Author: Kanayan Tamar

THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA CLASHES

Press TV, Iran
Feb 6 2015

Fri Feb 6, 2015 6:9PM

At least three people have been killed in clashes between Azeri and
Armenian forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman, Artsrun Hovannisian, said
on Friday that an Armenian was killed during Azeri forces’ shelling
of villages along the Karabakh border.

The second victim, a 25-year-old Armenian soldier, was killed by the
Azerbaijani fire in a separate incident along the Karabakh front line,
the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Separately, an Azerbaijani soldier lost his life in a shootout with
Armenian forces on Thursday.

Multiple confrontations between Baku and Yerevan over the disputed
mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh left tens of troops dead from
both sides last year.

The two ex-Soviet Caucasus nations claim the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh, which is located in Azerbaijan but largely populated
by Armenians.

Ethnic Armenian forces took control of the enclave, which accounts
for 16 percent of Azerbaijan territory, in the early 1990s during
a six-year war that took place from February 1988 to May 1994. The
conflict left an estimated 30,000 people dead and one million displaced
before the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in 1994. A permanent peace
accord has never been inked and the dispute still remains unsettled.

Azerbaijan has threatened to take back the region by force if
negotiations between the two sides fail to yield results.

IA/KA/SS

MOSCOW CONCERNED OVER SERIOUS DETERIORATION OF SITUATION IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH – LUKASHEVICH /UPDATES/

ITAR-TASS, Russia
February 5, 2015 Thursday 05:44 PM GMT+4

MOSCOW February 5.

Russia is concerned over the serious deterioration of the situation
in Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich
told a briefing on Thursday

“A very difficult situation persists on the contact line and on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border,” he said. “Still there are many cases
of violation of the ceasefire regime, armed clashes have become
more frequent and the activity of subversive-sabotage groups has
intensified.”

Lukashevich said that according to reports of the monitoring mission
of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
that are based on official source data, in January 2015 alone a total
of 12 people have been killed and 18 injured in the conflict zone. “It
is clear that the actual number of casualties may be considerably
higher,” he added.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads for decades over the
status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region inhabited almost
entirely by ethnic Armenians but which is located within Azerbaijan’s
internationally recognised borders.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that a statement made by
the troika of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group after a meeting with
the Azerbaijani foreign minister in Krakow on January 27 this year,
contains “an appeal to all the conflict sides to observe the ceasefire
agreements.” On Thursday, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are to meet
in Munich with the Armenian foreign minister to discuss the situation
on the contact line and on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“We strongly urge the sides to take efficient measures to de-escalate
tension and avoid taking steps that may escalate the conflict,”
the diplomat said. –0–ezh

YEREVAN BLAMES AZERI ARMY FOR SHELLING FRIENDLY VILLAGES

Interfax, Russia
Feb 5 2015

The Azeri Armed Forces shelled a number of friendly village at the
border with Armenia in the early hours of Thursday, Armenian Defense
Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan claimed.

“The Azeri village of Parakhli that is on the opposite side from the
villages of Baganis and Koti in the Tavush district of [northeastern]
Armenia was under the shelling from the Azeri positions starting from
10.40 p.m. (9.40 p.m. Moscow time). Mostly, tracer bullets were fired.

This is another provocation of the Azeri side,” Hovhannisyan wrote
on Facebook.

The Azeri army “continued to shell the villages of Parakhli and
Kushchi Airum” overnight, he said.

In turn, the Azeri Defense Ministry reported 70 violations of the
ceasefire regime by the Armenian army along the line of contact with
Azeri troops and said large-caliber machineguns were used.

The ministry said the hostile fire had been suppressed.

Tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone have been lingering
for several months. The sides are trading ceasefire breach accusations
daily.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) urged
Azerbaijan and Armenia on January 27 to exhibit self-restraint in
the Karabakh peace process.

“We called on Azerbaijan to observe its commitments to a peaceful
resolution of the conflict. We also call on Armenia to take all
measures to reduce tensions,” reads a statement by OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen issued after their meeting with the Azeri Foreign Minister.

“The rise in violence that began last year must stop for confidence
to be restored and progress to be made in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process,” the statement reads.

The OSCE emphasized the importance of measures that could prevent
unintended incidents between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
February 6, 2015 Friday 07:57 PM GMT+4

Russia and Armenia signed agreement on government loan for Armenian
Nuclear Power Plant upgrade

MOSCOW February 6.

. Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on financing the extension of
lifetime for the Armenian nuclear power plant, the official website of
the Armenian Government says

The document was signed during the working visit of the prime minister
of Armenia to Russia.

The lifetime extension activities will be funded by a $300 mln Russian
export credit.

Equipment repair, replacement and startup, preparation of operating
documents and staff retraining will be implemented in accordance with
the agreement.

The Armenian nuclear power plant, which is the only such plant in the
region, is situated approximately 30 km southward of the Armenian
capital Yerevan. –0–vnk

Investigative Committee Has No Data On Permyakov’s Intellectual Disability

Lragir.am
Law – 07 February 2015, 12:20

To check possible relationship between the members of the Avetisyan
family and the accused Valery Permyakov in Russia it has been found
out that Hasmik and Aida Avetisyan and Araksya Poghosyan did not leave
Armenia since 2005, Seryozha and Armen Avetisyan regularly visited
Russia, namely Moscow, Krasnodar, Anapa, Sochi and Rostov. Works for
checking this version are underway, the Investigative Committee
informed.

To find out the trajectory of Permyakov’s movement on 12 January 2015,
the Investigative Committee’s officers have drafted a map with the
canine unit of the RA Police.

The results of these activities are being juxtaposed with the records
of telephones found on Valery Permyakov and the data of telephone
stations serving the territory to clarify the possible route of
Permyakov’s movement and to find overlaps.

As to rumors on Valery Permyakov’s intellectual disorder, the
Investigative Committee states that there is no such information in
the criminal case. In addition, the Investigative Committee has made
inquiries in Russia requesting records on his health, medical
examinations during his service and information on their results. As
soon as the requested records are received, a forensic examination
will be performed, the press office of the Investigative Committee
informed.

American University of Armenia
Diana Manukyan | AUA PR Manager
Office of Communications
40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave. | Yerevan, 0019, Armenia
Tel: +374 60 612 522; Email: [email protected] |

The American University of Armenia (AUA) Embarks on California
Recruitment Tour

YEREVAN, Armenia – From February 15 to March 1, 2015, the American
University of Armenia (AUA)’s Director of Admissions, Arina Zohrabian, is
embarking on a multi-city recruitment tour throughout California to excite
and inspire young students to pursue their higher education at AUA.

The recruitment tour is being made possible by a generous donation from Mr.
Zaven Akian, a member of AUA’s Board of Trustees. He stated, =80=9CI am happy to
be able to sponsor the inaugural student recruitment tour for AUA. The
university is one of the most important investments we in the Diaspora can
make. The academic excellence, integrity and leadership skills the students
will learn will enable them to shape the future of our nation.’

Spreading the word about the abundant opportunities that AUA and Armenia
have to offer is the essential mission of the tour. Students have the
advantage of getting their education from a University of California (UC)
affiliated institution, making it very easy to transfer credits. AUA is
accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, meaning
students have assurance they are receiving a high quality education. AUA
has a diverse Western-educated faculty, the majority of which hold doctoral
degrees.

AUA students come from all over the world, and on a daily basis get to
enjoy the university’s many research centers and state-of-the-art
facilities, including the newly renovated AGBU Papazian Library and the
modern Paramaz Avedisian Building with fully equipped classrooms. In
addition to offering 8 master’s degrees, AUA launched its undergraduate
degree program in 2013, after which the number of applicants from outside
of Armenia tripled from the 2012-2013 school year.

Whether students are interested in getting a four-year degree or simply
wish to study abroad for a summer, semester or year, AUA’s opportunities
are growing by the day. The newly announced AUA-UCLA joint summer
intensive program in Armenian Studies provides the ideal experience for
students who wish to completely immerse themselves in Armenian language,
history and culture.

Ms. Zohrabian will be discussing the many benefits of attending AUA as she
makes stops at high schools and colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area,
Fresno and Southern California. Among other schools and colleges, she will
visit the Kruzian-Zekarian Armenian School in San Francisco, the AGBU
Manoogian-Demirdjian and Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High Schools in the Los
Angeles area, the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Los
Angeles and Irvine, the University of Southern California, Cal State
Fresno, and Glendale Community College. The tour will also include meetings
with Armenian churches, community members, and various chapters of the
Armenian Student Association.

Arina Zohrabian manages the strategy and operations for undergraduate and
graduate admissions, national and global outreach, and international
student services at AUA. Previously, she served as the Regional Director
for Education Programs and Country Director for the International Research
& Exchanges Board (IREX) Armenia office, managing and implementing higher
education programs funded by the US Department of State and other private
sources. Ms. Zohrabian moved to Yerevan in 2002 as a volunteer. What was
meant to be a one year trip evolved into a life-changing experience.

*Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private,
independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the
University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and
the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic
values.*

RICHARD MILLS OFFICIALLY SWORNS IN AS NEW US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

19:48, 06.02.2015

Richard Mills was officially sworn in as the new U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia during a ceremony in Washington, the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) reported.

ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Executive Director Aram Hamparian,
and Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian participated in
the ceremony.

As reported by ANCA, Richard Mills stressed US “solidarity” with all
Armenians on the Centennial.

Photo from ANCA Facebook account

IPM RESEARCH STUDY FINDS VTB BANK (ARMENIA) AS MOST RECOGNIZABLE IN COUNTRY

YEREVAN, February 6. / ARKA /. A study conducted by the IPM Research
in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan and four major cities found
the Russia-owned VTB Bank (Armenia) to be the most recognizable bank
across the country, the bank said in a press release today.

Some 1,200 people were surveyed. The respondents were asked questions
regarding the so-called Top of Mind awareness, a brand or specific
product coming first in customers’ minds when thinking of a particular
industry. The study also included other questions allowing to reveal
the overall situation regarding the image of Armenian banks, the
level of customer confidence in them, etc.

The results of the survey show that Top of Mind awareness indicator
of VTB Bank (Armenia) is higher than of other Armenia-based banks’
indicators. The study says that VTB Bank (Armenia) was indicated by
the majority of respondents as the most reliable bank in the country.

The bank was found also the leader in terms of the Marketing Asset
Index (MA index). The bank is generally described as reliable and
steady bank with high quality services and competent personnel.

The satisfaction rate is higher than any other bank in Armenia may
boast of.

The bank’s assets ) amounted to 379.6 billion drams as of the
end of 2014 (25.6% increase); its liabilities were 334.8bln drams
(26.3% growth), total capital – 44.7 bln drams (20.2% growth), loan
investments stood at about 244.3bln drams (11.6% increase). The 2014
profit of the bank amounted to 777.14 mln drams, as compared to 5.6bln
drams in 2013.

VTB Bank Armenia is owned fully by Russian VTB Group. ($1 – 476.51
drams). –

MERCOSUR WANTS TO EXPAND COOPERATION WITH EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION

12:26, 06 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Argentine Ambassador to Russia Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti says the
Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is an important partner for Argentina,
and Mercosur wants to continue developing cooperation with their
Eurasian partners. He also added that Russia is discussing new
investment opportunities with Argentina.

Mercosur countries see the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) as an
important partner and will continue to develop cooperation with it,
Argentine Ambassador to Russia Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti told RIA
Novosti.

According to the ambassador, Argentina facilitated significant
progress in reaching an agreement between Mercosur and the Eurasian
Economic Union in the last six months of 2014. A number of meetings
held in Moscow and Buenos Aires have led to the creation of a draft
cooperation agreement in the economic and trade spheres between the
two regional trading blocs.

“The EEU is an important partner for us and we are certain that
Mercosur will continue along the line of cooperation development. A
memorandum on mutual understanding will allow us to sit down and
discuss in more detail what exactly we want to achieve,” Tettamanti
told RIA Novosti.

GYUMRI MURDER: LAWYER SAYS HE IS TAKING SPECIFIC ACTIONS (VIDEO)

16:58 | February 6,2015 | Politics

Lawyer Yerem Sargsyan, who represents the interests of legal successors
of the slain Avetisyan family, said he is taking specific actions
within the framework of the criminal case.

Talking to Azdarar news agency, the lawyer said he is considering
all possible and impossible hypotheses regarding the case.

Six members of the Avetisyan family, including a two-year-old child,
were shot dead in their house in Gyumri in the morning of January 12.

A six-month-old baby, Seryozha Avetisyan, was hospitalized with stab
wounds. He died in hospital a week later. The main suspect of the
crime, Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of Russian Military Base N 102
stationed in Gyumri, was detained by Russian border guards late in
the same day while attempting to cross the Armenian-Turkish border
near Yerazgavors village in Armenia’s Shirak province.