Author: Tavakalian Edgar

THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM REMAINS STABLE:IMF MISSION CONCLUDES THE VISIT TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
12.10.2009 16:02

A mission of Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) comprising Ms. Meg Lundsager, Messrs. Age Bakker, Ambroise
Fayolle, HE Jianxiong, Thomas Moser, and Klaus D. Stein, issued the
following statement on October 12, 2009 in Yerevan at the conclusion
of its visit to Armenia:

"We are grateful for the opportunity to visit the country and thank
the people of Armenia, President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Central Bank Arthur Javadyan,
Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan, and Minister of Economy Nerses
Yeritsyan for their warm hospitality and productive discussions. Our
visit has offered us a unique opportunity to hold discussions with a
wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the public
and private sectors, the civil society, and development partners.

"Armenia has been severely hit by the global crisis, with real GDP
expected to decline by about 15 percent in 2009. Foreign inflows
have fallen and tax revenues have dropped, which have weakened the
balance of payments and the public finances. These developments posed
additional hardships on the Armenian population.

"We commend the authorities for efficiently addressing these
challenges.

Fiscal policy continues to be expansionary, given that, with the
help of the IMF and other donors, t he government has been able to
keep expenditures close to the original 2009 budget, while increasing
spending on priority infrastructure projects.

"The financial system remains stable and the return to a floating
exchange rate on March 3, 2009 has been a success. The Central Bank
(CBA) has expanded its instruments to provide liquidity to the banking
system in order to stimulate credit to the private sector. At the
same time, inflation is on track to meet the authorities’ end-2009
target of 4+1.5 percent.

"Continued progress in tax and customs administration reforms will be
critical to ensuring sound public finances, and a fair and equitable
tax burden. Once the economy recovers, the government will need to
reduce the fiscal deficit to preserve medium-term fiscal and debt
sustainability, while continuing to support needed public spending
and investment.

"We welcome promising signs for regional cooperation, which will help
economic development in the region. We support the IMF continuing
excellent relationship with the Armenian authorities."

THE EIFFEL TOWER WEARS RED AND WHITE BUT SARKOZY…

Hurriyet Daily News
Sunday, October 11, 2009

One of the most impressive activities of "Turkey Season" in France is
the illumination of the Eiffel Tower, Paris’ symbol, with the colors
of the Turkish flag, red and white.

I watched the tower in red and white the whole night in a restaurant
at the top of the Musee de l’Homme" in Trocadero Square.

This lightening will last only five days but it has already sparked
discussions in France.

A few months ago, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe in a surprise
announcement at Galatasaray University in Istanbul gave the good
news that the Eiffel Tower will be lightened in red and white. But
he was targeted by extremist rightist groups, especially by the
National Front.

Delanoe, however, did not retreat against the National Front, which
prepared flyers reading "No to a Turkish Eiffel Tower."

As he awarded Turkish writer and 2006 Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk with
the "Grande Medaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris" this week,
Delanoe said, "I am being criticized about the Eiffel Tower, but I
will not apologize because I stand by my words."

As protests of National Front spread, the Armenian lobby getting
prepared for another protest in front of the tower had a mind change at
the last minute in order not to be remembered with extremist rightists,
so it is said.

Posters in Paris streets

Decoration of the Eiffel Tower with red and white lights coincides
with one of the biggest exhibitions as part of Turkey Season.

The opening of the "From Byzantium to Istanbul" exhibition at the
Grand Palais brought French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul to the exhibition, but not at the same time.

State Minister Hayati Yazıcı and State Minister for EU Works Egemen
BagıÅ~_ accompanied Gul for the opening ceremony. Gul delivered a
speech at Medef, French Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association,
and at UNESCO.

As for the Gul-Sarkozy rendezvous, we, jo lists, expected them to
open the exhibition together. But the program was changed a few times
because of Sarkozy’s multiple interferences, according to diplomatic
circles.

According to Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency head
Å~^ekib Avdagic, who said the agency provided 1 million euros for
decorating the streets of Paris with posters for Turkey Season,
invitation cards were printed twice because of the changes in
Sarkozy’s program.

In the end, the two presidents strolled at the exhibition the other
morning instead of inaugurating the exhibition together.

Sarkozy’s whimsical attitude

According to Avdagic again, Sarkozy opposed taking a tour of the
exhibition under Sabancı Museum Director Nazan Olcer.

So Olcer guided half of the tour and a French expert took over the
other half.

I see that the Turkish side is fed up with Sarkozy’s whimsical
behaviors.

In short, as Mayor Delanoue embraces the exhibition at the Grand
Palais, the Sarkozy government keeps a distance.

None of the French ministers accompanied Gul, but that’s another story.

No matter how hard Sarkozy tries to remain at arm’s length, Turkey
Season in France is found quite attractive.

For instance, Le Figaro daily the other day published a large
advertisement reading "Istanbul is your inspiration" and included an
exclusive interview with Avgadic.

Right after the exhibition at the Grand Palais, three exhibitions
will be opened at the Louvre Museum with the participation of Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Oct. 21.

The exhibitions, In the Sultan’s Palace: Robes of Topkapı Palace;
>From Ä°zmir to Smyrna: Exploration of an Antique City; and The Kings
Tombs in Anatolia, will undoubtedly make a tremendous impact.

As far as I see, both the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts,
or IKSV, Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, and other
players of Turkey Season are devoting themselves to the activities
so much that they will never be discouraged by Sarkozy’s whimsical
attitudes.

SCR AND GR TO DEVELOP COOPERATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.10.2009 11:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A delegation of Georgian Railway LLC led by managing
director Irakli Ezugbaia met in Yerevan with administration of South
Caucasian Railways CJSC to discuss cooperation, specifically car
fleet and tariff policy issues.

The sides assesses the outcomes of Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan summer
rail route and considered the possibility to enable e-booking system
next year.

The delegation attended Ayrum station and some other facilities.

ARMENIA VS SPAIN PREVIEW 10/10/2009 WORLD CUP 2010 GROUP 5

Barcelona Reporter
Oct 8, 2009

Hosts Armenia managed to reach a historical win in the last qualifying
round against Belgium, Spain are the only team with 100% efficiency
so far and they will definitely want to keep it that way.

Armenia vs Spain Preview 10/10/2009 World Cup 2010 Group 5

After serving as the means for other teams in the fifth qualifying
group to get a better goal margin, Armenia reached their first win
in the group when they beat the Belgians at home. Current European
champions easily went through this group and Spain are the only team
with 100% efficiency so far and they will definitely want to keep it
that way.

A golden victory

Hosts managed to reach a historical win in the last qualifying round
against Belgium, after which Armenia have the chance to move from
the rock-bottom position in the group. Even though they managed to
beat practically Belgian reserve squad, this triumph will be written
in golden letters in the history of Armenian national squad. Lead by
coach Vardan Minasyan, Armenian internationals are aware that they
have nothing to hope for in the match against red fury, but they will
try to make the best impression and gain necessary experience in the
rest of the matches. Coach Minasyan doesn’t want to change the winning
combination so he will field the same line-up that celebrated against
the Belgians. Still, Spain are too big of a bite for the hosts that
will primarily focus on protecting their net. We don’t think that the
visitors will try too hard in the first half, which is why you should
consider Expekt’s offer of 1.63 for under 1.5 goals to be scored in
the first half.

With only five goals scored in the first eight games, Armenia are
definitely one of the least efficient teams in this qualifications. The
visitors have conceded only two goals so far and they will hardly
impair that record after this game, which is why William Hill’s offer
of 1.33 for the visitors to keep a clean sheet is tempting.

The most convincing squad in the qualifications

Perhaps the quality of the group was not suitable for the current
European champions but their record of eight wins is great, regardless
of the quality of their rivals. Actually, this national squad have
drawn only two games in the last 38 and suffered only one defeat,
which cost them a place in Confederations Cup. Spain have met Armenia
five times so far and they won each game with impressive goal margin,
14-0. David Villa and Fernando Torres are the power engines of red
fury and these two will again have the chance to show that they are
perhaps the best attacking tandem in the world. Bet 365 offer 1.67
and 1.80 for Villa and Torres to score, respectively, which is more
than generous and it would be shame not to use it.

Spain are flawless in this qualifications and they ended only one game
with one goal scored, while all the rest were convincing performances
of the European champions. The red fury won the first leg 4:0, so
they might repeat that in the returning one and SportingBet offer
3.80 for the Spaniards to score at least four goals.

Betting verdict

Any result but a convincing away win would be a real surprise. Since
the odds on Spain to win are too low, we suggest that you bet on goals.

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Our tip: Bet 8 on Over 2.5 goals Odds 4/6 at Bookmaker: Gamebookers

REFORMS OF POLICE IN ARMENIA YIELD RESULTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.10.2009 18:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Reforms of Armenia’s government aimed to improve
country’s law enforcement agencies are yielding results, prime minister
of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan said, opening a meeting of the government
on Thursday. "The poll held among our citizens indicates that there
are positive moves," he said. According to the head of government,
this opinion is also shared by the representatives of international
bodies monitoring the pace of the reforms undertaken in the country
and assisting Armenia in anti-corruption fight. As Tigran Sargsyan
stressed, the police should investigate the industry and identify
what kind of reform are urgent.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA, DIASPORA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH ARE A UNITED FRONT

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.10.2009 16:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the frameworks of his all-Armenian tour,
President Serzh Sargsyan was visiting Beirut on October 6 to meet with
Armenian community representatives from Lebanon and Middle East. "I
am here to realize your concerns and know your opinions. That will
really be helpful in my work. I have come here to call on you to
trust Armenia," Serzh Sargsxyan said. To "trust and believe" Armenia,
according to President, means to actively react to official Yerevan’s
initiatives. A lot of forces worldwide seek to drive a wedge between
Armenia, Diaspora and NKR, he said. "They not only dream about it but
also work in that direction. They know that our most powerful weapon is
unity. We just have to realize that," Armenian leader stressed, adding
Diaspora and Nagorno Karabakh are a united front which need Armenia.

EIFFEL TOWER TO THE TURKEY’S COLORS

Jean Eckian
06 Oct 09

Paris (Jean Eckian) Within the framework of the " Season of Turkey
in France" , the Eiffel Tower was illuminated, yesterday evening,
with the Turkish colors.

The Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France,
cancelled the picket line of protest envisaged today for the reason
of a exploitation by an anti Islamic movement and a french political
party of extreme right.

The illumination is maintained until at October 11.

Abdulah Gul: Facts of Armenian génocide are not established

Turkish President, Abdulah Gul opens with Nicolas Sarkozy, on Thursday,
the exhibition "From Byzantium to Istanbul" at the Grand Palais,
in the context of the Season Turkey in France against a backdrop of
tense relations between the two countries.

An journalist of the"Figaro" asked the Turkish president: To lead
to one complete normalization and the opening of the border, are you
ready to tackle of the Armenian genocide issue? "We wish establishment
of a historical commission to establish the facts."

For you, those are not established?

"Not, of course. These events took place hundred years ago. Admittedly,
there was tragic and deplorable sufferings, but of the mutual
sufferings.

Our objective is peace, stability and the co-operation in all this
area, for the future of our children", he answered to the French
jou rnalist.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: TAX AND CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION NEED A BREAKTHROUGH

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.10.2009 13:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The major problem in Armenia’s anti-monopoly
policy is the low level of tax and customs administration, RA Prime
Minister said.

"Armenian government developed an anti-corruption program for
2009-2010, which received a positive feedback from international
structures. However, it’s hard break down the relationship implanted
in the business sector for years," Tigran Sagsyan said when addressing
the 30th meeting of the intergovernmental council on CIS anti-monopoly
policy in Yerevan.

"The geopolitical situation in the region has negative impact on
development of healthy competition in the republic. Closed borders
cause huge transaction expenses and SME can’t act efficiently in the
market occupied by major entities," he said.

TIME TO JOIN EFFORTS AND ACT TOGETHER

Yerkir
06.10.2009 16:59

Yerevan (Yerkir) – On the initiative of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, twelve political parties of Armenia made a joint statement
on October 6 with a demand not to sign the Armenian-Turkish protocols
and amend them to offset the threats they carry.

"The need to join our efforts and act together is apparent, and
this initiative is aimed at cancelling the process based on the
pre-signed protocols," Armen Rustamyan, ARF Supreme Body of Armenia
representative, said. He said the political parties that signed this
document are initiating a united front that would allow preventing
Armenia from getting deep into unwanted and dangerous developments.

The text of the statement is available in Armenian.

T. SARGSIAN RECEIVES THE DELEGATION HEADED BY THE MEMBER OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT M. VOZELI.

ARMENPRESS
Oct 5, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
received today the Head of the French Provance-Alp-Cot d’Azyur regional
council, Member of French Parliament Mishel Vozel and the delegation
headed by him.

Public relations department of Armenian Government told Armenpress
that greeting the guest and expressing gratification on the dynamic
development of Armenian-French relations the RA Prime Minister spoke
about the projects of Armenian government and the opportunities of
implementation of bilateral projects within this context.

The interlocutors referred to the development of cooperation between
Armenian Lori and French Provance-Alp-Cot d’Azyur provinces and in
this context stressed the importance of prospects of enhancement of
cooperation in education and science, health, information technologies
especially in microelectronics and telecommunication spheres.

During the meeting the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
assured that the Government will assist implementation of projects
in the Lori province and expressed hope that the implemented projects
will correspond to the long-term programs of the Armenian Government
and the primary directions aimed at the proportional development of
Armenian provinces.