23 YEARS The ##29 44 Noah’s Ark (1132)(1117) 12 2December August 23 YEARS 2016 The #28 Noah’s Ark Published(1116) Since 1993 25 July Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³µ³Ã³Ã»ñà (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) 2016 Published 28 yearsArmenia after standoff the devastating over: Since 1993 Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³µ³Ã³Ã»ñà (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) Members earthquakeof armed group in Spitak lay down arms Hostages Released In Yerevan December 7 marks the 28th anniversary 170 industrial companies was halted. works. of the destructive earthquake in Spitak. Immediately after the earthquake Arme- A number of countries of the world con- The earthquake hit 40 % of the territory of nians all over the world united and offered tinued to support Armenia years after the Armenia, densely populated region with 1 comprehensive support to the Motherland. earthquake. Italians built a whole dwelling million people. “SOS Armenie,” “Aznavour for Armenia” district in Spitak, Norwegians built a hospi- The cities of Spitak, Leninakan, Kirovakan and tens of other organizations were created. tal, which was named after great humanist and Stepanavan, as well as hundreds of vil- Many Diaspora Armenians rushed to Arme- F. Nansen. lages were totally or partially destroyed. nia, bringing food, clothes and medicine. A school built by an EnglishmenSee p. was4 Twenty-five thousand people were killed; Many of them – doctors, psychologists, opened in Gyumri. Prime Minister of Great 500 thousand were left without shelter.In 17% This constructors, Issue architectsJournalist, – stayed in Arme -Analyst,Britain Margaret Armenian Thatcher participated in of the buildings were destroyed; the work of nia and personally participated in the rescue the opening ceremony. See p. 2 Armenia ready to invest in Intellectual Harutyun Khachatryan Iran's jewelry industry p.6 InIn ThisThis IssueIssue Noyan KickedTapan the Press-Center Bucket Resolution on Armenian Genocide recogni- Noyan Tapan Press Center holdsOn differentJuly 27, discussions,after a long pressand severe conferences, illness, U.S.tion Condemns submitted Armedto Egypt’s Attack Parliament on Armenian p.10 round tables, teleconferences,Noyan seminars Tapan each Information week which Center are broadcast analyst PoliceNairit Chemical Plant p.5 live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage of the Center, as well Harutyun Khachatryan passed away, at age 61. DeclaredKnesset Education Bankrupt Committee recognizesp.5 as to place your banner in our Press Room. Tel: 060 35 11 22. Oil prices rise as market shrugs off Armenian genocide p.10 Address: IsahakyanHe 28, started 3rd his floor, journalistic Yerevan, career 0009 in the early Turkey coup bid 1990s. H. Khachatryan was one of the journal- Armenian Defense Minister Vigen p.6 Protests continue in Yerevan p.12 ists who were working for the "outside world", CaliforniaSargsyan State Visits Board Russia of Educationp.p.12-13 Noyan Tapanwho broke Printing the news blockade Houseof Armenia dur- adopts expanded Armenian Next issue of The Noyan Tapan Highlights is offering coloured anding theblack Nagorno-Karabakh and white offset War (1991-1994). and digital GenocideNews from curriculum VivaCell-MTS p.p.14-15p.16 will be published at 5 september 2016 printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals,continued onetc page with 13 Victor Ambartsumian International Science high quality and low prices Tel: 060 35 11 22 YouthThe Noyan Orchestra: Tapan 2016 Highlights Khachatourian www.nt.am Prize not to be awarded this year p.16 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd 2floor, August Yerevan #29 (1117) 0009 2016 Fest Close to the End p.p.16-17 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 25 July #28 (1116) 2016 2 POLITICS President Sargsyan visits Artsakh On 8 December Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan wel- comed President Serzh Sargsyan of the Republic of Armenia at Ste- panakert Airport. In one of the military units located in the republic’s central region the Presidents partook at an opening ceremony of new barracks. On the same day Presidents of Artsakh and Armenia convoked a consultation in the NKR Defense ministry with the participation of the Defense Army supreme command-staff devoted to the issues of army-building and current situation on the borders. Nalbandian to Steinmeier: Azerbaijan keeps aggravating the situation Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nal- port of the German presidency to the OSCE bandian had a meeting with OSCE Chair- Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts towards the man-in-Office, German Foreign Minister peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Frank-Water Steinmeier on the sidelines of Edward Nalbandian called Frank-Walter the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Steinmeier’s attention to the fact that Azer- Hamburg. The parties exchanged views on baijan refuses to implement the agreements the activity of the OSCE and referred to is- reached the Vienna and St. Petersburg sum- sues on the agenda of the OSCE Ministerial mits and keeps aggravating the situation at Council. Minister Nalbandian hailed the sup- the line of contact. Iran to help set up Meghri Free Zone in Armenia Iran’s Minister of Industries, Mines and mercial infrastructural projects in Armenia. menia.’ Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh said ‘As for mineral exploration and exploitation, He said that his country specially and fully on December 5 that Iran will contribute to especially copper, iron ore and gold and de- supports conclusion of a preferential trade construction and operation of Meghri Free signing steel production projects , Iran is also agreement and Iran’s membership in Eur- Zone in Armenia, IRNA reports. ready to put its technical and engineering po- asia. Nematzadeh made the remarks in a meet- tential at the disposal of Armenia.’ The Armenian minister said Iran’s help to ing with Armenian Minister of Energy In- Iran is ready to sign preferential tariff deal set up Meghri free zone will serve as first frastructure and Natural Resources Ashot with Eurasian union, said Nematzadeh, add- step to that end. ‘Although the membership Manukyan. ing, ‘Regarding membership of Armenia in and conclusion of the agreement can lead Nematzadeh said that Iran has good expe- the Union, we expect its support to conclude to expansion of commercial and economic rience in setting up free zones and is ready to the deal.’ relations, the two-way ties should further ex- share experience with Armenia to help set up The Iranian minister said that Iran has dis- pand irrespective of the issues.’ Free Trade Zone. tinguished scientific status, especially in the He noted that elimination of custom barri- ‘Iran and Armenia enjoy potential for ex- nano-technology, bio-technology, informa- ers is one of the most important barriers to pansion of economic and industrial relations tion technology and telecommunications. promotion of bilateral commercial relations. and their level of exchanges should be up- He called for signing Memoranda of Un- ‘Armenian government pays special atten- graded.’ The minister said Iranian and Ar- derstanding (MoU) for transfer of technolo- tion to elimination of barriers and problems menian private sectors are interested in pro- gy and knowledge with Armenia. facing the private sector and entrepreneurs motion of trade and economic relations. ‘We The Armenian Minister welcomed contri- and not only supports Iran’s stances but also should use the potential of the private sector bution of Iranian investors to Armenian proj- considers it as partner of its interests.’ for upgrading trade by removal of banking ects, especially its mineral projects. He said a deal on nano-technology had and insurance hurdles.’ ‘For construction of free zone we will use been signed during his recent visit to Iran. The official said Iranian banking system Iran’s experience and expansion of the re- ‘The information technology exhibition and Export Guarantee Fund is ready to re- lations can further provide the ground for will be held in Armenia in June 2017 with move commercial barriers. Iran’s membership in Eurasia.’ presence of well-credited international com- ‘Holding joint meetings within framework He said that Iran and Armenia have firm panies and active presence of Iranian compa- of commission and visit of officials can serve political ties based on good neighborly nies in the expo is welcomed.’ as an effective factor to identify problems friendship and that economic and commer- The 14th Iran-Armenia Joint Commission and barriers to go ahead with commercial, cial relations between the two countries session opened in Tehran on Monday morn- industrial and mineral cooperation.’ should be upgraded in pace with their friend- ing co-chaired by Iranian Minister of Energy He said Iranian technical and engineering ly and political ties. Hamid Chitchian and Armenian Minister of service companies are capable enough to ‘Iran’s insurance coverage to the industries Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources contribute to designing industrial and com- can help development of the industry in Ar- Ashot Manukyan. 12 December #44 (1132) w 2016 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 3 Lavrov, Kerry, Ayrault issue joint statement on Karabakh implementing the exchange of data on missing persons under the aus- pices of the International Committee of the Red Cross. We urge the parties to remove all remaining obstacles to expanding the mission of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and to make progress on a proposal to establish an OSCE investigative mechanism. The proposals should be implemented together with the immediate resumption of negotiations on a settlement. We would like to reiterate our call to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to demonstrate flexibility and to return to the negotiation table with the firm aim of moving toward a sustainable peace on the basis of the current working proposals. Unless progress can be made on negoti- ations, the prospects for renewed violence will only increase, and the parties will bear full responsibility.