Author: Mamian George

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN ATTENDED THE INAUGURATION OF THE 6TH BLOCK OF ZEITUN STUDENTS’ HOSTELS BY THE STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY AFTER MEKHITAR HERATZI

Tues day, 16 June 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended the inauguration of
the 6th block of Zeitun students’ hostels by the State Medical
University after Mekhitar Heratzi. The Prime Minister walked round
the completely refurbished building which was allocated to the
SMU under a government decree in return for the former 7th block
belonging to the University. Tigran Sargsyan called at the unit meant
for foreign students, readers and guests. The building is equipped
with modern technical facilities and a state-of-the-art security
system. The University currently holds the 5th and 6th with about
300 rooms envisaged for over 600 students altogether. The new block
was refurbished using proceeds from the tuition fund.

The head of the Armenian government said that the Government’s decision
proved right, as evidenced by students themselves: "I believe that
the students of our generation would only dream of such favorable
conditions. I used to live in a students’ hostel in Leningrad and
never saw conditions like this. I am deeply impressed by what we saw
today. This will enable our students to fully dedicate themselves to
study, research and knowledge," the Prime Minister said.

SYRIA READY TO PROMOTE THE NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiolur"
17.06.2009 18:00

"Syria is a second Motherland for Armenians," the late President
of Syria, Hafes Al-Assad said during his trip to Soviet Armenia 30
years ago.

The new President of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad, confirmed his father’s
words in 30 years.

Bashar Al-Assad has arrived in Armenia today on an official visit
at the invitation of the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. The
Presidents of the two countries had a face-to-face meeting, followed
by consultations in an extended format.

Henceforth Armenia and Syria will cooperate more closely, especially
within international organizations, the two Presidents said at a
joint press conference today.

"In an atmosphere of sincere and full understanding we discussed issues
related to bilateral cooperation, as well as a number of regional
and international questions," Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said.

Turning to the recent developments in the Armenian-Turkish relations,
the President of Syria said Syria had very close relations with Turkey
and was ready to enhance the progressing of the Armenian-Turkish ties.

Bashar Al-Assad informed that he had asked his Armenian counterpart
to present the latest developments in the settlement of the Karabakh
issue.

"This issue is a very complex one, but taking into consideration our
experience in=2 0the Middle East, we would not like it to get more
complicated," the Syrian President stated. The latter was interested
in learning the position of Armenia on the issue before his visit to
Azerbaijan next month.

The high-level talks between Armenia and Syria will continue. Bashar
Assad today personally invited Serzh Sargsyan to pay an official
visit to Syria.

"I’d like to note that firm bases exist for cooperation in different
spheres, and during our future meetings we must be able to move
forward better and faster," he said.

A number of documents were signed today to promote the warming
of Armenian-Syrian relations. President Assad noted that
it was necessary to take serious steps to raise the level of
trade-economic relations. In this regard, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan noted: "Despite the existing problems, we have assumed to
make efforts to solve the pivotal issues to promote the bilateral
cooperation. Tomorrow’s Armenian-Syrian economic forum will be of great
importance in this sense. We have reached agreements on cooperation
in the field of transport communication."

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

"WE COULD HAVE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE BY RESPECTING OUR DIFFERENCES,
AND BUILDING ON OUR COMMON VALUES"

SAID ARAM I TO THE IRANIAN REPRESENTATIVES

On Saturday 13 June 2009 His Holiness Aram I received in his office
representatives of the Department for Dialogue among Religions and Cultures
of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian Prelate of
Tehran and Bishop Papken Charian Prelate of Isfahan, were also present at
the meeting.

The Iranian Delegation discussed with Catholicos Aram I the status of
dialogue between Christians and Muslims, and plans for the next meeting of
the Theological Dialogue Committee between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The Committee had met in 2008 in Tehran, and
will be meeting again in May 2010 in Antelias (Lebanon).

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Aram I told his visitors that
talking to one another and theological reflections alone will not promote
peaceful co-existence among people of the two religions unless respect for
differences, and cooperation based on common values are incorporated in the
dialogue process.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos386.htm#7
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Abovian Armenian Cultural Association
Address: Weesperstraat 91
2574 VS The Hague, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31704490209
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: M. Hakhverdian

Press Release

Centennial of William Saroyan¹s birth celebrated in Holland

The Hague, 23 May 2009 ­ If ever there has been an occasion in the
Netherlands to be informed on the particular talent and personality of the
Armenian-American writer William Saroyan, it was on 23 May 2009. To mark the
centenary of the birth of Armenian-American author William Saroyan, the
Abovian Armenian Cultural Association had organised a seminar in the Treehut
of the American Book Center in The Hague.

A complete picture of the remarkable Saroyan was brought forward amid great
public by lectures and audiovisual presentations on the life and work of the
writer. There was an exhibition of his (original) artwork and different
publications of his books (among which 7 in Dutch translations), as well as
live music with songs by Saroyan and from his era.

The event was specially marked by the announcement of the results of the
Short Story Contest launched last year by the Abovian Association on the
occasion of the Saroyan Centennial.

Both recent publications and second-hand books by Saroyan were available at
the seminar and in the American Book Center.

The programme started with a lecture by Ms. Nairi Hakhverdian, before a full
audience in a hall decorated entirely in the Saroyan spirit by his original
artwork, posters and books. She gave a general introduction on the biography
and work of William Saroyan showing particularly how the Armenian roots had
inspired him, how the American literature and popular culture had influenced
him and how he finally brought together these two elements in his work. She
illustrated her lecture with splendid and unique images.

Visual artist Krikor Momdjian presented ³Saroyan the painter² as a great
artist. He placed the paintings by Saroyan (a number of which was exhibited)
within the framework of famous painters, among others, Jackson Pollock and
Mark Tobey. He referred to the strength of the abstract expressionism and
oriental penmanship as inspiration sources.

Then Mr. Hans van Leeuwen went particularly on the autobiographical
component in the work of Saroyan using in particular the story ³Rock Wagram²
from 1951 for explanation of his approach.

Mr. Hambartsoem Sahakian recited the Armenian translation of Saroyan¹s story
³The Barber Whose Uncle Had His Head Bitten Off by a Circus Tiger².

Excitement ran high as the chairman of the Short Story Contest jury Prof.
Dr. Jos Weitenberg assisted by the jury member Prof. Dr. Bernard Bichakjian
went to announce the results of the Contest. The other jury members were Ms.
Hasmik and Anahit Tcharents and Prof. Dr. Theo Van Lint. The 22 entries
received were submitted to the jury anonymously. The jury awarded the
stories ³Hrayr² by Anahit Avagyan (in Armenian) on a hidden love and ³Shant,
Life In Diaspora² by Krikor Momdjian (in Dutch), in the words of the jury a
reflection on migration and migrants, with the shared (ex aequo) second and
third price. The first price went to the story ³My Best ?² by Eva Demirci
(in Dutch), which is, according to the jury, a convincing story leading to a
nice ending, in which unuttered, underlying tension on the Armenian Genocide
between young Turkish and Armenian girlfriends living in the Netherlands
finds a satisfactory release and refinement.

Singer Anahit Manoukian, accompanied by Boris Rziankin, interpreted the
songs by Saroyan and from his era, such as the famous song ³Come On – A My
House² and other American songs, followed by a couple of Armenian songs. The
seminar was concluded with a cocktail.

The Abovian Cultural Association thanks all those people from Fresno and
elsewhere who have cooperated with us for the realisation of this seminar.
Our special thanks go to the jury of the Short Story Contest, the lecturers
and artists and those who helped us with collecting material for the
seminar. Last but not least our sincere thanks go to the American Book
Center of The Hague for offering the accommodation and donating the books
for the awards and for the good cooperation during the preparation of this
memorable seminar.

EDWARD NALBANDIAN RECEIVES CANDIDATE OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL VLODIMIR TIMOSHEVICH

NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 15, 2009
YEREVAN

Possibilities of development of Armenian-Polish relations were
discussed at the June 12 meeting of RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian and member of Polish Seym, candidate of Council of Europe
Secretary General Vlodimir Timoshevich.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
V. Timoshevich presented his views of Council of Europe further
activity, structure’s reforming and raising its efficiency.

E. Nalbandian, in his turn, at the guest’s request presented the
latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations
and the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations.

INFORMATION STRATEGY ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION TO BE ELABORATED WITHIN 3 MONTH

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 13:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Work group elaborating information strategy
on European integration of Armenia held its first sitting on June
15 under chairmanship Artur Baghdasaryan, Secretary of National
Security Council of Armenia and head of intergovernmental committee
on coordination of Armenia’s cooperation with EU.

Artur Baghdasaryan suggested to bring to discussion within a quarter
the main points of the strategy and to submeit the final document to
approval in 2010. In the new strategy is approved, new information
centers of EU will be opened in Armenia.

ROMAN BEREZOVSKI, THE BEST PLAYER OF "KHIMKI" FOOTBALL CLUB OVER MAY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 14:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Goalkeeper of the Armenian national team and captain
of the "Khimki" Football Club Roman Berezovski has been awarded the
title of the best player the third month.

ERDOGAN REFUSES TO VISIT FRANCE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 19:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A series of events set to introduce Turkish
culture to France next month may be postponed, Erdogan says, but it
is not clear if he meant only to put off a trip to France. A Foreign
Ministry spokesperson says Davutoglu will go to France to attend one
or two activities.

Turkish Prime Minister said Thursday that the "Turkey Season" cultural
event in France could be postponed because of French President Nicolas
Sarkozy’s strong opposition to Ankara’s bid for full membership in
the EU.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said he might not travel to
France for the event.

"Sarkozy will regret what he has been doing sooner or later," Erdogan
told private channel NTV. "We had contacts with former French President
Jacques Chirac for a long time, but we have not seen such an approach
from him."

It was not clear whether Erdogan meant to postpone his trip to France
or call off the entire Turkey Season event.

President Abdullah Gul and Sarkozy were expected to launch the
event, which aims to introduce Turkish culture to France through 400
activities in 40 different French cities, on July 1. The "season"
is scheduled to continue through March of next year. Gul recently
said he would travel to France to kick off the events with the French
leader. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is also set to travel to
France to participate in one or two activities, his spokesman said
yesterday, Huttiyet Daily News reported.

SIX REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF BELARUS TO TAKE PART IN KAROT FESTIVAL

Noyan Tapan
June 11, 2009

MOSCOW, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Six representatives
of the Armenian community of Belarus will take part in the Karot
International Armenian Festival, which will take place in October
2009 in Moscow.

"Elimination stages were held in different cities of Belarus in April
and May, where the best candidates were selected for each nomination of
Karot festival. Karot-Miasin festival contest program, which became the
peculiar elimination stage of Moscow festival, included all directions
of Armenian music art, vocal performances, dancing, original genre,
different types of painting," festival chairman Metso Igityan noted.

According to the Novosti-Armenia agency, in Igitian’s words, the main
aim and purpose of the festival is to develop and popularize the
Armenian culture in Belarus, keep and perfect cultural traditions,
as well as to discover and realize creative abilities and talents.

During the concert, which took place in Minsk, six representatives of
Belarus, Yeghiazar Farashian (ethnographical song), Yekaterina Khudents
(variety song), Sergey Klochkov (academic song), Eduard Machkalian
(artistic whistling), Erebuni dance ensemble, Morfe Acoustic Band
instrumental ensemble were selected to take part in the Karot festival
in Moscow.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION TO PROVIDE CREDIT OF OVERALL 5 MILLION USD TO THE "ARDSHININVESTBANK"

ARMENPRESS
June 10, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS: The International Financial
Corporation (IFC) will provide overall 5 million USD of credit to the
"Ardshininvestbank" for financing of the foreign trade. The agreement
over it has today been signed in the chief office of Ardshininvestbank
between the deputy Chairman of the Council of the Bank Sergey Virabian
and Snezana Stoijkovic the IFC director for Central and Eastern Europe.

According to S. Virabian, with this the "Ardshininvestbank" is
involved in the global project of IFC trade financing program and
gets an opportunity to join to the net of international banks which
provide services in the sphere of foreign trade which contributes to
the development of state’s foreign trade.

Through providing of the mentioned services the bank will decrease
the trade risks of the Armenian businessmen functioning in the
international trade sphere. According to him, this agreement is
one of the achievements of the bank "a new opportunity in the heavy
conditions of the crisis which will allow the bank clients to make
use of available, modern and flexible banking tools".

In her speech S. Stoijkovic stressed that this is not the only
support provided to the "Ardshininvestbank" as a long-term partner;
the cooperation will be continuative and in the nearest future other
financial tools will possibly be provided. She expressed confidence
that this will be a great support to the Armenian businessmen
in the conditions of the crisis and will have an active role
in financing of the activity of Armenian exporting and importing
companies. S. Stoijkivic reminded that the IFC is a member of World
Bank Group and a shareholder of "Ardshininvestbank".

Head of the Armenian Central Bank Vache Gabrielian in his turn stressed
the importance of enhancement of cooperation with the international
financial organizations noting that as a result of involvement of new
means from abroad the business conditions in Armenia will improve. He
said this cooperation will promote the further development of the
"Ardshininvestbank".