Author: Badalian Vardan

LA PRODUCTION AGRICOLE D’ARMENIE SE DEVELOPPE DE 5,4%

ARMENIE

La production agricole d’Armenie a augmente de 5,4% a 160,8 milliards
de drams en prix courants entre janvier et mai 2014, par rapport a
la meme periode de l’annee precedente selon ArmStat.

La production agricole en mai s’elevait a 49,5 milliards de drams,
soit une augmentation de 8,6% par rapport a mai 2013 et de 38,3%
par rapport au mois precedent.

Selon ArmStat, la production totale de l’agriculture et de la
pisciculture a augmente d’environ 5,2% a environ 121,8 milliards
de drams entre janvier et avril 2014 par rapport a la meme periode
de 2013.

jeudi 18 septembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

NEW ROLE IS IDENTIFIED FOR ARMENIA

Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator
Comments – 17 September 2014, 23:26

The UK Ambassador Katie Leach told reporters they respect Armenia’s
decision to join the Eurasian Union and want to know what duties
Armenia will assume upon membership to this union.

The Armenian public also wants to know the answer to this question but,
apparently, nobody knows the answer.

Membership to any supranational body is usually put to a referendum,
at least if the state considers itself democratic. And one of the
most important meanings of this process is that before a referendum
the public is explained in detail what awaits the state and every
citizen upon membership to that body.

Armenia will soon join the Eurasian Economic Union, whereas the
citizens of Armenia still do not know what is awaiting them there.

Meanwhile, after membership a lot of decisions on Armenia will be
made upon the consent of other states, including Russia, Kazakhstan
and Belarus.

There is not a single word about what part of sovereignty of Armenia
will be ceded to the supranational body and decisions on what issues
will be made collegially.

Interestingly, the citizens, the UK ambassador, maybe other diplomats
and subjects dealing with Armenia want to get the answer to this
question but the political subjects of Armenia do not seem to be
interested to know.

The Armenian government may have answered this question had it known
the answer. This does not mean that Yerevan does not know what is
awaiting us in the Eurasian Economic Union. However, knowing what
is awaiting us there is one thing and participating in shaping
expectations and decisions is another thing.

Perhaps, this is what the UK ambassador thinks when she wonders
what the duties of Armenia are going to be. In other words, will
Armenia have the authority and ability to make decisions within the
Eurasian Economic Union or will it be a so-called quorum for Russia,
expecting that Russia will conduct a milder policy on Armenia within
the Eurasian Economic Union?

Because if Armenia is capable of an independent policy, it may aspire
to the role of a focal point for contacts with the EEU. Recently
Commissioner Stefan Fule has spoken about the need for contacts. In
fact, the UK ambassador is hinting this. Katie Leach says they will
wait until the duties of Armenia are finalized and are ready for
economic cooperation.

LE CATHOLICOS DE TOUS LES ARMENIENS RECOIT DES PELERINS CATHOLIQUES D’ITALIE

ARMENIE

Le 6 Septembre, Sa Saintete Karekine II, Patriarche supreme et
Catholicos de tous les Armeniens ; a recu un groupe de pèlerins
catholiques conduits par le cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, archeveque de
Genes, Ils se sont rencontres dans la bibliothèque Vatche et Tamar
Manoukian du Saint Siège d’Etchmiadzine.

Se felicitant de la visite des pèlerins, le Catholicos armenien a
d’abord rappele l’importance de faire des pèlerinages en Armenie par
les differentes communautes et les organisations des Eglises soeurs.

Sa Saintete a parle du chemin admirable du peuple armenien, en notant
avec satisfaction l’importante mission et le rôle du christianisme
dans la formation de l’identite de la nation armenienne. Il a note
qu’en raison de la puissance de la foi chretienne, le peuple armenien
a surmonte toutes les calamites et aujourd’hui a cree la vie dans un
Etat independant.

Lors de la reunion, le Catholicos de tous les Armeniens a reflechi sur
la cooperation fructueuse entre les Eglises soeurs et la Sainte Eglise
apostolique armenienne, qui est marque par la chaleur fraternelle et
diverses initiatives de salut des âmes.

Le Cardinal Bagnasco a exprime sa gratitude a Sa Saintete, sur la
possibilite de visiter le centre spirituel de tous les Armeniens.

A l’issue de la reunion, Sa Saintete a souleve ses prières a Dieu
Tout-Puissant, demandant que par la grâce du Tout-Puissant, l’Eglise du
Christ supporte sans cesse, et avec un esprit fraternel et grâce aux
efforts combines, les defis de la vie. Il a prie pour que l’humanite
vive dans la paix et le bonheur dans un monde meilleur et plus beau.

mardi 16 septembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

IRAVUNK: DISAGREEMENTS MOUNT BETWEEN HAKOBYAN AND POSTANJYAN

11:52 16/09/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Citing its sources, Iravunk writes that Heritage parliamentary faction
head Ruben Hakobyan and Zaruhi Postanjyan, who has recently returned
from the United States, have rather complicated relations.

“Postanjyan constantly creates awkward situations, slamming the four
non-government factions, as well as states that the party should
oppose to the constitutional reforms, but Ruben Hakobyan is committed
to more constructive approaches,” writes the newspaper.

Source: Panorama.am

PROS AND CONS – ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT FACTIONS’ VISIONS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. A constitutional reform is being
currently elaborated in Armenia. The final document is not ready
yet; even then it has already given rise to heated discussions,
particularly on transfer to parliamentary system. All six parliament
factions presented their vision for the reform at a briefing on Friday.

Background: Under a decree of the Armenian president of September 4,
2013, a professional commission was set up to develop a constitutional
reform.

The president is expected to sign the reform concept in October. The
draft reform package should be submitted within ten months after the
concept is approved by the president.

Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan made a statement saying he would
not run for president anymore. He also said he would not run for
premier’s office either if the parliamentary system is picked.

According to Sargsyan, the current system is most acceptable for
Armenia in this stage.

Off-power coalition – There is no constitutional crisis today Head
of Heritage faction Ruben Hakobyan said on Friday the constitutional
reform is a priority to the Armenian authorities.

“In fact, there is no constitutional crisis leading to need for such
hasty changes, but there is a political crisis the leadership wants to
divert population’s attention from through a constitutional reform”,
Hakobyan said Hakobyan expressed hope the four off-power parties will
reach consensus on the reform issue.

Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutiun
faction Aghvan Vardanyan said the current constitution provides room
for reproduction of power, hence reforms are needed to prevent it
in the future and to reduce personal factors that influence decision
making.

Head of the Armenian National Congress faction Levon Zurabyan refrained
to comment on the upcoming reform and said his party’s position is
well known.

“I want to mention only that the authorities will not be able to sow
discord within the off-power coalition using disagreements on the
constitutional reform”, Zurabyan said.

Member of Prosperous Armenia party Vahe Hovhannisyan said the changes
proposed do not fill in the gaps in the current constitution and
reminded that the authorities were against the parliamentary system
at the time.

Under the current “neither peace, nor war” conditions it is necessary
to maintain the presidential or semi-presidential governance to ensure
prompt and efficient response if a military conflict is unleashed,
Hovhannisyan said. Yet, he said, the party refrains from detailed
comments before the proposed changes are clear.

Cautious approach preferred Head of Orinats Yerkir faction Heghine
Bisharyan, in her turn, said the faction is not rushing into comments
on the upcoming reform.

“We are not familiar with the content of the reform and wait for
discussions to give our conclusion afterwards”, she said.

The faction members believe the constitutional reform discussions are
premature due to other more serious pending problems in the country.

–0–

ARMENIE
Les dirigeants des partis de l’opposition discutent d’une manifestation commune

Le Chef du Congrès national Arménien (ANC), Levon Ter-Petrossian et le
magnat Gagik Tsarukyan, qui dirige le parti “non gouvernemental”
Arménie prospère (PAP), se sont réunis mardi pour discuter des
préparatifs pour un rassemblement commun dans lequel deux autres
factions minoritaires devraient également participer.

Dans une déclaration conjointe l’ANC et le PAP ont déclaré que lors de
la réunion Ter-Petrossian et Tsarukyan ont réaffirmé leur opposition
aux modifications constitutionnelles proposées par le gouvernement.

Armenian wrestler reaches finals at Greco-Roman style World Championship

15:27 * 14.09.14

Armenian Greco-Roman style wrestler, European Champion Artur Alexanyan
had a bout with Ghasem Rezaei (Iran) in the semifinals at the
Greco-Roman style World Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Armenian athlete won 3:1 and reached the finals.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Armenian-Belarusian agricultural enterprise to be set up in Gyumri

14:39, 13 September, 2014

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Armenian-Belarusian cooperation will be
expanded in the direction of strengthening of the economic ties, National
Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov said at a press conference at
the National Assembly after the 8th sitting of the Armenian-Belarusian
Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation.

There are three issues on the agenda – expansion of trade and economic
cooperation, cooperation of MPs of our countries at parliamentary summits
and the events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the World War II,
Eduard Sharmazanov told Armenpress.

According to him, the parties concluded that for activation of economic
cooperation the members of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee should get
involved in the works of the committee. “There is an initial agreement to
set up a joint agricultural enterprise in near future in Gyumri,” said NA
Deputy Speaker.

“My partner stressed that Belarus is for peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict. We have adopted a joint statement, where we consider any
expression of fascism, racism, nazism and xenophobia unacceptable,” he said.

Armenia president opens Gyumri Technopark – Photos

13:35, 13.09.2014

GYUMRI. – President Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday participated in the
opening of Technological Center (Technopark) in Gyumri, Armenia’s
second largest city.

The President was accompanied by Deputy PM Armen Gevorgyan, Economy
Minister Karen Chshmarityan, officials from Gyumri and Shirak Region.

In 2014 the center will organize trainings on engineering, multimedia,
web, mobile, business skills.

Enterprise Incubator Foundationhead Bagrat Yengibaryan noted that
after 700-million investment and 6-year preparatory work, the Gyumri
Technopark opened its doors for the IT industry, and similar centers
will be opened in Vanadzor and Stepanakert in the future.

“This is the first move on the way of turning Armenia into Silicon
Valley,” he said.

Authoritative international companies will work in the Technopark, and
the leadership is currently holding talks with National Instruments,
Clean Tech and Nokia, Yengibaryan added.

The technological center will provide information and incubator
services to the startups to promote their production and help with
exporting it abroad.

Gyumri technology center was founded as a result of cooperation
between the Armenian government, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, and
the World Bank.

Around 300 experts will be trained at the center which has 60
employees and 100 students at the moment.

In Armenia The Kid Is Prosecuted For Not Betraying His Father

Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview – 13 September 2014, 12:34

Ruzanna, the prosecutor has demanded a severe punishment for Shant
Harutiunyan and your son. In your opinion, what is the reason for such
tough punishment and is the government really afraid of Shant and his
friends?

If you pay attention to the time when charges were brought against
Shahen Harutiunyan [the son of Shant Harutiunyan and Ruzanna Badalyan
– ed.], five months past 5 November 2013, the government is definitely
after something. There was only one act, he hit the policeman once,
and all the cameras shot it. Since then no new circumstance or episode
of crime has become known. Over these five months there have been a
number of cases that caused serious concerns. I even held a press
conference. Unknown people intimidated Shahen at school and at the
entrance of the house. In Metro the plainclothes policeman pushed him
to the ground, nobody has been held responsible for this violence.
Eventually, charges were brought against him. I felt there was
pressure on him. It is clear that Shahen was charged to put pressure
on Shant, to silence him. But then they saw that Shant would not go
silent, and Shahen, despite his young age, does not stop fighting,
grows up and is determined to continue the cause of his father and
grandfather.

Imprisonment for five years for a single punch for his and his
father’s defense demonstrates that this is persecution against a
teenage boy. The government that has usurped power is growing brazen.

In your opinion, does the instruction on severe punishment for Shant
and his friends come from Moscow or inside?

Shant is fighting against the Customs Union. The Customs Union does
not support the values for which Shant and his friends are fighting
for. Russia is so demoralized today that it is simply unable to
support those values. Russia is not the country towards which we
should be walking. Besides, historically the interests of this state
have never matched the interests of our country. Unfortunately, very
few forces act against the Customs Union, including Paruir Hairikyan’s
National Self-Determination Union and some individuals. Today the
government sees more danger coming from Shant because he makes
revolutionary calls. Apparently, the Armenian government wants to pass
the way to the Customs Union smoothly, and Shant is a hindrance, so
they may fear him. Shant and his friends took to the street for their
political goals and ideas and are now undergoing persecution.

There is no single legal fact that they committed one crime or
another. If a person is dissatisfied with the government and takes to
the street, tries to bring his ideas into being through different
methods, save the country and cannot achieve anything, the time of
revolution comes. And there are different forms of revolutions. In
court Shant Harutiunyan brought Ukraine’s example that in the
beginning Yanukovytch punished Maidan’s activists, revolutionaries
like criminals because he was stronger, but when Maidan became
stronger and won, they became heroes, and Yanukovytch fled from the
country.

Today Shant and his friends are called bullies and are punished
because the opposite side is stronger. If the Armenian people were a
little more viable and won, the situation would have been different.
Even the boys picked up sticks and hit, they did it for their ideas,
there is no doubt. All revolutions involve pressure and non-legitimate
steps. Simply our society is indifferent but if our society stands up
one day, our boys will get out of prison and win.

How is Shahen feeling? Is he distressed by the thought that he may be
sent to prison?

Of course, he is not. It may sound pompous if I say that his ideas
empower him but it is true. He has grown up on his father’s ideas and
he knows that a person must have principles and make sacrifices for
defending his principles. Of course, he is still a child and he does
not know a lot about prisons, about how it feels to be deprived of
freedom but I am sure that one can hardly find one or two other people
of his age that would so calmly go to prison for five years for the
sake of something.