Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Officials from capitals of the CE member states discuss urban issues in Yerevan

17:08, 11 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The International Conference of
capital cities of the Council of Europe member states launched its
activity in Yerevan. This year’s conference is dedicated to the issue
of challenges the capitals have to face with and the activity of
public authorities.

The Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan welcomed the guests and laid a heavy
emphasis on the importance of holding the conference in Yerevan. As
reports “Armenpress” among other things the Yerevan Mayor Taron
Margaryan stated: “This is the first time Armenia hosts this
pan-European initiative after joining the Council of Europe. It’s of a
certain importance for us that local democracy is among the priorities
of the Armenian Chairmanship, which served as a basis for us to
initiate this conference dedicated to the issues our capital has to
face with. Each year the cities’ authorities have to face with new
challenges due to the ongoing developments in the world. That’s why
the authorities must be flexible. I am hopeful we shall find solution
of a row of issues at the course of this conference.”

The members of 31 delegations from 17 countries of the world visited
Armenia to participate in “Erebuni-Yerevan 2795” celebrations and
attend the International Conference of capital cities of the Council
of Europe member states.

On 11 October 2013 an International Conference of capital cities of
the Council of Europe member states is held in Yerevan, Armenia.
Co-organised by the Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities, it will address the issues related to the
particular role of capital cities and metropolises in the overall
development of local democracy and in political, economic, social and
cultural life. John WarmishamVice-President of the Congress
(United-Kingdom, SOC), Armen Gevorgyan, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Territorial Administration of Armenia, and Taron
Margaryan, Mayor of Yerevan, opened the conference. Conclusions of the
sessions will be presented at the end of the conference which will be
closed by John Warmisham and Kamo Areyan, the First Deputy Mayor of
Yerevan.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

Aliyev claims for Gaddafi’s laurels: Armenia should take the chance

October 11 2013

`Azerbaijan again made the mistake that Iraq, Egypt, and Libya made.
The international community always uses the issue of `lifelong
president’, and takes an opportune moment to strike,’ said the human
rights defender Arbak Khachatryan in the interview with `Aravot’,
speaking about the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, as a result
of Ilham Aliyev’s re-elected to a third term and by the votes of 85
percent. Our interlocutor, however, believes that it might be a good
playing card in the hands of Armenia to come out of current economic
and political severe situation. `Armenia has a trump card in its hand,
and it is necessary to work in that different with various mechanisms
and political instruments to bring the reality of the world that
Azerbaijan is guided by one family,’ says Arbak Khachatryan, citing
Gaddafi who had good relations with Europe, and Mubarak who had
pro-American relations, but they did not help them, in any way, to
avoid violent death. To recall that the West definitely did not
respond to the elections held in Azerbaijan. Rather, it responded
quite mutually exclusive. The OSCE and CIS observers are satisfied
with the Azerbaijan’s elections, while the OSCEODIHR observers
expressed exactly the opposite opinion.

Nelly GRIGORYAN
Read more at:

Armenian director producing anti-suicide film

15:58 – 12.10.13
Photo by Aravot.am

With sums collected from ordinary people, the film director Arshak
Zakaryan has started working on a new film aimed at preventing
suicides.

`One can hear every day that someone has thrown himself or herself
down from a balcony or bridge. This is an undesirable phenomenon for a
small republic as this,’ he told reporters on Saturday, expressing
concerns over the increasing rate of suicides.

The director said that the idea to produce the film entitled `The
Useless’ is not absolutely motivated by a personal bias to earn money
or gain recognition.

`If at least one person watching the film backs away from such an
intention, we’ll consider that we have done our job because the life
of an Armenian is priceless for us. This film has been produced
entirely thanks to contributions by ordinary people. The poorest
people even have given a little money for the film. A provincial
teacher asked us to wait till the salary day, then took a transport
and brought some money. For me, it is more pricy than the sum an
oligarch might give,’ he added.

Speaking of the film’s plot, Zakaryan said their purpose is to explain
the audience that there is absolutely no useless person around the
globe.

`If God has given you life, then you have something to do. Anyone can
turn into a hero from a useless creature. Our nation is the size of a
town, so we must reduce this phenomenon,’ he noted.

The director added that he will complete the movie after selling his
car and having the necessary amount.
Armenian director producing anti-suicide film

Armenian News – Tert.am

LES ARMENIENS DE RUSSIE DEFENDENT LA DECISION DE SERGE SARKISSIAN SUR L’ADHESION A L’UNION DOUANIERE

ARMENIE

Les Armeniens de Russie se sont felicites de la decision du President
armenien Serge Sarkissian d’adherer a l’union douanière dirigee par
la Russie a declare le president de l’Union des Armeniens de Russie
Ara Abrahamian.

” Cette decision est soutenue par une serie de facteurs tels que la
politique, l’education et la science. L’absence de barrière de la
langue a aussi de l’importance. L’Armenie est le partenaire economique
traditionnel de la Russie. Selon moi, l’adhesion sera benefique pour
l’Armenie et la Russie. Le President armenien a fait un pas très
important et rentable ” a-t-il declare lors d’une conference de presse
a Moscou.

La Russie possède la plus grande communaute armenienne dans le monde
– plus de 2,5 millions de personnes. ” Cette decision profitera a
la collectivite en tenant compte du fait que les autorites russes
prevoient d’introduire un regime des visas avec les pays membres de
l’Union douanières a partir de 2015 ” a declare Ara Abrahamian.

vendredi 11 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

UN MEMBRE DE L’OPPOSITION EMPRISONNE REJECTE L’AMNISTIE

ARMENIE

Tigran Arakelian, un chef de file de l’aile de la jeunesse du Congrès
National Armenien (HAK), a declare qu’il ne beneficiera pas de la loi
d’amnistie generale après qu’une cour d’appel a Erevan a de nouveau
refuse de considerer sa requete pour une liberation sous caution.

Tigran Arakelian, qui a deja fait plus d’un tiers de sa peine
d’emprisonnement de six ans, continue a protester de son innocence
et pretendre etre un prisonnier politique tandis que son appel etait
entendu par la juridiction superieure.

Avec trois autres militants du HAK Tigran Arakelian a ete arrete en
août 2011 pour soi-disant avoir agresse des policiers a Erevan. Les
opposants ont fermement dementi l’accusation, affirmant qu’ils
avaient eux-memes ete battus par des policiers après avoir tente de
les empecher de chercher arbitrairement un autre homme. Toutes les
militants sauf Tigran Arakelian ont ete liberes peu après.

Un tribunal de district a Erevan a condamne quatre membres
de l’opposition en Juillet 2012 dont Arakelian a une peine
d’emprisonnement. Les trois autres militants sont restes libres alors
que leur cas etait entendu par la cour d’appel.

Le mois dernier, plus d’une centaine de notables armeniens, dont une
dizaine de deputes au parlement, a exhorte la Cour d’appel a libere
Arakelian au moins jusqu’au verdict final, en promettant de verser
une caution et garantissant que l’opposant ne rentrerait pas dans la
clandestinite. Un panel de trois juges charges de l’affaire a rejete
cet appel, sans aucune explication.

Mushegh Shushanyan avocat de Arakelian a presente une petition pour
que son client soit libere lors de la session de la cour lundi, quatre
jours après que l’Assemblee nationale armenienne ait adopte une loi
d’amnistie generale qui, selon les experts, s’applique aux quatre
opposants. La Juge Eva Darbinian a cependant refuse d’examiner la
petition lundi et mercredi en disant que l’avocat de la defense peut
presenter une petition seulement au stade de l’allocution de clôture.

En entendant cette explication, l’avocat de la defense a affirme que
cela est une restriction illegale des droits de la defense et Tigran
Arakelian a crie avec colère qu’il n’avait pas besoin d’une amnistie
qui n’est ” pas respecte meme par le tribunal “.

” Je l’ai officiellement rejete. Je ne veux pas que cette loi
d’amnistie s’applique a moi ” a declare l’opposant.

Les partisans d’Arakelian dans la salle d’audience ont commence a
siffler et crier ” honte,honte ” après quoi la cour se retira sans
explications et Arakelian a ete sorti de la salle.

Le tribunal a ajourne le procès a vendredi.

vendredi 11 octobre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

SOME 16,000 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN AUGUST 2013

YEREVAN, October 10. /ARKA/. Some 16,100 real estate transactions
were registered in Armenia in August 2013 – it is 6.5% less than in
July 2013, but 1.5% more than in August 2012, the Armenian State Real
Estate Cadastre reports.

Yerevan accounted for the largest number of immovable property deals,
which made up 40.9% of the total number of real estate transactions
registered in the country in August 2013, and Vayots Dzor province
for the smallest number, which constituted 1.6% of the total number.

According to the report 13.2% of the total number were registered in
Kotayk province, 5.6% in Lori, 4.6% in Gegharkunik, 6.6% in Armavir,
5% in Shirak, 6.9% in Aragatsotn, 8.3% in Ararat, 3.3% in Tavush and 4%
in Syunik.

Property alienation transactions made up 28.3% of the total number
of real estate deals registered in August 2013, primary registration
transactions 11.4%, heritage-related transactions 11.3%, mortgage
deals 4.3%, leasing 4.3% and other state registrations 31.7%.

Remarkable is that no immovable property privatization transactions
have been registered in Armenia since the beginning of this year.

—0—

18:51 10.10.2013

ARMENIA’S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION WOULD BE A SUCCESS IF IT SECURED A 9-9.5 % ECONOMIC GROWTH, POLISH AMBASSADOR

YEREVAN, October 10. / ARKA /. Armenia’s membership in the Russia-led
Customs Union would be a success if it secured a 9-9.5 % annual
economic growth, Poland’s ambassador to Armenia, Zdzislaw Raczynski,
told a news conference today.

He reminded that last year Armenia’s GDP saw a 7% growth. ‘Armenia’s
membership in the Customs union would be effective if it enables an
additional 2-2.5 % economic expansion,’ he said.

The diplomat presented the calculations of Polish experts, which say
Armenia would have earned $150 million additionally if it had signed
the association agreement with the European Union.

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan announced September 3 after talks
with Russia’s Putin in Moscow that his country would join the Customs
Union. Before that Armenia was expected to initial an association
agreement with the European Union in late November. .-0-

17:42 10.10.2013

WORLD CUP – HOSTILE RECEPTION FOR BULGARIA AS THEY ARRIVE IN ARMENIA

Yahoo Eurosport UK / Reuters
Oct 10 2013

Objects were thrown and a tirade of abuse from dozens of local fans
was chanted when Bulgaria arrived at Yerevan Airport ahead of Friday’s
World Cup qualifier against Armenia.

Reuters

Armed security forces formed a tight cordon to allow the players to
get on the team bus through a smoke of red flares and deafening noise
from the crowd.

Angry home fans booed the players and coaches. They also threw eggs,
fireworks and other objects and cried ‘Bulgarian gypsies’.

“If someone was aiming to scare the team … I can tell you it wasn’t
achieved,” visiting coach Luboslav Penev told reporters on Thursday.

“But I don’t want to comment on things unrelated to football. There
are people and commissions who deal with these issues.”

In September 2012 Armenia filed a protest with FIFA about “poor
officiating” and the treatment they received from the home team during
a 1-0 qualifying defeat in Bulgaria.

Armenia finished the Group B match in Sofia with nine men after Swiss
referee Stephan Studer sent off Marcos Pinheiro in the 73rd minute
and Gevord Gazaryan four minutes later.

After the match Armenian fans said they were racially abused by
home supporters.

Play-off hopefuls Bulgaria, who have not reached the World Cup finals
since 1998, are second with 13 points from eight matches, seven behind
Italy who have already qualified for next year’s finals in Brazil.

Denmark are third on 12 points followed by both Czech Republic and
Armenia on nine.

ARMENIA’S PATH TOWARD EU IS NOT OVER – ZDZISLAW RACZYNSKI

October 10, 2013 | 15:49

YEREVAN. – Poland’s Ambassador to Armenia ZdzisÅ~Baw RaczyÅ~Dski
called not to forget about the achievements in relations between
Armenia and the EU.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Ambassador explained
why at this stage the Association Agreement can not be initialed.

Figuratively speaking, the Association Agreement can be described
as a vehicle. Then, the agreement on free trade zone is the engine
and wheels. If the Armenian side confirms its readiness to sign the
political part of the agreement without a free trade zone, it is like
removing the engine and wheels from the vehicle.

Although at this stage the Association Agreement will not be initialed,
however, we must not forget about the achievements, Ambassador added.

“You can call me an optimist, but Armenia’s path toward EU is not over,
only the pace has become slower,” he emphasized.

At the same time, he added that perhaps Armenia is at crossroads,
and “turned her head to the Customs Union for a moment, but has not
yet taken any step.” In this context, the Ambassador recalled about
different customs rates in the EU and the Customs Union.

Diplomat said the Association Agreement does not prohibit concluding
agreements with the countries of the Customs Union.

Asked about the fact that the EU’s position has become softer after
the initial harsh reaction, the Ambassador said that showing they
are offended is a wrong approach.

“Poland and the EU are trying to be open to the countries of the
Eastern Partnership, because they are our neighbors,” he stressed.

According to him, it all depends on the Armenian side and how it
wants to cooperate with the EU.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

HRAPARAK: VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN’S APPOINTMENT AS ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR LONG PROCESS

11:02 ~U 10.10.13

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) states
that the process of appointing Vahan Hovhannisyan Armenia’s Ambassador
to Germany is long.

The issue of his predecessor is on the agenda. Aramais Grigoryan,
who is laying a claim to the mandate, will, nonetheless, be appointed
governor.

Mikael Manukyan is next on the list. He is likely to yield his seat
to Karen Shahmuradyan, who invested greatly in the ARF-D’s election
campaign and is unlikely to refuse.

His refusal is desirable not because the ARF-D is supporting “gender
initiatives,” but because Ruzan Arakelyan is next on the list,
followed by Ara Nranyan.

Some think everything possible must be done for Nranyan to get into
parliament, which is, however, unlikely.