Author: Babajanian Karo

Georgian Media Union Obieqtivi starts broadcasting Armenian program
18:15 21.05.2013

Gita Elibekyan
`Radiolur’

The Georgian Media Union Obieqtivi has started broadcasting an
Armenian program. The one-hour program will be aired simultaneously on
Obieqtivi Radio and TV. The recorded program will be posted
on

The program hosted by Girogi Elibekov will cover issues of
Armenian-Georgian relations and questions concerning the Georgian
Armenian community.

The first edition broadcast last week featured Van Bayburtyan, Adviser
to the President of Georgia and editor of the `Georgia’ newspaper. He
spoke about the process of integration of Georgian Armenians and the
Armenian schools of Georgia.

If dead people vote, why can’t they get pensions – ARF-D MP on Vazgen
Khachikyan’s case

15:55 – 21.05.13

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun faction MP Vahan
Hovanissian in response to the government’s arguments that they are
fighting against corruption and Vazgen Khachikyan’s arrest is the
brightest example of it said, `Khachikyan has not done anything wrong,
he tried to restore the justice – if dead people are voting, why they
can’t get pensions.’

Hovanissian’s remark was accepted with ovation by the opposition. The
MPs were applauding and laughing, among them were PAP MPs.

Hovanissian said in such conditions it is senseless to discuss
government’s program, speak about issues, voice the problems of
residents of hail-stricken territories. He said in reality the quality
of the authorities is being discussed.

`Republican party’s big ideologist Galust Grigorich [Galust Sahakyan]
says `there is no one better than we’. More probably the government
took it seriously. You are not the best, you just should prove that
you are not the worst,’ the ARF-D MP said

IBM center for innovative solutions and technologies to open in Armenia

YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Armenian government and IBM Corporation
signed a memorandum of understanding to study long-term cooperation
opportunities Monday, IBM vice president Kirill Kornilev said.

The memorandum envisages opening a Center for IBM Innovative Solutions
and Technologies in Armenia this year. The center will be set up at
Yerevan State University, American University of Armenia, European
University of Armenia and the State Engineering University. It will
train professionals and help government implement e-governance
projects.

`We intend to establish long-term cooperation in combining IBM’s best
experience and the best international practice with the local
experience and talents’, Kornilev said.

The amount of investments is not limited, and whatever is required
will be invested in the opening, he said.

Armenia’s minister of economy Vahram Avanesyan stressed the importance
of the cooperation in exposing potential for innovations in certain
fields outlined by the government (educational institutions,
technology sector, SME).

The memorandum was signed by Armenia’s minister of economy Vahram
Avanesyan and IBM vice-president Kirill Kornilev in the presence of
Armenia’s premier Tigran Sargsyan.

The memorandum says Armenia’s government and IBM Corporation are ready
to facilitate SME development by help of the company’s technologies
and instruments (training courses, business and IT services to SME).

The parties are not bound to any legal obligations under this memorandum.-0–

Gas tariff growth to cause final elimination of woodlands in Armenia –
environmentalists

12:02 – 21.05.13

The gas tariff growth will cause the loss of woodland territories in
Armenia, which is already in bad condition, the Pan-Armenian
Environmental Front member Levon Galstyan and Nazeli Vardanyan,
chairwoman of the Armenian Forests NGO, told Tert.am.

The residents of the rural communities are using wood fuel and after
the recent growth of the gas tariff the urban population will do it
too.

`People in villages are using wood fuel for quite a long time, now
when gas tariff grows people in Yerevan will start burning wood too,’
Nazeli Vardanyan stressed.

`Only few in villages are able to heat their houses by gas and in case
of new tariff growth the 100% of the rural population will pass to it.
It is very natural as the Armenian people do not have the necessary
income,’ Levon Galstyan said.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011
the woodland in Armenia made 8%. Later the figure was reviewed and
became 11% which is the figure of 1991.

`Now it is impossible. According to my calculation it makes 6-7% at
best. So many trees were cut and have not been planted. Hayantar is
planting trees only by grants. Our organization has planted 740
hectares but it is nothing, it is like a drop in the sea as only in
2003 the amount of logged wood made 3 million, in case when only
50,000 cubic meters were allowed. How much is it necessary to plant to
turn it back into forest?’ she asked.

Vardanyan stressed that currently 500,000 cubic meters of illegal
cutting takes place.

Levon Galstyan drew the attention to the recent map made by Chartsbin
international environment protection organization, according to which
the woodland in Armenia makes 9.3%.

Nazeli Vardanyan said the tree planting organized on the sidelines of
different initiatives does not give anything. `It is not the matter of
planting only, it is also about taking care of it. Wood is like a
child, you should take care of it for 5-6 years, water it,’ the
environmentalist said.

Pan-Armenian Environment Protection Front head has posted a call in
his Facebook page saying that the gas tariff growth is one of the
resolute and noticeable steps aimed at making people leave Armenia.
The call urges to boycott and stop using gas for a month, hitting the
weakest place of the slave owners – pouch
.

ARMENIE
Hausse de la production de conserves

La production alimentaire globale en conserve en Arménie a augmenté de
2,5 fois en Janvier 2013 à 207,2 tonnes sur douze mois selon le
Service national de la statistique d’Arménie.

Un total de 66,2 tonnes de conserves de légumes a été produit dans le
délai indiqué, qui représente une hausse de 30,5% par rapport à
l’année précédente (23,2 tonnes en Janvier 2012).

La production de conserves de tomates s’établissait à 0,1 tonnes et
les fruits en conserve à 111,1 tonnes soit 5,7 fois plus que janvier
2012.

Dans le délai indiqué, 9,2 tonnes de ketchup a été produite (2,1 fois
plus élevé par rapport au mois de janvier 2012). L’Arménie a également
produit 824 100 litres de jus de fruit naturel en Janvier 2013 par
rapport à 490 100 litres un an plus tôt (68,1% d’augmentation).

mardi 21 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
L’ambassadeur américain appelle à plus de concurrence en Arménie

L’ambassadeur américain John Heffern a souligné l’importance de la
libéralisation des secteurs lucratifs de l’économie arménienne, qui
ont longtemps été dominé par une poignée de grandes entreprises ou
quelques entrepreneurs.

John Heffern a déclaré que l’ambassade américaine à Erevan soulève la
question avec les autorités arméniennes « tout le temps ».

`Nous avons une discussion ouverte et professionnelle de toutes ces
questions` a-t-il dit aux journalistes. « Ils se sont engagés à faire
des réformes, et nous allons continuer à les aider avec ces réformes.`

« Quand l’Arménie est passé d’une compagnie de téléphone cellulaire à
trois, ce qui s’est passé ? Amélioration du service et les prix ont
baissé. Et je pense que c’est un principe pour le sucre, les
compagnies aériennes et tout le reste », a-t-il dit lors d’une visite
d’une usine de mise en bouteille de Coca Cola à Erevan.

Dans une brève allocution dans les locaux de l’entreprise, John
Heffern a distingué la nécessité de libéraliser le marché lucratif du
sucre.

La majeure partie des importations de sucre et la production en
Arménie sont contrôlés par des sociétés appartenant à Samvel
Alexanian, l’un des hommes les plus riches du pays, proche du
gouvernement. Alexanian contrôle également les importations de blé et
d’autres denrées de base grce à ce que les détracteurs du
gouvernement considèrent son traitement privilégié par le
gouvernement.

Dans un rapport vigoureux diffusé cette semaine, le Fonds monétaire
international (FMI) a déclaré que `bien desservis` les entrepreneurs
bénéficiant « d’une position privilégiée sur le marché` sont un
obstacle sérieux au développement économique de l’Arménie. Le fonds a
appelé à des réformes `profondes et rapides` qui créerait un pied
d’égalité pour tous les hommes d’affaires et améliorerait
l’administration fiscale.

John Heffern a également souligné la nécessité de réformes fiscales. «
Nous travaillons avec la [Commission des recettes d’Etat] sur les
impôts et les douanes, mais bien sûr il reste beaucoup à faire`,
a-t-il dit.

Gagik Danielian, le directeur de l’usine Coca Cola, a déclaré aux
journalistes que le travail des agents du fisc portant sur son
entreprise est devenue plus « prévisible et transparent` au cours des
dernières années. Pourtant, il a dit que la compagnie s’attaque
parfois à des problèmes résultant de l’application des nouvelles lois
et des réglementations fiscales.

Danielian a également insisté sur le fait que la société russe n’a
jamais eu de problèmes pour importer le sucre nécessaire pour la
production de ses boissons gazeuses.

mardi 21 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Heritage party leader not surprised with Tsarukyan’s statement

19:15 – 19.05.13

The statement of the Prosperous Armenia party leader Gagik Tsarukyan
that he is not an opposition was not a surprise for the Heritage party
leader Raffi Hovannisian.

Speaking to reporters after the open civil discussion convened by him,
Hovanissian said they have met with Tsarukyan twice and he said about
it. `I have met with Mr Tsarukyan twice and he is one of the unique
persons who has always been frank with me and explained that he will
never be an opposition,’ Hovanissian said.

Asked why he has not voiced about it, Heritage party leader said it
was a private meeting and the question should be forwarded to
Tsarukyan.

As to why the Armenian National Congress continues claiming that the
PAP is an opposition, Hovanissian said, `Each person has a right to
have his opinion. May be it is connected with the party, with separate
leaders. I cannot say why the ANC has such opinion, but I can just
suppose that there are or were inter-party or personal ties.’

Asked why he did not attend the consecration of St John the Baptist
Church, Hovanissian said he did not participate due to his business,
but will soon visit it.

Speaking about today’s gathering and refusal of opposition to attend
it, Hovanissian said it is connected with the phase of review. `I
think the review lasts for a long, but I hope that in the coming weeks
the review will turn into creative solutions. I think each is trying
to go out of his shock. It will be good for each to overcome his pain
on its own and not blame others,’ he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Raffi Hovannisian calls to unite over New Armenia civil initiative – Videos

TERT.AM
15:19 – 19.05.13

The open civil gathering convened by Heritage party leader Raffi
Hovannisian opened in Ani hotel today.

Heritage party members and few associates Petros Makeyan, Andreas
Ghukasyan were present. No representatives of other opposition forces
attended the gathering.

Addressing the present Raffi Hovanissian said the authorities will not
manage to complete their five year long term as they are going to form
New Armenia civil movement. `We are not only going to form a
pan-national front – New Armenia civil movement, but will give a
content to it. The people have already awaken. If Armavir, Syunik,
Yerevan unite no one will win us,’ he said, stressing that the
people’s demand is erupting.

Addressing the authorities Raffi Hovannisian said not much time has
remained for them to rule. `They have no courage to listen to the
voice of the people. They want to enjoy couple of months as well, let
them enjoy,’ he said.

Speaking about opposition, Hovannisian said during this months it
became clear who presents the interests of people, who wants to solve
personal issues.

Hovannisian also said he is going to leave for the USA and will return
by the end of the month to make real steps during the summer. `They
want force, they will get force,’ he said, voicing hope that in the
new phase of fighting they will register victory without victims.

Yerevan to host center of Polish language

May 17, 2013 | 17:59

YEREVAN. – Polish Ambassador to Armenia Zdzis³aw Raczyñski and
Armenian Minister of Education Armen Ashotyan will open the Center of
Polish language in Yerevan State Linguistic University.

The center’s goal is to spread Polish language and deepen knowledge of
Polish culture.

A map of Poland published in the Armenian language with the support of
the Embassy and “Collage” publishing house will be presented during
the event. It is the first map of a European country published in
Armenian.

The events are held within the framework of the Days of Poland in Armenia.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIE
Une usine de production de malt va ouvrir à Giumry

Yerevan brewery (Erevan brasserie) vient d’annoncer qu’elle prévoit de
commencer l’exploitation d’une usine de production de malt à Giumry en
2013.

L’usine est actuellement en construction et sera le seul établissement
moderne à produire du malt dans la région. L’estimation du coût du
btiment de production et de l’ensemble du processus technologique de
production de malt (achats, séchage, raffinement) sera de 750 à 800
millions de drams.

La société a l’intention de former son propre approvisionnement en
raison des problèmes logistiques et des tendances à la hausse des prix
sur les marchés internationaux. Environ 30% de la production est prévu
d’être vendu sur le marché local, le reste sera exporté.

L’usine devrait être mis en service cette année et fournir environ de
200 à 250 emplois.

Environ 6000 hectares seront utilisés pour la fourniture de matières
premières ce qui permettra de créer 800 emplois supplémentaires
pendant la saison agricole.

L’usine sera équipée de matériel moderne en provenance d’Europe pour
garantir des produits à niveau et compétitive.

dimanche 19 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com