Author: Nalbandian Albert

ADVOCACY RALLY ORGANIZED IN PARIS FOR SILVA HAROUTUNIAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.06.2009 13:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Advocacy Rally was organized in Paris for Silva
Haroutunian, condemned for 3 years of imprisonment by Iranian
authorities for espionage and activities against the government. As
the French journalist Jean Eckian told a PanARMENIAN.Net, Armenians
and Iranians took part in the advocacy rally demanding to release
innocently accused Silva Haroutunian. US journalist Roxana Saberi
also took part in the rally, she previously was condemned to 8 years
of imprisonment, but pardoned by the Iranian authorities.

On June 26, 2008 34-year-old Silva Haroutunian, a physician and
humanitarian worker for IREX in the sphere of mother and child care
in Iran, arrested in Tehran. She was accused for incentive to "soft
revolution" and condemned for 3 years of imprisonment.

ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION NOT TO BE RESTRICTED TO FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.06.2009 16:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia
should not be restricted to freight transportation. Both countries
should strive for economic cooperation, Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili told YSU students and professors on June 25. "Georgia and
Armenia should sign a free trade agreement with EU. That will mark
a new step towards two countries’ integration to Europe," Georgian
official stated.

Touching upon transit prices for freight transportation to Armenia,
Saakashvili said that rumors on freight tariffs being higher for
Azerbaijan were untrue. "Armenia-Georgia railway does not actually
operate. Whereas Azerbaijan provides a transit route to China and
Central Asian states," Saakashvili noted.

ECONOMIC FORUM TAKEN PLACE IN STEPANAKERT

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-06-22 14:41
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

An economic forum – BRIDGE ARTSAKH, organized by the RA Association of
Industrialists and Businessmen and MASTER International Integration
Support Center, took place June 20-21 in Stepanakert, under NKR
President’s patronage and Government’s support.

Over 300 businessmen from various countries, representatives of
official structures, and RA Government’s delegation headed by Prime
Minister Tigran Sargisian participated in the unprecedented-for-NKR
event.

The forum, with its basic topic "State and Business: From Dialogue
to Cooperation", was aimed at attracting interest to the NKR economy,
in particular, to investing in it.

"As you know, after the imposed-on-us destructive war, our country’s
rehabilitation was constantly in the focus of Armenia’s and Diaspora’s
attention. Just thanks to the joint efforts, the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic could change for a short period and generally overcome
the consequences of the sharp humanitarian crisis and the post-war
hardships", stated NKR President Bako Sahakian in his greeting speech,
noting that corresponding conditions were created in Artsakh for the
development of business and for investments.

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian emphasized the importance of
on-site familiarizing with the economic situation and investment
facilities of NKR. He also stressed that, taking into account the
nationwide significance of Artsakh, Armenia’s Government should do
everything for intensifying the economic development of NKR and making
the living standards in Nagorno Karabagh higher than those in Armenia.

During the sectional meetings, various issues of up-to-date business
were discussed. The forum participants familiarized with the prospects
of economic development and the investment facilities of NKR. The
offered-at-the-forum ideas will be put into practice via specific
business-programs aimed at the development of local industry and
creation of new jobs.

IMF: ARMENIA’S FOREIGN DEBT/GDP TO REACH 46% IN 2011

ARKA
June 24, 2009

YEREVAN, June 24. /ARKA/. Armenia’s foreign debt/GDP will reach 46%
in 2011 against 18% in 2009, IMF Resident Representative in Armenia
Nienke Oomes said at a press conference on Wednesday.

She said that loans extended by International Monetary Fund ($823
million), World Bank ($545 million) and Russia ($500 million) will
add a great deal to the country’s foreign debt.

Oomes expects 38% in 2010 and 46% in 2011.

But IMF thinks that despite the growth, this indicator is controllable
and acceptable, and Armenia will manage to repay its debts, if pursue
a reasonable anti-crisis policy.

According to National Statistical Service of Armenia, the country’s
foreign debt reached to $1778.8 million after growing 15.3% or by
$237.1 million by March 31, 2009, compared with the same date a
year earlier.

ARMENIA-USA OPEN SKY AGREEMENT IN EFFECT

ARKA
June 24, 2009

YEREVAN, June 24. /ARKA/. The open sky agreement between Armenia and
the USA came into effect after the ratification by both parties, the
press service of Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ARKA Agency.

The document was signed in Washington on November 21 2008.

The agreement allows the air companies of Armenia and the United
States operating direct air flights between the two countries, says
the report.

PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA GOING TO BOOST SKI SEASON TOURISM IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI

ArmInfo
2009-06-24 11:19:00

ArmInfo. President of Georgia Mikhaeil Saakashvili is going to boost
ski season tourism in Samtskhe-Javakheti.

In an interview with the Armenian Public Television, M. Saakhashvili
said that the highway Akhalkalaki- Tbilisi is currently under
construction. Big investments are made in development of tourism in
this region, he said.

President of Georgia said he does not believe in false obstacles or
borders, he believes in human relations and economic interests that
require communication means. The president is sure that Armenia and
Georgia as two friendly states should strive to achieve this goal.

Urartu Travel
Via Padre Semeria, 65
00154 Roma
Tel. +39 06 64 520 118
Cell. +39 347 041 64 75

Nairi Chirinian

We are glad to inform you that, for the first time in the history of
ties between Italy and Armenia, a new direct flight Rome/Yerevan is
going to be opened.

In 2500 years of history, it is at least the first flight that Armavia
opens to connect two ancient capitals. We are happy and honoured to
have contributed to the opening of this important connection, which
will link Armenia to the rest of the world.

The direct flight will have daytime schedule, will last 4 hours and
will be surely a contribution for the development of the ties between
Armenia and Italy, increasing both incoming and outgoing.

This flight will avoid to passengers arriving to Armenia from Italythe
effort of flying during the night, with one or two stopovers.

Moreover, the flight will board passengers travelling from across the
ocean, so it will be a good opportunity to visit Italy before
travelling to Armenia.

Citizens of Ex Soviet Union, travelling via Yerevan, will also have a
chance to visit Europe.

At first, the flight will operate once a week, each Wednesday starting
from July 15, with following schedule:

Yerevan/RomeU8/12108.50/10.00
Rome/Yere vanU8/12211.20/18.10

A second flight will be opened shortly.

Our office in Moscow is `Vespucci Travel’ and our office in Rome
`Urartu Travel’ is also at your disposal for any information or
request.

SERBIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTS NABUCCO PROJECT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
20.06.2009 12:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the Novi Sad summit which brought 14 state
leaders together to discuss economic, energy and European integration
issues, Serbian President Boris Tadiæ expressed support for "Southern
Stream" and "Nabucco" projects.

"Great advantage for Serbia is that it is on way of ‘Southern Stream’
pipeline. The realization of the given project will not only increase
gas supply volumes to Serbia, but also ensure security and stability
for EU member states. The economic crisis we faced this winter prompted
the importance of diversifying routes and sources of gas supply. In
that regard, Nabucco pipeline construction will ensure stability of
gas supply."

Balkan energy juncture, according to Tadic, already acquires increasing
geopolitical and geo-economic importance. Gas pipelines extending
to Central and Southern Europe from Russia, Central Asia and Near
East intersect on that territory, 1news.az quotes Serbian president
as saying.

2.5% INFLATION RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-MAY 2009

ARKA
June 19, 2009

YEREVAN, June 19. /ARKA/. National Statistical Service of Armenia says
2.5% inflation was recorded in Armenia in Jan-May 2009, compared with
the same period a year earlier.

According to the statistical report, consumer prices grew 5.5% in
Jan-May 2009, compared with December 2008.

In the state budget, Armenia’s GDP is planned at 9.2%. ($1 = AMD
367.11).

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA REGISTERES PROCREDITBANK’S NEW BRANCH, GYUMRI

ARKA
June 16, 2009

YEREVAN, June 16. /ARKA/. Central Bank of Armenia has registered
ProCreditBank’s new branch, Gyumri, press office of the Central bank
reported on Tuesday.

ProCreditBank started functioning in Armenia on February 5, 2008.

The bank focuses its activity on supporting small and mid-scale
businesses by providing services such as opening and servicing accounts
and various types of deposits.

ProCreditBank’s shareholders are ProCredit Holding AG – 67.49%, KfW –
15.84 % and EBRD – 16.67 %.

ProCreditBank’s parent office is in Yerevan.

The bank has four branches in Yerevan and one in Vanadzor.