Author: Kajoyan Gevork

LES HOMMES D’AFFAIRES ARMENIENS ET TURCS DISCUTENT D’UNE LIAISON AERIENNE EREVAN-VAN
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 11 octobre 2012

Les hommes d’affaires armeniens et turcs ont discute d’une liaison
aerienne entre Erevan et Van pendant le quatrième forum d’affaires
Armeno-turc dqui s’est tenu a Erevan.

Le premier vol Erevan-van avait ete prevu initialement en septembre
2011.

L’etablissement d’une connexion aerienne a ete amorcee par le chef
de la branche de van de l’Union des Organisations du Tourisme Turques
Abdullah Tuncdemir, qui a dit qu’un nouveau terminal a ete construit
dans Van pour les vols internationaux.

La partie armenienne, implique dans le projet, comprend un
coordonnateur du programme SAID ” appui a l’Amelioration des Relations
Armeno-turques ” Artur Ghazaryan et un chef de l’Union des industriels
et des entrepreneurs d’Armenie Arsen Ghazaryan.

Le chef de l’Organisation des jeunes Hommes d’affaires de Van Kadri
Salaz a dit que cette question a ete discutee.

Les questions avec ce vol ont ete reveillees a cause des raisons
politiques a-t-il ajoute.

Le forum d’Erevan a reuni presque 50 hommes d’affaires principalement
des provinces orientales de la Turquie.

L’associe du forum est le Conseil de Developpement des Affaires
Turco-Armenien (TABDC).

PRESS OFFICE
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Primate Galstanian attends Appeal of Conscience Awards Evening
Congratulates PM Stephen Harper
By pressoffice
On Thursday, September 27, 2012 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese accompanied by Archbishop
Viken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director of the Eastern Diocese and the Very
Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Vicar of the Eastern Diocese, attended the
annual awards evening of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in New York
City.
Each year the Appeal of Conscience Foundation recognizes individuals who
have helped promote religious freedom and human rights. The honoree at
this year’s event was the Prime Minister of Canada the Right Honorable
Stephen Harper. On this auspicious occasion, Primate Galstanian conveyed
his greetings to Prime Minister Harper and said `the promotion of human
rights and religious freedoms is a fundamental and universal source of
stability for all and as Canadians we are proud to live in a country that
provides a strong example to the world. Congratulations for your
leadership and for being the recipient of this prestigious award.’
The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, a coalition of civic and religious
leaders established in 1965 by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, promotes peace,
tolerance, and ethnic conflict resolution.
The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in USA has been a strong
supporter of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation since its inception, and
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian is a long-serving vice president of the Appeal
of Conscience Foundation.

ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION AND ADB REACHED NORTH-SOUTH CO- FINDING AGREEMENT

ARMENPRESS
11 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Gagik Beglaryan, Armenia’s Minister
of Transport and Communication received Asian Development Bank
(ADB) and European Investment Bank (EIB) delegations. As Ministry
of Transport and Communication told Armenpress ADB ‘ s North-South
project Manager Arto Ahonen stated as result of discussions with EIB
the sides reached an agreement refer to the finding of third tranche
of the North-South road corridor with 50/50 ratio.

Minister Beglaryan welcomed the formation of joint works between
ADB and EIB. “We need that the cooperation between the banks and
Ministry keep escalating. This is our first financing within the frame
of North-South program and we wish it to be of continuing nature”
Minister underscored. Georgia Kutsiana, EIB project coordinator in
Armenia thanked for the inclusion of their bank in the third tranche
of the North-South Road Corridor. Gagik Beglaryan underscored the
Ministry is ready to support banks in the frame of these programs.

AMBASSADOR-NEWSMAKERS
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 15:41:52 – 11/10/2012

Recently the newsmakers of Armenia have been the ambassadors of Russia
and the United States. They have been communicating through public
statements, but the moment when the ambassadors will enter into a
direct debate is not far. And Armenia will be just an observer.

The Russian Ambassador Kovalenko actually said that Russia won’t close
the Compatriots Pr+9/gram as long as 5,000 Armenians a year leave for
the U.S. via the Green Card lottery. He stated that Armenians should
find out the internal reasons for emigration, actually hinting that
Armenia is facing domestic problems.

The U.S. ambassador didn’t respond to this statement but he chose
another topic – Vartan Oskanian. He also intervened into Armenia’s
domestic life accusing indirectly the authorities of Armenia of
political persecution of a possible presidential nominee.

Official Yerevan didn’t answer the Russian ambassador, and called
on the American not to politicize legal issues. None of the foreign
officials was blamed of interference in the home life of Armenia.

In any case, there is no one to blame. The minister of foreign affairs
of Armenia has decided to leave for Congo, the others speak neither
Russian nor English. To be more serious, under such developments
tomorrow we may witness a real U.S.-Russian fight without rules on the
Armenian arena. Armenia should only choose whom it wants to “support”.

We should not choose between Russia and the U.S. but need to restore
our sovereignty and don’t let it pass from hand to hand. The first step
should be to ask ambassadors politely not to interfere in domestic
affairs of Armenia. Certaily, all grants and loans will be lost but
what do we need grants for if we have no sovereignty?

THERE IS AN ESSENTIAL PROGRESS IN ALL SPHERES OF ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION

ARMENPRESS
11 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The 13th session of the committee of
Republic of Armenia-Euro Union cooperation took place on October 8 in
Brussels. Chairman from the Armenian side was Minister of Economics
of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Davtyan and European side was
represented in the face of director of European Foreign Relations
for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Partnership
and OSCE Gunnar Wiegand.

As Ministry of Economics informed “Armenpress” the sides discussed
the procedure of realization of the programs of the Republic of
Armenia-Euro Union cooperation in frames of European Neighborhood
Politics and developments in the procedure of negotiations for creating
Inclusive Free Trade Zone, supremacy of the law, human rights and
basic liberties, cooperation in traffic and energetic spheres, as
well as regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenia-Turkey
relations, matters regarding Euro Union assistance programs.

Both sides mentioned that there is an essential progress in all spheres
of bilateral cooperation. Resolutely negotiation procedures of creating
the Republic of Armenia-Euro Union Inclusive Free Trade Zone and the
progress in all spheres of cooperation were most appreciated.

At the end of the session both sides were satisfied with the dynamics
of development of bilateral cooperation.

On April 22 of 1996 the Agreement of Cooperation and Partnership
was signed between the Republic of Armenia and European Community,
which is in force since July 1, 1999.

In accordance with 83rd article of the agreement Partnership Committee
was initiated. The sessions of the committee are held once a year in
Yerevan and Brussels rotationally.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY OUTRAGED AT U.S. AMBASSADOR’S STATEMENT ON “OSKANIAN CASE”

/ARKA/
11 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. A deputy of the ruling Republican party
of Armenia Mkrtich Minasyan referred to the U.S. ambassador John
Heffern’s statement on “Oskanian case” as outrageous.

He also said Armenia’s former foreign minister is “the U.S. envoy.”

The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, said in a statement on
Wednesday that the charges brought against Armenia’s former foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian appear to represent the selective application
of Armenian law.

Oskanian was stripped of his immunity last week by the National
Assembly after a majority of his fellow lawmakers allowed his
prosecution in a secret ballot boycotted by the parliamentary minority
factions, including his Prosperous Armenia Party.

“It is unacceptable to go forward by double standards. A diplomat
should not put political pressure, especially when the issue is legal,
and not political,” Minasyan said at the press conference on Thursday,
Novosti-Armenia reports.

He also said he sees some implication in Heffern’s statement, as
Oskanian was the U.S. citizen and promoted some Western interests
in Armenia.

“It is normal that the USA try to support him, closing eyes on what
he has done,” Minasyan added.

He also highlighted that Armenia’s former FM is a professional diplomat
and he served to his country honorably.

” I hope Oskanian made a mistake unconsciously, as I have always
known him as a modest and ethical man,” the deputy said adding that
he will apologize in front of Oskanian if the letter is not guilty.

On Monday Oskanian was summoned to the National Security Service (NSS)
and was formally charged with one count of particularly large-scale
theft and one count of money laundering. Oskanian was also asked to
testify as a ‘defendant’ in the high-profile case, but he refused to
do so invoking his constitutional right.

Oskanian argues that his prosecution had “political implications”
saying the government’s goal is to “step up pressure” on him and
his party.

Oskanian is charged by the National Security Service with
misappropriating a $1.4-million donation that was made by U.S.

philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr. to his Yerevan-based Civilitas
Foundation in late 2010. -0-

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF IRAN TO THE RA

11.10.2012

On October 11 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received the
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic
of Iran (IRI) to the Republic of Armenia (RA) Mohammad Reisi.

Welcoming and congratulating the Ambassador on the occasion of
assuming the post, Mr Abrahamyan highly appreciated the friendly
relations between the RA and IRI, highlighted the cooperation
in different directions. and deemed necessary more deepening of
inter-parliamentary ties. He expressed conviction that during Mr
Reisi’s tenure the Armenian-Iranian relationship would more develop
and strengthen. “Today without hesitating we can document that the
Armenian-Iranian relations are at high level and continue to develop
in the atmosphere of mutual trust,” the NA President noted. In Hovik
Abrahamyan’s word, the high level of the political relations of the two
countries is a basis also for further enlargement and development of
economic ties. According to the NA President, during the recent years
the bilateral economic relations have registered a positive move,
but we should not be satisfied with this, as in the political aspect
the contacts of high level obligate us to take practical steps for
more developing the economic sphere of the relationship.

Thanking for reception the IRI Ambassador conveyed to the NA President
the greetings of the President of the IRI Parliament Ali Larijani
and the invitation of the official visit to the IRI, expressing
confidence that the NA President’s official visit to the IRI will
boost the deepening of inter-parliamentary relations. The Ambassador
emphasized the development of bilateral relations in all spheres. In
strengthening of inter-parliamentary relations the activity of the
Parliamentary Friendship Groups was mutually highlighted.

The NA President Hovik Abrahamyan thanked for the invitation and asked
him to convey his best wishes to the President of the IRI Parliament
Ali Larijani and the people of the IRI.

In the course of the meeting issues concerning the regional problems
and of bilateral interest were also discussed.

——————————————————————————–

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN MEETS WITH FREE DEMOCRATS PARTY LEADER

news.am
October 11, 2012 | 14:58

YEREVAN.- Leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian and chairman of
Free Democrats Party Khachatur Kokobelyan met on Wednesday, Heritage
spokesperson Hovsep Khurshudyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He said Hovannisian and Kokobelyan will discuss results of the
meeting during the October 21 parties’ session, refusing to disclose
the details.

Spokesperson for Free Democrats Anzhela Khachatryan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am that important issues were discussed during the meeting.

She said Kokobelyan would not give up his parliamentary seat. There
was no such agreement reached between the parties, she emphasized.

Anzhela Khachatryan stressed there is no controversy between the
political forces.

“In case Raffi Hovannisian decides to run for president, Free Democrats
will support him,” she added.

Earlier Raffi Hovannisian said they had reached agreement with
Kokobelyan to give up parliamentary seats together to pave the way
for youth.

Prior to the May 6 elections Heritage and Free Democrats Party decided
to run for the parliament with joint proportional list.

ARMENIA SIMPLIFIES IMPORT AND EXPORT OF DIAMONDS

news.am
October 10, 2012 | 17:33

YEREVAN. – The government of Armenia simplified the import and export
terms of diamonds. The number of required documents and the term of
getting permission were reduced. To note, currently Russia has set
the export tax to 6.5 percent for rough diamonds to non-customs union
between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Processing on a tolling of
Russian diamonds is a basis of Armenian jewelry industry. Import of
Russian diamonds to Armenia made about $20.2 million in 2010, while
export made $19.5 million. The turnover of Russian diamonds made $30
million last year, and currently talks are run to increase it.

HUNGARY GLORIFIES ATATURK

news.am
October 10, 2012 | 20:57

YEREVAN. – Ever since Hungarian authorities extradited the Azerbaijani
killer on Aug. 31 and Armenia suspended diplomatic ties, Hungary
makes no efforts in resuming relations. Periodically Hungarian art and
public figures deliver speeches on reinforcing Armenian and Hungarian
people’s friendship by trying to affect the emotional field. However,
the authorities’ actions make just the opposite impression and the
proof is installation of the Ataturk’s monument in Budapest. Despite
the Armenian community of Hungary strictly condemned it and held
a protest action in regard to the monument installation, yet it
already serves for the Turks as one of the worship places in Hungary,
Department of Armenian Communities of Europe at the Armenian Ministry
of Diaspora informs.