Author: Andres-Papazian

NEW CATALOGUE OF ARMENIAN FILMS PUBLISHED

ArmInfo
25 20:02:00

ArmInfo. New catalogue of Armenian films has been presented in
Yerevan. The catalogue provides detailed information on Armenian
films created in the period from 1924 to 2009.

Susanna Haroutiunyan, Art-Director of the Golden Apricot Festival
told ArmInfo the catalogue will be interesting not only to Armenian
students and film experts, but also to foreign cinemateques and film
funds. “The first catalogue was published 10 years ago. Over the
past years the Armenian cinematography was presented at international
festivals and festivals of Armenian films and retrospectives in various
countries. All this necessitates database creation. I am sure that
the new catalogue will fulfill this mission properly,” she said.

Haroutiounyan said that creation of the new catalogue took 1.5 year.

The edition of the catalogue is limited. It is published in English
and Armenian with the support of the Armenian Culture Ministry,
VivaCell-MTS Company and “One Nation One Culture” Fund. The Golden
Apricot Film Festival assumed all the organizational issues. The
editors-in-chief of the catalogue are Mikael Stamboltsyan, Director
of the Festival Programs, and Susanna Haroutiunyan, Art Director. The
first samples of the catalogue were presented to the National Film
Center of Armenia, the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia, Yerevan
Institute of Theatre and Cinema, S. Parajanov Museum and others.

From: A. Papazian

VAT IS THE KEY DETERRENT TO DEVELOPMENT OF PHARMACY INDUSTRY IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-05-25 20:45:00

ArmInfo. Over Q1 2010 the output of medicaments in Armenia made up 500
mln AMD, having increased by 14% as compared with the same period of
2009. In 2009 Armenian pharmaceutical companies produced medicaments
worth 2.5 bln AMD, about 40% of the medicaments was exported to CIS
countries, said Head of Industry Department of Armenia Hayk Mirzoyan
at the event organized within the frames of “Healthy nation, healthy
economy”.

He pointed out that the Armenian Economy Ministry jointly with
the Association of producers and importers of medicaments, ad
the USAID/CAPS are working at introduction of GMP international
certification system in Armenia. He is convinced that the establishment
of this institute in the country will allow activating expansion to
international markets and raise the quality of local medicaments. The
head of the Association of producers and importers of medicaments,
Samvel Zakaryan, shares this opinion. He thinks that this is the
main problem of pharmaceutical companies, and there no other specific
problems in this sphere.

Unlike the state officials, local producers are not so optimistic.

Pharmacy faces a great number of unresolved problems, and the main
problem is connected with introduction of VAT for medicaments in 2001.

As a result of these tax toughening, the medicaments imported from
Georgia were by 20-30% cheaper than Armenian ones,- said Armen
Haroutyunyan, Director for Development of Esculap pharmacy company.

The list of urgent problems includes the high level of counterfeit
products in the market of medicaments. The availability of low-level
and counterfeit products was conditioned by the ineffective work of
customs bodies. Haroutyunyan said that settlement of this problem
needs either raising of transparency of the structures controlling
import of commodities to the country, which is very hard to do, or
cancellation of VAT, which caused disproportion of the pharmaceutical
market of Armenia.

Staring 2002 all the large players of the market of medicaments
provided the country’s leadership with calculations proving the
falsehood of VAT introduction, but the local producers’ efforts
turned out to be not enough convincing. “Not only local producers
and importers, but also public organizations engaged in protection
of consumers’ rights should join their efforts. Many decisions at
the legislative level are taken as a result of lobbying of all the
persons concerned”,- said Haroutyunyan.

Continuing to enumerate the problems of local pharmaceutical companies,
the experts pointed out the low level of solvency of Armenian
population, which has to look for the cheapest medicaments in the
market. This maintains the demand for illegally imported products,
making the local products uncompetitive.

Speaking about the export of Armenian medicaments, experts point out
the high transport costs making Armenian products uncompetitive in
the international markets. The Central Asian market is perspective for
Armenian producers. According to the experts, the Central Asian market
also has its problems. For instance, Uzbekistan artificially maintains
the high foreign exchange rate, which makes the export to that country
unprofitable. Georgia causes big interest among local producers of
medicaments and among representatives of other economy spheres.

To note, the organizers of the campaign “Healthy nation, healthy
economy” are USAID and the Association of importers and producers
of medicaments. The event aims to raise the public awareness of
the peculiarities of local medicaments, the quality of which meets
international standards, and their prices are much more reasonable.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA, THE USA AND FRANCE HAVE ALREADY RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION PREVAILING OVER THE PRINCIPLE OFTERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo
2010-05-25 12:39:00

Interview of vice-speaker of Armenian National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan
with ArmInfo News Agency

Mr. Nikoyan, does the warming of Russian-Turkish relations in
the context of Ankara’s vain attempts to recover the “territorial
integrity” of Azerbaijan put the Armenian authorities on their guard?

Further processes will show, of course, if the Russian-Turkish
relations will impact the Karabakh peace process. Exchanging
the centuries-old strategic relations of Armenia and Russia with
cooperation in energy sector or temporary tactical steps is simply
inadmissible. The point is that Russia, the USA and France – three
intermediaries of the Minsk Group separately, have recognized the
right of people for self-determination prevailing over the principle
of territorial integrity. Russia did it when it recognized Abkhazia
and Ossetia; France and the USA – having recognized independence of
Kosovo. For this reason, one can say that each of these countries
considers its priority the right of peoples for self-determination. I
also think that double standards and lie of some diplomats may
reach such a level when saying one thing in case of Kosovo, Abkhazia
and Ossetia, they could say something opposite in case of Nagorny
Karabakh. So, I do not think that it may have real consequences for
the process.

PACE Chairman Mevlut Cavusoglu has recently visited Armenia. How much
his appointment may affect Armenia-PACE relations?

I do not think that this may somehow affect our relations, however,
we have to understand the most important thing: Cavusoglu is not
a European official for us. This man is a Turk, first of all, who
protects Turkey’s interests. Consequently, none of us should have
illusions that he may exceed the circle of his national interests
and protect the Europe-wide values.

Opinions are still voiced in Armenia saying we must recall the
signatures from under the Protocols after suspension of their
ratification. How much is it correct and possible today?

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has exactly announced the country’s
stance saying that Armenia may recall its signatures from under the
Protocols if Turkey continues linking normalization of relations with
Armenia to the Karabakh conflict resolution. Armenia has not resorted
to that only because it respects its partners, the world community and
their authority. After all, all the super powers have shared and keep
on sharing Armenia’s viewpoints, whereas Turkey still prefers words
to specific steps. Turkey’s statements often become silly. They in
Ankara have already begun speaking about opening of borders to Armenia
and even the open borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Actually,
what Turkey can do today is to establish diplomatic relations with
Armenia and open the borders without preconditions, because it was
Turks that closed the borders but not Armenia. It is not Armenia that
must make concessions. Turkey has neither powers and nor possibilities
in the Karabakh peace process for it is not a mediator or impartial in
the issue. All the recent information tricks by Turkey regarding the
“sooner yielding” of Kelbajar and Fizoulu, are just silly. I think
that all these endeavors are nothing but propaganda. They disseminate
misinformation and began trusting in it, then the Armenian party
refutes it and Turkey falls into deep disappointment and blames
everyone for the biased attitude to Azerbaijan.

By the way, as for Azerbaijan, they in Baku have recently started
discussing some renovated and coordinated Madrid principles. Do they
really exist?

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan has recently expressed
the official viewpoint of the Armenian authorities saying there are no
renovated Madrid principles. Actually, we mean the Madrid principles
which consist of 6 points which were already published. There is
the joint statement by the OSCE foreign ministers, signed by all the
ministers, according to which the Karabakh conflict should be resolved
taking into account the right of peoples for self-determination,
territorial integrity and non-application of force or threat. All the
rest proposals do not meet reality and Armenia is not going to discuss
them or comment on them, this is not a problem of the Armenian party.

The world has to finally understand a simple reality, that having
no evident privilege the principles of the right of peoples for
self-determination and territorial integrity are regarding the states
recognized by the UN in these borders. As for the principle – the right
of peoples for self-determination, the right of peoples for getting
independence has been recognized. Much is said about contradiction of
these two principles, but I think they are not so much contradictory
and settle absolutely different problems. I think that in Azerbaijan
as well they should understand this simple truth.

They in Georgia and Azerbaijan, are trying to connect discontent of the
Javakhq population with Armenia. What is the basis for these attempts
and what is the actual stance of the Armenian authorities today?

Obviously, by such efforts Azerbaijan is trying to preserve the
union with Georgia on the strong basis of common interests. Hereby,
Baku is trying to create a strong tandem Georgia-Azerbaijan in the
South Caucasus naturally directed against Armenia. I think that the
Georgian authorities are aware that the official position of Yerevan
on Javakhq is the only right position. We think that the problems of
that region in Georgia populated with Armenians are connected only with
human rights protection and fulfillment of Georgia’s commitments to
the Council of Europe and other similar issues. Armenian authorities
have not demanded anything else from Georgia. Public organizations in
Armenia and Javakhq constantly criticize such stance of Yerevan. It
is simply senseless to look for other claims of Armenia to Georgia.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

ArmInfo
25 20:23:00

ArmInfo. During his working visit to Brussels President of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan has met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh
Rasmussen.

Sargsyan and Rasmussen pointed out substantial progress in
Armenia-NATO relations and stressed the need to continue the active
military-political dialogue. Sargsyan said that Armenia will continue
cooperating with NATO member states on fighting international
terrorism, protecting borders and keeping peace in the world.

The sides also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and
Armenian-Turkish relations. Sargsyan said that by dictating conditions
and violating deadlines Turkey has exhausted the limit of confidence
as a negotiating partner.

From: A. Papazian

PROCREDIT BANK MAKES MONEYTRANSFERS THROUGH COINSTAR AND BLIZKO SYSTEMS

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 25, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. ProCredit BankProCredit Bank has joined
international transfer systems Coinstar and BLiZKO. These systems
enable private individuals to make transfers in a fast and reliable
manner without opening a banking account. Coinstar system is tailored
to make US Dollar and EURO transfers in over 140 countries around
the world, whereas BLiZKO system can be used for Russian Ruble,
US Dollar and EURO transfers among CIS countries.

According to press release of ProCredit Bank due to having a wide chain
of service points, Coinstar and BLiZKO systems are very popular around
the world. It is worth mentioning that the sums transferred by these
systems can reach the receivers instantly after making a transaction.

From: A. Papazian

SENATOR: NEEDS TO BROADLY PROPAGATE KARABAKH REALITIES IN BELGIUM

Trend
May 25 2010
Azerbaijan

It needs to broadly propagate Karabakh realities in Belgium, former
President of the Belgian Senate and Independent Senator Anne-Marie
Lizin said to a meeting with the Chairman of the State Committee for
Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan Nazim Ibrahimov, Committee’s press
service reported.

Announcing her extremely interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Belgian Senator said that it needs to broadly propagate Azerbaijan,
especially the Nagorno-Karabakh reality in the society where she lives.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United
States – are currently holding the peace negotiations. Armenia has not
yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four resolutions on the
liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.

The Chairman of the State Committee in his turn mentioned the
prospects for the development of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Belgium,
the integration of its representatives into the local community,
as well as the need to present to the public in Belgium true and
complete information about Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

From: A. Papazian

A LOOK FROM HOTEL TO ARARAT

Aysor
May 25 2010
Armenia

95% of the rooms of the hotel being built in the in the place of the
former “Youth Chamber” the will be directed to the South.

“I hope that both the apartments and the hotel rooms of the complex
will look at the Mount Ararat. The structure is on the hill, the
entrance will be from Teryan Street. From there also we can watch
at Ararat. I have tried to make my structure resemble Ararat,” said
Kiokazu Arai.

Hotel complex will have a housing complex, business center, large
parking lot designed for around 2000 cars, free space for the
population and Mini Square. As Kiyokazu Arai noted, the important
thing is that the complex will be Seismically Resistant and prepared
of Armenian stone and by new technologies. It should be noted also
that Kiyokazu Arai is an architect of world fame, he is the rector
of Kiyotoyi Architectural University, he teaches also at 4 other
universities.

From: A. Papazian

IRAN TERMS KARABAKH VOTE ILLEGITIMATE

Press TV
May 25 2010
Iran

Iran has not recognized as legitimate the so-called parliamentary
elections in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Iranian
Foreign Ministry says.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize the parliamentary
elections in Nagorno-Karabakh as legitimate,” Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.

No country officially recognizes Karabakh, which is claimed by both
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan condemned Sunday’s parliamentary elections in
Nagorno-Karabakh as illegal and the European Union said it would not
recognize the vote as legitimate.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman further denied claims that Tehran
had sent an observer to the elections.

Armenia took control of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s following
a short but bloody war with Azerbaijan in which around 30,000 people
lost their lives.

While a ceasefire was brokered in 1994, the dispute continues to
remain unresolved despite years of international mediation.

From: A. Papazian

MOSQUE ON 2ND FLOOR OVER CHURCH IN SOUTHERN TURKISH PROVINCE

Hurriyet

May 25 2010
Turkey

Turkey’s southern province of Hatay offers a unique experience with
its religious diversity, fascinating visitors with its mystical
ambience. An Armenian church believed to have been built between
1633 and 1646 underneath a newer mosque stuns tourists. ‘The church
has been neglected for so long and it needs urgent restoration,’
says the mosque’s imam

The Armenian church with a mosque on top in Yogunoluk is a symbol of
Hatay now, says Tahsin Kurtbeyoglu, district governor of Samandag.

In the southeastern province of Hatay, along the Syrian border, it
is not unusual to see a mosque, a church and a synagogue all on the
same street – or even right on top of each other.

In Yogunoluk village, part of the province’s Samandag district, for
example, there is an Armenian church believed to have been built
between 1633 and 1646 underneath a newer mosque that is open for
religious services.

The area’s diverse religious heritage, along with its seaside and
caves, gives Samandag high tourism potential, district governor Tahsin
Kurtbeyoglu told the Anatolia news agency.

Every year, thousands of tourists from different religious backgrounds
come and visit the historical sites in the district, Kurtbeyoglu said,
adding that Hatay, which was home to many civilizations over thousands
of years, fascinates visitors with its mystic ambience.

The seven-meter high Titus Tunnel is a must-see sight in the district,
according to Kurtbeyoglu. Built by Roman emperor Vespasianus and
his son Titus to prevent floods of rainwater coming down from the
mountains, the tunnel took 10 years and the labor of a thousand slaves
to complete.

“We have a lot of tourist wealth, such as the St. Simon Abbey, which
contains three churches, a baptistery and many cisterns, rock-cut
architecture built in Roman times and the almost 2,300-year-old
‘Moses Tree,'” Kurtbeyoglu said, adding that the Armenian church with
a mosque on top in Yogunoluk is “a symbol of Hatay now.”

The church was built and used by Armenians and the building is now
under the authority of the General Directorate of Foundations, the
district governor said. According to Kurtbeyoglu, the historical
building has never been renovated, but the regional Directorate of
Foundations plans to carry out restoration work on the structure.

A concrete minaret was built on the stonework church after Armenians
left the village in the 1940s, a change that was made without harming
the architecture of the original structure, according to the imam at
the mosque, Mehmet Gulistan. “The two places of worship have different
architecture and different entrances; neither of them harms the other,”
he said.

While the mosque is open to services, the church, which is frequently
visited by domestic and foreign tourists, is currently closed, Gulistan
said. “The church is mostly visited by Armenians. The tourists are
stunned to see a mosque on top of a church,” he said.

“They like the way two different religions’ places of worship stand
together. But the church has been neglected for so long and it needs
urgent restoration.”

The renovation of the church would help the village attract more
tourists, Gulistan added.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY’S DEPUTY PREMIER SAYS ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS ‘OVERSHADOW’ TIES WITH US

Anadolu Agency
May 24 2010
Turkey

New York, 24 May 2010: A Turkish deputy prime minister said on Sunday
[23 May] that Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915
were overshadowing relations with the United States.

Turkey’s State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said
that Turkey had nothing to worry about the Armenian allegations.

“History will confirm it sooner or later irrespective of who says
what,” Cicek said during the “Turkish Day Festival” in New York.

Cicek said that the issue was overshadowing relations with the United
States, and hoped nobody would resort to such wrong views from now on.

Also, Cicek said the United States was Turkey’s ally and friend,
and two countries undertook responsibilities in many places around
the world from Korea to Afghanistan for over 50 years, which further
improved and institutionalized the relations.

However, Turkey was deeply sorry about the US resolutions reached by
baseless allegations accusing the Turkish nation, he said.

Cicek said Turkey was ready to confront its history. Minister Cicek
later left New York for Turkey.

The Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) organized the
29th Turkish Day Festival in New York.

Janissary Band and folkloric dance team performed shows during the
festival. Also Turkish singers took stage and Turkish food was served
and sold the whole day.

From: A. Papazian