Author: Toneyan Mark

Génocide Arménien : La FIDH soutient la déclaration commune de ses
organisations membres en Turquie et en Arménie.

ARMENIE

dimanche11 avril 2010, par Stéphane/armenews

Le 37ème Congrès de la FIDH salue la mémoire des victimes du génocide
arménien et soutient les efforts des ligues membres de la FIDH en
Arménie et en Turquie.

Dans le cadre du 37ème congrès de la FIDH, les organisations membres
de la FIDH en Arménie (le Civil Society Institute, CSI) et en Turquie
(Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, HRFT et Insan Haklari Derneg, IHD)
ont finalisé une déclaration commune :

Déclaration conjointe des organisations membres de la FIDH en Arménie
et en Turquie

Nous sommes fermement convaincus que la protection des droits de
l’Homme en Turquie et dans le Sud Caucase est fondamentale dans le
processus de construction de la paix, de réconciliation et de
relations de bon voisinage entre les pays de la région, pour garantir
la sécurité, le bien être et la dignité des peuples dans la région.

Nous appelons les deux pays et sociétés à joindre leurs efforts et
créer l’environnement et le processus nécessaires pour résorber les
conséquences négatives des violations des droits de l’Homme commises
par le passé, y compris les discriminations fondées sur l’origine
ethnique, la religion, etc, et à se conformer aux normes
internationales de protection des droits de l’Homme.

Nous appelons au respect de la liberté d’expression dans tous les
pays, vecteur essentiel du respect des droits de l’Homme dans la
région, et à l’abrogation de toutes les lois et pratiques qui
constituent des obstacles à la liberté d’expression, y compris celles
imposant des contraintes au dialogue entre Arméniens et Turcs, tel
l’article 301 du Code pénal turc.

Nous appelons les partis politiques en Turquie et en Arménie, qu’ils
soient au gouvernement ou dans l’opposition, à se conformer à leur
devoir de prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour normaliser les
relations entre les deux pays et sociétés. Cela inclut l’impérieuse
nécessité de mettre en `uvre les Protocoles bilatéraux sur la
normalisation des relations diplomatiques et l’ouverture de leurs
frontières respectives. Des progrès en ce sens, et le processus de
démocratisation en Turquie, généreront un environnement favorable pour
aborder à la question douloureuse du génocide arménien.

Nous dénonçons toutes les formes d’hostilité entre les nations de la
région, alimentées par les structures et ambitions militaires.

Afin d’assurer une paix durable entre l’Arménie et la Turquie et de
prévenir toute hostilité mutuelle à l’avenir, nous appelons les deux
gouvernements à ratifier et mettre en `uvre le Statut de Rome de la
Cour pénale internationale.

Dans l’objectif de construire des ponts entre les deux sociétés, nous
appelons les deux pays à mettre en `uvre des politiques inclusives et
à abandonner les approches exclusives dans toutes les domaines. Nous
appelons les gouvernements et les sociétés civiles des deux pays à
promouvoir un traitement égalitaire et juste dans toutes les sphères
de la vie, y compris les médias, l’éducation, l’administration, les
pratiques juridiques et la vie publique.

ANDROID-POWERED HTC SMARTPHONES SOON IN ARMENIA, WITH VIVACELL-MTS DRIVING THE INNOVATION – AS ALWAYS

ArmInfo
2010-04-09 18:23:00

ArmInfo. VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC,
announces the closing of an agreement with HTC, a global designer of
smartphones to introduce HTC smartphones, featuring the innovative
Android platform. The gadgets will be soon on sale in the Company’s
service centers across Armenia.

The press service of VivaCell-MTS reports that with this new initiative
of VivaCell-MTS on bringing HTC’s stylish new smartphones to the
Armenian market, VivaCell-MTS subscribers will be provided with
the latest mobile technologies for their business and leisure. The
introduction of the Android-powered handsets is the result of a
successful partnership between VivaCell-MTS and HTC, one of the
world’s leaders in mobile network technology and solutions for the
high technologies consumer market.

With a sleek design and compactness, the smartphone featuring the
Android platform for which it has come to be known, HTC smartphones
will enable a superior mobile internet experience, for which the
Android platform was designed, providing broad flexibility for
personalization via the application-rich Android Market. To be
available to Armenians soon, Android Market will allow quick and
easy downloading of games and applications utilizing VivaCell-MTS’
fast and reliable 2G (GPRS/EDGE) and 3.5G (UMTS/HSPA) networks.

Besides, all HTC smart phones feature HTC Sense – a unique user
friendly interface. HTC Sense is a user experience focused on putting
people at the center by making phones work in a more simple and
natural way.

"Delivering innovative state-of-the-art technologies to its subscribers
is what VivaCell-MTS strives to achieve endlessly.

High-speed quality mobile internet experience is as well a priority
for VivaCell-MTS, so we are very excited to introduce Android-powered
smart phones in Armenia. With VivaCell-MTS’ extensive, high speed and
reliable 2G and 3.5G networks Armenians can enjoy a great Internet and
communications experience on their Android phones," says VivaCell-MTS
General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

"Android-based devices are designed to provide users with maximum
comfort and massive, unprecedented opportunities that may be
efficiently implemented depending on Internet operation," pointed out
Andrey Kormiltsev, Country Manager, HTC Russia and CIS. "Positioning
HTC brand as a leader at the market of Android-based devices, we
cooperate with "Mobile TeleSystems", major mobile service provider.

Bringing together innovative HTC technologies and next-generation
communications standards, Android-based smartphones with personalized
user interface will deliver to Armenian users more than they may
expect from their mobile devices."

The introduction of innovative mobile handsets helps VivaCell-MTS
to more widely open up all opportunities of mobile web for Armenian
subscribers. With Android-powered mobile phones third-party developers
are given a platform on which they can build the next wave of killer
applications.

Android-powered HTC handsets have a variety of powerful mobile internet
capabilities beginning with an Android-optimized Webkit browser. They
also feature the popular Google(tm) applications, Google Maps(tm)
and Google Search(tm) as well as favorites like YouTube(tm).

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Since its launch
on 1st July 2005, in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed
to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base.

VivaCell-MTS drives the development and offering of innovative mobile
communications products, services and features in the Armenian mobile
communications market. For more information, visit

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator
in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 97.76 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as
well as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in
which MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide
GSM services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since
June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about MTS can
be found at

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the
mobile phone industry. By putting people at the centre of everything
it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the
lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan
Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC,
please visit

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 9, 2010 – 21:32 AMT 16:32 GMT

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a phone conversation with
President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev on April 9. Mr.

Sargsyan once again expressed condolences with respect to the acts
of terrorism in Russia.

The Armenian President expressed gratitude to the Russian President
for the invitation to take part in the events devoted to the 65th
anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The Armenian and Russian Presidents also discussed the possibility of
upcoming meeting, the press service of the Armenian President reported.

ARMENIAN HUMANITARIAN SEMINARY IN CALCUTTA IS 189- YEAR-OLD

PanARMENIAN.Net –
April 7, 2010 – 11:35 AMT 06:35 GMT

189 years passed since establishment of the Armenian Humanitarian
Seminary in Calcutta (India).

The anniversary was marked on April 6 at the seminary, the solemn
ceremony gathered students, teachers and guests.

During the event teacher at the seminary Kamal Alu-Walia made a
welcome address, and after the concert the seminary rector Khoren
Hovhannisyan presented a report on the activities over the past year.

Armenian Humanitarian Seminary in Calcutta (India) was founded in
1821 at the Armenian Church of Calcutta "Holy Nazareth". The Armenian
Humanitarian Seminary of Calcutta, having a rich historical past,
is operating under the auspices of the Holy Etchmiadzin. Currently
Armenian youth from India, Armenia, Iran and Iraq study at the
seminary.

COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN GLENDALE

Noyan Tapan
Apr 7, 2010

GLENDALE, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Glendale will host
a series of special programs the week of April 18-23 as part of its
annual commemorative events for the Armenian Genocide. The events are
free. Two events focusing on Man’s Inhumanity to Man will be held at
the Glendale Central Library.

According to , on April 19 there will be an evening
of music and poetry. Then on April 22, there will be an evening of
discussion on modern day slavery. The City will host its annual
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 23 at the Alex
Theatre. There will also be performances by the Armenian Dramatic
Arts Alliance and the Glendale Philharmonic. In addition, there will
also be a special candlelight vigil performance by Antranig Kizirian
and Jivan Kasparyan.

REPAIR WORKS AT YEREVAN RAILWAY STATION

Aysor
April 7 2010
Armenia

Repair works have been started at the Yerevan Railway Station,
aimed at renovating the station building’s interior and replacing
the communication lines.

Due to increase in passenger flow by 53% in comparison with 2009,
within the repair works the station will be divided into two parts –
the international terminal and the intercity one; some additional
ticket windows are reported to be deployed. This will provide
more comfortable conditions for passengers, traveling in various
destinations.

A spokesperson for South Caucasus Railways said that some works will
be carried out to railway platform. In addition, a station hotel will
be constructed for accommodation of the station’s staff and passengers.

EU URGES TURKEY, ARMENIA TO COMPLETE NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS

Sofia Echo
April 7 2010
Bulgaria

The European Union has called on Armenia and Turkey to remain committed
to the process of normalising bilateral relations – and to ratify and
implement the bilateral protocols signed in 2009 "without preconditions
and in a reasonable timeframe".

This was said by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on April 6
2010, soon after EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, who called on
the two countries to make progress with their troubled normalisation
efforts without any preconditions, while emphasising the importance
attached to this normalisation process by Brussels in relation to
Turkey’s accession to the EU.

"Good relations with neighbors are very important in the framework of
any country’s entry to the European Union," EU Enlargement Commissioner
Stefan Fule was quoted as saying by the Armenian media on April 6
during a visit to Yerevan, Today’s Zaman said.

In October 2009, representatives of Turkey and Armenia agreed on a deal
to normalise relations, after years of serious bilateral disputes,
but the deal has made no progress in the respective parliaments of
the two countries. Mutual accusations have been traded of attempts
to revise the deal and add new conditions to what was agreed last year.

"The EU encourages Armenia and Turkey to remain committed to the
process of normalisation and calls on both countries to ratify and
implement the bilateral protocols without preconditions and in a
reasonable timeframe," Ashton said.

"In this context, the EU welcomes the decision of the Armenian
president to submit both protocols to the parliament as well as the
recent declaration by the president of Turkey to remain committed to
the normalisation of relations with Armenia," she said.

The EU believed that the full normalisation of bilateral relations
between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution to
security, stability and co-operation in the Southern Caucasus,
Ashton said.

The EU would continue to provide political and technical support to
this process and was standing ready to help implementing the steps
agreed between the two countries, she said.

OBAMA WILL ACCELERATE NKR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN WASHINGTON: IGITYAN

Tert.am
16:19 ~U 07.04.10

During the possible Sargsyan-Obama-Erdogan meeting in Washington
next week, US President Barack Obama will attempt to accelerate
the Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR) conflict resolution, in Turkey’s favour,
said former chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations, Pan-Armenian National Movement member Hovhannes Igityan,
while meeting with journalists today.

"There will be pressure on both sides during that meeting. The
US President will attempt to accelerate the resolution of the NKR
conflict in Turkey’s favour, in order to compel Turkey to sign the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols," said Igityan.

ARMENIAN BANKS: MERGER VS. COMPETITION

news.am
April 5 2010
Armenia

11:49 / 04/05/2010A public announcement recently issued by Armenian
commercial banks, which was actually beyond their normal activities,
caused a sensation.

The TDA Holding Limited, which is affiliated with the largest Russian
investment and banking company Troika Dialog, and Cascade Capital
Holdings – the respective stockholders of the Ameriabank CJSC and
Cascade Bank CJSC – signed a bank merger agreement on March 31, 2010.

Mergers are normal in the business world and are even termed as
mergers and acquisitions (M&As). But the aforementioned agreement is
difficult to designate – whether it is a merger or an acquisition. In
any case, the companies’ representatives term the agreement as a
merger agreement.

Comparing the banks’ key performance indicators, one recalls David and
Goliath. Indeed, as of December 28, 2009, Ameriabank’s total capital
was 2.8 times as much as that of Cascade Bank, while the former’s
assets exceeded the latter’s 5.3 times.

Of course, the companied signed the merger agreement with good
intentions. They expect a synergy effect. In this respect, the new
bank (Ameriabank) can be expected to enhance its efficiency, render
higher-quality services and offer a wider range of products.

However, the fact is that the Armenian commercial banks will soon
number only 21 instead of the current 22. The Armenian financial
market had not shown any special competition before, and one can
hardly make any forecasts in connection with the planned merger.

Following this logic, we could say that the only bank, a kind of
natural monopoly, would be the most effective in Armenia.

One can be convinced of the lack of any special market competition
with 22 banks operating in Armenia after seeing their credit and
account terms. The average annual credit interest rate reached 18.88%,
with the interest on deposit being 8.56%. Thus the margin was 11.32%.

This is the reason why many of the commercial banks are among the
largest Armenian taxpayers, and the average monthly salary in the
Armenian banking system (as of this January) is 2.6 times as high as
the average monthly salary in the country.

EU WILL SUPPORT THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH TRANSBOUNDARY ISSUES

Aysor
April 6 2010
Armenia

EU supports the normalization process of the Armenian – Turkish
relations and the ratification of the two protocols without
preconditions. The European Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule stated after the meeting with the
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

He welcomed the initiative of the Armenian President and authorities
and said that the European Union is ready to support the normalization
of the transboundary issues after ratification of the protocols.

Å tefan Fule also mentioned that the prospective of normalization of
both countries will be useful for Turkey’s eventual membership in EU.

According to the EU representative the attempts of Turkey in
establishing friendly relations in the region will be in account
while discussing its possible membership, the EU representative stated.