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The first construction project in irrigation is launched: MCA-Armenia signs contract with “AGAT-777” LLC
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Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia SNCO announced the award of a civil works contract to “AGAT-777” LLC for rehabilitation of tertiary canals in Abovyan, Arevshat and Lanjazat communities of Ararat marz and Griboyedov community of Armavir marz under the Irrigated agriculture project. The contract was signed at MCA-Armenia SNCO office by MCA-Armenia CEO Ara Hovsepyan and “AGAT-777” LLC Director Aghvan Karapetyan.

According to the contract, “AGAT-777” LLC should construct canals from reinforced concrete flumes, construct steel pipelines from pipes of various diameter, prepare and install flat steel gates, paint steel structures, and arrange joints.

The contract value is 116,862,152 AMD. The communities mentioned above have contributed 15% of the overall construction costs. They are being served by Aknalich and Azat Water Users Associations. The duration of works will be 6 months.

This construction project will ensure reliable irrigation to an area of about 70 ha and rehabilitation of 1100 meters of tertiary canal in Abovyan community, 110 ha and 448 meters of canal in Arevshat community, 230 ha and 3249 meters of canal in Griboyedov community, and 50 ha and 1706 meters of canal in Lanjazat community.

Overall, MCA-Armenia program will invest US$ 108 million into rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure in Armenia, including up to 68 pumping stations, 7 reservoirs, 6 main canals, 18 gravity schemes as well as up to up to 300 km of tertiary canals in the rural areas.

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MACVF receives $ 10,000 donation from Geragos & Geragos to bring life-saving vaccines to Armenia's children
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Getting into the Christmas spirit and garnering further support to alleviate Armenia’s vulnerability to vaccine shortages, the Millennium Armenian Children’s Vaccine Fund (MACVF) received a $10,000 donation from the Law offices of Geragos & Geragos to purchase life-saving vaccines for Armenia’s children. The donation is derived from a law suit settlement, which was filed against insurance companies on behalf Armenian Americans who purchased insurance policies when they immigrated to the United States during the Armenian genocide but were originally denied the right to collect on their policies. Part of the settlement was also earmarked for Armenian charities.

Mark Geragos, an Armenian- American prominent trial attorney was one of four lawyers in a federal class action lawsuit against New York Life Insurance for policies for victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in which 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered by Ottoman Turks.

The gift from Mark Geragos’s firm demonstrates the growing support for the MACVF children’s immunization campaign, which has brought together an impressive network of donors in the Armenian Diaspora, health experts and advisors dedicated to strengthening the National Immunization Program of Armenia. "Mark Geragos understands the challenges faced by Armenia’s children and we greatly appreciate his contribution toward securing life-saving vaccines" stated Raffy Ardhaldjian, chairman of the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation, the organization spearheading the Armenian children’s immunization activities.

Mr. Geragos is an active member of the large Armenian community of Los Angeles and serves on the advisory committee of Birthright Armenia. He’s also a chairman of Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and a member of the Armenia Fund International board of trustees.

Besides providing funds towards Armenia’s national immunization program since the turn of the century, the MACVF – as part of a large consortium of public health
donors- has in 2007 October actively participated in Measles and Rubella mass immunization campaign providing financial, logistical, and technical support. The mass immunization campaign against measles and rubella targeted all individuals aged 6 – 27 years, a total of approximately 1.2 million people.

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28 long-term and 250 short-term observers expected in Armenia
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RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the delegation of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation mission headed by Ambassador, Dr. Gert Arens, Press and Information Department of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.

The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the mission in the elections, which are of great significance for Armenia and noted that it will become a real warranty of establishment of democracy in Armenia.

For his part, Ambassador Arens expressed gratitude for the invitation to carry out an observation mission and noted that they will try to ensure maximum transparency, which will guarantee additional trust and objectivity.

The Ambassador noted that 28 long-term observers will arrive in Armenia. Another 250 short-term observers are expected to arrive from OSCE participating states.

At the end of the meeting Vartan Oskanian wished success to the OSCE/ODIHR mission and reconfirmed the willingness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the activity of the mission.

Dr. Arens has a great experience in carrying out observation missions. He headed the OSCE/ODIHR missions in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Serbia.

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BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR HANDS OVER HIS CREDENTIALS

Newly appointed Bulgarian ambassador to Armenia Thodor Marinov Staikov handed over the copies of his credentials to the Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.
Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that greeting the ambassador, the Armenian foreign minister wished him success in the implementation of his high mission and noted that Armenia underscores the necessity of close cooperation between the two countries both bilateral and within the framework of international organizations.
Referring to the current level of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations, Oskanian said that Armenia positively assesses the development process of the relations and is aimed at boosting relations with Bulgaria.
The two sides also agreed that the visit of the Bulgarian prime minister to Armenia in November 2007 gave new impetus to the development of bilateral relations and gave new prospects to the two states.
During the meeting the newly appointed Bulgarian ambassador also underscored the further development of bilateral relations and assured that he will do his best to consolidate the relations between the two countries.

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COLLAPSE KILLS MINER IN KAPAN, INJURES ANOTHER ONE

A collapse in a copper mine in southern Armenia killed one miner and severely injured another one in the early hours of today’s morning.
Armenian rescue service said the collapse occurred at an ore mining and processing enterprise owned by Dino Gold Mining at about 1.40 am today morning in Kapan, the administrative center of Syunik province.
The killed man was identified as David G. Mkrtchian, 30 and the injured man was Mkhitar M. Abgarian, 53.
The latter was rushed to hospital after rescuers dragged him from under debris. Doctors say his injuries are not life threatening.

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SHORT WEIGHING BY TRADERS HIT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Underweight is being widely practiced by Armenian traders, chairman of a non-governmental organization set up to protect consumers’ rights, said today.
Abgar Yeghoyan, head of Defense of Consumers Right NGO, said this breach has become commonplace at the local consumer market, affecting especially low-income segment of the population.
He said the legislation requires that all scales be checked at least once a year, but according to the National Measurement Institute, of 25,000 scales used in trade only 6,000 were checked last year. The fine for an unchecked scale ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 Drams.
Yeghoyan said even electronic scales can under-weigh 200-300 grams in one kg after their owners reset them. He said hand scales although prohibited are widely used by street traders and can under-weigh up to half of the real weight.
“Obviously, this issue is very urgent demanding swift intervention,” he said, suggesting that the government raise the amount of penalties for ‘cheating scales.’ He said verifying scales for consumers should be installed in all trading outlets.

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Conduct of the “Frontier-2008” military exercises in Armenia not directed against Azerbaijan
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The Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Nikolay Bordyuzha declared that the “Frontier-2008” military exercises in Armenia scheduled for spring 2008 are in no way directed against Azerbaijan. “By taking the decision on the conduct of the military exercises, we certainly take into consideration the whole complexity of the situation in the Caucasus, and we have applied all efforts to make Azerbaijan understand that these exercises are not directed against it,” Bordyuzha told a press conference in Moscow.

“I don’t think that Azerbaijan will negatively react to the conduct of the military exercises. Certainly, the “Frontier-2008” is not targeted at further sharpening of the complex situation,” the CSTO Secretary General said. He added that any state has the right to hold arrangements on its territory directed at ensuring the country’s security.

Mr. Bordyuzha said that observers from different countries will be invited to the military exercises.

Public Radio of Armenia

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The New Judicial System

Secretariat of the Court of Cassation informed that a new judicial system functions in Armenian started from Janurey 1st, 2008.
Common Jurisdiction Courts of First Instance, Specialized Court, Administrative Court, Appeal Court, and Court of Cassation.
Out of the seven (7) new established courts, six (6) are civil and specialized penal courts and one (1) Administrative Court.

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YEREVAN SUBWAY TO EXTEND TO AJAPNYAK DISTRICT

YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Prime minister Serzh Sarkisian took a stroll yesterday around the Yerevan subway, spoke to its chief executives and employees and discussed ways to boost its effectiveness.
Among plans of the subway is extension of the line to Ajapnyak district, but according to estimates, construction of 1 km long subway tunnel’s cost is about $12 million. Another $6 million will be required for construction of the terminal station.
Prime minister Serzh Sarkisian said this plan is quite feasible. He said he will discuss this issue at the nearest government session. Overall some $16 million are needed to build a new line to Ajapnyak.
Average wages of subway’s workers are 65,000 Drams (a little over $200). Sarkisian said an expected rise would make the average wage 100,000 Drams.
The Yerevan Underground system was launched in 1981. It runs on a 13.4 km (8.37 miles) line and currently services 10 active stations.

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RA Foreign Minister, EU Special Representative discuss a number of regional issues
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January 14 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semenby.

At the beginning of the meeting Mr. Semneby presented his assessment of the post-election developments in Georgia, noting that the European Union expressed its position with a statement and continues to follow the developments in the country. The interlocutors attached importance to the reinforcement of stability in Georgia as a guarantee of the country’s development, as well as the continuity of regional programs.

The parties also turned to the presidential elections in Armenia, underlining that the conduct of the elections corresponding to international standards will promote the deepening of cooperation with the European Union.

The parties exchanged views on the negotiations on Karabakh settlement, discussed the ways of EU involvement in the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, other regional issues.

Public Radio of Armenia

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PRSP ENVISAGES NO EXTREME POVERTY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS; Under the revised Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of the Armenian government, the level of poverty in Armenia is supposed to drop to 12 percent by 2012.
The next target will be 9 percent, which the government expects to achieve by 2015. In 2021 only 6 percent of Armenians would be rated a spoor.
For comparison in 2006 the level of poverty was 26.5 percent.
The revised strategy was presented today by Melik Gasparian, head of a team of experts hired to develop the strategy.
He said today by 2012 the share of extreme poverty is expected to fall to below 2 percent from the current 4.1 percent and by 2021 this problem would be resolved.
By 2015 the share of government subsidies to health will make 3.1 percent of the national GDP. Education subsidies will grow to 4 percent of the GDP.

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SOME 450,000 TOURISTS VISIT ARMENIA IN 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: According to preliminary figures, released by Armenia’s trade and economic development ministry, some 450,000 tourists visited the country in 2007.
Mekhak Apresian, head of a department dealing with tourism issues, said the final figures will be unveiled in early February. He said some 60 percent of all foreign visitors are ethnic Armenians living in other countries.
The average age of a foreigner visiting Armenia is 42 years and 60 percent are males. Regarding Diaspora Armenians the share of males and females is equal.
Some 20 percent are first time visitors while 56 percent visit the country for third time and more times.
The majority of foreign tourists are from Russia, Georgia and USA, followed by tourists from Iran, France, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.

Edited by Ashot, 15 January 2008 - 08:48 PM.

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Armenian delegation to attend Saakashvili's inauguration
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Armenia has received an invitation to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Press Secretary of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan told Mediamax.

The Armenian delegation will be headed by RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian.

Public Radio of Armenia

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New appointments

According to RA President Robert Kocharyan’s decree of January 14th, Seyran Petrosyan has been appointed member of the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition of the Republic of Armenia for the term of five years.

According to RA President Robert Kocharyan’s decree of January 15th, Manvel Badalyan has been appointed the President of the Civil Service Council for the term of six years.

Public Radio of Armenia

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Russian PM Viktor Zubkov to visit Armenia

February 6 the Russian delegation headed by Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov will arrive in Armenia. The delegation comprises members of the executive power, representatives of the Federal Agency for Atomic Energy, Regnum reports.

A broad framework of issues is expected to be discussed in Yerevan, which includes the Armenian-Russian relations, particularly the further trade-economic cooperation, attraction of Russian investments into Armenian economy, as well as cooperation in the energy sphere. Representatives of Rosatom are expected to discuss with Armenian colleagues issues of uranium research and production, and the project of construction of a new nuclear power plant.

This is Viktor Zubkov’s first visit to Armenia.

Public Radio of Armenia

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Armenian railway to be run by the Russian Railway OJSC

The Armenian railway has a new manager: instead of the Ministry of Transport and Communication it will be run by the Russian Railway Open Joint Stock Company. According to RA Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukyan, the Armenian railway will remain the property of the state. In his words, the Russian side will run the railway more effectively.

The Russian company suggests investing $570 million for the reconstruction and exploitation of the Armenian railway. According to Minister Andranik Manukyan, if communication with Turkey opens, the company is ready to invest $610 million. In case of opening the border with Azerbaijan it will invest about $1.8 billion. They promise to increase the volume of investments to $2.2 billion if the Abkhazian railway opens.

Public Radio of Armeni



Now this is a good news!!!

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ARMENIA TO SHOWCASE ITS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AT BERLIN FAIR

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Over 30 Armenian companies producing brandy, wines, vegetable and fruit preserves, honey and dried fruits will showcase their products at International Green Week fair in Germany’s Berlin that opens today.
Armenian agricultural minister David Lokian will lead an Armenian delegation participating in it. Armenian companies were assisted greatly by German KfW bank and GTZ organization.
Farming issues and global supply and demand will be discussed at a special forum and an international conference of agriculture ministers during Green Week, which runs until January 27.
More than 400,000 visitors are expected to attend the exhibition, which is now in its 73rd year. Around 100,000 products are on display by 1,610 exhibitors from 52 countries.

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UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL DROPS TO 6.7 PERCENT

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Unemployment level in Armenia dropped to 6.67 percent as of December 31, 2006 from 7.2 percent 12 months before.
Sona Harutunian, chief of the state-run Employment Service, said today the figure reflects the number of people who applied to the agency’s regional branches in search of jobs.
She said the real picture of the unemployment level is not clear because there are no exact figure about covert employment, when employers underreported routinely the number of their employees and different methodologies used for relevant studies.
All registered jobless people receive an allowance of 12,000 Drams ($40) a month, which make 60 percent of the minimum wage.
They should visit regional employment offices on a regular basis to see if there are jobs for them. An unemployed person who fails to do so for six months becomes ineligible for the allowance and is withdrawn from the list.
Sona Harutunian said rural population who own land plots and are engaged in farming only are not regarded jobless. According to some estimates, there are 500,000 such people in Armenia.

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JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND YMCA NGO SIGN CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL/ COMMUNITY CENTER

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Yukiko Izuma, a representative of the Japanese embassy in Armenia and Gagik Muradian, chairman of the Young Men’s Christian Association/Shelter NGO (YMCA/Shelter) signed today in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. a grant contract for the first stage of the construction of a school/community center in Ishkhanasar village of Syunik marz.
The Government of Japan through its “Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects” will make available an amount of 85,753 USD for this project that will support the community of Ishkhanasar to promote its sustainable development and enhance the access and the quality of basic education through the construction of a new school/community center building.
During the first stage of the project the construction of the school/community center building will be implemented through YMCA Shelter with the funds provided by the Government of Japan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Armenia.
The first stage is planned to be finalized by the end of 2008. In the second stage of the project the construction will be finalized with the participants of other donors.
The village’s population now are 75 families. Children have their classes in neighboring villages’ school. The new school building will be for 50 students.

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Inauguration of newly appointed judges
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During today's sitting of the Judicial Council the swearing-in ceremony of the 38 judges appointed by RA Presidents decrees of November 30 and December 18, 2007 was held in presence of President Robert Kocharyan.

Assuming the judge's position, they pledged to carry out the duties of the judge in compliance with the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Armenia, be fair and humane, meet the requirements presented to the status of the judge, ensuring rule of law and keeping high the reputation of the judicial system.

Public Radio of Armenia