Month: November 2009

GRIGORY KARASIN: NOTHING FROM ARMENIAN-TURKISH AGREEMENTS CAN BE INTERPRETED AS DAMAGING THE THIRD PARTY

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 11:27:00

ArmInfo. We sincerely welcome the current positive breakthrough in
Armenia-Turkey contacts, deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Grigory
Karasin said in an interview with Respublika Armenia newspaper.

According to him, Moscow considers signing of Protocols between Armenia
and Turkey on October 10 a remarkable event on the way to complete
normalization of Yerevan- Ankara interstate relations. ‘The evidence
of our positive attitude to this process is participation of Russia’s
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the signing ceremony in Zurich’,
Karasin emphasized.

‘Both Armenia and Turkey are friendly countries for us, therefore,
we are interested in establishment of an atmosphere of good
neighbourliness between them. Recovery of the Armenian-Turkish
relations will lead to reactivation of bilateral economic contacts,
that, in its turn, will positively affect the social-economic situation
in both states. Settlement of relations between Yerevan and Ankara
will objectively contribute to reduction of tension, strengthening
of peace, security and stability in Transcaucasus.

Moreover, nothing from the Armenian-Turkish agreements can be
interpreted as damaging the third party’, Karasin emphasized.

According to him, signing of the documents, which has become a result
of a purposeful and pragmatic joint work of the Armenian and Turkish
partners on settlement of complex issues, confirms the two country
authorities’ aspiration to achieve establishment of good neighbourly
relations between them. Now, the parties have to ratify the Protocols
and start their implementation, Karasin said.

‘Russia is ready to support the process through further implementation
of collaboration projects between Armenia and Turkey, specifically,
in the spheres of electrical energy and transport. INTER RAO UES OJSC
participates in electric energy supplies from Armenia to Turkey.

Russian Railways OJSC is ready to provide stable and functional
railway communication between the states. There are other promising
projects that will positively affect peoples’ quality of life’,
G. Karasin resumed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE FIRST TRANCHE $60 MLN OF ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO BE RECEIVED BY ARMENIA IN 2010

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 14:29:00

ArmInfo. Armenia will receive the first tranche $60 mln of Asian
Development Bank for development of potential of North-South transport
corridor in 2010, press-service of Armenian Transport Ministry told
ArmInfo correspondent.

It is scheduled to start construction works in spring 2010. Before
that a tender will be held to choose a contractor.

To recall, on September 29 the Board of Directors of the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) has approved the framework credit agreement with
Armenia worth $500 mln for restoration of the Yerevan-Batumi highway to
develop the opportunities of the North-South transport corridor. The
credit agreement is concluded for 7 years and envisages restoration
of the Agarak-Kapan-Yerevan-Bavra highway. The credit worth $500 mln
will be provided to Armenia in tranches. The ADB Board approved the
first tranche worth $60 mln for restoration of 18 km section of the
Yerevan-Ashtarak road and raising of security of the Yerevan-Ararat
road. The Armenian Government’s co-financing on the first tranche
will be $10 mln. The Government is to seek a total of 462 mln USD to
co-finance this project. The total value of the project is 962 mln
USD. The ADB credit will be provided for 32 years, the grace period
being the first 8 years. The interest rate over the grace period will
be 1% p.a., afterwards will grow to 1.5% p.a.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF ARMENIA CONCERNED OVER ‘FINANCIAL’ FUTURE OF ARMENIAN SCIENCE

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 16:28:00

ArmInfo. Science Development Strategy in Armenia for 2020 will be
discussed at the National Academy of Science (NAS) on December 4.

NAS President Radik Martirosyan said in a press conference at
the National Press Club on Wednesday that the Strategy suggests
increasing the share of science in GDP to 2% instead of the present
0.2%. The share of science in the budgetary expenditure is less than
1%, NAS president said. He highlighted that financing of science in
Armenia is far behind not only developed states (France and Sweden
where share of science in GDP is 4%) but also neighboring Georgia and
Azerbaijan where this figure is 0.5% of GDP. In Europe the government
provides over 100,000 euros per every scientist whereas in Armenia
this financing makes up just 3,000. Whether the country will reach
the indicators set forth in the Science Development Strategy in 11
is not clear even for the NAS President. "Such documents are often
declarative," he admitted. Despite little financing, science keeps on
stability developing in the country, R. Martirosyan said. The most
significant results have been registered in physics, astrophysics
and biology. R. Martirosyan highlighted that scientists are actively
establishing contacts with their foreign colleagues. For instance, an
agreement has been recently achieved with France for provision of 10
grants and establishment of 3 joint labs for research in the sphere of
physics, geology and ethnography. A total of 52 international programs
were implemented in Armenia in 2008 and a total of $5 million grants
were provided for 2005-2008.

The state budget allocated 8.3 billion drams (over $27 million)
for science in Armenia in 2009.

NOVEMBER 2 ANNOUNCED DAY OF ARMENIA IN CITY HALL OF ITALIAN TOWN OF BAGNO A RIPOLI

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 14:01:00

ArmInfo. November 2 has been announced the Day of Armenia in the City
Hall of Bagno a Ripoli town of Italian Toscana region.

As Armenia’s Foreign Ministry press service reports, the programme of
recovery of the water supply system of Aygebats village of Armenia’s
Shirak region was discussed during the event. The rogramme is financed
by EU. It is scheduled to recover a 7-km section of a waterline,
leading to the village, at the first stage of the programme. The
internal water supply system in the village will be recovered at the
second stage. 300.000 Euro were allocated for implementation of the
programme’s first stage.

Press-conference of Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy Ruben Karapetyan
was held after the programme presentation ceremony. The ambassador
emphasized the importance of establishment of direct contacts among
the Armenian and Italian towns and regions. R. Karapetyan also thanked
for the initiative to hold the programme.

On the same day, schoolchildren of one of Bagno a Ripoli schools
presented staging of ‘Ararat’, dedicated to the history and culture
of the Armenian people.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

54.094 BLN DRAMS FOR HEALTHCARE FROM STATE BUDGET 2010

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 16:38:00

ArmInfo. The total of 54.094 bln drams will be allocated for healthcare
from the Armenian state budget 2010. Another 1 bln drams will be
spent for the salary of Armenian Healthcare Ministry employees,
Armenian Deputy Finance Minister Pavel Safaryan said the National
Assembly today.

The mentioned 54,094 bln drams are by 1,263 bln less than the
expected indicator of 2009. The average salary of the healthcare
sphere employees will amount to 66 thsd drams.

The financing volume within the frames of the World Bank programme
‘Upgrading of healthcare system’ will amount to 178,6 mln drams, and
3,756 bln drams within the frames of the second programme on upgrading
of the healthcare system of the WB. The third programme of the WB will
amount to 68,4 mln drams, and the WB programme on fighting bird flu –
156 mln drams.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR IN ARMENIA NEEDS NEARLY $160 MILLION INVESTMENTS

ArmInfo
2009-11-04 16:35:00

ArmInfo. Renewable energy sector in Armenia needs nearly $160
million investments, says Karen Martirosyan, Ameria Deputy Director
for Consulting Services. This amount will ensure operation of 40-50
small HPPs. Ameria Company has studied the feasibility study of these
plants. He says a foreign company, Ameria’s client, will invest in
several small hydro power plants.

Ameria is a group of professional services companies registered in
Armenia with the objective to provide a comprehensive package of
professional advisory and assurance services. Ameria specializes
in four major areas of professional activities: management advisory
services; assurance and advisory services; legal advisory services;
investment banking. Established in 1998, the company has become
a leader in the Armenian market of advisory services bringing an
international reach and local touch to complex issues rising in more
than 30 industry sectors.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT’S TWO-DAY STATE VISIT TO KUWAIT FINISHES

Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s two-day
state visit to Kuwait finished on November 4 with negotiations with
Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Mohammad
Thunian al-Ghanimi.

The same day, straight after a meeting with Kuwait Emir, Sheikh Sabah
al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah Armenia’s delegation left for the airport
and returned to Armenia.

It should be mentioned that members of the delegation headed by
S. Sargsyan were: Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Minister
of Finance Tigran Sargsian, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian,
Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosian, Minister of Education and Science
Armen Ashotian, Chairman of the NA Armenia-Kuwait deputy friendship
group Vahan Hovhannisian, Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and
Businessmen of Armenia Arsen Ghazarian, Chairman of the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Martin Sargsian.

ANC AUSTRALIA DAY TO BE MARKED IN RYDE

Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009

SYDNEY, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) Day will be marked
on November 15 in Ryde. It has been organized in conjunction with
the Armenian Relief Society Australia (ARS) and the Armenian Youth
Federation of Australia (AYF Australia).

During this annual event the Armenian community of Sydney gets together
to celebrate the success of their public affairs.

According to the armenia.com.au website, former Ambassador of Armenia
to Canada Ara Papian has been invited to Sydney to take part in
the event.

STEPAN SAFARIAN: TODAY INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES ARE INCLINED TO MEET AZERBAIJAN’S STRIVINGS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Unless the international community
meets Azerbaijan’s strivings in the issue of Nagorno Karabakh
settlement, Azerbaijan threatens to resume the war. RA NA Zharangutiun
(Heritage) faction head Stepan Safarian expressed such an opinion at
a November 4 press conference. In his words, today the international
structures are inclined to meet Azerbaijan’s strivings. According
to S. Safarian, evidence of it is the statement of EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby that the issue
of Nagorno Karabakh status should be left for indefinite future.

According to deputy’s observation, putting the Armenian side before the
alternative "war or compromises" they incite us to make concessions.

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish protocols S. Safarian said that by
their signing the Armenian authorities gave Turkey a possibility to
become an OSCE Minsk Group member and to have influence on the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement. And in general, as the Zharangutiun representative
stressed, the situation formed after the signing of the protocols is
deadlock. In his words, the reason is that Turkey always strives for
linking the normalization of relations with Armenia with the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.

According to S. Safarian, Armenia’s wish at the current stage is quick
ratification of the protocols for Turkey not to continue linking
them with the Nagorno Karabakh settlement. And Turkey is afraid of
adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S. Senate. "On
the one hand, Turkey will try to avoid the prospect of recognition
of the Genocide in the U.S., on the other hand, will try not to lose
Azerbaijan’s confidence," S. Safarian predicted.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR SPEAKS ABOUT ARMENIAN LANDS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009

PARIS, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. World-famous French
Armenian singer Charles Aznavour in a TV program of RAI 3 Italian
TV company spoke about the Armenian-Turkish protocols, his origin,
and Armenian lands. Azg reported this. "In 1924 when I was born
they had promised to return the lands to the Armenians. I cannot
wait for another 85 years. In 1924 Stalin promised to return to the
Armenians Erzrum, Yerznka, Aghr, Svas, Elazegh (Kharberd), Diarbekir
(Tigranakert), Bitlis, Siirt, Mush, Van, and Hakkari. By the Treaty
of Sevres Wilson Armenia was to include the provinces of Trapizon,
Erzrum, Van, and Bitlis," C. Aznavour said.