Author: Andres-Papazian

SERGEY MOVSESIAN DROPS OUT OF 4TH ACP WORLD RAPID CUP TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 31, 2010 – 18:55 AMT 13:55 GMT

Slovakia’s Sergey Movsesian dropped out of 4th ACP World Rapid Cup,
having been beaten 0,5- 1,5 by Alexander Grischuk of Russia.

Orissa Open Grandmaster Tournament hosted 249 participants, including
2 Armenian chess players Gevorg Harutyunyan and Hayk Simonyan. Gevorg
Harutyunyan came 13th gaining 8 points out of 11 possible.

Vanadzor Chess School director Arshak Ramazyan was awarded with FIDE
Master title.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVES HEADS OF CSTO PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

Panorama.am
19:08 31/05/2010

Politics

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received Monday heads of the
parliamentary delegations of the CSTO member-states who arrived in
Armenia to take part in the first outgoing sitting of the CSTO PA in
Yerevan, President’s press office reported.

Stressing the importance of conducting the sitting in Armenia,
President S. Sargsyan said that our country greatly signifies the
formation and consolidation of the CSTO, the integration processes
taking place within its framework.

“It is not accidental that among the 31 agreements signed within the
framework of the CSTO 30 have already been approved by the Armenian
National Assembly,” the President highlighted. Noting that even the
most major countries not always manage to face the alarming challenges,
Serzh Sargsyan said that for countries like Armenia, the integration
processes are of prior significance.

President of the CSTO PA, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris
Grizlov noted that Yerevan gathering is the first outgoing sitting
of the CSTO PA. The heads of the parliamentary delegations thanked
for the warm reception and noted that constructive and interesting
discussion was conducted over the agenda issues. They expressed
confidence that the Yerevan outgoing session will give new impetus
to the CSTO parliamentary element.

The President voiced conviction that the results of the Yerevan
sitting will contribute to the CSTO consolidation and increase of
the further efficiency of partnership among the member-states.

From: A. Papazian

THE COMPANY “ARMAVIA” OPENED ITS NEW FLIGHT YEREVAN-ARCHANGELSK-YEREVAN

ARKA
May 31, 2010
YEREVAN

Official opening ceremony of new flight of “Armavia”
Yerevan-Archangelsk-Yerevan took place on Sunday in the International
Airport of Archangelsk, Nana Avetisova, press-secretary of “Armavia”
informs.

“Arrival of Armenian delegation to Archangelsk is not only opening
of new flight but new air bridge between Armenia and Russia”, said
Oleg Yesayan, Armenian Ambassador in Russia.

Opening of new flight will strengthen economic and cultural relations
between two countries. Dmitriy Medvedev, President of Russia and
Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia pay special attention to regional
development and cooperation.

Yesayan said that Armenia is of special interest for Archangelsk
region also in tourism sphere as Armenia is a country of tourism
which attracts attention of thousands of tourists.

Mikhail Baghdasarov, Director of “Armavia” said that Yerevan becomes
a transit country connecting South to East and East to West.

“For the beginning there will be one flight in two weeks and in future
– two times in a week. We need time for the establishment of relations
and development of marketing policy”, he said.

Geographical position of Yerevan allows to transport the passengers
from Archangelsk to Yerevan and from Yerevan – to Dubay, Deli, Antalia,
Tunis, Sharm el-Sheikh and other southern countries where they can
have a rest.

Transit flight of Air Company is through Tbilisi to Russia. Recently
opened flight to Deli will become transit to West.

Ernest Belokorovin, Minister of Industry, Transport and Communications
of Archangelsk region said that the new airline can join Armenia with
UAE in future.

After the ceremony, official meeting of Archangelsk region Governor
Ilya Mikhalchuk and Oleg Yesayan, Armenian Ambassador in Russia took
place where high officials of both countries were present.

From: A. Papazian

ARARATBANK TO OPEN 9 NEW BRANCHES THIS YEAR

ARKA
May 31, 2010
YEREVAN

Privately-owned Armenian Araratbank said today it will open 9 new
branches this year. The Bank’s executive director Ashot Osipyan told
reporters after the annual meeting of its shareholders that the Bank
runs now 29 branches. Two branches will open in June, one in the
town of Sevan and the other in Yerevan, and 7 more later in the year,
he said.

Araratbank provides a full range of banking services, focusing
primarily on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and retail
clients. Some 74.1% of its shares belong to Barsegh Beglarian, the
owner of Flash petrol trader, the EBRD’s stake is 25%+1 share.

According to ARKAs data, on March 31 Araratbank’s assets stood at
41.2 billion Drams, liabilities-at 33 billion Drams, its total capital
was worth 8.3 billion Drams, chartered capital was worth 6.1 billion
Drams, credit investments-18.9 billion Drams. In the first quarter
of this year it earned 304 million Drams in net profits.

From: A. Papazian

YURI KHACHATUROV: WE WON’T CEDE AN INCH OF OUR LAND

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 29, 2010 – 14:38 AMT 09:38 GMT

Head of RA Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel General Yuri Khachaturov
congratulated Armenian peacekeeping brigade on being conferred the
military unit status at the official battle standard award ceremony.

“I congratulate you and your brothers-in-arms serving in Afghanistan
and Kosovo on being awarded with battle standard,” Colonel General
Khachaturov said.

He called on peacekeepers serving in foreign countries to never forget
the main task of protecting their native land.

Commemorating the soldiers who died in Karabakh war, Yuri Khachaturov
emphasized that the war was imposed on them by the enemy. “We love
peace. We don’t want anything belonging to others. Karabakh is our
land and we won’t cede an inch of it.”

At the end of the ceremony, RA Armed Forces peacekeeping brigade
officers were awarded efficiency medals by the order of Armenian
Minister of Defense.

From: A. Papazian

RA PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR ROSTOV-ON-DON JUNE 1

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 31, 2010 – 18:00 AMT 13:00 GMT

On June 1, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for
Rostov-on-Don on a two-day visit.

As informed sources told PanARMENIAN.Net President Sargsyan will be
in Saint Petersburg on June 16 and 17.

From: A. Papazian

ZDZISLAW RACZYNSKI: POLAND NEUTRAL ON KARABAKH ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 31, 2010 – 17:45 AMT 12:45 GMT

Poland has assumed a neutral stance on Karabakh issue, supporting
peaceful settlement of the conflict based on the principles of
people’s right to self determination and territorial integrity,
Polish Ambassador to Armenia Zdzislaw Raczynski stated.

As the Ambassador told a news conference in Yerevan, all three
principles cited should be considered; conflict-related issues should
be discussed by all parties: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.

“The EU isn’t directly involved in conflict settlement, but will still
play an important role in the process through financial assistance
and peacekeeping forces. To attract foreign investors, South Caucasus
countries must stabilize by normalizing relations.”

“Fast settlement of the conflict is impossible without participation
of people involved in it,” Polish diplomat stated.

Dwelling on NKR parliamentary elections, Ambassador Raczynski stressed
that EU recognition of election would spell de jure recognition of
Karabakh as a state. “International community’s resolution can’t
legalize something other states disagree with.”

Giving assessment to Armenia-Poland relations, the Ambassador
characterized them as friendly, noting Yerevan -Warsaw direct flights
in July 2010 will help development of bilateral relations.

Commenting on installation of U.S. missile systems in Poland, he stated
the presence of effective missile-defense systems in the country will
promote its safety.

Assessing the possibility of Turkey’s joining the EU, the Ambassador
stressed Poland’s is positive about Ankara’s aspiration to join
the European family. “Still, Turkey has to fulfill requirements and
carry out necessary reforms to meet European standards. Presently,
Turkey is not ready to join the EU,” the diplomat said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN WORLD CONGRESS ON IT IN AMSTERDAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 27, 2010 – 19:27 AMT 14:27 GMT

Amsterdam (Netherlands) hosts the 17th World Congress on IT, which
brought together over 2,500 delegates from 88 countries, including
Armenia.

The event is organized by the World Information Technology and Services
Alliance (WITSA), which represents over 90% of the IT market.

The Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) of Armenia is
a part of the Alliance.

UITE Director Karen Vardanyan said that Nork information and analytical
center and Essential Solutions company led by the UITE also participate
in the congress from May 25 to 27.

“The event is a kind of Olympiad in the IT field. It will determine the
policy, which will be supported by IT-businesses in their countries,”
said Vardanyan.

He added that numerous business agreements are signed during the
congress, as delegations are often headed by ministers and prime
ministers of countries, as well as top management of large companies.

The forum is conducted once in two years in different countries. The
first congress was organized in Barcelona in 1978 and became one of
the most important international forums, which brings together the
world’s leading people from industry, government and academia in the
IT field. Armenia participates in the congress for the fourth time.

A key result of the forum should be signing of the so-called Amsterdam
Declaration, which calls on all stakeholders to deliver the ambitious
goals of enhancing economic growth, reducing greenhouse gases,
promoting quality of life and consumer confidence, and ensuring that
these benefits reach a global impact.

From: A. Papazian

SYNOPSYS REPORTS $338.1 MILLION REVENUE FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 31, 2010 – 18:24 AMT 13:24 GMT

Synopsys, Inc., a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor
design, verification and manufacturing, today reported results for
its second quarter of fiscal year 2010.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Synopsys reported revenue of
$338.1 million compared to $336.8 million for the second quarter of
fiscal 2009, Synopsys press service told PanARMENIAN.Net

“Synopsys again delivered solid results this quarter,” said Aart de
Geus, chairman and CEO of Synopsys. “While the customer backdrop
remains cautious, we continue to execute well on our strategy to
address customer needs ranging from mainstream to the most advanced
silicon design flows, all the way to the rapidly growing IP and systems
space. This quarter we made particular progress in the latter, where
we believe we have an especially promising outlook.”

Synopsys is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA),
supplying the global electronics market with the software, IP and
services used in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Synopsys’
comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification,
IP, manufacturing and FPGA solutions helps address the key challenges
designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield
management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These
technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive
edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing
costs and scheduling risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View,
California, and has more than 60 offices located throughout North
America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India.

The company employs several hundred qualified Armenian engineers
and is serving as the industry’s flagship and one of the largest IT
employers in Armenia. To help provide Armenia with highly qualified
IT specialists, Synopsys Armenia invests locally in IT education and
is engaged in a number of successful cooperation programs with major
Armenian universities.

From: A. Papazian

OPINION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEOPLE CANNOT BE DISREGARDED: POLISH AMBASSADOR

Panorama.am
18:23 31/05/2010

Politics

A long-term decision reached over Nagorno-Karabakh settlement should be
acceptable for all three sides, Poland’s Ambassador to Armenia Zdislav
Rachinski told reporters Monday. “The opinion of 140 thousand people
cannot be disregarded, especially that their fate is being determined,”
he highlighted. To make things sound clear, Ambassador explained:
“The three sides are Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Armenian community
of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Referring to Resolution 2216 passed by the European Parliament, the
Ambassador said Poland takes a neutral position in Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement process and like the international community, it thinks that
the conflict should be regulated peacefully, basing on the principles
of the territorial integrity and people’s self-determination.

The Polish Ambassador also said the principles of the territorial
integrity and people’s self-determination actually contradict each
other.

“To speak about which of them is primary is the same as argue what
came first: hen or egg?” Rachinski said.

Speaking about EU’s support to Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, the
Ambassador said EU support cannot be an optimal solution, though, when
the sides reach agreement and they need financial or peace-keeping
support, the EU will help.

From: A. Papazian