AZG Armenian Daily #123, 06/07/2005
Region
GDP OF AZERBAIJAN TO INCREASE BY 16 PERCENT AGAINST ARMENIA’S 8.5
Interfax news agency informs that the first 6 months of 2005 marked 16
percent growth in Azerbaijan’s gross domestic product, whereas Armenia is
lagging behind with only 8.5 percent. Azerbaijan is leading in the sphere of
industrial growth as well with more than 19 percent growth. The index for
Armenia was 4.5 percent.
Armenia EXPO 2005
Yerkir/Arm
1 July 05
What is the Armenian market like today? What new products and services
are available in our country? The answers to these questions will be
presented at Armenia EXPO 2005, an annual regional trade and industry
forum.
Armenian and foreign companies working in the Armenian market
participate in the forum. Logos Expo Center, a leading company in the
sphere of exhibition business in Armenia, is the organizer of the
forum. Logos Expo Center is the organizer of 45 specialized and
international business exhibitions.
The Armenia Expo forum has a history of 5 years. In 2001, 45 companies
participated in it. In 2002, the number grew to 112, in 2003 to 157
and in 2004 to 165. This year about 190 companies are expected to
participate in the expo forum. The territory of the exposition has
expended by 15-20%. Director of Logos Expo Center Suren Nazinian says
the Armenia EXPO 2005 will be held on September 14-17 in Karen
Demirchian Sports and Concerts Complex in Yerevan. The expo will
include 6 specialized international expositions dealing with
Armenian-Russian business cooperation, American and Chinese business
days and a competition titled `High Quality’.
Q: What perspectives does participation in Armenia EXPO 2005 carry for
the participants? A: The international forums organized by Logos Expo
Center in Armenia and abroad offer real perspectives for growth of
foreign investments. In addition to this, they give our local
businessmen a unique opportunity to expand international cooperation
and enter international markets. Armenia EXPO 2005 aims at presenting
Armenia’s economic potential, facilitating the search ofnew markets
and partners and attracting foreign investments into the Armenian
economy.
Q: What do you think about the development of expo business in
Armenia? A: The expo business in Armenia has already overcome certain
difficulties. Gone are the times when we had to explain to our
business people the differences between a painter’s exhibition and the
business expos organizes by Logos Expo Center. Many of them did not
understand what benefits such expos carried for their
businesses. Unfortunately, I have to admit that some of our
participants are still unable to present their businesses correctly to
their potential partners and customers. An expo or a forum is not only
a means of entering new markets and establishing new business
connections but also an opportunity to conduct a marketing analysis
and draw conclusions. Not all of our participants understand this.
Q: What factors ensure the success of Armenia EXPO? How do you see its
future? A: The success of Armenia EXPO depends on three factors – the
organizers, the participants and the customers. The correct
cooperation and understanding between these three parties determined
the efficiency of the expo. The expois a powerful tool that can push
forward the activities of multi-profile organizations. Throughout the
world, it is considered to be a tool for corporate development. Logos
Expo Center aims at involving into its expos companies from all
sectors and presenting them with the highest possible quality thus
expanding the scope of the services provided by our company.
Agence France Presse
30 juin 2005 jeudi 12:43 PM GMT
Vilnius prêt à appuyer l’Arménie dans ses aspirations
euro-atlantiques
VILNIUS
Les hauts responsables lituaniens ont promis jeudi au Premier
ministre arménien Andranik Margaryan, le soutien de leur pays aux
aspirations euro-atlantiques de l’Arménie.
“Nous sommes prêts à partager avec l’Arménie notre expérience des
préparatifs d’adhésion à l’Otan et à l’intégration européenne”, a
déclaré le premier ministre lituanien Algirdas Brazauskas, à l’issue
d’une rencontre avec le chef du gouvernement arménien, en visite de
24 heures en Lituanie.
Selon le président Valdas Adamkus, la Lituanie “reste et restera pays
de soutien pour l’Arménie dans la réalisation de ses réformes
politiques et économiques, et encouragera par tout moyen possible sa
coopération avec l’Union européenne dans le cadre de la politique
européenne de voisinage”.
“Il nous a fallu dix ans pour devenir membre de l’Otan. Je suis sûr
que l’Arménie y adhérera plus rapidement”, a estimé M. Brazauskas.
La Lituanie s’est dit également prête à accepter des
hauts-fonctionnaires arméniens en stage dans ses institutions
publiques.
M. Margaryan est accompagné en Lituanie de ses ministres de
l’Economie et des Finances ainsi que d’une représentation des hommes
d’affaires de son pays.
Armenian National Committee of Canada
3401 Olivar -Asselin
Montreal, QC.
H4J 1L5
Tel. (514) 334-1299 Fax (514) 443-6853
PRESS RELEASE
July 2, 2005
Contact: Shant Karajian (514) 334-1299
Roupen Kouyoumjian (514) 336-7095
Aris Babikian (416) 317-8972
ANC Efforts Pay Off
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Rejects Azeri Resolution on Nagorno Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA), meeting last night in Washington, DC,
voted overwhelmingly to defeat a controversial
measure on Nagorno Karabagh authored by Azerbaijani Parliamentarian Sattar
Safarov.
The vote took place during a meeting of the OSCE PA’s Heads of Delegation,
as part of the opening session of the four-day meeting for members of
Parliament from the 55 member states of the OSCE. The Safarov resolution,
which was widely viewed as a biased and divisive measure, received only
token support, with nearly all the Heads of Delegation voting, by a show of
hands, to keep the measure off of the OSCE PA agenda.
The Canadian delegation participating in the Washington meeting included
Sen. C. Di Nino (head of the delegation), Senator J. Grafstein, Senator E.
Hubley and House of Commons members Hon. D. Bouderia.
D. Johnston, F. Lalonde, and G. Lunn.
In the weeks preceding the OSCE PA Washington meeting, the Armenian National
Committee of Canada (ANCC) representatives met with the Canadian delegation
members and provided information on Nagorno Karabagh. It also presented a
position paper to all delegates and the OSCE PA Canadian clerk.
The Armenian delegation is being headed by Vahan Hovhannisian, the Deputy
Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament. Other members of the delegation are
Artashes Geghamyan, MP and Samvel Nikoyan, MP. The
Armenian National Committees through North America and Europe worked closely
with the Armenian delegation, in sharing with OSCE PA members the dangers of
the Safarov resolution.
“We would like to thank the Canadian delegation and to express our
appreciation to all those who voted against the Safarov resolution for their
responsible stewardship of the OSCE’s efforts to facilitate a negotiated
settlement to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict,” said Dr. Griar Basmadjian,
President of ANCC. He also added that a resolution trough peaceful means is
the only feasible and long term solution to the conflict.
The defeat of the Safarov resolution set the stage for the standard
consideration by the Assembly of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. This
discussion is being led by Swedish Member of Parliament Goran Lennmarker,
who has served since June of 2002 as the OSCE PA special representative on
this issue. In preparation for the OSCE PA meeting, Lennmarker presented a
report, entitled “A Golden Opportunity: Some Ideas on Nagorno Karabakh
Conflict,” to the Heads of Delegations to the OSCE PA.
In this report, Lennmarker stressed that there is now a golden opportunity,
through the OSCE Minsk Peace-process, for a peaceful solution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, based on a “win-win” concept where both Armenia and
Azerbaijan come out better. In his remarks, Lennmarker noted that “the
conflict is not frozen,” adding that “there is no alternative to a peaceful
solution – in fact there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in order to
end the personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of this
conflict.” He proposed basing a solution on experiences from Europe, where
democracy and integration are fundamental components in securing a lasting
peace, and added that strong European and international institutions stand
ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The OSCE PA is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe, whose 55 participating States span the
geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The primary task of the
317-member Assembly is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, an
important aspect of the overall effort to meet the challenges of democracy
throughout the OSCE area. Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter
VIII of the United Nations Charter, the OSCE is a primary instrument for
early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict
rehabilitation in its area. The Parliamentary Assembly, originally
established by the 1990 Paris Summit to promote greater involvement in the
OSCE by national parliaments, has grown into a very active and esteemed
member of the OSCE family.
-30-
ARKA News Agency
July 1 2005
1.4% FALL IN CONSUMER PRICES CAUSES 0.1% AMD REVALUATION
YEREVAN, July 1. /ARKA/. A 1.4% fall in consumer prices in June as
against May 2005 caused a 0.1% revaluation in the nominal AMD/USD
nominal exchange rate. The RA National Statistical Service reports
that 7.7% AMD/USD exchange rate revaluation was recorded in June 2005
as against December 2004, with inflation being 1.4%. A similar trend
was recorded during the corresponding period of last year – a 4.5%
rise in consumer prices was accompanied by 3.8% AMD revaluation. In
June 2005, the average AMD/USD exchange rate was 448.80AMD/$1,
whereas in June 2004 it was 543.90 AMD/$1. Thus, 17.5% AMD
revaluation was recorded during the period under review. P.T. -0–
BELIEVERS CARRY ON STRUGGLING
A1plus
| 15:38:37 | 30-06-2005 | Social |
The sitting strike is going on without any result. Gathering at the
government building Khachik Stamboltsyan, believers and pensioners
for the fourth day already are demanding their pensioner be paid
without social cards.
No one except Hranush Kharatyan received the strikers and the latest
meeting also proved useless. Yesterday Khachik Stamboltsyan met with
Minister of Social Welfare Araik Petrosyan, however they failed to
reach agreement.
The strikers, aged 45-90 will carry on the strike until their demands
are heard.
OSKANIAN AND SYRIAN DEPUTY FM DISCUSSED BILATERAL RELATIONS
Pan Armenian News
30.06.2005 04:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister (FM) Vartan Oskanian
yesterday met with Syrian Deputy FM Ahmad Arnous, reported the
Press Service of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). In
the course of the meeting the parties discussed a wide range of
matters referring to bilateral relations, problems of the Near East
and the South Caucasus, as well as UN reforms. The interlocutors
specially pointed to the importance of Armenia-Syria cooperation
within international organizations. It should be noted that A.
Arnous heads the Syrian MFA and Ministry of Finance delegation that
is in Armenia June 28-30 to hold recurrent political consultations
and sign an agreement between the governments of Armenia and Syria
on avoidance of double taxation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrew Souvall/Jennifer Cannata
June 29. 2005
(202) 225-4671
PALLONE LAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL OF $73.25 MILLION IN AID FOR ARMENIA, $5
MILLION FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives last night
approved $67.5 million in economic and $5.75 million in military
assistance to Armenia and up to $5 million in aid for Nagorno
Karabakh said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
During a speech on the House floor, Pallone lauded the President and
his House colleagues for maintaining military assistance parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, approving $5.75 million for each
country.
“By allocating equal levels of military and security assistance to
both nations, the U.S. government will preserve its credibility as an
impartial and leading mediator in the continuing sensitive peace
negotiations for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Pallone said.
“Given the ongoing Azerbaijani blockades and threats to renew
military aggression against Armenia and Karabakh, it is critically
important that the Administration continue to promote balanced short-
and long-term policies that elevate regional cooperation and reduce
the risk of conflict in the South Caucasus region.”
The funding for Armenia approved by the House was $12.5
million more than what was requested in the President’s Fiscal Year
2006 (FY06) budget earlier this year. Pallone said the funding
reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Armenia and ensures that
the relationship between our two countries grows stronger
economically and militarily.
“I’m pleased the House bill provides significantly more money to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh than what President Bush requested in
his budget,” Pallone said. “These funds are crucial as Armenia
continues to implement economic and democratic reforms in the
continued shadow of dual blockades.”
Pallone also emphasized the need for Congress to maintain the
full $5 million in funding for Nagorno Karabakh, $2 million more than
what Congress appropriated last year. Pallone said funding provides
critical humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, helping to fund
the rebuilding of homes, improving water supplies and healthcare and
providing income-generating opportunities for the most vulnerable
groups.
Pallone and U.S. Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) spearheaded a
letter with 43 of their House colleagues calling on the members of
the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support the pro-Armenian
provisions in the funding bill.
-30-
Jennifer Karch Cannata
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4671 office
(202) 225-9665 fax
HOPEFUL NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT STATUS?
A1plus
| 15:31:20 | 29-06-2005 | Politics |
“Azerbaijan is ready to give privileged rights to the Armenian
community of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as give guarantees of
security. I am convinced that the conflict will be settled in this
context”, announced the Azeri President Ilham Aliev in the interview
to a Turkish TV Company.
He called the results of his latest negotiations with Robert Kocharyan
“hopeful”. According to him, the Armenian side has finally understood
that there is no other way but to continue active negotiation.
Box: Darchinyan has chance to turnaround Australia’s fortunes
By Adrian Warren
AAP NEWSFEED, Australia
June 28, 2005, Tuesday 9:52 AM Eastern Time
SYDNEY, June 28 — IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan has the chance
to turnaround Australia’s recent disastrous run in world title fights
when he defends his title against Colombian Jaair Jimenez.
The July 27 bout at the Sydney Entertainment Centre will be the
second defence for the 29-year-old, who won the title from Irene
Pacheco last December before retaining it against South African
Mzukisi Sikali in March.
Since that victory Australia has suffered three successive defeats in
world title bouts with Paul Briggs, Kostya Tszyu and Anthony Mundine
all being beaten.
Jimenez, 26, the ninth ranked contender, has a record of 22 wins
(16 KOs) four losses and one draw.
Three of his four losses occurred outside Columbia.
He lost on points to Adonis Rivas in a fight for the World Boxing
Organisation interim flyweight title in 2002 and suffered defeats in
his two most recent bouts against Gerson Guerrero, both of which were
in fights for the WBO Latino super flyweight Championship.
“He (Jimenez) is a tough kid, but if Vic trains properly, he’s not
going to have a problem with anybody,” Darchinyan’s trainer Jeff
Fenech said.
“Vic has been training very hard, he ran 20km yesterday.
“He’s certainly looking stronger and more confident with the title,
he’s much more at ease.”
Darchinyan, who relocated to Australia after representing Armenia
at the 2000 Olympics, boasts an unblemished professional record of
23 wins (18 KOs).
Fenech reiterated Darchinyan was still not the finished product.
“We’ve got things to work on, his pressure and his overall fitness
and I’d like him to shorten his punches up a bit,” Fenech said.