Author: Kalantarian Kevo

MONOPOLY AND SHADOW BUSINESS HINDER DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN ARMENIA

arminfo
Tuesday, July 24, 12:56

Armavia Company’s monopoly in the market hinders development of
incoming tourism in Armenia, TATEV-T.T.T. Director Arlen Davudyan
told media, Wednesday. He said that his company is organizing tours
from Iran and can use only bus transportation services of Vaspurakan
Company. That company always wins state contests for Meghri-Yerevan
transportation services as special conditions are created for that.

Similar situation is observed also in other tourist routes. Davudyan
believes that contests conditions must be changed in order 2-3
companies could win. This would reduce tariffs and increase quality
of transportation services.

He said that there is a wide network of taxi drivers who make tours of
the country without providing any information on the sights. They act
through mediators who organize rent of apartments and illegally keep
passports of tourists. “There is no control in the given sphere. This
is a shadow business that seriously hinders activity of the legal
companies, reduces their incomes and possibilities of advertising the
Armenian tourism product and tours of the country,” Davudyan said. He
believes that the government must liquidate the transport monopolies,
properly introduce Armenia as a country of tourism and assist travel
operators in participation in international exhibitions, which require
much funds. Among positive changes, Davudyan outlined improvement of
online reservation of air tickets and hotel rooms, though the prices
are still unreasonably high.

For her part, Melita Hakobyan, Head of the National Association of
Consumers, explained that only 15%- 20% of the population can afford
rest in abroad, another 2%-5% of the population rest inside Armenia
but prefer rented houses or stay at relatives to expensive hotels.

Davudyan said, in turn, that the country lacks mid-class hotels. For
instance a week rest at a good hotel on the Lake Sevan will cost $400
while at the best hotels in Batumi (Georgia) on the Black Sea shore
a one- place room will cost $60-$65 a day. A five-day rest in Antalia
(Turkey) will cost $250 in average. As a result, Armenia is becoming
a transit country for the Iranian tourists who prefer having a rest
on the Black Sea shore in Georgia.

Melita Hakobyan recalled that hotel services are very expensive and
incomparable with the population incomes. As a result, chronic fatigue
syndrome of the population is observed in the country.

IRANIAN MINISTRY: SO-CALLED “ELECTIONS” IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH NEGATIVELY IMPACT ON CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Trend
July 24 2012
Azerbaijan

The so-called “elections” in Nagorno-Karabakh have a negative
impact on the peace process of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry
Ramin Mehmanparast said at a briefing today, IRINN TV channel reported.

He said that these actions have a negative impact on the negotiation
process till the sides of the conflict come to an agreement to resolve
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The so-called “presidential elections” took place in the occupied
Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan on July 19,
2012. No world country recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as independent
and sovereign state.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

INVESTORS INTERESTED IN ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT’S FREE ECONOMIC ZONE – ECONOMY MINISTER

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 23, 2012 – 15:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Potential investors have already expressed interest
in opening a free economic zone (FEZ) on the territory of Zvartnots
airport, Armenian Economy Minister said.

As Tigran Davtyan told a news conference in Yerevan, “in line with
an agreement between Economy Ministry and Sitronix Armenia CEO,
the 1st free economic zone will be launched in Armenia.”

According to the official, Armenia hopes for foreign companies with
new technologies to be involved in FEZ operations, with foreign
investments to be attracted for FEZ activities.

The $10 mln project envisages creation of a 100 000 square meter
zone with the establishment of export-oriented production as an
obligatory condition.

JULY 23 MARKS 19TH ANNIVERSARY OF AGDAM (AKNA) LIBERATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 23, 2012 – 15:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The liberation os Shushi in 1992 decreased but
didn’t eliminate the threat to the towns of Nagorno Karabakh.

Azerbaijani military-political leadership viewed the air force and
heavy artillery as means of intimidating the Armenian population,
rather than fulfillment of fire support tasks.

After Shushi liberation, Azeri military leadership transported most
artillery to Agdam province, with the enemy group posing constant
danger to Martakert and Martuni defensive provinces of the NKR.

All the surrounding settlements including Stepanakert were shelled
from Agdam; Armenian villages of Askeran, Martakert and Martuni
provinces were destroyed, with Askeran almost entirely ravaged by
Azeri artillery.

Hence, seizure of Agdam and suppression of firing points became a
vital necessity. On July 23, Artsakh forces launched an offensive on
both sides and seized the town, forcing out the Azeris.

“The population didn’t want us to defend them. They all fled the town,”
an Azeri officer recollected.

Agdam liberation ensured Askeran civilians’ security. Moreover, the
operation eliminated the threat to systematic shelling of NKR capital,
as well as attacks against Askeran and neighboring provinces.

In November of 2010, NKR government took a decision to rename the
town of Agdam as Akna, which will have a status of a province. Akna
which currently has population of 360, may in future regain status
of an independent settlement.

BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY: “THE TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ARMENIA SHOULD BE FREED” – INTERVIEW

APA
July 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Christopher Pincher: “Nagorno Karabakh does not exist like independent
state, so it can’t hold fair and proper elections”

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. The interview of Head of UK-Azerbaijan
Inter-Parliamentary Working Group Christopher Pincher to APA

– How did your visit to Azerbaijan go? What issues were discussed
during the meeting?

– We are part of Parliamentary group for Azerbaijan, member of
Parliament in the UK had an interesting visit to Azerbaijan . Within
3 days we could visit Baku and Gabala and had meetings with British
Ambassador to Azerbaijan, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Chief
Executive of SOCAR, OSCE office and EU mission to Azerbaijan.

In Gabala we visited piano factory, the “Jala” juice production plant
and also Olympic Sport complex in Azerbaijan. It was very packed
program, which The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) organized for
us and much attention was paid to the details.

I enjoyed Azerbaijan. It has tolerant, respectful and secular society.

And it is rather unique I think. We could visit church, Jewish
synagogue. And it absolutely shows the respect for all the communities,
all religions here.

The regional issues, Nagorno-Karabakh were among the issues we
discussed. We visited the people, who have been displaced, and went
to one IDP camp in Gabala during our visit. They must be allowed
to return their home. The territories occupied by Armenia should be
freed and the army should be withdrawn.

– You touched on Nagorno Karabakh conflict. What is your opinion on
the so called ‘elections’ in Nagorno-Karabakh held on July 19?

– Nagorno Karabakh does not exist like independent state. So it can’t
hold fair and proper elections when people who should have been living
there have been all number exclusively displaced, so it can not be
a proper elections.

– Recently the EU reiterates to be more active in Nagorno-Karabakh
resolution by facilitating the confidence building measures. How the
UK can assist in this process?

– The Great Britain supports the OSCE Minsk Group’s activity. The
British Parliament and British government can make it quite clear
to all international organizations and Armenia that it supports the
rights of the people who have been displaced from their home.

– Are the citizens of the Great Britain aware about the conflict or
not so much?

– It becomes more because of TEAS activity for few years. But it is
truth to say that Armenia because of its Diaspora around the world has
got a lead in bringing its case and Azerbaijan should bring its case
about its rights in frames to Nagorno Karabakh. I think the British
public is hazily aware on the situation.

– How do you estimate the inter-parliamentary cooperation between
the UK and Azerbaijan?

– We have friendly relationship with UK-Azerbaijan parliamentary
relations working group. Certainly, my experience through these 3-4
years I first visited Azerbaijan, this is my third visit to your
country, we have always been welcomed by Azerbaijani parliamentarians
and our good relationship continues.

– Do you have any common projects?

– We hope that Milli Mejlis members will come to London in the next 12
months. We will meet parliamentarians and hope to discuss the future
cooperation. And I think the TEAS also organized a number of debates
that British parliamentaries have attended.

Also in Britain we have a concept of twinning. Our towns twin with
other towns of the world to strengthen friendship. Twin towns realize
school visits which is very good educational facility. As a result of
going to Gabala today I am going to looking to possibility of twinning
my own town Tamworth twin with Gabala. So young children of Tamworth
could visit Gabala and vice versa. It is not my decision to make but
I will propose it to the Mayor and local council.

-The energy sector is one of the main cooperation spheres between
the two countries. How do you see the perspectives of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and the UK?

Energy is an important issue in Britain. We have to be sure that we
have secure supply of energy and diversified it. It is even more
important in the Eastern Europe especially which rely heavily on
Russia -it is important for them to diversify their supplies. So
we very much support what have been done in Azerbaijan to get more
pipelines to get gas into Europe. We have big interest in Azerbaijan.

There are 5 thousand BP employees living and working in Azerbaijan. So
we have very good energy relationship. But I think it is important to
Azerbaijan to develops its beyond hydrocarbons and what it is trying
to do by growing in non-energy products.

And I think Britain can help in areas such designing, construction,
IT, telecoms and also in banking.

MUBARIZ GURBANLI: “THE ATTEMPTS OF ARMENIA TO BUILT AND USE AN AIRPORT IN KHANKENDI IS THE NEXT PROVOCATION, IT IS A BLOW TO NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS”

APA
July 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. “Today, Azerbaijan makes real
proposals for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through
negotiations and makes great efforts to achieve peace.

But the Armenian side shows the opposite position and continues it
provocations. Of course, the impact of the third force shows itself
here. The third force is interested in using Armenia as a tool in this
issue,” said Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP),
MP Mubariz Gurbanli in his interview to the website of the party,
APA reports.

According to him, Armenians always organize some provocations to
prevent the negotiations process. The Nagorno Karabakh problem, its
anatomy, progress of negotiations and proposals made up to now are
known to the society: “Armenia wants to use time for its own benefit by
prolonging the negotiations. Azerbaijan improved and strengthened its
defensive capacity. The Armenian side wants to delay the negotiations
process with certain maneuvers. But when the Azerbaijani side makes
real proposals, Armenians can’t say anything. They took steps directed
to violation of the process. The attempts of Armenia to built and use
the airport in Khankendi are the next provocation, it is a blow to
negotiations process. Which airport can be constructed in the occupied
area? What is its aim? On the other hand, there are no people in this
area to use this airport. The economic opportunities of the Armenian
people don’t allow it. It is a provocation.”

Gurbanli also added that holding of “elections” by Armenians in
the occupied areas is also the next provocation. Neither Azerbaijan
nor the other international organizations recognize these so-called
“presidential elections”: “Holding of such “elections” aims to hide
the separatist regime in the occupied areas. In fact, military robber
regime here is included into the system considered as the occupied
area and official Yerevan manages it.”

WHICH IS THE NEXT- IRAN OR TURKEY?
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:33:56 – 23/07/2012

Despite the fact that Bashar Asad is still resisting, it is evident
that the solution under the current almost total isolation, is near.

The Aeroflot has already announced that it will stop flights to Damask
from August 6, and this may be the deadline for some operations.

In the context of the Syrian events, as a rule, Armenia is discussing
the issue on the Armenians living in Syria. The society is protesting
that the state does not take up necessary measures to receive
Syrian-Armenians, and the ministry of Diaspora says they don’t want
to come to Armenia. Besides, Radio Liberty reports a Syrian-Armenian
saying everything is all right in Aleppo and the Syrian protesters
promise not to touch Armenians.

However, the possible geopolitical implications of the Syrian crisis
for Armenia are ignored. The Russian media have claimed that the next
will be Iran. Although, judging by the statements of Erdogan it is
not excluded that Turkey will be the next. And Armenia will have to
prepare for the fact that such events will occur in the neighboring
state. And if in case of Syria, even Georgia, Armenia could remain
neutral, it is unlikely to succeed if the problem starts with Iran.

Tehran will clearly require a clear position.

Russian politicians called on Armenia in Yerevan to toughen its
position on the Syrian issue and express against foreign intervention.

It was noted that the West has already oriented towards Iran and is
ready to sacrifice Karabakh for Azerbaijan to become a foothold.

Mikhail Aleksandrov noted that “the U.S., the European Union and their
allies support Azerbaijan in the Karabakh issue”. Andrey Areshev noted
that Russia’s position on this issue is cardinally different from
the position of the Western forces. “Russia will never benefit from
destabilization of situation in the South Caucasus. In the meantime,
the actions of the West take the Southern Caucasus to the same deck
with the so called Big Near East, where violence boils”, he said.

Actually, Armenia will have to choose between the West and Russia
even relating to the Syrian issue. Moscow has already been applying
its traditional blackmail measures, trying to convince Armenia that
in case it supports the West, its security will be threatened. Armenia
has been neutral so far, but neutrality may be interpreted by everyone
in their own favor. Especially if the neutrality implies not the
conception of its own interests, but the principle of “waiting to
see where the thread will be cut, maybe we will be saved”.

GALIA NOVENTS WAS UNIQUE PERSONALITY, SAYS ARMENIAN ACTOR

tert.am
20:32 ~U 23.07.12

In contrast to the characters she played in the popular Armenian films,
Galia Novents was a very modest personality in life, says Sos Sargsyan,
a popular actor.

Remembering the talented actress who was reported dead on Sunday,
Sargsyan characterized her as a very restrained and predomnantly
silent personality,

“She was a very smart and good friend and a kind girl in life. And
as an actress, she was peerless and irreplaceable. We do not have
that type of self-reliant, unique and very talented [personality],”
the actor told Tert.am on Monday.

Sargsyan recalled that it was a special pleasure for him to star with
the great actress in a film.

“It is a long time I haven’t met her; probably ten years. I saw
her play in the performance, A Drop of Kindness, at the Hamazgayin
[pan-national] theatre; she was playing a wonderful role. That was
her last [part] as she was not in Armenia. She was all the time with
her grandchildren in the United States,” Sargsyan said, expressing
sorrow for the untimely loss.

THE SYRIAN OPPOSING FORCES ARE WILLING TO PROTECT THE ARMENIANS

ARMENPRESS
23 July, 2012
YEREVAN

Yerevan, July 23, ARMENPRESS: The representatives of the opposing
“Syrian free army” have announced their intention of capturing the city
of Aleppo. As “Armenpress” reports, it was mentioned by the “Syrian
free army’s” Colonel Abdel Jabar Al-Okaydi in the statement posted
on YouTube. He also stressed that national and religious minorities
living in Aleppo should not have any concerns in those activities.

“Armenian or Assyrian, Kurdish or Druze, the Syrian army will
protect everybody”, stated the Syrian Colonel. To his word the Syrian
opposition is also going to protect the Assad kinsfolk.

Meanwhile, the situation in Aleppo is still quiet. In the conversation
with “Armenpress” the representative of the Armenian community in Syria
Nazaret Elmajyan noted that the situation is still being controlled by
the forces loyal to Assad. Problems are mainly in three districts-Salah
El-Din, Alsakhur and Al-Haydaria”, mentioned Elmajyan.

Aleppo is one of the most populated with Armenians cities, while
in the mentioned districts the Armenians are not particularly in a
large number.

According to the Syrian Human Rights Organization data 17 thousand
192 people died because of the Syrian 16 months ongoing clashes. The
Arab media reports that among the dead11 thousand 897 were peaceful
civilians, and 4348 were security officers. Among the victims there
were 7 Armenians, 2 of which were the Syrian Army militaries. The
Syrian riots make the Syrians leave the country appearing in other
countries as refugees. Recently the Armenian community representatives
also leave the country. The refugee status or asylum applications from
Syria are considered in an accelerated procedure, at least ten days.

The head of the State Migration Service Gagik Eganyan in response to
the question raised by “Armenpress” stated that 6 families with 16
members applied Armenia for an asylum with a refugee status.

OUSTING SYRIA’S ALAWITES FROM POWER WILL IMMEDIATELY SHAKE SHIITE ZONE – ARMENIAN EXPERT

news.am
July 23, 2012 | 13:34

YEREVAN.- Ousting Alawites from power in Syria will immediately shake
the Shiite zone in the Middle East, Armenian political analyst Hayk
Kocharyan told reporters on Monday.

It will also weaken position of Iran and Shiite majority in Iraq.

“Intensification of Shiite factor in Bahrain was not a mere
coincidence. Saudi Arabia also has Shiite minority,” he added.

Expert in Arabic studies Saro Saroyan said shifting of political
regimes can pass without negative consequences when it is based on
political balance.

“We have been witnessing the trend of state separation over the
decades. It happened in the Middle East and North Africa: Ethiopia-
Eritrea, Sudan – South Sudan. Unless it is based on political
balance, the developments will lead to unfavorable conditions, up to
humanitarian catastrophe,” he stressed.