HSBC Launched A Telephone Banking Service

HSBC LAUNCHED A TELEPHONE BANKING SERVICE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.06.2009 19:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ HSBC bank CJCS is taking first step to offer clients
a telephone banking service. Since the launch of the project (March
2009), over 6000 customers have signed up for telephone banking.

The new service enables customers to make enquiries about their
account balance, pays, bills, as well as transfer money locally and
internationally in different currencies over the phone. The procedures
are carried out in compliance with international security standards.

There are 11 agents working in the Call Centre which operates seven
days a week at 08:00-23:00 (on working days) and 11:00-20:00 (on
non-working days).

Interests Of Armenian Economy Do Not Coincide With Interests Of Cust

INTERESTS OF ARMENIAN ECONOMY DO NOT COINCIDE WITH INTERESTS OF CUSTOMS UNION MEMBER-STATES

Arminfo
2009-06-10 18:33:00

ArmInfo. Armenia cannot become a member of the Customs Union since
the structure of Armenian economy and its interests do not meet the
economic interests of the Customs Union member- states including
in the context of customs duties, Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran
Sargsyan told ArmInfo correspondent aboard flying back from Moscow. The
Armenian premier was in Moscow to participate in the 23rd session of
EurAsEC Interstate Council at the level of the heads of government.

During the session within the frames of the Customs Union Supreme
Body the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan adopted a
number of documents on establishment of Custom Union in the "troika
format". The Customs Union should be launched on Jan 1 2010 when
a single customs tariff is introduced in the territories of the
three states. Starting June 1 2010 a single Customs Code will into
effect. All the necessary integration procedures should be completed
till mid 2011.

Customs duties at the Customs Union member-states are high in order
to protect local producers, economic sectors such a machine building,
metallurgy and others they have serious potential in. Since Armenia
has no such problems, we are importers of these goods and introduction
of high customs duties and restrictions is not favorable for our trade
possibilities, T. Sargsyan said. The Armenian premier mentioned that
establishing the Customs Union the above three states are going to
negotiate with the WTO for cooperation as a single union. In addition,
establishment of the Customs Union will make it possible for these
states to expand markets. ‘ Since Armenia and Kyrghyzstan are WTO
members, we have no such tasks. We wish success to our partners in
the negotiations with the WTO’, the premier said.
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
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From: [email protected]
Subject: Interests of Armenian economy do not coincide with interests of Customs
Union member-states

Interests of Armenian economy do not coincide with interests of Customs
Union member-states

2009-06-10 18:33:00

ArmInfo. Armenia cannot become a member of the Customs Union since the
structure of Armenian economy and its interests do not meet the
economic interests of the Customs Union member- states including in the
context of customs duties, Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan
told ArmInfo correspondent aboard flying back from Moscow. The Armenian
premier was in Moscow to participate in the 23rd session of EurAsEC
Interstate Council at the level of the heads of government.

During the session within the frames of the Customs Union Supreme Body
the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan adopted a number
of documents on establishment of Custom Union in the "troika format".
The Customs Union should be launched on Jan 1 2010 when a single
customs tariff is introduced in the territories of the three states.
Starting June 1 2010 a single Customs Code will into effect. All the
necessary integration procedures should be completed till mid 2011.

Customs duties at the Customs Union member-states are high in order to
protect local producers, economic sectors such a machine building,
metallurgy and others they have serious potential in. Since Armenia has
no such problems, we are importers of these goods and introduction of
high customs duties and restrictions is not favorable for our trade
possibilities, T. Sargsyan said. The Armenian premier mentioned that
establishing the Customs Union the above three states are going to
negotiate with the WTO for cooperation as a single union. In addition,
establishment of the Customs Union will make it possible for these
states to expand markets. ‘ Since Armenia and Kyrghyzstan are WTO
members, we have no such tasks. We wish success to our partners in the
negotiations with the WTO’, the premier said.

Armenia joined WTO in 2003.

V. Bayburd Says Georgia-Armenia Relations Are At Present More Profou

V. BAYBURD SAYS GEORGIA-ARMENIA RELATIONS ARE AT PRESENT MORE PROFOUND AND WARM THAN 5-10 YEARS AGO

ARMENPRESS
June 9, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili is
intended to arrive in Armenia June 25-26. Consultant to the Georgian
President Van Bayburd, who will be included in the delegation staff,
told Armenpress that during the visit a wide circle of issues of
bilateral interest, the relations of two states as well as enhancement
of cooperation will be discussed.

V. Bayburd characterizes the Armenian-Georgian relations as very
sustainable and dynamically developing links between two friendly
states and people. According to him, there are no serious issues
between Armenia and Georgia, there are issues which arouse in Armenia
and Georgia in the process of reforms.

"The Georgian-Armenian relations during 2009 have been more profound
and warm than 5-10 years ago," consultant to the Georgian President
said noting that the both states urge to more consolidate the
established friendly atmosphere

RA Ombudsman: Authorities And Opposition Should Bear Equal Responsib

RA OMBUDSMAN: AUTHORITIES AND OPPOSITION SHOULD BEAR EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COUNTRY’S FUTURE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 23:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Both the authorities and opposition should bear equal
responsibility for Armenia’s future, RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan
"The RPA should assume greater responsibility while the opposition
should not feel suppressed. I am convinced that over half of those
people who did not vote are supporters of the opposition," he said,
warning the public against growing indifferent.

Central Electoral Commission Certified Results Of The Election

CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION CERTIFIED RESULTS OF THE ELECTION

LRAGIR.AM
11:12:15 – 08/06/2009

The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia ceritifed the results of
the Yerevan Mayor election on May 31 as final. Hence, the number of
the voters is 44 634.

Bargavach Hayastan got 89 131, People’s party- 8 479, Armenian National
Congress Party alliance- 69 140, ARF Dashnaktsutyun- 18 094, Armenian
Labor-Socialistic Party- 1936, Republican Party of Armenia 186 630,
and Orinats Yerkir- 20 106.

The Central Electoral Commission decided also the members of the
Yerevan Elders’ Council. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the Heritage
Party did not sign the final reports.

As to the HAK application to declare invalid the Yerevan Municipal
election, the CEC renounced it. The Head of the Central Electoral
Commission Garegin Azaryan stated that the application was formed
wrongly.

Centennial Celebration Of ‘JAMANAG’ Newspaper By OIA At The Diocese

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ‘JAMANAG’ NEWSPAPER BY OIA AT THE DIOCESE

l-celebration-of-jamanag-newspaper-by-oia-at-the-d iocese/
Jun 02 2009

On May 20, 2009, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate, the centennial celebration of ‘Jamanag’ Newspaper
of Constantinople, titled, "Celebration of ‘Jamanag’ Newspaper’s
Century," organized by the Cultural Committee of the Organization
of Istanbul Armenians, was held at the Diocesan Headquarters in
Burbank, California. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian,
Diocesan Clergy and members of the community participated in this
centennial celebration.

Jamanag Chief Editor Mr. Ara Kochounian was the special guest for
the evening. Mr. Ohannes Kulak Avedikyan offered the welcoming
remarks and thanked the Primate for sponsoring the event. Mr. Simon
Acilacoglu, President of the Organization of Istanbul Armenians, in
his remarks welcomed Mr. Kochounian who had traveled to Los Angeles
from Constantinople. He continued by paying homage to the memory
of the founders of the newspaper in Constantinople and enumerated
the positive impact of the publication in the life of the Armenian
community throughout the many years since its beginning. Mr. Acilacoglu
noted that Mr. Kochounian as the Chief Editor of Jamanag Newspaper
has continued the legacy of his father who had also served in the
same capacity before.

After a musical interlude, Chief Editor of Masis Weekly Mr. Arshag
Kazanjian spoke briefly about the importance of Jamanag Newspaper
in the reality of the Armenian media. Representing Nor Or Newspaper,
Mr. Khatchig Janoyan offered a few remarks on the occasion.

In the next segment of the program Mr. Avedikian invited Prof. Osheen
Keshishian, Chief Editor of the Armenian Observer, to offer the
special presentation of Jamanag Newspaper. Prof. Keshishian in his
remarks spoke thoroughly about the importance of Jamanag Newspaper
and the dedication of Mr. Kochounian, Chief Editor of the newspaper,
to the mission of the publication.

After recitation of poems by Mrs. Chinar, Mr. Kochounian spoke briefly
about the paper and thanked His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, for initiating the centennial
celebrations for Jamanag Newspaper. As a token of appreciation,
Mr. Kochounian presented the Primate with a bust of the founder of
Jamanag Newspaper, the late Misag Kochounian.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, in his remarks
praised the Jamanag Newspaper Editor in Chief for his dedicated service
and presented him with a special WD 80th Anniversary Medallion and
a copy of the History of the Western Diocese book recently published
on the 80th anniversary of the Diocese.

http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/centennia

Troika Dialog To Build Modern School In Armenia

TROIKA DIALOG TO BUILD MODERN SCHOOL IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 10:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received
founder and executive director of Troika Dialog Company Group Ruben
Vardanyan, who outlined a project under development on building
in Dilijan town a round-the-clock educational complex meeting all
international standards. 550 students will be taught at the complex
under a pre-university curriculum. Teaching will be provided in
English by highly qualified foreign specialists. Graduates will get
all the training necessary to follow up their studies in first-rate
establishments worldwide. PM Sargsyan welcomed this educational-reform
oriented project and assured that the project will be given a special
attention by his government.

ANKARA: Armenia On Track To Export Energy

ARMENIA ON TRACK TO EXPORT ENERGY

Hurriyet
June 8 2009
Turkey

YEREVAN – Armenia is working to prepare its energy grid to handle
the export of electricity to Turkey this spring, Armenian Minister
of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan said in Yerevan on
Wednesday, Armenian Public Radio reported.

Armenia is on track to begin exporting electricity to Turkey this
spring in line with an agreement reached by the two governments last
year, Movsisyan said speaking to reporters in Yerevan. The process
is waiting on corresponding preparations to conclude in Turkey. But
working out the details of how the energy will be exported to Turkey
is not that easy, he said, adding that although Armenia has "a rather
rich experience" as an energy exporter to Georgia and Iran, it has
no experience "working with the corresponding system of Turkey."

Under an agreement signed late last year between the Armenian
Electricity Networks CJSC and the Turkish UNIT Company, Armenia
was expected to start supplying 1.5 billion kilowatts per hour of
electricity a year to Turkey in March, with that amount eventually
increasing to 3.5 billion kilowatts per hour a year, Asbarez.com
reported. That time frame required technical preparations at power
grids in eastern Turkey to be completed by March. Movsisyan had said
in September that the infrastructure was in place on the Armenian side
to deliver the electricity but that repairs to transmission lines
and the installation of a new transformer in Turkey would take four
to five months.

The power-selling deal was announced following Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s September visit to Yerevan and was based on a time
frame that required technical preparations at power grids in eastern
Turkey to be completed by March.

PACE co-rapporteurs to visit Armenia June 15-18

PACE co-rapporteurs to visit Armenia June 15-18

2009-06-06 15:36:00

ArmInfo. During a meeting in Paris PACE Monitoring Committee has
discussed questions concerning Armenia.

The head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Armen Rustamyan has told
Haykakan Zhamanak that during the meeting the co-rapporteurs on
Armenia Georges Colombier and John Prescott submitted a written report
on Armenia’s efforts to implement PACE’s resolutions, particularly,
the four things Armenia should do to ensure the effective work of
democratic institutions. The first requirement is to amend the law on
rallies and processions, the second – to conduct independent
investigation of the March events, the third – to immediately release
the people who did not take part in the violence of Mar 1-2 25008 and
the fourth – to carry out deep reforms with the participation of all
political forces through serious dialogues. The Committee also
considered the issue of amnesty. "They expect that the amnesty will be
announced by the June session of PACE and believe that amnesty is the
best solution," says Rustamyan.

To note, during its preliminary session on June 24 PACE will discuss
the question of Armenia. The co-rapporteurs will visit the country June
15-18.

Armenian Government To Brisk Up Credit Provision

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO BRISK UP CREDIT PROVISION

Noyan Tapan
June 5, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The passivity of banks in the provision
of consumer credits is a phenomenon typical of not only the Armenian
banking system. In connection with the increased level of risks under
conditions of the financial and economic crisis, banks in almost
all countries are extremely cautious about crediting. RA Minister
of Finance Tigran Davtian expressed this opinion at the June 4 press
conference.

According to him, some tendencies to activation of the credit provision
sector have now begun because the negative expectations caused by the
crisis have declined. "I think that these tendencies will be also
observed in Armenia after a time," the minister said. On the other
hand, negative expectations related to fluctuations of the exchange
rate have declined in the country.

The minister said that the government will contribute to activation
of credit provision in Armenia by ensuring an inflow of external
financial resources for commercial banks, which will increase the
supply of credits.

Considerable external resources will be attracted for this purpose
within the next 1-2 months. Besides, the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) will establish a mortgage fund to promote mortgage crediting
and construction sector.