PARONIAN THEATER HAS TO GO ON LEAVE IN WINTER MONTHS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Hakob Paronian State Theater
of Musical Comedy will not work until spring because of lack of
heating. Karo Shahbazian, theater Director, reported this at the
December 12 press conference. In his words, this situation has
a negative impact on the theater collective’s creative life. In
the director’s words, this year young producers have staged three
performances at the theater – Searching for Happiness, The Bear and the
Proposal and The Same Day Every Year. Besides, another two performances
have been restored from the theater’s former repertoire. The theater
has had 140 performances during the year. Karo Shahbazian said that
from November 30 to December 6 the theater performed on tours in
Gyumri and Vanadzor where they presented the musical comedy-operetta
My Mother-in-Law, operetta Eastern Dentist and comedy The Landlords
of Our House. In the theater director’s words, the tours passed in
warm and full halls, which is the evidence that this theater is loved
and expected everywhere.

EBRD TO INCREASE TOTAL COST OF PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA FROM 60 TO 120 MILLION EUROS IN TWO YEARS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. By late 2008, the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Developemnt (EBRD) will increase the total
cost of programs being implemented in Armenia from 60 mln euros
to 120 mln euros. Michael Weinstein, EBRD Armenia Office Director,
stated this during the December 12 press conference. Repsonding to
NT correspondent’s question, he said that the EBRD is operating in
various sectors of the Armenian economy (financial, agriculture and
food processing, renewable energy), whose number will soon increase
(tourism, services related to real estate and health care). According
to M. Weinstein, "the EBRD will opeate in Armenia until the country’s
private sector assumes its role." In his words, the major goal of
the bank is to assist with overcoming the transitional economic period.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ZHARANGUTIUN PARTY CONSIDERS ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN’S ARREST AS MANIFESTATION OF PANIC OF CURRENT REGIME

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On December 11, the Zharangutiun
(Heritage) Party made a statement condemning the fact of arrest of
Coordinator of the Defence of Liberated Territories public initiative,
devotee of Artsakh liberation fight, Zhirayr Sefilian and some of
his companions-in-arms. According to the statement, "this is a bright
evidence of democracy imagined by the current regime." The Zharangutiun
considers that this illegal action carried out under the name of the
law reaffirms the agony of the regime having got into a panic.

REPUBLICAN STUDENT OLYMPIAD ON RUSSIAN LANGUAGE FINISHES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

TSAKHKADZOR, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The final tour of Republican
Student Olympiad on Russian Language was held on December 10 in
Tsakhkadzor. The olympiad was organized by the Russian-Armenian
(Slavonic) University jointly with the Russian Federal Agency on
Education within the framework of implementation of target program
Russian Language (2006-2010). Its implementation is financed by the
RF state budget. About 200 students from 23 Armenian Universities,
including Russian Universities’ branches in Armenia, took part in
the event. Analogous competitions are hold in Slavonic Universities
of Kyrghyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as in other CIS countries. As
Noyan Tapan was informed from the Press Service of the Embassy of
Russia in Armenia, nine winners of the Olympiad were given diplomas
and medals of the Institute of Russian Language after A.S.Pushkin,
as well as souvenirs.

ARMENIAN ECONOMY TO BE PRESENTED AT EBRD ANNUAL MEETING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s economy will be presented
at the Annual Meeting and the Business Forum of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to be held in Kazan, the capital
city of Tatarstan (Russia), on May 20-21, 2007. Michael Weinstein,
EBRD Armenia Office Director, stated this during the December 12 press
conference. According to him, issues related to the development of the
financial sector of the Armenian economy will be discussed at these
events. "The forum may play a decisive role in developing Armenia’s
financial sector," M. Weinstein noted.

AGREEMENT ON PENSION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE SPHERES TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RF

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Joint consultation of heads of
RA Social Insurance State Fund and RF Pension Fund took place on
December 5-6 in Moscow. As Vazgen Khachikian, RA Social Insurance
State Fund Chairman, said at the December 12 press conference, during
the consultation they discussed issues relating to compulsory pension
insurance of two countries’ citizens promoting working activity in
these two countries, as well as of labor migrants, as well as reforms
in pension sphere, perfection of the funds’ activity.

V.Khachikian said that currently more than 100 thousand RA citizens
work and make social payments in Russia. In his words, a number
of problems emerge when setting a pension to them: in particular,
which country should set it and which country should pay for this
period. V.Khachikian said that it is planned to sign the respective
agreement in 2007 for the purpose of regulating these issues. In his
words, this will enable to protect RA citizens’ interests connected
with realization of labor and pension rights. According to the draft
agreement, each state will pay on the part of years a citizen worked
in its territory. It was mentioned that Russia has such an agreement
with Belarus, Spain, Israel.

V.Khachikian said that soon it is planned to clarify the precise
number of RA citizens working and receiving pension in RF.

REPORT FULFILMENT OF AARHUS CONVENTION PROVISIONS IN ARMENIA PRESENTED

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Report under the title Fulfilment
of Aarhus Convention Provisions in Armenia on environment and the
respective actions were presented at the event organized on December
12 by the OSCE Office. The report analyses situation connected with
information, accessibility of justice on nature protection issues
and public’s participation in making decisions in this sphere, as
well as current laws and those to be adopted in the sphere of nature
protection. As OSCE Office Head, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin said,
"promotion of the principles of Aarhus Convention is part of public
awareness aimed at nature protection rights and their ecological
education." At the end of the event the winners of the journalist
competition Nature Protection and Urban Development organized
by the OSCE Office were awarded prizes. Nelli Danielian (Yerkir
Media TV company) took first place (400 euros) in the nomination TV
journalism. Vahe Ghazarian (Kentron TV company) took second place (300
euros), third place (200 euros to each) was shared by Lilit Davtian
(Shoghakat TV company) and Seda Grigorian (Lusalik TV company). In
the nomination printed press the first prize was given to independent
journalist Ashot Gareginian, the second to Galust Nanian (Hayastani
Hanrapetutiun newspaper), the third to independent journalist Naira
Bulgadarian. Five encouraging prizes (100 euros to each) were given
to Hayk Kbeyan and Armine Sukiasian in the nomination TV journalism
and to Marianna Grigorian, Ruzanna Bisharian and Susanna Shakhnazarian
in the nomination of printed press.

WE HAVE PREOCCUPATIONS ABOUT HOLDING OF FAIR ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA, ANTHONY GODFREY SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. "We have preoccupations in
connection with holding of fair elections in Armenia, but at the same
time, we try to be optimistic." Charge d’Affaires of U.S. Embassy
in Armenia Anthony Godfrey declared this on December 12. Meanwhile
he said that for holding fair elections RA government has assumed
public commitment: "We expect RA citizens to help the government
in fulfilling this commitment." A.Godfrey said that international
observers will be invited to the elections to be held in 2007-2008 in
Armenia. He reminded that RA President has also declared that he is
going to invite OSCE observers. In A.Godrey’s words, there are some
spheres where Armenia’s achievements are at a high level. However,
in his words, there is some preoccupation in connection with two
spheres – civil freedoms and political rights.

A.Godfrey said that the U.S. government provides significant assistance
in holding of 2007-2008 elections in Armenia.

RA CAMD PROPOSES ZVATNOTS MANAGEMENT SEEKING ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF FUEL IMPORT

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. With the aim of dealing with the
problem of aviation fuel lack at Zvartnots Airport, the RA Civil
Aviation Main Department (CAMD) applied to the airport management
with the proposal to seek alternartive ways of fuel import. NT
correspondent was informed about it from the spokeswoman for the RA
CAMD Gayane Davtian. According to her, by the end of this week, the
aviation fuel importing company Mika Limited will import the necessary
amount of fuel. To recap, there has been a lack of fuel at Zvartnots
for two weeks, as a result of which some flights were delayed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

10th ANNIVERSARY OF UNION OF MANUFACTURERS AND BUSINESSMEN OF ARMENIA CELEBRATED

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. During 10 years of the existence
of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA),
the union members hav e developed a business consciousness and the
tradition to discuss problems jointly, while the union has become the
partner of the state, especially in the issue of law drafting. The UMBA
Chairman Arsen Ghazarian pointed out these achievements of the union
at the sitting dedicated to the 10th anniversary of its foundation,
which took place at the House of Governmental Receptions on December
12. In his report A. Ghazarian said that it is the 5th year that their
union has been cooperating with the RA Ministry of Labor and Social
Issues, assuming the function of social partner. In his words, the
solution of problems related to this cooperation will become more
urgent after the expected amendments in the RA labor legislation
concering the signing of collective labor contracts. It was noted
that the union will continue provide social assistance and operate
in the infrastructure improvement, education and science of Armenia
and the NKR. A. Ghazarian said that the UMBA and the RA Ministry
of Education and Science will sign an agreement on cooperation
in the near future. It is envisaged that businessmen engaged in
big entrepreneurship will be included in managing councils and
graduation commissions of higher educational institutions to assist
with preparation of necessary personnel for companies.

The union chairman attached special importance to the adaptation of the
Armenian business to international one in the coming years, as well
as to ensuring equal competition and market freedom in the country’s
market. In his speech the RA Minister of Trade and Economic Development
Karen Chshmaritian characterized the UMBA as "a well-established body
capable of presenting its interests properly." In his words, an active
dialog is going on between the private sector and the state, especially
at the Business Support Council chaired by the RA prime minister. It
was noted that a lot of disputable problems have been solved by this
body. In the minister’s opinion, this dialog has contributed to the
improvement of Armenia’s business environment, enabling Armenia to
be in 27th place in terms of economic freedom and in 30th place –
the freedom of doing business. The minister noted that it was no
accident that the UMBA was founded in 1996 because prior to that,
"problems of survival" were mainly dealt with in Armenia. In his words,
in 1996-2006, the Armenian GDP and budget have increased fourfold –
indices achieved by few countries. K. Chshmaritian considered it
important that in the next 10 years state officials should realize
that "the private sector is also part of the state." He underlined the
necessity of introducing the idea of "the priority of public interest"
among businessmen. Besides, he considered it essential to increase
the efficiency of management at Armenian enterprises and to ensure
participation in the innovation process. By the decree of the RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian, A, Ghazarian was awarded a memorial medal
dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the UMBA foundation. During the
sitting dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the 550-member union,
the congratulatory messages of the RA President Robert Kocharian and
foreign organizations – partners of the UMBA were read, as well as
officials of diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia and heads of
business unions made speeches.