Author: Babajanian Karo

LEVON HAYRAPETYAN WILL SPARE NO EFFORTS TO CELEBRATE VICTORIES

12:01, 20 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Defender of the Armenian National
Football Team Levon Hayrapetyan gave an interview to the official
website of the Football Federation of Armenia and told about the
course of rehabilitation, which followed the operation, as well as
about his goals and expectations.

“Armenpress” introduces the interview below.

– Levon, you were injured in the match against Bulgaria. Have you
ever had such a long break before?

– No, this is the first time.

– What can you tell about the course of treatment?

– Currently I stay in Hamburg, but on January 8 I will leave
for Rosenberg Health & Rehab Center, after which I shall visit
Munich, where I will be under the surveillance of Dr. Hans-Wilhelm
Muller-Wohlfahrt, who is the club doctor at Bayern Munich and is a
world leader in the treatment of sports injuries.

– Is your club Lechia engaged in your treatment?

– No, the club has nothing to do with my treatment. The Football
Federation of Armenia is seeing for my treatment. I am very grateful
for everything, particularly taking into consideration the fact that
the federation is not obliged to do it.

– What are your expectations from 2013?

– To return to the stadium and spare no efforts to celebrate triumphs
with the team.

(FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

MALAYAN’S EYE CENTER EARNED EXCLUSIVE MEDICAL INSTRUMENT

14:15, 20 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. “Vardanyan” Foundation assisted
Sergey Malayan’s Eye Center to be the first in the region to earn
unique medical instruments for diagnosis and laser treatment. As
reports “Armenpress” during the press conference Chief Ophthalmologist
of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia Alexander
Malayan stated that due to this instrument eye surgeries will be on the
highest level in Armenia. He stated: “This modern instrument allows us
to give detailed diagnosis of the whole physical structure of the eye.”

According to Malayan implementation of this kind of instruments exclude
difficulties in the final result of the surgery. Malayan underscored:
“It has already been two months since the instrument was brought here
from Germany and German specialists themselves took care of retraining
of the Armenian doctors.”

“ANCIENT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS” TO INTRODUCE “BAMBIR” MOVIE TODAY

15:08, 20 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. In frames of “Ancient Musical
Instruments” series “Bambir” movie premier will be introduced to
the public, which will be held in Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall on
December 20. As reports “Armenpress” today during the press conference
the author of the series, Chairperson of “HayArt” Culture Centre
of the Yerevan Municipality Rita Sharoyan stated that new times
newly introduce bambir musical instrument. The chairperson of the
centre stated: “When in the midst of the developed technologies of
the XXI century we speak about bambir musical instrument that means
that by this we keep living our cultural heritage.” Also Sharoyan is
considering touching upon the issue of percussion instruments as well
in the nearest future.

Summing the activity of 2012 “HayArt” Culture Centre of the Yerevan
Municipality Rita Sharoyan underscored that the current year was full
of cultural events. She stated: “Before any undertaking and initiative
first of all I give an account of the future activity to myself and
only if I am satisfied with this account than I take up an enterprise.”

HRANT BAGRATYAN: “I HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ACTIVE COOPERATION WITH ANC”

2012-12-20 15:20:36

Armenian National Congress MP Hrant Bagratyan published record on
his Facebook social network page, which says:

“Today is December 20. All come in with the upcoming party congress
“Liberty.”

The congress will be held on December 24 at 12:00 am in the Armenian
Deaf Union at Yeznik Koghbatsi 49.

The agenda will discuss the question of my candidacy in the
presidential elections.

Therefore, I ask all delegates to take part in the congress.

Simultaneously I announce that if Levon Ter-Petrosyan will run, then
I’ll take off my candidacy. Ask you to bear in mind that I run not
by ANC.

Moreover, in this period I have temporarily suspended active
cooperation with ANC political council not to hamper any of them. ”

NKR PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES NATIONAL SECURITY WORKERS ON PROFESSIONAL DAY

13:08 20.12.2012

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan issued a
congratulatory address on the occasion of the Day of the National
Security Service Worker. The message reads, in part:

“Dear servicemen and veterans of the National Security Service,

On behalf of Artsakh authorities and myself I congratulate you on
your professional holiday.

Today is an opportunity to appreciate the work of the NKR National
Security Services, which is of utmost importance for ensuring the
normal vital activity of our republic, safeguarding social and state
security, protecting of national interests. It is also an opportunity
to address words of gratitude to all those, whose daily faithful and
consecutive work makes valuable contribution to strengthening of our
free and independent statehood.

I am confident that workers of the system are fully aware of the
whole seriousness of the set tasks and will keep doing their best
for their successful solution.

Artsakh authorities will assist in raising the efficiency of the
structure’s activity and improving your working and social conditions
in every way possible.

Dear friends,

Once again I congratulate you on the Day of the National Security
Service Servicemen and wish robust health, happiness and greatest
successes in your difficult and responsible work.”

EXCAVATIONS SPRING CONTROVERSY OVER ST. PHILIP’S FOUNTAIN IN JERUSALEM

09:48, 20 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. In St. Philip’s Fountain
estate, which is situated in Jerusalem and belongs to the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, archeological excavations started without
any permission. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem informed
“Armenpress” that it has been already two centuries since St. Philip’s
Fountain, which springs natural water, belongs to the Armenian
Patriarchy of Jerusalem. “The Acts of the Apostles” writes about St.

Philip’s Fountain, telling about the baptism of an Ethiopian eunuch
by St. Philip the Apostle. There is a small number of fountains of
natural water and St. Philip’s Fountain is one of them.

The Armenian side accompanied by its lawyer had a meeting with the
representatives of the Jerusalem Municipality and suggested to wall
in that part of the Armenian territory.

The Armenian Community of Jerusalem exists since the times of Tigranes
the Great. Over centuries the Armenians have created a number of
religious, scientific and cultural treasures including real estate
belonging to the Armenians.

AKDAMAR CHURCH PREPARES FOR NEW RESTORATION WORK

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 19 2012

The Akdamar Church will undergo the second restoration in the next
April. AA photo

A second restoration project for the historical Akdamar Church on the
island of the same name in the eastern province of Van will begin in
April. Structures like the monastery and chapel, which were unearthed
during archaeological excavations and supported by sacks filled with
rottenstones to prevent destruction, will be restored in six months
using hydraulic lime to be brought from Italy. Akdamar Island will
also be outfitted with 24-hour security cameras.

The first restoration of the church, which is very significant for
Armenians, was initiated in May 2005 and ended in July 2006. The
church was opened as the Monument Museum on March 29, 2007. With
its environmental arrangements, the cost of the restoration was 4
million Turkish Liras. Armenians were given permission to worship
once a year in the church and the first worship ceremony took place
on Sept. 19, 2010.

With the technical team, a total of 50 people will work on the
restoration and materials will be carried to the island by boat.

December/19/2012

SURVEY: ARMENIA WORLD’S THIRD “HAPPIEST” AFTER NIGERIA AND COLUMBIA. OR NOT?

News | 19.01.12 | 11:57

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter

WIN-Gallup International organization’s representative in Armenia MPG
company has released the results of World Happiness Barometer year-end
survey this week, according to which 70 percent of the 500 respondents
said they considered themselves happy, 10 percent – unhappy, 18
percent said they were neither happy nor unhappy, 2 percent refused to
answer.

The survey has become an issue of heated public discussions, the main
issue being the incredulity of many to how accurate and trustworthy
the results are, given the fact that the inquiry was done by phone.

Artur Atanesyan, head of the chair of applied sociology at the Yerevan
State University, says telephone surveys do not yield accurate
results.

“The survey conductors have no way of seeing in person people’s
condition and mood. I am convinced that most of the ‘I am happy’
respondents said so as a joke, even in mockery, but it wasn’t
perceived as such and was misinterpreted as ‘I consider myself happy’
response,” says Atanesyan.

Aram Navasardyan, in charge of MPG consulting company founded in 2003,
counters Atanesyan, saying that: “For 15-20 years now telephone
surveys have been held all over the world. The choice of respondents
was representative and before proceeding with questions conductors
explained what it was about so that people would treat it seriously.”

Besides the controversial happiness question the questionnaire had ten
others, such as whether they had positive expectations from the coming
year or not, the economy would develop or not, etc.

“The question about happiness was number 3 on our list and as soon as
we sensed the person wasn’t taking it seriously, we preferred not to
continue,” explains Gayane Dajunts, head of MPG’s research department.

According to the survey results, people in Armenia do not connect
their happiness with their economic situation. Atanesyan claims a
person believes s/he is happy if s/he is socially well provided.

Gallup’s research shows that people in countries with developed
economies consider themselves less happy.

“In Russia only 35 percent said they were happy. In that case why is
it several times a day planes fly from Yerevan to Russia? Would our
people go to a country where people are less happy than they are?”

asks Atanesyan.

Navasardyan says the survey was conducted in 58 countries and every
country showed its own approach different from others.

“In China only 25 percent said they were happy, when China has the
most developed economy in the world. It means that viewing happiness
in direct connection with economic growth is not right,” he says.

Psychologist Karine Nalchajyan points out that “happiness” is a
complicated indicator.

“In order for a person to be happy, s/he has to live an active life,
have a productive lifestyle. Armenia is a country of people with
numerous cares and concerns rather than of happy people,” she says.

Navasardyan says the survey did not pursue the goal of finding out the
reasons why people were happy or not.

“They are well-off, have a good family, good relatives and friends, a
job they love… we didn’t even try to find out. But we cannot hide the
fact that 70 percent responded they considered themselves happy,” he
says.

The survey revealed that among the 58 participant countries the
happiest people feel in Nigeria (89 percent) and in Columbia (74
percent). The least happy ones are Italians, Serbians and
Palestinians.

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN MEETS WITH FRENCH AMBASSADOR

09:04 PM | DECEMBER 19, 2012 | POLITICS

Armenia’s first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan met Wednesday with
French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud.

Levon Ter-Petrosyan briefed the diplomat on Armenia’s domestic
political situation following the May parliamentary elections,
as well as the developments ahead of the upcoming presidential
elections. He also spoke about domestic policy challenges, including
system corruption, democratic freedoms, the absence of plurality on
TV and economic competition.

The interlocutors also discussed questions concerning Armenian-Turkish
relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.

The meeting was attended by Isabelle Guinel, an advisor at the French
Embassy to Armenia, and Avetis Avagyan, a senior representative of
the HAK central headquarters.

SERGEY GRINYAYEV: ARMENIA’S ACCESSION TO EURASIAN UNION WOULD BE A THREAT TO THE GEO-POLITICAL PROJECTS OF THE BACKSTAGE WORLD POWERS

ArmInfo’s interview with Sergey Grinyayev, Director General of the
Center for Strategic Assessments and Forecasts, Doctor of Engineering
Science

by David Stepanyan

Wednesday, December 19, 21:54

During the last meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Dublin US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the Eurasian Union “a move
to re-Sovietize the region.” What was the motivation of that
statement?

The motivation was quite simple: it is no secret that the USA watch
the post-Soviet area and, first of all, the South Caucasus states like
an instrument for fulfillment of its own geo-political goals in the
region. In particular, the Americans scare successful fulfillment of
the Eurasian Union project which will form a new force center in the
world geo-political configuration. One can say for sure that by the
Dublin statement US Secretary of State voiced death penalty to
resetting of the Russian-American relations. During her speech Clinton
also said that the USA was trying to draw out effective means to slow
down or prevent the given process. Against such a background many
leaders of the post-Soviet states voice their intention to extend
comprehensive cooperation with European Union up to joining it. By the
way, some of them like the prospect of joining the EU so much that
they even place the flag of the EU next to the national flag of their
country, which is evidence of utmost unity. Meanwhile, the leadership
of the EU is not going to further extend, as to preserve stability
within the EU is becoming more and more difficult year by year. There
are some impartial reasons for that, and first of all, global economic
crisis that captured Europe and put several European countries at the
edge of default.

The anecdotic example of the decade-long process on Turkey’s joining
the EU does not seem very encouraging for the countries of the former
USSR, does it?

I think it doesn’t. It is obvious that the EU goes on conducting such
a policy regarding post-Soviet states, that wish to join the “European
family”, which was rather successfully tested on Turkey. The talk that
Turkey has a chance to join the EU has been there since 1963. From
that moment and to the present time, they force the Turks to make
various reforms in their country and say about achievement of “certain
progress” on the way of European integration. However, such a game may
be held to endlessness. The EU has similar position regarding the
post-Soviet states, offering various cooperation programs practically
in all the spheres. The leading European countries have been
conducting the policy of the USA and watching the South Caucasus
states like an instrument for fulfillment of their geo-political goals
in the region. “For this reason, the USA supports practically all the
integration projects and programs offered by Brussels.

Let’s compare the benefits the West’s and Russia’s projects can give
to the post-Soviet republics and Armenia, in particular?

The surveys conducted by the Center for Strategic Assessments and
Forecasts have revealed that in the light of the systematic crisis in
the EU, Eurasian integration will provide better and more realistic
opportunities to the post-Soviet states, including Armenia, for
sustainable economic and social development. It is the real state of
affairs in the European economy and the illusive efficiency of the
European strategy of ‘admonishment’ that actually make the post-Soviet
states to tend towards Moscow’s project. As for Armenia, it is
extremely important for Yerevan to continue its constructive and
friendly relations with Moscow.

It is the relations with Russia that help maintaining social and
economic stability in Armenia and ensuring stable domestic political
positions of the incumbent authorities. These relations create
fundamentally new conditions for the country’s development in the new
post-crisis conditions of new global economy, considering that
Armenia’s possible role of ‘a gate to the global world’ for the
Russian business was studied yet several years ago. In addition, the
status-quo in the Armenian-Russian relations should be maintained
especially in the light of the economic decline and the growth of
Armenia’s foreign debt that has exceeded 5 billion dollars.

You haven’t mentioned the factor of security, considering the
existence of an unresolved conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh…

The Armenian-Russian military-political partnership is ensuring the
balance of forces and stability in the South Caucasus. This is
especially important as unfavorable outcomes in Syria and Iran may
wake up some of the sleeping conflicts in the South Caucasus and
Central Asia. Well aware that European integration is a goal it will
hardly hit, Armenia is heading for Eurasia – guided by historical,
geographical, economic and legal factors. Meanwhile, some media in
Armenia are actively campaigning against this policy, which, according
to the expert, suggests that the country’s accession to the Eurasian
Union may threaten the far-reaching and quite dangerous plans of the
backstage world powers.

Do you see any obstacles to Armenia’s joining Russia’s integration projects?

By our assessment, there are no political obstacles to Armenia’s
joining the Customs Union and the Eurasian Union at present. The
existing difficulties are of technical nature only. One of the
technical problems is lack of a common border with the Customs Union
member-states. However, Armenia has no common border with the EU
either. Nevertheless, in Yerevan many advocate European integration
opposing Eurasian integration. Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey
Naryshkin, who was in Armenia in July 2012, confirmed the Customs
Union’s readiness to admit the country if the authorities display
relevant political will. The Customs Union member-states are going to
set up a mix commission with Armenia to develop four-sided
cooperation. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made such statement
during his meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Moscow in
August. In this light, it is noteworthy that even economists of the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development consider the Customs
Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan “the first successful example
of economic integration of the post-Soviet states.”