Author: Andres-Papazian

POPE VISITS ARMENIAN PATRIARCH BEFORE DEPARTURE

Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
November 30, 2014 Sunday

ISTANBUL (CÄ°HAN)- Ahead of his departure, spiritual leader of world
Catholics Pope Francesco visited Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan
at the Surp Pirgic hospital in Istanbul where he is being treated.

Pope Francesco’s last destination in Istanbul was Armenian Surp Pirgic
hospital. Pope visited here Mesrob Mutafyan, Armenian Patriarch and
spiritual leader of Armenians in Turkey.

From: A. Papazian

POPE HAS NO RIGHT TO TALK OF CLOSED ARMENIA BORDER – TURKISH OFFICIAL

11:29 * 03.12.14

Pope Francis has no right to talk about the opening of the
Turkey-Armenia border, the head of Turkey’s National Action Party
(MHP) has said, addressing the pontific’s remark made during the
visit to Ankara.

Devlet Bahceli described the call as a dangerous when speaking on
the TV channel Haberler, Trend.az reports.

In the course of his visit to Turkey on December 1, Pope Francis
expressed hope that the Turkish-Armenian borders will open in the
near future.

The pontiff said he prays for the betterment Turkey-Armenia relations.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

LA BOLIVIE, A SON TOUR, RECONNAÃŽT LE GENOCIDE DES ARMENIENS

GENOCIDE

La Bolivie a rejoint le 26 novembre le club, de moins en moins ferme
heureusement, des Etats reconnaissant le genocide des Armeniens. Les
deux chambres du Parlement bolivie ont en effet approuve a l’unanimite
des textes legislatifs portant sur la reconnaissance du genocide des
Armeniens, et ce a quelques mois de la date butoir du 24 avril 2015,
marquant le centenaire de ce Genocide dont la Turquie persiste a
recuser toute responsabilite. Ce geste des legislateurs de l’Etat
andin, bien eloigne par ailleurs des realites armeniennes, est de bon
augure quant a ce processus de reconnaissance internationale dont on
peut esperer qu’il va se renforcer a l’approche du centenaire.

Les resolutions votes par les deux chambres du Parlement bolivien,
l’Assemblee legislative plurinationale de Bolivie, est l’expression de
la solidarite du peuple bolivien avec le peuple armenien, et condamne
“toute politique de denegation concernant le genocide et les crimes
contre l’humanite dont a souffert la nation armenienne”. S’exprimant
devant Prensa Armenia, la senatrice Zonia Guardia Melgar, qui preside
le Senat de Bolivie, a precise que “la decision avait ete prise a
l’unanimite des membres du Senat comme de la Chambre des deputes,
avec l’approbation du ministère des affaires etrangères”.

Le peuple kurde, dont les exactions de l’Etat islamique a Kobane et
ailleurs en Syrie ont mis en lumière les souffrances subies tout au
long de l’histoire, sont associes a cet hommage comme l’a souligne
Mme Melgar : “Nous offrons notre soutien sans faille, notre solidarite
et notre amitie aux peuples armenien et kurde, car la Constitition de
notre Etat, qui est la loi fondamentale, condamne toute discrimination,
violation des droits de l’ homme et genocide”. Le texte vote par les
parlementaires boliviens indique notamment : “L’Assemblee legislative
plurinationale de Bolivie partage la lutte du peuple armenien pour
ses justes revendications pour le respect des droits de l’homme et le
retablissement de la verite et de la justice et en est solidaire. Elle
reaffirme en consequence : son ferme attachement aux droits de l’homme,
a la verite, a la justice, a la solidarite et sa condamnation de
toute politique negationniste concernant le genocide et les crimes
contre l’humanite subis par la nation armenienne”.

Dimanche, une ceremonie speciale avait eu lieu dans la cathedrale
armenienne apostolique St. Gregoire l’Illuminateur de Buenos Aires,
en Argentine, où des membres du Parlement bolivien avaient ete invites
a presenter la resolution a la communaute armenienne. L’ambassadeur
d’Armenie en Argentine Vahagn Melikyan et le Prelat de l’archeveche
d’Argentine, l’archeveque Gisak Muradian, figuraient au nombre des
personnalites presentes. Le vice-president du Senat bolivien et la
president en exercice du Senat Zonia Guardia Melgar, accompagnes
d’un autre membre du Parlement Farides Walla Suarez de Suarez,
representaient le Parlement bolivien a cette ceremonie en Argentine.

Guardia Melgar a declare a cette occasion que l’adoption unanime
de la resolution avait ete totalement approuvee par le ministère
des affaires etrangères bolivien, ajoutant que ce n’est que par la
reconnaissance et la condamnation du Genocide qu’il sera possible
d’empecher la repetition de tels crimes subis par les nations et les
Etats a l’avenir.

De son côte, le ministre armenien des affaires etrangères Edouard
Nalbandian a rendu public une declaration saluant l’adoption de
la resolution bolivienne. “Nous exprimons notre gratitude aux deux
Chambres du Parlement, ainsi qu’au gouvernement et au peuple de Bolivie
pour la reconnaissance du Genocide des Armeniens perpetre dans la
Turquie ottomane. A l’approche du 100e anniversaire du Genocide des
Armeniens, la Bolivie, par ce geste, a donne une forte impulsion
a la noble cause du retablissement de la justice historique, de la
reconnaissance, de la condamnation, et de la prevention des crimes
contre l’humanite et au combat contre le deni”, a notamment indique
M.Nalbandian dans sa declaration.

mardi 2 decembre 2014, Gari (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS WITH JAMES WARLICK IN US

12:17 * 02.12.14

The president of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s National Assembly on
Monday met with the US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group in Washington.

According to a press release by the NKR parliament, the talks between
Aashot Ghulyan and Ambassador James Warlick focused on recent regional
developments and the efforts towards reaching a peaceful solution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Also on Monday, Ghulyan met with Frank Pallone, a co-chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. The sides discussed a broad
framework of issues relating to inter-parliamentary relations and
the Karabakh peace process, as well as mechanisms of humanitarian
assistance.

Ghulyan briefed the US congressman on the aftermaths of the Azerbaijani
provocations against Nagorno-Karabakh. In that context, he extended his
word of gratitude to US Congress members for a statement condemning
the recent tragic shootdown of an Armenian helicopter near the Line
of Contact.

Mr Ghulyan started his working visit to the United States on Sunday.

From: A. Papazian

WRONG TURN: VALUE OF NATIONAL CURRENCY GOES DOWN, PRICE OF GOODS GOES UP

ECONOMY | 02.12.14 | 15:41

GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

On Tuesday the average rate of the Armenian currency reached 435 drams
per one U.S. dollar, marking the highest the dram has been since 2005,
and continuing a climb that has been going on for several days.

According to Consumers Consulting Center NGO President Karen
Chilingaryan, the devaluation of the dram is related to the economic
situation in Russia, where foreign sanctions (over aggression against
Ukraine) have caused the ruble to devalue.

The devaluation of the dram plus an increase in the cost of goods,
leads to inflation, economists say.

“The Russian ruble had about a 50 percent decline in Russia, and in
Armenia a decline of the dram. These are related (because) Armenian
labor migrants mostly choose Russia and because of the crisis there,
their transfers also decreased,” Chilingaryan said, adding that the
$1-2 billion in annual transfers will likely be cut in half this year –
a serious blow to the Armenian economy.

Rising costs for staples against the decline of the national currency
spells difficulty for many Armenian households.

Chilingaryan uses the cost of potatoes as an example . . .

“Last year 660,000 tons of potatoes were produced in Armenia, while
this year – 670-680,000 tons. But a year a year ago at the same
period potatoes cost 160-200 drams (about 36-45 cents per kilo),
while now it costs 250-270 drams (about 57-67 cents),” Chilingaryan
said, relating these price increases to the Western sanctions against
Russia, because of which export from Armenia to Russia increased.

Chilingaryan expects further negative impact on the economy as Armenia
adjusts to the demands of its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union
(EEU).

“Since we are entering the EEU, the rules of the game will also
change. The goods that we import, and we are an importing country –
almost 70 percent of goods — customs tax will reach 25-30 percent,”
Chilingaryan said.

According to Chilingaryan price increases create a chain effect.

Seeing that one good is more expensive, all other goods also get
more expensive.

“I am sure that at the threshold of the New Year’s Eve, as always
another price increase is not excluded. There are goods that might
be cheaper in Armenia, but they are expensive, and the reason is,
alas, the importers work in the field of monopolies.

There is a concern that meat will also get more expensive,”
Chilingaryan said.

From: A. Papazian

LA COMPAGNIE DES CHEMINS DE FER DU CAUCASE DU SUD PRESENTE SES RESULTATS DU MOIS D’AOUT

ARMENIE

Victor Rebets, le directeur general de la compagnie des chemins de
fer du Caucase du Sud, a resume les resultats pour le mois d’août.

Victor Rebets a dit que les objectifs de transport de fret ont ete
remplis de 107% et a souligne l’importance des efforts visant a
attirer davantage de marchandises sur les voies ferrees.

Une des tendances positives est le transport local et international
accru. Le poids de la voiture moyenne a augmente a 1563 tonnes
(+74 tonnes) et le temps de circulation des wagons de marchandises
a diminue.

Le directeur general a specifiquement mentionne l’augmentation de
5,4% des salaires des cheminots a la fin août, par rapport a la meme
periode de l’annee precedente. Le salaire moyen dans l’entreprise
etait de 203 000 drams a la fin du mois de reference.

mardi 2 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

D’IMPORTANTES REPARATIONS DANS LES ECOLES

ARMENIE

D’importantes reparations et le reequipement de toutes les ecoles
d’Armenie est estime a au moins 1 milliard d’EURO a declare le ministre
de l’education et des Sciences Armen Ashotyan lors de la presentation
d’un accord de pret international a l’Assemblee nationale.

> a-t-il dit. >.

Les legislateurs armeniens ont discute de la ratification de deux
accords de prets signes avec l’Agence internationale de developpement
(IDA) et la Banque internationale pour la reconstruction et le
developpement (BIRD).

Selon ces accords, 30 millions seront pretes a l’Armenie pour la
modernisation du système educatif.

mardi 2 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

FPWC
Foundation for the Presevation of Wildlife and Culture
Nr. 5, Byron Street
Yerevan
Republic of Armenia
375009
Tel: 00374 10 529340
Fax: 00374 10 564484

December 1, 2014

Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)
Contact: Syuzanna Petrosyan
[email protected], +374 77 933772

On December 3, at 2pm, the opening of an inclusive swing for disabled
children will take place at the Yerevan Zoo, with attendance by British
Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach and Director of Yerevan Zoo Ruben
Khachatryan. This day, which is also the International Day of People
with Disability, will mark the start of the `Playground for All
Children’ campaign.

The inclusive swing has been donated to the Yerevan Zoo by the Armenian
British Business Chamber and Rotary Club of Yerevan International.

As the first gift for children with special needs to be placed in the
zoo, this event marks the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife
and Cultural Asset’s (FPWC) crowdfunding campaign to open the first
inclusive playground in Armenia. Placed inside the Yerevan Zoo itself,
the `Playground for All Children’ will be a tangible step towards more
respect for the 8000 registered disabled children in the country. The
campaign will be facilitated through the U.S. based Global Giving online
platform through which anyone, anywhere in the world can contribute.

The lack of awareness for their special needs has left many disabled
children and their families at the margins of society. A recent study by
UNICEF reveals that the segregation of disabled children in Armenia is
in many ways linked to the problem the general public still perceives it
as impossible to integrate mentally as well as physically handicapped
persons in normal life. This playground aims to provide a space for
integration. It will promote an inclusive approach on all levels of the
society by dismantling societal barriers that have kept these children
segregated for years.

About FPWC

Established in 2002, FPWC is Armenia’s leading foundation for the
protection and conservation of the country’s unique natural heritage.
Working at the crossroads of wildlife protection, environmental
education, as well as community and infrastructure development, the
foundation emphasizes the involvement of rural populations in the
sustainable development of Armenia. In all its projects, FPWC advocates
for mutual respect between human beings, the natural environment, and
cultural heritage, as these are indispensable conditions for the
positive development of Armenia.

—
Foundation for the Preservation of
Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)
# 20 Myasnikyan street
0025 Yerevan, Armenia
Phone: + 374 77933772
E-Mail: [email protected]

From: A. Papazian

Pope Francis visits Armenian Patriarch in Istanbul hospital

22:51, 30 Nov 2014

Pope Francis visited the San Salvatore Armenian hospital in Istanbul
to see Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafian.

Before leaving for the airport to board his flight back to Rome at the
end of his visit to Turkey, Pope Francis paid a visit to the Armenian
Patriarch of Constaninople, Mesrob Mutafian, who is seriously ill at
the San Salvatore Armenian hospital in Istanbul, Vatican Radio
reports.

From: A. Papazian

Baltic News Service / – BNS
November 27, 2014 Thursday 9:01 AM EET

Lithuanian exporters expect breakthrough in Armenian market

VILNIUS, Nov 27, BNS – While Armenia, with a population of three
million people, will not become an alternative to Russia, Lithuanian
food industry companies see a market for their own-branded products in
the country and there is also a potential for food equipment, timber
and construction industry companies, the business daily Verslo Zinios
reported on Thursday.

Lithuanian food and beverage companies say that a business mission to
Armenia surpassed their expectations.

“It is difficult to establish contacts there without help. Armenians
do not answer emails, especially if there was no direct contact.
During that visit, meetings were arranged for us with the four largest
retail chains and 25 largest food and beverage importers,” Giedrius
Bagusinskas, director of the Lithuanian Food Exporters’ Association,
told the paper.

“It happened that our delegation was the first to meet with the French
retail chain Carrefour, which is launching operations in Armenia,” he
said.

It is possible for Lithuanian companies to enter the Armenian market
with their own brands, especially those that are already on the
shelves of stores in the CIS, the director said.

From: A. Papazian