Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenia featured in Uzbekistan school event
by Georgiy Saakov

Published: Saturday November 19, 2011

Young Tashkent Armenian volunteers.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The United Nations Day is the annual event
celebrating cultural diversity at the Tashkent International School
(TIS). For the first time Armenia was also represented with exhibits
dedicated to Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage masterpieces,
colorful printed editions and booklets about the Armenian identity and
significant Armenian places were featured.

Established in 1994, TIS serves the needs of an expanding
international population in the capital of Uzbekistan and educates
about 400 internationally-minded school students from nearly 40
countries. TIS promoted the 2011 theme for UN Day, announced by the
Secretary-General, “Ways the United Nations Makes a Difference in
Everyday Life.”

The annual festival held in TIS consisted of the international
concert, wide range of activities, reflecting of the participants’
cultural diversity.

Young volunteers of the Tashkent Armenian cultural centre who helped
organize the event did their best to fill the gap left by the lack of
the Republic of Armenia diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan. With great
enthusiasm they welcomed and drew the attention of multiple visitors
to their historical Motherland.

Dozens of students who crowded this “Small Armenia”, their parents,
many of them business expatriates and members of the diplomatic
community including George A. Krol, the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan,
were acquainted with the long history of Armenian state; the history
of Armenian alphabet and Mesrob Mashtots, its creator; the unique
culture and sacred value of Armenian cross-stones Khachkars and
focused on the tragic moments in Armenian history which led to the
setting of Armenian Diaspora spread over the world.

While performing the emotional and much-loved “Khochari” the local
Armenian “Urartu” traditional ensemble of Folk Dance had been warmly
greeted by the international concert audience.

The colorful state symbols were waving everywhere in the air at the
culmination of the event. Armenian flags were also among them.
Children of various backgrounds decorated their faces with Armenian
tricolor. Hospitality, graciousness, warmth and easiness of younger
generation prevailed in the whole atmosphere.

Berlin to host premiere of requiem by Tigran Mansurian, Nov 19

November 19, 2011 – 14:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On November 19, Berlin will host world premiere of
requiem by Tigran Mansurian performed by Munich and Rias Chamber
Orchestras, schott-music reported.

The work is dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide.

`During its composition, I was confronted by the problem of differing
interpretations of the canonical texts laid down by the Armenian and
Roman- Catholic churches. I hope that the interlinking of ancient
sacred and secular music of Armenia with the Latin text has created
something unexpected and even slightly paradox in my music,’Tigran
Mansurian said.

Written in 8 parts the requiem is intended for soprano, baritone,
mixed chorus and string orchestra.

Tigran Mansurian was born in 1939. In 1947 his family moved to Soviet
Armenia, finally settling in the capital Yerevan in 1956. Mansurian
studied at the Yerevan Music Academy and completed his PhD at the
Komitas State Conservatory where he later taught contemporary music
analysis. Mansurian’s compositions range from large scale orchestral
works to individual art songs and film scores between 1968 and 1980.

Mainly known to the Armenian audience for his film scores, Tigran
Mansurian is more famous abroad for his modern classical pieces.

Georgian president meets survivors of murdered Armenian family

18:09 – 19.11.11

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has met the relatives of the
Minasyan family three of whom had 17 years ago been murdered by
Georgians citizens.

According to Georgian media, Saakashvili said that `he was sure that
justice would prevail’ in the case.

`What happened years ago was a tragedy: members of your family were
killed. But justice won. This was the first court case with an
attending jury,’ said Saakashvili.

`We were very concerned about it, and I think it was extremely
necessary that this process had a fair solution,’ added the Georgian
president.

The murder took place in January 1994 when three ethnic Georgians
killed three members of the Georgian-Armenian family of Minasyans and
wounded two more.

First, the gangs kidnapped Minasyan’s son, Vazgen, and demanded a
$15,000 ransom. Having received it, they decided to kill them in an
attempt to hide the fact of kidnapping.

Mikheil Saakashvili further said that though two of the jury members
were against the verdict, the majority of them found the defendant
guilty.

It comes after a Tbilisi court found one of the perpetrators named
Revaz Demetrashvili guilty in the case, giving him a 17-year sentence
in prison.

`It refers to justice, and those people who treated your family
members with that much of cruelty, must not evade punishment,’ said
Saakashvili.

`Most of them are not alive any more, while the rest has already been
sentenced. That means that justice always wins. Justice is with you,
and I was sure in that,’ explained he.

Tert.am

EU AND ARMENIA HAVE MADE REAL PROGRESS IN RELATIONS, ASHTON SAYS IN YEREVAN

ENPI Info Centre

Nov 18 2011

The EU and Armenia have made “real progress” in developing the strength
of their relationship, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said
yesterday on a visit to Armenia, describing the relationship as based
on shared values of support for democracy, human rights and the rule
of law.

“The European Union very much wishes to see our relationships get
stronger,” she said in remarks following her meeting with Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. “So we’ll now be looking to how
much we can do together. This relationship is not just about money,”
she added, “it’s also about the kind of cooperation and the way
in which we can work together. So for example with the free trade
agreement it will be the opportunities we offer our businesses to
collaborate. It’s going to make a huge difference. The opportunities
to develop small business, to export and so on.”

High Representative Ashton said she had also had the opportunity to
talk about the region and some of the challenges that Armenia faced,
“and the need to try and move forward in order that this region
can grow economically and politically, and indeed strengthen its
relationships to the European Union”.

Ashton urged patience on the issue of visas, saying the process of
moving on visas and trade took a long time at the beginning, due to
the many technical issues to be resolved. She said this was often
the longest and most difficult part of the process, adding: “Once
you’ve done all the technical work then the process of negotiation
moves much more quickly.” (ENPI Info Centre)

LYDIAN INTL SAYS ITS AMULSAR GOLD PROJECT WILL BE A BIG PART OF THE ARMENIAN ECONOMY

Proactive Investors UK
Nov 18 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011 Lydian Intl (TSE:LYD) CEO Tim Coughlin
& General Manager-Caucasus Nerses Karamanukyan talk to Proactive
Investors about their gold project in Armenia and its potential. It’s
expected that the Amulsar project, when in full production, will
account for no less than 3% of GDP in Armenia and be one of the
country’s top 5 taxpayers.

View video at

JOINT PROJECT OF ORANGE FOUNDATION, ARMENIAN EYE CARE PROJECT ENDS

Panorama
Nov 17 2011
Armenia

3115 people get free eye medical aid in Aragatsotn region

Joint project of free eye screenings and treatment launched by Orange
Foundation and Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) in Aragatsotn region,
which aimed to provide free eye screening services to the residents
of the region, as well as treatment for socially vulnerable people,
is coming to its end.

In the frames of the project more than 1800 adults and 1300 children
have undergone eye screening, around 600 adults have undergone
deep eye screening in the mobile hospital, over 600 glasses have
been provided. Around 200 surgeries and laser treatments have been
conducted in the mobile hospital. In the frames of the project eye
care awareness special classes have been conducted for around 500
children of nine schools in Shirak region parallel to eye screenings,
the press service of Orange Foundation reported.

Local ophthalmologists, namely in Talin and Ashtarak regions, actively
support the AECP in eye screenings of the local population in October
and November. Local residents and those from neighboring villages
applied to the local ophthalmologists, who received the patients in
regional centers or visited the villages on certain days. The AECP
medical teams visited Aragats and Aparan regions within October. Eye
care mobile hospital hosted in Tsakhkahovit, Aparan, Talin and will
stay in Ashtarak till November 20.

To support the works of the AECP in Aragatsotn region, Orange
Foundation has allotted 5 million drams.

In this connection Bruno Duthoit, the Chairman of the Board of Orange
Foundation, today visited Eye care mobile hospital (ECMH) hosted in
Ashtarak to get familiarized with the works done. This was his second
visit to the mobile hospital where he got acquainted with the lasers
and surgical instruments, witnessed eye screenings and surgeries of
the patients, talked to the patients and shared their impressions.

Bruno Duthoit said: “It is a matter of priority for us to facilitate
communication among people, that’s why people with eye diseases are
in the center of the attention of Orange Foundation. After the project
in Shirak region we are today in Aragatsotn where we met people whose
life has changed thanks to the Foundation and our partners. It’s
worth to note that 68% of the cases of eye problems found in children
were diagnosed for the first time, and it’s extremely important to
identify the problem in the first stage in order to prevent its future
development. We are proud for our partnership with the Armenian Eye
Care Project and congratulate them for these results.”

To recall, in the frames of the first stage of the project held
in Shirak region 4200 adults and 1130 children have undergone eye
screening, around 640 adults have undergone deep eye screening in
the mobile hospital, over 2000 glasses have been provided. Around
270 surgeries and laser treatments have been conducted in the mobile
hospital. To support the works of the AECP in Shirak region, Orange
Foundation has allotted 9 million drams.

ARMENIA BUY 2% MORE DIAMONDS FROM ALROSA IN 2012

Interfax
Nov 16 2011
Russia

Diamond cutters in Armenia plan to buy $50 million in rough diamonds
from Russian miner Alrosa (RTS: ALRS) in 2012, compared to an
anticipated $40 million this year, Armenian Economics Minister Tigran
Davtian told reporters during a visit to two cutters.

Alrosa had delivered $39.16 million worth of diamonds to Armenia as
of November 1.

Davtian said that an agreement was reached with Alrosa in 2011 to
increase diamond supplies, which amounted to $25 million in 2010. The
list of Armenian cutting companies to which Russian diamonds are
shipped was also expanded, from one or two at the beginning of 2011
to 6-7 at present. The number of such firms will expand to ten by
the end of 2011, the minister said.

Russian rough diamonds make up more than half of Armenia’s rough
diamond imports. Davtian said diversifying supply sources for the
stable and reliable operation of cutting factories was a priority
for the country’s leadership.

In November, Armenia will participate in a conference in Africa that
will discuss the development of the diamond cutting industry. In the
course of the conference, Armenia hopes to reach agreements on new
sources of supply for rough diamonds.

Armenian cut diamond exports fell 24.7% to 217,000 carats in the first
half of 2011 from 288,000 carats a year earlier, the Customs Service
has reported. The customs value of cut diamond exports dropped to
$45.749 million from $50,381 million.

50-STORY HIGH-RISE TO BE BUILT IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN? – NEWSPAPER

news.am
Nov 17 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – It is very likely that Armenian capital Yerevan’s tallest
building, with 50 stories, will be built at the heart of the city,
nearby Moscow Movie Theater and Golden Tulip Hotel, Haykakan Zhamanak
daily writes.

“A half-state-run Iranian company wants to construct such building
in downtown Yerevan, and the building will be called ‘Persia Tower.’
[Its] several floors will be commercial, several will be residential,
and more than ten floors will be a hotel.

As Yerevan’s chief architect Narek Sargsyan told us, through his
assistant, this matter is not yet discussed at the Urban Planning
Council, which means there is formally no such plan. [But] When
reaching such decision, the relevant officials will not at all be
guided by professional standards. The important thing for them will be
the instruction [given] from above, and how much the ‘good treatment’
would cost,” Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes.

YEREVAN AGAIN FINED BY EUROPEAN COURT FOR EVICTIONS
by Irina Hovhannisyan

Armenialiberty.org
Nov 17 2011

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered the Armenian authorities
to pay 18,500 euros ($25,500) to another Yerevan family that was
evicted from its home as a result of controversial redevelopment in
the city center.

The court ruled this week that that the eviction of Hovannes
Hovannisian, his wife Astghik and daughter Liana violated an article of
the European Convention on Human Rights that protects private property.

The three were forced to vacate their old house in December 2005 after
rejecting as insufficient a $10,500 compensation offered by the state.

The house was located in a downtown Yerevan neighborhood that was
bulldozed in 2003-2007 to make room for expensive residential and
office buildings.

Hundreds of local families were displaced in the process. Many of
them staged protests, saying that financial compensation offered to
them was set well below the market value of their properties because
of government corruption.

The authorities denied the accusations and insisted that most
displaced families are satisfied with the sums paid by the state. The
redevelopment overseen by then President Robert Kocharian went
ahead even after it was effectively declared illegal by Armenia’s
Constitutional Court in 2006.

“We have rented an apartment ever since the eviction,” Hovannes
Hovannisian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on Thursday.

He said he is largely satisfied with the amount of damages awarded
by the Strasbourg-based court.

The sum, which the Armenian government must pay within three months,
is barely enough to buy a small apartment on the outskirts of Yerevan.

No new building has been constructed yet at the site of the demolished
houses of the Hovannisians and their neighbors. According to the
family lawyer, Vahe Grigorian, the construction company that bought
their land has gone bankrupt and is now facing criminal proceedings.

“That just shows that there was no need to evict those people from
their homes,” Grigorian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.

The Hovannisians are the third evicted family to receive additional
compensation ordered by the European Court of Human Rights. Grigorian
said some 20 other families have filed similar lawsuits to Strasbourg.

STATEMENT BY EDWARD NALBANDIAN, THE RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DURING THE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CATHERINE ASHTON, THE EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nov 17 2011
Armenia

Good morning.

I am glad to welcome Catherine Ashton, the Vice-President of the
European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy in Armenia.

We have had many opportunities to meet in Brussels and other European
capitals, and I am really glad to welcome Lady Ashton in Yerevan.

It is her first visit paid to Armenia. It is also a good opportunity
to keep on our bilateral dialogue and discussions on the Armenia-EU
cooperation, regional and international issues.

We are grateful that recently the relations between Armenia and the
EU are dynamically developing. These relations are based on the same
system of values, as well as our willingness to continue the reforms
implemented in Armenia which are in line with European standards.

In a week the session of Armenia-EU Council will take place in Brussels
during which we shall sum up the steps undertaken during the last year
towards the strengthening of the relations between Armenia and the EU.

We can note with satisfaction that those relations are intensively
developing with regard to the reciprocal visits, the negotiations
on the Association Agreement, steps undertaken towards the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and visa facilitation regime.

We are satisfied with the activities of the EU experts acting in
Armenia, as well, who contribute to the reforms being implemented
in Armenia.

I am glad to welcome You, Lady Ashton in Yerevan and I would like to
give You the floor.

Thank you!