Month: November 2009

RA MINISTER OF DIASPORA HRANUSH HAKOBYAN MET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE "ARZUMANYAN-METSATURYAN" FOUNDATION OF ARGENTINA

Noyan Tapan
10.11.2009

YEREVAN: On November 6, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan met
with chairman of the board of the "Armenian Center" in Buenos Aires,
president of the "Arzumanyan-Metsaturyan" Foundation, Alberto Jerejian
and vice-president, Petros Hatcheian.

Hakobyan informed the guests that the Ministry will have the
opportunity to implement the program entitled "In support of solving
educational and cultural issues facing Armenian communities in Latin
American countries" with the sums granted by the RA Government. The
Minister mentioned that it is foreseen to send a Western Armenian
language teacher to Latin American countries with the purpose to
train local teachers starting in February 2010.

Due to the opening of Diaspora studies departments at Armenian
universities and the government’s special attention toward issues
facing the Diaspora and the teaching of Western Armenian, and through
the combined efforts of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Armenian
communities, some Diaspora Armenian youth from several communities
will be able to visit the Homeland to receive their education and
return to their countries to teach in their communities.

The guests presented a number of cultural and educational issues,
particularly the need for preparing Armenian language and history
textbooks based on modern methods. Mrs. Hakobyan mentioned that the
Ministry will hold a forum entitled "State of instruction of Western
Armenian in the Diaspora" in the spring with the purpose to gather
notable Diaspora Armenian experts in Western Armenian and publish a
language instruction textbook.

The sides also discussed the issue of creating a film that would tell
about the Armenian community of Argentina, its issues and lifestyles.

"The history of the Armenian people is also shaped in the communities
and the RA Ministry of Diaspora has initiated projects to put the
history of the Diaspora Armenian communities on paper," Hranush
Hakobyan said in closing and proposed that the Argentinean Armenian
community also participate in that important project.

SWINE FLU REACHES ARMENIA
Nelly Danielyan

"Radiolur"
10.11.2009 18:02

Armenia did not avoid the H1N1 virus. Three swine flu cases have been
confirmed in Armenia. Armenian Health Minister Harutyun Kushkyan told
reporters today that although the virus has been identified by local
laboratories, it still has to be confirmed by the London laboratories.

The Minister said the lab tests of two Armenian and one Iranian citizen
have proved positive. The Iranian citizen later left Armenia, but the
two Armenian citizens are still in hospital and will be discharged
in two or three days. The final results will be available in a month.

"There is no reason for panic. We simply have to be cautious in
order to be able to resist the disease. The symptoms do not differ
form those of ordinary flu. They include high temperature, headache,
muscle pain, reddening of eyes," the Minister said.

The preventive measures against swine flu are now restricted to
propaganda. As offor the prevention of seasonal flu, Armenia has
enough of Tamiflu vaccine.

The World Health Organization has promised vaccine to Armenia next
year. "The Ministry of Health is currently negotiating with the WHO
to change the terms of supply, as the first swine flue cases have been
registered in Armenia," Kushkyan said. The Minister added that special
vaccines, with minimum side effects, would be purchased for children.

AFTER LEVEL OF LAKE SEVAN RISES, ABOUT 2 THSD RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO FIND THEMSELVES UNDER WATER

ArmInfo
2009-11-10 16:59:00

ArmInfo. After the level of Lake Sevan rises to 1905 m above the sea
level, a total of 1967 residential buildings will find themselves
under water, Head of the Commission for Lake Sevan Issues Vladimir
Movsisyan said at a press-conference at Hayatsk club, Tuesday.

He said out of the given number of buildings only 481 are registered
at the Real Estate Cadastre (263 of them are cottages of Lavanda
City). The other 1216 were built near Lake Sevan illegally. Movsisyan
said that only the owners of legal buildings may count for the state’s
compensation (their total cadastral value is 2.5 bln AMD). Besides
residential buildings, 806 rented land plots will also find themselves
under the water, 107 of them are rented illegally. Furthermore, 15
km of roads will be flooded. It is envisaged to move only some part
of them, a total of 4.2 bln AMD will be allocated for this work.

According to Movsisyan, moving of water pipe networks of the 7 km water
channel will cost 760 mln AMD, moving of 4 irrigation pump stations
will cost 1.1 bln AMD, moving of 19 km gas pipeline – 1.8 bln AMD.

18 km of electric power transmission lines and 35 substations
will also find themselves under the water, some of them belong to
ArmRusgasprom company. Private owners will spend 365 mln AMD on their
moving, and ArmRusgasprom – 1.2 bln AMD. Lake Sevan will also flood
2789 ha of forests, about 1.1 bln AMD will be required for cleaning
work. Movsisyan said that the Commission for Lake Sevan Issues
suggests that the government should allocate budgetary funds only
for the cleaning of forestry, as well as for moving of roads. The
rest of the costs should be covered by the owners.

V. Movsisyan said the level of Sevan is supposed to rise 20-21 cm
yearly. Thus, the lake will reach 1903.5m above sea level only in
2031. The level of the lake is rising mostly due to Arpa-Sevan tunnel.

Some 3.6km of the tunnel needs repair. Though no contest for the
tunnel’s repair has been announced yet, the government allowed some
repairs this year. As a result, 522 m were repaired (repair cost 605
million drams) and 171 million cu meters of water flew into the lake
via the tunnel in 2009 versus 168 million cu meters in 2008. This
year, water release from the lake for irrigation purposes totaled
126 million cu meters versus the limit of 142 million meters. Since
January up to present, water level in the lake was up 45 cm, which is
higher than in the same period of 2008 (38 cm). V. Movsisyan said on
Jan 1 2010 the lake level will be higher than on Jan 1 2009 by 31 cm.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER EDWARD NALBANDIAN MEETS WITH HIS HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART PETER BALASH IN HUNGARY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

BUDAPEST, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, who was a member of the delegation accompanying RA
President Serzh Sargsyan, who had arrived in Hungary on a state visit,
met with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Balash on November 9.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
E. Nalbandian and P. Balash exchanged thoughts over issues related
to a number of spheres of cooperation, discussed processes going on
in EU and last developments in the South Caucasian region.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TWO ARMENIANS INCLUDED IN LEBANESE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

BEIRUT, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Two Armenian
ministers were included in the staff of Lebanese government of national
unity on November 9.

According to Azdag, Abraham Dedeyan will assume the post of Minister
of Architecture and Jean Oghasapian will remain on the post of State
Minister.

15 ministers in the Lebanese government consisting of 30 ministers
were appointed by the pro-governmental forces, 10 by the opposition
and 5 by the President.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN-CZECH POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS HELD AT RA FOREIGN MINISTRY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian-Czech political
consultations at the level of heads of Foreign Ministries’ departments
were held on November 9 at the RA Foreign Ministry.

The sides discussed a wide range of issues related to the political
dialogue, commercial contacts and encouragement of investments,
cooperation at international organizations, regional security,
as well as Armenia-EU relations. They expressed satisfaction with
the current level of bilateral political contacts and necessity to
develop them consistently. The sides agreed to expand the bilateral
legal-contractual sphere, to contribute to development of business
contacts between the two countries, to continue cooperating within
the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian received the Czech
delegation the same day. The interlocutors exchanged thoughts over
cooperation within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership,
mentioned importance of human contacts by both bilateral and many-sided
formats.

The developments in the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish
relations were discussed at Czech side’s request.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

ETCHMIADZIN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II received newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Germany to RA Hans Jochen Schmidt on November 10.

According to the Information Services of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, the interlocutors touched upon the close contacts
established between the Mother See and the Embassy of Germany, activity
of the Armenian Diocese of Germany, life of the Armenian community of
Germany and careful attitude shown to it. His Holiness the Patriarch
expressed satisfaction with the fact that several monks from the
Mother See currently get higher education at various theological
institutions of Germany.

ANCA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AIMED AT CONGRESS AND WHILE HOUSE IN CONNECTION WITH ERDOGAN’S VISIT TO U.S.

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. ANCA has
launched a one-month campaign in connection with Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington to take place on December
7. Campaign’s goal is to persuade the Congress, the media and the
White House that additional pressure should be exerted upon Erdogan
to achieve recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

According to Asbarez, the campaign will concentrate on the Senate in
the first week and on the House of Representatives in the second week.

Third and fourth weeks’ work should be aimed at the media and the
White House, respectively.

ANCA calls the Armenians of America for visiting the
website every day and sending Internet copies
to proper officials. It is envisaged to apply to Senators over the
phone on November 12.

17TH SITTING OF INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION ON COOPERATION BETWEEN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA AND FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF RUSSIA HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The 17th sitting of the
Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the National
Assembly of Armenia and the Federal Assembly of Russia was held
in Yerevan on November 9. As the press service of the RA National
Assembly reported, the bilateral cooperation in the transport sector
and cargo transportation, also the prospects of connecting to the
Iranian and Turkish railways, increasing cargo traffic volumes and
making them more efficient were discussed at the sitting.

The Chairperson of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs
Hermine Naghdalian underlined the role and importance of cargo
transportation, especially by rail, for the Armenian economy under
blockade. She spoke about the danger of the red tape related to
cargo transportation, the negative consequences of the system’s
monopolization, and the free and unfounded price policy. She expressed
a hope that persistent joint work may put these issues in order.

The opinion of the Russian side regarding the same problem was
presented by Director General of South Caucasus Railways company
Shevket Shaydullin who said that their major aim is to ensure
continuous efficiency and financial stability of the sector, improve
the quality of transportation services, develop transport sector of
Armenia and integrate it into the Eurasian transportation system. He
informed those present about the repairs and technical modernization
carried out and the company’s future plans.

It was mentioned that the work has slowed down due to the financial
and economic crisis, as a result of which cargo traffic has declined,
and the company is operating at a loss. According to S. Shaydullin,
the concession agreement allows conducting a flexible price policy,
except on cargo transportation of strategic importance, which makes
up 60% of the overall cargo traffic.

The next sitting of the Interparliamentary Commission will be held
in Moscow in March 2010.

PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS OF 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS CARRIED OUT AT NASDAQ OEMEX ARMENIA OJSC ON NOVEMBER 10

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Purchase and sale transactions of
500 thousand dollars at the weighted average exchange rate of 388.1
drams per dollar were carried out at Nasdaq Oemex Armenia OJSC on
November 10. According to the press service of the Central Bank of
Armenia, the closing price was 388.25 drams.