Author: Andres-Papazian

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNIFICATION OF ITALY CELEBRATED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: An event dedicated to the 150th
anniversary of unification of Italy was held today in the Armenian
Cultural Ties Company. The students of Armenian higher educational
establishments who study Italian came forth during the event.

Italian Ambassador to Armenia Bruno Scapini noted that the event
wrapped up 1961 March 17 with unification of Italy became the proof of
strivings of democratic freedom, uniting the Italian people over the
idea of freedom. “I attach high importance to the circumstance that
the 150th anniversary of unification of Italy is celebrated in Armenia
so grandiosely,” he said, adding that Italy is a democratic country
with huge experience, thanks to which new ideas always develop here.

“Those new ideas develop in different spheres – economic, cultural,
social, and the development of these ideas leads to the welfare of
people,” he noted, adding that there are similarities between Armenia
and Italy in many spheres.

According to the ambassador, the two peoples have the same inner
viewpoint on Christianity. “The common viewpoint which unites these
two peoples, has very old roots,” Mr. Scapini said.

From: A. Papazian

COOPERATION PROSPECTS DISCUSSED BETWEEN ARMENIAN PROVINCES AND RUSSIAN KHABAROVSK REGION

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Ambassador to Russia Oleg
Yesayan arrived today in Khabarovsk town. The ambassador’s visit
started with a meeting with Governor of Khabarovsk region Vyacheslav
Shport, during which the current opportunities and prospects of
cooperation between the Armenian provinces and above-mentioned region
were discussed.

In his welcoming speech governor Shport noted that Russia has friendly
relations of many years with Armenia, and the positions of the two
countries over different issues coincide. Press service of the Armenian
Foreign Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that referring to the mutual
relations between Khabarovsk region and Armenia, Vyacheslav Shprot
noted that the achievement of “Sukhoi Superjet” civil airplane by
“Armavia” national airline company is a vivid example of efficiency
of cooperation between the region and Armenia.

According to the governor, this circumstance must promote increase
of commodity volumes with Khabarovsk region in the sphere of machine
construction. In his turn, Ambassador Yesayan expressed readiness to
contribute to expansion of cooperation in different spheres.

From: A. Papazian

13TH SESSION OF CIS INFORMATION COUNCIL HELD IN DUSHANBE

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

DUSHANBE, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: The 13th session of the council of the
heads of CIS state-run news agencies was held in Dushanbe. Director of
the Information and Analytical Department of CIS Executive Committee,
curator of the council of heads of state news agencies Alexander
Zavarzin made the participants acquainted with the program of main
events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of CIS, which was approved
2010 May 21 by the CIS Council of Heads of Governments.

The program involves organizational, scientific-practical, economic
events, as well as events of the sphere of humanitarian cooperation,
etc. The organizational events include the adoption of “Announcement
on the Occasion of 20th Anniversary of CIS Formation” by CIS Council
of Heads of States, the anniversary session of CIS Council of Heads
of States and the festive concert of art masters of CIS states,
the sessions of the CIS Councils of Heads of Governments and Foreign
Affairs Ministers.

The scientific-practical events include the analytical report “The
Results of the CIS Activity within 20 Years” and its submission to
the discussion of CIS Council of Heads of States. Round tables,
scientific-practical summits, photo exhibition entitled “The
Commonwealth is 20 Years Old”, contests of the best student works
will be conducted during the year.

Besides that, “Lomonosov” joint conference of the Eurasian
Association of Universities and student organizations dedicated
to 300th anniversary of Lomonosov are intended to conduct. One of
the upcoming events, which will be conducted in all CIS countries,
is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of flight of Yuri Gagarin to
the universe.

The events of the humanitarian sphere include the conduction of the 6th
conference of intellectuals of CIS states, the tour of youth symphonic
orchestra, “We live in CIS” and “Book Art” expos. The award-giving
ceremony “Commonwealth Stars” is also planned. Other events dedicated
to the 20th anniversary of CIS will also be held in CIS states. Issues
on information exchange over emergency situations were also discussed.

A decision was adopted that the regular 14th session will be held
this September in Baku. Armenia is represented at CIC Information
Council by Director of “Armenpress” news agency Hrayr Zoryan.

From: A. Papazian

ISSUE OF SUPPORT OF “CROWN CHEMICAL” DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Economy Minister Tigran
Davtyan visited today “Crown Chemical” company, which is engaged in
Armenia in production of construction material.

According to Tigran Davtyan, this is an enterprise with participation
of foreign capital and a good example of successful business in
Armenia. “It is noteworthy that if the production of this company
was directed to the domestic market for more than 10 years, then
at the moment it has quite a big potential of export – nearly 30%,”
the minister noted, expressing hope that the production volumes must
enlarge even more.

The enterprise mainly realizes its product in Georgia, partially in
Russia, and in the direction of the European Union certain works are
being carried out and new markets searched. Even negotiations are
currently running in the direction of export to Asia.

The minister said that the state has not yet displayed loan or
financials support to “Crown Chemical”, but the conditions of the
possible support have already been discussed. “If the formal demands
and conditions are met, the discussions will have a successful end,”
Mr. Davtyan assured.

The company has been founded in 1997 and extends its activity in the
sphere of production of chemical products. Founder of the company
Hamlet Davidu said that founded 13 years ago, the enterprise has
been expanded in a stable way. “We have different branches of new
production, new agreements with different international companies,”
he stated.

“Quality Management Systems” has been introduced into the company
from 2007- a certificate corresponding to the demands of ISO 9007:2000
standard.

In 2010 the company invested over 900 thousand USD for establishment
of a new workshop of containers. In 2010 the volume of the product
made nearly 1, 2 billion Drams, and the export – nearly 197 million
Drams. At the moment nearly 100 people work in the company.

From: A. Papazian

FOUR SMALL MARKETS TO FUNCTION IN YEREVAN FROM APRIL

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: Four small markets will start
functioning in Yerevan from midst of April. They are intended for
people dealing with street trade. Karen Karapetyan, mayor of Yerevan,
said at the discussion at the Public Council today that the number
of small markets is expected to reach 12.

Karen Karapetyan said the majority of the residents backed the decision
of the City Hall to ban the street trade. “Small number of people
negatively responded to it, and we heard their voice,” the mayor said.

He said previously the street traders were paying money both to the
City Hall and policemen. “Now they will pay less money, will sell in
markets with more convenient conditions,” the mayor said.

From: A. Papazian

156 RURAL ENTREPRENEURS TO BE INVOLVED IN NEWLY-ESTABLISHED COOPERATIVE OF AVAN COMMUNITY

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
visited today Avan community, Aragatsotn province to discuss the
program “Management of Agricultural Resources of Communities and
Competitiveness” program. The latter has been worked out by the
Agriculture Ministry collaboratively with the experts of the World
Bank. Six communities – Avan, Sasnashen, Tatul, Norashen, Geghadzor
and Aragats, are involved in the program of the communities of
Aragatsotn province.

In the conversation with representatives of the community Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted that the program’s success will be
conditioned by the joint management of the cooperative. “As a result
you will get serious support, thanks to which the productivity will
be increased contributing to the growth of your revenues,” Tigran
Sargsyan said, adding that the secret of the successful management
of a cooperative is in arranged and joint work.

Tigran Sargsyan said that currently the program is in a pilot round,
and will be implemented in 55 communities in case of success. “We wish
to see rural communities in such a good state after several years that
they do not need state support any more,” the Prime Minister stressed.

There are 326 rural entrepreneurs in Avan community, the 156 of which
will be involved in the newly established cooperative. The program
will last 5 years and cost 21, 33 million USD.

From: A. Papazian

EXPERT: RUSSIA, TURKEY TO HAVE CLOSE ECONOMIC RELATIONS, NOT MORE

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS: The close relations between Russia and
Turkey are limited only to mutually beneficial economic undertakings,
Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said today, pointing out that the
possibility of close political relations between Russia and Turkey
is very small as Turkey is member of NATO.

“The fight for having role in the South Caucasus, energy policy in
Europe, Turkey’s being one of the influential members of NATO make the
two sides be satisfied with economic cooperation only,” Melkonyan said,
assuring that world powers have always been interested in regional
powers, so the attempts of the USA and Russia to work with Turkey
are predictable and understandable.

Speaking about the construction of atomic station in Turkey with
Russian investments, the Turkologist said that on one hand it may
increase Russia’s role on Turkey’s economy and make Turkey more
predictable neighbor for Russia, on the other hand, it may turn Turkey
into not only economically more firm state but an atomic power.

From: A. Papazian

VISIT OF CROATIAN PRESIDENT TO STIMULATE ARMENIAN-CROATIAN RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 22, 2011
YEREVAN

President Serzh Sargsyan received today Speaker of the Croatian
parliament Luka Bebic. President’s press office reported that the
president noted with delight about the continuous development of
cooperation between the two countries during the past two-three
years and stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary relations
in expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The interlocutors stressed the importance of the visit of the President
of Croatia Ivo Josipovic to Armenia scheduled for 2011. They said it
will stimulate the Armenian-Croatian relations.

The parties agreed that the visit of businessmen with the Croatian
president and contacts with their Armenian partners will create good
opportunity for development of economic cooperation between the two
countries and increase of the trade turnover. Among the promising
spheres of cooperation they noted culture, tourism, energy.

President Sargsyan and Croatian parliament speaker touched upon
cooperation with the EU, regional issues, Armenia-Turkey relations
and NK conflict settlement.

From: A. Papazian

CAME FROM DUBAI FOR TRAFFICKING ISSUE

A1Plus.am
Tuesday,March 22

RA Deputy Prosecutor General Mnatsakan Sargsyan received a
delegation from the United Arab Emirates headed by Deputy Minister
for Parliamentary Affairs Sayid Muhammad al Ghofal.

The UAE delegation is in Armenia to discuss several issues on
cooperation with the Armenian side within the framework of the
“Memorandum of Mutual Understanding on Cooperation in the Fight
against the Exploitation of Persons (Trafficking)” signed between
Armenia and the UAE in 2009.

As head of the delegation Sayid Muhammad al Ghofal stated, the
mentioned memorandum is an unprecedented agreement among the
international agreements that the UAE has signed with other countries.

The UAE delegates mentioned the importance of building direct working
ties with RA law-enforcement bodies due to the need for performing
operative and investigative actions, exchanging information, as
well as organizing other legal processes rapidly and efficiently,
as reported by the Public Relations Department of the RA Prosecutor
General’s Office.

From: A. Papazian

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN NOT TO STOP HUNGER STRIKE

Aysor.am
Tuesday,March 22

Leader of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian is not going to stop
the hunger strike, he told reporters on March 22.

R. Hovannisian noted that he will continue the hunger strike as long
as his health permits. According to him, he undergoes daily medical
examination, and no health problems have been detected so far.

From: A. Papazian