Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian national security service promises to provide evidence of
former policeman’s spying for Azerbaijan

YEREVAN, February 6. /ARKA/. Armenia’s national security agency
promises to provide evidence of former police officer Khachik
Martirosyan’s spying for Azerbaijan.

Martirosyan, 60, was arrested on January 31 on charge of treason. The
national security agency said yesterday it possessed irrefutable
evidence showing that the former police officer was seeking contacts
with Azerbaijani and Georgian embassies, established ties with
Azerbaijani special service officers acting under cover of the embassy
and accepted their offer to spy against own country and to provide
military information to them. The national security agency has opened
criminal proceedings against him.

In the press release sent today to Novosti-Armenia, the agency’s press
office says that Azerbaijan’s national security ministry has denied in
the media report any contact between Martirosyan and Azerbaijani
special service, saying the service doesn’t know this man.

“Unlike appropriate Azerbaijani agencies that are ready to perform a
play portraying Mamikon Khojoyan, 77-year-old Armenian citizen with
mental problems who lives in border area as “Armenian diversionist”,
Armenia’s national security makes accusations grounded on facts which
will be presented in court,” the Armenian security agency’s press
office says.

The agency calls on Azerbaijani side not to be so quick in denying
Martirosyan’s fault and to wait for his trial instead. -0—-

– See more at:

Yerevan protests against new pension plan to become nationwide movement

February 06, 2014 | 14:37

YEREVAN. – The “I am against” civil movement’s “conquest of rights”
march on Thursday, and against the mandatory cumulative pensions in
Armenia, arrived in capital city Yerevan Municipality building.

The participants in the march called upon the city hall employees not
to permit their superiors to deduce the mandatory pension payment from
their salaries.

The demonstrators also urged the Municipality workers and all local
government agencies to organize themselves against the unlawfulness.

In addition, the protestors informed that their next step will be to
stage regional protests.

“This will become a nationwide and a republic-wide movement. We will
demand an end to this unconstitutional law. The movement will gather a
greater momentum. We have come out of the climate of apathy,” the “I
am against” movement members stated, in particular.

The new cumulative pension plan, which formally came into force in
Armenia on January 1, 2014, is mandatory for those born in and after
1974 and voluntary for those born before 1974. In line with this plan,
5 to 10 percent of the monthly salaries in Armenia will be deducted
and mandatorily be allocated to cumulative pension funds; the latter
will be reimbursed as pensions once a person turns 63 years old.

On January 24, however, the Constitutional Court decided to suspend
the execution of the some components of the Law on Cumulative Pensions
pending the hearing of the petition submitted by the four
non-ruling-coalition parliamentary forces–specifically, the Armenian
National Congress, Prosperous Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and
Heritage–, and into the constitutionality of the several articles of
the law.

Notwithstanding this, some companies already are deducing the
mandatory pension payment from the salaries of their employees.

APA, Azerbaijan
Feb 6 2014

US co-chair: “The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan re-committed to
respecting the Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire especially during Olympics”

[ 06 February 2014 10:55 ]

Baku. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. “The Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan re-committed to respecting the Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire
especially during Olympics,” U.S. co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group James
Warlick wrote on his Twitter page.

Touching on the outcomes of the co-chair’s visit to Armenia, James
Warlick said that no date has been fixed for the meeting of the two
countries’ presidents: “Armenian President emphasized continued
dialogue towards peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The co-chairs have paid a visit to the region this week.

Interfax, Russia
Feb 6 2014

IMF could lend Armenia $125 mln under new program

YEREVAN. Feb 5

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Armenian authorities
have reached an agreement to start a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF)
program, in the framework of which Armenia is to receive loans of
82.21 million SDR, or around $125 million, in 2014-2017, the IMF said
in a press release.

The 38-month program will be submitted to the fund’s executive board
for consideration in early March, the IMF said.

“The objectives of the IMF-supported program that concluded last July
were largely achieved. These included restoring fiscal and external
sustainability, preserving financial stability, restoring growth, and
reducing poverty,” the press release quotes IMF Mission Chief for
Armenia Mark Horton as saying.

“Growth slowed significantly in 2013, and the external current account
deficit and dollarization continue to be high, so that Armenia is
vulnerable to shocks. Poverty and unemployment also remain high,”
Horton said, adding that “in light of these challenges, the
authorities have requested a new IMF arrangement. Key objectives are
to safeguard sound public finances and provide more space for
growth-enhancing and poverty reducing spending, to continue monetary
and financial sector policies that strengthen resilience and buffers,
and to promote greater competition, competitiveness, and regional
integration, and thereby, higher investment, exports, and growth.”

The fund’s executive board approved the seventh and last tranche for
55 million SDR ($84 million) for Armenia on July 1, 2013, meaning
overall borrowing in the three-year EFF/ECF program totals SDR 266.8
million (approximately $410 million), the IMF said.

The IMF said it forecast Armenia would have a budget deficit of 2.3%
of GDP in 2014, falling to 2% in 2015 and 1.8% in 2016-2017. It
estimates the deficit was less than 1% of GDP last year.

The Armenian Finance Ministry has said the budget deficit was 0.6% of
GDP last year, way below a targeted 2.6%.

The parliament has approved a 2014 budget with a deficit of 2.34% of GDP.

Kh pr of

“Refugees and International Law” Civil Society Network demands that
Armenian Government should transparently distribute $5,850 million
among refugees

by Nana Martirosyan

Thursday, February 6, 09:51

“Refugees and International Law” Civil Society Network demands that
the Armenian Government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Office in Yerevan should ensure transparency of distribution of the
$5,850 million provided to Armenia.

The statement says that according to the recent media reports, the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has
provided Armenia and Azerbaijan with 4,081 million and 5,850 million
US dollars, respectively, to support the refugees and the internally
displaced persons. The authors of the statement stress that Azerbaijan
has clearly presented the plan of distribution of the funds. The same
cannot be said about Armenia.

The statement also says that given the fact that both international
structures and Armenia’s authorities are conducting a policy
neglecting the priority of satisfying the needs of Armenian refugees
from Azerbaijan and predetermining reduction in the real amount of the
funds, the authors of the statement demand that the RA Government and
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Yerevan
should ensure the transparency of distribution and clarity of the
targeting standards.

The civil society network also expresses its concern over possible
attempts to oppose the interests of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan
to those from Syria. “All of them are our compatriots and it is
necessary to assist each of them.. This means that the involvement of
Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan and Syria in the programs must be
with due regard for their number in Armenia.

Hovsep Poghosyan: Our key goal is to create new jobs and to fill the
market with local products

by Hovhannes Kazaryan

ARMINFO
Thursday, February 6, 18:38

In the Soviet times our shoe and textile factories employed over
12,000 people, today, they employ just 6,000 people, Co-Chairman of
the Union of Light Industry Employers of Armenia Hovsep Poghosyan told
journalists on Thursday.

The Union was formed in July 2011. In Dec 2013 it adopted strategies
for developing shoe and textile industries in Armenia. On Feb 5 2014
the Government of Armenia and local light industry companies signed a
memorandum for developing the industries, with the authorities having
promised to provide $2.5mln for this project.

“Today our shoe and textile companies satisfy just 8-10% of the
demand, but if we show a wise approach, this figure may grow to
50-70%,” Poghosyan said.

No clarity in Armenia-EU relations – Navasardyan

15:16 06/02/2014 >> Politics

There is no clarity in Armenia’s relations with the European Union,
National Coordinator of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
Boris Navasardyan told reporters in Yerevan.

“The Association Agreement with the European Union is not on the
agenda. Armenia is speaking of relations with the EU in another
format, but there is no clarity regarding these relations and there is
no legal base. It requires a hard work and Armenia should be the
initiator because the European Union’s attention is currently focused
on Ukraine as well as on the forthcoming elections in the European
Parliament and European Commission,” Navasardyan said.

The European Union is patiently waiting for Armenia’s steps, he added.

Climbing On: A group of Armenian mountaineers to conquer the highest
peak in Iran

SPORTS | 06.02.14 | 17:36

Courtesy Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Federation

By JULIA HAKOBYAN
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor

For most people, the majestic mountains in winter appear even more
inaccessible. But for a small group of people the snow-capped peak is
an enticing challenge and an opportunity to test their strength and
fortitude, overcome fear and enjoy the victory.

“When I go to the mountain, I say ‘Dear Lord, give me the strength to
go ahead and reach…’ I like the feeling, when first it seems that my
strength is failing, and then suddenly you find such a strong reserve
… Overcoming difficulties makes you strong, ” says Yelena Shuvayeva
Petrosyan, one of the members of the Armenian alpinists’ team, which
today, February 6, are headed to Iran to climb Demavend, the highest
peak in Iran (5,671 m height mountain( about18,406 ft) and the holy
mountain in Persian mythology.

This will be the second winter ascent of Armenian alpinists on
Demavend. In 2012 another Armenian group reached the peak, leaving
behind 216 climbers from 25 countries. The Armenian team shared the
victory with Iranian climbers and became the first international team
that conquered Demavend.

Shuvaeva-Petrosyan will climb Demavend for the first time, as well as
the rest of the team. This ascent is not a tournament, and the
Armenian team will be the only one to be seen these days on Demavend,
an extinct volcano. The group consists of six people, including two
women.

“I am excited, because winter ascent to Demavend is not easy due to
strong winds and adverse weather conditions. The temperature there
could go as low as -70 C (-94 F) and the wind may reach 110 km / h.
There are no rescuers in winter season and no medical care can be
provided. We have to make 25 kilometers to reach the first camp,” says
Shuvayeva-Petrosyan, the writer and the editor of “Tourist Armenia”
magazine.

“We are all full of hope and determination,” she says. “As for me, I
am looking forward to feel the energy of the Holy Mountain, which is
of the same value for Iranians as Ararat for Armenians.”

Yelena, as well as other team members have experience in climbing, and
were trained at the Armenian Mountaineering and Hiking Tourism
Federation (AMHF). The team started to prepare for Demavend two months
ago and climbed the tops of the Armenian Atis, Araler and Aragats
mountains, and attended lessons by Yerevan Medical University
specialists on frostbites and first aid.

AMHF was founded in 2011 through the efforts of a group of alpinism
professionals and amateurs. Souren Danielyan, the vice-president of
the federation said that Armenian mountaineering has good traditions
and roots, as it was very popular in Soviet times.

“The mountaineering climbing was strongly supported by the state and
was very popular,” says Danielyan. “After the collapse of the USSR,
alpinism as a sport has almost disappeared in Armenia. Through many
years, the Armenian mountaineers and the Armenian tricolor were not
seen in any of the peaks outside of Armenia.”

Due to Danielyan and his friends, mountaineering climbing started
reviving in Armenia for the last decade and eventually the group of
enthusiasts decided to set up a federation to propagandize the sport
and restore the former fame of the Armenian mountaineering.

“Our federation is not government supported. We were told since
alpinism is not an Olympic sport therefore there is no need to invest
and promote. Apart from a few, one time private investments, we are
supporting the federation and its activity by our own means.”

AMHF works closely with the ministry of emergency situations;
Danielyan himself is a retired captain of rescue service.

“In the recent couple of years there appeared many amateur groups on
the social networks, encouraging young people to be engaged in extreme
sports, including climbing. This often results that untrained and
inexperienced people find themselves in mountains. Now, luckily, due
to mobile phones they can call us for help.”

AMHF has several clubs in Yerevan, where all those who wish to climb
mountains can get professional trainings free of charge. The one-month
course includes lessons from geography to first aid in emergency
situations to workshops on mountains. Some classes take place in the
“Grand Sport” sport complex, which houses the only indoor climbing
rock in Armenia. After passing the exams, they receive certificates.

Last month AMHF became the first Armenian sport federation to get a
Quality Summit International Award, a prize from Business Initiative
Directions (BID) for activity in 2013.The winner was chosen during a
survey of 50 independent international experts. The Armenian
Federation says that the Quality Summit International Award, which
rates 166 countries, will further promote growth and improvements of
its activity.

“It was a real surprise for us,” says Danielyan. “As we were told we
got the prize largely due to our active participation in various
public events in the country, such as tree planting, or our assistance
to veteran alpinists, as well as for our rating on the internet.
Unfortunately, we won’t go to take the prize, as the ceremony takes
place in Geneva and we don’t have financial means for it. But we are
proud because of another achievement too, as we managed to send eight
members of our federation to the best mountaineering school in Russia.
Upon return, the guys will train the beginners and this is really
important for us”

“The truth is that we love what we do from the bottom of our hearts
and this is the reason we overcome problems and have achievements,”
adds Danielyan.

No compromise on Karabakh possible at current stage: Russian analyst

February 6, 2014 – 17:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – At current stage, compromise in the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is impossible, requiring lengthy
preparation of Armenian and Azerbaijani societies, a Russian analyst
said, expressing skepticism over a possible diplomacy-brought
breakthrough in the matter.

As Alexander Krylov told PanARMENIAN.Net the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chairs have other tasks at hand – preventing further escalation in
the conflict zone, lest it gets out of control.

“However, labeling the peace process as useless would be incorrect;
rather, the problem cannot be solved at once, especially at the
current stage,” he noted.

“At present, Azerbaijan’s state policy consists in exerting moral and
diplomatic pressure,” the analysts said, citing pre-WWII Germany as an
example. “During the capture of Austria, Czechoslovakia, and the
majority of Western Europe, the Fascist Germany had no advantage in
troops or weaponry. Still, it had a well-organized aggressive
propaganda, which persuaded the Germans of their ability to crush the
enemy and suppressed their rivals’ will to resist.

“In current circumstances, such lessons from history gain special
urgency for Armenian side. No war is to be expected in near future,
but Baku’s all-round moral pressure on the authorities and society
will continue, to get increasingly stronger,” the expert concluded.

Armenian President stands for observance of the ceasefire

18:55 06.02.2014

“The President of the Republic of Armenia always stands for
maintenance of the ceasefire,” President’s Spokesman Arman Saghatelyan
said in response to an earlier Twitter post by US Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group James Warlick.

“The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan re-committed to respecting
the Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire, especially during Olympics,” Warlick
stated earlier today.

“Confirming the words of Ambassador James Warlick, I should add that
the Armenian President always stands for maintenance of the ceasefire,
when there is no need in response actions,” the President’s Spokesman
responded.