Author: Karapetian Hovik

EBRD AND AMERIABANK TO SIGN AGREEMENT FOR CO-FINANCING BIG BUSINESS

Arminfo
23.02.2010

Arminfo.In early Mar 2010 EBRD and Ameriabank will sign a $10mln
agreement for co-financing big business, says Head of EBRD Yerevan
Office Valeriu Razlog.

He says that EBRD is implementing a similar program with HSBC Bank
Armenia, Anelik Bank, Armeconombank, Araratbank, Byblos Bank Armenia.

Razlog says that he would call this program co-financing of
medium-sized rather than large business.

According to the Ranking of Commercial Banks of Armenia prepared by
the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), as of Jan 1 2010
Ameriabank was among the ten leading commercial banks of the country
with 67.8bln AMD credit portfolio (4th place). 24.6% of the loans
(16.7bln AMD) is provided to the industry. The majority shareholder
of Ameriabank (99.9% stake) is TDA Holdings Limited, affiliate of
Troika Dialog.

IRANIAN MILLE MAJLIS SPEAKER: TEHRAN WILL DO ITS BEST TO SOLVE THE KARABAKH CRISIS

ArmInfo
2010-02-22 11:47:00

ArmInfo. Iran’s Majlis Speaker Dr Ali Larijani in a meeting with his
Azerbaijani counterpart, Ogtai Asadov, said on Saturday that rapid
settlement of Karabakh crisis is a matter of collective interest for
regional countries. Larijani said collective efforts by the regional
countries are a crucial step in solving the crisis in Karabakh,
IRNA reported.

The speaker of the Iranian Majlis said Iran’s strategy is based on
development of economic ties with neighboring countries. Given the
vast capabilities of both Iran and Azerbaijan in the fields of energy,
industry and economy, Dr Ali Larijani said there can be a sharp rise
in commercial exchanges between Tehran and Baku in line with mutual
interests.

Larijani also said that promoting peace in the region is one of
the strategic policies of Iran and it will do its best to solve the
Karabakh crisis.

Asadov, for his part, said his country favors development of friendly
and brotherly ties with Iran. Characterizing Iran as a country with
a long history and rich culture, he said the big powers were the
main cause of Karabakh crisis. He highlighted that Baku supports
peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of the territorial
integrity principle.

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New York, NY 10016
Tel. 646-424-9594
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2010 Watch Sites

CURRENT WATCH SITE

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JAMES
Old City of Jerusalem

Entering the cobblestone alleys of the Cathedral of St. James is a journey
back in time. The large patriarchal monastery of St. James was built during
the 12th century on the remains of a 5th-century Georgian church, on a site
that was identified as the burial place of the first bishop of Jerusalem
(St. James Minor). Resting in the southwestern corner of the Old City of
Jerusalem, the structure is one of the few cathedrals from the Crusades to
have survived almost intact. As early as 1195, St. James served as a refuge
for the Armenian poor when a large hospice was attached to the church. Local
Armenian merchants worked to beautify and enlarge the monastery through the
centuries. This close relationship between the cathedral and the Armenian
community was further solidified in the 17th century, when the cathedral was
designated the seat of the Armenian Christian Church, around which the
Armenian quarter of Jerusalem was established. Building activities
intensified after the 1840s, and by the end of the 19th century the
cathedral was reputed for its architectural ornament and its collection of
jeweled vestments and manuscripts. After the first genocide and Soviet
dominance of Armenia, St. James became a spiritual and cultural center of
great importance for the Armenian diaspora.

This sacred place of history, identity, and unity is threatened by
structural problems and deterioration of the elaborate interiors.

Conservation and long-term management are sought to preserve the cathedral
and to facilitate visitation and religious pilgrimage to the site, as well
as to promote dialogue in a place so troubled by conflict yet so rife with
shared history.

`Yereven My Love’: Prince Charles Hosts Dinner to Celebrate British
and Armenian Charities at Windsor Castle

ven-my-love%e2%80%99-prince-charles-hosts-dinner-t o-celebrate-british-and-armenian-charities-at-wind sor-castle/
By Asbarez Staff on Feb 19th, 2010

LONDON – An historic charity event in support of Armenian and British
charities took place at the Windsor Castle on 10 February hosted by
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Project initiator and main benefactor Armen Sarkissian, former Prime
Minister of Armenia and President of Eurasia House International,
welcomed more than 200 guests from around the world with the Royal
couple.

`I think I can say with some certainty that it is the first time in
Windsor Castle’s nearly one thousand year history that there has been
an Anglo-Armenian celebration,’ said the Prince of Wales in his
remarks.

`Yerevan-My-Love’ is a heritage-led regeneration project dedicated to
preserving architecturally significant buildings in Yerevan and
putting them to use to improve the life experience of disabled
children, young people and disadvantaged families.

`The projects that we are supporting today combine both elements of
our rich cultural heritage: the physical restoration of
architecturally significant buildings and the centrality of human
community, especially children,’ explained Armen Sarkissian, former
Prime Minister of Armenia and initiator of the fundraising, who has
been working with HRH The Prince of Wales closely and his charities.

The fundraising will support the reconstruction of four buildings: two
of them in Yerevan’s Kond district and two in the centre. Once
completed and fully furnished with facilities and equipment, one of
the Kond buildings will be used to house a nursery for deaf and mute
children from deprived families and the other will serve as a centre
for single mothers with children. The other two buildings in the
centre will become a music school for national instruments for
deprived children and youth. The school will be run by world famous
master duduk player Djivan Gasparyan, who was an orphan himself and
grew up under the care and tutelage of musicians and artists of his
time.

Members of the royal family, dignitaries, world renowned political,
cultural and civic leaders, and senior executives of global
corporation, including Areva, HSBC, Barclay’s Bank, Merrill Lynch,
Elettronica, attended this unique charity event. A high level
delegation from Armenia was headed by President Serge Sargsyan and His
Holiness Catholicos Garegin II of All Armenians, the Mayor of Yerevan
and Armenia’s Foreign Minister.

Master duduk player Djivan Gasparyan and his grandson Djivan Jr.
played the opening piece of the concert with the Philharmonia
Orchestra (Hans Zimmer’s opening theme from the film Gladiator),
conducted by young artists Sergey Smbatyan (Yerevan) of the National
Youth Orchestra of Armenia. Young violinist Mikhail Simonyan (New
York), internationally recognized as one of the most celebrated
talents of his generation, performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto,
first movement. Mezzo-soprano Dariga Nazarbayeva (Almaty) sang `O del
mio dolce ardour’ by Gluck and a selection of Armenian and Kazakh folk
songs; followed by Aram Khachaturian’s Adagio from Spartacus &
Phrygia.

The encore was Roever Korb’s `Highland Cathedral’ played by the
traditional Scottish bagpipe. This was a surprise piece requested by
the Prince of Wales for Armen Sarkissian as a gesture of his
appreciation. Turning to Armen and Nouneh Sarkissian, The Prince said:
`I could not be more grateful to you for your wonderful vision, energy
and generosity’.

The Prince of Wales underlined that `it is an occasion to strengthen
further the strong ties between the United Kingdom and Armenia’. He
expressed his admiration for Armenia as the oldest Christian nation in
the world and `for its vast and unique architectural heritage’. He
drew the attention of the guests to the fact that it is `a challenge
to care for this `open air museum’, that is so much a part of the soul
of the country, and to continue the tradition it has established.
This is why I am so delighted to be giving this dinner to support the
charity, `Yerevan My Love’, which will help with the redevelopment and
revitalization of some of the oldest parts of the city in a way that
preserves and continues traditional Armenian architecture and
craftsmanship. Perhaps this approach will also provide an example and
model to be adopted elsewhere in Armenia’.

In explaining the connection of the two charities, The Prince of Wales
said `Both projects are examples of what I call heritage-led
regeneration – using the rich architectural and craft heritage that
both Armenia and the United Kingdom are so fortunate to have to
inspire and lift the spirits and also to enhance communities by
creating employment and prosperity.’

Some three years ago the Prince of Wales had managed to save a unique
historic house and estate in South-West Scotland, together with its
contents. `Dumfries House, as it is called,’ said the Prince, `had
retained, remarkably, much of the furniture commissioned for it from
Thomas Chippendale and from the wonderful contemporary Edinburgh
furniture makers William Mathie, Alexander Peter and Francis Brodie’.
By forestalling the separate sales of the House and its contents to
private bidders, His Royal Highness has assured that the House and its
unique collection of furniture have been `preserved as an entity for
the nation and future generations, not only so that people can visit
and enjoy the art, craftsmanship and beauty, but also so that saving
the House can act as a catalyst for the economic regeneration of the
whole local area’.

In his address, Armen Sarkissian put the two charities and the event
itself in a broader context. `The world is becoming smaller and
increasingly more burdened with human conflicts, economic challenges
and environmental concerns,’ he said and asked: `What kind of future
do we want for our children? In the end, I believe, this is the
biggest question’. Along with a cleaner and sustainable environment,
Dr Sarkissian underlined that the `preservation of cultural and
spiritual heritage is vital for the survival of any nation and,
indeed, for humanity.’
He thanked His Royal Highness for being a pioneer in finding
innovative solutions to many of the critical problems related to the
future of the planet and for his visionary leadership and foresight in
many critical issues facing not only Britain but the entire globe.
`Thank you, Sir, for your full support and cooperation in making this
night a very special occasion in this magnificent historic home of Her
Majesty the Queen. We pray for Her Majesty’s good health and many more
years of reign, full of blessings for the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth,’ said Dr. Sarkissian.

He then expressed his deep appreciation to all the benefactors,
patrons, sponsors and supporters for their generous contributions,
`but most important, for their participation and faith in this
charitable journey together.’
The dinner was held in the vast historic Waterloo Chamber, which was
built in tribute to the success of the forces of Great Britain,
Austria, Prussia and Russia at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815
when Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated. Official state dinners
hosted by The Queen are held in this Chamber. Especially brought from
London and displayed throughout the chamber for this special occasion
were magnificent gold and silver objects from the royal collection.

Donors of this fundraising event
(in support of first project of `Yerevan My Love’)

Main sponsor and benefactor Dr. & Mrs Armen Sarkissian and family;
benefactors: Mr & Mrs Sergey Ambartsumyan (Russia), Mr & Mrs Enzo
Benigni (Italy), Mr & Mrs Haig Didizian (UK), Mr & Mrs Samvel
Karapetyan (Russia), Ms Louise Manoogian Simone (USA), Mr & Mrs Vatche
Manoukian (UK), Mr & Mrs. Joseph Oughourlian (USA), Mr & Mrs Samir
Traboulsi (UK), Mr & Mrs Ruben Vardanyan (Russia); Corporate
benefactors: ArmRusGasprom (CEO Karen Karapetyan); Energoproekt (CEOs
Gagik Zakharyan & Evgeny Bobylev); ENI (CEO Paolo Scaroni), HSBC
(Chairman Stephen Green), ITERA (CEO Igor V. Makarov); Patron: Areva
(CEO Anne Lauvergeon); Mr Eduardo Eurnekian (Argentina), Wafic Said
(UK); Sponsors: and VimpelCom (CEO Boris Nemsic); Mr & Mrs Carl
Bazarian (USA), Mr & Mrs David Bezhuashvili (Georgia), Mr Pierre
Fattouch (Lebanon), Mr & Mrs Ray Irani (Occidental Petroleum, USA), Mr
& Mrs Berge Setrakian (AGBU), Mr & Mrs Igor Tsukanov (Russia), Mr &
Mrs Davit Varagyan (Kazakhstan), and Mr Gagik Zakaryan (Russia);
Supporters: Mr & Mrs Bedo Eghiayan (UK) and Mr & Mrs Assadour Guzelian
(UK).

What is `Yerevan My Love’?

`Yerevan My Love’ is an all embracing `philosophy’ or culture of life;
it is love for one’s hometown in the fullest sense of the word and in
the widest implication of the idea,’ said charity initiator Armen
Sarkissian. Heritage-led regeneration and reconstruction of
architecturally significant buildings is only part of the overall
concept. `It is first and foremost an effort to change attitudes
toward the city and engender sense of respect for not only its
physical cleanliness, landscape, and public spaces, but also its
cultural heritage and values.’ For instance, Yerevan was once known
as the `city of Masters’ and creativity, where artists, poets,
literary figures, architect, musicians, scientists and craftsmen of
all sorts thrived. The ultimate goal of `Yerevan My Love’ is to work
along with every Yerevantsi to preserve the rich heritage and unique
character of the city. Future projects include training of young
architects in Armenia at leading European institutions, organizing
conferences on various aspects of people-centered city development,
support of educational institutions, and others.

ITALIAN SENATE ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SOUTH CAUCASUS

Yerkir
18.02.2010 14:04

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Italian Senate has adopted a resolution on South
Caucasus. The resolution notes that all of the conflicts in the
South Caucasus should be solved based on the principle of territorial
integrity and people’s right of self-determination.

The document also says that Italy will assist the OSCE and the European
Union in settling the Karabakh conflict as well as help developing
the Armenian-Azerbaijani contacts.

ELECTION OF YANUKOVICH NOT TO AFFECT ARMENIAN-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS: ARMENIAN POLITICAL EXPERT

ArmInfo
2010-02-17 11:51:00

ArmInfo. Election of Viktor Yanukovich President of Ukraine will not
essentially affect the Armenian-Ukrainian relations, a political
expert, Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan
told ArmInfo.

"First, election of Yanukovich does not mean automatic improvement of
the Russian- Ukrainian relations, like election of Yulia Timoshenko
would not mean their worsening. The situation is not so simple as it
seems to be, so, one should not expect any sharp changes in the context
of reintegration of the post-Soviet space", he said. According to the
political expert, Ukraine’s debt to Russia for gas will ever remain,
and the members of NATO and EU: Hungary, Romania and Poland will
ever remain Ukraine’s neighbours. Moreover, EU "Eastern Partnership"
programme will also remain in force. At the same time, A.

Iskandaryan emphasized a serious pro-Western disposition of the Western
Ukraine, as well as aspiration of the Ukrainian oligarchs to become a
part of EU with all that it implies. "The style but hardly the content
of the Ukrainian presidential administration will somewhat change. So,
one should not expect fundamental changes in the Armenian-Ukrainian
relations with election of V. Yanukovich. Moreover, one should not
expect Ukraine’s leaving the half-dead GUAM", A.

Iskandaryan resumed. Ukraine’s CEC has already processed 100% of
protocols at the second round of the presidential election: according
to the preliminary data, V. Yanukovich gathered 48,95% of votes and Y.

Timoshenko – 45,47%. The final data on the election results will be
provided by CEC no later than on February 17.

MOVSES HAKOBYAN: YERKRAPAH UNION MEMBERS KNOW HOW TO WIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.02.2010 20:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Unity between Yerkrapah Volunteers Union members
is of major importance in view of high possibility for hostilities’
resumption in Karabakh, Commander of the NKR Defense Army, Movses
Hakobyan said.

"Yerkrapah members have been through the war and know how to win,"
he said at the 8th union congress Tuesday, February 16.

"The Union must play a significant role in the military and patriotic
training of rising generation," Commander of the NKR Defense Army
believes.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in
1988, as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the
final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from
1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994
(when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most
of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions is
now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are
holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

NATIONAL FUND OF COMPETITIVENESS: NEW STRATEGY OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA WILL ALLOW TO INCREASE ANNUAL FLOW OF TOURISTS BY 20%

ARKA
Feb 16, 2010

YEREVAN, February 16. /ARKA/. National Fund of Competitiveness of
Armenia and Armenian Tourism Development Agency developed strategy of
tourism development in Armenia which will allow to increase annual
flow of tourists by 20%, said Bekor Papazyan, Executive Director of
the Fund.

"New strategy envisages expansion of marketing policy in such countries
as Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy directed at the attraction
of tourists interested in ecotourism", said Papazyan.

Main directions of marketing policy will be direct work with tourism
operators of the mentioned countries, as well as work with consumers
through PR companies.

"Currently the flow of tourists in above-mentioned countries is eight
thousand per year. Till 2011 we plan to increase their number by 20%",
he said.

For the implementation of the strategy, investment in the amount of
about 100 thousand EURO will be needed in each mentioned country.

"The aim is not only increase of number of tourists but duration of
their stay in Armenia and their expenses", said Papazyan.

Together with the increase of the flow of tourists, quality of tourism
services will also improve which currently lacks in Armenia.

In 2009 number of tourists in Armenia increased by 3% compared with
2008 making 575281 tourists. In 2009 number of tourists traveling
abroad was 2.1% making 526193 tourists.

Number of visits to Armenia by the results of 2010 was 5% compared
with 2009.

MINISTER OHANYAN MEETS ADMIRAL EDOUARD GUILLAUD

/12/seyran-ohanyan
02:29 pm | February 12, 2010

Official

Within the framework of an official visit to France Armenia’s Defense
Minister Seyran Ohanyan had a meeting with the Chief of Military Joint
Staff to President of the French Republic, Admiral Edouard Guillaud.

Minister Ohanyan congratulated Admiral Guillaud on his appointment
to the post of Chief of Military Joint Staff to President of the
French Republic.

During the meeting the parties discussed the programs of bilateral
military cooperation and the provisions of the agreement signed in
Paris. The interlocutors touched upon regional security issues

RA PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO UK – MOMENTOUS EVENT: V. GABRIELYAN

news.am
Feb 12 2010
Armenia

Visit of the RA President to UK is a momentous event, RA Ambassador
to UK Vahe Gabrielyan told NEWS.am.

"And events attended by Serzh Sargsyan prove this. All of them are
momentous and very crucial from meeting with Queen Elizabeth II to
charity dinner with participation of Prince Charles, proceeds of
which will go to the restoration of four buildings in the centre of
Yerevan, including opening of Arshile Gorky exhibition. A token of
deep respect was a visit of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband
to London residency of Armenian President, as Sargsyan was in the
country on a working visit," diplomat outlined.

Speaking of Armenian community in UK, Gabielyan stated that precise
number of Armenians in the country is unavailable. "Armenian population
living in Great Britain is estimated from 10.000 to 20.000," he said
adding that the embassy closely cooperates with local community. "Often
Armenians apply with questions on passport and visa issues, whereas the
&’old’ community members come up the cultural questions or requests
to give political clarifications," Gabielyan emphasized. He also
maintained that Armenian community in UK displays keen interest in
issues on Armenia-Turkey relations.