Month: November 2009

U.S. $300M REQUIRED FOR UNDERGROUND STATION

news.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

The construction of new Underground stations in Armenia is a rather
complicated project for such a small country as Armenia, Press
Secretary of Yerevan Underground Ninel Vardanyan told NEWS.am.

The construction of one station requires U.S. $300m, and the Armenian
Government cannot afford it. Vardanyan said that the project can only
be funded by the World Bank and other international donors.

At present, under the RA Government’s 5-year program underground
stations are renovated, new doors and turnstiles are installed.

PETER SEMNEBY: IN PROSPECTS THE RATIFICATION OF TURKEY-ARMENIA PROTOCOLS MEETS AZERBAIJAN’S INTERESTS, TOO

APA
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "Today, Armenia-Turkey relations are on the verge of
breakthrough," EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter
Semneby said in his interview to the Kommersant, APA reports.

According to him, it is good that the relations between the two
countries have gotten off the ground. Semneby said opening of
Turkey-Armenia border may be the first step in dealing with abnormal
situation.

"The situation, when three regional borders – Armenia-Turkey,
Azerbaijan-Armenia and Russia-Georgia borders are closed, is abnormal.

It impedes the normal development of the region. The process of
the ratification of the protocols is very complex, but it meets the
interests of both countries. I am sure that in prospects it meets the
interests of Azerbaijan, too, as this country is also interested in
the opening of the borders in the region. The war in Georgia revealed
vulnerability of the South Caucasian countries. This vulnerability
may be eliminated through solution to these problems. I am sure
that Armenian leadership also thinks so. Present status-quo of
Nagorno-Karabakh is not in Armenia’s interests, it cannot last
forever. To reach all these goals mutual confidence should be
strengthened in the Caucasus. The third parties, like Russia and the
European Union, should demonstrate activeness. I hope together we
will ensure dialogue," he said.

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP SHOULDN’T BE USED AS PLATFORM FOR DISCUSSION OF CONFLICTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2009 14:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinyan met
with the Secretary General of the European Movement International,
Mr. Diogo Pinto to exchange views on the Eastern Partnership,
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and a number of regional
and international issues.

"The Eastern Partnership will allow Armenia get closer to the European
family but it should not be used as a platform for discussion of
conflicts," Ms. Ghazinyan said, RA MFA press office reported.

A. ASHOTYAN: "EXTERNAL EXAMS WILL BE FORBIDDEN"

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

"On 2011 the public schools will not have graduates. Because of
passing form 10 year educational system to the 11 year educational
system allowed us to have a spare year", – stated the Minister of
Science and Education of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Ashotyan.

He mentioned that as a result of the improvements on 2011 there will
be an extra year were the graduate of the 11th form of 2010 will
be placed with the new 11th form pupil, but the latter will have to
study by the 12th form program.

"Any school, let it be a private, experimental, or governmental
can’t have a graduate as the external exams will be forbidden", –
the Minister said.

He called for all the "naïve parents" not to catch the lure of some
schools who promise to have an extra year by which they can have
graduates of 2011th. "It is a law breach and there can’t be such
a thing."

KARABAKH-AZERBAIJAN BORDER OBSERVED

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

In accordance with the preliminary agreement between OSCE and
authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Karabakh-Azerbaijan border
has been explored today close to Goradiz populated locality. Armenian
delegation was represented by officials of Foreign and Defense
Ministries of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. A monitoring group led by
OSCE chairman-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk included field assistants
Peter Keane (UK), Irji Aberlen (Czech Republic), and Zhaslan Nurtazin
(Kazakhstan).

During the observations neither ceasefire violation was registered.

AZERBAIJANI AND TURKISH DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS IN EUROPE AGAINST OPENING OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER

news.az
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora organizations in Europe will hold
a joint sitting to protest the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border,
sources in the State Committee for Diaspora Issues said.

"The State Committee for Diaspora Issues of Azerbaijan proposed
this initiative, considering numerous appeals from the Azerbaijani
and Turkish communities in Europe", the press service for the State
Committee reports.

"The event to be held in Frankfurt on November 21-22 will be organized
by the Congress of European Azerbaijanis and the Steering Council of
the Azerbaijan-Turkey Diaspora Organizations", the sources said.

In their appeals, the representatives of the Azerbaijani and Turkish
Diasporas in Europe voiced concerns over the protocols on establishment
of diplomatic relations between Ankara and Yerevan and the opening
of the Turkish-Armenian border signed between Turkey and Armenia in
Zurich on October 10. "The Diaspora organizations are against the
opening of the Armenian-Turkish border without the Karabakh conflict
settlement", the sources said.

The sitting will be held in three panels: "Azerbaijan-Turkey: common
history, common interests and common problems", "Integration of
Azerbaijan and Turkey with the world of globalization: realities,
problems and prospects", "Cooperation between the Diaspora
organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey: current level of development
and prospects".

The presentation of the Europe-Azerbaijan Information Center will be
held within the framework of the sitting and an initiative group of
Europe-Azerbaijan women’s organizations will be established.

The two day sitting of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora
organizations in European countries will be attended by representatives
of state bodies and parliamentarians from Azerbaijan.

TODAY IS CELEBRATED THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

Every year on the 10th of November in Armenia is being celebrated
the day of the local authorities.

13 years ago in 1996 on November 10 the first election of local
authorities was held by which the basis of the local democracy of
Armenia was established. Celebrating the day of the local democracy
means, reestablishing the fact, that only in the communities that
follow the principle "from down to up" start the democratic processes.

The initiation of the Government of the Armenian Republic and
"Community Association of Armenia" to celebrate the day of local
government together, was tended to rising the level of being informed
about the importance and the activities implemented by the local
government.

The press and public relations department of the "Community Association
of Armenia", in the frameworks of the 10 days dedicated to the local
government day have been realized many events in different communities
and in the Republic. In the schools of the Republic have been written
compositions on the subject of "Civic class", "Our community", there
have also been organized official receptions and awards, etc.

SEASON REVIEW: ARMENIA

UEFA.com
Nov 10 2009

Pyunik have won nine successive league titles (©90rope)

FC Pyunik’s dominance appears to know no bounds after they added
the Armenian Cup to their ninth successive Bardzraguyn khumb title,
while FC Ulis Yerevan raised eyebrows with a third-placed finish.

Champions: FC Pyunik Pyunik remain top of the pile after landing
their 12th title in 18 years. Pushed hard by eventual runners-up FC
Mika for much of the campaign, they finally asserted themselves by
clinching the league on the penultimate day before seeing off their
nearest challengers 4-0 in the final round of matches.

Cup final: FC Pyunik 1-0 FC Banants The 20-year-old Genrikh Mkhitaryan
became an instant hero with an added-time winner that secured Pyunik’s
double triumph with their fourth Armenian Cup victory.

Player of the Year: Hrayr Mkoyan (FC Ulis Yerevan) The central
defender was an inspired leader in helping his side to a third-place
finish. Ulis were breached 25 times in the 28-game season – a
defensive record second only to Pyunik – with Mkoyan a towering
figure throughout. The 23-year-old made his international debut
against Belgium in September and already looks to be a mainstay of
the national team.

One to watch: David Manoyan (FC Pyunik) The Pyunik youngster made
his bow in May 2008 at just 17 but this season came to age, making
23 league appearances and contributing two goals. However, it is his
vision and creative flair which has stood out.

Surprise package: FC Ararat Yerevan Second in 2008, they were once
again among the favourites this year.

However, after collecting a meagre 14 points, they now find themselves
in the second tier.

Leading scorer: Arthur Kocharyan, FC Ulis Yerevan (15)

Number: 9 Pyunik won the league for a ninth successive year.

Quote "It is very important to have the winning psychology in my
team. The opponents played against my young footballers with double
energy and I’m happy that my team progressed and showed itself as a
united group of players."

Pyunik coach Vardan Minasyan

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN ATTENDED THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE CAFESJIAN CULTURAL CENTER

president.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

Today, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of
All Armenian, His Holiness Garegin II, with the participation of the
Armenian-American benefactor Gerard Cafesjian attended the inaugural
ceremony of the Cafesjian Cultural Center on the Cascade, in the
center of Yerevan.

The Cascade, which has undergone a thorough and extensive renovation,
appeared before the visitors entirely changed, as a modern cultural
center. In the exhibition halls of the Center presented are pieces
by the modern artists, from the private collection of Mr. Cafesjian.

The exhibition halls present some of the works of the best glass
artists of the 20th century – Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava
Brychtova. In the Grigor Khanjian Fresco Hall presented are Archil
Gorki’s works from Gerard Cafesjian’s private collection. At
the Center’s last level visitors can see Swarovski Light Socks
installation, created by the renowned Diller Scofidio + Renfro studio
in New York.

"ARM TECH" AS A POSSIBILITY FOR REINVIGORATING AND REVISING IT PROJECTS IN ARMENIA

gov.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s working visit to the USA is
nearing completion. In the frameworks of Arm Tech – 2009 forum the
Prime Minister met with the representatives of Renaissance and Mentor
Graphics companies to discuss questions relating to their Armenia
programs. Tigran Sargsyan also had a meeting with our compatriot,
Senator John Simityan.

In his address to the gala event held in the Fairmont Hotel of San Jose
in the framework of the Arm Tech congress, the head of the Armenian
government noted in particular: "It seems to be obvious that "Arm
Tech" should be further expanded and improved. We drew many lessons
over the past 3 days. Firstly, we understood that contacts like these
provide a good opportunity for our team to define the scope of priority
actions. Some of our visions concerning Armenia’s role and upcoming
efforts should be reconsidered, while others have proved successful
and should be continued.

One of today’s addresses contained an interesting idea: "Today is
the past, and the future is tomorrow. This sentence reflects the
idea of rapid changes inherent in the modern world, and we must be
responsive to such changes." The Prime Minister said his stay in the
Silicon Valley made it clear that the government’s IT programs need
reconsidering as "they proved out of date pending effectiveness. We
realized that we need some refreshment, the possibility of which is
offered by this forum. Secondly, I was struck by an idea expressed
during an interview with the representatives of a big company: it is
up to major companies to come to Armenia, rather than the other way
round. There is hardly any room left in this fast-shrinking world,
and global companies are forced to compete in this filed."

The Prime Minister’s third conclusion was the following: "Neither
today’s nor tomorrow’s markets are at stake in the worldwide race of
big companies for all vacancies seem to be occupied already to give a
relief to the Blue Ocean Strategy: we have missed the train and ought
to think of getting a competitive edge in our ocean." Tigran Sargsyan
focused on the question of where Armenia can be better poised in the
future world: "No global company is supposed to think in our place
as they should mind their own business. Therefore, it is up to Arm
Tech to find an answer to this question."

During his contacts and interviews, the head of government evoked the
idea of the Armenian World: "The Armenian World has become a reality:
this ever-changing and shrinking world demonstrated it clearly. We
would rather focus on the future tasks instead of getting busy shaping
it now as it is a fait accompli. We must clearly see the ways for
changing our mentality and amending the traditional organization of
the Armenian World and Armenia itself."

The Prime Minister has also referred to Armenian Genocide,
Homeland-Diaspora interaction, settlement of Armenia-Turkey relations.

He took the opportunity to outline our country’s approach to RA
President’s initiative for settling bilateral relationship. The
Prime Minister’s remarks were given high appreciation on the part of
the audience.

On the last day of the working visit, Tigran Sargsyan went to "Plug
and Play" incubator of computer companies. He was shown over the
company premises and briefed on its possibilities. The Prime Minister
made an inscription on the wall of Honorary Guests. An arrangement
was reached during the talks with company executives on cooperation
between Armenia’s Enterprise Incubator Foundation and Plug and Play,
as well as regarding the design and implementation of joint projects
with Armenian partners.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress