Author: Jagharian Tania

MANVEL GRIGORIAN RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF YUV BOARD

NOYAN TAPAN
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The 8th convention of the Yerkrapah
Union of Volunteers (YUV) took place on February 16.

Following the opening ceremony, the election of chairman and members
of the commissions, and approval of the agenda, Cahirman of YUV Manvel
Grigorian presented the activities of the union. According to him,
by uniting around a true idea, the yerkrapah voluntary detachments,
which were formed on the battlefield, carried out their task with
honor and then left the arena to the regular armed forces. However,
if necessary, the yerkrapahs (defenders of the land) will again take
up arms and stand beside Armenian soldiers. M. Grigorian called on
the Armenians around the world to unite in order to overcome jointly
all the challenges.

Armenian Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanian stated that it was
a great honor for him to meet with his comrades-in-arms. "While
making our modern history, we all proved efficient by following the
principle of transforming our words into deeds. It is necessary to
value comradeship. The situation in the region makes us united. We
built together the fondations of our state, and now we must overcome
together the problems facing Armenia and we must struggle for further
progress and developent," S. Ohanian said.

The Information and PR Department of the RA Ministry of Defence
reported that after the speeches, the vote on candidates for the YUV
Board and control commission was held. M. Grigorian was unanimously
re-elected Cahirman of the YUV Board.

FRANCE WILL SUPPORT ARMENIA IN EURO INTEGRATION PROCESS

Aysor
Feb 16 2010
Armenia

The office of the Secretary of RA National Security Council informs
that on February 15 Secretary of RA National Security Council continued
his meetings with the French officials.

On the meeting with the Secretary of State in European Affairs
of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of France Pierre Lelush have been
discussed issues concerning the cooperation with Armenian. The two
have come to an agreement that within the frameworks of the Armenian
– EU cooperation France will support Armenia in implementation of
some reforms. On the meeting have been discussed issues concerning
SouthCaucasian regions.

Arthur Baghdasaryan has met with the current coordinator of
intelligence for President Nicolas Sarkozy, Bernard Bajolet.

KAZAKHSTAN ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Tert.am
15:03 ~U 16.02.10

"Without a doubt, we intend to issue a new stimulus in this process.

We are unequivocally convinced that the resolution to the conflict,
first and foremost, is in the hands of the conflicting countries,"
said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan’s Secretary of State and
Foreign Minister, Kanat Saudabayev, during his visit to Yerevan today.

In Saudabayev’s words, the other participants in the process are
helpers, parties who sincerely wish for and intend to assist in the
peaceful settlement of the conflict. According to the OSCE chair,
Kazakhstan is cautiously optimistic in the issue of resolving this
conflict.

Saudabayev also stressed the importance of withdrawing snipers from
the contact line between the armed forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict area.

The OSCE chair is on visit to the South Caucasus countries this week.

KAZAKHSTAN READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS: SAUDABAYEV

news.am
Feb 15 2010
Armenia

In all respects 2010 inspires optimism for Karabakh conflict
settlement, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Kazakh Secretary of State and
Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev said at the joint press conference
with Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku.

"All the sides should take advantage of the current situation. Success
might be reached if both sides adhere to constructivism," Saudabayev
stated.

He also noted that his regional visit is aimed at studying whole
range of the issue. "There are many threats and challenges in the
world that demand adequate solution and consideration. So-called
unsettled conflicts, including Karabakh issue are urgent. Karabakh
conflict settlement is one of the main priorities of Kazakhstan’s
presidency in OSCE," he added.

"Kazakhstan is ready to work out concrete measures and significantly
contribute to the settlement of the issue. We have held constructive
talks with Elmar Mammadyarov and I intend to meet Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev as well. I will receive advice and recommendations to
be taken as a basis for our future actions," Saudabayev concluded.

GOVERNMENT APPROVES BILL ON INTERNAL AUDIT

ARKA
Feb 11, 2010

YEREVAN, February 11, /ARKA/. The government of Armenia has approved
today a bill on Internal Audit. Finance minister Tigran Davtian said
a law on internal audit was passed by the parliament in 2008, however,
some of its clauses were criticized by international experts.

‘To make our law comply with international standards we have improved
it in accordance with experts’ comments and observations,’ he said.

The minister said the main goal of the bill is to introduce the
system of internal audit and expand the list of organizations which
are subject to internal audit.

In his words, the bill specifies the concept of internal audit and
the competence of bodies, which carry it out

He said internal audit departments at the presidential administration,
parliament, Constitutional Court, government, judicial department
are subordinated to heads of these bodies. The internal audit does
not apply to Audit Chamber of Armenia and Central Bank.

"We have a bill which is 100% complies with international standards,’
Tigran Davtian said.

ARMENIA’S GDP MAY DROP BY 3% PERCENT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR OR GROW AS MUCH: EXPERT

ARKA
Feb 11, 2010

YEREVAN, February 11, /ARKA/. Manuk Hergnyan, chairman of Economy
and Values research center and director of IV Consulting, said today
Armenia’s GDP may drop by 3% percent at the end of this year or grow
as much.

Speaking at a news conference at Novosti international press center,
he said several possible options of economic growth should be
considered. Particularly, if no second wave of crisis comes, nothing
will change in Armenia because it has no steady sources to back up
a new growth and the same economic model, based on money transfers,
construction, consumption and incomes, will continue to work.

‘Under this scenario Armenian GDP may either drop by 3% or grow as
much and the inflation rate may range between 6-9%,’ he said.

He said also if a second wave of crisis comes, the government’s
expansionist policy and the growing foreign debt may shake the
macroeconomic stability because Armenia’s set of tools to withstand it
is limited. He said under that scenario large-scale infrastructure
projects, like the North-South transport corridor, may serve as
stimulating factors.

He also said a new economy development model can not rely only on
construction sector. The government should stimulate exports and take
into account possible changes in the region.

The government expects the economy to grow this year by 1.2%.

MINISTER OHANYAN MEETS CHIEF OF MILITARY JOINT STAFF TO PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

Armradio.am
12.02.2010 13:45

Within the framework of the visit to France Armenia’s Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan had a meeting with the Chief of Military Joint Staff to
President of the French Republic, Admiral Edouard Guillaud. Minister
Ohanyan congratulated Admiral Guillaud on his appointment to the post
of Chief of Military Joint Staff to President of the French Republic.

During the meeting the parties discussed the programs of bilateral
military cooperation and the provisions of the agreement signed in
Paris. The interlocutors touched upon regional security issues.

FEW YEARS LEFT FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

news.az
Feb 12 2010
Azerbaijan

Nikolai Svanidze The influence of the Azerbaijani Diaspora is growing.

If there is a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it will be
a political defeat for Russia no matter how it ends, said Nikolai
Svanidze, popular TV journalist, member of the Russian Public
chamber and member of the expert council of the Interregional public
organization of the Society of Friendship with Azerbaijan.

He said that the statement is that the emotional degree is rising
and few years are left for the peaceful resolution of the conflict
while Russia needs to show increased activity in this region.

"I think it is impossible to settle the issue peacefully at once. The
parties’ positions are polar and it is impossible to meet one and
another at the same time. We need a continuous dialogue, this must be
achieved, despite the high emotional spirit and this is Russia’s. I
repeat once again that if there is a conflict between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, this will be a political defeat for Russia no matter how
it ends".

Nikolai Svanidze noted that the influence of the Azerbaijani Diaspora
is growing.

"Moscow has a very strong community of big businessmen and super-elite
Azerbaijani business, and it is a very influential lobby. Moreover ,
the action that was taken, namely the organization of the Society
of friendship between Russia and Azerbaijan, is very helpful. Let’s
see how the news services of major departments are working, they are
taking journalists with them, showing, telling and thus attracting
attention to them.

There must also be public relations services at the state level. They
must invite, show the country and city, and even if journalists or
politicians have been set up negatively, they will turn into people who
are sympathizing this country. It is psychologically more difficult
to take a position, which will face misunderstanding or antipathy
among the people with whom he sat at the same table. That is, I want
to say that the contacts are the most effective means of influence".

EFSE TO EXTEND MICROCREDIT TO ARMENIAN SMALL BUSINESSES
Lilit Gevorgyan

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
February 11, 2010

On 9 February the representative of the German KfW Bank in Armenia,
Karapet Gevorkian, stated that Armenia will join the European Fund
for Southeast Europe (EFSE). The preliminary decision was taken
during Central Bank governor Arthur Javadian’s December 2009 visit to
Germany, where KfW, the initiator and promoter of EFSE, is based. The
EFSE public-private partnership intends to include Armenia as well
as Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus, all members of the European
Neighbourhood Programme sponsored by the European Union (EU). The
Fund, according to Gevorkian, will provide much-needed microcredit to
Armenian micro, small and medium businesses. Over the next five years
an estimated 300 million euro (US$413 million) will be allocated to
the new member countries in the shape of some 70,000 micro loans. The
EFSE is the largest microfinance investment fund in the world, with
a 700-million-euro portfolio, and it currently operates in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, the Former
Yugoslav Republic (FYR) Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, and in Ukraine.

Significance:Armenian small and medium business desperately needs
credit, which has become very scarce in the wake of the global
economic crisis. The Armenian economy has seen a dramatic 18% drop
in its GDP, one of the worst among the former Soviet republics, and
small and medium businesses have suffered most from the crisis. The
EFSE membership is good news for many small business owners as well
as low income households; however it will take some time for judging
the outcome of the microcredit lending. A lot depends how the national
credit lenders will carry out their task; if it would be without undue
delays and based on proper creditworthiness assessment. Furthermore
the repayment of the loans will be another factor determining the
success of the EFSE plans. The Armenian government has a major role to
play–if it fails to change the oligarchic structure of the economy,
and root out the corruption that is widespread amongst tax and customs
agencies, small and medium businesses may find it difficult to make
good use of the EFSE extended credit and repay it.

ARMENIAN AND POLISH FOREIGN MINISTRIES HELD POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS

Foreign Ministry
Feb 11 2010
Armenia

Armenian-polish intergovernmental commission will be established

On February 10, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Karine Kazinian
visited Warsaw for two-days working visit to hold political
consultations between Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Poland.

On the first day of visit Mme Kazinian met with Marcin Korolec, Deputy
Minister of Economy, responsible for Poland’s economic cooperation
with Europe.

In the course of the meeting the parties stressed the necessity of
stimulation of Armenian-Polish economic cooperation and the importance
of its coordination within an intergovernmental commission. Mme
Kazinian informed about consents reached between Armenia and European
Union in the sphere of economic cooperation, on stimulation of whom
can highly benefit the program of Eastern Partnership.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the
negotiations on "Deep and comprehensive free trade Agreement" in
the framework of the mentioned program. In response, Polish Deputy
Minister of Economy suggested to Armenian side Polish expert support
for the elaboration of the document.

Responding positively to the suggestion of Armenian side to establish
an Armenian-Polish intergovernmental commission, Polish side suggested
to hold the first session in Yerevan during this year, keeping in
mind that the second session can be held in Warsaw in 2011, when
Poland will take EU presidency.

The same day Karine Kazinian had a meeting in Polish Sejm with the
members of the parliamentary friendly group between Polish Sejm and
Senate and the Armenian National Assembly.

During the meeting Lukasz Abgarovic, head of Polish-Armenian
parliamentary group, presented the activities of the group, emphasizing
the importance to the significance to the upcoming visit to Armenia
by the invitation of Armenian-Polish parliamentary group of Armenian
parliament.

The two sides discussed the cooperation between delegations of
Armenia and Poland in the Parliamentary Assemblies of international
organizations.

Deputy Minister Kazinian responded to the questions of Polish deputies
on Armenian-Turkish relations, peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh
issue, ensuring regional security in the South Caucasus.

The members of parliamentary group noted with satisfaction, that the
visit of Poland’s Prime-Minister Donald Tusk to Armenia in 2010 will
serve as a good stimulus for the development of bilateral relations
and for the strengthening of friendship between Polish and Armenian
nations.

In Polish Sejm Karine Kazinian also had a meeting with Tomasz Lenz,
head of permanent commission on EU Eastern Partnership program. During
the meeting the two had a detailed discussion on the implementation
of the EP program.