Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIE-TOURISME
957 000 touristes en Arménie l’an dernier

Cette année en Arménie, le seuil d’un million de touristes sera
largement franchi. Selon le ministre de l’Economie, Karen
Djchmaritian, l’an dernier l’Arménie a enregistré l’entrée de 957 000
touristes, contre 843 000 en 2012 soit une hausse de 13,5%. La
conséquence de la volonté du gouvernement de développer le tourisme
ainsi que du dynamisme des 34 agences de voyages spécialisés dans le
tourisme en Arménie et qui participent à de nombreux salons du
Tourisme tels que ceux de Madrid, Berlin ou Londres. Mais à l’étude de
ces chiffres nous apprenons que 84% de ces touristes (soit 808 000
personnes) séjournent en Arménie auprès de leurs familles ou des amis
proches, ainsi que dans des appartements en location. En conséquence à
peine 16% (147 000 personnes) séjournent à l’hôtel. L’Arménie comptant
près de 200 hôtels voit ainsi un remplissage régulier très faible.
Avec un peu plus d’un million de touristes, l’Arménie bien évidemment
très loin de la France, leader mondial du tourisme avec 83 millions de
touristes l’an dernier. Mais l’Arménie est également largement
distancée par sa voisine, la Géorgie qui a affiché 5,4 millions de
touristes l’an dernier avec une recette de près d’un milliard de
dollars en retombées économiques du tourisme. Il est vrai que les
plages de la mer Noire et son climat méditerranéen attirent davantage
de touristes que celles du lac Sevan dont les eaux restent très
froides même l’été. Néanmoins l’Arménie, terre de culture et
d’histoire, dispose encore d’un potentiel important pour son
développement touristique.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 7 juin 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Commémorations 1944
Sergueï Agavelian

A l’heure des commémorations du débarquement du 6 juin 1944, il est
bon de rappeler l’engagement du russo-arménien, le colonel Serge
AGAVELIAN, ingénieur en chef d’aviation, qui avait rejoint, en
renfort, l’escadre du célèbre groupe de chasse Normandie-Niemen.

Le Normandie-Niemen a accompli 5240 missions et abattu près de 300
avions ennemis. Il a été créé le 1er septembre 1942 à Rayack, en
Syrie, sous l’appellation GC n° 3 puis GC “Normandie”. De décembre
1942 à juin 1945, ce groupe, équipé de Yak, combat sur le front russe.

Dès l’offensive soviétique d’Orel en 1943, le groupe s’illustre sur
Yak 1 (puis sur Yak 9, en septembre) et prend ses quartiers d’hiver à
Toula avec un palmarès éloquent. Les hostilités sont reprises sur Yak
11 avec la nouvelle campagne de chasse de Borovoskie, le 26 mai 1944.
Le 23 juin, le Niémen est franchi. De ce jour, le groupe sera désigné
sous le nom de “Normandie Niémen”. Il participera avec preté à
l’offensive contre la Prusse orientale et contribuera de façon
significative à la victoire finale. Avec 273 victoires homologuées et
37 probables, le drapeau au régiment revient couvert de prestige (le
“Neu Neu” est, en effet, le seul escadron français à posséder un
drapeau en plus de son fanion).

samedi 7 juin 2014,
Jean Eckian (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Donations urgently needed to assist Aleppo Armenians under attack

11:51 07.06.2014

The ARS of Eastern United States expressed its grave concern and deep
sadness today at the recent escalation in attacks on the Armenian
neighborhoods of Aleppo, Syria, and condemned the violence. Several
Armenians have been killed in the past week and sources in Syria say
that over 60 mortar bombs have fallen in Armenian-populated areas.
Thousands of Armenians have been left homeless in Aleppo and the area
has been officially declared a disaster zone.

The ARS Eastern region urges its members, supporters, and friends in
the community to make their heartfelt donations at this time to
support the ARS’s emergency relief programs in Syria. Recent bombing
has destroyed vital infrastructural elements in these neighborhoods,
including homes, schools, churches, and other buildings. Water
shortages have reached crisis levels, and residents have had to resort
to boiling river water to drink. The recent destruction and violence
compounds the challenges that Armenians in Syria have already been
facing for the duration of the conflict, and makes the ARS’s relief
efforts simultaneously more difficult and more urgently needed than
ever before.

The ARS Eastern region Chairwoman, Ani Attar, stressed the urgency of
the situation. “Our hearts are breaking for our brothers and sisters
in Syria, and we are praying for their safety. They are counting on us
and we will do everything in our power to assist them, through your
moral and financial support.”

From: A. Papazian

Gagik Jhangiryan: Incidents on border with Nakhichevan are unusual (video)

20:52 | June 6,2014 | Politics

Armenian lawmaker Gagik Jhangiryan is concerned over the recent
incidents along the Line of Contact between armed forces of
Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan and the tense situation on the border
with Nakhichevan.

On June 5, Armenian servicemen Andranik S. Yeghoyan, 26, and Boris B.
Gasparyan, 22, were killed by an Azerbaijani sniper while on battle
duty in one of the military units located in the south-eastern section
of the Line of Contact.

“This is unusual as the border with Nakhichevan has always been quiet
and stable. I can recall one or two incidents in 15 years that
occurred there,” said Gagik Jhangiryan.

In reply to the question what should be done to strengthen the
security of our borders, the lawmaker said we should increase the
level of combat readiness.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-686-0710
Fax: 212–779-3558
Email: [email protected]
Web:

** TOP STORY June 5, 2014
————————————————————
Pentecost

** Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost
————————————————————
The Dove came down with great sound from on high,
Like the flashing of light. It armed the disciples with fire
While they were sitting in the holy Upper Room….
Today, O new people, rejoice for the coming of the Holy Spirit!

These are the words of the sublime sharagan, Arakeloh aghavnoh, sung
in the Armenian Church on Pentecost-the feast day we will celebrate on
Sunday, June 8.

The disciples had been awaiting the `comforter’ Christ promised-and
while they had little idea what this comforter might do, they had
faith that the Holy Spirit would inspire them and make them new.

On the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit inspired the birth of the
Christian Church; and in time it went forth to inspire the conversion
of the Armenian people, the founding of parishes across our Diocese,
and the faithful acts of countless people down to the present day.

Click here
()
to learn more about Pentecost.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Acts 2:1-21
Jn 14:25-31

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

May you pour on us, O Lord, the grace of your spirit-the spirit of
wisdom, knowledge, power; the spirit of understanding and of the
mystery of worship in God-which you received in the River Jordan. Fill
us with the spirit of fear towards you. Hear, O Lord, and have
mercy. Amen.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

8 June: Pentecost

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
New Church Consecrated in Russia
Archbishop Nersissian addresses the Armenian community of Nizhny
Novgorod following the consecration of the city’s new Armenian Church.

** New Church Consecrated in Russia
————————————————————
Archbishop Yezras Nersissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New
Nakhichevan and Russia, consecrated a newly built church in Nizhny
Novgorod, Russia, last month. A celebration featuring traditional
Armenian music and dancing followed the May 25 service.

`This house of worship will become a place where the vibrant Armenian
community of Nizhny Novgorod will preserve and pass down our Christian
heritage,’ Archbishop Nersissian said in his address following the
consecration. The church was named Sourp Amenapurgich (Holy
All-Savior).

The day also marked the grand opening of the church museum, which
houses various artifacts highlighting Armenian contributions to the
arts and humanities.

According to the New Nakhichevan Diocese, some 15,000 Armenians live
in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia’s fifth largest city located 260 miles east
of Moscow. An Armenian Church was built there in 1828, and served the
community until its destruction during the Soviet period. In the early
1990s, local Armenians expressed a desire to build a new church, and
they acquired land for the project 12 years ago. Construction was
completed earlier this year.

Click here
()
to view photos from the consecration event.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Holy Land
Pilgrims at the Jordan River.

** Young Pilgrims Arrive in the Holy Land
————————————————————
A group of 29 youth leaders from 27 parishes throughout the Eastern
Diocese are taking part in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this week.

Led by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the young
pilgrims have visited the Church of the Nativity of Christ in
Bethlehem, the Jordan River, Mount of Temptation, Jericho, and the
Dead Sea. In the coming days, they will continue tracing the footsteps
of Jesus Christ through the Holy Land, experiencing the great sites of
biblical history, learning about the Armenian presence there, and
exploring ways to strengthen their leadership roles at the parish and
Diocesan levels. The trip will run through June 10.

A daily account of the group’s experiences, with photos, is appearing
in the blog spot on the homepage of the Diocesan website. Click here
()
to read the latest blog post.

Zabel Yessayan
Zabel Yessayan’s memoir, The Gardens of Silihdar, is now available in
English.

** Zohrab Center Talk on Zabel Yessayan
————————————————————
Last month the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center
hosted a presentation by Jennifer Manoukian on her new English
translation of Zabel Yessayan’s memoir,
The Gardens of Silihdar.

Zabel Yessayan (1878-1943) is considered one of the leading writers of
Western Armenian literature. Her 1935 memoir is a vivid account of
Armenian community life in Constantinople at the end of the 19th
century.

Ms. Manoukian spoke about the writer’s life, discussed the challenges
she encountered in translating The Gardens of Silihdar, and emphasized
the importance of making Western Armenian literature accessible to
readers of English.

Click here
()
to read more about the talk.

Ayo

** “Ayo!” Releases Video About Armenia’s Children
————————————————————
On June 1, Armenia observed its annual `Children’s Day,’ and to mark
the occasion the Fund for Armenian Relief’s crowdfunding platform
`Ayo!’ released a new video in celebration of Armenia’s youngest
citizens.

The short clip features kids from Yerevan to Zangakatun to Shushi
dancing to Pharrell Williams’s song `Happy.’ Click here
()
to view the video.

`Ayo!’ encourages viewers to join its mission of empowering young
Armenians to create a bright future for Armenia. Click here
()
to learn more about `Ayo!’ and its projects.

Holy Cross Church in Van
Holy Cross Church, a precious jewel of Armenian architecture, on
Aghtamar island in Lake Van.

** 2014 Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia
————————————————————
Registration is open for the Eastern Diocese’s pilgrimage to historic
Armenia, scheduled for September 3 to 15, 2014.

Participants will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on
the island of Aghtamar, and take part in prayer services at the
St. Giragos Armenian Church of Dikranagert and the St. Gregory Church
in Kayseri.

The pilgrimage also includes visits to other cities of historic
Armenia=80’Kharpert, Malatya, and Sepastia, and other locales. The
journey will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the
Armenian Patriarchate.

Click here
()
to view a flyer for registration information. To view a short film
about the Diocese’s 2012 pilgrimage to historic Armenia, click here
()
.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA
Graduate Daniel Aslanian with the parish pastor and school
superintendent.

** Holy Trinity School Graduation
————————————————————

The church school at Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA,
successfully completed its second year of using the newly revised
curriculum, which combines religion, culture, history and language
instruction. The graduation and annual hantes were held on Sunday,
June 1.

The parish congratulated graduate Daniel Aslanian and student Narek
Gevorgyan, who had perfect attendance. Also recognized for excellent
attendance were Audrey Movsesian and Lucas Terkanian. At the
end-of-year hantes, the students presented a program of recitations
and a skit.

The community expressed its appreciation to its dedicated
teachers. =80=9CI’ve been teaching Sunday School for more years than I
can remember, and of all the hats I have worn in doing church work,
Sunday School teacher has been the most rewarding,’ said Merle
Santerian who teaches third and fourth grade religion.

Seda Hovhannisyan, who teaches Armenian at the nursery school, said:
`Teaching Armenian at Holy Trinity makes me feel proud. I’m proud that
I can help kids learn their language and make them feel proud of their
roots and beautiful language.’

Click here
()
to view photos from graduation day.

Police

** Helping Local Police Through Chaplaincy
————————————————————

The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Diocese’s Mission Parish
program, recently attended a three-day training session on police
chaplaincy. Fr. Abdalian serves as a police chaplain to the police
department of Cheltenham, PA, where he counsels members of the police
force and other first responders.

The course focused on Crisis Intervention Stress Management-a method
of helping first responders recover from traumatic experiences. Upon
completion of the training program, Fr. Abdalian was invited to become
a member of the CISM team in Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County.

St. Vartan Armenian School, NYC
Dr. Kevork and Mrs. Alvina Niksarli at the classroom dedication
ceremony.

** Students Enjoy New Classrooms at St. Vartan School
————————————————————

Students at St. Vartan Armenian School in New York have been enjoying
their newly renovated classrooms. The renovations were made possible
through a generous donation by Dr. and Mrs. Kevork and Alvina
Niksarli, whose daughter attends the school.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate; the Very
Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral; and the
Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian blessed the new classrooms-which are located
in the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex-on Saturday, April 12.

At a program following the ceremony, students recited poems and sang
songs. Archbishop Barsamian stressed the importance of Armenian
schools in instilling the Armenian faith and culture in the young
generation. He expressed his gratitude to the Niksarli family and to
all the educators, and encouraged the students to continue their hard
work.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

Upcoming events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

St. George Church | Hartford, CT
St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will be among the exhibitors at
=80=9CCelebrate West Hartford’-a local community fair held at the West
Hartford Town Hall (50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT). The
St. George booth will be open on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m., and on Sunday, June 8, from 12 to 6 p.m. Stop by for Armenian
food and sweets.

`Taking part in the annual festival is an opportunity for St. George
Church to share our Armenian culture with others and to reach out to
new Armenians in the community,’ says parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian.

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will host a Medical Forum and
Q-and-A, led by members of the Armenian-American Health Professional
Organization (AAHPO) on Sunday, June 8, from 1 to 3 pm. Medical
specialists will give brief presentations and answer questions. The
forum is free and open to the public. St. Mary Church is located at
200 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ; for info call (973)
533-9794. Click here
()
to view a flyer.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The Shnorhali Chorale of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, under the
artistic direction of Maestro Vagharshak Ohanyan, invites the Armenian
community to a special evening to `Meet our Talents’ on Sunday, June 8
at 6 p.m. in Kalustyan Hall. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information. For reservations, contact Tamar at
(718) 961-3195 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ,
or Anjel at (718) 738-7057.

St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host an evening with young
Armenian filmmakers from Columbia University on Thursday, June 12 at 7
p.m. View screenings of five short films and hear from the
directors. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will host its
annual picnic on Sunday, June 8, from 12 to 6 p.m. Enjoy music by the
John Vartan Ensemble, homemade Armenian mezze and pastries, luleh and
chicken kebab, raffles, and other activities. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (914) 428-2595.

St. James Church | Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will host its annual picnic and
Armenian Festival on Sunday, June 8, on church grounds. Enjoy Armenian
food, live music, activities for children, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Peter Church | Watervliet, NY
St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, will host its annual Armenian
Festival on June 7 and 8, on church grounds. Enjoy kebob meals, music
by the John Berberian Ensemble, cooking demonstrations, church tours,
carnival games for children, and more during this weekend-long
event. Click here
()
to read an article about the festival. For more information, visit the
parish website
()
or call the church office at (518) 274-3673.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
The centennial celebration at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, will culminate the weekend of June 13. On Friday, June
13, Maestro Konstantin Petrossian will lead the Armenian chorales and
orchestra of Rhode Island and Greater Worcester in a concert
celebrating a century of faith, hope, and light. The concert will be
held in Cranston, RI, and will feature soloists from Armenia, Rhode
Island, Massachusetts, and New York. Click here
()
for information.

On Saturday, June 14, the parish will host a gala banquet at the
Marriott Hotel in Providence. The mistress of ceremonies will be Rhode
Island State Representative Katherine Kazarian. The Rev. Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, will give the keynote
address. On Sunday, June 15, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. A centennial khatchar will
be dedicated after the service.

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA, will sponsor its annual Gregory
Hintlian Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, June 16. The tournament
will be held at Marlborough Country Club in Marlborough
MA. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Enjoy a day of golf followed by
dinner and a social evening.

Click here
()
to download a brochure and registration form. For information, contact
the Holy Trinity Church office at (617) 354-0632, or via e-mail at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Summer Camps
Campers at the Ararat Center, the home of St. Vartan Camp.

** Camp Season Opens this Month
————————————————————
The 2014 summer camp season begins at St. Vartan Camp on Sunday, June
29, and at Hye Camp on Sunday, July 27. The camps provide a
physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy environment in which
young Christians can grow and develop a deeper understanding of their
Armenian faith and culture.

Space is still available in the camp programs. Click on the following
links to learn about St. Vartan Camp

From: A. Papazian

POPE’S ADDRESS TO ARAM I, CATHOLICOS OF ARMENIAN CHURCH OF CILICIA

Zenit, Italy
June 5 2014

“I am convinced that on our journey towards full communion we share
the same hopes and a similar sense of responsibility as we strive to
be faithful to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Vatican City, June 05, 2014 (Zenit.org) | 137 hits

Pope Francis this morning received in private audience Aram I,
Catholicos of the Apostolic Armenian Church of Cilicia. Before a
moment of prayer in the Redemptoris Mater chapel, the Holy Father
delivered the following address:

***

Your Holiness,

Dear Brothers in Christ,

It is a particular pleasure for me to extend to Your Holiness, and to
the distinguished members of your delegation, a cordial greeting in
the Lord Jesus. It is a greeting which I also offer to the bishops,
the clergy and all the faithful of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
(Rom 1:7).

One month ago, I had the pleasure of receiving His Holiness Catholicos
Karekin II. Today I have the joy of welcoming Your Holiness, the
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. Together with you, I give
thanks to the Lord for the continued growth of fraternal relations
between us. I consider it a true gift from God that we can share this
moment of encounter and common prayer.

Your Holiness’s commitment to the cause of Christian unity is known to
all. You have been especially active in the World Council of Churches
and you continue to be most supportive of the Middle East Council of
Churches, which plays such an important role in assisting the Christian
communities of that region as they face numerous difficulties. Nor
can I fail to mention the significant contribution which Your Holiness
and the representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia have made to
the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic
Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I am convinced that on our
journey towards full communion we share the same hopes and a similar
sense of responsibility as we strive to be faithful to the will of
the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your Holiness represents a part of the Christian world that is
irrevocably marked by a history of trials and sufferings courageously
accepted for the love of God. The Armenian Apostolic Church has had
to become a pilgrim people; it has experienced in a singular way
what it means to journey towards the Kingdom of God. The history of
emigration, persecutions and the martyrdom experienced by so many of
the faithful has inflicted deep wounds on the hearts of all Armenians.

We must see and venerate these as wounds inflicted on the very body
of Christ, and for this very reason a cause for unfailing hope and
trust in the provident mercy of the Father.

Trust and hope. How much these are needed! They are needed by our
Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East, especially those
living in areas racked by conflict and violence. But we too need them,
as Christians who are spared such sufferings yet so often risk losing
our way in the desert of indifference and forgetfulness of God, or
living in conflict with out brothers and sisters, or succumbing in
our interior struggle against sin. As followers of Jesus Christ, we
need to learn humbly to bear one another’s burdens and to help each
other to be better Christians, better followers of Jesus. So let us
advance together in charity, as Christ loved us and gave himself for
us, offering himself to God as a pleasing sacrifice (cf. Heb 5:1-2).

In these days before Pentecost, we prepare to relive in mystery the
miracle of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the nascent Church. In
faith, let us invoke the Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, that
he may renew the face of the earth, be a source of healing for our
wounded world, and reconcile the hearts of all men and women with
God the Creator.

May he, the Paraclete, inspire our journey towards unity. May he teach
us to strengthen the fraternal bonds which even now unite us in the one
baptism and in the one faith. Upon all of us I invoke the protection
of Mary, the All-Holy Mother of God, who was present in the Upper Room
with the Apostles, that she may be for us the Mother of Unity. Amen.

[Vatican translation]

(June 05, 2014) (c) Innovative Media Inc.

From: A. Papazian

WHY WILL ARMENIA BE ACCEPTED INTO THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION?

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
June 5 2014

5 June 2014 – 10:26am

Businesses will have an opportunity to “vote with their feet”

Tatyana Valovaya, Integration and Macroeconomics Minister of the
Eurasian Economic Union, explains the reasons why Armenia is the
main candidate for accession to the EaEU at the moment. According to
her, Kyrgyzstan has a long way to go before joining the integration
community.

“Thinking about an opportunity for extension of the Eurasian
Economic Union, we always analyzed the experience of the European
Union in detail. We believe that preservation of the balance between
intensification of integration and extension of its geographical
borders is the main condition for successfully establishing the EaEU.

That’s why, before stepping beyond the trio, we had to improve our
economic cooperation and sign the agreement on the union. Now we have
made the step toward development of integration, and we can really
speak about a certain extension. Considering the experience of the
EU, we have no goal to extend for extension, dealing with aggressive
marketing, attracting new members or trying to increase the number
of participants in our union for making it seem a big one. We have an
absolutely different goal. We should provide an extension that would
be qualitative and favorable both for the initial members of the union
and the states which decide to join us. Considering the criteria, we
treat such decisions very carefully. The main candidate is Armenia. We
hope that, according to decisions made by our presidents, all necessary
procedures will be completed by July 1st regarding Armenia’s accession
to the Eurasian Economic Union.”

Tatyana Valovaya explained why priority is placed on Armenia: “Why
is it Armenia? Despite the fact that Armenia falls behind the EaEU,
due to its small size, Armenia has a similar quality of economy,
market infrastructure, and institutional reforms to the countries
of the Customs Union and the united economic space. Sometimes it
surpasses them. According to the Doing Business Rating, Armenia
takes a higher place than any of the members of the trio. And this is
important for us. As we have declared that the principle of our union
is competition of national jurisdictions, and we want our national
jurisdictions to develop, barriers to decrease; the motivation could
be an opportunity to “vote with their feet” for businesses, shifting
from a more unfriendly jurisdiction to a more favorable one. That’s
why joining the state with favorable market infrastructure and
institutional reforms is very important.”

Moreover, the minister emphasized that the accession of Armenia to the
Customs Union is necessary, as the Armenian economy and the economy
of the Union’s countries supplement each other: “We can see that the
Armenian economy and the economy of the Union supplement each other.

Armenia is a state which traditionally develops the sphere of
agriculture; today it is being improved and producing ecologically
clean produce that is in demand. At the same time, the region
is developing modern technologies, information technologies and
communications. We can see the mutual supplement of our economies.”

Tatyana Valovaya also thinks that Armenia’s accession to the EaEU
will be beneficial for attracting investments: “We are sure that the
accession of Armenia will increase the investment attraction of the
country; it will be a field for attraction of investments from the
states of the Customs Union and other foreign countries. We believe it
will be a benefit for all the states of the CU and the united economic
space, which will establish the EaEU in January. By the way, we can
see that turning a state into a field for investments in experience
of the CU and the united economic space, as for example such a branch
as machinery engineering was established in Kazakhstan from scratch.”

Valovaya spoke about further development of the CU: “The next
candidate for accession is Kyrgyzstan. We have started negotiations
with Kyrgyzstan a bit earlier, but the volume of problems which have
to be solved is huge.”

According to the minister, there are certain risks connected with
the accession of Kyrgyzstan to the CU: “Kyrgyzstan, unlike Armenia,
has a common border with the CU and the united economic space. And it
is important for us to prevent o the territory of the CU. It means
investment of huge resources into improving the foreign borders of
the CU, i.e. Kyrgyzstan’s foreign border. We have to conduct a lot of
arrangements for development of market and institutional infrastructure
in Armenia hytosanitary control. The road map includes a

issues in detail, and we have to solve them,” she explained.

y to “vote with their feet”

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Tatyana Valovaya, Integration and Macroeconomics Minister of the
Eurasian Economic Union, explains the reasons why Armenia is the
main candidate for accession to the EaEU at the moment. According to
her, Kyrgyzstan has a long way to go before joining the integration
community.

“Thinking about an opportunity for extension of the Eurasian
Economic Union, we always analyzed the experience of the European
Union in detail. We believe that preservation of the balance between
intensification of integration and extension of its geographical
borders is the main condition for successfully establishing the EaEU.

That’s why, before stepping beyond the trio, we had to improve our
economic cooperation and sign the agreement on the union. Now we have
made the step toward development of integration, and we can really
speak about a certain extension. Considering the experience of the
EU, we have no goal to extend for extension, dealing with aggressive
marketing, attracting new members or trying to increase the number
of participants in our union for making it seem a big one. We have an
absolutely different goal. We should provide an extension that would
be qualitative and favorable both for the initial members of the union
and the states which decide to join us. Considering the criteria, we
treat such decisions very carefully. The main candidate is Armenia. We
hope that, according to decisions made by our presidents, all necessary
procedures will be completed by July 1st regarding Armenia’s accession
to the Eurasian Economic Union.”

Tatyana Valovaya explained why priority is placed on Armenia: “Why
is it Armenia? Despite the fact that Armenia falls behind the EaEU,
due to its small size, Armenia has a similar quality of economy,
market infrastructure, and institutional reforms to the countries
of the Customs Union and the united economic space. Sometimes it
surpasses them. According to the Doing Business Rating, Armenia
takes a higher place than any of the members of the trio. And this is
important for us. As we have declared that the principle of our union
is competition of national jurisdictions, and we want our national
jurisdictions to develop, barriers to decrease; the motivation could
be an opportunity to “vote with their feet” for businesses, shifting
from a more unfriendly jurisdiction to a more favorable one. That’s
why joining the state with favorable market infrastructure and
institutional reforms is very important.”

Moreover, the minister emphasized that the accession of Armenia to the
Customs Union is necessary, as the Armenian economy and the economy
of the Union’s countries supplement each other: “We can see that the
Armenian economy and the economy of the Union supplement each other.

Armenia is a state which traditionally develops the sphere of
agriculture; today it is being improved and producing ecologically
clean produce that is in demand. At the same time, the region
is developing modern technologies, information technologies and
communications. We can see the mutual supplement of our economies.”

Tatyana Valovaya also thinks that Armenia’s accession to the EaEU
will be beneficial for attracting investments: “We are sure that the
accession of Armenia will increase the investment attraction of the
country; it will be a field for attraction of investments from the
states of the Customs Union and other foreign countries. We believe it
will be a benefit for all the states of the CU and the united economic
space, which will establish the EaEU in January. By the way, we can
see that turning a state into a field for investments in experience
of the CU and the united economic space, as for example such a branch
as machinery engineering was established in Kazakhstan from scratch.”

Valovaya spoke about further development of the CU: “The next
candidate for accession is Kyrgyzstan. We have started negotiations
with Kyrgyzstan a bit earlier, but the volume of problems which have
to be solved is huge.”

According to the minister, there are certain risks connected with the
accession of Kyrgyzstan to the CU: “Kyrgyzstan, unlike Armenia, has
a common border with the CU and the united economic space. And it is
important for us to prevent penetration of goods from third countries
to the territory of the CU. It means investment of huge resources into
improving the foreign borders of the CU, i.e. Kyrgyzstan’s foreign
border. We have to conduct a lot of arrangements for development of
market and institutional infrastructure in Armenia in the sphere of
customs administration, technical regulation, phytosanitary control.

The road map includes a description of the issues in detail, and we
have to solve them,” she explained.

From: A. Papazian

NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION TO DISCUSS COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

Pravda, Russia
June 5 2014

05.06.2014 | Source:

Pravda.Ru

The 24th meeting of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission
of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia will take place today at the
Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

The participants of the meeting will discuss, among other things, the
experience of small business development in both countries. A member
of the Federation Council Committee for Federal Structure, Regional
Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs, Co-Chairman of the
Russian part of the Commission, Nikolai Ryzhkov, deputy chairman of
the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, co-chairman of the
Interparliamentary Committee, Ermine Naghdalyan, and Acting Deputy
Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Yevgeny Lyulin, will take
part in the meeting.

The choice of the venue was not incidental. The Nizhny Novgorod region
was ranked first in the Volga Federal District on the Development of
Small Business as of the results of 2013. Valery Shantsev, the head
of the region, signed the complex target program in 2006 to support
small and medium-sized businesses. Since then, the number of small
and medium-sized companies has grown by one-fourth. More than 35
percent of all people employed in the economy of the region work in
small and medium-sized businesses.

According to the Russian Statistics Agency, the share of small and
medium-sized businesses in GRP of the Nizhny Novgorod region, has
doubled and reached 18.4 percent compared with 2005. In municipal areas
and urban districts, there are 42 centers and foundations to support
entrepreneurs. A network of business incubators is developing as well.

From: A. Papazian

IN YEREVAN OSCE CHAIRPERSON-IN-OFFICE ENCOURAGES INTENSIFIED NEGOTIATIONS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT AND PLEDGES CONTINUED OSCE SUPPORT TO REFORMS

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
June 4 2014

YEREVAN

The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier
Burkhalter, on an official visit to Yerevan today commended Armenia
for its close cooperation with the OSCE Office in the implementation
of a broad range of domestic reforms. After his meeting with Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan, Burkhalter said that the OSCE is committed
to continue supporting the country on its path of democratic reform.

Burkhalter also met with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, the
Speaker of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan, and representatives
of political parties.

When discussing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
Chairperson-in-Office underlined that dialogue and confidence-building
in the South Caucasus are among the priorities of the Swiss
Chairmanship. According to Burkhalter, a new presidential meeting
could be the starting point of a structured process leading towards a
peaceful solution. Burkhalter encouraged his interlocutors to engage
in intensified negotiations since “no external actor can create or
impose a solution”.

Burkhalter said that he is fully aware of the complexity of
the conflict and expressed his concerns that 20 years after the
1994 ceasefire, violent incidents at the Line of Contact and the
international border are still a frequent phenomenon. He called the
sides to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement, to encourage
people-to-people contact and to agree on further confidence-building
measures.

“There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the conflict,”
Burkhalter stressed.

The Chairperson-in-Office reconfirmed the full support of the Swiss
Chairmanship for the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs and his Personal Representative, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Today’s visit to Yerevan concludes the official visit of the OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office to the South Caucasus that started in Baku on
2 June and continued in Tbilisi on 3 June.

From: A. Papazian

COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER:

In response to the question concerning discrimination in the field
of restitution of property confiscated from religious communities
during the Soviet era, the COE Human Rights Commissioner mentioned
that he discussed this issue with various religious organizations,
NGOs, and the Georgian authorities. The Commissioner stressed that “it
is clear the process of property restitution as it has taken place up
until now has been marked by injustices and unfairness towards minority
religious communities. I have learned that there is an ongoing process
of discussion between the various religious groups and the Government
on the restitution of property, and some progress has been made,
for example, recently a Synagogue and a Lutheran church were restored
to their congregations. Clearly much more needs to be done and it is
clear that there are many churches that belonged to the Armenian Church
that have not yet been restituted. I also receive reports that many
of these buildings are cultural monuments that are on an advanced
state of disrepair and that they should be protected as cultural
monuments for all of Georgia. I was assured by the authorities that
these issues are being addressed, I would like to see faster progress”.

From: A. Papazian