdan, Artashat
and Shirak main canals and about 70 hydro-technical structures in
Arzni-Shamiram and Shirak main canals. Together with the work under
the first package of main canals, a total of 39.6 kilometers of canals
will be rehabilitated and more than 20 million dollars invested in
the improvement of the canal infrastructure in Armenia. More than
110, 000 beneficiaries in around 200 communities will be able to have
access to more reliable water in Ararat, Aragatsotn, Armavir, Kotayk,
and Shirak marzes.

The value of the contract is 14,618,601 dollars and the term of the
contract 18 months. The scope of the rehabilitation works includes
cleaning of the canals, rehabilitation of outlets and gates, and
utilization of monolith concrete, reinforced concrete and such advanced
technologies as shotcrete.

Additional works under MCA-Armenia’s Irrigation Infrastructure will
involve the rehabilitation of 17 pumping stations, construction of up
to six gravity schemes, upgrading of tertiary irrigation systems in
over 70 communities and improvements to the Ararat valley drainage
system. Total investment into the MCA-Armenia Program should amount
to about 180,000, 000 dollars by the time the program ends in 2011

ANOTHER TWO SWINE FLU CASES REGISTERED IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
11.11.2009 18:09

Two new swine flu cases have been registered in Armenia, Liana
Torosyan, Chief Expert of Sanitary and Epidemiologic Inspectorate
Liana Torosyan at the Armenian Ministry of Healthcare told "Radiolur."

The two infected patients are no in Infection Clinic of Nork. Both
are getting adequate treatment.

The two citizens infected by H1N1 virus have been detected at the
Zvartnots Airport

Liana Torosyan said their condition is now satisfactory.

RA MINISTER OF DIASPORA HRANUSH HAKOBYAN’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE "JUNIOR EUROVISION-2009" SONG CONTEST

Noyan Tapan
11.11.2009

I am calling out to all Diaspora Armenians who are filled with the
Armenian spirit, are proud of their Homeland, who are thinking about
Armenia and have their eyes set on the Homeland.

I am calling out to you with love, faith and hope. Our Laura
Hayrapetyan from Astrakhan is a young, bright and beautiful Armenian
girl who has the honor of representing our historical Armenia at the
"Junior Eurovision-2009" song contest and transmitting the spirit
and strength of the Homeland to Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.

Like the "Barcelona" football team, now is the time for Armenia and
Diaspora to unite as one and achieve only victory.

I am confident that our elderly and all Diaspora Armenians will
definitely unite on that day and prove our unity by voting for our
ravishing Laura. I am certain that our men, who proudly represent
Armenians in all corners of the globe, will find the time to call
and vote for our wonderful singer. I believe that Armenian girls and
women will show solidarity and vote for their sister Laura.

Dear Laura, win, but to win you must first win with soul and spirit.

Your victory will strengthen the sense and pride of being Armenian
among Armenian youth, as well as the spirit of our collectiveness.

Dear Laura, Armenia and the Diaspora are by your side as a strong
army of supporters. The Spirit, the moral stamina and warmth of all
Armenians are also by your side.

We believe in your talent. Be strong, win and make us strong, dear
Laura. The enthusiasm, love and faith of all Armenians are with you
as well.

Dear fellow Armenians, we are a spiritual nation. Our spirit has
been the driving force throughout the centuries. Laura Hayrapetyan is
currently working to fulfill her mission of achieving victory. Let us
transmit the moral stamina and love, faith and strength of 10 million
Armenians to our beautiful Laura and celebrate that victory together.

We believe that November 21 will be the day of unity and victory.

Sincerely,

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan

HRACH TADEVOSYAN SPOKE AT ATHENS EVENT MARKING ARF 119TH ANNIVERSARY

Yerkir
10.11.2009 19:16

Yerevan (Yerkir) – The day of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) was marked at the Athens Municipality Cultural Center on
November 7. The event was opened by screening a film on the party’s
119-year-old history, its main figures, focusing on the liberation
struggle, the May victory, the recent activities.

ARF Supreme Body of Armenia Hrach Tadevosyan was a keynote speaker
at the event.

In his speech, Tadevosyan slammed the Armenia-Turkey protocols.

"Despite the warnings from the ARF, the controversial protocols were
pre-singe on August 31and then signed on October 10. They mainly
serve the interests of Turkey," Tadevosyan said. He went on saying
that the protocols are aimed at legitimizing the illegal treaties of
Moscow and Kars on the expense of the Armenian people. He added that
the ARF has always opposed this and will continue to fight for the
interest of the Armenian people.

The full text of Tadevosyan’s speech is available in Armenian.