Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

SECURITY GUARANTEES ARE NEEDED BEFORE RETURNING OF TERRITORIES – US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

July 08, 2014 | 00:34

YEREVAN. – US Ambassador John Heffern considers the return of the
territories adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh to be one of the six elements
of the conflict settlement.

Ambassador Heffern told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, however, he does not mean that these territories must
be returned to Azerbaijan right away.

“This is assumed within the framework of a final solution to the
issue. According to the six agreed elements, Nagorno-Karabakh’s final
status will be resolved through free expression. Subsequently, the
territories contiguous to Nagorno-Karabakh–except for the Lachin
Corridor–must be returned. So, there is nothing new in my words,”
Heffern noted.

The US diplomat stressed that the six elements of conflict settlement
also suggests the deployment of international peacekeeping forces.

“Some security guarantees and the presence of international
peacekeeping forces are necessary before the Armenian party returns
the territories,” John Heffern concluded.

From: Baghdasarian

ENERGY CONCERNS: EXPERTS DISCUSS IMPACT OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF RISE ON ARMENIAN ECONOMY

ECONOMY | 08.07.14 | 11:59

Photolure

By SARA KHOJOYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The periodical increases in energy prices in the last few years and
Armenia’s decision to join the Russia-led Customs and Eurasian Unions
are leading the country to energy isolation, some economists believe.

The country does not use the opportunities offered by its two
neighbors, Georgia and especially Iran – for purchasing alternative,
more affordable energy sources. Moreover, the Russian companies
operating in Armenia make deals with each other that are against the
interests of the population and the State, opposition and independent
experts said during a July 7 panel discussion hosted by Media Center.

The discussion was devoted to the expected rise in electricity prices
in Armenia and its possible impact on the economy.

Economic expert Ashot Yeghiazaryan pointed out that rises in
electricity prices should have been avoided in the past few years as
more increases are expected ahead, in particular, during the expected
repairs at the Armenian nuclear power plant, as a result of which
energy prices are expected to rise more dramatically.

Moreover, according to Yeghiazaryan, by joining the Eurasian Economic
Union, Armenia will have bigger energy problems, as because of the
Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the Russian companies that own most of
Armenia’s energy system are facing serious challenges.

“They have trouble attracting finances and technologies, as without
foreign investments it is impossible to imagine development in the
sphere. By joining the Eurasian Economic Union project, we deprive
ourselves also of the opportunity to develop alternative routes,
such as Iran and European countries,” said the expert, emphasizing
that Armenia has found itself in complete energy isolation.

In spring of this year 11 electricity producing companies applied
to the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC), requesting
the revision and increase of the electricity tariff, then the PSRC
met their request and beginning on August 1 electricity tariffs for
Armenian citizens will be raised by 10 percent.

It is remarkable that the PSRC largely explained the increase by the
17.5 billion (about $44 million) financial gap of the energy market
companies. This is the second rise in electricity prices within a space
of about a year. Last year also saw a rise in natural gas tariffs.

Stressing that the recent rises in energy prices in Armenia do not
contribute to Armenia’s policy of export promotion, opposition Armenian
National Congress Party Board member, economist Vahagn Khachatryan
noted that the $300 million required for repairs of the Metsamor
nuclear power plant will also be included in the electricity tariff.

“Corruption risks are very high, the energy sector is at the lowest
level of the governance system. I look at their records and see that
there were no such problems in 2012, then every year 10 billion drams
($25 million) losses were added, and there are no conclusions,”
said the economist.

According to Khachatryan’s estimations, if the salaries, profitability
and losses of the electricity networks company (which holds a monopoly
on electricity supply) were a little lower, it would be possible to
have a lower tariff.

Head of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia Gagik Makaryan
also presented the possible losses for the country’s economy and
business environment because of the energy price rises, saying that
big business will largely remain unharmed, while small businesses
will have to add about $100 to their monthly costs.

According to Makaryan, companies with a turnover of one million
drams (about $2,500) will see a 30-35-percent increase in their
total costs, while the new mechanism of the turnover tax does not
envisage compensation. In the meantime, the money mass will decrease
by 10 percent. “Therefore, people will become poorer, the purchasing
power will fall, the multiplicative effect should be negative, the
small businesses will be more depressed, therefore they will have
to either go to the shadow or close down, also there will be public
dissatisfaction,” said Makaryan.

Referring to public resentment, Mane Tandilyan, a member of the Dem.am
civil initiative, which campaigns against the controversial pension
reform, urged all citizens of Armenia to struggle.

“The burden of unprofessional administration has been shifted onto
citizens,” she said. “I have seen analyses that say that the price
for us could be a maximum of 25 drams. As a citizen, I feel cheated
that I will have to be responsible for the faults of companies.”

From: Baghdasarian

SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE KEY TO THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

(Agencia Prensa Armenia).- The Head of Government of the Autonomous
City of Buenos Aires Mauricio Macrigave handed President Serzh Sargsyan
the key to the city of Buenos Aires in the afternoon.

After a private interview, Macri predicted a new meeting as he expects
to “be elected President of the Nation.” The Head of Government said
that the Armenian community is known “for their strength and their
hard work” while Sargsyan thanked the distinction and said that it
is a satisfaction to know that “my countrymen have contributed and
continue to contribute to the enlargement of one of the major world
cities, such as Buenos Aires.”

In addition, the Chief of Staff of the City, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta,
and Senator Gabriela Michetti gave him the award ofDistinguished
Visitor that the Buenos Aires Legislature approved unanimously last
week. The General Secretary of Government Marcos Peña, Undersecretary
of International Relations Fulvio Pompeo and Deputy Federico Pinedo
also participated of the event.

Hours later, Sargsyan visited the National Congress, where he was
received by the members of the Argentine-Armenian friendship group
and ratified the principles that both countries have in common in
terms of foreign policy, including support for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Argentina, and support for Argentina’s position
on the issue of Malvinas by Armenia.

President of the Chamber of Deputies, Julian Dominguez, and the
interim Senate President Gerardo Zamora, presented him a copy of the
“Declaration of Ushuaia” and a copy of the book Martin Fierro.

“Our bilateral relations in the context of the growing cooperation
has increased in recent years both in terms of trade, political and
cultural sphere” said Dominguez, and recalled the enactment of Law
26,199 that declared to April 24 as “Day of Action for tolerance and
respect between peoples.”

Sargsyan stressed the “courageous position of Argentina to recognize
by law the suffering of the Armenian people” and said that this visit
marks “the deep and genuine commitment for the future between the two
countries.” The event was attended by Deputies Ricardo Alfonsin, Juan
Carlos Zabalza, Mara Brawer, Patricia Gimenez, Graciela Boyadjian,
María del Carmen Bianchi and Senator Liliana Negre de Alonso.

Agencia de Noticias Prensa Armenia Armenia 1366, Ciudad
de Buenos Aires, Argentina Tel. (5411) 4775-7595 int. 14
[email protected] twitter.com/PrensaArmenia

From: Baghdasarian

JOURNALIST EXPLAINS WHY PUBLISHED RECORDING OF CONVERSATION WITH NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE EMPLOYEE

07.07.2014 14:46 epress.am

Heritage Party board member, Araratnews.am journalist Hrayr Manukyan
explained on his personal Facebook page why he published the audio
recording of his conversation with an employee of Armenia’s National
Security Service (NSS) who tried to recruit him then issued threats
against him.

“Why did I publish the recording?

“1. For my security. There was no guarantee that the threats issued
were completely empty. There was [the threat of] subsequently passing
me off at the very least as a KGB agent (at the end he said that
people won’t know what decision I actually made, what conversation took
place). After publishing [the recording], they can neither call me a
‘KGB agent’ nor harm those close to me; on the contrary, they will
protect [us], so that no one suddenly harms [us], to put the blame
on them.

“2. The NSS has no right to have an informer in the supreme leadership
of a parliamentary party, and our country’s NSS no less, which
definitely conveys this information to the ruling administration. This
violates one of the extremely important principles of democracy: equal
political competition, thus becoming an anti-state activity. The
NSS should engage in reconnaissance (in other countries) and
counterintelligence (against foreign agents in Armenia).

“They don’t understand this simple thing, those who remain communist in
their hearts, who say that I shouldn’t have discredited an important
structure such as the NSS in the eyes of the public. But I was
obliged to publish [the recording] (even without the need for personal
protection), as a journalist, as a board member, and even just as a
citizen, for the reason that to show the public with proof the NSS’s
anti-state activities and for it finally to be recorded that the NSS
shouldn’t stick its nose in the leadership of [political] parties.

“3. For those who have yet to receive an offer. My example shows
that saying ‘no’ to the NSS, especially when we’re not dealing with
reconnaissance and counterintelligence, is not only possible, but also
necessary, no matter how threatening they are or what compromise they
offer. Remember: there is nothing more compromising or humiliating
in our country than being a ‘KGB informer’.

“4. For the very same NSS. Due to the published recording, they
will be forced to slightly revise their criminal methods (recruiting
people through threats and intimidation), having a complete picture
of people’s psychological and intellectual characteristics prior to
approaching them. A well-known KGB agent wrote that if the recruiter
had done his homework well and the compromise was collected in advance,
there wouldn’t be a result like this. Another famous KGB agent also
spoke about some compromises, the revelation of which, supposedly,
frighten me so much that I wouldn’t want my parents to know.

“This shows that these people, after all this, continue to remain
neanderthals: they think they can have such a compromise with which
they can force me to do something. After following [me], reading all
[my] statuses [on Facebook], was it so difficult to understand that
you can’t get me to compromise, or that for me there is nothing more
heinous than being a snitch for the KGB that actually serves Russia?

“[…] Do you think that since you turned 100 people before me
into informers with similar methods that you’ll turn everyone [into
informers] so easily? Or do you think that all the young people of
this country are empty, self-seeking, and cowardly like you? Was it
so hard to see that the convictions and outlook of a 27-year-old 10-15
years ago are very different than the outlook of a 27-year-old today?

“In any case, I hope that the NSS will gradually understand these
simple things and will change a little.”

From: Baghdasarian

OMBUDSMAN CONDEMNS JUSTICE MINISTRY ON SLOW ACTION ON REMOVING BAN ON ATTORNEYS VISITING PRISONERS

07.07.2014 17:16 epress.am

Due to the fault of the Ministry of Justice, prisoners in Armenia
cannot meet with attorneys on non-working days and outside of work
hours, which is a gross violation of the law, said Armenian Ombudsman
Karen Andreasyan in a statement issued today. This statement came
about after the Ombudsman’s office discovered violations as a result
of a complaint submitted by Helsinki Association for Human Rights
attorney Arayik Papikyan.

Recall, Papikyan went to visit his client, Karen Kungortsev,
at Vanadzor Penitentiary on March 29, 2014, which was a Saturday;
however, prison administration forbid the meeting, referring to a
government decision, according to which visits with prisoners are
allowed only on work days between 10 am and 5 pm.

In a letter dated May 19 to Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan,
the Ombudsman proposed he take measures to fully restore the right
for attorneys and prisoners to meet and to have prison regulations
comply with legislative requirements. A study on such legal violations
in international practice was conducted and the findings sent to the
justice minister.

“Unfortunately, to this day appropriate measures have not been taken
and the apparent legislative contradiction has not been eliminated.

Such slowness on the part of the Ministry of Justice in the case of
such obvious legislative contradiction and widespread violation of
rights is questionable,” reads the Ombudsman’s statement.

From: Baghdasarian

THE TRUE REASON BEHIND AZERBAIJAN’S ATTEMPTS TO ESCALATE TENSION AT THE BORDER

15:36 07.07.2014

Lena Badeyan
Public Radio of Armenia

Azerbaijan will not launch active actions at the border, it pursues
a different objectives, political scientist Levon Shirinyan told a
press conference today.

“There is a single and clear purpose behind the recent escalation of
tension at the border. Azerbaijan is aware it won’t be able to take a
single inch of land, taking into consideration the military-political
and strategic alliances Armenia adheres to and the condition of the
Armenian army. The recent incident at Nakhijevan border is a vivid
example of this,” Shirinyan said.

According to him, the task of the snipers is to increase the
tension at the frontline to make people leave. “This is the meaning
of Azerbaijan’s policy at the border. It’s easy to speak with
preconditions with a country weakened by migration,” he said.

The political scientist suggests that official Yerevan address two
important issues: solve the issue of withdrawal of snipers from the
frontline and prevent the migration and organize repatriation.

From: Baghdasarian

Financial Services Monitor Worldwide
July 5, 2014 Saturday

EIB supports development of water sector in Armenia

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing two loans totaling EUR
30.7 million to finance improvement of the quality and reliability of
water supply services and the upgrading of wastewater treatment in
Armenia.

The EIB funds will help to improve the living standards of Armenia’s
citizens and contribute to accelerating the social and economic
development of the country. The EIB loans will consist of: EUR 25.5
million for the rehabilitation and construction of water and sewage
infrastructure in Armenia’s secondary cities and small communities;
and EUR 5.2 million for the upgrading of water supply infrastructure
in selected areas of Armenia’s capital Yerevan and several surrounding
villages, a press release says.

The EIB loan of EUR 25.5 million will help to implement over the
period 2014-2018the program of water infrastructure rehabilitation
carried out by four regional water supply companies in rural Armenia,
improving water services for some 400,000 people. This program will be
co-financed with EUR 30 million from the German development bank KfW
and an EU Neighborhood Investment Facility (NIF) donation of EUR
15million, consisting of a EUR 12million investment grant and a EUR
3million technical assistance grant. An additional grant of EUR
2.5million will be provided by the German cooperation ministry (BMZ).

This is the first EIB loan extended in the Eastern Neighborhood in the
framework of the Mutual Reliance Initiative (MRI) jointly developed by
the EIB, KfWand the French Agency for Development (AFD). The MRI aims
to maximize the complementarities and synergies between the partner
institutions and set up a simplified partnership between financiers,
which benefits project promoters through lower transaction costs and a
larger financing capacity to support their investment projects. In the
Armenian water sector project, KfW is the lead financier and as such
was responsible for appraising the project and preparing key
documentation.

The EIB loan of EUR 5.2 million will support a project to be
implemented during 2013-2015 focusing on improving the water supply
services in Yerevan. The project will improve the reliability of the
service and reduce technical and commercial losses as well as energy
consumption and maintenance costs. This project will be co-financed
with some EUR 5.3 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) and a NIF grant of EUR 5.5 million.

The EIB has so far provided loans in Armenia, including the current
projects, amounting to some EUR 158 million supporting investments
important for the country’s development in the areas of transport,
public transport and water sector infrastructure and indirectly
financing undertakings of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
through EIB partner financing institutions. 2014 Global Data Point.

From: Baghdasarian

Iran’s electricity exports up 12.4% in 3 months
Economic Desk

On Line: 05 July 2014 16:52
In Print: Sunday 06 July 2014

TEHRAN – Iran exported 3,214 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity to
its neighboring countries in spring 2014, a 12.43 percent rise
compared to spring 2013, the Mehr News Agency reported on Saturday.

Iran also imported 2,859 GWh of electricity in spring 2014, which
corresponds to the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year
(March 21-June 21), the report added.

In Aril 2013, Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Mohammad Behzad said that
the country has constructed power plants twice as many as the average
number of power plants which have been constructed in the world during
the past decade.

The power generation capacity in Iran has grown by 7 percent annually
during the past 10 years, he said, adding that the figure has averaged
3.5 percent in the world.

The country’s power generation capacity is currently at 68.38
gigawatts, he added.

Iran currently trades power with Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan,
Azerbaijan (including Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic), Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq.

Iran seeks to become a major regional exporter of electricity and has
attracted more than $1.1 billion in investments for the construction
of three new power plants.

From: Baghdasarian

News On Border Intended To Put Erdogan In Awkward Situation

Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview – Saturday, 05 July 2014, 18:20

Interview with Bagrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of the
Agos Weekly

The Turkish Taraf periodical informed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
ordered to open the border with Armenia in September. Can this be true
and why does this statement come ahead of the Turkish elections?

That’s a very good question because we think that Taraf’s news is not
based on reliable facts but is intended to put Erdogan in an awkward
situation ahead of the elections. We asked the Turkish foreign
ministry to comment and they did not confirm this statement.

Mr. Estukyan, what is the situation in Turkey ahead of the elections?

Today the situation is not tense because the elections are foreseen on
August 10. Prime Minister Erdogan hopes to win in the first round
while his opponents want a second round. Hence, there is no doubt that
Erdogan will become the president of the republic on August 24 at the
latest.

Do you see any possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border?

In any case, it is obvious after April 23 that the Turkish government
will change its strategy of dealing with Armenian organizations,
evidence is the recent recommendation of the government to the prime
minister. Perhaps, the government has revised its traditional posture
to some extent ahead of the 100thanniversary. The opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border may appear on the agenda but the Azerbaijani
factor matters which has a big influence on the Turkish government.
So, we are not very enthusiastic.

The article of the Taraf also mentioned that back in 2000 Clinton
stated in a meeting with high-ranking Turkish officials that the
opening of the border is desirable. May the stance of the American
side be somehow related to the statement about opening the border?

The Taraf has merely compiled comments relating to opening the border.
Similar statements have been made by heads of EU member states noting
that closed borders are unacceptable for a country which wants to join
the EU. This message comes from Europe as well so, if we are
realistic, this is a canard.

Mr. Estukyan, recently there has been shooting at the border with
Nakhijevan. May this indicate a tactical or strategic change in the
Turkish government over this period?

The Turkish government is good at such well-covered undertakings. I
don’t know what movement takes place in Nakhijevan, what prospects
there are. Unfortunately, I cannot answer about Turkey’s role there.
The Turkish participation in those incidents is still an allegation.

What are the chances of Erdogan? Is this election similar to former
elections in Turkey in terms of methods or is it something new?

This election is crucial to Erdogan because it’s his only chance to
continue his political life. The Justice and Development Party has the
principle of three electoral cycles, and Erdogan cannot run in the
parliamentary election next year. Now he will become president with
expanded powers.

Will something change in the Armenian-Turkish relations if he becomes president?

There are international actors in the Armenian-Turkish relations, such
as the United States and Russia, as well as Azerbaijan. Hence, all
these sides must reach an agreement to achieve success. Erdogan’s
statement of April 23 may inspire some hope for progress.

Whom does the Armenian community support?

As always, the votes of Armenians will split between the incumbent
Prime Minister Erdogan and the pro-Turkish party.

Recently crimes by Armenian citizens have been reported in Turkey. How
can this influence the government’s attitude to Armenians?

The police raided some bars frequented by Armenian citizens. It should
be noted that the police did not disturb Armenian citizens because
besides Armenians there are migrants from many other countries. There
is always fear that Armenians will be deported in the course of fight
against crime but the police did not disturb the Armenian citizens.

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

The solemn closing ceremony of Ari Tun project held in Tsakhkadzor

15:40 05.07.2014

RA Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan took part in the closing ceremony
of the 2nd phase of Armenian Diaspora’s “Ari Tun” (Come Home)
cognitive project for Armenian youth of Diaspora. The solemn ceremony
was held in “Ari Tun” capm of Tsakhkadzor resort not far from Yerevan.
Welcoming the presents , Prime Minister Abrahamyan highlighted the
role of the project in the sense of protection of national identity
and values and assured that it will grow and develop in the future.
The participants of “Ari Tun” greeted the guests, sharing with them
their impressions, knowledge gained within the scope of the project.
Through national song, dance and poetry dedicated to the Armenia the
young people expressed their love and devotion to the motherland, its
culture and values.

Recall, this phase of “Ari Tun” project involved 185 youngsters from
Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, USA, France, Sweden, Latvia, Syria, Lebanon,
as well as representatives from Artsakh and the best school-children
from Sisian, an Armenian town proclaimed the city of the youth.

At the end of the ceremony the Armenian traditional dance – Qochari,
was performed round the farewell bonfire – a fire which symbolizes the
warmth and love their souls get taking part at “Ari Tun” Project.

From: Baghdasarian