Author: nina hovnanian

SPANISH SENATE HOLDS JOINT SESSION BETWEEN SPANISH AND ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

11:49, 17 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: The Spanish Senate held a joint session
between Spanish and Armenian parliamentarians, called “Challenges of
Armenia on the way to Europe,”reports Armenpress referring to Asbarez.

The event was chaired by the presidents of the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the Senate and Congress, Alejandro Muñoz Ledo and Jose
Maria Alonso Beneyto respectively. Journalist and writer Jose Antonio
Gurriaran explained the historical ties to Spain with Armenia.

Armenian was represented by the Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of
Armenia in Spain, Khoren Terterian, and the deputies of the National
Assembly, and Vahan Hovhannesian and Samuel Fermanian, who discussed
the progress domestic reforms in various sectors in Armenia as means to
eliminate entry visas for citizens of the European Union and free trade
initiatives that are part of provisions with an agreement with the EU.

The Spanish legislators were also briefed on the historical context
and consequences of the Karabakh conflict.

Also attending the session were parliamentarians, academics, business
leades and Armenian community representatives in Spain.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Armenian National Committee
of Spain welcomed the initiative and highlighted the spirit of
harmony and friendship between Spain and Armenia and urged the
various organizations continue to work in coordination with the
aim of generating similar initiatives aimed at achieving a growing
rapprochement between both peoples.

LE COUT DE LA VIE EN ARMENIE EN HAUSSE DE 3,2 POUR CENT

Le coût de la vie en Armenie au quatrième trimestre de 2012, mesure
en prix moyen a augmente de 3,2% par rapport au trimestre precedent
pour atteindre 52 038 drams a la fin de decembre 2012 selon le Service
national de la statistique d’Armenie.

Dans le meme temps, le coût annualise de la vie s’est eleve a 624
464 drams.

Selon les donnees statistiques, le coût d’un panier alimentaire
mensuel au quatrième trimestre de l’annee dernière etait de 29400
drams, en croissance de 3,2%.

Le panier a provisions comprend du pain (la consommation annuelle est
de 91,3 kg, ce qui coûte 44161 drams), la viande (36,5 kg et 90312
drams respectivement), des pommes de terre (91,3 kg, 12964 drams),
des fruits (73 kg, 31003 drams), du sucre (18,3 kg, 9098 drams),
des produits laitiers (71357 drams), des ~ufs (182 pièces, 10 548
drams), de l’huile vegetale (7,3 kg, 6508 drams), du poisson (11 kg,
23094 drams), de la margarine (3,7 kg, 4448 drams).

mercredi 17 avril 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

FIRST VICE-SPEAKER OF AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT: “IN A YEAR OR TWO ARMENIA WILL BE DEPRIVED OF THE NATIONAL SYMBOLS, WILL BECOME AN ORDINARY REGIME”

APA
April 16 2013
Azerbaijan

Baku. Ali Ahmadov – APA. “The efforts of the Armenian lobby to achieve
recognition of Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state in a number of
states of the US are senseless,” first vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani
parliament Ziyafat Asgarov said while commenting on the recent visit
of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region, APA reports.

He considers that the Armenian lobby wants to undermine the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“I regret that they achieve it to some extent in terms of the
protraction of the conflict. But anyway Nagorno Karabakh conflict
must be solved within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,” he said.

Ziyafat Asgarov said the protraction of the settlement is not in
favor of Armenia, either.

“Armenia is becoming miserable and exhausting day by day. Armenia
has very little population resource. Azerbaijan is developing day by
day, has become a center, where international events are held, while
Armenia is isolated from all projects. The aggressor country has been
deprived of all regional events. Armenia should think about it. If
there is a clever person there he should think about what will happen
in Armenia in a year or two. According to our analytical conclusions,
in a year or two Armenia will be deprived of the national symbols,
will become an ordinary body. There is great difference between a
state and an ordinary regime. In this case Armenia will not be able
to stand before Azerbaijan,” he said.

ARF UNVEILS PLATFORM FOR MAY 5 ELECTIONS

April 16, 2013

YEREVAN-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) last week unveiled
its platform for the May 5 Yerevan Municipal Elections. Below is
the full announcement, with some minor edits. The party will be
participating with its own slate of candidates.

ARF’s campaign poster ***

Fellow citizens of Yerevan,

The May 5 Yerevan Municipal Elections will not only determine Yerevan’s
prospects for development, but that of Armenia as a whole.

It is time for decisive and radical changes in our country. It is
time for Yerevan.

This election is a unique referendum on the public’s trust of the
ruling regime. It is time to voice our protest against the political
monocracy, the contaminated system of values, the complacency of the
authorities, and their inefficient governance. Victory in Yerevan would
mean victory for Armenia. Our hope to see a new face for Yerevan and
Armenia will soon become a reality. We must simply express our will,
be determined, and show that the people of Yerevan do not want to
continue living as they have been.

Let’s start the campaign of victory from Yerevan. Let’s change
Yerevan. And Yerevan will change Armenia.

Fellow citizens of Yerevan,

The ARF-D is resolute. Our proposed projects are bold, ambitious,
and at the same time they are solid and realistic. We are not making
lavish promises; instead, we are suggesting solutions. We know what
must be done. We are well aware of the problems that the people of
Yerevan face, and we know how to solve them.

We are a team, we have the willpower to do more, to do better than
what has been done so far. Just compare the ARF-D with the rest
and you will be convinced that we are different. We do not deceive,
we do not betray.

Fellow citizens of Yerevan,

On May 5, vote in favor of change. Vote for your freedom, your
wellbeing. Vote for justice and for ARF-D. We will not let you down.

For once, this time, give your vote to the ARF-D.

If elected, the ARF-D will address the following urgent issues:

System of governance

The ARF-D will:

(1) create a standing committee to control the budget of the
municipality of Yerevan, which will be made up of the opposition as
well as representatives of civic organizations and experts;

(2) protect the residential reserve, make available to the condominiums
the reconstruction service resources with the direct participation
of the residents. Condominiums must not serve as election instrument
for the authorities;

(3) give autonomy to the educational structure that is subordinate
to the municipality; decentralize it and optimize the mechanisms of
control and accountability;

(4) create public order community service (through municipal police)
and establish order in the capital, according to the law on Yerevan
governance; and

(5) extend the jurisdictions and give a real work field to
administration personnel.

Socio-economic policy

The ARF-D will:

(1) increase Yerevan’s budget, provide transparency and public
disclosure across all the stages of budget performance, and pass
to budget-drawing based on programming (finance projects according
to results);

(2) apply different methods, such as shares, bonds, loans, etc.,
for the financing of city-wide projects; and

(3) budget expenses by giving priority to creating jobs, providing
high-quality services, protecting the residential reserve, improving
the city’s sanitary and environmental state, and solving major
transportation problems.

Construction, environment, transport

The ARF-D will:

(1) strictly control construction activities, restore the capital’s
environment, and stop the degradation of the city’s historical-cultural
character;

(2) prohibit construction activities within the Small Center area,
put an end to the local approach vis-a-vis constructions, clean Yerevan
of illegal or arbitrary buildings, expand green areas and play areas,
and draw common blueprints for attics;

(3) implement a full-scale inventory of the residential reserve
elements, disclose and prevent seismic risks, draw up the restoration
and protection of the residential reserve;

(4) make the social residential reserve a municipal responsibility;

(5) along with the government, elaborate and invest in the concept
of the residential reserve by allocating at least 10 percent of
the construction activities’ volume, set construction, national
architectural-cultural protection zones, during construction
period secure effective mechanisms so that the people are aware and
participate through the process;

(6) register house ownership for those citizens whose residence was
registered without ownership rights;

(7) implement garbage removal on a daily basis, apply contemporary
methods for the sanitary cleaning of streets, underground passages,
yards and residences, and introduce an ecologically clean system for
garbage recycling;

(8) by 2017, at least double the city’s green areas and water surfaces;

(9) create recreational zones, one of them for children, at Dalma
and Nork;

(10) organize the protection and effective use of the water reserve,
including the ease of water balance pressure, the prevention of water
loss, the identification of sources of pollution, the implementation
of countering and prevention measures, and the full use of the
Aeratsia station;

(11) regulate the function of pantheon venues and cemeteries, change
the existing, disgraceful situation of the sector;

(12) reshape the Yerevan circuit and draw a new road network connecting
Zvartnots Airport, outside the inhabited areas; and

(13) construct new metro lines and stations.

Public health and social protection

The ARF-D will:

(1) implement effective mechanisms for the social residential reserve
and provide free-of-charge residences (without the right to transfer
or use for other purposes) to large families and young couples;

(2) subsidize the most socially vulnerable, taking into consideration
the minimum amount of natural gas, water, and electricity required
for daily living;

(3) empower organizations by providing daycare for children
(kindergartens, long-day school groups, professional daycare for
children with special needs), and elevate the quality of those
services;

(4) modernize institutions that provide care to the elderly, including
the in-house care system, while shaping a network of recreational
places for the elderly;

(5) provide, once and for all, an appropriate environment for people
with mobility impairment;

(6) allocate financial assistance to civic organizations that deal
with disability issues; and

(7) enhance the capacities and the quality of the services of the
primary healthcare system.

Education and youth

The ARF-D will:

(1) develop the system of pre-school institutions, broaden the scale
of enrollment, and apply common standards;

(2) expand the network of cultural-scientific educational centers,
and increase the number of attendees;

(3) raise the budgetary and off-budgetary resources of educational
institutions, along with their effectiveness;

(4) develop the social protection system of teachers and staff;

(5) implement an active policy for youth employment; and

(6) support the realization of scientific and creative projects of
talented youth.

BUSINESSMAN: DIRTY SCHEMES APPLIED ON COMPACT DISC MARKET IN ARMENIA

ARMINFO
Tuesday, April 16, 21:52

The compact disc market in Armenia is controlled by high-ranking
officials, with certain corrupt law enforcers forcing undesirables
out of the market, Director of Disc World retail chain Karen Qupelian
told journalists on Tuesday.

He told ArmInfo that he was once fined for an alleged attempt to sell
porno movies.

Qupelian said that in Oct 2012 the Government decreed that starting
from Apr 18 2013 all CDs and DVDs should bear an excise stamp
(costing 7.5 AMD or $0.02), but in Armenia, where Internet users have
free access to movies, music, computer programs and games, this is
a senseless measure. The only way-out here is that they should be
forced to pay for the content they download from the Internet.

Director of Hi-Fi retail chain Artashes Bostanjyan said that once the
excise stamp is introduced, the average price of CDs in Armenia will
jump from 500-3,000 AMD to 5,000-6,000 AMD. “In such a situation our
CD market will simply die,” Bostanjyan said, adding that only one
company has managed to sell excised CDs in the last six months.

On the other hand, there is no chance to acquire excise labels for
the compact discs available in the stock, because for that purpose
it is necessary to sign relevant agreements with foreign copyright
holders and license holders of intellectual property items, receive
certificates of authenticity at the Intellectual Property Agency of
the Armenian Economy Ministry and then to present them to the taxation
bodies, which, in turn, provide the excise labels.

Nevertheless, David Hanoyan, Head of the Reco-Records company,
agreed that in case of observing the game rules in the market, the
introduction of compulsory excise labels will lead to the situation
that the sellers will be unable to evade tax obligations and will
observe the legislative standards on intellectual property protection.

No specific data about the output of the Armenian market of compact
discs were given. Armenia lacks official statistics on production,
import and export of these products.

“HUNT” FOR GAGIK TSARUKYAN’S PHENOMENON

2013-04-16 22:23:46

The fact that Armenia has long been described in terms of a
totalitarian system, there must be a reason for the high level of
democracy linked to expression of that kind and tolerant trait.

That is, the political situation created in life is directly
proportional to the existing level, and accordingly, its consequences.

Today, the barricades that were set up in Yerevan and, in general,
in Armenia, in the image of government and opposition forces, led
to another tense atmosphere, which is the second time this year, not
only politically, but also in terms of citizens’ daily lives. We can
say that this is a consequence, which took place in the beginning
of presidential elections, which in its turn is a consequence of
the previous elections. This chain reaction has for many years been
unable to find a solution, but the upcoming municipal elections in
Yerevan once again provide an opportunity to change the situation.

On this occasion, of course, mechanisms and systems are different. The
most relevant is probably the association PAP, ARF, ANC and even
“Heritage” around the creation of the controlling coalition. Other
options are also being discussed, but mainly for classical option,
everyone for himself.

However, in case of any action by the three or four, PAP, which even
today many are not considered, but they want to lure to their side,
remains the only force that is competitive from financial point
of view. The main way of getting better is by Gagik Tsarukyan,
who is the “nail” of PAP, on which all is based in the party. Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s messages at the founding congress of ANC were directed
to this: it is noteworthy that the “gap” of Levon Ter-Petrosyan
supposed connection. However, PAP’s mood is quite clear, the party
does not take any options of reunion with any other party, leaving
the door open just for other parties to join PAP.

Even during the parliamentary elections at the same time more
scheme-technical innovations, Tsarukyan was again in the center,
many, who today are struggling for the elections of Yerevan Council
of Elders, given a mandate, today are still trying to grab something
that is so easily able in 2012. But this time the situation is very
different- Gagik Tsarukyan has the task to preserve his own and take
care of his own, as he said in a loud voice, and his speech, that
those who would offend members of PAP, would have to deal with him.

Thus, at this time, like last year, the political forces began to
“hunt” for Gagik Tsarukyan’s phenomenon.

Gevorg Avetisyan

ARMENIAN PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY WERE 10 YARDS AWAY FROM THE SECOND EXPLOSION IN BOSTON

16:59 16.04.2013

Former Fresnan, the Rev. Gregory Haroutunian, pastor of First Armenian
Church in Belmont, Mass., and his family were about 10 yards (9 meters)
away from the second explosion in Boston, the Fresno Bee reports.

“Surreal. I don’t want to say what I saw,” Haroutunian said. “As my
9-year-old said, ‘You don’t want to hear what I saw.’

Haroutunian was attending his first Boston Marathon. He took his wife,
Sossi, and their three young children to cheer on a friend. Sossi
was on the curb with the couple’s 11-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl
watching the marathon.

Haroutunian and his 5-year-old boy were inside an ATM booth when he
heard a big boom. When the second explosion blasted, his wife and
the children ran inside uniting with the family.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign affairs said earlier it possesses
no information about whether any Armenians had suffered as a result
of the twin blasts in Boston.

UNITED NATIONS, ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREENING OF YEREVAN

16:03 16.04.2013

More than 420 trees were planted by the representatives of the UN
Office in Armenia, Government, international community and civil
society during a Tree Planting Day organized by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the UN Office in Armenia, the Charitable Foundation ~SArmenia
Tree Project~T in the Avan administrative district of Yerevan.

The event was supported by the administration of the Avan district.

The tree planting was organized to celebrate the International Mother
Earth Day within the framework of the International Year of Water
Cooperation. The trees and all necessary planting equipment were
kindly provided by the ~SArmenia Tree Project~T.

Bradley Busetto, UN Resident Coordinator said: ~SEvery citizen has
a right to live in a safe and healthy environment and it is our
obligation to protect it. That is why protection and sustainable
use of natural resources is absolutely vital, and a focus of the UN
here in Armenia. I am happy to join this tradition, introduced by
our Armenian partners and plant trees, thus contributing personally
to the restoration of the green areas in this beautiful country,
thus protecting natural resources as well.~T

Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted that
Armenian Government pays special attention to the protection of
forests, greening of our cities and villages and preservation of other
natural resources through broader involvement of local communities.

Together we work to strengthen the management, conservation, and
sustainable development of forests for the benefit of current and
future generations. I call on each of my fellow citizens to plant at
least one tree every year, thus personally contributing to restoration
of parks and forests.

~SThere is no more important work than cooperating with the Armenian
government, its agencies, and the UN on projects dedicated to
improving Armenia~Rs environment,~T commented Thomas Garabedian,
Managing Director of the Armenia Tree Project. ~SThe planting of these
trees reinforces ATP~Rs commitment to the well being of Armenia~Rs
citizens and to the protection of the Armenian environment.~T

The UN will continue its cooperation with the Government and civil
society on projects aimed at sustainable development of Armenia,
protecting the environment and natural resources, thus contributing
to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The event is organized within the framework of activities aimed
to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, since on April 5th,
the world marked 1,000 Days to the end of 2015 ~V the deadline for
achieving MDGs.

Armenia Tree Project (ATP), a non-profit program based in the USA
and Armenia, is implementing environmental projects in Armenia~Rs
impoverished and deforested zones. Since 1994, over 4,000,000 trees
have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs have been created
for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs. ATP works to
further Armenia~Rs economic and social development by mobilizing
resources to fund reforestation.

WORKSHOP ON POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE EU-ARMENIA DEEP AND COMPREHENSIVE FTA

14:56 16.04.2013

A workshop on potential impacts of the proposed EU-Armenia Deep
and Comprehensive Free Trade Area will be held in Yerevan on April
17. The workshop aims to ensure a better understanding by national
representatives, business associations, social partners and civil
society of the Trade SIA process and to promote an interactive dialogue
between the different players.

The workshop is held in the same week as the 5th round of DCFTA
negotiations between the EU and Armenia, which take place in Yerevan
on April 16 and 17. While these negotiations take place behind closed
doors, the TSIA workshop provides an opportunity for key non-state
stakeholders and the wider public to let their voices be heard in
the process.

During the workshop the Ecorys-CASE consortium will present the
findings from the first phase of the study, which concerned the
quantitative analysis of macro-economic and sector level impacts (e.g.
expected impacts in terms of national income, employment and trade).

Invited guest speakers will subsequently provide their views on
potential effects of the DCFTA at specific sector level, and in the,
social and environmental spheres.

The preliminary findings of the study suggest that the DCFTA should
bring positive and significant effects for Armenian national income
with GDP increasing 2.3 percent in the long run (5-10 years). The
expected DCFTA effects on Armenian exports are significant, with a
projected 15.2 percent increase in exports and an 8.2 percent increase
in imports in the long run, leading to an improvement in Armenia’s
trade balance. Wages are expected to increase with 2.6 percent on
average, while consumer prices slightly decrease, leading to a quite
substantial increase in disposable income.

However, less affluent households are expected to benefit slightly
less from the DCFTA, compared to the relatively rich strata of
population. This is largely due to differences in income and
expenditure patterns. More specifically, although average prices
go down, food prices are expected to increase slightly, and poorer
strata of the population spend a larger share of their income on food
products. Thus a slight increase in inequality may occur.

The DCFTA will bring a combination of positive and negative
environmental effects and the overall impact is difficult to
predict – it should be kept in mind that especially in the social
and environmental spheres, many other factors are at play as well
with a potentially much greater impact.

At sector level, the DCFTA is expected to have positive effects for
those sectors that have a competitive advantage, while sectors with
a competitive disadvantage may face some reductions in output and
employment. The study team has selected a number of sectors which
are expected to see substantial impacts for further analysis in the
last phase of the study. These include primary metals, textiles
and clothing and brandy making. Labour mobility is considered as
well, as it is seen as an important factor in easing the (necessary)
transition of workers between sectors, from rural to urban areas and
from the informal to the formal sectors.

While the overall impacts of the DCFTA are thus expected to be positive
for Armenia, there may be winners and losers and considering these
various groups and how short term losses may be reduced or cushioned
is an important objective of the final phase of this study, for which
the inputs of the actual stakeholders are considered crucial.

ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO SOW ENMITY BETWEEN GEORGIA’S ARMENIANS AND GEORGIANS? – NEWSPAPER

April 17, 2013 | 07:47

YEREVAN. – In early April, the Armenians of Javakhk-Georgian name:
Javakheti, is a predominantly-Armenian-populated part of Georgia’s
southeastern Samtskhe-Javakheti Province-had staged a demonstration
in downtown Tbilisi, Aravot daily reports.

“The media reported that the 400 demonstrators in front of the
Georgian PM’s residence were demanding an end to the attempts by some
political forces in Georgia to ‘sow enmity between Georgia’s Armenian
and Georgian citizens.’

Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia, Hovhannes Manukyan, told Aravot the
following in this regard:

‘We cannot rule out that individual marginal forces, or figures,
might attempt to make ethnic enmity serve their petty political
objectives; this is politics. But I do not see, in the Georgian
society, a favorable ground for the spread of this perilous disease.

The friendship of the Armenian and Georgian peoples was formed under
the most heated historical conditions, and the historical recollection
of our peoples is an insurmountable obstacle before any challenge
that threatens the Armenian-Georgian friendship,'” Aravot quotes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am