Author: Andres-Papazian

EXPERT: REAL INFLATION RATE WILL BE HIGHER IN 2011 IN ARMENIA COMPARED TO 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 12:51 AMT 08:51 GMT

Expert in management Harutyun Mesropyan said that the Armenian
authorities do not manage to tackle inflation, the real rate of which
will be higher in 2011 compared to 2010.

Already in February 2010, the Armenian authorities and representatives
of international structures stated that the crisis is overcome,
while inflation will be within the envisaged under the 2010 state
budget rate of 4±1.5% by the end of 2010.

“But the inflation rate totaled 9.4% by the end of 2010,” Mesropyan
said.

Mesropyan also criticized the governmental policy on making forecasts
for six months, as it fails even in making those for a week.

According to forecasts of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), 10%
inflation will be recorded in Armenia in the first half of 2011,
after which the inflation rate will start decreasing.

However, Mesropyan believes that only CBA will not manage to suppress
the growth in prices through its injections to the country’s economy
and exchange currency. He added that other state bodies should also
join this process.

Referring to overcoming the crisis consequences, Mesropyan said that
prices for precious metals continue growing, specifically, the price
for 1 ounce of gold increased from USD 250 to USD 1,400 over the past
two years, what proves that the crisis has not gone.

From: A. Papazian

STEINBERG DOESN’T BELIEVE RUSSIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN KARABAKH ISSUE PUSHED U.S. AND FRANCE TO BACKGROUND

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 16:47 AMT 12:47 GMT

U.S. does not believe Russia’s activity in OSCE Minsk Group caused
the U.S. and Europe to lessen their involvement in Karabakh issue
settlement, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State stated on Armenian TV
channel.

As James Steinberg noted, there’s no contradiction in the Minsk Group
activities, with every party making its own contribution. Russia’s
efforts are welcome, he said, still, co-chairs have to come up with
a unified position during negotiations.

Mr. Steinberg expressed confidence over the possibility to settle
Karabakh issue through negotiations, characterizing Helsinki principles
as a way to stability for conflicting parties. As he noted, OSCE MG
efforts are directed to helping the sides to find a solution.

From: A. Papazian

JAMES STEINBERG: AZERBAIJAN’S WARLIKE STATEMENTS RAISE CONCERN

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 16:49 AMT 12:49 GMT

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said that this is his
third visit to Armenia, what is evidence of strengthened relations
between our countries.

“We attach importance not only to regional security, but also to
bilateral U.S-Armenia relations,” Steinberg said in an interview with
an Armenian TV channel.

The American diplomat noted that the bilateral agenda is rather wide:
democracy development, formation of economic opportunities, energy
safety, as well as regional cooperation.

As for negotiations in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Steinberg noted that successful efforts for a diplomatic resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are within all parties’ interests,
while the continuous warlike statements of Azerbaijan and incidents
at the line of contact raise concern.

From: A. Papazian

SYNOPSYS ARMENIA COOPERATION WITH INSTITUTES CAN BE USED FOR ENERGY, MINING FIELDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 17:11 AMT 13:11 GMT

Board President of the State Engineering University of Armenia
Samvel Nikoyan offered organization of education by the experience
of cooperation of business with education for students of energy and
mining fields.

During his visit to Synopsys Armenia company, Nikoyan added that the
experience of cooperation of Synopsys with technical higher educational
institutions of Armenia should be used in it.

According to him, this cooperation is an example of how education
and production process can be combined.

Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, Vice Speaker
of the RA NA, Chairman of the Board of State Engineering University
of Armenia (SEUA) Samvel Nikoyan visited SEUA Microelectronic Circuits
and Systems Interfaculty Chair located in Synopsys Armenia Educational
Department, and had a tour in Synopsys Armenia R&D Center.

From: A. Papazian

NKR REPRESENTATIVE TO GERMANY LAYS WREATH AT MEMORIAL TO VICTIMS OF NAZISM IN BERLIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 17:09 AMT 13:09 GMT

On February 23, representatives of all countries involved in World
War II lay flowers and wreaths at the Memorial to the Victims of
Nazism in the center of Berlin.

This year, permanent representative of Artsakh to Germany Harutyun
Grigoryan and the first military attache of Armenia to Germany,
colonel Mher Manucharyan commemorated Nazism victims along with
representatives of other states, reported the press service of NKR
permanent representation to Germany.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY DEMANDS VISA EXEMPTION WITH EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 17:12 AMT 13:12 GMT

The European Union (EU) has refused to conduct visa exemption talks
with Turkey due to differences of opinion within itself. The EU took a
decision to begin visa dialogue with Turkey to facilitate easier visas.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejected the EU’s decision
and said that Turkey wants visa exemption and not visa dialogue,
Hurriyet Daily News reported.

From: A. Papazian

INFORMATION ON 24 MI-35M ATTACK HELICOPTERS SALE TO AZERBAIJAN YET TO BE VERIFIED

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 17:21 AMT 13:21 GMT

The information on sale of 24 Mi-35M attack helicopters to Azerbaijan
is yet to be verified, a military source in Russia told PanARMENIAN.Net

As he noted, similar information is often circulated in Azerbaijan to
undermine Armenian-Russian strategic partnership. “Any information
on arms supply, including publications, needs to be verified and
confirmed; supplies in question can cause violation of armament parity
in the region, which Russia does not need,” the source said.

A representative of Rostvertol Russian company, in turn, refused to
provide official comments about Russia -Azerbaijan deal on sale of
24 Mi-35M attack helicopters to Azerbaijan.

As news.az reported on February 24, in September-October 2010,
Rostvertol signed a deal to sell 24 Mi-35M attack helicopters to
Azerbaijan.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN PUBLISHES ITS “MEMOIRS” UNDER ARMENIAN NAMES

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 15:49 AMT 11:49 GMT

Azerbaijani media reported that “at the initiative of the Russian
Representation of Heydar Aliyev’s Foundation, Moscow will host
presentation of a book of Armenian writer and historian Robert
Arakelov, entitled: “Confessions of a Representative of Armenian
Intelligentsia,” which tells about “Armenian outrages.”

Advisor to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Arsen
Melik-Shahnazarov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that Robert Arakelov,
unfortunately, exists and libels about the Armenian people are indeed
published on behalf of him.

“The so-called writer is from Baku and even at the beginning of the
Karabakh movement he was forced to write and publish anti-Armenian
articles and brochures,” said Melik-Shahnazarov.

He added that Baku sells its books about Armenians at dumping prices.

“Azerbaijanis submit their books to shops and place near serious
works by Armenian authors. And the Azerbaijani books can be bought
because of their low prices,” said Melik-Shahnazrov.

From: A. Papazian

MEDVEDEV, SARGSYAN DISCUSS CURRENT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 25, 2011 – 18:14 AMT 14:14 GMT

On February 25, St. Petersburg hosted a meeting of Russian and Armenian
Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Serzh Sargsyan.

The leaders of the two countries refused to make a statement before
the start of negotiations. “It’s actions, not words, that matter,”
Medvedev said.

The meeting continued behind closed doors, probably, focusing on
bilateral relations and current international issues, Russian media
reports.

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY TO ENHANCE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN CAPITAL

Tert.am
25.02.11

Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan conducted today a working discussion
with the head of the OSCE in Yerevan, Sergey Kapinos, and the executive
director of the Jacobs and Associates Company, Scott Jacobs.

The meeting focused on measures aimed at attracting investments and
strengthening the business environment in the capital city. Addressing
both issues, Mayor Karapetyan said they were among the top priorities
of his administration.

Introducing Jacobs and Associates, Kapinos emphasized its rich
experience in boosting legislative reforms. He said the company’s
services might be useful in the municipal administration processes.

As steps towards enhancing the business environment and attracting
investments, he stressed the importance of simplifying procedures and
reducing corruption risks. To that effect he proposed the company’s
services as a consultant in promoting legislative reforms.

Scott Jacobs briefly introduced his company’s experience in
implementing regulatory measures towards attracting investments and
exercising control. He referred to their Regulatory Impact Assessment
and Regulatory Guillotine programs as modern tools promoting legal
reforms. He said both projects had been successfully launched in
several countries, positively affecting their business development
processes.

From: A. Papazian