Author: Lilit Nahapetian

Ex-prime minister ridicules government’s five-year program

Lilit Nahapetian
ARKA, Armenia
Feb 14 2019

YEREVAN, February 14. /ARKA/. A former Armenian prime minister Hrant Bagratyan lashed out today at the five-year program of the Armenian government, calling the bulk of its provisions ‘idle talk” and describing the others as ‘ridiculous and empty.’

“Overall, everything that is concrete in this program is wrong, but there is no specifics either in what is right,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

More specifically, Bagratyan described as “idle talk” the provisions of the program related to external and internal security issues, education, science, culture and health. He said some of the provisions lack specifics or implementation plans, and some are simply presented in the form of slogans, for example, the introduction of medical insurance or the fight against corruption.

Bagratyan also noted that the program is scarce in numbers and specific indicators. The first figure he says appears on the 40th page, which refers to an average GDP growth of 5%.

He also said the goal of increasing the share of exports in GDP to 43-45% in five years is incredible and unreasonable questioning also the government’s ability to introduce agricultural insurance system. Bagratyan ridiculed also the provision to make Armenia a regional electric power hub. -0-

Albania wishes Armenia, Azerbaijan success in Karabakh peace process

Lilit Nahapetian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Feb 16 2019
– 11:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Albanian President Ilir Meta has wished Armenia and Azerbaijan success in the process of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

He made the comments at a meeting with Armenian leader Armen Sarkissian Friday, February 15 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Speaking about regional conflicts, in particular the Karabakh issue, Sarkissian stressed: “Statements by any country in favor of one of the parties to the conflict cannot in any way help a peaceful resolution of the issue. There is a format in which negotiations are underway.”

Stressing that Albania has good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mehta said: “We wish the two countries success in finding solutions to this problem.”

Also, the two cited the large potential in bilateral relations and stressed the importance of consistent work for the development of cooperation.

New festival named after Armen Dzhigarkhanyan to be launched in Russia

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 14 2019
20:27 14/02/2019 World

The artistic staff of the Moscow Drama Theater of Armen Dzhigarkhanyan have announced an idea to launch a new festival named after the famous Armenian-Russian theater and cinema actor Armen Dzhigarkhanyan. News.ru report that the concept of the new festival is ready, and the name of the prize is “Dzhigarkhanyan award”.

The initiative comes as a tribute to the immense contribution of the actor to the national theatre and cinematography.

“This high award will be bestowed to the winner of the festival that will be launched on October 3, 2019 on the birthday of Dzhigarkhanyan,” The head of the theatrical group Vyacheslav Dyachenko has stated.

Armen Dzhigarkhanyan is one of the most renowned living film and stage Armenian and Russian actors, has appeared in more films than any other Russian actor with more than 250 appearances.

Born and raised in Yerevan, Dzhigarkhanyan started acting in the academic and Russian theaters of the city, before moving to Moscow to continue stage acting. Since 1960, he appeared in a number of Armenian films. He became popular in the 1970s with the various roles he portrayed in Soviet films.

32 Armenian companies attend ProdExpo international exhibition

Lilit Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 11 2019
32 Armenian companies attend ProdExpo international exhibition

2019-02-11 12:11:57

With the support of Business Armenia, 32 Armenian companies participate in ProdExpo, an international exhibition of food and beverage in Moscow, Russia, February 11-15.

Last year, 21 Armenian companies returned from the same expedition with export contracts amounting to AMD 5.7 billion drams.

The Armenian manufacturers will introduce large international buyers and distributors to a wide range of products: semi-manufactured goods, fruit, vegetable, fish and meat preserves, jams, fruit vodka, brandy, liqueur, gin, wine, dairy products, cheese, dried fruits, chocolate, beer, coffee, tea, pasta, melted butter, etc.

“Taking into account the results of the exhibition and the interest of the manufacturers in the exhibition, Business Armenia has increased the number of companies participating in the international exhibition this year,” said Markus Azadian, Export Team Leader at Business Armenia.

He said 32 manufacturers will represent their production, instead of 21 last year.

Music: The great French composer with Armenian roots Michel Legrand died.

Lilit Nahapetian
Arminfo, Armenia
Jan 26 2019
Naira Badalian

ArmInfo. The famous French composer, pianist, singer, three times winner of the prestigious film award “Oscar” Michel Legrain died at the age of 86 years.

According to RIA Novosti, the newspaper Monde reported with reference to its  press attache.Michel Legrand was born in the family of a composer,  conductor and leader of one of the variety orchestras of Raymond  Legrand, and his mother, Marcel Ter-Mikaelyan, a pianist from a noble  Armenian family.Legrand is known, above all, as the author of film  music, in particular, he worked on the music for the films “Cherbourg  Umbrellas” (1964), “Girls from Rochefort” (1967), “The Scam of Thomas  Crown” (1968).During his career, which began about 50 years ago, he  became the winner of the prestigious film award “Oscar”. 

So, in 1983 he received reward for the song that sounded in the movie  “Yentl” with Barbra Streisand inthe main role, and in 1968 – for the  best song for the film “Scam Thomas Crowne “.  He also won the Grammy  Award five times and was awarded the Golden Globe once. Such famous  singers as Ray Charles, Jean Cocteau, Frank Sinatra, Edith Piaf  worked with him.

Expert says NK conflict settlement without Artsakh’s participation is impossible

Lilit Nahapetian

Expert says NK conflict settlement without Artsakh’s participation is impossible

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15:36,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The negotiation process for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict cannot have any progress without the participation of Artsakh, Ruben Safrastyan – Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, said during a press conference, reports Armenpress.

“I have no major expectations that a new development will take place in 2019 in the negotiation process on the Artsakh conflict. I don’t think there are preconditions for that. The negotiation process can become real only when Artsakh becomes a main participant of the negotiation process. Therefore, I don’t think that we will see real developments in the Artsakh conflict”, the expert on Oriental studies said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenian new chess champion Arman Pashikyan: There was no weak player at Armenian championship

Lilit Nahapetian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 20 2019

By Lusine Shakhbazyan
Arman Pashikyan became the chess champion of Armenia for the second time, repeating his success of 2009.

“I think I managed to win the championship thanks to a successful start. Only the game against Manuel Petrosyan turned out to be difficult. We have many young promising and strong chess players. There was no weak chess player at the Armenian Championship,” he said.

Photos: Emma Asatryan.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Sweden and Finland relieved from position

Lilit Nahapetian

Armenia’s Ambassador to Sweden and Finland relieved from position

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16:46, 28 December, 2018

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Artak Apitonyan has been relieved from the position of Armenia’s Ambassador to Sweden and Finland according to the decree of President Armen Sarkissian, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President signed the respective degree based on the prime minister’s proposal.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenia gets set for sustainable tourism

Lilit Nahapetian
Travel Mole
Jan 1 2019

This blended training program has been delivered as part of the Integrated Rural Tourism Development (IRTD) project, which is financed by the Russian Federation and implemented by UNDP Armenia in close partnership with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development.

 

The training will serve a first pilot strategic action to certify sustainable management skills, with the goal of supporting long-term objective of creating sustainable income-generating opportunities to reduce rural poverty, and to empower community members to achieve sustainable development”It has been great to learn about many innovative and forward-thinking project examples from across Armenia, addressing key development challenges and sustainability issues through tourism. With their newly acquired knowledge in effective project management, our training participants will be able to approach their projects in a smarter, more efficient and productive manner, focusing on making a difference for the sustainable development of rural communities.” Said Silvia Barbone, PM4SD Trainer, Managing Director, Jlag

 

Relevant links

UNDP Armenia IRTD project website:

http://www.am.undp.org/content/armenia/en/home/operations/projects/poverty_reduction/integrated-rural-tourism-development–.html

 

Valere Tjolle

Armenpress: PM, president and other officials visit Yerablur military cemetery to honor the fallen

Lilit Nahapetian

PM, president and other officials visit Yerablur military cemetery to honor the fallen

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11:24,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accompanied by President Armen Sarkissian, outgoing Speaker of Parliament Ara Babloyan, Catholicos Garegin II and other top officials visited today the Yerablur Military Pantheon to pay tribute to the memory of the fallen who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence, the government’s press service said.

Pashinyan laid flowers at the graves of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan, Andranik Ozanyan, Arayik Khandoyan, and a wreath at the memorial in honor of fallen paramilitary.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan