Author: Kanayan Tamar

EBRD WANTS MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH MINING LICENSES IN ARMENIA

news.am
Aram Gareginyan
July 09, 2012 | 10:17

In his interview to Armenian News – NEWS.am, the EBRD for the Caucasus,
Moldova and Belarus office Director Paul-Henri Forestier shares his
views on the potential of the mining sector in Armenia.

Do you think that the regulatory environment and access to credit
have been sufficient for the private sector in Armenia over the last
few years?

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone for a
healthy and well functioning economy and EBRD always supports the
development of the SMEs sector. Our direct involvement is predicated
upon financial transparency, which unfortunately is often lacking. We
also support this sector indirectly through SME credit lines with our
local partner banks. In natural resources area, one is not dealing
with SMEs, but large projects. For EBRD to finance such projects the
company has to meet both Armenian regulatory requirements and the
EBRD’s corporate governance and environmental standards.

Do you think that the mining sector in Armenia is generally compliant
to the EBRD requirements?

I can talk only about the projects which we would consider financing.

On one such project, we are currently waiting for the Ministry of
Nature Protection to approve the Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) but we are surprised and somewhat disappointed with the recent
announcement that they require another 230 days to make a decision.

The Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), which is
required by the EBRD for financing this project should be finalized
in July and should enable us to assess whether this project meets our
very high standards. Delaying the start up of this project without
proper justifications can send wrong signals to the market with
negative implications on the FDI.

So far, you’ve had only one partner in the mining sector in Armenia –
Lydian International. Does the EBRD have any plans in increasing its
equity portfolio?

Currently Lydian is our only mining partner in Armenia. We are
confident that they would only operate under high environmental
standards. Should this be demonstrated, we would be prepared to
consider financing the Amulsar project. We do not currently have in
our pipeline more equity investments in the mining sector in Armenia.

Are you happy with the engagement of civil society? Are the NGO’s
competent and adequate enough?

We always engage with NGO’s and have a very healthy dialogue with
them. We also expect from NGOs to demonstrate the same transparency
which we expect from our clients.

Is EBRD planning to embark on other large-scale infrastructure
projects, after a major project of construction of a new terminal at
Zvartnots international airport?

The Bank recently has approved its new strategy
for Armenia, you can see the full strategy on
. The main
strategic priorities that Bank is going to focus are as follows:

Developing the financial sector and improving access to finance. The
Bank will focus on providing its traditional SME and micro-finance
lines targeting areas outside the capital city and facilitating access
to credit for SMEs in the rural areas. In rural areas, the EBRD will
launch agricultural credit lines in local currency.

Improving municipal and urban transport infrastructure. The Bank will
support the water and waste water sectors introducing cost-reflective
tariff structures, improving service availability, as well as urban and
municipal transport reforms including the introduction of integrated
transport management and ticketing systems, better parking management
and regulation of feeder bus and minibus services.

Developing agribusiness and high value-added, export-oriented
industrial companies. The Bank will identify investments in
industries with export potential, including in areas highlighted by
the authorities’ recent program of export promotion. EBRD will aim
to support the agricultural sector by targeting investments along
the whole value chain.

Improving the regulatory and institutional framework for sustainable
energy and increasing value-added in the mining sector. The Bank
will support investments in financially viable renewable energy
projects and, through partner banks, continue to finance energy
efficiency credit lines for industrial and residential users. The
Bank will support power generation, particularly new entrants and
non-state participants, and will consider participating in regional
electricity infrastructure projects that strengthen competition in the
regional electricity market. The Bank will support bankable mining
operations with reputable investors who demonstrate high standards
of environmental and social protection.

Armenia’s medium-term prospects depend to a large extent on
the authorities’ ability to create conditions for investment and
productivity improvements. In the coming years, the Bank will continue
its policy dialogue with the authorities on improving the business
environment in Armenia. Through the Bank-funded Business Support
Office, the public-private dialogue will be strengthened and expanded
to deal effectively with various issues that impede doing business
in Armenia.

NEW GOVERNOR APPOINTED IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI

news.am
July 09, 2012 | 12:33

Ivane Tsiklauri was appointed governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti province
of Georgia was changed instead of Lasha Chkadua.

Lasha Chkadua moved for work in the newly created employment ministry.

“I left the regional administration due to personal reasons. I am
appointed a deputy minister in a new ministry,” Chkadua said.

Ivane Tsiklauri was formally appointed on July 6. He had previously
held various posts in the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, was
also chief of police department in Samtskhe-Javakheti, News.ge reports.

Javakheti-is an Armenian-populated part of Georgia’s southeastern
Samtskhe-Javakheti Province.

THE ELYSEE PALACE CONFIRMED THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION: HOLLANDE WILL NOT REFUSE THE BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

French President Francois Hollande has phoned representatives of
France’s Armenian community to reassure them that he plans a new law
which would criminalise denial of the Armenian genocide. Radio France
International writes about this.

According to the source Hollande phoned representatives of the
Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France on Saturday,
to clarify his position after confusion following statements by his
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Thursday.

The CCAF had talked of “betrayal”, after Fabius said that France
and Turkey were entering a “new stage” in their relationship, and he
appeared to suggest that the Socialist-majority government would not
go ahead with a new bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide.

“Francois Hollande has again expressed his willingness to propose
a bill designed to curb the denial of the Armenian genocide, as he
had said during his campaign and even before,” the group now says in
a communique.

The Elysee Palace confirmed the telephone conversation, saying the
president would adhere to the commitment he made during the campaign.

“There is no change, although we must find a path, a road that allows
for a text that is consistent with the constitution.”

The bill of criminalization of Armenian Genocide was accepted by French
Senate and Parliament. But the bill was announced anti-constitutional
by the Constitutional Council of France. If the bill was accepted
the one who denied Armenian Genocide publically in the territory of
France would be fined with 45.000 Euros and would be sentenced for
a year. The bill-maker deputy Valerie Boyer announced that she would
work out another bill.

SHARMAZANOV RESPONDS: “IT’S AZERBAIJAN THAT CONTINUES TO OCCUPY DISTRICTS OF ARTSAKH”

hetq
15:08, July 9, 2012

At a joint press conference today in Baku with OSCE Secretary General
Lamberto Zannier, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov stated
that if Armenian forces withdrew from the “occupied” territories the
problem of sniper fire and armed incursions would stop.

In response, RA National Assembly Vice-President Edward Sharmazanov
stated that, true to form, Azerbaijani authorities continue to distort
the truth which is that Baku continues to occupy certain districts
of the Artsakh Republic, namely Getashen, Martounashen and Shahoumyan.

“Azerbaijani snipers periodically fire on peaceful residents and in
the direction of kindergartens. It’s the Azerbaijani side that must
assume the full responsibility of the lack of serious progress in
the settlement negotiations,” Sharmazanov stated.

ABOUT 100 TENNIS PLAYERS ARRIVED IN YEREVAN TO TAKE PART IN “AMERIA CUP”

ARMENPRESS
9 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenia Tennis Federation and
International Tennis Federation (ITF) are organizing an “Ameria Cup”
level professional tennis tournament for men on 9-14 July, in Yerevan.

So the group of Ameria companies have established a prize fund of US
15 000 Dollars. Ameria Bank informed Armenpress, that 100 tennis
players have arrived in Yerevan from more than 15 countries – Russia,
the Czech Republic, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, Austria,
India.

Khachatur Khachatryan and Ashot Gevorgyan from Armenian Tennis team of
men will take part in the “Ameria Cup”. It is the first time for
Tigran Martirosyan, who will participate in the professional
tournament, he lived in the United States for the recent years, he
will be involved in the Armenian tennis team for men.

The tournament will be judged by the referees of International Tennis
Federation, among them are Grigor Davtyan and Arsen Movsisyan, who are
the only white badge referees in the region. The general referee of
the tournament will be silver referee Pavel Lisovcev, who is the first
time in Armenia.

There will be an opportunity to follow the tournament games online for
the first time via tennisarmenia.am web site by the Live Scoring
program, which is used by the International Tennis Federation.

RUSSIA IS READY TO BECOME THE GUARANTOR OF AGREEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH: CHAIRMAN OF STATE DUMA

ARMENPRESS
9 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: Russia is ready to be the guarantor of the
agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict if there is found such solution
to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which will be satisfactory for the sides
of the conflict. Armenpress reports that about this declared Chairman
of Russian State Duma Sergey Narishkin during the meeting with students
in Baku. “Russia has always been for security and stability in South
Caucasus. In that context the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
has great importance. The position of Russia has not changed. We
are sure that that issue will be settled if the interests of the
sides are satisfied. Russia is ready to become the guarantor of such
agreement. But the responsibility of the settlement of the conflict
continues to be on Armenia and Azerbaijan” said Narishkin.

“We have always introduced our position on unacceptability of use
of force and treat. I am optimistic and hope that conflict will have
peace settlement” said Narishkin.

DEPUTY SPEAKER: AZERBAIJAN TO USE ALL MEANS TO LIBERATE LANDS

Trend
July 9 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan will use all possible means and will even if necessary
resort to military actions to liberate its lands, Azerbaijani First
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov said at a meeting with
OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier in Baku today.

“OSCE, the UN Security Council, the European Union, Council of Europe
and other influential international organizations are willing to
help in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for 20 years,” he
said. “We must understand one thing. The problem will not be resolved
till the difference between aggressor and those who have experienced
this aggression is determined. The most important thing is to increase
pressure on Armenia as an aggressor country. Otherwise, Armenia will
continue ignoring the decisions of international organizations. It
will not fulfill them either.”

OSCE Secretary General appreciated the relations between Azerbaijan
and OSCE. Continuing status quo on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can
not continue. It must be changed, he said.

Zannier has also expressed concern about the events occurring at
the contact line of the troops. He stressed the OSCE has prepared a
proposal to strengthen monitoring at the contact line and withdraw
snipers.

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.

TURKEY’S ROLE IMPORTANT IN SETTLEMENT OF DECADES-LONG NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today’s Zaman
July 8 2012
Turkey

Turkey’s role in the settlement of the decades-long Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict between Turkey’s closest ally, Azerbaijan, and its estranged
neighbor Armenia is very important, an Azerbaijani official has said,
pointing out that the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh should predate
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.

“Reconciliation and the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia
can be a subject of discussion only after the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Orkhan Akbarov, the newly appointed chair
of the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh Coordination Council,
said in an interview with Sunday’s Zaman.

Commenting on Turkey’s firm stance in the process of settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Akbarov said that Turkey taking a stand
in not opening the Turkish-Armenian border already proves Turkey’s
position and its support for brother country Azerbaijan.

Turkey and Azerbaijan are considered “brotherly countries” due to
their ethnic kinship, a fact that led Turkey to close its border with
Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with Azerbaijan after Armenian armed
forces occupied territories of Azerbaijan one year earlier.

“Turkey’s continuing support for Azerbaijan and its consistent
statements that it regards settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as
a precondition for the revival of diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Armenia makes Turkey’s position clear,” Akbarov said, expressing
his belief that Turkey will continue to support Azerbaijan on the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Armenia, which started a war with Azerbaijan during the breakup of
the Soviet Union and occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory,
including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent provinces, argues
that Turkey has no say in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as it is
not one of the sides to the conflict. However, Turkey has always
backed Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, declaring itself
to be on Azerbaijan’s side and standing by Azerbaijan in Azerbaijan’s
legitimate and constructive position in the settlement of the conflict.

Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave located within Azerbaijan predominantly
populated by ethnic Armenians, together with seven Azeri-populated
adjacent territories, was occupied by Armenian forces under the
command of current Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan in a bloody
six-year war (1988-1994), leaving 30,000 dead and nearly a million
displaced. Since then, negotiations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict have been continuing under the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, established in 1992. The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict however remains stalemated as there has been
no progress in negotiations. The talks under the OSCE Minsk Group have
yet to yield any results, as both Azerbaijan and Armenia insist on
conditions that are not acceptable to the other. Armenia demands the
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and refuses to withdraw its troops
from the occupied territories before ensuring the full sovereignty
of the region. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan insists on the upholding of its
territorial integrity, promising it will be open to discussion as
well as determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh after the
withdrawal the troops from its territories.

Commenting on the stalemate, Akbarov accuses Russia and France of not
being willing parties in settling the conflict. “As Russia does not
approach the settlement process constructively and France maintains a
pro-Armenian stance in the negotiations, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
remains unsettled for the time being,” Akbarov said, adding that
Turkey’s inclusion as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group would be
important. “To have a balance in the [OSCE Minsk] group is necessary
and I think, if the member countries come together to cooperate with
Turkey as co-chair of the group, it will help the Nagorno-Karabakh to
find its best solution ever,” Akbarov said, underlining that Turkey’s
inclusion in the Minsk Group would lead to a peaceful solution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict being finally found.

Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks have been conducted under the auspices
of the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the US, France and Russia.

ANKARA COOL TO FRENCH MOVE ON ‘GENOCIDE’

Hurriyet Daily News
July 9 2012
Turkey

Ankara remains calm and cool-headed after French President confirms
plans for a new law criminalizing the denial of Armenian genocide
allegations.

French President Francois Hollande’s promise to the strong Armenian
diaspora to pass a law penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide
is seen an attempt to alleviate their concerns in the wake of the
normalization of ties between Ankara and Paris.

“We pay more attention to the statement of French Foreign Minister
Laurent Fabius,” a Turkish foreign ministry official said yesterday,
obviously referring to a meeting between the two countries’ foreign
ministers on July 5 in Paris. The meeting between Fabius and Ahmet
Davutoglu marked a new beginning between the two allies after their
relations ruined during Nicholas Sarkozy’s presidency.

During the joint press conference, Fabius recalled that earlier
attempt to penalize the denial of the genocide was annulled by the
French Constitutional Council and severely hurt bilateral relations.

He added that a fresh attempt at the Parliament would mean
re-experiencing these bitter times.

Hollande confirmed on July 7 plans for a new law criminalizing denial
of the Armenian genocide allegations, showing the rift between Elysee
and the Cabinet. Hollande’s conservative predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy
had pushed ahead with a bill to criminalize denial of the Armenian
genocide allegations, which passed the National Assembly in December
2011, but was canceled by a top constitutional court.

MINISTER VIEWS IRAN-ARMENIA TIES AS “ROLE MODEL” FOR NEIGHBORING STATES

Fars News Agency
July 9 2012
Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar lauded
the close and age-old ties between Iran and Armenia, and stressed
that the friendly relations between the two neighboring states have
set a role model for the other countries.

“The friendly relations between Iran and Armenia are rooted in the
two nations’ old civilization and can be a capital for the further
deepening of ties and establishment of brilliant relations and set a
role model for the other neighboring countries,” Mohammad Najjar said,
speaking to reporters prior to his visit to Yerevan this morning.

“Fortunately the two countries’ relations are very vast, friendly
and durable and the two states’ authorities are determined to promote
all-out ties. The two nations, too, enjoy historical interests, good
neighborliness and the political, economic and social ties are very
well,” the Iranian minister added.

Reiterating that nothing can undermine the two countries’ relations,
the Iranian minister said, “In addition, Iran and Armenia’s borders
are borders of peace and stability. People of the two countries have
a positive look at each other.”

In similar remarks on Sunday, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister for
Security and Law Enforcement Affairs Ali Abdollahi had said that Iran
and Armenia plan to further increase mutual cooperation in security,
counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics fields.

Abdollahi further expressed Iran’s readiness to transfer its experience
to neighboring countries such as Armenia in the fields of training
police forces and fighting drugs, terrorism and organized crimes.

Iran has long taken various diplomatic initiatives to expand its ties
with the neighboring states.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and to enhance ties in commerce
and economy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Armenian counterpart
Serzh Sargsian pledged in December 2011 to further expand “high-level
relations” between their nations and, in particular, give new impetus
to the implementation of joint energy projects that have fallen
behind schedule.