Month: September 2013

ARMENIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CUSTOMS UNION – JUSTICE MINISTRY

September 26, 2013 | 13:31

YEREVAN. – The ongoing activities toward constitutional reforms in
Armenia have nothing to do with the decision to enter the Customs
Union.

Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan noted the above-said Thursday during
a briefing with news reporters.

“The Committee on Constitutional Reforms has already convened several
sessions. We still have time until next April to design a concept. The
committee is an advisory body; it is not that whatever is decided
will be as such.

“The recommendations will be submitted to the President, who will
decide to [either] initiate or do nothing at all.

“At this point, the word is about a professional working group,”
Tovmasyan said.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in Moscow
between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs
Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.

RECORD NUMBER OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS TRAVEL TO TURKEY IN AUGUST

September 26, 2013 | 00:04

ANKARA. – A total of 48,832 citizens of Armenia headed to Turkey from
January to August 2013.

The number of Armenian citizens that visited Turkey from January to
August grew by 4.8 percent, or by 1,234 people, as compared to the
same time period in the year past, Armenian News-NEWS.amascertained
from the Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey.

A total of 12,711 citizens of Armenia traveled to Turkey in August
alone, which is 8.33-percent more than the same time period last year,
and also a record in terms of the number of Armenians that headed to
Turkey in one month.

A total of 11,734 citizens of Armenia had visited Turkey in August
2012.

To note, 70,956 Armenian citizens had headed to Turkey in 2012.

RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN GYUMRI DOES NOT CONFIRM STAFF ADDITION REPORT

September 26, 2013 – 19:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia plans to expand its military presence in
Armenia, Haykakan Zhamanak daily said in a September 26 report.

According to the paper, a staff addition is scheduled at Gyumri
military base No. 102.

Russian military officials with their families – up to 3000 persons –
are expected to arrive for service at the military base. The Armenian
city is getting ready for guests, with several Armenian families to
be relocated to new homes, the paper noted.

At the same time, Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan
neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As Razm.info reported quoting the deputy commander of Gyumri military
base, colonel Ashot Karapetyan, only a shift of current staff is
expected.

As he further noted, the staff addition would require an
intergovernmental resolution, with none issued so far.

“It’s possible that a November military draft gave rise to rumors,
with the newly drafted servicemen arriving to replace the dischargees.

Russian military personnel usually arrives in Armenian in October,
after completing a training in Russian depots,” Karapetyan said.

OPPOSITION PARTY DECRIES INCIDENT WITH RUSSIAN BORDER GUARDS AS ‘EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE’

The opposition Heritage party has condemned the incident in which its
members, while being on an election campaign trip, were stopped by
Russian border guards in the southern Syunik province. In a statement
issued today it called it a “gross external interference in domestic
political processes.”

The incident occurred Wednesday evening when Russian border guards
deployed in Syunik to protect the Armenian state frontier under an
interstate Armenian-Russian agreement stopped the car with Heritage
members, including MP Zaruhi Postanjyan, and began to search it. In the
altercation that ensued one of the Russian servicemen reportedly broke
the camera with which a Heritage member tried to record the incident.

Postanjyan told media that the Russian servicemen did not explain
their actions at first. Only afterwards they said they had stopped the
car as part of a search for a wanted person. They did not let the car
proceed until they learned that there was a member of parliament in it.

The Heritage team was in Syunik as part of a campaign in the September
29 parliamentary by-election in which the opposition party has fielded
a candidate against a ruling party member.

In the statement Heritage contended that the incident happened
“with the connivance of the Republican Party of Armenia and de-facto
president Serzh Sargsyan, if not their immediate participation.”

“We demand that the Russian authorities in Armenia formally apologize
and provide explanations in connection with the inadmissible incident,
and also demand that the Armenian law-enforcement and judicial bodies
properly investigate the incident and bring those responsible to
justice,” concluded Heritage.

HENRI REYNAUD: FRANCE CONSTANTLY WORKS TO FIND NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION TO KARABAKH CONFLICT

16:10 26/09/2013 ” Politics

As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, within the framework of its
authority, France constantly works, and spares no efforts, to find
a negotiated resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, French
Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud told Panorama.am when asked how
he sees the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

Regarding the statements of French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Pascal
Monnier on Azerbaijan’s list of personae non gratae, in particular
his remark that some French politicians are invited to Armenia and
then taken to Nagorno-Karabakh, Mr Reynaud said, “I do not know what
you are hinting at.”

UNIDO TO ALLOCATE OVER 600,000 EURO TO SUPPORT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN ARMENIA

September 26, 2013 | 15:19

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will
allocate around 680,000 euro to support young entrepreneurs in Armenia.

The direct Government counterpart of the Project is the Ministry
of Economy, while the implementing partner is the SME Development
National Center (SME-DNC) in Armenia.

The program’s goal is to show that young entrepreneurs can be
more reliable beneficiaries and are capable of turning a loan into
profitable business.

Unemployment rate among young people reached 38.8 percent which means
the youth unemployment remains an important challenge for Armenia’s
economic development.

From: Baghdasarian

EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE’S CAR CATCHES FIRE

September 26, 2013 | 18:23

YEREVAN. – The vehicle of former presidential hopeful, National Accord
party Chairman Aram Harutyunyan has caught fire.

Talking to the a1+ correspondent, Aram Harutyunyan said he had no
doubts that the fire could be caused by external interference.

“Firefighters inspected the car and said that the fire was caused
by external interference. Now experts have come to find out what
has happened. I’m also wondering why the fire started,” he said,
explaining that the fire broke out on his way to Nork district.

Ex-presidential candidate said he had already appealed to law
enforcers, adding that he had no enemies.

ARMENIA IS A RELIABLE PARTNER AND LOYAL FRIEND FOR CHINA: ARMENIA’S PM

20:34, 26 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan assures that Armenia is a reliable partner and
loyal friend for China. “Armenpress” reports that about this Armenian
Prime Minister mentioned during festive reception dedicated to Chinese
national holiday. “We give special importance to relations with China
which is one of the key economic and political players in international
sphere. At the same time we highly estimate the attention paid to our
country by China and are grateful for balanced and constructive policy
implemented in the region,” said the leader of Armenian government.

Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on occasion of Armenian-Chinese
relations especially on developing cooperation in economic sphere. He
reminded that during meeting with his Chinese counterpart on September
10, 2013 was signed an agreement of providing support of extra 100
million Yens.

“We highly estimate Chinese financial support which has great
importance in social-economic life of our country. We also welcome
the decision of Chinese government to build a school in Yerevan,”
said the Prime Minister.

Tigran Sargsyan also informed that Armenian-Chinese inter-governmental
commission will be formed which will be favorable for making closer
the bilateral economic relations. The head of the government considers
prospective close cooperation with China in tourism, Information
Technology and industrial fields.

Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of China to Armenia Tian
Chan Chun assured that his country is ready to support continually
development of Armenian-Chinese ties. In his words relations between
two countries during 21 years after establishment of diplomatic ties
always had trend of development and friendship.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

22ND ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED IN UKRAINE

18:35, 26 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: on occasion of 22nd anniversary of
Armenia’s Independence embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ukraine on
September 25 organized official reception. “Armenpress” was informed
from Press, information and public relations department of Armenian
foreign ministry that at the reception were present representatives
of Ukrainian government, President’s staff, deputies of Parliament,
cultural, public figures, representatives of mass media and Armenian
community. At the event also took part more than 50 ambassadors
particularly from Russia, CIS and EU member states (Germany, France,
Italy, Poland and etc.)

Welcoming the guests ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of
Armenia Andranik Manukyan mentioned that despite many difficulties,
problems, challenges, war which faces newly-independent republic
Armenian people due to its endurance, faith, unity and cohesion
could overcome all difficult problems and today creates its future
with confidence.

Armenian ambassador mentioned that Armenian-Ukrainian relations
are based in Armenian presence in Ukraine which has a history of
centuries, friendship of two nations. During thousands of years
our compatriots had their contribution in development of Ukraine
in that hospitable country. He mentioned with satisfaction that
Armenian community consisting of around 500 000 people maintaining
the historical traditions of ancestors actively participates in
development and strengthening of Ukrainian statehood at the same
time taking the advantage of all opportunities which are created for
keeping national identity.

Armenian ambassador mentioned with satisfaction that during the last
years Armenian-Ukrainian bilateral relations develop in all spheres
of cooperation and the permanent political dialogue gives opportunity
to strengthen the relations.

Armenia and Ukraine also actively cooperate in framework of various
international organizations.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

ARMENIAN PRIMATE OF CYPRUS: ‘I REALLY CAN’T SAY IF THE BISHOPS SYNOD WILL DISCUSS THE KJOYAN OFFSHORE SCANDAL STORY’

Marine Martirosyan

15:12, September 26, 2013

Hetq speaks with Archbishop Varujan Hergelian about the challenges
facing Armenia and the role of the Church in resolving them. The
Cypriot Primate is in Armenia to attend the Bishops Synod in
Etchmiadzin.

– Your Holiness, what’s you opinion of the situation in Armenia today.

– It’s not good. We visited the border villages in Tavoush Province
and met with the people and students of the main schools. We saw the
reality on the ground – the roads, the water shortages. The government,
with the leverage of the Church, must provide more improvements so
that the people’s concerns are addressed. Those people are prey
to Turkish bullets. They have electricity issues, school and job
problems. The schools should be free. The government, along with the
Church, must improve social conditions so that people don’t leave
their communities. It’s our border. I saw that in some areas almost
75% of villages have been emptied. If such a trend continues, only
grandmas and grandpas will be left to defend the border.

– What are the mistakes that have caused such a situation?

– We all know it’s a result of the government and its policies
regarding the homeland. We must put a stop to all those monopolies
that have been given to some people. People must be free to work.

Anyone who lives in the homeland must be free to conduct business and
work, but they also have certain obligations, like paying taxes, etc.

This is the meaning of freedom. Otherwise our people will leave the
homeland. And we are seeing this happen.

– Has the Cypriot Armenian community discussed the offshore
scandal here in Armenia in which Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan has
been implicated?

– No. We have no idea about what happened. We only know as much as you
do. We didn’t even know that some people conducted such transactions in
Cyprus. We don’t know the amounts that were transferred and deposited
in Cypriot banks, two of which have gone bankrupt. Our church held
reserves funds in them and we also incurred losses.

– Armenians in Cyprus generally don’t have close connections to the
Church. It’s only a small circle of concerned faithful that attend
services. The number of mixed marriages has also increased.

– Your Holiness, I had asked you about a certain high ranking Church
clergyman. Did you ever meet him in Cyprus?

– Never. The only people that visited the Diocese were His Holiness
Bozabalyan and Martikyan. Recently, His Holiness Parkev and some
priests came to visit.

– In other words, our diaspora clergymen aren’t interested in
developments in Armenia, especially church matters.

– We only get information via the television or from individuals
visiting Cyprus. And we don’t know if what they tell us is true or
not. These issues must be discussed on both sides. We’ve never had
such an opportunity and I think I never will. I am here in Armenia
now and no one has approached me in this direction.

– Don’t you think that the matter should be raised in the Bishops
Synod? Why hasn’t the offshore scandal matter been discussed at
the meeting?

– We still have time. There are two main issues for us to debate –
the sanctification procedure and the meaning of baptism. During the
first session we will discuss the challenges facing the Church. If
that specific issue is raised or not, I can’t say.