Author: Badalian Vardan

Haykakan Zhamanak: Food prices rise in Armenia, whereas global food prices fall

13:19 30/11/2013 » DAILY PRESS

According to the report of Armenia’s National Statistical Service
released yesterday, prices grew by 6.6% in Armenia in November 2013
compared to November 2012. Food prices grew by 54%.

`At first glance this information cannot be considered extraordinary,
with even higher growth of 71% and 82% recorded by the Statistical
Service in the past months. The problem is not that prices have
decreased as reported by the Statistical Service, although in reality
the price increase process contiues. The main problem is that food
prices rise in Armenia, although global food prices fall.

According to the World Bank data, global food prices fell by 12% in
October 2013 compared to October 2012. Armenia follows the principles
of oligarchy and monopoly rather than the principle of liberal market
economy,’ Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes.

AZERBAÏDJAN
Bakou poursuit la « chasse à l’Arménien »

La « chasse à l’Arménien » se poursuit en Azerbaïdjan avec
l’encouragement des autorités. Vesti.Az se référant à l’information
diffusée sur azerinews.tv affirme que sa rédaction a reçu une pétition
signée par 280 salariés de la polyclinique pour enfants numéro 7 du
quartier Narimanov de Bakou. Cette pétition dénonçait la nomination du
médecin chef de la polyclinique, Lorita Djouvarlinskaïa qui exerçait
auparavant ses fonctions de médecins à la polyclinique pour enfants
numéro 4 de Bakou. Les protestataires écrivent « cette nomination nous
interpelle, car dans notre effectif nous comptons des réfugiés, des
familles de martyrs de la guerre du Karabagh, et jugeons que cette
nomination est une agression à leur encontre. Ces personnes se
demandent pourquoi une polyclinique d’Etat doit être dirigée par une
Arménienne ? Pourquoi nous devons être dirigés par une personne qui
n’a pas apprise notre langue officielle depuis 53 ans ? Lorita
Djouvarlinskaïa est une personne indésirable pour nous et pour tout le
public » écrit la lettre de dénonciation. La rédaction du journal a
alors appelé Lorita Djouvarlinskaïa. Cette dernière s’est déclaré
choquée par cette affaire et confié « Je m’appelle Alieva Lorita
Abdoulkizis, je suis née en 1959 à Bakou. Mon mari est Azéri de la
région de Fizouli et j’ai pris sa nationalité. Je ne sais pas qui a
diffusé la rumeur que j’étais arménienne ? Je n’ai rien d’autre à
rajouter car il m’est difficile de parler sur ces choses ». La
rédaction d’azerinews.tv affirme par ailleurs que Lorita
Djouvarlinskaïa s’exprime en « azéri pur ». La pureté tant de la
langue que de la race…qui est le combat de Bakou dans un pays qui
compte des dizaines de minorités nationales et où plus de la moitié de
la population n’est pas d’origine azérie…

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 30 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

ARMENIA, EU TO BOOST COOPERATION

Shanghai Daily, China
Nov 29 2013

Nov 29,2013

YEREVAN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) — Armenia and the European Union (EU)
have agreed to further develop their cooperation, according to the
official website of Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenia’s main objective is to form functional mechanisms with the EU,
which will reflect the depth of the social, political and economic
relations between Armenia and the EU, while compatible with other
formats of cooperation, Sargsyan said.

“We have high expectations from this summit and view it as an
important stage for developing our relations on more meaningful and
realistic bases”, Sargsyan said in a speech delivered at the two-day
EU Eastern Partnership Summit, which closed on Friday in Vilnius,
capital of Lithuania.

The EU and Armenia released a joint statement at the Vilnius Summit
on Friday, saying that both sides are ready to develop cooperation
further.

The Eastern Partnership was jointly initiated by the EU, its member
states and the Eastern European partner countries, namely Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, in May 2009.

Armenia was previously scheduled to seal an Association Agreement
and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU at the summit.

The EU pulled out from the process after Sargsyan announced Armenia
would join the Customs Union in September.

Georgia and Moldova pre-signed the Association Agreement with the EU
at the Vilnius Summit, but Ukraine failed to.

The EU and Armenia would continue their cooperation in different ways,
officials said.

SHARJAH RULER’S GESTURE UNDERSCORES UAE’S CULTURE OF GIVING

Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE
November 28, 2013 Thursday

ABU DHABI, 28th November, 2013 /WAM/ — The UAE and its leaders are
well known for their philanthropic and charitable ventures in a variety
of fields, both at home and abroad, commented a local newspaper.

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member
and Ruler of Sharjah has funded the refurbishment of a 13th century
Christian monastery in Armenia should come as no surprise, the UAE
and its leaders are well known for their philanthropic and charitable
ventures, ” The National” noted in its today’s editorial.

In Sheikh Sultan s case this generosity has often expressed itself
through his interest in science and culture, the Abu Dhabi-based
English language daily said.

Sheikh Sultan holds a bachelor s degree in agricultural engineering
and a doctorate in history, and last month he was inducted as a member
of the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon.

In accepting the Academy Medal, he stressed the importance of
cultural communication and building “bridges of knowledge” to promote
understanding and tolerance among all cultures.

The donation to the Haghartsin monastery, which Sheikh Sultan visited
in 2005 at the invitation of the former president of Armenia, Robert
Kocharian, underscores that philosophy, and demonstrates his respect
for other religions and for the ties between the two nations, the
paper wrote.

The idea of giving across borders, be they physical or cultural,
is a positive example to us all.

PRESS RELEASE
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
28, Chovelidze street
Tbilisi, 380008, GEORGIA
Tel: ++ 995 32 99 63 28, 995 99 57 77 22
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Web:

Tbilisi, 27 November, 2013

The Second Regional Conference on Environment for the South Caucasus

On November 27 at Bulachauri Green Center the Second Regional Conference on
Environment in South Caucasus within the scope of the EU-funded program
being implemented by the International Organization Mercy Corps and Caucasus
Environmental NGO Network CENN was held.

At the conference a programme Enhancing Local Capacity and Regional
Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation in
Georgia and the South Caucasus presented a general overview of the
programme’s past two years progress and up-to-date achievements.

A broad spectrum of stakeholders attended a conference representing the
Ministries of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan, donor organizations USAID, relevant agencies and international
and local NGOs. The event gathered some 43 professionals and national
authorities from the three Caucasian countries.

The guests from Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Georgian stakeholders
participated in the discussions over the presented results aiming at
enhancing regional cooperation for the mitigation of the climate change
impact on environment and on social and economic situation in the South
Caucasus. The conference participants reviewed the developed municipal CCA
plans and proposed actions against the anticipated environmental and social
impacts in the region in the trans-boundary context. Presentations on the
pilot projects’ progress being implemented by local organizations were
delivered and a replication strategy was discussed along with future
activities and plans.

The conference highlighted the programme developments in participating
countries, and explored possible solutions in an environment of
understanding and joint efforts. The conference served as a good place for
information exchange. Participant’s draw crucial recommendations regarding
local level Climate Change Adaptation Plans to be translated into the
trans-boundary adaptation plans.

Delegation of the European Union to Georgia

38, Nino Chkheidze, 0102 Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel:(+995 32) 294 37 63

Fax:(+995 32) 294 37 68

The European Commission is the EU’s executive body.

“The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to
gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together,
during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of
stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural
diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is
committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and
peoples beyond its borders”.

FSB OFFICER STOLE MONEY OF ARMENIAN NEWSPAPER

Turan Information Agencyzerbaijan
November 27, 2013 Wednesday

Yerevan/27.11.13/Turan:

The head of the Russian-Armenian newspaper, Third Force Plus, has sent
an open letter to the director of the Russian FSB Bortnikov with a
request to invoke the responsibility of the organization’s employee,
Lieutenant Colonel Vadim Pozdyshev.

In July 2011, Pozdyshev was dismissed from his service in the FSB for
the embezzlement of newspaper funds, which were kept in the Moscow
Alpha Bank and earned by the international team of the edition.

“FSB punished him for theft and robbery of the journalists and even
forbade him to travel abroad from the Russian Federation, but they
did not return our money and, to put it mildly, are not in a hurry to.

Moreover, the offender is engaged in employment and transferred to work
at RBEGROUP as head of the analytical department,” the letter said.

As a result, the newspaper was forced to suspend its activities,
and numerous complaints by journalists to the FSB remained unanswered.

Employees of the newspaper are again turning to the head of FSB with a
call to complete the investigation of this case and to restore justice.

“We are not leaving the bright belief that Armenia’s integration
into the Customs, Eurasian and other unions, day and night promoted
by the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, and starting with theft and the
closure of independent Armenian media, is no more than an unfortunate
misunderstanding and not a deliberate policy of infringement of rights
and freedoms of the citizens of Armenia.

We inform you also that we will not tolerate criminal lawlessness of
your employees with artificial delay to resolve the issue, which the
Russian FSB has been demonstrating for more than two years, despite
all the hints and threats from the Russian Embassy in Armenia,” is
said in a message which was signed by the executive director of the
newspaper Nelson Sargsyan and deputy editor Irina Marutian. -02D-

ARMENIA PERMITTED ENLARGEMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE

DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 27, 2013 Wednesday

BYLINE: Tigran Ovanesjan
Source: Izvestia (Moscow issue), November 26, 2013, p. 7

RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA WILL BE ENLARGED AND EXPANDED;
The 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia, will be enlarged.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Armenia will take place
on December 2. The Armenian government permitted the Russian Defense
Ministry to expand the 102nd Russian Military Base. According to what
information is available to this newspaper, eighteen helicopters will
be flown to Armenia later this month.

Ex-minister Vagarshak Arutyunjan said that reenforcement of the 102nd
Military Base was to take place in accordance with the protocol signed
in 2010. According to this document, the Russian base is supposed to
ensure security of Armenia on the borders with Iran and Turkey on the
one hand and Georgia and Azerbaijan on the other. It does not mean
that Russian border guards will be manning the Armenian borders. It
means that in the event Armenia is threatened, security of these
borders will be a prerogative of the Russian base.

Arutyunjan said, “Georgia poses no threats or dangers to Armenia these
days. Dangers are posed by Azerbaijan… and probably Turkey… Hence
the decision to reinforce and enlarge the Russian military base.”

AN EU FUNDED PROJECT IN ARMENIA PRESENTS RESULTS IN FOREST TRANSFORMATION

28-11-2013 11:00:01 | Armenia |
On 02December 2013 stakeholders and journalists will visit the Spitak
pilot site of the EU funded project “Increasing the Resilience of
Forest Ecosystems against Climate Change in the Southern Caucasus
through Forest Transformation”. Participants will observe results
of field activities aimed at mitigating climate change impacts and
improving biodiversity and the livelihood of local populations.

Speakers will include Matthias Lichtenberger (World Wildlife Fund –
Germany), John Barker (EU Delegation to Armenia), Ruben Petrosyan
(Chief Forester of “Hayantar” SNCO of the Ministry of Agriculture of
the Republic of Armenia).

Numerous forest transformation activities will be observed by the
visit participants, who will also learn about the current state of
the project, activities implemented so far, and future plans.

The project in Armenia is implemented by WWF Armenia(World Wildlife
Fund) and is aimed at increasing the resilience of forest stands
against climate change. Two pilot sites with total area of 150 ha
located in Gugarq and Noyemberyan Forest Enterprises of “Hayantar”
SNCO (respectively Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia) will be
transformed into more resilient and “close to nature” forests. The
fencing of pilot sites was finalized at the end of 2012. Forest
transformation activities then started in autumn 2012 and will be
finalised in spring 2014. They are implemented by “Hayantar” SNCO of
the RA Ministry of Agriculture.

For further information: Ms. Maral Harutyunyan PR and Media assistant
at “Publicis Hepta” agency Tel: (+374 10) 53 74 41, cell (055) 00 37 36

Mrs. Siranush Galstyan Project Coordinator Tel: (+374 10) 54 61 56
(ext. 15) E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Gera Voskanyan Partnership & Communications Manager Tel: (+374 10)
54 61 56 (ext. 14) Email: [email protected]

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan – See more at:

PUTIN TO PAY STATE VISIT TO ARMENIA ON DEC 2

Voice of Russia
Nov 27 2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Armenia for a state
visit on December 2, the Kremlin press service reported.

0The visit will begin in the city of Gyumri, where Putin and Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan will visit the 102nd Russian Military Base
and take part in the 3rd Russian-Armenian interregional forum.

0This will be followed by top-level negotiations in Yerevan to address
key issues pertaining to bilateral cooperation, including in the
trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

0The parties are expected to exchange opinions on the implementation of
agreements reached during Sargsyan’s visit to Moscow on September 3 and
further steps on Armenia’s accession to the Belarusian-Kazakh-Russian
Customs Union and the Common Economic Space.

0The two countries are expected to sign a number of joint documents
based on the negotiations’ outcomes.

MOSCOW, YEREVAN AUTHORITIES SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. Moscow and Yerevan authorities have
sign a cooperation agreement today in Russia’s capital.

Sergey Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, Vladimir Petrosyan, the head
of the Moscow municipality’s social protection department, Sergey
Cheremin, the head of the municipality’s foreign relations, and
Mikhail Kuzovlev, the president of the Russian capital’s Commerce
and Industry Chamber and the chairman of Moscow Bank, represented
the Russian side at the signing ceremony.

The Armenian delegation was made up of Taron Margaryan, the mayor
of Yerevan, Oleg Yesayan, Armenian ambassador to Russia, Makar
Nahapetyan, the head of the Yerevan municipality’s office in Moscow,
and David Gevorgyan, the chief of the Yerevan municipality’s division
in charge of foreign relations. The agreement was signed by the two
cities mayors.

“Today we are signing a program of cooperation between Moscow and
Yerevan,” Sobyanin said at the signing ceremony. “The program implies
a series of measures in various areas, including medicine, education,
housing and utilities infrastructure and transport… I hope the
signing of this program of joint activities will give additional
impetus to our good relations.”

He added that economic relations between Moscow and Yerevan quite
good – trade turnover between the two countries grew 20% in 2012,
and improvement is visible this year.

“I am pleased to place it on record and I think this is the result
of our joint work,” he said.

Sobyanin also said that Moscow Days were conducted in the Armenian
capital in 2012 and thanked his Yerevan counterpart for cordial
reception and organization of events.

He said that now Yerevan Days are being held in Moscow. The program
includes exhibitions, concerts and performances, Novosti-Armenia
reports referring to RIA Novosti.

Margaryan, on his side, thanked Sobyanin for reception and invited
him to Yerevan.

“This will be a good reason for meeting and discussing
bilateral relations,” he said. —-0— – See more at: