Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

SECOND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION "BRAND EXPO" OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Jun 15 2006

YEREVAn, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The second international exhibition
"Brand Expo" opened in Yerevan on June 15. 150 brands of about 45
orgaizations were presented at the exhibition. Chairman of the RA
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Martin Sragsian told reporters
that 60% of these organizations have an opportunity to display their
production abroad. In his opinion, the low quality and poor packaging
of local products mainly hinder their export.

M. Sargsian said that the purpose of the exhibition is to present
the already famous, as well as new Armenian and foreign brands to
the Armenian consumer. In his words, small and medium business is
undergoing development in Armenia. It is important that those engaged
in SME intend to expand and develop it, for which purpose the CCI
is ready to provide assistance. The RA CCI has its offices on SME
production marketing in 15 countries.

M. Sargsian said the SME sector has not yet reached a "perfect"
state. "The authorities and government should promote this business,"
he pointed out.

SPRING SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OVER

ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 17:40

The National Assembly of Armenia concluded today the spring
session. Before leaving on a summer vacation, the last sitting was
held today in the hall of sittings. Even on the last day the Deputies
did not refuse from the tradition of using insulting expressions.

Before the start of today’s work, some conflicts in the Parliament
found their expression through direct or circuitous abuses. The
newly elected Chairman of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan had
to remind the Deputies who they are and where they are.

>>From the very beginning it became apparent that the NA Deputies
and the President of the Central Bank of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan
were on different sides of the barricade. The latter was not in the
Parliament today, but his yesterday’s statements served as a reason
for the conflict voiced by Secretary General of the "Justice" block
Viktor Dallakyan. In his words, the President of the Central Bank
publicly insulted the Parliament.

The irritation and position of the opposition Deputy were shared also
by Republican Hamlet Harutyunyan. Chairman Tigran Torosyan chose a
more delicate way to defend the colleagues. In Tigran Torosyan’s
words, this should serve as a motive for everyone to demonstrate
corresponding attitude toward the Parliament’s dignity, which should
find its expression in the statements in the speeches.

Nevertheless, the spring session of the National Assembly was over
today.

IRAN WILL JERK THE WORLD IF ATTACKED

Lragir.am
13 June 06

Deputy Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Ali Akbar Jokhar announced June 13
at the Hayeli Club that the nuclear program of Iran is not an object
of future tensions. The deputy ambassador of the Islamic Republic
of Iran supported his view by the forecasts of international experts
who say tensions would lead to a defeat of all the sides. Ali Akbar
Jokhar said during the Iranian visit of the EU Delegate Solana progress
was reported in the settlement of the problem related to the nuclear
program, as well as in the new proposals of the United States. The
deputy ambassador mentioned that no details of this proposal are
being published but it must absolutely honor the right of Iran to
generate nuclear energy. “Naturally, whatever the package contains,
honoring of the right of Iran must underlie it,” said Ali Akbar Jokhar.

He said the Unites States does not have a reason to launch a military
campaign against Iran. The deputy ambassador also says that the
international community does not have a reason to support the U.S.
militarism, if it occurs. Ali Akbar Jokhar thinks it is not right to
compare Iran and Iraq. In Iraq there was a dictator who had nothing in
common with people, whereas in Iran there is strong popular support,
therefore the approaches of both the Unites States and the European
Union have become moderate. Besides, the deputy ambassador of the
IRI to Armenia says the force of Iran and Iraq cannot be compared
either. Ali Akbar Jokhar also states that Iran is a key geopolitical
actor, and attempts at destabilizing Iran may cause a serious financial
and political shock.

STREET LIGHTING IN VARDENIS

Yerevan, June 12. ArmInfo. Street lighting has been installed in
Vardenis for the first time since the Soviet period.

This project was sponsored by Ararat Gold Recovery Company. The AGRC
press service reports that almost all the company’s employees live
in Vardenis or nearby villages.

The company employs 1,031 people. According to AEPLAC, it has the
7th biggest personnel and the 8th biggest export in Armenia.

NEW EXPRESS ROAD TO BE BUILT IN YEREVAN

Panorama.am
15:23 12/06/06

In October, this year the construction of a new express road will start
which will ease the transport movement of Heratsi, Khorenatsi, Khanjian
and Charents streets, Samvel Danielyan, chief architecture told today.

In his words, 12 projects were submitted for tender but they all
failed to meet city building decision requirements. After long
considerations, 5 projects were selected which should be further
elaborated and submitted to the committee by June 30. S. Danielyan
emphasized that city building decisions should be acceptable in
terms of aesthetic design also. Key place is attached to crossings
of passers-by.

EX DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY THINKS A-320 CRASH HAD FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC REASONS

Yerevan, June 10. ArmInfo. One should look for the reason of the
crash of A-320 airbus flying from Yerevan to Sochi on May 3 night
in the economic and financial plane, Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, ex deputy
minister of national security of Armenia, said at the Discussion club
“Azdak,” Saturday.

He said the prices of air tickets in Armenia are as high as nowhere
else, but the safety of flights, passenger and technical service do not
meet these prices at all. In addition, it is not a secret that “some
smart people” have managed to use the situation in their favor “playing
on such things as expensive kerosene in Yerevan – cheap kerosene in
Sochi” etc.. The reasons of the crash must be searched just here, and
not in weather, human factor, mistakes of land officers, and others,
Yeghiazaryan said. Asked to name these “smart people,” Yeghiazaryan
hesitated for a moment and than named President Robert Kocharyan,
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan and the owner of Armavia company
Mikhail Baghdasarov, “which is the same, in principle,” he said.

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

ArmRadio.am
12.06.2006 16:45

The issue of holding the World Chess Olympics in Armenia for the
second time is not on the agenda. In response to the question of
“Armenpress” correspondent, Secretary General of RA Chess Federation
Gagik Hovhannisyan noted that the capitals of 2008 and 2010 Chess
Olympics are already known. These will be held in Dresden, Germany
and Khanti-Mansiysk, Russia correspondingly. Armenia can claim for
the right of holding the Chess Olympiad in 2012 or later.

Armenian Chess Players will traditionally participate in 2007 World
chess Cup. Levon Aronyan is preparing for the Dortmund tournament
for the title of the World Champion, Karen Asryan will participate
in an international tournament in China. “Mika” club of Armenia
will participate in the European Team Championship. In fall 2006
championship of under 20 chess players will be held in Yerevan.

The `Last bell’ to ring today in Armenian schools

ArmRadio.am
10.06.2006 11:51

The `Last bell’ will ring today in schools of the republic. 49
thousand pupils will leave the school today. On the occasion of the
day a congratulating message was issued by RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan. He expressed the hope that the knowledge and experience
gained at school will help the graduates confidently step into the big
life as deserved citizens of the country to make their contribution to
the further development and prosperity of the state, justifying the
hopes and expectations of their parents and teachers, realizing their
aspirations and dreams.

Ceremonies of blessing the graduates will be held in the Mother See of
Holy Echmiadzin and other Churches of Armenia.

The main ceremony dedicated to the `Last bell’ will be held at the
Republic Square. The celebration will conclude with a salute.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Vartan Oskanian to Pay Formal Visit to Georgia
09.06.2006 19:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
Georgian Deputy FM Valery Chechelashvili, who is in Yerevan on a
working visit. Noting the development of the Armenian-Georgia
relations the parties discussed the issues of mutual interest. The
date and agenda of Vartan Oskanian’s formal visit to Georgia was also
confirmed. The visit will be held June 27-28.

Valery Chechelashvili also met with RA Deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanian
to discuss the socio-economic situation in Samtskhe Javakhetia and
ways of its improvement. Chechelashvili briefed to Gegham Gharibjanian
on the outcomes of the GUAM summit held in Kyiv, reported the RA MFA
press office.

SERVICES PROVIDED TO 343,952 PASSENGERS AT ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT IN FIRST
FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In the first five monhs of 2006,
services were provided to 343,952 passengers at Zvartnots Airport,
which is by 7,757 passengers fewer than in the same period of last
year. In January-May 2006, 195,077 passengers arrived at Zvartnots and
148,875 departed from it against 199,134 and 152,575 passengers in the
same months of last year.

NT correspondent was informed at the RA Civil Aviation Department that
in January-May 2006, the cargo transportation made 2,930 tons, which
is by 114 tons less than in the same period of 2005.

In the period under review, 2,420 flights were operated through
Zvartnots Airport, which is by 121 flights fewer than in the
respective period of last year.

The passenger volume and the amount of goods transportation of
Gyumri’s Shirak Airport made 15.1 thousand passengers and 152 tons in
the first months of 2006, which represents an increase of 3.8 thousand
passengers and 27 tons compared with the same period of last year.