Author: Andres-Papazian

IN JANUARY-APRIL 2010, 13.2% OF TOTAL CONSTRUCTION WORKS WAS IMPLEMENTED ON THE ACCOUNT OF POPULATION

ARKA
June 1, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 1. /ARKA/. In January-April 2010, 13.2% of total
construction works in Armenia was implemented on the account of
population. It made 8.7 billion drams, from which 7.8 billion was
building and construction works.

Volume of construction on the account of population was reduced
compared with the same period of the last year – 32.1%.

33.1% of construction works was implemented on the account of legal
entities (22 billion drams), international credits – 35.5% (23 billion
drams) and state budget – 15.5% (10 billion drams).

Total volume of capital construction from funding sources was 66.5
billion drams in the reporting period. In total, 8.8% increase of
construction works was registered compared with January-April 2009.

($1 -379.04 drams).

From: A. Papazian

REORGANIZATION OF ROAD TRAINING CENTER WILL TAKE PLACE IN SCR

ARKA
June 1, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 1. /ARKA/. Reorganization of Road Training Center will
take place in CJSC “South-Caucasian Railway” (SCR) with the purpose
of timely and qualified implementation of railway development issues
via quality increase and efficiency of organization of technical and
professional training of participants.

In the result of training, Reorganization of Road Center will become
independent structural department.

The main issues of the Center will be improvement of professional
knowledge of railway workers on the basis of technical training,
improvement of practical skills, participation in technical
revisions of road and work security, methodological assistance to
the heads of the stations and managers of structural sub-divisions
in training and control issues, organization of specialized schools
and master-competitions in SCR.

For the implementation of the above-mentioned issues a special
technically and methodologically equipped wagon will be allotted in
the territory of Yerevan railway.

Besides the training center, there is also a cabinet in Masis station,
technical cabinet in locomotive depot of Yerevan, classrooms in all
line-stations and structural sub-divisions of SCR. With the aim of
self-training of specialists and students, technical libraries will
be established in the stations Yerevan and Gyumri.

Concession management of “Armenian railway” is implemented by CJSC
“South Caucasian Railway” which is 100% affiliate of Open JSC “Russian
Railway”. SCR accepted the railway stock of CJSC “Armenian railway”
on its balance from June 1, 2008 according to Concession Agreement
signed on February 13, 2008.

From: A. Papazian

FIFTH UNIT OF HRAZDAN POWER PLANT IMPORTANT TO SOUTH CAUCASUS

ARKA
June 1, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 1, /ARKA/. A deputy chief executive officer of Russian
Gazprom, Valery Golubev, traveled Monday to central Armenian town of
Hrazdan to see the pace of the ongoing construction of the Hrazdan
plant’s new fifth unit.

Russia’s Gazprom monopoly acquired the incomplete facility in 2006
as part of an agreement with Armenian government, pledging to finish
the construction by 2011.

Speaking to journalists, Golubev said the fifth unit of the Hrazdan
thermal power plant is of a huge interests not only to Armenia and
Russia but also to the region. He described it as a unique energy
facility. He said also Gazprom has invested a total of $460 million
in this project.

The assembly-construction work on the fifth unit will be over in
September. Construction is being handled by ArmRosGazprom (ARG),
Armenia’s natural gas distribution operator in which Gazprom holds 80%
stake. The remaining portion is owned by Armenian government. The
new facility will use natural gas from neighboring Iran through a
pipeline constructed in late 2008 to produce electricity and export
it back to the Islamic Republic.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA SHOWS 7.2% YEAR-ON-YEAR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN JAN-APR 2010

ARKA
May 31, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 31. /ARKA/. Armenia showed 7.2% year-on-year economic
growth in Jan-Apr 2010, National Statistical Service of Armenia
reports.

The country’s GDP amounted to AMD 777558.4 million, and year-on-year
deflator index was 110.2% in the mentioned period.

According to the statistical report, 6.4% year-on-year gross added
value growth in Jan-Apr 2010 (against 7.9% drop in Jan-Apr 2009)
contributed 5.5 percentage points to real GDP, and 12.2% year-on-year
growth in tax receipts at the mentioned period (against 17.7%
reduction a year earlier) spurred GDP growth by 1.7 points (against
2.8% curbing effect in Jan-Apr 2009).

Construction, with its 19.1% rally in Jan-Apr 2010, added 1.4
percentage points to GDP growth, while at the same period a year
earlier, the sector slowed down it by 4.8 points.

Industry’s nine-percent growth contributed 1.6 points to GDP against
2.3% stemming effect a year earlier.

Instead, agriculture, forestry and fishery’s 0.9% decline curbed GDP
growth by 0.1 points.

Financial and real estate sectors, with their 14.6% growth, propelled
GDP growth by 1.8%.

Gross added value’s share in GDP was 85.4% in Jan-Apr 2010 against
86.1% at the same period a year before.

Industry, including energy, had 20.1% in GDP in Jan-Apr 2010 against
17.6% a year earlier.

Agriculture, forestry and fishery’s share in GDP was 7.9% and
construction sector’s 7.6%.

The share of trade, cars, transport and communications was 25.3%
and services 53%.

Taxes, excluding subsidies, made up 14.6% of GDP.

Per-capita GDP amounted to AMD 239175 or $619 (â~B¬450) in Jan-Apr
2010.

Armenia’s economy declined 9.4% in Jan-Apr 2009.

In the 2010 government budget, GDP growth is planned at
1.2%. ($1=ã~@~@AMD 379.94) M.V.

From: A. Papazian

HOTEL “MASIS, SIS AND NEW ARMENIA” IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 MILLION WILL START OPERATING 2015 IN ARMENIA

ARKA
May 31, 2010
YEREVAN

A series of hotels in the frames of the program “Coastal rest-zones
Masis, Sis and New Armenia” in the amount of $500 million is planned
to open near Yerevan in 2015.

Armen Vardanyan, Head of authors’ group of the program said that as in
2015 Armenia is going to celebrate 100th year of Armenian genocide,
such a construction will be a good opportunity for the involvement
of international society and will become an incentive for the flow
of tourists to Armenia in 2015.

The program envisages reconstruction of Yeghvard reservoir where
five-star hotels will be built. “On 25 ha it is possible to built
different entertainment buildings for different age groups. They will
have exits to highways Yerevan-Ashtarak and Yerevan-Abovyan. There
are no plants in this territory and the season of water tourism,
in difference with Sevan can last 4-5 months”, said Vardanyan. It is
also possible to organize tourist tours to Arayi Mountain, monasteries
Saghmosavan, Ohanavan and others.

Construction of Yeghvard reservoir was planned to finish in Soviet
times, but it was terminated after its breakdown. About $70 million
was calculated in the cost-estimate of the implementation of the
program. “The given reservoir will allow to more efficiently use
natural resources of Armenia”, said Vardanyan. Efficiency of the
program for investors is assessed about 30%.

“Provision of credit of $350 million is expected by the specialists
of American company “The Innovation Group”, he said.

“The Innovation Group” has already funded different programs in the
total amount of more than 40 billion.

Preliminary cost of five-star hotel is assessed about $120-170 daily.

Local population from Yerevan can use the services of the hotel,
sleeping in their houses at nights, as it takes 15 minutes from
Yerevan to Yeghvard.

“The aim of the given program is development of outgoing tourism and
in case of competition the prices will go down”, said Vardanyan.

Robert Harutyunyan, General Director of CJSC “Armenian Development
Agency said that the main problem of their agency and authors’ group
was involvement of two types of partners – those having experience
in management of such projects and relevant investors.

Project management will possibly implement experienced American
company “M.G.M. Mirage”. Final answer will be received in mid-June,
after which negotiations with investors will start.

This program is rather important in tourism sphere of Armenia and
construction of such hotels will make Armenia more attractive and
increase the number of tourists.

Construction of rest-zone of Yeghvard reservoir is planned to start
in 2011.

From: A. Papazian

MEETING OF ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE WILL TAKE PLACE IN AUTUMN IN YEREVAN

ARKA
June 1, 2010
YEREVAN

Sixth meeting of Armenian-Bulgarian inter-governmental committee
will take place on September 9-10, 2010 in Yerevan, Susanna Tonoyan,
press-secretary of Armenian Minister of Transport and Communications
informs.

This issue was discussed by Manuk Vardanyan, Armenian Minister of
Transport and Communications in the frames of International Transport
Forum on May 26-28 in Leipzig.

The Minister discussed a number of organizational issues and conduction
of the third meeting of Armenian -Romanian inter-governmental
committee.

Vardanyan met with the ministers of transport of Russia, Bulgaria,
Belarus and Ukraine. They discussed current phase of cooperation in
the sphere of transport, the issue of increase of permissions for
international cargo transportation on yearly basis.

Ministers of transport of Bulgaria and Ukraine discussed the issues
of inter-government agreement for international cargo transportation.

In International Transport Forum representatives of more than 53
participant-countries were present.

They discussed issues of pollution by transport means, introduction of
innovative systems of transport operation, Ás well as state assistance
in innovations of transport sphere, issues of cooperation between
participant-countries and international organizations, initiations
of stimulation of effective transport technologies and increase of
transport security. G.K.

From: A. Papazian

ARF TAKES PART IN KURDISH CONFERENCE

Asbarez
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
YEREVAN

(ARF Press Office)-A delegation representing the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation attended the third convention of the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan Party, which kicked off Tuesday in the Suleimanieh area of
Iraqi Kurdistan.

The ARF was represented by Bureau member Dr. Mikirdits Mikirditsian
and ARF Political Director Giro Manoyan.

Attending the openings session of the conference, which marked the
35th anniversary of the party, were PUK Secretary General and Iraq’s
president, Jalal Talabani, Iraqi Kurdistan leader and chairman of the
Kurdistan Democratic Party Masoud Barzani, Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri
al Malaki, as well as representatives of political parties, diplomats
and delegations to the convention. Also attending the conference were
a delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, headed by its
chairperson Mona Saline, Socialist International’s Women’s president
Pia Logatteli, a representative of the French Socialist Party and
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party representatives.

In his remarks, Talabani welcomed the ARF’s participation in the
meeting. The ARF Bureau also conveyed greetings to the convention,
which were presented by Mikirditsian. Below is the complete text of
the ARF’s message to the convention:

Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau (Armenian
Socialist Party) Message to the 3rd Conference of the Patriotic Union
of Kurdistan

Dear President Jalal Talabani, Dear President Massoud Barazani,
Dear guests and comrades of the PUK and sister parties,

On behalf of the Chairman of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian
socialist party), I salute all participants of the Third General
Congress of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan commemorating the party’s
35th anniversary.

As members of the Socialist International both our parties have
a number of common ideals and common goals; among others peace,
security and understanding between nations.

The theme of the present congress, “Strength through unity,”
is not only emblematic for the future well-being of the badly hit
communities composing present-day Iraq, but also very important for
the relations between the peoples of the region, particularly the
Kurdish and Armenian peoples; there is a long common history of those
two very ancient entities living side by side during the last three
millennia in this part of the world, cradle of the most original
world civilizations.

The common experience of our two nations indicates clearly that each
time we were opposing each other we have both suffered severely and
each time we have cooperated we have been able to defend our rights
at least partially. The lack of continuity in a common policy has had
catastrophic consequences; Armenians have been subjected to genocide,
which is until this date denied recognition by its main perpetrator,
whereas Kurds have postponed indefinitely the realization of their
right to statehood; this very autonomous region of Kurdistan within
Iraq has given at last a hope for real self-government.

The tragic lessons taught by modern history have to guide us in our
future relations. Unity is in fact a precondition for strength.

Strength is an instrument of war but at the same time an instrument
of peace. On the other side peace is a stable condition only if it
is based on justice. Let us agree, that our common space has been
and is an arena where social, political, historical injustices are
still awaiting for a solution.

Therefore, we fully accept the validity of the theme of the present
General Congress wishing you a full success.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA MARKS FIRST REPUBLIC’S INDEPENDENCE

Asbarez
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
YEREVAN

(RFE/RL)-Armenians marked on Friday the 92nd anniversary of the
establishment of their first short-lived independent republic that
emerged from the ashes of the Russian Empire at the end of World War I.

The main ceremonies marking the public holiday in Armenia again took
place at the Sardarabad memorial, erected in 1968 in Armenia’s Armavir
provice. The memorial, which opened on the 50th anniversary of the
1918 Battle of Sardarabad, was built on the field of the historic
battle where Armenian volunteers successfully repelled an invading
Turkish army. Click here for a special in-depth look into the battle
and victory.

“Ninety-two years ago, after a long break, the Armenian people declared
its independence on a small part of its historical territory.

On May 28, an Armenian became a citizen of his state,” President Serzh
Sarkisian said in an address to the nation on the day. “Even in our
own days there are people who do not have the realization of being
a citizen of the state, do not feel its strength and responsibility.”

“The feat of May 28 was first of all performed in our consciousness
and hearts,” stressed Sarkisian, adding that lessons must be drawn
from the 1918 events.

“Lesson number one – no one in the world is obliged to fight for
you and instead of you. Lesson number two – no one is obliged to
establish statehood instead of you. Lesson number three – it is
possible to gain separate victories over a people that has formed
state institutions, but it is impossible to commit genocide against
it. Lesson number four – the Armenian people are in a position to
solve the most difficult problems facing it, solutions to which at
times seem unimaginable. The Armenian people are simply invincible
if it appears to the world united. Lesson number five – one has to
believe in the abilities of the Armenian people, its great potential
to fight, build, think and create,” the Armenian leader said.

Sarkisian and other Armenian officials were among thousands of people
who visited the war memorial at Sardarabad on Friday. He laid a wreath
at the Memorial dedicated to the heroes of the Battle.

The Armenian Apostolic Church also acknowledged the significance
of the day in the history of the nation. Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, also laid a wreath at
the memorial. The Armenian spiritual leader offered a prayer for the
souls of the perished defenders of the land.

In a congratulatory message on May 28 Catholicos Karekin II said the
proclamation of the first Armenian Republic was “a turning point in our
history, which also became a testimony of our people’s aspirations –
to build a democratic, legal and civil state; to build a free and
just society.”

“These contributions and the love for the homeland today shall direct
our lives, become spirit and inspiration for our efforts and labors,
so that we build a secure, prosperous and joyful future for our
homeland and people,” said the Catholicos.

The other two South Caucasus republics also gained independence
briefly at the end of the First World War.

From: A. Papazian

HOVANNESIAN WARNS OF DANGERS IN EU RESOLUTION

Yerkir
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
YEREVAN

Armenian Revolutionary Federation parliamentary faction president
Vahan Hovannesian pointed to further dangers in a European Union
resolution calling for the immediate “the withdrawal of Armenian
forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan.”

Hovanessian, who had called a press briefing on his recent trip to
Sofia, where he attended a European Partnership for Peace conference,
also said that international pressure on Armenia over the Karabakh
conflict resolution and relations with Turkey was rising stemming
from foreign interests in the region and detrimental to Armenia’s
national interests.

By highlighting two other articles in the aforementioned resolution
on the South Caucasus, Hovannesian warned that efforts were underway
to alter the balance of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has been mediating
the Karabakh conflict resolution process.

“This should be prevented. France’s mandate in the Minsk Group
should not be turned over to the European Union,” said Hovannesian
who explained that resolution was seeking a broader mediating role
for Europe by proposing a possible rotating European representation
in the Minsk Group.

Another article of the resolution called for the creation of a Black
Sea Union, with Russia and Turkey as its key actors. He warned of clear
dangers to Armenia’s national interests should such a union be formed
and detrimental consequences if Armenia joins this proposed entity
pointing to historical examples of consequences of a Russian-Turkish
partnership.

Hovannesian criticized the Armenian authorities for making and
enforcing controversial decisions, with reckless disregard for
public opinion as the impetus for the increased pressure on Armenia
by international community, which he said, believed that they can
impose any solutions of Armenians.

“Our authorities have failed to realize that they can have a strong
position in the international arena only if they have a strong
backbone, which is, a society trusting in the authorities. We don’t
have such a society today and that is also evident abroad,” explained
Hovannesian.

Hovannesian said that the Armenian authorities must be resolute in
their approaches to regional and foreign issues and proposed that
Armenia withdraw its signature from the Armenia-Turkey protocols to
ensure a more equitable approach to the issue.

“Our authorities must realize that they have to listen to the voice
of the opposition … that not listening to the opposition leads to
deadlock,” he said, adding that by “opposition” he means the ARF.

He added that the ARF will continue to be vigilant and point out
and correct the mistakes of the authorities, but warned that if
blunders continue there will have to be a change in the leadership
of the country.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN, ARMENIAN LEADERS DISCUSS TURKEY IN FRESH TALKS

Asbarez
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
ROSTOV

Russia (RFE/RL)-The presidents of Russia and Armenia discussed the
future of Turkish-Armenian relations during fresh talks held in the
southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on Tuesday. They made no public
statements afterwards.

The talks coincided with the second and final day of a European
Union-Russia summit, also held in Rostov-on-Don, and came just three
weeks after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s high-profile visit
to Turkey.

Opening the meeting with Armenia’s Serzh Sarkisian, Medvedev said they
will discuss Russian-Armenian economic ties and “regional issues”
of mutual interest. “I have had several important trips [abroad]
during which – I won’t hide that – we also discussed the situation
with the Turkish-Armenian settlement and some other issues,” he said
in remarks publicized by the Kremlin.

“I have had contacts with some European colleagues. So I have something
to tell you, something to share with you,” added Medvedev.

“Working meetings are very important,” Sarkisian was reported to
reply. “I think that this is a very good format.”

Neither the Kremlin, nor official Yerevan released any details of
their ensuing conversation. Sarkisian’s office said only that Medvedev
agreed to visit Armenia in August.

The office announced on Monday that Sarkisian has been invited by his
Russian counterpart to pay a two-day “working visit” to Rostov-on-Don.

It said the Armenian leader will attend an annual horse race organized
by Medvedev and meet with the governor of the Rostov region as well
as leaders of the local Armenian community. There was no word on the
agenda of his meeting with Medvedev.

Medvedev reportedly discussed with Turkish leaders the stalled process
of normalizing Turkey’s relations with Armenia, Russia’s main regional
ally, when he visited Ankara last month. He reiterated Moscow’s stated
support for the success of that effort strongly backed by the West.

Medvedev also appeared to sidestep implicit Turkish calls for stronger
Russian pressure on Armenia, which Ankara says is essential for
achieving a Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and thereby unlocking its
fence-mending negotiations with Yerevan. Still, he said Moscow will
consult with the Turks in its Karabakh-related diplomacy, prompting
concern in Armenian political circles.

Opposition politicians and some analysts in Yerevan claim that the
Russian leadership could pressure Armenia to make more concessions to
Azerbaijan for the sake of Russia’s increasingly warm and deep rapport
with Turkey. Armenian leaders dismiss this speculation. They also
rule out any Turkish involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations
jointly mediated by the United States, Russia and France.

Earlier this year, Sarkisian praised the Russians for publicly
rejecting the Turkish linkage between a Karabakh settlement acceptable
to Azerbaijan and the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. The
EU likewise favors an unconditional establishment of diplomatic ties
between the two neighbors and opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.

Medvedev and Sarkisian already discussed the Turkish-Armenian
normalization and the Karabakh dispute at their previous face-to-face
meeting held in Moscow in late April. It came one week after
Sarkisian’s talks in Washington with U.S. President Barack Obama,
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan.

“As close partners, as strategic allies – I’ve picked a more precise
term – we must see each other often,” Medvedev told Sarkisian. He
thanked the Armenian president for attending last month’s celebrations
in Moscow of the 65th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi
Germany.

“I was very pleased with that,” added Medvedev. “And, of course,
that demonstrates the extent of the closeness of our states and their
desire to develop strategic ties in the future.”

From: A. Papazian