Author: Hovhannisian John

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

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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER
THE CREATION OF GOGUIKIAN EDUCATIONAL FUND

In the evening of Tuesday, 18 May 2010, His Holiness Aram I presided over
the establishment of the Goguikian Educational Fund for University Students
at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut. Mr. Michel Goguigian, Mr. Jean Goguigian’s
son, initiated the setting up of the Fund with the support and blessings of
His Holiness Aram I. Leaders and representatives from the Lebanese-Armenian
community – religious and political, Armenian Members of Parliament and
Government Minister – as well as representatives of other Lebanese
communities including Government Ministers and Members of Parliament
attended the ceremony. Mr. Michel Goguigian and the Director General of the
Fund, Mrs. S Hayek addressed the present, following which an agreement was
signed by the President of the Fund and the Presidents of the American
University of Beirut, the University of Saint Joseph, Haigazian University,
the Lebanes-American University and the University of Ballamand.

In his closing address, His Holiness, the Catholicos, paid tribute to the
role Mr. Jean Goguigian had played as a member of the Lebanese diplomatic
corps. Moreover, His Holiness prized Mr. Michel Goguigian’s initiative and
decorated him with the Knight of The Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia award.

Mr. Jean Goguigian has had forty years’ service as a diplomat representing
Lebanon and the first Lebanese-Armenian to occupy Ambassadorial posts
representing Lebanon. As to his son, Michel, he is the President of the
Central Bank of Venezuela and has always supported our community.

The Fund is set up to help those Lebanese-Armenian students who meet the
conditions set in the bylaws to study at the above mentioned Universities.
The bylaws can be accessed on the Funds website. Selections will be made by
the selection Committee according to the bylaws.

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View the photos here:
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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.

ARMENIA TO OVERCOME CRISIS IN 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 14:14 AMT 09:14 GMT

French Minister of Economic Recovery Plan and President of the
General Council of Hauts-de-Seine department Patrick Devedjian said
that although the global crisis has affected Armenia’s economy,
the republic will overcome the depression in 2010.

"Today, Armenia is still affected by the crisis, which resulted in
suspension of a range of construction projects. However, I believe
that Armenia will start recovering in 2010," Devedjian told a press
conference in Yerevan on May 21.

"Armenia has recorded a considerable progress as compared with my
first visit in 1991," Devedjian said, adding that some activation is
observed in economy, as the Armenian nation has always been remarkable
for its spirit of enterprise and diligence.

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS ARGENTINEAN OBSERVERS

armradio.am
21.05.2010 18:01

On 21 May President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
received Jose Ameghino Arbo, member of the Argentina’s National
Congress Chamber of Deputies and Argentina public and political figure
Sergio Nahabedyan who arrived in Artsakh to observe the parliamentary
elections, Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR
President reported.

The President underlined the importance of Argentinean observers’
participation in the parliamentary elections, noting that Argentina
had always displayed impartial and objective stance towards the
events taking place in the republic and the whole region abstaining
from unnecessary politicization.

Issues related to bilateral relations, as well as domestic and foreign
policy of the republic were discussed during the meeting.

YEREVAN HAILS ARGENTINA’S BALANCED STANCE ON KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 20, 2010 – 14:14 AMT 09:14 GMT

Argentina’s newly appointed Ambassador to Armenia Miguel Angel Cuneo
handed his credentials to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

The Armenian President congratulated the diplomat on the appointment
and stressed that Armenia attaches importance to its relations with
Argentina and is interested in their further development.

Noting that Armenia’s first embassy was opened right in Argentina,
Mr. Sargsyan expressed hope that the Ambassador will contribute to
boosting bilateral relations and pledged all kind of support to the
diplomat’s mission. He also hailed Argentina’s balanced stance on
the Karabakh conflict.

The two men also prioritized the necessity of facilitating economic
ties.

Besides, they referred to Argentinean Armenians’ contribution to the
development of bilateral relations, noting that the Armenian community
serves as a bridge between Armenia and Argentine, the presidential
press service reported.

YEREVAN, ORENBURG TO SIGN A DEAL ON COOPERATION

Aysor
May 20 2010
Armenia

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan hosted Thursday Governor of
the Orenburg Region of Russia Aleksey Chernyshyev, who is on a
visit to Armenia on the head of the Russian delegation of numerous
representatives of the various spheres, a spokesperson for the
Armenians State Administration said.

The visit’s agenda is to sign a deal on the bilateral cooperation
between Yerevan and Orenburg, aiming at clarification of the common
directions of the cooperation and establishment of the mutually
beneficial relations.

Armenia’s President stressed that high-level political relations must
be strengthened by economical ties and programs.

50% OF ARMENIA’S EMIGRANTS PREFER RUSSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 14:50 AMT 09:50 GMT

Head of the Census and Demography Department of the National
Statistical Service Karine Kuyumjyan said that the total number of
air passengers made 568 600 during the first quarter of 2010. At that,
280 889 passengers arrived in Armenia and 285 748 left it.

"50% of Armenia’s emigrants prefer Russia," Kuyumjyan told a press
conference on May 19.

Besides, she noted that this figure doesn’t not reflect the entire
picture of migration, as financial resources are required to get a
clear idea about migration flows.

VODKA ‘KHLOPTSI’ REMOVED FROM SALE

ArmInfo
2010-05-19 12:51:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian State Commission for Protection of Economic
Competition has fined Alex Grig LLC for production of vodka under
brands and with design very similar to the popular brands of Ukrainian
companies. For instance, vodka "Ukraine" has been considered similar to
"Ukrainka" produced by Ukrainian Alef-Vinal Company; vodka "Khloptsi"
to "Khortitsa" by Image Holding. Vodka "Medofe" to "Medoff" and
"Premium" to "Prime" by Donetsk Liquor and Vodka Factory "Lik."

Vodka "Khlebniy Dar" was allowed for sale without any changes. Alex
Grig LLC was fined in the amount of 2.5mn drams (500,000 drams per
every violation). The company is charged to suspend activity and
remove all the above "brands" from sale.

Alex Grig and Salex Group companies are dominating in the market of
sugar, frozen fish, wheat flour, vegetable oil, child’s puree and
juices, butter and spirits in Armenia.

VTB BANK (ARMENIA) REDUCES FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS RATES

ArmInfo
2010-05-19 16:57:00

ArmInfo. The total dram credit portfolio of VTB Bank (Armenia) has
grown by 5% according to the results of the 1Q 2010. As the bank
assessed, the process of the demand activation for the dram credits
will continue, press-service of VTB Bank (Armenia) reported. Certain
passiveness of the demand for the foreign currency credits has
been noticed, which may be connected with reduction of rates at the
world market and oversupply of liquidity. The leadership of VTB Bank
(Armenia) has adopted a decision along with reduction of the interest
rates for the corporative credit products in foreign currency, to
reduce the rates for foreign currency deposits by average 2%, ruling
out small deposits of individual persons in an amount proportional
to less than 1 mln drams.

To note, over Q1 2010 VTB Bank (Armenia) increased the amount of
assets by 19% to 126 bln AMD by 1 April 2010 as compared with Q1 2009.

In the structure of assets the share of credit portfolio made up 58%,
or 73 bln AMD (0,3% quarterly growth). In the credit portfolio of the
bank the volume of crediting individuals grew by 16,6% to 26.7 bln
AMD. In particular, the lion’s share of loans for individuals fell
on consumer credits – 68,2%, or 18.2 bln AMD (almost 36% growth since
the beginning of 2010), excluding mortgage credits, the portfolio of
which amounted to 8.5 bln AMD as of the end of Q1 2010. In the credit
portfolio of VTB Bank (Armenia) the share of loans for large business
made up almost 37% – 27 bln AMD, and the loans for small and medium
business – about 27% – 19.6 bln AMD. To recall, the sole owner of
VTB Bank (Armenia) CJSC is VTB Bank (Russia).

FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA COULD BROKER KARABAKH CONFLICT – SOURCE

Interfax
May 18 2010
Russia

The French co-chairman of the OSCE (Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe) Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier, will soon step
down, a diplomatic source told Interfax on Monday.

He could be succeeded by current French Ambassador to Armenia Serge
Smesov, he said.

The Karabakh conflict is mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group which
consist of Russia, the United States and France.

Yerevan to host 2011 Pan-Armenian Games

May 15, 2010 – 17:30 AMT 12:30 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Yerevan hosted a meeting of the World Committee of the Pan-Armenian
Games Executive Committee on May 15. During it, chief judge of 2009
Pan-Armenian Games Yeghishe Davtyan submitted a reported on the games
to Committee’s President Armen Grigoryan and representatives of
Armenian communities.

According to Davtyan, 20 basketball (both men and women) and 15
football teams participated in 2009 Pan-Armenian Games.

Davtyan voiced regret over limited number of women teams, saying that,
however, the games were successful.

Yerevan will host 2011 Pan-Armenian Games, due August 13-21. According
to the chief judge, the Armenian government allocated AMD 80mln for
the games organization.

The Pan-Armenian Games’ program includes the following sports:
football, futsal, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and tennis,
athletics, swimming, badminton and chess.