Author: Andres-Papazian

Trend Daily News (Azerbaijan)
December 8, 2012 Saturday 4:33 PM GMT +4

Baku to host ever European games in 2015

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 8 /Trend/

At the 41th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee in
Rome, it has been decided to hold the first-ever European Games in
Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.

“The games will be held in 2015,” director of the Department of
International Relations of NOC Kenul Nurullayeva told Trend over the
phone from Rome.

The decision was made as a result of the secret balloting, where of 48
votes, 38 came in favor. Eight votes came against, and two more
restrained from voting.

The representatives of Armenia refused to take part in the voting.

Azerbaijan at the Assembly was represented by Minister of Youth and
Sports, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of
Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, vice-president of the Azerbaijani National
Olympics Committee (NOC), Chingiz Huseynzade, AFFA General Secretary
Elkhan Mammadov, NOC International Relations Department’s director
Kenul Nurullayeva, and executive director of the Youth Fund, Farhad
Hajiyev.

Second day of the General Assembly began with the presentation of Baku
and its sports facilities.

The President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) Patrick Hickey
spoke first, telling about the history of these games’ idea, and
expressed his support of holding the European Games in Baku.

He spoke about the achievements of the city, the development of which
is observed by all, who visit it. After introductory remarks by
President EOC, his advisor spoke about the concept of these games, and
his special representative told about the negotiations with the
Federations and the Azerbaijan side on Baku’s readiness to host the
games.

After the presentations of EOC representatives the floor was given to
Azerbaijani side.

In his speech, Vice-President of the NOC Chingiz Huseynzade told about
the great desire of Baku to host the games, mentioning the enthusiasm
with which the youth of the country, the population of the city will
accept this news.

He also noted that the government, public bodies and federations of
Azerbaijan are preparing and waiting for today’s decision.

“It is a historical moment in the European Olympic Committee’s
history,” Huseynzade said.

Director of the Department of International Relations of NOC Kenul
Nurullayeva spoke afterwards, noting talked about the economic and
political stability, development of Azerbaijan.

In her speech, Nurullayeva also spoke about the tolerance of the local
population, how economic and cultural ways have been crossing with
each other from ancient times to the present day.

In his turn, AFFA General Secretary Elkhan Mammadov spoke about the
sports infrastructure, international sports tournaments,
championships, which have been held and continue to be held in Baku.

In conclusion, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov made a
presentation on behalf of the Azerbaijani government.

He gave political and financial guarantees of the government of
Azerbaijan, as well as guarantees for the safety of participants, full
readiness of all sports infrastructure to host these games.

After the minister’s speech, the film dedicated to the history, sports
and cultural infrastructure of Baku was demonstrated.

From: A. Papazian

National News Agency Lebanon (NNA)
December 7, 2012 Friday

Rahi, Kishishian meet over cooperation among Churches in East

NNA – Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rahi met on Friday with Armenian
Orthodox Catholicos, Patriarch Aram I Kishishian, over means of
cooperation and among Churches in the East.

Kishishian visited Rahi in Bkerki, with talks also featuring high on
the beneficial role of Churches and spiritual leaders amidst the
thorough regional situation, as well as on overall developments at the
local and regional scenes.

From: A. Papazian

`The West supports the current president’

2012-12-08 20:29:24

“Two political forces come in the upcoming presidential elections, all
kinds of developments are possible in such a situation’, said
“Karabakh” committee member Ashot Manusharyan in talk with the
journalists.

He noted that one of the parties is under the protection of Russia,
the other, the West.

“The West wants to get the presidential elections 70/20 ratio in favor
of the current president. In this scenario case, West will have the
major impact on Armenia, and the oligarchic system will be destroyed
and burglary system will arise”, explained the politician.

Referring to the likelihood of nominating a single candidate, the
speaker noted that it is unlikely to be considered.

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijan breaches truce more than 15,830 times since beginning of 2012

December 04, 2012 | 03:37

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the ceasefire, at their
line of contact with Armenia and the Nagorno-KarabakhRepublic, over
15,830 times since the beginning of this year.

Azerbaijan made use of sniper weaponry more than 3,000 times and
large-caliber weapons, around 430 times, Armenia’s MOD press service
informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

And twelve Armenian military servicemen were killed and twenty-five
others – including three civilians – were wounded as a result of
Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations since the beginning of 2012.

To note, Azerbaijan wishes to continually set new `records’ in terms
of breaching the truce in recent years. It violated the ceasefire
approximately 600 times in 2006; around 1,400 times in 2007; 3,500
times in 2008; 4,600 times in 2009; 7,200 times in 2010; and more than
12,600 times in 2011.

From: A. Papazian

Syrian Armenian businessmen visit brandy and wine factory

news.am
December 08, 2012 | 16:12

YEREVAN. – Upon the proposal of Armenia’s Ministry of Diaspora, a
group of Syrian Armenian entrepreneurs visited the ArmAs Company’s
brandy and wine factory, which is located in Nor Yedesia city, the
Ministry pres service informs.

Company Director Armen Aslanyan told the Syrian Armenian businessmen
that he returned to Armenia six years ago – after a twenty-year absence
from the country – , acquired a 180-hectare land, built – together with
Italian specialists – the 4,000-square-meter factory, and founded a
vineyard and a fruit-tree garden.

The Syrian Armenian entrepreneurs toured the factory, signed the wine
barrel on which Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan had inscribed
`Peace to Aleppo Armenians,’ and traveled around the aforesaid
vineyard and fruit-tree garden.

Subsequently, views were exchanged with respect to Armenia’s economic
policy. The discussants explored the risks of, and current challenges
facing, the agricultural sector. Bringing his own example, the ArmAs
Company director noted that the Armenian state encourages investments
to agriculture, winemaking, and brandy production.

Summing up the results of the meeting, Hranush Hakobyan underscored
the acquiring of reliable business partners and quality advice.

From: A. Papazian

Hakaharvats art group blames Armenian authorities for attempted
repression of free speech in Armenia

ARMINFO
Saturday, December 8, 14:01

Hakaharvats art group has released a statement blaming the Armenian
authorities for attempted repression of free speech in the country. To
recall, during an action in Yerevan earlier on Friday the Hakaharvats
activists were taken to the police department of Nork-Marash.

The activists were released after a two-hour stay at the police
department. They state that the authorities are trying to deprive them
of free expression of will and to intimidate them. “We call on
everybody to join the Dec 10 rally-procession in Liberty Square at 1
pm”, says the statement.

From: A. Papazian

ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Armenian National Congress have similar
positions on presidential elections

ARMINFO
Saturday, December 8, 13:51

If the upcoming presidential elections become one more step towards
power retention of the incumbent authorities, one should think whether
it is reasonable to participate in the elections, Head of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Faction Armen Rustamyan said at a briefing in
Parliament.

He said that in order to change the power, the opposition should get
consolidated around a single political agenda, and after that the
candidate capable to carry out the change of power will become clear.
Rustamyan stressed that any candidate will be acceptable to ARFD if
this candidate agrees to implement the ARFD’s platform of system
reforms.

Aram Manukyan, MP from the Armenian National Congress, also stressed
that first of all it is necessary to get consolidated around a single
platform and then to tackle the issue of the single candidate. He
stressed that the cooperation with the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) is ruled out, as the latter has not responded to the
ARFD’s platform.

As regards the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and its leader Gagik
Tsarukyan’s visit to Brussels, Manukyan refuted the media reports that
the representatives of the European Liberal Party refused to meet with
him. “As a member of the managing staff of European Liberals, I can
say that the meeting did not take place only because of technical
reasons. The leader of the faction of European Liberals was in the
traffic jam and asked Tsarukyan to put off the meeting for an hour,
but the PAP leader had other meetings by that time. For this technical
reason Tsarukyan’s meeting with the European Liberals failed to take
place, and one should not look for any political subtext in it”, said
Manukyan.

From: A. Papazian

October was favorable in Armenia in terms of transfers

news.am
December 08, 2012 | 01:21

The Central Bank of Armenia informs that in January – October 2012,
individuals transferred to Armenia $1.37 billion in non-profit goals.
In October the volume of transfers amounted to $180 million, which is
a record for 2012.

For comparison, note that for the 10 months of 2011, the volume of
non-profit transfers was $1.23 billion. The growth in 2012 was about
11%.

The main source of transfers is Russia: during 10 months from that
country was transferred $ 1.17 billion. The United States is in the
second place with $ 55 million, in the third place with $17.6 million
is Kazakhstan, Ukraine is in the fourth place with $15.7 million.

From: A. Papazian

Top American Firms Call For US Trade Agreement with Armenia

Friday, December 7th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

Microsoft among top US firms calling for a trade agreement with Armenia

Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ among Companies Seeking a Bilateral Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement

WASHINGTON – A wide range of US companies doing business in Armenia,
including Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ, have, in letters shared with
the U.S. Embassy, called upon the Obama Administration to take
concrete action prioritizing the growth of U.S.-Armenia economic
relations through the negotiation of a bilateral Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA). The Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), in the interest of job-creation in both America and
Armenia, is actively engaged with the White House, the U.S. Trade
Representative, the Congress, and the Departments of State, Treasury
and Commerce in support of a broad array of practical steps and
policies to promote U.S.-Armenia economic and commercial relations.

These firms employ thousands in Armenia and world-wide, generate tens
of millions of dollars in revenues, and are engines of progress,
friendship, and cooperation for both nations. Among those joining
with Microsoft, FedEx, and NASDAQ in petitioning for a TIFA were:
Marriott, Ameria Banking Group, Prudence Legal Advisory and
Counseling, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilley Armenia, Synergy, Tufenkian
Heritage Hotels, Altacode, Leda Campus LLC, Levon Travel, Unicomp,
Synopsys, Megerian Carpet, National Instruments, Mentor Graphics,
First Mortgage, Geoteam, Hylink, LC Distribution, and Linkgard
Systems.

The Armenian government has long been on record requesting that its
U.S. partners join with them in negotiating a TIFA, as well as a
much-needed Double Tax Treaty. The American Chamber of Commerce in
Armenia, through the active leadership of its Chairman, Edward
Mouradian and professional support from its Executive Director Diana
Gaziyan, has played a vital role in giving voice to the public policy
priorities of the U.S. business community in Armenia. Many members of
the U.S. Congress have expressed their support for a U.S.-Armenia
TIFA, as has the Armenian National Committee of America. President
Obama, for his part, promised, during his 2008 campaign, to foster
expanded trade with Armenia. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John
Heffern, during his confirmation process, also spoke of his interest
in expanding the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship.

Beyond reinforcing the strong cultural bonds between the American and
Armenian peoples, these corporations, in their letters, pointed out
that the creation of a TIFA platform for ongoing bilateral economic
dialogue would help facilitate a broad range of benefits to both the
United States and Armenia, including:

Improving the investment climate, identifying priority areas for
growth, and building trade capacity
Addressing regional trade issues, including the special hardships
faced by Armenia due to the blockades imposed on its borders by Turkey
and Azerbaijan
Streamlining customs systems, and increasing the transparency of
governmental processes related to imports and exports
Discussing the effectiveness of current programs in Armenia of the
U.S. Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Expanding agricultural trade and investment
Growing the level of trade in services, including banking, insurance,
and tourism
Promoting Diasporan trade and investment, with a special focus on expanding

Armenian American trade and investment partnerships with Armenia

Improving Armenia’s use of U.S. Generalized System of Preferences benefits
Addressing any outstanding problems in the area of intellectual property rights
Exploring ways to deepen future U.S.-Armenia trade and investment

In their letters, these firms stressed their interest in building upon
a TIFA platform through additional bilateral accords, notably a Double
Tax Treaty, a Social Security Agreement, and, ultimately, a Free Trade
Agreement.

Copies of the letters, addressed to President Obama, were handed to
Ambassador Heffern today during his meetings with Armenian American
organizations and community members in the Los Angeles area.
Ambassador Heffern is participating in a series of community outreach
meetings and town halls in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and New
York.

The level of U.S. leadership in promoting trade and investment with
Armenia was the subject of a recent, widely-circulated Asbarez
commentary: No Effort or Progress on Fostering U.S.-Armenia Trade and
Investment.

From: A. Papazian

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement issue discussed in Washington

12:29, 8 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Karen Mirzoyan, Foreign Affair
Minister of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh visited Armenian Embassy
in Washigton on December 6. NKR top diplomat had a meeting with
Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and embassy staff. A meeting
launched with Washington based American Armenian organizations and
clergy succeeded Ambassador Mirzoyan’s encounter with Armenian
diplomats, NKR Foreign Affair Ministry press service informed
Armenpress.

Issues refer to Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict negotiations current
stage have been touched upon in the course of the held meeting.
Minister Mirzoyan presented Artsakh authorities’ efforts aimed at
ensuring comprehensive development of the country. Later the same day,
NKR Foreign Minister participated in a closed discussion on Karabakh
conflict resolution. The event was organized at the Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace with participation of regional experts,
scholars and representatives of DC-based think-tank community.

From: A. Papazian