Author: Nahapetian Samvel

ARMENIA’S EDUCATION SYSTEMS TURN TO EUROPEAN BENCHMARK

Aysor
Nov 6 2009
Armenia

Armenian educational system will experience large-scale changes in
the framework of EU-Armenia cooperation, secretary of the National
Security Council, Artur Baghdasaryan, announced today at session. Plan
for reforms will be developed in four-month term. These reforms
will provide turn of Armenian system of secondary vocational, higher
education and post-graduate education to European benchmark.

Stressing the importance of these reforms, Artur Baghdasaryan said
that education systems should go with European norms and mentioned
the notability of developing Armenia-EU inter-college relations and
cooperation as well as establishing the basis for retraining and
skill conversion and link between sectors of economy and education.

Reforming will also provide promotion of cooperation in science,
design of overall strategy, involvement of Armenian scientists and
organizations in EU programs, and growth of number of colleges with
a European orientation.

KUWAIT’S AMIR RECEIVES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

Qatar News Agency
November 3, 2009 Tuesday 10:17 PM EST

Kuwait, November 03 (QNA) -Emir of kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held talks here Tuesday night with Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian and his accompanying delegation now visting Kuwait.

Minister of kuwaiti emiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Sabah said in a press release that the talks highlighted bilateral
relations and ways to bolster them at various levels, in addition to
discussion on issues of mutual concern.

Armenian president flew into kuwait earlier in the day on a two-day
state visit to Kuwait.(QNA)

AMERIABANK TO START CREDITING CONSTRUCTION OF HYDROPOWER PLANTS AND WIND POWER STATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 3, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Ameriabank will implement a program
of crediting construction work in the energy sector, in particular
the construction of hydropower plants and wind power stations. Levon
Arevshatian, Ameriabank’s Director of Services for Corporate Customers,
said during the November 3 presentation of the program that its total
cost is 20 million dollars. The program will start in a month and be
implemented jointly by several international organizations.

He said that the program is unprecedented in Armenia: the loans
will be given in dollars for quite a long period – 8 years, with a
three-year grace period, at an annual interest rate of 11-12%.

In the words of Ameriabank’s Director of Development Tigran Jrbashian,
the energy sector is quite interesting in terms of investment
reliability, risk management, and ensuring incomes. He noted that
the demand currently exceeds the supply, and the bank can meet one
third of the demand. Credits will be provided mainly to the projects
on construction of small hydropower plants.

Deputy Head of the Department of Advisory Services Karen Martirosian
said that in 2005-2006 when the renewable energy development programs
were launched, the bank became actively involved in that process and
has implemented numerous projects based on orders of the World Bank
and various state and private companies of Armenia.

ARMENIAN BUDGET DEFICIT AT 4.4% OF GDP IN JAN-SEPT

Interfax
Nov 2 2009
Russia

Armenia’s budget deficit totaled about 93.5 billion dram or 4.4% of
GDP through the first nine months of 2009, the National Statistics
Service reported.

Budget revenue totaled 475.3 billion dram or 22.4% of GDP, down 13.5%
year-on-year in the nine months.

Tax revenue totaled 357.4 billion dram (16.8% of GDP), which is 18%
less than a year earlier, including VAT receipts totaling 175.2 billion
dram (down 23.7% year-on-year), pretax profit – 63.7 billion dram
(down 3.2%), excise taxes – 30.7 billion dram (down 10.4%).

Revenue from the individual income tax rose 9.9% year-on-year to 42.4
billion dram.

Budget spending was up 5.6% in January-September year-on-year to
568.8 billion dram or 26.8% of GDP, including spending equal to 8.4%
of GDP on the social safety net, 4.2% on defense and 3.6% on education.

Armenia’s 2009 budget stipulates 905.4 billion dram in revenue and
945.4 billion dram in spending for a deficit of 40 billion dram or
0.96% of GDP.

The official exchange rate on October 30 was 386.37 dram/$1.

"RUSSIA HAS EXTENSIVE INTERESTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS"
Ivan Sukhov

WPS Agency
What the Papers Say (Russia)
Russia
November 2, 2009 Monday

Highlight: Peter Semneby: Russia’s behavior shows that it expects
changes in the South Caucasus; An Interview with EU special
Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

Turkey and Armenia signed protocols on diplomatic relations
establishment in Zurich, Switzerland, on October 10. Here is an
interview with EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter
Semneby on what effect the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement will have
on its participants themselves and their neighbors.

Question: Moscow’s comments on the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement are
quite favorable even though the impression is that this rapprochement
will reduce Russian clout with the South Caucasus to a certain extent.

And what is your opinion of the process in question?

Peter Semneby: The situation with the relations between Armenia and
Turkey as it was so far could not last, of course. Something had to be
done about it in terms of the opening of borders, normalization, etc.

It is necessary to consider ways and means of promotion of one’s
interests in the region in this new situation. The war in Georgia
reminded everyone of the existence of grave risks in connection with
the latent territorial conflicts in the region. Awareness of these
risks provided an additional impetus to the Armenian-Turkish relations.

As for Russia, its very behavior shows that it has been expecting
changes in the situation in this part of the Caucasus. Russia invests
into Armenian economy. It builds railways there. Investments of this
kind are made only when the investor is fairly confident that he will
get his money’s worth back, and that means when the borders are open.

Question: Shall we assume that the rapprochement with Ankara is
something the Armenian diplomacy should take credit for? Did Yerevan
manage to disassociate the matter of rapprochement with Turkey from
the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh?

Peter Semneby: It was not Armenia alone providing the necessary push
that set things in motion. (Even though it was always clear that
doing so is in the interests of Armenia, that is.) We have to admit
meanwhile that some political forces in Armenia question expediency
of this move. Some heated debates are taking place in Turkey too,
as we know. Turkey understands that it may become one of the central
players in all of the region only if and when this particular matter is
addressed and taken care of. This conflict with Armenia tied Ankara’s
hands in the South Caucasus.

As for the Armenian-Turkish relations and the conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, these are two different conflicts that should not be
mixed. An attempt to mix them will interfere with the normalization
trend we’ve been seeing. It is clear that any development in each of
these matters has an effect on the general atmosphere. It behooves
us therefore to do whatever it takes to make sure that this effect
is positive.

Question: What concessions can Armenia and Azerbaijan go for in the
matter of Karabakh conflict resolution right at this point?

Peter Semneby: By and large, I believe that it is necessary to aspire
to a situation where both parties will make some sort of concession
to the other and leave major issues including that of the status of
Karabakh for later.

Question: Is there a chance that this rapprochement with Turkey will
spark street protests and foment mass disturbances in Armenia?

Peter Semneby: Opposition to normalization of the relations with
Turkey is external rather than domestic. What I mean is that it is
mostly Armenian diasporas abroad that have been raising objections.

And yet, this is a serious problem for the Armenian administration
because of the part in the life of the country diasporas traditionally
play.

Question: When can we expect the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border?

Peter Semneby: The countdown will begin with ratification of the
protocols by national parliaments. It should occur two months after
the exchange of ratifications.

Question: Will the protocols be ratified?

Peter Semneby: Nobody can say for sure, of course, but I’m convinced
that they will be ratified, all the same.

Question: What effect will this Armenian-Turkish rapprochement have
on the regional economic architecture based on and centered around
Azerbaijani and Central Asian oil and gas export?

Peter Semneby: Normalization of the relations will open new
opportunities, facilitate regional security, and have a generally
positive effect on the economy of the region.

Question: Leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and even Karabakh visit
Moscow in the wake of every new development in the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement and in the course of the Karabakh talks. Why would they?

Whose initiative is it?

Peter Semneby: It is clear that Russia has extensive interests in the
South Caucasus and that it is prepared to defend and promote them. It
is natural. It is a positive factor, in general, that Russia clearly
associates its interests with progress in the matter of conflict
resolution. We can only welcome Russia’s resolve to play an energetic
role in these matters.

Question: And yet, the opening of the border is bound to turn Armenian
economy to Turkey. Lacking ground routes connecting it with Armenia,
Russia is bound to perceive a certain weakening of the ties with the
country it has regarded as its principal ally in the South Caucasus
for years. And yet, Moscow supports and abets the negotiations under
way. Isn’t that paradoxical?

Peter Semneby: Russia has vast interest in Armenia, and particularly
economic interests. Since Russia invested colossal sums in Armenia,
in its energy infrastructure and so on, it is naturally interested in
development of the Armenian economy. Its dynamic development meanwhile
necessitates certain conditions. An open border with Turkey is the
most important factor facilitating economic development of Armenia.

Even diversification of the Armenian economy will benefit Russia.

Question: This solution to the Armenian-Turkish problem… shall
we call it Armenia’s step in the direction of European and Atlantic
integration?

Peter Semneby: Armenia participates in a great deal of EU’s programs
like the neighborhood program or, for example, the Eastern Partnership
initiative. Negotiations over associated membership in the European
Union might begin soon because that’s what we offer to all Eastern
Partnership participants. It will continue regardless of whether or
not the border with Turkey is opened.

Aysor, Armenia
Oct 31 2009

The old and the new singers: `Always with Arno’

Today in the concert hall of `Aram Khachatryan’ will take place the
concert project called `With Arno always’. The organizers of the
concert are the RA Culture Ministry and the Armenian Public Radio.

On the concert will participate the Symphonic orchestra of the RA
Public Radio. The famous artists like Ruben Matevosyan, Raisa
mkrtchyan, Martin Vardazaryan, Leila Saribekyan, Syuzan Margaryan will
participate in the concert too, Ashot Ghazaryan, Aramo and Emma
Petrosyan.

The representatives of the young generation too will present the works
of the composer, namely Andre, Sofi Mkheyan, Karen Hayrapetyan,
Qristine Pepelyan, Lilit Hovhannisyan and others. For children will
sing the `Arevik’ ensemble of children.
The concert will take place at 19:00. The price of the tickets is 1000
` 7000 drams.

SUNCHILD ENVIRONMENTAL FESTIVAL PUBLICIZES NAMES OF WINNERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.10.2009 18:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Closing ceremony of "Arevordi", the only
environmental festival in South Caucasus, was held on October 29 in
Moscow Cinema, Yerevan.

Chair of main program jury Ronald Tobias announced the names of
winners. Edgar Bartenev’s "Niarma" (Germany) received award in Best
Wildlife Film nomination, while Herbert Oswald’s "Spirit of the
Forest-Elephant Shrew" (Germany) was awarded an honorable mention
prize.

Franny Armstrong’s "The Age of Stupid" (Great Britain) won award
in the Best Research of Environmental Issues nomination. The jury
granted special awards to Inge Altemeier’s Eco Here-Death There
(Germany/Indonesia) and Tigran Paskevish’s Teghut: Bread of the
Children (Armenia).

Chair of Children’s Film jury Maikki Kantola awarded the "Ecocity: and
The Rubbish Monster" (Italy) in the Best Environmental Film nomination,
whereas "Sunset of Astragalus" and "Ego" were granted Jury’s Special
Award. John Webster’s Recipes for Disaster (Finland) was recognized
as the Best Environmental Educational Film for Children. And

Lucie Stamfestova’s The Fridge (Czech Republic) received the jury’s
Special Prize.

"Wall of Death" by Jossi Weissler won audience award.

Festival is aimed at promoting an open forum via seminars, public
discussions and trainings.

Main sponsor is VivaCell-MTS.

BY DELAYING PROTOCOL RATIFICATION TURKEY SEEKS TO GAIN MORE CONCESSIONS FROM ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.10.2009 19:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I believe, after delaying ratification till April
2010, Turkish Parliament will eventually ratify Protocols as both
political circles and society in the country understand they will
emerge victorious in the process," ARF Dashnaktsutyun Parliamentary
Faction Leader Vahan Hovhannesyan said at October 30 RA NA briefing.

By delaying Protocol ratification Turkey seeks to gain more concessions
from Armenia, he noted. "At present, over 70% of Turkish population
polled spoke for RA-Turkey rapprochement, which proves Turkey’s
confidence in the process," ARFD Faction Leader emphasized.

Commenting on recent meeting between ARFD, Gnchak and Ramkavar
Azatakan Armenian traditionalist parties, Hovhannesyan stated that
further collaboration and joint programs to be implemented both in
Diaspora and Armenia were discussed.

When questioned whether NKR NA MPs participation was discussed at
recent RA-Azerbaijan Parliamentary meeting, ARFD Faction Leader
stated that Armenia made it clear discussions on NKR issue could not
be started without NKR representatives’ participation.

ARMENIA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RECEIVES THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF NETHERLANDS TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Oct 30, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS: National Assembly Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan received today the newly appointed Ambassador of Netherlands
to Armenia Peter Yan Langeberg.

Media and press relations department of Armenian NA told Armenpress
that welcoming the guest the head of the parliament congratulated
him on taking the office. H. Abrahamyan expressed confidence that
thanks to the ambassador’s activity it will be possible to develop
bilateral relations by reaching them to a new level. In that context he
highly assessed the inter-parliamentary contacts between Armenia and
Netherlands, as well as the cooperation in political, trade-economic
and cultural spheres.

NA Speaker expressed hope that Netherlands will continue to contribute
to the process of Armenia’s integration into European Union by making
use of the possibilities extended by EU "Eastern partnership" program.

At the meeting with the request of the Netherlands’ ambassador the
head of the Armenian parliament presented the position of the Armenian
side in the issues of Artsakh conflict regulation and normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions. The interlocutors
also referred to the global financial-economic crisis and its impact
on Armenian economy.

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH LITHUANIA, SAYS ARMENIAN MFA

Tert
Oct 29 2009
Armenia

On October 29, Republic of Armenia Minister of Foreign Affairs
Edward Nalbandian met with Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Evaldas
Ignatavicius.

Nalbandian expressed satisfaction in connection with bilateral
relations development and emphsized that Armenia is interested
in deepening and strengthening mutually beneficial relations with
Lithuania.

Ignatavicius, too, highly praised the friendly relations between the
two countries, noting that Lithuania intends to take active steps to
deepen comprehensive cooperation with Armenia in different spheres.

During the negotiations, both sides attached importance to the
effective cooperation of the two countries’ foreign ministries. The
sides touched upon the course of Armenia-European Union cooperation,
as well as discussed issues connected with the EU Eastern Partnership
Project.

During the meeting, attention was also paid to regional and
international issues of mutual interest, informs the Republic of
Armenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.