Author: nina hovnanian

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Empowering Vocational Education Schools for Better Training

Yerevan, 30 May 2012 – During the Soviet times, most of the vocational
education and training (VET) colleges in Armenia had well functioning
workshops and laboratories. However, after the Armenia’s independence
and transition to a market-based economy most of the workshops became
dysfunctional, equipment obsolete and teaching in these colleges
mainly theoretical.

UNDP Armenia over the recent years has exercised a policy of supplying
new equipment to the selected VET colleges across the country based on
well established social partnership models along with introduction of
associated changes in state qualification standards, modular programs
and development of Armenian language professional manuals to display a
comprehensive approach to the ongoing reforms in the VET sector.

During the last six years, the UNDP “Vocational Education and
Training” project, thanks to bilateral donor assistance from Denmark
and Norway, has secured funding for refurbishment of 21 VET colleges
in Armenia. In order to make the learning process more attractive and
practice-based, and align professional trainings to employers’
requirements, UNDP procured state-of-art educational laboratory
equipment (31 technical VET labs addressing more than 11 different
professional occupations and 12 packages of modern IT equipment) for
VET colleges in Armenia, thus substantively contributing to the
upgrade of about 24 percent of the country’s state VET schools.

Today, Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident
Representative in Armenia, visited Vayots Dzor and Ararat Regional
State Colleges to get familiarized on the ground with the UNDP support
aimed at upgrade of facilities within VET institutions, as well as
overall rehabilitation of the country’s VET system, making it
sustainable and market oriented.

Since the region of Vayots Dzor is well known for its wine production
and food-processing industry, UNDP VET project has procured wine
testing equipment for Vayots Dzor Regional State College in September
2011.
The College, founded in 1971, is the only state mid-career institution
in the region and has trained 3,000 alumni in 32 professions, playing
a unique role in the youth upbringing and education in Vayots Dzor
region.

As part of the overall UNDP support, worth USD 200,000, in 2010 the
college has also received 5 other educational laboratories, such as
wood processing, wood curving, as well as vehicle driving and
maintenance, and IT labs for implementation of practical classes in
the premises of the college. Apart from enrichment of the college
facilities with modern industrial workshops, the UNDP VET project
fully involves the college faculty and administration in numerous
capacity development activities, introducing modern educational
technologies, methodological basics and transfer of international
know-how in the VET field.

“UNDP VET project has rapidly grown into one of the most ambitious
educational projects in Armenia. The upgrade of facilities within VET
institutions also gave an opportunity to impact community development
through enrichment of the specialization scope and provision with
necessary practices and knowledge aimed at training of more
professionals demanded by the labor market. Upgraded VET schools have
all the potential to make vocational education more attractive for
young generation and to ensure competitive employment opportunities in
urban and rural areas of Armenia,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN RC/UNDP
RR.

Ararat Regional State College is one of the 12 multifunctional
regional educational centers that greatly benefits from targeted
support of the UNDP VET project. The college underwent a full scale
renovation and a technical upgrade of its facilities throughout
2010. The institution is now capable of holding classes aimed at
preparing wood processing specialists and providing them with a
thorough technical training. Wood processing covers a variety of needs
starting from production of paper and pulp for further processing into
timber, wood chips, cellulose and other prefabricated materials.
In 2011, the UNDP VET project also established a modern sewing
workshop to the college, which facilitates provision of professional
trainings not only for the students, but also for the adults, who want
to upgrade their skills through short-term training programs, in line
with the needs of the local labor market.

The VET project gradually but steadily is laying the foundation to
rebuild VET institutions’ infrastructure in Armenia, facilitating a
partnership between VET institutions and employers, as well enhancing
cooperation between different actors involved in the modernization of
the VET system in Armenia.

AZERBAIJAN BUYS EXPERTS FOR INFORMATION WAR WITH ARMENIA (VIDEO)

31.05.12

“Armenian first Internet TV company” Internet-portal has prepared
a film about the information war between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
Russia-based Armenian Yerkramas newspaper reports.

If Azerbaijani experts complain of the low level of preparedness and
non-competence, the Armenian side is rather passive and at the same
time lacks state approach toward the issue, political engineer Vladimir
Goryunov, member of the “First Expedition Company” association,
says in the film.

“Azerbaijan is buying experts, Russian experts, and sometimes even
whole departments in institutes, while the Armenian side and Diaspora,
in particular, are spending big sums for organizing concerts and
other cultural events,” the political engineer said. The experts in
the film say the Armenian side does not display a coordinated state
level approach.

With this film the authors tried to draw the attention of Armenian
authorities to the issue as “there is a real information war in the
internet forming a wrong opinion among the account holders about the
history of Karabakh conflict.”

Ex-chief editor of Regnum news agency Modest Kolerov, political
engineer Vladimir Goryunov and others have voiced their opinions in
the film.

THE DEMOCRATIC WORLD UNDERSTANDS DEEPLY THE CURRENT REALITIES IN ARTSAKH
Ruzan ISHKHANIAN

Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:31

The French Senators believe that Nagorno-Karabakh has chosen the
right way of development

On May 23, the NKR National Assembly Deputies had a meeting with
French Senators Sophie Juasen, Philip Marini, and Bernard Furnie.

After the meeting, the guests answered journalists’ questions. The
Senators represent the leading Party of France – Union of People’s
Movement.

Probably, after their visit to the NKR, the French Senators will be
included in the Azerbaijani ‘black list’. We wonder how they will
comment on such an attitude. In response, F. Marini said that he would
regret, because he had never been to Azerbaijan. But, there are many
states, which he has never visited.

We asked F. Marini the following question: “You noted at the NKR NA
that it was your first visit; at the same time, you said that the
state’s situation was uncertain. Doesn’t the 20-year statehood serve
a basis for international recognition?” According to Mr. Marini,
the 20-year efforts are very important. They created corresponding
conditions for democratic institutions’ establishment and permanent
existence in this state. At the same time, this situations leads to
the fact that all the forces are unanimous on one issue and united
around a sacred goal. And from this point of view, all the other,
less important issues are pushed back. The next question of the
Azat Artsakh correspondent proceeded from Marini’s words: “So, can
we say that a self-determined nation lives here, which is able to
achieve its goal?” “Yes. Your people have consolidated thanks to
their spirit, courage, thanks to the efficient activities of the
institutions operating in Nagorno Karabakh. Surely, stable peace and
the country’s clear future are needed in order that future investors
can safely come here. Your country leaves the impression of small
Caucasian Switzerland”, the Senator said.

Answering a journalist’s question on why the Christian world does not
use its capacity to preserve this islet, Mrs. Sophie Juasen said that,
naturally, the Christian world followed and knew what was happening
in this country and spiritually supported the values existing here.

According to her, the democratic states take this people’s struggle
with much greater understanding. The modern democratic world realizes
deeply the fact that Karabakh has chosen the democratic way. Mr.

Marini emphasized that during their meeting with the Republic’s
President Bako Sahakian and ecclesiastic leader Pargev Martirossian
their talks were only about peace.

The Senators were asked whether they really worked over the NKR
international recognition. Senator Marini gave a diplomatic answer
to the question: the issue is discussed at the negotiations within
the OSCE Minsk Group, on the basis of the Madrid Principles.

Today, the EU seeks active involvement in the South Caucasus region.

We also know that European integration is one of the important
directions of Armenia’s foreign policy. The EU tries to have more
active contacts with Nagorno Karabakh; there are even rumors that this
European structure may have a representative to our Republic. Doesn’t
this reality give a new tint to the traditional diplomacy? Answering
the Azat Artsakh question, Mr. Marini, in particular said, “Maybe.

But, the more the interests towards this region, the better. I think
that both France and the European Union should launch their activities,
proceeding from the reality. There are many regions in the world,
especially yours, where violence and conflicts are great. And even if
the reality existing after 1994 does not correspond to the aspirations
of all the conflicting parties, however, the reality is that peace
is established here”.

BODY OF 66-YEAR-OLD MAN IS FOUND IN SMALL VALLEY AT ARMENIA’S NOR HACHN

news.am
May 31, 2012 | 11:16

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Rescue Service received a call from the Police,
on Wednesday at 6:11pm, informing that the dead body of a man was
discovered in Zaritap small valley of Nor Hachn city, and that rescuers
were needed to recover it.

A fire and rescue squad was dispatched to the scene, the Rescue
Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

And the rescuers recovered the body of Aghabek Adamyan, 66, from the
small valley.

Nothing is yet informed as for the circumstances behind the death.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES THE FIRST SITTING

armradio.am
31.05.2012 11:11

The National Assembly of 5th convocation holds its first sitting
today. According to the Constitution of the republic of Armenia,
the first sitting is convened on the second Thursday following the
elections. The sitting is chaired by Republican Mkrtich Minasyan,
the oldest MP in the new Parliament.

The sitting was attended by President Serzh Sargsyan, His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. All
members of Government were also present.

President Serzh Sargsyan extended congratulations on the start of
activity of the National Assembly of fifth convocation, expressed
gratitude to all members of the former parliament.

20 ARMENIAN FAMILIES MIGRATED FROM SYRIA

news.am
May 31, 2012 | 01:19

The situation in the Armenian community in Syria is getting more
alarming, but still ‘everything is fine’ in the community, member
of the Armenian Community in Syria Gabriel Genberji told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

According to him, three weeks ago Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited Syria in order to find out if there is an outflow of Armenians
from Syria. In order to clarify the issue Genberji listed the students
who do not attend school. It came out that 35 students were absent
as their families had moved to Lebanon, Armenia, France and the USA.

According to Genjerbi’s calculations, around 20 Armenian families
have left Syria so far.

LE DRAM PERD DE SA VALEUR FACE AU DOLLAR
Gari

armenews.com
mercredi 30 mai 2012

Après plusieurs mois d’une relative stabilite, la monnaie nationale
armenienne, le dram, a vu son cours baisser nettement face au dollar
americain, enregistrant une baisse de quelque 4 % par rapport a son
cours au debut du mois. Cette chute s’est meme acceleree la semaine
passee, le dollar s’echangeant contre environ 407 drams le 25 mai,
alors qu’il s’echangeait contre 392 drams 5 jours avant. Depuis
la mi-janvier, alors que le dollar s’echangeait contre 389 drams a
Erevan, la tendance est donc a la baisse pour la monnaie armenienne,
confirmant la baisse enregistree deuis una an face au billet vert. La
Banque centrale d’Armenie (CBA), qui joue un rôle cle dans la politique
monteiare armenienne et le cours de la monnaie, s’est refusee le 25 mai
a commenter cette nouvelle baisse du dram, reservant ses explications
a une date ulterieure, sans doute pour beneficier du recul necessaire
pour etablir si une telle baisse est conjoncturelle ou exprime une
tendance durable de la monnaie.

Hrant Bagratian, economiste de renom et responsable de premier plan
du mouvement d’opposition, le Congrès national armenien (HAK), a
indique que la chute du cours du dram aurait pu etre plus brutale
sans l’intervention de la CBA qui a injecte des devises sur le
marche financier local. Selon lui, la Banque aurait depende quelque
300 millions de dollars au cours des derniers mois a seule fin de
doutenir la monnaie nationale. Certainss cambistes a Erevan font
remarquer que les Armeniens ont augmente considerablement l’achet
de dollars en l’espace de quelques jours. “La demande en dollars
est en hausse constante”, commente Lusine Chalabian, qui dirige un
bureau de change dans la capitale armenienne. M. Bagratian a attribue
les fluctuations sur le marche des changes a un ralentissement de la
croissance economique conjugues a la diminution des envois de devises
des Armeniens travaillant a l’etranger. Il a par ailleurs estime que
la demande accrue en dollars pouvait etre attribuee aux pots de vin
de grande envergure verses lors des dernières elections legislatives,
les votes se monnayant en dollars plutôt qu’en drams. L’ancien premier
minister a estime que les sommes ainsi versees pouvaient se monter a
quelque 100 millions de dollars. Ceux qui n’auraient pas ete ” payes ”
en dollars se precipiteraient dans les bureaux de change pour convertir
le ” fruit ” de leur vote en monnaie americaine, toujours selon
M. Bagratian. Reste a prouver l’existence de ce ” tresor de guerre ”
que le pouvoir armenien aurait distribue aux electeurs. Les autorites
armeniennes ont bien sûr rejete avec vehemence les allegations avancees
par l’opposition selon lesquelles les candidats proches du pouvoir
auraient monnaye l’appui des electeurs. Elles defient regulièrement
leurs accusateurs d’apporter les preuves de tels procedes qu’elles
reprouvent dans leur discours officiel.

Les autorites armeniennes ont accepte de laisser flotter le cours
du dram en 2009, en raison des incidences de la crise mondiale sur
l’economie armenienne. Alors que l’economie nationale sort de la
recession en 2010, les autorites armeniennes s’emploient a renforcer
la monnaie nationale, malgre les mises en garde du FMI qui, dans un
rapport diffuse en decembre 2010, pontait du doigt les risques d’une
sureveluation du dram. Le president Serge Sarkissian avait pourtant
admis en mars 2011 que le renforcement du dram en 2010, mais aussi
avant, avait eu un impact negatif sur l’industrie et l’appareil de
production armeniens. M. Sarkissian avait annonce une “devaluation
très lente et regulière” de son cours pour les mois suivants. Le
dollar s’echangeait alors contre 368 drams.

RUSSIA’S PUTIN TO VISIT ARMENIA IN EARLY SEPTEMBER

/ARKA/
30 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 30. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected
to pay a state visit to Armenia later this year, most likely in early
September, according to Konstantin Zatulin, head of the CIS Institute
in Moscow.

Speaking at a news conference he said to the best of his knowledge
an invitation to visit Armenia was sent by Armenian authorities. He
said the date of the visit is to be specified now.

Citing his sources he said Putin will travel to Armenia on September
7 to attend also military exercises of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization’s Rapid Reaction Force, to be held in Armenia,
Novosti-Armenia news agency reports. The war games are scheduled for
September 3-8.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization comprises Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Konstantin Zatulin said the date is not the best one because that
day will mark exactly 200 years of the Battle of Borodino (in which
Russians defeated Napoleon).

“Vladimir Putin will again visit Armenia, which he likes very much,
as president of Russia,” Zatulin said.

AZERBAIJAN HAS NO MORAL RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MILITARY PARADE IN STEPANAKERT – RUSSIAN ANALYST

news.am
May 30, 2012 | 14:23

YEREVAN. – There has never been a case when anything concerning
or taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh does not cause a reaction by
Azerbaijan, CIS Institute Director Konstantin Zatulin said during a
press conference on Wednesday, and with respect to the Azerbaijani
representative to the UN’s statement made in connection with
the military parade held on May 9 in Stepanakert, capital of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).

As per the political scientist, Azerbaijan would have had the right to
raise an alarm, had there not been the belligerent statements coming
from Baku.

“If this had not happened, appealing to the UN would have had a moral
basis,” Zatulin noted.

Also, the Russian analyst criticized official Baku’s habit of
immediately declaring as “persona non grata” those who visit Karabakh.

According to him, a country which manifests such demeanor puts itself
in a very silly position.

“This is something new, and it was introduced in the years of
[incumbent Azerbaijani president] Ilham Aliyev.

To note, the aforesaid military parade in Stepanakert was devoted to
67th anniversary of the victory achieved during the Great Patriotic
War in World War II, and 20th anniversaries of the liberation of NKR
City of Shushi and formation of the NKR Defense Army.

CHORRORD INQNISHKHANUTYUN: ANC REPS NOT TO ATTEND MANDATE HANDING EVENT

tert.am
30.05.12

The elected members of the opposition Armenian National Congress
(ANC) are not reportedly attending in the mandate handing ceremony
at the Central Election Commission later today.

Citing its sources, the paper claims that an ANC representative at
the Commission will receive their parliamentary mandates instead. A
coordinator of the alliance, Levon Zurabyan has told the paper that
they do not consider their participation advisable.

“Our faction does not think it is worthwhile to attend the
vote-riggers’ feast,” he was quoted as saying.