Author: Tumanian Talar

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT OFFERS A NEW BRAND TO THE ARMENIAN BRANDY WHICH WILL EXPRESS ITS ESSENCE

Arminfo
2010-05-20 15:48:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian government offers a new brand ‘Arbun’ to the
Armenian brandy, Deputy agriculture Minister Samvel Galstyan said at
today’s sitting of the government.

He also added such decision is conditioned by the necessity of
difference of the Armenian brandy made of local grape from the brandy
made of the imported grape spirit (in a volume up to 40%). The new
brand will be called ‘Arbun’ from the Armenian verb ‘harbel’ which
means to go to the head. As Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan said,
the new brand may come into general use in time, though it may sound
unusual at the beginning.

Such decision was adopted to simplify the procedure of brandy export.

According to Lisbon Agreement on preserving geographical names of the
origin and their international registration, such names like brandy,
bordeaux and others wereregistered as the names of the product which
they are made of; and similar drinks produced in other countries
cannot be sold in the member-states of the Agreement under the same
or similar names like ‘Armenian brandy’.

In addition, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
instructs the WTO members to work out legal mechanisms ruling out
geographical names as brands (for the products produced in the given
territory). Thus, at present the beverage under the brand "Armenian
brandy" may be exported only to several WTO countries, including
several CIS countries, as well as the USA, where the word "Armenian"
is considered enough for correct identification. The export of the
product named "brandy" to other countries is connected with big risks.

"At any moment the Russian Federation, which is considered to the
traditional and main consumer of the Armenian brandy may join the
given agreements, and the rest of WTO countries may stiffen the
requirements to protection of geographical names",- says the decision
of the government. This conditions the necessity of a new brand. When
selecting the names, the roots of ancient and new Armenian words
(including west- and east-Armenian) were considered, for instance "arb"
(with the meaning of "heady"), "gin" (wine). Finally, the word "Arbun"
was selected. The potential brands were considered with participation
of the State Language Inspection, as well as governmental departments,
public and scientific organizations and brandy producers.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS ARE BASED ON POLITICAL REALITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 14:49 AMT 09:49 GMT

Political analyst Sergey Markedonov said that the current developments
in the region – the attempts to normalize the Armenian-Turkish and
Russian-Georgian relations, are a result of empires’ collapse.

"Parallels can be drawn between the Armenian-Turkish and
Russian-Georgian relations, but these processes have more differences
than similarities," Mr. Markedonov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Heirs of the Armenian Genocide survivors became rather successful
businessmen and politicians in the U.S., Russia and Europe. The
situation with Russia and Georgia is different. From time to time,
the sides make controversial statements. Meanwhile, Georgians have
huge business in Moscow, paying taxes to the Russian budget. Besides,
Georgian cultural and political elite is also in Russia, what cannot
be said of Armenians in Turkey," he said.

Based on political reality, Armenian-Turkish relations are more
rational than Russian-Georgian ones, according to Mr. Markedonov.

"Initially, many "optimists" were inadequately estimating the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols, but the countries have managed to achieve
the maximum," the expert said, adding that the most important thing
is that the process has started, despite the influence of internal
and external political factors.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SUBMITS PROJECTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ARMELECTROMASH AND NAIRIT PLANTS TO EURASEC ANTI-CRISIS FUND

ArmInfo
2010-05-21 19:41:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian Government has submitted projects on development
of Armelectromash and Nairit plants to the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund,
said Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan at today’s sitting of
heads of EurAsEC member countries’ governments, ArmInfo correspondent
reported from St. Petersburg. "In our opinion, these projects have a
regional importance, and other countries of EurAsEC may be interested
in them",- said the premier. At the same time, he pointed out that
the Armenian government has suggested allocating a new loan for
construction of the North-South railway. He added that the Armenian
government is also ready to provide guarantees for implementation
of the project, as the latter has not only socio-economic, but also
political significance. "Taking into account the fact that Armenia’s
railways are under concessional management of the Russian Railway,
we think this project may be interesting within EurAsEC",- he said
and suggested discussing this proposal with his counterparts.

On 25 Feb 2010 the finance ministers of EurAsEC member countries met
in Moscow and determined the limits of access of EurAsEC member states
to the means of the Anti-Crisis Fund. According to the decision taken,
Armenia may count on 13% of the total volume of the means. In 2010
the amount of EurAsEC Anti- Crisis Fund is estimated at 8 bln USD. It
was reported earlier that the Fund expects Armenia to apply for 601.6
mln EUR.

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTRY: IF SECOND KARABAKH WAR BEGINS, ARMENIA TO BE DEFEATED
M. Aliyev

Trend
May 21 2010
Azerbaijan

If a second Karabakh war begins, Armenia will be defeated, the
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

"If the second Karabakh war begins, Armenia will be defeated,"
the ministry reported. "We say this because we are confident in
our arsenal and the readiness of our soldiers. Until our lands are
under occupation, Azerbaijan will continue to arm its own forces. The
situation in the Armenian army is very poor. The heads of Armenian
state bodies say this. Armenia is in a difficult economic situation."

Its military base is ruined, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman,
Lieutenant-Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu said at a press conference on the
contact line with the Armenian armed forces in Terter.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United
States – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.

Azerbaijan is ready for the final battle, Sabiroglu said.

"Our army has radar stations meeting world standards. They are capable
of controlling any Armenian settlements," spokesman said.

He said since January ceasefire has been broken 280 times, resulting
in casualities.

"A double blow was made in response to every loss. But the Armenians
conceal their losses. The Azerbaijani army is ready for any military
action. Our army is capable of fulfilling its task in any emergency
situation," Sabiroglu said.

For the first time, the ministry held a press conference with the
participation of heads of media and NGOs on the front line.

ACTOR ARMEN MARUTYAN REFUTES ANY CONNECTION TO CONSTRUCTION IN STUDENT PARK

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 20, 2010 – 13:05 AMT 08:05 GMT

Armenian actor Armen Marutyan refutes any connection to the
construction under way in the Student Park.

"I would stay unaware of these rumors but for this press conference,"
he said when commenting on media reports labeling him as the owner
of one of the buildings being constructed in the Student Park.

"I am the owner of a cafe nearby, but it’s underground and has nothing
to do with the ongoing construction," the actor said.

ARTAK DASHYAN MAY PULL OUT OF MATCH AGAINST ESTONIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 16:50 AMT 11:50 GMT

Armenian youth football team will play a Euro 2011 qualifier vs.
Estonia on May 20.

Halfback Artak Dashyan may pull out of match, following his injury
at the recent training session. Pyunik’s fullback Kamo Hovhannesyan
was invited to joint the team, Armenian Football Federation press
service told PanARMENIAN.Net

PASSENGER TRAFFIC GROWTH OBSERVED IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
18/05/2010

Passenger traffic has grown in Armenia, according to the statistics
of the first four months of 2010.

Press secretary of the General Department of Civil Aviation, Nelly
Cherchinyan said, 137,283 passengers departed and 116,808 others
arrived at Zvartnots Airport during the first four months this year.

Note that passenger traffic growth is observed during the first
three-four months every year.

133,639 passengers left the country at the fist quarter of 2007,
while at the last quarter of the year those arriving in the country
were 204,179. The statistics for 2008 shows 153746 passengers left the
country at the fist quarter, and 219,425 others arrived at the last
quarter. For the same periods of 2009, 129,651 passengers departed
and 201,925 people arrived.

MUSEUMS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH MOVEMENT PROBLEMS

ARMENPRESS
MAY 17, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS: May 18 is the International Day of
Museums. This holiday has appeared in the calendars of all the
countries in 1977, when a decision was adopted at the 11th assembly
of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to proclaim May 18 an
international day of museums. Hasmik Harutyunyan, chairperson of the
Armenian National Committee of the International Council of Museums,
said today at a meeting with journalists that every year May 18 is
conducted by the ICOM under some slogan, and this year it will be
"Museums for the sake of Harmonious Society".

IFC HELPS ARMENIA DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FINANCE PRODUCTS

ARKA
May 17, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 17. /ARKA/. International Finance Corporation, a member
of the World Bank Group, is helping Armenian financial institutions
develop sustainable energy finance products, thereby increasing
renewable energy generation and lowering electricity waste and
greenhouse-gas emissions, the IFC press office reported on Monday.

As part of IFC’s regional strategy to address climate change and
promote energy efficiency and renewable energy markets, today IFC’s
Armenia Sustainable Energy Finance Project hosted a seminar on energy
efficiency and renewable energy financing opportunities for Armenian
banks and leasing firms. "Since Armenia imports two-thirds of its
energy from abroad, developing renewable energy sources and unlocking
energy efficiency potential is a top priority for the country,"
the press release says.

IFC experts discussed the key findings of the energy efficiency survey
conducted by IFC among Armenian industrial companies.

"There is huge potential for energy efficiency in Armenian industry,
and tapping into that resource will be beneficial both for companies
and the financial institutions in the country," the press office
quoted Tigran Parvanyan, Armenia Sustainable Energy Finance Project
Manager. "Renewable energy also plays a critical role in decreasing
dependence on imported fuel and raising Armenia’s energy security."

The Armenia Sustainable Energy Finance Project aims to establish
a sustainable market for energy efficiency and renewable energy
investments and contribute to Armenia’s energy self-sufficiency by
working with local and international financial institutions.

According to the press release, the project’s main goal is to
facilitate at least $35 million of energy efficiency lending and
renewable energy investments, decreasing greenhouse-gas emissions,
improving the energy efficiency of small and medium enterprises,
and increasing the share of renewable energy resources in Armenia’s
energy generation portfolio.

The project was launched in January 2010 and is run in partnership
with the Austrian Ministry of Finance.

International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group,
creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their
lives and fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries
by supporting private sector development, mobilizing capital for
private enterprise, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services
to businesses and governments.

The IFC new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping
channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis.

Armenia became a IFC member in 1995.

IFC has been investing in Armenia since 2000 to support financial
institutions, small retailers, and the hotel industry, among others.

It also has implemented advisory projects to strengthen the financial
sector, establish a sustainable market for energy efficiency and
renewable energy investments, and improve the country’s business
environment.

QUAKE HITS ARMENIA AT BORDER WITH NAKHICHEVAN

Aysor
May 17 2010
Armenia

The quake measuring 2,7 on the Richter scale has hit region
23 kilometers southwest from the Vayq town, nearing the
Armenia-Nakhichevan border. A spokesperson to National Service of
Seismic Protection of Armenia told Aysor that the quake struck at
2:25 pm and measured 3-4 in its epicenter.

There is not any information on fatalities and damage.