DOVZHENKO, PARAJANOV’S FILMS TO BE RESTORED
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.12.2009 12:53 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Dovzhenko and Parajanov’s films will be soon
accessible with a new quality. The golden collection of Dovzhenko
film studio will be rehabilitated in a new digital restoration studio.
Colors will be corrected and scratches removed by a computer program,
Analitika.at.ua reported.
The new laboratory will process some 3 dozens films annually.
Restoration of one film will cost $45 thousand.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AWARDS MILITARY RANKS, MEDAL OF HONOUR
Tert.am
18.12.09
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree today which
bestowed upon National Security Service Chief, General-Lieutenant
Gorik Hakobyan the military rank of general-colonel; National
Security Service Deputy Chief, General-Major Felix Tsolaykan the
military rank of general-lieutenant; and National Security Service
Deputy Chief, General-Major Romik Harutyunyan the military rank of
general-lieutenant.
On the same day, the Armenian president, with another decree, awarded
Levon Sayan (France) a Medal of Honour for his contribution to the
significant tradition of strengthening and developing amicable ties
between Armenia and France, as well as his long-term activities
benefiting the nation.
TURKEY IS AT A DEADLOCK, SAYS TURKISH JOURNALIST
Aysor.am
17/12/09
"Azerbaijan’s involvement into the energy game is important not only
for Turkey but also for the U.S.," said at today’s journalist meeting
Chief of Information Center of CNN Turk Ferhat Boratav. He added,
Turkey can deny the ratification for Armenian-Turkish protocols,
as Azerbaijan poses a treat of leaving the game.
Turkish Milliyet paper’s reporter, Kadri Gursel, said that the
protocols must be ratified regardless of Azerbaijan’s wills. "The
reasons for this confrontation are the internal problems. It is also
the Turkish opposition that sets Azerbaijan against Turkey when says
that the protocols violate Baku’s interests. That is why Turkey is
at a deadlock," he said.
The ratification beyond Azerbaijan’s interests is equivalent to missing
Azerbaijan, said Kadri Gursel. He added: "Turkey is not ready to take
this step."
PACE ADJOURNED ARMENIAN ISSUE
NEWS.am
16:57 / 12/17/2009
December 17, 2009 PACE Monitoring Committee adjourned the discussion
of Armenian issue, RA Parliamentarian, PAP member Naira Zohrabyan
informed NEWS.am.
She said that head of Armenian delegation to PACE David Harutyunyan
intended to present NA Ad-Hoc Committee report on the March 1-2
events, but John Prescott and Georges Colombier, PACE co-rapporteurs
on monitoring to Armenia did not attend the session.
"The discussion of Armenian issue in PACE Monitoring Committee session
was adjourned, as Prescott and Colombier were absent. They were on
the urgent session in Copenhagen, thus the report will be discussed
on January 25 PACE Monitoring Committee session", MP concluded.
NERSES YERITSYAN: THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF OUR COUNTRY REMAINED UNDISTORTED
Nelly Danielyan
"Radiolur"
16.12.2009 18:26
The Armenian Government adopted its anti-crisis program in 2009, when
the impact of the global crisis on our economy was already a reality.
It envisaged a 9.2% economic growth and about 20% of increase
budget revenues. The three main direction of the program included
implementation of infrastructure development projects, state support
to enterprises experiencing temporary difficulties and support to
small and medium-sized businesses.
In six months, when the economic downfall had reached 15%, Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan declared that the real results of the
anti-crisis program would be tangible by the end of the year.
The year is coming to an end. The program has been implemented,
but instead of economic growth and budget revenues we have an 18%
downfall and uncollected taxes.
However, according to the Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan,
"The government managed to keep the social structure of the country
undistorted. The poverty level did not increase drastically and we’ll
be able to welcome the year 2010 with greater dignity."
SERZH SARGSYAN AND VALDIS ZATLERS ARE SURE THAT ARMENIAN-LATVIAN BUSINESS FORUM TO POINT OUT NEW WAYS OF COOPERATION
ARMENPRESS
Dec 11, 2009
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian-Latvian business forum
opened today in Yerevan with the participation of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, representatives
of the governments of the two countries, businessmen. More than 60
businessmen from Latvia representing different spheres – construction,
wood-processing, environment, pharmaceutics, energy, transport, IT,
machine-building – participated from Latvia.
Welcoming the participants of the forum, Serzh Sargsyan noted that
it is a good opportunity to deepen the cooperation between the two
countries. The president noted that it is notable that Latvia is
interested in the process of deepening of relations not only in
political but in economic direction as well.
"During the recent two days, together with V. Zatlers we discussed
a number of important issues on development of Armenian-Latvian
relations, including mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in
the economic sphere," S. Sargsyan said. In spite of the decrease of
the tempo of growth of the volume of trade turnover between the two
countries, agreed with the economic crisis, the president expressed
assurance that all the opportunities exist for ensuring further
increase.
S. Sargsyan expressed hope that during the conference the businessmen
will find edges of cooperation and make mutually beneficial
deals. According to him, all that will help the two countries to
acquire new markets for overcoming the consequences of the economic
crisis, implement joint programs in production, agricultural, service
spheres, banking system. "Another sphere of cooperation is tourism. Our
countries were traditionally tourism routes for each other, and I
am sure that this tradition may and must be restored. Taking into
consideration the air communication agreement signed yesterday, it is
quite possible that regular flights between our capitals be organized,
which, undoubtedly, will promote the increase of tourism flow,"
Serzh Sargsyan said. The president also highlighted the cooperation
in the investment sphere, noting that quite favorable conditions are
created for making investments in Armenia.
"The two countries have necessary potential. I have no doubt that
this forum will have its contribution to bringing to life new ideas,
implementation of programs. Our economic relations have good future,"
Serzh Sargsyan said.
V. Zatlers noted that members of the Latvian delegation arrived
to Armenia with great readiness, they are interested in the
Armenian market. According to the Latvian president, in spite of the
circumstance that the two countries are far from each other they have
many common edges for cooperation. He underscored the cooperation of
the two countries especially in the crisis conditions, noting that it
is necessary to help each other to get out of the difficult situation.
"In the crisis situation we must mobilize our opportunities and
overcome the created issues. Our potential is not used fully, this
conference will give an opportunity to point new ways of cooperation.
The two countries have much to learn from each other," Zatlers said.
The president expressed hope that soon the number of joint programs,
and joint ventures will increase and in near future notable results
will be registered.
Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan noted that Latvia can
help Armenia to enter European market, and Armenia may be a bridge
for Latvia in entering the Middle East market. Yeritsyan highlighted
the cooperation between the two countries in Information Technology
sphere, noting that Latvia has serious achievements in it.
Latvian Economy Minister Artis Kampars said that in conditions of
crisis special attention must be paid to export, realization of
banking system, creation of favorable conditions for businessmen.
According to him, Armenia and Latvia may help each other not only in
getting out of the crisis, but also develop economies.
Director of the Armenian Development Agency Robert Harutyunyan noted
that the volume of trade turnover between the two countries in 2008
reached 11 million 283,000 USD, of which the export made 1 million
170,000.
"In conditions of crisis every country searches new markets, in
this respect we present interest for Latvia, and Latvia presents
interest for us. Latvia may be a window to European market for us,"
R. Harutyunyan said.
SWEDEN’S AMBASSADOR SAYS VISA-FREE REGIME MAY BE INTRODUCED FOR ARMENIANS TO TRAVEL WITHIN EU
ARKA
Dec 11, 2009
YEREVAN, December 11, /ARKA/. Sweden’s ambassador to Armenia, Hans
Gunnat Aden, said today in Yerevan that a visa-free regime may be
introduced for Armenians to travel within EU. Speaking to journalists
during a press briefing on the occasion of Sweden’s handing the EU
chairmanship to Lithuania he said the question of facilitating visa
regime between the EU and Armenia is being discussed.
"I can say for sure that it will be facilitated. It may be cancelled,
but it is, of course, a matter of future,’ he said.
He said Armenia was part of the former Soviet Union and ‘unfortunately,
part of Armenians, especially the older generation, preserves the
Soviet mentality and does not share European values.
He said one of the goals of the Eastern Partnership program is to
help Armenia get back to its historical democratic traditions.
He said Europe expects intelligible answers from Armenian authorities
to a set of its questions relating, particularly, to freedom of
religion, press, assembly, democratic elections, independent judiciary
and an unbiased inquiry of the 2008 post-election events.
The Eastern Partnership project was initiated and presented by Poland
with assistance from Sweden at a the EU’s General Affairs and External
Relations Council in Brussels on 26 May 2008 and was inaugurated in
Prague on 7 May 2009. The Eastern Partnership is meant to complement
the Northern Dimension and the Union for the Mediterranean by providing
an institutionalised forum for discussing visa agreements, free trade
deals and strategic partnership agreements with the EU’s eastern
neighbors, while avoiding the controversial topic of accession to
the European Union. Its geographical scope is to consist of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
SWEDEN ACHIEVED IMPRESSIVE RESULTS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF EASTERN PARTNERSHIP PROJECT OVER 6 MONTHS OF EU- CHAIRMANSHIP
ArmInfo
2009-12-11 15:54:00
ArmInfo. Sweden has achieved impressive results in implementation
of the Eastern Partnership Project (EPP) over the 6 months of the
EU-chairmanship, Swedish Ambassador to Armenia Hans Gunnar Aden told
media on Friday.
The Ambassador said that over the last six months the European
Neighborhood Policy, including the EPP, was rather successful and
the next chair-country (Spain-ed.) will receive a consolidated and
successfully implemented process. Ambassador Aden said that the EU
has rather long-term goals as regards the EPP member-states.
For his part, Lithuanian Ambassador to Armenia Gietrius Apuokas
thanked the Armenian government for cooperation on all the relevant
issues. "We have felt also big interest of the civil society, public
organizations and mass media. All this makes me think that Armenia-EU
relations have a bright future," the Lithuanian Ambassador said.
SARGSYAN ABOUT OBAMA’S EFFORTS
Lragir.am
10/12/09
During the joint press conference of the president of Latvia in
Yerevan, journalists asked Serge Sargsyan to comment on the outcome
of the meeting between Erdogan and Obama and its possible impact
on the Armenian-Turkish relations. Serge Sargsyan emphasized that
Armenia is grateful to all countries, international organizations,
politicians and statesmen, with the support of which we had managed
to get part of the way to settle the Armenian-Turkish relations.
"At the same time, the success or failure of the process is to be
entirely attributed to Armenia and Turkey. We appreciate the positions
of the U.S. President Obama on the Armenian-Turkish relations and
the Armenian question, which he often publicly as well as privately
expressed. The need for recognition of the Genocide and fair approach
to its history by Turkey was mentioned by the U.S. president in the
Turkish Parliament too. It is very important for Turkey to realize that
peace and stability in the Caucasus is possible only in case of the
settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations", – said Serge Sargsyan.
We unequivocally condemn Turkey’s attempts to link the Armenian-Turkish
relations with the Karabakh settlement. "I want to reiterate that such
attempts are doomed to failure. I still say that Armenia is ready to
fulfill its international commitments and ratify the protocol, and
expects the same from Turkey. But I also said that if Turkey would
delay the ratification, we will use the opportunities provided by
international law. I officially announce that I instructed government
agencies to amend the parts of the legislation relating to the
signing, ratification and denunciation of international treaties",
– said Serge Sargsyan.
He reiterated that Armenia has always fulfilled its commitments. "You
know that I sent the protocols to the Constitutional Court and
on January 12 it is going to make a decision. In other words, we
continue the process. Just everyone should understand that the more
the ratification protracts, the more obstacles there will appear.
Political events may become obstacles, ‘- Serge Sargsyan said.
EU-ARMENIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE TAKES PLACE IN YEREVAN
armradio.am
10.12.2009 17:15
On 9 December 2009 the first Human Rights Dialogue between Armenia
and the European Union took place in Yerevan. As of today, European
Union is engaged in dedicated human rights dialogues with over thirty
countries around the world. The new EU – Armenia human rights dialogue
signals that the EU and Armenia have stepped up their engagement on
human rights.
The first EU – Armenia human rights dialogue was held in an open,
friendly and constructive atmosphere, with an exchange on a wide range
of issues of mutual interest and concern, as well as discussions on
possibilities for concrete cooperation in the field of human rights.
The Armenian delegation was headed by Mrs. Karine Kazinian, Deputy
Foreign Minister, and included Mr. Nikolay Arustamyan, Deputy Minister
of Justice, together with the representatives from the Office of
the Public Prosecutor, the Police, the Foreign Ministry and other
government departments. The EU delegation was headed by Mr. Jan Axel
Nordlander, Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights, and included Ms
Riina Kionka, the Personal Representative for Human Rights of the
High Representative, Mr. Rolf Timans, Head of Human Rights Unit at
the European Commission and Ms. Silvia Escobar, Spain’s Ambassador
for Human Rights as incoming Presidency of the EU.
The agenda for the first human rights dialogue provided for discussions
on the national framework for the protection of human rights including
the reform of the judicial system and the enforcement of national
human rights legislation. The agenda also included a part on civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights. Cooperation in
international fora for the protection of human rights was also on
the agenda.
On the day before the dialogue, the EU delegation also met with
the Human Rights Defender(Ombudsman) of the Republic of Armenia,
representatives of civil society and international organizations
active in Armenia as well as representatives of the opposition.
The EU and Armenia agreed to hold the next EU – Armenian Human Rights
Dialogue meeting in 2010.
On the 10th December, to mark the celebration of the International
Human Rights Day, the EU delegation participated in a roundtable
organized by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia in cooperation with
the OSCE and the UN Offices in Armenia.