Author: nina hovnanian

Turkish women entrepreneurs want the border with Armenia to open

YEREVAN, April 8, /ARKA/. The USAID-funded Enterprise Development and
Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project and the Women’s Forum
non-governmental organization are holding a two-day forum in Yerevan
for Armenian and Turkish businesswomen with the theme of the
establishment of trade and economic relations.

The forum aims to familiarize Turkish businesswomen with the business
climate in Armenia, its tax and customs systems, the business
registration processes, as well as present them with a networking
opportunity in order to support the establishment of trade and
economic relations between the two countries.

The forum is being attended by guests from USAID Armenia, other
international organizations, the President of the Eastern and
South-Eastern Business Women `Dokunkad’ Association Nevin Il, the
President of the Diyarbakir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Diyaeddin
Gezer, as well as the President and members of Women’s Forum NGO. They
encouraged the participating businesswomen

to take advantage of the networking and direct negotiation
opportunities presented by the event.

Over 30 Armenian businesswomen are participating in the forum,
representing various industries including tourism, medical
cosmetology, sweets and dessert, arts and crafts, textile
manufacturing, construction and the production of construction of
materials. The Turkish delegation includes over 35 business women from
the tourism, medicine, construction, packaging, diary production, and
freight industries.

On the first day the forum featured an exhibition of products by
Armenian and Turkish businesswomen, and participants heard from the
Armenian Development Agency and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship
Development National Center. The second day of the forum will be
marked
with presentations from the State Revenue Committee and
business-to-business meetings with Armenian counterparts.

`The opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is essential for economic
development of the two countries,’ said Nevin Il.

“Armenia and Turkey are neighbors and have much in common. We believe
that bilateral cooperation in trade will be successful. Establishment
of trade and friendly relations between Turkey and Armenia and the
opening of borders are very important, “she said.

According to her, development of trade relations between countries
with closed borders is extremely difficult.

“But we believe that these difficulties can be overcome. I think that
trade will bring together the two peoples and lead to the opening of
the Armenian-Turkish border,” she said.

Diyaeddin Gezer said development of bilateral relations will be
enhanced if the railroad between Turkey and Armenia resume operation.

“We will make all the efforts to push for the resumption of the
operation of the railway. To this end, we have already applied to the
Turkish prime minister and president, “Gezer said.

“We believe that if the border between the two countries opens
Armenia’s trade with Turkey will account for about 55-60% of its
overall trade,” she said.

According to Armenia’s national Statistical Service, Turkish-Armenian
trade in January-February 2013 was $24.8 million, increasing by 7.2
percent from a year before.

Established in May 2002, Women’s Forum is a non-governmental
organization aimed to support women in entrepreneurship and
leadership, enhance the creation of necessary favorable conditions for
the promotion of women in social, business and professional fields,
and advocate for women’s rights in different spheres of social and
civil development.

The USAID-funded Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness
(EDMC) Project seeks to improve Armenia’s business environment and
support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This five-year project aims to increase employment and income in
Armenia by promoting growth in select value chains that have strong
export potential – high technologies,
pharmaceuticals/biotechnologies, food processing, and hospitality.
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Genocide: A joint commemoration at the Armenian Museum of Armenia

18:45 08.04.2013

On Sunday April 21, the Armenian Museum of America will present a
Joint Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian Genocide,
and the ongoing Genocide in Darfur.

The Armenian Genocide provided a blueprint for many other Genocides of
the 20th century; only the victims are different. Armenian-Americans
understandably focus each April on commemorating the Armenian
Genocide. Recognizing that our Genocide is a forerunner for countless
other Genocides, we share the pain from all Genocides, and each year
we commemorate with other victim groups.

This year’s joint commemoration will feature talks by Mr. Kowith Kret,
a survivor of the Cambodian Genocide by the Khmer Rouge, Mr. Eric
Cohen, president of the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
speaking on the ongoing crisis in the region, and Prof. Armen
Marsoobian of Southern Connecticut State University on the aftermath
of the Armenian Genocide.

An exhibition on the Cambodian Genocide, `More Than A Number’, will be
on display in the Terjenian-Thomas Gallery on the third floor, and an
exhibit on the Genocide in Darfur will be mounted in the Contemporary
Art Gallery on the same floor. The museum’s permanent Armenian
Genocide exhibition is on display on the 2nd floor.

Serzh Sargsyan, Part II: Armenian president to move on from first turbulent term

ANALYSIS | 08.04.13 | 15:35

Photo: Archive photo/

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Serzh Sargsyan, who began his term as president of Armenia under
extraordinary conditions in 2008 and is ending his first stint in
office in similarly turbulent circumstances now, has had a five-year
period of work in-between that is being praised by his supporters and
criticized by opponents with equal vigor.

A reliable international partner with a recovering economy after the
global storm, a country oriented towards Europe but maintaining allied
ties with Russia… This is a Sargsyan Armenia described by his
supporters and some observers in and outside Armenia.

A country with a virtually non-existent or at best reactive foreign
policy still grappling with the consequences of the global economic
crisis, a country with continuing emigration and falling living
standards that still cannot determine its place on the geopolitical
map being torn by the choice between the West and Russia… This is a
description given to today’s Armenia by most of Sargsyan’s critics.

On April 9, the 58-year-old leader is due to take the oath as
president of Armenia for a second time. And for the second time the
swearing-in ceremony will take place amid mass public protests against
election fraud. In 2008, the protest had turned into riots and
security forces were employed to quell the unrest as a result of which
10 people were killed. This time, the opposition, which plans street
protests for the Inauguration Day and an `alternative’ swearing-in
ceremony for its leader Raffi Hovannisian, has urged the authorities
to refrain from bringing in army units and commandos, but peacefully
listen to the `demands of the people’.

Experts have different opinions regarding the reasons for the
discontent of a significant part of the people, who now support the
opposition movement. Some believe it is a response to the
`detrimental’ economic and social policies of the government, which
has failed to curb emigration from the country or raise the living
standards of the population.

On the other hand, director of the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies Manvel Sargsyan says that some of the protesters
in fact thus speak out against what they consider to be another rigged
election.

In any case, it is clear that Sargsyan’s policies in the past five
years, both in the field of democracy and the socio-economic sphere,
have failed to meet the expectations and needs of many citizens. (Only
according to the official election count opposition candidate Raffi
Hovannisian polled nearly 37 percent of the vote and the government
seems to admit that this is about the size of the `protest electorate’
that exists in Armenia).

Still, many agree on some achievements made during the past five
years. Among them they primarily mention a certain liberalization of
television and mass media in general. By the presidential election of
2013 television channels that had mainly been controlled by the
authorities indeed become freer and more open, but the situation
changed after the elections as only two television channels, Yerkir
Media and Kentron, now still remain outside the control of the
government. They are, in turn, being controlled by the opposition
Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the opposition-leaning
Prosperous Armenia Party. At a press conference last month Sargsyan,
without naming them, accused these two channels, as well as unnamed
newspapers and online media, of encouraging emigration by presenting
things as if they all were `doom and gloom’.

Government officials have tended to link the increased rate of
emigration mainly with the economic crisis of 2008-09 and its
consequences. However, it is obvious that many people leave because of
rising unemployment and unfair pay. Sargsyan says people do not want
to work in Armenia for a salary of 120,000-150,000 drams (about
$285-$360). At the same time, the Sargsyan government has refused to
raise the minimum rates of wages so that employers are required to pay
employees proper salaries.

Among the achievements of the Sargsyan administration is arguably the
transformation of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh
settlement process. Despite a normalization process initiated by
Sargsyan with encouragement from world powers relations with Turkey,
however, still remain in an impasse. Still, the change of Armenia’s
rhetoric, which has become more ambitious with regard to Turkey, can
be listed among achievements. At the official level there are still no
territorial claims to Turkey, but it is clear that by 2015 Armenia
will become a player in the geopolitical developments in Asia Minor.

In the Karabakh settlement the Madrid principles that some say are not
beneficial for the Armenian side are still valid, but the geopolitical
balance of forces in the region has changed. Russia has stopped
supplying arms to Azerbaijan, however the risk of a military conflict
is growing, while Sargsyan is praised by some observers for his
administration’s firm position that did not yield to pressure to agree
to giving up part of Karabakh territories in exchange for an illusory
peace.

One can safely describe foreign-policy diversification as the main
achievement during the presidency of Sargsyan. The unambiguous and
unconditional dependence on Russia has turned into a tough stance in a
dispute with the Kremlin over the right to build relations with other
centers of power. In particular, in November 2013 Armenia plans to
initial the Association Agreement with the European Union despite
Russia’s attempts to derail the process. In short, one can say that
Armenia has given authority to Russia as far as its security is
concerned, while entrusting to the West matters connected with economy
and democratization – a policy praised (based on public statements) by
the new leadership in neighboring Georgia, whose predecessor could not
balance the two directions and ended up having an armed confrontation
with Russia).

Elections seem to remain one of the most vulnerable points in the
policy of the Sargsyan administration. The people appear to have lost
trust in the cornerstone of any democracy, as the outcomes of all
elections are disputed and the authorities do little or nothing to
dispel these doubts. Opposition demands to amend the Election Code are
being rejected, the authorities do not cease to use administrative
resources, and people do not believe in the legitimacy of governments.
(The May 5 elections to the Yerevan City Council could become the
first trial for Sargsyan and his political party during his second
term as president in ongoing efforts to restore trust in the electoral
process in Armenia).

In such conditions an election victory by itself and the subsequent
swearing-in of the winning candidate do not become a truly national
celebration. In 2008, Sargsyan’s inauguration for the first term was
held behind closed doors, with only a limited number of dignitaries
and other guests as well as handpicked media invited. In 2013, the
president himself admitted that he did not drink champagne after the
elections. Perhaps this is because he hopes to accomplish during his
second term of presidency what he was not able to do during the first
one.

Zhoghovurd: Armenia’s senior officials money laundered in Seychelles

April 06, 2013

YEREVAN. – Few people in Armenia know about Seychelles, but it appears
the latter play a quite serious role in Armenia’s economy, Zhoghovurd
daily reports.

`Zhoghovurd found out that they [that is, Seychelles] made a $23.6
million investment in Armenia. In addition, they invested close to
[$]3 million in crop and livestock, and [$]20.5 in telecommunication.

[But] in reality, those investing under the name of Seychelles are
Armenia’s senior officials that laundered their dirty money in
offshore Seychelles and brought [it] to Armenia.

To note, investments are made in telecommunication – that is, in the
domain of strategic importance – with money from offshore countries,’
Zhoghovurd writes.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Underground voids in downtown Yerevan may result in collapses

Saturday,
April 06

Void spaces have formed beneath downtown Yerevan and may result in
collapses, geologist Ruben Yadoyan said at a meeting with journalists
today.

He explained the some processes taking place in the underground layers
were not taken into account during the construction of Yerevan subway
stations. In his words, tests should be conducted in order to
determine the size and location of affected areas.
The expert said there is a danger of collapse near Liberty Square,
Khanjian Street, Yerevan Municipality, and Northern Avenue.

`The geological structure of Yerevan is very complex so extreme
caution is necessary in the process of urban development,’ the
geologist said. According to him, 90% of newly constructed buildings
in Yerevan are attractive, but their foundations are not solid.

TODAY, 17:29
Aysor.am

`Yerevan, Change Armenia’

March 26, 2013

`Changes will begin from the country’s capital city, Yerevan and
expand throughout Armenia’ said ARF-D Parliamentary Faction Secretary,
Aghvan Vardanyan, to media representatives at the Parliament, on March
23 and revealed that based on that conviction the party’s election
logo will be `Yerevan, change Armenia’, tert.am reports. `We must be
aware that this is not about electing the candidates featured in the
first places on the list, but rather an election among political
forces’. Vardanyan stressed that during the last four years the
Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has appointed three mayors for the
city of Yerevan proving that for the Republican Party this office is
not considered as an elective but as an appointive one. According to
Vardanyan, the Yerevan has a truly significant role to play and it
that sense these elections will be of political nature.

He also stated that ARF-D will make use of ts full potential for the
Yerevan municipal election. `We have a team of professionals, we have
principles; we are not a political party of one person or individual’
said Vardanyan and reassured that they will do everything to win.

As to the failure of running under one oppositional candidate list
Vardanyan said that ARF-D did all it could do but `nevertheless, this
could be the good thing that came out of it; now, everyone is bound to
do his best to get elected’ he added.

In Vardanyan’s words, vote rigging preparations have already been
started with regular daily visits to public servants as well as with
the setting in motion the entire administration. `School teachers,
condominium chairpersons are called in turns to the ruling party’s
offices where assignments are being handed to them. The financial
resources are gradually starting to be used; prefecture governors have
already opened campaign offices in the city of Yerevan’ Vardanyan
said.

The ARF-D member said though, that at the same time the atmosphere has
changed and people see that they can change things.

When it comes to finding ways out of this situation, Vardanyan said
that the authorities should be as much responsible as the presidential
election results contester, Raffi Hovhannesyan and added that both
sides should work jointly on coming up with solutions. Vardanyan said
that only an agreement on political level could discharge the
situation and concluded by saying that the recent exchange of
proposals between Sargsyan and Hovhannisyan is a step to that
direction.

1in. am reports that Vardanyan acknowledged that the party has had
shortcomings in the past but never derailed from its original
political axis; this time they are determined to highlight what ARF-D
is really about. He called everyone to trust, believe in and vote for
ARF-D and promised that changes will have their effect not only on
Yerevan but on the entire Republic as well. `Our objective must be
breaking monopolies’ he said.

Vardanyan didn’t agree with those who say that the party is not
present at the developments taking place on Liberty Square. `We have
twice addressed the public. We are not the kind of people that will go
running to the microphone the minute they see one. If we have
something to say, we’ll say it. We are in contact with Raffi
Hovhannesyan and his team’.

Armworld.am reports about the meeting with the media, Vardanyan had at
Post Scriptum press club, on March 26. The ARF-D member reminded that
there are numerous capitals in the world that are run by the
opposition of their respective countries. The mechanisms of
counterbalance and restrain that functions in these particular cases
put forward competition and make the city’s governance more efficient.

Actor Hrant Tokhatian included in HHK list for effect?

Sunday,
April 07

“Zhoghovurd’ made an attempt to find out the reason why actor Hrant
Tokhatian has been included in the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
list of candidates who run in the May 5 Yerevan municipal elections.
`I am in Los Angeles now. On April 23 will come to Yerevan and the
following day I will leave for Moscow,’ the actor said.

The paper’s question: `Aren’t you going to participate in the election
campaign?’ remained unanswered.
06.04.2013, 12:38

Aysor.am

Georgian leader starts working tour to Turkey

21:46 – 06.04.13

The Georgian president has started a three-day working visit to
Turkey, Georgia Online reported, citing the presidential
administration.

Mikheil Saakashvili is scheduled to meet with President Abdullah Gul
and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He was earlier reported to be planning a discussion to clarify certain
problems between him and the Georgian government over the signing of a
cultural heritage agreement.

Armenian News – Tert.am

ARMENIE
Un groupe de jeunes de Gumri parcourra 120 km à pied pour arriver à
Erevan afin de prendre part à « l’investiture » de Raffi Hovhannissian
sur la place de la Liberté, le 9 avril
Ils souhaitent exprimer ainsi leur désaccord sur les résultats
officiels des élections présidentielles et leur soutien à Raffi
Hovhannissian. / Haykakan Jamanak, Hraparak

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 04 avril 2013

dimanche 7 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

MUSIQUE
Enrique Iglesias au gala de la chanson et musique arménienne de Moscou
« Tashir 2013 »

Au gala de la chanson arménienne « Tashir 2013 » qui se déroulera au
Palais du Kremlin à Moscou le 18 mai, sera présent le chanteur
espagnol Enrique Iglesias. Information donnée par Marina Gazen, la
responsable de communication du groupe Tashir. « Chaque année nous
tentons de rendre encore plus intéressante cette manifestation qui
donne des prix à des vedettes de la chanson arménienne » dit-elle. De
son côté Enrique Iglesias a déclaré qu’il disposait de nombreux fans
en Russie et dans les autres pays de la C.E.I. et qu’il serait honoré
de participer en tant qu’invité spécial à ce gala « Tashir 2013 » au
Kremlin. D’autres vedettes de la chanson internationale seront
également présentes, dont le dudukiste Djivan Gasparyan. Arto
Tuncuboyadjian, détenteur d’un « Grammy Õ¥Ö? Worls Music Awards » et son
groupe Armenian Navy Band participeront également à « Tashir 2013 »,
tout comme la chanteuse Siroucho qui représenta l’Arménie Ã
l’Eurovision 2008 ainsi que les sÅ`urs Inga et Anouch Arshakian qui
représentèrent l’Arménie à l’Eurovision 2009. Hélène Segarra et
Partick Fiori sont également annoncés. Le groupe « Tashir » fut crée
en 1999 par l’homme d’affaires arménien habitant en Russie, Samvel
Garabédian. Aujourd’hui le groupe dispose de plus de 200 sociétés
spécialisées dans la construction, l’énergie, et la consommation
alimentaire avec des chaînes d’hypermarchés.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 7 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com