Author: Virabian Jhanna

Armenia and the UAE to sign an agreement on "Collaboration for use of
atomic energy for peaceful purposes"

YEREVAN, 15 MAY, NOYAN TAPAN: During its May 13 session, the Armenian
government gave consent to the signing of an agreement between Armenia
and the United Arab Emirates on "Collaboration for the use of atomic
energy for peaceful purposes".

As RA Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan noted,
the proposal to sign an agreement in the sphere of atomic energy
studies was presented by the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs during
the visit to the UAE by the Armenian delegation headed by RA Deputy
Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan on 2010 January 17-20. According to
Movsisyan, the governments of Armenia and the UAE attach importance to
the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. It will assist in the
multifaceted development of economy, as well as contribute to advanced
developments of science and technology, the introduction of leading
technologies and provide the opportunity to preserve natural resources
for organic fuel.

The signing of the agreement envisages that the collaboration between
both countries in the atomic energy sphere will serve for the use of
atomic energy only for peaceful purposes and not for the creation of
nuclear weapons, other nuclear explosive devices or for achieving
other strategic goals. The agreement regulates the conditions for
investments being made within the framework of trade relations and
bilateral assistance projects throughout the collaboration, as well as
issues related to the defense and distribution of rights to
intellectual ownership and transit transfers of nuclear materials
through the territories of the states.

New botanical and zoo park to be founded in Yerevan

13:36 15/05/2010 » Society

A new, modern botanical and zoo park will be founded in the canyon of
Hrazdan, Yerevan. The representatives and directors of Amsterdam’s and
Singapore’s zoo parks and `Wild nature and cultural values protection’
organization have had discussion in the Municipality of Yerevan.
The sketches are ready and they’ve been introduced to the Mayor,
Municipality’s information and PR department told Panorama.am. The
Mayor liked the sketches and promised to support the project.
According to the project the local residents and foreign guests may
enjoy different plants, animals, birds common to our climatic
conditions. Several types of animals recorded in the Red Book are
supposed to be taken to the park for permanent residence, which could
contribute to reducing the danger level.
A scientific-research center and college should also be founded in the
park where students from South Caucasus may study. All the necessary
things to provide comfort and pleasure to the park’s residents and the
visitors will be guaranteed.
The Municipality representative said that 60-year-old Yerevan zoo park
will also accept visitors.

Source: Panorama.am

LANGUAGE TRAP?: CAMPAIGN AGAINST REMOVAL OF BAN ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOLS ON RISE IN ARMENIA
Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow reporter
n/23122/armenia_foreign_language_education_debate
Education | 14.05.10 | 13:16

A civil campaign is gathering momentum in blogs and internet forums
to stop the government from allowing the removal of the legal ban
on state-funded foreign language schools in Armenia. Critics say
the move will diminish the status of the country’s state language,
Armenian, and endanger one of the biggest achievements of independence
– language sovereignty.

While the government says that allowing a limited number of state
schools to teach curricula in a language other than Armenian will only
improve the quality of education in Armenia, critics fear that the
decision reflects the desire to restore primarily Russian language
education, which was banned in Armenia’s state schools in the early
1990s shortly after the country gained independence. By that time,
a considerable number of people in Armenia had completed secondary
education in Russian, the state language in the former Soviet Union
that was required for any successful career.

The number of members of a Facebook campaign "We Are Against Reopening
Foreign Language Schools" has exceeded a thousand within a matter of
days and continues to grow.

The controversial legislative initiative of the Ministry of Education
and Science has been sent to the National Assembly for approval. The
discussion of the bill in the legislature is scheduled for next week.

If approved, the changes in the laws "On the Language" and "On
General Education" will lead to the opening of 28 foreign language
(Russian, English) schools where all subjects will be taught in a
foreign language.

Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan says the idea would not
have been approved by the government if it were a bad one. According
to him, the establishment of such schools is simply a necessity,
since many turn to him personally to help have their children studying
in Russian.

"Why cannot such [foreign language] schools exist in Armenia,
especially that they already exist in the region – in Georgia,
Azerbaijan, Turkey?" said the minister, stressing that by the proposed
legislation the number of such schools cannot exceed two percent of
the total number of schools in the country.

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan said in a recent interview with
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that anyone has the right to education
that would give them sufficient grounds for continuing it on the
international level in the future.

"I am for our national school to give that kind of education, but
our national school does not give that education. If we had strong
education, we would not be afraid of those [proposed] 28 schools. Who
was an obstacle to us during these 20 years to reform our education
and raise it to the international level?" said Harutyunyan.

Member of the pressure group against the reopening of foreign-language
schools in Armenia, journalist Vahan Ishkhanyan considers the reasons
given by the education minister and the ombudsman to be ‘racist’.

"Underestimating the Armenian education that gives an Armenian language
mentality, they show racism against those who have an Armenian language
mentality as they suggest that a person with Armenian education cannot
have international contacts. In reality, facts show that many with
Armenian education have managed to enter the best universities of
the world," says Ishkhanyan.

In a statement issued by the Ararat Center for Strategic Research its
director Armen Ayvazyan points out that the legislation diminishes
Article 12 of Armenia’s Constitution by which Armenian is declared to
be the state language of the Republic of Armenia, as well as Article
89 according to which the government of Armenia shall implement state
policy in the sphere of education and which is now properly reflected
in the current law "On the Language".

Armenia’s opposition Heritage party also issued a statement saying
that foreign language schools in Armenia can be only non-state,
in a limited number, and be senior schools where Armenian studies,
literature and the Armenian people’s history will be mandatory for
citizens of Armenia and where education will correspond to the state
criteria.

Last week, Armenia’s main opposition alliance, Armenian National
Congress, also released a statement castigating the government over the
move to introduce the new legislation and saying that the initiative is
"a result of provincialism, threatening to put at stake and destroy
one of the main achievements of independence – the system of united
national school providing general educational."

Members of the civil campaign against the government initiative also
say the opening of foreign language schools is sabotage against the
Armenian language and independent statehood.

They also contest the minister’s arguments that foreign language
schools provide higher-quality education: "The Armenian language,
which has a literary history of a thousand years, is capable of meeting
all requirements of the modern-day education system. The quality of
education depends not on the language of teaching but on curricula,
principles of teaching, skills of specialists and approaches to
organization."

The group suggests implementing a large-scale national program,
Translators’ Movement, based on the application of information
technologies and translation of world literature to raise the
competitiveness of the Armenian language. They say it is particularly
necessary to create computer-based and online translator programs,
for example Google Translate for the Armenian language, as well as
develop Armenian resources online, such as Wikipedia, and other online
encyclopedic resources.

Members of the initiative group find that by admitting the failure
to solve the problems of the education system and raise the quality
of teaching, including of foreign languages in Armenian schools,
the minister calls into question his own correspondence to the post.

ZAHIR KANDASOGLU SAYS ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDERS MUST OPEN

ARMENPRESS
MAY 14, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: It is indisputable that the
Armenian-Turkish borders must open and all the obstacles for importing
and exporting must be cleared, stated Zahir Kandasoglu, Chairman of
Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At today’s meeting, organized at
RA Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers), Mr. Kandasoglu
said most of the states of the world open their borders, so Turkey
and Armenia should do the same. He expressed his gratitude for the
opportunity of visiting Armenia and informed that he had been invited
by an Armenia businessman at a fair in Izmir.

‘Our Government tends to establish good relations with its neighbors
and removes all the obstacles for developing trade with them. The
Turkish entrepreneurs want to establish strong cooperation with you,’
the Turkish businessman said. He added that the works, implemented
in Van, have already proven to be effective- one of the important
buildings for the Armenians, Surb Khach Church on Aghtamar Island,
was reconstructed.

Arsen Ghazaryan, President of RA Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen
(Employers), said the union had established a committee for the support
to Armenian-Turkish business in 1997. ‘We have a conviction that it
is the businessmen, who must level a road for bringing the economies
and cultures of the two states together. In this way the concerns of
politicians will be eliminated as well,’ Arsen Ghazaryan said.

‘The province of Van is such an area, the business of which may feel
the strong influence of the establishment of trade-economic relations
and opening of the borders,’ Arsen Ghazaryan added. He expressed
hope that the Turkish Government will ‘eventually understand that one
should contact and work with his neighbor and enter into conflicts’.

A number of Armenian and Turkish businessmen took part in the meeting
and it is quite possible that they design and implement joint business
projects in the near future.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES MEMBER OF POLISH SEJM SENATOR L. ABGAROVIC

ARMENPRESS
MAY 14, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: On May 13, Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II received the members of the Armenian-Polish parliamentary
friendly group of the Polish Sejm, headed by member of the Polish
Sejm Senator Lucas Abgarovich.

Press service of the Mother See told Armenpress that welcoming the
visit of the delegation to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin His
Holiness once again expressed his condolence for the deaths of Polish
President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, a number of high-ranking officials
and clergymen as a result of a plane crash, assuring that the Polish
people will overcome that pain thanks to their belief in God.

"We recognize the Polish people as pious ones and we should note
with gratitude that our relations are warm both with the Polish state
authority and with the church. The ties between our two peoples have
a history of centuries, the proof of which is the existence of the
Armenian community in Poland and we are thankful that the authorities
of your country exert all their efforts for facilitating the national
life our sons and daughters.

Today the Armenian Apostolic Church is celebrating the Ascension Day,
and we want to give our blessing and wishes to you and your people
asking the Most High to protect our countries, people and churches,"
His Holiness noted in his speech.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm speech and prayers, Senator
Abgarovich noted that people in Poland highly assess the efforts
and energy which Armenia invests in prosperity of the country and in
development of Polish culture.

"Unfortunately the time of our visit is little, and we cannot share
happiness with you, but we will surely find time for praying and
lighting our candle in S. Echmiadzin cathedral," Lukas Abgarovich,
who is from the Armenian Diocese, said.

The Polish delegation was accompanied by Polish Ambassador to Armenia
Zdislav Rachinsky and Armenian Ambassador to Poland Ashot Galoyan.

MEDVEDEV OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS, KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ITAR-TASS
May 12 2010
Russia

ANKARA, May 12 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said
on Wednesday he hoped Turkey and Armenia will be able to "restore
full-fledged relations."

"We are closely watching the development of relations [between Ankara
and Yerevan] and hope the positive momentum gained after the signing
of relevant documents in Zurich will go on," Medvedev told a news
conference after his talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Although, Medvedev noted, "the process of mending relations between
the two countries are not easy and find different response in Turkey
and Armenia."

"Encouraging steps have recently been taken to settle the Nagorny
Karabakh problem," Medvedev noted. "The sides are holding meetings,
are speaking with each other, certain progress has been reached on a
number of issues, but it does not mean all issues have been agreed. I
personally offered the two presidents my intermediary services. I
hope it will go on. Naturally, other members of the [OSCE] Minsk group
should make their contributions, but all the issues should be discussed
by the conflicting sides, i.e. Armenia and Azerbaijan, first."

The Russian president refused to comment on "certain disputable
aspects" of the Karabakh settlement, saying "the subject requires
more scrupulousness."

ASSOCIATION TALKS TO OPEN WITH ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA
Joanna Sopinska

armenia_association_talks
News | 12.05.10 | 09:58

Europolitics, The European Affairs daily

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The European Union’s foreign ministers rubber-stamped, on 10 May,
the mandate for the European Commission to launch talks with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia on association agreements. "I look forward
to the launch of negotiations on these ambitious and comprehensive
agreements," said Catherine Ashton, the Union’s foreign affairs chief
in a statement following the decision. "This is a clear sign of our
strong commitment to further deepen the relationship between the EU
and the countries of the South Caucasus on the basis of shared values
and principles, including democracy, the rule of law and respect for
human rights," she added.

Association agreements are part of the Eastern Partnership project,
launched by the EU a year ago in Prague with the aim of enhancing
relations with the six former Soviet republics (Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine). Apart from political relations, they
cover trade aspects aiming at establishing a ‘deep free trade area’
between the EU and the participating countries.

According to EU sources, the Commission intends to finalize
negotiations on the political part of the agreements within two years.

Talks on the more complex trade-related issues might last over three
years, according to an EU official. The Commission intends to treat
the three South Caucasus countries as "a package" and carry out talks
with them simultaneously. However, the outcome of the negotiations
will be assessed individually, specifies the EU source.

To date, the Union has launched negotiations on association agreements
within the framework of the Eastern Partnership with Ukraine and
Moldova.

JEAN-PAUL BRET EN ARMENIE ET AU KARABAKH
par Stephane

armenews
.php
lundi10 mai 2010
ARMENIE

En visite en Armenie, le maire de Villeurbanne, Jean-Paul Bret, a
ete recu au siège de la FRA Dachnagtsoutioun par Vahan Hovhannisyan
du bureau mondial.

Les relations armeno-turques ont tenu une place importante lors de
la rencontre : " C’est un long processus comprenant trois etapes.

Premièrement, il devrait etre mise en place des relations diplomatiques
et l’ouverture de la frontière. La deuxième etape pourrait impliquer
la discussion des problèmes urgents. Ensuite, les parties seraient
en mesure de signer certains accords " a declare Vahan Hovhannisyan
lors de la reunion avec le maire de Villeurbanne Jean-Paul Bret,
precisant que la FRA ne s’est jamais opposee a la normalisation des
relations armeno-turques.

M. Hovhannisyan a note que le processus armeno-turque a reveille la
mentalite armenienne. " Les forces politiques ne parlent pas seulement
de la necessite de la reconnaissance du genocide armenien, mais aussi
de l’indemnisation de ses consequences", a-t-il dit.

M. Bret a declare pour sa part qu’en sortant du processus de
ratification des protocoles sur la normalisation des relations, la
Turquie a gravement endommage son image internationale. "La Turquie
met a l’ecran sa politique secrète par ces Protocoles" , dit-il.

La delegation conduite par M. Bret se rendra en visite du
Haut-Karabakh, le 2 et 3 mai, tandis qu’une reunion avec le ministre
armenien des Affaires etrangères Edward Nalbandian est prevue pour
le 4 mai.

ASHOT GULYAN: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND NKR’S RIGHT FOR SELF DETERMINATION INDISPUTABLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 10, 2010 – 19:46 AMT 14:46 GMT

Upon completion of Hay Dat committee conference in Stepanakert,
conference delegates had a meeting with NKR parliamentary speaker
Ashot Gulyan. During the meeting, NKR parliamentary speaker presented
Stepanakert’s position and future actions.

Ashot Gulyan characterized Armenian Genocide and NKR’s right for
self determination as indisputable, emphasizing the importance
of Karabakh’s involvement in negotiations. The parties agreed that
cession of territories will not contribute to establishment of peace,
instead, increasing the probability of a war.

Representatives of Hay Dat committees also met Archbishop Pargev
Martirosyan, the Head of Artsakh Eparchy of Armenian Apostolic Church.

Pargev Martirosyan briefed those present on Artsakh Eparchy activities,
giving high assessment to people’s renewed ties with the church,
ARF Dashnaktsutyun press service reported.

Aysor, Armenia
May 8 2010

‘Liberation of Shushi a respond to those, who unleashed war’

The Press Office of the State Administration of Armenia released
Saturday a congratulatory message by country’s President Serzh
Sargsyan on the occasion of the Victory and Peace Day.

`Dear fellow countrymen, dear veterans,

I congratulate you on the Victory and Peace Day. The signal victory of
the Great Patriotic War became historic to our nation, providing a new
start and a powerful impetus to a peaceful and creative development of
our economy and culture.

Our nation regretted nothing striving for victory. We’ve suffered
heavy losses and causalities, which will be remembered and
commemorated by our descendants. We had got heroes and generals, whose
feat as example of patriotism and military skills will inspire both
this and future generations.

By fate, this day of May 9 brought a new victory to the Armenian
history in 1992. The liberation of Shushi brought honor to the brave
Armenian soldiers. This was a respond to those, who unleashed war,
ethnic massacres and mass killings against our nation. Henceforth the
Armenian nation is fixed in its purpose to live free and prevent any
violence against itself.

Today we bow our heads to those never-dying heroes, who claimed these
May-day victories, who by their blood earned rights of our nation to
live and develop, to have a historical opportunity and future. We are
grateful to them.

Once again let me offer you my warmest congratulations on this great
Victory. We are proud of our victories and we will strengthen them
through our constructive work.’