Author: Kanayan Tamar

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP. VICE PRESIDENT COMING TO CHECK ARMENIA-MCA PROGRAM RESULTS

epress.am
09.30.2011 16:45

Vice President for Compact Operations of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, Patrick Fine, will visit Armenia Oct. 2-4 to review the
results of the five year US-funded MCA-Armenia Program. During his
visit he will meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, senior
officials of the Government of Armenia, farmer beneficiaries, donor
partners, and private sector and civil society representatives,
according to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Armenia today.

In 2006, the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
and the Government of the Republic of Armenia signed a Compact with
the objective of reducing rural poverty through a sustainable increase
in the economic performance of the agricultural sector. Since its
completion on Sept. 29, 2011, the MCC grant investment of nearly
$177 million USD in the MCA-Armenia program has benefitted over
420,000 rural residents in around 350 communities across Armenia by
refurbishing major sections of the country’s main canal systems,
modernizing some of the most urgently needed pumping stations,
introducing new gravity irrigation schemes, re-building tertiary
canals and restoring sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system.

The MCA-Armenia program has also trained over 45,000 farmers in
improved agriculture practices, delivering technical assistance to
water supply institutions, and providing $8.5 million USD in credit
to farmers and small agribusinesses to support the program objectives,
reads the statement.

Subject: Millennium Challenge Corp. Vice President Coming To Check
Armenia-MCA Program Results

Millennium Challenge Corp. Vice President Coming to Check Armenia-MCA
Program Results

09.30.2011 16:45 epress.am

Vice President for Compact Operations of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, Patrick Fine, will visit Armenia Oct. 2-4 to review the
results of the five year US-funded MCA-Armenia Program. During his
visit he will meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, senior
officials of the Government of Armenia, farmer beneficiaries, donor
partners, and private sector and civil society representatives,
according to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Armenia today.

In 2006, the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
and the Government of the Republic of Armenia signed a Compact with
the objective of reducing rural poverty through a sustainable increase
in the economic performance of the agricultural sector. Since its
completion on Sept. 29, 2011, the MCC grant investment of nearly
$177 million USD in the MCA-Armenia program has benefitted over
420,000 rural residents in around 350 communities across Armenia by
refurbishing major sections of the country’s main canal systems,
modernizing some of the most urgently needed pumping stations,
introducing new gravity irrigation schemes, re-building tertiary
canals and restoring sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system.

The MCA-Armenia program has also trained over 45,000 farmers in
improved agriculture practices, delivering technical assistance to
water supply institutions, and providing $8.5 million USD in credit
to farmers and small agribusinesses to support the program objectives,
reads the statement.

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT BEGINS PROPAGATION OF RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
By Armine Tokhmakhyan and Jason Sohigian

hetq
12:15, September 30, 2011

YEREVAN–The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has
been publishing its “Red List of Threatened Species” since 1963. The
IUCN is the world’s main authority on the conservation status of
plant and animal species, and the Red List is published periodically
as the most comprehensive inventory available. A series of regional
Red Lists are produced by countries and organizations to assess the
risk of extinction to species within a smaller geographic area.

The Ministry of Nature Protection released its own two-volume “Red
Book of Plants and Animals of the Republic of Armenia” in 2010. “The
country’s attractiveness and public welfare are directly linked
with the splendor and richness of its natural heritage,” writes Aram
Harutyunyan, Armenia’s Minister of Nature Protection, in the preface
to the publication. “The production of the Red Book is another step
forward in the preservation and recovery of the region’s biodiversity.”

There are approximately 3,600 plant species in Armenia, and 123 are
endemic or found nowhere else on the planet. According to the authors,
these plants may become endangered because of a number of influences
including deforestation, the overuse of resources like water, and
development of land which provides habitats for plants and animals.

The new Red Book includes information about 452 plant and 40 fungus
species that are rare, along with information on 223 plant species
that are in danger of extinction.

“In response to the concern over the loss of native plants,Armenia
Tree Projecthas a policy of growing only indigenous trees in its three
nurseries,” explains Samvel Ghandilyan, ATP’s Nursery Program manager.

The only exception to this is “naturalized” trees, which were
introduced long ago, have not been observed to have a negative impact
on the local ecosystem, and provide an added benefit of food security
(fruit and nut trees).

“An ecosystem is a community of plants, animals, and smaller organisms
that live, feed, and interact within the same physical components of
an area or environment, including the soil, water, and sunlight. When
you introduce plant species that are not native to the area, there is
a risk that the local ecosystem will be negatively affected, creating
a less suitable environment for local species,” adds Ghandilyan. “In
recent years we’ve noticed that many native species that comprise
our local ecosystem have either vanished or drastically reduced
in numbers. Native and naturalized species possess certain traits
that make them more likely to thrive under local conditions without
negative impacts, which is why ATP has made this a priority in our
nursery and tree planting programs.”

“ATP started to pay special attention to the propagation of endangered
species of plants at our nursery in Karin. These include nine trees
and shrubs that are registered as rare in the Red Book and two that
are in danger of extinction,” Ghandilyan says. “These are Alpine Maple
or Acer Thrautvetteri, and Halfsphere Rose or Rosa Gaenuspherica.”

“Our nurseries serve the communities of Armenia by providing fruit
and decorative trees to more than 900 planting sites,” explains Areg
Maghakian, ATP Deputy Director of Operations. “As a result of this
work, we will soon be able to observe some of the species included in
the Red Book in the parks, churches, and schools throughout Armenia.”

ATP’s next ambitious initiative is the restoration of Armenian Heritage
Fruit Trees. In the past, Armenia had numerous varieties of apple,
peach, and apricot trees. These fruit trees are now rare and measures
are being taken to preserve the heritage trees from disappearance.

“Last year we started to produce Heritage Fruit Trees at ATP’s Karin
and Khachpar nurseries,” adds Maghakian. “In 2010, we successfully
grafted Parvana and Shaqareni apple, Malacha and Dzmernuk pear, and
Yerevani and Sateni apricot trees, which will be delivered to community
planting sites in coming years. As part of our mission to re-green
Armenia, ATP has a commitment to preserve our precious biodiversity
by planting native and endangered trees all over the country.”

ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees
to improve their standard of living and protect the environment,
guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the
fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP’s
three major programs are tree planting, environmental education, and
sustainable development initiatives. For more information about ATP,
please visit the web site

KARABAKH PRESIDENT DISCUSSES ARMY BUILDING ISSUE

Tert.am
19:26 30.09.11

Bako Sahakyan, President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, chaired a
meeting of the NKR Security Council Friday which discussed issues
related to army building process.

According to a press release by the Karabakh presidential
administration, Sahakyan noted that the Defense Army is the main
guarantee of Karabakh’s security.

Sahakyan also said that improving the combat readiness of Karabakh’s
army is one of the priorities of the state building process.

Further, Bako Sahakyan gave concrete assignments to the Government
and Defense Ministry for proper implementation of the issues discussed
at the meeting.

The Security Council also discussed issues related to organization of
solemn events in connection with the Victory holiday, 20th anniversary
of the Karabakh Republic Defense Army and liberation of Shoushi.

President Sahakyan assigned the Cabinet of Ministers to form a
governmental commission on the organization and coordination of such
solemn events.

ARMENIA – YOUR PARTNER 2011 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC EXHIBITION OPENS IN YEREVAN
Hasmik Dilanyan

“Radiolur”
30.09.2011 17:32

“Armenia – Your Partner 2011” international economic exhibition opened
in Yerevan today and will continue through October 2.

About 200 local and foreign companies representing the fields of
healthcare, agriculture, insurance, tourism, industry, innovation
and information technologies participate in the exhibition.

Greeting the participants of the exhibition, Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan expressed confidence that it will provide the local producers
with an opportunity to present their production and services to their
foreign counterparts.

“The exhibition is a platform for local companies to sign
cooperation agreements with their partners, expanding the framework
of cooperation. The exhibition will also help us sum up the path
passed during the 20 years of independence, reveal the strong and
week aspects of the economic field,” the Prime Minister said.

Companies from Russia, Iran, Georgia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic
and Great Britain participate in the event. The exhibition also
allows the investors to study the Armenian market and negotiate new
investment programs.

Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan advised the organizers to provide
privileges to local producers. The Minister is confident there are
a lot of high-quality Armenian products, which the consumers do not
know about.

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE MARKED IN MONTREAL

Aysor.am
Friday,September 30

As part of Bonjour l’Armenie program, Montreal Mayor’s Office hosted
a solemn reception dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence on September 22.

Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Ambassador of Armenia to
Canada Armen Yeganyan and Mayor of Montreal Gerald Tremblay.

Montreal’s Garni Dance Ensemble performed at the event.

The reception was attended by members of the Municipal Council, heads
of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Montreal, Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese, representatives of the
Armenian community.

IRAN EQUIPS ARMED FORCES WITH ADVANCED MISSILE SYSTEM

Tert.am
12:54 30.09.11

A new advanced medium-range missile system entitled ‘Mersad’ has been
delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces’ air defense
units, IRNA news agency reported.

Acting Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Headquarters Brigadier
General Ali Reza Sabahi-Fard said that Mersad missile system has been
designed and produced by Iranian engineers and experts.

‘The control and command center of the missile system is fully digital,
advanced and equipped with simulators and integrated information
network in air defense system for tracking the targets,” he added.

PROPOSITION POUR LA CREATION D’UN MUSEE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN EN URUGUAY
[email protected]

armenews.com
vendredi 30 septembre 2011
GENOCIDE

Le senateur Raphaël Michelini (Nuevo Espacio) a presente une
proposition avec le depute Ruben Martínez Huelmo (Espacio 609)
afin d’ajouter au budget urugayen les credits necessaires pour la
creation du Musee du Genocide Armenien. Ils projettent de consulter
le Ministère urugayen de l’Education et de la Culture.

YEREVAN RESIDENTS TASTE LARGEST STRUDEL OF CAUCASUS

news.am
Sept 29 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenia Marriott Hotel and Austrian Airlines have offered
Armenian capital Yerevan~Rs residents the chance to taste the largest
strudel (an Austrian layered pastry). The strudel, which is 36 meters
long and weighs 150 kilograms, can be tasted on Thursday until 6
p.m. by visiting Armenia Marriott Hotel and paying 500 drams ($1.35
US) for one piece.

Three chefs worked on this pastry for 4 days, and then they attached
its pieces at the hotel~Rs open-air café and received the 36-meter
strudel.

All taste testers are also given coupons which will be played in a
raffle at 6 p.m., and the winners will receive many prizes. The grand
prix prizes are 2 airplane tickets to Vienna and a holiday at Vienna
Marriott Hotel.

This is a traditional event, and it is held for the 5th year.

ARMENIAN, FRENCH LEADERS GREET ARTISTS BEHIND STAGE OF AZNAVOUR’S CONCERT

news.am
Sept 29 2011
Armenia

PARIS.- Presidents of France and Armenia – Nicolas Sarkozy and Serzh
Sargsyan – attended on Wednesday a charitable concert of Charles
Aznavour in Olympia concert hall, La Depeche du Midi writes.

After the concert, the two leaders accompanied by French Minister of
Culture Frederic Mitterrand welcomed the artists behind the stage.

The concert was devoted to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

The benefit from the concert will be allocated to Aznavour to Armenia
charitable foundation.

Benabar, Julien Clerc, Liane Foly, Patrick Fiori, Helène Segara,
Amel Bent, comedians Laurent Gerra and Michel Leeb, musician Andre
Manoukian, Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian and pianist Vardan Mamikonian
joined the maestro.

ARMENIAN DUDUK IN KALUGA’S PHILHARMONIC

news.am
sept 29 2011
Armenia

KALUGA. – In Kaluga’s regional philharmonic the season opened on
Wednesday.

“We are planning to include Babajanyan, Spendiaryan, the Armenian
duduk will also be included, not in the wedding form but in a different
style,” said the director of the philharmonic Vadim Prikladovskiy. The
mass media informs that the spectator will meet Artur Mikoyan’s ballet,
informs the Yerkramas newspaper.