Average monthly salary totaled AMD 103,900 in Ar- The Apricot Interna- menia in first half of 2010s tional Film Festival- Page 3 PAGE 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Weekly Digest of the Government of Armenia

July 19 - 26, 2010 THEMA

“Quote of the week”

“The whole world urges Turkey to demonstrate politi- cal will in ratifying Protocols, however Ankara turns a deaf ear, calling on Arme- nia to show political will”

SERzh Sargsyan RA President

Tigran Sargsyan pays a working visit to MARZ Upcoming Events rmenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarg- programs within the framework of which ca- Asyan paid today a working visit to the nals of Armavir and Lower Hrazdan, “Ranch- July 29 : FC Rabotnicki of Mac Armenian province of Armavir accompa- par 2” pumping station are being restored, it is edonia will play against Armenians nied with the US Ambassador to Armenia intended to restore inner irrigation networks FC Mika Marie Yovanovitch, minister of agriculture of 30 communities. Overall, programs costing Gerasim Alavardyan, governor of Armavir about 10 million USD are being implemented August 12: Serj Tankian gives solo Ashot Ghahramyan, director general of the in the . “After the program is concert in “Millennium Challenge Account-Armenia” finished it will not only be possible to irrigate Ara Hovsepyan and others. The first stop additional lands but an improved irrigation August 19: President of RF arrives was Merdzavan community where the of 1500 ha of lands will be carried out,” Ara Yerevan prime minister was introduced to the re- Hovsepyan said. Lower Hrazdan canal can ir- stored sector of the main canal of the Lower rigate 10 000 ha land. The “MCA-Armenia” is Hrazdan which will be put into exploita- restoring 5 697 meters of the 53-km long main tion next year. The restoration works were canal and 15 hydro-technical institutions. The USEFUL LINKS implemented within the framework of the prime minister was also presented the Tertiary • www.president.am US-funded “MCF-Armenia” programs. Ara canal of the community which has an • www.gov.am Hovsepyan told the reporters that the Arma- opportunity to irrigate about 180 ha of lands. • www.parliament.am vir province is a target one as here a great Tigran Sargsyan was also hosted at the house • www.mfa.am volume of agricultural works are being or- of farmer of Griboyedov community Simon • www.armenpress.am ganized. According to him, in Armavir the Jalalyan where he was presented the new irri- • www.panarmenian.net “MCA-Armenia” carried out a number of gation technology. • www.matenadaran.am July 26, 2010 www.armenpress.am ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS CHRONICA Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia political will,” Serzh Sargsyan noted Headlines of ready to use St. Petersburg at July 21 meeting with Armenian Di- the week suggestions as basis for aspora youth, members of Miasin • JUIY 19: Pyunik founda- negotiations movement and Return Home program. tion presents Hovhannes Aiva- “Despite Turkish authorities’ state- zovsky’s painting to Armenia ments, Armenia is ready to accept any AH expression of friendship,” Armenian • JULY 19: Serge Avedikian awarded leader concluded. Armenia is ready to RA Culture Ministry’s Gold Medal use St. Petersburg suggestions as basis AH • JULY 19: Negotiations on Association for negotiations; it’s now Azerbaijan’s Agreement with EU open in Yerevan turn to decide on its position, Arme- AH nian President Serzh Sargsyan stated. • JULY 19: Russian dolls ex- As Armenian leader pointed out at July 21 hibition opened in Armenia meeting with Armenian Diaspora youth, AH members of Miasin movement and Re- • JULY 20: CSTO Collective rmenia demonstrated politi- turn Home program, “Suggestions were Rapid Reaction Force exercises Acal will towards normaliza- put forward at St. Petersburg meeting, may be held in Armenia in 2011 tion of ties with Turkey and expects with Armenia and Azerbaijan expected AH Turkey to undertake a return step, to express their positions. Negotiations • JULY 21: Deputy head of Arme- nian Travel Agencies Union fore- RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated. will be resumed upon Azerbaijan’s ac- casts tourist inflow increase upon “The whole world urges Turkey to cepting OSCE MG’s suggestions.” Armenia-Turkey border opening demonstrate political will in ratify- July 17, 2010 www.panarmenian.net AH ing Protocols, however Ankara turns • JULY 23 : Court of Justice put the right a deaf ear, calling on Armenia to show of nations to self-determination above the principle of territorial integrity RA government, WB sign $40mln agreement for improvement of AH rural roads • JULY 23: EBRD revises upward its fore- n July 23, the Armenian govern- According to Naira Melkumyan, it casts for Armenia from 4.5% to 4.6% Oment and World Bank signed a is expected that up to 50 km will be AH $40mln loan agreement for the second rehabilitated by the end of this year. • JULY 24: Are Armenia’s mac- Additional Financing for the Lifeline “The program will allow creating 19,000 roeconomic indices “drawn”? Road Improvement Project for Armenia. jobs/1 month in this field,” she said. AH The agreement was signed by Arme- The IBRD Flexible loan has a ma- • JULY 25: Batumi is host- nian Minister of Finance Tigran Dav- turity of 25 years and a grace ing South Caucasus Champi- tyan and Acting Director of WB Yer- period of 10 years included. onship in Intellectual Games evan Office Naira Melkumyan, the RA For his part, Tigran Davtyan noted Golden Apricot gave green government’s press service reported. that the loan is provided under fa- light to projects of young The second additional financing vorable conditions, what will allow script writers and will further scale-up activities un- implementing the program aimed filmmakers der the on-going project to improve at equal development of regions. wo programs – Courses for the condition of 190 km of roads. July 23, 2010 www.panarmenian.net TScript and Project Development, as well as Platform: Armenia-Tur- AMD 4.9bln growth recorded in export volumes of Arme- key – were held as part of Filmmak- nia’s largest taxpayers in May 2010 ers without Boundaries annual forum of Golden Apricot international festival. ccording to the Analysis of Summa- five companies (Zangezur copper and mo- Meanwhile, Platform: Armenia-Tur- Arized Indices of Large Taxpayers’ lybdenum combine, Rusal Armenal, Pure key program was aimed at serving as Monitoring in May 2010 by the Committee Iron Plant, Armenian Copper Program, Ar- a stimulus for development of Arme- of State Revenues, the export volumes of menian Molybdenum Production) totaled nian-Turkish joint production of films. Armenia’s largest taxpayers totaled AMD AMD 13.4bln in May 2010 that is AMD The programs brought together 20 film peo- 20.2bln in May 2010 that is 4.9bln higher 7.2bln higher as compared with the same ple representing national cinema centers of as compared with the same period of last period of last year. various countries, international festivals year. Meanwhile, the export volume of July 19, 2010 www.panarmenian.net and private film companies. Famous film- makers Krzysztof Zanussi and Rob Nilsson 8th volume of Ararat Heritage book series released delivered lectures for young film people. Besides, the two programs provided au- ublishing department of Holy Etchmi- materials on Armenian Genocide–related thors of best projects with the opportunity adzin has released the 8th volume of P issues published in Holy Etchmiadzin’s to receive grants for their development. Ararat Heritage book series - Holy Echmi- Ararat official journal. Full story adzin and Armenian Genocide - authored July 19, 2010 www.panarmenian.net July 19, 2010 www.panarmenian.net by Avag Harutyunyan. The book features

2 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS RES PUBLICA RA government he Armenian government introduced Average monthly salary clarifies application of Tan amendment to its earlier decision totaled AMD 103,900 in Arme- Arbun trade name to clarify the cases of application of Ar- nia in first half of 2010 bun trade name and to protect the legal in- terests of local producers and consumers. ccording to updated statistical data, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarg- Athe average monthly salary totaled syan noted that it was necessary to AMD 103,900 in Armenia in the first introduce the amendment, as the gov- half of 2010 that is 7.9% higher as com- ernment’s earlier decision served as pared with the same period of 2009. a reason for diverse interpretations. Meanwhile, 4.9% and 9.8% growth was “Armenian brandy should be made recorded in salaries of budgetary and of local raw materials. And if im- private organizations, totaling AMD ported spirit is used for a beverage 84,563 and 130,810 respectively, the production, its trade name should RA National Statistical Service reported. be Arbun,” concluded Sargsyan. At the same time, the number of unem- 22 July, 2010, www.panarmenian.net ployed totaled 84,800 as of the end of June 2010 that is 0.8% higher as com- Tigran Sargsyan briefed Spanish delegation on pared with the same period of last year. At investment opportunities in Armenia’s economy the same time, 0.1% growth was record- ed in the monthly unemployment rate. rmenian Prime Minister Tigran July 20, 2010, www.panarmenian.net ASargsyan received a delegation of Spanish entrepreneurs headed by Pres- Tatev Abrahamyan wins ident of Torreal investment company Juan Abello. bronze medal at U.S. Wom- Greeting the guests, the PM stressed en’s Chess Championship the importance of such business del- egation’s visit to Armenia, what will rmenia’s Tatev Abrahamyan contribute to development of bilateral Ascored 7.5 points and shared the economic ties. 2nd-3rd places with Anna Zatonskih He also briefed the guests on the cur- at the US Women's Chess Champi- rent situation and investment opportu- ical industry, high technologies, bank- onship in Saint Louis. According to nities in Armenia’s economy. ing system and other fields, the RA additional results, Abrahamyan was Besides, the parties referred to cooper- government’s press service reported. ation outlooks in pharmaceutics, chem- July 19, 2010, www.panarmenian.net awarded bronze medal. Meanwhile,

6.7% GDP growth recorded in Armenia in January- June 2010

ccording to updated statistical data, corded in consumer prices in January-June A6.7% GDP growth was recorded in 2010 as compared with the same period of Armenia in January-June 2010 as com- 2009. Meanwhile, deflation totaled 0.8% pared with the same period of 2009. The in June 2010. The 2010 national budget GDP amounted to AMD 1,331.9bln in June envisages 1.2% economic growth and 4 ± that is 31.7% higher as compared with May, 1.5% inflation in Armenia. Irina Krush won the champion’s title. the National Statistical Service of Armenia July 20,2010 www.panarmenian.net Gabriel Sargsyan scored 6.5 points and reported. Besides, 7.3% growth was re- is sharing the 1st-3rd places at an inter- Hrair Simonyan is half point behind leader of national chess tournament in Rethym- international chess tournament in Warsaw no, Greece. In the last round Sargsyan will compete with Bela Khotenashvili rmenia's GM Hrair Simonyan fourth round of an international chess (Georgia). Ascored 4.5 points out of six pos- tournament in Balager, Spain. Thus, GM Hrair Simonyan scored 2.5 points sible at the Miguel Najdorf Memorial Melkumyan scored three points out of 3 possible at Miguel Najdorf held in Warsaw, Poland. Simonyan is and is one point behind the tourna- Memorial held in Warsaw, Poland, only half a point behind leader Julian ment leaders. GM Zaven Andriasyan with participation of 92 chess players. Radulski (Bulgaria). scored 2.5 points, Simonyan is only half a point behind Meanwhile, Armenia's GM Hrant July 24, 2010 www.panarmenian.net Melkumyan was defeated in the the leaders, armchess.am reported. July 21, 2010 www.panarmenian.net

3 AH ARMENIA HIGHLIGHTS PRO PATRIA Iran, Armenia to enhance relations St. Petersburg talks contribute to Karabakh settlement - Arme- defense relations. For his part, Mottaki nian president stressed the necessity to resolve regional security issues through an “inter-regional rmenia is ready to discuss the Nagorny Kara- mechanism” and called for more coop- Abakh settlement with Azerbaijan on the basis eration between Tehran and Yerevan. The of proposals made during talks between the two Armenian minister had also met with Ira- countries' presidents in St. Petersburg, Armenian nian Defense Minister Brigadier General media said, quoting President Serzh Sargsyan. Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday. In the meet- Sargsyan and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev ing with his counterpart, Ohanyan said discussed the Nagorny Karabakh issue in Russia's his country places special importance on second city on June 18. A long-standing dispute rmenian Defense Minister Seyran maintaining and expanding ties with Iran. over the breakaway region inside Azerbaijan with AOhanyan in a meeting with Iranian “Cordial bonds between Iran and Armenia a predominantly ethnic Armenian population has Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will help maintain peace and stability in the been a sticking point in relations between the two in Tehran has called for expansion of ties region. Regional problems can and should countries. The St. Petersburg talks were initiated between the two countries. The two offi- be addressed through the collective wis- by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Russia, cials exchanged views on bilateral ties and dom of regional states,” he said. along with the United States and France, is part economic cooperation as well as regional Vahidi, in his turn, expressed hope that Oh- of the OSCE Minsk Group mediating the conflict. and international developments. Ohanyan anyan’s visit will be effective in improving During the talks, Sargsyan and Aliyev agreed to con- underscored Iran’s strategic role in the two-way bonds and establishing peace and tinue negotiations on the basis of the OSCE Madrid Middle East and expressed his country’s stability in the region. . principles adopted in November 2007. readiness to bolster mutual economic and July 19, 2010 www.presstv.ir July 22, 2010 full story www.en.rian.ru The Apricot International Film QUESTIONS FROM ARMENIA Festival major Armenian-American organization Neither the White House nor the State Depart- Ais raising conflict-of-interest questions ment would comment on the issues raised by about Matthew J. Bryza, who is scheduled to the ANCA. “The policy positions that Mrs. appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Bryza has advocated have often been aligned Committee Thursday for a hearing on his with those advanced by the State Department, nomination to serve as ambassador to Azerba- as well as with the interests pursued by the Az- ijan, Armenia’s deadly rival. The Armenian erbaijani government and energy corporations National Committee of America (ANCA) with interests in the Caspian [Sea] region,” the says Mr. Bryza, a career diplomat, is too close ANCA said in its statement on Mr. Bryza. to major Azerbaijani politicians and is biased The group suggested that Mr. Bryza might against Armenia, which fought Azerbaijan be in violation of federal ethics rules because hey’ve been giving out the gongs at the Golden in the early 1990s in an undeclared war. The of his wife’s connections to Turkish and TApricot International Film Festrival in Armenia. conflict involved the ethnic-Armenian enclave Azerbaijani business interests. “Federal em- Italian actress Claudia Cardinale was presented of Nagorno-Karabakh, which had declared in- ployees are also prohibited from participating with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and amde The group suggested that Mr. Bryza might be in a clutch of persona appearances at the festival. violation of federal ethics rules because of his Best remembered for her role in Sergio Leo- neàs Once Upon a Time in the West, the ac- wife’s connections to Turkish and Azerbaijani tress is was last seen in French film The String. business interests. There was also a round table event. The Ar- dependence from Azerbaijan. Armenians are personally and substantially in a particular menia-Turkey Cinema Platform aims to es- overwhelmingly Christian, while Azerbaijani government matter that will affect his/her tablish cooperation between film makers from are mostly Muslim. In a seven-page statement own financial interests, as well as the finan- the two countries and develop joint projects. to the Senate committee, the ANCA also cial interests of his/her spouse,” the ANCA The Golden Apricot for the Best Feature Film went raised concerns about Mr. Bryza’s Turkish said. The group questioned the role that Hey- to Turkish film Kosmos from director Reha Erdem. wife, Zeyno, director of the Center for Eura- dar Babayev, former minister of economic A classic tale about a stranger who arrives in a small sian Policy at the Washington-based Hudson development, played in the Bryzas’ wedding. town looking for redemption. It appears he can work Institute. Turkey is a close ally to Azerbaijan. Mr. Babayev filed a lawsuit against the Aza- miracles, but then the past catches up with him; lit- The ANCA noted that Turkish and Azerbaijani dlig newspaper for publishing a story that said tle by little the townspeople realise he is also a thief. business interests funded a major conference he helped pay for the wedding. Mr. Babayev American director Rob Nilsson announced that My at the Hudson Institute, which was organized reportedly said he gave them a wedding gift, Joy from Russian director Sergei Loznitsa had won in part by Mrs. Bryza, and questioned whether which he did not disclose. the Silver Apricot. The film is about a lorry driver a former high-ranking Azerbaijani official July 20, 2010,full story who goes off the rails as a result of his wife’s adultery. helped pay for the Bryzas’ wedding in 2007. www.washingtontimes.com July 22, 2010 www.euronews.net

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