Author: Andres-Papazian

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND COE SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 21, 2010 – 19:15 AMT 14:15 GMT

On October 21, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland, who is
in Yerevan to participate in the CoE Forum for the Future of Democracy.

The Armenian Minister stressed the importance of the forum organization
in Yerevan, saying that it serves as a good opportunity for exchanging
opinions around democracy development in Europe.

Mr. Nalbandian expressed Armenia’s support to the CoE reformation,
saying that the process is needed to increase the organization’s
efficiency.

At the guest’s request, the Armenian Foreign Minister briefed on recent
developments around the Karabakh conflict settlement, stressing that
the OSCE Minsk Group deals with its resolution.

Nalbandian added that the attempts aimed at transferring the Karabakh
conflict resolution to other instances will affect the negotiation
process.

From: A. Papazian

COE HAS NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 21, 2010 – 15:54 AMT 10:54 GMT

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland said the
CoE is not empowered to interfere in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process.

“The Council of Europe is an institute advocating human rights. The
Council of Europe just can help establishment of contacts between
civil societies of Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO HOST FORUM OF CIS YOUTH GOVERNMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 21, 2010 – 16:11 AMT 11:11 GMT

On October 21, Yerevan hosted presentation of another project of the
Armenian youth government (AYG).

Presenting the project, leader of the Youth Party of Armenia Vahan
Babayan said that the first forum of the CIS youth governments will
be organized in Armenia with participation of youth governments of
Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

He added that a summer camp will be organized for the forum
participants at Lake Sevan.

The AYG started operating in 2010. It has already implemented various
programs.

From: A. Papazian

THORBJORN JAGLAND NOTES ARMENIA’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN DEMOCRACY

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 21, 2010 – 17:25 AMT 12:25 GMT

On October 21, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with CoE Secretary
General Thorbjorn Jagland.

At the meeting, Armenian President emphasized the importance of the
CoE Forum for the Future of Democracy.

As the President noted, protection of human rights and democratic
values are the cornerstones of Armenian statehood. “Since declaration
of independence, Armenia has passed a long way in this direction;
and we’re ready to continue improvements in this field,” he noted.

CoE Secretary General expressed his agreement with the President,
specifically noting Armenia’s achievements in the field of democracy,
presidential press service reported.

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH EMBASSY IN ARMENIA FACILITATED TECHNICAL PROCEDURES OF GETTING SHORT-TERM VISAS

ARKA
October 21, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. French Embassy in Armenia facilitated
technical procedures of getting short-term visa (type C), said consul
of French Embassy Frederick Grapes.

“From November 1, 2010 citizens of Armenia who got even one visa of
Type C two years ago, starting from November 1, 2008 can be released
from submitting a number of documents”, said Grapes to the journalists
on Thursday.

The list of required documents include birth certificate of the
person applied for visa, birth certificate of children and parents,
certificate of their marriage and the parents or certificate of
divorce, certificate of ownership, state registration of private
enterprises.

Relevant documents are mandatory for their submission to the embassy
in case of any changes of family status (marriage, divorce) and birth
of children.

No documents are accepted in Russian language. All the documents
of the citizens of Armenia should be translated in the languages of
Shengen zone – English and French.

For the application of getting visa the following documents are
required: reference from current job place mentioned the size of the
salary and relevant permission of the employer translated into the
above mentioned languages, references from the bank about financial
status (bank account and card), tourist cheques (equivalent amount
for about 60 EURO daily), passports of the spouse and adult children
with copies and military service card with a copy for men up to the
age of 27.

Another important clause of technical procedure facilitation is
appointment of meeting via the site of the Embassy from November 15,
2010. Acceptance of documents electronically is prohibited.

The aim of technical procedure facilitation for getting short-term
visas is creation of trust towards the Armenian citizens who had
already received permission.

From: A. Papazian

EX-CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR QUESTIONS 2011 BUDGET’S SOCIAL ORIENTATION

ARKA
October 21, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 21, /ARKA/. A former governor of Armenia’s Central
Bank questioned today the government’s assurances that its next year
budget was designed to solve some fundamental problems of the country.

Speaking at a news conference, Bagrat Asatrian, who served as
Central Bank chairman in the administration of ex-president
Levon Ter-Petrosian, said the government describes the budget as
‘unprecedented, stabilizing’ and so on but the draft document has
nothing to confirm it. He said the government plans to direct large
financial means to pay off its foreign debt accrued during the crisis.

“Social spending is increased by 7.7% and this means that pensioners’
life will get even worse, in view of the inflation,’ he said, adding
that the proposed budget will not resolve any social problem, albeit
being described as socially -oriented. Bagrat Astarian declined to
make forecasts about economic growth next year saying that ‘numbers
in Armenia mean, as a matter of fact, nothing.’

The Armenian government plans to spend in 2011 as much as 998.4
billion Drams ($2.8 billion), up from 935.5 billion Drams projected
for this year and boost budgetary revenues by 14.6 percent, to 850
billion drams. That would translate into a budget deficit equivalent
to almost 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These targets
are based on the assumption that the Armenian economy will grow by
4.6 percent in 2011. ($1- 360. 54 Drams). M.M.

From: A. Papazian

AREXIMBANK-GAZPROMBANK GROUP ANNOUNCES COMPETITION FOR ONE-TIME STIPENDS

ARKA
October 21, 2010
YEREVAN

Areximbank-Gazprombank Group said it is accepting applications from
Armenian students wishing to win one of the bank’s special one-time
stipends. The offer is part of a special program called For All
Country and for Interest of Each Student.

The bank said in a press release that the goal of this special offer
is to help young students who are demonstrating not only excellent
academic achievements but who are also active in public and research
areas.

Twenty applicants will be selected by a scoring system and by a special
commission in several categories like excellent academic progress,
public activity and social status. The competition is for fifth -year
students as well as for second-fourth year bachelors and students
seeking master’s degree from state-run and private universities. The
amount of one-time stipend is from 40 000 to 400 000 Drams. The list
of winners will be published December 15 on the bank’s officials
website and winners will be invited to a special ceremony to get
their stipends.

Areximbank-Gazprombank Group (formerly Areximbank) was established
in 1998 to handle financial flows between Armenia and Russia. It is a
principled member of VISA International and MasterCard International
payment systems. In 2007 it joined Armenian ArCa payment system. The
bank is owned fully by Russian Gazprombank. It has 1 6 branches in
Yerevan and 9 in regions. ($1- 360.54 Drams).

From: A. Papazian

GERMANY TO PROVIDE ARMENIA WITH 51 MILLION LOAN TO MODERNIZE VOROTAN CASCADE

ARKA
October 21, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenia’s finance minister Tigran Davtian and Eva Witt, first vice
president of German KfW bank, signed credit agreements worth 51
million euros. The financing will be provided for reconstruction and
re-equipment of Vorotan cascade of hydropower plants, the Armenian
ministry said in a press release.

It said the cascade of hydropower plants is of vital importance to
Armenia. Under t rehabilitation program Tatev, Spandarian and Shamb
hydropower plants making the Vorotan cascade will be repaired and
their equipment will be replaced and upgraded. According to the press
release, this will increase the cascade’s efficiency.

The first 29 million euro tranche will be provided as part of an
agreement on financial cooperation between Armenia and Germany in
2007-2008. The agreement on release of the second, 22 million tranche
was reached last July.

Part of the loan is repayable in 40 years and has a ten year grace
period. The remaining funding will be provided by the KfW bank with
a 15 year payback term and 4 year grace period. The loan is given at
2% interest rate. The project will be launched in 2011 and will last
for four years.

From: A. Papazian

FREDERICK GRAPEN: 10% OF THE APPLICANTS WERE DENIED A FRENCH VISA THIS YEAR
Lusine Vasilyan

“Radiolur”
21.10.2010 18:42

This year the French Embassy in Armenia hasrefused to issue entry
visas to Armenian citizens less often, there has been a 30-35 %
decrease as compared to last year, French Consul Frederick Grapen
told journalists in Yerevan.

According to him, 10% of the applicants were denied a visa this year.

The diplomat pointed out certain changes in the visa issuance
procedure. Grapen explained that the aim is to create an atmosphere
of confidence for the citizens that have received entry visas and
reduce their expenses.

According to the Consul, applicants can get registered for interviews
by internet starting from November 15. He noted also that no documents
in Russian will be accepted. All the documents should be in French
and Armenian.

From: A. Papazian

WE’LL CLOSE THE YEAR WITH POOR INDICES, EX-PRESIDENT OF CBA SAYS
Liana Yeghiazaryan

“Radiolur”
21.10.2010 18:31

The budget for Fiscal Year 2011 does not provide for solutions for the
problems existing in the country, ex-President of the Central Bank of
Armenia, economist Bagrat Asatryan told a press conference in Yerevan.

He says we’ll close the year with poor indices and predicts a 10%
inflation.

Bagrat Asatryan does believe that when working out the draft budget
the authorities had to follow the 100 steps proposed by the Armenian
National Congress.

The world faces a new serious challenge today – the war of currencies,
the expressions of which are already visible.

Former CBA Chairman urges the government to assume a more balanced
fiscal policy and manage the state reserves more efficiently in this
war among USD, EUR, Yuan and Yen, since it could have a negative
influence on our country’s economy.

From: A. Papazian