Author: Chmshkian Vicken

MEETING BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND TURKISH YOUNG PEOPLE TAKES PLACE IN KARS

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 19, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. 20 Armenian young men left for the
town of Kars on the initiative of the Association of Young Women of
Armenia to take part in the program under the title Role of the Youth
in Social Work.

According to the Association, the group of Armenian young men is
headed by Lilit Asatrian, the Chairwoman of the organization.

Program’s goal is to mitigate the stereotypes among youth in Armenia
and Turkey, to give them a possibility to get acquainted with the
two countries’ cultures, and to form cultural understanding through
voluntary work.

A working discussion on subjects of communication, dialogue, and
peace will be also organized within the framework of the program,
as well as a visit to Ani is planned.

GOVERNMENT APPROVES NEW STATUS OF MATENADARAN

ARMENPRESS
May 15, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS: The government has approved today the new
statute of Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Old Manuscripts. Under the new
statute this research institution is a state non-profit organization.

The government invalidated also its old statute adopted in 2002.

According to Education and Science Minister Levon Mkrtchian, under
the new statute Matenadaran, which is also the biggest depository of
old Armenian manuscripts, will have the status of a research center
in addition to its status of museum.

Its scientific board will have the authorities to train related
specialists. The minister said also the new statute gives special heed
to expansion and strengthening of contacts with foreign institutions
and researchers.

The statute allows Matenadaran to turn into a self-financing
entity. The minister said the statue had been discussed with all
interested agencies receiving no objections.

Panorama.am

18:52 17/05/2008

-VIVACELL- FOOTBALL TEAM SPONSOR

-VivaCell- company has become the chief sponsor of the
Armenian football team. In this regard Ruben
Hayrapetyan the president of the Armenian Football
Federation and Ralf Yirikyan the director of
-VivaCell- Daughter Company signed a contract.

-We have decided to pay attention on the development
and improvement of football,- he said. R. Hayrapetyan
thanked for the initiative and said that it will help
the federation to make progress. -it is not accepted
in our country when the companies cooperate for the
sake of sport development,- he said.

Source: Panorama.am

WORK OF ELABORATION OF PROGRAM OF DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION SPHERE ABILITIES AND STRATEGY FINISHED

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 16, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. A program of elaboration of development
of abilities and strategy of education sphere has been implemented
in Armenia with the financial assistance of the USAID jointly with
the US Academy of Education Development.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Yerevan office of the Academy
of Education Development, at the program’s first stage, as a result
of technical and content assistance provided to the RA Ministry of
Education and Science, the draft state program of education development
for 2008-2015 has been worked in Armenia.

Besides, eight international experts of education sphere from different
countries took part in the Education 2015 conference, who discussed
the draft strategic vision of education development in Armenia and
made proposals of further elaboration of that document. A series of
consultation meetings with beneficiaries, as well as many private
interviews with representatives of not only education system, but
also other state and public structures closely connected with the
system preceded the conference.

According to the report, the draft state program of education
development has been revised according to the proposals submitted
by the government and has been returned to the government for final
approval.

Work of estimation of abilities and needs of the RA Ministry of
Education and Science was done at the second stage of the program of
Elaboration of Development of Education Sphere Abilities and Strategy,
from November 28 to December 18, 2007. As a result of the estimation,
proposals have been introduced for organizing Ministry’s work more
efficiently. Abilities necessary for conducting new policy envisaged
by the draft state program of education development for 2008-2015
were also estimated.

"INFOTOUR 2008" ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN FORUM OF BUSINESSWOMEN HELD

Y EREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. "Only after the Businesswomen Support
Foundation-Business Center adjunct to the RA Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (CCI) started operating, it became possible to form an idea
about how great the potential of Armenian businesswomen is," the RA CCI
chairman Martin Sargsian stated at "Infotour 2008" Armenian-Russian
forum of businesswomen on May 16.

In his words, there are opportunities to increase trade turnover
between Armenia and Russia in such sectors as agriculture, chemistry,
tourism, food industry – in particular, organic food production,
construction, IT, textile production and energy. M. Sargsian expressed
a hope that the forum will lay a basis for new cooperation projects.

The director of the foundation-business center Lilia Gevorgian said
that the Armenian-Russian forum of business women is being held in the
framework of the programs on cooperation of South Caucasian countries.
The idea to organize this forum was put forward by the Armenian
delegation at the South Caucasian Economic Forum held in the Abkhazian
city of Pitsunda in the autumn of 2007. According to L. Gevorgian,
familiarization trips to be oragnized during Infotour 2008 will help
Russian businesswomen to form a notion of Armenia’s business resources.
By the way, the majority of 15 members of the Russian delegation (from
Tatarstan, Abkhazia, Sochi) are businesswomen engaged in the tourism
sector.

The director general of Continent OJSC (Sochi) Lyudmila Aminova
expressed an opinion that such forums should take place in Sochi as
well, which will allow to direct part of Sochi’s tourist flow to
Armenia. Asya Khachaturian, who runs a hotel and public catering
business in Sochi, made a proposal that the RA CCI assist with
organizing an exhibition on Armenia’s tourism sector in Sochi. She said
that some Armenian companies will participate in programs on
construction of Olympic facilities in Sochi and supply of cement for
construction work in this city.

The chairwoman of the Union of Abkhazian Businesswomen Yulia Gumba
considered cooperation with Armenia in the tourism sector as
prospective, noting that 3 million tourists visited Abkhazia in 2007.
The director general of Mika-Cement company Naira Martirosian expressed
a wish that this cooperation would also cover Nagorno Karabakh.

M. Sargsian announced that it is envisaged to organize the response
forum of businesswomen in Russia in September of this year. According
to him, the Russian delegation will take familiarization trips in
Armenia until late May.

"MAIN REASON OF SPLIT OF ARMENIAN SOCIETY ARE VICTIMS OF MARCH 1 EVENTS," LEADER OF ULP BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 15, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. According to Gurgen Arsenian,
the Leader of the United Labour Party, the Armenian society is
currently split, first of all because of the human losses of the
March 1 events. Commenting on the March 1 events, Gurgen Arsenian
reminded of the April 12, 2004 events at the press conference held
on May 15, when the mass meeting of the opposition was dispersed
with the interference of law enfocement bodies, however, no one died
then. According to him, in difference to the 2004 events, they did
not manage to avoid "irreparable human losses" on March 1, 2008.

In response to the question of who is guilty of the victims,
Gurgen Arsenian mentioned that the issue will be made clear by
the investigation of the law enforcement bodies. According to him,
law enforcement bodies "are not a charity organization" and their
activities can sometimes bring forth irreparable losses.

Gurgen Arsenian stated that the ULP has always considered the
phenomenon, when political processes are moved to "a civil plane", as
inadmissible. As an example he introduced the recent events in Lebanon,
in which the civil society was involved. "That is the most dangerous
thing," Gurgen Arsenian said, adding that the March 1 situation in
Armenia was like the current one in Lebanon, however, later they
managed to hold up the aggravation of the situation in Armenia.

The ULP, in his words, does not hurry to officialy respond to the
March 1 events as it is seeking to remain loyal, not wanting to
"pour oil on the flames."

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: "THERE ALWAYS EXIST REAL GROUNDS FOR THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today.Az
politics/45019.html
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

There always exist real grounds for the peaceful resolution of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.

The due announcement was made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan.

"We should be optimistic in the issue of progress, there has always
been such a possibility, but everything depends of how the sides will
demonstrate themselves during the talks. As for our side, be sure that
the peaceful process will continue and we will find the solution",
Edward Nalbandyan told reporters on May 15.

According to Nalbandyan, one should draw a distinction for the
resolution of issues and not attack each others.

Armenian Foreign Minister noted that Armenian side confirmed readiness
to hold talks around the proposals, presented by the OSCE Minsk Group.

"There are some principles, which were proposed by the Minsk Group
co-chairs in Madrid and we are ready to continue talks on the basis
of these proposals", the Armenian Foreign Minister added.

ARMENIA’S GDP GREW 13.7 PERCENT IN 2007
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger
May 15 2008
Georgia

Last year Armenia’s GDP grew by 13.7 percent, mainly due to the
construction and service sectors, according to the news agency Regnum.

The 2008 CIA World Factbook says that both economic reform and improved
ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan are required for Armenia to improve
economic competitiveness.

"Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order
to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent
improvements in [eliminating] poverty and unemployment, especially
given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors,
Turkey and Azerbaijan," the CIA report says.

Armenia has no trade or diplomatic ties with two of its neighbors,
Turkey and Azerbaijan, and has consequently been excluded from
regional project such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

THE FIFTH KURDISH FILM FESTIVAL

Kurdish Globe
sp?id=379547813C5A69608B5C6520A8E108FF
May 14 2008
Iraq

With 45 short, documentary, and feature films, and 30 directors from
all parts of Kurdistan, the Fifth Kurdish FilmFestival will be held
in Berlin from May 24 to June 1.

Participating films show the life, culture, and misfortunes of Kurds
in Turkey, Syria, and Iran.

The festival first ran in 2002 and has since become the world’s
largest Kurdish film festival as well as an important meeting place
for Kurdish filmmakers.

Several workshops built around the themes explored in some of the
films will take place, as well as discussions on the past, present,
and future of Kurdish film.

Prominent and creative Kurdish directors such as Bahman Ghobadi,
Hiner Saleem, Rahim Zabihi, Yuksel Yawz, Hisham Zaman, and others
will attend.

Berlin sponsors the festival, held at the Central Cinema Art Hall
(Filmkunsthaus Babylon Mitte), and two films will kick it off: the
Kurdish-Norwegian Vinterland by Hisham Zaman, and White Mountain by
Taha Karimi.

Others include On the Way in the EU, about the Kurdish issue in
Turkey and its affects on this country and its possible entry into
the EU, and Close-up Kurdistan by Yuksel Yawz, a documentary about the
history of emigration of Kurds to Europe and conflicts between Kurds
and Turks. Kurds on the Map talks about the 15 years of the political
entity in Iraqi Kurdistan. Bahman Ghobadi’s Half Moon, Hiner Saleem’s
Dall, and Rahim Zabihi’s The Land of Legend will also be screened.

Children on Border by Burhan Dogan, and The Lark Farm by two Italian
brothers Vittorio and Paolo Taviani that reflects relations between
Turkish and Armenians with Kurdish actors are to be screened.

According to a press release by festival organizers, the goal is to
get Kurdish films to Kurds in Diaspora.

"This festival is a good omen for the birth of Kurdish Cinema," said
the general manager of the festival, Memet Aktash, to local Kurdish
media. "I hope that Erbil will announce the birth of the Kurdish
national cinema and embrace directors and film companies from all
four parts of Kurdistan."

ARMENIAN DM RECEIVES IRANIAN AMBASSADOR

ARMENPRESS
May 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Ohanian
received today Iranian ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Saghayan.

Spokesman for the Armenian Defense Ministry Seyran Shahsuvarian told
Armenpress that during the meeting the ambassador congratulated the
minister on his appointment and conveyed the congratulation message
of the Iranian Minister of Defense and Support to Armed Forces,
General-Major Mostafa Mohhamad Najari.

During the meeting the sides pointed out that Armenian-Iranian
relations are consolidated with serious political and economic
achievements on the basis of which are brotherly relations between
the two peoples.

Afterwards the two sides referred to the bilateral military relations
and pointed out the future activities.

They also exchanged thoughts over a number of issues on regional
security and stability. Speaking about the Karabakh conflict
regulation, the interlocutors underscored its peaceful settlement.

On the second half of the day the defense minister left for Aparan
where accompanied with Aragatsotn governor Gabriel Gyozalian and
representatives of local governmental bodies visited the "Revival"
memorial complex to the victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide,
heroes of 1918 Aparan battle and got acquainted with the program of
celebrations of May 28.