Author: Frangulian Shushan

ARMENIAN AND SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE ARMENIA-EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
July 21, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Edward
Nalbandian yesterday discussed a wide range of issues related to the
Armenia-European Union relations with the Foreign Affairs Minister
of Sweden Carl Bildt.

During the press conference after the meeting E. Nalbandian noted that
issues connected with the enhancement and deepening of cooperation
and collaborative steps to be undertaken towards it were also subject
to discussions.

"The cooperation between Armenia and EU is multilateral. We cooperate
in different projects and formats, particularly the Partnership
and cooperation treaty, European neighborhood policy as well as the
Eastern partnership. According to the agreement reached within the
frameworks of the visit of the Armenian President to Brussels in
November 2008 another cooperation format was launched in addition
to the existing ones – the presence of the EU consultation group
to Armenia which assists the process of reforms undergoing in the
legislative, executive and judicial system," the Minister noted.

According to E. Nalbandian Armenia will continue its foreign political
course of coming closer to the European Union and intends to implement
necessary steps and reforms towards it.

The Armenian-Swedish relations in a number of spheres including
the economic one have also become subject for yesterday’s
discussions. Minister Nalbandian stressed that the sides have expressed
their gratification on the latest intensification of cooperation
between the business circles which can serve as an impetus for the
development of multilateral cooperation in different spheres.

In his turn C. Bildt reconfirmed that during the meeting issues
of enhancement of cooperation and steps to be undertaken towards
it have been discussed. Development of the economic cooperation,
simplification of the order of getting the entrance visa, creation of
facilities for free trade have also been stressed as important which
will be bilaterally profitable in respect of the overcoming of the
established difficult situation in the conditions of the recession. The
human rights protection issues have also been stressed as important.

C. Bildt stressed the great importance attached to the improvement
of relations between Armenia and Turkey as well as the opening of
borders which "will have a tremendous profit".

He once more stressed the readiness of EU to assist the process of
improvement of these relations. The Swedish Foreign Minister also
stressed that they will attentively follow the development of event
after the Moscow meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents
and encourage the continuation of negotiations.

ARMENIAN ‘FRUIT’ JUICE RECALLED

The Dominion Post
July 20 2009

Yan drinks are being pulled from supermarket shelves after a Commerce
Commission investigation found drinks marketed as high-end "fruit
juice" actually contained no detectable fruit content.

The commission said today Armenian Imports Limited, trading as Super
Juice, imported various drink products from Armenia and sold them in
supermakets across the country under the brand name "Yan".

The commission said it tested products described as 100 percent
blackcurrant juice, 100 percent peach juice and 100 percent pomegranate
juice.

Other claims on the packaging were that the juices were free of added
sugar, preservatives, artificial flavours, colouring or sweeteners.

Tests revealed the blackcurrant and peach juice had few or no signs
of any fruit content, let alone what was stated on the package.

"Testing for the product claimed to be 100 per cent pomegranate
juice indicated that although it may contain some pomegranate juice,
it is unlikely that it is 100 per cent pure pomegranate juice.,"
said the commission.

Another Yan product claiming to be 100 percent apricot juice had not
been tested.

The vitamin C levels reported on the packaging were also called
into question as they did not align with the levels associated with
blackcurrants, peaches or pomegranates.

Commerce Commission director of fair trade, Adrian Sparrow, said
testing clearly showed the labelling on the drink packaging was
incorrect and the distributor had agreed to recall the products until
further testing could determine "the exact nature of the products
they have imported".

"As the exact nature of the products is unknown there is not only
potential contravention of the Fair Trading Act but risk to consumers,"
said Sparrow.

"Although at this stage of the commission’s investigation, there
is no evidence to suggest that these products are unsafe, given the
uncertainty as to the products’ ingredients, the commission advises
consumers to exercise caution if they have known allergies," he added.

Yan products have been stocked by around 30 stores and supermarkets
around the country and buyers can seek a refund from the place of
purchase with a receipt or packaging.

The products have been imported into the country since early 2007,
but a commission spokesperson told BusinessDay it was unclear how
long the products had been sold to the public.

Breaches of the Fair Trading Act can result in a maximum fine of
$200,000 for a company and $60,000 for an individual. The Commerce
Commission said the investigation is continuing.

In Suren Sureniants’ affirmation, some document on Nagorno Karabakh
settlement will be signed in early 2010

YEREVAN, JULY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The territories adjoining Nagorno
Karabakh have been liberated by Armenia as security zones, and sooner
or later presence of Armenians should be replaced there by the
respective international security guarantees and respective
peacekeeping contingent. Stating this at the July 17 press conference,
Suren Sureniants, a Political Board member of the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) party making part of the Armenian National Congress
meanwhile said that he does not mean Lachin and Kelbajar, which are
situated between RA and NKR. According to him, they should remain under
Armenia’s control, at least until the issue of NKR status is clarified.

In S. Sureniants’ opinion, indeed the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan are not so interested in problem’s solution, but Madrid
proposals, with some reservations, can become a basis for Nagorno
Karabakh settlement.

The positions of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, Russia,
France, and the U.S. in the issue of Nagorno Karabakh settlement have
become close, which, according to S. Sureniants, will no longer give a
possibility of manoeuvring and delaying the settlement to the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a result, in S. Sureniants’
affirmation, some document on Nagorno Karabakh settlement will be
signed in early 2010.

Recent developments around NKR conflict show Stepanakert’s firm position
18.07.2009 16:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Recent developments around NKR conflict settlement
show Stepanakert’s firm position, Head of Hay Dat Bureau Kiro Manoyan
told a news conference in Yerevan. `Recently NKR President Bako
Shakyan repeatedly emphasized the necessity of NKR’s involvement in
negotiation process. As a consequence, before Moscow meeting of
Armenian and Azeri Presidents, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
visited Bako Sahakyan in Sepanakert to discuss issues on NKR
negotiation process,’ Kiro Manoyan noted. According to the Head of Hay
Dat, neither Yerevan nor Stepanakert can benefit today from
intensification of differences on NKR conflict.

IRANIAN AIR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY TECHNICAL FAILURE

Avionews
p?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1107292& pagina_chiamante=index.php
July 17 2009

Tehran, Iran – Pilot’s responsibility excluded. Also two Canadians
among the victims

(WAPA) – It would have been a technical failure, not a pilot’s
mistake, the cause of Wednesday’s tragical air accident, in which 168
have been killed on board of Tupolev Tu-154, en route from Tehran,
Iran, to Yerevan, Armenia, that crashed near the city of Qazvin
(see AVIONEWS). The announcement was made by Ahmad Majidi, Iranian
deputy-transport minister.

"Because of the severity of the crash -Mr. Majidi added- the two
black box recorders found are badly damaged, even though they are
made of steel. The tapes were out on the ground. We might send the
black box to Russia, where they were manufactured, to chase the issue
with their help".

The major part of the 153 passengers on board were of Iranian
or Iranian-Armenian nationality, but there were also Georgian
and Armenian citizens. Canada’s foreign ministry has furthermore
confirmed the presence among the victims of two Canadian citizens,
without unveiling their identities. Many media report that they might
be a woman with her 3-year-old son. (Avionews)

(009) 090717122114-1107292 (World Aeronautical Press Agency –
2009-07-17 12:21 pm)

ARMENIAN MAN MISSES DOOMED IRAN FLIGHT DUE TO PARTYING
by Armen Hareyan

HULIQ
July 16 2009
SC

A citizen of Armenia Haroutiun Khalghatyan can well celebrate a
second birth. He miraculously missed his flight yesterday from Iran’s
capital Tehran to Armenia, which never landed taking the lives of
170 passenger.

An Iranian Armenian blogger Vartan Davtian blogs from Tehran that
Armenian citizen Haroutiun Khalghatyan was late of his flight
yesterday, which saved his life. Everyone is calling this a true
miracle.

Khalghatyan, was in Iran on a working visit. A day before he was
partying in Tehran’s Ararat Armenian Center. Blogger Davtian writes
that after speaking with friends of Khalghatyan he learned that the
later woke up very late after partying the night before and thus was
already late of his flight.

He missed his flight, which never landed, but he got a second chance
on his life. Khalghatyan is 44 years old.

Flight 7908, which took off from Tehran on route to Armenia’s capital
Yerevan, crashed shortly after the take off. Black boxes have been
found and will be sent to Russia for interpretation. The plane was
Russian made Tu 154.

ARMENIAN BAR OF LAWYERS INTENDS TO INTRODUCE CARPA SYSTEM MODEL

ArmInfo
2009-07-17 16:05:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian Bar of Lawyers is going to introduce CARPA
system model on regulation of financial problems of French lawyers. In
this connection, Chairman of the Bar Rouben Sahakyan and Chairman
of Araratbank Board Ashot Osipyan will sign an agreement on July
18. As the Bar of Lawyers told ArmInfo, the leadership of CARPA
system structure in France supports introduction of CARPA system
in Armenia. The CARPA chairman and a group of lawyers have arrived
in Yerevan to participate in the official ceremony of agreement
signing. About 75 well-known lawyers and offices gave their consent
to membership in the newly-created structure.

According to the source, CARPA will lead to formation of a new
business environment in Armenia. The given system aims to simplify
the financial management of lawyer’s offices, ensure the security of
financial operations, ensure signing of civil-legal transactions with
participation of lawyers, and thereby raise the popularity of lawyers
and the confidence in them. The system will give an opportunity
to keep the lawyers’ banking accounts with ensuring implementation
of obligations.

The source says CARPA was established in France in 1956 on a voluntary
basis. The goal of CARPA is to simplify and regulate procedure
relations between the citizens and lawyers.

Banks urged to lend more

The Straits Times (Singapore)
July 15, 2009

PARIS — French banks should lend more to companies and a number of
positive signs are pointing to economic recovery, the minister in
charge of implementing the country’s stimulus plan said in remarks
broadcast on Wednesday.

Speaking on Europe 1 radio, Patrick Devedjian joined a chorus of
voices seeking to raise pressure on lenders to supply enough liquidity
to help the global economy recover.

‘Banks are in a delicate situation, I understand this well, but we
need lenders to be more generous in offering credit because this is
what supports the economy,’ he said.

‘Of course, we are in a crisis, of course it has not ended, but at the
same time, a number of positive signs have appeared almost
everywhere,’ he said.

— REUTERS

s/World/Story/STIStory_403496.html

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA EXTENDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF VICTIMS OF TU-154 CRASH

ArmInfo
2009-07-15 18:30:00

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has extended his condolences to
the relatives and friends of victims of Tu-154 crash.

The press service of the President quotes Sargsyan as saying: "A few
hours ago Tu-154 flying from Tehran to Yerevan crashed with both the
crew and the passengers killed. Among them were our compatriots. This
is an irretrievable loss and we express our support for the relatives
and friends. The Armenian authorities are doing their best to help
them at this hard moment. I cannot find words to comfort the people
who have lost their relatives."

To note, President Sargsyan stopped his visit to Shirak region and
came back to Yerevan when informed about the air crash. 153 passengers
and 15 crew members were onboard. According to preliminary reports,
all of them have died.

AMERIABANK OFFICIAL PAGE CREATED IN BLOOMBERG SYSTEM

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.07.2009 12:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ameriabank CJSC official page is created in
Bloomberg system with AMRB ID, where online are recorded RA government
and corporate bonds, including IMEX Group bonds, the Bank spot and
forward currency exchange rates in relation to AMD, interbank deposits
interest rates and loans, as well as interest rates’ repo and reverse
repo. Ameriabank is one of the only banks in Armenia, which has its
own page in this popular information system, which is known throughout
the world by providing correct and accurate financial information,
the bank’s press service reported.

Bloomberg news agency serves customers from nearly 100 countries and
includes a few thousand of windows, and special sections of Bloomberg
News, which allows clients to find any information on currencies,
stocks, commodities, futures and options, as well as all prices
displayed in real time.

Ameriabank CJSC plans to expand the list of services in the Bloomberg
provided by the Bank over the next three months.

In the Bloomberg System, the Ameriabank page provides an opportunity
to foreign investors to see information about the Bank services at
any time.