Author: Chatinian Lara

ARMENIANS WERE STATE GUESTS, CLAIMS OJODEH
Story by Owino Opondo
The Nation, Kenya
June 22, 2006
Mr Ojodeh
The deported Armenian brothers at the centre of mercenaries claims
had been invited into the country by the Government, an MP claimed.
Mr Orwa Ojodeh (Ndhiwa, Narc) said Mr Artur Margaryan and Mr Artur
Sargsyan had many times visited the General Service Unit headquarters
in Nairobi where they were normally received by the commandant.
The two, he added, had been training the crack Recce Company on
specialised skills.
Saying he was quoting a highly confidential letter written by the
Nairobi regional intelligence coordinator, Mr J.K. Kamau to the
Director of Intelligence, the MP added that the Armenians also took
part in the raid on Standard Group offices and printing plant.
Mr Ojodeh said the raid was conducted by the Recce Company and directed
by the Nairobi CID boss.
“This was my first time to witness a government hiring terrorists
to harass its own people. The Armenians were a government project,”
he said, as several MPs asked him to prove his allegations.
Government Chief Whip Norman Nyagah, Lands assistant minister Asman
Kamama, and Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango, Ford People) sought
to have Mr Ojodeh stopped from making the claims.
They asked temporary deputy Speaker Kirugi M’Mukindia (Imenti Central,
Narc) to confirm if the document Mr Ojodeh had referred to was genuine.
“Can the Chair authenticate the document first so that it is not
taken up by the Press?” asked Mr Nyagah.
He was supported by Mr Magara, who said the issue of the Armenians
was before two committees of Parliament and it would be premature to
allow the House to debate it.
After perusing the document, Mr M’Mukindia said: “The copy of the
letter I have has no heading, and doesn’t show which Government
department it is coming from. I’m not sure the document is authentic.”
But Mr Ojodeh stood his ground, arguing that not all memos written by
the Intelligence had letterheads, as Mr Nyagah asked if the document
had been authored by Kenya Times boss.
Lamu West MP Fahim Twaha (Kanu) called for patience, and asked
the Chair to let Mr Ojodeh explain himself. “Don’t impute improper
motives on the member. You cannot just dismiss what he is saying
without providing an alternative view,” he said.
Justice minister Martha Karua on Tuesday attempted to stop two
parliamentary committees from investigating the Artur brothers. The
committees are legal affairs, headed by Kabete MP Paul Muite, and
security, chaired by Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe.
She said it was wrong for MPs to investigate matters already referred
by the President to a commission of inquiry. Parliament was not
meant to govern and rule but to audit activities of the Executive,
she argued.
Speaker Francis ole Kaparo instructed Mr Muite to submit a written
reply to the issues raised by Ms Karua before he could make his ruling
on the matter.

WORLD BANK PREDICTS FALL IN ARMENIAN GDP IN COMING YEARS
Trading Markets, CA
June 22, 2006
(RTTNews) – The World Bank predicted a sharp fall in Armenian GDP
growth rate to 5.6% in 2008 compared to 14% in 2005, published reports
said Thursday. Analysts say the major economic risks are associated
with a strengthening in the national currency, the Dram.
The bank sees the nation’s deficit near European standards of up to 3%
of GDP versus 1.7% of GDP in 2005.
In its report on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the World bank
forecasts a slow down in growth in majority of the countries in
the region barring the oil rich Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and
Romania. Higher oil prices and a decline in foreign transfer would
hamper economic growth in the region, the bank said.

IF AMERICANS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN KARS-AKHALKALAK PROJECT, OTHER FOREIGN INVESTORS WILL DO
AZG Armenian Daily
22/06/2006
If the American companies do not finance the construction of
Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway, other foreign countries and
organizations may make investments in the project, including the
European Central Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, Georgian media quoted, Irakli Chogovadze, Georgian
economic development minister, as saying.
Earlier, daily Azg informed that Committee of Financial Issues at the
US House of Representatives adopted a decision, according to which
it forbids financing the above project from the American sources.
Chogovadze, made his statement after publication of this very decision.
It’s noteworthy that the European structures are also against the
construction of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway link.

CONDEMN TERRORISM, NOT MEDIA FOR REPORTING ON IT
by George Jonas, CanWest News Service
Pembroke Observer (Ontario)
June 20, 2006 Tuesday
Editorial
The question of homegrown terrorism is acute, but it isn’t new. Last
week, some news sources reported the arrest of 17 Muslim Canadians
alleged to have plotted terrorist acts in this country as if it were a
historic first. It isn’t a first, not by a long chalk – which doesn’t
make it less pernicious.
When I was asked to comment on this aspect of multicultural
Canada some 20 years ago, terrorist suspects came from the ranks
of militant Armenians and Sikhs. The issues were similar, though,
and so were my views. It seemed to me that expecting immigrants to
stop concerning themselves with the affairs of their former homelands
would be unreasonable. Not only immigrants, but in many instances
even their children and grandchildren maintain some emotional ties
to their ancestral countries. This is as natural as it is wholesome,
to use an old-fashioned word. Nothing should be done to discourage
it. Probably nothing could be done. Roots go deep; that’s their point.
However, Canadians of whatever background, be they naturalized,
native-born, or third generation, owe their first allegiance to the
country of their citizenship. This requirement is both reasonable and
practical. It puts no stress on human rights or human nature. It’s
simply Canada’s due.
The majority of individual immigrants from all ethnic groups have
always recognized this. They or their ancestors came to Canada for the
very purpose of becoming Canadians. Far from disputing the need for
such loyalty, immigrants have been among its most ardent supporters.
On the whole, this is probably as true today as it has ever been.
Still, there have been disturbing signs in recent years indicating
an unwelcome change. Individuals from various ethnic or religious
communities have committed violent acts in Canada, or used Canada
as a staging area for committing violent acts elsewhere, to protest
or avenge grievances in their ancestral lands. As a result, Canadian
lives have been lost or endangered.
When immigrants or their descendants use Canada’s territory for
the commission or preparation of political violence, they commit
(in addition to every other objection one might raise to terrorism)
a specific act of treachery. They abuse the country that took them in.
Such acts usually involve only a handful of people. The rest of their
community keeps a meticulous distance from them. Even when they share
the terrorists’ political views or sense of grievance, most Canadian
Sikhs, Armenians, Muslims, Tamils, etc., wouldn’t dream of plotting
to blow up Toronto subway stations or behead Canadian prime ministers.
Periodically, representatives from these groups, sensing – accurately
– the loathing and horror that terrorist violence engenders in this
country, and sensing – again accurately – that such acts lower the
esteem in which their community is held by other Canadians, set about
to repair their image. However, instead of starting by dissociating
themselves from the terrorists and unequivocally condemning their acts,
many of these (usually self- appointed) community representatives
have gone on the offensive.
For at least 20 years now, journalists and politicians have been
receiving newsletters explaining and justifying the aims, causes and
grievances that have served as a basis for terrorist acts. Community
spokes people have been giving statements to the press or appearing
on television with similar messages. Complaints have been lodged
with editors, broadcast executives, press councils and human rights
commissions about the identification of a given ethnic or religious
community with terrorism. Lawyers have been consulted to see if the
press could be persuaded – or maybe even forced – not to identify a
suspected or convicted perpetrator of political violence as a member
of a given group – a Sikh, say, or a Muslim.
These statements, pamphlets or requests have condemned terrorism only
fleetingly, if at all. Their authors’ chief concern appears to be
explaining their causes (riding, as it were, on the coattails of the
terrorists) while voicing their indignation about their communities’
poor image that causes their children to be taunted in school.
True, no child should be taunted in school because someone of his
religion put a bomb on a plane. For Canada’s Muslims or Sikhs, the
best way to achieve this is to dissuade their co-religionists from
putting bombs on planes – and to disavow those they can’t dissuade.
For any community, the answer lies in not raising terrorist sons and
daughters, NOT in trying to tell the media how to report. Maybe,
just maybe, some Muslim spokes people in Canada are beginning to
learn this lesson.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZES THAT THERE IS UNUSED POTENTIAL IN ARMENIAN-CZECH RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 20 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Arman Kirakosian,
the RA Deputy Foreign Minister received on June 19 the delegation
of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Defence and Security
Issues of the Republic of Czechia. The delegation is in Armenia by
the RA National Assembly’s invitation.
The RA Deputy Foreign Minister attached importance to development of
the Armenian-Czech relations, at the same time expressing anxiety with
the not satisfactory level of the bilateral relations. He mentioned
the circumstance of the unused potential, especially stressing
the necessity of completing the legal-contractual field, what will
greatly stimulate activization of relations in the commercial-economic
sphere. It was also mentioned that the RA Ambassador’s pluralistical
accreditation in Czechia will give new breath to the Armenian-Czech
relations.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, Arman Kirakosian presented briefly the
economic state of Armenia, later development of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement, Armenian-Turkish relations. He mentioned with
satisfaction the cooperation among the Armenian community in Czechia
and the authorities, particularly emphasizing the conference in which
he made a report. The conference was dedicated to the Armenian Genocide
and was organized in April of the current year by the joint efforts
of the Czechia-Armenia Friendship Club and Senator Jaromir Stetina
who was present at the meeting.
The Czech side touched upon in his turn the parliamentary elections
taken place in Czechia, emphasizing that the Government of Czechia
are still at the stage of formation. The guests touched upon the
issue of Turkey’s possible membership to the EU and were informed
about Armenia’s position.

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:
THE WOMEN’S BIBLICAL STUDY SESSIONS
COME TO AN END
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia gives
special attention to the Christian and spiritual formation of women. As
such, the department organizes special biblical studies’ sessions and
gatherings.
Christian education and spiritual formation meetings for women were held
every Tuesday mornings in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate
during the past six months. Members of the Cilician Brotherhood interpreted
the Psalms and taught the women about the hymns of the Armenian Church.
During the period of the Great Lent, lectures were given on the meaning and
significance of each of the seven Sundays of the Lent period. Their relation
to current times was explained to the attendants.
The women attending the sessions also listened to a lecture by His Holiness
Aram I on spiritual values and truths and their relations to the
difficulties and challenges of current life.
More than 100 women attended these sessions. The Christian Education
Department has similar plans for the future.
Addressing the women about Christian education, the Pontiff said during his
lecture: “Christian education in general and the study of the Bible in
particular have one purpose: living our lives according to Christian
principles, truths and commandants. That is why Christian formation is a
constant process. As Christians, it should be a constant purpose for us to
try and live our lives such that we become the loyal followers of Christ.
For the Catholicosate of Cilicia therefore, Christian education in our
schools, our structures, our homes is a necessity and we will devise new
plans in this respect with the Christian Education Department; plans that
will relate to the demands and difficulties of our youth and families.”
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

OIC SECRETARY GENERAL: “OCCUPATION OF THE AZERI TERRITORIES IS A PROBLEM NOT OF AZERBAIJAN ONLY BUT OF THE WHOLE MUSLIM WORLD”
Today, Azerbaijan
June 18 2006
OIC session to address broad agenda.
Representatives of 90 countries are to attend a session of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference’s (OIC) foreign ministers in
Baku on June 19-21, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told a
news conference on Sunday, Interfax reports.
“Of the OIC’s 57 member-nations, 51 countries have already confirmed
their participation in the session. Another 33 countries will
be represented by their foreign ministers. The event will also
involve representatives of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other
international organizations,” he said.
The session’s agenda includes 99 issues, he said. “Among other matters,
we will discuss the occupation of the Azeri territories and assess
the damage caused by Armenia’s occupation of the Azeri territories
and the destruction of monuments there,” the minister said.
The participants in the meeting will also exchange their views on
the diplomatic impasse over Iran’s nuclear program, the situation in
Iraq and the Palestinian territories. “All these problems should be
resolved diplomatically,” Mammadyarov said.
The Muslim world’s role in global energy projects is crucial,
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said at the same
news conference. He welcomed Kazakhstan’s decision to join the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
“We are entering a new epoch of global energy projects with the
participation of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other countries
of the Muslim world,” he said.
Ihsanoglu, however, expressed concern over security worldwide and the
situation in the Palestinian territories and other conflict-ridden
regions.
“Our aim is not to stay away from ongoing processes. We attach great
importance to cooperation in ensuring peace and security worldwide.
The Palestinian issue is a common problem facing the Muslim world. We
are concerned about continuing terrorist attacks that claim civilian
lives,” Ihsanoglu said.
“We are all concerned about Iran’s nuclear issue, the problem of Azeri
refugees from Nagorno Karabakh and the Palestinian issue. All these
problems have had a negative impact on security around the globe,”
he said.
“The occupation of the Azeri territories is a problem of Azerbaijan
and the Muslim world as a whole,” he said.
URL:

LLOYD’S GUEST OF “LONDON-YEREVAN” INSURANCE COMPANY
Karina Melikyan, ArmInfo, 14 June 2006
Lloyd’s Heritage Managing Agency Ltd. Syndicate 1200, specializing
in property insurance, is seriously interested in Armenia. The
syndicate’s representative has got an offer from London Gate
Group, 100% founder of “London-Yerevan” insurance Company, to pay a
fact-finding visit to Armenia. Few days ago, London representatives
arrived in Armenia and visited the Central Bank, the British Embassy
and met with the directors of HSBC Bank Armenia quite in a short
period of time. Representative of Heritage Managing Agency Ltd.
Syndicate 1200 Darren Warkcup and Chairman of London Gate Group Brian
Salmanpour shared their plans and the preliminary assessments of
Armenia’s insurance market with ArmInfo’s correspondent. In her turn,
“London-Yerevan” insurance Company director Sona Dalalyan presented
the achievements of the company.
How would you assess the activity of “London-Yerevan” insurance
company?
Brian Salmanpour: As the head of London Gate Group, I’ll say that
our broker KAY International has been reinsuring London-Yerevan’s
policies in the market of Lloyd’s for several years already. And I
think this partnership is quite successful.
Darren Warkcup: In my turn, I’d underline that London-Yerevan’s
high indices, quick growth rates and quite serious development plans
prove that the company is making serious achievements in Armenia’s
insurance market. In this light, Syndicate 1200 has decided to give
London-Yerevan a unique chance to asses risks and to sign documents
“with Lloyd’s pen.”
Lloyd’s corporation is known to comprise several specialized
Syndicates. It is interesting why exactly the representative of
Syndicate 1200 specializing in property insurance arrived in Armenia
to get first hand view of the country’s insurance market?
Darren Warkcup: In the last years Armenia has shown growing activity
in construction and I wanted to see this in the place. I am especially
glad to know that Armenia is beginning to assess risks in construction
and I want to see what risks they deal with in Armenia and in what
amounts. It was exactly because of London-Yerevan’s growing activity
in risk reinsurance abroad that we decided to visit Armenia. I am
the first property underwriter representative to visit Armenia so
far and I can say that I am very much impressed by London-Yerevan’s
work, especially in property insurance, a sphere I supervise at
Lloyd’s. So, I am ready to do my best to help the Armenian company
to get competitive.
What is your conclusion, of course, if you could arrive at such during
your short-term visit to Armenia?
Brian Salmanpour: Armenia’s insurance market is developing very slowly
and in order to step up this process it is necessary to regulate the
market and the activities of insurance companies.
Sona Dalalyan: As a direct participants of the insurance market,
I’d like to note that today only 8-10 companies have life insurance
license. Having such a license, London-Yerevan is not very much active
in the sphere as it knows that the CB is planning legislative changes
to make insurance companies choose either they insure only life
or only other spheres. So, it is a question yet how many companies
will agree to insure only life as this type of insurance is not very
much popular in Armenia yet. Today insuring life in Armenia are only
companies with foreign capital or bank-related entities wishing to
insure their borrowers.
Regarding the supervisory body, what is the opinion “abroad” on the
role of the Central Bank as the megaregulator of the financial market,
including, as a body controlling over the activity of insurance
companies?
Darren Warkcup: Vache Gabrielyan, a member of the CB Council, informed
us of CB’s supervisory mechanisms. It is important that the powers
of megaregulator were laid on the Central Bank as the chief banker
tries to transfer the insurance market to an open field i.e.
to secure transparency of this business for potential clients. As
regards the CB’s aspiration to bring the law on insurance in the
line with international standards, it will help the market develop
and attract more foreign companies to Armenia. This, in its turn,
will develop competition and create more attractive conditions for
clients. In fact, only reliable insurance companies will maintain
their positions in the market.
And what about the compulsory insurance the introduction of which in
Armenia is not far away?
Brian Salmanpour: I think the compulsory insurance plays an important
role both for the economy, on the whole, and for development of
insurance market, in particular. It is, first of all, aimed at
protecting consumers’ interests as it will allow the market becoming
well-organized, and the public – more aware of their demands.
It is not a secret that there are no insurance companies especially
founded to protect the interests of large financial and industrial
groups in Armenia. Is it normal?
Darren Warkcup: It is very dangerous and may lead to double economy.
Quite recently Fitch rating agency gave Armenia a sovereign credit
rating “BB-,” another rating is expected from another large foreign
agency within a month. It is interesting, if any steps are taken to
give ratings to insurance companies?
Sona Dalalyan: Armenia’s Central Bank has already signed a resolution
on compulsory rating of foreign insurance companies reinsuring
insurance policies of Armenian insurance companies, and submitted
it to the RA Justice Ministry for registration. This document, which
will come into effect in six months, provides for 5 leading foreign
rating agencies: Standard&Poor’s (U.S.) – “BBB”, Moody’s (U.S.) –
“Baa2”, A.M. Best (U.S.) – “B+”, Duff and Phelps – “BBB”, Weiss –
“B” è Fitch Ratings (U.S.) – “BBB”.As you see, the minimal required
rank is “”. One of Russian leading rating agencies was included in
the initial list, which, however, is not indicated in the final list
because of its minimal rating of “ÂÂ-” rank.
In the course of the visit, you met also with HSBC Bank Armenia
Executive Director Anthony Turner. What was the purpose of the
meeting? Do you negotiate or it was just a meeting of partners?
Brian Salmanpour: We had a desire to meet with one of the oldest and
most reliable clients of “London-Yerevan,” HSBC Bank Armenia. We
discussed the details of partnership and the prospects of our
cooperation with the leadership of that bank.
Sona Dalalyan: Besides HSBC Bank Armenia, “London-Yerevan” cooperates
also with five leading banks in the country, which, apply to the
company mainly for insurance of bank risks, property and cars, for
medical insurance of employees and for insurance against careless
employees. As regards insurance of financial risks, “London-Yerevan”
is not engaged in this type of insurance.
As our talk touches upon the activity of “London-Yerevan” anyway,
would you present its achievements and plans in figures? What is the
company’s share in different types of insurance, insurance premiums
etc??
Sona Dalalyan: In 2005, the company’s share in total insurance
premiums in the market was 20% as against 16.9% in 2004. As to this
indicator, “London-Yerevan” is in the lead in the Ranking of the
leading insurance companies in Armenia 2005 prepared by the Agency of
Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo). As to the payments of insurance
indemnity, the company is the second. The share of the company’s life
insurance premiums in the market made up 56%, however, the share of
this insurance type in the company’s insurance portfolio was only
1%. For instance, at European companies, the share of life insurance
is almost 40%. In 2005, “London-Yerevan” secured an impressive growth
of automobile insurance – 115%. Then goes property insurance – 56%,
cargo transportation insurance – 44%, accident insurance – 40%, and
responsibility insurance – 7.5%. In total, the company secured 17%
growth on all the insurance types in 2005.
Regarding plans, we intend to at least double the growth of property
insurance and to increase insurance premiums by 25%.
Brian Salmanpour: All the underwriters keep supporting “London-Yerevan”
in reinsurance of property, life, accident and cargo transportation
insurance risks it undertook.
In conclusion, it would be useful to know the opinion of authoritative
foreign insurers concerning the influence of stable economic growth
in Armenia on development of the country’s insurance market.
Darren Warkcup: The stable economic growth in Armenia will allow
insurance companies extending their activity, specifically,
capitalization is in question. Due to it, new services will be
provided to clients, the competition will be increased. In fact,
only specialized stable companies will remain in the market, others
will amalgamate. Of course, the share of reinsurance of Armenian
companies in the Lloyd’s market is so insignificant that it is
not worth mentioning. The annual turnover of Lloyd’s Corporation
considerably exceeds the budget of Armenia. Nevertheless, the
corporation’s underwriter noticed Armenia and other CIS countries
which were avoided by other foreign reinsurers.
–Boundary_(ID_7FfH8sczrOAbkStAuQmM5g )–

GEORGIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION: TWO VIEWPOINTS
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
June 14 2006
Slouching towards Brussels: arrival of realism
The government’s statement about the possibility of a quick integration
into the European Union is unrealistic. Currently, the expansion of
the European Union is limited to a small list of countries and Georgia
is not on this list. Georgia and Ukraine will have to continue under
the neighborhood policy with European Union for quite some time.
Interviewed in the Russian newspaper Novie Izvestia, EU Foreign and
Security Policy Coordinator Javier Solana, made it clear that Georgian
and Ukrainian integration was not yet on the agenda.
Solana said that at this stage EU expansion is limited to Romania
and Bulgaria, then Croatia, Turkey the other Balkan republics. The
newspaper Rezonansi quotes Solana as saying that “The discussion of
the new candidates has ceased, although this does not mean that we
don’t want close relationships with other neighboring states.”
According to Solana close relations between neighboring countries
are in the interests of both the EU and Moscow. However, states that
have a close relationship with Russia will find it difficult to have
a close relationship with the EU.
Before Solana’s statement David Bakradze, the Chair of Europe
Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, said in an interview
with Rezonansi that the EU should have a much more positive position
on Georgia’s membership. “Georgia has expressed its sincere wish to
become a member of the EU, I think that EU should fix upon a much
more positive position.”
Clearly, Bakradze did not think that Solana would rule out Georgia’s
speedy integration into EU; citing as a positive indicator European
Parliament Vice-Speaker, Edward McMillan-Scott’s statement at an
Armenian press conference that “The South Caucasus countries should
be individually integrated into the EU.”
McMillan-Scott’s position was approved of in Georgia. The three
countries of the South Caucasus could not, like the Baltic States,
simultaneously integrate into the EU owing to their different political
trajectories, cultural differences and (in the case of Armenia and
Azerbaijan) their ongoing conflicts. Furthermore, of all the three
South Caucasus states, only Georgia has unequivocally stated its
desire for EU membership.
Georgia and Ukraine’s EU integration has become an issue of
active discussion, however it seems that the hopes of political
leaders outweigh the chances of integration for the time being. The
neighborhood policy offers a chance to cooperate with the EU at many
levels. With this Georgia can approach EU standards, and has the
chance to try to deepen its interaction with the EU.
Georgia and Ukraine can also deepen cooperation in the frames
of GUAM, which recently became a fully-fledged international
organization. However, the desire of some GUAM members to integrate
in the EU may cloud their chances for overall regional cooperation.

ARMENIA AND SWITZERLAND SIGN AGREEMENT ON DOUBLE TAXATION AVOIDANCE
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 13 2006
YEREVAN, June 13. /ARKA/. Armenia and Switzerland has signed an
agreement on double taxation avoidance.
The Information and Press Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign
Affairs reports, the agreement was signed by the RA Minister of
Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian and federal Councilor and Head of
Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmey-Rey in
Yerevan on June 12.
After the signing ceremony Calmey-Rey expressed belief that this
agreement is to become a stimulus for development of relations between
businessmen of two countries.
She also pointed out willingness of the Swiss side to go on with
initiatives on implementation of various programs in Armenia, within
bounds of which Swiss Government gave 4 mln Swiss francs to Armenia
in 2006.
In his turn Oskanian briefly presented present stage of Karabakh
conflict and Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as statement of the
Official Yerevan regarding Destruction of Armenian cemeteries and
khachkars (cross-stones) on the territory of Old Jugha in Nakhichevan
(Azerbaijan), sent to corresponding infrastructures, namely to the
Council of Europe, OSCE and UNESCO.
Calmey-Rey was in Armenia on June 11-13. During her visit she met
with the RA President Robert Kocharyan and Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan.
Calmey-Rey visited also offices of Mission Armenia Swiss organization
and Swiss agency for development and cooperation, as well as Genocide
Museum in Yerevan and laid wreath to the Genocide Memorial.