Sergey Smbatyan Is the Youngest Ever Armenian Musician to Perform at the Carnegie Hall

22 YEARS The Noah’s Ark #39 (1079) 27 October 2015 Published Since 1993 Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³μ³Ã³Ã»ñÃ (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) Sergey Smbatyan is the Youngest Ever Armenian Musician to Perform at the Carnegie Hall See p. 15 In This Issue Armenia sees new 'milestone Noyan Tapan Video Studio 'in relations with EU p.2 is offering professional video and photography for indoor Armenia plans to import more and outdoor events such as weddings, birthday parties, natural gas from Iran p.6 official events, seminars and conferences. Tel: 060 27 64 62 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 22nd Season of German "Charity Kitchen" Launched p.10 VivaCell-MTS and Ralph Yirikian Noyan Tapan Printing House Awarded "Mercury" p.p.12-14 is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian high quality and low prices Tel: 060 27 64 62 hopes to give voice Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 to her Armenian ancestors p.17 27 October #39 (1079) 2015 2 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS Armenia sees new 'milestone 'in relations with EU the separate branches of power, to protect human rights and independence of judici- ary. We have taken an important step in this direction by initiating a constitutional reform in our country, which is implement- ed in close cooperation with the Venice Commission," the Armenian leader said. "Should our people approve the constitutional amendments on December 6, Armenia will transform its semi-presiden- tial model of governance into a parliamentary one, which in its turn will make more efficient the interaction of the separate branches of power, will pave the way for Armenia and the European Union have assurance for our joint commitment to ele- more intensive economic development, reached a new "responsible" milestone in vate the Armenia-EU relations to a new will increase the level of human rights pro- their relations, President Serzh Sargyan stage," Sargsyan said, as quoted by his tection and the institutional role of the said at a congress of the European People's press office. opposition." Party (EPP) in Madrid, Spain, on October Addressing the congress presided over Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia has 21. by EPP President Joseph Daul and also invited the European Union, the "Last week the EU Council in attended by the Presidents of the European Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Luxembourg approved the mandate to Council and the European Commission, Europe, the Organization for Security and open negotiations on a new, legally binding Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, Cooperation in Europe and other interna- and overarching agreement with Armenia. Sargsyan also spoke about Armenia's fur- tional structures to observe the referendum. I strongly believe that negotiations will ther democratization in the context of the "I am confident that you participation result in an elaborate document outlining planned constitutional amendments. and best practices will give a further impe- comprehensive cooperation in all areas of "In our country we continue to develop tus to the progress of the democratic mutual interest, and it will become the best democratic institutions, to further balance process in Armenia," he underscored. President Serzh Sargsyan meets with EPP President Joseph Daul President Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting on October 22 with the President of the European People's Party (EPP), Joseph Daul, in Madrid. At the outset, Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Joseph Daul on being reelected as President during the EPP congress on 21 October and wished him success, expressing the hope that under the leadership of Mr. Daul, the EPP, as the most influen- tial political force of Europe, will continue to fulfil its mission and meet the expectations of European voters. The interlocutors discussed issues pertaining to the further promotion of cooperation with the EPP, the prospects of RA-EU relations, the strengthening of ties between the RPA and EPP, Armenia's collaboration with its EPP partners in international platforms, as well as to common issues and challenges which will also be touched upon during broadened summit of the EPP. The RA president and the EPP president reflected upon the cur- Daul's visit to Armenia in April this year and his participation in rent stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process within the the events to commemorate the Armenian Genocide Centennial, frames of the OSCE Minsk Group and upon the existing prob- by which, Armenia's president was certain, the EPP president lems. The interlocutors also exchanged views on the situation in reiterated his and his party's loyalty to the universal values that the Middle East and on the refugee crisis. underlie European integration. Stressing the importance of the Armenia's president presented to Joseph Daul the process of resolution "The Armenian Genocide and European Values" RA constitutional amendments and the importance of making adopted by the EPP Political Assembly, the president thanked the amendments to the fundamental law for our country. party leader and those EPP members of the PACE who endorsed President Serzh Sargsyan noted that he warmly recalls Mr. that statement. 27 October #39 (1079) 2015 POLITICS The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 3 Serzh Sargsyan lauds planned Constitutional Reform Speaking in Russian, Serzh Sargsyan said also addressed other issues, such as Armenia's foreign policies. He spoke about close Armenian-Russian cooperation and friendship, stressing that this cooperation is made even stronger within the Eurasian Economic Union, an economic grouping involving Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that Armenia formally joined in January. Sargsyan also spoke in detail about Armenia's cooperation with the European Union in light of the recently approved Brussels mandate for talks around a new legal basis in relations with Yerevan. President Serzh Sargsyan used of the country's leading opposition "We continue our active coopera- his Friday speech at a gathering of parties maintain that the proposed tion with our Western partners, with Russian diplomats' training school changes are just a ploy to enable whose active support for many years graduates in Yerevan also to praise Sargsyan to indefinitely stay in we have been carrying out large- the controversial constitutional power in a different capacity after scale reforms aimed at improving reform initiated by his administra- the end of his second and final pres- democratic institutions, rule of law, tion that he said would increase the idential term in 2018. ensuring an increased role of civil institutional role of Armenia's oppo- Serzh Sargsyan has denied this, society in governing the country," sition. saying that he will not seek to occu- the Armenian president said. Addressing the third forum of py a top government post after retir- It is remarkable that in his mes- MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of ing from his current post in about sage of welcome to the participants International Relations) graduates, three years' time. of the MGIMO forum in Yerevan, which is being held in Armenia on Addressing the mostly Russian Russian President Vladimir Putin October 22-24 and has brought participants of the MGIMO forum, reportedly expressed his gratitude to together dozens of senior diplomats the Armenian leader argued that the his Armenian counterpart and from different countries that studied amended Constitution will improve Armenian partners for "invaluable in the prestigious Moscow higher the protection of human rights and assistance" in the organization of the school, Sargsyan also dwelt on the freedoms, will better balance the event. domestic political agenda, explain- powers between different govern- Among those attending the ing the reasons for launching sweep- ment institutions and will strengthen forum is also Armenian Foreign ing constitutional changes that are the institutional role of the opposi- Minister Edward Nalbandian, who going to turn Armenia into a parlia- tion. is also a MGIMO graduate. mentary republic. Despite a largely positive conclu- Noyan Tapan Press-Center sion from the Council of Europe's Noyan Tapan Press Center holds different discussions, press confer- Venice Commission regarding the ences, round tables, teleconferences, seminars each week which draft amendments that Armenians are broadcast live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage are going to vote on in a nationwide of the Center, as well as to place your banner in our Press Room. referendum on December 6, several Tel: 060 27 64 62. Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor 27 October #39 (1079) 2015 4 www.nt.am POLITICS Opposition Group Vows Renewed Street Protests Ahead Of Constitutional Referendum A new anti-government campaign pushing for regime change ahead of the planned constitutional referendum has set December 1 as the day of launching national "mobilization" to oust the current administration with sustained street protests. Jirair Sefilyan, a leader of the radical opposition Founding Parliament group, addressed supporters during an indoor meeting on October 21 during which he expounded on the "regime change" plan of New Armenia, a new movement set up jointly with the opposition Heritage party, to oppose the controversial constitutional changes, but primary seek a change of government. "We believe that it is the change of government that can stop the course of these constitutional changes. If so, it is opposition supporters to be prepared for Armenia, which seeks to achieve regime natural that the date [for the start of reprisals and violence that he said the change before the December 6 referen- protests] should be before December 6," authorities are likely to use against dum, they view the ballot as an addition- Sefilyan said, adding that before that the them. al means to say "No" to the authorities movement will seek to raise awareness Zaruhi Postanjyan of the opposition by passing a vote of no confidence in the of the population about their plans.

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