Author: Andres-Papazian

NEW MAYOR TO BE TOUGH WITH HEADS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIONS

Tert.am
17.12.10

Mayor-elect Karen Karapetyan promised to be tough with the heads
of Yerevan’s district administrations, conducting in the meantime a
flexible human resource policy.

“There are no plans for massive dismissals for now. But there
will be stricter rules and requirements for the heads of district
administration, and only those who comply with them will remain in
office,” he told a news conference on Friday.

Karapetyan promised that both Yerevan residents and tourists will be
satisfied with the new municipal administration system.

He also spoke about his plans to introduce his new programs and urban
development projects, promising to conduct transparent activities
with the public, municipality staff and the Council of Elders.

Asked by Tert.am about his new appointment, he said he didn’t expect
to be nominated for Yerevan mayor. He also expressed his positive
attitude to the Republican Party, adding in the meantime that he is
a non-partisan and has no plans to join the party’s ranks at present.

Karapetyan also appreciated former mayor Gagik Beglaryan’s efforts
to improve the capital.

“I find Gagik Bgelaryan’s efforts very successful. Anyone assuming
the duties of mayor must probably continue the activities of his
predecessor,” he said.

As former general director of Hayrusgazard company, he also praised
the company, considering it one of Armenia’s best enterprises.

“I think anyone holding a managing position needs from time to time
to change his field to take a fresh glance at things,” he said.

Karapetyan also confirmed the reports on the plans to appoint
Hayrusgazard Deputy Assistant Vardan Harutyunyan to the post of
general director.

From: A. Papazian

VIVACELL-MTS TO COVER TUITION FEES OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Tert.am
17.12.10

VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of “Mobile TeleSystems” company, announces
the launch of the Education Fund for first and second year students
who are have special needs and live in dire economic conditions,
company says in a news release.

The company will lend a helping hand to the students, provided they
accomplish the academic year successfully and qualify for the next
year.

This unique scholarship aims at providing these students with a
supported access to university education through covering their tuition
fees in the entire period of their study. It will boost their academic
performace and improve their social and psychological conditions.

“The scholarship will be provided to 150 young people representing
the most socially-vulnerable groups in order to promote their
access to education. This project is being implemented as a part
of our efforts to help our country eradicate poverty by giving our
upcoming generations the opportunity to gain professional knowledge
and skills.” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

Overall, 150 students from Yerevan and remote regions of Armenia will
benefit from the project.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator,
having the widest 2G/ 3G network reach and spreading a wide range of
Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the
Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005
and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a
nationwide network and a considerable customer base.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVES US EUROPEAN COMMAND DELEGATION

Tert.am
16:11 ~U 17.12.10

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received today a delegation
headed by the Deputy Director of the Plans Policy and Strategy
Department of the US European Command, Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery.

The meeting was also attended by the US Ambassador in Armenia,
Marie Yovanovich.

Attaching a major importance to strategic review, military education,
peace-keeping and other defense operation, the minister said they
constituted a principal trends of the Defense Ministry’s international
military cooperation.

Admiral Montgomer highly appreciated Armenian peacekeepers’ role in
international peacekeeping missions, expressing the European Command’s
willingness to further and extend the frameworks of cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

CHILDREN OF ARTSAKH

16 Dec 2010

People of Artsakh have always valued above all freedom.

If you stop anybody in the street in Artsakh and ask “what he values
above all”, believe me, just you will get the same answer of “freedom”.

Hard to say what lies behind this desire for self-preservation
instinct, which for centuries saved the people of Artsakh from numerous
nomadic tribes wandering across the region. Or, severe and beautiful
nature, on which the character of the people of Artsakh look like.

But there is still something that is above all for everybody,
without exception, for the sake of which people of Artsakh live,
build and struggle:

Children of Artsakh.

All who come here are always amazed and delighted how beautiful our
children are. They are really beautiful, the children of Artsakh. But
beauty is nottheir only dignity. Children of Artsakh are more
talented, the talent of this nature is from God. The pleasure to see
the children of Artsakh we provide to all of you, opening the heading
“Children of Artsakh”.

From: A. Papazian

CENTRAL INFORMATION DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT

Friday, December 17th 2010

Artsakh Central Electoral Commissions, Artsakh Republic Central
Electoral Commission Rashid Petrossyan, Central Electoral Commission,
OF, The HeadNo Comment On 17 December President of the Artsakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan received delegation of the Central Electoral
Commission of the Republic of Armenia led by head of the structure
Garegin Azaryan.

Issues related to deepening ties between the electoral commissions of
the two Armenian states and training of cadres were discussed during
the meeting.

The Head of the State welcomed the signing of memorandum of mutual
understanding between the Armenian and Artsakh Central Electoral
Commissions noting its importance within the context of developing
bilateral relations in the sphere.

Chairman of the Artsakh Republic Central Electoral Commission Rashid
Petrossyan partook at the meeting.

From: A. Papazian

BALEARIC PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 17, 2010 – 12:37 AMT 08:37 GMT

On December 14, 2010, the Human Rights Committee of the Balearic
Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution considering “the fate
suffered by the Armenian people between 1915 and 1921 as a Genocide”,
in accordance with the UN Convention on the prevention, and the
Punishment of the crime of genocide, adopted in December 1948, the
Armenian National Committee of Spain (Consejo Nacional Armenio de
España) reported.

The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD)
expressed its satisfaction to the initiators of this historical
resolution and is keen on giving its support to the Members of the
Human Rights Committee of the Balearic Parliament for this courageous
act.

“It is a big step in the fight against genocides and denials,” declared
Hilda Tchoboian, President of the European Armenian Federation.

“These successive recognitions in Europe aim to Turkey to involve
itself in a process of justice with respect to the Armenian people,”
she affirmed.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CITIZENS CAN RECEIVE BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS FROM SEPT. 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 17, 2010 – 14:00 AMT 10:00 GMT

Armenian citizens can receive biometric passports and electronic ID
cards from Sept. 2011.

“New passports will be issued for all interested persons. Old
passports will also remain valid,” said Norayr Muradkhanyan, chief
of the passport and visa department of Armenian police.

Biometric passports will contain the citizen’s name and last name,
date and place of birth, photograph and two fingerprints. Electronic
ID cards will contain the same data, but with an electronic signature
instead of fingerprints.

8 organizations have applied for biometric passports and electronic
ID cards, whose applications are being discussed. The final decision
will be taken in early 2011.

From: A. Papazian

EXPORT FACILITATION DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 17, 2010 – 14:27 AMT 10:27 GMT

Head of Armexpertise OJSC Georgy Nanyan said that the policy pursued
by Armenia’s Ministry of Economy does not promote development of
small and medium enterprises (SME) in the country.

“And the Armenian President gave relevant assessment of Economy
Minister Nerses Yeritsyan’s activity,” Nanyan said on December 17.

According to him, the Ministry is against differentiation of the tax
duty for the obtainment of an expertise conclusion set at AMD 15,000
both for SME and large enterprises.

Based on this expertise, enterprises get a certificate for export
implementation. “But large enterprises get huge profits compared to
this sum,” he said.

Nanyan reported that Armexpertise OJSC operates for 8 years, during
which it has issued over 50,000 conclusions of conducted expertise.

Export stimulation was discussed in Yerevan. The discussion, led
by Chairman of Yerevan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andranik
Alexanyan, brought together representatives of various fields of
economy: agriculture, diamond cutting and trade.

From: A. Papazian

KAREN KARPETYAN ELECTED MAYOR OF YEREVAN
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
17.12.2010 14:07

Yerevan has a new Mayor. With a vote of 51-1 the Head of ArmRusGazprom
Company Karen Karapetyan was elected at the sitting of the Yerevan
City Council.

According to law, the inauguration for the newly elected Mayor will
take place on December 20. Karen Karapetyan said he hopes for the
support of the City Hall staff.

Mr. Karapetyan noted that he wants to create a contemporary economic
management system and create a new culture of management. According
to him, this will help establish a favorable atmosphere in the city.

“I anticipate an active cooperation with all factions. We have a good
chance to create a modern and comfortable city,” he stated.

From: A. Papazian

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS ARMENIA’S CEC CHAIRMAN

armradio.am
17.12.2010 12:53

On December 17 President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
received the delegation of the Central Electoral Commission of the
Republic of Armenia led by head of the structure Garegin Azaryan.

Issues related to deepening ties between the electoral commissions of
the two Armenian states and training of cadres were discussed during
the meeting.

The President welcomed the signing of the memorandum of mutual
understanding between the Central Electoral Commissions of Armenian and
Artsakh, noting its importance in the context of developing bilateral
relations in the sphere.

Chairman of the Artsakh Republic Central Electoral Commission Rashid
Petrossyan partook in the meeting, Central Information Department of
the Office of the NKR President reported.

From: A. Papazian