Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SUMMONS ITS REGULAR FOUR-DAY SESSION

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Armenian National Assembly summoned
today its regular four-day session the agenda of which included 16
legislative initiatives, 29 international agreements. In the beginning
of the NA session first at the second reading then fully the bill on
making amendments in the law “About Civil Service” has been approved,
and then in the first reading bill on making amendments in the
RA Family Code has been approved. The NA unanimously ratified the
agreement signed between Armenia and Benelux countries on “Deport of
the People Settled Illegally”.

In the previous four-day session of the NA in the second reading and
then fully the parliament approved the bill presented by the government
on making changes in the Armenian Electoral Code according to which,
the candidates participating in all kinds of elections are deprived of
the inviolability right. The bill was sent to the Armenian president
for ratification but the latter presented some remarks and returned to
the NA. Permanent representative of the Armenian president in the NA
Garnik Isagulyan said that according to the president’s remark it is
intended to grant inviolability right to the candidates participating
in presidential elections.

“Armenian president finds that all the candidates participating in
the presidential elections must have inviolability right. Armenian
president finds that it will not be right if one candidate has that
right and the other does not. This other candidates too must have
that right,” Isagulyan said.

From: A. Papazian

EDWARD NALBANDYAN RECEIVES DELEGATION HEADED BY CHAIRMAN OF PROVINCE COUNCIL OF MILAN B. DAPEI

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan received today the delegation headed by Chairman of the
Milan’s province council Bruno Dapei. Press service of the Armenian
Foreign Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that welcoming the guest E.

Nalbandyan noted that in the recent period the Armenian-Italian
relations have considerably activated, which is also manifested in
activation of visits of official delegations.

The head of the Armenian foreign political department noted that
Armenia is interested in deepening of decentralized cooperation with
Italy, in this regard attaching importance to the cooperation between
Kotayk province and Milan, as well as to establishment of possible
cooperation between Milan and Yerevan.

Edward Nalbandyan expressed gratitude to the province authorities of
Milan for recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 2006, underscoring
that the recognition of crimes against humanity and their condemning
is an all-human issue.

Bruno Dapei in his turn attached importance to development of the
Armenian-Italian discentralized cooperation, as well as highly
assessed the valuable contribution of the Milan-Armenian community
to the political, economic and cultural life of the province it heads.

At the meeting the interlocutors also referred to regional issues
and the ways of their solution.

From: A. Papazian

ROBERT GATES PROMISES TO TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA HOW IMPORTANT NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION IS FOR AZERBAIJAN

APA
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is visiting Baku,
met with Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev,
spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu
told APA.

Following the solemn welcoming ceremony at the Defense Ministry,
the state anthems of both countries were played.

Safar Abiyev noted the brief history of Azerbaijan-US military
cooperation founded by Heydar Aliyev in 1997 and underlined that
Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the cooperation with the US.

Speaking about the joint contributions to the struggle against the
international terrorism and to other security processes, Minister
said the situation is complicated and tense in the South Caucasus
because of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. He
appreciated the role of the US as a co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group.

Safar Abiyev underlined that section 907 has negative influence on
the US-Azerbaijan relations.

Gates noted that President Barack Obama’s letter to President
Ilham Aliyev, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s upcoming visit
and his present visit to Baku are obvious examples of the strategic
partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States. Gates emphasized
that when he returns home he will tell President Obama how important
the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict is for Azerbaijan. The US
Defense Secretary mentioned a number of important issues and said he
would make best efforts towards abolition of Section 907.

Then Safar Abiyev expressed hopes that Azerbaijan and the United
States will establish real partnership relations and the Defense
Secretary’s visit to Azerbaijan will make new contribution to the
development of this partnership.

From: A. Papazian

DELEGATION, HEADED BY RA DIASPORA MINISTER HRANUSH HAKOBYAN, LEAVES FOR GREECE

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

The delegation, headed by RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan is
on a working visit to Greece from June 7 to 11. An official from the
press and PR office of RA Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that
Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan is expected to meet with representatives of
the organizations of the Armenian community to Salonika and visit
St. Astvatsatsin Armenian Church on the first day of the visit. The
Minister also intends a visit to the club of the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) of Salonika.

The Minister’s visit to ‘Simon Zavaryan’ college of Athens, office of
‘Nor Ashkarh’ (New World) weekly, ‘Ararat’ sports-cultural union and
St. Hakob Armenian Apostolic Church is intended June 8. RA Diaspora
Minister will visit June 9 St. Karapet and St. Grigor Lusavorich
(Gregory the Illuminator) Armenian Churches, as well as the primacy
of the Greek Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan will meet with the members of the central
department of AGBU Greece. The Minister will also partake in the
graduation party of ‘Artaki Galpakyan’ and ‘Levon and Sofia Hakobyan’
colleges. The Minister will visit June 10 ‘Hayastan’ social-cultural
center and the Armenian nursing home of Greece. A meeting with the
President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad Stefanos Tamvakis
is intended as well.

From: A. Papazian

PUSHKIN’S BIRTHDAY MARKED IN ARMENIA

Aysor
June 7 2010
Armenia

The Fifth Republican Festival of Pushkin’s poetry, entitled “Hello,
Alexander Sergeevitch,” timed to the 211th birth anniversary of the
great Russian poet, took place on June 6 at the Pushkin Passage, a
place where the poet met a bullock-cart, carrying body of Griboyedov,
who had been killed in clashes in Iran.

The festival was organised by Rossotrudnichestvo (Russian cooperation)
Office in Armenia in assistance with Armenia-Russia Community of
Friendship, the Yerevan Humanitarian Institute, Assistance Fund for
Russian countrymen in Armenia, “Harmony”, NGOs “Russia”, “Oda-luch”,
“Russia’s Friends”, “Fireplace of the Russian culture”, “Ode” and
some others.

A special working group, headed by director of Rossotrudnichestvo
Viktor Krivopouskov, created a programme for the festival.

“Why do we feel so drawn back to this place? It’s probably because you
need a holy place where you can go and pay a tribute to the greatest
poet of all times. Pushkin is livelong as he is a contemporary of
ours, who has a response to all our questions, he is always actual
and modern, despite three centuries have passed,” said in his speech
member of the World Coordination Council for Russian compatriots,
Yuri Yakovenko.

The Fifth Republican Festival of the Pushkin’s poetry gathered
together fans from various regions of Armenia – Alaverdi, Gavar,
Yeghegnadzor, Armavir, Echmiadzin, Vanadzor, Gyumri, Abovyan,
Charentsavan, and Sevan.

“Just this listing makes it obvious that the festival has really
become a republican one,” said Yuri Yakovenko.

Chairwoman of the Slavonic House public organisation, member of
Armenia’s Presidential Council on Minorities, Nona Gustova said
that there is a good tradition to gather young adults at the Pushkin
Passage.

“Pushkin belongs to all nations and he brings all nations together,”
she said mentioning that last year’s festival gathered together
students from 22 colleges of Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

PROGRAM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND UNDP SIGNED

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and the UN Resident Coordinator
Ms. Dafina Gercheva signed today the 2010-2015 ‘Project on Cooperation
Activities between RA Government and the United Nations Development
Program’.

An official from the press and information department of RA Foreign
Affairs Ministry told Armenpress that the document was drawn up on the
base of the last (2005-2009) practice of cooperation, in accordance
with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PM RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF THE ITALIAN MILAN PROVINCE’S COUNCIL BRUNO DUPEI

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received today chairman of
the Italian Milan province’s council Bruno Dupei.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that welcoming the guest the
prime minister highly praised the current level of the Armenian-Italian
cooperation in economic and cultural spheres. He highlighted the full
usage of the existing potential.

The head of the government pointed out the importance of consolidation
and development of ties between Milan province and Kotayk marz. Tigran
Sargsyan welcomed the expansion of the capital of investments by
the Italian companies in Armenia, highlighting particularly the
construction of the financial center in Dilijan. The parties highly
assessed the participation of the Italian specialists in the programs
carried out in Gyumri.

The interlocutors discussed the details of the Armenian-Italian
mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Expressing gratitude for the reception the chairman of the Milan
province’s council highlighted the role of the Armenian community of
Milan in the development of the Armenian-Italian friendly relations.

Speaking about his visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Bruno Dupei said that
in 2006 the council adopted two documents condemning the Armenian
Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

THE GENERAL INFECTIOLOGIST: USE YOGURT AND LIQUIDS IN SUMMER

Aysor
June 7 2010
Armenia

Today the Armenian infectiologist Ara Aoyan on the meeting with the
journalists spoke about the possible infections in summer and the
possibility to avoid them.

Ara Asoyan mentioned that in Armenia is being hot every year. This
summer will not be an exception too and for that reason it is required
to use liquids all the time, 4 – 5 cups of water each day, it is also
advised to put salt in the water as well, like mineral waters.

As for the citizens who have cordial problems Ara Asoyan advised to
discuss with the doctors, after which as the doctor said they should
use liquids as much as they will be assigned.

“The intestinal diseases are the most typical ones in summer, but every
person can have an intestinal problem because of the hot weather,”
Ara Asoyan , mentioned.

He also touched upon the diet of the pregnant women and motioned
that the pregnant women try to avoid using water in order not to get
fatter, while they shouldn’t do that and should drink 4-6 cups of
water each day.

“There is no danger to become fat in summer,” A.Asoyan mentioned.

The doctor also advised the population to use yogurt in summer.

From: A. Papazian

HRACHYA HARUTYUNYAN APPOINTED HEAD OF STATE GUARD SERVICE

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 7, 2010
YEREVAN

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan signed today decree dismissing
Hrachya Harutyunyan from the office of the first deputy of the
Director of the government-affiliated National Security Service. The
Presidential press service told Armenpress that according to another
decree of the President, Hrachya Harutyunyan was appointed Head of
the RA State Guard Service.

From: A. Papazian

OBAMA TO TACKLE “SERIOUS ISSUES” WITH AZERBAIJAN

Reuters
June 7 2010

BAKU (Reuters) – President Barack Obama promised in a letter
released on Monday to tackle “serious issues” straining relations
with Azerbaijan, an important link in Afghan supply lines and energy
export routes to the West.

Politics | Barack Obama

Defense Secretary Robert Gates handed Obama’s letter to President
Ilham Aliyev during a visit meant to ease tensions with the oil-rich
Caspian Sea country, strategically located between Russia and Iran.

A U.S.-backed push for a historic rapprochement between Azerbaijan’s
foe Armenia and its historic ally Turkey has damaged ties between
Washington and Azerbaijan, which worries its interests will be damaged
by the reconciliation efforts.

Baku in April accused the United States of siding with Armenia over
Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory that has been under ethnic Armenian
control since a 1994 ceasefire in a war, and threatened to “reconsider”
its relationship with Washington.

“I am aware of the fact that there are serious issues in our
relationship, but I am confident that we can address them,” Obama
wrote in the letter delivered on Sunday by Gates, the most senior U.S.

official to visit Azerbaijan since Obama took office in January 2009.

On the plane leaving Azerbaijan on Monday, Gates said his visit
“set the stage for further expansion of the relationship.”

In the letter, Obama praised Azerbaijan for sending military personnel
to serve in Afghanistan and opening its land and air space to help
resupply U.S. and NATO forces there.

Since 2001, tens of thousands of military aircraft and supply trucks
have crossed the country carrying U.S. and NATO forces and equipment
to Afghanistan. The Pentagon wants to avoid problems that could slow
Obama’s 30,000-troop surge.

“These guys clearly live in a rough neighborhood and I told them …

how much the international community appreciated what they were doing
to help everybody in Afghanistan,” Gates said.

He told reporters on his plane that he and Azerbaijan’s leadership
had discussed ways to expand military-to-military relations, including
exercises and intelligence sharing.

Azerbaijan is also a significant oil producer and hub on a route for
Central Asia and Caspian Sea energy to Europe, bypassing Russia to
the north and Iran to the south.

“Azerbaijan’s leadership in the development for a Southern Corridor
for energy has also increased regional prosperity and enhanced global
energy security,” Obama wrote.

“It is my hope that we will be able to broaden and deepen our
relationship in the months and years ahead.”

Obama praised Azerbaijan’s commitment to a continuing effort to
resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, mediated by the United States,
Russia and France, and warned against using force.

“I … believe that a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is essential for the long-term stability of the South Caucasus
region, and support for this outcome will remain a priority for the
United States.”

Azerbaijan has built up its military and repeatedly warned it would
have to resort to force to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh if
the dispute is not resolved.

The United States has expressed concern over Azerbaijan’s human rights
record in the past. Obama did not mention human rights in the letter,
which called for closer cooperation “in the interest of regional
security, democracy and prosperity.”

(Additional reporting by Steve Gutterman in Moscow; Editing by Mark
Heinrich)

From: A. Papazian