Author: nina hovnanian

RESULTATS DU PHONETON EUROPEEN 2013 DU FONDS ARMENIEN PARRAINE PAR ARIANE ASCARIDE ET ROBERT GUEDIGUIAN

COMMUNIQUE

Plus de 1,46 million ~@ recoltes en 4 jours, soit + 4 % par rapport a 2012

Le Phonethon europeen, operation humanitaire organisee par le Fonds
Armenien de France en faveur de l’Armenie, du Karabagh et de la
communaute armenienne de Syrie, place sous le signe de la solidarite et
du partage et parraine cette annee par la comedienne Ariane Ascaride et
le realisateur Robert Guediguian, s’est clos ce dimanche 24 novembre
2013. Grâce aux appels telephoniques donnes par près de 750 benevoles
a partir des plateformes Orange, plus de 1,46 million ~@ (+4 % par
rapport a 2012) ont ete recoltes en promesses de dons auprès des 50
000 familles et entreprises contactees au cours de cette operation.

Pour le president du Fonds Armenien de France, Bedros Terzian, ” une
fois de plus, ni la crise economique ni les incertitudes politiques
n’ont pu entamer l’indefectible attachement de nos benevoles et
donateurs envers la population d’Armenie, du Karabagh et de leurs
frères et soeurs de Syrie. En cette annee 2013, par leur devouement et
leur generosite, en France, en Allemagne, en Grèce, aux Pays-Bas, en
Suisse et en Belgique, comme dans tous les pays où le Fonds Armenien
est implante, ils envoient un message fort d’espoir en l’avenir
“. Des milliers de familles vont beneficier des projets que ces dons
permettront de realiser : developpement agropastoral en Armenie ;
centres ruraux d’action sociale au Karabagh ; construction de la
route Vardenis-Mardakert ; soutien aux ecoles armeniennes de Syrie.

1,24 million ~@ de promesses de dons proviennent de France, 62 000 ~@
d’Allemagne, 77 000 ~@ de Suisse, 23 000 ~@ de Grèce, 11 000 ~@ de
Belgique, etc. Des operations similaires se deroulent en ce moment
aux Etats-Unis, au Canada, en Australie, en Argentine et au Liban,
ainsi qu’en Armenie et au Karabagh.

Le Phonethon continue après le 24 novembre. Il est possible de faire
des dons via le site internet ou par telephone :
N° Azur (coût d’un appel local) 0810 24 24 24, jusqu’au 31 decembre
2013.

A propos du Fonds Armenien de France : Les appels sont emis a partir
de 4 centres (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse) mis a disposition
par Orange, partenaire officiel du Phonethon. Le Fonds construit
des infrastructures en Armenie et au Karabagh (routes, ecoles,
dispensaires et hôpitaux, reseaux d’eau potable, d’irrigation, de
gaz et d’electricite, agriculture et elevage…) indispensables au
developpement socioeconomique des populations.

lundi 25 novembre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

Armenia increased export of paintings

10:03, 22 November, 2013

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The number of the export of
paintings exported from the Republic of Armenia has increased by about
4,6% during the months of January-September in comparison with the
same period of the previous year and made 526 pieces. The total
customs value of the exported paintings exceeded $1,3 million.
Armenpress reports that according to the data provided by the State
Revenue Committee of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, 191 of
the exported paintings during the months of January-September were
directed to the United States of America, 106 to the Russian
Federation, 49 to France, 40 to Kuwait, 38 to Ukraine, 19 to Turkey,
as well as to Columbia, India, Macedonia, Norway and other countries.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

Greek Reporter, Australia
Nov 23 2013

Parliament Condemns Disclaimer of Armenian and Greek Genocide

By Sotiria Nikolouli on November 23, 2013

The Turkish embassy in Australia used the space of the federal
parliament in Canberra, in order to adopt a firm position that there
was no genocide of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians during the First
World War. The Turkish embassy stated its gratitude to the institution
of Australian Turkish Advocacy-Alliance, which invited the American
Professor Justin McCarthy. This professor argued that there was never
Armenian Genocide.

Moreover, the Turkish embassy mentioned that the professor toured
Australia and gave speeches in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra,
restoring the `truth’ about the historical events of 2015. His speech
in Canberra in the hall of the federal parliament caused many
reactions.

Many members of Parliament and organizations of Armenians, Jews and
Greeks noted that it is unacceptable to allow a genocide disclaimer to
express his unhistorical views in the Australian parliament.
Therefore, Australian parliament condemned the extremist positions of
Professor Justin McCarthy, as well as the Australian politicians who
allowed him to take the step.

McCarthy admitted that over a million Armenians were killed in 1915
but he said `it was not done under a systematic genocide plan.’

The former Federal Labour MP Steve Georganas expressed his regret for
the Turkish propaganda made by the Australian parliament,’ adding that
this was unacceptable.

The parliament of New South Wales, in May last year, recognized the
genocide of Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians by the Ottoman Empire. The
state of South Australia also recognized the Pontian Genocide.

ARMENIA’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM ABLE TO RESIST SERIOUS EXTERNAL CHALLENGES- CB HEAD

YEREVAN, November 22. / ARKA /. “The Dram is not only a means of
payment; it is a key symbol of our independence and statehood, the
pride of every citizen. Appreciating the true merit of it indeed
requires more time. However, building a confidence in the Dram and
helping it become established is already a history,’ said today the
chairman of Armenia’s Central Bank Arthur Javadyan at a ceremony
dedicated to the Bank Employee’s Day and the 20th anniversary of
the introduction of Armenia’s national currency, attended also by
President Serzh Sargsyan.

.

According to him, even in the most vulnerable times of global financial
crisis the domestic financial system posted increased volumes of
credits and deposit accounts, which contributed to the revival of
the economy.

‘While many financial institutions in the world went bankrupt and
only some could withstand the hardships thanks to enormous financial
support from their governments and at the cost of significant increases
in public debt, no financial institution in Armenia suffered solvency
problems or was in need for governmental assistance,” he said.

“A report published by the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank also points to the success with which Armenia maintains
its financial system stability. The report contains these renowned
institutions’ assessment of the country’s financial sector, which
was conducted last year. Not that these were years to merely endure
the challenges but to wade into them with true vigor and dignity, in
order to continue developing more assertively and purposefully. Our
achievements in these years are obvious: the office of financial system
mediator started functioning in 2009, the Central Bank spent more
efforts and at a larger scale in increasing public confidence toward
the financial sector, consumer protection and financial education,
the threshold of insured deposits of individuals has doubled up to
AMD 4 million for dram-denominated deposits and up to AMD 2 million
for foreign currency deposits.”

“In 2011 the All-Armenian Bank started its operations with the goal
to make financial investments in areas strategically important for
Armenia, and it already has some loan investments on track, the Central
Bank continued supporting a variety of social and institutional reforms
(mortgage, consumer, agricultural projects; the compulsory motor third
party liability insurance; the pension reform plan, among others).”

“In the course of the last 5 years we have been thrilled to see the
financial intermediation grown two and a half times in the economy,
the average loan and deposit volumes increased to about 27 percent
each, the weighted average interest rates of loans fallen by 3-4
percentage points, as well as an increased access to financial
services, an increasingly stronger corporate governance culture at
banks and an elevated level of financial literacy among households.

For comparison, as of end of 2008 the amount of the banking system
credit was AMD 615 billion, with assets amounting to AMD 1.0 trillion,
these indicators today are, respectively, AMD 1.6 trillion and AMD 2.7
trillion. This is the outcome of our unswerving work year after year.

We are full of pride for our currency and for the
path it has gone so far.” M.M.-0- – See more at:

ECONOMIST: IN ARMENIA PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS SCHEME

by Alexandr Avanesov

ARMINFO
Friday, November 22, 16:25

The mandatory pension contributions scheme offered by the Armenian
Government is a progressive instrument successfully applied in dozens
of countries worldwide, Director of Alternative Analytical Center
Tatul Manaseryan told journalists on Friday.

He said that one of the authors of the scheme, President of the
International Center for Pension Reform Jose Pinera successfully
applied it in Chile.

“The problem here is that in Armenia people do not trust this scheme.

They are afraid that years after they will not be able to get their
money back as was the case in the Soviet times. Here much depends on
confidence,” Manaseryan said.

ARMENIA REMAINS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER OF THE EU, GERMAN AMBASSADOR SAYS

17:33 22.11.2013

Armenia, EU, Germany

Karen Ghazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia

“It’s up to Armenia to decide whether they will be present and at what
level they will be represented at the Vilnius summit,” the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia Reiner Morel
told journalists on the sidelines of the opening of the reconstructed
building of the German Embassy in Yerevan.

“Of course, Armenia has been invited,” the Ambassador said, adding
that Armenia remains a valuable partner within the Eastern Partnership.

Although after President Sargsyan’s statement about Armenia’s decision
to join joining the Customs Union that it’s impossible to sign the
Association Agreement, they are working on a joint declaration.

“Hopefully, President Sargsyan will be present in Vilnius,” he said,
adding that cooperation within the framework of the Eastern partnership
goes on.

“The cooperation is not over, and the country will stay a partner
within the Eastern Partnership,” he said.

As for Ukraine’s decision to suspend the signing of the Association
Agreement, the Ambassador said “it’s a new development, and everyone
is now analyzing it.”

The German Ambassador and the Armenian Foreign Minister opened today
the renovated premises of the German Embassy in Yerevan.

Comments as to Armenian parliament leader mocking Genocide victims are
groundless

November 23, 2013 | 13:43

YEREVAN. – The comments, according to which Armenian National
Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan has mocked the memory of the
Genocide victims, are unfounded.

Gohar Poghosyan, Head of the NA Information and Public Relations
Department, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

She noted that Abrahamyan had danced at Armenia Square in Uruguayan
capital city Montevideo, and this square is devoted to Armenia and it
also symbolizes Armenian-Uruguayan friendship.

`The monument devoted to the Genocide is in another place. Festive
music was played there [at Armenia Square], and therefore the memorial
dedicated to the Genocide victims could not have been in that square,’
Poghosyan specifically said.

To note, an Armenian parliamentary delegation, led by Hovik
Abrahamyan, arrived in Uruguay on an official visit. Following the
formal talks, the delegation visited Armenia Square and placed a
wreath to the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Abrahamyan also danced at
the square, RFE/RL Armenian service had reported earlier.

Arguments Against a Single History Textbook for Former Soviet Union

11.23.2013 00:29 epress.am

In the near future, countries of the Former Soviet Union will have a
networked university and a common history textbook for the purpose of
strengthening the integration process. This was announced during a
meeting of an international group under the auspices of the Chair of
Russia’s Federation Council. The initiative was announced by the
rector of Moscow’s State Institute of International Relations, Anatoly
Torkunov, and the chair of the Federation Council, Valentina
Matviyenko.

This is not the first time an attempt has been made to create a single
history textbook. As told to Epress.am by Sasun Melikyan, the head of
the Management and Coordination of Professional Education division at
the RA Ministry of Education and Science’s Department of Higher and
Post-Graduate Professional Education, in the 2000s, there was an EU
program to write the history of the Caucasus, but this attempt failed
since Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s historians could not reach an
agreement.

According to cultural critic Vardan Jaloyan, such initiatives can be
considered politics of memory; that is, an attempt to use historical
memory for political purposes. Jaloyan said that Russia already has
several types of history textbooks, which, he says, “try not to allow
the history to contradict the official viewpoints.”

Those chronicling history in the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS), Jaloyan continued, mainly carry out orders; therefore, the
opposition and the authorities cannot agree on anything written there.
As a result, the authorities’ version is accepted as the truth while
the opposition version is censored. This situation, according to
Jaloyan, is especially characteristic of Armenian historiography.

“In the Ukraine, Georgia, and the Baltic states, also written is the
point of view other than that of the authorities, which Russia doesn’t
like, since those books speak about the Russians being vicious
imperialists,” he said.

According to Jaloyan, in Armenia’s case, neither in recent history nor
in the historiography of the19th century is there a single episode
represented that is contrary to Russia’s interests.

“If at least they recalled what Leo and Ashot Hovhannisyan wrote about
the role of Russians in Armenia. There is also no dialogue with
historians of the [Armenian] diaspora, most of whom in Armenia are
considered traitors of the nation and whose works absolutely do not
match the history written in Armenia,” he said.

Ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan, also weighing in on the matter,
informed Epress.am that history is a strictly political phenomenon and
generalizing it will lead to the dominant history in those books being
Russia’s, with only a few words about other states; for example, the
section about Armenia will only be about the Arshakuni dynasty,
Urartu, and so on.

“During the Soviet years, we also studied the history of the USSR,
which was basically the history of Russia. There are other similar
examples in the EU: Germany and France attempted to create common
textbooks,” she said.

According to Kharatyan, the political weight of participating
countries is important in the depiction of historical events in common
books: after all, it’s not a coincidence that history is Eurocentric.

ARMENIA SAYS IT’S READY TO HOST RUSSIAN COMBAT HELICOPTERS

MiG-29 Fulcrum

© RIA Novosti. Valery Melnickov
21:24 21/11/2013
Tags: Erebuni, MiG-29, Artur Bagdasaryan, Armenia, Yerevan, Russia

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Multimedia

Mikoyan MiG-29K

YEREVAN, November 21 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia will allocate additional
space at the Erebuni air base to host a Russian helicopter squadron
being formed to strengthen the Russian air contingent in the former
Soviet state, Armenia’s deputy defense minister said Thursday.

Russia’s 3624th Air Base at Erebuni Airport in Yerevan currently
hosts at least 16 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets operating under air
defense agreements concluded between the members of the Commonwealth
of Independent States.

“The Russian base will be given additional space to host helicopter
pads, administrative buildings and fuel-storage facilities,” Ara
Nazaryan said at a government meeting.

Nazaryan said the Russian squadron at the Erebuni base would comprise
18 helicopters, but did not specify what type. He also said the
squadron was expected to arrive by the end of this month.

The Erebuni air base is part of Russia’s 102nd military base located
in Gyumri, near Armenia’s border with Turkey.

The 102nd base has been deployed in Gyumri since 1995 under a
bilateral treaty that was extended in 2010 from 25 to 49 years,
ensuring a Russian military presence in Armenia through 2044.

Artur Bagdasaryan, head of Armenia’s National Security Council, said
in June that Russian military bases in Armenia will be modernized
and upgraded over the next few years.

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING MARKS THE START OF A NEW ROUND

18:47 21.11.2013

Anna Nazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has commented on Armenia’s
invitation to participate in the sitting of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation Organization in Yerevan. The Foreign Minister has said
it’s common practice and the invitation should not be viewed as
something special.

Speaking at a press conference, Davutoglu has stressed Turkey’s
interest to normalize relations with Armenia. “We want the relations
between Turkey and Armenia to normalize, the problem between Azerbaijan
and Armenia to be solved and sustainable peace to be established in
the South Caucasus as soon as possible,” he said.

What does this statement mean and what will it change? Director of
the Oriental Studies Institute Ruben Safrastyan is pessimistic about
such statements. “This is an imitation, and there is no ground to
think there will be any progress,” he told a press conference today.

Safrastyan does not believe Turkey’s will review its approaches on
the relations with Armenia and stop linking them to the Karabakh issue.

According to expert of Turkish studies Andranik Ispiryan, such
statements could pursue two objectives. Turkey has filed on the Syria
issue and is thus trying to divert the international community’s
attention from the fact. Besides, there is another reason that could
make Turkey speak about normalization of relations with Armenia;
it’s the resumption of EU accession talks.

The experts advise to remember that the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide is approaching, and Turkey is trying to look
peaceful.

Andranik Ispiryan says progress is possible. “Turkey may even open
the shared border with Armenia, but there’s no guarantee that it
won’t be closed the next day.”

Meanwhile, Turkey has welcomes the resumption of talks between Sargsyan
and Aliyev. Ruben Safrastyan says, in turn, it could be the start of
a new round.