Author: Tavakalian Edgar

NOBODY WILL BE FIRED FROM "SOUTH-CAUCASUS RAILROADS"

Panorama.am
17:10 12/12/2008

Today the Minister of Transport and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan
received the new appointed director of "South-Caucasus Railroads"
Shevket Shaidulin and the Vice President of "Russian Railroads"
company Georgi Karnilov. The Minister said that taking into account
the experience and skills of the new director, the company’s activities
will be well improved.

G. Sargsyan informed the representatives of the company that a
subdivision is to be established in the Ministry to monitor and
supervise the implementation of investment activities. G. Karnilov
said that though crisis has had its impact on "Russian Railroads",
"South-Caucasus Railroads" would not suffer from that as all the
investment programs would be implemented and no shortenings were
planned.

ACCORDING TO VIKTOR DALLAKIAN, ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES SHOULD GET RID OF R. KOCHARIAN’S POLITICAL HERITAGE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 11, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In order to overcome the home
political crisis the Armenian authorities should disclose the
real organizers and executors of the March 1 events, announce an
amnesty, and get rid of the heritage remaining from the power of
Robert Kocharian responsible for those events. RA NA independent
deputy Viktor Dallakian gave assurance at the December 11 press
conference. According to him, the authorities have no alternative
and have to take such steps proceeding from Armenia’s interests.

At the same time the deputy said that the authorities should show a
political will for that.

According to V. Dallakian, the authorities-opposition relations’
civilized model has not been formed in Armenia yet, political forces
being at these two poles strive for exterminating each other, which
happened during the March 1 events.

V. Dallakian expressed an apprehension that Armenia will suffer
seriously from the world crisis, to which the authorities are not
completely ready. He did not exclude the possibility of social
discontent, either. The deputy said that Armenia’s import volumes
exceed export volumes by 3bn USD, thus the country depends on the
outer world. Besides, private transfers of more than 2bn dollars
received from Armenians living abroad can be reduced as a result of
further growth of unemployment due to the crisis.

As V. Dallakian predicted it, no essential shift is expected in the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement process in 2009. According to him, the
newly elected U.S. President will have to solve problems regarding
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan during his tenure and he will hardly have time
for the Nagorno Karabakh problem. And the West will have to first
of all solve the problems caused by the economic crisis. Besides,
world power centers, among which are the U.S., Europe, and Russia,
will hardly come to an agreement over the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
principles.

Touching upon his personal political plans, V. Dallakian said that
he is going to remain an independent deputy until 2012, is not going
to join any party and to create a new party. Meanwhile he did not
exclude the possibility of his founding a new NGO.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED A NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN REWARDED WITH HIGH STATE AWARDS FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICES UNDER LINCY FOUNDATION-IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES

n_centre_8/official_news_en.php?&date=12288528 00
Wednesday, 10th of December, 2008

Yesterday evening RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a
number of persons who have been rewarded with high State awards for
meritorious services under Lincy Foundation-implemented activities. The
Prime Minister thanked them and handed in the awards.

Under a presidential decree, for distinguished work under Lincy
Foundation-implemented activities, as well as for personal contribution
to homeland’s economics and self-dedication, Lincy Foundation
Vice-Secretary Harut Sasunyan was rewarded with a 1st rank medal
"For Services to Homeland."

Services to Homeland medals of 2nd degree were presented Road
Building Activity PIU State Enterprise Director Edward Bezoyan
and School Building Activity PIU State Enterprise Director Hrayr
Sargsyan. A number of company heads and staff were rewarded with
Anania Shirakatzi medals.

In compliance with a presidential ordinance, about two tens of
company heads and staff were rewarded with RA President’s Letter of
Appreciation for due diligence and conscientious work under Lincy
Foundation-funded activities.

In stressing that several challenges are awaiting us in=2 02009 and
that road building, school and infrastructure engineering are among
government priorities, the Prime Minister expressed hope that active
work in this field may enhance the efficiency of anti-crisis actions.

In conclusion, Tigran Sargsyan congratulated once again the guests
and wished them every success and personal well-being.

BULGARIA, ARMENIA KEEN TO BOOST ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Sofia News Agency
Dec 10 2008
Bulgaria

Economic relations between Bulgaria and Armenia are lagging behind
the active political dialogue between the two countries, Bulgarian
President Georgi Parvanov said after welcoming his Armenian counterpart
in Sofia.

President Serzh Sarkisian has arrived on a two-day official visit that
seek to boost trade relations and cooperation between the countries
in nuclear energy.

Parvanov said that Bulgarian goods are traditionally well accepted
on the Armenian market but added that Bulgarian business must provide
enough diversity in order to regain lost positions.

Mr Sarkisian pointed out that the annual trade between the countries
during the last year does not correspond to the abilities or the
wishes of Bulgaria and Armenia.

CSTO TO FORM COLLECTIVE ANTI-TERROR FORCES

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 14:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils focused on
coordination of activities to combat drug traffic, illegal migration
and customs security, RA NSC Secretary said.

"The CSTO will form collective anti-terror forces to combat
international terrorism. We also outlined the main trends of Channel
operation launched to suppress drug traffic," Artur Baghdassaryan
told a news conference today.

"CSTO member countries demonstrate a unanimous stand in the
international organizations," he added.

CATHOLICOS GAREGIN II TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF PATRIARCH ALEXY II

AZG Armenian Daily
10/12/2008

Armenia-Russia

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II left for Moscow to attend the
funeral of Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II.

According to the press office of the Holy See, the Primate of the
Armenian diocese in Ukraine Archbishop Gregory Buniatian, Primate of
Artsakh diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, the Holy See head of
inter-ecclesiastical relations department Archbishop Eznik Petrosian,
Primate of the Armenian diocese in New Nakhijevan and Russia Bishop
Ezras Nersisian, Primate of the Armenian diocese in the South
Russia Bishop Movses Movsisian and Monk Hovnan Hakobian accompany
the Catholicos.

ARMENIA ACCEDES TO RAILWAY AGREEMENT UNDER EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY

ARKA
Dec 8, 2008

YEREVAN, December 8. /ARKA/. Armenia, among the other countries
participating in the Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRACECA)
has acceded to an agreement on expansion of railway communication
with neighbors under the European Neighborhood program.

RA Minister of Transport Gurgen Sargsyan pointed out that the Armenian
delegation participated in the jubilee meeting of the TRACECA Ministers
of Transports in Baku on December 4. The Armenian delegation was led
by Head of the Foreign Relations Department, RA Ministry of Transport,
RA Permanent Representative in TRACECA Gagik Grigoryan.

"Armenia is a full TRACECA member and signed a number of agreements,
particularly the ones on the expansion of rail junctions with neighbors
under the European Neighborhood program," Sargsyan said.

He pointed out that the meeting discussed two major issues: the
importance of TRACECA program for the expansion of the trans-European
network toward the neighboring countries, particularly the development
of the south-east corridor; and the implementation of a relevant
program of action.

The representatives of the participating countries signed a resolution
of the jubilee meeting and discussed the issues related to the regular
meeting to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, next year, G. Sargsyan said.

TRACECA (the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia)
– an international organisation=2 0of economic
cooperation. Intergovernmental Commission of the 14 member States of
the Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian region.

Permanent Secretariat based in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Established in 1998, upon signing of Multilateral Agreement on
International Transport for the development of the Transport Corridor
Europe-Caucasus-Asia.

The following states participate in the TRACECA program: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.

A total of 45-45mln tons of cargoes are transported yearly through
the TRACECA communication lines in various directions. Besides,
every year, the European Commission initiates four or five projects
(mostly technical ones), to the amount of â~B¬13-15mln.

Specifically, a total of 10-12mln tons of oil and oil products are
transported from Central Asia to Europe During TRACECA’s 10-year
activities international institutions have invested over â~B¬1bln in
the projects.

During 15 years the European Commission has funded 15 investment and
61 technical projects to the amount of â~B¬157mln.

The corridor development work made the freight turnover increase
from 3mln tons in 1993-97 up to 9mln tons in 1998 and 53mln tons in
2007. A total of 150mln tons of cargoes have been transported through
the corridor since 1998.

–Boundary_(ID_Yc8lJ2E7jdn0BsR6Vt9cIQ)–

RUSSIAN INVESTMENTS IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA, RF PREMIER STATES

ARKA
Dec 8, 2008

MOSCOW, December 8. /ARKA/. The Russian investments, which currently
total $1.6bln, are an important factor in the economic growth in
Armenia, RF Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated at a briefing jointly
with his Armenian counterpart Tigran Sargsyan.

"Today we have addressed all the aspects of our cooperation in all
the fields. Of course, economic cooperation was the principal issue,"
Putin said. He said that experts point out good dynamics of bilateral
trade and economic ties, a steady increase in the bilateral trade –
17% last year.

Premier Putin welcomed the expanded activities of large Russian
companies, as well as some banks, in Armenia. Among them are Gasprom,
Inter RAO EES, Russian Railways Company, and VTB Bank.

He also pointed out good prospects for joint projects in such fields
as fuel and energy, nonferrous metallurgy, transport, construction,
construction, banking and information technologies.

Putin said that the further development of bilateral economic
relations is in the highlight of the Russian-Armenian Intergovernmental
Commission.

"During our talks we made a favorable appraisal of its activities,"
Putin said.

"On the other hand, we are well aware that the results are far from
being the limit for our countries and plan to develop our cooperation,"
he said.

"O f course, we also discussed the problems caused by the global
financial crisis, which in any way has impact on our countries,"
Putin said.

He stressed the Russian side’s satisfaction with the negotiations.

The RA Statistical Service reports that the Armenian-Russian trade
amounted to $866.2mln this January-October – an increase of 19.2%. The
Armenian exports to Russia totaled $187.4mln (19.9% of the country’s
total exports) – an annual increase of 18.6%.

The Armenian imports of Russian products totaled $678.9mln – an
increase of 20.2%. Armenia’s total imports from Russia reached
$521.7mln – an increase of 18.2% or 14.6% of Armenia’s total imports.

This January-October, Russia’s share in Armenia’s foreign trade
turnover reached 19.2% – the highest index among Armenia’s trade
partners.

DEATH OF ALEXY II A TRAGIC AND SORROWFUL EVENT – PUTIN

Interfax-Religion
Dec 5 2008
Russia

Moscow, December 5, Interfax – Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy
II was one of the greatest representatives of the Russian Orthodox
Church and a major statesman, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
said in Moscow on Friday.

"The death of the Patriarch is really a very tragic and sorrowful
event. He was a very serene man. It is a great loss," Putin said.

Alexy II was "the true Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia," he said.

"Not only was he a prominent figure in the history of the Russian
Orthodox Church, but also a great statesman," the prime minister said.

Patriarch Alexy II "made a very considerable contribution to relations
between various faiths," Putin said. "It would not be an exaggeration
to say that he had friendly relations with representatives of all
traditional faiths in Russia," he added.

"He did a great deal to help establish a new governance system in
Russia," he said.

Putin’s remarks came ahead of his meeting with Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisian in Moscow. Putin thanked Sarkisian, who,
on behalf of the Armenian authorities, extended condolences over the
Patriarch’s death.

Russia Today
Dec 4 2008

OSCE calls for resolution to Karabakh conflict

Military action is not the solution to the troubles in the disputed
Karabakh region in the South Caucasus, according to Foreign Ministers
of the OSCE Minsk Group. They discussed the need for a peaceful
resolution to the long frozen conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains a serious source of
instability. The instable ceasefire regime cannot replace a lasting
peace," said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov at the OSCE
meeting in Finland.

He added that the signed declaration "creates a good base for the
settlement of the conflict".

Mamedyarov’s statement was hailed as a positive sign in the
process. Novruz Mamedov, head of the department of international
relations for the Azerbaijani president, told Baku television channel
ANC that the "resolution of the problem is moving to a different
level".

The statements come just as the Minsk grouped stressed the need for
further cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We call for both sides to reaffirm their devotion to a peace
settlement," the group said.

At the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that basic
principles of a peace treaty regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia must be formed.

"We urge the parties to make efforts jointly with the co-chairmen of
the Minsk Group to achieve an agreement within months on the basic
principles of the settlement, and then, on that basis, to pass over to
drafting a comprehensive peace agreement," Lavrov said.

The two countries came together last month in Moscow and agreed to
seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Lavrov reminded both sides about the agreement they signed in
November. "The declaration signed in Moscow opened a new promising
step in the restoration of peace in the region," he said.

At the OSCE meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan also
expressed his support for cooperation but remained cautious about the
role of the signed document.

"The session in Moscow was very positive. For the first time we signed
a concrete document," said Nalbandyan. "The declaration is not a
peaceful agreement but it is a treaty on key principles."

Nargorno-Karabakh, a region in the South Caucasus, is technically part
of Azerbaijan. In 1988, the area voted to join with the Armenian
Soviet Republic. This action set off a conflict between Armenians and
Azerbaijanis. After violence and conflict continued for several years,
Armenians in the region approved through a referendum the creation of
an independent state.

The referendum was rejected by Azerbaijan and conflict escalated.

The fall of the Soviet Union led to a power vacuum causing full-scale
war to erupt. By 1994, thousands had been killed and hundreds of
thousands displaced as a result. With Russia’s help, an un-official
cease-fire was reached in May 1994.

However, random spells of violence continued to plague the region
causing numerous deaths every year on both sides.

Today the region is under joint military control by Armenian and
Nagorno-Karabakh military forces. Armenia remains steadfast in its
commitment to bringing independence to the region while Azerbaijan
claims its territorial integrity must be respected.

The Minsk Group was formed by the OSCE and includes the US, Russia and
France. Its purpose is to encourage and negotiate a complete and
peaceful resolution between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding Karabakh.

The efforts culminated on 2 November when the President of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev, and the President of Armenia, Serzh Sarkisyan, signed a
peace declaration at a meeting in Moscow arranged by Russian president
Dmitry Medvedev.

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