Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIA SHOULD BUILD STATE BASED ON EUROPEAN VALUES – ORINATS YERKIR

February 11, 2014 | 15:18

YEREVAN. – Armenia must build its state on the basis of European
values.

Coalition government’s junior member Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law)
Party (RLP) Vice-Chairman Mher Shahgeldyan, who is also Secretary of
the RLP National Assembly Faction, stated the aforesaid at a press
conference on Tuesday.

In his words, Armenia-European Union (EU) relations have a large
framework.

“We stress the importance of carrying out reforms in the governing
bodies, [and] in the judicial and economic establishment.

“The second important matter is that our contacts with the European
associates show the clear will to continued cooperation,” Shahgeldyan
noted.

Following the talks that were held on September 3, 2013 in Moscow
between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs
Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union. And the road map for Armenia’s accession to the
Customs Union was recently introduced. Aside from Russia, Belarus
and Kazakhstan likewise are members in the Customs Union. Following
Sargsyan’s aforementioned announcement, however, Armenia’s initialing
of the EU Association Agreement became impossible.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

POLITICAL EXPERT: INVOLVING IN MOSCOW-LED INTEGRATION PROJECTS ARMENIA ENJOYS HIGHER-LEVEL RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 11, 12:06

Armenia’s key dividend from accession to the Customs Union is
military-political rather than economic and is firmly tied to
security. The statement came from Sergey Minasyan, Deputy Head of the
Caucasus Institute, in response to ArmInfo’s question about the road
map of accessing the CU that was published by the Armenian Government.

“The military-political security is a predetermining factor for
both our public and political elite. Accessing the Moscow-led
Customs Union with a perspective of joining the Eurasian Union,
Armenia enjoys higher-level relations with Russia. This, in turn,
gives us preferences in the military-political cooperation, which
is a predetermining factor for Armenia given the ongoing Karabakh
conflict and dangers coming from Turkey,” Minasyan said.

Nevertheless, he said, the CU membership will allow fixing the current
gas tariff for Armenia at least till 2018, along with relatively easy
flows of money transfers from Armenian migrants in Russia and easing
of some economic requirements that will foster economy sectors. The
heat over the September 3 statement of President Serzh Sargsyan on
accession to the Customs Union is already in the past, Minasyan said.

Earlier on 3 February, the Government of Armenia published a 249-page
road map for accession to the CU and the Common Economic Space with
Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia that was approved yet on 23 January.

The document consists of a program of 262 actions.

From: Baghdasarian

QUATRE GROUPES PARLEMENTAIRES SOUHAITENT CREER UNE COMMISSION AD HOC POUR ETUDIER LES ACCORDS GAZIERS ARMENO-RUSSES CONTROVERSES

ARMENIE

L’AN ayant repris son travail après un conge d’un mois et demi,
les trois partis d’opposition, CNA, FRA/Dachnaksoutioun et Heritage,
ainsi qu’Armenie prospère, ont presente une proposition de loi visant
a mettre en place une commission ad hoc qui se chargera de faire
la lumière sur la dette armenienne de 300 M USD a Gazprom, dont ni
l’AN, ni la societe armenienne n’avaient ete informees. Rappelons
que pour s’acquitter de la moitie de cette dette [la partie russe
s’est engagee a prendre a sa charge l’autre moitie], l’Armenie vient
de ceder a Gazprom les 20% restants de ses actions dans la societe
Azmrosgazprom, celle-ci etant devenue une societe a 100% russe,
renommee >. La commission ad hoc devrait etudier
egalement les raisons pour lesquelles le consommateur armenien paye
380$ les 1000 m3 de gaz russe, alors que le prix de celui-ci a la
frontière armenienne est de 189 $ les 1000m3. 49 deputes ont signe
une petition pour que la proposition de loi soit inscrite a l’ordre du
jour de l’AN dans les meilleurs delais. Haykakan Jamanak reproduit les
propos du depute du CNA, Aram Manoukian, selon lequel
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA IS GOOD ECONOMIC PARTNER FOR CHINA: TIAN CHANGCHUN

11:07, 4 February, 2014

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and China are actively
cooperating in the economic, political, and cultural spheres. The
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic
of China to the Republic of Armenia Tian Changchun stated this in a
conversation with “Armenpress”. According to the Ambassador first of
all Armenia is a good economic partner for China. “We have a continuous
economic cooperation, which has serious prospects for development. The
development of economic ties is involved in the agenda of bilateral
relations,” Tian Changchun highlighted

In addition the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the
People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia Tian Changchun
noted that financial and technical support is among the key elements of
China’s policy towards Armenia and the agreement signed by the Prime
Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan and the Prime
Minister of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang on September
10 in the Chinese city of Dalian on providing Armenia with additional
assistance of 100 million of Chinese yuans is to prove this.

(c) 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

From: Baghdasarian

NEW IRANIAN BIOFERTILIZER PROMISES GOOD RESULTS

13:41 * 07.02.14

Alkazot Plus biofertilizer, which has been created by Iranian
scientists, will be used in Armenia to promote agricultural progress,
Director of the Armen Biotech company Siamak Alizade told reporters
on Friday.

The new fertilizer is 40% to 50% cheaper than chemical fertilizers.

Armen Biotech company has for 15 years been producing fertilizers
in Iran, and, after studying the world market, has decided to start
production in Armenia as well.

“We are going to start production in Abovyan to be able to bring
economic benefits to Armenia,” Alizade said.

Deputy Director Vahik Nariyan said that the new technology helps
plants to absorb useful substances from oil and air.

“The entire world is introducing organic production, which enhances
economic productivity by 20 to 25 percent,” Narinyan said.

He noted that the new fertilizer has been used in hothouses and
produced good results.

From: Baghdasarian

ZHOGHOVURD: TIGRAN SARGSYAN WANTS TO BECOME PRESIDENT

12:49 29/01/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan recently makes active efforts
for becoming the successor of President Serzh Sargsyan, Zhoghovurd
writes.

Moreover, according to the newspaper’s sources, via various channels
he swears loyalty to the Russian authorities in an effort to show
that he is “their man,” he “can be trusted” and so on.

Speaking to Zhoghovurd’s correspondent, Prime Minister’s spokesman
Harutyun Berberyan refuted the rumors that Tigran Sargsyan wants to
become the President’s successor.

“As for the second part of your question, we have excellent relations
with our Russian partners,” he said.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II SENDS CONGRATULATIONS ON ARMY DAY

18:24 28/01/2014 >> SOCIETY

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II issued a congratulatory message
on the occasion of Army Day.

The message says, in part: “On the occasion of Army Day, we offer our
patriarchal blessings and congratulations to our beloved nation from
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Armenian Army is the great achievement of our independent statehood,
and being efficient and strong by the blessing of God, it keeps
awake free, peaceful and creative life of our homeland. Armenian
Army has always been the bearer of faithful and freedom loving soul
of our people, by which it built victories at the decisive moments
in our history.

Today soldiers of our Army become heroes and devote their lives to
their homeland, being ranked beside brave soldiers who fought for the
love of their homeland and died. On this festive day, we remember and
honor our glorious soldiers and generals and immortal heroes who built
the glory of Armenian weapon and all those who devoted themselves to
the noble and worthwhile cause of creating independent statehood.

We wish soldiers of our Army to continue their vigilant service with
devotion and bravery and multiply the achievements of Armenian Army,
defending our country, values and sacred things.”

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

168 Hours: Staff reductions begin at Nairit plant

12:45 08/02/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

About a month ago, 168 Hours newspaper reported that staff reductions
are planned at Nairit plant. Plant’s spokeswoman Anush Harutyunyan,
however, dismissed the information.

“Unfortunately, our report was confirmed. A number of plant workers
said that they received notifications that they will no longer work at
the plant beginning April. They also said that new lists of staff
reductions are being complied,” 168 Hours writes.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

Haute Living
Feb 8 2014

Haute Eat: Mayrig Dubai

February 8, 2014
Written by Rebecca Anne Proctor

Delicately prepared and full of fresh flavors, I was immediately
enlightened by Armenian cuisine from the first time I ate at Mayrig’s
charming Beirut restaurant. While similar in many ways to Lebanese
fare, what was so memorable about Mayrig’s dishes were their distinct
flavors – tastes like I’d never experienced before. That first
experience stayed clearly in my mind for many years, until I recently
was able to try the restaurant’s new Dubai restaurant.

Dubai is Mayrig’s second venue after its launch in 2003 in Beirut.
Owned by cousins Aline Kamakian and Serge Maacaron, the restaurant was
founded out of their shared passion for cooking and preserving the
tradition of Armenian cuisine. Mayrig, which means “little mother”, a
common Armenian term to refer to grandmother, celebrates the cousins’
mutual grandmother Manouchag through a menu rife of her special
recipes passed down across generations as well as portraits that are
found aligning the walls of the restaurant’s two floors.

While opening a restaurant satisfied Aline’s childhood dream, her
journey to withhold the standards of Armenian cuisine didn’t stop
there. In 2011, she published her first book Armenian Cuisine, a
stunning tome replete with wonderful photographs and recipes of some
of the culture’s greatest dishes.

The warm ambiance decorated with traditional Armenian patterns boasts
an inviting and comfortable ambiance – similar to someone’s home. The
menu, which is decorated in traditional Armenian patchwork, is full of
countless tasty dishes. Without much background knowledge as per the
preparation and philosophy behind Armenian cuisine, except for my one
meal at the Mayrig in Beirut, from among the range of dishes I didn’t
know what to select. Energetic and bubbly, Aline came over to explain
the various options.

Starters came in a great assortment of dishes with the colorful
ingredients Armenian food is renowned for. We were served a mix of
cold appetizers including Itch, Armenian tabouleh; Sempougav Salad,
made with eggplant; Zeitoun Salad with olives; Vospis Salad featuring
a delicious mix of lentils and several hommos dishes such as Hommos
Soujouk topped with Armenian sausage. Everything was incredibly fresh
and fragrant boasting the vibrant tastes that I had loved when I first
ate at Mayrig’s in Beirut. We were also served several salads
including one with wild oregano, which Aline advised was a specialty
because of the season. Among my favorites were the Sempougui Keufteh,
stuffed kebbe with marinated eggplant, the Potato Kebbe and the
Mouhammara, a delicious and highly addictive hot red pepper and walnut
sauce that went perfectly with the variety of Armenian breads we were
served. These included Lavash, a traditional thin flatbread that
unlike other breads, doesn’t contain any yeast.

A selection of hot starters were also provided among which were the
Sou Beureg, layered pastry with three cheeses and the Gdzou Patates,
spicy fried potatoes. Presented with such delicacy and attention to
detail, it is clear that much time and labor had gone into the
preparation of each dish – countless hours in the kitchen to recreate
these much loved specialties.

While the appetizers alone can easily constitute a meal, we openly
welcomed a few main dishes. The Spanakhou Mante, a dish resembling the
intricacy of Italian Ravioli, presented spinach dumplings with tomato
sauce and yogurt. Armenian cuisine is big on meat so we also opted for
the Mante of minced meat dumplings also accompanied by tomato sauce
and yogurt.

The desserts couldn’t have impressed us more by their authenticity and
special flavors. We were served an interesting sweet eggplant filled
with sugar and walnuts inside. There was also a selection of Armenian
biscuits that we could dip in rosewater jam. To top it off and aid our
digestion, we were offered Armenian tea prepared with cinnamon and
black tea anise.

Armenian cuisine is a journey in itself – one which requires much
investigation to the history and nature of this ancient school of
cooking. Mayrig does it superbly well. Such an Armenian venue was
needed in Dubai to balance out the majority of Arabic and Lebanese
venues with something of the same region, but offering different
tastes and a fascinating history. While Aline mentioned the challenges
to procure the freshest produce as possible in the UAE, the food
itself was no less in taste and presentation than the brand’s first
venue in Beirut. This is a place that merits many returns.

Mayrig is located in Downtown Dubai on Tel: +971 56 3649794

From: Baghdasarian

Santa Barbara Independent, CA
Feb 8 2014

Millions Were Lost in Armenian Genocide

Saturday, February 8, 2014
By Alicia St. John, S.B.

The February 2 letter “Armenian Genocide Not Legally Founded” is
completely irresponsible. The denial of the Armenian genocide by
Turkish descendants is notorious. Turkey, as a nation, refuses to
admit to the slaughter of the Armenians. They have been denying it
since it happened in 1915.

Thousands of books have been written on the reality of the Armenian
genocide by people more prominent than Hillary Clinton or any of those
referenced in the letter. It is well known that Hitler based what he
did to the Jews on what the Turks did to the Armenians. He ended his
speech on invading Poland with “Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?” One of the most educated commentaries
about the Armenian Genocide was published in the L.A. Times, noting
that the Armenian genocide was the first genocide of that century, and
had the world interfered, that would have set the precedent that
genocide is unacceptable by nations. The Times writer believed that
would have prevented every other genocide of that century.

The authors of the letter say the Armenian genocide should not be
taught in schools. Personally, I do not believe that children are
capable of understanding man’s inhumanity to man. The subject should
be taught to older students, in the context of genocide, along with
all of the other instances of genocide. But, this does not mean that I
am in any way denying the Armenian genocide. That would be a negation
of history.

The Armenians were the first nation of people to accept Christianity
from the Emperor Constantine, in 301 AD. They lived secularized in the
Ottoman Empire, surrounded by the Muslim Turks. The Ottoman Empire was
tolerant of the Christians in their midst. When the Ottomans were
overthrown by the “Young Turk Guard,” that tolerance was over. The
Turk Guard slaughtered millions of Armenian Christians to ethnically
cleanse their realm. The atrocities are compared to the Holocaust and
are the second-most-studied genocide. I encourage readers to contact
the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. to learn the truth.

From: Baghdasarian