ARKA News Agency
May 12 2005

Norway to allot $10 mln for UNDP project implementation in Armenia
Azerbaijan and Georgia

Gold medalists of Armenian schools not to enjoy the benefits at
entrance examinations

`Woman’s World 2005′ 4th international exhibition opened today in
Yerevan

Armenian President receives UNDP residEnt Coordinator for Armenia

Armenian FM to meet with OASCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in Krakow

Armenian Fund `Incubator of Enterprises’ to sponsor new IT-companies

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second begins today
pilgrimage to Saint Places of Jerusalem

Andranik Margaryan marks 5th year of premiership

*********************************************************************

NORWAY TO ALLOT $10 MLN FOR UNDP PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN ARMENIA
AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Norway will allot $10 mln for UNDP project
implementation in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. According to UNDP
Yerevan Office, this sum will be provided in accordance with
Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Assistant Administrator of
UNDP Zefirine Diabre and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen
`This memorandum provides a wonderful opportunity to assist the
development through project implementation in Transcaucasia’, stated
Petersen at the signing ceremony.
Norway will provide financing for democratic management, energy and
sustainable development projects. The financing will be provided
after the approval of the projects by the Norwegian Parliament.
Note, Norway assists Armenia in fight against human trafficking and
aid to the affected people.
United Nations Development Program is the global network of UN for
the assistances to development and positive changes in people’s life
by means of providing access to education, experience and resources.
UNDP functions in 166 countries. L.V. –0–

*********************************************************************

GOLD MEDALISTS OF ARMENIAN SCHOOLS NOT TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS AT
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. The gold medalists of Armenian schools will
not enjoy the benefits at entrance examinations of higher educational
institutions, stated Sergo Yeritsyan, RA Minister of Science and
Education at today’s press conference. According to him, there won’t
be any significant changes in the system of entrance examinations.
He also said that new faculties will open in several universities of
Armenia and a new industrial school will open in Qajaran. L.V. – 0–

*********************************************************************

`WOMAN’S WORLD 2005′ 4TH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OPENED TODAY IN
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. `Woman’s World 2005′ 4th international
exhibition opened today in Yerevan. According to Anna Hakobyan, the
Director of Expomedia Exhibition Projects Centre, the objective of
the exhibition is to promote foreign goods in local market,
strengthening of business contacts between the Armenian entrepreneurs
as well as marketing research of the Armenian market for foreign
companies.
In his turn, Karen Martirosyan, the Executive Director of Trade and
Industry Chamber of Yerevan stated that the products manufactured in
Armenia are competitive. He noted that work is carried out to expand
the export potential of the Armenian production and market expansion.

‘Woman’s World 2005’presents perfumery, cosmetics, beauty saloons and
fitness centers, goods for mother and child, as well as household
devices, furniture and interior design of about 28 local and foreign
companies functioning in Armenia (Two Lips, Eco group, Atex, Spyur,
Arena Bowling). The exhibition was organized by Expomedia Centre of
Exhibition Projects with the assistance of Yerevan Municipality and
Trade and Industry Chamber of RA. L.V.–0 –

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNDP RESIDENT COORDINATOR FOR ARMENIA

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received
UNDP Resident Coordinator for Armenia Lise Grande on Thursday in
connection with completion of her mission. According to Armenian
Presidential Press service, Kocharyan said although the UNDP Yerevan
office has always worked intensively, the cooperation was
considerably activated for three years of Grande’s mission.
Lise Grande, in turn, thanks to consistent efforts, Armenia reached
greater results compared with other countries of the region. She also
said she would remain in touch of developments in Armenia. M.V. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN FM TO MEET WITH OASCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS IN KRAKOW

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan is to
hold a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen in Krakow, on
May 14. Talking to journalists, the Minister reported that `the
meeting agenda will include issues ranging from the status to
security of the NKR.’ Oskanyan reported that no document will be
signed at a meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents,
Robert Kocharyan and Ilkham Aliyev, in Warsaw on May 16. He pointed
out that `now it is not the stage of discussions to originate a
document.’ P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIAN FUND `INCUBATOR OF ENTERPRISES’ TO SPONSOR NEW IT-COMPANIES

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian Fund `Incubator of Enterprises’
has announced a regular program of assistance to investments and new
IT-companies. According to the Fund’s press announcement, the goal of
the initiative is the formation of new IT companies in Armenia. The
teams that will be selected for participation in the program will be
provided with 35,000 USD funding, as well as with necessary premises
and business services. Under the program, the Fund is to receive up
to 25% of shares in the capital of the newly established companies.
The program is not a competitive one, but is implemented by the
partner selection principle. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS GAREGIN THE SECOND BEGINS TODAY
PILGRIMAGE TO SAINT PLACES OF JERUSALEM

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the
Second begins today pilgrimage to Saint Places of Jerusalem.
According to the Press Service of St. Etchmiadsin, the Catholicos
will be accompanied with about 80 pilgrims. In Jerusalem Garegin the
Second will meet in the temple of Saint Jacob with Armenian
Patriarchy of Jerusalem, archbishop Torgom Manukyan and the members
of congregation of the temple. The pilgrims will visit the main saint
places of Christianity, as well as the museum of Holocaust in
Jerusalem.
The group of pilgrims includes congregates of St. Etchmiadsin,
members of the Armenian government, Deputies of RA NA, scientists,
cultural and education workers, as well as sponsors from
Nor-Nakhichevan and Russian eparchy of Armenian Apostolic Church.
A.H. – 0

*********************************************************************

ANDRANIK MARGARYAN MARKS 5TH YEAR OF PREMIERSHIP

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Today is the 5th anniversary of Andranik
Margaryan’s appointment as RA Prime Minister. The Chairman of the
Republican Party of Armenia assumed office on May 12, 2000.
The diverse activities of the Government shall focus on the economic
development of the country, which will result in the attainment of
what is perhaps the most essential nationwide idea-that of ensuring a
dignified life and a living for all Armenians and each citizen of the
Republic of Armenia. As the Government, we must function in the
interests of human and national dignity.”

ANDRANIK MARGARYAN

Assumed office on May 12, 2000.

Curriculum Vitae

Birth date and place
June 12, 1951, Yerevan

Education
1967-1972 Technical Cybernetics Department of Yerevan Polytechnic
Institute, qualified as a Computer Engineer

Primary Job, Post
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia

Career Experience
1972-74 Science Fellow, later Senior Engineer in Yerevan Branch of
Union Scientific Research Institute of Gas Industry
1977-78 Senior Engineer in Scientific Research Institute of Energy of
Armenia
1978-79 Head of Electronic Computer Division in Electric-Technical
Factory
1979-90 Head of Electronics Division in Republican
Information-Computer Center at Ministry of Trade
1990-94 Head of Information Division in National Department for
Special Programs
1994-95 Junior Science Fellow in State Engineering University of
Armenia
1995-1999 Member of the First Convention of the National Assembly
>From 1999 Member of the National Assembly, Head of “Unity” Faction
>From May 2000 Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
After the 2003 elections, Prime Minister A. Margaryan remained in
office and headed the Coalition Government formed as a result of the
elections.

Party Membership
Republican Party of Armenia

Political Activities
Engaged in politics since 1965. From 1968, a member of the National
United Party that operated illegally during Soviet times. A member of
the NUP Board since 1973. Criticized the totalitarian Soviet system,
defended the Armenian Cause, and expressed a vision for the future of
the Armenian people in a democratic and independent state. Was
arrested in 1974 and convicted to two years of imprisonment for the
ideas he disseminated and the activities he conducted.
Starting from 1992, a member of the Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), which was the first party registered in the Republic of
Armenia, inheriting the ideology of the National United Party. From
1993 to 1997, Chairman of the Board of the RPA. Chairman of the RPA
from 1997 to 1999. Elected as Chairman of the Board again in 1999.
A member of the “Yerkrapah” Volunteer Union (YVU) since 1996; later,
a member of the YVU board P.T. -0–.