Author: Nalchajian Markos

A1+

`LET TURKEY BECOME EU MEMBER’
[08:51 pm] 23 February, 2007

In 1992, the first Foreign Minister of Armenia, Raffi Hovannisian was
dismissed from office just after making his famous speech on the
Armenian Genocide. Mr. Hovannisian’s opinion on the Armenian-Turkish
relations is much the same.

`The issues of the RA foreign policy, the Armenian-Turkish relations,
as well as the Karabakh conflict regulation no more depend on our
interior stance and democratic standards in Armenia. We cannot simply
knock at the doors of stronger countries and call for justice lest
those rights are ensured in our country’.

As for the Armenian-Turkish relations Mr. Hovannisian claims that
Armenia has always been a step ahead while expressing its readiness to
resume relations with Turkey without any preconditions. `It is Turkey
that missed the opportunity’, adds Mr. Hovannisian. He welcomes
Turkey’s intention to become a member to the European Union and hopes
that their intention will come true in the nearest future.

`Let Turkey settle its matters with all countries, including Armenia
and become the EU member’.

PRESS OFFICE
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

February 23, 2007
___________________

FAR STRENGTHENED BY BOARD ADDITIONS

The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), one of the preeminent international aid
organization operating in Armenia, recently welcomed five gifted and
dedicated members to its energetic Board of Directors.

Answering the call to serve on the board of FAR are long-time community
leaders from throughout the Eastern United States: Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, Marta Batmasian, Dr. Aram Chobanian, Dennis Tarzian, and Pontish
Yeramyan.

"Our new members bring unique skills and experiences that will allow us as a
team to continually strengthen our programs and initiatives," said Randy
Sapah-Gulian, chairman of the FAR board. "I join the other current members
of the board in welcoming them to the FAR family and look forward to having
our organization benefit from their ideas and advice."

ARCHBISHOP AYKAZIAN

Born in Siirt, Turkey, in 1951, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian completed
theological studies at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem and was
ordained a priest in 1971. He was ordained a bishop in 1992 by His Holiness
Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians at Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia. He
was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in February, 2007.

In addition to his responsibilities as legate and ecumenical officer for the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Archbishop Aykazian is
the president-elect of the National Council of Churches and a member of the
Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. He also serves on the
board of Habitat for Humanity International.

Previously, he served as FAR’s country director in Yerevan from 997 to 1999.
He was pastor and then Primate of the Armenian Church of Switzerland from
1980 to 1992. He has a doctorate degree in history from the Armenian Academy
of Sciences and a doctorate in theology from the Fribourg Catholic
University in Switzerland.

MARTA BATMASIAN

Marta Batmasian, of Boca Raton, Florida, holds a master’s degree and has
completed a doctorate from Brandeis University and an MBA from Barry
University. She recently completed Harvard Business School’s flagship
executive program: Governing for Nonprofit Excellence (GNE): Critical Issues
for Board Leadership.

She served as superintendent of the Sahag Mesrob Armenian School in
Watertown, MA, and was a full-time professor at the University of
Massachusetts for eight years. She also owned and operated Mar-Tel Travel,
Insurance, and Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for several years.

Since moving to Boca Raton 24 years ago, she has joined her husband Jim in a
variety of philanthropic efforts, serving on more than 30 boards and
committees for organizations such as the Children’s Science Explorium,
Children’s Museum of Boca Raton, Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern
University/School of Business, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, and
the Boca Raton Literary Society, among many other organizations.

She has been honored as the "Volunteer Woman of the Year" by the Junior
League of Boca Raton and as the "Bridge Builder of the Year" by LEAH, the
League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust.

DR. ARAM CHOBANIAN

One of the nation’s preeminent educators, Dr. Aram V. Chobanian has served
as president of Boston University, dean of the BU School of Medicine, and
provost of the Boston University Medical Campus. He founded the Whitaker
Cardiovascular Institute at the Boston University School of Medicine in
1973, and oversaw its rapid development into a center for pioneering
research into cardiovascular disease.

His outstanding leadership was instrumental in several major initiatives:
the merger of Boston City Hospital with Boston University Medical Center
Hospital, which created Boston Medical Center; the development of the
BioSquare Research Park; and in securing a $128 million federal grant for
Boston University to build a national biocontainment laboratory.

A world-renowned scientist, Dr. Chobanian has published more than 250 papers
and two books.

He has also been involved in several programs to improve health care in
Armenia, including projects to train health care professionals and the
creation of a medical student elective program that allows U.S. medical
students to spend one to two months in Armenian hospitals and clinics. He
was elected as a foreign member of the Armenian National Academy of Science
and was presented with both the "Gold Medal" from the Yerevan Medical
University.

DENNIS TARZIAN

A resident of Ridgewood, NJ, Dennis Tarzian has served as the chief
operating officer of National Registered Agents, Inc., of Princeton, NJ,
since 2002. He was a co-founder of the company, which is one of the fastest
growing providers of legal, financial, and compliance services to corporate
law departments and financial institutions.

For a decade he was a high-level executive with the computer information
publishing subsidiary of Viacom/Paramount Communications, where he led the
organization through a period of rapid expansion and profitability. Before
that, he held several positions at Revlon, including that of vice president
of corporate development.

Mr. Tarzian has an MBA from Columbia University and has been chairman of the
Board of Trustees of the St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ.

He served in the private equity community, as the CEO of an e-learning
provider that developed and sold educational technology and test preparation
programs to K-12 students across the United States. Concurrent with his
private equity experience, he also served on the Board of Directors for an
international mutual fund.

PONTISH YERAMYAN

Pontish Yeramyan founded Gap International, Inc. in 1978. Under her
leadership, Gap International has grown into a global consulting
organization known by its clients as a reliable partner for the development
and execution of breakthrough strategy and for causing extraordinary
business and leadership growth. Ms. Yeramyan has personally worked with
thousands of executives to measurably and dramatically impact their
financial, market and organizational performance.

Before starting her company, Ms. Yeramyan served as the academic director of
Temple University’s Intensive English Language Program. She designed
cross-cultural programs for U.S. executives relocating overseas. She also
co-designed and led programs for family-held corporations for the Wharton
School of Business Applied Research Center at the University of
Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and
linguistics from Barnard College of Colombia University and a master’s
degree in linguistics from Michigan State University.

In 2002, Ms. Yeramyan was named one of Pennsylvania’s "Best 50 Women in
Business." In 2006, she received the "Corporate Vision Award" from Girls
Inc, a national organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and
bold. Ms. Yeramyan’s commitment to making a difference has extended to pro
bono consulting with the Diocese of the Armenian Church, and her strong
support for the Hunger Project, a global organization committed to ending
hunger.

The new board members join the current FAR Board of Directors: Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, president; Kevork Hovnanian, honorary chairman and
founder; Randy Sapah-Gulian, chairman; Dr. Edgar Housepian, vice chairman;
Carl Bazarian, vice chairman; Dr. Annette Choolfaian, vice chairperson;
Hagop Kouyoumdjian, treasurer; Nishan Atinizian, Michael Haratunian,
secretary; and Oscar Tatosian.

"The FAR Board of Directors is a wonderful group, full of dedicated and
professional individuals who want to make a difference in the life of
Armenia," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese
and President of FAR. "They are bringing their diverse skills and talents
to assure that the people of Armenia are given lives of hope, opportunity,
and empowerment."

For complete biographies on all members of the FAR Board of Directors, visit
the FAR website:

Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in
Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects including
emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic
development.

FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization operating
there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic,
prosperous, and culturally rich Armenia. It works towards a brighter future
by partnering with donors to make life a little better for our people. By
offering hope and more promising prospects in Armenia, Karabagh, and
Javakhk, FAR binds the Diaspora and the Armenian family together around the
globe.

For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849;
web ; e-mail [email protected].

— 2/23/07

BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS HOSTS MEETING ON ARMENIA

Armenpress
Feb 22 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian ambassador to Great Britain
Vahe Gabrielian met on February 20 at the UK House of Commons with
representatives of both Houses and prominent members of the Armenian
community in the UK. The event was organized by Armenia Solidarity
group and supported by the London-based Nor Seroundi Dzain (New
Generation’s Vice) Magazine.

The Armenian foreign ministry said the meeting was dedicated to two
motions submitted to the parliament suggesting debates on Turkish
blockade of Armenia and Armenian Genocide.

One of the motions, suggesting debates over the Armenian genocide
was submitted by Bob Spink from the Conservative Party. It has
been endorsed so far by 68 parliament members. The second motion on
Turkish blockade of Armenia was submitted by Nia Griffith from the
Labor party and supported by 66 MPs.

The Armenian ministry said the ambassador thanked British MPs for
their efforts urging debates on these two very important problems. He
spoke extensively on Armenia’s approaches to these and other issues
and called on the MPs to use Britain’s close ties with Turkey to
force it to open border with Armenia and establish relations with it.

HISTORIAN ARA SARAFIAN’S PROPOSAL TO RESEARCH OTTAMAN ARCHIVES ACCEPTED BY HISTORY ACADEMY OF TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Feb 22 2007

ANKARA, FEBRUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ara Sarafian,
a historian, specialist of the Armenian Genocide issue started a
dialogue recently with Yusuf Halacoglu, the Chairman of the History
Academy of Turkey, historian. Ara Sarafian participated in March 16,
2006 in the conference organized in the Istanbul University and spoke
about the Armenian Genocide. After Ara Sarafian’s speech historian
Yusuf Halacoglu proposed him to work together for discussion of the
1915 events. Ara Sarafian received the proposal. In the interview
given to the "Nokta" weekly in February, 2007, Ara Sarafian said that
no work has been done with Yusuf Halacoglu by now but it does not
mean that no public program may be worked out, Marmara states. Ara
Sarafian, who works at the Komitas Istitute of Great Britain, now
presented an interesting proposal to the History Academy of Turkey. He
proposed that a joint research is implemented on the occasion of some
events. For example, according to the Turkish viewpoint, all the
reports concerning the exile are kept in the Ottaman archives. So,
names of exiled people must be found in those archives, it must
be fixed in those lists when and from where the mentioned people
were exiled, where they were sent and settled and what organization
work was done in that place of exile, what compensations were paid
for the territories and the property the exiled Armenians left. Ara
Sarafian proposes the following: "Let’s choose the region of Kharberd
as a place for discussion of some events. Let’s historians in Turkey
put on discussion all those documents which are about the Armenians
exiled from Kharberd. Let’s see if it is written in those documents
what fate the exiled people had. How many Armenians were exiled?

How many people were allowed to stay in the place of their
settlement? What happened with those who stayed? Let’s find out
which the strong or weak sides of the documents are. I, from my side,
will put on the table documents which brought me to the conclusion
that Armenians lived in that region were not only exiled but also
were carried on policy of the worst attitude and slaughter. Let’s
together examine which the strong or weak sides of those documents
are. Ara Sarafian explained that Kharberd was just chosen as there is
much information abroad about that place and Kharberd had not been in
a war situation like Van or Erzrum. Consequently, discussion of some
events in Kharberd must be a transparent and scientific work. In Ara
Sarafian’s words, if the work is done, historians of other regions will
also be invited and similar researches will be carried out concerning
other regions as well. The Turkish "Sabah" daily states that Turkish
History Academy Chairman Yusuf Halacoglu stated in response to Ara
Sarafian’s above-mentioned proposal that the proposal is accepted:
"I officially state that we accept Ara Sarafian’s proposal." Halacoglu
mentioned that Ara Sarafian has a brave posture as it may put him in
difficult situation, and he may be put on different pressures.

MAMEDYAROV HAD TO BE IN BAKU

AZG Armenian Daily
22/02/2007

Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

The yesterday statement by Araz Azimov, Representative of the
Azerbaijani President for the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue, that Armenia is
giving up its positions on Karabakh conflict settlement, was again
commented by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Yuri Merzliakov. Those
terms, from which Armenia is allegedly standing back, have never been
considered on a level, which would admit coming to such a conclusion,
he said. Regnum News Agency reports that marking the Paris meeting with
Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian as positive, Merzliakov
explained the absence of the Azeri Foreign Minister in Paris by the
latter’s obligation to be present in Baku.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR, A L’OPERA DE PARIS, CHANTE POUR L’ARMENIE
par: Veronique Mortaigne

Le Monde, France
20 fevrier 2007 mardi

Charles Aznavour n’en est pas a son premier gala. Le 17 fevrier,
l’ambassadeur itinerant de la Republique d’Armenie et porte-parole
international de la chanson et du chic a la francaise donnait une
soiree au profit de l’operation Jeunes ambassadeurs pour l’Armenie –
accueil en France de plusieurs centaines d’enfants d’Armenie apprenant
le francais. Il faisait ainsi ses debuts a l’Opera Garnier.

Aznavour, 83 ans en mai (et un nouvel album, Colore ma vie, qui sort
ce 19 fevrier chez Odeon/EMI), englobe-t-il dans sa tournee d’adieux
(commencee au Radio City Hall de New York) ce concert humanitaire
ponctuant l’Annee de l’Armenie en France, qu’il avait lancee le 30
septembre 2006 par un grand concert a Erevan, capitale de l’Armenie ?

Ici, c’est plutôt un passage de relais. " Aznavour et ses amis " est le
sous-titre de cette soiree chic. Au balcon, Bernadette Chirac et Robert
Kotcharian, president de la Republique d’Armenie. Puis Jean-Claude
Brialy, Line Renaud, Robert Hossein, etc. La jeunesse est en scène,
petits rats de l’Opera et ex-Star’Ac compris. Il y a des cameras
de television, et le gala est un catalogue de ce qui se fait sur le
petit ecran : Florent Pagny, Helène Segara, Patrick Bruel, Nâdiya,
Elisa Tovati, Nolwen Leroy, Axel Red, Amel Bent…, tous mobilises
pour chanter des classiques d’Aznavour, avec ou sans lui.

Liane Foly presente. Bref, juste la soiree du samedi soir a eviter.

Mais Aznavour, Aznavourian a la ville, est fin politique. A part
lui, Helène Segara (mère et grand-mère armeniennes) et la Chorale
des enfants armeniens venus du pays, il n’en rajoute pas dans la
compassion nationaliste. Il prefère presenter un bel echantillon
d’enfants d’emigres ou de deplaces : sepharades (Dany Brillant,
Patrick Bruel, Gerard Darmon), deuxième generation maghrebine (Amel
Bent, Elisa Tovati, russe par sa mère, marocaine par son père,
Chimène Badi, Nâdiya), italiens d’ascendance (Calogero, Benabar),
fleurs de banlieue (Grand Corps Malade), etc. Conclusion d’Aznavour,
dont les parents sont arrives a Paris en 1924, annee de sa naissance :
" La chanson francaise est forte. "

Elle est forte parce que des gens comme Aznavour ont compose des
centaines de chansons imparables. Ainsi, Aznavour sait deleguer avec
elegance, changer de tonalite (avec risques de deraillement), pour ne
pas empecher ses partenaires, qui ne savent pas en changer. Il sait
reconnaître a d’autres (Florent Pagny, pour Paris au mois d’août)
les benefices de la voix, se laisser disputer un rôle de crooner
(Michel Delpech, pour Les Plaisirs demodes). Mais qui est le maître
? Qui sait traduire un sentiment en deux mots et un geste de main
? Qui sait emporter une salle qui n’a fait que l’attendre depuis
l’ouverture de rideau en lui chantant, les yeux dans les yeux, Les
Deux Guitares ("Apportez-moi du vin fort, car le vin delivre, Versez,
versez m’en encore ") ? C’est Charles.

–Boundary_(ID_unW9N2zRmhvt8XIZ5SmJqA)–

ARMENIA FULFILS 20 GUARANTEES OF OECD

Noyan Tapan
Feb 14 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Process and further steps of
strategy of anticorruption reforms and fulfilment of commitments were
discussed at the February 14 sitting of Commission of Monitoring on
Implementation of Anticorruption Strategy. Noyan Tapan was informed
about it from RA President’s Press Office. Presenting the process
of fulfilment of anticorruption network guarantees of Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in countries with
transitional economies, Commission Chairman, Assistant to RA President,
Gevorg Mherian stated that Armenia has had a considerable progress
as compared with other CIS countries involved in the same program. It
was mentioned at the organization’s plenary sitting that Armenia has
fulfilled 20 guarantees. RA assumed an obligation to fulfil the rest
of four guarantees in a short period. Armen Khudaverdian, Secretary
of Commission for State Government System Reforms, presented the
process of program of events on elaboration of new anticorruption
strategy. He stated that the experience of implementation of previous
program will be taken into consideration. In new programs priority
will be given to control over the process of fulfilment of already
adopted anticorruption events. Tigran Barseghian, Head of Juridical
Department of RA government’s staff, presented the process of events
of application of UN Convention Against Corruption. They attached
importance to active work of NGOs in the issue of fulfilment of the
issues discussed.

MUSIC: JAZZ IS CLOSING, BUT THE PARISH IS NOT
By Joe Gross

Austin 360 , TX
Feb 11 2007

Jazz restaurant owner Matt Reppert confirmed Friday that the 19-year
Sixth Street Cajun fixture is closing March 18, but the upstairs
Parish club will continue.

"I want to get everyone in here to eat their last meal before I turn
it over," Reppert said. "Austin is a very progressive city, so it’s
time to update the concept."

A new Cajun restaurant called Roux, owned by Dan Janjigian and
Chad Elton, is slated to open in May; they will lease the space
from Reppert.

Reppert said the new owners plan to keep the Parish open, though there
may be a period of inactivity. "There may be some type of gap in the
liquor license," Reppert said.

The Parish will participate in South By Southwest. At Jazz, pianist
Matt Wilson will host "Broadway on Sixth" Thursdays through Saturdays
until March 10.

Janjigian, who participated in the 2002 Olympics as part of the
Armenian two-man bobsled team, is a Web designer and part owner of
the Geisha House in Los Angeles. Elton has worked with House of Blues,
Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s, Nola and Kingfish. Both live in Austin.

ared-gen/blogs/austin/whatsgood/entries/2007/02/10 /music_jazz_is_c.html

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

YPGNY Armenian Christmas Fundraiser Sends $15,000 to Armenian Children

NEW YORK, NY – On January 20, 2007, AGBU Young Professionals of
Greater New York (YPGNY) kicked off 2007 with its seventh annual
Armenian Christmas Reception and Silent Auction that attracted over
100 guests from as far afield as Los Angeles and Paris. The event
raised $15,000 for the AGBU Children’s Centers in Armenia.

Anticipated as one of YPGNY’s signature events, the affair at
Kaleidoscope Imaging, Inc., made possible by the kindness and
generosity of hosts Mr. & Mrs. Joe and Souzi Kasparian, and brought
together Young Professionals (YPs) ready to open their hearts to
support the charitable cause — a favorite among YP groups around
the world.

The evening included a stylish silent auction with items donated
from some of the city’s leading businesses, including Hermes, Lauren
K Jewelry, Sirius Radio, Exhale Spa, Cutler Salon, and 6th Avenue
Electronics. Private individuals also contributed an array of items
including popular tickets to Broadway shows and sporting events to
ensure the event’s success. Among the most coveted pieces available
for auction were needlework, handcrafted cards, canvas paintings and
woodwork from the AGBU Children’s Centers that exhibited the skills
of the children and highlighted their role in continuing the artistic
heritage of Armenians. "It was a very festive and fun event, and
seeing the children’s artwork made the cause immediate and personal,"
guest Michael Manasar said.

Contributions from local restaurants ensured that guests were treated
to a mezze of Middle Eastern and Italian delights and Mr. Kasparian
contributed to the evening’s ambiance by DJing a diverse array music
that captured the fundraiser’s youthful spirit.

"A truly spectacular event!," visiting guest Ara Arzumanian, Director
of the AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program in Pasadena, said
about his first time attending the annual event. "I was visiting NY
from Los Angeles and was very impressed to see so many Armenian young
professionals from all over, coming together to have fun and raise
money for our little brothers and sisters in Armenia. I met a lot of
great people, had a blast and supported the youth of our nation–what
more could you ask for out of an event?"

AGBU YPGNY would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to honorary
YP Onnig Djingueuzian for his enthusiasm and support in making this
an unforgettable and truly successful affair. Other notable donors
that made the event possible were Harout Balabanian, Harut Dermenjian,
Schumers Wine & Liquors, Cognito, Inc., and the Akda Family.

To date, AGBU YPs have made a global commitment to support the AGBU
Children’s Centers and established an endowment in 2002 for the Centers
which now totals over $40,000. Money raised from the YPGNY Armenian
Christmas Reception as well as from the annual HALO Campaign (Help
Armenia’s Little Ones) is added to the YP endowment. Suitable for
recipients of all ages, the YPGNY HALO Campaign allows individuals
to make a donation in the name of a child, grandchild, parent,
grandparent, sibling or friend for any occasion. HALO’s team of
designers creates specially designed certificates and distribute them
to recipients the world over. This year, close to 100 certificates
spread holiday cheer to mailboxes worldwide.

Established in 1999, AGBU YPGNY is part of a growing network of
global Young Professionals groups, whose mission mirrors AGBU’s
promise to preserve and promote Armenian identity and heritage by
adding dimensions to the lives of young professional Armenians through
educational, cultural, social and humanitarian programs. Those wishing
to volunteer should contact YPGNY at [email protected]. Those wishing
more information about AGBU YPs should visit:

IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE TO OPEN ‘IN MARCH OR APRIL’
By Astghik Bedevian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Feb 5 2007

The first Armenian section of a key gas pipeline running from
neighboring Iran will be officially inaugurated next month or in
April at the latest, Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said on Monday.

Movsisian told RFE/RL that he will fly to Tehran later this week to
discuss with top Iranian officials "the opening of the gas pipeline
and other issues of mutual interest." "We will decide the day when
[the pipeline] will be opened," he said, adding that that will happen
"in March or April."

Work on the 40-kilometer section, financed and carried out by the
Iranian side, was supposed to be finished by the end of December. Its
official launch was postponed for reasons that remain unclear.

Armenian officials have blamed bad weather and unspecified "technical
problems" for the delay, while their Iranian counterparts insist that
the facility has essentially been completed and can start pumping
Iranian gas "at any moment."

Media speculation has linked the delay with the Armenian government’s
apparent plans to incorporate the pipeline into ARG national gas
distribution network, 58 percent of which is owned by Russia’s
state-run Gazprom monopoly. Critics say the facility would therefore
fail to serve its main purpose: to reduce Armenia’s energy dependence
on Russia.

Movsisian claimed that the government has not yet decided who will own
it. He said the decision will be taken only after the first pipeline
section comes on stream and undergoes technical tests that will take
"between three and six months."

But addressing the Armenian parliament later in the day, Movsisian
implied that the pipeline’s effective transfer under Russian control is
a forgone conclusion and denied that this would reflect negatively on
Armenia’s energy security. He assured lawmakers that "in one or two
years" Armenian gas imports from Iran will equal those from Russia
even if ARG becomes the owner of the newly built pipeline.