Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMENIA’S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION WILL NOT HINDER ARMENIA-GEORGIA GOOD TURNOVER – AMBASSADOR

October 18, 2013 | 13:30

YEREVAN. – Georgian Ambassador said Armenia’s accession to Customs
Union is not impeding goods turnover between Armenia and Georgia.

Georgian Ambassador to Armenia Tengiz Sharmanashvili participated
in the discussion “Georgia: Presidential elections and European
Perspectives,” organized in Armenia.

He recalled that Georgia and Armenia have an agreement on free trade,
and this was pointed out by Armenian and Georgian PMs during their
recent meeting.

“The parties have stated that we have a bilateral agreement on free
trade. Therefore, nothing can interfere with normal trade regime. If
Armenia enters the Customs Union, at the bilateral level, the Armenian-
Georgian goods will move freely across our border,” Sharmanashvili
assured.

“For this, we have developed a sufficient legal framework. If something
is missing, we will work on it, but the obstacles are out of the
question. And I am sure it will be so,” the diplomat added.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

PM SARGSYAN: IF WE DO NOT JOIN CUSTOMS UNION, THIS WILL CREATE NEW BOUNDARIES BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA

October 18, 2013 | 14:52

YEREVAN. – Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan met with the
participants in the international media forum titled “At the Foot of
Mount Ararat.”

To note, the event is held between Thursday and Sunday in capital
city Yerevan.

The PM reflected on the Armenian government’s programs and policies,
the Armenian diaspora, and the vision of the Armenian world.

In Sargsyan’s words, ensuring security is of great importance for
Armenia.

“I believe it is comprehensible why we decided to join the Customs
Union and integrate into the Eurasian economic space. This enables
[us] to build relations with Russia-our strategic partner and main
investor-on a more fundamental platform, and allows for removing
numerous limiting factors.

“And if we do not join the Customs Union, this will create new
boundaries between the business entities of Armenia and Russia. That
is why a political decision was made that the economic development
of our country must be within the framework of the Customs Union,”
Sargsyan noted.

In the Prime Minister’s words, Armenia also has deep and centuries-old
roots with Russia.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in
Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and
Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join
the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the
Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan
likewise are members in the Customs Union. And in response to this
development, the European Union had stated that the signing of the
Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area agreement is now doubtful.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

COURSE AND RESOLUTION OF POSSIBLE REGIONAL CONFLICT WILL NOT DEPEND ON ONE STATE, SAYS EURASEC INSTITUTE DIRECTOR

16:10 18/10/2013 ” POLITICS

Armenia is not forced to join the Customs Union at this very moment.

Armenia should itself decide whether or not to join the Customs Union,
Vladimir Lepekhin, Director of the EurAsEC Institute, told a news
conference on Friday.

Asked what the three CU members – Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan –
will gain from Armenia’s entry into the organization, Mr Lepekhin
said that this is, first of all, important for Armenia in view of
economic interests.

“If a regional conflict breaks out, involving Armenia, its course and
resolution will depend not on one state, but on the global player. If
Azerbaijan decides to use force against Armenia, it will not be the
decision of Baku – a global player will be behind it. This is why it
should be considered in the context of a big game,” Lepekhin said.

Source: Panorama.am

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA JAMES APPATHURAI

18.10.2013

On October 18 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received the NATO
Secretary General’s Special Representative for Caucasus and Central
Asia James Appathurai.

Welcoming the guest the NA President highlighted the Armenia-NATO
cooperation and Armenia’s participation in the program of Partnership
for Peace. Touching upon the RA-NATO relationship, Hovik Abrahamyan
has noted that the relations with the NATO is one of the necessary
elements of the European integration policy and the political
component of European integration continues to remain one of the
important directions of Armenia’s foreign political agenda. “Armenia
intends to maintain and develops the current rates of cooperation,
paying special attention to the implementation of the Armenia-NATO
Individual Partnership Action program, as well as its involvement in
the international peace-keeping actions with the participation of
the NATO,” the NA President said. Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the
support shown to Armenia by the NATO, and particularly, the provided
advisory assistance, the aid displayed to the procedure of the RA Armed
Forces reforms and their continuity. Talking about the parliamentary
dimension of Armenia-NATO relationship, the NA President expressed
confidence that the cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly
would be of continuous character for the stability in the region,
establishment of security and development of democracy.

The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Caucasus and
Central Asia James Appathurai has noted that the NATO is concerned
about developing and deepening the cooperation with Armenia. “The
door of the NATO is open, and we are open for cooperation and we
are ready to support Armenia in the issues of further reforms and
European integration,” Mr Appathurai. He highly assessed Armenia’s
participation in the NATO peace-keeping forces, stressed the high
level of our military readiness. The NATO Secretary General’s Special
Representative highlighted the role of the National Assembly in the
spheres of oversight, providing transparency, the reforms in the
field of defense and public awareness, as well as the cooperation
within the framework of the NATO PA.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed other issues of
bilateral importance and touched upon the regional issues.

KRIKOR-SEVAG MEKHITARIAN TAKES FIRST PRIZE AT MOGI DAS CRUZES TOURNAMENT

14:32, 18 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Brazilian-Armenian chess Grand Master
Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian became the best participant of the Mogi das
Cruzes tournament. The Chess Federation of the Republic of Armenia
informed “Armenpress” that Armenian GM Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian
(Brazil) had no defeat, scored 6 points out of 7 and took the first
prize among 87 participants at the tournament that was held in Mogi
das Cruzes, Brazil.

Another Armenian chess player from Brazil FM Armen Proudian took the
9th place with 5 points.

Mekhitarian was born in São Paulo in 1986. He learned playing chess
from his father at the age of six. He won Brazil’s junior (U20)
championship twice, in 2003 and 2004. He became a Grandmaster-the
highest title in chess-in 2010.

Grandmaster Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian won Brazil’s chess championship
in São Paulo. Mekhitarian secured the title with seven wins, three
draws, and one loss, finishing the championship with 8.5/11 points.

Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian takes first prize at Mogi das Cruzes
tournament

SERZH SARGSYAN OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

12:57 18/10/2013 ” SOCIETY

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to President of
Philippines Benigno Aquino on the earthquake which hit the country,
leaving hundreds of innocent victims and casualties and causing
enormous devastation.

“Sharing your and Filipino people’s grief and anguish, I wish the
families of all victims tenacity and a speedy recovery to the injured,”
the letter says.

Source: Panorama.am

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202-2812
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FB:

The ARS Social Services in Hollywood Needs Your Help

Glendale, CA (October 16, 2013).- The Armenian Relief Society of
Western USA (ARS), Regional Executive will hold a fundraiser to ease
the funding challenges being faced by the Social Services office and
help raise funds to keep the Hollywood office open.

The ARS Hollywood office has been providing social services since
1979, particularly helping newcomers integrate into society, and
helping low-income families and the elderly resolve issues.

`We reach out to the hard to serve population with language and
cultural difficulties,’ explained Sona Zinzalian, ARS Social Services
Director. She added, `The Hollywood office is an integral and
important part of our network and we need to keep it open.’

The ARS Regional Executive will hold a fundraiser to explain the
reduction in government funding, and the efforts being taken to save
the ARS Social Services office in Hollywood on Sunday, November 10,
2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the Armenian Youth Center in Hollywood, 1559
Kenmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Other than ARS representatives,
public officials, including Congressman Adam Schiff, will be on hand
to provide their perspectives. Congressman Schiff’s 28th District
includes parts of Hollywood.

Interested parties can RSVP by calling or emailing the regional office
at (818) 500-1343 or [email protected]. Please send your donations
to 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202.

***

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and
with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more
than 1,200 members in five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a
Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center,
and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief
efforts. For further information, please visit or
call (818) 500-1343.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“We must join hands to promote our common values and respond to our common
challenges”, said His Holiness Aram I

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – During the closing dinner of the conference organized by
the Armenian Genocide Committee in Brussels, His Holiness Aram I addressed
the President of Karabagh, the President of the National Assembly of Armenia
and the delegates. He said, “the values we cherish as a nation and our
common challenges should outweigh our differences and provide the framework
for common action by all Armenians.” The Catholicos continued, “We must not
only seek the recognition of the Genocide and reparations; we must also work
together to build a sustainable Karabagh and a strong Armenia.”

The Catholicos then urged everyone to help work through the problems in
Armenia and focus on nation building. “The Armenian Church,” he said, “has
supported the aspirations of our people for freedom and independence
throughout history and continues to do so today.” He concluded by saying
that the Church is committed to strengthening the independence of Armenia
and Karabagh and to working toward the just resolution of the Armenian
Cause.
##
Photos:

ARS SOCIAL SERVICES IN HOLLYWOOD NEEDS YOUR HELP

Thursday, October 17th, 2013
ARS

GLENDALE-The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS), Regional
Executive will hold a fundraiser to ease the funding challenges being
faced by the Social Services office and help raise funds to keep the
Hollywood office open.

The ARS Hollywood office has been providing social services since
1979, particularly helping newcomers integrate into society, and
helping low-income families and the elderly resolve issues.

“We reach out to the hard-to-serve population with language and
cultural difficulties,” explained Sona Zinzalian, ARS Social Services
Director. She added, “The Hollywood office is an integral and important
part of our network and we need to keep it open.”

The ARS Regional Executive will hold a fundraiser to explain the
reduction in government funding, and the efforts being taken to save
the ARS Social Services office in Hollywood on Sunday, November 10,
2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the Armenian Youth Center in Hollywood, 1559
Kenmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Other than ARS representatives,
public officials, including Congressman Adam Schiff, will be on hand
to provide their perspectives. Congressman Schiff’s 28th District
includes parts of Hollywood.

Interested parties can RSVP by calling or emailing the regional office
at (818) 500-1343 or [email protected]. Please send your donations
to 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202.

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, with regional headquarters
in Glendale, Calif., has 27 chapters and more than 1,200 members in
five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a Social Services Division
and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center, and funds numerous youth
programs, scholarships, and relief efforts. For further information,
please visit or call (818) 500-1343.

FRENCH STUDENTS CONDEMN EXPULSION OF FOREIGN STUDENTS

Prensa Latina
Oct 17 2013

Escrito por Elizabeth Alvarez Velazquez
jueves, 17 de octubre de 2013

17 de octubre de 2013, 10:28Paris, Oct 17 (Prensa Latina) High school
students blocked the entrance to four school centers today to protest
the expulsion of foreign students, like the gypsy Leonarda Dibrani
and the Armenian Khatchik Kachatryan.

Leonarda was arrested by the police on a field trip in Doubs department
on October 9th, and deported to Kosovo the same day along with
her family.

The case has aroused a political firestorm, even inside the ruling
Socialist Party, occurring shortly after Manuel Valls, Interior
Minister, accused gypsies of lacking willingness to integrate into
French society.

“Leonarda is a tree that obscures the forest,” Pascal Durand, French
secretary for the European Green Party said, denouncing the deportation
of at least 40 foreign students in recent years.

One of them, the young Armenian Kachatryan, a student at the Paris
high school Camille-Jenatzy, was arrested during an identity check
and expelled from the country on October 12, after being held under
arrest for weeks at an immigrant detention center.

His classmates held several protests against that measure and today,
along with hundred of students from other high schools, blocked
the entrances to the Maurice-Ravel, Helene-Boucher, Charlemagne and
Sophie-Germain schools in Paris.

Steven Nassiri, spokesman for the demonstrators, called the denial
of universal education unacceptable.