Author: Badalian Vardan

BEGINNING OF TALKS WITH PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN

Office of the President

Russia
Oct 24 2011

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Mr President,

I wish you a warm welcome to the Kremlin. This visit has the status of
state visit and therefore is a special occasion. It also symbolises
of course the strategic partnership that binds Russia and Armenia
and showcases the recent achievements we consider most important.

As this is a state visit, one expects to see all of the ceremony
and fine surroundings that traditionally go with such events, but
at the same time, there is also a purely working side to this visit,
as we will hold wide-ranging talks today, one on one, and in expanded
format, on all of the various aspects of our bilateral cooperation,
interregional cooperation, our economic and military-technical ties,
and our diverse relations in general. We will also examine the
priorities for our work together in regional forums, including the
alliances we take part in, such as the CSTO. We will discuss other
matters too.

I am very pleased that you are making this big, full-fledged visit.

Today, you have already given a lecture, and you will have many other
opportunities to meet and discuss matters with your government and
parliamentary colleagues here.

Once again, I welcome you to Moscow. This is a particularly important
year in the history of our relations because it has been marked by
a number of major decisions for the multifaceted ties and alliance
between our countries.

I welcome you once more and wish you successful work and a good stay
here in Moscow.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN: First of all, thank you very
much, Mr President, for the invitation to make this state visit to
Russia. I agree with you that it reflects the special nature of our
relations. This is the first such visit in our two countries’ history,
and I am grateful for this opportunity of course.

We are happy with the current level of political dialogue. Whether
at the presidential, government, or ministerial level, we have an
atmosphere in which we can discuss any questions, and I think this
is the most important thing in relations between friends.

Our economic relations are showing quite good development. Our
bilateral trade and investment are growing from year to year despite
the crisis, and I can’t tell you just how important this is for
Armenia, which is still in a semi-blockaded situation.

I am pleased that we are to sign today a major agreement on
humanitarian cooperation, because this is also a very important
sector. We place great importance indeed on this, and so I have come
with a good mood.

Thank you for the warm reception and for all the attention you have
given us.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Thank you, Mr President. Let’s begin work.

MEDVEDEV, SARGSYAN SIGN BILATERAL AGREEMENTS

Vestnik Kavkaza
Oct 24 2011

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is on a visit to Russia where he
signed a set of bilateral deals on October 23-25, News.am reports.

The documents concern the humanitarian sphere. Russia and Armenia
will provide each other land for diplomatic missions. A protocol
on amendments to the double taxation deal on income and property
of December 28, 1996, was signed. The Russian Ministry for Sports,
Tourism and Youth Policy and the Armenian Ministry for Sports and
Youth Affairs signed a deal on cooperation. The Federal Service for
Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Welfare of Russia and
the Armenian Healthcare Ministry signed a cooperation memorandum for
infections. The Foreign Ministry signed a cooperation memorandum and
a consultation plan for2012-2013.

ARMENIA’S 2012 BUDGET ALLOCATES 7% MORE FUNDS FOR SCIENCE

Tert.am
24.10.11

Armenia’s 2012 budget allocates 1.1 billion (approx $2.9 million)
more drams for science to a total of 10.3 billion, Chairman of the
State Committee of Armenia’s Ministry of Education and Science has aid.

Speaking to reporters Samvel Harutyunyan said that the amount of the
added funs make 7% increase compared to the 9.4 billion dram spent
on science last year.

According to him, this will bring about a 7% increase in payments in
the sector, adding that a portion of the funds will be used to boost
international programs, assuming that each dollar spent will have a
$3 return.

Harutyunyan attached importance to the cooperation of private sector
with science, noting that it has become what he called “more mannerly
and realizes the profits it can have through cooperation with science”.

Further, he said that in developed countries state investments in the
sphere of science do not usually exceed 15-20% and the rest is financed
by private sector which contributes the development of science.

He also pointed to the fact that Armenia is the first in CIS countries
with the quantity of highly-qualified scientific works and the number
of their citations, exceeding Russia by around 10-15%.

“But I do not consider this a serious achievement: we can do more,
especially when the Candle and the nuclear medicine programs are
implemented,” said he.

MONTREAL MAYOR TO VISIT ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
October 24, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay is
going to visit Armenia. Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan will receive him
October 27. Press service of Yerevan Mayor’s Office told Armenpress
that on the same day the Montreal Mayor will visit Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial Complex and Armenian Genocide Institute-Museum.

FERTILIZER MARKET IN ARMENIA CREATES AN ARTIFICIAL SHORTAGE – HEAD OF THE UNION

/ARKA/
October 24, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 24. /ARKA/. Short-sighted statements of the officials
on reducing the cost of fertilizers in Armenia this year led to an
artificial shortage of fertilizers in the market by 20%, said the
head of Agrarian Association of Armenia Hrach Berberyan.

If the retail price for fertilizer was 7100-7200 drams, in summer
it was 9-10 thousand drams. In the villages the price of nitrogenous
fertilizers was 15 thousand drams.

“The State made an attempt to interfere in business and the price
of fertilizers increased by 30. What happened? Some state officials
decided to take this business in their hands and the importers who
have stabilized the situation in the market after the previous years,
the state implemented the import of fertilizers in the grant funds,
as a result refused to import fertilizers”, said Berberyan..

Now winter crops are in danger as minimum 150 kilogram fertilizers
for 1 ha was calculated but it was not implemented.

The Ministry has already introduced the full package of initiatives,
particularly in importing to the country VAT is withdrawn for all
types of fertilizers. Moreover, the government allocated 50 million
drams for the production of 20 tons of highly effective fertilizer –
“Azoceovit” (10 liters per 1 ha). This amount was distributed to the
poorest communities in debt, so that after the sale of the harvest
they return their cost.

Berberyan said that the Agrarian Union filed a complaint of 20 farms
of the village Dashk of Armavir region which were dissatisfied with
the fertilizers received in the frames of this program.

“I don’t want to doubt about the quality of fertilizers but we have
already requested an explanation from the manufacturer. The fertilizers
may be incorrectly used as they have been distributed out of abundance,
and we sent the samples to the laboratory to Netherlands and expect
an answer”, he said.

Berberyan said that the cost of the fertilizer was 2500 per 1 liter
and for 1 ha 10 liters is needed. ($1 – 377.98 drams).

ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT’S EMPLOYEES TO HAVE THEIR WAGES INCREASED BY 20%

/ARKA/
October 24, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 24. /ARKA/. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
administration decided today to raise wages of those workers and
engineers who earlier submitted their resignations, a source from
the plant told ARKA News Agency.

“The plant’s employees has decided to resume working this night,
since negotiations with the plant’s administration and the energy
minister have resulted in 20% wage rise,” the source said.

Lusine Harutyunyan, press secretary of the energy and natural resources
ministry, responding to ARKA News Agency’s request, confirmed this
information adding that official report will be released very soon.

Some 158 workers and engineers unhappy about their salaries submitted
their resignations to the plant’s administration on September 20.

Reports in Armenian media in late September said the re-launch of
the plant was under threat after 158 workers submitted resignation
applications demanding an increase in their wages. The plant is
scheduled to resume operating on October 27 upon completion of a
regular repair.

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the only nuclear power plant in
the South Caucasus, which accounts for about 40 percent of Armenia’s
electricity, is located in Metsamor, some 30 kilometers west of
Yerevan.

The plant was launched in 1997. Now only the second, 107.5-megawatt
unit of the plant operates. It generates about 50% of the country’s
electricity.

The plant’s financial flows have been managed since 2003 by Russian
Inter RAO UES, owned by Russian Rosatom.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS ARE ‘FROZEN ISSUE’ ON ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT’S AGENDA

Tert.am
24.10.11

The Armenian-Turkish protocols are a “burden” on the Armenian
Parliament’s agenda, passing from one session to another, Stepan
Safaryan, Chairman of the Heritage parliamentary group, stated in
Parliament.

He asked if the political majority plans to remove the issue from
the agenda. Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said that the issue is within
the president’s frame of reference. “I am sure that he, being aware
of all the steps, will settle the issue in the course of time. He is
responsible for foreign policy and is better informed. If time comes,
a relevant proposal will certainly be put forward. So the protocols
are a ‘frozen issue’ on the agenda,” Abrahamyan said.

MOSCOW’S BLESSED CATHEDRAL: SARGSYAN ATTENDS CEREMONY AT LARGEST CHURCH COMPOUND OUTSIDE ARMENIA

News | 24.10.11 | 11:47

Photo:

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Moscow on a state visit
attended October 23 the ceremony of blessing of the newly constructed
Armenian Apostolic Church compound in Moscow and the ceremony of
consecration of the doom cross of the Cathedral, the press service
of the Armenian president reported.

Enlarge Photo President Serzh Sargsyan and his wife Rita Sargsyan
and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attend the Cathedral dome
cross consecration ceremony in Moscow

The Armenian Church compound built in the center of Moscow occupies
territory of 1.32 hectares. The construction work based on a new
design commenced in 2006. The compound comprises the Cathedral, a
small Saint Cross church, the building of the Diocese administration,
reception and conference halls, and a museum. The structure is built
in the traditions of the Armenian national architecture. The Cathedral
is built of the rose-colored tuff, while the other structures – in
light apricot color tuff. The tuff has been delivered from the town
of Ani. The gem of the compound – Cathedral of rose-colored tuff –
is girded with crosses, statues and Mesporian letters.

The construction works of the Cathedral have been concluded and
now finishing works of the interior of the Cathedral and adjacent
structures are underway.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 21, 2011

_______________________________________________

A Celebration of Marriages at Holy Trinity Church IN CAMBRIDGE, MA

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass., on
Sunday, October 16, as the community came together for a special celebration
in its yearlong observance of the church’s 50th anniversary.

Titled “A Day of Celebrating Marriages,” the gathering recognized couples
who were married at Holy Trinity Church over the past five decades.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and at the conclusion of
the service offered a blessing to the couples and their families.

In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian reflected on this year’s Diocesan theme
of “Ministry of the Faithful,” and noted that marriage is itself a ministry,
which encapsulates the spirit of the call to serve the Lord.

“Whenever two souls come together to form a single unit, it demands courage,
humility, sacrifice, and faith from both parties,” Archbishop Barsamian
said. “Each member in a marriage cares for, comforts, and supports the
other-and this activity is almost a perfect illustration of what true
ministry in Christ represents.”

The Primate also blessed the church’s wedding crowns, which recently
received a fresh layer of gold plating. During a champagne reception held
later in the afternoon, the crowns were at the center of an arrangement of
wedding photographs highlighting the many families that began their journey
at Holy Trinity Church.

David Maher, the mayor of Cambridge, extended congratulatory remarks to the
parish on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Parish delegate James
Kalustian also offered a toast to Archbishop Barsamian on the occasion of
his 40th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood and his 60th
birthday.

“What better way to honor our parish’s 50th anniversary than celebrating
with our Primate,” said the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, parish pastor. “What
was particularly joyful to witness was the fellowship that took place during
our reception-it resembled a family reunion.”

Holy Trinity Church was originally located on Shawmut Avenue in Boston. But
as families began moving to the suburbs in the boom of the post-war years,
the parishioners decided to relocate their church to Cambridge, where the
present building was consecrated in September 1961.

The parish is planning additional events as part of the 50th anniversary
year, with a series of programs scheduled for the spring and fall of 2012.

###

Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses Holy Trinity Church’s wedding
crowns, which recently received a fresh layer of gold plating.
Photo 2: Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian with altar servers at
Holy Trinity Church.

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Regional and Local Perspectives on Social Cohesion

Yerevan, 19 October 2011 – An estimated 35 percent of people in the
post-socialist countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are excluded
from society, ranging from 12 percent of the population in The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to 72 percent in Tajikistan.

UNDP’s Regional Human Development Report (RHDR) on social inclusion:
Beyond Transition: Towards Inclusive Societies looks at the vicious
cycle of poverty from the perspective of those who experience it
firsthand. It turns out that poverty is not just about money and
income.

“The report intends to initiate a discussion in the region and beyond
and focuses on what excludes people, and the ways that they can be
included in society. In our view, this is a promising way to achieve
our ultimate goal – improved human development through social
inclusion,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP
Resident Representative in Armenia, during the launch of the RHDR at
“Erebuni-Plaza” Business Center in Yerevan.

According to data collected in a six country study (Kazakhstan,
Moldova, Serbia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Tajikistan, and Ukraine) – in all countries but Tajikistan, access to
social services rather than economic exclusion was the biggest reason
people are left out of society. The surveys carried out in these
countries suggest that the elderly, children, youth, those living in
rural areas, and the unemployed and undereducated are being left out
of society.

Recommendations from the report include improved vocational education
and active labor market policies, radical improvement of services for
the elderly, and a region-wide overhaul of social protection, as
current social policies do not promote social inclusion. The report
also calls for each country in the region to develop a strategy to
promote social inclusion, based on involvement of people and groups
who are experiencing social exclusion.

“We want policy makers to know that they can help to lift people out
of poverty by increasing access to income, social services and social
networks,” said Balazs Horvath, UNDP Poverty Practice Leader in the
Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS.

As part of UNDP “Enhancing Dialogue and Trust Building in Armenia”
project, the social cohesion study in Armenia was also launched. The
research was carried out by UNDP, in partnership with the Caucasus
Resource Research Center (CRRC), and is the first comprehensive study
on social cohesion in contemporary Armenian society.

The nationwide survey was conducted with 3,200 adults over the age of
18 years old. UNDP’s goal was to initiate an in depth assessment of
the status of social cohesion based on quantitative and qualitative
surveys and consultations. In other words, the research gives, for the
first time, an understanding of social cohesion that is based on solid
evidence and analysis. The research identifies practical ways and
recommendations to improve social cohesion and calls for a renewed
local and national collaboration as the way forward.

The study has revealed that Armenia has a huge resource of social
cohesion at the level of families, local neighborhoods and
communities. However, this resource is almost solely utilized to
address the problems of individuals or families. At the level of
community infrastructure, this resource remains idle, primarily due to
the lack of ownership of anything which goes beyond households,
e.g. community roads, school playgrounds, public parks or forests
adjacent to communities.

Based on the findings of the research, the spirit of survey’s
recommendations to policy makers on national and local levels is that
any projects aimed at improving the lives of people – in every sphere
ranging from healthcare to construction – should include careful
planning of interaction with communities to ensure their engagement in
the process and ownership of the results. The implementation of such
policies will not require additional resources, but utilizing the
existing ones, which ultimately will lead to multiplier effects on
community level and beyond.

The study provides with Social Exclusion Index – a tool developed
within the framework of RHDR “Beyond Transition: Towards Inclusive
Societies” – a mechanism for policy makers to consider the social
exclusion component while drafting regional development programs. Its
application for regions in Armenia identifies Yerevan with the lowest
level of social exclusion, while Gegharkunik region has the highest
rate of social exclusion.

“This research is only the very initial step. UNDP expects that it
will trigger a countrywide discourse and more research. To that end,
we will share the available database with the government, think tanks,
universities and research centers across Armenia. UNDP expects this
exercise to influence decision-making processes at all levels with the
ultimate aim to equip national and local authorities with
comprehensive social cohesion strategies,” concluded Dafina Gercheva.

***
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and
connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help
people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries,
working with them on their own solutions to global and national
development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on
the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. UNDP in Armenia was
established in 1993 and supports the Government of Armenia to reach
its own development priorities and the Millennium Development Goals by
2015.