STARTING JUNE 30 FLIGHTS FROM ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT TO BE OPERATED IN NORMAL REGIME
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Staring June 30, flights from Yerevan’s
Zvartnots Airport will be operated in the normal regime. To recap,
since April 10, flights have been operated only at night – from 8:00
pm to 10:30 am in connection with repairs of the airport’s runway.
Zvartnots Director Juan Pablo Gechjian told reporters that about
8 mln USD will be spent on asphalt laying this year. Repair of
asphalt cover is being carried out on the last 1,200 meter-section
of the runway. The other sections have been repaired over the past
two years. The airport director found it difficult to indicate the
total amount spent on the runway’s asphalt laying. He only said that
40 thousand tons of asphalt has been used.
Asked about his opinion concerning the statement of a NA deputy to
the effect that Zvartnot’s manager makes superprofits from this work,
J.P. Gechijian said: “The government did not ask that the exact amount
of investments be indicated in the concessional agreement, it is
required to build an airport in line with international standards. Let
deputies go and see what kind of terminal we are building.”

ARMENIA TO BECOME 17th COUNTRY TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND PARLIAMENT
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The opening ceremony of the Armenian
Office of the International Association of Business and Parliament
(IABP) will take place at the Golden Tulip Hotel (the Yerevan Hotel)
late June 7. The association was founded in Great Britain in the
late 1970s and later became an international organization. Armenia is
the 17th country to join it. A coordination board has been set up in
Armenia by a group of former businessmen, currently National Assembly
deputies representing all political forces. The Europarliament’s Vice
Chairman for Relations with National Parliaments Edward McMillan-Scott,
the Secretary General of the International Association of Business
and Parliament Frederick Hyde-Chambers, and the RA NA Vice Speaker,
ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisian who has initiated Armenia’s
joining the IABP met with reporters in the NA earlier on the same day.
According to V. Hovhannisian, the association aims to build a strong
bridge connecting various parliaments and the business world so that
all legislative reforms can serve the purpose of economic development
of a country. He said the association will seek to promote development
of small and medium business in Armenia. The IABP is not a lobbyist
organization, it will work out programs and provide appropriate
information to any deputy not included in the coordination board. The
deputies to participate in the development of programs “will not have
the right to use the information available to them for an improper
purpose, but this information will allow them to understand the laws
prepared by the government, to improve these laws and make useful
proposals.”
The European officials in their turn welcomed the fact of Armenia’s
joining the association, attaching special importance to it in terms
of developing the appropriate legislation to form the basis of the
country’s economic progress. The IABP Secretary General expressed
a wilingness to provide the Armenian Office staff with the maximum
possible assistance. In his words, it is his 6th visit to Armenia, and
he was pleasantly surprised by the knowledge, skills and capabilities
of the Armenians, so he can state confidently that Armenia will
successfully overcome the transitional period.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR RODRIGO DE RATO TO PARTICIPATE IN DUTCH GROUP’S MEETING IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A representative meeting of the Dutch
Group with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank
(WB) will be held in Yerevan on June 17-18. The Dutch Group has 12
member states: the Netherlands, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Israel, Croatia, Moldova, Georgia, Romania, Ukraine, Cyprus
and Macedonia. According to the press service of the RA Ministry of
Finance and Economy, it is envisaged that high-ranking officials –
finance ministers, chairmen of the central banks of the 12 member
states will take part in the annual meeting of the Dutch Group
in Yerevan.
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato, WB Vice President Danny
Leipziger and other high-ranking officials will attend the Yerevan
meeting.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VICE-CHAIRMAN TREATS TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TO EU WITH SOME RESERVATION
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. It is planned to hold a
conference with participation of parliamentarians of 25 country-members
of EU, European Parliament, parliamentarians of countries included
in the New Neighborhood program in late 2006 in Brussels to discuss
the prospects of development of parliaments’ cooperation under lack
of the European Constitution.
European Parliament Vice-Chairman Edward Macmillan-Scott informed
about it on June 7, when meeting with the Coordinating Group of the
Business and Parliament International Association led by RA National
Assembly Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian.
MPs from RA National Assembly groups and factions are included in
the group.
The European Parliament Vice-Chairman coordinates cooperation among
parliaments of EU member-states, countries included in the New
Neighborhood program and countries of Mediterranean Sea basin.
According to Edward Macmillan-Scott, the European Parliament tries
to increase the involvement of national parliaments in cooperation,
in particular, in the issue of bringing the national legislation
in correspondence with the European one. According to him, the
role of the national parliaments should be raised in the issue of
harmonization of the legislation. The European guest mentioned that a
general-united approach should be shown, while only separate issues
are solved today. As the prevailing majority of the laws adopted
at the European Parliament is connected with economic activity and
business environment, the outlined cooperation will be just in the
sphere of harmonization of the economic legislation.
RA NA Vice-Speaker considers this a new possibility: only the sphere
of human rights, the reforms of the Constitution and the criminal
legislation have been mainly involved in the European integration
process up to this day. He mentioned that among CIS countries Armenia
distinguishes itself by its liberal economic legislation, but it has
problems in practice. NA Vice-Speaker said that Armenia, in difference
to EU, should implement the harmonization of the legislation in
conditions of closed borders. Vahan Hovhannisian considers useful
the experience of the European Parliament. He also mentioned that the
European Parliament managed to move the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations
to a new stage: a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides
has been twice organized in Brussels, within the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group. The third meeting is to be held in Belgium during
the coming month.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public Relations Department,
Coordinating Group member Grigor Ghonjeyan, who is also a member
of the EU-Armenia Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission, noted
that Armenia is not presented as a possible member of EU in any
document adopted at the commission, even as a member in the distant
future. In thess conditions he prognoses some difficulties in the
process of bringing the economic legislation in correspondence with
the European one.
E.Macmillan-Scott mentioned that two models are in circulation at
EU today.
The French-German model envisages rather a large area of EU extension.
Meanwhile, a decision was adopted in January, according to which the
Ukraine is considered a country on the way of membership to EU. In
this case why not Armenia, Georgia or Azerbaijan?, Scott emphasized. He
treats Turkey’s membership to EU with some reservation.
The Armenian parliamentarians also spoke about the Actions Plan
envisaged by the New Neighborhood policy. It was mentioned that the
three regional countries with their resources and achievements are
artifically equalized. They expressed an opinion that an individual
program should be implemented for each country.
The European Parliament Vice-Chairman wishes to apply equal principles
of cooperation and to provide exchange of experience among parliaments.

ONLY EXPENSIVE ARMENIAN WINES MAY BE COMPETITIVE IN RUSSIAN MARKET
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Our statesmen should do everything
possible so that Armenian wines can occupy the Russian market now that
the Russian authorities have put a ban on the import of Moldovian
and Georgian wines into Russia out of political considerations. RA
National Assembly deputy Manuk Gasparian expressed this opinion during
a discussion at the Hayeli Club on June 6.
Chairman of the company Vedi Alco – one of the biggest Armenian
wine-making enterprises, NA deputy Manvel Ghazarian disagreed with
M. Gasparian, saying a rise in the prices of Armenian wines in Russia
depends on the correct marketing policy of businessmen rather than
on officials. According to him, this opportunity is especially great
with respect to the “Areni” wine.
Chairman of the Union of Armenian Wine-Makers Avag Harutyunian said
that at least 10 countries can fill up the current gap in Russia’s
wine market in 2-3 months, with some active steps already being
taken in this direction. In his opinion, Armenia should occupy the
Russian market by exporting expensive wines. As a result of the ban
on Georgian and Moldovian wines, 400 mln bottles of wine a year will
not be imported into Russia, while most of them are sold for 1.7-1.8
dollars, which is not to the advantage of Armenian wine-makers because
the average self cost of Armenian wines is the same.
M. Ghazarian noted that the value added tax (VAT) on the sale of
Armenian wines that results in a freeze of circulating assets is
another circumstance affecting the price competitiveness of Armenian
wines.

LAKE SEVAN RISES BY 43 CM IN ONE YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
SEVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the data of Armstatehydromet’s
Gegharkunik regional subdivision, on June 1 2006, Lake Sevan was
1898.58 m high from the sea surface. According to the same source,
as compared with May 1 2006, the lake has risen by 27 cm and as
compared with June 1 2005 by 43 cm.

AGBU REBUILDS VILLAGES IN HADRUT REGION
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) rebuilds 3 villages in the NKR
region of Hadrut. Levon Kebabdjian, a member of the AGBU Central
Board of Directors is the initiator and coordinator of the program
on restoration and resettlement with refugees of villages suffered
from the Artsakh war.
According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the AGBU
Armenian representation, AGBU Armenian Director Ashot Ghazarian and
NKR Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian visited the region of Hadrut
recently to get acquainted with works being done in the villages being
rebuilt by the AGBU, to discuss new programs. Other officials of the
NKR were in Hadrut as well.
One of the goals of the visit was final affirmation of the territory
for rebuilding another village in Hadrut by means of Michael Ansour,
a member of the AGBU Central Board of Directors. It was considered
purposeful to rebuilt the village of Jrakn near Norashen. The AGBU
proposal to rebuild another village in future was discussed as well. It
is possible that it will be one of the villages near Bareshen what
will give possibility to use infrastructures of Bareshen.
The AGBU started a program of rebuilding villages in the region of
Hadrut 5 years ago. The first village founded by the organization here
is Norashen rebuilt by the AGBU French branch where 22 families live
today. The village has a kindergarten where a school and emergency
room are temporarily placed as well. Construction of the new school
building will finish soon in Norashen.
Works of rebuilding of the village of Bareshen are being done by
efforts of the AGBU London branch. 6 dwelling houses are being built
here at present.
Raimond Haroutiunian, the head of the Young Workmen’s Board of the
AGBU Tehran branch allocated the 500 dollats gathered as a result of
the event organized recently in Tehran to assist AGBU resettlement
programs to furnishing of a classroom in the Norashen school.

82% OF ARMENIA’S TERRITORY SUBJECTED TO DESERTIFICATION, 26% TO EXTREME DESERTIFICATION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. About 82% of Armenia’s territory is
subjected to desertification, and 26% – to extreme desertification. At
the beginning of the 20th century, 20% of the territory of the country
was covered by forest, however, in the early 1990s this area was
reduced by 11% and currently makes less than 10%. The UN Resident
Coordinator in Armenia, UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Consuelo
Vidal stated this during a press conference held on the occasion
of International Day of Environment on June 5. According to her,
deforestation creates numerous problems that affect directly the social
and economic situation in Armenia. “We are appealing to the government,
civil society and the mass media to make a concerted effort to combat
desertification,” she said.
RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Simon Papian pointed out such
practical environmental protection-related steps taken in Armenia over
the last three years as raising the level of Lake Sevan by 1.8 meters
and making 90% of water use legal. In his words, the legislative
field on environmental protection has been fully updated, although
there is still much to be done in the sphere.
This year’s subject was “Desert and Desertification, Do Not Make Dry
Lands a Desert”. Dry and not irrigated areas with a population of
about 2 billion now make up 41% of the world’s territory.

EDUARD TOPCHIAN GIVEN TITLE OF RA HONORED ART FIGURE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By RA President Robert
Kocharian’s June 6 decree, Art Director and Principal Conductor of the
Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra Eduard Topchian was given the
title of RA Honored Art Figure for his contribution to development of
classical performance art and on the occasion of the Orchestra’s 80th
anniversary. Noyan Tapan was informed about it from the President’s
Press Office.

“HRANT MATEVOSIAN CREATED A LITERATURE THAT SHOULD BE TREATED AS A WORLD PEAK,” RUSSIAN INTELLECTUALS CONSIDER
Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A memorial evening dedicated to great
Armenian writer Hrant Matevosian’s 70th anniversary was held at Moscow
Central House of Writers within the framework of Year of Armenia in
Russia. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by David Matevosian,
Director of the Hrant Matevosian Foundation, the jubilee event was
initiated by the Armenian Embassy in Russia, Russian Federal Agency
of Culture Development, International Association of Russian Writers’
Unions, as well as RF and RA Culture Ministries.
Russian and Armenian intellectuals were also present at the
event. Mikhail Sinelnikov, Felix Kuznetsov, Sergei Shevelyov, Rustam
Ibrahimbekov, Felix Meloyan and Roman Balayan were among them. They
emphasized that H.Matevosian’s creation “unanimously obliges to
treat it as a high world peak and not to think that this literature
is comparable with the samples of the world culture.”
According to them, the generation of the 60-s has left a huge trace
in the world cultural heritage. This is the “generation of war” born
in 1920-40 – Hrant Matevosian, Sergei Parajanov, Vasili Shukshin,
Andrei Tarkovski and others.
“20-year-old young people do not know who is Hrant Matevosian, but the
public and lack of the state policy is more to blame for this,” the
intellectuals said considering important translation and publication
of Armenian and Russian writers’ works. “A Russian child should know
Hrant Matevosian, Hamo Sahian and an Armenian child Andrei Bitov,
Vasili Shukshin,” the intellectuals consider. According to them,
we should bring up our generations with this culture for the sake of
the future of our homeland.
“… Maybe today’s youngest generation, may God give them a long life,
will see the day when Hrant will be properly appreciated. What he
has done for the Armenian language can be compared only with what
Pushkin has done for the Russian language…,” Russian writer Andrei
Bitov had once said in one of his speeches.
According to the Hrant Matevosian Foundation Director, it is necessary
that Hrant Matevosian’s unpublished works be translated, published
and the works abridged in the years of the Soviet censorship be
republished. It is also time to include the writer’s works in the
school textbooks: according to David Matevosian, we cannot bring up
the generation only with H.Matevosian’s story “Green Field” included
in the textbooks of middle classes.