Politics


2008-01-25 18:33:00 Azerbaijan transfers a captive soldier to Armenia
ArmInfo. Azerbaijan has transferred a captive soldier to Armenia.

Press-secretary of the Armenian Defense Minister, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told ArmInfo that Hambardzum Asaturyan, the Armenian soldier, was returned to Armenia on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forced, Friday. The extradition was carried out through the mediation of the ICRC. To recall, Asaturyan has been in captivity since August 4, 2007. Azerbaijan didn't want to return Asaturyan saying that Asaturyan allegedly refused to return to his motherland.



2008-01-25 18:26:00 Election programmes of RA presidential contenders pay attention to issues of state control of price formation
ArmInfo. Part of RA presidential contenders paid attention, in their election programmes, to the issues of safety of foodstuffs and state control of price formation.

To recall, in December, 2007, the "Protection of Consumers" public organization addressed to 9 presidential contenders with a written offer to enter a number of proposals in their programmes, among which is creation of a fair competition in the country and control of price formation, implementation of programmes on consumer formation, taking of measures to stop the street trade and implementation of compulsory marking of the consumer goods in Armenian. Moreover, it was offered to assist in the work on opening
of an Agency in Armenia for protection of consumers, that will allow to activate the work for solution of a number of priority problems in this sphere.

As Head of the organization Abgar Yegoyan said at today's press-conference in "Pastarq", RA prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and RA presidential contender Vahan Hovhannisyan told of their readiness to activate the work in this direction. The relevant provisions have already been included in their election programme. Moreover, the issues of safety of foodstuffs and control of price formation
were raised by Arman Melikyan and "Orinats Yerkir" party leader Artur Baghdasaryan. "Electing a new president, we should clearly imagine who of the candidates is ready to protect the consumers and
solve the problems set. The consumer votes will be decisive on February 19", A. Yegoyan said.



2008-01-25 17:06:00 The unknown attack campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Artur Baghdasaryan in the town of Vanadzor
ArmInfo. The unknown attacked the campaign headquarters of the presidential candidate, Leader of Orinats Yerkir (OY) party Artur Baghdasayan in the town of Vanadzor, Lori region, early in the morning today, OY Press Secretary Susanna Abrahamyan told ArmInfo.

She said the unknown fractured the glasses of the headquarters and took the campaign posters. 'At present the policemen try to identify the attackers', she said.



2008-01-25 17:03:00 Hillary Clinton supports adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution; pledges to recognize Armenian Genocide as president
ArmInfo. Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, in a forceful statement shared today with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), [Ho. Hee. Dashnaktsutyan Washington-ee Hai Tahd-ee Krasenyag] called for Congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and pledged that, as President, she will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

"Our common morality and our nation's credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of the
United States." - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) said. "Armenian Americans from across the United States welcome Hillary Clinton's strong support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and her pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as President of the United States," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Hillary Clinton's statement, which reflects her consistent track record of support in public office, speaks powerfully to our community's deeply held concerns regarding the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, the expansion of the U.S.-Armenia relationship, and a fair and democratic resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict."



2008-01-25 16:59:00 Vahan Hovhannisyan: It is time to bring legislation, constitution and reality to unified whole
ArmInfo. It is the time to bring the legislation, constitution and the reality to the unified whole, RA presidential contender, ARF Dashnaktsutyun party's Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan said today during the meeting with voters in the town of Berd, Tavush region of Armenia. He also said that a
paradoxial situation has developed, when the Armenians feel and show themselves worst in Armenia as they are not protected by law. 'The law in Armenia protects not justice but the power and money. Only the center of Yerevan experiences the high economic growth, while the region is falling on evil days, V. Hovhannisyan said. He added that it is necessary to get rid of the officials who serve not the
state but the authorities. 'It is necessary to refuse of the past, which did not prove itself, of unsatisfactory present and choose a worthy future by holding free election', V. Hovhannisyan said.

To note, V. Hovhannisyan intends to visit the town of Noyemberyan of Tavush region.



2008-01-25 16:57:00 Spokesperson of Armenian Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijani media intentionally distort the reality
ArmInfo. Various kinds of "messages" and statements about alleged existence of Kurdish bases in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and territories of "the security zone" are framed and absurd, Spokesperson of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetian said. He was asked by ArmInfo correspondent to comment upon the article "Armenia admits existence of PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) bases on the occupied territories" published in the January 25 issue of the Azeri newspaper "Zerkalo".

The authors of the article refer to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakosyan's interview with the Turkish newspaper "Cumhuriyet" and state that the conclusion about the existence of bases in Armenia and the NKR suggests itself from the mentioned interview.

Commenting upon this statement, Vladimir Karapetian stressed that such statements do not comply with the reality at all. "In his interview with "Cumhuriyet", Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakosyan noted that in fact, "there are Yezidi and Kurdish villages in the Aragatsotn region of Armenia". It is well-known. However, the reference of location of these villages in Armenia was wrongly omitted from the text of the interview. The Cumhuriyet correspondent promised to correct his mistake", Karapetian
said. Speaking of the publication in the "Zerkalo" newspaper, Karapetian said: "The Azeri media intentionally distort the reality, doing this by means of indecent propaganda".



2008-01-25 15:23:00 Armenian citizens may inform about the faults in the electoral lists via the hot line telephone numbers
ArmInfo. Armenian citizens may inform about the faults in the electoral lists via the hot line telephone numbers: 82-20 and 82-21 from 9:00 AM till 20:00 PM every day.

As the head of the passport and visa department, Colonel Alvina Zakaryan said today, citizens actively phone, but the major part of the calls is of different nature having nothing in common with the electoral lists. They have received just 28 messages about the faults in the electoral lists.



2008-01-25 15:21:00 2 mln 312 thsd 945 names entered in preliminary electoral lists on presidential election in Armenia
ArmInfo. 2 mln 312 thsd 945 names have been entered in the preliminary electoral lists on the presidential election in Armenia, Head of the Passport and Visa Department , Colonel Alvina Zakaryan said at today's press-conference, presenting the data as of 7:00 PM, January 24.

She said that the preliminary lists of voters have been transferred to CEC which, for its part, transferred them to the territorial election commissions and placed them on the site. The lists are also transferred to the "Haypost" Company for printing of individual reminders and invitations to take part in the voting. To recall, such a practice was applied during the parliamentary election as well. A. Zakaryan also recalled that the present preliminary lists differ from the lists of voters for participation
in the parliamentary election, when the number of voters then made up 2 mln 285 thsd 830. As a result of alterations made, the names of the died, that is, 1 thsd 981 people, have been removed from the list. At the same time, the names of 4,000 citizens above 18, who received RA citizen passports, have been included in the list.



2008-01-25 15:19:00 Armenian Police: we have enough water jet cannons to suppress any mass disorders
ArmInfo. Armenian Police refutes media reports on recently purchased water jet cannons. Head of the Armenian Police Department for Public Affairs and Information Sayad Shirinyan made the above refutation at a press conference, Friday.

He said the Police have enough water jet cannons to suppress any mass disorders. S. Shirinyan urged Media to verify the information before disseminating it especially during presidential campaign,







Economy


2008-01-25 20:05:00 Armenia, namely, unlike all the regional environment, to be a country with energy surplus and to become an important exporter for neighboring countries, vice-president of GAZPROMBANK thinks
ArmInfo. Armenia, namely, unlike all the regional environment will be a country with energy surplus and will become an important exporter for the neighboring countries, First Vice-President of GAZPROMBANK-one of the largest Russian banks-Olga Kazanskaya expressed such an opinion at a press conference in Yerevan, January 25. The event was devoted to the acquisition of 80% stakes of Areximbank by GAZPROMBANK.

According to Kazanskaya, from the point of view of the Russian observer, surprising changes take place in Armenia's economy. The country has no independent powerful energy resources, but at the same time, the predictions for 2008 speak about the mentioned. Of course, she thinks, Russia and the Russian capital actively participate in this process. She recalled that in 2006 agreement on cooperation in the gas-energy sphere (ArmRosgazprom, which builds Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the client of the second line of
which is GAZPROM) was reached. A critical decision is taken in the fifth section of the hydroelectric power station in Hrazdan. The development of these spools will make it possible to give a strong jerk to Armenia's economy firstly, from the point of view of development of gas power economy. Surely, it will require very serious investment support and there are many grounds for supposing that GAZPROMBANK, namely, will be involved in these projects, Kazanskaya emphasized.
"Everything connected with gas and gas energy is a priority for us", Kazanskaya said. She added that these are such large-scale directions from the viewpoint of the European economy that the efforts of GAZPROM and GAZPROMBANK-Armenia (the present Areximbank) will be brought together, as the largest infrastructural projects will be implemented with GAZPROMBANK-Armenia's efficient participation.

To note, within the next 10 years GAZPROM's energy projects in Armenia are estimated at $5 bln.



2008-01-25 19:02:00 Monthly demand for housing in Yerevan is estimated at $50-70mln
ArmInfo. Monthly demand for housing in Yerevan is estimated at $50-70mln, Director of Armenian Real Estate Exchange Artyom Pribilsky said in his talk with ArmInfo correspondent.

He said that, presently, the housing market of the country increases at stable rates, which is expressed in dynamic demand for housing. According to his predictions, in 2008 the rates of housing price rise will be lower in Yerevan, than in the regions of Armenia. At the same time, A. Pibilsky assured that during presidential election in Armenia, scheduled for February 2008, the real estate market of the country will not give surprises.

At the same time, he noted that one of the factors restraining the increase in real estate price is the new construction mainly concentrated in Yerevan, unlike the regions of Armenia, where this process is still constrained because of the low real estate price level at the secondary market. Pribilsky said that as compared with Yerevan, where the price increase is chiefly caused by mortgage crediting, Diaspora and the economic growth, these factors have less effect on the price increase in the regions. "The flow
of outgoing people in the regions has decreased, there is practically no new construction, and as compared with Yerevan, the housing stock remains unchanged and people just resell their flats to one another", he said.



2008-01-25 15:14:00 AMP company increased production of ferromolybdenum in 2007 by 29,1%
ArmInfo. The Armenian Molybdenum Production (AMP) Company produced 2815 tons of ferromolybdenum in 2007, that is more by 29,1% than in 2006, the AMP Company told ArmInfo.

According to the source data, the production of ferromolybdenum in money terms made up 34488,9 mln drams, that is more by 27,3% than in 2006. Total of 4058 tons of molybdenum concentrate were processed in 2007, 3720 tons of which were purchased from the Armenian producers and 338 tons - from the foreign suppliers in order to process to ferromolybdenum. Construction of the workshop on production of perrhenate ammonium was completed last year and about 160 kg of this product have been produced . Production of
the aluminum powder has been also organized, and the finished product is used for the own production so far. The Company transferred 694,1 mln drams to Armenia's budget in 2007, including 518,1 mln drams in the way offset on account of VAT. The deductions on social insurance made up 107,0 mln drams.

To recall, the Armenian Molybdenum Production Company was created in 2003 on the outskirts of Yerevan. The enterprise started to function stably since 2004. The production capacities of AMP make up 5,000 tons of ferromolybdenum per year.


Finance and banks


2008-01-25 20:00:00 RA prime minister: mutually beneficial cooperation with such big financial structures as GAZPROMBANK is priority for Armenian Government
ArmInfo. Mutual cooperation with such big and authoritative structures as GAZPROMBANK is priority for Armenian Government in the country's economic development, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said, Friday, at his meeting with the delegation of GAZPROMBANK headed by the bank's board chairman Andrey Akimov, ArmInfo was told at the press service of RA Government.

According to the source, S. Sargsyan said that the big Russian bank's entrance into the financial market of Armenia will become a new impetus in the development of cooperation between the banking and
financial sectors of the country. He assured that Armenia seeks to increase the level of attraction of business environment year-by-year in order to attract large investments. Moreover, measures are taken
for perfection of the economic field. "Stable economic growth rates and increase of investment in the economy of Armenia contribute to this", the prime minister said.

For his part, A. Akimov assured that GAZPROMBANK's entrance into Armenia will be aimed at the development of banking and financial spheres. According to him, there are a number of branches in
Armenia's economy, which are attractive from the point of view of investment and cooperation. In particular, this refers to the sphere of power economy where there is large human potential.

In conclusion of the speech S. Sargsyan said that the Armenian Government is ready to discuss any suggestion and initiatives directed at development of mutual cooperation.



2008-01-25 19:58:00 International liquidity crisis will have no effect on expansion of large Russian banks in CIS countries
ArmInfo. The international liquidity crisis will have no effect on the expansion of large Russian banks in the CIS and far-abroad countries, First Vice President of GAZPROMBANK, one of the largest banks in Russia, Olga Kazanskaya said replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question.

She noted that all the largest Russian banks get concerned over this problem very early. Within the past 1.5 years there were symptoms of titanic changes in the international financial system. According to her, the current crisis hasn't run its course at all, as all professional economists speak of possible deepening of US economic recession. "Globalization is a fact that has already taken place. It was impossible to think three years ago that the Russian stock market would experience such fall in prices in
response to the events at US stock exchanges, but now it is an entity. Nevertheless, GAZPROMBANK
and other large Russian banks have been conducting a very restrained and adjusted policy with in the past 2 years. On the other hand, the Central Bank of Russia and the government rendered an absolutely
efficient, correct, adjusted, as well as anticipatory and complex support to the banking sector, due to which the banking system reacts to the ongoing events very easily", she stressed, assuring that nothing predicts changes in GAZPROMBANK'S plans yet.

According to the Ranking of Commercial Banks of Armenia by the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), a considerable participation of Russian capital is registered in the authorized fund of 5 banks out of 21, namely: Ardshininvestbank, VTB-Armenia, Unibank, Armimpexbank and Areximbank.

To note, Moody's agency has given GAZPROMBANK long-term foreign currency rating at the highest level in the country-Baa2, and the rating of debt obligations is one of the highest in Russia - A3. Sandart & Poor's agency also gave BBB investment ratings both for long-term credits and debt loans. GAZPROMBANK acquired 80 pct stake in Areximbank in November 2007 and it intends to exert every type of effort to make Armenian enterprises with Russian capital work with Areximbank. According to the statistics, there are
over 850 such enterprises in Armenia, some of them are very large and engaged in energy, telecommunications, Armenian railway. These are the priority spheres for GAZPROMBANK in Armenia.



2008-01-25 19:09:00 On January 25 USD share price totals 306,76 AMD/1 USD
ArmInfo. 58 lots worth a total of 7,975 mln (2.446 bln AMD) were sold at today's currency auction at the Armenian Exchange (ArmEx) at the average exchange rate of 306,76 AMD/1 USD. It was by 0,09% higher than the index of the previous auction on January 24.

Demand for USD totaled $1.200 mln, with supply being $500 thsd. The best demand price was 306,8 AMD/1 USD (the average price - 306,58 AMD/1 USD), the best supply price was 307 AMD/1 USD (the average price - 307,47 AMD/1 USD).

The opening price for USD was 306,6 AMD/1USD, closing - 306,8 AMD/1USD, minimal - 306,6 AMD/1USD, maximal - 307,15 AMD/1 USD.

On the whole, from January , 2007 up to January 25, 2008 inclusive, $799,244 mln and 96,442 thsd EUR were sold at ArmEx, with the USD average exchange rate of the transactions for this period of time
falling from 364,5 to 306,76 AMD/1 USD and the EUR average exchange rate - from 483,5 to 466,73 AMD/1EUR. The maximal volume of transactions was registered on 26 November - 78 lots worth a total of $25.690 mln (7.835 bln AMD) at the exchange rate of 305 AMD/1 USD. The minimal volume of transactions was registered on 7 January - 3 lots worth $100 thsd (36.450 mln AMD) at the exchange rate of 364,5 AMD/1 USD.



2008-01-25 19:06:00 Russian GAZPROMBANK negotiating with Austrian Raiffeisenbank for 20% stake in Areximbank
ArmInfo. One of the largest Russian banks GAZPROMBANK is negotiating with Austrian Raiffeisenbank for 20% stake in Areximbank, Vice-President of GAZPROMBANK Olga Kazanskaya said at a press conference, Friday, that a final decision on the issue will be adopted in the middle of the year.

GAZPROMBANK acquired 80 pct stake in Areximbank in November 2007. The remaining 20 pct went to Raiffeisenbank after acquisition of Moscow IMPEXBANK. O. Kazanskaya said Areximbank Board of Directors is to be changed. Representatives of Raiffeisenbank and GAZPROMBANK as well as one of the key representatives of Armenian business elite will be represented at the Board of Directors. Areximbank Director General Armen Khandkaryan said, for his part, that the bank will undergo
rebranding and will be renamed into GAZPROMBANK-Armenia or GPB-Armenia till the end of the year.

According to A. Khandkarian increase of capital of Areximbank is definitely planned and this will be fulfilled at the expense of extra emissions. O. Kazanskaya sepcified, for her part, that the issue of
Areximbank's capitalization will be discussed at the Board of Directors. At the same time, the bank's capital stock will be increased depending on the business development needs. The first inflow foresees tens of millions of USD, which will give an impulse to Areximbank's development. But Areximbank must be well capitalized and must have good opportunities from the point of view of the controller's requirements for occupying leading positions in Armenia's banking system, O. Kazanskaya emphasized.

As of today, 4 banks of Russia are included in the group of GAZPROMBANK-1- in Belarus, 1-in Armenia, as well as representations in China and Mongolia. At the same time, 190 sale offices are on the Russian territory, 145-in Belarus, 9 branches-in Armenia. According to O. Kazanskaya, talks on purchase of the Russian Commercial Bank in Switzerland have ended. Moreover, RF Central Bank has given its consent and the decision of Switzerland's leadership is expected.

As A. Khandkarian said, necessity was felt long ago in the Armenian banking market that a big bank with powerful banking technologies enters the market. In particular, GAZPROMBANK's experience will contribute to the development of the banking sector of Armenia. As he said, Areximbank will get an opportunity to provide high-quality service to big corporate clients, at the same time continuing to
remain a universal bank.

According to data of Areximbank, the bank's assets increased by 53% in 2007 to $68,5mln, the obligations-by 68% to $54mln, the credit portfolio-by35% to $33mln, the capital-by 11% to $11,5mln, the balance profit-by23% to $1,5mln. According to the data of 2007 the bank's net profit made up $1,2mln. The number of the clients increased by 35% to 54 000 as compared with 2006, and the number of emitted plastic cards-by 29% to 32 000.

To note, Moody's agency has given GAZPROMBANK long-term foreign currency rating at the highest level in the country-Baa2, and the rating of dept obligations is one of the highest in Russia. Sandart & Poor's agency also gave BBB investment ratings both for long-term credits and dept loans.



2008-01-25 15:24:00 Armenian president received president of Gasprombank
ArmInfo. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received president of Gasprombank Andrey Akimov and deputy chairman of the Bank Board Farid Kantserov.

As ArmInfo was informed from press-service of the president, Robert Kocharyan welcomed Gasprombank entering Armenia. He also added that the bank supposes serious expectations because of its resources and the fact of big energy projects fulfillment. 'The bank will come across serious competition in Armenia since the bank system of Armenia is developing with high rates. Five foreign
banks entered Armenia last year', - Robert Kocharyan said. At the same time he added that being quite liberal at the same time the bank legislation of Armenia foresees serious control over the bank activity.

For his part, A.Akimov said that Gasprombank is one of the biggest banks of Russia and it makes big investments in the economy. He also added that the bank does not wait for immediate benefits in Armenia. It supposes long-term projects in Armenia. He assured that in the person of Gasprombank Armenia is gaining a serious, reliable and sober-minded partner. Moreover, he said that the bank is going to work in the sphere of industry and agriculture and to direct big sums for charitable programmes.


Ecology


2008-01-25 16:55:00 KFW allocated 2.2 mln Euro to organize the Armenian-Georgian cross-border reservation park 'Arpi'
ArmInfo. German KFW bank allocated 2.2 mln Euro to organize the Armenian-Georgian cross-border reservation park 'Arpi', Armenian Ecology Minister Aram Harutyunyan said at the official ceremony of the programme starting.

The reservation park will be laid out at Ashots town of Shirak region of Armenia, bordering with Georgia and Turkey. The programme 'Creation of specially guarded territories at Javakheti-Ashots region' is being implemented jointly with WWF and is scheduled for three years. Later the reservation park will be managed by ecology ministers of Armenia and Georgia. The head-office of the reservation park will be located in Gyumri. A wildlife area will be also created to protect flora and fauna of the Arpi lake basin.
Harutyunyan said that the main migration ways and resting places of migrating birds are located here. Projects of social and economic development of Javakheti and Shirak region of Armenia will be included in the programme. The minister said that within the frames of the Armenian programme the Ashots district will get new opportunities for tourism development, electric power will be produced here and new job places will be opened.