Author: Chalian Meline

TURKISH JOURNALIST: TURKEY’S STANCE AFTER MAY STATEMENTS BY ERDOGAN IN BAKU REMAINED UNCHANGED

ArmInfo.
2009-12-17 14:28:00

ArmInfo. Ankara’s stance after May statements by Erdogan in Baku
saying no progress is possible in the Armenian-Turkish relations
without real progress in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,
remains unchanged, CNN Turk journalist Kadri Gursel said during the
meeting with the Armenian mass media representatives today.

According to him, it is difficult to forecast whether there will be
any changes in this issue during the next few months. He thinks no
progress is possible in the Armenian-Turkish dialogue before the
Karabakh issue resolution, however, other factors can also play
their part here, as a result of which Turkey will search other ways
of solution in this direction. However, he did not specify the factors.

K. Gursel emphasized that the tasks between Armenia and Turkey are very
difficult and problematic and he would prefer for the Karabakh issue
not to be included in the bilateral agenda of Ankara-Yerevan relations.

VIVACELL-MTS WILL BE THE EXCLUSIVE SPORT’S PARTNER FOR THE BROADCASTING OVER H1 OF MAJOR WORLD SPORTS EVENTS FOR THE UPCOMING THREE YEARS.

ArmInfo.
2009-12-17 15:30:00

ArmInfo. Along with the technical equipment of the network and
efforts to preserve the leading position in the market, VivaCell-MTS
stays committed to the projects in the earlier declared directions
and reaffirms its adherence to being the Sport’s partner. Owing to
the Company’s commitment, sports fans will be able to follow the
football matches and interesting episodes for the next three years,
the company’s press-service told ArmInfo.

Within the frames of the broadcast sponsorship agreement, the sport
lovers will have an opportunity to follow the Winter Olympic Games of
year 2010 (Vancouver, Canada), World Cup Championship of year 2010
(South Africa), 2010-2011 UEFA Champions League, The 2012 Summer
Olympic Games (Great Britain, London), Europe Football Championship
2012 (Ukraine, Poland). In addition to the opportunity to see the
events on H1, those who want to see exciting moments of attacks and
the goal episodes will be able to follow them at any place by using
VivaCell-MTS’ innovative service – the "Mobile TV" – with the help
of their 3G phones.

"We treasure and value the taste and hobbies of every Armenian, thus
we tend at VivaCell-MTS to please the biggest range of our people. A
sport is more than a game it is a healthy practice that feeds the body
and the soul. Undertaking the sponsorship VivaCell-MTS provides the
public an opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest sports events
appreciate the achievements of the world sports and make their everyday
life more interesting. The third generation network of the Company
also helps in this. Anyone who does not have an available TV set at
hand will not be deprived of enjoying wonderful moments in sports. The
‘Mobile TV’ service offered by VivaCell-MTS can be link a between
the football players and fans separated by cultures, and still united
by a shared love for sports. I hope, the young Armenians will strive
to appear in the big sports inspired by the victories of the world’s
strongest teams," said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

VivaCell-MTS takes measures to return Armenia to the list of the
winning countries and to revive the feelings that accompanied "Ararat"
football team’s victory in the 70s. To note that beginning May 2008
Armenia’s leading mobile operator has been sponsoring the national
football team of Armenia. VivaCell-MTS – sports partner.

BELGIAN ARMENIANS MARK 140TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF KOMITAS

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 16, 2009
ANTWERP

ANTWERP, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Nuard Armenian
cultural union of the city of Antwerp, Belgium, organized an event
dedicated to the 140th birth anniversary of Komitas on December 12.

Union Chairman, editor-in-chief of the Lragir monthly newspaper,
Chairman of the newly founded Federation of Armenian Organizations
of Belgium Gevorg Minasian opened the event and spoke about the life
and activity of Komitas.

Songs of Komitas were performed by Armenak Shahmuradian, recordings of
Komitas songs performed by him also sounded, Lena Beglarian delighted
the spectators with her voice. The children’s choir of Nuard union’s
Saturday school (conductor Lena Beglarian) performed versions of
songs by Komitas, the reciting group of the school recited under the
directorship of school teacher Lilit Ginosian. A small theatrical
performance made by reciter Anya Nalbandian and Narine Shahverdian
was presented at the event. Violinist Ara Hakobian performed.

Pastor of Belgian Armenians, Archimandrite Zatik Avetikian was present
at the event.

RA MINISTRY OF FINANCE ANNOUNCES PRICES FOR STATE PROCUREMENT AND SALES OF ONE GRAM OF PURE METAL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.12.2009 18:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The state depository of precious metals and precious
stones at the RA Ministry of Finance set prices for state procurements
and sales of one gram of chemically pure metal (for a standard ingot)
from December 14 to 20, 2009, press office of Armenia’s Ministry of
Finance reports.

Gold: the purchase price – AMD 12938.77 (-708.89), the sale price
– AMD 14063.88 (-770.56); silver: the purchase price – AMD 201.53
(-12.53) the sale price – AMD 219.05 (-13.62); platinum: the purchase
price – AMD 16224.63 (-577.16) , the sale price AMD 17635.47 (-627.34);
palladium: the purchase price – AMD 4178.81(-141.24), the sale price –
AMD 4542.18 (-153.53).

RA Ministry of Finance announces prices for state procurement and
sales of one gram of pure metal from December 14 to 20.

COMMISSION SET UP TO ORGANIZE EVENTS DEDICATES TO THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Dec 14, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
signed a decree on setting up a commission which will prepare and
organize events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Constitution
of the Republic of Armenia. Presidential Press Office told Armenpress
that the chairman of the commission is Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan.

STEPAN SAFARYAN: OBAMA-ERDOGAN MEETING RESULTS GIVE REASON FOR CONCERN

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.12.2009 15:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The results of the recent Obama-Erdogan meeting give
reason for concern according to Heritage parliamentary group leader.

"Agreement was reached on a number of issues. At the same time,
the US altered its position on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement," Stepan
Safaryansaid.

He said that the Armenian president’s commissioning preparation of
amendments to RA legislation, related to signing, ratification and
announcing international agreements void, will not help improve
the situation.

"Turkish Prime Minister received Washington’s approval to delay the
reconciliation process while the OSCE MG Co-Chairs were instructed
to resolve the Karabakh conflict within shortest terms," Safaryan
said, adding that Heritage party will continue informing the Armenian
population of the negative aspects of Armenian-Turkish protocols.

NAMAZOV: ERDOGAN HAS JUST VOICED WHAT BAKU EXPECTED

Aysor.am
11/12/09

Today an Azerbaijani analyst Eldar Namazov told in an interview with
Day.az agency that "Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan had just kept
his promise to Azerbaijan" when linked the matter of Armenia-Turkey
border and the Karabakh conflict.

When asked whether Erdogan convinced Obama of the certain link between
those two matters and of the opening the border only after Armenia
falls in the matter of Karabakh, Eldar Namazov said: "The uncertainty
in this matter makes me be circumspect in my assessments. The Turkey’s
Prime Minister has just voiced what Baku expected. And these all do
not mean the serious progress will appear automatically." Erdogan’s
visit to U.S. had neither final resolution on any considered item,
said the analyst.

When asked to comment the controversial moods in Azerbaijani society,
in particular, from loyalists of Turkey to chargers it with sell-out,
Eldar Namazov said it is a wrong extreme position. "I believe, we all
must be patient," he said adding that the ‘settlement of the Karabakh
problem is a very complicated process.’

"Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s positions are contralateral," he said.

When asked why Turkey’s Ambassador to U.S. resigned fresh from
Erdogan’s visit to Washington, Eldar Namazov said he has no opinion.

AZERBAIJAN SETS POLITICAL CLAIMS TO U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.12.2009 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan’s absurd policy recognizes no boundaries.

Dissatisfied with Congress decision to allocate USD 41 million to
Armenia and USD 8 million to Karabakh, the country is now setting
claims to U.S.

"Azerbaijan should be informed of, and give consent to,
U.S. Government’s programs and activities in Nagorno Karabakh,"
said Yashar Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to United States.

Azeri diplomat stressed that Armenian organizations of U.S. did not
succeed in their efforts towards implementation of 907th amendment to
Freedom Support Act since references in the section on State Department
and foreign funding for 2010 fiscal year totally correspond to the
907 amendment.

The 907th amendment to Freedom Support Act was adopted by U.S. Congress
after Azerbaijan and Turkey’s closing border with Armenia and
Azerbaijan’s launching aggressions against Nagorno Karabakh.

ACCORDING TO GIRO MANOYAN, ARMENIA SHOULD LEAVE "FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY" PROCESS JUST TODAY

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 10, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama was efficient for
the Turks and met their interests. Giro Manoyan, Head of ARFD Hay
Dat (Armenian Cause) Yerevan Office, made such an observation at a
December 10 press conference. In his words, the fact that B. Obama
praised Turkey’s policy and R. Erdogan again spoke about the necessity
of a progress in the Nagorno Karabakh issue is evidence that Turkey
this time also managed to make its view acceptable for the U.S.

According to G. Manoyan, in consideration that Turkey continues
conditioning its relations with Armenia by the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement the RA authorities should declare the failure of the
Armenian-Turkish negotiations just today. The ARFD figure added
that unless Armenia just today leaves the process called "football
diplomacy," it will be difficult to stop the process later.

G. Manoyan also mentioned that to prevent ratification of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols in the RA National Assembly the ARFD
faction members will work with the majority trying to influence
their position. "The issue of the protocols should be of no less
significance for them than the package of tax amendments to which
they opposed," G. Manoyan said. As to the Constitutional Court,
according to him, there is no necessity of mass actions to influence
that instance. "CC should make a decision on the basis of the law
and not on the circumstance that 100 thousand people hold an action
of protest," G. Manoyan concluded.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA PERSONALLY GUARANTEES COMFORT OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-12-11 15:59:00

ArmInfo. "I guarantee comfort of foreign investments in Armenia,"
said President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the opening of the
Armenian-Latvian Business Forum with participation of Latvian President
Valdis Zatlers on Friday.

"Investments always follow development of the political dialogue,
mutual trust and, I think, our countries have already reached this
bar," the president of Armenia said. He said Armenia lays a special
emphasis on foreign investments. "We have almost no restrictions on
participation of foreign capital in Armenia’s economy. In addition,
no big foreign investor has left Armenia," Serzh Sargsyan said. He
said that the previous Armenian-Latvian Business Forum in 2005 in
Yerevan as part of the official visit of the Latvian President to
Armenia resulted in creation of Norvik Credit Company, the subsidiary
of the Latvian-Icelandic NORVIK BANKA JSC. The president said:
"We have warm and careful attitude to our banks."

The president hopes that the fruits of the business forum will be
seen in future. The president believes that such events may open new
pages in cooperation of the two countries and help effectively using
the existing potential. "I do not doubt that this forum will result
in new ideas of successful economic cooperation. I’d like to say that
our economic relations will have good future," Serzh Sagrsyan said.

The commodity turnover between Armenia and Latvia for 2008 totaled
$11.3 million, including $1.17 million was the share of export, and
$10.113 million – import. Total commodity turnover between the two
countries for 2004-2008 amounted to $19.4 million. Armenia exports
to Latvia alcohol, vinegar, optics and imports locomotives, meat and
fish products.

It is noteworthy that Norvik Universal Credit Organization was
founded in February 2006. In early July 2006 the company was licensed
and registered as Norvik UCO. The company has mid-term plans to be
reorganized into a commercial bank. The company has leading positions
in the market encompassing 27 loan companies.