Author: Andres-Papazian

CONCERT DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN FRIENDSHIP

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: On the initiative of Russian border
guard security department in Armenia a concert was organized in
Gyumri dedicated to the ancient-long friendship between the Armenian
and Russian people. It was conducted within the framework of “I am
serving for homeland” information action.

The art director of the orchestra of the department Sahak Sahakyan
told Armenpress that within the framework of the program the orchestra
performed in Charentsavan and Armavir. Such concerts are planned
in all the provinces of the Republic where Russian border security
squads are deployed.

“The most important in the world is friendship with which peace is
being erected. As to the Armenian people, they need many friends.

Today in our territory we are in friendly relations with Russian
soldiers but the basis of it is not only the friendship of a Russian
soldier and Armenian border guard but the ancient long friendship
between the two countries,” Advisor to the Shirak governor Hasmik
Kirakosyan told Armenpress.

From: A. Papazian

KAREN KARAPETYAN: “WE MUST MAKE CLEAR THE NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTORS IN THE CITY”

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: The activity of condominium
associations must be systemic, Mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan
said today at a working consultation, during which the report on 2010
activity of condominium associations and the 2011 joint projects of
official districts and condominium associations were presented. An
official from the information and PR department of Yerevan Municipality
told Armenpress that the mayor it is necessary to draft mechanisms
for supporting successful condominium associations and mentioned that
it will become an impetus for condominium associations.

It was proposed to the heads of official districts to organize regular
consultations with condominium associations. As to the construction
timeframe violations by constructors, Karen Karapetyan assigned to
go on the consecutive work and undertake legal measures for excluding
timeframe violations. “First of all, we must make clear the number of
constructors in the city,” the mayor said. It was mentioned that the
control of construction timeframes will be an everyday activity. As
to the improvement of business environment and investment means,
Karen Karapetyan said there is a necessity to effect reforms on the
legal acts and charters and facilitate the procedures. He assigned
to present corresponding proposals on this issue.

From: A. Papazian

PROTEST RALLY IN HAGUE IN MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF MASSACRES OF SUMGAIT

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: A protest rally was held today
in The Hague, Netherlands in memory of the victims of the massacres
of Sumgait.

Hilda Choboyan, head of the Armenian Cause Committee of France, said
today in an interview with Armenpress that the rally was organized by
the Armenian Cause Committee of the Netherlands and the Federation
of the Armenian Unions of Holland. Over 80 people partook in the
rally and expressed their protest for nearly an hour in front of
Azerbaijan’s embassy to the Netherlands.

Hilda Choboyan said there were claims and a requisition, condemning
the massacres of Sumgait. Hilda Choboyan says it was mentioned in the
requisition that the people of Artsakh must be given an opportunity to
realize their right to self-determination. She added that a 4-member
delegation of the Armenian Cause Committee of the Netherlands will
present the requisition to the Dutch Government.

From: A. Papazian

EVENTS IN BERLIN ON 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF MASSACRES OF SUMGAIT

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: A number of events on the 23rd
anniversary of the massacres of Sumgait were held February 27 in
Berlin. An official from the press, information and PR department
of the RA foreign affairs ministry told Armenpress that the events
kicked off near Humboldt University of Berlin, where the participants
marched to the Brandenburg Gate and organized there a protest rally.

Archbishop Garegin Bkchyan, Armenian Apostolic Church leader
in Germany, chanted holy liturgy for the repose of souls of the
massacre victims. Azat Ordukhanyan, chairman of the German-Armenian
Central Council, Harutyun Grigoryan, NKR representative to Germany,
Petros Dikichyan, chairman of the Armenian Church and Culture Union
of Berlin, and Armen Martirosyan, ambassador of Armenia to Germany,
made speeches at the events.

From: A. Papazian

VACHE GABRIELYAN SAYS HIGH INFLATION WORRYING

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: The high index of inflation in the
Republic is worrying: in January, we had more than 2% inflation, and
the inflation will be approximately 1% February, RA Finance Minister
Vache Gabrielyan said today at a meeting with journalists.

“Monetary-credit policy is involved in the list of measures to be
implemented in parallel with tax-budget policy. At the same time,
we do our best to lead a policy, which requires less expense. The
Central Bank undertakes steps for alleviating the inflation. In
particular, interests have been increased; however we face issues
in two directions, as inflation, being a global phenomenon, comes
from supply, and actually, both the monetary-credit and tax-budget
policies alleviate the inflation through regulation of demand,”
the minister said.

Vache Gabrielyan reminded about a recent G-20 analysis, according
to which the increase in basic food prices was connected with both
the drought of Russia and the reduction of the intended volume of
production in other countries.

As to the RA government’s projects for controlling of the inflation,
the minister emphasized the provision of barley and Indian corn to
villagers for increasing sowing areas.

From: A. Papazian

GEORGY PETROSYAN CONDUCTS MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
YEREVAN

On February 25, within the frames of the visit to Washington, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Georgy Petrosyan
visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United States
of America. After the meeting with the Embassy staff, a private talk
with RA Ambassador Tatul Margaryan took place.

NKR MFA Press Service reported that later, the head of the NKR
Foreign Office met with Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of
America Brian Arduni and the organization staff. Issues related to the
Karabakh conflict and negotiation process, as well as to the life of
the Armenian communities of Diaspora were discussed during the meeting.

On February 26, Georgy Petrosyan had a meeting with Head of the
Washington Hay Dat Office Aram Hambaryan. Current situation of the
Karabakh conflict settlement negotiation process, as well as issues,
related to different spheres of life of Artsakh and regional problems
were discussed during the meeting. The NKR Foreign Minister presented
Karabakh’s official stance on some issues.

Georgy Petrosyan visited the Armenian churches of St. Mariam and St.

Cross, attended the service, and then talked to the clergymen and
representatives of the Armenian community. The NKR Foreign Minister
made a speech at St. Cross Church, during which he presented
to the members of the Armenian community the NKR stance on the
Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict and noted the necessity to unite the
efforts of Armenia, Diaspora and Artsakh for a fair solution of the
Karabakh problem. The Head of the NKR Foreign Office answered the
questions the members of the Armenian community were interested in.

During the visit, NKR Permanent Representative to the USA Robert
Avetisyan accompanied the NKR Foreign Minister.

From: A. Papazian

DRAFT AGENDA OF THE COMING NA SESSIONS INCLUDES 93 ISSUES, 7 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 25, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: The working consultation of the
National Assembly presided over by RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan,
was held today.

During the consultation the draft decision on making addenda in the
agenda of the ninth session of the National Assembly of the fourth
convocation and the draft decision of February 28-March 3 four-day
sittings of the National Assembly were debated. 16 issues were
included in the addenda section of the agenda of the ninth session
of the National Assembly. 93 issues and 7 international treaties were
included in the draft agenda of the forthcoming NA four-day sittings.

The draft decision on making addenda on the agenda of the ninth
session of the National Assembly of the fourth convocation and the
draft decision of February 28 – March 3 four-day sittings of the
National Assembly will be approved at the sitting of the National
Assembly on February 28.

From: A. Papazian

GOVERNMENT DISCUSSES PROCESS OF REFORMS FOR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 25, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: The next session of the Business
Support Council was held today at the RA Government. Tigran Sargsyan –
RA prime minister, president of the council – chaired the session.

Touching upon the first issue of the agenda, the prime minister
underscored the importance of the reforms, directed to the business
environment improvement. He reminded that entering into the top 10 of
Doing Business rating is one of the priorities of the RA president’s
pre-election program.

An official from the information and PR department of the RA Government
told Armenpress that Karine Minasyan, RA first deputy minister of
economy, reported on the process of reforms, directed to thorough
reforms of the Doing Business indices of the business environment
of Armenia.

Karine Minasyan touched upon the tax and customs red-tape and
facilitation of red-tape procedures for starting and developing
business, as well as events, implemented in the direction of promotion
to development of foreign trade and small, middle-sized enterprises.

The business community representatives’ remarks on the improvement
of Armenia’s business and investment environment and prospects of
development of Armenia’s economy were discussed as well.

The prime minister approved the majority of the proposals and gave an
instruction to the council members and heads of competent institutions
to discuss them within the council’s working groups. Roza Tsarukyan,
chairman of “National Union of Farmers”, presented a number of
proposals on development of the agriculture sphere.

She mentioned that the proposals were drafted in the result of
discussions in all the marzes of the republic with subjects, engaged
in agricultural activity, and with stakeholder organizations. Roza
Tsarukyan informed that provincial councils of the National Union of
Farmers were formed for ensuring rise in efficiency of agricultural
policy.

From: A. Papazian

RA AND RF PRESIDENTS APPRECIATE COOPERATION BASED ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TWO STATES

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 25, 2011
YEREVAN

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to
St. Petersburg, met today with President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. The
presidential press service told Armenpress that Serzh Sargsyan and
Dmitry Medvedev said they appreciate the cooperation, based on a
strategic partnership between the two states. The presidents discussed
a number of issues on the Armenian-Russian cooperation in various
spheres and touched upon the current regional and international issues.

From: A. Papazian

US WILL CONTINUE EFFORTS TO PUSH ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION FORWARD

Tert.am
25.02.11

The US will continue to make efforts for the normalization of
the Armenian-Turkish relations and for the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a US senior official has said.

Speaking at a daily briefing US Assistant Secretary Philip J. Crowley
said: “We cannot want more than the countries that have found them
in that situation. But naturally, we will continue to make efforts to
seeking ways to sooth the tensions and pushing that process forward.”

Crowley’s statement comes days after US Deputy Secretary James
Steinberg visited Armenia and discussed among other things also the
Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the Karabakh conflict with Armenia’s
top leadership.

From: A. Papazian