KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING CRUCIAL?

Azg/arm
29 July 05

Paula Dobryanski, deputy US State Secretary on global issues, stated
in Baku that the meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijan presidents in
Kazan can “be a crucial point” in the process of Karabakh conflict
settlement. Dobryanski said, according to Mediamax, that the
settlement talks are in “constructive and positive” flow and the
international observers are imbued with “cautious optimism”.

ARA ABRAHAMIAN RECEIVES LEGION OF HONOR OF FRANCE

Azg/arm
29 July 05

ITAR-TASS news agency informed that Ara Abrahamian, famous
entrepreneur from Russia and a public figure, was awarded Legion of
Honor, the supreme award of France. President Jacques Chirac France,
signed a decree on awarding Ara Abrahamian, chairman of the Union of
Armenians of Russia, chairman of the Armenian Congress, entrepreneur,
famous public figure, UNESCO good will ambassador, on July 27.

“Ara Abrahamian greatly contributed to the development of the
Russian-French relations,” Alexander Avdeev, Russian ambassador to
France, told ITAR TASS. “Ara Abrahamian is the co-chair of
Russian-French Dialogue Association thatwas created at his
initiative. Ara Abrahamian also assisted to the establishment of the
monument to the soviet soldier in the Pere Lachaise cemetery in
Paris,” Mr. Avdeev said.

He added also that Ara Abrahamian’s activities in the Russian-French
relations stand for not only warm and friendly position but also for
concrete deeds. Mr. Ambassador stated that he believes Ara Abrahamian
really deserves the supreme award of France, as he actively
participated in establishing Russian-French cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian president, IAEA chief discuss nuclear plant security

Arminfo
28 Jul 05

YEREVAN

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received the director-general of
the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], Muhammad al-Baradi’i,
today.

The president expressed his satisfaction with cooperation between the
Armenian government and the IAEA. He pointed out that the Armenian
side is interested in expanding cooperation taking into account the
security of the Armenian nuclear power plant [ANPP].

The sides discussed the safety of the ANPP and ensuring its effective
work. Kocharyan pointed out that much attention is being paid to
stepping up security at the ANPP. The operation of the ANPP is being
constantly monitored by the nuclear energy security council under the
Armenian president which includes well-known specialists from various
countries.

The sides exchanged views on tasks and prospects of development of
Armenia’s energy sphere and alternative energy sources.

The Armenian president said that the strategic programme for the
development of the energy sphere is already being implemented.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria
July 28 2005

Syria and Armenia Cooperate over Students Status

By S. Younes
Damascus, July 28, (SANA) –

Armenia’s Charge d’Affair in Damascus underlined on Thursday the need
to exert efforts and offices to meet the Syrian students in Armenian
universities demands.

` There is a need to facilitate the Syrian students obtaining of
scientific qualifications in accordance to traditional criterion, `
Youri Babakhanian told Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mohammed
Najib Abdul Wahed, when they met today to study conditions of Syrian
students at Armenian private universities.

The Syrian government had recently adopted decisions that modify
diplomas issued form these universities.

Abdul Wahed hoped Syrian students in Armenia would get the new
scientific study and that the ministry of higher education there
would ease Syrian students graduated from private Armenian
universities admission after following one year study to amend
certificate.

` We hope this would be made following the example of their Armenian
mates in addition to soften their move from the private Armenian
universities to government run universities abroad,’ the Syrian
official said.

PanArmenian News Network
July 28 2005

KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING COOPERATION WITH IAEA

28.07.2005 08:07

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed
ElBaradei, reported the Press Service of the Armenian leader. Having
remarked he is satisfied with the Armenia-IAEA cooperation, the
President noted Armenia is interested in developing the cooperation
taking into account security issues for the Metsamor Nuclear Power
Plant (NPP). The interlocutors discussed issues of NPP secure
exploitation and efficient work. R. Kocharian noted special attention
is paid to enhancement of the NPP safety. The parties exchanged views
over tasks of the energy field of Armenia and its further
development, as well as using alternative energy sources. The
Armenian President said the strategic program of energy development
is already under way.

ARKA News Network
July 28 2005

RA PRESIDENT: THE ARMENIAN SIDE IS INTERESTED IN THE COOPERATION WITH
IAEA

YEREVAN, July 28. /ARKA/. The Armenian side is interested in the
cooperation with IAEA, as RA President Robert Kocharyan stated at the
meeting with the General Director of IAEA Muhammad Al Baradey,
according to the RA President’s Press Service Department. According
to the press release, Kocharyan touched upon the issues of security
of the Armenian Atomic Power Plant (APP). Kocharyan noted that the
issue of increasing the security level of the plant is in the center
of attention. According to him, APP is under control of the Atomic
Energy Security Council at RA President, in the work of which
specialists from various countries of the world are involved.
The sides exchanges opinions on the perspectives of the development
of the energy sphere of Armenia and the possibilities of using
alternative sources of energy. According to RA President, the process
of implementation of strategic programs in the area of energy has
begun in Armenia. A.H.–0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Network
July 28 2005

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ATOMIC ENERGY BLOCKS IN ARMENIA IS THE STRATEGIC
TASK OF THE COUNTRY

YEREVAN, July 28. /ARKA/. RA Government considers the construction of
new atomic energy blocks in Armenia to be a strategic task of the
country for keeping and strengthening the energy security of the
country and its independence, as RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
stated at the meeting with the General Director of IAEA Muhammad Al
Baradey. According to RA Government’s Press Service, in this regard
Baradey noted that IAEA may contribute to Armenia in development of
technical -economic grounding for the construction of a new Atomic
Power Plant. Noting the serous progress in ensuring the security of
APP, Baradey said: “a lot is still have to be done”. Baradey found
especially important the development of a systematized program, which
will contain all planned events with their dates and finances needed.
According to him, this will make easier the work of donors.
Margaryan emphasized his adherence to the issue of use of the atomic
power plant only for peaceful purposes. Speaking of the energy
security of Armenia, he touched upon the steps done by Armenia for
creation of energy alternative sources. Margaryan expressed hope that
the visit of Baradey to Armenia will become a new stimulus for the
development of the relations between Armenia and IAEA. A.H.-0-

PanArmenian News Network
July 28 2005

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVED OF PROPOSAL TO SIGN A RANGE OF
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

28.07.2005 08:15

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the course of its recurrent session the Armenian
Government approved of the proposal to sign agreements on financial
cooperation in 2005-2006between the Governments of Armenia and
Germany, on labor and employment cooperation between the Governments
of Armenia and Bulgaria. The proposal on signing agreements on
cooperation and legal assistance between the Offices of Prosecutors
General of Armenia and the Czech Republic, on mutual administrative
assistance in tax issues between the State Tax Service at the
Armenian Government and the State Tax Department at the Ministry of
Finance of Lithuania were also approved. By another resolution the
proposal to sign an agreement on program financial assistance between
the Armenian Government and the UK International Development Ministry
is also approved, reported IA Regnum.

PanArmenian News Network
July 28 2005

FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR AWARDED TO ARA ABRAHAMYAN

28.07.2005 04:06

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French President Jacques Chirac has signed a decree
on awarding well-known public figure, businessman, President of the
Union of Armenians of Russia and UNESCO Good Will Ambassador Ara
Abrahamyan with the highest decoration of the French Republic – the
Legion of Honor. `Ara Abrahamyan has done much to develop the
Russian-French relations,’ Russian Ambassador to France Aleksandr
Avdeyev said. `He co-chairs the Russian-French Dialogue
non-governmental association, sponsored by Presidents V. Putin and J.
Chirac,’ the Ambassador said. `Ara Abrahamyan has assisted in the
erection of the monument to the Soviet Soldier at Pere Lachaise
French Cemetery marking the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory. He
has organized productive bilateral business meetings, as well as a
Russian Film Festival in Onfler Norse city,’ Avdeyev remarked. `I
think Ara Abrahamyan has deserved the French awarding him the highest
decoration,’ he said. Napoleon has established the Legion of Honor in
1802. The decoration is awarded for outstanding services to France
and has 5 degrees, Itar-Tass reported.

PanArmenian News Network
July 28 2005

LOT PROVIDED TO FAMILY OF G. MARGARYAN KILLED IN BUDAPEST

28.07.2005 08:51

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The in the course of its recurrent sitting the
Armenian Government passed a decision to provide a lot of 2 thousand
square meters to the family of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan
killed in Budapest. The area will be provided to Margaryan’s mother –
Shushanik Minasyan. It should be reminded that Azeri officer Ramil
Safarov hacked G. Margaryan, when the latter was asleep. They were
both taking English language courses organized by National Defense
University of Hungary within the NATO Partnership for Peace Program.
Having murdered Margaryan, Safarov tried to kill another Armenian
officer, but he was prevented. Safarov is charged on the article
116.2 of the Criminal Code of Hungary (murder committed with special
cruelty and attempt at life of more than one person), which provides
for custody from 10-15 years to life imprisonment, reported IA
Regnum.