Author: Andres-Papazian

MEDVEDEV AUTHORIZES RUSSIAN FEDERATION DEFENCE MINISTRY TO SIGN PROTOCOL ON MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA

Interfax-AVN military news agency, Russia
4 Feb 2014

Moscow, 4 February – Russian Federation Government Chairman Dmitriy
Medvedev has signed a directive on the introduction of changes to the
protocol between Russia and Armenia on the Russian military base’s
deployment points.

The text of the directive was posted on the official legal information
Internet portal on Tuesday [4 February].

“Instruct the Russian Defence Ministry with the participation of the
Russian Foreign Ministry to hold talks with the Armenian side and,
when an accord is reached, to sign the above protocol on the Russian
Federation Government’s behalf and authorize the introduction to the
attached draft of changes which are not of a fundamental nature,”
the document says.

In accordance with the protocol, the Russian side returns to the
Armenian side the No 1 military township (the settlement of Atsik,
Shirak Marz [Province]. In turn the Armenian side transfers to the
Russian side military township No 21 (222 Sverdlov Street, Gyumri)
and the No 7 military township (Arshakunyants Street, Yerevan) and in
particular plots of land for a hardstanding for a helicopter squadron
and a taxiway, the territory of administrative and economic facilities,
a barracks, staff headquarters, housing, an aviation engineering
service building, a parking lot, and land for the construction of a
fuel and lubricants depot at the “Erebuni” airfield.

[Translated from Russian]

From: A. Papazian

PETER ASHJIAN, MD, FACS IS A PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON NOTED FOR GREAT SKILL AT MICROSURGERY AND A LONG LIST OF GRATEFUL PATIENTS

PR Newswire
February 10, 2014 Monday 6:30 PM EST

Breast Reconstruction Expert Makes Stellar Addition to Beverly Hills
Physicians Network

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10, 2014

As one of the largest medical networks in California, Beverly Hills
Physicians has a consistently growing pool of well-regarded and
talented surgeons, complete with life-changingplastic surgery before
and afterphotos and testimonials. After all, providing the bestplastic
surgery in Pasadena, Los Angeles, and the rest of Southern California
requires finding expert practitioners at the top of their craft.

Beverly Hills Physicians’ recent addition, Peter Ashjian, MD, FACS,
is an outstanding example.

Dr. Ashjian is a plastic surgeon skilled in a diverse range
of procedures, from the post-pregnancymommy makeoverto facial
rejuvenation. However, one asset that’s particularly prominent in Dr.

Ashjian’s toolbox is his innovative approach to breast reconstruction.

After years of training focused on reconstruction at the UCLA Medical
Center and the NYU Medical Center, Dr. Ashjian is qualified to perform
three of the major types of breast cancer restoration procedures:

DIEP flap. DIEP is short for deep inferior epigastric perforator,
which uses skin and tissue from the abdomen to create a new, soft
breast mound. Tissue expansion. A temporary expander is placed in the
remaining breast tissue and slowly filled over a period of time until
the patient is ready for a permanent implant. AlloDerm. This modern
innovation takes donor tissue and makes it compatible for the patient,
then applies it to the area to preserve basic breast tissue structure.

This makes the area much more receptive to breast implants later on.

Dr. Ashjian understands that there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution
to breast reconstruction and will discuss the appropriateness of each
procedure and its timing on a case-by-case basis. Some women prefer
to start the reconstruction process during their mastectomies, while
others may want to wait a few months. Of course, as a trailblazer in
the field, Dr. Ashjian will continue to perfect these techniques and
master innovations in the field, leading to safer and more effective
breast reconstructions.

Beverly Hills Physicians gladly welcomes Dr. Ashjian to their
medical network. Aside from his skill in microsurgery and breast
reconstruction, Dr. Ashjian’s active memberships in the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Reconstructive
Microsurgery, and the Armenian American Medical Society of California
also help contribute to BHP’s growing regard as the most qualified
medical network in Southern California.

None of this would be important, however, if Dr. Ashjian didn’t
achieve consistently high results and patient satisfaction. With a
perfect 5 stars on Yelp and a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Healthgrades, Dr.

Ashjian’s online reputation is unparalleled. Here are just a few
patient comments:

“[Dr. Ashjian] gave me a stomach I never imagined I could have again
and my breasts are so beautiful.” “Thank you for taking wonderful care
of me during my bilateral mastectomy with DIEP Flap reconstruction…I
can’t wait until I’m completely healed to see the results. So far
so good though!” “Dr. Ashjian is a very personable, pleasant and
professional. He took the time to listen to my concerns and answer
my questions. I without hesitation recommend Dr. Ashjian to anyone
who needs plastic surgery.”

To learn more about Dr. Ashjian or any of the beauty and
wellness solutions offered by Beverly Hills Physicians,
give BHP a call at 800-788-1416. You can also stay updated
on the medical network by visiting the company’s website
at via Facebook
at

From: A. Papazian

WHAT ARMENIA’S DELEGATION FOUND UNACCEPTABLE IN EU’S PROPOSED STATEMENT

02.11.2014 22:56 epress.am

Republican Party of Armenia MP Samvel Farmanyan doesn’t agree that
the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee’s Feb. 5-6 meeting
in Strasbourg was a failure, he said at a press conference in Yerevan
today.

“Yes, it should be said that this wasn’t the most effective way out,
but to call it as a door closing in EU-Armenia relations, a window
opening, is an overestimated assessment,” he said.

Recall, Armenian delegation member, MP Nikol Pashinyan called the
meeting in Strasbourg a failure, emphasizing that for the first time,
the EU and Armenia didn’t issue a joint statement, and the official
dinner for Armenia’s delegation was cancelled by European Parliament
Vice-President Jacek Protasiewicz.

“We went to this meeting after the Sept. 3 statement [by Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan that Armenia would be joining the Russian-led
Customs Union]. Our goal was to try and explain to our European
colleagues the current situation, the problems of Armenia, and that,
yes, the Customs Union is a fait accompli, but we want to come up
with a new format for cooperation with the EU,” said the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation representative in the delegation, Aghvan
Vardanyan.

The MP said that for the first time in EU-Armenia relations, it was
not possible to make a joint statement. According to Vardanyan, the
EU’s and Armenia’s proposals were different and didn’t coincide on
one point on the Karabakh conflict.

Farmanyan, in turn, was dissatisfied with the EU’s approach, saying
that they were presented with a version of the statement on the
conflict, which, according to the EU delegation, was the consolidated
opinion of all European Parliament members and was non-negotiable.

“I consider this approach unacceptable in negotiations. As for
the content, let me say that I consider that the EU’s text was not
grounded in reality and gave rise to manipulative wording. Let me
remind you that the document had to be adopted between two subjects
equal before the law,” he said.

Samvel Farmanyan avoided saying why he was displeased with the EU’s
proposed document, urging journalists themselves to compare the
versions distributed to them. Vardanyan also urged journalists not to
ask too many questions, as this was an “intimate conversation” between
them and the journalists. Regardless, journalists insisted Farmanyan
say which point he didn’t accept in the version proposed by the EU.

>From Farmanyan’s long answer it became clear that he would’ve
liked to see in the statement a note about the right of peoples to
self-determination.

“It’s no secret to any of us that you won’t find any wording in
the Republic of Armenia’s name where there isn’t a reference to
international legal instruments that underpin the right of peoples
to self-determination as the basis,” said the ruling party MP.

Aghvan Vardanyan, in turn, said he didn’t like the word “protracted”
in the following sentence: “[The EU] firmly emphasizes that there
can be no alternative to the peaceful and lasting settlement of the
protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and deeply regrets the lack of
progress in the negotiation process.” Vardanyan also said he would’ve
liked to see points on the self-determination of peoples, territorial
integrity, as well as excluding the use of force.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, a statement wasn’t adopted at the
request not of the delegations, but of Armenia’s ruling authorities
and the EU. “The Armenian side didn’t want to adopt a statement so
there won’t be a need to give explanations in Russia. And the European
side didn’t want to, so as to negate Armenia’s statements that see,
Azerbaijan cannot make a statement, but we can,” said Pashinyan. He
said it’s not as if the Europeans were handing over Karabakh and the
Armenian delegation to the EU was standing in front of the artillery —
like Alexander Matrosov. Farmanyan, however, didn’t appreciate this
comparison and said: “Behave properly, Nikol.”

At the press conference Pashinyan reaffirmed the following 3
observations he made in his published article today: “First, there is
a lukewarm atmosphere in Armenia-EU relations. Second, the Republic
of Armenia is less and less perceived as an independent state. This
is of great importance also in the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. Third,
the more relations with the Customs Union develop, the more relations
with the EU deteriorate.”

From: A. Papazian

JEWELRY, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND CULTURE PROMISING SPHERES OF ARMENIAN-THAI COOPERATION

18:26 11.02.2014

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Armenia Itti Ditbanjong
(residence in Moscow) presented his credentials to President Serzh
Sargsyan, President’s Press Office reported.

Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment,the President wished
him success in the implementation of his diplomatic mission to Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that the Ambassador Ditbanjong will
put his experience and abilities in the promotion and consolidation
of the relationships between Armenia and Thailand.

The parties agreed that there is a great partnership potential in
different spheres between Armenia and Thailand. In this respect, they
highlighted the importance of the extension of the legal framework,
the enhancement of the economic ties, the inter-parliamentary,
as well as the mutually beneficial cooperation in the framework of
international structures. From the viewpoint of the promotion of
the Armenian-Thai commercial and trade relations and the exchange of
experience, President and the Ambassador of Thailand among promising
areas mentioned jewelry, agriculture, tourism, culture and others.

Ambassador Itti Ditbanjong assured that during his tenure in office
he will do his best to strengthen the interstate relations and to
solidify the centuries-old friendship between the two nations.

From: A. Papazian

ZHOGHOVURD: ALISHAN CANNERY STOPS OPERATING

12:07 11/02/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Alishan cannery in Armenia’s Ararat province stopped operating five
days ago due to the halt of gas supply, Zhoghovurd writes.

Cannery director Serzhik Mosesyan plans to file a lawsuit against
Gazprom Armenia CJSC. Zhoghovurd reported earlier that Mosesyan
considers that the calculations of Gazprom Armenia are wrong.

The cannery director says he will not make payments until the
calculations of the amount of the consumed gas and the gas bills
are made correctly. “I plan to apply to the presidential staff today
regarding this problem,” Mosesyan told the newspaper.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

ZHOGHOVURD: NATURE PROTECTION MINISTRY TO SPEND OVER AMD 6 MILLION ON CAR REPAIRS

10:14 11/02/2014 ” DAILY PRESS

Ministries spend large sums on repair and maintenance of cars and
the Nature Protection Ministry headed by Aram Harutyunyan is not an
exception, Zhoghovurd writes.

According to the newspaper, this year the Ministry plans to spend
more than AMD 6 million on repair and maintenance of cars. Besides,
it will spend AMD 800,000 on computer parts and AMD 200,000 on repair
and maintenance of electric appliances in the Ministry building.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S CENTRAL BANK CUTS KEY REFINANCING RATE BY 0.25 BASIC POINTS TO 7.5 PERCENT

YEREVAN, February 11. / ARKA /. The Central Bank of Armenia said it has
cut the key refinancing rate today by 0.25 percentage points to 7.5%.

The regulator said also inflation in January rose by 2.8% making the
12-month inflation 5.5%. According to the Central Bank, inflation
has been falling in recent months more rapidly than expected due to
lower than planned economic activity and a decrease in international
prices of basic foodstuffs.

The Central Bank said also its Board believes that the 12-month
inflation in the coming months will continue to decline, particularly
in the third quarter, to reach the lower target threshold of allowable
fluctuation range due to the elimination of the impact of rising
energy tariffs in July 2013.

The Board also said that external processes were mainly within
the forecast horizon amid slow global growth recovery trend with
non-inflationary environment preserved at commodities market along
with deflation at international food markets.

According to the Board, despite some revitalization of the economy in
the fourth quarter, economic growth rate is still low, due mainly to
decline in construction sector. The Board believes that the weakening
monetary conditions, along with expansion of fiscal policy in the
second half of 2014 and stabilization of private investment will lead
to increased aggregate demand and restore inflation.

The Board believes that there are significant uncertainties in the
context of external and internal economic processes, based on which
the regulator will clarify the future direction of monetary policy
to secure achieving the inflation target in the medium term.

The last time the CB changed refinancing rate was on the 24th of
December 2013, reducing it by 0.25 percentage points to 7.75%. The
government expects inflation this year to be 4 % (± 1,5%), and GDP
to grow by 5.2%. -0-

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA PRO-EUROPEAN STATE SINCE INDEPENDENCE ERA – FRENCH ENVOY

14:37 * 11.02.14

Armenia has been pursuing pro-European policies since gaining
independence in the early 1990’s, the French ambassador has said.

Speaking at a debate entitled, Armenia’s Road to Europe; Obstacles and
Opportunities, Henri Reynaud described the country as a pro-European
state heading towards an integration into the western set of values.

“[Armenia is] pro-European as it takes part in the Eastern Partnership
process; it is deeply pro-European up until its presence in the
Bologna Process,” he said.

Noting that western integration has been on Armenia’s agenda for quite
many years, the diplomat said that it remained high on the authorities’
agenda even after September 3 (when President Serzh Sargsyan made his
landmark statement about the Eurasian Customs Union integration). He
then referred to the Eastern Partnership’s Vilnius Summit (November
2013) which adopted a statement on continuing the multi-sectoral
cooperation between Armenia and the EU.

“Armenia and the EU made a decision to revise their edges of
cooperation. So our objective is to impart a new spirit and breath to
that,” he said, adding that that his country never ceased supporting
Armenia’s efforts towards European integration.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

ICRC HAS NO FRESH INFORMATION ABOUT HAKOB INJIGHULYAN AND MAMIKON KHOJOYAN

13:32 11/02/2014 >> SOCIETY

There is no fresh information about Armenian POW Hakob Injughulyan
and 77-year-old Armenian captive Mamikon Khojoyan.

Zara Amatuni, head of communication programs of the ICRC Yerevan
Office, told Panorama.am that the process is underway, but she cannot
report anything new.

“The work is underway, but there is nothing to make public for this
moment,” she said.

Related: ICRC representatives meet with Mamikon Khojoyan

From: A. Papazian

FIRST ARMENIAN TABLET TO GO ON SALE FROM MAY

19:07 11.02.2014

ArmTab

Artak Barseghyan
Public Radio of Armenia

The mass production of the first Armenian tablet – ArmTab – will be
launched in May 2014, President of the ArmTab Technologies Company
Vahan Shakaryan told reporters today.

More than 1,000 are expected to be produced annually, most of
which will be exported. The cost on the Armenian market is yet to
be determined.

The tabs with screen sizes of 7.85, 9, 9.7 and 10.1 inches will run
on the Android system adapted to Armenian.

The ArmTab Technologies Company was created in 2013 Vahan Shakaryan,
co-founder of the American Minno Company. ArmTab is the first company
to get the right to launch activity in the Free Economic Zone.

All in all, $6.5 mln will be implemented to organize the production
of tablets in Armenia. Although the Armenia-made tabs will be cheaper,
they will not compete with the famous brands.

From: A. Papazian