Author: Andres-Papazian

Cabinet approves budget of North-South Program

13:41 – 30.07.11

The 2011 budget of the North South Program Road Corridor Investment
Program has received the government’s approval.

The cabinet members adopted the finalized version of the draft budget
at their meeting on Saturday.

The board members discussed and approved the Asian Development
Bank-proposed amendments to the clauses on the reconstruction and
repairs of several interstate highways (Ashtarak-Talin,
Yerevan-Ashtarak, Yerevan-Ararat). They recommended Karen Badalyan,
the acting chief executive of the organization responsible for the
program’s implementation, to submit the amended contest documents to
ADB’s approval.

The sustainable urban development program was also on the agenda of
the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Nagorno Karabakh discusses implementation of social programs with benefactor

13:09 – 30.07.11

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR, Artsakh) Bako
Sahakyan received an Artsakh-born benefactor, Hayk Maghakelyan, on
Saturday.

The parties discussed possibilities of launching social programs in
the country, the press service of the NKR presidential office
reported.

Sahakyan stressed the importance of foreign based compatriots’
contribution to the country’s development and said the authorities in
Nagorno Karabakh are willing to assist in their efforts.

Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Le Temps, La Suisse
Vendredi 29 Juillet 2011

«Au rythme du soleil et du vent»

Chaque jour de l’été, une personne raconte au «Temps» comment se vit
cette saison chez elle, à Niamey, Sydney ou Martigny. Aujourd’hui,
Shushan Davtyan, 38 ans, cheffe de projet dans un hôpital d’Erevan,
Arménie

Propos recueillis par Anne Fournier

«L’été en Arménie, c’est la saison du soleil. Quand j’y pense, il y a
tout de suite deux motifs qui me viennent à l’esprit: le soleil et
l’abricot. L’abricot arménien est très réputé pour sa couleur et
surtout pour son goût délicieux. Et puis, il est énorme! A Erevan,
dans la capitale, le rythme est donné par le soleil qui inonde la
journée et le vent qui se lève le soir. Mais l’ambiance est plutôt
relax; on sent les vacances, aussi en raison des touristes qui sont
arrivés. Ce sont en grande partie des Arméniens qui habitent à
l’étranger. Du coup, même ceux qui travaillent sont moins stressés.
Après la difficile journée de labeur, ils s’offrent une marche
nonchalante dans les lumières nocturnes de la ville ou une tasse de
café sur les terrasses. Partout dans les cours intérieures, on entend
les cris des enfants qui jouissent des vacances scolaires.

Pour moi, l’été commence début juin, à la fin de l’année scolaire.
J’arrête alors durant quelques semaines de donner des cours de
français. Par contre, je continue mon activité principale à l’hôpital
pédiatrique Arabkir. Mais ma routine est beaucoup moins chargée.
L’autre source d’allégement et de joie est la présence de visiteurs en
provenance de Suisse, des stagiaires venus aider à l’hôpital et une
amie. Je me lève à 7 heures et demie et après un petit café, je fais
ma toilette et file au travail. Je peux consacrer les soirées à ma
famille, surtout à mon fils Roland. Nous adorons tous les deux les
promenades au centre-ville avec un petit repas dans une pizzeria, une
glace près des fontaines de la place de la République. On flne, ça
aide à s’évader. Cela nous fait penser aussi à notre merveilleux
séjour fait en Suisse, il y a deux ans. Les prochaines vacances auront
lieu en Arménie, loin de la ville, dans une région pittoresque. Mais
au fond de moi je me réjouis aussi de quitter mon pays: je vais sous
peu à Paris, pour quelques jours de découverte.»

From: A. Papazian

TendersInfo – Project Notices
July 29, 2011 Friday

Armenia: ACBA Credit Agricole Bank – Syndicated Loan

Country: Armenia
Project number: 38950
Business sector: Lending to Banks
Public/Private: Private
Environmental category: FI
Board date: 30 Sept 2008
Status: Signed
PSD disclosed: 8 Aug 2008
Project Cost: Up to US$ 50 million.

The EBRD is considering a senior loan to ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank for
on-lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The
loan, which is expected to be syndicated, will assist the bank to
expand its lending activities to farmers and private sector Armenian
entrepreneurs, particularly outside of the capital.

The loan will increase supply of medium-term funding and will allow an
increasing number of farmers and MSMEs to have access to bank
financing. By supporting one of the leading local banks, EBRD will add
to the overall lending capability of the banking sector in Armenia and
will provide strong demonstration effect to other Armenian banks.

Senior loan of up to US$ 50 million, of which EBRD will retain up to
US$ 25 million and will seek to syndicate up to US$ 25 million.

The loan will be split between MSE and SME facilities in a ratio of 7 to 3.

As part of the Armenia Microlending Programme, Institution building
technical assistance has been previously provided to ACBA-Credit
Agricole through donor funds provided by USAID and the multi-donor
Early Transition Countries multi-donor fund.

The bank has also benefited from technical assistance for Medium-Sized
Co-financing Facility funded by the multi-donor Early Transition
Countries multi-donor fund.

For consultant opportunities for projects financed by technical
cooperation funds, visit procurement of consultants.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 30 2011

Water heating devises might collapse due to heat in Armenia

July 30, 2011 | 09:11

YEREVAN. – It is recommended that the residents of Armenia do not use
water heating devices working on gas. In the conditions of high
temperature and consequent absence of draft in chimneys, the devices
may collapse.

Note that according to Armstatehydromet, the heat in Armenia will
reach +40 degrees Celsius on July 30, 31 and August 1. This
temperature is considered to be dangerous, which might be a signal for
the government to close all agencies and announce a holiday.

Meteorologists advised to dress in bright colors, preferably white,
and do take plenty of liquid and, when possible, avoid direct
sunlight.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 30 2011

Being officer is outlook, being military is lifestyle – Armenian MOD

July 30, 2011 | 14:45

YEREVAN. – Officers of the Military Institute have repeatedly proved
their loyalty to our motherland, said Armenian Minister of Defense
Seyran Ohanyan at solemn ceremony of warding 308 Institute graduates
with lieutenant rank.

`Joining the ranks of Armenian Armed Forces you make fresh and firm
steps towards contribution to further strengthening of our army,’ he
added.

According to Ohanyan, being an officer is an outlook, while being a
military is lifestyle.

`You must realize that officer has a heroic, responsible profession,’
the MOD stressed.

Touching upon the issue of officers’ social security, Ohanyan said
that the problems of officers and their families have been and will be
highlighted in the list of Defense Ministry’s priorities, Armenian MOD
press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijan tried to impede symposium of sculpture in Shushi

July 30, 2011 – 17:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Azerbaijan tried to impede the work of Hakob
Gyurjyan first international symposium of sculpture in Shushi, which
Italian specialists were engaged in.

As Narekatsi Union of Arts reports, Italian sculptors received letters
with threats saying Azerbaijan did not give them rights to encroach on
the territory of NKR.

`The letter sent from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy says that if I
arrive in Artsakh an action will be commenced,’ photographer Lapo Cali
said.

Hakob Gyurjyan first international symposium of sculpture took place
in Shushi from July 17-28.

15 Italian sculptures created compositions from limestone, to be
located in different corners of the city.

The compositions will boost development of sculpture and capital
building of Shushi and will return it bygone fame and status of
cultural center, according to sculptor Vigen Avetis.

`The idea of peace, freedom and struggle are dominating in the
sculptures. From the first sight it is notable that these sculptures
defer from Armenian sculptors’ works by style and spirit, they are
designed to change architectural environment of Shushi,’ the sculptor
said.

Results of the symposium will be included into the catalogue in three
languages: Armenian, Italian and English, the author of which is
Professor Gerardo Lo Russo, Rector of Rome Academy of Arts. Studio
Quagli Italian cinema studio will shoot a documentary film on cultural
heritage of Artsakh and Shushi to be screened over Rai 1.

From: A. Papazian

Tbilisi accuses Russia of unwillingness to carry out talks in
constructive manner

July 30, 2011 – 17:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia does not want to negotiate with the Georgian
side in a constructive manner, Georgian Foreign Ministry said in its
official statement.

“Any relations, which Russian authorities engage in with South Ossetia
and Abkhazia are in violation of universally recognized norms and
principles of international law as well as obligations of Russia
undertaken on international arena,” the statement said.

This statement was response to submission of Agreement with Sukhumi on
cooperation in customs sphere to State Duma by the Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev.

“It is noteworthy that neither present nor any other so-called
“international agreements” concluded between Russian Federation and
Georgia’s occupied regions have any legal effect and are applicable in
international relations, as Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South
Ossetia represent integral parts of Georgia and do not have a status
of subjects of international law,” Foreign Ministry’s statement says.

Moreover, Tbilisi states that “in circumstances when Georgian side
expresses its readiness to resolve all outstanding issues between
Georgia and Russia and is undertaking concrete efforts in this
direction, the recent step of the President of Russian Federation once
again makes it clear that Russian side is not willing to proceed with
negotiations with Georgia in a constructive manner,” the statement
says.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry notes that Russian side continuously
tries to instill “new reality” created by Russia, however neither
Georgia nor international community will legitimize or tolerate this
reality, according to Trend.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE-POETES
Qui sont poètes préférés du président Serge Sarkissian ?

Samedi 23 juillet, le Président arménien Serge Sarkissian était à
Dzargatsor à l’occasion des 5e rencontres « Olympiades » panarméniens
des jeunes sur la littérature et la langue arménienne. Après
l’intervention du lors d’un débat, de Serge Sarkissian, une jeune
fille a demandé au Président arménien poètes ou les auteurs qu’il
affectionnait. « J’aime Narégatsi, j’aime Koutchak, Tcharents, j’aime
Sévag et beaucoup d’autres encore. Vous savez, nous avons des poètes
brillants qui sont l’auteur de nombreux joyaux de la littérature. L’un
de mes poèmes préférés est « Yes im anouch Hayastani » ». Serge
Sarkissian récita ensuite le poème de Tcharents devant des jeunes très
émus par le verbe du président qui aime également la littérature
arménienne.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 30 juillet 2011,
Krikor [email protected]

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE-CULTURE
Le musée Paradjanov a 20 ans

Le musée Sergueï Paradjanov d’Erévan a 20 ans. Le célèbre cinéaste
arménien n’a pas vécu en Arménie. Mais à sa disparition, il a légué
une grande partie de ses `uvres à l’Arménie. Le musée Paradjanov
d’Erévan regroupe des éléments de la maison de Paradjanov à Tbilissi,
plus de 600 objets personnels et créations artistiques. Le musée
dispose également de nombreux scénarios de films inachevés de
Paradjanov. Le musée est l’un des plus visités de la capitale
arménienne. En 2012 sera réalisé un film sur Paradjanov avec pour le
rôle principal, l’acteur Serge Avédikian.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 30 juillet 2011,
Krikor [email protected]

From: A. Papazian