VARTAN OSKANIAN: CILICIA VESSEL HAS PECULIARLY BECOME ARMENIA’S SYMBOL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On May 11, RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian received the crew of the Cilicia vessel led
by writer and publicist Zori Balayan. As Noyan Tapan was informed from
RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, during the warm
conversation the navigators presented the preparatory work of the
navigation’s final stage mentioning that they proceed according to
the plan. Minister Oskanian assured that the Foreign Ministry will
assist the implementation of the preparatory works and to solution
of the problems arising in the process as far as possible. He highly
estimated the role of this unique navigation and the bravery of the
crew mentioning that by this Cilicia has peculiarly become Armenia’s
symbol. Vartan Oskanian wished the sailors success at the last stage
of the navigation.
From: Baghdasarian

CONCERT DEDICATED TO COMPOSER EDVARD MIRZOYAN’S 85th ANNIVERSARY TO BE HELD ON MAY 14 IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Until the end of 2006, events dedicated
to the 85th anniversary of composer, USSR People’s Artist, laureate
of state prizes Edvard Mirzoyan will be held in different regions
of Armenia. Nika Babayan, Director of the Cadence musical center,
informed about it at the May 11 press conference. “E.Mirzoyan is one
of the most talented Armenians. Though the composer’s works are few,
all of them can be considered masterpieces,” N.Babayan mentioned. On
the initiative of American Armenian pianist Shahan Artsruni and
with the sponsorship of RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs
a concert dedicated to E.Mirzoyan’s jubilee will be held on May 14
at Yerevan Chamber Music House after Komitas. Martin Vardazarian,
Sh.Artsruni and cellist Medea Abrahamian will perform the composer’s
poem and sonatas for piano and cello and singers Nune Badalian and
Anna Mayilian will perform the romances.
E.Mirzoyan who was present at the press conference said that he is
among the people who “have done something in their life and have left
it to the future generations”. “The people has appreciated my work and
few persons manage to enjoy the love of the people when being alive,”
the composer mentioned.

SERGE SARGSIAN AWARDS “CILICIA” VESSEL CREW WITH RA DEFENCE MINISTRY’S “ADMIRAL ISAKOV” MEDAL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Cilicia” Captian
Karen Balayan and Seaman-Commissar Zori Balayan presented the process
of organizing preparatory works for “Cilicia” vessel’s navigation
along rivers of the Russian Federation as well as issues connected
with bringing the vessel to Armenia at the May 10 meeting with Serge
Sargsian, the Secretary of the RA National Security Service attached to
President, the Defence Minister. The Minister expressed satisfaction
with the successful implementation of the first and second stages of
the navigation, mentioning that the gathered experience and skills
will greatly assist ending the final stage with glory. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by RA Defence Minister’s Press Secretary Colonel
Seyran Shahsuvarian, at the end of the meeting Serge Sargsian awarded
“Cilicia” vessel’s staff sailed to ocean with the RA Defence Ministry’s
“Admiral H.S.Isakov” medal for re-establishing medieval traditions
of the Armenian navigation and shipbuilding, strengthening the
Armenia-Diaspora national unity.

“SRBOTS ZORAVARATS” CHAPEL RE-OPENED IN AKHALTSKHA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
AKHALTSKHA, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On May 9, on the
occasion of the holidays of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and
liberation of Shoushi, the Srbots Zoravarats chapel was blessed and
opened in the district of Marta, the city of Akhaltskha. The sanctuary
was restored and reconstructed on the initiative and with efforts of a
number of Armenian young people of Akhaltskha. Armenians of Samtskhe
built in 1851 in this beautiful place of nature a small place for
prayers and placed the Khachkar (cross stone) monument there. The
sanctuary called by people “chapel of two brothers” became unique for
Armenians of the settlement, flow of belivers has not stopped here even
during the Soviet years. According to evidences of local inhabitation,
the place for prayers, the Khachkar were destroyed by individuals 30
years ago, and other sactified stones were lost. Since those days
7 families destroyed the chapel has met awful tragedies, and they
had to start looking for sanctifies stones and the Khachkar putting
them on the same place. And on May 9, 2006, the order of blessing the
reconstructed chapel was headed by Virahayots Diocese primate Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanian, with participation of Samtskhe-Javakhk Monk
Babken Salbiyan, implemented by Akhaltskha spiritual pastor Senior
Priest Shmavon Saghoyan, Tbilisi Surb Gevorg church spiritual pastor
Priest Narek Ghushchian. The chapel was named “Srbots Zoravarats” on
the occasion of the day of victories. At the end of the ceremony, His
Holiness Primate and Monk Babken congratulated the local Armenians on
the occasions of the chapel’s being blessed and the day of victory. He
appreciated Akhaltskha Armenians’ devotion to spiritual-cultural
values and blessed builders undertaken the kind affair. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the Press Services of the Virahayots Diocese,
the ceremony finished with traditional blessing of sacrifice and fete.

BRONZE MEMORIAL PLAQUE SYMBOLIZING TIE OF ARMENIAN, ITALIAN AND PERSIAN CULTURES OPENED IN TOWER OF MILVIO BRIDGE OF ROME
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
ROME, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the occasion of
establishing friendship of three bridges, Milvio bridge of Rome,
Allahverdi-khan of Ispahan, Sanahin bridge of Alaverdi, Ambassador
of Armenia to Italy Ruben Shugarian participated on May 4 in the
colemn ceremony of placing the bronze memorial plaque in the tower
of the Milvio bridge of Rome. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, by the “Zatik”
Italian Armenian friendship association’s proposal, the event was
initiated by the joint efforts of the Rome XX community office,
Embassies of Armenia and Iran to Italy: the goal was to symbolize
the close historic-artistic ties among three different but at the
same time rich and important cultures.
Officials of the Rome Mayor’s Office, Ambassador of Iran to the
Holy Throne, Gaetano de Sanctis Lycee Director, representatives of
the “Zatik” association as well as the Armenian community of Italy
and the Armenian Apostolic Church participated as well. During the
speech Ambassador Ruben Shugarian particularly mentioned that today
we do not only fix establishing of friendship of the sister bridges
but also build them and build at the time when there are unsolved
and continuing conflicts and wars in the world. Those present were
informed that a similar event will take place in Sanahin as well
for the further generations remember the dialogue of Armenia, Italy,
Iran three civilizations.
Within the context if cultures are different from each other, Gaetano
de Sanctis Lycee Director proposed to present in his institute the
Armenian Genocide as well during the day dedicated to Oswiencim. The
“Zatik” Association Director assured that the association will continue
to work in the direction of lightening cultural and religious loneless
of Armenia. It was mentioned that the cities of Ispahan and Alaverdi
got similar memorial plaques as well to place at the corresponding
bridges. The ceremony was finished by blessing of a representative
of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VICTORY AND PEACE HOLIDAY MARKED IN AKHALKALAK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Victory and
Peace Holiday was celebrated on May 9 at the Akhalkalak Culture
House on the initiative of the “Zori Zorian” youth union. Khachatur
Stepanian, the “A-Info” Information Agency Director, Grigor Minasian
and Nairi Kaghktsian, members of the “Zori Zorian” youth union,
Fedya Torosian, a freedom-fighter from Javakhk, Artashes Shahbazian,
a public-political figure from Armenia made speeches at the solemn
part of the event. According to “A-Info”, those making speeches
attached importance to the role of the May 9 victories, the one in
the Great Patriotic War and the liberation of Shoushi in the Armenian
history. Favourite singers Samvel Yeranian and David Amalian arrived
from Yerevan made speeches in the artistic part of the event. The
“Legend of Shoushi” film was shown after the concert.

SURB ZORAVAR CHAPEL CONSECRATED IN AKHALTSKHA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 11 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The ceremony of
consecrating and opening the Surb Zoravar Chapel took place in the Ap
district of the city of Akhaltskha on May 9. According to the “A-Info”
agency, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian, the primate of the Virahayots
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Monk Babken Salbiyan, the
primacy vicar of Samtskhe-Javakhk held the anointment. The chapel was
built in the 19th century, further is was destroyed by Georgians. The
chapel was again restored by Armenian believers recently and was
called Zurb Zoravar after the anointment.

EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA DECLINE BY 5.6% IN JANUARY-MARCH 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR, IMPORTS GROW BY 13.6%
Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-March 2006, Armenia’s foreign
trade turnover made 273 bln 508.7 mln drams or 606.4 mln USD. According
to the RA National Statistical Service, commodity exports amounted
to 83 bln 131.3 mln drams or 184.4 mln USD, while imports – to 190
bln 377.4 mln drams or 422 mln USD. The foreign trade balance was
negative by 107 bln 246.1 mln drams (237.6 mln USD), without cargos
received as humanitarian aid – by 102 bln 682.9 mln drams (227.5 mln
USD). In the period under review, exports declined by 5.6% on the same
periood of 2005, whereas imports grew by 13.6%. In the first quarter
of 2006, exports to CIS countries amounted to 36 mln USD (a 8.8%
increase on January-March 2005), while imports – to 140.2 mln USD
(a 28.6% increase), including exports of about 19 mln USD to Russia
(a 4.4% decline) and imports of 55.6 mln USD from Russia (a 31.9%
growth), and exports of 12 mln USD to Georgia (a 33.4% growth) and
imports of 7.4 mln USD from Georgia (a 256.5%).
Exports to European Union countries made about 100 mln USD (a 10%
growth), imports from EU countries – 114.6 mln USD (a 17.1% growth),
including exports of 24 mln USD to Belgium (a 4.8% decline) and imports
of 27.6 mln USD from Belgium (a 22.9% decline), exports of 33.8 mln
USD to Germany (a 11.4% decline) and imports of 29.2 mln USD from
Germany (a 60.6% growth), exports of 28.6 mln USD from the Netherlands
(a 49.3% growth) and imports of 2.8 mln USD from the Netherlands
(a 19% growth). Exports to Israel – another large trade partner of
Armenia made 16.6 mln USD (a 49.9% decline) and imports from that
country amounted to 24.2 mln USD (a 32.3% decline), exports to the US
made 25.8 mln USD (a 25.8% increase) and imports from the US – 20.5
mln USD (a 12.8% increase). In the first quarter of 2006, exports
of plastic goods, rubber and articles made of rubber grew 10.6fold
on the same period of last year, exports of art works – by 212.4%,
exports of footwear, head-gear and umbreallas – by 130.4%, and exports
of devices grew by 76.4%. The most considerable decline in exports
was registered in the commodity group of various industrial goods –
18.5%, as well as live animals and production of organic origin –
17.1%, machines, equipment and mechanisms – 16.6%, and precious and
semiprecious stones, precious metals and items made of them – 14.8%.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TRANSFERS OF SYUNIK CUSTOMS-HOUSE TO STATE BUDGET INCREASE BY 207 MLN DRAMS IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR
Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006
KAPAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Considerable work was done both at the
Syunik regional customs-house and the Agarak customs point in recent
months. Borik Sargsian, Head of Syunik regional customs-house of
the State Customs Committee adjunct to the RA government, said this
during an interview to the newspaper “Syunats Erkir”. According
to him, particularly the customs-house in Agarak underwent major
repairs, including the putting into operation a 5 thousand sq.m
area of examination zone, as well as the separation of passenger
and cargo spaces and rooms of frontier guards and passport service
employees. Besides, 100-ton capacity electronic scales were
installed. B. Sargsian said that in the first quarter of 2006,
VAT and customs duties of 2 bln 40 thousand drams (about 4.4 mln
USD) were transferred to the state budget, which exceeds by 207 mln
drams the index of the same period of last year. At the same time,
a growth in exports was registered. In the first quarter of 2005,
goods of the total amount of 4 bln 895 drams were exported, while in
the same period of this year, exports amounted to 6 bln 910 mln drams.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED TO COMPANIES – MEMBERS OF RA UNION OF BLIND
Noyan Tapan
May 11 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 11 sitting, the Armenian
government made a decision to provide financial assistance to the
companies – members of the NGO “Union of the Blind of Armenia”. NT
was informed about it from the RA Government Information and PR
Department. The decision envisages compensating the companies –
members of the union (in case at least 50% of their employees are
disabled persons) the payments made or to be made for value added tax
(VAT) and compulsory social insurance that formed as a result of 2005
activities but were not compensated from the state budget or will
form as a result of 2006 activities. For this purpose, no more than
62 mln 772 thousand drams was allocated from the account of the 2006
RA government’s reserve fund to the RA Ministry of Labor and Social
Issues, of which 1 mln 800 thousand drams – for compensation of the
sums paid in 2006 based on the results of 2005 activities for VAT
(without sums separated at the tax accounts of suppliers and/or paid
to tax bodies), and no more than 22 mln 160 thousand drams (about 49
thousand USD) – for compensation of sums to be paid in 2006 based on
the results of 2006 activities. 3 mln 232 thousand drams was allocated
for compensation of the sums paid for compulsory social insurance
in 2006 based on the results of 2005 activities, and no more than
35 mln 580 thousand drams – for compensation of such payments to
be made in 2006 based on the results of 2006 activities. According
to the decision, the sums to be allocated from the 2006 RA state
budget through the treasury account of the RA Ministry of Labor and
Social Issues will be provided to companies in compliance with the
requirements of the legal acts establshing the procedures of budgets’
execution – based on payment substantiating documents submitted by the
RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues to the RA Ministry of Finance
and Economy. It was decided that the VAT payments actually paid to
the state budget shall be compensated by 100%, while the compulsory
social insurance payments actually made by employers to the budget of
the RA State Social Insurance Fund – by 81.5%. Under the decision,
the sums paid by companies to the respective budgets in excess of
the amounts calculated based on the quarterly (monthly, annual) VAT
and compulsory social insurance payment statements by the results of
2006 activities are not subject to compensation.