Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SWISS NATIONAL COUNCIL

armradio.am
03.05.2011 18:26

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with the President
of the Swiss National Council Jean-René Germanie.

The parties discussed issues related to the development of
Armenian-Swiss inter-parliamentary ties and voiced hope that the
Parliamentary Friendship Groups of the two countries would use the
opportunities of inter-parliamentary diplomacy to contribute to the
development of bilateral relations.

The interlocutors attached importance to inter-parliamentary contacts
not only in bilateral format, but also within parliamentary assemblies
of different international organizations.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN: DIASPORA IS AN INSEPARABLE PART OF ARMENIA

armradio.am
03.05.2011 19:11

President Serzh Sargsyan met with his Swiss counterpart Micheline
Calmy-Rey. The meeting was followed by a joint press conference. Serzh
Sargsyan noted that the “Armenian-Swiss relations have a great
potential for development and the parties are interested in using
all opportunities to boost economic cooperation.”

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations, President Sargsyan
reiterated Armenia’s willingness to normalize relations with Turkey
without any preconditions.

“Unfortunately, instead of taking steps to ratify the protocols,
Turkey continues its efforts to drive a wedge between Armenia and
Diaspora. The longer these efforts continue, the less the trust in
the process,” President Sargsyan said.

Serzh Sargsyan underlined that the Diaspora formed as a result of the
Armenian Genocide is an inseparable part of Armenia and the Armenian
people. “Diaspora Armenians are Armenian Ambassadors spread all over
the world, like our Ambassador to Switzerland, world-known Charles
Aznavour,” he added.

Speaking about the process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
the President said “Switzerland’s mediating efforts are the best
evidence of the fact that recognition of the Armenian Genocide only
temporarily shadows the relations between Turkey and the country that
has recognized the Genocide.”

“By recognizing the Armenian Genocide Switzerland condemned that
crime against humanity. The most important is that it did not prevent
Switzerland from acting as mediator in the process of normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations. The example of Switzerland is
the best one, and should be educative for other countries,” the
President stated.

From: A. Papazian

SHARE OF ONLINE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SRC AND ARMENIAN BANKS MAKES 90%

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 15:13 AMT

The share of online communication between the State Revenue Committee
(SRC) and Armenian banks makes 90%, as was reported during a meeting
of SRC head Gagik Khachatryan with representatives of the Armenian
banking sector.

Similar meetings are held on a regular basis with representatives of
various sectors of economy. The banks are among largest taxpayers of
Armenia, they paid AMD 12.9bln to the state budget in 2010, the SRC
press service reported.

Khachatryan presented a new electronic program, through which the bank
will have the opportunity to communicate online with the tax service.

Besides, Khachatryan briefed the meeting participants on the program
of reforms in the tax and customs fields.

From: A. Papazian

U.S. GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE $27 MILLION ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA IN 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 15:18 AMT

USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia
Roberta Mahoney arrived in Armenia on a four-day working visit,
during which she met with representatives of the Armenian government,
private sector, partner organizations and the Diaspora.

The parties discussed U.S.-Armenia bilateral relations, USAID
assistance programs in the areas of democracy, economic growth,
health and social reform, and Armenia’s development challenges.

Ms. Mahoney visited several USAID-supported projects in Yerevan,
including the nearly established Microsoft Innovation Center and the
Women’s Support Center which provides services for victims of domestic
violence and their families, the press service of the U.S. embassy
in Armenia reported.

SDAA Mahoney’s visit highlighted USAID’s nearly two decades of
strong partnership with Armenia. The U.S. Government will provide $27
million assistance to Armenia this year aimed at reducing poverty,
improving rule of law, providing better access to health care and
social benefits, and strengthening private sector and infrastructure.

From: A. Papazian

HAYPOST ANNOUNCES COMPETITION ON OCCASION OF ARMENIA’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 16:58 AMT

Haypost CJSC announced designers’ competition as part of celebration
of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. The competition
prize fund amounts to AMD 3.5mln.

The competition will be held in the following topics: the 20th
anniversary of Armenia’s and NKR’s independence. The competition is
open to everyone, while innovative approaches are welcome.

The first, second and third prize winners will receive AMD 2mln, 1mln
and 500,000 respectively. Applications are accepted until May 31, 2011.

From: A. Papazian

MAY 3 MARKS 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMAVIA A-320 PLANE CRASH

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 16:23 AMT

May 3 marks the fifth anniversary of Armavia A-320 plane crash. The
crew of the Armavia Airbus A320 that crashed into the Black Sea close
to Sochi in southern Russia was attempting to make its second approach
to the airport in poor weather conditions. All 105 passengers and
eight crew members were killed.

The crew of flight U8 967, operating from Yerevan (Armenia) to Sochi
(Russia), had planned to divert to the Georgian capital Tbilisi as
weather reported for the destination was below minima, but information
about improved conditions led them to change their minds and attempt
a landing.

Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft while it was
maneuvering to position for the second approach. The plane hit the
surface of the Black Sea about 6km offshore, and there had been no
emergency call from the crew.

Investigation of the Interstate Aviation Committee showed that the
crashed aircraft was in working order.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS EXPANSION OF PEACEKEEPING MISSION TO AFGHANISTAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 17:00 AMT

Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations will
discuss an agreement envisaging expansion of peacekeeping mission to
Afghanistan, the head of the Committee Armen Rustamyan stated during
a meeting with German Ambassador to France Hans-Jochen Schmidt.

At the meeting, the parties emphasised the importance of Armenia’s
participation in regional and international peacemaking activities.

Mr. Rustamyan expressed hope for both the Committee and Armenian
parliament to confirm the agreement.

From: A. Papazian

AHMADINEJAD WILL JOIN UN SUMMIT; SARKOZY, SARGSYAN’S ATTENDANCE UNCONFIRMED

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 16:44 AMT

Iranian President Ahmadinejad will join the United Nation-sponsored
Least Developed Countries Summit.

Turkey will host the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least
Developed Countries on May 9-13 in Istanbul, one of the gatherings to
contribute poorer nations improve prosperity and infrastructure. The
Iranian leader’s trip to Turkey coincides with growing pressure
from the United States to halt the activities of the Iranian banks
in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres will not participate in
the gathering as the summit coincides with an Israeli national holiday.

Relations between Turkey and Israel began to strain after an Israeli
attack to Gaza killing about 1,400 Palestinians in 2009.

Relations between the two countries tensed seriously over an Israeli
raid on Gaza bound Turkish aid ship killing eight Turks and one
Turkish-American in 2010. Following Israel’s attack, Ankara demanded
an apology and compensation before relations could be normalized.

“As we organize this meeting together with the U.N., I sent letters to
all heads of state and government of U.N. member countries and invited
them to the meeting. I have invited the Israeli president within this
scope,” President Abdullah Gul said in April underlining that the
invitation had been extended by the U.N., not the Turkish government.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is also invited along with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan, whose attendance was unconfirmed, Hurriyet
Daily News & Economic Review reported.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT FAVOR JOINT CUSTOMS WITH IRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2011 – 16:09 AMT

State Customs Committee has commented on suggestion of Iranian embassy
in Azerbaijan to open a single customs point on border of two states.

The committee chairman Aydin Aliyev said “there are no official
appeals on the issue.”

Meanwhile, the head of the State Customs Committee said that as a
specialist in customs sphere, he does not see a method of implementing
such a project or benefits for both parties.

“It is a very difficult question. Russia and Finland were earlier
planning to open a single customs point but this remained a plan. The
matter is that every country has its own system of customs control
and under the working laws, only the customs in Azerbaijan have
a right to conduct this control. For this reason the opening of
the Azerbaijani-Iranian customs point is not considered”, he said,
according to news.az.

From: A. Papazian

“CAFESJIAN” CENTRE FOR THE ARTS PREPARES GIFT FOR THE LOVERS OF THE ACTION “MUSEUM NIGHT”

arminfo
Tuesday, May 3, 14:39

“Cafesjian” Centre for the Arts has prepared a gift for the lovers
of the action “Museum Night”.

As press-service of the Centre reported, this year the exhibition of
Hakop Hakopyan’s paintings and sculptures as well as Czech sculptor
Ivana Shramkova’s sculptures will be opened within the frames of the
“Museum night” action.

To note, the “Museum Night” action will be held on 14 May from 6:00
PM to midnight.

From: A. Papazian