Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

BAKU DURING ITS PRESIDENCY IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE WILL REJECT CRITICISM OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
January 29, 2014 Wednesday

Baku/28.01.14/Turan:

On January 27 the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE 27 at the winter
session of the Assembly raised the issue of violation by the Armenian
side in the last days the ceasefire on all fronts, said the head of
the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, Samad Seyidov .

He and other members of the delegation , according Seyidov, told about
provocative actions of the Armenian side to disrupt the negotiating
process. “They (Armenians ) understand that the negotiation process in
the legal domain is not in their favor, for the whole world considers
Nagorno-Karabakh territory of Azerbaijan,” Seyidov said.

In his view, to derail the peace process , the Armenian side violates
ceasefire , resorting to provocations.

Therefore, the Azerbaijani MPs have raised this issue at the session.

Seyidov also called for the continuation of meetings of delegations of
Azerbaijan and Armenia in PACE. “We aim to continue these meetings
because Azerbaijan is committed to peace . We strive for peace,
but Armenia does not. Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories and
is now spreading across the world the wrong information,” Seyidov said.

Asked to comment on criticism in connection with the adoption of
amendments to the legislation that restrict fundamental freedoms,
worsening conditions for NGO activities and problems with political
prisoners, Seyidov said that he more than once witnessed such criticism
at various events in the Council of Europe and other structures. “I
am absolutely sincere repeatedly told the press that Azerbaijan is
ready to deal with the issues of human rights, doing this , and will
continue to do. This question is included in the agenda of the state.

However, the politicization of human rights serves some interests. You
see what processes are taking lace today in Ukraine. You see , today ,
even in developed from the standpoint of human rights in the countries
occur ill horrible things. They want to bring it to Azerbaijan. And
today we have witnessed this. Several people got up and tried to put
the issue on the agenda of Azerbaijan in the discussions do not having
any relation to Azerbaijan,” said Seyidov .

He complained that using human rights for political purposes, attempts
are taken to exert pressure on Azerbaijan. “We have always been and
will be against it,” said Seyidov.

According to Seyidov, Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with
international organizations. At the same time, according to Seyidov ,
international organizations differ in their objectives and agenda.

In his view, it is wrong unconditionally agree with the criticism of
international organizations , as this may cause damage to the public
interest. Being asked to comment on the announcement by the Institute
for Peace and Democracy list of 134 political prisoners in Azerbaijan,
Seyidov said that “it brings a smile.”

According to him, the IPD included in the lists of persons , without
examining their cases.

This approach is also in international organizations complained Seidov.

” Each question should be studied seriously . Perhaps in that case
human rights have been violated. Nobody denies that. However, it
is unacceptable to use human rights as a political motive for the
pressure on the state,” said Seyidov.

Repeating the words of President Ilham Aliyev , Seyidov said that
Azerbaijan is not inclined to sign the agreement with the EU on
the Association.

“We want a higher level of integration with Europe . We want a higher
level of cooperation – strategic cooperation, energy cooperation,
cooperation in the field of human rights, bilateral cooperation on
a reciprocal basis.

This is building relationships and agreements, not on paper , but on
the basis of real values,” Seyidov said.

Is the cooperation with the EU on a higher level possible , if
Azerbaijan does not respect human rights? Answering this question
Seyidov said that Azerbaijan will soon begin Presidency in the CE.

“At the end of May in Azerbaijan will be a meeting of the PACE Standing
Committee. In June begins Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Council of
Europe. This means that Action Plan , including a more active , deep
and wide efforts to ensure human rights will be implemented jointly
with the Council of Europe during the presidency of Azerbaijan. Even
during the presidency of Azerbaijan we will oppose conversion human
rights into a political tool,” said Seyidov.–06D–

From: Baghdasarian

HOSHARIAN TO CONDUCT AT ZIPPER CONCERT HALL

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Greg Hosharian conducts an orchestra in concert

LOS ANGELES–Excitement is mounting in anticipation of the eagerly
awaited symphonic concert of Maestro Greg Hosharian conducting the
Armenian Pops Orchestra in “A Celebration of Tradition / Symphonic
Interpretations of Timeless Melodies.” The concert will take place
on Sunday, March 9, at 6 pm, at the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall in
Downtown Los Angeles.

The concert program will include works by some of history’s most
revered composers, new compositions, and will feature an orchestral
arrangement of traditional folk melodies from the Armenian Highlands.

Also featured will be the inspiring voice of soloist mezzo-soprano
Talin Nalbandian, a recipient of the Edward Hosharian Fund Scholarship.

In his highly praised debut concert in 2010, Greg Hosharian took up
the baton to lead a 30-piece symphonic orchestra to honor the memory
of his father, Edward Hosharian, 20 years after his untimely passing.

Edward Hosharian, composer, maestro, educator and tireless advocate
for the Armenian community, created an atmosphere of pride, hope
and joy with his prolific compositional output and numerous concert
productions. His son Greg has now recaptured that cultural euphoria
and is continuing to introduce it to present and future generations
with this second concert and a series of others envisioned to follow
in the future.

Greg Hosharian began playing piano at the age of four, when his
father became his first music teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree
in composition from the California Institute of the Arts and a
master’s degree in composition and orchestration from California State
University, Northridge. He is active in orchestration and teaching,
in addition to composing soundtracks for film, television, animation
and video-game projects. Hosharian has also formed three bands of his
own: Vendetta, Hosharian Brothers Band and Armenian Space Station. In
2009 Armenian Space Station performed to an enthusiastic audience
in Yerevan, Armenia. As keyboardist for Redemption, Greg has toured
Europe and North America.

All proceeds from this concert will benefit the Edward Hosharian
Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving,
promoting and enhancing Armenian classical and ethnic music by awarding
scholarships to college-level music students of Armenian descent.

The Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School is located at 200 South
Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Parking is available across the
street at the Disney Concert Hall and at the California Plaza. For
concert tickets, please visit

From: Baghdasarian

MEMORIAL TO LOST LIVES

South Wales Evening Post, UK
January 27, 2014 Monday

by LAURA DAVIES

PUPILS from Swansea have been making sure that genocide victims are
never forgotten by taking part in a special event.

Civic leaders joined forces with school children to mark Holocaust
Memorial Day in an assembly at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School.

It was staged as part of the city’s commemoration of the national
annual event.

The comprehensive was chosen to lead the event, which also saw pupils
from Brynmill Primary School, Olchfa School, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn
Tawe, and Gowerton School take part.

Lord Mayor of Swansea June Stanton said: “Swansea was Wales’s first
City of Sanctuary because of its history of offering sanctuary to
people who have fled violence or persecution. It is therefore only
right that the council joins many others throughout the UK to support
and promote understanding and co-operation across communities for
Holocaust Memorial Day.

“It is important that every generation never forgets what happened,
but it is also vital that we use this opportunity to encourage links
across our communities to ensure it can never be repeated.”

The assembly included readings from The Diary of Anne Frank, poetry
and religious songs.

Huria Metezai from Bishop Gore performed a reading and the candle
lighting, prayer, and closing of the assembly was led by Canon
Andrew Knight.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place nationally on January 27 and
remembers victims of the Nazi Holocaust and genocides in Cambodia,
Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur as well as atrocities in Armenia. The
national theme for this year’s memorial day is Journeys – from the
persecution, experiences of victims of genocide to the inspirational
life stories of journeys that brought survivors to the UK.

A civic event was also held at the Lord Mayor’s Reception Room where
representatives of the City of Sanctuary and pupils from Bishop Gore
and Morriston Comprehensive gave readings.

From: Baghdasarian

RUSSIA APPROVES RATIFICATION OF COOPERATION DEAL WITH ARMENIA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 28 2014

28 January 2014 – 8:41am

The Russian governmental commission for legislature has approved
the ratification of an agreement on military cooperation signed with
Armenia in Yerevan on June 25, 2013, ITAR-TASS reports.

According to the document, the sides will cooperate in assemblage,
production, exploitation, maintenance, modernization, extension of
performance life and utilization of military equipment. State control
over shipments of military equipment will be carried out via licensing
of imports and exports.

The Russian governmental commission for legislature has approved
the ratification of an agreement on military cooperation signed with
Armenia in Yerevan on June 25, 2013, ITAR-TASS reports.

According to the document, the sides will cooperate in assemblage,
production, exploitation, maintenance, modernization, extension of
performance life and utilization of military equipment. State control
over shipments of military equipment will be carried out via licensing
of imports and exports.

From: Baghdasarian

ARGENTINIAN BILLIONAIRE EDUARDO EURNEKIAN WILL BUY 21 GREEK AIRPORTS

January 26, 2014

Argentinian billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian, owner of the airport
management company “Corporacion America” seems to be thinking of
expanding his investments in southern Europe, via taking advantage
of the lower prices resulting from the crisis.

“Our holding will enter the sector very actively, since the crisis has
opened a lot of opportunities for us,” said Martin Eurnekian, head of
“Corporacion America” and Eduardo’s nephew, in an interview on 22
January in Davos, Switzerland. “Our mission is to expand in America
and Europe, focusing on the Mediterranean. We have always invested
in projects which allow us to retain the control of the management,”
he added.

In parallel, in his statement the businessman noted that “Corporacion
America”, which has annual revenues to the amount of 1.2 billion
dollars, currently had no financial needs which should be covered by
the bond market. “In 2010, the company used its revenues from issuing
bonds worth 300 million dollars in order to renew Ezeiza Airport in
Buenos Aires. Furthermore, the Brazilian Development Bank BNDES funds
it at a low price,” he added.

According to Bloomberg, the company is expected to submit offers for
21 Greek airports to the Agency for Public Private Property. The Greek
government is proceeding to progressive functional independence of
provincial airports via their categorization into groups which would
later be privatized on the basis of progress or will be liquidated
as a result of a transaction or series of transactions. After such
privatization, the Civil Aviation Authority will maintain its role as
a regulator of aviation services and provider of air traffic control.

The Agency for Public Private Property is carrying out an open
international competition for two groups consisting of 14-20 provincial
airports via providing their operation to private investors. The rest
of the provincial airports will be transferred under the provisions of
the law of the Company for management of regional airports, which is
100% state owned. The sector of regional airports in Greece consists
of 39 airports, including those in Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu,
Zakynthos, Santorini, Lesvos, Samos and Mykonos, as well as in Chania
on Crete.

In the coming days, “Corporacion America” will acquire 23% of the
airport in Pisa, Italy, and is planning to integrate the airports in
Tuscany by adding the airport of Florence. The holding manages 51
airports worldwide. Besides Greece, it will also submit offers for
airports in Peru, Colombia and Chile.

Who is Eduardo Eurnekian?

According to Forbes magazine, 81-year-old Eduardo Eurnekian is
considered to be the second richest Argentinian with personal wealth
amounting to 1.8 billion euro.

He was born on 4 December, 1932 and is of Armenian origin. He
immigrated to Argentina together with his parents, where he started
expanding his business. In 1988, he had a small cable television
company which he sold for the price of 350 euro.

Part of his business also includes four radio stations and a
newspaper-“El Cronista” in Buenos Aires, as well as 33 airports in
Argentina and the Brazilian airline LAP.

He manages 51 airports in Latin America and Europe, is a major
shareholder in Argentina Postal Services and operates 250,000 hectares
for the production of wine, cereals, etc.

GR Reporter

From: Baghdasarian

200 WOMEN LEFT FOR ARTSAKH TO DEFEND HOMELAND: AIDA SEROBYAN RECALLS

13:41, 28 January, 2014

YEREVAN, JANUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Thousands of decade’s Armenian
women struggled side by side her father, husband, son fighting for
the independence of her country and people. Artsakh heroic battle was
not an exception. 200 mollycoddled ladies were voluntarily enlisted
and became erectors of our victory. Colonel Aida Serobyan heard on TV
that doctors are required to Artsakh in 1991. Hours later 36-year-old
doctor was already in Artsakh.

“Armenpress” had a conversation with the Chairwoman of “Artsakh war
participant women” public organization, Colonel Aida Serobyan.

Heroic way of woman veteran of Artsakh liberation war It was 1991. I
worked at clinic N 12; I returned home and began to make dinner. My
children were very small at that time. One of them went to school,
the other to kindergarten. Suddenly I heard an “Emergency message”
on TV. I left the kitchen at once and ran to the room. I did not
think that after Spitak earthquake something else can happen,”
colonel Serobyan recalls.

“It was announced on TV that Artsakh needs medical worker, as many
of soldiers died from simple wounds, and there were no corresponding
specialists in Artsakh. “I held trainings of first medical aid at
that time; I thought that I should go. How couldn’t I go? IO0 showed
others how to display first medical aid. While people martyred from
simple wounds there. Instead of going to the clinic in the morning,
I went to the Ministry of Healthcare and said that I had heard the
message. I asked to send me on business trip to Artsakh.

When they began to ask me questions, I said that I even did not know
the place of Artsakh on the map, but I went,” Serobyan told.

From: Baghdasarian

AN INTERESTING EPISODE, ON ARMY DAY

The first prime minister of the First Armenian Republic Hovhannes
Kajaznuni’s son was killed in the battle of Gharakilisa in May 1918.

The second son died in the fights at Zangibasar, in the summer of 1920.

The third son was taken hostage during the surrender of Kars in October
1020. Kazim Karabekir took him as his driver because he was literate
and good at mechanics. He tried to run away in his car. They caught
him and sentenced him for life. When after the trial Karabekir learned
that his driver was the son of the first prime minister of Armenia,
he told him: “Your father was such a great person that he did not
make any difference between his son and other Armenian soldiers and
never did anything to relieve the situation of his son. I respect
that person and I set his son free.”

Kajaznuni’s fourth son lived in Moscow and though he had tuberculosis
he volunteered in the fall of 1941 together with thousands of
intellectuals and was killed in the fights.

Kajaznuni was an engineer architect. In 1024 he returned to Soviet
Armenia and taught at the University. In 1938 he was executed.

By the way, the son of the other prime minister of the First Republic
was killed in the battle at Gharakilisa.

The founder of the First Republic Aram Manukyan died of a disease,
he refused to take medicine and gave it away to the poor, he wore
old shoes and clothes.

In extreme difficulty the founders and heads of the First Republic
were able to build a state serving an example. They were aware of
simple things – if we rely on ourselves, we will win. And they built
the state. If they did not succeed, Armenia would not exist now.

The science of history, first under the Bolshevists, then
the All-Armenian Movement, tried to show the “foolishness and
short-sightedness” of these people and so on. The fact is that the
First Republic was destroyed from inside, through different political
groups and commanders hired by Moscow who disorganized the state
institutions for the sake of the world revolution and friendship
of peoples.

In other words, something similar to the ongoing situation was
taking place then. In addition, the ARF currently also supports the
“friendship of peoples”.

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief 12:00 28/01/2014 Story from
Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

LES ECHANGES ENTRE KOTCHARIAN ET SARKISSIAN NE SONT PAS PERTINENTS

ARMENIE

Un homme politique de l’opposition de premier plan s’est moque vendredi
des tensions croissantes entre le president Serge Sarkissian et son
predecesseur Robert Kotcharian disant qu’ils n’ont aucune incidence
sur la vie des gens ordinaires.

>.

Aram Sarkissian, qui a brièvement servi comme Premier ministre en
1999-2000 avant de devenir l’un des ennemis les plus acharnes de
Kotcharian, semblait d’accord avec les suggestions que l’ex-president
est desireux de revenir au pouvoir. Mais il a affirme que Kotcharian
n’a aucune chance de reussir parce qu’il est maintenant > pour les acteurs politiques a la fois internes et externes.

Certains commentateurs ont emis l’hypothèse que la cible immediate de
Kotcharian est le poste de Premier ministre, qu’il avait deja occupe
pendant un an avant de devenir president de l’Armenie en 1998.

>, a declare Aram Sarkissian. Le president est conscient et
ne prendra jamais un tel risque a-t-il ajoute.

mardi 28 janvier 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

LES FRANCAIS SERONT CONSULTES PAR REFERENDUM SUR L’ADHESION DE LA TURQUIE A L’UE

TURQUIE

L’UE a decide en octobre de relancer les negociations d’adhesion
d’Ankara, paralysees depuis trois ans. En visite en Turquie, Francois
Hollande assure que les Francais seront interroges sur la question.

Le president turc Abdullah Gul a declare lundi 27 janvier qu’il
attendait de la France qu’elle ne bloque pas le processus d’adhesion
de la Turquie a l’Union europeenne (UE), au premier jour de la visite
d’Etat du president francais Francois Hollande.

“Nous attendons de la France qu’elle n’apporte pas de blocage
politique” a ce processus, a declare Abdullah Gul lors d’une conference
de presse conjointe avec Francois Hollande, dont le predecesseur
Nicolas Sarkozy s’etait oppose a la candidature turque a l’UE.

Francois Hollande a de son côte repondu que les Francais seraient
consultes sur la question par referendum. Une decision conforme
a la Constitution qui prevoit que “tout projet de loi autorisant
la ratification d’un traite relatif a l’adhesion d’un Etat a
l’Union europeenne est soumis au referendum par le president de la
Republique”. Le president aurait toutefois pu eviter le referendum
par “le vote d’une motion adoptee en termes identiques par chaque
assemblee a la majorite des trois cinquièmes”.

L’UE a decide en octobre de relancer ses negociations d’adhesion
avec la Turquie, paralysees depuis trois ans, en ouvrant un nouveau
chapitre de discussion avec Ankara. Paris a leve son veto a l’ouverture
de ce chapitre, consacre aux politiques regionales, en octobre 2013,
rechauffant le climat entre les deux pays.

La Turquie est officiellement candidate depuis 1999, mais le processus
de negociations, engage en 2005, s’avère le plus lent jamais mene par
l’UE avec un aspirant a l’adhesion. Il se heurte aux fortes reserves
de Paris et Berlin a l’entree d’un pays de 76 millions d’habitants
a majorite musulmane, et a l’absence de règlement du cas de Chypre,
dont la partie nord est occupee depuis 1974 par les troupes turques.

Depuis son election en 2012, Francois Hollande s’est borne a
constater que la question de l’entree de la Turquie dans l’UE ne se
poserait pas pendant son quinquennat puisque les Europeens ont exclu
cette perspective avant 2020. “Un nouvel elan pour les relations
franco-turques”

Le president francais Francois Hollande est arrive lundi en Turquie
où il tente de tourner la page de relations bilaterales houleuses
et de relancer des echanges economiques tout juste renaissants, en
depit de la crise de regime qui ebranle le pays. Ce deplacement est
le premier de Francois Hollande depuis l’annonce samedi de sa rupture
avec sa compagne Valerie Trierweiler, arrivee elle-meme dans la nuit
de dimanche a lundi en Inde où elle doit apporter son soutien a l’ONG
Action contre la faim (ACF).

Ankara a deroule le tapis rouge pour cette visite d’Etat de deux jours,
sans precedent pour un president francais depuis celle de Francois
Mitterrand en 1992. “Nous attendons de cette visite un nouvel elan pour
les relations franco-turques et avec l’Union europeenne”, a souligne le
porte-parole du ministère turc des Affaires etrangères Levent Gumrukcu.

Au premier jour de sa visite, le president francais a cependant ete
amene a reagir a l’annonce d’une statistique franco-francaise très
attendue : les chiffres du chômage pour le mois de decembre. Francois
Hollande s’etait solennellement engage a inverser la courbe ascendante
du chômage fin 2013 mais l’embellie constatee en octobre avait ete
pratiquement effacee par une rechute le mois suivant. Les chiffres de
decembre seront donc decisifs. Et ils pourraient etre decevants. Le
ministre du Travail Michel Sapin a deja evoque dimanche une simple
“stabilisation”.

Pour le reste, sa visite intervient dans une periode de grande
tension politique en Turquie. Ces dernières semaines, le regime
du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan a durement replique aux
poursuites engagees contre plusieurs dizaines de proches du pouvoir
islamo-conservateur, soupconnes de corruption, par des purges sans
precedent dans les milieux judiciaires et policiers. Dans ce contexte,
Francois Hollande devrait veiller scrupuleusement a ne pas cautionner
le regime par sa visite, programmee de longue date. Les très longues
negociations pour l’adhesion a l’U.E.

Il devrait plutôt inscrire ses pas dans ceux du president de la
Commission europeenne, Jose Manuel Barroso, qui appelait encore mardi
le Premier ministre turc, de passage a Bruxelles, a “poursuivre les
reformes necessaires” en vue de garantir le respect de l’Etat de
droit en Turquie.

Bruxelles en fait une condition sine qua non d’une eventuelle adhesion
de la Turquie a l’U.E. Mais il y a encore loin de la coupe aux lèvres.

Les negociations ouvertes en 1999 s’annoncent encore très longues.

L’hostilite de Nicolas Sarkozy a cette perspective avait ete vecue
comme un affront par Recep Tayyip Erdogan, encore aggrave par le vote
de lois francaises reconnaissant le genocide armenien ou reprimant
sa negation.

Les declarations de Francois Hollande seront donc scrutees avec une
attention particulière par les dirigeants turcs, d’autant qu’il s’est
borne jusqu’a present a constater que cette question ne se poserait
pas pendant son quinquennat puisque les Europeens ont exclu cette
perspective avant 2020. Sept ministres accompagnent Hollande

La position francaise pourrait avoir de lourdes consequences sur
les echanges commerciaux, au coeur de la deuxième journee de ce
deplacement qui sera marquee par une serie de rencontres avec les
milieux d’affaires turcs a Istanbul.

Consequence du refroidissement des relations sous l’ère Sarkozy,
la part de marche francaise en Turquie a chute de 6 a 3% entre 2009
et 2012 alors que cette puissance emergente a vu son PIB par habitant
tripler entre 2002 et 2012. Paris entend donc se livrer a “un travail
de rattrapage”.

En temoigne la presence dans la delegation de Francois Hollande de sept
ministres, parmi lesquels Laurent Fabius (Affaires etrangères), Arnaud
Montebourg (Redressement productif) ou Jean-Yves Le Drian (Defense),
et d’une quarantaine de responsables economiques et d’entreprises.

Après une annee 2013 plutôt fructueuse pour les entreprises francaises
avec la conclusion de 15 milliards d’euros de contrats enTurquie, une
serie d’accords seront signes dans les domaines du nucleaire civil,
des infrastructures ou de la lutte contre les contrefacons.

mardi 28 janvier 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS DISTRIBUTION
Date: January 24, 2014
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
[email protected]

ARMENIAN VOLUNTEER CORPS EXPANDS VOLUNTEER POSSIBILITIES

For fourteen years, Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) has been the premiere
volunteer organization based in Armenia, customizing job placements for some
550 global volunteers aged 21 and up. AVC volunteers have hailed from the
four corners of the world – 34 countries to date! – with the oldest so far a
dynamic 72 years old!

What you might not know, is that AVC and Birthright Armenia are sister
organizations, housed within the same office suite in downtown Yerevan, both
steadfast on casting a wide net to attract as many volunteers to Armenia as
possible. Whereas Birthright Armenia’s mission is designed for the 20-32 age
bracket and only those of Armenian heritage, the eligibility criteria to
volunteer through AVC is much broader. In fact, AVC runs three distinct
programs, none of which require you to be Armenian:

. AVC’s Volunteer Corps invites volunteers 21 years of age and older,
of all backgrounds from across the globe, to volunteer in Armenia for a
minimum stay of one month up to a maximum of one year, to serve in a job
placement of their own choosing. Internships are available in a wide
variety of sectors and organizations, including business, education,
environment, arts and culture, finance, health, governmental and
non-governmental agencies. In addition to internship placements, AVC
provides all logistical support from airport pick-up, to host-family living
arrangements, Armenian language classes, and more.

. AVC’s Professional Corps program is designed for more mature,
working professionals, over the age of 32, with a minimum of five years’
work experience and a keen desire to share their expertise and make a
difference in Armenia. Professional Corps allows for a minimum stay of two
weeks accommodating those with tight vacation schedules, with the option to
stay on for up to one year. Volunteers work in their designated field of
expertise for 20 hours per week, which allows time for in-country
exploration, excursions, and socializing during their stay.

. For the more adventurous traveler looking for a great alternative to
yet another beach vacation, AVC is set to launch a Voluntourism program, a
new initiative designed to attract more international tourists to experience
the hidden Armenia. Starting this summer, AVC will offer a 10-14 day,
all-inclusive, packaged trip to Armenia that combines unique tourism
activities with rewarding volunteer community service projects. There are so
many still untouched areas in Armenia that offer great ecotourism within
walking distance to historic sites, in rural areas with unique opportunities
to do rewarding volunteer work. Please stay tuned, as the combo packages
will be advertised later this winter on global internet sites and the AVC
web site.

To learn more about Armenian Volunteer Corp visit

From: Baghdasarian