Kocharian: `I Do Not Rule out Opportunity of Building New NPP

Pan Armenian News

KOCHARIAN: `I DO NOT RULE OUT OPPORTUNITY OF BUILDING NEW NUCLEAR PLANT IN
ARMENIA’

12.04.2005 02:42

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I do not rule out the opportunity of building a new
nuclear power plant in Armenia,’ Armenian President Robert Kocharianstated
when addressing the students and the professors of Yerevan State University,
Regnum news agency reported. When answering a question of a YSU student
about the measures being taken by the Armenian authorities to provide for
the energy security of the republic, Mr. Kocharian said, `speaking of the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant one should remember the faces of those people,
who in their time stopped the ANPP – there could have not been a greater
damage to Armenia: dark days, energy and economic crisis were not the
consequences of the war in Karabakh, but the closing of the ANPP,’ the
President emphasized. In his words, today the Government of Armenia
considers the prospects of alternative or restorable energy. `There is a
large program on the building of a hydroelectric power station on the Arax
river available (according to certain data, the Armenian-Iranian program
cost is $90), there are 70 programs on the building of small hydroelectric
power plants, some 24 out of which are already at the stage of realization.
At the next yearend the program of reconstruction of the Yerevan
heat-electric generating plant (being implemented by means of a credit of
the Japanese Government of $150.2 million) will begin. With the support of
the World Bank serious hydrothermal energy research is held in the region of
Sisian town, which can evolve into an investment program,’ the President
noted, adding that the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the building of which
started this month, contributes to the enhancement of the energy security of
Armenia. It should be reminded that being composed of two energy blocks of
815MW, the ANPP is built in 1976, however it was closed in 1988, which
caused acute energy crisis. The second block of the station having the
capacity of 407.5 MW resumed work in 1995. The EU insists on closing the
station, suggesting 1 million euros financing. However, the representatives
of the Armenian Government state that the creation of alternative energy
sources will cost no less than $1 billion. At present the ANPP is managed by
Inter RAO EES CJSC, which is a branch structure of RAO EES of Russia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mikhail Fradkov and Artur Baghdasarian Discussed Trade-Economic

Pan Armenian News

MIKHAIL FRADKOV AND ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN DISCUSSED TRADE-ECONOMIC SPHERE OF
BILATERAL RELATIONS

12.04.2005 08:23

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and Chairman of the
National Assembly of Armenia Artur Baghdasarian discussed important aspects
of the Russian-Armenian relations in Moscow. As reported by the Press
Service of the Russian Government, at their meeting Fradkov and Baghdasarian
specifically discussed relations in the trade-economic and international
spheres.

Sergey Mironov Assessed Prospects of Interparliamentary Relations

Pan Armenian News

SERGEY MIRONOV ASSESSED PROSPECTS OF INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS BETWEEN
RUSSIA AND ARMENIA AS FAVORABLE

12.04.2005 07:18

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday Speaker of the Upper Chamber of the Council of
Federation of Russia Sergey Mironov held talks with Chairman of the National
Assembly of Armenia Artur Baghdasarian, Strana.Ru reported. «I assess the
prospects of interparliamentary relations between Russia and Armenia as most
favorable,» S. Mironov noted upon the completion of the meeting. «Before the
yearend we plan to hold at least two meetings at top official level.
Specifically a conference on inter-regional cooperation will be held in
August, in the end of December a special Russian delegation will arrive in
Yerevan for the closing of the Year of Russia in Armenia and I plan to head
the delegation,» Mr. Mironov noted. The Russian Council of Federation
Speaker also summed up the talks with his Armenian counterpart. «We
discussed bilateral cooperation issues at that far exceeding the limits of
interparliamentary cooperation,» Sergey Mironov noted. «We specifically
touched upon problems of functioning of the transport corridor, discussed
the problem of the status of a range of enterprises referring to Armenia’s
debt to Russia.» In his turn, Armenian Speaker Artur Baghdasarian stated,
«Today we discussed 6-7 issues and agreed upon detailed measures.
Specifically, one of the issues referred to migration, as well as the legal
status of Armenian citizens, who live in Russia. The Armenian Parliament has
already discussed that issue. We want to find such a legal solution to that
problem, which would fully secure conditions for residence of our
compatriots in the territory of Russia.»

Russian Films Week Opened in Yerevan

Pan Armenian News

RUSSIAN FILMS WEEK OPENED IN YEREVAN

12.04.2005 06:40

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The week of the Russian films has opened in Yerevan. In
the words of Alfael President Levon Abrahamian, “My stepbrother
Frankenstein”, “Ours”, “Driver for Eva”, “Butterflies’ plays”, “Father”, as
well as “The night is bright” film by Roman Balayan will be screened. Being
dedicated to the topic of war of both the past and the present years, these
films have gained the most spectator sympathies, as well as won prizes at
various international film festivals. As noted by Chief of Cinematography
Department of Russia’s Federal Agency for Cinematography Sergey Lazarchuk,
the judgements of people of Russia on the Armenian cinema are more based on
the films of western directors of Armenian origin, e.g. Atom Egoyan. The
Russian cinema figure gave a low evaluation to the state of the
cinematography in Armenia, in contrast to the Russian one called
Renaissance, attributing it to financial difficulties. Mr. Lazarchuk also
added that the Russian party is considering a range of projects presented by
Armenian film directors for getting financing. S. Lazarchuk also added that
touring performances of the Bolshoy and Obraztsov Theatres, as well as the
ITAR-TASS exhibition dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Victory in Great
Patriotic War will be organized within the framework of the Year of Russia
in Armenia, Arminfo news agency reported.

Over $300 Million Invested in Armenian Economy in 2004

Pan Armenian News

OVER $300 MILLION INVESTED IN ARMENIAN ECONOMY IN 2004

12.04.2005 05:56

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In 2004 the volume of foreign investment in the economy of
Armenia made $305.5 million, exceeding the last year’s index 33.2%. In the
words of Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia Tigran
Davtian, the volume of direct investment increased 47.7%, making $226.7
million in 2004. Greece takes the first place in the range of countries
investing in the economy of Armenia – $85 million, Russia is the second –
$67 million, Germany is the third – $32 million, Argentina is the fourth –
$30 million and the U.S. is the fifth – $24 million.

Armenia New Security Strategy to Be Worked Out by Second Half of 200

Pan Armenin News

ARMENIA NEW SECURITY STRATEGY TO BE WORKED OUT BY SECOND HALF OF 2007

12.04.2005 06:30

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Security Strategy of Armenia is expected to be
submitted to the National Assembly already in the second half of the year
2007, Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia lieutenant general Artur Aghabekian
stated at a seminar devoted to Armenia’s joining to the NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). In his words, the Strategy will become the
main force in the defense reforms planned to be implemented before 2015,
after which the working out of the Security Doctrine will begin. As noted by
Mr. Aghabekian, NATO has only a consultative role in the working out of
these documents, specifically in training personnel, introduction of methods
and management. `We do not expect any financial support from the NATO in
these issues,’ A. Aghabekian noted.

Armenia Today: Expo-2005 Opens in Tbilisi April 21

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIA TODAY: EXPO-2005 OPENS IN TBILISI APRIL 21

12.04.2005 07:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian goods and services will be presented for the
first time at Armenia Today: EXPO-2005 in Tbilisi April 21-23. 45 Armenian
companies have applied for participation in it. Domestic foodstuffs and
drinks, the produce of machine-tool construction, stone-working industry,
electrical engineering and electronics, building materials, paints and
varnishes, passenger and cargo transportation services, tourism will be
presented at the exposition, which will spread for 450 square meters. The
main goal of the exhibition is to extend the export opportunities of the
domestic goods and services, establish mutually favorable cooperation with
Georgian entrepreneurs, strengthen ties with the local Armenian community.

Ara Abrahamian Vows To Bring Six Armenian Pilots Back Home

Armenpress

ARA ABRAHAMIAN VOWS TO BRING SIX ARMENIAN PILOTS BACK HOME FROM EQUATORIAL
GUINEA PRISON

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: In an interview with RFE/RL the chairman
of the Union of Russian Armenians, Ara Abrahamian, heralded a soonest
release of six Armenian pilots, sentenced to lengthy prison terms by an
Equatorial Guinea court on dubious coup charges.
Abrahamian revealed that during a recent visit to the West-African
country he had had a series of meetings with its senior government
officials, including also Equatorial Guinea’s longtime president, Teodoro
Obiang Nguema.
Visiting Yerevan earlier this year Ara Abrahamian had vowed to bring the
pilots back in three months. He told RFE/RL that his personal
representatives are now in Equatorial Guinea continuing efforts for the
release of Armenians. He said he had talked African country’s officials into
allowing him to send $500 to each of the pilots and received their
assurances that the pilots would get proper medical assistance. He said
Armenian pilots are in normal condition and there is hope that they will be
back home before June 12.
Armenian foreign affairs minister Vartan Oskanian spent two days in
Equatorial Guinean capital Malabo on February 21-22, holding talks with the
country’s prime minister, foreign minister and chief prosecutor, but failed
to meet with its president. He was allowed to meet with the jailed pilots,
who were arrested in March 2004 and sentenced to between 14 and 24 years’
imprisonment on November 26 on charges of complicity in a reported plot to
topple Obiang.
All six Armenians pleaded not guilty to the accusations. The court
verdict was denounced as “grossly unfair” by Amnesty International. Their
German and Armenian employers also insisted on their innocence.
Back from Equatorial Guinea Oskanian told in Yerevan that he was not
given “definitive answers” regarding the fate of Armenian pilots, but was
promised that its authorities would seriously consider” their liberation.

Armenia Develops IPAP with NATO

Armenpress

ARMENIA DEVELOPS IPAP WITH NATO

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Speaking at a seminar today in Yerevan
organized and conducted by the George C. Marshall European Center for
Security Studies to support Armenia as it develops its NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), deputy defense minister Arthur Aghabekian
said the main reason behind Armenia’s joining IPAP is to build a security
system in conformity with the requirements of the 21-st century.
IPAP is a document outlining general objectives and timelines of a
country for its future activities within the framework of cooperation with
NATO.
Aghabekian outlined major reforms in the defense system, which Armenia
will have to carry out within the frameworks of the IPAP and also
cooperation mechanisms to achieve this, such as regular consultations with
NATO on the issues of regional security, development of security strategy
and military doctrine, improvement of defense spending planning, ensuring
operative interaction with NATO in emergency cases, higher education level
of the personnel, development of more effective mechanisms of democratic
supervision of the armed forces and so on.
Aghabekian said Armenia does not expect any material or logistical
assistance from NATO. According to him, Armenia expects only effective
consultations. He said the axis of the reforms will be development of a
security strategy that will be submitted to parliament’s consideration after
standing the test of wide public discussion in 2007.
The deputy defense minister said the IPAP allows to reform the defense
system by stages under the condition of unresolved conflict. He expressed
hope that Armenia would be able to build by 2015 an army that would be able
to respond to 21-st century’s challenges.
The Marshall Center delegation is headed by Major General (retired) Dr.
Horst Schmalfeld, German Deputy Director of the George C. Marshall European
Center for Security Studies. The Marshall Center is located in
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. US and German ambassadors to Armenia, John
Evans and Heike Peitsch welcomed participants of the seminar.

German Paper Dedicates Special Story to Opera Singer Hasmik Papian

Armenpress

GERMAN NEWSPAPER DEDICATES SPECIAL STORY TO ARMENIAN OPERA SINGER HASMIK
PAPIAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Konrad Kuhn, responsible for public
relations of world famous Armenian opera singer Hasmik Papian, told
Armenpress that a major German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemaine Zeitung
dedicated a special portrait of Hasmik Papian on its cultural pages under
the headline “Volkskunstlerin” (People’s Artist, referring to the fact that
she was honored with this title by president Kocharian last year).
The article was written by a well-known journalist Michael Jeismann, who
is invited to hold a speech on the subject of the 90-th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide at the parliament of the federal land of Berlin) on April
24. He met Hasmik Papian in Yerevan last September on the occasion of a gala
concert.
The article describes the artistic achievements of the singer who made
her way from Yerevan to the most prestigious stages of the opera world-from
Berlin, Milan, Vienna and Paris to New York and Tokyo, as well as her role
as a musical ambassador of her native country.
He said Hasmik Papian is now in Belgium preparing to open a new
production of Puccini’s opera “Suor Angelica’ at Opera Royal de Wallonie in
Liege.