Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ARTHUR SARKISOV RECOGNIZED VOLGA BEST PLAYER OF MARCH

17:03, 5 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS: The visitors and users of the official
website of the FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod and Ð’Ð~ZонÑ~BакÑ~Bе
social network selected the best football player of March. Thus,
the player of the Armenian National Football Team Arthur Sarkisov
was recognized the Volga’s best player of March.

According to Armenpress, it was published in the official website
of Volga.

Sarkisov is followed by Mikhail Kerzhakov, who is behind the leader
by 5% of the votes. Mikhail Sorochkin is in the third place.

During the last month Sarkisov scored two goals, earned the right of
11-meter strike and was invited to the Armenian National Football Team.

REPORT ON ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE DISCUSSED AT PACE SESSION IN APRIL

12:01, 4 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS. The spring session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe will launch on April 22. In a
conversation with “Armenpress” the Head of the Armenian Delegation
to the PACE, National Assembly Deputy from the Republican Party of
Armenia Davit Harutyunyan stated that the report on the Armenian
presidential elections will be under discussion during the first
day of the session. Among other things Davit Harutyunyan noted:
“The spring session is significant for Armenia, as the structure~Rs
report regarding the Armenian presidential elections held on February
18 will be under discussion.”

The Head of the PACE Observation Mission to Armenia Karin Woldseth
(Norway) will introduce the report on the elections. Luca Volonte
will introduce report on Turkey dedicated to the violence against
the religious minorities. The Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina
Ivanishvili will also make remarks on April 23.

Davit Harutyunyan is the Head of the Armenian delegation to PACE.

Naira Zohrabyan, Levon Zurabyan, Arpine Hovhannisyan, along with four
other substituting deputies are involved in the Armenian delegation.

RAFFI HOVHANNISSIAN A NOUVEAU DANS LES REGIONS

Aravot consacre sa ” une ” a la tournee du parti Heritage dans deux
regions, après avoir visite le Siounik et relève que son cortège etait
partout suivi par des agents de police qui filmaient de surcroît les
rassemblements. Ce quotidien relève par ailleurs que le maire de la
ville de Sevan, où M. Hovhannissian doit se rendre aujourd’hui 3 avril,
aurait de concert avec la police mis en garde ses administres contre
les consequences de leur participation a ce rassemblement.

Une nouvelle manifestation de Raffi Hovhannissian sur la place de
la Liberte a Erevan est prevue le 5 avril en amont de l’investiture
de Serge Sarkissian le 9 avril. Rappelons que ce jour meme, Raffi
Hovhannissian a l’intention de ” preter serment ” sur la place
de la Liberte en tant que ” President elu ” de l’Armenie. Quant a
l’investiture de Serge Sarkissian, qui aura lieu a l’occasion d’une
session extraordinaire de l’AN, les deputes d’Heritage et du CNA ont
declare leur intention de la boycotter. Les deputes Dachnak ont ete
moins categoriques, tandis qu’Armenie prospère ainsi que son dirigeant
Gaguik Tsaroukian n’ont pas arrete leur decision.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 03 avril 2013

jeudi 4 avril 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

EU RECOMMENDS AZERBAIJAN MORE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN BUDGET CYCLE

Azerbaijan Business Center
April 3 2013

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. ENP progress report 2012 on Azerbaijan presented
in Baku today assesses the implementation of the Action Plan within
the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Presenting the document, Roland Kobia, the head of the EU Delegation to
Azerbaijan, has stated that the report allows constructive assessment
of where there is progress with implementation of obligations on the
ENP, and where the work needs to be activated.

“In this regard, Azerbaijan’s main progress in the implementation of
the ENP was associated with an active political dialogue with the EU,
which bore constructive character. The European Union would like to
ensure the expansion of the dialogue,” Kobia said.

He said that among the main positive aspects of ENP implementation in
2012 are stable macroeconomic situation in Azerbaijan, the start of
the National Action Plan on Human Rights, the continuation of legal
reform, progress in combating money laundering and trafficking,
development of partnership with the EU in the field of energy.

“At the same time there are spheres where more efforts are needed.

Among them are democratic development and human rights, the
establishment of an independent legal system, negotiations on an
association agreement with the EU, the fight against corruption (it
is still a hindrance to the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy
and business development), the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Kobia said.

He refrained from drawing parallels between Azerbaijan and others ENP,
participating countries, saying that the program implementation is
not a sporting event.

“Among the EU recommendations on ENP implementation this year are
to ensure implementation of the January 2013 resolution of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the honouring of
obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan; continue implementation of
the Human Rights Action Plan adopted in December 2011; step up efforts
with Armenia to reach agreement on the Madrid Principles, in accordance
with the commitments made by the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
within the Minsk Group; ensure unimpeded access to representatives
of the EU to Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding regions in support of
conflict transformation activities in full complementarity with the
Minsk Group activities; promote an environment conducive to progress in
the conflict settlement, encourage and support related peace-building
activities; adopt the Law on Defamation which provides for the
abolition of criminal liability for defamation and insult; bring
electoral legislation into line with the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations
and ensure effective implementation; continue to bring legislation
onfreedom of assembly, freedom ofassociation and freedom of the media
into line with international standards, and ensure its implementation;
step up efforts to investigate cases of harassment against journalists
and activists; step up efforts to make the judiciary independent;
address outstanding issues in public financial management, notably
on transparency and accountability in relation to the budget cycle;
implement the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan; adopt and implement
a competition law to create more predictability and transparency in
the market,” Kobia said.

He added that the recommendations set a goal to ensure further
democratic development of the country and attach stability to it and
not blacken Azerbaijan.

GENOCIDE COMMEMORATIVE BILLBOARDS ON DISPLAY IN MASSACHUSETTS

April 3, 2013

By Rosario Teixeira

WATERTOWN, Mass.–During the month of April, in Foxboro, Watertown,
and Cambridge, Peace of Art, Inc. will display Armenian Genocide
commemorative billboards to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide,
and call for recognition and condemnation of the genocide.

Commemorate billboard in Foxboro “With these billboards, we
are honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide,
calling upon the international community to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and to condemn the perpetrators,” said artist Daniel
Varoujan Hejinian, the president and founder of Peace of Art Inc.,
a non-profit educational organization.

“Ninety-eight years have passed but the bloody handprints of the
horrible events of 1915 stained the pages of the world history,
when 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives.”

The 2013 billboard depicts bloody handprints on the words “Armenian
Genocide” over a black background. One 10â~@² x 30â~@² digital
billboard is on display on Route 1 in Foxboro, a quarter of a mile
south of the main entrance to Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place. A
second 11â~@² x 27â~@² billboard is on display in Watertown, on Mount
Auburn Street, in the heart of the Armenian community, close to the
Armenian cultural centers and churches. A third 11â~@² x 27â~@²
billboard will be on display on Cambridge Street, near Lechmere
Station, East Cambridge. This area, with high traffic and high
visibility, is the gateway between Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville.

Since 1996, Hejinian has been calling for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. In 2004, Peace of Art, Inc. began to sponsor the
commemorative billboards. This year’s message further calls for the
condemnation of genocide.

To date, the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by over 20 countries
and 42 U.S. states. However, in spite of his campaign promise to
recognize the genocide, in the last four years President Obama has
failed to use the term “genocide” in reference to the slaughter of
Armenians, which took place almost to a century ago.

The Armenian Genocide is not a matter of concern for Armenians
alone but to everyone. Genocide is a crime against humanity. Without
recognition and condemnation, the Armenian Genocide remains a wound
that continues to bleed, under the handprints of the culprit.

62.1 PER CENT DECREASE IN HUMANITARIAN AID TO ARMENIA

2013-04-03 23:02:24

During January-February this year, 432.0 tons of goods valued at more
than three billion drams or $7.5 million were delivered to Armenia
in the form of humanitarian aid, Panorama.am wrote referring to data
published by the National Statistical Service of the Republic of
Armenia received from the State Revenue Committee under the Government
of Armenia.

According to the data 49.8 per cent of the total aid comprised of
chemical products and related industries, 14.7 per cent of textile
goods, 9.7 per cent – devices, 6.5 per cent – machinery, equipment
and mechanisms, 8.2 per cent – industrial products, 2.7 per cent –
base metals and articles and 8.4 per cent other merchandise.

Most humanitarian aid arrived in Armenia from Switzerland (31per
cent), U.S. (28.1per cent), France (3.6per cent), Germany and China
(3.5per cent) and Russia (2.9per cent).

During January and February of this year the volume of humanitarian
aid sent to Armenia reduced by 62.1per cent compared to the same
period last year.

ARMENIA ARRESTS HEAD OF AIRPORT CUSTOMS ON SUSPICION OF SMUGGLING DIAMONDS

TACY, Israel
April 3 2013

The Special Investigation Service of Armenia on Tuesday arrested the
head of the department of customs control of Yerevan international
airport on suspicion of helping to smuggle into the country a large
consignment of diamonds that had arrived from the United Arab Emirates,
RIA Novosti reported.

The customs official, Arsen Papazian, was arrested with another man,
Ashot Gasparyan, a resident of the capital, Yerevan.

“According to the preliminary investigation, a large consignment
of diamonds weighing 2,702.58 carats, acquired in the United Arab
Emirates, in collusion with Papazyan was taken on March 1, 2013 through
the customs border to Armenia by hiding from the customs control and
non-declaration,” according to a statement by the customs authority.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT STARTS NEW CHESS PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS

My High School Journalism
April 3 2013

Tuesday, April 02, 2013 By Wes Patton

Armenia recently implemented mandatory chess lessons in public school
in order to create a better society. Armenia is the first and only
country to make the game of strategy compulsory. This new policy
seems to have paid off, as the small Caucasus nation with only three
million residents has become a chess powerhouse, creating over thirty
Grandmasters and winning the team Chess Olympiads in 2006, 2008,
and 2012. This may even be a new way to scout out young talent to
continue the legacy of impressive Chess players.

The program requires children in grades two, three, and four to
receive two hours of chess every week during school. The students
also play one-on-one games for one hour of this time. While it may
seem a little odd to require elementary-aged children to play this
game, most of the participants say they enjoy learning and playing
chess. Armenia has spent about three million dollars to supply chess
equipment learning aids in all Armenian schools. Armen Ashotyan,
Armenia’s education minister, says that most of the money has been
put towards finding and producing good teachers.

“Chess develops various skills – leadership capacities,
decision-making, strategic planning, logical thinking and
responsibility,” Ashotyan said. “We are building these traits in our
youngsters. The future of the world depends on such creative leaders
who have the capacity to make the right decisions, as well as the
character to take responsibility for wrong decisions.”

Perhaps this new program will create a better future for Armenia and
convince education reformers around the world to incorporate similar
activities for the brain in their schools.

“SARGSYAN AND HOVANNISIAN CAN FIND CONFLICT-FREE SOLUTIONS”

Wednesday,
April
03

“A new political situation has formed in Armenia today. Hopefully,
Serzh Sargsyan (unlike Robert Kocharian) and Raffi Hovannisian
(unlike Levon Ter-Petrosian) are more inclined to seek conflict-free
solutions,” the first Ombudsperson of Armenia Ms. Larisa Alaverdian
told the correspondent of Aysor.am.

In her words, Serzh Sargsyan and Raffi Hovannisian should find
solutions, which are devoid of such elements as political bargaining
or secret negotiations, while the people should feel that changes
are taking place in the country.

“I wish the authorities would find the strength to dissolve the
National Assembly. The political force led by Serzh Sargsyan knows
how to do it,” L. Alaverdian noted.

She said the ruling party is able to understand that this path is
ruinous for the incumbent president, the country, and the ruling
party, so the dissolution of the parliament should be put on the
political agenda.

TODAY, 20:23

Aysor.am

CARREFOUR’S FIRST HYPERMARKET IN ARMENIA TO OPEN IN ARSHAKUNYATS AVENUE

ARMINFO
Wednesday, April 3, 20:44

Carrefour (France) will open a hypermarket with a total area of 6
thsd sq m in Arshakunyats Avenue in Yerevan, a reliable source told
ArmInfo. The source says that Carrefour is going to open 3 hypermarkets
in Armenia.

Earlier Karen Vardanyan, Head of the Business Environment Improvement
Department of the Armenian Economy Ministry, said that Carrefour
is already in Armenia and is intensively working at expansion of
its business.

To recall, Carrefour was going to open a hypermarket in Armenia in
Dalma Garden Mall. However, the leadership of Dalma Garden Mall in
the person of the well-known Armenian entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan
cancelled the contract on the lease of business premises for the
hypermarket. The key person “to be blamed for it” is Samvel Alexanyan,
the Armenian oligarch importing essential goods, the owner of the
large network of Yerevan City supermarkets.

To note, according to the reliable sources of ArmInfo, the Carrefour
hypermarket in Yerevan will work on the basis of a franchise owned
by a large U.A.E. developer Majid Al Futtaim Holding (MAF). “We
are already working in 13 countries of the world. We have recently
included several CIS countries in our portfolio, among them Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia”, MAF Chief Executive Officer said to
Russkiye Emiraty. The company opened its first Carrefour supermarket
in Georgia in Sept 2012. At present MAF has already 45 supermarkets.

To note, by the number of its stores (over 15 thsd) Carrefour Group
(France) holds the first position in Europe and the second position in
the world. Carrefour hypermarkets’ assortment includes up to 80,000
food and non-food items. The total staff consists of over 400 thsd
people. Nothing has been said about the investments in the opening of
the hypermarket in Yerevan, however, experts estimated the investments
at 6-8 mln USD.