In case of mulfunctioning morale and combat the government will be readiness in Armenia’s compelled fines and penal- army higher than in ties Page 2 Azerbaijan’s PAGE 4 ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the

February 8-14, 2011 THEMA

“Quote of the week”

“The government will take every effort to decrease inflationary risks in Armenia“

Vache Gabrielyan Minister of Finance of RA

President received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Upcoming Events Konstantin Grishchenko

resident Serzh Sargsyan re- evolves. In our global world every- Pceived today the Minister of thing is interconnected, and we need February 16: Working visit of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kon- to consult over the most commanding PM of Georgia to Armenia stantin Grishchenko who has ar- issues,” Konstantin Grishchenko said. rived to Armenia on official visit. The parties noted that positive develop- February 25-28: “Bridge 2011 The Minister of Foreign Affairs of ments in the bilateral political relations “ economic forum to be hosted in Ukraine presented to Serzh Sarg- registered last year brought also devel- Tsaghkadzor syan the results of the meeting opments in the economic, cultural and with his Armenian counterpart and some other areas, as well as in the co- negotiations aimed at the develop- operation of the two states in the frame- ment of bilateral cooperation in work of international organizations. different areas. He assessed them The Minister of Foreign Affairs of as comprehensive and efficient. Ukraine conveyed to President Serzh “We hope that the Armenian- Sargsyan greetings from the Presi- USEFUL LINKS Ukrainian dialogue will intensify dent of Ukraine and said that Victor • www.president.am at all levels, starting from the high- Yanukovich recalls warmly his last • www.gov.am est. We have reached agreement year meetings with the President of • www.parliament.am with the Minister of Foreign Af- Armenia and is looking forward to • www.mfa.am fairs of Armenia to meet often since President Sargsyan’s visit to Ukriane. • www.armenpress.am it is necessary to understand how February 11, 2011 www.president.am • www.panarmenian.net the situation in our two regions • www.matenadaran.am ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS CHRONICA In case of mulfunctioning the government will be compelled Headlines of fines and penalties the week cabinet sitting was held, chaired by gran Sargsyan noted that no incidences of • February 8: Armenian ba- APrime Minister . VAT refund delays or non-payments have silica dated 5th or 6th centu- The government approved the procedure been recorded over the last two years and ry discovered on Mount Ararat to follow in paying fines and penalties for added that they will be ruled out ahead. • AH delays in the refund of overpayments and/ The Executive passed the rules to be com- • February 9: Bako Sahaky- or other amounts. A plied with in con- an names tobacco production first-ever estimate of ducting procurement in Artsakh successful initiative penalties due for the transactions specify- • AH period up to January ing that cross-country • February 10: Lithuanian 1, 2011 will be out by procurements inferior parliamentarians to adopt reso- May, 1, 2011. Stating to AMD 50mn will be lution on Karabakh conflict that the government is made according to the • AH thereby going to apply procedure prescribed • February 11: Armenian stricter sanctions for by the head of the or- GMs successful at Aeroflot Open VAT refund arrears, Ti- dering organization, • AH with the ones exceeding the stated amount having to be made under the gov- • February 12: Whom is Ali- ernment-backed procedure. This was said to be a transitional measure neces- yev trying to deceive when say- sitated by the fact that PIUs are currently being integrated with the ministries. ing he seeks peaceful resolu- The government amended a previous decree to bring the medical services provided in tion to Karabakh conflict? Armenia into conformity with international standards as much as possible. This is sup- • AH posed to provide better conditions for the early warning, effective prevention and care of • FEBRUARY 13: Iran to export various diseases, as well as for the delivery of specialized health services to the population. 1.5mln liters of gasoline, die- The government authorized Armenian NPP CJSC to use the NPP-owned apartment house sel oil to Armenia on daily basis in Medzamor town of Armavir marz as a means of payment for the purchase of State- • AH owned shares with its subsequent handover to the local community on condition that the • February 14: Armeni- latter should donate the building to NPP staff as accommodation for 50 employees. an wrestlers win three med- Whereas the population of wolves has seen a sharp growth in Armenia recently, the government als at Istanbul-hosted Grand Prix passed an order to keep it under control and implement corresponding actions. For each killed Another two manuscripts wolf hunters will henceforth get a bonus of AMD 100 thousand from the proceeds of the AMD donated to Matenadaran 10000.0 thousand worth of allocation available to the Ministry of Nature Protection. A similar measure was said to have been applied in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic leading to a sharp de- crease in the number of wolves over a short span of time. In a bid to ease the cross-country traffic of goods, vehicles and passengers, the cabinet backed the proposal on the signing of a govern- ment-to-government arrangement between Armenia and Georgia on the joint use of Bagratash- en-Sadakhlo, Airum-Sadakhlo, Gogavan-Guguti and Bavra-Ninotsminda inland checkpoints. February 10, 2011 full story www.gov.am

The negotiation format still kept the same ll our cultural values should “Afinally return to the Moth- jan and Kyrgyzstan are the most unsta- erland,” said Avo Hovhannisyan ble countries of the post-Soviet region. from Nor Jugha, who gifted two According to A. Margarov, the regional manuscripts to Matenadaran today. visit of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs Avo Hovhannisyan has received a is positive, as it proved once again that the talks will go on with that formats. The fact number of letters of thanks from differ- the parties tend to keep the negotiation ent organizations for his donations. In format and partake in the process of talks 1981 he was awarded a “Mesrop Mash- is positive as well and it will bring to some tots” medal for contributing to the en- positive results. In his words the subject richment of the Metenadaran Fund. for negotiations is certain, and the sides In 2001 he was elected honor- zerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are not making arrangements for military able member of “Matenadaran’s Aare the most unstable coun- operations at least at present moment. Friends” Charity Organization. tries of the post-Soviet region “Actually, the negative side is that we On the occasion of Avo Hovhannisy- Any unstable situation in Armenia can do not have a document, drafted by an’s 70th birthday, Matenadaran’d impact on both the internal and foreign mutual consent of the parties,” he said policy, Alexander Margarov, political noting that it is necessary to draft a ba- Director Hrachya Tamrazyan scientist, head of the Institute of CIS sic document, in which the points and awarded him with a medal of Mate- States said yesterday at a meeting with principles, about which the parties have nadaran and presented him the journalists stressing that according to reached an agreement, will be involved. copy of Grigor Narekatsi’s “Book many international experts, Azerbai- February 14, 2011 www.hhpress.am of Lamentations” dated 1173. February 10 2011, www.armradio.am

2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA Vache Gabrielyan: Armenian government does not pro- Armenia indents to im- mote import of cheap products prove Doing Business rmenian government does not promote ranking by 5 points in 2011 Athe import of cheap products, Arme- nian Minister of Finance said, commenting on inflationary policy of the government. As Vache Gabrielyan stated at parliamentary sitting, “the government never mentioned the need to stimulate cheap production im- port. Rather, steps on curbing the growth of prices for existing goods were indicated.” “The government will take every ef- fort to decrease inflationary risks in Ar- menia,” Gabrielyan noted in conclusion. rmenian Minister of Economy Tigran February 9, 2011 www.panarmenian.net ADavtyan said the country intends to improve its position in Doing Business ranking by 5 points during the current year. Foreign Minister: ICG Azeri blockade costs “This is a minimum level, but we’ll try to expert assessments not Karabakh a lot do more,” the Minister noted. “Last year, always true to fact Armenia took action to improve business xpert assessments of the International environment in the country. However, we ccording to Artsakh Republic were outrun by other regional states. We’ll ECrisis Group are not always true to statistics, 13% economic growth fact, Armenian Foreign Minister said. A improve Armenia’s Doing Business rank- “I have read the ICG latest report on was reported in NKR in 2009, NKR ing by acting more intensively,” Davtyan Nagorno Karabakh, presented as an expert Permanent Representative to Germany stressed. In the past year, governments view. But it should not be forgotten that stated. in 117 economies carried out 216 regula- experts can have different opinions,” Ed- As Harutyun Grigoryan stated in an tory reforms aimed at making it easier to ward Nalbandian told a news conference interview with Eurasisches Magazin, start and operate a business, strengthening in . economic difficulties Artsakh is facing transparency and property rights, and im- proving the efficiency of commercial dis- “Prior to making assessments, the experts are caused by Azerbaijan’s blockade, pute resolution and bankruptcy procedures. should think whether their opinion can as well as non-recognition of Kara- pour oil on the flames,” he emphasized. This is a finding of Doing Business 2011: bakh, preventing attraction of foreign Making a Difference for Entrepreneurs, the “It’s the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with investments. the conflict. The Co-chairs are aware not eighth in a series of annual reports pub- only of the history of the conflict but also The Permanent Representative charac- lished by IFC and the World Bank. The of the current stage of talks.” terized tourism as one of the main sec- report ranks 183 economies on key aspects February 11, 2011 www.panarmenian.net tors in country’s economy of business regulation for domestic firms. February 11, 2011 www.panarmenian.net Armenia dropped 4 points in current rank- ing, with the country appearing in 48th position. Armenian Economy Minister Robert Sahakyants Production plans to create Tigran Davtyan believes that the coun- 3D animated film about Count Dracula try’s economic growth will exceed 4,6% in 2011. “4,6% is a realistic figure. It’s the “Currently, we have got the script by minimum we should achieve if there is Robert and Hayk Sahakyants,” film- no force majeure,” he told journalists on maker David Sahakyants told a Pan- February 12. The national budget envis- ARMENIAN.Net reporter. ages 4,6% economic growth and 4±1,5% According to him, the authors prepared inflation. Creation of two free trade zones two options of the scripts. in Armenia will start in 2011. “The gov- “It will depend on the market that we ernment has already approved a relevant would like to access. We have got one legislative initiative, which is submitted to script for the Armenian market and an- the parliament,” Economy Minister Tigran other – for the international market,” Davtyan said. According to him, the zones he said. will be located in Mars plant and Zvartnots “We are looking for sponsors to imple- Airport. “Works will kick off in summer or ment the project, but have not succeed- autumn. Besides, the technopark in Gyum- ed in it yet,” said Sahakyants. ri may host free IT trade zone. Investments He noted that it is difficult to imple- will be private while the government will obert Sahakyants Production stu- ment such a project in a 3D graphics, create favorable conditions.” The initiative Rdio plans to create a 3D animated that’s why it is being delayed. supposes increase in job opportunities and film about famous Count Dracula. February 14, 2011, www.panarmenian.net export-bound high-quality production. February 12 2011, www.panarmenian.net

3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA OSCE Minsk Group to resume talks on Nagorny Karabakh Armenia and Georgia to use joint customs posts o-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group nic Armenian population, has been Cwill arrive in the capital of Azerba- a sticking point in relations be- ijan, Baku, on Thursday to resume talks tween the two former Soviet states. on the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, the Ways to peacefully settle the conflict Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported. were last discussed January 24 at a meet- The Minsk Group, compris- ing of the Azerbaijani, Russian and Ar- ing Russia, France and the United menian foreign ministers in Moscow. States, mediates the conflict be- The conflict first erupted in 1988, when tween Azerbaijan and Armenia the region claimed independence from rmenia and Georgia are going to sign over breakaway Nagorny Karabakh. Azerbaijan to join Armenia. More than Aan agreement on the joint use of sev- Russia’s Igor Popov, the United States’ 30,000 people are estimated to have eral land customs posts. The agreement re- Robert Bradtke and France’s Ber- died on both sides between 1988 and fers to the posts of Bagratashen-Sadakhlo, nard Fassier will meet with Azerbai- 1994. Nagorny Karabakh has remained Ayrum-Sadakhlo, Gogavan-Guguti and Ba- jani Foreign Minister Elmar Mam- in Armenian control since then. vra-Ninotsminda, Armenia Today reports. edyarov, the Azerbaijani ministry said. The Caucasus neighbors contin- Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarg- The issue of Nagorny Karabakh, a ue to accuse each other of violat- syan believes that this agreement is breakaway region on Azerbaijani ing the ceasefire agreed in 1994. very important for both countries. The territory with a predominantly eth- February 11, 2011 www.en.rian.ru agreement s hould be signed during the visit of Georgian Prime Minister Nika Iran to Supply Armenia Iran to tighten border Gilauri to Yerevan on February, 15. with Gasoline, Diesel security www.vestnikkavkaza.net Oil morale and combat readi- ased on the agreement, Iran will ran's interior minister says the government ness in Armenia’s army “Bexport 750,000 liters of gasoline Ihas devised a new comprehensive plan higher than in Azerbaijan’s and 750,000 liters of diesel oil to Yerevan for enhancing control and security along the ne of the most interesting parts of the on daily basis,” Iranian Deputy Oil Minis- country's borders. Mostafa Mohammad-Na- Orecent International Crisis Group report, ter and Managing Director of National Ira- jjar told IRNA late on Sunday that the new was its speculation about what would happen nian Oil Refining and Distribution Com- plan has been implemented along the eastern in a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan pany (NIORDC) Alireza Zeiqami stated. and northwestern borders of the country, and over Karabakh, according to a publication Late in January, Iranian Oil Minis- will be put in practice along the entire borders in EurasiaNet. “It concluded that, while Az- ter Massoud Mir-Kazzemi announced of the Islamic Republic in the near future. erbaijan has an obvious advantage in military that Iran and Armenia plan to con- The official noted that the ninth government spending, a variety of other factors could give struct a new oil pipeline to increase has increased the credits allocated to border Armenia an edge. A premeditated resumption energy supply to the Caucasian state. security 17-fold compared with those of the of hostilities by Armenian forces is not likely, Speaking on the sidelines of a meet- previous administrations. He added that the but cannot be ruled out, as Yerevan commen- ing with visiting Armenian Minister of Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and tators and some military officials, notably in Energy and Natural Resources Armen the provincial governors' offices are execut- Nagorno Karabakh, warn of a “preventive Movsisian here in Tehran, Mir-Kazzemi ing the plan throughout the country. Ear- war” if the entity comes under imminent said that the pipeline will begin from lier in January, Mohammad-Najjar went to threat,” the article says. “Morale and combat Iran’s Northwestern city of Tabriz and Muscat for a two-day visit to hold talks with readiness in Armenia’s army is also generally stretch toward the Armenian border. senior Omani officials on ways to tighten considered to be higher than in Azerbaijan’s, The minister added that the pipeline can security and improve bilateral cooperation. which suffers from past defeats, extensive cor- help Armenia meet parts of its needs for In addition, Iran and Iraq signed a memoran- ruption and a rigid chain of command. Arme- oil products from the Islamic Republic. dum of understanding on improving border nian analysts point to the greater number of He added that the two sides will finalize the cooperation in October to step up the cam- Azerbaijani casualties in most front-line skir- volume and the value of the exports of oil paign against terrorism and prevent illegal mishes. Suicides and hazing in the Azerbaija- products during a meeting in the near future. border crossings. Iran has 5,440 kilometers ni forces are also regularly reported. However, By 2014, the 365 kilometer, 8 inch of total land borders. The country shares its a recent spate of fatal hazing and other non- pipeline will transfer oil prod- northern borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, combat-related deaths, particularly in units ucts from Tabriz to Yerevan. and Turkmenistan which extend for more in Nagorno Karabakh, signal that Armenian Iran and Armenia have also expanded coop- than 2,000 kilometers, including about 650 superiority in morale may be exaggerated. eration in power and gas swap in recent years. kilometers of water along the southern shore If war started, Azerbaijan civilians would be Iran mainly exports natural gas to Ar- of the Caspian Sea. Iran's western borders the more vulnerable, as cities, towns and new menia and imports power supplies are with Turkey in the north and Iraq in the IDP settlements are close to the Nagorno Ka- from the Caucasian state through two south, and to the east with Afghanistan and rabakh line of contact. Major Karabakh Ar- transfer lines with a total power trans- Pakistan. The Persian Gulf and the Sea of menian settlements are deeper within territory fer capacity of 220kw/ph at present. Oman littoral states form the country's 1,770 the entity controls, and its troops are mostly February 13, 2010, kilometers of southern border. deployed in sparsely populated zones,” it says. www.english.farsnews.com February14, 2011, www.presstv.ir February 14, 2011 www.eurasianet.org

4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA Fresno TV Station To Turkish Court Rejects Armenians’ Request to Elect Patriarch Broadcast 10 News Reports from Armenia Archbishop Aram Ateshian as “deputy patriarch” and give him administrative authority over the Armenian Patriar- chate in Istanbul. The move, which was also supported by the Interior Ministry, has effectively split into two on the issue. Last December the initiative group call- ing itself “We want to elect our own patri- arch” organized a press conference, say- ing they want to elect a religious leader urkey’s Council of State rejected who will represent Armenian community. Tan appeal of the “We want to elect Istanbul Armenians collected 5,359 sig- our own patriarch” initiative group. natures to oppose Turkish Government’s entral California’s KSEE TV 24 will The high court said the issue fell out- decision to appoint a patriarch vicar. Cbroadcast an exclusive travel series side of its jurisdiction, Hurriyet Daily Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople about Armenia starting Monday, Feb- News &Economic Review reported. Mersrob Mutafyan is permanently ill ruary 21. The travel series was taped in An initiating committee consisting of lay suffering from frontal dementia. He was December when KSEE veteran anchor- representatives of the Armenian com- elected patriarch for life in 1998 by the woman Stefani Booroojian was invited munity is at odds with the patriarchate Armenian community. One group with- to her ancestral homeland by the Ar- over who should succeed the gravely ill in the Armenian community considers menian Tourism Development Agency. Patriarch Mesrop II as spiritual leader they should elect a new patriarch, where- The National Competitiveness Founda- of the community. The lay members as another group, objects to this, saying tion of Armenia (NCFA), its Tourism have been seeking to annul the Istanbul it is against traditions to elect a new pa- Development Agency, and the United Governor’s Office’s decision to name triarch while the elected one is still alive. States Agency for International Devel- February 10 2011, www.massispost.com opment (USAID) organized and funded the press tours to increase awareness Award-Winning Documentary Captures Dying Art in about Armenia as a tourism destination. Armeniadren to Armenian schools - ECRI Groups of journalists from the Rus- vered and respected art form in Armenia, sian Federation, Great Britain, Italy, it has struggled to maintain its existence and France, as well as six media repre- in more recent years. Three decades ago, sentatives from the United States, were there were 20 families involved in tight- invited to Armenia. Asbarez’s Romina rope dancing who would perform in the DerBedrossian was part of the group capital city of Yerevan and in villages and has been sharing her photo essays along Armenia’s countryside. When in this newspaper and on our website. Sahakyan began her research four years KSEE’s travel series is titled Stefani’s ago, there were only two individuals left. Armenia and it will feature Armenian rowing up in Soviet Armenia, one “After gaining our independence, we city and village life, resort towns, his- Gof the highlights of director Inna have lost not only the ideology behind the toric and ancient cathedrals, as well as Sahakyan’s childhood was watching red flags and the parades, but the legends Armenian cuisine and wine tourism. The tightrope dancing performances that of the tightrope dancers as well,” she said. series also features Americans, includ- would take place in her grandparents’ Realizing the quick demise of this unique ing Fresno natives, who have repatriated village. She vividly remembers the vi- art form, Sahakyan, 33, and Arman Yer- to Armenia and living in its capital city. brant colors of the costumes, the ag- itsyan, 35, both of BARS Media in Ar- The series also includes non-tourism ile movements of the dancers, and the menia, teamed up to direct what would stories about the Armenian Bone Mar- festive music enlivening the crowds. become their most recent documentary, row Donor Registry, repatriation, the “These spectacles were filled with “The Last Tightrope Dancer in Arme- Genocide, and the Armenian cuisine. constant movement and dazzling nia,” an international co-production Stefani’s Armenia will air Monday colors. Musicians played traditional with NHK, ITVS, YLE, SVT, and TVP. through Friday (February 21-25) at 6 instruments, clowns mingled with the The film has won numerous awards p.m. and 11 p.m. The stories will also spectators providing doses of com- since its release, including top air on KSEE Sunrise at 5 a.m. and 6 edy to ease up the tension and sus- prizes at the Russia Documentary a.m. Those living outside the KSEE pense, and the tightrope dancers— Film Festival and the Golden Ap- broadcast area may watch the seg- suspended in mid-air—performed ricot International Film Festival. ments online at www.ksee24.com their incredible feats,” said Sahakyan. February 9, 2011 February 11, 2011 www.asbarez.com While tightrope dancing was once a re- www.armenianweekly.com "Armenia Highlights" is compiled in association with DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in "Armenia Highlights" do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Armenia.

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