Author: Hunanian Jack

ARISTOMENE VAROUDAKIS: ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN ARMENIA REQUIRES ERADICATION OF OLIGOPOLIES

NEWS.am
14:11 / 12/17/2009

Armenia’s economy needs diversifying, which is impossible without
putting an end to corruption in the customs and taxation system,
creating equal conditions for market competition and liquidating
oligopolies, Head of the WB office in Yerevan Aristomene Varoudakis
told a press conference.

He stressed that putting an end to oligopolies requires political will,
as many politicians are connected with the owners of oligopolies. The
eradication of oligopolies will create equal conditions for market
competition, Varoudakis said.

He stressed that the Government is taking certain steps, which is not
sufficient however. Specifically, the Government drafted a bill to
enhance the transparency of government officials’ incomes and expenses,
he said, pointing out that the adoption of the bill requires great
political will.

AMBASSADOR OF KINGDOM OF DENMARK HANDS COPY OF HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA FOREIGN MINISTER

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian received Ambassador of Kingdom of Denmark to RA Michael
Borg-Hansen on December 17 on the occasion of the ceremony of handing
the credentials. E. Nalbandian mentioned that the Ministry will
support the Ambassador in implementation of his mission.

Remembering his meeting with Foreign Minister of Denmark Per Stig
Moller held in June in Corfu and the agreements on expansion of
cooperation E. Nalbandian expressed the hope that the newly appointed
Ambassador will make an important contribution to fulfillment of
those agreements and development of bilateral relations.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
the interlocutors also touched upon Armenia-European Union cooperation,
a number of regional issues at the meeting.

Michael Borg-Hansen was born in 1951. He graduated from Copenhagen
University History and Russian Language Department. In 2001-2005 he
worked as senior adviser on political issues of the government of the
Kingdom of Denmark. In 2005-2009 he was the Envoy of the Kingdom of
Denmark to Great Britain. In 2009 he was appointed Ambassador of the
Kingdom of Denmark to the Ukraine. He is married, has two daughters.

232 ACCOUNTANTS HAVE QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES IN ARMENIA AS OF DECEMBER 16

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 16, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. 16 qualifying examinations for
accountants were conducted in 2009, as a result of which 112 applicants
out of 208 received an accountant’s qualification certificate.

NT was informed by the Information and PR Unit of the RA Ministry
of Finance that 232 accountants had qualification certificates in
Armenia as of December 16.
Content-Type: MESSAGE/RFC822; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Description:

MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
From: Mihran Keheyian <[email protected]>
Subject: 232 accountants have qualification certificates in Armenia as of
December 16

232 accountants have qualification certificates in Armenia as of December 16

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. 16 qualifying examinations for
accountants were conducted in 2009, as a result of which 112
applicants out of 208 received an accountant’s qualification
certificate.

NT was informed by the Information and PR Unit of the RA Ministry of
Finance that 232 accountants had qualification certificates in Armenia
as of December 16.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND UNIVERSITY RECTORS DISCUSSED EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.12.2009 20:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Serzh Sargsyan Wednesday received the
rectors of state-funded universities to discuss current reforms in
education sphere.

"Your activities are key to specialists’ professionalism and our
country’s future," Mr. Sargsyan stressed, adding that such meetings
would bear regular character.

The rectors submitted to the President their universities’ action plans
and current activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education
and modernizing the system. Parties focused on issues concerning
introduction of two-stage education and credit system.

"WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HONEST PARTNERS"

A1+
16/12/09

"Today Armenia’s first and foremost task is to conduct a free and
fair election in the country," Leader of the People’s Party of Armenia
(HZhK) Stepan Demirtchyan told a press conference today.

"If both authorities and opposition are formed in the result of a
fair election, the country’s political life will enter its ordinary
routine with all issues being settled easily," he added.

Stepan Demirtchyan says that compared with his contenders, Nikol
Pashinyan stands more chances to be elected as a NA deputy during the
upcoming by-election in Constituency 10 though he doubted that "the
authorities will hold a free and fair election in the constituency."

Assessing the passing year, Mr. Demirtchyan said that 2009 was not
a year of achievements. "Our people still struggle against injustice."

Without detailing the shortcomings the HZhK Leader voiced concern
over the developments on the Karabakh conflict resolution and
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.

Replying to A1+, Mr. Demirtchyan underlined that Serzh Sargsyan
wouldn’t be able to easily withdraw from the process of rapprochement.

"I don’t think Armenia will withdraw from the process. Sargsyan’s
statement about legislative changes was made in response to the
protraction of the ratification and Turkey’s announcements, and did
not mean refusal from the process.

World powers are interested in both the normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations and the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict," he said.

"It’s hardly possible for the Armenian-Turkish protocols to be ratified
without significant progress in the Karabakh settlement process,"
he added.

The HZhK Leader reminded that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs had
anticipated a breakthrough in the Karabakh conflict in 2010.

"The documents laid on the negotiation table are not advantageous to
the Armenian side," Stepan Demirtchyan underlined.

Regarding last-year’s post-election clashes in Yerevan City, Mr.

Demirtchyan said: "The acting authorities did their best to efface the
murders of March 1 and October 27. The perpetrators and organizers
of the massacre must be revealed and punished. It is evident that
these authorities do not have such an intention. "

Mr. Demirtcyan didn’t refute that the member-parties of the Armenian
National Congress are at variance. "We have never concealed the fact.

Yet, the political forces affiliated with the Congress pursue the
same goals – restoration of constitutional order, release of political
prisoners, etc. We have always been honest partners."

Stepan Demirtchyan considers public demand for mass meetings as
natural. "Rallies become a must if there is a demand in the public. I
think that opposition will resume its rallies but I cannot say when
exactly."

N. BORDYUZHA: SENDING OF MILITARY CONTINGENT TO AFGHANISTAN BY ARMENIA WILL NOT AFFECT ITS ALLIED RELATIONS WITH CSTO

ArmInfo.
2009-12-15 14:38:00

ArmInfo. Sending of the military contingent to Afghanistan by Armenia
will not affect its allied relations with CSTO, SCTO Secretary General
Nikolay Bordyuzha said during today’s Yerevan-Moscow TV bridge.

"I think that a corresponding reason exists for making a decision
on sending of the Armenian contingent to Afghanistan. Nevertheless,
this fact will not affect our allied relations. According to the basic
principle of CSTO, one may cooperate with everyone, including in the
military sphere, and may take any decisions which do not conflict
with or harm the allied liabilities", Bordyuzha said.

The Armenian peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan, consisting of 40
servicemen, will be among the German northern regional command and will
assure security of the airport in the town of Kyuduz, in particular,
security of the landing filed. Before departing to Afghanistan,
the Armenian peacekeepers will be trained in Germany.

Shift of the peacekeepers will be carried out once per half-year.

YEREVAN HOSTS VICTOR HAMBARDZUMYAN’S MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.12.2009 18:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Renowned Armenian scientist, astrophysicist Victor
Hambardzumyan’s memorial was unveiled nearby Yerevan’s observatory
today, December 15.

"The ceremony completes series of events dated to the 100th birth
anniversary great scientist," RA National Academy of Sciences
President, Radik Martorosyan said in his opening speech.

As he noted, a number of events dedicated to renowned astrophysicist
were held in Moscow, Minsk, Paris and other cities. Besides, during
the 2008-2009 biennium, UNESCO will be associated with the celebration
of 67 anniversaries, with Victor Hambardzumyan’s among them.

Memorial unveiling ceremony was attended by Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, Armenian Diaspora
Minister Hranush Hakobyan and Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan.

TRANSIT OF GAS FROM RUSSIA TO ARMENIA RESUMED

ArmInfo
2009-12-15 11:03:00

ArmInfo. Supply of natural gas from Russia to Armenia through Georgia’s
territory has been resumed on December 14 at 9:30 PM by local time,
press service of ArmRusgazprom CJSC reports.

Gas supply was suspended in view of the necessity
of elimination of the problems appeared on ‘Northern
Caucasus-Transcaucasus’, ‘Mozdok-Tbilisi’, ‘Oktyabrskaya- Olginskaya’,
‘Oktyabrskaya-Olginskaya-Chmi’ gas pipelines. Gas supply of the
republic’s consumers was carried out without limitations due to the
reserves from Abovyan underground gas storage. Moreover, gas from
Iran is being still received in small volumes.

To note, ArmRusgazprom CJSC, 80% shares of which belong to Gazprom
and 20% – to the government of Armenia, is the only gas supplier
to Armenia.

ARS EASTERN USA ANNOUNCES YOUTH CONNECT PROGRAM

ars-eastern-usa-announces-youth-connect-program/
D ecember 14, 2009

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern Region recently revamped its
Youth Connect Program (YCP), an educational seminar for college-age
students. The name says it all. In an attempt to put Armenian students
together from all geographic areas and various academic disciplines,
the ARS is aiming to provide an arena where students come together
to share ideas and information and learn about opportunities within
the community. From internships both in the U.S. and Armenia, to
humanitarian assistance, to cultural and educational opportunities,
students will learn about programs available to them through different
Armenian organizations.

The program will take place on Sat., Feb. 6, 2010 at New York
University’s Kimmel Center for Student Life, 60 Washington Square
South, in New York City. Opening introductions will begin at 9:30 a.m.

and will continue until 4:30 p.m. The program is designed and
implemented by Dr. Asbed Kotchikian from Bentley University who has
had extensive experience in developing and directing youth-related
programs in the U.S., Armenia, and Middle East. The program will
include workshops and lectures to cover issues such as the challenges
that Armenian youth face today; the changing nature of the Armenian
world; and internships and job opportunities in Armenia and in the
U.S. A Saturday evening social will cap off the event.

There are no applications fees and the program will cover lodging,
food, and local transportation in New York for all participants.

The YCP is open to any college-aged Armenian student who would
be interested in learning more about history and culture and its
relevance in today’s society. To learn more about the YCP and how to
apply, contact the ARS Eastern USA office by calling (617) 926-3801 or
emailing [email protected]. The application deadline is Jan. 25, 2010.

Space is limited.

The ARS, founded in 1910 in New York City, is an international
organization dedicated to providing education, culture, and
humanitarian aid.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS MAY BE RATIFIED IN MARCH-APRIL 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.12.2009 14:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey doesn’t possess sufficient tools to drag
out ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, according to the
chairman of European Integration NGO.

"Facing difficulties in the Cypriot and Kurdish issues, Turkey
will hardly protract the process with Armenia," Karen Bekaryan told
reporters on Monday.

He forecast that the protocols on normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations will be ratified in March-April 2010.