Author: Andres-Papazian

JUNIOR EUROVISION 2011 TICKETS ON SALE IN ARMENIA

news.am, Armenia
Oct 26 2011

YEREVAN. – Tickets for Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be
on sale as of Wednesday, press secretary Artak Vardanyan of Junior
Eurovision’s Armenian delegation told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, the tickets were printed abroad, to secure their high
quality, and they are already in Armenia.

“We are doing everything so the tickets may be affordable for all
strata of society. Tickets for the first day’s concert, which will not
be televised and the contestants’ performances will not be evaluated,
will cost between 3.5 and 22 Euros. Ticket prices for the main concert
are between 9 and 55 Euros,” Vardanyan noted.

Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be held in the Armenian
capital Yerevan, on December 2 and 3, and children between the ages
of 10 and 15 and representing fourteen countries will compete.

Armenia’s contestant at the event will be Dalita, with her song
“Welcome to Armenia.”

From: A. Papazian

“WEBAPRICOT” FILM FESTIVAL STARTS NOVEMBER 15

Mediamax, Armenia
Oct 26 2011

Photo: Photolure Yerevan/Mediamax/. Today, VivaCell-MTS, “Golden
Apricot” International Film Festival, and Webtv.am Internet Channel
announced the launch of “WebApricot” Pan-Armenian Film Festival,
due to be held in the period between November 15 and December 25.

Mediamax reports that Director of Webtv.am Araik Manukyan said
today that the filmmakers from Armenia and abroad may participate in
“WebApricot” Pan-Armenian Film Festival. The competition is open for
all films up to 20 minutes, without genre limitation.

According to him, each film will be shown 5 days on Webtv.am website
and there will be internet voting on Webtv.am and in Facebook.

“There is no restriction for technical means by which a film was made.

The films will be accepted till November 15. The results will be
reported on December 25 during the Award Ceremony. Two prizes are
established: “WebApricot” Grand Prize -$1000 and the Incentive
award-$500,” Araik Manukyan said.

For his part, the founder and the director of “Golden Apricot” Film
Festival, Harutyun Khachatryan, said that the web-festival is a good
idea, as “there are many people who don’t go to cinemas and watch
films in other ways.”

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said that the capabilities
of the internet may be used very effectively. “This web-solution allows
the active and talented people from the world of cinema, who can’t
take part in other film festivals, to show up,” Ralph Yirikian said.

The general sponsor of “WebApricot” Pan-Armenian Film Festival is
VivaCell-MTS.

From: A. Papazian

FORMER ARMENIA STRIKER MIKAELYAN IN NEED OF HEART TRANSPLANT

RIA Novosti , Russia
Oct 26 2011

Former Armenia striker Karapet Mikaelyan has been diagnosed with a
rare heart condition and is in urgent need of a transplant, he told
RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old Mikaelyan, who played 20 matches for the national team
between 1996 and 1999, said doctors had diagnosed him with dilated
cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood
efficiently.

“To be honest, I’m panicking,” Mikaelyan told RIA Novosti. “I never
thought that after a life of sport this kind of thing could happen.”

Mikaelyan said he could not afford the 30,000 euros required for the
operation and that all the clubs he had represented during his 20-year
career turned down his requests for donations. He said doctors had
not told him exactly how urgent the surgery was.

Mikaelyan was born in Moscow and spent most of his club career in
the lower leagues, but had two years at Russian Premier League club
Krylya Sovietov Samara in 1999-2000, when he scored 10 goals in
37 appearances.

He said he had received unexpected financial support from Russian
international defender Sergei Ignashevich and national team assistant
manager Aleksandr Borodyuk, but was still quite short of the amount
needed.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN, ISRAEL NEGOTIATE SPY SATELLITE DEAL

APA, Azerbaijan
Oct 26 2011

The two countries are negotiating co-production of missile carrying
drone

Baku. Habil Suleymanzadeh – APA. Azerbaijan and Israel are cultivating
lively military and economic ties, Israel’s debka.com reports. The two
governments had reached terms on joint production of missile-carrying
drones. According to the debkafile’s military sources, within the
next two months, the Azerbaijan army will take delivery of 60 drones
of two types.

The site reports about the serious efforts made by the regional
countries to get access to the Azerbaijan drone market. “On a recent
visit to Baku, the Secretary of Military Industry at the Turkish
Defense Ministry, Murat Bayar, tried to persuade the government to
buy its long-range Anka drone instead of the Israeli tactical aerial
vehicle”, the site said.

Israel’s Internet site reports that recently an Israel-made and
operated drone with Azerbaijan Air Force markings was downed over
the Nagorno Karabakh, and Armenians said the Azerbaijani drone had
been brought down “as a result of “special measures”, but according
to the DEBKA-Net-Weekly’s military sources reporting the incident
interpreted those “special measures” as a combination of Russian
antiaircraft officers who visited Armenian and then Nagorno Karabakh.

According to the site, Western sources believe Moscow had the
Azerbaijani drone shot down as a one-off incident for an objective
to halt the spread of Israeli influence in the region.

From: A. Papazian

FRANCOPHONE MAYORS VISIT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

Panorama, Armenia
Oct 26 2011

A delegation of the General Assembly of the International Association
of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial
Complex of Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, the press service of Yerevan
Mayor’s Office said.

The Francophone Mayors laid flowers at the memorial of the Armenian
Genocide victims, visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and
left notes in the book of honorary guests.

____

Armenia’s President receives Mayor of Paris

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan received Wednesday Bertrand Delanoe,
the Mayor of Paris and Chairman of the International Association of
Francophone Mayors, President’s press service said.

President Sargsyan welcomed Bertrand Delanoe for holding in Yerevan
the annual session of the Association’s General Assembly and for
chairing it.

President has noted that Armenia delightfully hosts this important
international meeting, which brings together mayors of the capitals
of francophone countries, and which underlines the importance Armenia
gives to the inter-cultural dialogue and development of economic and
cultural relations with francophone states.

Mayor of Paris thanked for the cordial reception and for the chance
to hold the Assembly’s session in Yerevan.

Referring to the Armenian-French relations, Sargsyan and Delanoe have
noted that the high level mutual visits, and the events organized along
the lines of those visits, have further strengthened the friendship
between the both countries.

_____

Paris Mayor: I am happy to visit friendly Armenia

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received today Paris Mayor Bertrand
Delanoe.

The FM welcomed the guest and noted that this month was a month of
Armenian-French friendship: the Armenian President paid an official
visit to Paris, the French President arrived on a state visit to
Armenia, Yerevan hosts the annual session of the General Assembly
of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), and
Paris Mayor pays his first visit to Armenia, MFA press office said.

Edward Nalbandian thanked Mr Delanoe for the joint projects with
Armenia, specifically erection of Statue of Komitas in Paris,
opening of Yerevan Park, traditional annual reception in Paris
Mayor’s Office in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide victims,
active participation of Paris Mayor’s Office in the events marking
the Year of Armenia in France.

Bertrand Delanoe expressed his thanks for the reception and words of
gratitude. He said that he is happy to visit friendly Armenia and he
is convinced that the implementation of the agreements reached during
his visit will boost ties between our capitals, countries and peoples.

The meeting also addressed regional and international issues.

From: A. Papazian

OVER 88,000 FARMERS IN ARMENIA WILL BENEFIT FROM REHABILITATION OF IRRIGATION SCHEMES

Panorama, Armenia
Oct 26 2011

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a
US$18 million loan for the Additional Financing of the Irrigation
Rehabilitation Emergency Project (IREP) for Armenia. The scale up and
restructuring of this project will improve water use efficiency in
the selected irrigation schemes, as well as foster immediate rural
employment in seven regions of Armenia.

Rehabilitation works will include 50 km of main and secondary canals
serving around 52,000 hectares (ha) in Aragastotn, Kotayk, Shirak,
Lori, Ararat, and Armavir regions, which will allow reducing water
losses by an estimated 34.4 million cubic meters and will potentially
restore irrigation on about 4,700 ha. In addition, rehabilitation of
another 63 km of tertiary networks in 19 communities of Lori, Shirak,
Gegharkunik, and Armavir regions will reduce water losses by 9.9
million cubic meters, will improve existing irrigation water services
on over 2,500 ha, and potentially restore irrigation on 1,760 ha.

Annual water savings (44.2 million cubic meters) equivalent to US$1.4
million of the financial price of water will enable some 6,500 ha of
previously irrigated lands to be restored.

“This Project will directly benefit over 88,000 farmers who will
see their farm profitability and incomes rise,” said Mr. Asad Alam,
World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus. “This Project
supports the government’s efforts to improve agricultural productivity
and boost long-term growth”.

“The irrigation rehabilitation will also generate about 7,000
person-months of temporary employment, and potentially may add about
2,100 permanent jobs in agriculture” said Mr. Jean-Michel Happi, the
World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “Job creation is an important
dimension of this project.”

Under the original IREP, some 89.4 km were rehabilitated, including
57.7 km in Talin and 31.7 km in Armavir main canals. Water losses
declined by about 96.9 million cubic meters from around 114. Temporary
jobs created during construction equaled to about 11,379 person/months
(of the targeted 9,000 person/months), of which 67 percent was
unskilled labor, primarily benefitting poorer households. Longer
term development impacts include an estimated 8,000 ha returned to
irrigation to the benefit of small-scale farmers in surrounding areas.

Over time this is expected to provide incentives for cultivation of
higher value crops, which should result in additional long-term job
creation and improved livelihoods for poorer households.

“This Project will also strengthen the sustainability of progress made
in the irrigation sector by improving water service delivery and water
management,” added Mr. Giuseppe Fantozzi, Task Team Leader for the
Project. “It will strengthen the institutions that are particularly
relevant for the ongoing reforms, especially through training the
Water User Associations.”

The Project was prepared in close cooperation with the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) Program, which prepared the preliminary
designs for construction works.

Total financing of the Project is US$ 21.6 million, of which the
Government of Armenia will finance US$3.4 million and US$0.2 million
will be provided by beneficiaries (already collected under the MCC
Program funds). The IBRD loan carries a maturity of 25 years including
a grace period of 10 years.

Since joining the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, the total IDA
and IBRD commitments to Armenia amount to US$1, 506 million.

From: A. Papazian

PM WARNS: THOSE REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH RPA WILL BE BACK TO SQUARE ONE

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 26, 2011 – 19:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Prime Minister commented on rumored conflict
between the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and Prosperous
Armenia party.

“Those who cooperate with us will only gain by it; those who refuse,
will be back to square one,” Tigran Sargsyan told journalists at
National Assembly.

The PM characterized RPA as the axis that the other coalition partners
spin around, the position that the party aims to develop further.

“The coalition memorandum signed in February consolidated the view
above. Coalition parties will unite around president Serzh Sargsyan,
without attempting to strengthen their own positions through their
partners,” the PM said.

“Rumour-mongers are grossly mistaken about our possibilities. Today,
RPA is the strongest political force in Armenia, capable of retaining
and strengthening its position. However, we’re always open to
cooperation with other political forces,” the Prime Minister noted.

According to Hraparak newspaper, RPA executive body gathering focused
on further cooperation with Prosperous Armenia party. The newspaper
said that some RPA members considered Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik
Tsarukyan’s refusal to publicly announce support for Serzh Sargsyan’s
candidacy at next presidential race to be unacceptable. Despite
coalition memorandum signed, Tsarukyan spoke of the party’s intention
to initiate a separate presidential campaign. RPA executive body gave
Prosperous Armenia till next week to specify its position, expressing
support for Sargsyan’s nomination.

Following the meeting, RPA members refused to reveal any detail, with
the party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov noting domestic situation as
the theme of discussion held.

From: A. Papazian

GERMAN COMMERZBANK APPROVES UNSECURED LOAN FOR ARMENIAN AMERIABANK

ARKA
Oct 26, 2011

YEREVAN, October 26. / ARKA /. German Commerzbank approved a large
unsecured and unwarranted loan for Armenian Ameriabank (bilateral
credit), the press service of the Armenian bank said to ARKA.

According to the report, it was the first such deal approved by
Commerzbank for the Armenian bank, based on the latter~Rs reputation
of a reliable partner and given its strong financial position and
credible activities in the international arena.

Ameriabank said the loan will be channeled to finance small and medium
businesses and provide a competitive environment for customers.

The first unprecedented for Armenia’s banking system transaction
between these banks was made in May this year, when Commerzbank
approved for Ameriabank a 700 million dram guarantee for trade
financing (in the Armenian national currency).

Ameriabank is a universal bank that provides investment, corporate and
limited retail banking services in an integrated package of banking
solutions. It is owned by Troika Dialog, one of the largest investment
banking companies in Russia.

German Commerzbank was founded in 1870. It is the second largest bank
in Germany in terms of assets (400 billion euros). It has 36 thousand
employees who serve approximately 8 million customers in more than
40 countries.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S JOINING ENERGY COMMUNITY TREATY TO ENHANCE METHODOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE FROM MEMBER COUNTRIES

ARKA
Oct 26, 2011

YEREVAN, October 26. / ARKA /. Armenia’s joining the Energy
Community Treaty will enhance its ability to obtain methodological
and practical assistance from member countries, Levon Vardanyan, head
of a department of Armenian energy and natural resources ministry,
said to ARKA. Mr. Vardanyan is also the coordinator of INOGATE program
in Armenia.

Armenia gained observer status in the Energy Community Treaty at a
meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Energy Community Treaty
in Chisinau, Moldova, October 6.

The aim of the Energy Community Treaty is to establish a fully
integrated energy market in the region of the South-Eastern Europe,
compatible with the same market rules and standards of the EU’s single
energy market. The Treaty also offers a framework for attracting
investment in energy infrastructures of the region, integration with
the EU’s internal energy market, enhancing competition, improving
the environmental situation, and enhancing the security of supply.

“This new status means that we have new commitments regarding joining
new energy markets,” Vardanyan said to journalists at the presentation
of INOGATE program.

He said one of the positive outcomes of INOGATE is achieving the
required level of understanding in the organization of power markets,
application of operations standards and aspects of cooperation between
the countries involved in INOGATE.

“Thanks to the program we started talking to each other in a common
language,” he said.

INOGATE was started in 2004 and since 2006 it began to implement
regional projects. The program assists the Black Sea and Caspian
countries in the formation of energy markets, similar to the European,
and securing investments in the energy sector.

The Energy Community Treaty of Southeast Europe was formed in 2005. It
was signed by EU, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro, Moldova joined
in 2010.

From: A. Papazian

EUROPEAN COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF TANER AKCAM

hetq
16:39, October 26, 2011

Yesterday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Turkish
government’s prosecution under Article 301 of its penal code regarding
Taner Akcam’s public views on the Armenian Genocide violated his right
to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention
on Human Rights.

Dr. Akcam became the target of threats for expressing his views and
publishing his findings on the Armenian Genocide. A close friend
to the late Hrant Dink, Dr. Akcam knew all too well the dangers of
speaking about this taboo subject in Turkey. Before he was gunned down
in broad daylight, Hrant Dink was also prosecuted under Article 301.

In its decision, the Court acknowledged this connection noting “it
was widely believed that Hrant Dink had been targeted by extremists
because of the stigma attached to his criminal conviction for
‘insulting Turkishness.'”

The Court further concluded that changes to Article 301 and the
replacement of the term “Turkishness” by the words “the Turkish
Nation” made “no change or major difference in the interpretation of
these concepts because they have been understood in the same manner
by the Court of Cassation… [in other words it] does not introduce
a substantial change or contribute to the widening of protection of
the right to freedom of expression.”

Welcoming the court’s decision, Taner Akcam commented that, “Turkey
should learn that facing history and coming to terms with past
human rights abuses is not a crime but a prerequisite for peace and
reconciliation in the region. I consider myself as a part of Turkish
civil society, which fights for a truly free and democratic Turkey.

This cannot happen if Turkey continues to criminalize discussion of
the Armenian Genocide.”

The Court rejected Akcam’s claim of 90,000 Euros in compensation.

From: A. Papazian