Author: Badalian Vardan

PRESIDENTS OF IRAN, ARMENIA ASK FOR BROADER COOPERATION IN PHONE TALK

Islamic Republic News Agency
Nov 17 2011

Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA – Presidents of Iran and Armenia in a phone talk
Wednesday evening emphasized need for broader cooperation in political,
economic and cultural fields.

According to the IRNA Wednesday Night News team, the information
website of the President’s Office quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
as saying in the phone talk with his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisian that there are lots of fields for expansion of ties and
cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

President Ahmadinejad added, ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes
expansion of relations between the two countries to maximum possible
level.’

The IRI president meanwhile referred to the record of the historical
and cultural relations between the two nations, reiterating,’
The two nations have affectionate and heartfelt feelings for each
other and this provides a good potential for ever more expansion and
strengthening of bilateral ties.’

The Armenian president, too, in the phone talk referred to the
importance of ever more expansion of comprehensive ties, reiterating,
‘Armenia is interested more than ever before in expansion of
Tehran-Yerevan comprehensive ties, to safeguard the interests of the
two nations, as well as those of the other regional nations.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS THE DEBATE OF 2012 STATE DRAFT BUDGET

National Assembly

Nov 16 2011
Armenia

On November 15 the RA National Assembly continued the work of the
four-day sittings and by voting passed the bills debated on the
previous day, after which the exchange of thoughts on the bill “On
Amending the RA Law On Use of Control Cash Machines”

Before turning to debate by the NA Vice Speaker Samvel Balasanyan the
deputies welcomed the teachers and pupils of Gyumri N 18 School, who
were hosted in the parliament within the NA “Open Lesson” programme.

Vardan Ayvazyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Economic
Affairs, presented the endorsement on the bill.

Then the parliament began the debate of the draft “RA 2012 State
Budget.”

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in his speech has touched upon the
prior directions fixed in the basic document of the coming year, and
the state draft budget is aimed at solving it. And in that aspect he
drew the deputies’ attention to the programme speech of RA President
Serzh Sargsyan, which he had sounded in the Congress of the Armenian
Union of Manufacturer and Businessmen.

It also designed that for ensuring economic sustainability Armenia’s
cooperation with the European Union and the programmes indicated in
that sphere will be of essential importance.

RA Minister of Fiuance Vache Gabrielyan submitted for the deputies’
debate the incomes and expenditures according to spheres designed by
2012 State Draft Budget.

RA Central Bank Chairman Artur Javadyan gave a speech on 2012 State
Draft Budget.

The debate of the budget document will continue at NA November
16 sitting.

In accordance with Rules of Procedure, the parliament extraordinarily
debated the package of the bills “On Amending the RA Law On Minimum
Monthly Salary and “On Amending the RA Law On Income Tax,” submitted
by the ARF faction.

Armen Martirosyan presented the position of the Heritage faction on
the package of the bills.

In the final speech RA Finance Minister Vache Gabrielyan once again
noticed that the state draft budget of the upcoming year has social
orientation, and the allowances and pensions will be raised by 10%.

The last hour of the last sitting, in accordance of NA Rules of
Procedure, was allocated the deputies’ announcements.

ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II EXERCISES INFLUENCE QUIETLY UNLIKE GEORGIAN, RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS

epress.am
01.31.2011

As the “power vertical” is consolidated in the post-Soviet space,
most nonstate institutions are getting weaker, with one interesting
exception: the national churches. In early 2011, the patriarchs have
a spring in their steps, writes senior associate for the Caucasus
with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Thomas de Waal
in The National Interest.

The phenomenon is strongest in Armenia, Georgia and Russia. The
Armenian Catholicos, Karekin II is not just the leader of the Armenian
Gregorian Church but of Armenians worldwide. But he exercises the
enormous influence he has fairly quietly. Ilia II of Georgia (who has
been patriarch of Georgia since 1977) and the patriarch of Moscow,
Kirill I, are more visible and both are shrewd political figures.

You could say that these two patriarchs are possibly the only
untouchable figures in their two countries. In an opinion poll for NDI
last April Patriarch Ilia II won an astonishing 90 percent approval
rating, easily making him the most popular figure in Georgia-and
comfortably outstripping President Mikheil Saakashvili who earned a
positive rating of 58 percent.

Last year the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill I, was in seventh place
in Nezavisimaya Gazeta’s traditional list, compiled by experts,
of Russia’s one hundred leading political figures-no mean feat for
a nonpolitician. Ahead of him were only Vladimir Putin and Dmitry
Medvedev and their closest allies. Behind him in the list were Russia’s
defense and foreign ministers and Alexei Miller, head of Gazprom.

CO-PRINCE OF ANDORRA HOPES FOR STRENGTHENING OF TIES WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 16, 2011 – 16:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Newly-appointed Armenian Ambassador to Andorra
Vigen Chitechian submitted credentials to Joan Enric Vives Sicilia,
Bishop of Urgell and Co-Prince of Andorra.

At the meeting, the parties expressed hope for development of
Armenia-Andorra relations, specifically in the framework of UN,
UNESCO, CoE and International Organization of the Francophonie,
Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

The Ambassador also met with Andorra Foreign Minister Gilbert Saboya
Sunye, with cooperation-related issues on meeting agenda.

ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN TO OPEN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICES IN ARMENIA’S REGIONS

Tert.am
16.11.11

Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia Karen Andreasyan will
receive citizens in six Armenian regions – in Kapan, Nov. 17, in
Yeghegnadzor, Nov. 18, in Gyumri, Nov. 22, in Ijevan, Nov. 24, in
Vanadzor, Nov. 25, and in Gavar, Nov. 29.

The EU Advisory Group is sponsoring the Ombudsman’s visits.

The Armenian Ombudsman also plans to open regional offices next year.

The visits are actually preparations for the opening of human rights
protection office in Armenia’s regions.

The Ombudsman’s visits will be accompanied by roundtables for NGOs
and local administrations. The participants will be informed of the
activities carried out by the Armenian Ombudsman’s office and EU
Advisory Group. A EU Advisory Group representative will present the
EU’s best experience.

Regional NGOs, Counterpart International office in Armenia and USAID
are cooperating with and assisting the Armenian Ombudsman’s office.

Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan is sure that each individual must
be able to protect his or her human rights.

NSC SECRETARY ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN MEETS RUSSIAN EMERGENCY MINISTER

armradio.am
17.11.2011 17:25

Within the framework of the visit to Moscow, Secretary of the National
Security Council of Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan had a meeting with
Sergey Shoygu, Russian Minister for Civil Defense and Emergency
Situations.

The parties discussed a broad range of issues related to the
cooperation in the field of prevention and elimination of emergency
situations. They agreed to work out an action plan for 2012-20113
with a list of measures targeted at the deepening of cooperation and
a timetable of their implementation.

Arthur Baghdasaryan next participated in a roundtable discussion on
“Armenia’s cooperation within the framework of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization.” Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO, Valery
Semerikov, hailed Armenia’s active involvements in the CSTO activity.

Discussed were issues related to the preparation of the military
exercises of the CSTO Rapid Reaction Forces in Armenia in 2012.

ISTANBUL HOSTS HRAIR SARKISSIAN’S EXHIBIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 17, 2011 – 13:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Salt Beyoðlu, Istanbul, is hosting a new exhibition
featuring the works of Hrair Sarkissian.

In Sarkissian’s works, landscape and the urban environment become
stages for the expression of moments in history. Employing traditional
documentary techniques, his photographs express the hidden paradox
existing between the beauty and constancy of the surroundings and
the potential realities they conceal, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

The exhibition will last until the end of December.

A heir of Armenian Genocide survivors, Sarkissian spent two months
in Istanbul in 2010 documenting the history sections of various
semi-private and public libraries and archives in the city, from the
Archaeological Museum and Topkapý Palace Libraries to the Ataturk
Library in Taksim, the Ottoman Archives of the Prime Ministry General
Directorate of State, and the Ottoman Bank Archives and Research
Centre.

Sarkissian studied photography at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in
Amsterdam.

Current exhibitions include the third Thessaloniki Biennale of
Contemporary Art, Greece, (2011) and Facing Mirrors, Thessaloniki
Museum of Photography, Greece (2011).

His recent exhibitions also include Out of Place at TATE Modern,
London, and Darat Al Funun.

The Salt Beyoðlu exhibition is organized with the support of the
Kalfayan Galleries, Athens-Thessaloniki.

“ALCOHOL FANS” AND THE “USURER”

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:21:48 – 17/11/2011

The Armenian press reports that today a scramble has started for
the vacant position of the Speaker of parliament. The most probable
candidate is Vice-Speaker Samvel Nikoyan whom the prime minister
supports, and the Republican Member of Parliament Hermine Naghdalyan
whom Hovik Abrahamyan supports.

The Hraparak Daily reported that Samvel Nikoyan loves alcohol drinks
and often goes our for a drink with journalists. Members of Hermine
Naghdalyan’s Norashen Cooperative accuse her of being a usurer
depriving people of the apartments they bought in this new building.

It is interesting. The prime minister who also likes to get a drink
or two and follows his grandfather’s wise advice not to make friends
with teetotallers supports Samvel Nikoyan. Hovik Abrahamyan supports
someone who is accused of being a usurer.

Yesterday the prime minister said he has no conflicts with Hovik
Abrahamyan. Believing the PM’s words, they need to do everything not
to cause a conflict over the election of speaker considering that
the new speaker will hold this office for a couple of months. Hence,
both Hermine Naghdalyan and Samvel Nikoyan could be simultaneously
appointed to the post of speaker. A similar precedent already exists
in Armenia. The UK has two ambassadors in Armenia. They are a married
couple, of course, but Samvel and Hermine are both Republicans,
ideological friends. Just like Tigran and Hovik.

RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND EU BASED ON COMMON VALUES
Anna Balyan

“Radiolur”
17.11.2011 13:09

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with EU
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine
Ashton. Minister Nalbandian noted that “integration with the European
family is one of the pivotal directions of Armenia’s foreign policy,”
adding that “the cooperation is expanding and deepening year by year.”

“Our relations are based on the same value system, and we are resolute
to implement consistent reforms in compliance with European standards,”
Minister Nalbandian stated.

At a joint press conference Catherine Ashton praised the progress in
Armenia-EU relations based on common values.

The EU High Representative noted that the negotiations on the
facilitation of the visa regime are not drugging out. We are regulating
some technical issues, which requires time, he said.

Will the financial crisis affect the allocation of financial assistance
to the countries of the Eastern Partnership? “There is a great wish
to keep the promises,” Ashton said.

“We often say in capitals of European countries that we want to
strengthen relations, she said adding that Ashton said the financial
factor is not the only important thing in relationship.

“After the conclusion of the free trade agreement our partners will
have an opportunity to cooperate with 350 Armenian companies in the
field of high technologies and agriculture,” she said.

Edward Nalbandian informed that the level, the achievements and
issues of Armenia-EU relations will be discussed at the EU-Armenian
Cooperation Council sitting in a week.

No reference was made to the Karabakh issue.

ARMENIA FUND REVITALIZES ONE OF SHOUSHI’S OLDEST VILLAGES

asbarez
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Construction in Shoushi is part of Armenia Fund’s projects

Among the many rural communities in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(Artsakh) facing the possibility of depopulation is the village of
Mets Shen, which is the oldest settlement in the Shoushi Region. It
has a population of 119, most of whom are seniors.

The village economy is small and consists primarily of bee-keeping,
agriculture, and cattle-breeding. Over the years, the community has
seen serious declines in these key sectors, largely because the next
generation is leaving at alarming rates.

Like many others in rural Armenia, the youth of Mets Shen have been
leaving in search of opportunity and something more than what their
hometowns are able to offer.

For years, Mets Shen has lacked the necessary funding to build public
institutions to support civic life and community development. The
mayor’s office is in the town’s dilapidated telephone station, its
health clinic is in a run-down hospital, and the library is nothing
more than a room in the community’s aging school. Mets Shen doesn’t
even have a public hall to host gatherings or community events.

The village mayor, Mikayel Ossipyan, sees these issues as the
principal reasons behind the community’s population problems. “Few
young people remain in the village while the problems we face as a
community persist,” Ossipyan explains.

But thats all about to start changing soon. Armenia Fund is nearing
completion on the construction of a community center for Mets Shen.

The project is being sponsored by Armenia Fund Lebanon and individual
donors in Armenia and Artsakh. Once complete, the two-story, 195
square-meter building, will house the mayor’s office, a medical clinic,
library, and community hall. The facility will also include training
centers for vocational skills and handicrafts.

The center represents a new beginning for the village, according
to Mayor Ossipyan, who explains how the project is kick starting
other major efforts to rebuild this community. “The community center
will revitalize the village and I’m hopeful that our youth will stay
put,” he says. “We’re also working hard to address the potable-water
issue, all in a concerted effort to prevent our village from being
depopulated.”

Armenia Fund believes that community centers are crucial to the social
and economic development of rural regions in Armenia and Artsakh. They
help provide public services, foster a more dynamic civic life, and
ultimately give residents with one more compelling reason to continue
living and working in their hometowns.

As such, Armenia Fund deeply believes that the preservation and
revitalization of any community depends not only on its schools,
hospitals and access to resources, but also on the health of its
civil society.