Month: February 2015

ARMENIA TAKES PART IN DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGY FOR FORMATION OF INDICATIVE BALANCES OF NATURAL GAS, OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS

YEREVAN, February 13. / ARKA /. A team of Armenian experts and
government officials took part in a meeting of a task force set
up to develop a methodology for formation of indicative (forecast)
balances of natural gas, oil and oil products, the press service of
the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) said.

The meeting, chaired by Sergei Kolobanov, deputy head of EEC’s energy
department, was held on February 12 in Moscow. It was attended by
representatives and government officials from Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Armenia and Russia, as well as businesses community.

The draft agreement will be submitted to the consideration of the
Advisory Committee on Oil and Gas of the EEC’s Board on 25th of
February 2015.

In accordance with the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EEU) Treaty,
authorized representatives of the trade bloc should adopt the
methodology before July 1, 2015.

The draft agreement on the formation of the methodology for indicative
(forecast) balances of gas, oil and oil products was developed based
on the results of a relating research, conducted by the Institute
for Energy Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2013.

The draft agreement was revised and improved by a working group set
up at the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Oil and Gas of
the EEC’s Board.

The adoption of the agreement will unify the approaches of EEU member
states to the compilation of indicative (forecast) balances of gas,
oil and oil products and organize systematic work to ensure the
development of these balances.

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) is a permanent regulatory body
of the Eurasian Economic Union. It started functioning on February 2,
2012. The main objective of the Eurasian Economic Commission is to
ensure functioning and development of the EEU, to prepare proposals
for its further integration. -0-

ARMENIAN MARKET FULL OF LOCAL PRODUCE, EXPERT SAYS

YEREVAN, February 13. /ARKA/. Armenia’s market is full of local
products, deputy head of the National Academy of Consumers Ruben
Haytyan told reporters on Friday.

Almost 100% of bakery goods sold in Armenia are produced locally, he
said. Local produce account for 95% of milk products in the country,
yet 40% of this is manufactured based on imported dry milk powder,
according to the expert.

Some 90-95% of meat products, 70-75% of pastry, 45-50% of juices
and beverages, 60-65% of poultry, 90-100% of eggs, almost 100% of
wines and champagne and up to 40-50% of vodka is produced locally,
according to Haytyan.

In general, there is no lack of first need foodstuffs, and no problem
in terms of expire dates exist either, Haytyan said.

The expert also said the monitoring by the Academy showed no price
rises for foods are seen today. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“GENOCIDE DECLARATION CONTAINS A DEEP CONTRADICTION.” ARMEN MARTIROSYAN

February 13 2015

“Legally, this is not too objectionable declaration to me, because
there were some legal references, both to the UN Convention and other
documents, but politically, this is problematic for me. The government,
which is maintaining its signature on the Armenian – Turkish
protocols, there is still a commission of historians, which disputes
the establishment of fact of genocide, protocols, which definitely
recognizes the Moscow and Kars agreements with regard to Armenia’s
border, while in the declaration we see a reference to the Treaty of
Sevres, which contradict each other. Ultimately, the third condition
is the Karabakh, which was not written. They wanted to write, but did
not do it. Now, under this circumstances, these two protocols and the
Declaration deeply contradict each other”, such a view was expressed by
Deputy Chairman of the “Heritage” political party Armen Martirosyan,
in the conversation with Aravot.am, referring to the “All Armenian
Declaration on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide”. According to
him, this contradiction is a problem. “I do not accept the protocols
because it distinctly states all the prerequisites, but in that case,
you have not taken your signatures underneath the protocols back,
and now you are declaring a declaration? A deep contradiction.”

Hripsime JEBEJYAN

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIGRAN URIKHANYAN RECALLED HITLER REGARDING SERZH SARGSYAN’S CRITICISM TO GAGIK TSARUKYAN

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

February 13 2015

RA President Serzh Sargsyan strongly criticized PAP leader Gagik
Tsarukyan in his speech made at the Council session. In particular,
he said, “It is a tragedy indeed, it is also funny in its
own way that Gagik Tsarukyan has great political ambitions. Gagik
Tsarukyan’s political actor has become an evil for our country.

The teammates constantly make efforts to explaining what is
“A” and what is “B.” Some of them write
their own agenda and submit thinking being convinced in the mind
that “it does not matter, he will not understand what he is
talking about”… Well, bro, all of this is not for your
mind. The political arena is not an arm-wrestling federation, here,
other features are required.”

It should be noted that in his speech, Serzh Sargsyan mentioned
Gagik Tsarukyan’s low intellectual abilities and signed a
decree on dismissing him from the status of a Council member of the
National Security and urged the Prime Minister to instruct relevant
authorities to audit Tsarukyan’s unpaid taxes and the truth
of the rumors about illegally accumulated billions. Aravot.am asked
the PAP party spokesman Tigran Urikhanyan what assessments he will
make about the observations voiced by the country’s president
to Gagik Tsarukyan. Mr. Urikhanyan first was reluctant to talk, so
we mentioned that this is a special case, in response Mr. Urikhanyan
said, “Serzh Sargsyan always says things like that. I’m
in the hospital for 11 hours visiting my family member, so I express
my highly personal and first outburst.”

Then he said. “Hitler was also well educated and intellectual
person but he massacred forty million people, while in our country, the
poverty reaches up to forty percent, people are slaughtered because of
having no bread and medicine. One needs to have heart and soul to have
compassion, to assume and bear the responsibility of perceiving the
situation of the human being, and the rest becomes secondary.”
Urikhanyan urged “As for the rest, let we first spend the
overnight.” We asked Deputy Chairman of “Heritage”
party Armen Martirosyan whether we should consider this speech as a
war on PAP, Mr. Martirosyan replied, “Yes, approximately so. Was
Raffi Hovannisian also an evil, that’s why they rigged the
elections to the end? Were “Heritage” and other political
forces an evil, therefore they rigged the elections, faking four
hundred votes to five hundred thousand. Are all of them evil and only
they are miracles? And the people flees from this miracle by hundreds
of thousands. They are the sun, which burns so strongly that makes
them flee.” Pertaining to Gagik Tsarukyan’s tax evasion
and illegal billions, in response to RA President’s remarks
Armen Martirosyan reminded Roza Tsarukyan’s words, “Shall
I pay for our money to go and be spent in the casinos?” And
then added, “Didn’t they know that he was not paying. Now,
the logic of the fight is changed. If a tax terror is applied against
Gagik Tsarukyan, this would be a pure political persecution. It there
were such a thing and they knew about it and did not processed, nor
prevented, then they have become an accomplice. Otherwise, they have
dug some dirt up and any use of it will be a political persecution,
and a violation of justice and all principles of equality”.

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

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From: A. Papazian

ABSENCES OF ALL DEPUTIES EXPLORED AT THE NA

15:12 | February 13,2015 | Politics

Today only the representatives of the Republican Party (HHK) have
been at the National Assembly. Only independent deputy Edmon Marukyan
in response to our question about the speech of Serzh Sargsyan said
that he was not going to comment on it. And the Republican deputies,
in particular faction secretary Gagik Melikyan spoke about BHK faction
Head Gagik Tsarukyan’s absences and noted that they were exploring
and would be guided by the NA rules.

It wasn’t possible to speak to the NA President Galust Sahakyan,
instead of him Arsen Babayan, Head of the Information and Public
Relations Department, gave explanations and noted that with the
assignment of the NA President the absences of all the deputies were
being examined and information on that would be published.

In response to the question why Mr. Sahakyan decided to deal with it
right now, Arsen Babayan noted that the President of the NA is free
in his actions and answers to the rest of the questions will be along
with the publication of the survey.

“IT WASN’T A SPEECH SUITING THE PERSON, WHO HOLDS THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT”

12:40 | February 13,2015 | Politics

Today “Heritage” party leader Raffi Hovhannisyan must have met with
reporters, but Vice President Armen Martirosyan has come instead
of him.

Serzh Sargsyan’s speech made yesterday has changed the course of
action and currently discussions are underway at the party, said Mr.

Martirosyan. According to his words, on February 18 it will have been
2 years since the reelection of Serzh Sargsyan and on that day Raffi
Hovhannisyan will make a statement.

As an authorized person by “Heritage” party, he noted that Serzh
Sargsyan’s speech made yesterday didn’t suit the person, who holds
the office of President.

RUSSIAN COMPANIES TOLD ARMENIAN COMPANIES TO WAIT

Roza Hovhannisyan, Reporter
Business – 13 February 2015, 12:45

The minister of economy Karen Chshmarityan told Lragir.am after the
meeting of government that problems have occurred within the Eurasian
Economic Union which are being attended to at this stage.

Commenting on complaints of companies, Chshmarityan said: “Introduction
of a new system or changes in any system… We informed companies,
almost every day but after the roadmap available there are activities
to carry out, which are now going on.. If we compare in terms of
change of regulations, their simplification and introduction of new
regulations, I think we are not in a bad but in a very good situation
because the impression was that problems would have been many more
but they are not as many as we had expected,” the minister said.

He noted that as part of the EEU Armenia is facing problems with
regulations which are objective problems.

“But I think that they will be resolved shortly. Problems are addressed
with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on a daily basis, they are mostly
technical issues,” he said.

In answer to our question that aside from technical issues the Armenian
companies are facing serious problems with exports, in fact exports
have been brought to a halt, Karen Chshmarityan said it was expected
until Russia finalizes adjustments.

“It is not so that the Russian companies told our companies to stop
exports. If deals were made in dollars, and our deals were made mainly
in dollars, it was not profitable for them. They had not adjusted
prices, if they bought in dollars, they would suffer losses. Deals
in Russian rubles were not profitable for our companies. Now this
adjustment is underway. They say wait, they don’t say we don’t want
your products because our products are competitive by their kind,
uniqueness. There will be demand, and if we can, we will support,”
he said.

The minister could not estimate losses the Armenian economy will bear
until these problems are overcome. He noted that nobody can provide
exact numbers.

In answer to the observation that the Armenian government used
to hail the huge market and opportunities that would open up in
the EEU but apparently the picture is opposite, Karen Chshmarityan
said simplification of any trade relations will definitely produce
a positive impact. “Whether the EEU or the European Union. The real
picture of that impact will be visible when the situation stabilizes,
and the signals are already in place in our partner countries. It is
too early to make a forecast today,” he said.

In answer to our question why they hurried to join the EEU in such
uncertainty, he said we are already a member.

The minister denies there is economic crisis. “One cannot say that
there is an economic crisis as such. I can justify. The factors that
you are mainly trumpeting, I mean the impact of the Russian economy,
it tends to stabilize already. Prices are up, of course, but over
the past 1-2 months there were no big fluctuations, there are no bug
fluctuations of currency rates, the oil price, if you have noticed,
does not have big fluctuations, it is even rising,” he noted.

As to problems in the Armenian banking sector, and rumors that
banks refuse loan applications, the minister said: “It is not true
that banks refuse everyone. I am saying this as a representative of
economic entities, not banks. With some limited quantity… you know
when the rate of refinancing rises, when collateral loan rate rises,
or reserve ratio rises, loans grow expensive, this is a process which
will undergo adjustments. Along with stabilization demand and supply
will get closer.”

The minister economy says the Economic Activity Index in 2014 is not
low, considering the external negative factors. “Where did you learn
that the economic activity was low, it was 3.9% despite such external
impact, fluctuations. You are saying low. First remove that impact
and see what it would be like,” he said.

Karen Chshmarityan said gas supply to Armenia was not discussed in
the latest EEU conference.

AHEAD OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENARY ERDOGAN MULTIPLIES PROVOCATIONS: FRANCE 24

11:35, 13 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS: Ahead of the centenary of the
Armenian Genocide, the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan began
his provocative actions. Armenpress reports that the French France
24 informs about it.

“As we approach to April 24, the centenary of the Armenian Genocide,
the president Erdogan multiplies the provocations against Yerevan,
departing from the least hope of reconciliation”, – writes the
French media.

France 24 reminds of the invitation of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the
president of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to attend the
events, devoted to the Battle of Canakkale on April 24, on the day
of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. And recently, in the
framework of the Latin American tours, Erdogan made a statement,
accusing the Armenians and Armenia of “refusing their outstretched
hand of help and dialogue”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TSARUKYAN SAYS HE WAS OFFERED PRESIDENTIAL POST AFTER MAKING ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC

YEREVAN, February 13. / ARKA /. Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik
Tsarukyan, who came under an unusually harsh attack by President Serzh
Sargsyan yesterday, said today he was offered the post of president
of the country but only constitutional reforms that would turn Armenia
into a parliamentary republic.

Speaking at a meeting of senior members of the party today Tsarukyan
claimed that the reform is aimed at enabling Sargsyan to stay in
power after the end of his second and final presidential term in 2018.

Tsarukyan said he declined the offer causing Sargsyan’s anger.

“I want to be sincere. I was offered various options of cooperation,
personal lucrative offers, including the post of president but only
after turning Armenia into a parliamentary republic, but on condition
that I agree to the reproduction of power,” said Tsarukyan.

According to Tsarukyan, he was, as a matter of fact, asked to help
fulfill the desire of the current head of state to govern the country
for life by amending the constitution.

“I firmly rejected that anti-state approach, because a person
responsible for the country’s regression can not have such ambitions.

It was my strong position that made Sargsyan break the rules of
political and human relations. This is the reality and nothing more,
” said Tsarukyan. According to him, a war is declared on him.

“I accept the challenge and will go to the bitter end,” he said.

Tsarukyan’s statement came in retaliation to a Thursday meeting of
the executive board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia where
president Sargsyan lashed out at him describing him as ‘a scourge
for the country who lacks intelligence, skills and education to
govern Armenia.’ Speaking at the meeting president Sargsyan told
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to instruct corresponding bodies
to thoroughly investigate the veracity of “unverified reports”
implicating Tsarukyan in large-scale tax evasion.

President Sargsyan said also he will convene a meeting of the National
Security Council today to discuss rumors that Tsarukyan has set up a
“mechanism for a professional cover-up of many crimes.”

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest force in the parliament
controlling 36 seats. It was part of coalition governments from 2007
to 2012. According to some estimates, Tsarukyan is the third-richest
person of Armenia –

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN MEETS POLISH AMBASSADOR JERZY NOWAKOWSKI

13-02-2015 15:22:21 | Armenia | Politics

Yerevan–Raffi K. Hovannisian, Heritage Party chairman and founding
director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS), met today with H.E. Mr. Jerzy Nowakowski, Ambassador of
Poland in Armenia. They discussed a wide range of issues concerning
the country’s domestic and foreign policy, and exchanged views on
regional and geopolitical developments, discussed the place and role
of two countries, Poland and Armenia in the changing world. Heritage
Party Press Service

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan

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