Month: June 2017

AGBU PRESS OFFICE: AGBU Europe launches appeal calling on the European Union to provide aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh

Vatche Chakhmakhchian 
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 9, 2017

AGBU EUROPE LAUNCHES APPEAL CALLING ON THE EUROPEAN UNION TO PROVIDE AID TO THE 
PEOPLE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH

On June 7, AGBU Europe launched an appeal calling on the European Union and 
European aid organizations to engage with the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.  

Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR) is a landlocked mountainous territory in the South 
Caucasus, home to 150,000 people. It is one of the several unrecognized states 
that emerged from the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the Republic of 
Azerbaijan claims sovereignty over NKR. It is one of the most impoverished 
areas in the periphery.  

The inhabitants of this small unrecognized state have been under continuous 
threat of war and isolation for more than 20 years, which has caused 
considerable hardship. A blockade continues to impact the daily life of the 
people, who also suffer from the highest mine-related casualty rate in the 
world. 

The EU does not provide direct aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, in 
contrast to other territories under dispute, such as Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia 
or Transnistria, which have received substantial benefits from EU engagement 
and aid.

"We call on all those who believe in Europe to sign onto this appeal. We stand 
ready to work with European institutions as well as with international NGOs to 
find ways to respond to the needs of the civilian population in 
Nagorno-Karabakh," says Nadia Gortzounian, President of AGBU Europe. 

Despite the isolation and economic hardship, Nagorno-Karabakh focuses on the 
development of democracy. It is making considerable efforts to improve 
institutions and strengthen civil society.  

AGBU Europe has published a video and information package aimed at explaining 
the case for EU engagement in NKR. 

The appeal can be signed online at:
change.org/p/we-want-europe-in-nagorno-karabakh 

Watch the short video:
youtube.com/watch?v=P7KFWOuL6bc

For more information, please visit Campaign for European Union Aid in 
Nagorno-Karabakh:
agbueurope.org/campaign-for-eu-aid-to-karabakh

Find out what more you can do to support this campaign:
agbueurope.org/donate-agbu-europe-campaign-for-european-union-aid-to-nagorno-karabakh
 

AGBU Europe coordinates and develops the pan-European activities of the 
Armenian General Benevolent Union. AGBU Europe runs numerous programs in fields 
relating to academic research, the preservation and promotion of heritage, 
education and culture as well as awareness raising, advocacy and leadership 
training.

Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit 
Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and 
promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and 
humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians 
around the world.
 
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit 
www.agbu.org.

*************************************************
PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EU-NKR.jpg: AGBU Europe launches a campaign calling on the European Union to 
provide aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.



EU-NKR.jpg


EUinNKR.docx
EUinNKR.docx

Aleppo now in relative peace, says local Armenian editor

Emil Lazarian 
Tert, Armenia
June 8 2017


Aleppo now in relative peace, says local Armenian editor

17:10 • 08.06.17



After months and years of heavy bombings targeting civilians in
different districts,  Aleppo is now facing a relative peace, according
to Shahan Kandaharian, the editor of Aztag Daily (an Aleppo-based
Armenian publication).


“The tension still continues, but superpowers’ presence is
significant, specifically in Syria. Returning to our problems,
however, I should say that the situation is now relatively calm in
Aleppo as we observe [an increase in the number of people] returning
to the city. We see also many of our compatriots return from Lebanon,”
he said at a news conference in Yerevan,


Meantime, Kandaharian highlighted the continuing active efforts
towards rebuilding the city, noting that many residents can now use a
“long but safe road corridor” connecting Aleppo with other cities and
towns.


“We do not as yet see a massive influx of Armenians from Lebanon to
Syria, but certain families, and businessmen go and come from time to
time. Those who stay in Syria continue receiving assistance, both
educational and medical, etc,” he said, admitting at the same time
that an estimated 10,000 people have fled to Labanon since the
eruption of hostilities.

World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 report highlights progress in Armenia

Samvel Nahapetian 
Tert, Armenia
June 8 2017




World Bank's Doing Business 2017 report highlights progress in Armenia

18:16 • 08.06.17


Armenia has improved its ranking on the World Bank's annual Doing
Business 2017 report, climbing from the 43rd position in 2016 to the
38th position this year.

A plan of actions proposing steps towards making the atmosphere more
business-friendly received the cabinet's approval on Thursday
afternoon.

The report evaluates the regulations directly impacting the business
environment through a comparative analysis in 11 major areas: starting
a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity,
registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors,
paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving
insolvency and labor market regulation.

Armenia's essential progress, observed over the past years (thanks to
different measures), has found its reflection in the evaluations by
the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, reports the
Ministry of Economic Development and Investments. The findings
highlight particularly progress in the procedures of “getting credits”
(7 points) and “getting electricity” (9 points).


The program has a comprehensive content and proposes reforms in all
the areas under evaluation. The Ministry expresses its commitment to
ensure ongoing processes by relying upon the international best
practice.



The full report can be accessed here:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.doingbusiness.org_-7E_media_wbg_doingbusiness_documents_profiles_country_arm.pdf&d=DwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=n3SsZeizl5ghFIKOzGtTQKB10zrvAMh88QbDLX3gtaM&s=vGSp87H5_RBoFSZneuw-ah-4T_RRtUQDAk3jIZVJ_Kw&e=

Around 26 Armenian businessmen present business plans to 170 Italian business partners

Alex Nanijanian
A1 Plus, Armenia
June 8 2017
 
 
 
 
  • 11:46 | June 8,2017 | Economy

New business relations established as a result of the Armenia-Italy business forum

Through the initiative of the Development Foundation of Armenia, and within the framework of the first Armenian-Italian Intergovernmental Commission Meeting, the Armenia-Italy Business Forum was held in the Italian capital of Rome, in order to establish and strengthen bilateral investment and business relations. The decision to establish the Commission was made during the official visit of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Jentiloni, in November 2016.

Around 26 Armenian businessmen presented their different business plans to 170 potential Italian business partners, and highlighted the investment sectors where profitable cooperation is possible. Meetings between interested companies were held to discuss investment projects and export opportunities for Armenian products. The success stories of Italian companies Renco and Sartis were also presented in the Forum.

“Now is a favorable time to invest in Armenia. The government is actively taking steps towards improving the business environment and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles. Our Foundation in particular is ready to provide practical support and consulting services to Italian businessmen at any stage of investment,” stated the CEO of the Development Foundation of Armenia Armen Avak Avakian, adding that the conference and B2B meetings were organized to present the country’s investment opportunities.

The agenda of the Armenia-Italy Forum included presentations on investment opportunities in the agro-processing, renewable energy, information and communication technology, footwear and textile, and tourism sectors.

During the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Development Foundation of Armenia (DFA) and the Italian Trade Promotion Agency (ICE), which will promote further bilateral trade and economic relations. According to the Memorandum, the two parties agreed to promote the cooperation between the Armenian and Italian business sectors, and share information on business visits, exhibitions and upcoming events. Both parties will do everything possible to identify and eliminate barriers against bilateral trade and increasing investment.

Statistics:

The trade turnover between Armenia and Italy amounted to 160 million USD in 2016: 32 million USD in Armenian exports and 127.5 million USD in imports. Last year Armenia mainly exported textile, clothing, aluminum foil, ethanol, liquor, plastic goods, automatic regulators and control devices to Italy. The imports from Italy mainly consisted of chocolate, confectionery, pasta, fabrics, central heating boilers and oil/petrolium products. Italy is Armenia’s 17th largest investment partner with 103.3 million AMD of investments in January-September 2016.

Development Foundation of Armenia

Visa regime to be liberalized with 6 more countries (video)

Emil Lazarian
A1 Plus, Armenia
June 8 2017
  • 15:04 | June 8,2017 | Politics

“Our decision is connected with the development of tourism; this process will continue; Qatar is only one of the states, soon the visa regime will be liberalized with 6 more countries,” Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan announced today after the Government session, “We also should take into consideration that neighboring Georgia liberalized visa regime with more countries, and it is natural that tourism there is in better condition.”

The fact that during the same period many states put an end to diplomatic relations with Qatar is another matter, “It is connected with the situation in Middle East, it is also connected with anti-Iran moods, especially in Saudi Arabia, it is connected with the fact that Qatar doesn’t want to join the coalition against Iran,” said Shavarsh Kocharyan and added that that issue is out of our field.

Shavarsh Kocharyan also touched upon the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and yesterday’s terrorism act in Iran.

Watch details in the video!

Trial of Sasna Dzrer postponed

Jane Topchian
A1 Plus, Armenia
June 8 2017
  • 17:32 | June 8,2017 | Social

The court hearing into the case of 14 members of Sasna Dzrer was interrupted. When Artush Gabrielyan, Judge of the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan Erebuni and Nubarashen administrative districts, entered the courtroom, no member of Sasna Dzrer group stood up.  They said that no court had a right to judge them, then the Judge asked to keep silence, but the people in the courtroom didn’t obey and the Judge announced that the trial is postponed until June 20.

By the way, the Judge announced the postponement of trial in such a low voice that not everybody could hear it.

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen Districts

Hearings of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group’s 12 members’ case took place at the Court of First Instance of Erebuni and Nubarashen

AMD-denominated coupon bonds by Unibank listed on NASDAQ OMX Armenia

Anna Tamamian
ARKA, Armenia
June 8 2017

YEREVAN, June 8. /ARKA/. Starting from , nominal coupon bonds issued by “UNIBANK” OJSC will be listed on NASDAQ OMX Armenia and included in the bonds' secondary Bbond list, NASDAQ OMX Armenia stock exchange said today in a press release.

It said this issue of the company’s bonds comprises 25,000 coupon bonds with nominal value of AMD 10,000, coupon rate of 13.5% and maturity period of 24 months. 

The bonds (ISIN – AMUNIBB22ER6) will be traded under UNIBB2 ticker symbol and will be allowed to manual and REPO trading as well.

The list of securities listed and admitted to trading on NASDAQ OMX Armenia, is available on “Financial Instruments” page of NASDAQ OMX Armenia official web-site (www.nasdaqomx.am).

Unibank" OJSC was founded in October 2001, as a closed joint stock company. In 2015 "Unibank" CJSC was reorganized in "Unibank" Open Joint Stock Company. One of the bank's main objectives is the financing of small and medium enterprises. Currently UNIBANK has 45 branches together in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as a representative office in Moscow.

Unibank became a member of NASDAQ OMX Armenia on September 29, 2008. The Bank is also a Regulated Market Settlement system member and Depository System Account Operator.

NASDAQ OMX Armenia is the only stock exchange currently operating in Armenia. On January 26, 2009, “Armenian Stock Exchange” ojsc was officially renamed as “NASDAQ OMX Armenia” ojsc. On June 5, 2009, “NASDAQ OMX Armenia” ojsc became the owner of 100% of the shares of the “Central Depository of Armenia” ojsc. NASDAQ OMX Armenia and Central Depository of Armenia are among the main securities market infrastructure institutions in Armenia. The exchange offers to the market professionals a fully automated electronic trading platform. -0-

Ankara Says Congress Vote on DC Attacks ‘Against Spirit of Alliance’

Garnik Zakarian
Aravot, Armenia
June 8 2017

ANKARA—The resolution that passed  unanimously on Tuesday condemning last month’s attacks on peaceful protesters in Washington by the Turkish president’s guards has rattled nerves in Ankara, prompting the Turkish Foreign Ministry to issue a statement calling the measure “against spirit of alliance” between Turkey and the United States.

“The steps taken by the U.S. legislative branches to distort and politicize the matter are not constructive. This is also against the spirit of alliance and partnership between Turkey and the U.S.,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu said in a written statement on Wednesday, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

The bi-partisan resolution, which passed with a vote of 397-0, elicited praise from various congressional leaders, among them Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

“Today, the House sent an unequivocal message that violence against peaceful demonstrators will not be tolerated. The blame for this assault lies with the Turkish government alone. I urge Ankara to finally accept responsibility for this egregious incident and apologize to those who were harmed. With the leadership of Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and members on both sides of the aisle, our resolve to defend the First Amendment and condemn suppression is stronger than ever,” said Ryan after the passage of the resolution.

The Armenian National Committee of America was quick to counter the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s posturing on the matter.

“Erdogan’s claiming that Congressional condemnation of the attack he ordered on American protesters runs counter to the spirit of Turkey’s alliance with the U.S. – but what he’s really voicing is his frustration that the free pass that Ankara has long enjoyed here in Washington has been revoked,” said Aram Hamparian, the ANCA Executive Director.

“As much as he might like to resurrect Ankara’s old arrangements, it’s clear today that U.S. policy-makers – from both parties and in both the legislative and executive branches – won’t countenance a return to the days when Turkey crossed every line, confident that America would remain silent about its sins,” added Hamparian.

At least 11 people were injured on May 16 after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to order his bodyguards to attack a group of peaceful demonstrators gathered outside of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington to protest Turkey’s policies against its minorities, especially the regime’s treatment of the Kurds.

At the time, the State Department said in a statement that the conduct of Turkish security personnel during the incident was “deeply disturbing,” while the Turkish government summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara to discuss the “violent incidents.”

The beatings also raised the ire of many congressional leaders, with chairman of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee John McCain calling for the expulsion of the Turkish Ambassador from the US.

‘They came to roughhouse’, Rustamyan about American-Armenian supporters of ‘Founding Parliament’

Arsine Chaltikian
Aravot, Armenia
June 8 2017

The head of the NA Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armen Rustamyan referred to the recent incident between him and American-Armenians during the interview.

Earlier, some American-Armenians had persisted Armen Rustamyan to answer whether he believes that Gevorg Safaryan and Zhirayr Sefilyan are political prisoners, and he had refused to answer. “I answered dozens of questions, the most pressing questions. It appeared that people had come to roughhouse because that was what they wanted to”, Armen Rustamyan noted.

According to him, some people were predisposed to extreme, with the intent to discredit everything. As he says, “They came to mess the meeting up, but they failed”.

Luiza SUKIASYAN

Armenian Aid to Syria Arrives in Latakia

Manouk Vasilian
Armenian Weekly
June 7 2017


By Weekly Staff on June 7, 2017

 

LATAKIA, Syria (A.W.)— On June 7, an aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria arrived at Latakia’s Khmeimim military airbase, reported the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the Syrian Arab Republic.

On June 7, an aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria arrived in Latakia’s Khmeimim military airbase.

The aid, which was transported by Russian military aircrafts, was received by the Armenian Embassy of Syria, and will be distributed by vans to four cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Kessab, and Latakia. According to the Embassy statement, the aid will be distributed to families most in need. A total of around 40 tons of food and goods were sent.

The aid, which was transported by Russian military aircrafts, was received by the Armenian Embassy of Syria, and will be distributed by vans to four cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Kessab, and Latakia.

This is the third time aid has been sent to Syria by Armenia in the last year.

‘With wishes of peace from Armenia, to our brotherly Syrian people’ reads the message on the aid.