Author: Torgomian Varazdat

ARMENIAN GROWTH ACCELERATES IN FEBRUARY
Emil Danielyan

/1990731.html
22.03.2010

Armenia’s economic recovery accelerated in February, with Gross
Domestic Product increasing by 3.1 percent in the first two months
of this year, the latest government statistics show.

The year-on-year figure is up from a GDP growth rate of 2.4 percent
registered by the National Statistical Service (NSS) in January. The
modest growth followed last year’s 14.4 percent contraction of the
Armenian economy resulting from the global credit crunch.

The Armenian government and Western lending institutions forecast late
last year that the economy will expand by only 1.2 percent in 2010.

Officials from the International Monetary Fund revised the forecast
upwards last month.

With retail trade and other services flat in January-February, industry
remained the driving force behind the unfolding recovery. The NSS
data show industrial output growing by 9.4 percent on the year and
generating just over one-third of Armenia’s GDP during this period.

Rising international prices of copper and other base metals,
the country’s number one export item, appear to be the main factor
behind this upswing. That also explains why Armenian exports jumped by
53.5 percent to $121.4 million. And in a sign of recovering domestic
consumer demand, the NSS reported an almost 17 percent rise in imports
totaling $503.8 million in the two-month period.

The official statistics also indicate a further slowing of the decline
of the local construction industry, the main engine of Armenia’s
robust growth in the decade preceding the recession. The construction
sector shrunk by 2.7 percent in January-February, compared with its
36.4 percent slump registered in 2009.

The period in question also saw a further increase in consumer price
inflation. A year-on-year inflation rate of 8.2 percent recorded by
the NSS is almost twice higher than the maximum inflation target set
by the government and the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) for 2010.

Citing the continuing rise in inflationary pressures on the
economy, the CBA raised its benchmark re-financing rate by another
50 percent basis points to 6.5 percent on March 9. It was the third
consecutive rate increase approved by the CBA board in less than two
months. In a statement posted on its website, the bank attributed the
higher-than-expected inflation to rising international commodity and
foodstuff prices as well as the renewed growth.

The question of whether or not Armenia is emerging from its most
serious economic downturn since the early 1990s is a matter of
serious contention in the country’s political arena and even within
its governing coalition. Trade and Economic Minister Nerses Yeritsian
declared late last month that the economic crisis is over. The claim
was publicly challenged not only by opposition leaders but Gagik
Tsarukian, an influential businessman whose Prosperous Armenia Party
controls three ministerial portfolios.

A senior World Bank official likewise cautioned recently that Armenia
has only overcome "the acute phase of the crisis."

Turan News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 18 2010

Azeri opposition parties reject Karabakh conflict resolution plan

Baku, 18 March: A number of opposition forces of Azerbaijan today held
discussions at the headquarters of the Democratic Party [of
Azerbaijan] on the situation in Karabakh peace talks.

The leaders of the Democratic Party (DPA), of the Azadliq [Freedom]
bloc ([which includes] the People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party, the
Liberal Party, and the Citizen and Development Party), the Hope party
and the Azarbaycan Milli Istiqlal Party [National Independence of
Azerbaijan Party].

DPA leader Sardar Calaloglu has told Turan that the participants in
the meeting expressed concern over statements by official Baku on
Azerbaijan’s agreement to the "Madrid principles". The opposition
believes that this plan runs counter to Azerbaijan’s national
interests as it envisages holding a referendum on the status of
Nagornyy Karabakh.

"This means secession of the region from Azerbaijan," Calaloglu said.

The opposition forces called on the authorities to reject this plan.
Otherwise, the opposition will organize civil resistance to the
"Madrid principles", the DPA leader said.

‘SERBIA WILL APOLOGIZE FOR SREBRENICA SLAUGHTER,’ TURKISH FM SAYS

Hurriyet
March 18 2010
Turkey

Turkey’s top diplomat said Thursday that Serbia would soon officially
"apologize" for the Srebrenica Massacre that claimed the lives of
hundreds of Bosnian Muslims in 1995.

"The next step is the apology to be released by the Serbs over the
Srebrenica slaughter," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a small
group of journalists accompanying him en route to Bulgaria.

In recent months, Davutoglu has engaged in intense diplomatic talks
between Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the
region in an effort to end potential strife between the neighboring
nations. Earlier, Turkey-mediated talks had prompted Serbia and Bosnia
and Herzegovina to appoint ambassadors to each others’ capitals.

Despite Davutoglu’s statements, the Serbian parliament is only expected
to issue a declaration expressing its sadness over the loss of innocent
lives during the 1992-1995 war periods. Davutoglu will initiate more
meetings between the two countries in the upcoming months to ensure
stable progress in the region.

"Turks and Serbs were in a 1,000-year-old conflict. It goes back to
the 12th century. However, our problems with Armenia are only 100
years old," Davutoglu said. "If we can solve problems in the Balkans
with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, why can’t we do the same
with Armenia?"

Noting that the mood of the bilateral relations between Turkey
and Serbia has drastically changed within the span of just a year,
Davutoglu said he had met with his Serbian counterpart 11 times in
the last six months.

"Armenians do not talk with us on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. But we
say the opposite: If we could solve the problem with Serbs through
dialogue, we can do it with you as well," the Turkish foreign minister
said. "We tell them, thanks to our efforts, Bosnia and Herzegovina
and Serbia could overcome their problems. Let us do the same for you
and Azerbaijan."

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

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE MUSLIM POPULATION IN
EGYPT

His Holiness Aram I sent a letter of condolences to the Sunni Muslim
Leadership and the Leadership of Al Azhar University upon the passing away
of Muhammad Tantawi, Sheikh of al-Azhar, who died of heart attack in Riyadh.
In his letter the Catholicos mentioned that the Sheikh of al-Azhar would be
remembered for his contribution to interfaith dialogue. Bishop Kegham
Khatcherian the Prelate of Lebanon personally conveyed the condolences of
His Holiness Aram I to the Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Kabbani.

##
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.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT SYRIA ON MARCH 22ND

SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency
March 18 2010

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian will visit Syria on March 22nd
23rd in response to an invitation from President Bashar al-Assad,
Armenian Ambassador to Damascus Arshak Poladyan said on Wednesday.

"During the visit several agreements will be signed in numerous
fields," the Ambassador told a press conference.

"We have direct political dialogue with Syria on all levels and Syria
has expressed, in many occasions, her readiness to help normalizing
relations between Armenia and Turkey and Azerbaijan", the Armenian
Ambassador said.

Poladyan added that President Sargsian’s first visit to Syria is
historical and plays an important role in deepening the good relations
between Syria and Armenia, describing his country’s relations with
the Arab countries, particularly with Syria as "historical and
traditional".

He pointed out that the historical Syrian-Armenian relations are a
good opportunity for developing the political, economic and cultural
relations between the two countries. Following its independence,
Armenia opened an embassy in Damascus and a consulate in Aleppo and
an honorary consulate in Deir-Ezzor a few days ago, which reflects
its desire to develop good relations with Syria.

He indicated that on the sidelines of the visit, a Syrian-Armenian
joint cultural show will be performed at al-Assad House for Culture
and Art. The 2-day show includes Spartacus Ballet for the artist and
composer Aram Khachaturian organized in cooperation with the Syrian
National Symphony .

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN WOMEN’S HANDBALL TOURNAMENT IN ISRAEL

Tert.am
16:45 ~U 18.03.10

On March 19-21 and April 2-4, 2010, eight teams will convene
in two regions to play the 2010 IHF/EHF (International Handball
Federation/European Handball Federation) Women’s Challenge Trophy. The
sixth edition of the competition will be hosted by the National
Federations of Estonia and Israel, according to the official EHF
website.

This edition of the competition is a cooperation event between
the International Handball Federation and the European Handball
Federation. Teams from Cyprus, Israel, Malta and Armenia will be
participating in the March tournament (which will be held in Israel).

EBRD PRESIDENT THOMAS MIROW VISITS ARMENIA

ARKA
March 18, 2010

YEREVAN, March 18, /ARKA/. EBRD President Thomas Mirow has arrived
today in Armenia as part of his three-day trip to the South Caucasus.

This will be Mr. Mirow’s first official visit to Armenia since taking
office in July 2008.

EBRD President will meet the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan,
as well as other senior officials including Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan, Minister of Economy and EBRD Governor from Armenia Nerses
Yeritsian, Minister of Finance Tigran Davtian and Governor of the
Central Bank Artur Javadian.

He will also meet the heads of local partner banks as well as the
representatives from the diplomatic community.

During his visit, Mr. Mirow will underline the EBRD’s continued
commitment to Armenia, promote the continuation of the reform process
in the country, as well as further growth and development of the
region.

The EBRD has stepped up its support to Armenia in light of the global
financial crisis. The Bank has committed [email protected] million to Armenia
in 2009, which is a record high number. Most of the EBRD’s portfolio
in Armenia is in the private sector.

The EBRD is one of the largest investor in Armenia, with more than
~@393 million committed in over 77 projects in many sectors of the
Armenian economy.

MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS: THE TALKS WITH ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WERE CONSTRUCTIVE

Armradio.am
18.03.2010 11:09

PARIS, 17 March 2010 – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Ambassadors Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, Bernard Fassier of France,
and Robert Bradtke of the United States, released the following
statement today:

"The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov,
the Russian Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier, France; and
Ambassador Robert Bradtke, United States) met with Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian March 16 in Paris, where they held a working
session. They discussed the Armenian comments on the Co-Chairs’ latest
formulations of the Basic Principles for the peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The talks were held in a constructive
spirit, and will be continued during the forthcoming travel of the
Co-Chairs to Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabakh."

ROMANIA SUPPORTS SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH BASING ON COUNTRIES’ TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND INVIOLABILITY OF BORDERS

APA
March 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Viktoria Dementieva – APA. Romania supports peaceful solution
to Nagorno Karabakh conflict basing on the territorial integrity.

APA reports that Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, who is
paying official visit to Azerbaijan, said this at the press conference
held with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov.

"We want the conflict to be solved within the international law,
basing on the principles of the countries’ territorial integrity and
inviolability of the borders," Minister underlined.

He noted that he was optimistic of the prospects of the solution to
the conflict.

TWO ARMENIAN – SLOVAKIAN DOCUMENTS SIGNED

Aysor
March 18 2010
Armenia

The Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Miroslav Laychak, is now in Armenia
by the invitation of the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

During the visit he had to have meetings with the Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan and RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

As the journalist of Aysor.am reports in the frameworks of the meeting
of the two Foreign Ministers have been signed an agreement on Air
communication and a memorandum on Mutual understanding.

Document signing will be followed by a joint press conference.

There will be launched an Armenian – Slovakian business forum in
Yerevan in the frameworks of the Slovakian visit.