Author: Ekmekjian Janet

VLADIMIR PUTIN ON COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

SKRIN Market & Corporate News
February 12, 2008 Tuesday

Talks with Armenian President Robert Kocharian were held by President
Putin on January 24, 2007 at Bocharov Ruchei, Sochi, the Kremlin.ru
website said.

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN said: "Our first meeting this year with
the President of Armenia has just ended. As always, we had a frank
discussion of the whole range of our relations, but we paid greatest
attention today to the economic aspects of our cooperation.

This year we will celebrate 15 years since the establishment of
diplomatic relations between our countries and 10 years since the
conclusion of the basic Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between
Russia and Armenia. I am happy to say that as our two countries prepare
to mark these anniversaries, not only have our relations maintained
the potential of past years, but we have added considerably to our
bilateral ties in all areas and have strengthened our partnership
and the strategic nature of our cooperation.

Our discussions today focused above all on the development prospects
for our trade and economic ties.

We are happy overall with the stable growth in our bilateral trade over
these last years. It was up 40 percent in 2005, but over the first 11
months of 2006 it increased by a whole 70 percent. The final result
for 2006 could come to a figure of around half a billion dollars.

The energy sector remained the driving force behind our cooperation.

But other sectors, such as machine building, communications and
chemicals, were also prominent.

The efforts of just three Russian companies – Gazprom, RUSAL and
Vimpelcom – will almost double total investment in Armenia over
the coming months. Rosatom and Russian Railways could also launch
new projects.

On the subject of humanitarian cooperation, we assessed very highly
the results of the Year of Armenia in Russia that has just come to an
end. The more than 200 different events held throughout the country
as part of this programme gave Russians the chance to learn about
Armenia~Rs rich cultural heritage and modern achievements and have
given new impetus to developing business and public initiatives.

Our discussions also touched on a number of topical regional issues.

We will discuss, of course, the development of the CIS, the Collective
Security Treaty Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Community. We
will also talk separately about the Trans-Caucasus region overall. I
very much hope that during this year~Rs St Petersburg Economic Forum
we will be able to hold multilateral talks with our CIS colleagues on
economic cooperation issues above all, and I will inform the Armenian
President in more detail on this matter.

I would like to conclude by thanking my colleague for a genuinely
friendly and businesslike discussion. I am sure that today~Rs meeting
in Sochi will mark a significant step in developing the strategic
partnership between our two countries".

"DASHNAKTSUTIUN" MADE A STATEMENT AND URGED ALL THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN NOT TO GENERATE TENSION IN THE ATMOSPHERE IN ARMENIA

Mediamax
February 13, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Supreme Body of "Dashnaktsutiun" party made
a statement today, in which it urged all the participants of the
pre-election campaign not to generate tension in the atmosphere in
the country.

Mediamax reports that the statement reads that generation tension
in the political situation and the polarization of the society in
period of electoral processes are natural and inevitable phenomena,
however it is unacceptable when the pre-election struggle oversteps
the limits of civilized manners.

"We note with regret that today the pre-election campaign in Armenia
is of this very nature. Unhealthy tendencies, which were felt in the
very beginning of the pre-election campaign, day by day obtain new
forms of manifestation", the statement reads.

The Supreme Body of "Dashnaktsutiun" party notes that there is an
atmosphere of intolerance heated in the society, rules of political
struggle and elementary norms are violated, presidential candidates
and their teams make personal insults against each other, open urges
and revenge threats are voiced, reciprocal hatred and hostility are
developing in the society.

"All these phenomena give a green light to the intervention of
non-political elements and external forces, which is pregnant with
unforeseen consequences", the statement reads.

In this connection, realizing all the danger of the present situation,
"Dashnaktsutiun" condemns any effort of unhealthy struggle and urges
all the participants of the pre-election campaign to follow the
ethical norms, speak exclusively from ideological-program stances.

"We declare that we will not allow destabilizing the situation in the
republic. With all responsibility we state that the only way out from
the present situation is the exclusion of all the possible violations
of the electoral legislation and realization of fair, transparent and
free elections", the statement of the Supreme Body of "Dashnaktsutiun"
party reads.

LAUNCHING OF COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS "NAGORNO KARABAKH IN INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND WORLD POLITICS" TO TAKE PLACE AT RA NAS ON FEBRUARY 13

Noyan Tapan
Feb 12, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The launching of the collection
of documents under the title "Nagorno Karabakh in International Laws
and World Politics" will take place on February 13, at 2:00, at the RA
National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The collection has been published
by the Armenian Institute of International Law and Political Science
fuctioning in Moscow and attached to the Union of Armenians in Russia.

After the launching the results of the competition The Best Creative
Work announced jointly by the Union of Armenians in Russia, the World
Armenian Congress, the Union of Writers of Armenia, and the Union
of Journalists of Armenia will be summed up and the winners will be
awarded at the Academy.

SERGE SARGSYAN’S ELECTION OFFICE BURNED

Lragir
Feb 11 2008
Armenia

On February 10 at 11.40 am Varazdat Petrosyan reported to the
police that between 9.10 pm on February 9 and 9.30 am on February
10 someone smashed the glass and threw a glass vessel filled with
some combustible liquid into the election office of the Republican
Party at 31 Sixth Street, Haghtanak village, which belongs to him,
the information service of the Police reports. A chair and a cardboard
box burnt. Investigation is underway.

Panorama.am

19:30 08/02/2008

AWARDS TO AVETIS RADIO PROGRAM AUDIENCE

Priest Vahram Melikyan, information system director of
Holy See St. Echmiadzin, handed awards to the winners
of `Avetis’ radio program in St. Grigor Lusavorich
Church in Yerevan. Holy See St. Echmiadzin information
system informs that seven persons were awarded for
giving right answers to the questions.

Speaking about the radio air and spiritual programs,
priest Melikyan said: `It is an undeniable fact that
the information technologies have a great role in the
life of people. Unfortunately, it is not always that
they are always affecting positively the outlook of
people. There are no few examples which may be
condemned when programs are aired that are not proper
with our national image and which praise violence,
betrayal, low taste and they step on our national and
spiritual values. To face those challenges we believe
spiritual programs on the TV and radio are important.’

Source: Panorama.am

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND THE MIDDLE EAST INTO A COMMON GEOPOLITICAL UNIT DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
07.02.2008 17:46

The second international conference on "Countries of the Caucasus
and the Middle East: Possible partners in the process of forming a
regional security system" kicked off in Yerevan today. The conference
organized by the World Armenian Congress featured RA Natioanl Assembly
Speaker Tigran Torosyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan,
First Vice-President of the World Armenian Congress Aram G. Sargsyan,
Director of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Sergey Kapinos, experts from
Armenia, NKR, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, China, Palestine, Russia,
Austria and Egypt.

Issues related to the principles of developing the South Caucasus
and the Middle East into a new geopolitical unit were discussed
during the scientific conference. The participants compiled a draft
declaration as the first step defining the approach toward the
integration process. The document includes common issues, the study
of integration expectations, the risk potential and perspectives,
formulation of options of solution of geopolitical issues.

Greeting the participants of the conference, RA National Assembly
Speaker Tigran Torosyan noted he is glad to be present at an event,
which is of great essence.

"The conference is really important not only because representatives
of all our neighbor countries and farther friends are present here
(globalization has considerably reduced distance and time) but also
because a very important question has been posed: the unification
of two regions and formulation of a security doctrine for the new
region comprised of two components," Tigran Torosyan said. He added
that the issue itself may seem too complex and daring. However, one
should not forget that solutions to a lot of issues seemed surprising,
while the formulation of the issue seemed to be extremely unrealistic.

"Furthermore, we must not forget that the region with probably the
most complete and the greatest potential, i.e. the territory including
the countries of the European Union, was born in a situation, when
World War II was just over, when France and Germany faced a number of
problems, there was tension and every minute everyone was expecting new
war. Under these circumstances the authorities of those two countries
found a way out, which, I’m sure, no one else would think of. We see
the result. Certainly, all of us would like this initiative to yield
a similar result. However, even if it does not produce the result
the authors expect, we will be able to state it was worth initiating,
since it lays the basis for dialogue, and any good work is impossible
without dialogue," Tigran Torosyan said.

The Armenian Parliament Speaker wished productive work to the
conference and to he future arrangements for the realization of the
initiative. "I would be glad if in a while we could convene another
conference in Yerevan to sum up the results and state that the unifying
idea and the value system have been found. Nevertheless, I think that
all countries of the region believe in such ideas and work for the
sake of such ideas. In this case the most fantastic ideas can turn
real," Tigran Torosyan concluded.

RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan noted in his speech
that at the end of the 20th and the start of the 21st centaury
the two regions faced new challenges and developments of global
importance. "Large-scale and deep changes are underway in all spheres,
since the spread of globalization has increased the interdependence of
the counties of the region and resistance to common challenges. Taking
into consideration the current developments, it is necessary to ensure
close relations with neighbor countries," Gegham Gharibjanyan said.

The conference will come to an end tomorrow. Participants of the
conference will apply to the heads of state, parliaments, governments,
political and public organizations of the region with the request
to present the ideas presented in the draft declaration for public
discussion.

ARMENIA, RUSSIA, KAZAKHSTAN TO ENRICH URANIUM

Prensa Latina, Cuba
Feb 6 2008

Yerevan, Feb 6 (Prensa Latina) Armenia became a stockholder in the
International Uranium Enriching Center that Russia and Kazakhstan
run in Angarsk, Eastern Siberia, after signing an intergovernmental
agreement with the Euro-Asian country.

The protocols governing that association were penned by Russian
First Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and his Armenian counterpart,
Serch Sarkisian, it was confirmed in this capital.

About the results of his visit to Yerevan, Zubkov pointed out that
bilateral trade will grow to at least one billion dollars in 2008,
accounting for a 42-percent increase compared to last year.

ROSATOM President Sergei Kirienko noted that the new agreement lays
the foundations for Armenia to join the non-proliferation treaty.

He expressed optimism about Russia winning a bid to build a
one-billion-dollar nuclear plant in Armenia.

The expert added that Moscow and Yerevan would set up a 50-50 joint
venture to prospect for uranium in Armenia, whose reserves are
estimated at 60,000 tons.

For his part, Russian Transportation Minister Igor Levitin said
Armavia airline would be the first foreign company to buy two Sujoi
Superjet-100 planes for 50 million dollars.

Zubkov is scheduled to end his visit to Armenia on Wednesday, when
he will meet President Robert Kocharian.

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EU ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.02.2008 14:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The current visit of EU Troika to Armenia is very
important, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said at a joint
news conference with his Slovenian counterpart Dimitrij Rupel.

"Implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy offers wide
opportunities to Armenia. Attaching importance to the forthcoming
presidential election, the EU has confirmed its position as regards
the South Caucasian states, which are striding toward democracy,"
Minister Oskanian said.

For his part, Mr Rupel noted that the purpose of the visit is to get to
know the opinion of the Armenian side about the ENP. "The EU is looking
forward to establishment of friendly relations between the countries of
the South Caucasus. During the talks we discussed implementation of the
Action Plan, the Karabakh issue and the Armenian-Turkish relations. As
to the upcoming presidential election, we are confident that it will be
an advance as compared to the past parliamentary elections," he said.

PROCREDIT BANK OPENS ITS ARMENIA BRANCH

ARMENPRESS
Feb 5, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Tigran Sarkisian, the Chairman of
the Central Bank of Armenia; Vartan Sukiasyan, ProCredit Bank’s
first client, a local small business owner who opened a savings
account with the bank; and Bertolt Hertzfeldt, the General Manager
of ProCredit, opened today ProCredit Armenia bank that will serve
the small businesses and "ordinary people" of Armenia.

ProCredit Bank said in a press release it will seek to be a
"neighborhood bank" which will serve the local community in Armenia.

It said ProCredit Bank in Armenia, like the ProCredit institutions
in all other countries where the group operates, will be a
customer-oriented, socially responsible bank, providing high-quality
and affordable services to ordinary people, placing emphasis on lending
to very small, small, and medium-sized businesses and developing a
savings culture among ordinary people.

"We will be your bank around the corner that offers the best service
to all its customers. We welcome everyone to start saving with us or
to take out a loan to develop his or her business. The whole ProCredit
team is looking forward to starting operations in Armenia. We want
to be your neighborhood bank and a bank that makes a difference,"
said the General Manager of ProCredit Bank, Bertolt Hertzfeldt.

ProCredit Bank will focus on lending to very small, small and
medium-sized enterprises, as it is convinced that these businesses
create the largest number of jobs and make a vital contribution to
the economic development of Armenia. The bank will offer business
loans starting from USD 100 for small entrepreneurs and transparent
banking services for private individuals, such as saving accounts
with no minimum deposit amount.

The Central Bank of Armenia granted ProCredit Bank a license to conduct
banking operations in Armenia on December 7, 2007. The shareholders
of ProCredit Bank are ProCredit Holding AG, the majority shareholder,
with a 66.66% stake; KfW, which holds 16.67% of the shares; and the
EBRD, which holds 16.67% of the shares. By the end of 2008 ProCredit
Bank Armenia will be represented in three regions of Armenia with
six branches: four in Yerevan, one in Vanadzor, and one in Artashat.

ProCredit Bank in Armenia is part of the ProCredit group, which
consists of 22 financial institutions in Eastern Europe, Africa,
and Latin America.

ProCredit Bank Armenia has a staff of 120 people.

SENIOR SCHOOL IS UNDER CONSIDERATION

KarabakhOpen
05-02-2008 12:08:40

The first step Armenia and Karabakh took after joining the conference
of Bologna was transition of the secondary school to 12-year
education. The next step Armenia and Karabakh are now preparing for
is the senior school.

The NKR minister of education Vladik Khachatryan told Karabakh-Open.com
presently the ministry is drafting the new bill on education which
will include a provision on the senior school.

"During the discussion of the bill in Armenia we also made some
proposals," Vladik Khachatryan said. The minister explained the idea
of senior school.

Vladik Khachatryan says the purpose of the senior school is to enable
senior school students to do more independent work. The basic school
will have 9 forms, after which the students can choose specializations
– humanities, natural science and vocational education. In each
specialization the students will study one subject or another more
intesively. During the discussion it was proposed that each senior
class should involve up to 18 students. The separation of the senior
school from the system of secondary education is being considered.

The minister underlined that in the capital and the regional centers
the separation of the senior school from the secondary school may
now cause major problems, whereas in the villages the separation may
encounter difficulty.

Vladik Khachatryan says in the upcoming year 30 senior schools will
open in Armenia. There is no decision for Karabakh yet.

By the way, yesterday President Bako Sahakyan held a working
consultation in which the problems of universities and the perspectives
of development of higher education were discussed, the General
Information Department of the president administration reports.