WhoCares Gillan and Turkey-Armenia Iommi’s band album friendship symbol be- presented in Yerevan ing demolished PAGE 4 Page 2 ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the Government of Armenia

May 3-May 16, 2011 THEMA

President Sargsyan invited a meeting with the participation of the management of Armenia’s largest agro processing companies “Quote of the week”

“Armenia needs a new policy agenda which would rule out any impediment to the shap- ing of a middle class in the country.“

Tigran Sargsyan Prime Minister of RA

President Serzh Sargsyan invited today a government. According to Serzh Sargsyan, meeting with the participation of the man- at these meetings he has been stressing the Upcoming Events agement of Armenia’s largest agro process- importance of working with the State Rev- MAY 18: President of the Europe- ing companies. At the meeting with the enue Committee and, in general, importance an Parliament Jerzy Buzek arrives leaders of a dozen of the processing com- of the entire process pertinent to tax collection. Armenia panies from the capital and marzes, which “When I say “process”, I don’t mean just the was held at the Yerevan Beer Ltd, present entries into the state budget, but rather sim- MAY 18-19: PM Tigran Sargsy were the RA Ministers of Agriculture, Fi- plification of the process, relieving the busi- an will leave for the Republic of nance, and Chairman of the State Rev- nesses of unduly burden with the expectation Belarus on a two-day official visit enue Committee, who presented problems that the entrepreneurs will consciously do existing in the area of agro purchases and their best to fulfill their tax obligations, since May 28: Armenia marks Repub- processing, reforms carried out in the areas we don’t have other sources of revenue to pay lic day of tax and customs administration, which pensions, wages and defense expenses. That’s will touch different spheres, including crea- why, in this process we take every precaution JUNE 4: St. Petersburg’s Petrovsky tion of favorable conditions for the devel- not to create risks related to budget spending. stadium will host EURO 2012 Rus- opment projects for the private enterprises After the meeting with the leaders of the mining sia vs. Armenia engaged in the area of agro processing. industry and the bankers, I felt it would be right At the outset, the President noted that his to hold the next meeting with the leaders and USEFUL LINKS meetings with the major enterprises and owners of the processing enterprises because we • www.president.am taxpayers are intended to discuss directly meet every year, talk about purchases of agricul- • www.gov.am with the businessmen their problems, talk tural produce and interaction with the farmers. • www.parliament.am about the present and the future of the en- May 5, 2011 full story www.president.am • www.mfa.am terprises working in different areas, and • www.armenpress.am speak about their cooperation with the • www.panarmenian.net • www.matenadaran.am ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS CHRONICA Headlines of Border-crossing procedures to be simplified the week cabinet sitting was held to- within a month’s time. The National Statis- Aday under the chairmanship tics Service was earmarked AMD 100mn in • May 3: Despite NKR’s warn- of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. preparation for the census due on October ings, Baku spoils for the fight Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime 12-21, 2011. The census will help collect data • AH Minister dwelt on Re- on Armenia’s social • May 5: Gomidas Institute in Lon- public of Armenia Con- and demographic situ- don publishes Talaat Pasha’s Re- trol Chamber’s findings ation, the population’s port on Armenian Genocide and issued a series of as- geographical distribu- • AH signments to that effect. tion, employment (eco- • May 7: SOAD kicks off global reunion Backing the 2011 census nomic activity), educa- tour over South America in Edmonton program, the Govern- tional background and • AH ment proposed the State housing conditions. • May 8: May 9: Victory Day, Wedding Statistics Board to draft The Government pre- in the Mountains and liberated Shushi a census questionnaire scribed a State bor- • AH der crossing regime including the rules for implementing cross-border motor, air and other • MaY 11: Affordable Cars for Young communications, the border checkpoints, the demarcation posts’ description and installation Families program to launch in Armenia modes, the State borderline maintenance rules, as well as a procedure to follow in letting in and • AH out passengers, means of conveyance, animals, freight and other items across the State border. • MAY 13: Three Armenian The Prime Minister suggested adopting a protocol decision: “Citizens keep sending complaints sambo wrestlers win bronze and grievances stating that especially after the passage of the law on mandatory insurance, they at European Championships spend too much time at the border getting through the prescribed formalities. We asked the • AH Central Bank to take up the matter and suggest a solution. Following a consultation held with • MAY 16: Migration issues the CBA, the insurance companies said to be prepared to provide services on the spot. In view have priority position on Ar- of the above, we should commission the 3 marz governors concerned, as well as the Ministry of menia-EU cooperation agenda Territorial Administration and the State Revenue Committee by the Government to earmark the AH needed sites as shortly as possible cooperating with the Central Bank and insurance companies.” The Government amended a previous decree to simplify the land category changing procedure for landed entities. In this connection, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan reiterated the need for Seyran Ohanyan: The Army providing citizens with high-quality services and called on public officials to take the trouble working day and night on the problem as they are supposed to facilitate the task of our citizens. has properly fulfilled its The Executive next endorsed the bill on repatriation which stipulates the key prin- tasks ciples, as well as the rules and regulations of repatriation-related State policy. n his interview with “Haylur” news The meeting approved a number of other draft laws which will be sub- Iprogram of the Public Television, Ar- mitted to the National Assembly in the manner established by law. menian Minister of Defense Seyran Oh- In conclusion, the Government accepted the proposal on signing a free trade zone treaty with the CIS anyan talked about the cases of cease- States. The arrangement seeks to ease the traffic of goods and passengers across the CIS borders. fire violations by Azerbaijan, about the activeness of snipers, as well as about the The Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Edward Nalbandi- organization of the spring recruitment. an met with the YSU’s students and professors In response to the question whether that the ceasefire regime has allowed Azerbaijan first graduates and audience of the avoid serious casualties, win time and pre- MFA’s new established Diplomatic pare for future military adventures, while, School who have already taken dip- the Armenian side could have had greater lomatic office at the RA Ministry of achievements if not the ceasefire, Seyran Oh- Foreign Affairs are the graduates of anyan said: “To be able to correctly evaluate this University. Those young people, from professional point of view, we should who sat on your student chairs yes- first of all understand the task that the Art- n May 13, the Armenian Foreign Min- terday, today work at the Ministry of sakh Armed Forces had, and how that task Oister Edward Nalbandian visited the Foreign Affairs of Armenia and they was solved. The liberation movement of Yerevan State University, where he will form the foreign policy of our Artsakh was not meant for taking over the had a meeting with the professors, country tomorrow. You have approximately the whole Azerbaijan – it was meant to liber- teaching staff and students of vari- same age as our newly independent state, 20th ate Artsakh, ensure security for the people ous faculties of the University. year of which expires this year. You of Artsakh, and force the rival to peace. I The meeting was initiated by the YSU were born along with our newly think the army fully realized its task. As a Student Council in the frames of the independent state and as much you lawful example of democratic society, to- 20 th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. grow up, you will have the age of our day the people of Artsakh are ensuring their In his speech, Edward Nalbandian said, country. Its concerns and success- progress. As for Azerbaijan’s winning time, I “Dear youth, you are probably of- es, difficulties and victories were a believe one should be naive to think that time ten told that you are the future of the part of your life. I wish you suc- has played in the hands of Azerbaijan only.” country. It is a simple truth and cess- your successes will be the May 16, 2011 full story www.armradio.am the bright example of it is that the successes of our country. May 13 2011 www.mfa.am 2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia, Switzerland have potential RA government approves for boosting cooperation offer on signing FTA within rmenian President Serzh Sarg- CIS Asyan said that Armenia and Switzerland have great potential for boosting cooperation and expressed interest in full usage of the existing op- portunities in economic cooperation. Sargsyan told a joint press conference with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey that the countries can co- operate in jewelry and watchmak- granting Armenia a status of hon- ing industry, as well as agriculture, orary guest at the Geneva Interna- tourism, culture, science and art. tional Book and Press Fair, the RA Sargsyan also expressed gratitude for presidential press service reported. uring the May 12 sitting, the May 3, 2011 www.panarmenian.net DArmenian government ap- proved the offer on signing a Free WhoCares Gillan and Iommi’s band album presented Trade Agreement within the CIS. in Yerevan Armenian Minister of Econo- my Tigran Davtyan told journal- n May 6, Yerevan’s Armenia Mar- ists after the sitting that current- Oriott hotel hosted a presentation of ly bilateral agreements on free WhoCares music band album, created trade are in force within the CIS. by lead singer and “This is a serious action for ex- guitarist . panding multilateral ties within Armenian Prime Minister Tigran the CIS to promote trade and boost Sargsyan attended the presentation. economic cooperation,” Dav- The album includes Out Of My Mind tyan said, adding this is the path and Holy Water songs, as well as a taken by the EU for integration. new video for Out Of My Mind track. According to him, as a result of ne- ‘’WhoCares is a band born out of Gil- gotiations the parties managed to lan and Iommi’s love for Armenia,’’ the reach a common agreement, in which Prime Minister said at the presentation. the free trade regime is agreed, while May 6, 2011 www.panarmenian.net the multilateral agreement will in- clude the content of all bilateral agreements. “We expect the agree- Abraham: I am thrilled to make my first open-air fight ment to be approved by all the CIS member states,” noted Davtyan. Depot Center’s outdoor tennis May 12 2011 www.panarmenian.net arena, where Showtime will air the fight on Saturday, May 14. Energy Ministry: security “It’s a great venue and I am thrilled level at Armenian NPP ex- to make my first open-air fight,” he ceeds that of Fukushima said, quoted by Ring TV. “There is a lot at stake. I know that Andre Ward he security level at Armenian is a tough and very skilled opponent. TNPP exceeds that of Fuku- rthur Abraham is getting ready for But my goal is to become a superstar shima, Armenian Minister of En- Aa big fight, the Super Six World in America, and in order to do so, I ergy and Natural Resources said. Boxing Classic semifinals match. need to defeat Ward. I am prepared As Armen Movsesyan stated in the After the final press conference, for a real battle and a huge victory for parliament, Armenian NPP is the only the former IBF middleweight my legions of fans all over the world.” nuclear station in the world complete beltholder checked out The Home May 14, 2011 fwww.panarmenian.net with natural circulation regime allow- Affordable Cars for Young Families program to launch ing for reactor cooling within 72 hours in Armenia even without a forced circulation. rmenian Ministry of Sport and Youth Euro 15 thousand.As the Deputy Minister As he pointed, out, based on infor- AAffairs is working on implementation of Sport and Youth Affairs Arsen Karamy- mation about NPP-related emer- of Affordable Cars for Young Families an told a news conference in Armenia, ne- gency situations worldwide, Arme- program. The program allows for young gotiations with foreign colleagues are held; nian NPP develops a plan of actions families to purchase a car within 5-7 years, the name of the company to be involved in to provide the power station safety. with a 20% prepayment at annual inter- the program won’t be announced yet. May 11, 2011 www.panarmenian.net est rate of 12%. The total cost of the car is May 11, 2011 www.panarmenian.net

3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Turkey-Armenia friendship symbol being demolished Nagorny Karabakh conflict settlement a dorsement deal was announced last winter, priority says OSCE Armenian diaspora groups reacted with outrage. The Armenian Youth Federation esolving the Nagorny Karabakh (AYF), the youth wing of the Armenian Rconflict is one of the Organiza- Revolutionary Federation, as well as the tion for Security and Cooperation in Armenian National Committee of America Europe’s top priorities, says the presi- (ANCA), issued statements calling on the dent of Lithuania, currently hold- Lakers’ star to cancel the deal. Given the ing the organization’s rotating chair. Turkish government’s 49-percent stake President Dalia Grybauskaite discussed in Turkish Airlines, diaspora groups sug- the prospects for resolving the con- gested that Bryant was accepting “blood flict during a meeting on Monday with ow that the Los Angeles Lakers have money” because of Ankara’s refusal to Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev. Nbeen bumped from the National Bas- acknowledge the 1915 Ottoman Turk Nagorny Karabakh, a breakaway region ketball Association playoffs, Kobe Bryant, slaughter of ethnic Armenians as genocide. on Azerbaijani territory with a predomi- the team’s star, faces an off-the-court chal- The hard feelings intensified this spring nantly ethnic Armenian population, lenge. This winter, Bryant alienated a large as billboards featuring Bryant, who has has been at the center of a bitter con- segment of the Lakers’ fan base, members of never been to Turkey, began popping up in flict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. California’s large Diaspora Armenian com- southern California to publicize the launch “Lithuania as the OSCE chair unambigu- munity, with a decision to endorse Turkish of direct Turkish Airlines flights from Los ously speaks for a peaceful resolution,” Airlines. Now, some hope Angeles to Istanbul. Grybauskaite said. “I told President Il- The hard feelings intensified Bryant will use the off- He also appeared in kham Aliyev that both [conflicting] sides this spring as billboards featur- season to make amends. a television com- should take steps to promote trust, such ing Bryant, who has never been When the season started, mercial touting the as the removal of snipers and the estab- to Turkey, began popping up many experts believed direct flights. Turk- lishment of direct contacts ... An open in southern California to publi- Bryant and his teammates ish Airlines, which cize the launch of direct Turk- would be playing the turned a $191-mil- ish Airlines flights from Los Miami Heat in June for lion profit in 2010, the NBA championship. Angeles to Istanbul. is no stranger to Now, he can only expect using athletic stars to get more heat from diaspora Armenians. to promote its brand. The company also Bryant’s summer vacation began far ear- has endorsement deals with two of the lier than expected when his team suffered highest profile soccer clubs in Europe, the ignominy of a 4-0 second-round series Manchester United and FC Barcelona. and benevolent dialogue is necessary.” sweep at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. Now that Bryant doesn’t have to concen- Aliyev informed Grybauskaite about The shocking way the Lakers, defending trate on basketball again until the fall, the current state of the conflict as well NBA champs, exited the playoffs could diaspora community leaders hope the su- as about the ongoing negotiations. end up sharpening the residual resentment premely talented guard will have time “We [Azerbaijan] hope that by display- that many Armenian fans feel for Bryant. to reflect on his endorsement choice. ing a constructive approach to propos- When the two-year Turkish Airlines en- May 9, 2011 www.eurasianet.org als of the OSCE Minsk Group, Armenia will take a step forward and begin its withdrawal from the occupied Azerbai- CIS states to agree exemptions for free trade zone treaty jani territories. Peace will be established in the region after this,” Alieyv’s press IS government heads will try to agree ing out of export duties in the CIS. service quoted him as saying after the Cexemptions for a free trade zone Russian First Deputy Prime Min- talks with the Lithuanian president. treaty on May 19 in Minsk, Belarusian ister Igor Shuvalov said in April Nagorny Karabakh, a breakaway region Foreign Ministry’s official representa- export duties remained a stum- on Azerbaijani territory with a predomi- tive Andrei Savinykh said Thursday. bling block in the negotiations. nantly ethnic Armenian population, has “The sides will discuss a draft free Sergei Glazyev, secretary at large of remained in Armenian control since the trade zone treaty,” Savinykh said. the Customs Union of Russia, Be- late 1980s, when the region claimed in- The Economic Council of the Common- larus and Kazakhstan, has said that dependence from Azerbaijan to join wealth of Independent States (CIS) ap- a free trade zone might be launched Armenia. The conflict is estimated to proved a draft agreement on a free trade as soon as by the end of 2011. have left more than 30,000 people dead zone in mid-April that would move the The CIS is a loose association of former on both sides between 1988 and 1994. grouping of most of the former Soviet re- Soviet republics. It consists of Azerbai- The OSCE Minsk Group, comprising publics further toward liberalized trade. jan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyr- Russia, France and the United States, Savinyk said the sides will agree ex- gyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and mediates the conflict between Azerbaijan emptions from the free trade regime Uzbekistan. Ukraine has not ratified the and Armenia over Nagorny Karabakh. and undertake an obligation not to ex- CIS Charter but participates in its activities. May 3, 2011 www. en.rian.ru pand them more, and discuss the phas- May 12, 2011 www.rian.ru

4 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS DIASPORA Journey to Historic Armenia Cyprus Parliament Head Calls Turkey In- nian people, lived, prayed and battled. ternational Terrorist Shiraz started working with a French ar- chaeological group as a photographer in the 1960-s. After touring throughout Leb- anon, he began working on his lifelong desire and travelled to hisancestral home to photograph Armenian fortresses & churches in Western Armenia (Today’s Turkey) and Eastern Armenia. His life- long journey has given him the oppor- tunity to photograph historic Armenian he Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the towns and architectural heritage in Cili- TNor Serount (New Generation) Cul- cia, Aintab, Ourfa, Dikranagerd, Paghesh, tural Association will present a unique the Daron mountains, Sassoun, Kharpert, resident of the House of Repre- photo illustration; Journey to Historic Van, Akhtamar, Bayazid, Khout, Prnash- Psentatives Marios Garoyian on Armenia on Sunday, May 15. Photog- en, Pssank, Dalvorig, Shadakh, Dzovas- Tuesday stressed the responsibili- raphy fans will have the opportunity to sar, Pshoud, Mshkegh, Mount Maratoug, ties of the international community see original photos taken by Shiraz-Hov- Marash, Malatia, Erzroum, Moush, Kars, in regard to Turkey’s crime of the hannes Djeredjian, from 1960’s onwards, Ani and the Iranian-Turkish frontier. By Armenian Genocide saying that if capturing natural scenes, historical his account, he is the first photographer Turkey had been punished for that monuments and Armenian landscapes. who took aerial photos of Mount Ararat. crime, the Turkish invasion against Djeredjian is known as “the Photog- Within the next two decades, he con- Cyprus may not had taken place. rapher of the Armenian People.” His tinues his excursions and takes pho- Describing Turkey as an inter- story-telling photography preserves tos architectural sites and documents national terrorist, he called upon the richness of the Armenian History. historical events. Shiraz also risked Ankara to admit its crime and Shiraz has a unique talent in showcas- his life by photographing remote ar- apologize to humanity for it. ing his photographs. His ability to nar- eas of the Artsakh region immedi- If Turkey had been punished for its rate, coupled with the breathtaking ately following the war of liberation. enormous crime of the Armenian Gen- scenes and historical sites, take you back May 11, 2011 ocide of 1915, the Turkish invasion to the places ancestors of the Arme- www.massispost.com against Cyprus may not have taken place, he stressed, addressing Tues- Hamshen Armenians to Resettle in Karabakh day a school event entitled Armenian Genocide from the past to the present. tral Asia. Finally we’ve decided Garoyian stressed the responsibili- to seek refuge on our own soil.” ties of the international community, It is anticipated that the Hamshen saying that the Armenian Genocide Armenians will establish residency must be condemned and recognized in the Mardakert region of Artsakh. by all and called upon Turkey to ad- The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic mit its crime and apologize to the authorities will provide land and op- Armenian people and all humanity. portunities for economic develop- He went on to add that the internation- ments and will subsidize this effort al community’s failure to punish Tur- until the families are self-sufficient. key increases Ankara’s intransigence round 200 Hamshen-Arme- Armenians of Hamshen in West- and described Turkey as an interna- Anian families living in Kyr- ern Armenia were conquered by the tional terrorist, who, through military gyzstan are opting to resettle in Ottomans in the 15th century. The power, attempts to impose its rule on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. majority of them were forced to neighbors and non-neighbors alike. The leader of the Hamshen-Arme- convert to Islam. A resurgence of As long as Turkey remains un- nian community, Ruslan Karab- Hamshen Armenians has begun in punished, the international com- adjakov has traveled to Yerevan, recent years, with a group in Arme- munity has no right to be proud of from where he will go to Artsakh nia forming community organiza- today’s world order, he stressed, to look into logistics for the re- tions and publishing a newspaper. adding that the international com- location of 200 families there. The Hamshen Armenians settled munity should feel as an accomplice “Our place is here, in Armenia,” in Adjaria, from where they were as long as the Armenian Genocide said Karabadjakov. “For 250 years driven out and a large majority set- and other ethnic cleansing crimes fate has forced us to move from tled in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. of Turkey remain unpunished. place to palce—Adzharia, Cen- May 12, 2011 www.armenianweekly.com May 11, 2011 www.asbarez.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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