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ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF UKRAINE VICTOR YANUKOVICH

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan
on December 5 received the former prime minister of Ukraine, head
of the Party of Regions Victor Yanukovich who has arrived in Armenia
in order to participate in the events on the 20th anniversary of the
1988 earthquake.

In 1988 V. Yanikovich headed Donbastransrepairs production enterprise,
and after the earthquake he took an active part in the rescue and
reconstruction work. S. Sargsyan thanked V. Yanukovich for his
contribution to reconstruction of the city of Spitak.

According to the RA presidential press service, the interlocutors
discussed the development of Armenian-Ukrainian relations. S. Sargsyan
said with satisfaction that Ukraine is one of the most important
trade and economic partners of Armenia. The sides attached special
importance to the full use of the existing potential in humanitarian,
cultural and scientific spheres.

They underlined the role of Ukraine’s Armenian community in promotion
of relations between the two countries.

NEW SUB-UNIT OF RA TRANSPORT MINISTRY TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OF SOUTH CAUCASUS RAILWAYS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian railway has always
been in the center of attention of the RA Ministry of Transport
and Communication because it is a transport means of strategic
importance. The RA minister of transport Gurgen Sargsyan said at the
December 5 press conference that a new sub-unit will be soon set up at
the ministry. The sub-unit will deal with problems of South Caucasus
Railways company. In particular, it will implement monitoring and
conduct checks of the investment made.

As regards the railway’s concessionary manager, under the agreement,
it must submit a report on investments to the ministry at the beginning
of next year. Besides, the ministry together with the RA State Revenue
Committee has created a working group which will examine a number of
problems raised by cargo transporting companies, including detention
of cargo.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN TRACECA CONFERENCE IN BAKU

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The jubilee conference of transport
ministers of the TRACECA Europe-Caucasus-Asia Tranpsort Program member
states was held in Baku on December 4. The RA minister of transport
and comunication Gurgen Sargsyan stated during the December 5 press
conference that the Armenian delegation was led by the head of the
ministry’s external relations department, resident representative of
Armenia to TRACECA, national secretary Gagik Grigorian.

The minister said there were two main issues on the agenda: the
role of TRACECA program in the extension of trans-European transport
networks to neighboring countries, particularly in the development
of one of TRACECA corridors – the South-Eastern Axis; and the action
plan launched in this direction.

According to G. Sargsyan, the conference participants welcomed this
initiative of the European Commission, and agreed to set up a working
group which will discuss proposals on reforms of the program’s
activities and submit a package of decisions for approval at the
regular annual meeting of TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission to be
held in Bishkek in 2009.

INFORMAL MEETING OF CSTO MEMBERS-STATES’ FOREIGN MINISTERS IN HELSINKI

ArmInfo
2008-12-04 11:04:00

ArmInfo. Informal meeting of CSTO member-states’ foreign ministers
will be held in Helsinki today, CSTO News Department adviser Vitaly
Strugovets told ArmInfo. To recall, OSCE summit will also start in
Helsinki today. ‘CSTO member-states will come out from a single stance
at the session of OSCE Foreign Ministerial Council concerning a new
Agreement on the European Security. Prior to the OSCE ministerial
meeting to be held on December 4 in Helsinki, informal meeting of CSTO
member-states’ foreign ministers will also be held in Helsinki, during
which a unified stance on the new Agreement on European Security will
be developed’, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said before
leaving for Helsinki.

‘The heads of CSTO member-states have already supported the initiative
of Russia on development of the Agreement on European Security at
Mosocw summit in September 2008, that was fixed in the Declaration of
CSTO Collective Security Council session. During November consultations
of CSTO member-states’ foreign ministers held in CSTO Secretariat,
this stance was confirmed once more’, N. Bordyuzha emphasized. CSTO
Secretary General will take part both in OSCE FMC and in the informal
meeting of CSTO foreign ministers.

BAN KI-MOON: UN, OSCE HAVE TO REASSESS THEIR ROLES IN CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2008 14:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The United Nations and the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) may have to reassess their roles on
the ground following this summer’s fighting between Russia and Georgia,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

"Recent events in your region have riveted the world’s attention and
challenged existing arrangements for peace and security," he told the
16th OSCE Ministerial Council in a message delivered by his Special
Representative for Georgia Johan Verbeke in Helsinki.

"Indeed, following the tragic fighting in Georgia and the South
Caucasus in August, and in light of persistent instability in the
area, we may have to re-think our respective roles on the ground. The
hostilities also demonstrated that the lack of a meaningful political
process over an extended period of time can lead to conflict. This
lesson should be borne in mind when considering all protracted
conflicts in the OSCE area."

Calling for the "utmost" efforts to ensure the success of the Geneva
International Discussions on Georgia, Mr. Ban said all sides must turn
their immediate attention to "the most pressing short-term problems:
security and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons
(IDPs)."

He noted UN-OSCE cooperation during the past year to shore up peace and
stability in other areas such as Kosovo, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

"Our cooperation also extends to human rights, including the human
rights aspects of electoral processes and conflict and post-conflict
situations," he said. "We are working hard to prevent statelessness
in South-Eastern Europe and to strengthen border management capacities
in Central Asia."

Not least, he stressed, the UN attaches great importance to common
efforts to address environmental concerns in the OSCE region, in
particular regarding climate change, the UN News Center reports.

VIC DARCHINIAN AWARDED "ANDRANIK OZANIAN" MEDAL OF THE RA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 4, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian minister of defence
Seyran Ohanian on December 4 received the current boxing champion
of the world Vic (Vakhtang) Darchinian. The minister attached great
importance to V. Darchinian’s contribution to development of Armenian
boxing, saying that thanks to him the Armenian tricolor was raised
at many championships, and the younger generation should be brought
up by seeing such examples.

At the end of the meeting S. Ohanian presented V. Darchinian with
a symbolic sword. Then the minister handed the boxer an "Andranik
Ozanian" medal of the RA ministry of defence for winning the title
of the absolute champion of the world, upholding the sport honor
of Armenia at international competitions, and contributing to the
development of boxing in Armenia.

OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL TO VISIT ARMENIA

De Facto
Dec 3, 2008

YEREVAN, 04.12.08. DE FACTO. In the nearest time the OSCE Secretary
General, Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut is to visit Armenia. The
Ambassador stated it in Helsinki on December 3, at a meeting with RA
FM Edward Nalbandian.

According to the information DE FACTO received at the RA MFA Press
Office, during the meeting the parties discussed a number of issues,
including activity of OSCE Yerevan office.

YANUKOVICH TO VISIT ARMENIA TO PARTAKE IN THE EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE

armradio.am
04.12.2008 13:13

The ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich will arrive in
Armenia on December 5 to participate in the arrangements dedicated
to the 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake.

The city authorities of Spitak have taken the decision to name one
of the streets of the city after the leader of the Ukrainian Party
of Regions. This way, the Armenian side expressed its gratitude to
Viktor Yanukovich for his contribution to the reconstruction of the
city after the earthquake.

In 1988 Viktor Yanukovich headed the Production Association
"Donbastransremont." According to the information of the Party
of Regions, they received a letter from Spitak, which states that
"from the very beginning Viktor Yanukovich actively participated in
providing assistance to the casualties of the earthquake, headed the
staffing of rescue brigades and construction gangs."

ARMENIA, ITALY WILLING TO DEVELOP INTERPARLIAMENTARY TIES

armradio.am
03.12.2008 16:12

On December 3 the President of the National Assembly of Armenia,
Hovik Abrahamyan, received the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy
to Armenia, Massimo Lavezzo Cassinelli.

Stressing the importance of interparliamentary relations with
friendly Italy, Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the ties between the two
parliaments have a great potential of development. Mr. Abrahamyan
noted that the reciprocal visits of Deputies are also important. He
asked to convey his invitation to the Chairmen of both chambers of
the Italian Parliament, expressing confidence that the development
of interparliamentary ties will promote the reinforcement of
trade-economic and scientific-cultural ties between the two countries.

The Armenian Parliament Speaker emphasized the importance of
cooperation between the parliamentary delegations of the two countries
within international organizations. It was noted also that as an EU
member state, Italy can greatly contribute to the process of Armenia’s
European integration. Turning to the successful activity of the Italian
"Renco" Company in Armenia, Mr. Abrahamyan noted the Armenian tax
field provides favorable conditions to foreigners to launch business.

The Ambassador of Italy noted that Italians and Armenians are linked
not only with spiritual and cultural similarities, but also the
likeness of the two peoples. Mr. Cassinelli agreed tha t reciprocal
visits contribute to the development of relations and noted that
the Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Mandini is expected to
visit Armenia in 2009. Mr. Cassinelli attached importance to the joint
work of deputy friendship groups in the direction of development of
interparliamentary relations.

During the meeting the interlocutors dwelt on domestic political and
regional issues. The parties attached importance to the resolution
of conflicts existing in the region through negotiations.

PROJECT THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN TEXTBOOKS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
02 Dec 08
Armenia

As a Classical Example of Cooperation

Still in 2004 our government initiated the construction of Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline aimed at extending the resource base of the natural gas
supplied to Armenia and to have the second entrance technological
line. It is an exclusive opportunity to have an alternative to the
Russian gas the strategic significance of which is very difficult
to assess.

Yesterday the end of the construction of the 186 km long, 300-meter
wide Kajaran-Ararat highway section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was
solemnly marked. The investment project worth more than 130 million
dollars is realized by the company "ArmRusGasIndustry". The blue
fuel imported to Armenia from Iran by Kajaran-Ararat gas pipeline
will be provided for the central regions of our country and in
heat-electric-stations it will turn into electric energy.