Author: Badalian Vardan

DORTMUND FINALISE MKHITARYAN DEAL

Soccerway
July 9 2013

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk
attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a four-year deal.

The two clubs agreed a fee on Monday, with personal terms still to
be settled between the Bundesliga runners-up and Mkhitaryan.

But a deal has now been signed and the Armenia international will
wear the number 10 shirt vacated by Mario Goetze, who moved to Bayern
Munich at the end of last season.

Mkhitaryan scored a Ukrainian Premier League record of 25 goals in
29 games last term as Shakhtar cruised to their fourth consecutive
league title, 13 points clear of second-placed Metalist Kharkiv.

They also reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, where
they were dumped out by eventual finalists Dortmund, losing 3-0 at
the Signal Iduna Park after a 2-2 draw in Ukraine.

The Armenian signed for Shakhtar in 2010 after an impressive debut
season in Ukraine with Metalurg Donetsk and has gone on to net 47
times in 108 games.

Mkhitaryan, who was also heavily linked with a move to Premier League
outfit Liverpool, is likely to be Dortmund’s last major addition of the
off-season, with the club’s holding company admitting on Monday that a
~@50 million transfer budget had been largely exhausted by the signings
of Mkhitaryan, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The statement read: “Borussia Dortmund has finalised its essential
transfer activities in the summer transfer period for the season
2013-14.

“In the course of the ordinary execution of these transfers, Borussia
Dortmund will have almost spent the available investment budget in
the amount of ~@50 million.”

Dortmund could be back in the market, however, with striker Robert
Lewandowski strongly linked with an imminent move from the club.

The club will be hoping that they can stave off prolonged interest
from Bayern for the Pole, who manager Juergen Klopp admitted over
the weekend is likely to move to the Bavarian club in 2014 when his
Dortmund contract expires.

ALEPPO CRISIS WORSENS

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

The ravaged city of Aleppo is home to a large community of Armenians.

ALEPPO-The closure of roads to and from Aleppo is threatening
severe shortages of supplies and worsening living conditions in
this highly-Armenian-populated city as the Syrian crisis continues
to worsen.

Reports indicate that constant security concerns in Aleppo have been
compounded in recent days by the closure of all access routes to and
from the city, which is preventing emergency and relief services from
providing basic needs to the population there, reported Yerkir Media.

The three basic necessities, food, fuel and medication are in severe
shortage and if available are extremely expensive.

Reports from Aleppo paint a grim picture of shortages of mainly flour,
forcing most bread bakeries to shut down. The cost of fuel has risen
to 10 times the market price, causing daily traffic to dwindle.

Most medical professionals, especially specialists, have fled Syria.

Due to budgetary constraints, all emergency medical vehicles have
stopped operations, making rapid response difficult.

Locals fear that the crisis will further impact the Syrian currency,
the lira, which has already fallen in value since the beginning of
the crisis in 2011.

DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE IN ARMENIA CONTINGENT ON EXPORT POTENTIAL: STUDY SAYS

YEREVAN, July 10. / ARKA /. Given the small size of the local market,
development of industrial agriculture in Armenia is contingent largely
on export potential, according to the findings of a study conducted
by Ameria consulting company.

The study called ‘Development of industrial agriculture in Armenia”
indicates the prerequisites, constraints and risks for the development
of this sector. The focus in the study was on development of
greenhouses, horticulture and fish farming.

Experts point out that gardening in Armenia will have no serious
development obstacles in the next 10 years given that anti-hail
stations are built and effectively run. The major risks and obstacles
to the development of this industry are natural and climatic factors,
mainly hails.

“The growing land under vineyards and fruit trees show the potential
for development of horticulture in Armenia”, the study says. About
two-thirds of fruit trees are in Armavir, Ararat, Aragatsotn and
Kotayk regions. Ararat and Armavir account for bulk of fruit and
vegetables output.

According to the study, there are 900 greenhouses in the country
with a total area of 130 hectares. The largest greenhouse is on
5 hectares. About 60% of their output are vegetables- tomatoes,
cucumbers, beans and peppers, and 40% are flowers and ornamental
plants.

According to Ameria experts, the prospects for the development of
large greenhouse in the next five years are estimated as average,
while the prospects of small and medium-sized greenhouses are assessed
as not promising.

As the findings of the study show, the average annual growth of
aquaculture in the last 10 years was about 28.5%, while export of
fish and fish products have increased by 4.7 times. Prospects for
the development of fisheries are also evaluated as average. The
study says if some regulation issues are resolved this sector may
advance tangibly.

Founded in 1998, Ameria is a leading Armenian advisory company,
offering professional services in administrative, financial and legal
consulting. -0-

– See more at:

FULE: ARMENIA-EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT NOT TO DETER ARMENIA FROM DEVELOPING COOPERATION WITH ITS NEIGHBORS

YEREVAN, July 10. /ARKA/. The Armenia-EU Association Agreement doesn’t
deter Armenia from developing cooperation with its neighbors, European
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan
Fule said today at a news conference in Yerevan.

On the contrary, it will give Armenia wider room for cooperation with
neighbors and partners and will strengthen the country’s positions
in regional cooperation, he said.

The Association Agreement between Armenia and the European Union
would be initialed in November in Vilnius, at the Eastern Partnership
Summit. –0—- – See more at:

GLORY AND HONOR TO LISKA’S FRIENDS

Artak Budaghyan was charged on the 40th day of his brother death. The
fact that they were going to charge him was known on the very next day
of the incident when military prosecutor Gevrog Kostanyan announced
about armed assault without presenting facts. But since the criminal
world has its sacred rules, they waited for 40 days to be “clean”.

The system has its principles that are never broken. There are many
cases and examples. On the day of Vahan Khalafyan’s death, killed in
Charentsavan police station, Chief of Police Vova Gasparyan appointed
Samvel Tonoyan chief of police of Charentsavan, who was rumored to
be directly linked to the case. Ruben Hairapetyan was awarded ahead
of Vahe Avetyan’s death anniversary…

Hours later after Artak Budaghyan was charged, former Syunik governor
started giving interviews presenting him in a new way: he dwells on
moral values, speaks on behalf of people. He said in particular that
he resigned but he didn’t stop serving his people and will continue
doing it in his hometown Kapan.

The scenario is the same like with Ruben Hairapetyan, after the
Harsnakar case. Ruben Hairapetyan was deprived of the parliamentary
mandate, Surik Khachatryan of the governor’s office.

The interview of the former governor fits into the logic of scenario
written by military prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan. Ex-governor says he
does not understand why Budaghyan brothers attacked his house.

Surik Khachatryan says that he has never treated badly anyone to
arouse hatred towards himself. “So I don’t understand why those people
would come and attack my house. But no one wants to understand that
they assaulted a sleeping man. What should that person do? Of course
defend himself. Let’s ask that journalist and if she is raped, won’t
she defend herself?”says former governor.

Now, 40 days after the incident, the military prosecutor, most likely,
calculated how deep the ex-governor was sleeping, how thick the walls
of his house are, and whether the rumors could be heard inside.

The former governor does not hide his worry about the investigation
recalling about “objective examination”. He is looking for justice,
the justice he is used to receive always.

“I have heard a lot that friends usually leave their friend alone
in trouble. Bu I would like to thank my friends. To the contrary,
they supported me even more. Glory and honor to my friends; I don’t
have this problem”, says the former governor.

His friends didn’t betray him. His friends – the leading class of
Armenia and the law enforcement system. Indeed, glory and honor
to them.

Zhanna Alexanyan, 15:52 10/07/2013 Story from Lragir.am
News:

TRANSFER TALK: BORUSSIA DORTMUND BEAT LIVERPOOL TO £23.6M SIGNING OF HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

The attacking midfielder will move to the Bundesliga rather than the
Premier League

SIMON RICE Author Biography

TUESDAY 09 JULY 2013

Liverpool have been thwarted in their attempts to sign Henrikh
Mkhitaryan after the midfielder opted to join Borussia Dortmund
instead.

The Champions League runners-up have secured the services of the
Armenian international after agreeing a [email protected] (£23.6m) fee with
Shakhtar Donetsk.

The transfer represents a record fee for the Bundesliga side and will
go some way to filling the void left by Mario Goetze who left for
Bayern Munich.

“It wasn’t an easy transfer but we absolutely wanted to have Henrikh,”
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said.

Mkhitaryan has signed a four-year deal and will wear the No. 10 shirt
previously worn by Goetze.

“We are delighted that we got a fantastic new signing for the
attacking midfield role,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc
said.

Mkhitaryan, who scored 25 goals and helped set up 10 more in 29
Ukrainian top-division matches last season, has played in the
Champions League, and made 37 appearances for Armenia.

Liverpool had been strongly linked with a move for Mkhitaryan but will
now have to turn their attention elsewhere.

ARKA NEWS AGENCY PRESENTS FINSTORE.AM – FIRST IN ARMENIA INTERNET BUSINESS INFORMATION E-SHOP

15:12 09/07/2013 ” ECONOMY

ARKA News Agency has launched a new product, unprecedented in the
Armenian market -Business information e-shop at Finstore.am.

Finstore.am is a database of Armenian enterprises and companies,
allowing to analyze the market and assess the investment attractiveness
of different sectors of the Armenian economy.

“The database allows anyone to explore the business environment
of Armenia, get to better know customers and monitor the status of
business competitors. Finstore.am is a long-term project that will
be constantly improved and expanded. To date, we have collected and
structured a great deal of information on more than 150 companies,
and soon we will bring their number up to 400, “ARKA News Agency
director, Konstantin Petrosov, said.

Finstore.am is a platform, which presents the profiles of companies,
the scope and type of their activity, information on their products
and services, the number of employees, and the structure of the
owners. It also has other data, such as financial reports, including
analytical and financial factors showing the dynamics of growth,
earnings, capitalization, liquidity and profitability of companies.

According to Mr. Petrosov, the project’s success will largely depend
on the companies themselves, because they should be willing to provide
detailed information on their activities since it is themselves that
will benefit from this platform, which will be the real proof of
their complete transparency and desire to attract investment.

ARKA News Agency () has been operating since May 1, 1996.

It specializes in providing financial and economic information. Today,
ARKA media holding comprises also telecommunications and high
technology portal at and financial and banking
portal at

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NOT AFFECTED BY EXPLOSION IN BEIRUT

14:34, 9 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: An explosion occurred in the southern
suburbs of Beirut. This was stated by the Editor-in-Chief of Azdak
Daily Shahan Kandaharian in the conversation with Armenpress.

“The explosion occurred near the Center for Islamic Cooperation,
causing wounded”, – noted Shahan Kandaharian. The situation is chaotic
because there is a danger of existence of the second mine.

Armenpress got informed by the Azdak Daily, that 38 people were
taken to hospital with different bodily injuries. To the question,
have Armenians suffered from the explosion, the Editor-in-Chief of
Azdak daily Shahan Kandaharian answered that Armenians are far from
the place of the incident. By this moment all the roads taking to
the explosion site are closed.

The Armenian community in Beirut did not suffer damage from the
clashes ongoing in Lebanon. On June 23 a war situation was created
in the Southern Lebanon, when the Islamist groupings attacked the
Lebanese army. In the result of the collision the army gave wounded
and killed. On June 24 the armed Islamists opened sniper shots towards
the streets of the Southern capital of Lebanon.

ALIYEV’S UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR MAKES TO STRENGTHEN ARMENIA’S MILITARY POTENTIAL: NSC SECRETARY

12:55, 9 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: Under the conditions of unpredictable
behavior of some of its neighboring countries the Republic of Armenia
is seriously occupied with the strengthening of its own security. This
was stated by the Secretary of the National Security Council of
the Republic of Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan at the briefing with
the journalists, touching upon the sale of armaments by the Russian
Federation to Azerbaijan. “Up-to-date quality military equipment is
being imported to Armenia and we have no reason to worry about. We
just have to understand that we live in quite a difficult region and
in case of any Aliyev’s or his administration’s unpredictable behavior
or public statements we should treat them seriously and that means
that we have to improve our military and security substructures”, –
said Arthur Baghdasaryan, as reported by Armenpress.

Touching upon the sale of armaments to Azerbaijan, the Secretary of
the National Security Council of the Republic of Armenia said that
he cannot comment on the Russia’s actions. “Every country has its own
interests and problems. I can only say that Azerbaijan purchases arms
from different countries of the world”, – stated Arthur Baghdasaryan.

The NSC Secretary spoke also about the dynamic process of the
Armenian-Russian relations. Arthur Baghdasaryan said that Armenia
equips its Armed Forces with the modern arms and military technique,
in which the role of the Russian Federation is great. The Secretary
of the National Security Council of the Republic of Armenia Arthur
Baghdasaryan stated that the Russian military base N 102 is located
in the Republic of Armenia, which is being equipped with military
equipment.

Earlier the source of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian
Federation informed that Russia began supplying Azerbaijan with ground
weapons. According to the data, provided by the source, the total
sum of the deal might reach one billion USD. Azerbaijan is known
for its emphasized anti-Armenian activities. Armenia and Russia are
strategic partners.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: I CANNOT COMMENT ON RUSSIA’S ACTIONS

14:05 09/07/2013 ” POLITICS

Every state has its own legislation within which it acts, so I cannot
comment on Russia’s actions, Armenian National Security Council
Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan told a press briefing when commenting
on the Russian sale of weapons to Azerbaijan.

Every country has its own interests and problems, he added.

According to Baghdasaryan, Azerbaijan buys weapons and military
equipment not only from Russia but also from other countries.

The NSC Secretary stressed that we cannot demand from any state not
to strike a deal with another one.

In this context, it is reassuring that Armenian-Russian relations
“develop dynamically,” he said, adding that Armenia adds modern
armaments and military equipment to its arsenal, in which Russia
plays a big role.

Source: Panorama.am