Author: Kanayan Tamar

TURKISH LEADERS MAY MULL KARABAKH CONFLICT WITH US VICE PRESIDENT

news.az
Dec 2 2011
Azerbaijan

The official Ankara may put Nagorno-Karabakh conflict into the agenda
of talks with US Vice President Joe Biden, member of Turkish Parliament
Mustafa Kabakci said.

‘Turkey puts forward Nagorno-Karabakh issue in every opportunity and
I think that this issue will certainly be discussed during the talks
of Prime Minister Erdogan and US vice president,’ Kabakci said.

Joe Biden, flying last night from Bagdad to Ankara, is holding
discussion with Turkish government on bilateral relations, joint
anti-terrorism efforts, Iranian nuclear programs and Armenian –
Turkish relations, local media reported quoting to diplomatic sources.

‘US should activate efforts within OSCE MG to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict,’ the Turkish parliamentarian said.

‘Nagorno-Karabakh problem touches Turkey as much as Azerbaijan. So,
the regulation of the conflict is the main point in achieving stability
in the region,’ Kabakci underlined.

ARMENIAN ECONOMY MINISTER FORECASTS 5% ECONOMIC GROWTH

news.am
Dec 2 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN.- The GDP growth will make about 5% in Armenia in a year
interval, Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan told journalists on Friday.

The 2011 state budget envisages 4.6% GDP growth in Armenia.

According to Davtyan, economic growth has been largely achieved through
the real sector of economy. Thus, industrial growth will make 12-13%,
exports will increase by 20-25%, growth in tourism and agriculture
is registered.

“Only the construction rate is reducing. I believe it is not a
negative phenomenon, since it leads to a smoothing of GDP imbalance,”
said Davtyan.

He also expressed assertion that the anti-crisis measures in Europe
and the U.S. will yield results and it will be possible to avoid the
second wave of the global crisis.

WE CAN SAY THAT YEAR 2011 SUCCESSFUL FOR ARMENIAN ECONOMY – MINISTER

Panorama
Dec 2 2011
Armenia

We can say that the passing year was successful for Armenian economy,
Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan told reporters in Yerevan.

“GDP growth rate is projected at 5 percent, a little more than
envisaged by the state budget,” the Minister said.

According to him, economic growth was ensured mainly thanks to the
industrial growth. At the end of the year, the Minister noted, the
industrial growth rate is projected at 12-13 percent, the growth
rate of exports – at 20-25 percent, and tourism growth rate – at
13 percent. Besides, agricultural field has also recorded growth
in Armenia.

“The growth was ensured thanks to the dynamic development of the real
sector. Construction industry recorded a fall but I do not think
it is negative because we faced economic imbalance in the previous
years due to the growth in construction industry, but now we have
more balanced economy,” Davtyan said.

As to the predictions of economic crisis for 2012, the Minister thinks
that international organizations, political and economic leaders will
find ways to cut global economy risks.

LEBANESE PRESIDENT MICHEL SLEIMAN TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA

Tert.am
02.12.11

President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Sleiman will upon Armenian
president’s invitation pay an official visit to Armenia on December 8,
according to the presidential website.

Michel Sleiman is set to hold meetings with Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan, heads of legislative and executive bodies, as well as His
Holiness Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians Garegin II.

The ides will sign several documents aimed at further deepening
of cooperation.

ARMENIAN FM MEETS SWISS PRESIDENT

armradio.am
02.12.2011 17:25

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with
Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation, Head of
the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

The parties praised the progress registered in bilateral relations this
year. They noted that the frequent meetings provide an opportunity
to follow the process of implementation of the agreements reached
during the previous meetings and determine the future steps.

The Armenian Foreign Minister met with Abdou Diouf, Secretary General
of the International Organization of the Francophonie.

The interlocutors discussed a broad range of issues on the agenda of
the International Organization of the Francophonie.

Abdou Diouf underlined that the organization~Rs relations with Armenia
considerably developed after Armenia joined the OIF as an associated
member in 2008.

LEADER OF RAMKAVAR AZATAKAN PARTY ASKS ARMENIAN PM A NUMBER OF RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

arminfo
Friday, December 2, 18:21

The leader of the Ramkavar Azatakan party Harutyun Arakelyan has
appeared with a number of rhetorical questions to Prime Minister of
Armenia Tigran Sargsyan.

As far as Arakelyan knows, some $35,000,000 were transferred from the
accounts of the Nairit Plant to the accounts of different organizations
in Mar 2009. $22,000,000 were given to an unknown Danish financial
group, $8,000,000 – to Rhinoville Property Limited. The remaining
sum was paid to the plant’s employees.

Arakelyan wonders where this money is from and if the managers of
the plant had so much money, why they didn’t spend just $150,000 to
repair the workshop that later blew up.

Besides, Naitit owes almost 7,000,000 AMD to the Yerevan-TPP company.

The debt accrued in 2007-Mar 2010 when the plant was idle. As regards
Yerevan-TPP, it has repaid all of its debts to ArmRusgasprom.

Arakelyan’s question is: has the state-owned Yerevan-TPP actually
provided Nairit, a company owned by the private off-shore Rhinoville
Property Limited, a non-interest perpetual loan? The point is that
during the same period Yerevan-TPP borrowed 12% loans for repaying
its debts to ArmRusgasprom.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SEEKING WEDGE BETWEEN COALITION PARTIES – RPA REP

Tert.am
02.12.11

The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) maintain normal relations, RPA Vice-Chairman Razmik Zohrabyan
told journalists Dec. 2.

The opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) is just trying to
drive a wedge, but it will fail because the “RPA is experienced in
applying all political technologies,” Zohrabyan said.

With respect of the forthcoming elections, Zohrabyan shares the
Armenian president’s opinion that “we are still in a transitional
period, and political power must be separated from business.”

“This is the right approach because abuse of office is possible.

People may elect businessmen as well. As regards the ticket, it
will essentially be upgraded due to young people, with experienced
politicians to remain on the ticket, Zohrabyan said.

ANC-GLENDALE ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 WINTER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 2, 2011 – 13:34 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian National Committee of Glendale is now
accepting applications for the 2012 Winter Internship Program.

According to Burbank Leader, interns will the get the chance to network
with community leaders, participate in workshops, and will also have
opportunities to meet with city department officials, commissions,
media establishments and community based organizations.

The 2012 Winter Session of the ANCG Internship Program will begin on
January 4 and end on May 25, 2012. Applications for the internship are
available on the ANC Glendale Chapter website at
and through the ANCG headquarters. Applications must be postmarked by
Friday, December 23, 2011 to be considered for the Winter 2012 Session.

LEVON ARONYAN IN CHESS CLASSIC TOURNAMENT, LONDON

Panorama
Dec 1 2011
Armenia

Armenian GM Levon Aronyan will take part in Chess Classic tournament in
London, December 3-12, official news site of Armenian Chess Federation
said. According to the draw results, the participants got the following
order – 1. Short, 2. Kramnik, 3. Aronian, 4. Carlsen, 5.

Adams, 6. Anand, 7. Howell, 8. McShane, 9. Nakamura.

REMAINS OF FIRST ARMENIAN ILLUMINATORS TO BE BROUGHT TO ST. ETCHMIADZIN CATHEDRAL

news.am
Dec 1 2011
Armenia

On Saturday, the Armenian Apostolic Church will commemorate the
first Armenian illuminators, the Apostles Saint Thaddeus and Saint
Bartholomew.

And on that occasion, the Apostles’ remains, which are kept at the
Treasury of the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin, will be brought to the
St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, on Friday, and they will rest there until
Saturday evening.

A Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral, on Saturday, during
which those present will have the chance to pay homage to the Apostles’
remains.