Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA’S IT SECTOR NEEDS HUGE FUNDS

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

The South Caucasus countries are creating their own competition
potential – either due to natural resources (Azerbaijan) or due
to communication lines (Georgia), Manuk Gergnyan, Director of the
EV Consulting Company and Head of the Economy and Values research
center, told journalists Nov. 2. Armenia should create its competition
potential due to knowledge, he said.

“We not only need new technologies, but also must use the opportunities
they afford, which will enable us not only leave our neighbors behind
in many respects, but also gain access to vast regions,” Gergnyan said.

He pointed out positive changes in Armenia over the recent period –
a higher number of mobile communication users, high-speed Internet
communication. However, it is not enough for being a competitive
country. “The IT sector needs serious investments, as information
technologies are not just a group of students with a few computers.

The IT needs huge funds to become a mover for the country,” Gergnyan.

From: A. Papazian

REFUGEES’ HOUSING PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED IN ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

The refugees’ housing problem remains high on the agenda in Armenia,
RA Vice-Premier, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan
stated at a meeting with Mr. Guillermo Bettocchi, Deputy Director
of the Regional Bureau for Europe of the UN Refugee Agency, and
Mr. Damtew Dessalegne, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) Representative.

The sides discussed prospects for cooperation between the Armenian
Government and the Regional Bureau for Europe of the UN Refugee Agency.

Minister Gevorgyan informed the U.N. representatives of the recent
legal reforms. He underlined the importance of implementing programs
which would produce concrete results. Minister Gevorgyan pointed out
the Armenian Government appreciates the assistance of the Regional
Bureau for Europe, as well as of donor organizations.

Mr. Guillermo Bettocchi underlined the importance of the work done. He
pointed out that the Armenia office of the Regional Bureau for Europe
is considering the resolution of the problem in the context of general
development programs.

The press service of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration
informed NEWS.am that Gagik Yeganyan, Head of the Migration Service, RA
Ministry of Territorial Administration, attended the meeting as well.

From: A. Papazian

NEW APPOINTED CANADIAN AMBASSADOR INTENDED TO REINFORCE ARMENIAN-CANADIAN TIES

Panorama
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

New appointed Canadian Ambassador to Armenia John Sloan (residence in
Moscow) handed his credentials to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

President congratulated Ambassador for assuming his diplomatic mission
in Armenia and wished him success.

According to President’s press office, President Sargsyan and
Ambassador Sloan both have underscored the necessity to intensively
cooperate in trade, cultural, local self-governing and other fields.

The parties have signified the role of Canadian Armenian community.

The Ambassador hailed Armenian-Canadian effective collaboration in
UN and OSCE fames. Ambassador ensured President he’s intended to
do his best to reinforce and develop Armenian-Canadian ties during
his mission.

From: A. Papazian

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTED CREDENTIALS TO SERZH SARGSYAN

news.am
Nov 2 2010
Armenia

On November 2, newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Armenia John
Sloan (residence Moscow) presented his credentials to Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan.

President Sargsyan congratulated Ambassador on his appointment
wishing success in his diplomatic mission, RA presidential press
service informed NEWS.am.

The sides stressed importance of using cooperation potential in trade,
economy, culture and other fields, pointing out the role of Armenian
community of Canada in improvement of bilateral relations.

The Ambassador also spoke of efficient Armenian-Canadian cooperation
within international agencies, in particular the UN and OSCE. John
Sloan assured the Armenian President he will do his utmost to further
deepen and develop relations between the states in different fields.

From: A. Papazian

DAVIT JAMALYAN: PEOPLE GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR ETHNIC BORDERS DO NOT CONCEDE TERRITORY

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: It is not always that imperial
centers reconcile themselves with independence of peoples as a result
of collapse of empires. Azerbaijan, driven by murmur of loss of the
own empire, cannot adapt itself to the reality, member of the public
council of the Armenian Defense Ministry, military psychologist Davit
Jamalyan said.

According to him, the history of collapse of Russian, French, and
British empires shows that when the alliance has gained independence
from them with its ethnic borders, the latter have not made territorial
concessions; sooner or later the empire center has reconciled itself
with that thought. ”

According to the military psychologist, when we compare which party
will experience more losses in case of war, it becomes obvious that it
will be only Azerbaijan, as Armenia is in more favorable conditions.

“We must be so strong with our potential – army and economy, that
Azerbaijan becomes sure that their aggressive strivings can no more
become reality,” he said.

Referring to the joint statement of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents in Astrakhan, Mr. Jamalyan expressed an opinion that it
is the most to which the parties could come in the current conditions.

Mr. Jamalyan said that looking directly at the reality, the situation
can be depicted as “claim of territory with promise of not colonizing.

“It is historically unprecedented and impossible phenomenon in our
case,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

NA MEMBERS GOT ACQUAINTED WITH CONDITIONS OF MILITARY-EDUCATIONAL UNIT OF ARMAVIR

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: The members of the NA Standing
Committee on Defense, Home and Security Affairs, headed by Chairman
Hrayr Karepetyan, visited today Marshal Baghramyan Military-Educational
Unit of Armavir. The members of the National Assembly walked
around in the territory of the latter, got acquainted with the food
regime of soldiers, with the conditions of the medical point and
entertainment room. In a short conversation with the representatives
of the legislative body the soldiers expressed gratification on
the conditions, noting that they are ready to ensure the country~Rs
security.

Commander of the brigade, Colonel Gevorg Yenokyan said that commanders,
operators, military mechanics are prepared in the military unit,
who, after passing trainings, will serve in other military units
of the republic. According to him, the soldiers are ensured by the
Defense Ministry with all the necessary accessories. As commander of
a brigade, Mr. Yenokyan considers the weak physical preparedness of
draftees a primary issue. The commander called the NA members to pay
attention to this circumstance.

Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, Home and Security
Affairs pointed out that during this autumn draft they have visited
the military unit for the first time, but this practice will be of
continuous nature. He expressed gratification on the conditions of
the military-educational unit of Armavir. ~SWe are assured that high
level hygiene is provided here. We intend to make such visits of
frequent nature,~T Mr. Karapetyan said.

He noted that everything will be done to elevate the quality of the
classes of the military unit and to ensure educational establishments
with educational weapons, in order the graduates master weapon to
some degree.

From: A. Papazian

NKR DEFENSE MINISTER MOVSES HAKOBYAN RECEIVES DIRECTOR OF ICRC MISSION IN ARTSAKH

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Movses Hakobyan, defense minister
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, commander of the NKR defense army,
lieutenant colonel, received today Ms. Sophia Pugsley, head of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mission in Artsakh. An
official from the press service of the NKR Defense Army told Armenpress
that issues on exchange of war prisoners and captives, as well as
returning the bodies of the two Azerbaijani soldiers, killed in the
result of a diversion by Azerbaijan in the contact line, were discussed
during the meeting. The sides touched upon a wide scope of issues,
which present mutual interest. They also underscored the necessity
of deepening the further cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

THE FINANCIAL RECONCILER GETS COMPLAINTS MAINLY AGAINST BANKS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: The achievement of the office of the
financial reconciler since its establishment till now is that the
customers of the financial services already know about the office,
its mission, main issues: the office serves for the implementation
of goals initially put by the legislative power, Piruz Sargsyan,
the reconciler of the financial system said at a news conference
today in “Armenpress” press center.

Since its activity (January 24, 2009) the office has registered
that there is a tendency of stable growth of the general number
of complaints which testifies about the increase of the level of
awareness of customers. As compared with the ten months of the past
year, this year the presented demands has grown by 120%. During this
year the office of reconciler received 527 complaints directed toward
financial organizations.

The complaints are mainly against banks. Second comes lombards,
though last year the complaints were mainly received against insurance
organizations.

The 55% of cases examined by the office were solved in favor of a
customer. The greatest amount of compensation was 5,1 million AMD
and the smallest 1000 AMD.

The reconciler said the office does not possess information whether
its dissatisfied clients applied to court or not but assured that
the employees of the office are consistent toward each examined case,
but the clients, not satisfied with our decision, later informed that
they have not applied to court. The reconciler explained that after
some time the client gets convinced that the position expressed by
the office is just.

The calls and visits not connected with the financial organizations
are a lot. The office provided each such client a consultation,
explaining their rights and committements.

The office of the financial reconciler is establishment working with
independent management system and has been founded by the Armenian
Central Bank. It is called to solve the property disputes between
physical consumers and financial organizations. The services of the
reconciler are free.

Besides, the main functions the office is organzing conferences,
involves interns, conducts seminars, etc.

It also cooperates with financial ombudsmen of Great Britain, France,
and others.

From: A. Papazian

A NEW TANK HANDED TO EXPLOITATION IN ABOVYAN UNDERGROUND STORAGE FACILITY

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: A new tank has been handed to
exploitation in Abovyan underground storage facility. The construction
works of the underground tank started still in 2006. It is the most
spacious among all the tanks ever handed to exploitation.

The new underground tank gives an opportunity of storing additional
gas of about 20 million square meters, reaching the general volume
of the gas stored in the republic 138-140 million square meters. In
a briefing with journalists consultant to the General Director of
“ArmRusgasprom” company Roland Adunts considered the day symbolic as
the tank handed to exploitation today is the first constructed after
1986. According to him, it ensures the secure and uninterrupted use
of gas and energy supply in the Republic of Armenia.

Today he voiced about an important issue, according to which the
lands in the surrounding of the tanks are privatized. “The current
situation is risky in all regards. If this issue does not find
solution, we will have to stop the exploitation of those lands,”
Mr. Adunts said. “ArmRusgasprom” currently is constructing 2 more
tanks, which are intended to hand to exploitation in 2013. In case
of their use “ArmRusgasprom” will have an opportunity to store
gas of 170-180 million square meters by the end of 2013, which will
essentially increase the trustworthiness level of the consumers,
as well as the security level of the energy in the republic.

From: A. Papazian

VICE PRIME MINISTER GETS ACQUAINTED WITH INFRASTRUCTURE RESTORATION WORKS IN PROVINCE OF ARARAT

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
YEREVAN

Today Armen Gevorgyan, RA vice prime minister, territorial
administration minister, got acquainted with the infrastructures
restoration process of Avshar-Aygevan pumping station in the province
of Ararat. The work is being implemented within the framework of
Millennium Challenge Account program.

An official from the PR office of RA territorial administration
ministry told Armenpress that the Vice Prime Minister was accompanied
by Governor Edik Barseghyan and Mr. Hovsepyan, chief executive director
of MCA-Armenia state non-commercial organization.

Works for restoration and equipment of the pumping station have already
kicked off. The total amount of investments is 1.8 million USD. The
works are intended to be finished May, 2011. The restored pumping
station is expected to ensure irrigation of a 1000-ha- territory.

The Territorial Administration Minister underscored the importance of
implementation of the work on schedule and with a high-quality. Within
the framework of the visit the Minister also acquainted with the
construction works of deep holes in Ararat Valley.

Vice Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan will go on visiting the provinces
of the Republic to get acquainted with restoration works of water
system infrastructures.

From: A. Papazian