Author: Chavushian

RALPH YIRIKIAN: NEGLECTING INNOVATIONS IS ILLOGICAL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.11.2009 12:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of "Mobile TeleSystems"
OJSC, announces that Wednesday VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph
Yirikian was hosted by Artashat University, the company’s press
office reported.

Getting familiar to the gained experience through direct communication
is the best time saving way to enrich the knowledge especially it
refers to the full implementation of civilized models of management
in a young state. VivaCell-MTS’s readiness to share its five-year-old
experience with the young generation stems also from this logic.

"The changes taking place in the world and the exorbitant pace of
development, force to take the reality into account and continuously
improve one’s the knowledge. VivaCell-MTS innovations following one
another are steps made to meet these challenges. The approach of being
satisfied with the knowledge one has and neglecting innovations, is
illogical, to say the least, for all those organizations, who have
real plans for and are willing to develop. We strive to walk the path
of development and are ready to share our experience with the young
generation," VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian pointed.

Owing to the lecture the students got acquainted with the secrets
of the sphere of management culture – provision of conditions for
the increase in the productivity of work, corporate relations based
on values such as respect and responsibility as well as the ways of
reaching desired results.

After the lecture the students got the chance to address their
numerous questions to the general manager of the company that has
already proved the viability of its strategy.

ARMENIA’S STATE BUDGET REVISED

news.am
Nov 18 2009
Armenia

Additional capital injections into the Armenian state budget —
â~B¬100m – will cause the 2010 draft budget to be revised, RA Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated in Parliament.

The Government plans to revise the defense budget, the amount to
be provided to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), as well as the
funds intended as compensation for the population’s savings in the
USSR Savings Bank. The Premier said that Armenia’s defense budget
will be brought up to 131bn AMD, as much s this year.

RA Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan reported that the on-budget
expenditures will exceed 930bn AMD. According to him, Armenia will
receive additional fund, which are not yet included in the draft
budget. Davtyan pointed out that Armenia plans to receive 24bn AMD
under the U.S. Millennium Challenge program, as well as financial
injections from the European Union (EU).

The Minister also reported that Armenia’s national debt will constitute
46% of GDP next year — 30% of it being the Government’s foreign debt,
13% the Central Bank’s foreign debt, as well as the internal debt. The
Minister, however, is not concerned over the figures. Talking to
NEWS.am, Minister Davtyan said it is an acceptable figure, as, under
the Armenian law, the country’s national debt may constitute up to 60%
of GDP. The Minister stressed that Armenia always repays its debts
on schedule, and next year will not be an exception.

Davtyan stressed that the Government has started negotiations over
debt restructuring with a number of donor organizations. "So it is
quite realistic for us to serve our national debt. Moreover, some of
the credits, particularly the Russian loan, have been redistributed
among economic entities," the Minister said. Davtyan added that the
Government has taken many of the proposals made by the parliamentary
factions into account, particularly the ones concerning school
construction.

The revision of the on-budget expenditures caused Parliament members’
discontent. In private talks with journalists they said they had been
befooled – they were shown a draft, and all the key figures were
to be revised later. According to the draft, the defense budget as
112bn AMD – almost 20% less than in 2009. Later, however, RA Deputy
Minister of Finance Pavel Safaryan reported that the budget might be
"revised upward."

BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER: CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM ADDS A NEW DIMENSION TO THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2009 18:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ More than 200 Civil Society representatives from
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine,
the EU Member States, international organizations and networks as
well as third countries are gathering in Brussels on 16-17 November
for the first Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.

The Forum demonstrates the EU’s commitment to take on board the views
and ideas of people of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The
Forum will work on recommendations to EaP ministers who will be
holding their first working meeting on 8 th December, in particular
on priorities for work next year in the EaP multilateral platforms.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighbourhood Policy stated: "This civil society dialogue
adds a new dimension to the Eastern Partnership, which will enrich
in particular our multilateral activities in the EaP. The Forum
will provide fresh ideas as we work to address the challenges of
our partner countries". She added: "Civil society has a crucial
role to play in holding governments to their reform programmes. The
Forum will be important in helping to build confidence among civil
society organizations in partner countries, by providing a platform
to exchange experience."

The Civil Society Forum will be hosted by the European Commission, the
EU Presidency and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

It responds to the need for more direct exchange between civil
society actors from EaP countries and EU Member States in order to
achieve the goals of the EaP: to promote democracy and good governance,
economic integration and convergence with EU policies, energy security
and contacts between people. By supporting civil society dialogue,
the EU aims to encourage increased contacts between organizations,
and dialogue with national authorities in the partner countries.

To ensure full transparency of the process leading to the establishment
of the Civil Society Forum, interested parties were invited via the
Eastern Partnership webpage to provide their opinions, as well as
express their interest to participate in the process.

Altogether, almost 450 expressions of interests were received from
grass root organisations, trade unions, employers’ organisations,
professional associations, NGOs, think tanks, non-profit foundations,
national and international networks and other relevant civil society
actors. For budgetary and organisational reasons the number of
participants in the first meeting of the Forum was kept to 220,
following the selection process made by a Steering Committee
composed of independent personalities, representatives of the
European Commission, the EU Presidency and the European Economic and
Social Committee (EESC). Altogether 141 organisations from Eastern
Partnership countries and 79 from EU Member States and other countries
have been invited.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

CONSULTATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK BETWEEN
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE CATHOLICOSATE AND DIOCESES

At its last meeting the General Assembly of the Catholicosate recommended
that regular consultations be held between the members of the Religious
Council, the Executive Committee and the Dioceses under the Presidency of
His Holiness Aram I, in order to strengthen cooperation and deepen
reflection on issues currently challenging the Dioceses. In response to the
invitation of His Holiness Aram I, the Prelates and Representatives of the
Dioceses of Iran met in Antelias recently. Next week the Catholicos will
preside over the meetings between the highest organs of the Catholicosate
and Prelates and Representatives of North America, Eastern and Western
Dioceses of USA, and those of Canada along with their Representatives.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

EXCAVATION UNDERWAY, PROVING DEVELOPED WINEMAKING IN ANCIENT ARMENIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.11.2009 16:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Excavations proving the development of the ancient
wine-making on the territory of modern Armenia, continue, ethnographer
Suren Pogosyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to him,
excavations are conducted by the Institute of Archeology and
Ethnography of Armenia, and the first objects, in ancient times
winemaking was developed trade on the territory of modern Armenia,
were discovered in 2007.

According to Suren Pogosyan, excavations are carried out in a huge
cave, called Areni1 and located near the village of Areni, across the
river Arpa. "Bones of grapes, clay pots, stems of grapes were found.

These items indicate that Armenia produced wine 4 000 years BC and
perhaps even earlier, " he said. "The results of excavations cannot
been disclosed so far. After relevant expert estimations we can firmly
state that this construction is one of the oldest in the world,"
he said.

The ethnographer also informed that he takes part in excavations of
3 vineries of medieval period (13 century) n the village of Poti of
the Tavush region and one vinery in the village of Shnogh of Lori
region of Armenia.

ACADEMICIANS FROM ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATION OF 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTSAKH UNIVERSITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 11:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 13, President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan received a group of scholars and academicians
who arrived in Stepanakert to take part in the celebration of Artsakh
university’s 40th anniversary.

Welcoming the guests, President extended to them his gratitude. At
that he noted that invitation aimed at devising a cooperation program
with Armenia’s scientific and educational institutions. Cooperation
envisages investigation of problems in different sphere and elaboration
of methods with the involvement of Armenia’s creative potential.

Participants expressed willingness to invest their best efforts in
supporting further development of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Meeting was attended by NKR Minister of Science and Educaion Vladik
Khachatryan, RA NAS President Radik Martirosyan, academicians,
rectors of Artsakh State University and several Armenian higher
educational institutions.

BAKO SAHAKYAN CONVOKES CONSULTATION ON HAYASTAN ALL ARMENIAN FUND’S ANNUAL TELETHON

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.11.2009 17:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan convoked Friday a consultation on the Hayastan All Armenian
fund’s annual telethon, which will take place in U.S.

Noting that this year the telethon is dedicated to the recovery and
development of Shoushi, which has a special importance, the head of
state encouraged all those present to do the preparatory work at the
proper level and periodically report on the measures taken. Meanwhile
Bako Sahakyan underlined the importance of more active participation
of the republic’s population.

The President underlined that this year all preparatory works are taken
in a different format: NKR President was present at the meeting with
our compatriots in Moscow, National Assembly chairman visited France,
Prime-Minister will leave for U.S. Taking it into consideration,
the head of state gave instructions to the Vice Premier, Minister of
Finance Spartak Tevosyan to coordinate this process in NKR.

The President also raised the issues concerning the works carried out
in the spheres of water supply and telecommunications, as well as the
results of this year’s harvest, evaluating it as successful despite of
numerous natural disasters. Heads of the appropriate bodies delivered
reports on this issues.

NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, Prime Minister Ara
Harotyunyan and other officials partook in the consultation, reported
the Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President.

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH MARKS THE COMMEMORATION DAY

Aysor
Nov 12 2009
Armenia

Today Armenian Apostolic Church marks the commemoration day of Sts.

Gurias, Samunas, Deacon Abib, Romanos the Hermit, Child the Confessor
and Soldier Husikos.

Gurias and Samunas were priests from Yedessia living during the period
of reign of the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos (284-305). Gurias and
Samunas are imprisoned because of being Christians, they are brought
to the judge of Yedessia and are ordered to burn incense before the
idols and to worship the picture of the emperor. When they refuse to
obey the order they are subjected to severe torments and are thrown
into the deep pit. Gurias and Samunas are beheaded at the beginning
of the 4th century.

Deacon Abib served in the Church of Yedessia at the beginning of
the 4th century. During the period of Christians’ persecutions he
went from one village to another and preached the Word of God and
encouraged those who were subjected to torments. Emperor Likianos,
becoming aware of his activity, orders to imprison him. Becoming aware
of his mother’s and relatives’ imprisonments Deacon Abib voluntarily
surrenders himself to the authorities. The judge seeing that he is
unable to force the Deacon to renounce Christ, ordered to burn him
over the fire. The saint first prays and then is burnt in the fire
in 312. He is buried in the same tomb where the bodies of Gurias and
Samunas martyred during the same period were buried.

During the period of reign of the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos when
Christians were persecuted, a clergyman named Romanos, who was
imprisoned because of his faith, said the judge: "Even if you ask a
child what is right – to worship the only God – the Creator of the sky
and the earth, or to many gods, the child will give the right answer".

And really, the judge calls a child and asks that question, and that
child answers: "The people’s God should be the only one God. The God
we worship has Only Begotten Son, who is one with God." The annoyed
judge immediately orders to kill the innocent child. This event
happened in 304.

The soldier Husikos has been subjected to torments during the period
of reign of the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos. Husikos has served in the
royal army. He was drowned in the water because of his faith in Christ.

THERE ARE NO PEOPLE SEARCHED FOR INTERNATIONALLY FOR POLITICAL REASONS, HEAD OF INTERPOL ARMENIAN BUREAU ASSURES

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Currently there are no
people searched for internationally for political reasons. Vardan
Yeghiazarian, the Head of Interpol National Central Bureau in Armenia,
stated at a November 12 press conference.

He said that two years ago Azeris put into circulation data of nearly
50 Armenians, including citizens of Armenia, as persons searched
for by Interpol for terrorism and grave crimes. Armenia immediately
responded to it and a special commission was sent to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the issue was studied and all mentioned persons were
considered persons searched for for political reasons and the search
was stopped. V. Yeghiazarian clarified the issue saying that Interpol
Regulations’ Article 3 categorically prohibits to prosecute people
for political, military, racial, religious reasons.

OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT BY THE ARMENIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EDA
ecent/media/single.html?id=30042
Nov 11 2009
Switzerland

The head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Mrs Calmy-Rey
received Mr Eduard Nalbandian, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
for a working visit on Tuesday evening. Two agreements were signed at
the meeting. One was an adaptation of the air traffic treaty of 1998,
while the other concerned the issuance of visas to diplomats.

Mrs Calmy-Rey and Mr Nalbandian are currently pursuing their talks
on various bilateral and multilateral issues. The discussions will
focus on the activities of the SDC in Armenia, the economic situation
in both countries, Switzerland’s objectives as chairman-in-office
of the Council of Europe and the activities of the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe. The talks will be followed by a
dinner at which the exchange of views will continue.

In October 2008, the two countries re-negotiated the air traffic
agreement initialled in 1998, which had not yet been signed. The
old agreement has now been taken over by developments in the civil
aviation sector. It stated that air traffic between Switzerland and
Armenia would be governed by the principle of nationality. This
principle stipulated that the majority of the capital of airline
companies wishing to establish airlines operating between the two
countries would have to be owned by national investors.

The new agreement signed today stipulates only that the operational
headquarters have to be in one of the two countries. This new
formulation fully takes into account the conditions prevailing in
today’s globalised air transport market. The agreement suppressing
the necessity of visas for diplomatic staff comes on top of the
re-admission agreement which is already in force between the two
countries and underlines the good cooperation in migration matters
between the two countries.