Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ILLEGAL WOOD-CUTTING GAINS INCREASED PACES IN ARMENIA AMID GAS PRICE HIKE

11:18 * 07.02.14

Armenian environmentalists are concerned over the paces of illegal
wood-cutting, which they say is the result of the increased natural
gas tariffs.

A statistics published by the Ministry of Territorial Administration
has revealed that 2,031 trees were cut illegally in Armenia in 2012
against the 1,860 trees in 2012.

Environmentalist claim that the recent hike has caused many natural
gas consumers to switch over to wood.

“The gas price came as a major blow to our forests. Even in Yerevan,
where the gas supply is fully accessible, those chimneys that were out
of use for years began to be used,” Inga Zarafyan, an environmental
activist, told Tert.am.

Ruben Petrosyan, the chief forester of Hayantar (a non-profit state
organization responsible for the preservation of woodlands on the
territory of Armenia), said it is now early to point to any specific
figures.

“The results for this winter will be summed up in June-July,” he told
our correspondent, adding that 928 trees were cut illegally in forest
areas under their control last year.

From: Baghdasarian

Armenia and Georgia to sign cooperation agreement on tourism

February 06, 2014 | 12:22

YEREVAN. – Armenia and Georgia will sign an agreement on cooperation
in the tourism sector.

The draft for the respective agreement was approved at Thursday’s
session of the Government of Armenia.

Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan noted that such an agreement between
the two countries was signed back in 1993, and for a ten-year term.

Pursuant to the new agreement, the parties are going to promote mutual
tourist flow, exchange professionals and information, and develop
tourism staff.

A joint working group, comprising representatives from the Armenian
and Georgian state agencies, will coordinate the implementation of
this agreement.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

Taxed over Taxes: Pension reform continues to create chaos

PENSIONS | 06.02.14 | 22:54

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Members of the civil initiative protesting against the mandatory
pension reform are urging state bodies in Armenia to take respective
steps and disperse the legislative chaos created in the economic
entities of Armenia because of the new law on pension savings.
Enlarge Photo

“I Object!” initiative member Davit Manukyan told the press on
Thursday that they had received numerous employees’ complaints of
especially state budget-funded entities where they report being
threatened to choose a pension fund. Besides, numerous companies,
discarding the Constitutional Court decision of January 24, made
pension savings deductions from the salary for January.

“Pressures can be come across not only in the state system, the
Central Bank, too, is pressuring trade banks to make their employees
choose a pension fund,” says Manukyan.

Following the CC decision of January 24, suspending the application of
two articles in the law until the final court ruling on March 28, some
240,000 citizens born after 1974 gained a temporary relief from making
their selection of savings funds and fund managers, meant to have been
completed by January 1, while employers got exempt from penalty and
sanctions applicable by the law for failure to make or delay the
mandatory savings payment.

Despite the CC interim decision, in January company accountants were
forced to face a big issue, as the salary payment report forms already
have the mandatory pension savings deductions, and the system does it
automatically. Activists say the government should have first of all
removed the line about the mandatory payment in the report form to be
able to carry out the CC ruling.

“How are employers planning to compensate the money, if the CC
declares it anti-constitutional, as the law does not provide for any
refunding mechanisms,” ask members of the initiative.

Employees of Metsamor nuclear power plant, Haypost, and even the
National Assembly have warned about the pension deductions from their
salaries for January. At the same time, some major companies, such as
Orange Armenia, Ashtarak Kat, Synopsis Armenia, the American
University of Armenia, World Vision Armenia, the Armenian Caritas and
others, have not made the respective deductions.

“I Object!” initiative member Gevorg Gorgisyan believes state
officials’ claims that the part about the mandatory savings payment is
impossible to remove from the online tax report form are groundless.
As a programmer, he has offered his assistance with it.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday in the parliament, the Labor and Social
Affairs Minister Artem Asatryan, responding to the question whether
following the CC decision employers have the right not to make the
mandatory payments to the pension funds, said that they are obliged to
make the respective payments.

“The CC has ruled that sanctions will not be applied against employers
who won’t make the payments,” said the minister.

Today more than a thousand citizens protesting against the application
of the new law held a “March for Rights” urging state bodies to
fulfill their duties properly and refrain from creating a chaos. They
voiced their appeal in front of the Ministry of Education and
Sciences, the Government Building, the Central Bank, the City Hall and
the State Revenue Committee.

From: Baghdasarian

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 6 2014

Visit to the Republic of Armenia

Thursday, Febraury 6
Deputy Defense Minister of Georgia Mikheil Darchiashvili paid an
official visit to the Republic of Armenia. First Deputy Chief of
General Staff of GAF, Colonel Vladimir Chachibaia and Head of
Department of International Relations and Euro-Atlantic Integration,
Davit Nardaia made up the the Georgian Delegation. Within the visit,
the Georgian Delegation held meetings with Defense Minister of
Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan; First Deputy Minister of Defense, Davit
Tonoyan; and First Deputy Chief of the GS of the ARM Armed Forces,
Lieutenant-General, and Enriko Apriamov. The sides discussed bilateral
relations in the defense sphere, future cooperation plans and regional
security issues. During the visit, Bilateral Cooperation Plan 2014 was
signed between the Defense Ministries of Georgia and Armenia, which
includes experience sharing in the spheres of military education,
strategic planning, cyber security, logistics, reserve and
mobilization, and military police.

From: Baghdasarian

Sondrio a teatro : ‘Una Cena armena’ e ‘Alice undergroud’

5 Febbraio 2014 Cultura e spettacoli

Al centro Sonya Orfalian, alla sua destra l’assessore Marina Cotelli,
alla sua sinistra Lorenzo Minniti consulente teatrale,

Una cena armena
Teatro Don Vittorio Chiari delle grandi occasioni per l’ultima pièce
teatrale di Paola Ponti per la regia di Danilo Nigrelli, “Una cena
Armena”, presentata in un momento particolare dedicato al mondo del
dolore collettivo di un popolo privato di qualsiasi diritto e dignità
umana.Due grandi protagonisti come lo stesso Danilo Nigrelli e la
deliziosa Rosa Diletta Rossi. Da una parte il cinquantenne Aram,
figlio della diaspora del popolo armeno annientato dal popolo turco,
burbero, austero, incattivito dalla vita, ossessionato però dalle
tradizioni millenarie di una cucina per troppo tempo dimenticata, come
le sue tradizioni, la sua storia. Dall’altra, la dolce Nina, una
ragazzina sbarazzina e sognatrice, in cerca di se stessa. Essenziale
la scenografia, vergata da coriandoli di luce e di sangue, rosso cupo
come il muro su cui si staglia il protagonista maschile nel finale in
una rituale danza popolare. E la narrazione va a scatti come un
coltello serramanico che penetra nelle viscere con accanimento
silenzioso, ma irrefrenabile, come la certezza di riscoprire infine le
proprie origini proprio attorno al focolare. Attorno alla lievitazione
subliminale di sapori e profumi di un’epoca dimenticata o messa sotto
silenzio, chiusa ermeticamente nella stanza più buia della nostra
coscienza. E il pubblico presente in sala ha mostrato di apprezzare a
fondo lo sforzo narrativo di due personaggi che si cozzano con
violenza, si scontrano con rabbia, si scrutano e si studiano con
circospezione, eppure infondo, disperatamente si cercano
aggrappandosi all’unico amaro fardello di antiche storie che
rievocano un terribile genocidio di cui tutti sapevano, ma nessuno ha
osato intervenire. Presente in sala la straordinaria testimone della
cultura armena come la scrittrice Sonya Orfalian, anche lei figlia
della diaspora del suo popolo che l’ha condotta prima in Libia e poi a
Roma. Orfalian che rivendica il suo nome ispirato ad una vecchia città
ormai sepolta nella polvere, l’armena Ulfa, ha ritrovato la sua
storia, attraverso i mille racconti dei pochi sopravvissuti, ma
soprattutto con il ritorno disperato ai sapori e agli odori della sua
prima infanzia. Encomiabile la sua composta pacatezza con cui ha
raccontato con un’altra grande esponente del popolo armeno, Antonia
Arslan, le efferatezza e la brutalità di un annientamento sistematico
della propria gente. Il testo teatrale di Danilo Nigrelli, infatti,
prende molto dalle note bibliografiche della stessa Orfalian,
consulente di rango in una pièce che ha fatto riflettere.

‘Alice undergroud’
Un caleidosopico gioco di colori e di emozioni “Alice undergroud”,
l’ultima fortunata pièce del Sondrio Teatro, liberamente ispirata al
capolavoro di Lewis Carrol “Alice nel paese delle meraviglie”, da due
maghi della tessitura scenica come Ferdinando Bruni e Francesco
Frongia. Una meravigliosa macchina tridimensionale, proiezione
onirica del mondo adolescenziale che si colora di splendidi acquerelli
ispirati a Matisse e Van Gogh, che si animano scivolando oltre le
quinte in un gioco di luci e sfumature in cui lo stesso spettatore è
proiettato suo malgrado. E allora eccolo il libro aperto di “Alice nel
paese delle meraviglie”, dove bazzicano il Bianconiglio in guanti
bianchi, panciotto e tanto d’orologio e la perfida regina di cuori,
il bruco e la lepre marzolina, il magico unicorno e il cappellaio più
matto più d’un cavallo imbizzarrito, in un gioco di dimensioni
gulliveriane dilatate o immicronite da pozioni e morsi di allucenogene
muscarie che catapultano nell’immaginario di uno specchio distorto, in
un mondo “underground”, sotterraneo come il sottobosco di una mente
voltata a una follia immaginativa senza briglie. In scena lo
smarrimento tipico dell’adolescenza di una straordinaria Elena Russo,
innocente bambina incantata, mai incatramata da un labirinto infinito
di proiezioni magiche in tutto si materializza con le nostre ansie, le
nostre paure, ma anche i nostri più inconsci desideri. Di grande
livello gli altri polintepreti, Ida Marinelli e Matteo de Mojana con
lo stesso Ferdinando Bruni, che si sono divertiti da matti a
occhieggiare da improbabili quinte a mezz’aria, stiracchiati tra le
pieghe dei quadri animati. Ferdinando Bruni e Francesco Frongia si
sono sbizzarriti alla grande a ricreare in una sorta di cartoon
olografico il bisogno visionario di entrare nel cinemascope anamorfico
dei grandi colossal holliwoodiani. Un tuffo tra meravigliosi
acquerelli vivi, con piccole finestre aperte sull’infinito della
nostra mente che si aprono e chiudono immergendoci in un mondo
evanescente di forme e colori, proiezione di un inconscio mai stato
così consapevole della propria difformità in uno spazio senza tempo.
Un lunghissimo applauso del folto uditorio ha confermato il felice
successo dello spettacolo. Lunedì prossimo 27 gennaio, alla stessa
ora, al Don Vittorio Chiari “Una cena armena”, di Danilo Nigrelli che
cade nel giorno della Memoria, che farà riflettere su un dramma
sottaciuto o dimenticato del genocidio del popolo armeno.

Nello Colombo
– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

Azerbaijani provocations undermine Karabakh peace process

18:49 06.02.2014

Nagorno-Karabakh

On February 6, 2014, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Karen Mirzoyan received Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the situation on the Line of
Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Karen Mirzoyan drew attention to the periodic ceasefire violations by
Azerbaijan, noting that they prove the aggressive intentions of
Azerbaijan.

The Minister stressed that the Azerbaijani provocations seriously
undermine the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh and should be strongly condemned by
the international community.

The parties emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and
the need to exclude further incidents.

From: Baghdasarian

Bypassing road near border with Azerbaijan will be ready by May

February 06, 2014 | 12:31

YEREVAN. – The government plans to complete construction of the main
motorway between Paravaqar and Vazashen villages of Tavush Region by
May 2014.

The 3.2-kilometer road between the villages located near the border
with Azerbaijan is intended to increase safety.

During the government’s meeting on Thursday, Transport Minister Gagik
Beglaryan said the new road will be ready by summer.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Trois sociétés pénalisées pour complot

La Commission d’Etat d’Arménie pour la protection de la concurrence
économique (SCPEC) a décidé aujourd’hui d’imposer une sanction de 15
millions de drams à Yerekunk, Amaras Yus et aux sociétés du Groupe
CEAR (pour un total de 45 millions) pour complot visant à vaincre
leurs rivaux dans une série de marchés publics pour les orphelinats,
les maisons de soins infirmiers et les internats.

Le chef du SCPEC Artak Shaboyan a déclaré que les conclusions d’une
enquête ont révélé le projet illégal et seront envoyés au ministère
des finances pour plus d’actions. Il a dit que selon la loi ces
entreprises seront interdits de participer à des appels d’offres pour
une période d’un an.

Selon Artak Shaboyan, ces entreprises ont montré différents prix pour
de mêmes produits dans différentes offres. Ainsi, Amaras Yus a
remporté l’un des appels d’offres en proposant 450 drams pour une
boîte de lait condensé et a perdu un autre appel d’offres en le
proposant à 1100 drams.

Artak Shaboyan a déclaré que les enquêteurs ont révélé un cas où une
entreprise qui a gagné l’appel d’offres a refusé de fournir les
produits demandés et une autre société qui avait offert un prix
presque deux fois supérieur à celui du marché a été reconnu vainqueur.

Artak Shaboyan a également rappelé que l’année dernière ces mêmes
entreprises ont reçu une amende pour avoir fournit de la margarine à
des écoles maternelles plutôt que du beurre.

jeudi 6 février 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Le plus long téléphérique du monde en Arménie a transporté environ
207000 personnes en trois ans

Le plus long téléphérique du monde construit pour transporter les
visiteurs vers le monastère médiéval de Tatev, dans la région du
Syunik a transporté environ 207000 personnes depuis sa création il y a
trois ans, selon Aren Apikyan, qui supervise l’ effort public-privé
pour le développement du tourisme à Tatev et dans la région du Syunik.

S’exprimant lors d’une conférence de presse il a dit qu’avant le
lancement de l’installation la ville voisine de Goris n’avait que deux
hôtels, et aujourd’hui elle en a 10, qui emploie environ 200
personnes. De nombreux agriculteurs des villages voisins ont
transformé leurs maisons en maisons d’hôtes offrant un service Bed &
Breakfast.

Selon M.Apikyan, un nouvel hôtel, un terrain de jeu et d’autres
installations seront construites près du monastère pour pousser les
visiteurs à passer plus de temps à Tatev.

> a-t-il dit.

jeudi 6 février 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com
‘942

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
Btiment n°1 : Le sort de l’immeuble de l’aéroport international de
Zvartnots est encore incertain

Le Chef de l’Union des Architectes Arméniens a éfuté des informations
sur la décision du gouvernement de démolir l’ancien btiment de
l’aéroport Zvartnots exprimée plus tôt cette semaine par Artyom
Movsisyan, chef du Département de l’aviation civile.

>.

L’état de l’ancien btiment de l’aéroport de Zvartnots est apparu dans
la scène publique l’an dernier, quand le propriétaire de l’aéroport, > a déclaré qu’il ne participera
pas à l’entretien de l’ancien btiment, qui ne répond pas aux normes
modernes de la navigation aérienne et est une construction dangereuse
en raison de sa faible résistance sismique.

Le Conseil public arménien, un organe consultatif formé par le
président de l’Arménie, a appelé le gouvernement à l’obligation de
rejeter la décision de démolir le btiment, tandis que le conseil de
planification urbaine affilié au bureau du maire a rejeté à
l’unanimité la demande de démolition du btiment .

Le renforcement du btiment n°1 de l’aéroport, qui est appelé par les
citoyens d’Erevan > ou la > est considéré
comme l’un des meilleurs échantillons de l’architecture soviétique
post-modernisme. Le btiment, construit par des architectes
soviétiques arméniens de premier plan, est devenu l’un des monuments
reconnaissables de l’Arménie, peu de temps après qu’il ait été mis en
service en 1980.

En 2002, en vertu d’un accord signé entre le gouvernement arménien et
l’homme d’affaires argentin d’origine arménienne Eduardo Eurnekian et
sa société Corporación América, la gestion de l’aéroport de Zvartnots
a été transférée à > pour 30 ans.

Selon Movsisyan, chef du département de l’Aviation Civile le
gouvernement a approuvé le plan directeur pour l’aéroport de Zvartnots
pour 2013-2017, qui prévoit un investissement 102 millions de $ et
comprend la décision de démolition de l’ancien btiment également.

Lors de la conférence de presse Movsisyan a rappelé la proposition du
Premier ministre Tigran Sarkissian, qui, selon lui, peut être
acceptable pour le propriétaire de Zvartnots – de transformer l’ancien
btiment en un parc architectural, où il serait présenté les modèles
des vieux monuments architecturaux arméniens.

Lors du dernière session du gouvernement en décembre le Premier
Ministre Tigran Sarkissian, en parlant de l’ancien btiment, a exprimé
l’espoir que l’on trouvera une solution acceptable pour >. Le Premier ministre a fait remarquer que le
btiment de l’aéroport est usé, et selon les experts, la rénovation
coûterait environ de 15 à 20 millions de $.

From: Baghdasarian