Author: Babajanian Karo

EIF DIRECTOR: A TOTAL OF $10MLN NEEDED FOR MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM TO CREATE A NATIONAL SOFTWARE LABORATORY IN ARMENIA

ARMINFO
Friday, May 31, 18:10

A total of $10mln is needed for the multilateral investment program
to create a national software laboratory in Armenia, Director of the
Enterprises Incubator Foundation (EIF) Bagrat Yengibaryan said in an
interview to ArmInfo.

“Some software companies have already agreed to provide funds for the
program. Now we are planning to negotiate with international donors,”
Yengibaryan said.

He said that the laboratory will train as many as 2,000 specialists
a year.

Yengibaryan said that an Armenian National Engineering Laboratory will
be opened on the basis of the State Engineering University of Armenia
in the next few weeks to train an average of 1,500 specialists a year.

He said that this project was financed by National Instruments from
the United States ($1.5mln), the Armenian Government ($350,000),
the State Engineering University of Armenia ($650,000) and USAID.

Yengibaryan believes that the laboratory program should be sponsored
by several companies as software programming has lots of fields and
no company – big as it may be – can cover all of them.

He said that the laboratory will help to solve of the key problems of
Armenia’s IT sector – lack of personnel. “As of today we have some
9,300 specialists and about 370 companies, but the Government’s IT
development concept for 2008-2018 says that in 2018 we will have more
than 18,000 specialists and as many as 1,000 companies. In 2012 our
IT sector earned $250mln, in 2018 it is supposed to earn as much as
$1bln,” Yengibaryan said.

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE PACE VICE PRESIDENT RENE ROUQUET

31.05.2013

On May 31 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received Rene Rouquet,
the Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE), Head of the French Delegation to the PACE, Head of
the NA France-Armenia Friendship Group of France.

The interlocutors highly assessed the stable developing Armenian-French
friendly relations in all directions. It was noted that the dialogue
of high political level, as well as the inter-parliamentary firm
relations, the centuries-old historical-cultural ties between the
two peoples serve as an important factor for the development of
cooperation. By the sides’ conviction, the relations between the
Senate of France and the National Assembly of Armenia have always
been active, and in the development of inter-parliamentary relations
they highlighted the role of the friendship groups. Both sides
deemed important the cooperation in the international parliamentary
structures.

In the course of the meeting other issues of bilateral interest were
also touched upon.

CAFESJIAN CENTER FOR ARTS INCREASES NUMBER OF ITS EXHIBITS

14:37, 31 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts
enriched its collection with two works by Spanish artist Jaume
Plensa titled “Love, Hatred, Spirit” (2012) and “Sun, Moon, Earth”
(2012). The Director of the Public Relations and Marketing Department
of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts Lilit Sokhakyan stated this in
a conversation with “Armenpress”.

Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa (b. 1955) is at the forefront of
the contemporary art scene. He works in a wide range of media
including drawing, sculpture, printmaking, opera scenery, video art,
acoustic installations, text and light, and has created some major
installations including the interactive Crown Fountain in Chicago’s
Millennium Park. His work has been exhibited in some of the world’s
best contemporary art institutions including the Jeu de Paume in Paris,
the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds and the Joan Miro Foundation in
Barcelona. A common motif in his sculptures are sitting or kneeling
people and faces.

Three of his sculptures are currently exhibited at the Cafesjian
Center for the Arts.

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is dedicated to bringing the best
of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian
culture to the world. Inspired by the vision of its founder, Mr.

Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions,
derived from Mr. Cafesjian’s own extensive collection of contemporary
art.

Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA continues
to exhibit unique works of modern art and offers a diverse program
of visiting lecturers, films, concerts, and numerous educational
initiatives for adults and children. In 2011 the Cafesjian Center
for the Arts had over 1,200,000 visitors.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS STAGE PROTEST DURING PACE SESSION IN YEREVAN (PHOTOS)

May 31, 2013 | 14:36

YEREVAN. – The Youth Union of the opposition Armenian National Congress
(ANC) held a protest Friday in front of capital city Yerevan’s Armenia
Marriott Hotel, where the PACE Standing Committee session is convened
(PHOTOS).

The protesters held banners that read their demands.

“Tolerance toward the vicious phenomena will allow the Armenian
citizens to assume that the PACE [i.e., the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe] Standing Committee has reached a criminal
agreement, with the illegitimate rule of [President] Serzh Sargsyan,
in plundering Armenia.

We make a call to address the current situation in Armenia and to
adhere to the principles that PACE has adopted, [and] to contribute
to the restoration of constitutional order and the establishment of a
true democracy in Armenia,” the ANC statement on this protest reads,
in particular.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

PACE FULLY SUPPORTS THE PRIORITIES OF THE ARMENIAN CHAIRMANSHIP

14:08 31.05.2013

“The Parliamentary Assembly shares and supports the priorities of
the Armenian Chairmanship, which are fully in keeping with our main
lines of action,” said PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon, speaking
today at the opening of the meeting of the Standing Committee in
Yerevan, citing in particular action to prevent racism, xenophobia
and extremism in general, and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.

“The Armenian Chairmanship and the subsequent Azerbaijani Chairmanship
in 12 months’ time present a unique opportunity for both countries,
and for the Council of Europe, to strengthen pan-European co-operation
and respect for our values, notably by stepping up the search for
solutions to ‘frozen conflicts’, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
in particular,” he said.

“As parliamentarians and PACE members, we have a duty to promote
political reconciliation and dialogue between elected representatives
through parliamentary diplomacy,” he concluded.

EUROPEANS ASK ARMENIAN FM ABOUT GAS PRICE HIKE

11:55 AM | TODAY | POLITICS

The recurrent sitting of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has kicked off in Yerevan.

Participating in the sitting are Hovik Abrahamyan, Speaker of the
Armenian National Assembly, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon and members of the Armenian
delegation to the PACE.

Armenia’s European orientation and the process of European integration
are the result of a conscious choice based on our common values as
well as rich cultural and Christian legacy,” Hovik Abrahamyan said
in his opening remarks.

He stressed that Armenia comprises a part of the European civilization
with its past and present.

“With this in mind, Armenia joined the Council of Europe in 2001,”
he said.

earlier this month, at the 123rd session of the Council of Europe’s
Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, France, Armenia assumed its
first-ever six-month chairmanship of the organization.

In his speech, PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon said in recent years
the organization has adopted a number of important resolutions and
this is another excellent opportunity to discuss various ideas.

In reply to the PACE official, the Armenian Foreign Minister said
in the coming six months Armenia will be involved in the process of
European integration.

“This is a serious challenge, and Armenia assumes presidency of the
Council of Europe, paying special attention to the issues that are
more important and significant. Armenia vows to pursue the struggle
against racism, protection of human rights, strengthening of democratic
society and boosting the role of the Council of Europe. We will work
to strengthen regional cooperation in the areas of human rights and
fundamental freedoms,” he said.

PACE member Andreas Gross asked Minister Nalbandian why Armenia’s
military partner Russia has increased the prices for natural gas
it gives to Armenia and whether Armenia is going to apply economic
sanctions. “The gas price is regulated by an agreement signed between
the two countries, and I think we shall reach an agreement because
we are strategic partners.”Another PACE delegate asked the Armenian
official about the Karabakh peace deal wondering what compromises
Armenia can suggest in the talks.

“Out stance on the issue coincides with that of the OSCE Minsk
group mediators. We welcome the possible solution based on the
opinion of the international peace brokers. What expectations can
the international community have from Armenia? It again depends on
the steps of the co-chairing countries. Armenia has maintained the
truce since its establishment in 1994, which is not the case with
Azerbaijan. In particular, they refuse to remove snipers from the
Line of Contact. Azerbaijan is against the peaceful settlement of
the conflict,” said the Armenian FM.

HRAPARAK: ARMENIAN DELEGATION IN EURONEST WITHDRAWS FROM AGENDA 14 ANTI-ARMENIAN RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY AZERBAIJAN

11:01 31/05/2013 ” DAILY PRESS

Member of Armenian delegation in Euronest Artak Zakaryan told Hraparak,
“This Brussels-hosted session of Euronest was the most productive
one – we managed to withdraw from the agenda the 14 anti-Armenian
resolutions introduced by Azerbaijan, including the one related to
Sarsang reservoir. Euronest will meet in Yerevan next autumn.”

Asked if the Azerbaijani delegation will attend the Yerevan-hosted
meeting of Euronest, Zakaryan said, “I think they will attend.”

Source: Panorama.am

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN: ARMENIA IS PART OF EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION WITH ITS PAST AND PRESENT

13:01 31.05.2013

“The European direction of Armenia’s foreign policy is a result of
reasonable choice, which is rooted in a common value system, rich
cultural and Christian heritage and derives from our domestic agenda,”
Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan said at
the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Yerevan.

“Armenia is part of European civilization with its past and present,
with its commitment to establish democracy, ensure rule of law,
protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Mr. Abrahamyan said,
adding that “with this understanding Armenia joined the Council of
Europe in 2001, reconfirming its historic and cultural adherence to
all-European values.”

The Speaker said the first presidency of the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers is a significant event and a great
responsibility.

“Armenia is assuming the presidency with an ambitious agenda,”
Abrahamyan said, assuring that Armenia will spare no efforts to resist
the challenges the Council of Europe faces, particularly demonstrations
of intolerance, xenophobia and racism.

The Speaker reiterated Armenia’s commitment to its policy of European
integration. “We have the necessary political will to enhance the
process of reforms, build a secure and democratic state. This is
the choice of our people, our citizens. We confirm our willingness
to continue the active and effective cooperation with the European
structures,” Hovik Abrahamyan concluded.

JOHN DEERE A L’INTENTION D’INTENSIFIER SON ACTIVITE EN ARMENIE

John Deere, l’un des plus grands fabricants de machines agricoles,
a l’intention d’intensifier son activite en Armenie a declare le
Directeur regional des ventes Dirk Stratmann lors d’une rencontre
avec el vice-ministre de l’Agriculture Robert Makaryan a Erevan.

Le service de presse du ministère a cite Stratmann affirmant qu’il
veut obtenir des informations sur la demande notamment pour les
machines agricoles en Armenie.

John Deere a commence son partenariat avec CARDE Agroservice Armenia
en 2010.

Quelque 70 pièces de machines agricoles de John Deere sont utilises
en Armenie aujourd’hui.

L’Armenie a 14683 tracteurs et 1362 moissonneuses-batteuses.

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’ARMENIE A TELE MATIN SUR FRANCE 2

Marie-Dominique Perrin a presente aujourd’hui le second volet d’un
reportage realise a Erevan pour Tele Matin, rubrique “Partir”. Elle y
fait, en 6 minutes, la promotion du pays, indiquant qu’il s’agit d’une
nouvelle destination pour les vacances a la decouverte de richesses
encore meconnues du grand public.

Y aller avec un specialiste :

Nueva vista Bureau en France : 06.89.59.28.28 e-mail :
[email protected]

Programme a la carte incluant sejour a Erevan, excursion a la campagne
pour decouvrir monuments historiques et religieux, Dilijan et ses
maisons traditionnelles. Possibilite d’hebergement dans l’un des
meilleurs hôtels d’Erevan : le Golden Tulip cinq etoiles.

A partir de 900~@ par personne, sur la base de deux personnes sans
l’aerien. A partir de 575~@ sur la base de huit personnes.

Cinq vols par semaine sur Air France au depart de Paris

Voir ICI la première emission du 3 mai 2013

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Jean Eckian ©armenews.com