Author: Kalantarian Kevo

PRESS-CONFERENCE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ELECTRIC NETWORKS OF ARMENIA ON DECEMBER 22

ArmInfo
2009-12-21 10:49:00

ArmInfo. A press-conference of Director General of Electric Networks
of Armenia Yevgeny Gladunchik will be held on December 22 at 3:30 PM
in Tigran Mets hall of Armenia-Marriott Hotel on the occasion of the
Power Engineers’ Day.

As the Company press-service told ArmInfo, the results of the work
of ENA CJSC in 2009 will become the main topic of the press-conference.

Moreover, a solemn ceremony of prize distribution to the Company’s
best employees will be held at 4:00 PM.

LYUDMILA SARGSYAN READY TO DEFEND HER POSITION OF PARTY LEADER IN COURT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.12.2009 16:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Neither new party administration or new chairman
could be elected at December 16’s convention of Hnchak social
democratic party, as the convention, in the first place, was against
party regulations, the leader of Hnchak social democratic party
Armenia Lyudmila Sargsyan said.

As Lyudmila Sargyan stated, she’ll sue anyone who dares call himself
new chairman of Hnchak party. "I’m the legal chairman and a new
chairman can’t be elected at the illegal convention," she emphasized.

As she informed, at December 16 Hnchak administration sitting Narek
Galstyan, Gevorg Perkupekyan and Arsen Kupelyan, Hnchak administration
members, were excluded from the party by unilateral vote. The exclusion
was caused by latter’s participation in splitting of the party,
provoked by the Head of All Hnchak administration Sedrak Achemyan.

JORDI SAVALI: ISTANBUL

The Times
December 18, 2009

Jordi Savall’s newest and attractive exploration of ancient music
from the lands where the Orient and Occident meet Geoff Brown

Recommend?

Whatever happens with the proposed BA strike, you can still get away
at Christmas. All it takes is a track or two from Jordi Savall’s
newest exploration of ancient music from the lands where the Orient
and Occident meet. No King’s College Chapel carols, no congregational
hymns: Istanbul offers art music from the 17th-century Ottoman court,
streaked through with improvisations and the traditional music of
Armenia or the Sephardic Jews expelled from the Iberian peninsula.

Whatever the tradition, Western scales are a universe away. We
manoeuvre instead through the micro-intervals of the Turkish makams
and other modal equivalents. Rhythms have their own peculiarities:
if you try counting beats in some of these pieces, you’ll run short
of fingers.

The music presented is instrumental, though so many pieces seem like
songs without words, driven onwards by a single melody line seasoned
with low-pitched drones, decorative twirls or a simple, intoxicating
percussion tattoo. Savall’s musicians of Hespèrion XXI and other
invited guests beguile us armed with the duduk, ney, oud, kamancha,
tanbur: ethnic wind and string instruments whose imploring or tangy
hues can defy pocket description. Sometimes the duduk resembles a
bassoon with a cold; other times, tender beauties trickle forth,
as on track 12, an Armenian lament. But whatever the tone colours,
whether the culture is Muslim, Jewish or something cross-hatched,
this music radiates heat and pulls you hypnotised into its coils.

The core material, the Ottoman court music, is drawn from specimens
notated by the multi-talented figure of Dimitrie Cantemir (philosopher,
linguist, historian, musician, Prince of Moldavia), collected in his
Book of the Science of Music, presented in the early 17th century to
Sultan Ahmed II. Before each selection, following original practice,
an improvisation unfolds, brief enough never to outstay its welcome
for Western ears. No doubt the entire selection reflects Western ears –
Savall is a proud Catalan. But the passion and gusto of his Hespèrion
players, expanded with guests from Morocco, Greece, Armenia and Israel,
remain joyfully authentic.

As usual, AliaVox’s packaging is learned and attractive, though it’s
a pity that room wasn’t found for a pictorial guide to the instruments.

Something like that would make newcomers to the field feel much more
at home.

SITTING OF THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
17.12.2009 16:53

The recurrent 4th sitting of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental
committee of the military-technical cooperation took place in Yerevan
from the 14th to 17th of December.

The sitting was presided over by the co-chairs of the committee,
Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Alik Mirzabekyan and the deputy
director of the Russian federal service of military-technical
cooperation Konstantin Biryulin. Participants of the sitting discussed
issued related to the further development of the Armenian-Russian
military and military-technical cooperation.

On the sidelines of the sitting, the Armenian Minister of Defense,
Seyran Ohanya,n and the deputy director of the Russian federal service
of military-technical cooperation, Konstantin Biryulin, signed an
agreements on "Interaction between the Governments of the Republic of
Armenia and the Russian Federation while exporting goods of military
importance to a third country."

Seyran Ohanyan underlined that the signing the agreements between the
Armenian and Russian Governments was of great importance for fostering
the Armenian-Russian military cooperation and would contribute to
the strengthening of the fighting capacity of the two countries.

CONSULTATION OF AMBASSADORS OF ARMENIA ACCREDITED TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HELD IN PARIS

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 15, 2009
PARIS

PARIS, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
who is in Paris on a working visit, on December 14, held a consultation
of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Armenia to European
countries and international organizations with participation of
Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian and Secretary General
Shahen Avagian. At the consultation the interlocutors touched upon
the consultation of heads of RA diplomatic representations held in
September in Yerevan and the fulfillment process of commissions given
by the RA President.

E. Nalbandian presented cooperation with the European Union to the
heads of diplomatic representations, gave them commissions on further
activization of involvement in European structures and deepening of
cooperation with European organizations.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
at the meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the 17th session
of OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers held on December 1 in Athens
and the adopted documents, as well as the meeting of EU Eastern
Partnership Foreign Ministers held on December 8 in Brussels.

SUPPLY OF RUSSIAN GAS TO ARMENIA CUT OFF

ArmInfo
2009-12-14 12:11:00

ArmInfo. Transit of natural gas to Armenia from Russia through the
territory of Georgia has been stopped in the evening of December 13
from 9:00 OM by local time, press service of ArmRusgazprom CJSC told
ArmInfo today.

According to the source data, the Company received an official
message saying gas supplies have been stopped in view of the
necessity of elimination of the problems appeared on Northern
Caucasus-Transcaucasus, Mozdok-Tbilis, Oktyabrskaya- Olginskaya,
Oktyabrskaya-Olginskaya-Chmi gas pipelines. According to the source,
gas supply of the republic’s consumers will be carried out from
reserves of Abovyan underground gas storage. Moreover, gas from Iran
is still received.

Earlier, Chairman of the Board, Director General of ArmRusgazprom CJSC
Karen Karapetyan told ArmInfo that Armenia will be able to technically
receive 6-9 mln cub m of gas per day from Iran in early 2010 instead
of the current 3 mln cub m. To note, ArmRusgazprom CJSC is the only
gas supplier to Armenia. 80% of its shares belong to Gazprom and 20%
– to the government of Armenia.

THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF LATVIA

Frida y, 11 December 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with Latvian President Waldis
Zatlers in Yerevan.

The parties have discussed a broad range of issues concerning the
furtherance of bilateral relations in different spheres of political
and economic cooperation.

The need for activating and encouraging business contacts was
emphasized on either side. Hope was expressed that the ongoing
Armenian-Latvian business forum will provide strong incentives for
expansion of trade and economic ties between the two countries.

In this context, trade and tourism, environmental protection,
development of information technologies and the production of
pharmaceuticals were singled out as prospective areas of cooperation.

Cultural, interuniversity and scientific exchanges were said to be
able to give a fresh boost to current warm relations between our
two nations.

ANALYST: FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT HAVE APPEARED FOR FIRST TIME AFTER MANY YEARS
N. Abdullayeva

Today.Az
11 December 2009 [14:37]

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Eldar Namazov.

How do you assess the outcomes of the recent Erdogan-Obama meeting?

Of course, the outcome Turkish prime minister’s U.S. trip and outcome
of his talks with Barack Obama will become clear later when the
agreements reached in Washington will be implemented. This visit was
crucial on backdrop of current situation in our region. This visit
was focus of attention not only in Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also
in Armenia and Russia and many other countries.

Was the Erdogan-Obama meeting fruitful in terms of resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Turkish prime minister kept his promise to Azerbaijan in the issue
that Azerbaijan was interested most of all, namely interdependence
between normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations and resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

It is wrong to rush to extremes accusing Turkey almost of betrayal
or praising it. I think that this visit is not an end of some process.

None of the issues that were raised at the meeting was resolved right
there. The visit was part of a dynamic and very complex process.

I am sure that we all have to be patient, because in future we will
face numerous situations when public opinions will be different as
settlement of the Karabakh conflict is a very complicated process.

Despite all advances which the diplomats speak about, one needs
to bear in mind that such complex processes are easier to disrupt
rather to reach a final success. So, I’d still prefer to approach
all negotiations with pragmatism rather than emotion.

In your opinion, could Erdogan persuade Obama that Turkey-Armenia
border must not be opened until Azerbaijan’s occupied lands are
liberated?

Ambiguity in this issue makes me to assess the visit with caution.

Turkish prime minister voiced the position which Azerbaijan expected
it to do. But all this does not mean a serious turning point in the
negotiations. In my estimation, we are most close to signing any
agreement first since the negotiation process was launched.

How do you assess the recent optimistic statements about resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The situation in the region has now changed. There are certain
expectation in Yerevan regarding normalizing relations with Turkey
given difficult economic situation that Armenia faced due to closure
of the Russia-Georgia border, global economic crisis, decline in
country’s GDP with pessimistic forecasts for coming years.

It all makes the Armenian leadership to urgently seek a way out of
this situation. Cooperation between Russia and Turkey and Azerbaijan
and Russia has become much more significant in terms of regional
energy projects. In this regard, Russia’s positive attitude to the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, as well as Turkey’s mediation role in
resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is also not accidental. This
is due to serious economic and political reasons.

So, we can assume that in comparison with the situation of 10 years
ago now there are certain prerequisites to reach an agreement.

But Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s positions are still opposed. Therefore,
both countries have much work to do to coordinate the alleged
compromise with public opinion. The public always accepts something
very painful especially after years of official propaganda by their
country about intransigence and achieving maximum results.

And when it’s time to move toward compromise, what yesterday seemed
a winning political rhetoric leads to a serious obstacle to reaching
any agreement.

Therefore, we must be realistic. For the first time after many
years some geopolitical factors have appeared that contribute to the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict while the talks themselves
are quite complex.

EUFOA: THE WINDOW FOR NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IS LIKELY TO CLOSE SOON

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2009 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA)
published its latest policy paper "Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement:
Historic Turning Point or Missed Opportunity?"

The paper analyses the current stage of the Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement and reflects exclusive inputs from high-ranking officials
very closely involved in the process on both sides. "Having analyzed
both countries’ timetables, we are actually very pessimistic.

The window of opportunity for a normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey is likely to close soon, unless both parties ratify
the protocols without delay," says the document.

"The EU needs to push Turkey to be serious about this ratification,
if we want to achieve our longstanding goal of peace and stability
in the region", says Secretary General Michael Kambeck.

The paper also shows that Turkey’s approach, keeping the ratification
open until after their parliamentary elections, exposes the whole
process to a long list of risks.

CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN AND ASIAN MEDIA OPENED TODAY IN MOSCOW

ARMENPRESS
Dec 9, 2009

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Conference of the European and Asian
media opened today in Moscow organized by the Russian "Novosti"
agency. Heads of CIS and Baltic countries’ mass media, political and
public figures are participating in the event. The conference will
continue its work till December 10.

This is the fourth annual gathering of the national mass media of
post-soviet countries. Its goal is the discussion of those issues
which mass media is facing in the contemporary world.

At least 150 heads and top-managers of printed and electronic mass
media as well as more than 150 Russian guests and participants are
taking part in the event.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev addressed today the participants
with a welcoming speech.

In his speech the Russian president noted that mass media need
permanent dialogue. "We are erecting the history, we are element
of the history, thus this history changes. Many schemes which were
functioning 20-40 years ago, 100 years ago are not applicable thus
it is better to listen, understand each other better, perceive the
information better which in our countries is forming without closing
eyes, without ideological biasness: this is one of the best goals,"
the Russian president said.

He also noted that the creation of contemporary technology data,
existence of contemporary mass media having high-quality staff are
inseparable feature of independent and strong state.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and spokesman for the head
of the Russian government Dmitry Peskov will deliver speeches at
the event.

Armenia is represented in the conference by the head of the public
relations and information department of the Armenian President’s staff
Ara Saghatelyan, director of Caucasus Institute, political analyst
Alexander Iskandaryan, executive director of Armenpress news agency
Hrayr Zoryan, heads of Public TV, Yerkir Media, Kentron, Armenia TV
channels, "Novosti Armenia" agency, etc.