Author: Babajanian Karo

ARMENIAN OFFICER: RAMIL SAFAROV IS A WASTE MATERIAL FOR AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES

ARMINFO
Wednesday, September 26, 14:23

Ramil Safarov is already a waste material for Azerbaijani authorities,
and his returning to the military service is just an attempt to
make the crime committed by him significant, Armenian officer,
Hayk Makuchayn, a witness of the case on Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan’s murder, said at today’s press-conference.

“Safarov is a stupid subject for usage. Unfortunately, there are many
similar subjects in Azerbaijan”, – Makuchyan said.

As for his plans to appeal to International Tribunal against Safarov,
Makuchyan said the materials of the case are still being investigated.

He also added that a lawsuit will be sent to all possible instances.

To note, Gurgen Margaryan would become 34 years old today.

To recall, on 31 August 2012 Hungarian authorities extradited an
Azerbaijani killer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan where he was pardoned.

ARMENIAN REFEREE IN CHARGE OF GLASGOW CITY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIE

Scottish Football Association
Sept 25 2012

UEFA has appointed Hasnik Gharibyan of Armenia to referee Glasgow
City’s 1st Leg tie in the Round of 32 in the knock-out stages of the
Women’s Champions League tomorrow.

The assistant referees are Knarik Grigoryan and Araksya Saribekyan.

Category 3 Development referee Kylie McMullan is the Fourth Official.

The match is being played at Petershill Park, Glasgow, kick-off 7.00pm.

NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA INTRODUCES NEW INSTRUMENT, FOREIGN CURRENCY BONDS (FX BONDS)

Cbonds. Info
Sept 25 2012

FX bonds are corporate bonds, issued by companies, but nominated and
traded in foreign currency. FX bonds can circulate in exchange market
after being admitted to trading or listed by NASDAQ OMX Armenia.

NASDAQ OMX Armenia will not only create opportunity for issuers and
market participants to place securities and trade in foreign currency,
but also to conclude repurchase agreements (REPO) with new instrument.

Introduction of new instrument is aimed at increasing investment
and capital raising alternatives for public and Armenian companies,
respectively, as well as to stimulate foreign investments to Armenian
securities market.

SOME INDICATORS OF SOUTH CAUCASUS ECONOMIES

The Messenger
Sept 25 2012
Georgia

Azerbaijan is leading in attracting foreign direct investments
in 2006-2011. Altogether Azerbaijan received $41 billion in FDI,
Armenia $7.6 billion and Georgia received $7.3 billion. Foreign trade
turnover compared with GDP, Georgia comes to 64%, in Azerbaijan 51.4%
and in Armenia 51.1%. Foreign trade turnover per capita in Georgia
is $1,538. Georgia is ahead of Armenia which has $1,168 but both lag
behind Azerbaijan which has $3,000.

FRANCE BELIEVES IN SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

Vestnik Kavkaza
Sept 25 2012
Russia

France as one mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement believes
in possibility of progress in the negotiation process and finding a
solution of the long conflict, 1news.az reports.

“Our task is a consolidated message to Azerbaijan and Armenia
encouraging cooperation,” the ambassador of France in Azerbaijan,
Paskal Monier, said. “However, the progress depends on political will
of involvement sides.”

According to him, France can only help to move toward the solution, but
without political will of the sides of the conflict it is impossible.

Monier believes it is wrong to accuse France of absence of enthusiasm
in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. He emphasized that France
is involved into the process of settlement at various levels.

MINISTER FOR EUROPE VISITS YEREVAN

European Union News
September 24, 2012 Monday

The Foreign and Commonwealth office, UK Government has issued the
following press release: Minister for Europe David Lidington met the
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian.

“The UK highly values its relationship with Armenia as we mark twenty
years of our relations” During the meeting with the President both
sides stressed importance of Armenian-UK bilateral relations. Serzh
Sargsyan expressed his hope that the visit of Mr. Lidington would
become an impetus for the strengthening of the relations and deepening
of cooperation between two countries. He highlighted the importance
of cooperation between Armenia and Great Britain in the framework of
relations with the European Union. Mr. Lidington mentioned that the
UK is deeply grateful for the contribution that Armenia continues to
make to the peace-keeping forces in Afghanistan and was impressed by
the progress Armenia had made in developing closer ties with the EU
and NATO.

Receiving David Lidington in Armenian Government building the
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stressed that the level of the
Armenian-British economic cooperation is increasing and in this
context. He also briefed the Minister on the reforms taking place in
Armenia, directed at the development of small and medium businesses,
reduction of tax and customs administration and creation of free
economic zones. The Foreign Office Minister said that he is very
pleased to see a whole range of British brands in Yerevan and
stressed the importance of strengthening commercial ties between UK
and Armenia. At the Ministry of Foreign affairs Armenian Minister
Edward Nalbandian and Mr. Lidington discussed ways of further deepen
cooperation in political, scientific, educational, cultural and other
spheres. Minister Nalbandian said, “This year we celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Armenia and the United Kingdom and we can state that the cooperation
between the sides is on a sustainable basis.” In response the Minister
said “United Kingdom considers Armenia as a long-term and valuable
partner and his visit is aimed at the provision of a new impetus to
the cooperation with Armenia”. Mr Nalbandyan presented the current
stage of the negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue. He touched upon the damage to regional stability and security
caused by the release of Ramil Safarov. The Minister for Europe
responded that the United Kingdom fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group
processes. He mentioned that the UK shares the provisions in the
statements of the European Union, Council of Europe and OSCE Minsk
Group over the release of Ramil Safarov. During his two day visit
he met with leading businessmen to better understand the economic
opportunities presented by Armenia for both trade and investment. He
also discussed increasing awareness of the human rights situation in
Armenia and exchanged views on regional and international issues with
well-known Armenian analysts. During the reception organised by the
Armenian British Business Chamber the Minister stressed that he wants
to look at how to build further economic and commercial relations
between the UK and Armenia and that now the British Government is
working on bringing out a business mission to Yerevan in November.

MUSIC SCHOOL TO BE FOUNDED BY SPONSORSHIP OF ROCK STARS AND BENEFACTORS FROM DIASPORA

22:59 | 2012-09-25 | Armenia | Society |

Today by the membership of deputy PM Armen Gevorgyan the construction
of the last cottage-like musical school in Gyumri launched. Situated in
Noravan district, the musical school is being built by the sponsorship
of Ian Gillan. Tony Iommi, Jeff Downs as well as American- Armenian
benefactors Edward and Janet Mardigians.

On this account great role belongs to “Mediamax” agency, who invited
Jan Gillan from “Deep Purple”. Tony Iommi from “Black Sabbath” and
Jeff Downs from “Yes/Asia” in 2009. Visiting the school that was in
the poorest marz of the country, the rock celebrities wanted to give
a present to the children. That’s why Armenian Aid Fund, “Mediamax”
and “Do something” organization have signed a contract. The singers
gathered money by their concerts and CDs, and this money was tripled
by Mardigyan family. The building will be ready by the end of 2013,
450 thousand US dollar will be spent on it. The director of the school
said that they are in cottage already 23 years. The school has 220
pupils, whose talent made to reconstruct the school.

TAX AUTHORITY FINES 78 YEAR-OLD WOMAN; WITHHOLDS 1/3 OF PENSION
Grisha Balasanyan

;-withholds-1/3-of-pension.html
11:32, September 25, 2012

Armenia’s tax authorities have come down hard on 78 year-old pensioner
Raya Prazyan.

For the past two months they’ve been withholding 10,000 AMD of her
31,000 monthly pension as administrative penalties.

Mrs. Prazyan resides in the Kakhagn village in Gegharkouniq Province.

We met her in the village’s only store, where she spends most of
her day.

The store serves as her only place to socialize since she has no
relatives or close friends in the village.

Mrs. Prazyan told us that she us used to own a small stall by the
school and sold candy and cakes to the kids. She added that up until
2006, when the store was ransacked and robbed, she would pay all her
taxes on time.

After the robbery, she simply stopped running the small stall. No
one told her that she was required to file a notice to that effect
with the tax authorities.

Earlier this year, Mrs. Prazyan received a notice from the Vardenis tax
office stating that they were fining her 500,000 AMD on an installment
basis. They would be withholding 10,000 every month until the total
about was paid.

“What will I eat after they hold 1/3 of my pension. That works out
to less than 1,000 a month. Do I have to go out and collect wood to
live,” asked an emotional Mrs. Prazyan.

The senior citizen lives alone. Her only child, a daughter, lives
in Russia. There is no one to assist Mrs. Prazyan who has limited
mobility due to the swelling in her feet and ankles.

While the state has seen fit to cut the senior’s pension by 1/3,
it has yet to make good on its obligation to repair the roof of Mrs.

Prazyan’s house damaged in a 2008 storm. The house is uninhabitable
and the woman now lives in house that a neighbor has temporarily
placed at her disposal.

Neighbors say that they have applied to all appropriate government
agencies to no avail. No one from the government has even inquired
as to her housing situation.

We spoke with village Mayor Gagik Petrosyan. He could offer little
in the way of details regarding Mrs. Prazyan’s current dilemma.

When we asked if the village municipality was assisting the woman
in her time of need, Petrosyan replied that the village was in no
financial condition to help.

“We cannot help her. The municipality is in need of assistance
itself. We can’t even pay back wages. Mrs. Prazyan has every right
to protest. She’s a pensioner in a tight squeeze,” commented Mayor
Petrosyan.

ARMENIAN MINISTER OF DIASPORA HOSTED THE CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN YOUTH UNION IN JERUSALEM

ARMENPRESS
25 September, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Minister of Diaspora
Hranush Hakobyan hosted the Chairman of Armenian Youth Union in
Jerusalem Hakob Andriasian on September 25. As Armenpress was informed
from the Ministry of Diaspora Hakob Andriasian has presented a list of
issues of Armenian community in Jerusalem, which are mainly connected
with the preservation of national identity and national language. The
Chairman expressed his willing to draft some projects for Armenian
Youth in Jerusalem. Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan expresses
willingness over these suggestions. Possible options were outlined
at the end of the meeting.

ARMENIAN SERVICEMAN KILLED ON FRONTLINE – MOD

news.am
September 25, 2012 | 18:05

YEREVAN. – Armenian serviceman Vaghinak Baghdasaryan (born in 1993)
was fatally wounded by an adversary bullet on the frontline at 11.30
on Tuesday, preliminary reports said.

A criminal case was instigated on Article 104, part 2, 13 – murder
out of motives of national, race or religious hate or fanatism and
an investigation is underway, press service of the Armenian Defense
Ministry said.

The site of the incident and the body of the victim were examined
and a forensic-medical examination is appointed.