Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN PM DISCUSSES BILATERAL COOPERATION WITH UKRAINIAN AND AUSTRIAN COUNTERPARTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 8, 2011 – 19:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, who is
in Austria for participation in the World Economic Forum on Europe
and Central Asia, held bilateral meetings with his Ukrainian and
Austrian counterparts.

Sargsyan and Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov discussed the
countries’ economic cooperation, collaboration as part of programs
with participation of international structures, as well as reforms
in Armenia and Ukraine.

Armenia’s priorities in economy and fields presenting interest for
the country from the perspective of bilateral relations’ development
were in the focus of Sargsyan’s meeting with Federal Chancellor of
Austria Werner Faymann.

Besides, Faymann was interested in the developments around the
Armenian-Turkish protocols, as well as Karabakh issue and regional
problems.

During the visit, Mr. Sargsyan is also scheduled to meet with Hungarian
Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

From: Baghdasarian

NOUVEAU PRET DE LA BANQUE MONDIALE AU SECTEUR ENERGETIQUE ARMENIEN
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 9 juin 2011

La Banque mondiale a annonce l’octroi d’un pret de 39 millions de $
a l’Armenie qui financera un projet du gouvernement visant a moderniser
le reseau electrique national.

Dans une declaration publiee après une reunion de son conseil executif
a Washington, la banque a dit que le gouvernement armenien allouera
13 millions $ sur ses fonds propres pour le remplacement de 230
kilomètres de lignes a hautes tensions qui sont perimes.

” Ce projet soutient un objectif clef strategique de notre partenariat
Strategie de Pays : pour soutenir la competitivite de l’Armenie ”
a declare Asad Alam, directeur regional pour le Sud Caucase de la
Banque Mondiale. ” La readaptation de la section visee de la ligne
ameliorera l’efficacite du système et sa fiabilite et apportera des
benefices directs a tous les consommateurs d’energie en Armenie “.

” La capacite de cette section de ligne augmentera de 250 megawatts
a 310 megawatts, avec une reduction pointue de coupures de courant
actuelles ” a declare le chef du bureau a Erevan de la banque,
Jean-Michel Happi.

Les 1500 kilomètres de lignes electriques d’Armenie sont la propriete
d’une societe publique, ” Haute Tension des Reseaux Electriques “.

Selon les evaluations de la societe environ un tiers du reseau a
besoin de renovations urgentes ou d’etre remplace.

Selon la declaration, les nouvelles lignes qui vont etre construites
avec le financement de la Banque Mondiale connecteront les plus
grandes centrales electriques thermales et hydro-electriques d’Armenie
localisees dans le Kotayk et les provinces du sud-est du Syunik.

Le montant total des credits par la Banque Mondiale a l’Armenie
atteint presque 1.5 milliards de $ depuis 1992. L’etablissement base
a Washington est le plus grand donneur etranger du pays.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH INTERNATIONAL CINEMA COMPANIES

Aysor.am
Wednesday,June 08

Armenian filmmakers signed a series of contracts with international
cinema companies at the Cannes Film Festival Market, director of the
National Cinema Center of Armenia, Gevorg Gevorgyan told reporters
in Yerevan. This was the third participation of Armenia in the Market.

Russia and Belarus, showing much interest in the Armenian film
industry, signed two contracts with Armenia.

Besides, Armenia signed a global distribution agreement with the
Insomnia World Sales French company. Under the agreement, the Bonded
Parallels film by Hovhannes Galstyan will be screened in 40 countries
all over the world.

From: Baghdasarian

5,253 PAIRS OF NIKES FOR STUDENT ATHLETES ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
Nike Shoes

Asbarez
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

GLENDALE-An unprecedented donation of 5,253 pairs of brand new Nike
shoes has just arrived in Armenia, as a result of the combined efforts
of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, United Armenian Fund,
and the Catholic Medical Mission Board.

A total of 40 palettes filled with 5,253 new Nike athletic shoes
(total market value of $217,579) arrived on May 22, 2011 and will be
distributed by the ARS to students involved in athletics, as well as
athletic schools throughout Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk, including
those in villages. Given the reputable brand of Nike, these shoes
will certainly allow for students to engage in sports and activities
with extreme comfort.

Annually, the ARS-WUSA ships gifts and humanitarian items to Armenia,
Artsakh, and Javakhk. The region takes an active role in offering aid
internationally and continues its support of orphans; two ARS “Sosse”
Kindergartens in the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh; youth centers in
Javakhk; and educational sponsorship programs. As a board member of
the United Armenian Fund, the ARS-WUSA continues to make a difference
in the lives of those in need both locally and across the globe.

For further information about the ARS-WUSA, visit here.

From: Baghdasarian

THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC POWER INCREASED BY ABOUT 50% IN 2010
Norayr Hovsepian

Friday, 03 June 2011 09:16

The second general meeting of the Artsakh HES shareholders

On May 30, the second general meeting of the shareholders of Artsakh
HES open joint-stock company took place. NKR Prime Minister Ara
Harutyunian, Government members, and the chairman of the company’s
general partner board on the Armsvissbank stock floatation attended
the meeting.

Most probably, the Artsakh HES has the largest team of owners in
Artsakh. 135 of the total number of shareholders attended the general
meeting, providing the needed quorum, thanks to their stocks. Chairman
of the Board of Directors Spartak Tevosian introduced the way the
Artsakh HES had passed. In 2007, when it was established, the Artsakh
HES had the status of closed joint-stock company and only an owner –
the Government. In 2008, it was reorganized into an open joint-stock
company. In 2009, the first issue and distribution of the company’s
stocks took place. As a result, the Artsakh HES gained new owners from

Artsakh, Armenia, and the Diaspora. The demand for stocks increased
and additional funds for the launched programs were needed. As a
result of the second, additional issue in 2010, stocks at par value
of 1 billion and 400 million drams were distributed. The number of
the company’s shareholders also increased, reaching 1200 people.

The company’s officials introduced the previous year’s activity.

Executive Director of the Artsakh HES OJSC Vahram Beglarian considers
putting the small HES Trghe -1 into operation the largest achievement
in 2010. Launching the HES, with 3 MW power, was also symbolic. But,
the indexes fixed in the production of electric power are not symbolic
at all. Compared with the previous year, they increased by 50%. “In
2010, the company produced 177 million and 639 thousand kW of electric
power, 175 million and 845 thousand of which were produced by the
Sarsang HES and 1 million and 794 thousand – by Trghe-1 HES”, noted
Vahram Beglarian.

The year was also distinguished by the volume of construction works.

Works at 1 billion and 261 million drams were conducted at the
Mataghis-1, 958 million drams – at the Mataghis-2, 1 billion and 458
million drams – at the Trghe-2. Putting all the noted objects into
operation is planned for the end of the year. Works at 67 million
drams were conducted at the Trghe-3.

Among the year’s achievements, the Executive Director noted also the
progress in the stocks’ distribution and establishment of security
service in the company’s structure.

Technical Director of the company Armen Gasparian made a report on
the 2010 works on the hydro-electric stations’ service and current
renovation, as well as the works’ security and efficiency. The
priorities of 2011 were also introduced.

Along with the production increase and works’ efficiency, the incomes
increased by 61,6%, compared with the previous year. As of the
expenses, they increased by 21% for the same period. As a result, the
pure profit of the company increased by about 72%. “In the reported
year, the company’s profits made 1 billion and 636 million drams,
and the expenses – 478 million drams. The capital investments of
the Artsakh HES made 3 billion and 750 million drams, exceeding the
previous year index by 45%”, noted Financial Director of the company
Jan Hovhanisian.

Chief accountant of the Artsakh HES Araik Davidian introduced the
positive conclusion of the independent audit on the submitted figures
and the fiscal year report held by the SOS-audit company.

The conclusion on the annual report of the revision committee was also
positive. Committee Chairman Arthur Petrosian introduced corresponding
information.

The shareholders were, surely, interested in the figures introduced
at the meeting. They concerned the dividends. They made 10% of the
par value of a stock, or 100 drams. The shareholders will start
receiving the annual dividends from June 20, at the central office
of the Artsakh HES situated at 25/a

Vazgen Sargisian Street.

The last issue of the agenda was introduction of the Board of
Directors’ new staff. The Board accepted new members – Haik Beglarian
and Emin Ohanjanian.

At the coming meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board Chairman
will be elected.

From: Baghdasarian

IRAN OFFICIALS SAYS ARMENIA NOT PREPARED FOR PRESIDENT’S VISIT

Islamic Republic News Agency
June 6 2011
Iran

Tehran, 6 June: President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad’s Monday [6 June]
visit to Armenia was postponed and it will take place at a later
time, deputy head of the Presidential Office for communications and
information dissemination said here Monday.

Mohammad Hasan Salehimaram said the President’s visit to Yerevan
was put off because the host country had not prepared the documents,
which were to be exchanged during this visit. Whenever the documents
are prepared, the Iranian President will travel to that country,
Salehimaram added.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA,GEORGIA : GEORGIAN-ARMENIAN RELATIONS DEVELOP WITHOUT THIRD PARTY

Tendersinfo News
June 6, 2011 Monday 6:30 AM EST

Georgian-Armenian relations are developing without the need of a
third party. This was revealed by Georgia s ambassador to Armenia
Tengiz Sharmanasvili.

The official further said that the construction of Baku-Karsi railway
does not change Georgian-Armenian good neighborly relations and Georgia
is open for further deepening cooperation between the two countries.

Georgia is looking to have good relations with all of its southern
neighbours. The ambassador added that railway will be very effective
and Armenia could as well use it for transiting its goods to Europe.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIAN AIRBASE IN ARMENIA PERFORMS AIR DEFENSE DUTIES FOR CIS

Interfax
June 6 2011
Russia

Russian airbase in Armenia performs air defense duties for CIS The
personnel of the Russian airbase stationed at Erebuni airfield in
Armenia is continuing to perform combat air defense duties as part
of a CIS combined air defense system, a spokesperson for the Southern
Military District told Interfax-AVN.

“The airbase’s personnel regularly flies MiG-29 planes, takes part in
joint exercises, and regularly improves its piloting skills,” he said.

The airbase’s command attaches particular significance to professional
training of young pilots who recently joined the airbase, the
spokesperson said. Each of these pilots has flown from 27 to 30 hours
since the start of 2011and has been assigned class 3 military pilot
grade, he said.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN DENY REPORTS OF AZERBAIJANI SHEPHERD’S KILLING ON KARABAKH BORDER

Interfax
June 6 2011
Russia

Armenia, Azerbaijan deny reports of Azerbaijani shepherd’s killing
on Karabakh border The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied the
Azerbaijani media reports o the killing of a civilian in Azerbaijan
by Karabakh servicemen.

“If Azerbaijan has evidence, they can provide it to the appropriate
international structures for an investigation,” Armenian Defense
Ministry press officer David Karapetyan told Interfax on Saturday.

A journalist with Azerbaijan’s ANS television earlier reported that a
civilian resident shepherding sheep had been killed in the Agdamsky
district of Azerbaijani as a result f an apparent violation of the
ceasefire agreement by Armenia.

“The dissemination of such information is a provocation by Baku before
the meeting between the presidents of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan
scheduled to take place in Kazan. Azerbaijan is doing this to earn
points,” Karapetyan said.

The information on the civilian’s killing has also been denied in
the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorny Karabakh. “We have more than
once said and I am again officially saying that Karabakh continues to
abide by the ceasefire agreement along the entire line of contact,”
Seno Asratyan, press officer for the Nagorny Karabakh Defense Ministry,
told Interfax.

“The frontline units of Nagorny Karabakh’s army are not opening fire
on the enemy’s civilians or servicemen. The army’s defense posts only
open fire to suppress active actions by the enemy. The information
disseminated by the Azerbaijani media is false,” Asratyan said.

The ceasefire regime was established by Azerbaijani and Armenia in
May 1994.

The meeting between the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia
is scheduled to take place in Kazan in late June.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN DEBT ISSUES

The Messenger
June 7 2011
Georgia

Armenia’s foreign debt for April 1, 2011 reached USD 3.382 bln.

Armenia owes the World Bank USD 1.305 bln which is 38.6 % of its
entire foreign debt. Armenia also owes to the different organizations
affiliated to the World Bank USD 1.19 bln and these figures show
that more than 2/3 of Armenia’s debt is to the World Bank and its
affiliated bodies. Apart from World Bank, Armenia owes money to
EBRD, OPEC, Asian Development Bank, the International Foundation for
Agriculture Development, IMF and others. Armenia also owes Russia,
Japan, Germany, USA, and France.

From: Baghdasarian