Month: November 2009

EBRD TO GRANT $5.5 MLN CREDIT TO STAR

ArmInfo
2009-11-24 14:59:00

ArmInfo. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
will grant credit to the biggest retail network of Armenia, STAR, to
the sum of $5.5 mln. As STAR told ArmInfo, signing of a corresponding
credit agreement will be held in Yerevan on November 25.

According to the agreement terms, STAR will receive this credit in
December 2009, $3.5 of which will be granted in form of credit for 7
years with two-year delay of payment, $1.434 mln – in form of a joint
stock capital, with possibility of redemption in 1 year, and $566,000
– in form of conversion of corporate bonds to shares. According to
STAR Executive Director Vahan Kerobyan, the funds will be directed
to fulfillment of obligations to suppliers of goods, opening of new
supermarkets and reconstruction of the existing ones, as well as
strengthening of the network’s circulating capital.

To note, EBRD is one of the shareholders of STAR, and its share in
the Company’s capital currently makes up 28,3%. STAR network numbers
13 supermarkets (12 – in Yerevan, and 1 – in Hrazdan).

SAMVEL FARMANIAN: STATEMENTS OF AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN BEAR EVIDENCE OF AZERBAIJAN’S NONCONSTRUCTIVE POSITION

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

At the request of the Armenpress agency, the spokesman for the Armenian
president Samvel Farmanian has commented on the latest developments
regarding the Karabakh conflict settlement. Below is S. Farmanian’s
interview submitted by the RA presidential press service.

"Question: The day before the Munich meeting, the Azerbaijani president
made yet another belligerent statement, in which he in fact threatened
with war. What will Armenia do if the tension ralating to the Karabakh
problem really increases?

Answer: We have already had an occasion to note that although such
statements are made for the domestic audience, at the same time they
hardly create a favorable atmosphere for the negotiation process on
the conflict resolution. The sattements of the Azerbaijani president
once again bear evidence of Azerbaijan’s nonconstructive position.

An increase of tension over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is
certainly the most undesirable outcome. It would be undesirable
not only for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, but also for the whole
region. The Republic of Armenia cannot be indifferent to the fate
of the Karabakh people, and for that reason the Armenian president
and other high-ranking officials have repeatedly stated that we
are responsible for the security of the Karabakh people. There
are accepted forms in the world: in case of such developments, for
example, the Republic of Armenia may recognize the independence of
Nagorno Karabakh, with all the stemming consequences. Secondly, the
Republic of Armenia may sign an agreement on mutual assistance with
Nagorno Karabakh. There are various options, and I am sure that the
Republic of Armenia will use one of these options or all of them at
once. It should be mentioned that so far the Republic of Armenia has
not recognized the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic only
because it would become an obstacle to the peaceful negotiations. But
if the peaceful negotiations are interrupted and hostilities start,
then nothing will prevent the Republic of Armenia from recognizing
Nagorno Karabakh’s independence.

However, the reality today is the negotiation process is going on.

Armenia has always stated that it does not see any alternative to
the peaceful solution of the problem. Armenia believes that it is
possible to achieve a peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the
problem through negotiations.

Question: Following the Munich meeting some Azerbaijani mass media
reported that it was allegedly said at the Munich meeting that by
late 2009 the Armenians might leave the Kelbajar region, which would
allow Turkey to ratify the Armenia-Turkey protocols and it would also
make Azerbaijan mitigate its position on the issue of the Karabakh
conflict settlement. How much does it correspond to reality?

Answer: In Armenia, we have already become used to the fact that
after each meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, some
"well-informed" sources spread information about discussions and
agreements which do not exist in reality. This is sheer disinformation
and has no relation to reality. No such issue is being dicusssed,
therefore no such agreement could be signed. It has been repeatedly
said that the core of the discussions and negotiations on the Karabakh
conflict is the issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s status. The other issues
are derivative".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VTB BANK ARMENIA ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE SUSPENSION OF PLASTIC CARD SERVICE BECAUSE OF IMPROVEMENT OF HARDWARE-SOFTWARE COMPLEX

ArmInfo
2009-11-24 11:35:00

ArmInfo. VTB Bank Armenia announces possible suspension of its own
processing center on November 24 night from 12:30 AM to 2:30 AM
because of improvement of the bank’s hardware-software complex.

According to the bank’s press service, failure of service of plastic
cards by ATMs and terminals, connected to the bank, is possible during
the period indicated. The bank counts on understanding by card users
and tender apologies for temporary inconveniences.

THE 25TH CASE OF THE SWINE FLU DISCLOSED IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-11-24 11:39:00

Arminfo. The number of the people sick with the swine flu has grown
in Armenia.

As press-service of Armenian Health Ministry reported, the 25th
case of H1N1 flu has been disclosed in Armenia. At the same time,
22 patients of the ‘Nork’ hospital, sick with the swine flu, have
been discharge from the hospital.

To recall, the first case of the H1N1 flu was disclosed in Armenia
on 10 November. It was an Iranian citizen.

ONLY NKR MAY NEGOTIATE OVER TERRITORIES

Lragir.am
24/11/09

The fact that in Munich, Serge Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev discussed
the question on yielding the territories and only the question on
the Lachin corridor was discussed is unacceptable, said the head of
the Heritage faction Armen Martirosyan. According to him, there will
be progress in the Armenian and Turkish process only if a document
is signed in connection with the Karabakh issue. "We think only the
NKR legal government has the right to negotiate and to decide", said
Armen Martirosyan adding that they are not against the deployment
of peace forces, international guarantees because there have been
precedents of clashes in such cases.

AZERBAIJANI AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS TO DISCUSS EXPANSION OF COOPERATION IN ENERGY SPHERE

ARMENPRESS
Nov 24, 2009

MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani and Russian presidents
during today’s meeting will discuss expansion of cooperation in energy
sphere and Karabakh conflict regulation issue, a source from Kremlin
reported, reminding that October 14 of the running year a middle-term
contract was signed in Baku about the supply of Azerbaijan gas to
Russia according to which from January 1 2010 the Russian side will
buy 0,5 billion cubic meter of gas on the border of the two countries.

By the way the contract intends opportunity of further increase of
the volume of gas supply.

The two presidents are also expected to exchange thoughts over
regional and international issues, including over Karabakh conflict
regulation issue.

REGULAR ROSE-ROTH SEMINAR OF NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 11-13, 2010

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

A regular Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will be
held in Yerevan on March 11-13, 2010. This decision was taken at the
55th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh
(UK) on November 13-17. As Karen Avagian – head of the Armenian
delegation having status of an associate member of the Assembly,
a member of RPA faction of the RA National Assembly – said at the
November 23 press conference, this is the major success of the
delegation whose renewed staff had participated in the work of the
Parliamentary Assembly.

He announced that the theme of the seminar to be held in Yerevan
next year is "The Regional Developments in the South Caucasus:
Challenges, Opportunities, Prospects". The participants are expected
to discuss some vexed regional issues, including those related to
energy security. At the Armenian delegation’s suggestion, an agreement
has been reached to use Armenian – in addition to English, the main
working language of the seminar. In the words of K. Avagian, this
will allow to involve more participants, including a lot of deputies
of the RA National Assembly, in the discissions.

Speaking about the Edinburgh session, K. Avagian said that the
delegation took a "very active" part in all the discussions conducted
there. In particular, he pointed out the speech made by the Armenian
delegation’s member, leader of Heritage faction of the RA NA Styopa
Safarian. In his speech, S. Safarian clearly presented the problems
that have arisen in Armenia as a result of cyberattacks. According to
the head of the Armenian delegation, the indicated speech was followed
by a response of Azerbaijani representatives who, as usual, starting to
talk about Armenia’s "aggression and occupation of their territories".

Artak Zakarian, a new deputy of the RA National Assembly who
was recenly included in the Armenian delegation, said that quite
interesting reports had been on the agenda of all the 5 standing
commitees of the Parliamentary Assembly: reports on the prospects of
regulating Russia-NATO relations, the new strategy of NATO, also the
report on Georgia-NATO relations, which in particular said that NATO
does not yet consider Georgia’s accession to NATO as urgent.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VAHAN KNOWS THE GOVERNMENT WELL

Lragir.am
24/11/09

The ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan on November 24 dwelt on Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s latest speech. He said that Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
speech can be very well assessed by economists because according
to the ARF member it had a commercial character-offering services
to the government expecting for repayment in exchange. According to
Hovhannisyan, if this payment will be made from the budget, it will
make the situation in Armenia worse considering that the 2010 budget
is already very bad and if it is not from the budget, the payment is
possible to be some percent from the 2012 parliamentary election.

Vahan Hovhannisyan also said that the fact that the court decided
to give Nikol Pashinyan the needed document for putting forward his
candidature views in the context of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s speech.

Vahan Hovhannisyan says the reason for this supposition is that they
"know the government very well and know that they are not inclined
to make even small concessions".

ARMENIAN AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS EXPANSION OF ARMENIAN-ITALIAN COOPERATION IN DIFFERENT SPHERES

ARMENPRESS
Nov 24, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan paid November 23 a short term visit to Italy. Armenian
Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department told Armenpress that
in Rome the minister met with his Italian counterpart Franco Fratini.

The Italian foreign minister said that Italy is interested in
development of multi-sided cooperation with Armenia and is ready to
undertake practical steps in that direction.

The two ministers had a thorough conversation about the ways
of expansion of bilateral cooperation in different spheres, in
international organizations and European establishments, exchanged
thoughts over regional and international issues.

The Italian minister expressed readiness of the Italian side to support
in the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The ministers of the two countries pointed out the importance of high
level mutual visits, promotion of the bilateral political dialogue. In
this respect the ministers highlighted the signing of memorandum of
mutual understanding on high level political consultations, pointing
out that its appliance will promote activation of political dialogue.

Minister Nalbandyan and his Italian counterpart discussed opportunity
of facilitating the procedure of getting an entrance visas between
Armenia and EU countries, noting that it will promote the activation
of contacts between the publics of the two countries.

The interlocutors noted with delight that necessary legal-agreement
field for expansion of trade-economic cooperation and tendency of
activation of economic ties exist.

Edward Nalbandyan and Franco Fratinini highlighted the cooperation
between Armenia and Italy in cultural, educational, scientific and
technical spheres.

With the request of his Italian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan presented
the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation,
results of the Munich meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents.

The Italian minister accepted with delight the invitation to visit
Yerevan and said that he will pay the visit in the first half of 2010.

On the same say the Armenian minister visited the Italian Senate
where he met with the chairman of the foreign relations commission,
former Italian prime minister Lamberto Dini.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues on development of
Armenian-Italian partnership, expansion of inter-parliamentary ties
between the two parliaments, exchanged thoughts over a number of
regional and international issues.

In the Senate the Armenian minister presented a lecture on the Armenian
foreign policy.

SUPREME SPIRITUAL COUNCIL STATEMENT ON COLLAPSE OF ST. GEVORK OF MUGHNI ARMENIAN CHURCH IN GEORGIA

armradio.am
24.11.2009 11:25

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, presided during a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council
in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Discussed during the meeting
was the collapse of the St. Gevork of Mughni Armenian Church in the
Diocese of Georgia. At the end of the meeting, the following statement
was released:

The Supreme Spiritual Council regrets to confirm that the St. Gevork
of Mughni Armenian Church (built in 1356) in Tbilisi, Georgia,
has collapsed.

The Supreme Spiritual Council regretfully states that years of
effort on the part of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the
authorities of the Republic of Armenia, to regulate the legal standing
of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia and secure the return of Armenian
churches, through dialogue with the authorities of the Republic of
Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church, were unsuccessful. The
collapse of the St. Gevork of Mughni Armenian Church is only one of
the consequences of the unwarranted delays exhibited by the Georgian
side in the handling of the aforementioned issues. The authorities of
the Republic of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church are wholly
responsible for the collapse of the church.

The indifference exhibited by the Georgian state toward the
preservation of Armenian holy sites does not correspond in any way
with: 1) the establishment of good neighborly relations, 2) fidelity to
universal human values, 3) respect for the rights of ethnic minorities,
4) the constant statements made by the Georgian state regarding the
preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of their ethnic
minorities, and 5) the Georgian state’s acceptance of responsibilities
before the international community.

The Supreme Spiritual Council calls on the authorities of the Republic
of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church to immediately implement
steps to grant legal status to the Armenian Diocese of Georgia and
to return the Armenian churches in Georgia to the Armenian Diocese
of Georgia for the normal functioning of national-ecclesiastical
life for the Georgian-Armenian community and the safe preservation
of Armenian holy sites.