PanARMENIAN.Net
Azeri President to visit Russia to complain about Turkey
11.04.2009 15:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Apr. 16-17 Azeri President Ilham Aliev will pay a
working visit to Russia on RA President Dmitri Medvedev invitation,
Interfax reported. According to earlier reports, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Turkey’s Prime Minister planned a visit to Moscow to discuss
opening of Armenian-Turkish border.
Congratulations to Rashid Gharabaghtsi
NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department
April 10, 2009
The NKR Prime Minister Ara Haraoutyunyan sent a congratulatory message
to the NKR Honoured Artist Rashid Gharabaghtsi in view of his 70th
anniversary. The message runs as follows:
"I convey my hearty congratulations to you in view of your 70th
anniversary, which is, really, a fine event in the present cultural
life of Artsakh. For many long years you were the artist who caused joy
and pure aesthetical pleasure to our compatriots in Karabakh, Armenia
and abroad. Your creative contribution is obvious and is loved in our
society, your performances are endowed with our national karabakhian
flavour and peculiarity, which is worth particular appraisal.
I cordially wish you strong health and new creative achievements.
Let you never be in deficiency of our people’s love".
ARMENIAN INTEREST RATE CUT ON WANING INFLATION PRESSURES
by Venla Sipila
World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
April 9, 2009
The Board of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has decided to
cut its key policy rate, the annual refinancing rate, by 25 basis
points, bringing the rate to 7.5%, ARKA News reports. The modest
downward revision comes after the Board opted to leave the policy
rate unchanged in March. Prior to this, the refinancing rate was
increased by 100 basis points to 7.75%, in a move designed to
give support to the dram exchange rate on the switch to a flexible
exchange rate regime (seeArmenia: 4 March 2009:). The CBA based the
return to monetary easing on moderating inflation pressures, noting
that, due to falling demand both in global and domestic markets,
price growth at present is lower than forecast in spite of the recent
dram depreciation. Deteriorating external demand and easing financial
inflows have resulted in slowing down of the economy at an intensifying
rate. The latest inflation figures put consumer price growth in March
at 1.4% from February, which left the annual inflation rate stable
at 8.7% (seeArmenia: 2 April 2009:).
Significance:With economic growth now sharply cooling, Armenian
inflation pressures have recently displayed a decelerating
trend. Taking into account that this was not reversed even after
the March devaluation, the CBA’s looser monetary stance to boost the
ailing economy could be defended. Then again, March inflation data
in any case brought a halt to inflation deceleration. In addition,
financial risks at present are high in Armenia; the current-account
deficit remains wide, while the sharply deteriorated foreign exchange
inflows, combined with the country’s weak export earnings potential
and the weakness of global demand, imply a deep external financing
gap. Thus, downward pressure on the exchange rate may resurface again,
and caution in monetary easing should thus be exercised, paying close
attention to macroeconomic policy co-ordination. On the other hand,
Armenian interest rates do function as very effective policy tools,
instead mainly signalling the CBA’s inflation expectations.
NAZIK AVDALYAN TAKES SILVER MEDAL
A1+
11:06 am | April 10, 2009
Sports
Armenia’s Nazik Avdalyan (69 kg) won silver medal at the European
Weightlifting Championship in Bucharest.
Avdalyan lifted 110 kg in the snatch and 135 in the jerk, gaining
289.7 points.
Surpassing last year’s result with 3 kg, Avdalyan fell behind Russia’s
Oksana Slivenk who took the gold medal. Tatiana Matveeva from Russia
took the bronze.
YEREVAN STANISLAVSKI RUSSIAN DRAMA THEATRE HONORED WITH "MEETINGS IN RUSSIA" FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2009 13:48 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yerevan Stanislavski Russian Drama Theatre honored
with grand prix of "Meetings in Russia" festival for "Passions for
Inspector" performance.
In 2007, the theater received the award for "Three Sisters"
performance.
HE’S GOT $2M HANDS: FORMER BASKETBALL PRO AND PIANIST GUY MANOUKIAN SAYS HE CANNOT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC
The Straits Times
April 6, 2009 Monday
Singapore
Over the telephone from Beirut, Lebanon, the classically trained
solo pianist says he was urged to do so by his record label and his
manager because he was once also a professional basketballer.
The 32-year-old married man who does not have any children plays
the sport occasionally. He says: ‘I can’t imagine my life without
music. Music is my life and I could never treat it as a job.’
Manoukian, who is also a lawyer, will perform his unique brand of
what he calls ‘Oriental house music’ at the Esplanade Concert Hall
on April 14.
He says his music has evolved over the years. He moved away from
classical music when he realised the limitations of covering other
artists.
Manoukian started composing his own music at eight and later
incorporated both Arabic and Armenian musical styles. His music became
a hit worldwide and caught the attention of the likes of music icon
Wyclef Jean, whom he calls a ‘musical genius’, and rapper 50 Cent. He
composed Jean’s 2007 hit song, On Tour.
He is excited about playing in Singapore for the first time. Having
once stopped over in Changi Airport en route to Bali, he was taken
by its similarity to his home country of Lebanon.
He says of Singapore: ‘It is such a cosmopolitan society. I was amazed
when I saw it and was sure that I wanted to come back and play.’
Another draw, he adds, is the world-class venue of the Esplanade,
whose reputation he has heard about.
The veteran performer started playing when he was four. When he was
seven, he performed for then Lebanese president Amine Gemayel at his
presidential palace. He modestly describes the momentous occasion as
‘not such a big deal’.
The youngest of three boys stays level- headed, thanks to his family,
he says.
‘Family is a very important factor in my life. They keep me grounded
and humble.’
He adds that his father was a huge influence, often playing to him
different kinds of music, ranging from Mozart to Latin. With eight
albums under his belt since his first in 1997, Manoukian still seeks
his parents’ approval before releasing a new one.
You may not think classical musicians will drive audiences crazy but
a girl once threw her bra at Manoukian during a performance in Cairo.
‘I’m never bothered by a fan who wants my time. I’m open to them and
grateful for them. They are the ones who keep my career going.’
He promises to do his best at his concert here: ‘I want them to
take away the experience of my land, which is mysterious, passionate
and seductive.’
OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER ISN’T A MANNA FROM HEAVEN FOR ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2009 17:10 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ We have all preconditions necessary for establishment
of diplomatic relations with Ankara, Armenian Genocide Museum Director
Hayk Demoyan told a news conference in Yerevan. "If Turkey refuses to
establish diplomatic ties with Armenia, international community will
take it as reluctance to be on friendly terms with their neighbors,"
Demoyan noted. When questioned about the possibility of Turkish
Armenian border opening, the Museum Director stressed that even if
Ankara does not open borders, Turkey will sign some document on a
possibility to open it.
"Opening borders have both positive and negative aspects for
Armenia. We have to carefully analyze the challenges not to fall into
dependence on Turkey. We mustn’t forget that Turkey is a country that
has several scenario developments up their sleeve," Demoyan said adding
that Turkey remains the chief ally for Azerbaijan, the country waging
undeclared war with Armenia.
"In financial crisis circumstances eastern provinces of Turkey became
very vulnerable, the population in those regions also expects the
opening of borders. Opening of Armenian-Turkish border is no longer
considered a manna from heaven for Armenia. Those times are gone,"
Demoyan stressed.
CB PRESENTS MONETARY AND CREDIT POLICY FOR 2009 INITIAL QUARTER
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2009 16:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Traditional meeting between the Council of the
Central Bank of Armenia and heads of commercial banks took place on
April 2.
According to CB press office’s report, the CB presented its monetary
and credit policy for initial quarter of 2009.
ABDULLAH GUL DENIED INFORMATION ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER OPENING ON APR. 16
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2009 17:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul denied information
about Armenian-Turkish border opening in nearest future.
"Media-circulated information on Turkey’s opening its border with
Armenia is untrue," the President stated before his departure to
Germany to participate in NATO Jubilee Summit.
According to Abdullah Gul, Turkey aims to establish peace and stability
in Caucasus and encourages friendly relations with all the states in
the region, CNN Turk reported.
Wall Street Journal, citing a diplomatic source in Brussels, circulated
information on possibility of Turkish-Armenian border opening and
establishment of diplomatic relations on Apr. 16.
ELECTIONS IN TURKEY TURNED INTO AKP’S DEFEAT
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2009 18:30 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Despite ruling AKP’s victory (Justice and Development
Party) in local authorities elections, the election results turned
into a defeat for Erdogan’s party, an Armenian turkologist Artak
Shakaryan told a news conference in Yerevan.
"Local authorities elections are always interesting, as they precede
parliamentary elections. In many Turkish cities AKP yielded its
positions to pro-Kurdish and Nationalistic parties."
According to Artak Shakaryan, on Sunday’s elections number of voters
increased by 6 million, with Turkish youth comprising overwhelming
majority of voters. The ruling party failed to win over the
youth. Besides, Erdogan’s party was concerned about pro-Kurdish
"Democratic Society" party winning the majority of votes.
"Hence, we could venture a supposition that in Turkey’s Parliamentary
Elections 2011 main struggle will be waged between Islamists and
Kemalists. Whether Erdogan’s Party would be able to struggle the
consequences of financial crisis, will be a decisive issue in oncoming
parliamentary elections."