Author: Emil Lazarian

MONUMENTS TO FAMOUS PEOPLE TO BE BUILT
Panorama.am
13:38 12/06/06
Yerevan municipality plans to erect monuments to famous people,
Samvel Danielyan, chief architecture told a briefing today. In his
words, a monument will be erected to famous Armenian freedom-fighter
in early 20th century Gevorg Chaush in Achapniak community – on the
crossroads of Mazmanyan and Bashinjaghyan streets.
Another monument to famous Armenian actor Mher Lazarian will be
erected in G. Sundukyan part. A tender for building the monument was
announced last year but no group took the first place. Projects that
won the second and third places should be further ellaborated.
Still another monument is planned near cinema house Hairenik to
Garegin Njdeh and one more will be built in the yards of a local
church dedicated to the victims of May 3 airliner crash.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MICHELINE CALMY-REY: SWITZERLAND HAS GREAT POTENTIAL OF SYMPATHY FOR ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Today the
Armenian-Swiss relations are developing dynamically in all
directions. A serious dialogue on the problems of the South Caucasian
region, on the Nagorno Karabakh problem and other issues is being
conducted between the two countries. This was mentioned at the June 12
joint press conference of Armenian and Swiss Foreign Ministers Vartan
Oskanian and Micheline Calmy-Rey in Yerevan. At the same time, both
Ministers pointed out that the level of the economic relations between
Armenia and Switzerland is inferior to the political relations between
the countries. According to Vartan Oskanian, there is a great potential
for development of bilateral relations in the sphere of economy and
at this meeting with his Swiss colleague the very development of
economic ties was accentuated, to which the agreement “On Avoiding
Double Taxation” signed today will contribute.
Vartan Oskanian expressed confidence that this visit of the
Swiss Foreign Minister will become a stimulus for development of
Armenian-Swiss relations. In her turn, Micheline Calmy-Rey mentioned
that the Swiss government renders assistance to Armenia in the
sphere of agriculture, in solution of the refugees’ problems, in
fighting natural calamities. At present Switzerland has already
allocated 28 mln Swiss francs to Armenia for implementation of
these programs. “Switzerland has a great potential of sympathy
for Armenia and we should consider in this context activity of our
public circles on drawing attention to Armenia and first of all to
the Armenian Genocide recognized by Switzerland,” Micheline Calmy-Rey
declared. According to her, Switzerland tries to provide assistance
in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, true, it has given
no results yet. She also emphasized that Switzerland condemns the
destruction of 12 thousand khachkars (cross-stones) in Nakhichevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEETING BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS TO TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 13 IN PARIS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Tomorrow, on June
13, I will meet with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadiarov
in Paris,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian informed at the
June 12 press conference.
According to the Minister, he is not informed in detail yet about
the format of this meeting. He again emphasized that the meeting of
Presidents Kocharian and Aliyev in Bucharest did not give any concrete
results. At the same time, according to the Minister, the Presidents
gave consent to the possible holding of the next meeting in case the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs agree to this.
Vartan Oskanian mentioned that he does not know tomorrow’s agenda
yet. He again pointed to the necessity of using the positive moments
in the negotiations process and possibilities for holding the future
meetings within the framework of the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZES NECESSITY OF STRENGTHENING ARMENIAN-SWISS RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. There is a large-scale
and active dialogue between Armenia and Switzerland. Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian declared this on June 12, receiving the
delegation led by Head of Swiss Foreign Affairs Federal Department
(Minister) Micheline Calmy-Rey.
RA Foreign Minister touched upon the issue of strengthening the
bilateral relations for even more, especially in the economic,
cultural, humanitarian spheres. He expressed satisfaction with
the invitation of participation of the Armenian businessmen to the
Swiss Invest Forum that opened on June 12 in Zurich and expressed
confidence that it will be efficient. The interlocutors also touched
upon deepening of cooperation within the framework of international
organizations, especially emphasizing Switzerland’s new role in UN
as its full member and a newly-elected member of UN Human Rights
Council. Minister Oskanian emphasized Switzerland’s assistance to the
process of development and reforms in RA, in particular, mentioning
the involvement of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency in some
programs (Tsakhkadzor Development Program) and expressed the hope that
the Swiss side will show an interest in the process of RA initiative
aimed at development of Armenian rural areas. The readiness of the
Swiss side to continue to initiate and implement various programs in
Armenia was mentioned, for which the Swiss government has allocated 4
mln Swiss francs this year. Speaking about activization of bilateral
economic relations, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey expressed confidence
that the agreement “On Avoiding Double Taxation” signed today between
Armenia and Switzerland will promote contacts among the two countries’
businessmen. Minister Oskanian briefly presented the current stages of
Nagorno Karabakh settlement, Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the
fate of the khachkars (cross-stones) of Nor Jugha and the application
of Armenia to the international community in connection with this
issue, in particular, the official applications to the respective
sub-structures of CE, OSCE and UNESCO international organizations. As
Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, after the meeting the signing ceremony of the agreement
“On Avoiding Double Taxation” between RA and Switzerland took place,
which was followed by a joint press conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO TIGRAN TOROSIAN ON OCCASION OF HIS ELECTION AS RA NA SPEAKER
Noyan Tapan
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues relating to strengthening
of interparliamentary relations were discussed at RA NA Speaker
Tigran Torosian’s June 12 meeting with Ambassador of Bulgaria to
Armenia Stefan Dimitrov. Stefan Dimitrov presented RA NA Speaker
the congratulatory message of Bulgarian Parliament Chirman Georgi
Pirinski on the occasion of his taking office as RA NA Speaker, and
his readiness to deepen cooperation between the two parliaments. The
issue of signing an agreement on cooperation between Armenian and
Bulgarian parliaments was also discussed. The agreement will become
a legal basis for development of contacts between the friendship
groups, standing committees, staffs of the two parliaments. As
Noyan Tapan was informed from RA NA Public Relations Department,
Tigran Torosian attached importance to the steps that will follow
the signing of the agreement, the concrete work both in the sphere of
interparliamentary relations and at the international structures. They
mutually considered as important deepening of bilateral contacts,
exchange of the legislative experience, solidarity and cooperation
between the parliaments of the two countries.

RA PRESIDENT HIGHLY ESTIMATES SWITZERLAND’S ASSISTANCE TO REFORMS IMPLEMENTED IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 12, the
delegation led by Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head (Minister) of the Swiss
Foreign Affairs Federal Department, was received by RA President
Robert Kocharian. The delegation is in Armenia on an official
visit. The President expressed satisfaction with the current level of
Armenian-Swiss relations. He highly estimated Switzerland’s assistance
to the process of reforms implemented in Armenia, mentioned the
involvement of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency in some
programs. Robert Kocharian particularly touched upon the Tsakhkadzor
program attaching importance to it from point of view of development
of winter tourism and long-term development of Tsakhkadzor. The
Swiss Foreign Minister said that her country attentively follows
the developments in the South Caucasian region, especially being
interested in issues of stability, security and migration.
According to her, Armenia has a great capital of sympathy in
Switzerland, which is also thanks to the Swiss Armenians. Mentioning
that the indices in the economic sphere are rather modest, the sides
emphasized the necessity of more coordinated cooperation. In this
respect they attached importance to the agreement “On Avoiding Double
Taxation” signed between the two countries today, as well as to the
Swiss Invest Forum being held in these days in Zurich, to business
contacts. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press
Office, the interlocutors also estimated the cooperation between the
two countries within the framework of international organizations
as efficient.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROBERT KOCHARIAN CONGRATULATES ANDRANIK MARGARIAN ON OCCASION OF HIS 55th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 12 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 12, RA President Robert
Kocharian sent a congratulatory message to RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian on the occasion of his 55th birth anniversary. The message
provided to Noyan Tapan from the President’s Press Office, read:
“Dear Mr Prime Minister, I heartily congratulate you on the occasion
of your 55th birth anniversary. I wish you good health and success in
your state-political activity for the sake of the Armenian people’s
prosperity and the strengthening of the Armenian statehood.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT OF ARMECONOMBANK ADMINISTRATION FILES HIS RESIGNATION
ArmRadio.am
13.06.2006 13:14
President and Executive Director of Armeconombank Administration
Ashot Osipyan filed his resignation today. “Arminfo” agency learned
from confidential sources that Osiplyan had filed his resignation
still before the meeting of shareholders last Friday, during which
the work of the Administrative body received a high evaluation.
Osipyan was invited to the position of the President of the bank
Administration in 1998. Before that he worked as Agency Head of the
Ministry of Finance and Economy and as Adviser to the President of
the Central Bank. Most probably, Ashot Osipyan will return to work
at state structures.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ADDRESS DISPATCHED TO CO-CHAIRS OF OSCE MG WITH INVITATION TO FRONTIER LINE
Author: J. Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 12 2006
“We addressed co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group in a view of significant
damage to ecology and culture on occupied Azeri grounds”, – reportedly
said Nizami Bahmanov, head of Azeri community of Nagono-Karabakh.
Bahmanov said Armenians burn houses and forests on frontier line to
ash. “This is a danger not only for occupied grounds but also for
people residing behind the frontline”, – he stated. He stated the
invitation dispatched to co-chairs that asks them to come to the
frontline and see Armenians’ brutalities. “Now we are waiting for
the reply”, – he added.
He said also the similar request was dispatched to OSCE chairman’s
PA Andzhey Kasprszik. “This official never performed with comments
on breaking the cease-fire. Each day such kirmishes take places but
he never asks who breaks the armistice”, – he concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SWITZERLAND SUPPORTS EFFORTS CONCENTRATED ON SEEKING DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO NK PROBLEM
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 12 2006
YEREVAN, June 12. /ARKA/. Switzerland supports efforts concentrated
on seeking diplomatic solution to Karabakh problem, Swiss Foreign
Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said Monday in Yerevan in a joint news
conference with her Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan.
In her words, Swiss Government has repeatedly organized meetings
between Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Geneva.
In her opinion, Karabakh conflict settlement will lay favorable ground
for restoring Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Micheline Calmy-Rey arrived in Yerevan on June 11 for a three-day
visit. She is set to meet President Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.
She will tour Mission Armenia Swiss organization’s offices in Yerevan
and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation as well as to visit
Armenian Genocide Victims Memorial to pay floral tribute to those
killed in Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress