Author: Badalian Vardan

RICHARD GIRAGOSSIAN: EU ASSOCIATION WILL BOOST DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY

On June 13, a discussion on the EU-Armenia Association was held in
Yerevan. Richard Giragossian, head of the Regional Studies Center,
said EU association will boost democracy in Armenia and stability in
the region.

According to Giragossian, the EU integration is very important given
the isolation. The expert says that the society will benefit in
economic terms, and the oligarchs do not want changes.

13:26 13/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIAN INVENTORS CONTRIVED 44 INVENTIONS THIS YEAR

09:14, 13 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. An Armenian scientist invented a new
method of fostering hair growth and hair strengthening. The invention
made by inventor Ghukas Ulikhanyan received a certificate from
the Intellectual Property Agency of the Ministry of Economy of the
Republic of Armenia. In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Head of
Inventions and Utility Models Department of the Intellectual Property
Agency Avetis Peryan stated that the Armenian scientists have authored
other interesting inventions as well, including ointment for burn
treatment. The Agency has received 82 applications of inventions and
utility models during the first five months of the current year. The
total amount decreased for 4-5 percent in comparison with the same
period of the previous year.

Among other things the Head of Inventions and Utility Models Department
of the Intellectual Property Agency Avetis Peryan underscored: “56
applicants received certificates, 48 of them for inventions and 8 for
utility models. It’s also noteworthy that the authors of 4 inventions
and one utility model come from foreign countries.”

The national system of intellectual property protection in Armenia
started by the establishment of the Patent Office Under the Government
of the Republic of Armenia in January 1992 and the National Agency of
Copyright in December 1993. Later, in 2002, the Intellectual Property
Agency of the Republic of Armenia was established by merger of the
two organizations, which has the status of separate division acting
within the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. In the same
year the Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted the statutes
and the structure of the Agency.

On June 10, 2011 The Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted
the “Strategy of the Republic of Armenia on Intellectual Property
Rights Protection”.

At present the legal field of intellectual property is regulated by
laws and legal acts as well as the international agreements of the
Republic of Armenia.

The Republic of Armenia is a member of the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) since 1993 and the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO)
since 1995. The Agency cooperates with the European Patent Office
(EPO), other international and regional structures and foreign offices.

LA GRANDE DEPRIME DES DIPLOMATES ISRAELIENS

Mal payes, de plus en plus prives de pouvoir et d’influence sur la
politique etrangère, les diplomates israeliens n’hesitent plus a
descendre dans la rue pour exprimer leur ras-le-bol.

Quelque deux cents d’entre eux ont ainsi manifeste mardi a Jerusalem,
exigeant des augmentations de salaires geles depuis des annees, mais
aussi -et peut-etre surtout- que le ministère des Affaires etrangères
retrouve son lustre d’antan.

“Les diplomates en poste dans de nombreux pays n’arrivent plus a
finir le mois”, explique a l’AFP Yaïr Frommer, president du syndicat
des employes de ce ministère. “Nous en sommes arrives au point où un
tiers des effectifs a prefere quitter le ministère depuis 10 ans”.

“Rien n’est fait pour les conjoints qui perdent tous leurs droits,
notamment la retraite, si bien que les diplomates prefèrent rester
en Israël et vivre avec deux salaires”, affirme ce syndicaliste. Les
salaires des diplomates n’ont pas ete augmentes depuis 12 ans.

Le malaise porte aussi sur la perte de prestige de la carrière.

“Pas moins de quatre ministères se sont vu, pour des raisons
politiciennes, octroyer des prerogatives et des budgets qui relevaient
auparavant des Affaires etrangères, sans compter le fait que nous
n’avons plus de ministre a plein temps”, deplore un diplomate qui
souhaite conserver l’anonymat.

Il faisait allusion au fait que le Premier ministre Benjamin
Netanyahu est formellement chef de la diplomatie en attendant
un eventuel retour d’Avigdor Lieberman, pour qui le portefeuille
est reserve. Ce dernier pourrait reprendre les commandes dans les
prochaines semaines a condition d’etre blanchi dans un procès pour
fraude et abus de confiance.

Benjamin Netanyahu a egalement taille sur mesure pour Youval Steinitz,
un de ses proches, le ministère des Relations internationales, des
Affaires strategiques et des Renseignements, tandis que la ministre
de la Justice Tzipi Livni a ete chargee des negociations avec les
Palestiniens, qui relevaient deja du domaine reserve du chef du
gouvernement.

Sans oublier les emissaires speciaux du Premier ministre. Le directeur
du Conseil de securite nationale Yaakov Amidror mène regulièrement des
missions diplomatiques dans le monde, et l’avocat personnel du Premier
ministre, Yitzhak Molcho, chaperonne Mme Livni dans les discussions
avec le secretaire d’Etat americain John Kerry.

Les discussions avec la Turquie echappent egalement aux Affaires
etrangères. Elles sont gerees par Joseph Ciechanover, un conseiller
de M. Netanyahu, alors que les negociations avec des pays africains
pour l’expulsion d’immigres clandestins erythreens ont ete confiees
a Hagaï Hadass, un autre homme de confiance du Premier ministre.

Pour couronner le tout, Benjamin Netanyahu projette de creer une
“Direction nationale de la communication”, censee expliquer et
justifier la politique d’Israël, notamment a l’etranger.

“La plupart de ces missions devraient etre du ressort de professionnels
de la diplomatie. Nous sommes reduits a la portion congrue”, deplore
le diplomate qui parle d’un “sentiment d’humiliation”. “Plus personne
a l’etranger ne sait qui parle au nom de qui, cela nous rappelle la
cacophonie de l’Europe a Bruxelles”.

La fronde est telle que le syndicaliste Yaïr Frommer menace le
gouvernement d’intensifier l’epreuve de force.

“Si nous n’obtenons pas satisfaction, nous allons durcir les
‘sanctions’ et n’assurerons plus les services aux Israeliens a
l’etranger”, previent-il. D’ores et deja, les diplomates refusent
d’aider a l’organisation des voyages des ministres.

Le Shin Beth, le service de securite interieure, et l’armee se sont
ainsi substitues aux diplomates pour le voyage cette semaine de M.

Netanyahu en Pologne. “Le fait que des services de securite brisent
notre mouvement est un très mauvais signe pour la democratie”,
souligne M. Frommer.

En revanche, le Shin Beth a refuse de casser la grève et de suppleer
au personnel des Affaires etrangères pour les voyages de…

delegations sportives israeliennes a l’etranger, selon le quotidien
Haaretz.

jeudi 13 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

NEW UN CORNERS OPENED IN 3 ARMENIAN CITIES

Xinhua General News Service, China
June 11, 2013 Tuesday 12:40 PM EST

YEREVAN, June 11 (Xinhua) — New UN corners were opened in three
Armenian cities on Tuesday, local media reported.

Now students, researchers, officials and journalists would be able
to get information about UN’s goals and activities as well as its
programs in Armenia through the new corners set up in Ijevan, Dilijan
and Stepanavan.

UN Department of Public Information has provided some 2,500 units of
materials for the corners.

At the moment there are seven UN corners in Armenia.

Armenia became a member of UN in 1992.

SYRIAN ARMENIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN SHUSHI SUMMER CAMP

June 12, 2013 – 22:01 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Representation of Armenian Missionary Association
of America (AMAA) in Artsakh will organize a summer camp in Shushi.

According to Karabakh-open.info, AMAA representative Arsen Manasyyan,
the camp to open on June 23 will bring together children and youth
aged 8-25, with Syrian Armenian participants also welcomed.

Another 10-day camp will be organized in Gandzasar, with about 100
Syrian Armenian children aged 10-15 to participate in it.

ARTSAKH PRESIDENT ATTENDS MONTE MELKONYAN’S DEATH ANNIV. EVENTS

June 12, 2013 – 20:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On June 12, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan
visited the town of Martuni and partook in the events dedicated to
the 20th anniversary of Artsakh hero Monte Melkonyan’s death.

President Sahakyan laid wreaths to the monuments of Avo and perished
soldiers as well as took part in a meeting held in memory of Monte
Melkonyan in Martuni Culture Palace.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, National Assembly deputy speaker
Arthur Tovmasyan, vice prime-minister Arthur Aghabekyan, head of the
General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces Yuri Khachaturov, NKR defense
minister Movses Hakobyan, other officials, guests from Armenia and
the Diaspora partook in the events, Central Information Department
at NKR President’s Office reported.

MPS DO NOT LIVE A LIFE TO BE ENVIED BY OTHERS

09:37 pm | Today | Politics

Republican MP Hrant Grigoryan says his life has not improved following
the 7,2 percent economic growth reported in 2012.

“We live as we lived,” he said.

Another lawmaker of the Republican Party of Armenia, Alexan Petrosyan,
also lives on his ‘modest’ wages.

“The difference of the economic growth is so trivial that one does
not feel it in life,” he said.

MP Vardan Ayvazyan is no longer satisfied with his salary of 260,000
drams.

“At that time, you paid 300 drams for one dollar, today you pay 400
drams. If you compare the dollar-dram ratio and the inflation of the
recent years, you will see that we have sustained significant losses
in these years,” said the Republican MP.

Paymaster General of Armenia Atom Janjughazyan is not as naïve asto say
that people will live better and there will be double-digit economic
growth. “Human needs are growing rapidly, faster than the economy,”
he said.

What can an average person dream of in a country where poverty makes
35 percent? The chief treasurer gave a simple reply, “This man will
no longer want to be poor…”

HOW MANY DAYS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CAN LIVE ON $100?

Country – Tuesday, 11 June 2013, 10:41

The draft amendment to the law on minimum wage is on the National
Assembly agenda of the ongoing four-day session. The draft amendment
provides for an increase of the minimum wage by 10,000 AMD, from 35,000
to 45,000. The government has approved the amendment and introduced
it before parliament for immediate consideration. Lragir.am asked
members of parliament if they would survive on a monthly salary of
45,000 drams. “I have never tried. As soon as I try, I will let you
know,” said Republican Sukias Avetisyan. Chairman of the finance
and budget committee Gagik Minasyan, Republican, noted: “Probably,
you know that the salary of MPs is defined by law.” Asked whether
he could survive on a monthly salary of 45,000, he said: “But I have
just told you that your question does not make sense.” Chairman of the
social committee Hakob Hakobyan, Republican, said that 45,000 is the
minimum consumer basket which was based on studies. This sum is enough
for the basic needs for one month. “If my income were 45,000, I would
also be able to live for a month”. Galust Sahakyan, head of Republican
parliamentary group, said that we always wish more than we can. “Of
course, 45,000 is very little. In of family where each earns 45,000,
80,000 or 100,000, they should plan their expenses accordingly.”

According to him, the state wants to improve the quality of life
but it lacks resources. Lyova Khachatryan of Prosperous Armenia said
that he would be able to live a month on 45,000 because he does not
spend money, he produces everything. While an ordinary citizen of
Armenia would live only four days on this salary. According to him,
this increase will not change anything in the life of the citizens
but will boost the burden on the small and midsize businesses.

AZERBAIJAN’S INTERNAL SECURITY IS VITAL TO EUROPE’S ENERGY SECURITY, VIENNA CONFERENCE TOLD

Wall Street Journal, NY
June 11 2013

Azerbaijan is ready to play a greater role in Europe’s long-term
energy security but it has reminded the international community that
in return, Europe, its biggest energy recipient, must acknowledge
the security issues it faces at home.

The conference in Vienna entitled The Geopolitics of Azerbaijan
and European Energy Security, heard Monday from Azerbaijani and EU
politicians, diplomats and experts in international oil and gas. It
was told that the US $60 billion invested in Azerbaijan’s energy
infrastructure since independence means it is well placed to exploit
its 2.6 trillion cubic metres proven reserves of natural gas.

“We can produce a whole lot more,” said Azerbaijan Energy Minister
Natig Aliyev.

But his Azerbaijan parliamentary colleague Elkhan Suleymanov, warned
the stability that has made this bonanza possible is tested on a
daily basis by a conflict most gas end-users ignore – the occupation
of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia for the past 21 years.

“The amount of pecuniary damage caused by this war is $US431.5
billion,” he said, quoting from the study published in the U.S. in
2012 called The Invasion of Azerbaijani Lands.

He also highlighted the latest threat to his nation; the dilapidated
Sarsang Reservoir in Armenian-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh that engineers
and hydrologists recently confirmed is at risk of catastrophic failure
and at the mercy of saboteurs due to a lack of maintenance.

“The Sarsang reservoir is in emergency condition,” Suleymanov told
the conference.

“Thus the lives of 400,000 people in six provinces of Azerbaijan are
in danger.”

Despite resolutions in the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe, the Organisation of Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) and the European Parliament, Armenia still occupies
20 percent of Azerbaijani territory.

The ongoing aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh, said Professor Gerhard
Mangott of the University of Innsbruck, proves Nagorno-Karabakh
“cannot be considered a frozen conflict”.

Israeli Ambassador to Austria, Aviv Shir-On, said his nation and
Azerbaijan are both “small nations in difficult neighborhoods” adding,
“We appreciate the efforts of Azerbaijan to establish trade and energy
policies but also a foreign policy consisting of delicate balances
vis-a-vis international and regional organisations.”

The event was moderated by former Austrian Chancellor Alfred
Gusenbauer, who said nations have a habit of forgetting conflicts like
Nagorno-Karabakh because “the newest conflict is the most interesting
conflict”.

He closed by urging the international community to do more to help
find an end of Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territory, for
humanitarian reasons as much as reasons of energy security.

SOURCE Azerbaijan Monitor

ARMENIA BUILDS A NEW ALEPPO

EurasiaNet.org, NY
June 11 2013

June 11, 2013 – 8:16am, by Giorgi Lomsadze

To make sure exiles from Syria feel at home in Armenia, the government
has commissioned the construction of an entire settlement called
New Aleppo.

Located 20 kilometers shy of the capital, Yerevan, the residential
project will accommodate some of the thousands of Syrians of Armenian
descent, who escaped the war in Syria.

New Aleppo, named in honor of the wartorn northern Syrian city that
houses most of Syria’s ethnic Armenian population, will sit on 4.8
hectares (some 11 acres) of land in the industrial town of Ashtarak.

Armenia’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs reports that some 600 families
have expressed willingness to move into the development’s apartments.

They will be expected to pay half the cost of the flats; the
authorities and charity groups are expected to pick up the rest of
the tab.

With some 7,000 Syrian-Armenians now seeking residency in Armenia,
the government says that more Syrian quarters will be popping up
across the country as well.

The Syrian Diaspora, estimated to be over 100,000-strong, descends
from ethnic Armenians who fled World-War-I-era massacres in Ottoman
Turkey. Now, a century later, the bloody rebellion in Syria has driven
the community back to what is considered their ancestral homeland.

Some commentators say that preserving the Armenian community in Syria
should be the main priority for Yerevan. Fears exist that the Diaspora
exodus could reduce Armenia’s ability to exert any influence in the
Middle East, long seen as an important Diaspora outpost.

But as long as Aleppo is not safe, the Armenian government is likely to
continue building New Aleppos. The Armenian Diasporas are considered
part of a larger Armenian family, even if they have been continents
and centuries away from the Armenian state.

Yerevan has been fast-tracking visas and residency permits,
facilitating employment and social adaptation for the arrivals from
Syria, often described as returnees. The projects pose a financial
burden for the cash-strapped country, but the authorities hope that
the influx of ethnic Armenians will help boost Armenia’s shrinking
population and contribute fresh entrepreneurial ideas to its economy.

After all, in Armenia, as elsewhere in the South Caucasus, blood ties
are everything.