Month: September 2013

SOSE & ALLEN’S LEGACY FOUNDATION AND ATP TO PLANT MEMORIAL FOREST IN ARMENIA

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

Sose & Allen’s Memorial Forest Campaign

Kick off social media campaign to advance the late couple’s legacy.

GLENDALE-Sose & Allen’s Legacy Foundation and Armenia Tree Project
have announced the establishment of a memorial forest in Armenia
in honor of Sose Thomassian and Allen Yekikian. The young couple,
who had strong ties in Armenia as well as throughout the diaspora,
lost their lives as a result of a car accident four months ago.

Vache Thomassian, Sose’s brother, and several close friends launched
the Legacy Foundation to support the couple’s core values: education,
repatriation, volunteerism, and democratic development. “The Forest
will serve as a living, breathing memorial to Sose and Allen, and
will have a positive effect on Armenia’s environment,” said Vache.

Here’s how the campaign will work. For every new “Like” on ATP’s
Facebook page, five trees will be planted in the memorial forest.

“This is a collaborative and interactive campaign, highlighting the
great work Armenia Tree Project does, and we’re asking the public to
spread the word to grow the forest. The social media aspect emphasizes
Sose and Allen’s focus on utilizing technology and encouraging direct
participation,” continued Vache.

Sose & Allen

The campaign was launched on September 10th, Sose’s birthday and will
conclude on Allen’s birthday on March 10, 2014. The organizations
hope that the effort will attract at least 10,000 “Likes” in order
to plant 50,000 trees, covering 45 acres, and raise awareness of
ATP’s mission in Armenia. Site selection will begin immediately,
and planting will commence in the spring of 2014.

Tax-deductible contributions to support the memorial forest may be made
to Armenia Tree Project by calling (617) 926-TREE, via ATP’s website
, or by mail payable to Armenia Tree Project,
65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Donors are asked to indicate
that the gifts are “In memory of Sose and Allen” online or on the
memo line of their checks.

Armenia Tree Project was established in 1994 to plant trees in urban
and rural sites throughout Armenia, provide environmental education
to Armenia’s schoolchildren, provide jobs in seasonal tree-related
programs, and help improve the environment and standard of living
in Armenia.

Sose & Allen’s Legacy Foundation works to continue their vision
by establishing programs and supporting existing programs aimed at
bridging the gap between Armenia and its Diaspora, through an emphasis
on education, repatriation, and volunteerism.

ARMENIA SEEKS SCO OBSERVER STATUS

22:53 10/09/2013

YEREVAN, September 10 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia would like to acquire
observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
a post-Soviet Eurasian security bloc, and it will need support from
China to get it, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Tuesday.

Sargsyan, on a visit to China, was assured by his Chinese counterpart,
Li Keqiang, that China would consider the matter with its partners
in the SCO, the Armenian government press service said.

Keqiang said China welcomed Armenia’s wish to become involved in
regional affairs. The SCO will hold a summit meeting in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, on September 13.

Founded in 2001, the SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization aims to
consolidate efforts to counter terrorism and radicalization among
member countries, and to coordinate work in other areas such as
politics and trade. Iran, Afghanistan, India, Mongolia and Pakistan
have observer status in the organization.

ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH THE EU AS MUCH AS IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE EU

14:58 10.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, Edward Nalbandian, EU

Lusine Vasilyan
Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia is willing to continue to develop close and deep relations
with the European Union in all formats and directions, Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reporters after a closed-door
meeting with representatives of parliamentary factions. The Minister
reminded that the issue was discussed with Lithuanian Foreign Minister
in Vilnius and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighborhood Policy in Brussels.

“It was noted in the statement issued after the meeting with
Commissioner Fule that Armenia is willing to continue the broad
cooperation with the European Union on the basis of all positive
achievements reached in the recent years as much as it is appropriate
for the EU and unless it contradicts Armenia’s decision to join the
Customs Union,” Minister Nalbandian said.

Representatives of parliamentary forces expressed diverse opinions
after the meeting with the Foreign Minister. The ruling majority said
they received answers to all their questions.

Nikol Pashinyan from the Armenian National Congress said he heard no
comprehensive answer. Naira Zohrabyan from Prosperous Armenia Party
said she didn’t get what Armenia will gain from the membership in
the Customs Union.

Ex-Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanyan said the meeting was organized
to say discussions on the issue were held.

Armen Rustamyan representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
noted that “Russia is shaping a geopolitical pole and this will not
be restricted to economic cooperation.” “Armenia changed its political
vector on September 3,” Rustamyan said.

ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH EUROPEAN UNION: ARTAK ZAKARYAN

18:56, 10 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s decision to join
Customs Union was made for the benefit of our nation and country. Such
statement issued president of Standing Committee on foreign affairs of
Armenian National Assembly Artak Zakaryan. “Of course, there will be
some political scopes which will express their surprise but nothing
extraordinary happened,” said Zakaryan, reports “Armenpress”. He
reminded about the cooperation lasting for many years between Armenia
and Russia in many spheres.

Artak Zakaryan mentioned that by joining Customs Union Armenia does not
suspend relations with European Union. “Armenia will develop relations
with European Union in all directions as much as it will be “possible”
by European Union and will not be contrary to Armenia’s decision to
join Customs Union,” said Zakaryan highlighting that Armenia can not
forget those achievements which were made during cooperation with
European Union.

On September 3 in Moscow President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan announced about Armenia’s decision to join Customs Union
and implementation of steps necessary for that aim and in future
participating in formation of Eurasian economic union. At the same
time Armenian President mentioned that the decision to join Customs
Union is not a refusal from dialogue with European organizations.

Chief of staff of President’s office Vigen Sargsyan on September
4 announced that pre-signing of Association agreement remains in
Armenia’s agenda.

ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC INDICES IMPRESSIVE, BULGARIAN PM SAYS

15:51 10.09.2013

Armenian and Bulgarian Prime Ministers Tigran Sargsyan and Plamen
Oresharski had a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum
in China.

PM Tigran Sargsyan briefed his Bulgarian counterpart on the economic
situation in the country. He informed that the Government of the
Republic of Armenia managed to ensure a 7% economic growth last year.

Plamen Oresharski noted, in turn, that Armenia’s progress is
impressive, adding that the indices registered in a number of European
countries were not as good.

Touching upon the bilateral relations, the parties attached importance
to the reinforcement of business ties, which will give a new impetus
to the development of Armenian-Bulgarian economic relations.

Reference was made to a number of issues of bilateral interest.

ARMENIA’S JOINING ONE OF TWO ALLIANCES MUST BE CONDITIONED BY RECOGNITION OF ARTSAKH INDEPENDENCE: ARMENIAN DEPUTY

19:11, 10 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Armenia faces responsible and
historical choice: it is about pres-signing Association agreement
with European Union or joining the Customs Union. “Armenpress”
reports that deputy of Armenian parliament from “Heritage” party
Rubik Hakobyan said on September 10 that “we as a sovereign state
are obliged not to become apple of discord between centers of force,
and be led by clear realization of national and state interests”.

“For us the most important is the issue of security of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic which is conditioned by recognition of
Artsakh statehood.

Major part of EU member states recognized independence of Kosovo
and it is in case when Artsakh as an administrative-territorial
independent state unit is more established than Kosovo itself which
is not rejected in Europe. Western world ignores this fact. The same
thing we see in case of our strategic partner Russia. Calling various
reasons Russia recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Osetia and
that in case when Russia knows best of all that NKR is more developed
than above-mentioned states.

In both cases the existence of double standard is obvious and centers
of force know for sure that the main guarantee of national security
of any state is being of that country a subject of international law.

I think Armenia’s joining one of two alliances must be conditioned
by recognition of Artsakh independence: and it must be done publicly
for international society, and with dignified posture which is the
most important. We should not hurry to join any organization as long
as the solution of this important issue for our national security is
not obvious.

Those centers of force should understand that national security
issue of our nation and country is solved not by weapons but NKR’s
becoming subject of international law. I think recognition of Artsakh
independence must be the main demand-suggestion of our authorities
during negotiations.

For me as Armenian citizen, deputy of National Assembly, is preferable
the unit which will implement steps for recognition of Artsakh
independence,” said the deputy.

RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN CONSULTATION ON DEFENSE

Politics – Tuesday, 10 September 2013, 10:20

On September 9 a Russian-Armenian consultation on military political
issues was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The
head of the Armenian department of arms control and internationals
security Samvel Mkrtichyan and the head of the Russian department of
security and disarmament affairs M. Ulyanov’s delegation had a thorough
discussion of negotiations on conventional arms, the agreement on
trade in arms, anti-missile defense, the global initiative against
nuclear terrorism, as well as a wide range of issues relating to the
nuclear summit 2014 in the Hague. The current situation and possible
development in Syria were touched upon. During the negotiations further
deepening of Armenian-Russian partnership and cooperation within the
CSTO were highlighted. The importance of regular consultations between
the two ministries was highlighted, and agreement was reached to hold
the next consultation in Moscow in December 2013, the MFA informed.

3 ARMENIANS KILLED IN ALEPPO IDENTIFIED

13:54, 10 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Three Armenians killed in missile
blast in the Suleimania district of Aleppo have been identified. The
Editor-in-Chief of “Azdak” daily Shahan Kandaharian stated this in a
conversation with “Armenpress”. In addition Kandaharian noted that
George Kuyumdjian, Hrayr Tarakhchian, and Mher Eortekian died in
missile blast in Aleppo.

For almost two weeks Aleppo has been under blockade, all roads
going out of the city have been closed. During the last ten days the
population of the city was deprived of the means of communication
because of which reactions of events taking place there come to
Armenia with delay.

The situation was aggravated in Syria on August 21 when media informed
about using chemical weapons in suburbs of Damascus. According to
preliminary information 600 people were killed in result of attack.

According to other sources numbers of dead people reached 1300. After
the incident the governmental forces and opposition announced about
their non-participation in using chemical weapons blaming each other
in it. USA increased its military presence around Syria activating
the discussion of military intervention scenario. On August 31 US
President Barack Obama announced about military attack on Syria in
case of getting approval of Congress.

ARMENIA BOSS: OUR PLAYERS SHOWED METTLE
By Vera Martirosyan

Armenian national boss Vardan Minasyan said he thanked “the guys for
showing mettle”.

One can find only positive words to speak about Armenia players,
Minasyan said after suffering 0-1 defeat from Denmark in Yerevan.

He noted that Karlen Lazarian and Arthur Sarkisov were substituted
because of injuries.

“Marcos Pizzelli was in starting lineup because we knew that the Danish
studied our first game. This time I tried to play another game, and
Mark is very good at keeping the ball. The most important thing now
is Bulgaria match,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

MAKARIAN: NOT ONLY ARMENIA WILL BENEFIT FROM ENTRY INTO CUSTOMS UNION

Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union has been recently
discussed actively both in Armenia and outside it.

During a talk with Aysor.am, Chairman of the Republican Union of
Employers of Armenia Gagik Makarian said in this connection that
the EU will act correctly if it signs the Association Agreement with
Armenia. In his words, it will be a response to Russia’s wishes. “The
more Europe states that it will not sign the Association Agreement,
the more justified Russia’s wishes become, “Makarian said.

He discussed yesterday’s discussion with the participation of Armenian
and Russian experts who expressed their opinions about Armenia’s
entry into the Customs Union. He noted that the Armenian and Russian
sides spoke about the benefits to be derived by Armenia in case of
its joining the Customs Union. Makarian reminded our correspondent
about Armenian migrants working in Russia and remittances they send
to Armenia. He noted that it is not only Armenia that will benefit
from joining the Customs Union because Armenians working in Russia
not only transfer about $1.5 billion to Armenia annually, but also
spend approximately the same amount in Russia. Besides, migrants work,
increasing Russia’s revenues tenfold.

“Russia has some problems such as shortage of workers, drug addiction
and laziness, and some of its regions are under-populated – so it is
not only Armenia that will benefit from joining the Customs Union,”
Makarian said.

“It would be a nice move if Europe reviewed its position and signed
the Association Agreement with Armenia, its full package, ” Gagik
Makarian said.