Author: Andres-Papazian

FAMILIARIZATION VISIT OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Economy Ministry intends
to organize a familiarization visit of foreign journalists to Armenia
in the running year. An official from the Ministry’s Tourism Department
told Armenpress that the terms and the program are currently under
specification. According to the Tourism Department, suchlike visits
give an opportunity to present Armenia to foreigners once more.

Such a program was implemented in the previous years as well: in
2008 journalists from Italy, and in 2009 – from the World Tourism
Organization arrived in Armenia. Last year 25 journalists from Britain,
France, Russia and other countries visited our country. The tourism
department will actively work this year too, implementing a good
marketing policy. Participation in numerous international tourism
exhibitions is intended, where Armenia will be properly presented.

From: A. Papazian

RA NATURE PROTECTION MINISTRY TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenia will continue to cooperate
in the sphere of nature protection with such global and international
structures, as the World Bank, the USDP, and the UNEP. Spokesman to the
Armenian Nature Protection Ministry Hasmik Lazarian told Armenpress
that the cooperation will be continued with UNDP, UNECE, OECD, OSCE,
European Union, Regional Nature Protection Center, Global Nature Fund
and other foreign states. The cooperation will be continued within
international conventions and initiatives as well.

With the support of international donor organizations over a dozen
national and regional nature protection programs will be implemented
this year on the initiative of the Armenian Nature Protection Ministry.

From: A. Papazian

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN BOOK-PRINTING

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: On the occasion of the 500th
anniversary of Armenian book-printing the National Library of
Armenia intends to conduct a scientific conference in spring. Deputy
Director of the National Library Rafik Ghazaryan told Armenpress
that the participants of the scientific conference will refer to
the Armenian colonies, where an activity of Armenian book-printing
has been extended. The details of the conference are currently under
specification.

Mr. Ghazaryan noted that some preliminary works will be carried
out this year related to the events on the 500th anniversary of the
Armenian book-printing. The repair works of Tamanyan sub-building of
the National Library are intended to finish in the running year. An
Armenian Book Museum will be set up in the structure of the National
Library, which will be placed at Tamanyan sub-building. “Today we do
not manage to present the rich history of printing, because we do not
have that opportunity. The geography of the Armenian book-printing
is very large, and there are large-scale materials connected with it.

The museum will be a unique event in the cultural life of our
republic. It is an issue of great importance to present the 500-year
path of book-printing through such a museum,” Mr. Ghazaryan said.

According to him, Armenian book-printing has quite a rich history;
it must be comprehensively presented not only to Armenians but to
foreign representatives as well. Rafik Ghazaryan noted that the
museum will be of great significance from the viewpoint of tourism
as well. After finishing the repair in Tamanyan sub-building, several
departments of the library will be moved here.

From: A. Papazian

HEAD OF JEWISH COMMUNITY SAYS DENIAL OF GENOCIDE IS A CRIME AGAINST WHOLE MANKIND

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: January 27 is well known in the
whole world as an International Day of Holocaust. Head of the Jewish
community Rima Varzhapetyan said at today’s press conference that all
the disasters of the 20th century started by the Armenian Genocide and
continued by a holocaust committed against the Jewish. “We think that
denial of genocide of any type is a crime against the whole mankind.

It is the biggest malice against the whole mankind and must be strictly
condemned,” Mrs. Varzhapetyan said.

Rima Varzhapetyan also expressed hope that it is high time for
Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide, as all the bad events in
the world are the result of impunity of crimes. The speech is about
terrors and other crimes of international nature.

The head of the Jewish community, referring to the issues of the
community, noted that the Armenian government and president support
their community, though the number of the latter is very small. “Our
activity in Armenia is highly assessed, and the previous year was quite
efficient and interesting. We managed to publish a book telling about
Jews living in Armenia, we managed to conduct a soiree dedicated to
France Verfel with the support of the Armenian Culture Ministry. We
hope and intend to open a Jewish museum in Armenia,” she said.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT MEETS PARENTS OF KILLED SERVICEMEN

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
met today in front of his residence parents of servicemen that were
killed during different years in different circumstances. The parents
expressed their complaint over the processes of examination of the
criminal cases.

In response, the president noted that he is going to meet with the
newly appointed military prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan. “He will meet
with you too, will hear you and display a new approach,” Serzh Sargsyan
said, pointing out that he is personally interested in revealing the
circumstances of deaths of the soldiers. “All such cases are painful
for us and are big losses,” the president said.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan reported to Serzh Sargsyan that all
the criminal cases are under his direct control.

From: A. Papazian

ONLINE SYSTEM OF HOTEL ROOM BOOKING TO BE APPLIED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: In the near future the ‘Armhotels’
company will apply an online system of booking of rooms at the hotels
of Armenia, according to Robert Minasyan, rector of the Armenian
tourism institute, chairman of the union of Armenian tour-operators.

He said today during the press conference, held at the press hall of
Armenpress, that the system was invested in all over the world many
years ago.

The speaker says he is proud of the fact that the idea, initiative,
implementation was called into being by the Armenian tourism
institute’s graduates, who got professional education.

‘This proves that we cannot register achievements in the sphere unless
we have good specialists,’ he said. Robert Minasyan added that the
institute, which is a branch of the international tourism academy of
Russia, operates in the sphere of organizational management. He said
students have an opportunity to receive practical training in the
Armenian travel industry, as well as in over 20 foreign countries,
among them Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Tunis, Egypt, Arab Emirates
and Turkey.

Robert Minasyan added that the ‘EURHODIP’ administrative council’s
session is intended to be held in Yerevan in autumn, 2011. The
‘EURHODIP’ operates under the umbrella of the European Union and unites
150 educational establishments from various continents. The Armenian
tourism institute has been a member of the organization since 2010.

From: A. Papazian

VANADZOR-FIOLETOVO RAILWAY PROGRAM APPROVED

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian government approved
today at the cabinet sitting the initial program of Vanadzor-Fioletovo
railway route. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said the political
position in this issue is that the works on the construction of the
railway route must be implemented without state guarantee.

In a month time joint researches must be carried out with the heads
of corresponding communities and a suggestion must be presented to
the government for making necessary changes in the land categories.

The construction of the railway will start in fall this year. The
321km-long railway will connect Aghstafa-Ijevan-Hrazdan-Yerevan
railway route to Tbilisi-Gyumri-Massis.

From: A. Papazian

“CONSTRUCTION AND INTERIOR” EXPO IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: An expo entitled “Construction and
Interior” will be conducted April 20-22, organized by “PromExpo”
company. Commercial Director of the company Vahagn Mirijantan told
Armenpress that the products and services of the local businessmen
will be mainly presented at the exhibition.

“We put the main stress on promoting the activity of the national
manufacturer and on presenting its potential. The best products and
services related to construction and interior work will be presented,”
Mr. Mirijanyan said.

Businessmen from other states – Iran and Georgia, have been invited
for participation in the expo. In February negotiations will be
carried out between the businessmen of Bulgaria and Russia. Mr.

Mirjanyan noted that by the initial data, about 150 businessmen
will participate in the expo. According to him, meetings will be
organized within the framework of the expo for other businessmen,
but that issue is still in a round of discussion.

From: A. Papazian

“VATEL” INSTITUTE INTRODUCED INTO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: “Vatel” institute has been introduced
into Armenia. Chairman of “Vatel” group Alen Seban and Rector of the
Armenian Tourism Institute Robert Minasyan signed the agreement on
implementation of the programs of the institute in 2010 December
7 in Lion town, Mr. Minasyan said during the press conference at
“Armenpress” press hall, adding that the graduates of the program
will receive a French diploma of the institute, which is recognized
in all the countries of the world.

“For development of tourism first of all good cadres are necessary, and
for preparation of good cadres – a corresponding education,” he said,
adding that this is an exclusively important step for development of
tourism, as Armenia is integrated into a number of developed countries,
which have the best developed tourism in the world and give as much
importance to corresponding education.

“Yerevan is the 27th in the world to introduce this system. In near
future the institute intends to open branches in towns of 4 different
countries,” Mr. Minasyan said, pointing out that Armenia is becoming
a regional center.

The graduates will get diplomas of 3 states – France, Russia and
Armenia. This creates a prospective and fine opportunity for young
people of Armenia and Diaspora. The education will last 4 years, as
a result the graduates can work in the enterprises of air, land and
sea transport and service. From this year’s September the education
entitled “Vatel” will be conducted. In near future the lecturers of
the Armenian Tourism Institute will be trained in France.

Director of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen Gagik Makaryan
said that the Union of the Armenian Businessmen is continuously
interested in reforms in the sphere of education, which have two
main directions. According to him, the first direction is the reforms
implemented in the sphere of higher education, and the second is the
sphere of professional education.

A national council for development of professional education has been
set up in Armenia, chaired by the Ministry of Education and Science.

From: A. Papazian

ROBERT MINASYAN: TO DEVELOP TOURISM IN ARMENIA FIRST OF ALL WE MUST LEARN SMILING

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 27, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Nearly the 950 million out of the
about 7 billion people living in the world make a tour of different
countries, and the rest go on a tour in the homeland. Chairman of
the Armenian Union of Ingoing Tour Operators, Rector of the Armenian
Tourism Institute Robert Minasyan said during the press conference at
“Armenpress” press hall that now all the countries of the world are
actively working in the direction of development of tourism. “Tourism
is also an activity and industry. Our country has all the prerequisites
for development of tourism, we only need the human resource,” he said.

“I think the first primary condition for development of the sphere
is creation of conditions for Armenian people to go on a tour inside
the country. That our people do not take a rest inside the borders of
our country must be a signal for us. We should reconsider the price
policy,” Robert Minasyan said, adding that there are not corresponding
organizations in provinces, while the most important Armenian
historical and cultural values are in provinces. According to Mr.

Miansyan, service is also culture, which must be ensured with an
educational system.

In the direction of tourism development Armenia is now in negotiations
with Russia, which is one of the most developed countries in regard
to tourism. “To develop tourism in Armenia first of all we must learn
smiling,” Mr. Minasyan said.

To remind, the Union of Ingoing Tour Operators aims to add the number
of visitors to Armenia, to represent Armenia as hospitable country,
and to develop the ingoing tourism. Sixteen tour organizations engaged
in ingoing tourism are members of the Union.

From: A. Papazian