Author: admin

Iranian foreign minister: Our close relations with Armenia have
historical roots and are based on mutual respect

2009-03-13 12:07:00

ArmInfo. I have been in Armenia during the last several years with an
official visit and I can say that our close relations have historical
roots and are based on a mutual respect and cooperation, Foreign
Minister of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki said at today’s press-conference in
Yerevan.

He said Iran and Armenia cooperate in different spheres. ‘An emphasis
is laid on implementation of projects in the transport-economic sphere
where we see bright prospects. Moreover, we cooperate with Armenia in
other spheres as well, in particular, in the cultural, social and sport
areas’, the minister said and added he is satisfied with the level of
bilateral cooperation, however, taking into account the opportunities
of Armenia and Iran, he does not think it s sufficient. Moreover, M.
Mottaki confirmed the invitation to the Armenian president to visit
Iran.

For his part, Foreign Minister of Iran Edward Nalbandyan said the
meeting with M. Mottaki was warm and constructive. ‘We discussed the
bilateral, regional and global issues, as well as touched on the
results of the summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization held in
Tehran several days ago. We also discussed the current process of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and the process of
normalization of the Armenian- Turkish relations’, E. Nalbandyan said
and emphasized that normalization of relations between Armenia and
Turkey will much affect establishment of peace and security in the
region.

Regular storm of Armenian spy scare in Azerbaijan

2009-03-13 11:26:00

ArmInfo. Regular storm of Armenian spy scare has been registered in
Azerbaijan. In particular, as APA reported, 10 men engaged in
intelligence in Azerbaijan under order of Armenian intelligence bodies
were sentenced in 2008. A total of 9 servicemen and 1 civilian engaged
in intelligence in Azerbaijan under the order of Armenian intelligence
bodies faced charges of high treason as a result of the measures taken
by the National Security Ministry to combat activities of foreign
intelligence bodies against Azerbaijan Republic and Armed Forces in
2008.

The court sentenced those persons to imprisonment. It is noted that 10
servicemen, who were previously sentenced for cooperation with Armenian
intelligence bodies, were sentenced as a result of the operations.

Thus, quite an official document is disproving one of the main points
of Azerbaijani propaganda, i.e., high ‘combat patriotic spirit’ in the
Azerbaijani army. Dozens of Azerbaijani servicemen spy in favor
of Armenia. Some of them simply cross the border and ask for shelter.
No comment.

Armenian political expert: US president not to recognize Armenian
genocide in the near future

2009-03-13 14:40:00

ArmInfo. US President Barack Obama will not recognize Armenian genocide
in the near future, Armenian political expert Sergey Shakaryants said
at today’s press-conference.

‘Barack Obama’s electoral programme was full of promises about
changing. As for his promise to recognize the Armenian genocide, I
think we should carefully treat it. We should not expect that Obama’s
administration will recognize the Armenian genocide over the first
months of its activity. Even if Obama recognizes the genocide, I think
this will happen by the end of ruling’, – Shakaryants said.

The political expert did not rule the circumstance that in the USA
activation of supporters for recognition of the genocide is connected
with the recent scandal between president of Israel and prime minister
of Turkey in Davos, as the great majority of the political elite of the
USA reflect interests of the Jewish lobby.

PanARMENIAN.Net

University Rectors label as `immoral’ the way Armenian Students fight
against corruption
13.03.2009 20:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `No one denies the fact that the phenomenon of
corruption does exist in our society, but the participants of `Miasin’
Youth Movement violated not only the legal rights but also the moral
norms. Having no facts and grounds they flung mud at people. This fact
reflected negatively on the reputation of Armenian Universities. As
group applications against slanderers are not permitted, each of the
professors slandered must decide himself/herself whether to hand in an
application or not, and we shall support them,’ said Aram Simonyan YSU
rector at today’s meeting with journalists.

As the Rector of Yerevan State University of Economics Yuri Souvaryan
says, his University has transferred on to a test exam system, next
year the exams are expected to be computer based. This is also a way
to fight against corruption. More civilized methods must be used to
eradicate displays of corruption. In case we have related facts, we
are ready to take measures against corrupt professors,’ said the YSUE
rector.

In his turn the head of parliamentary faction of `Heritage’ party,
Armen Martirosyan announced, `It is necessary to start fighting
against corruption with defense and law enforcement agencies. Instead
of catching `sharks’ we are chasing after small fish. The aim of this
movement is simulation, and simulation processes have never been of
any good.’

On March 11 the participants of the Youth Movement `MIASIN’
(`Together’) started the program fighting against corruption. Within
the framework of the program pictures of more than ten Armenian
professors grouped under the heading `Bribe-takers’ were stuck on the
walls of several Universities in Yerevan, on the bus stops, and some
other public places. Besides the pictures, information on the
professors’ activities and their `professional’ career was also
provided. The participants appealed to all the students to join them
in their fight and help eradicate corruption and other such phenomena
at Universities.

Panorama.am
20:48 13/03/2009

SERZH SARGSYAN AND MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI SIGNIFY CONSTRUCTION OF
IRAN-ARMENIA RAILROAD

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received the Foreign Minister
of Iran Islamic Republic Manouchehr Mottaki, who is paying his working
visit to Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan has highly evaluated the level of bilateral
co-operation and stressed that Iran is a good neighbor and reliable
partner for Armenia.

The Foreign Minister expressed his opinion regarding the Armenian
President’s forthcoming visit to Iran which would serve as a new speed
to start co-operation in other fields.

The parties have signified the construction of Iran-Armenia railroad
which would be useful not only for Armenia and Iran but for the
region, too.

Source: Panorama.am

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

ANTELIAS HOSTS A MEETING OF SCHOLARS AND INTELLECTUALS

On Wednesday 11 March 2009, at the Main Hall of "Cilicia" Museum of the
Catholicosate a significant number of scholars and intellectuals, met to
discuss the document prepared by the Ministry of Relations with the Diaspora
of the Government of Armenia. The event was placed under the auspices of His
Holiness Aram I.

Bishop Nareg Alemezian welcomed the participants and opened the session with
some introductory remarks. He first described diaspora communities outside
Armenia and the challenges they face in the modern world. He also addressed
challenges to Armenia and to its intellectuals. He then informed the
audience of the new Ministry for the Diaspora and the document entitled
"Envisioning the Armenian Diaspora" they had prepared, and invited the
panelist to analyze and comment. The two panelists Mr. Hagop Balian, Editor
of ‘Pakin’ Literary Journal and Mr. Aharon Shekherdemian, Editor in Chief
of ‘Ararat’ Daily Newspaper.

Hagop Balian analyzed the organization of the diaspora communities described
in the document, the concepts of citizenship and belonging, which in his
opinion did not match the plurality of models of Armenian Diaspora
existence.

Aharon Shekherdemian reflected on the section describing relations between
Armenia and the Diaspora. He found the proposed strategy of relations
complicated and unrealistic.

Following a public debate, there was a consensus that the Armenian Diaspora
is not a monolithic reality. The political and social systems of the
countries where Armenians lived conditioned the organization of Armenian
Diaspora communities, and their relations to the homeland. Moreover, exodus
of Armenians from Armenia was the major challenge today!

In his concluding remarks, His Holiness Aram I affirmed the importance of
closer and more organized collaboration between Armenia and Diaspora.
However, he concurred with the speakers that the document "Guidelines for
Armenia-Diaspora collaboration" prepared by the Ministry in Armenia had many
weaknesses and differences. It must reflect the concrete conditions of
Diaspora. He then went on to say that participating in nation building
should be the priority for all Armenians. Relations between Armenia and
Diaspora should be based on mutual respect, mutual responsibility and
accountability.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos362.htm#4
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Araz Azimov: we never threatened to levy war on Armenia
14.03.2009 12:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `With its strengthening economy and army, Azerbaijan
fortified its image of a stable partner for the West, trying to
persuade Armenia in the necessity of compromise,’ Azerbaijan President
Personal Representative for Nagorno Karabakh issues, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs Araz Azimov stated.

`Official Baku doesn’t seek war. It’s great having a strong army , but
it’s even better not to have to use it. We never said we’ll start a
war with the Armenians, nor do we say it now. Yet Armenia insists on
independence for NKR, and we’ll stop at nothing to recover our
territorial integrity. ‘

`Russia keeps arming Armenia. The machinery written off the military
base in Gyumri, is transferred to Yerevan. No one knows what happens
to old armament when the new one is imported,’ Reuters cited Azimov as
saying.

Data on some trade points sent to State Revenue Committee

848

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Data on those trade points that raised
prices of some living essentials under the pretext of the exchange rate
fluctuations on March 3-6 was sent by the RA State Commission for
Protection of Economic Competition to the RA State Revenue Committee.
The list was sent to the State Revenue Committee with the request to
take into account the fact that these trade points had sold goods at
high prices when the Committee conducts checks at the indicated trade
points.

According to a press release of the Commission, the information from
marzes shows that granulated sugar, butter, vegetable oil, rice and
flour are sold there at higher prices than in Yerevan. The State
Revenue Committee will conduct checks of economic entities in marzes as
well.

At the same time it is noted that the economic entities operating in
the flour market have reduced the supply prices of flour to the level
that existed before the price increase. Granulated sugar is sold at 245
drams at retail trade points (its price was raised to 270 drams).

Proceedings have been initiated in the markets of medicines, domestic
appliances, vegetable oil and butter, and monitoring is being
implemented in other markets.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Nalbandian: Armenian-French relations exemplary
12.03.2009 15:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Paris, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian met with members of the Armenian-French friendship group of
the French Senate to discuss interparliamentary ties, cooperation
within international organizations and parliamentary assemblies.

The Armenian Minister also attended the National Assembly, where he
held talks on Armenia-EU cooperation, specifically the Eastern
Partnership initiative.

He briefed on Yerevan’s steps for establishment of security and
stability in the South Caucasus.

HSBC Bank Armenia invests $2 million in phone, internet banking services

YEREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. HSBC Bank Armenia has invested $2mln for
banking services via telephone and Internet, said CEO of HSBC Bank
Armenia Tim Slater.

The bank has launched telephone banking services and, starting from
July,is going to provide Internet banking in Armenia, Slater told
reporters last week.
Next year, the bank also plans to open new branches, aiming to expand
cooperation with clients, the banker said.

With main investments in the two projects made, the bank’s customers
can sign agreements on telephone banking activities.

The new services allow customers to check their accounts, get
information about deals and make other operations without having to
visit the bank, Slater said.

Established on September 25, 1995, HSBC Bank Armenia
is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has a 70% ownership,
and members of overseas Armenian businesses. The bank has 10 branches
in Yerevan.

As of December 31, 2008, the bank’s assets totalled 121.8bln drams,
with liabilities and capital reaching 106.3bln drams and 15.5bln drams
respectively. By end-2008, the bank’s net pre-tax profit reached 5bln
drams, with its loan investments amounting to 74bln drams, compared to
51.7bln drams earlier last year.

The bank’s balance sheet profit totalled 12.7bln drams. ($1-369.73
drams). `0–