STANDARDS AND NORMS ON QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT OF EFFECTIVE USAGE OF WATER RESOURCES OF SOUTH CAUCASUS TO BE WORKED OUT
Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The regional program “Application of
International Standards and Norms for Management of Water Resources
of Trans-Border Rivers Kura and Araks” which is implemented jointly
by public organizations of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, pursues
the goal of assisting effective management of water resources of
the Kura-Araks river system. In Armenia, it is implemented by the
Armenian Ecologists’ Union NGO with the assistance of the Eurasia
Foundation. Rafayel Hovhannisian, the organization chairman,
informed about it at the August 8 conference entitled “Problems
of Usage and Ecology of Water Resources of Trans-Border Rivers of
Kura and Araks.” According to him, the program envisages working out
standards and norms on quality and on management of effective usage
of water resources of the South Caucasus, to create an internet
site “Kura-Araks.” Creation of a computer geo-information s ystem
of water resources of the Kura-Araks system, and organization of a
national conference dedicated to social-ecological and water usage
problems existing in basins of those rivers, shooting of a video
film covering those problems, are also envisaged. R.Hovhannisian
beleives that after completion of the program, a similar program,
with participation of Turkey and Iran as well, would be purposeful
to implement, as many rivers of the Kura and Araks basins run or
start in those countries. Volodya Narimanian, the Deputy Chief of
the Water Resources Management Agency of the RA Ministry of Nature
Protection mentioned that the new Water Code defines modern methods
of management of water resources which envisage wide participation
of the society in those processes.
According to his estimation, work of public organizations gives
positive result in the management of water resources, not only national
but also trans-border ones.

STATEMENTS ON CATASTROPHIC STATE OF LAKE SEVAN EXAGGERATED: DIRECTOR OF HYDRO- ECOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY INSTITUTE
Yerevan, August 8. ArmInfo. The statements by ecologist of Armenia
regarding the catastrophic state of Lake Sevan are exaggerated, Rafael
Hovhannissyan, Director of Hydro-ecology and Ichthyology Institute,
National Academy of Science of Armenia, told ArmInfo.
He called a normal factor the rotting of plants that went under
water due to the rise of the lake’s level. He did not deny that
waterlogging increases the harmful substances in the water, which
leads to deficit of oxygen and kills small fish. R. Hovhannisyan said
after the cleaning of coastal areas, the so- called “blossoming” in
the lake will stop. Moreover, he thinks the great volume of plankton
that was a result of eutrophication will become a good source of food
for fish and animals.
To note, in the current year the Government of Armenia provided 69
million drams to the National Park “Sevan” for cleaning of coasts
from plantations as the yearly water rise by 40 cm in average leads
to rotting of coastal plantations. Specialists and ecologists say the
cleaning is carried out extremely ineffectively. Water has flooded
over 92 ha of lands planted with trees and bushes.

ALEXANDER GIVOYEV KILLED
Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Alexander Givoyev, the head of the
Organization for Protection of Children’s Rights, a businessman
was killed in the marz of Aragatsotn on August 8. As Sona Truzian,
the spokesperson of the Prosecutor’s General Office of Armenia
informed Radio Liberty, the murder took place at about 13:30, on the
Ashtarak-Gyumri road, near the village of Voskevaz.
According to preliminary data, Alexander Givoyev who was with his
family driving to Gyumri in his Grand Cherokee car, stopped at one of
shops. A red “VAZ 21-09” car without regisration number drove to him,
out of which a shot was fired in Givoyev’s direction. As a result,
Givoyev and saleswoman Gyulnara Karapetian were killed. A criminal
action was brought on the occasion of the case.

OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER REPORTER SUFFERS PRESSURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES AND NUBARASHEN COMMUNITY PREFECTURE
Yerevan, August 8. ArmInfo. ‘In case of any attempt to threaten my
life I will accuse the authorities and the law enforcement structures
of Armenia,’ says the statement of Gagik Shamshian, photo-reporter of
‘The Fourth Authority’ opposition newspaper.
G. Shamshian states that the staff of the Nubarashen police department
and prefecture put pressure upon him so as to prevent his professional
activity. He said that his claim against the prefect of the Nubarashen
community Mher Hovhannisian did harm only to himself.
In result, the prefecture posed a counter-claim, a criminal case was
roused and as a result his apartment was sealed up.

“ASHTARAK KAT” COMPANY LAYS FIRM BUSINESS FOUNDATION
Yerevan, August 8. ArmInfo. The general assembly of shareholders of
the producer of whole milk products, “Ashtarak-Kat” CJSC, approved
the principles of the company’s corporate behavior in July 2006.
Narine Melikyan, Vice Chairwoman of “Ashtarak-Kat” Board of Directors
for Corporate Management informed ArmInfo of this practice unique
for Armenia.
Thus, the principles of corporate behavior are totality of moral and
ethical norms and principles of business activity. Adoption of these
principles and norms is a necessary but not final step in the way to
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
N. Melikyan said unlike Armenia, the USA and Europe have been
practicing CSR since the middle of the 20th century. CSR is a voluntary
contribution of business to public development in social, economic and
ecological spheres directly connected with the activity of a company.
She said the principles of corporate behavior were worked out on the
basis of the major definition of CSR and human values. In addition, the
principles are based on the Declaration adopted in 1994 in Switzerland
by the leaders of the largest transnational world corporations,
as well as on the UN Global Agreement. N. Melikyan brought the
following key goals of the company: stable business, which depends
on how the company’s activity meets the expectations of consumers,
personnel, country, local authorities, shareholders, business partners
and other parties interested; vector of company’s development for
long-term outlook, which is the international market wherein socially
responsible business is a standard. Moreover, a socially responsible
business testifies to the stability and attractiveness of a company.
She said CSR is perceived as development of responsible business
advantageous both for business, state and public. Hence, social
responsibility is a trilateral interest. Thus, the public must
be aware of its demands and must form social order. The state
must exactly determine the priorities. Business, in its turn,
must effectively create economic value added (EVA), fulfill social
obligations stipulated by the law, involve more interested persons
in the corporate responsibility related measures.
N. Melikyan said building a firm business foundation is the first and
the most important phase of social responsibility for “Ashtarak-Kat.”
As a result, the company aims to secure high quality production;
provide adequate work and living conditions of employees; provision
of stable wages; participation in social projects and charitable
actions. The company’s mission is not only to ensure economic growth,
but also to create a society of socially responsible citizens.
All this does not mean that the company had no problems. The principles
of corporate behavior are not a panacea for problems either. The
adoption of the principles having a human basis meant the company’s
progress as a corporate citizen whose strategy of development will
be in accord with the interests of his employees, business partners,
consumers, the economic management territory and the public, on
the whole.

NEWLY APPOINTED GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
Baku, August 8. ArmInfo. During his Aug 7 meeting with Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev, newly appointed Ambassador of Germany to Azerbaijan
Per Christopher Stanchina expressed hope for peaceful settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, in the frame of
international principles, reports AzerTag.
Ambassador said he is aware of difficulties caused by delay of
settlement of the Armenia- Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and without solution of this problem Azerbaijan cannot realize its
full potential.
The Ambassador expressed pleasure for diplomatic activity in
Azerbaijan. Noting that realization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project
and integration of Azerbaijan to world policy and economy is of great
importance the Ambassador estimated the economic action scheduled
for late this year in Germany as significant. ‘Germany will make any
effort to assist Azerbaijan to join New Neighborhood Policy of the
European Union’, the Ambassador underlined.
The German diplomat said he would try for expansion of relations
between Azerbaijan and his country.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THERE ARE 100 LICENSED GUIDES IN ARMENIA
Yerevan, August 8. ArmInfo. There are over 100 licensed guides in
Armenia, says the head of the Tourism Department of the Trade and
Economic Development Ministry of Armenia Mekhak Apressyan.
License is given against higher education diploma or, at least,
three-years of experience in the sphere. Besides, a guide should know
well history, ethiucs, geography. A computer selects 100 questions
out of 1,000 and an applicant should answer them correctly to get
a license.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN HOTELS SEEK TO GET MORE “STARS”
Yerevan, August 8. ArmInfo. Of Armenian hotels only Golden Palace
has five stars yet, says the head of the Tourism Department of the
Trade and Economic Development Ministry of Armenia Mekhak Apressyan.
Metropol has four stars, Congress three stars. Stars are guarantee of
stable high quality and growing inflow of tourists. Stars help tourists
to choose best hotels – with high quality services and moderate prices.
To note, Armenia has 17,000 hotel places with only 6,700 of them
meeting international standards. Hotels can apply to the minister
for certain category and get stars if they really deserve them.

ARMENIAN CONSUMER MARKET GROWS BY 17.3% IN FIRST HALF OF 2006
Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-June 2006, the volume of
the Armenian consumer market made 635 bln 920.3 mln drams (about 1
bln 432.7 USD), exceeding the index of the same period of 2005 by
17.3%. According to the RA National Statistical Service, in the first
six months of 2006, trade (whose growth made 16.2% compared with the
first half of 2005) accounted for 67.8% of the consumer market (69.4%
in the same months of 2005) or 431 bln 110.4 mln drams. Services
accounted for 32.2% of the consumer market (30.6% in the first half
of 2005) or 204 bln 809.9 mln drams, with the volume of services
exceeding by 21.1% the index of the first half of 2005. In the first
half of 2006, retail trade accounted for 50.4% of the consumer market
(for 53.5% in 2005) or 320 bln 727.5 mln drams, growing by 12.1%
on the same period of last year.
Car trade accounted for 5.1% (3.7% in 2005) or 32 bln 673.4 mln drams,
exceeding the index of January-June 2005 by 52.5%. The index of car
trade includes both cars and spare parts sold at specialized trade
points and their technical servicing and repair.

RETAIL TRADE FACILTIES OF YEREVAN ENSURE 86.6% OF RETAIL TURNOVER
Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-June 2006, trade conducted
in Armenia’s shops and consumer goods markets accounted for a large
share of retail trade – 77.7% (249 bln 327.7 mln drams or about 567.1
mln USD). According to the RA National Statistical Service, Yerevan’s
retail trade facilities ensured 86.6% of retail trade (277 bln 998.3
mln drams). In January-June 2006, 50.2% of retail trade turnover
(161 bln 228 mln drams) was formed through shops.
46.1% of Armenian shops are specialized in food commodity trade,
42.8% – in nonfood commodity, and 11.1% – in mixed goods sale. Very
small shops (86%) prevailed in the total number of shops included
in statistical monitoring. Their trade turnover made up 29.2%,
while the trade turnover through big shops (ccounting for 1.1%
of the total number of shops) made up 40.9%. In January-June 2006,
the trade turnover at current prices in Armenian consumer markets
amounted to 88 bln 99.7 mln drams, which represents a 3.1% increase
compared with the index of the same period of 2005. The consumer
goods markets registered in Armenia are mainly specialized in
nonfood commodity trade. Particularly, 47 out of the 65 consumer
goods markets are markets specialized in nonfood commodity sale. 18
out of 24 markets in Yerevan, 7 of 8 markets in Shirak marz, 6
out of 7 markets in Gegharkunik marz, 3 of 4 markets in Lori marz,
3 of 7 markets in Kotayk marz, and consumer commodity markets in
Aragatsotn, Ararat and Syunik marzes are specialized in nonfood
commodity sale. The large share of nonfood commodities (86.5%) in
trade conducted in Armenian consumer goods markets is conditioned by
this fact. The volume of Yerevan’s retail trade in January-June 2006
exceeded 2.5fold the average republican index. The economic activity
of the retail markets in other marzes fluctuated from 9.9% to 35%
with respect to the average republican index. As of July 1, 2006,
the commodity resources at Armenian retail trade facilities made 56
bln 925.5 mln drams.
Trade conducted in the agricultural produce markets in January-June
2006 accounted for 3% of the total retail trade or 9 bln 709.2
mln drams.