Author: Badalian Vardan

Premium Official News
October 11, 2013 Friday

Republic of Armenia Prime Minister’s Condolence Message On Demise of
EPP President Wilfried Martens

Yerevan

The Government of Republic of Armenia has issued the following press release:

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan extended condolences to the Presidency
of the European People’s Party (EPP) on the passing of EPP President
Wilfried Martens, which reads as follows:

`Dear EPP Members,

We were deeply saddened to learn about the untimely demise of EPP
President Wilfried Martens. On behalf of the Government of the
Republic of Armenia and my own behalf, I express deep condolences and
our sympathy for your irreversible loss.

Mr. Martens made invaluable contribution to the European political
unity, as well as to the cause of disseminating European values.

Armenia highly appreciates Mr. Martens’s personal contribution to the
Eastern Partnership Initiative – its establishment and promotion.

Mr. Martens was also memorable for his personal commitment to bringing
Armenia closer to the European system of values and political family.
Owing to his efforts, three political parties from Armenia became a
member of the EPP.

Mr. Martens will live forever in our memory.’

For more information please visit:

Armenian Church Agrees To Alliance With Muslims?

The Episcopal Conference of the Armenian Apostolic Church has
discussed a series of issues but the key issue that worries the
Armenians has been left open. It is the issue of church reforms in
line with modern challenges. If the church is a living body, it must
develop and change.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has not changed for centuries. It is a
castle that has shifted to sheer defense, not even trying to set up
relations with those who have opened up the doors. Because, perhaps,
in that case it may have to find a place for itself in the big world.

The quest for a religious identity is taking place all over the world.
For example, recently Putin has announced at Valdai International
Discussion Club that apostolic Christians and Muslims share the
traditional principles of morality and behavior and focus on what they
have in common, thereby distinguishing themselves from the West. In
other words, Russia uses even its church to oppose itself to the West
by allying with the Muslims.

Having announced about membership to the Customs Union and becoming a
Russian province, Armenia has to identify the line of demarcation.
Does the Armenian Apostolic Church agree to join the Orthodox and
Muslims to fight the influence of `bad’ Christianity?

The election of Pope Francis marked a new stage of reforms in the
Catholic Church. The pope is doing everything so correctly that he has
no opponents. And the return of the Catholic Church to Christian
morality but already in the light of individual’s freedom may
challenge other churches, including the Armenian Church which does not
consider freedom and equality as values.

Catholicos Garegin II has not uttered a word about the foreign policy
of Armenia unlike the churches of Ukraine which have stated that
Ukraine is part of Europe and European Christian values. The silence
of Garegin II can be perceived as a sign of consent, perhaps because
his mandate covers the dioceses in Armenia and Russia but not the West
and Middle East. The French Diocese, as well as the patriarchies of
Constantinople and Jerusalem defy him. So does the House of Cilicia.

It may happen so that Garegin II’s title Catholicos of All Armenians
may be replaced by Catholicos of the Customs Union.

Catholicos Garegin prefers money to religious conceptual matters. The
Episcopal Conference set up a foundation which will help the poor, as
well as the Armenian Syrians. However, the uncertainty of vision of
the Church and lack of spiritual unity will not allow this foundation
to become a source of goodness.

Naira Hayrumyan
20:09 12/10/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Freedom House slams elections in Azerbaijan

14:07 – 12.10.13

Freedom House has called on the European Union to prioritize human
rights and democracy in Azerbaijan at the Eastern Partnership Summit
that will take place in November 2013 in Vilnius, according to Azeri
Report.

The international human rights watchdog has further called for efforts
to suspend negotiations on visa facilitation for Azerbaijani
government officials.

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) described the election as `seriously flawed’, reports the
website. The government crackdowns on independent media, civil society
organizations, political activists and supporters of the opposition
candidates are said to have eliminated any possibility that the
election would be free or fair. Opposition candidates were largely
denied access to mass media during a campaign that lasted only 21
days, and freedom of assembly was severely hindered in the lead-up to
the elections, while the incumbent President, Ilham Aliyev,
extensively used state resources, which secured him nearly 85 percent
of the votes. Concerns about the level of fraud intensified on the eve
of the elections, when information available through a mobile
application run by the Central Election Commission `leaked’ the
outcome of the next day’s voting to social networks, in which Aliyev
was assured of a landslide victory.

`The government of Azerbaijan has shown blatant disregard for its
international obligations in the conduct of this election,’ said David
J. Kramer, president of Freedom House. `President Aliyev’s `victory’
is badly tainted and lacks legitimacy, raising questions about how,
even whether, he should be received at the Eastern Partnership Summit
in Vilnius at the end of next month.’

Armenian News – Tert.am

Armenia’s Aronian overtakes Russia’s Kramnik

October 12, 2013

Armenian Grandmaster (GM) Levon Aronian passed GM Vladimir Kramnik
(Russia) and jumped to second place in the current Live Chess Ratings.

Aronian, who plays first board for the three-time World Chess Olympiad
champion Armenian national team, achieved this accomplishment owing to
his successful performances at the Bilbao Chess Masters Final – also
called the Grand Slam Chess Final – being held in Spain. GM Magnus
Carlsen (Norway) tops the ratings.

To note, Levon Aronian defeated GM Michael Adams (England) in Round 5
of the Grand Slam Chess Final and, as a result, he is the one-man
leader of this tournament.

NEWS.am Sport

COLLECTIF VAN : L’EPHEMERIDE DU 11 OCTOBRE

Publié le : 11-10-2013

Info Collectif VAN РРLa rubrique Eph̩m̩ride
est a retrouver quotidiennement sur le site du Collectif VAN. Elle
recense la liste d’événements survenus a une date donnée,
a différentes époques de l’Histoire, sur les thématiques que
l’association suit au quotidien. L’éphéméride du Collectif VAN
repose sur des informations en ligne sur de nombreux sites (les sources
sont spécifiées sous chaque entrée). Vous pouvez retrouver tous
les éphémérides du Collectif VAN dans la Rubrique Actions VAN,
en cliquant sur ces liens:

Les éphémérides du Collectif VAN (1ère partie)

Les éphémérides du Collectif VAN (2ème partie)

11 octobre 1941 — Ukraine : tous les enseignants juifs sont
arrêtés par les SS et incarcéré en prison où ils rejoignent
beaucoup d’autres juifs déja détenus. Les listes de noms et des
adresses avaient été établies par des informateurs ukrainiens et
polonais. Dans la prison, les Allemands demandent des volontaires
pour le travail. Beaucoup se portent volontaires pour échapper aux
mauvais traitements dans la prison.

Ca s’est passé un 11 octobre (les événements sont classés du plus
ancien au plus récent) :

11 octobre 1895 — Empire ottoman : Empire ottoman : une rébellion
éclate a Zeitoun contre les mauvaises pratiques administratives
turques.

American University of Armenia : This day in Armenian history

11 octobre 1914 — Empire ottoman : les autorités de Bayazid
ne cessent de distribuer des armes a des bandes de brigands. Les
Arméniens apeurés partent en Russie, craignant le massacre qu’ils
attendent de jour en jour.

© Jean-Marie Carzou, Arménie 1915, un génocide exemplaire
Calmann-Lévy (2006), Flammarion (1975) Imprescriptible : Le 24 avril
1915 : une rafle

11 octobre 1915 — Empire ottoman : Ourfa. – Interview de Mrs. J.

Vance Young, témoin oculaire des événements d’Ourfa. Publiée dans
l’ ” Egyptian Gazette ” du 28 septembre / 11 octobre, et reproduite
par le journal arménien ” Houssaper ” du Caire, le 30 septembre /
13 octobre 1915.

Mrs. J. Vance Young est la femme d’un médecin anglais de Beyrouth1,
Elle arriva en Egypte a bord du croiseur américain ” Chester ”. Elle
fut parmi les derniers arrivants d’Alexandrette en Egypte et apporta
d’horribles détails sur le martyre des Arméniens d’Ourfa. Elle avait
été un témoin oculaire des événements de cette ville de triste
mémoire, qui a été si souvent arrosée du sang des Arméniens.

Imprescriptible : Le livre bleu du gouvernement britannique concernant
le traitement des Arméniens dans l’Empire ottoman

11 octobre 1916 — Empire ottoman : une convention secrète est
convoquée a Constantinople pour l’examen de la politique envers les
Arméniens et pour décider un plan des actions futures.

Chronology of the Armenian Genocide — 1916 (July-December)

11 octobre 1941 — Ukraine : tous les enseignants juifs sont
arrêtés par les SS et incarcérés en prison où ils rejoignent
beaucoup d’autres juifs déja détenus. Les listes de noms et des
adresses avaient été établies par des informateurs ukrainiens et
polonais. Dans la prison, les Allemands demandent des volontaires
pour le travail. Beaucoup se portent volontaires pour échapper aux
mauvais traitements dans la prison.

BS Encyclopédie : Le ghetto de Kolomyja

11 octobre 1941 — Un train de juifs déportés de Suczava passe
par la gare de Czernovitz (Ukraine). Il est stoppé par les nazis et
les gardes roumains afin de décharger les cadavres des juifs morts
au cours du voyage dans des wagons glacés et bourrés de monde. Le
train reprend alors sa route vers le ghetto de Czernovitz.

-â~@¨â~@¨Les nazis fusillent 400 juifs a Belgrade.

-â~@¨â~@¨Les juifs de Czernovitz sont parqués dans un ghetto, leurs
biens confisqués. Par la suite, les internés seront déportés
en Transnistrie.

Skynet : 11 octobre, ce jour-la , n’oubliez pas

11 octobre 1942 — 11 000 juifs du ghetto et des villages environnants
d’Ostroviec (Pologne) sont rassemblés et déportés au camp
d’extermination de Treblinka, où ils périssent tous.

-â~@¨â~@¨Environ 4 200 juifs de Lubartov (du côté de Lublin) sont
déportés aux camps d’extermination de Sobibor, Belzec et Maïdanek,
où tous périssent. Parmi eux se trouvent 1 000 juifs qui, un an
auparavant, avaient été déportés de Slovaquie a Lubartov. Cette
dernière ville est déclarée ” purifiée de ses juifs “.

Р3 000 juifs de Bicheva (province de Lublin) sont d̩port̩s au camp
d’extermination de Belzec.

Skynet : 11 octobre, ce jour-la , n’oubliez pas

11 octobre 1944 — Les SS fusillent 208 jeunes juifs d’Ujvidek
(Yougoslavie), qui travaillent sur la voie ferrée. 12 juifs survivent.

-â~@¨20 malades mentaux juifs de Venise sont internés dans le camp
de concentration tristement célèbre de Risiera di San Sabba, près
de Trieste, le seul camp nazi en territoire italien. Le soir du même
jour, 5 ou 6 d’entre eux ont déja été tués par les SS gardant
le camp.

Skynet : 11 octobre, ce jour-la , n’oubliez pas

11 octobre 1962 — Les Arméniens de la diaspora commencent un
programme de rapatriement en Arménie.

American University of Armenia : This day in Armenian history

11 octobre 2006 — Turquie : atmosphère anti-francaise a Ankara
a propos du vote a Paris d’une loi sur le génocide arménien. Le
Premier ministre Erdogan menace Paris de mesures de rétorsion.

Collectif VAN : Atmosphère anti-francaise a Ankara

11 octobre 2007 — Turquie : le fils de Hrant Dink , Arat Dink,
et Serkis Seropyan, respectivement directeur de la rédaction et
responsable de l’hebdomadaire Agos, sont reconnus coupables d’avoir ”
insulté l’identité turque ” et, a ce titre, condamnés a un an de
prison avec sursis par un tribunal turc, en vertu de l’article 301
du code pénal turc, pour avoir reproduit, au cours de l’été 2007,
dans les colonnes d’Agos, une partie des propos de Hrant Dink qui
avaient valu a celui-ci les poursuites judiciaires qui ne s’étaient
interrompues qu’avec son assassinat.

Wikipédia : Hrant Dink

Compilation réalisée par le site

Retour a la rubrique

L’UE APPELLE A REGLER LES PROBLEMES IDENTIFIES PENDANT LA PRESIDENTIELLE

AZERBAÏDJAN

BRUXELLES, 10 oct 2013 (AFP) – L’Union europeenne a appele jeudi soir
l’Azerbaïdjan a regler les problèmes identifies pendant l’election
presidentielle qui a vu la victoire ecrasante du sortant Ilham Aliev,
mais dont le deroulement a ete critique par une mission d’observateurs.

Le chef de la diplomatie de l’UE, Catherine Ashton, et le commissaire
charge de l’Elargissement, Stefan Fule, ont tous deux pris note des
conclusions de la mission d’observateurs de l’Organisation pour
la securite et la cooperation en Europe (OSCE), qui a fait etat
d'”importants problèmes” et de “manquements au cours du scrutin.

Parmi ces “problèmes”, l’OSCE a notamment releve des “manipulations
des listes electorales” et des “restrictions a la liberte d’expression
et de rassemblement”.

“Les premières conclusions de l’OSCE ont montre que des problèmes
importants avaient ete observes a tous les stades du processus le
jour du scrutin”, ont indique les porte-parole des deux responsables
europeens dans un communique.

Les observateurs ont egalement “mis le doigt sur des manquements
graves (…) qui ne garantissent pas une egalite des chances pour les
candidats et qui doivent etre regles pour que l’Azerbaïdjan respecte
pleinement ses engagements internationaux”, ont-ils ajoute.

Selon les derniers resultats partiels annonces par la Commission
electorale centrale, Ilham Aliev a obtenu environ 84,6% des voix,
tandis que son principal adversaire, l’opposant Jamil Hasanli,
a totalise 5,5% des suffrages.

vendredi 11 octobre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

TURKISH PARLIAMENT RENEWS MANDATE TO SEND TROOPS TO NORTHERN IRAQ

October 10, 2013 – 21:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Turkish parliament on Thursday, Oct 10 approved
a government motion to renew a mandate to send troops to northern
Iraq for another year if the government deems it necessary, Today’s
Zaman reported.

The government submitted the motion to Parliament on Oct 4 for the
extension of the mandate, which allows the Turkish military to conduct
new cross-border operations in northern Iraq to eradicate terrorist
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) hideouts in that country. Last year’s
resolution providing the legal basis for such operations expires on
Oct 17.

While the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the
opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) voted in favor of the motion, the
pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) voted against it.

The Iraq motion was first brought to Parliament in 2007 and the
mandate has since then been extended every year, a total of six times.

The AK Party, CHP and MHP voted in favor of the bill last year as
well, and the BDP was again the only party that voted against the
motion signed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The current text of the motion was approved by Parliament and wasn’t
changed.

The motion states that “the peace, security, national unity and
territorial integrity of Turkey are under threat of attack by PKK
terrorists.” The motion also says that Turkey “attaches importance
to the protection of the territorial integrity, national unity and
the stability of Iraq.”

PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United
States, the European Union and NATO. Although insurgents have carried
out attacks in many regions of Turkey, the insurgency is mainly in
southeastern Turkey. The PKK’s military presence in Iraq’s Kurdistan
Region, which it uses as launchpad for attacks on Turkey, has resulted
in the Turkish military carrying out frequent ground incursions and
air and artillery strikes in the region, as the Kurdistan Regional
Government claimed they do not have sufficient military forces to
prevent the PKK from operating. The conflict has particularly affected
Turkey’s tourism industry and has cost Turkey an estimated $300-450
billion, claiming lives of about 40,000 people.

PHILLIPS: MOSCOW’S PROBLEM IS GEORGIA’S SOVEREIGNTY

Reflecting on recent tension in the Russian-Georgian relationship,
David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace building and Rights
at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights,
says that relations between the two countries could have improved
when Saakashvili left power; But even after Ivanishvili became prime
minister, Russia continued to undermine Georgia. However, according to
Phillips, Georgia should avoid aggressive rhetoric and confrontation
with Moscow.

Phillips has worked as senior adviser to the United Nations
Secretariat and as a foreign affairs expert and senior adviser to
the U.S. Department of State. Georgia Today interviewed him via email.

Q: In your recent interview with Voice of America, you noted that
the 2008 ceasefire agreement has failed to bring people closer to
each other and to establish peace in the region. Can you elaborate
what the signs of failure are and why the agreement failed?

A: Russia continues to support the independence of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. It is also encroaching on Georgian territory, erecting
barbed wire barricades and maintaining a substantial military
presence in the occupied territories. Georgia’s recent overtures
towards Russia were rudely rebuffed. No real steps have been taken to
foster reconciliation between the peoples of Russia and Georgia over
the past 5 years. The leaders of both countries are still at-odds;
Vladimir Putin’s confrontational approach is unchanged.

Q: You have advocated direct engagement with Abkhazians and South
Ossetians to help them escape Russian dominance… How achievable is
this? Can you provide any specific advice for Abkhazians and South
Ossetians and also for Georgian on how they can rebuild relations
and trust?

A: Engagement between Abkhazia and the international community must
not occur at the government level. Bilateral contact with the Abkhaz
authorities undermines the policy of non-recognition, which is widely
accepted around the world. Non-recognition of the authorities does
not, however, prevent contact, communication and cooperation between
civil society representatives, including academic exchanges involving
students and educators to help reduce negative stereotyping and
rebuild confidence.

Track two activities typically involve trade and business. However,
Prime Minister Ivanishvili’s initiative to promote commercial contact
has fallen flat, including efforts to open the Abkhaz railway. Track
two activities are not a substitute for official diplomacy. Nor can
they proceed when both Russia and the Abkhaz authorities oppose them.

Russia knows that track two activities will wean Abkhazia from its
control, revealing Russia’s insidious challenge to Abkhaz identity.

Q: How effective is the Geneva format and is there a way to make it
more successful?

A: Talking is always preferable to confrontation or violent conflict.

The Geneva format provides a venue for interaction, which can help
prevent disagreements from escalating. It could evolve into a more
pro-active forum for engagement by building on business openings,
such as Russia’s decision to allow the import of Georgian wine and
mineral water. For now, the Geneva format isn’t doing much good. Nor
is it doing any harm.

Q: When Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement was in power
– before the 2012 parliamentary elections – the Russian government
demonstrated hostile rhetoric and blamed this on the Saakashvili
regime. Now we have the Georgian Dream with its Russian-friendly
messages, but still Russia is building barbed wire fences along the
administrative border in South Ossetia and moving the border deeper
into Georgian- controlled territory, which has sparked a new wave of
tension… PM Bidzina Ivanishvili has said many times that he sees
no logic in this policy… What is your impression? Why is Moscow
doing this?

A: Moscow systematically vilified Saakashvili. Its aggressive
policy towards Georgia was based on Putin’s deep personal dislike
of Saakashvili. Russia-Georgia relations could have improved when
Saakashvili left power. Turns out, however, Russia misrepresented
its intentions. Even after Ivanishvili became prime minister,
Russia continued to undermine Georgia. Moscow’s problem is Georgia’s
sovereignty, as well as the aspirations of Georgians for Western-style
freedom and democracy. Russia simply does not want Georgia to exist
as an independent sovereign state.

Q: Against the background of these developments where should Georgia
draw its red lines? What are the best ways for Georgia to protect
its sovereignty and internationally recognized borders?

A: Georgia’s best, and perhaps only, hope of protecting its sovereignty
is through closer ties with the West and integration into Euro-Atlantic
institutions. The EU’s Partnership Program can foster cooperation
between Georgia and European countries. NATO membership for Georgia
is on the distant horizon. Pledges for eventual membership made in
Bucharest five years ago are an empty promise.

Q: With Armenia having announced its consent to join the
Russian-dominated Eurasian Union, do you think that it was the outcome
of pressure from Moscow? How do you see Russia’s short and long term
plans in this region amid these developments?

A: Russia strong-armed Armenia into joining the Eurasian Union. Moscow
must have threatened Armenia’s President Sarkissian to dissuade him
from Armenia’s multi-year effort at European integration. Or maybe
Moscow offered a big prize, like recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Intimidation by Russia is more likely than a reward.

Q: PM Bidzina Ivanishvili has also said that Georgia is observing
the Eurasian Union, although he stressed that getting closer to the
European Union and NATO is paramount…Is it possible and wise for
Georgia to look at both?

A: Yes, it is possible and smart to look at both. In reality,
Georgia has already chosen the West. Regardless, Georgia should avoid
aggressive rhetoric. Confrontation with Russia is not in Georgia’s
interest.

Q: Where is and should be the United States as Georgia and other
former Soviet Union countries find themselves under continued pressure
from Russia? For instance, Carl Gershman, President of the National
Endowment for Democracy, recently published an op-ed piece in the
Washington Post describing the situation as “a reply of the classic
East-West rivalry” with the United States “conspicuously on the
sidelines.” Do you share this position and what is your reply to the
question in the headline – “Former Soviet states stand up to Russia.

Will the U.S.?”

A: The US and Georgia are allies. We have formalized a strategic
partnership, encompassing cooperation in diplomatic, security,
commercial and cultural spheres. The United States has supported
the self-determination of the Georgian people for 20 years. While
Washington will continue to support Georgia’s freedom and territorial
integrity, it should be clear on the nature and extent of its support
lest its intentions be misunderstood.

Q: And my last question – Here in Georgia, the debate whether Georgia
should participate in the Sochi Olympics is quite hot. Historically
there are numerous cases where the games were boycotted for political
reasons. How effective or important can the boycott be in Georgia’s
case? Generally speaking, what are the opportunities and limitations
when sports, politics and diplomacy come together?

A: The Olympics, to be held a stone’s throw from Georgia, are not
shaping up well for Russia. Putin’s homophobia and bigotry has sparked
anger worldwide. Georgia has already pledged to participate in the
Games and work with Russia on security, but Russia takes Georgia’s
goodwill for granted. Georgia should let others criticize Russia or
ruminate about boycotting the Games. It is wise for the Government
of Georgia to wait and see what happens.

By Maia Edilashvili

10.10.2013

EBRD HELPS ARMENIANS GAIN BETTER ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES

17:45 10.10.2013

The flow of remittances in Armenia has been dramatically rising in
recent years, mostly due to a large diaspora, with approximately 11
million Armenians living abroad. In 2012 remittances were estimated
at US$ 1.9 million – about 20 per cent of the country’s GDP, and
twice as high as foreign direct investment (FDI).

However the flow of savings to the formal financial sector remains
low. Remittances are sent via money transfer systems, and are
collected at local bank branches by family members who often do not
have an account and are unaware of the benefits they can receive from
usual banking products. Among the recipients of remittances are also
citizens living in rural areas. According to the World Bank’s Global
Index 2012, only 17 per cent of people over the age of 15 in Armenia
have an account at a financial institution, while only one per cent
of the population keep their savings in a bank.

To address this issue, and to help Armenians and the economy
fully benefit from these financial flows, the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new initiative
– Financial Literacy to Remittance Recipients programme in Armenia –
which is funded through the EBRD’s multi-donor Early Transition Country
(ETC) Fund. The innovative financial education project aims to boost
financial inclusion in Armenia, by developing personal finance skills
and increasing the confidence of remittance recipients in opening
bank accounts.

Under the scheme, over the past year more than 24,000 people across
the country have been trained on how to better manage their finances,
with over 10,000 of them opening accounts, which attracted more than
US$ 4 million in deposits over nine months.

Five Armenian banks joined the initiative, and specially trained
financial advisors were engaged in bank branches that handle large
numbers of remittance transactions, inviting customers for free
one-on-one consultations to help them manage their finances and,
if appropriate, to open a bank account.

Mark Davis, Head of the EBRD’s Resident Office in Yerevan, believes
making better use of local banks is crucial for leveraging the impact
of remittance flows. By developing and encouraging more formal routes
for money transfers, the EBRD is able to help integrate these funds
in the wider economy.

Said Davis: “It is a question of banks using the opportunity to
attract new customers and offer specifically tailored products, while
educating people to use local banks and to open accounts. Encouraging
beneficiaries to use local banks will help to further strengthen the
banking sector, and expand credit availability and new products. It
is a win-win situation. Banks and the economy will benefit, and new
customers can benefit from products they were never aware existed,
such as interest on savings, or leveraging money for mortgages or
loans to start a small business.”

Armenak Darbinyan, Board Member of the Central Bank of Armenia, said:
“The project proved that financial education is an effective instrument
to help people change their financial behaviour and thus improve their
financial well-being. Another important aspect is that the project
is a success story and a good example for all banks to initiate or
get engaged in financial education activities.”

The ETC Fund’s financial literacy project, implemented by the
Developing Markets Associates Limited consultancy from October 2012
to September 2013, is part of a larger programme that has been carried
out in several early transition countries, including Georgia, Moldova,
Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and, most recently, Armenia,
to strengthen the financial inclusion of remittance recipients.

Already 145,000 people have been provided with consultations, 23,000
new accounts have been opened, and a total of US$ 26 million has been
deposited in these accounts.

HEAD OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO PACE URGES EVERYONE TO STOP MESS AROUND ZARUHI POSTANJYAN’S QUESTION TO PRESIDENT

by Ashot Safaryan
Thursday, October 10, 18:09

Head of Armenian Delegation to PACE David Haroutiunyan urged everyone
to stop the mess around the question about casino addressed to the
president at PACE.

“Frankly speaking, I am surprised at the mess around Zaruhi
Postanjyan’s question. Most of you probably forgot that in 2011 when
President Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech at PACE, Postanjyan asked
the president a similar unflattering question, though that question
was more correct from the viewpoint of ethics and spicier. Then she
even demanded the president to leave the country. That is why I am
surprised at the current mess,” Haroutiunyan said.

As a member of the ruling party, he said that expectations from the
opposition are quite different now and such behavior of oppositionist
parliamentarians does not meet the idea of healthy opposition in a
democratic country.

To recall, speaking at PACE Postanjyan asked the president how he
was going to pay the 70 million EUR he allegedly lost in a casino.

Postanjyan has been harshly criticized for her question also by local
political forces. Nevertheless, she enlisted the support of some
political forces, public organizations and citizens, who welcomed
her at the airport as “a national hero.”