Author: Basmajian Ani

DELEGATION OF THE AGO GROUP ARRIVING IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
02.07.2007 11:28

July 2 the delegation of the Ago Group of the Council of Europe
Committee of Foreign Ministers will arrive in Armenia on a two-day
visit. The delegation comprises the Ambassador of Sweden, Austria,
France, Germany, Russia, Romania and Latvia to the Council of Europe,
officials of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Committee
of Ministers.

During the visit the delegation is scheduled to meet with RA President
Robert Kocharyan, NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan, Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan, President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan,
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan
and Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan.

EUROPEAN COURT UPHOLDS CLAIM OF ST. SAVIOUR HOSPITAL AGAINST TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Jun 29, 2007

HAGUE, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The European Court
of Human Rights upheld the claim of St. Saviour Armenian Hospital’s
Foundation against Turkey. Radikal daily informs about this.

The St. Saviour Hospital submitted a claim against Turkey to the
European Court on "violation of right of ownership".

The European Court of Human Rights forced the Turkish government to
return the estate, beforehand belonging to it, to the Foundation of the
St. Saviour Hospital and to pay 15 thousand euros as a compensation.

It was mentioned in the claim of the hospital that the state owned
the real estate belonging to the Foundation in an illegal way.

RUSSIA AND ARMENIA TO BUILD NPP

New Europe, Belgium
67
June 28 2007

A Russian-Armenian group working on new nuclear power infrastructure
for Armenia recently met in Yerevan to discuss security guarantees
for the country’s existing nuclear power station and cooperation in
constructing new units, Interfax reported.

The Armenian side elaborated on their plans to develop their energy
grid, while Russian representatives presented project details for a
new nuclear power plant.

During an April visit to Yerevan, the head of Russia’s Federal Atomic
Energy Agency, Sergey Kiriyenko, stated that Russia was ready to
provide both technical and financial assistance in constructing a
new nuclear power station for Armenia. According to Regnum, the new
1,000 MW (megawatt) station will cost USD two billion to build. USD
240 million will be needed to decommission Armenia’s aging Metsamor
nuclear power plant, which is slated for closure by 2016. The plant,
built in 1975, was initially closed following the devastating 1988
earthquake. One of two units, with a 400 MW capacity, was reactivated
in 1995. Metsamor produces 40 percent of Armenia’s electricity.

PACE OFFICIALS TO VISIT ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 27 2007

Members of the Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh of Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in
the second week of October, PACE co-rapporteur Leo Platvoet told the
APA Europe bureau exclusively.

He said that they will visit Khankedi and other occupied territories
in the framework of their visit.

Leo Platvoet also said that the subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh will
not have a meeting in the framework of PACE summer session.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN NAGORNYY KARABAKH [NKR] UNHAPPY ABOUT ELECTION RACE

Arminfo, Yerevan
25 Jun 07

Stepanakert, 25 June: Sergey Kalantaryan, chairman of the election
headquarters of Nagornyy Karabakh [NKR] presidential candidate, Masis
Mailyan, came forward with a statement that condemns the fact that
"on the very day of the campaign, right after the campaign material
of all five candidates were broadcast, the [private] programme of
Murad Petrosyan began, where he clearly campaigned in favour of
[former head of the NKR National Security Service] Bako Sahakyan,
and against Masis Mailyan.

"Being deeply interested in the conduct of the upcoming presidential
election in conformity with the civilized norms and laws and trying
to eliminate any attempt placing into doubt the legality from the
outset, the election headquarters of presidential candidate Masis
Mailyan has called on the Central Electoral Commission to much time
was spent for his propaganda and against his rival in the programme.,"
the statement reads.

Masis Mailyan’s election office expressed readiness to pay for the
air time used by Murad Petrosyan in order to "be certain that legality
will be ensured at least through such means."

"HAS TSARUKYAN BEATEN OR PUNISHED A JOURNALIST?"

A1+
[08:31 pm] 26 June, 2007

Gagik Tsarukyan, head of the "Prosperous Armenia Party", approves
the problems presented in the Government program and their solutions.

"The programs of "Prosperous Armenia Party" are presented in the
program and they should not remain on the paper, they should be put
into force", said Gagik Tsarukyan to "A1+". "We should follow their
implementation to justify the trust and the hope of the nation that
voted for us".

Gagik Tsarukyan reflected on Serge Sargsyan’s announcement that the
law should refer to everyone and everyone should pay taxes. "The law
equally concerns to everyone", noted Mr Tsarukyan. "Issues on the
protection of human rights are very important", stated Mr Tsarukyan
pointing out that journalists should be defended since they often
become victims.

"Tell me please, have I ever beaten or punished a journalist,
except for respecting? Have I ever offended anyone?" Then he asked
the journalists: "Please, think of the questions you ask. Raise
the problems that bother the nation. Work for the nation, not for
reputation".

NKR PRESIDENT MET DELEGATION OF BUSINESSMEN

Azat Artsakh Daily Newspaper, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
19-06-2007

On June 16 NKR President Arkady Ghukasian met with the delegation
of Armenian entrepreneurs led by the president of the Association of
Producers and Businessmen of Armenia Arsen Ghazarian, the acting press
secretary of the NKR President reported. Arkady Ghukasian commended
the efforts of the entrepreneurs to set up and promote contacts with
NKR, and emphasized the importance of Armenian investments in the
country’s economy. In answer to the questions of the guests he said
in particular that the Karabakh government makes efforts to reduce
investment risks, improve tax administration and conduct a flexible
tax policy. The president of the NKR Association of Producers and
Businessmen Samvel Hakobian was also present in the meeting.

CHILDREN’S DAY FESTIVAL
Cafesjian Museum Foundation Junior Achievement of Armenia
Tamanyan 3, apt.# 31 Hanrapetutyan 63, apt.#89
c. Yerevan, Republic of Armenia c.Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Madlene Minassian
Tel: +37410 56 72 62
Tel:+37410 54 22 39
Fax: +37410 56 15 89 Fax:+37410 54 22 39
E-mail:[email protected] Web:
Web:

50,000 Attended Children’s Day Festival
Junior Achievement of Armenia and Cafesjian Family Foundation Hosted
International Children’s Day on June 1st

YEREVAN, ARMENIA – Heralded by trumpeters dressed in red caps and
royal cloaks, a parade of cartoon characters, circus acrobats,
jugglers and many more marched into the Yerevan’s Gerard L. Cafesjian
Center for the Arts (Cascade) as part of the 4th annual Junior
Achievement of Armenia’s Children Day Festival. It was the most
glorious and spectacular outdoor event of the year. Accompanied by
their parents and grandparents, tens of thousands of wide-eyed
children flocked to the Cascade to attend the larger-than-life
festival celebrating International Children’s Day.
Sponsoring organizations for the event were the the Cafesjian Family
Foundation, Junior Achievement of Armenia, Cafesjian Museum
Foundation, Armenia TV, Cascade Bank and Orran Benevolent
Organization.
At the heart of the Children’s Day Festival was a trade show drawing
public attention to the student companies established as part of JAA’s
groundbreaking 9th-grade Economics program. Throughout the school
year, the 25,000 youth enrolled in JAA’s Applied Economics courses
were manufacturing and selling their student company products. The
festival showcased 55 companies that were selected to represent the
best of the more than 400 companies that were formed this
year. Products on sale and display included handmade toys, jewelry and
crafts, candles, key chains, wall decorations and much more! All
proceeds of the sale will go to charitable organizations. Last year,
over $1000 was raised and donated.

Along the trade fair, the festival included a variety of performances
on four different stages. The shows featured children’s favor
character Yo Yo, the circus, two puppet theatres, a pantomime theater,
a singing children’s group from Gyumri, a fashion show featuring
designs of Treasures of Armenia, the British Bus Project , face
painting by bem and pottery painting organized by the alumni of Junior
Achievement.
To make it a fun for all ages, the The Children’s Day Festival also
featured a jazz concert by Arsen Nercisyan and the Cactus Band and Gor
Mkitarian and the Renaissance band as well as live performances by
renowned Armenian singers, including Nune Yesayan, Arthur Ispirian,
Aramo & Emma, Forsh, Emi, Christine Pepelyan, Silva Hakobyan, Shprot,
Arsen Grigorian, and Hamlet Gevorkyan. The evening came to conclusion
as the roaring crowd greeted Armenchik and sang along with him as the
spectacular fireworks signaled the end of a fairy tale day.
`Anyone who attended the Children’s Day Festival, will have lasting
memories of this very sweet day. This is our favorite day of the year,
where the Cascade is transformed into the second `happiest place on
earth”, stated Madelene Minassian, Director of Public Relations at
the Cafesjian Museum Foundation.
`The festival is intended to be fun and memorable for the thousands
of children who attend. But it is also meant to carry a strong
message of working hard, and having campassion for those in need. `
added Armine K. Hovannisian, Executive Director of Junior Achievement
of Armenia.

International Children’s Day is widely celebrated each year on June
1st. The origin of Children’s Day can be traced back to the World
Conference for the Well-Being of Children, which took place in Geneva,
Switzerland, in 1925. Attended by representatives from 54 countries,
the conference passed the Geneva Declaration Protecting Children,
which focused on poverty, prevention of child labor, education, and
other issues related to the welfare of children around the world.
Dozens of nations hold their own commemorative celebrations every
year.

Conference of European Churches
Office of Communications
Press Release No. 07-30/e
20 June 2007

INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE AND THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN EUROPE: CHURCH AND
SOCIETY COMMISSION MET IN ARMENIA

`The Council of Europe can only achieve its aims together with the churches
and religious communities, not without them and certainly not against them,’
said Ulrich Bunjes from the Council of Europe’s Coordination Office for
Intercultural Dialogue in his key-note address at the annual meeting of the
Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC).
`The consolidated response of the Church and Society Commission and the
Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe as well as the responses of
individual member churches in preparation of the Council of Europe’s White
Paper on Intercultural Dialogue demonstrated in an impressive way how
important the churches’ input is. We will study very carefully the
recommendations and suggestions contained in the consolidated response,
especially with regard to the suggested annual encounter between the
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and representatives of
religious communities.’

Ulrich Bunjes addressed the CEC Church and Society Commission plenary
meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmidazin, 14-19 June 2007. The
Commission met in Armenia upon invitation of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians. In preparation for the 2008 European Year for
Intercultural Dialogue and the Council of Europe’s White Paper, the Church
and Society Commission had intercultural dialogue as its main theme on the
agenda. Prior to the meeting, the Church and Society Commission and the
Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe had responded to a questionnaire
by the Council of Europe in preparation for its White Paper. The White Paper
is supposed to be published later this year.

`Meeting in Armenia, where the church and the people, and where religion and
culture are so closely connected, provided an extraordinary setting for the
Church and Society Commission. This enabled the Commission to study the link
between religion and culture and to discuss the churches’ contribution to
intercultural dialogue, which becomes an ever more important issue in Europe
and within European countries. We are grateful for the invitation of the
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Our hosts brought us into contact with
many Armenian people and introduced us to the life of one of the oldest
churches on the continent,’ commented Rev. Rüdiger Noll, Director of the
Church and Society Commission and Associated General Secretary of CEC.

Besides reviewing and adopting the work programme of the Commission, the
role of the churches in the pubic sphere and the roadmap for a
`Constitutional Treaty’ of the European Union were among the priority
themes. Summarising the discussions, Rev. Antje Heider-Rottwilm,
Co-Moderator of the Church and Society Commission, stated that `the role of
religion in the public sphere is at present discussed in many European
countries. In the coming year, the Church and Society Commission will
facilitate a dialogue among European churches and between churches and
political institutions on the theological, sociological and legal
dimensions. Churches need an appropriate space in European societies to make
their contribution to today’s issues, which are of concern for the people of
Europe.’

In view of the forthcoming European Council (21-22 June 2007), the meeting
reviewed the follow-up to the European Church Leaders’ Meeting in December
2006, which highlighted the churches’ concerns with regard to a future
Fundamental Treaty of the EU. It endorsed a letter recently sent by the
Church and Society Commission to the German EU Presidency emphasizing social
justice and cohesion, a European of the people and a Europe, which assumes
its responsibilities for a just and sustainable world, as key features of
any future EU Treaty.

The Church and Society Commission also used the opportunity of its meeting
in Armenia for contact with the OSCE Mission in Yerevan to discuss human
rights’ concerns in Armenia, including the rights of conscientious
objectors.

The Commission sent a letter of solidarity to the churches and ecumenical
partner organisations in the Middle East who were meeting in Amman and
endorsed a joint statement with Eurodiaconia on ensuring social rights in
the European Union.

See our previous press releases at:
l (Social Rights in the EU)
l (Middle East)
(Church Leaders Meeting)
l (Church Leaders Meeting)

*********
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125
Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries
of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has
offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For more information:
Luca Negro
CEC Office of Communications
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail: [email protected]
Web-site:

THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF TV PROGRAMS IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE ‘AIR CASKET’ TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON JUNE 19-23

ArmInfo
2007-06-18 18:53:00

The second international festival of TV programs in the Russian
language "Air Casket" will be held in Yerevan on June 19-23. The
organizer of the festival is the International Academy of Television
and Radio (IATR).

Yegor Glumov (Gor Grigoryan), a popular presenter of the Van radio
company (Radio Van), told ArmInfo correspondent that works of 50
participants from 10 countries (Armenia, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan,
Latvia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Estonia) are
presented at the festival.

The participants will present their programs in 4 categories: "News
program", "Cultural program", "We speak Russian" (the best knowledge
of the Russian language on air), and "Program reflecting the public’s
relations with Russia". The festival aims to expand creative relations
between journalists and give knowledge of the best Russian language
programs of the CIS and non-CIS countries. There will be no winners at
the festival. All the participants will be awarded prizes by IATR. The
first "Air Casket" festival was held in the "House of Moscow" in Riga
on June 1-4, 2006. It was organized by IATR.

In 2006, Armenia was represented by the programs of Radio Van (their
author being Yegor Glumov), and Russian version of the news program
"Horizon" on Shant TV channel (its producer, editor and presenter
being Artyom Yerkanyan).

To note, IATR is a non-governmental organization, whose members are
over 200 professionals of TV and radio from 17 countries of three
continents. The headquarters of the organization is in Moscow. Anatoly
Lysenko is the President of the Academy and Chairman of its Presidium,
and Leonid Zolotarevsky is the Secretary of Presidium.