Author: Dabaghian Diana

JOSE MANUEL BARROSO HOPES TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2008 19:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mr Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission sent a congratulatory message to Mr Serzh Sargsyan,
President of the Republic of Armenia.

The message says,

"Dear Mr President,

On behalf of the European Commission, I would like to convey to you my
congratulations on your election as the new President of the Republic
of Armenia.

The European Commission looks forward to continuing to develop and
strengthen relations with your country in the context of the European
Union-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the European
Neighborhood Policy Action Plan.

Your government faces important challenges in promoting and
implementing an agenda of political and economic reforms including
the stabilisation of the democratic process and the dialogue among
the different political forces and with civil society.

I would like to underline that despite current internal difficulties in
Armenia the European Commission stands ready to accompany your efforts
to build a prosperous State respecting human rights and the rule of
law while pursuing successful economic and social development policies.

In this context, I hope your government will be able to further
deepen democracy, notably in ensuring that electoral processes are
held in full compliance with OSCE and other international standards
for democratic elections. In this respect I trust that shortcomings
identified by the 2008 International Election Observation Mission
will be diligently addressed.

I assure you of my personal interest in all these undertakings."

ARMENIA: NEW PRESIDENT INAUGURATED, OPPOSITION PROTESTS

UN Observer
esident-inaugurated-opposition-protests
April 10 2008

2008-04-09 | With the area around Yerevan’s Opera in almost total lock
down, prime minister Serge Sargsyan was inaugurated as president in a
ceremony and military parade that citizens could few could get even
remotely close to. As it happened, myself and another photographer
managed to eventually break the police blockade and get right outside
the Opera building, but a lot of good that did us.

Sargsyan was already inside and all we managed to get was the back of
the head of the outgoing president, Robert Kocharian, as he arrived
to enter via a side door.

ANCA INVITES US SECRETARY OF STATE DISCUSS ARMENIAN POLICY

ARKA
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, April 9. /ARKA/. The Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) has invited US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss
the US policy to Armenia, ANCA press service reports.

In their letter to Rice, ANCA members express their deep concern
regarding the Bush Administration’s seven-year record of largely
counterproductive, frequently unfriendly, and, at times, antagonistic
policies toward Armenia and the Armenian American community.

The April 4th letter, signed by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, listed
thirteen areas in which the President and his Administration fell short
of both their own commitments and our nation’s basic human rights
standards, retreated from America’s historic commitment to Armenia,
and strained – through a series of ill-advised policies and often
hostile actions – the enduring ties that have long bound together
the American and Armenian peoples.

Over the course of the past seven years, the ANCA has repeatedly
requested, to no avail, the opportunity to meet with the President and
his Secretary of State to discuss these and other issues of concern
to Armenian Americans.

SDEROT ROCKET SIRENS BLARE DURING VISIT BY TURKISH MPS
Roee Nahmias

Ynetnews
April 9 2008
Israel

Turkish parliamentarians tour rocket-battered town in southern Israel,
experience difficult reality first-hand. ‘They looked more alert but
they were understanding about it,’ said officials who were escorting
them. Delegation met later with president, foreign minister

Eight members of the Turkish Foreign Affairs Committee paid a unique
visit to southern Israel on Tuesday, the first such delegation from
Ankara to tour Israel that was not part of an entourage for a visiting
prime minister or other top legislator.

The ‘Color Red’ rocket alert sirens blared throughout the streets
of Sderot while the group was there, warning of an incoming Qassam
barrage from Gaza.

The delegation seemed unfazed by the incident, said Israeli officials
who accompanied the group. "They seemed a little more alert but seemed
to be understanding of the situation. It appeared as though they were
both apprehensive and expectant of the siren alert," State officials
told Ynet.

Heading the delegation, half of whose members belong to the ruling
‘Justice and Development Party,’ is MP Murat Marjan.

"The chairman of the committee came to politics from the academic
world. In their eyes the college is seen as a neutral space which
should not be targeted by terrorists. The fact that the Sapir College
had been hit by Qassam rockets spoke volumes to them," said the
Israeli officials.

No meetings with Hamas >>From Sderot the delegation headed for meetings
with President Shimon Peres, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni
and their Israeli counterparts from the Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee.

Among the topics raised during the meetings were current tensions
with Iran and Syria and recent calls in Israel to recognize the
Armenian genocide. It was also decided that in an effort to strengthen
relations,

lawmakers from the Turkish parliament and the Knesset would pay annual
visits to each other.

On Wednesday the delegation is scheduled to meet with Palestinian
officials in Ramallah. The MPs will not travel to the Gaza Strip due
to their government’s objection to Hamas’ actions.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed its satisfaction with the
visit and noted it was a testament to the exceptional relationship
between Jerusalem and Ankara.

KOCHARIAN RECEIVES FAMOUS POLISH CONDUCTOR

ARMENPRESS
April 8, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS: President Kocharian received today
world famous Polish conductor Kszisztof Penderetski.

Kocharian’s press office said the conductor has arrived in Armenia
to take part in 21-st Century Perspectives musical festival.

Kocharian was quoted as saying that the maestro’s performance in
Armenia is a great musical event, giving Armenian music lovers and
musicians a rare opportunity to watch and listen the composer to
conduct the orchestra that plays his own works.

The composer who has Armenian blood in his veins said his grandmother
was an Armenian who emigrated from Iranian Isfahan. He said he was
happy to visit Armenia.

"This is like returning home for me,’ he was quoted as saying

RA PARLIAMENT TO ISSUE STATEMENT ON KARABAKH RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.04.2008 16:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s parliament will issue a statement on
the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement,
Speaker Tigran Torosian said.

He called on MPs and factions to discuss the document and put forth
proposals.

The next NA sitting is due on April 10.

The ceremony of inauguration of Armenia’s President-elect Serzh
Sargsyan will take place during tomorrow’s solemn session of the
parliament.

BEELINE SALES OFFICE OPENED IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA

ARKA
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, April 7. /ARKA/. The Beeline Company (the brand of the
VimpelCom Company, Russia) has opened its first sales office in
Yerevan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting Chie Executive
Officer (CEO) of the ArmenTel Company (Armenia), fully owned by the
VimpelCom Company, Genady Kalgashkin reported that the new office is
supposed to render new high-quality services.

"We are seeking to improve the quality of our services and be in line
with our new quality and image at the new office," Kalgashkin said.

He pointed out that the company has renovated 24 out of its 54 offices,
with the rest to be brought to conformity with the new brand soon.

Kalgashkin said that among the company’s priorities is to improve
the quality of communication and services, network development, more
affordable prices, digitization of stationary network, launching of
a convergent network, 3G services.

"We plan not only exterior renovation of our offices, but also
higher-quality services, friendly cooperation, the formation of
a leading company rendering services of international quality,"
Kalgashkin said.

He did not cite the cost of rebranding, pointing out that the work
has been done on budgetary funds.

As regards the technical aspect, Kalgashkin pointed out that the
company has applied to the International Association for redranding
as Beeline.

The Russian Vimpel Com Company, which renders communication services,
has launched its Beeline brand in Armenia.

The company is rebranding both stationary and mobile communication
services and is currently elaborating technical means. Specifically,
customers can change the brand at any office of the company. New
SIM-cards will be issued in mid-April.

The Beeline brand is estimated at 7.2bln AMD in Russia. It has been
the most expensive brand for over two years.

The VimpelCom Group of Companies comprises companies rendering
communication services in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Georgia and Armenia – an area with an approximate
population of 250mln.

MONETARY BASE DECLINES BY 0.7%, BROAD MONEY GROWS BY 1.6% IN ARMENIA IN FEBRUARY 2008

Noyan Tapan
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. As of late February 2008, monetary
base made 389 bln 315 mln drams (over 1 bln 264.9 mln USD) in Armenia,
declining by 2 bln 672 mln drams or 0.7% on the previous month.

According to preliminary data transferred by the Central Bank of
Armenia to the RA National Statistical Service, broad money amounted
to 673 bln 755 mln drams, growing by 10 bln 338 mln drams or 1.6%
on the previous month.

The balance of the population’s deposits with banks made 172 bln 584
mln drams as of late February, growing by 2 bln 660 mln drams or 1.6%
on the previous month and by 46 bln 481 mln drams or 36.9% on the
same period of last year. As of late 2007, there were 22 banks with
a total of 348 branches in Armenia.

PRETENDERS TO CHAMPION’S TITLE HAVE INCREASED

A1+
04 April, 2008

The Armenian Football Championship-2008 kicks off on Sunday, April
6. The championship features eight clubs of a higher group.

"Pyunik," Yerevan

Armenia’s champion of the past seven years has held a few elimination
matches this year which testify that Pyunik will encounter difficulties
to hold the champion’s title. A number of key footballers have left
the team, among them Levon Pachajian, Robert Arzumanian, Aghvan
Mkrtchian, Alexandre Tadevosian, Arsen Avetisian, Rafael Nazarian
and Tigran Kharabakhtsian.

"Banants," Yerevan

The chief coach of the team, Nikolay Kostov, left Banants for
"Metalurg," Donetsk, just on the eve of the championship. Besides,
leading footballers Ararat Arakelian and Samvel Melkonian, as well as
goal-keepers Nenad Radach and Aram Hakobian have quited the club. The
bronze-medal holder of the previous two championships has signed
a contract with a few legionnaires and footballers of the Armenian
football team Karen Alexanian and Romik Khachatrian.

"Mika," Ashtarak

Arkady Andreasian began training the club in the middle of the
previous championship when the team was already suffering great
losses. No serious changes have been made in the team, except for
David Grigorian’s return to the club.

"Ararat," Yerevan

At the head of Varujan Sukiasian Ararat took the lead in the
championship of 2007 just from the very start.

Although today Varujan Sukiasian is back to the club, the latter has
lost a number of leading footballers, among them Arthur Voskanian
who has been transferred to "Vitebsk."

"Gandzasar," Kapan

The team is considered to be "international" since it features 14
foreign footballers at a time. The team made a deep impression during
the trainings, and specialists think Gandzasar can compete for the
first place. Armenia’s best striker Arsen Avetisian plays in Gandzasar.

"Shirak," Gyumri

Unlike the other clubs, Shirak hasn’t held trainings abroad. Andranik
Adamian has returned to the club.

Owing to Adamian’s hard work Shirak had great achievements in the 90s.

"Ulysses," Yerevan

At the head of Suren Barseghian the team became a serious contender
for the leaders, especially after a decisive victory over "Ararat."

"Kilikia," Yerevan

The outsider of the previous championship is expected to play better
as the team has showed positive results during the trainings at the
head of new coach Erwand Krbashian.

GOVERNMENT APPROVES PLAN OF ACTIONS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

ARMENPRESS
April 4, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS: The government approved today a plan of
actions designed to continue reconstruction of irrigation systems this
year. The program is backed by 1.4 billion Drams budget allocation.

Speaking to journalists after the government session Andranik
Andreasian, head of the state water economy, an affiliation of the
territorial ministry, said this is the first time that the budget
allocates that much money for irrigation systems major repair.

Apart form government’s funding Armenia’s irrigation systems are
being repaired also by grants.

The biggest is expected from the Millennium Challenges Account
(MCA) program. It will be used to reconstruct major irrigation
infrastructures.

Andranik Andreasian said the focus will be on main irrigation canals
and pumping stations. He said feasibility and other related studies
for the MCA-funded projects will be over by the end of the year and
the main funding is expected in 2009.