Author: Chatinian Lara

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA

Focus News
Dec 8 2008
Bulgaria

Sofia. President of the republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will arrive
on official visit to Bulgaria on December 10 – 11 at the invitation
of Bulgarian head of state Georgi Parvanov, the presidency press
office informed.

Mr. Sargsyan will have a private talk with his Bulgarian
counterpart. After that there will be a meeting between the two
official delegations.

At the presence of the two presidents, the two countries will sign
bilateral agreements and validate a postage stamp.

The Armenian president’s schedule also includes working lunch with
Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanioshev and meeting with Bulgaria’s
National Assembly chairperson Georgi Pirinski.

ARMENIAN PREMIER TO VISIT TBILISI

BSANNA NEWS
Dec 8 2008
Ukraine

TBILISI, December 8 /GHN/. On Tuesday, December 9, Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisyan will arrive on a one-day visit to Tbilisi,
GHN reports.

The Armenian Prime Minister will participate in the session of the
Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

According to the National Statistics Service, in January-October
2008, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover with Georgia went up by 3.8%
and totaled USD 106.9 million. 2.4% Armenia’s foreign trade turnover
of the reporting period falls for Georgia.

At the same time, the volume of export from Armenia to Georgia
made up USD 70.9 million which is 2.2% less than over the relevant
period last year. The volume of goods made in Georgia and imported
to Armenia over the reporting period totaled USD 36.1 million which
is 18% more. According to the Armenian party, totally the volume
of import from Georgia amounted to USD 141.2 million, that is 3.9%
whole export volume.

MATTHEW BRYZA’S STATEMENT ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CAUSES ARMENIANS’ RESENTMENT

Azeri Press Agency
Dec 5 2008
Azerbaijan

Helsinki. Tamara Grigoryeva – APA. "I told journalists yesterday
morning that President Aliyev has one and President Sarkisian has
another position on the settlement of the conflict.

But in order to reach an agreement between the sides, the document
is to include the principles of territorial integrity, right to
self-determination and withdrawal of troops. While saying this
I did not mean that one of the principles was more important,"
American co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told journalists,
APA’s special correspondent reports from Helsinki. The co-chair made
this statement after his first statement caused severe reaction of
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. Edward Nalbandian had
said he did not understand Matthew Bryza’s statement that Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity should be taken as one of the main principles
in the settlement of the conflict.

Commenting on the item in the joint statement of OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs on withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact Matthew
Bryza said it was the co-chairs’ wish.

"Withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact would save life of
both soldiers and civilians," he said.

Asked on what issues concerning the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict Azerbaijan and Armenia had discrepancy the co-chair did not
answer. He said the process was underway.

"The co-chairs are hopeful that the presidents will have a meeting
soon," he said.

Panorama.am

14:40 06/12/2008

USA TO HELP ARMENIA

Tomorrow at 17 p.m. American military-transport C-130B airplane will
land in `Zvartnots’ airport. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the
earthquake in Armenia, the USA provides clothes, medical equipments to
the victims of the disaster, reported the press service of the USA
Embassy to Armenia.

According to the source, the Ambassador of America to Armenia Mari
Yovanovitch, the Minister of Emergency Situations Mher Shahgeldyan and
the Deputy of Rescue Service Aram Tananyan will meet the airplane in
the airport.

Source: Panorama.am

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CILICIAN SEE
ACTIVELY CONTINUES ITS SESSIONS

Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I the General Assembly of the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia continued its sessions with the same vigor
on its second day of meetings on December 3, making the primary focus of its
discussions the report of the Executive Committee.

The participants engaged in an in-depth discussion of the voluminous written
report, which included details of the activities carried out by the
Executive Committee, starting with the national and local levels to the
pan-Diaspora, Pan-Armenian and international levels.

The General Assembly made a comprehensive assessment of the Committee’s
activities, commending its impressive achievements despite shortages in man
force and financial means.

The organization of conferences around various educational, youth-related,
ecclesiastical, inter-faith, intellectual and scientific conferences, among
others, was considered to have been a novel phenomenon in Armenian life.
Particular attention was also paid to the Catholicosate’s publishing
activities, which featured some monumental publications with the unwavering
support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s Armenian Department.

The Cilician See’s active pursuit of the human rights of its people was
underlined through an acknowledgement of Pontiff’s personal efforts in
international circles.

The Assembly also dedicated sessions to the construction activities carried
out by the Catholicosate both on its own property and in Artsakh, namely the
construction of the village to be renamed "New Cilicia".

Another important issue on the agenda was the mutual relations between the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Catholicosate of All Armenians.
The Assembly re-stated the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s position to continue
demonstrating a brotherly spirit, stay committed to the Cilician See’s
principles in preserving the Armenian nation’s and Church’s unity. As such,
the Catholicosate of Cilicia will continue to cooperate with St.
Etchmiadzin, with renewed vigor, on the basis of pan-Armenian interests and
ideals.

The mutual cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the
government of Armenia was positively assessed.

In addition to a an in-depth discussion of the items on the agenda, the
General Assembly also worked actively on setting new paths along which the
Catholicosate of Cilicia’s services could develop. The meeting went beyond a
limited, narrow exchange of ideas to setting new prospects for realizing
nation-building, church-building and homeland-building objectives.

In respect to these issues His Holiness Aram I shared his perspectives
stressing the decisive importance of strengthening the unity of our church
and nation, revitalizing the mission of the Church.

The Assembly will continue its sessions over the next few days.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos344.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN TRACECA CONFERENCE IN BAKU

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The jubilee conference of transport
ministers of the TRACECA Europe-Caucasus-Asia Tranpsort Program member
states was held in Baku on December 4. The RA minister of transport
and comunication Gurgen Sargsyan stated during the December 5 press
conference that the Armenian delegation was led by the head of the
ministry’s external relations department, resident representative of
Armenia to TRACECA, national secretary Gagik Grigorian.

The minister said there were two main issues on the agenda: the
role of TRACECA program in the extension of trans-European transport
networks to neighboring countries, particularly in the development
of one of TRACECA corridors – the South-Eastern Axis; and the action
plan launched in this direction.

According to G. Sargsyan, the conference participants welcomed this
initiative of the European Commission, and agreed to set up a working
group which will discuss proposals on reforms of the program’s
activities and submit a package of decisions for approval at the
regular annual meeting of TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission to be
held in Bishkek in 2009.

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTERS TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF OVERCOMING NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

ARMENPRESS
Dec 4, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian will pay a working visit to Russia December 5.

Deputy Armenian Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian told today
journalists that the meeting of Armenian prime minister with Russian
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will take place. The main theme of the
discussions will be the world financial crisis and the joint efforts
which must be exerted for overcoming the possible negative impacts
of the crisis on the two countries.

Sh. Kocharian considered natural that each country has its
peculiarities in the issue, and that steps will be discussed which
will give an opportunity to solve the issue with joint efforts. The
prime ministers of the two countries will also discuss issues of
mutual interest.

"Relations with Russia, our strategic partner, have a unique role
in the multilateral and balanced policy of Armenia. The relations
develop very dynamically especially during the latest period and the
frequent high level meetings testify this", Armenian deputy foreign
minister noted.

The Armenian prime minister will also meet with businessman in the
Armenian Embassy in Russia.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS-CLUB" AND "PRESS-CLUB+": ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF "ZHAMANAK-YEREVAN" IS CHARGED ON INSULT

CONFERENCE "THE ROLE OF REGIONAL MEDIA IN PROTECTION OF PUBLIC INTERESTS"

MEDIA COMPETITION "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" IS ANNOUNCED

"PRESS-CLUB" AND "PRESS-CLUB+": ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

On December 3 another "Press Club" TV show went on the air of "Yerkir Media"
TV company. The cycle is produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of
the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program of the Open Society
Institute. The guests of the "Press Club" host, the President of Yerevan
Press Club Boris Navasardian, were Vice-Chairman of the RA National Assembly
Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Rafik
Petrosian, Vice-Chairman of "Democracy" NGO Hrair Tovmasian, and
Presidential candidate of 2008 elections in Armenia Arman Melikian. The
discussion subject was the electoral system in Armenia and its conformity to
the international standards.

The next "Press Club" cycle program will be aired by "Yerkir Media" on
Wednesday, December 10, at 23.00.

On November 29 "Yerkir Media" aired another program of "Press Club+" cycle,
produced by Yerevan Press Club with the support of the UK Embassy in
Armenia. The Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression
Ashot Melikian and the participants of the talk show, the Chairman of the RA
National Assembly Standing Committee on Territorial Management and Local
Self-Government Hovhannes Margarian and Vice-President of the Association of
Community Financiers David Tumanian discussed the issue of financial
independence of local self-government bodies. The talk show also gave floor
to the audience, composed of media representatives of Armavir and Kotayk
regions.

The next "Press Club+" show will go on the air of "Yerkir Media" on
Saturday, December 6, at 17.40.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF "ZHAMANAK-YEREVAN" IS CHARGED ON INSULT

On December 2 Police Department of Kentron community charged the recently
appointed Executive Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan" daily, member of Political
Council and the spokesperson of "Republic" party Suren Sureniants on Article
136 of RA Criminal Code ("Insult"). As Suren Sureniants told YPC with a
reference to the police representative, the criminal proceedings against him
were instituted in August 2008 by the complaint of the establisher of
"National Idea" magazine Artem Khachatrian. According to Suren Sureniants,
in July 2008 Artem Khachatrian published an article in the above-mentioned
magazine, in which he spoke disrespectfully about the national hero, late RA
Prime-Minister Vazgen Sargsian. Artem Khachatrian’s expressions brought on
comments of a number of political figures and media. As Executive Editor of
"Zhamanak-Yerevan" daily stated, his opinion regarding the personality of
Artem Khachatrian was published in "Iravunk de facto" newspaper on August
11, 2008, and this particular publication constituted a ground for
instituting the criminal proceedings. Suren Sureniants also informed that in
the nearest time the police are going to take the criminal case to the
court. In the opinion of Suren Sureniants, the accusation presented is not
related to the activities of "Zhamanak-Yerevan", but it is remarkable that
it coincided with his appointment to the position of Executive Editor. As it
has been reported, the establisher and Chief Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan"
oppositional newspaper Arman Babajanian has been serving his sentence for
document fraud to evade military service for already three years (see YPC
Weekly Newsletter, November 14-19, 2008).

CONFERENCE "THE ROLE OF REGIONAL MEDIA IN PROTECTION OF PUBLIC INTERESTS"

On November 28-29 a conference "The Role of Regional Media in Protection of
Public Interests" took place in "Congress" hotel in Yerevan. The event was
organized by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression under the
project "Advocacy through Empowering Journalistic Organizations and Regional
Media", supported by the Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation-Armenia and the Netherlands Government. During the conference the
results of monitoring of regional media of Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori,
Syunik, Tavush, Shirak regions were presented, as well as the results of
public opinion survey on informational needs of the regional media audience
and possibilities to meet the demand. The subject of another report was the
situation with freedom of expression and violation of rights of journalists
and media in Armenia in 2008.

MEDIA COMPETITION "A COUPLE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN" IS ANNOUNCED

British Council Armenia and the OSCE Office in Yerevan announce an annual
media competition entitled "A couple of words about women". Materials in any
of journalistic genres must have been published or broadcasted within the
period from January to December 2008 and covered the activities and
achievements of women in political, economic and social spheres. Prizes will
be awarded in 6 categories: TV program, newspaper article, radio program,
online article, social advertisement, commercial advertisement. Applications
must be submitted until December 31, 2008.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

ARMENIA’S PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT RUSSIA
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
04.12.2008 14:04

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, will leave for the
Russian Federation on December 5 for a working visit. Deputy Foreign
Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan told a press conference today
that the Prime Minister will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin. The discussions will mainly focus on the world financial crisis
and the joint efforts that should be made to resist the possible
negative influence of the financial crisis on the economies of the
two countries.

Shavarsh Kocharyan said it’s natural that every country has its
peculiarities, and the two Prime Ministers are expected to discuss
the steps that will allow solving the problem with joint effort. The
heads of executive bodies of the two countries will discuss all issues
of mutual interest.

"The relations with our strategic partner Russia have a unique place
in the balanced policy of the Republic of Armenia. Those relations
have been dynamically developing especially in the recent period,
and the frequent meetings on the highest level are evidences of it,"
the Deputy Foreign Minister stated.

At the Armenian Embassy in Russia the Prime Minister will meet
Armenian businessmen.

MILLER: GAZPROM’S COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA IS OF LONG-TERM STRATEGIC NATURE

ArmInfo
2008-12-01 17:54:00

ArmInfo. Our cooperation with Armenia is of long-term strategic
nature and is based on mutual confidence and mutually beneficial
partnership. Gazprom not only sells gas to Armenia but also takes
part in its transportation and marketing in the territory of the
country. We have big joint plans in the electric energy sector, the
chairman of the Board of Gazprom OSJC Aleksey Miller said during his
meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in the framework of
the welding of the last joint of the Kajaran-Ararat section of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

The Armenian-Russian ArmRosgazprom company has successfully worked
in Armenia for over 10 years and it is due to its efforts that the
Kajaran-Ararat section has been built. Miller is sure that the
new pipeline will significantly enhance the stability of energy
supplies in Armenia and will contribute to the development of the
gas infrastructure of the whole region.

Miller and Sargsyan pointed out the importance of the Gazprom-Armenia
cooperation and expressed conviction that it would be enlarged.

To remind, the Kajaran-Ararat section links the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline with the gas system of Armenia. This 206.5 km section has
been built by ArmRosgazprom. This company enjoys monopoly for supply
and distribution of Russian natural gas in Armenia.