The day news

2008-04-11 11:51:00 Second president of Armenia has been offered position of deputy chairman of

ArmInfo. According to the data from RA energy circles, the second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan has been offered a post of deputy Chairman of "Gazprom" OJSC's managing Board.
According to the source, R. Kocharyan received the proposal even before expiry of the term of his office. Moreover, RA second president will have to supervise the south direction of the gas
monopolist's activity. There is no information yet about Robert Kocharyan's response to this proposal.







Politics

2008-04-11 13:25:00 Artashes Geghamyan refutes rumors on his appointment to position of Armenian Ambassador to Italy

ArmInfo. Leader of National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan refutes rumors on his appointment to position of Armenian Ambassador to Italy in his interview with ArmInfo.

'I congratulate Government of Italy on another misinformation', he says. To recall, the April 11 issue of Haykakan Zhamanak daily reports that President Serzh Sargsyan intends to appoint Artashes Geghamyan Armenian Ambassador to Italy referring to sources close to Government.


2008-04-11 13:17:00 Vardan Oskanyan: The weeks after March 1 were the most difficult of my entire career

ArmInfo. 'The weeks after March 1 were the most difficult of my entire career>, Vardan Oskanyan says in his Farewell Speech to MFA Staff.

On the one hand, I am part of an admininstration which, at the end of the day, is responsible for what happens in this country. On the other hand, from the beginning of their campaign, I disagreed, publicly and privately, with the tactics, methods and goals of the opposition>, the minister says.

'Now, we must perform our job in the changed environment of the last several months. When we allowed the political tensions and emotions of the election and post-election period to reign, they demonstrated that we sometimes imagine that revolution can be an alternative to reforms, and that revenge can take precedence over reconciliation. No one knows better than we in this building that that is false. No one knows better than we that our domestic strength, integrity, stability, morality and perseverance are
our best - actually our only - calling cards in the international arena', V. Oskanyan says.


2008-04-11 13:13:00 Head of Azerbaijani President's Office International Relations Department: The West should take position of Islamic World into account

ArmInfo. The West should take position of Islamic World into account, Head of Azerbaijani President's Office International Relations Department Novruz Mammadov told APA commenting upon the circumstance that Islamic Countries have supported Azerbaijan on Voting for Resolution in UN GA. "There are a lot of problems in Islamic World. Unjust approaches caused to these problems. Therefore Islamic Countries are very sensitive in such situations and the support is natural. The West should take position of Islamic World
into account. There is not eternal thing in the world. Islamic World is big. The West should listen and deal with Islamic World and should be ready for negotiations and understand it.
If the West does not do it, it will cause damage to it. It is normal that Islamic World supports Azerbaijan. It is not true to separate international relations into Islamic World and West, Christian World. Everybody should protect justice and be just", N. Mammadov said.


2008-04-11 12:04:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan called on his supporters to stop hunger-strike

ArmInfo. First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan called on his supporters to stop the hunger-strike, yesterday's statement of L.Ter-Petrosyan reads. To recall, a group of representatives of the radical opposition, being under arrest after March 1 mass disorders in Yerevan, started a
hunger-strike, demanding to cancel the charges brought againstthem. The action participants, including RA MP Myasnik Malkhasyan, ex-FM Alexander Arzumanyan, ex-Minister on Government Receipts Smbat Ayvazyan, claim that the articles of the Criminal Code, they are incriminated with, are "groundless". To also recall, yesterday, the wives of the arrested persons met with Matthew Bryza.

"Your health, a firm will and decisiveness are necessary to make more efficient efforts in further nation-wide struggle. I have no doubts that duration of this struggle will force the world community to change the attitude towards Armenia", L.Ter-Petrosyan's statement reads.


2008-04-11 12:01:00 Vardan Oskanyan: The weeks after March 1 were the most difficult of my entire career

ArmInfo. , Vardan Oskanyan says in his Farewell Speech to MFA Staff. , the minister says. , V. Oskanyan says.


2008-04-11 11:57:00 Vardan Oskanyan: Armenia has proven that economic growth is possible, even with the absence of natural resources and open transportation corridors

ArmInfo. , Vardan Oskanyan says in his Farewell Speech to MFA Staff. Vardan Oskanyan
says.



2008-04-10 10:34:00 RA foreign minister parts with FM staff

ArmInfo. Today, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan parts with Foreign Ministry's staff.

As Head of the Department for Media Relations of RA FM Tigran Balayan told ArmInfo, the meeting has been scheduled at 12:00 PM.

To recall, according to the country's legislation, a newly-appointed RA President Serzh Sargsyan dismissed the Cabinet yesterday.


2008-04-09 19:54:00 Matthew Bryza thinks that freedom for holding rallies will again be protected in Armenia

ArmInfo. After the inauguration of newly-elected Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Wednesday, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said that he thinks the freedom for holding
rallies will again be protected in Armenia. According to him, not only the authorities should display willingness to start a dialogue. Bryza also noted that the USA is always ready to cooperate not only with Armenia's leaders, but also public groups. "After the March 1 events in Yerevan, progress is needed for deepening the democratic reforms", Bryza said. He added that the March 1 events shocked everybody, however, the society is ready to go forward. The newly-elected president of Armenia also expressed willingness
to go forward. "We agree with Sargsyan, but the most difficult thing is to implement these words, much depends on the president", he stressed.


2008-04-09 19:48:00 Tigran Sargsyan appointed prime minister of Armenia

ArmInfo. By Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's decree, Tigran Sargsyan has been appointed prime minister of Armenia, the presidential press-service told ArmInfo.

According to the curriculum vitae sent to ArmInfo by the presidential press-service, Tigran Sargsyan was born in Kirovakan (Vanadzor) on April 29, 1960. In 1967-1977 he studied at school No 8 after Pushkin in Yerevan, in 1977-1978 - in technical school No 14 in Yerevan. In 1978-1980 he was a student at the Yerevan Institute of National Economy, department of planning and economy, in 1980-1983 - at the Leningrad Financial Economic Institute after N.Voznesensky which he graduated from with a diploma with honor.
In 1983-1987 Sargsyan was a post-graduate at the same institute, he defended a thesis on the topic "Planning of socio-economic development of the region by the example of Armenia" and received a degree of a Candidate of Science. In 1994 he studied at the International Law Institute in Washington, in 1996- 1997 - at the Economic Development Institute in Washington. On December 2, 2005, he was conferred a title of the honorable doctor of the Yerevan State University of Eco
nomics.
In 1987-1990 Sargsyan was senior researcher at the Institute of Economics and Planning. In 1988-1993 he was the chairman of the Council of Young Specialists and Scientists. In 1990-1991 he coordinated seminars on economic reforms for bankers. In 1993-1994 Sargsyan taught banking at Yerevan State University and chaired the standing parliamentary committee on financial-credit and budgetary issues. In 1995-1998 he was the president of the Association of Banks of Armenia. In 1995-2008 he was the director of the
Institute for Study of Transitional Society of Armenia. On Mar 3 1998 Sargsyan was
elected and on Mar 2 2005 reelected President of the Central Bank of Armenia. In 2005-2007 he chaired the Board of the Inter-State Bank. Tigran Sargsyan is married and has son and daughter. He is the author of over 20 research articles.


2008-04-09 16:31:00 Peter Semneby: It is important that the dialogue between the authorities of Armenia and the opposition takes place not only via the intermediaries but also with direct participation of the main persons

ArmInfo. It is important that the dialogue between the authorities of Armenia and the opposition takes place not only via the intermediaries but also with direct participation of the main persons, special representative of European Union in the south Caucasus Peter Semneby told journalists after the inauguration ceremony of the elected President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisyan.

He also added that Serzh Sarkisyan is stepping in to the post of president at a very important period of time accompanied with many challenges. 'We shall help him to overcome these challenges as much
as possible', - he said. Semneby also touched on the 1 March events and again said about the necessity of staring the dialogue.


2008-04-09 16:19:00 President of Armenia signs decree on resignation of outgoing cabinet

ArmInfo. Guided by the point 4 of the item 55 of the Armenian Constitution, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made a decree on April 9 2008 on resignation of the outgoing Government. He
press-service of the president told ArmInfo the government members are to fulfill their duties till the approval of the new cabinet.


2008-04-09 16:12:00 Boris Gryzlov: In his speech at inauguration ceremony Serzh Sarkisyan guaranteed to preserve the vector of further development of Armenia

Arminfo. In his speech at inauguration ceremony Serzh Sarkisyan guaranteed to preserve the vector of further development of Armenia, chairman of Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov told journalists after the inauguration ceremony.

'It is very important that in Serzh Sarkisyan's speech I heard the words that international relations as well as the relations with Russia will still be among priorities', - he said.


2008-04-09 16:09:00 Newly-elected President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisyan arrived in his residence at Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan

ArmInfo. After the inauguration ceremony the newly-elected President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisyan and the first lady Rita Sarkisyan left for the president's residence at Bagramyan Avenue in Yerevan where they were met by Robert Kocharyan and Bella Kocharyan.

The two president had a talk in the residence after which the Sarkisyans said good-buy to the Kocharyans, press-service of the president told ArmInfo.


2008-04-09 15:40:00 Serzh Sargsyan: Ceremony of inauguration takes place about a month after painful events, which inflicted wounds that are still fresh

ArmInfo. "This ceremony takes place about a month after painful events, which inflicted wounds that are still fresh. These wounds caused pain and bitterness to all of us. Today, I urge to look forward, together to seek and find the path of reconciliation, that of development for the Armenia of future. I am confident that we cannot have real and tangible success, unless we learn lessons from the past. What happened should teach all of us a lesson of vigilance and sobriety, compelling us to work with greater vigor
and devotion", newly-elected President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said at today's ceremony of inauguration.

"Unchecked freedom can result in conflict with the public interests and the rights of others. To prevent such conflicts and to reconcile various rights and interests, the state may interfere with the exercise of certain fundamental rights. Limitations of fundamental rights, however, cannot be absolute, as they would simply render the fundamental right meaningless. Limitations should not undermine the essence of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. For any limitation of rights and freedoms, including
the right to peaceful assembly, we must strike a fair balance between the public order and respect for the rights and freedoms of others, on the one hand, and the right to peaceful assembly, on the other. Over a short period of time, along with dozens of other laws, we should revisit the legislation regulating the right to peaceful assembly with a view to safeguarding everyone's right to peaceful assembly in accordance with European standards and precluding any public
event that is either not peaceful or does not pursue a legitimate aim, S. Sargsyan said.


2008-04-09 14:40:00 Serzh Sargsyan: Our people have given me their vote of confidence, and I must implement my program during the next five years

ArmInfo. "Our people have given me their vote of confidence, and I must implement my program during the next five years. Our people have confided in me to overcome the challenges faced by our country and to meet everyone's expectations", newly elected President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said at today's ceremony if inauguration.

"Five years is a rather short period to do all of this, hence it will be a period of everyday hard work. During this time, we shall manage to do what is possible and beyond, to address the development
challenges faced by our country. That is why I consider this ceremonial day a working day for me and my political team. So thank you, and let us get down to work! Let us get down to work, and forward, Armenia!", S. Sargsyan said.


2008-04-09 14:39:00 New President of Armenia addresses those who did not vote for his candidature

ArmInfo. New President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan addressed everyone who did not support his candidature for president.

In his inaugural address he stressed that voters had a right not to vote for him whereas he has no right not to be their president. 'We must not divide the people into parts and be indifferent to the pain and troubles of each other. We must not exceed the frames of accessibility to each other. Even if there is a wall of disagreement between us, I call upon you for crashing it', Serzh Sagrysan says.


2008-04-09 13:14:00 Armenia swears in new president

ArmInfo. The newly elected President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan delivered an inaugural address on April 9, Wednesday.

'Assuming the office I swear to fulfill all the requirements of the Constitution, respect the rights and freedoms of every human being and citizen without reservations, ensure the country's independence, territorial integrity and security for the welfare of Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people', Serzh Sargsyan says.

The inauguration ceremony is held at the Special Session of the Armenian Parliament in the building of the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendiarov.








Economy

2008-04-11 13:24:00 VivaCell to open 21 service centres in Armenia in 2008

ArmInfo. Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission permitted the mobile operator VivaCell to open 21 extra service centres in Armenia in 2008. Such a decision was adopted at today's sitting of the Commission.

They are going to open 12 new service centres in Yerevan and 9 in the regions. Chairman of the Commission Robert Nazaryan said that such a decision is conditioned by significant growth of VivaCell
subscribers' base. He thanked the company for good work and for charitable activity.

VivaCell Director General Ralph Yerikian told journalists that the number of the service centres has grown from 19 in 2006 up to 70 at the end of 2007. He also added that the number of subscribers have
grown from 800.000 up to 1,4 mln. The number of basic stations has doubled and amounted to about 700. The number of the company employees has also doubled. He also said that in 2008 the company will continue growing and is going to give new types of service to its subscribers.


2008-04-09 19:56:00 Armenian CJSC Haypost to upgrade structure of the company

ArmInfo. Armenian CJSC Haypost will upgrade structure of the company to raise effectiveness of its activity, press-release of Haypost says. The new structure will be presented by director General of Haypost Hans Boone. "According to the upgraded structure all the divisions of Haypost will have a strict direction of activity and will implement an accorded work, which will raise effectiveness of the company activity very much. Special attention will be paid to introduction of new services as well as upgrading
of the traditional post services", - Bonne said. Thanks to the new structure cooperation between the administrative leadership and regional structures as well as internal control and security will become maximally effective. The leadership of the company will draw attention to raising of professional skills of employees as well as to the control of management and administrative responsibility.


2008-04-09 13:24:00 Andrey Rappoport: Russia is ready to build new nuclear power plant in Armenia

ArmInfo. Russia is ready to build new nuclear power plant in Armenia, chairman of Directors Council CJSC "Inter RAO UES" Andrey Rappoport said when replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question at today's press-conference in Yerevan.

"Taking into consideration that the Russian company "Rosenergoatom" is within "Inter RAO UES" we are going not only to manage Armenian Nuclear Power Plant [ANPP], but suppose to build a new one as well. We shall do that and we are ready to become the investor and engineer", - he said.

Asked by ArmInfo correspondent if "Inter RAO UES is going to extend management terms of the ANPP, Rappoport replied they did not negotiate with the Armenian government on this topic, though negotiations may start over the next month or two. In general he positively assessed five years of managing the ANPP, but added that the managing company earned nothing.


2008-04-08 23:22:00 'Bi Line' Armenian company tries to protect its constitutional right for property in the court

ArmInfo. Today, the Administrative Court of Armenia started hearings on the claim of the "Bi Line" Armenian big Company on delivery of computer equipment and network solutions against the Agency of Intellectual Property, which deprived the Company of the right for use of trademarks in the administrative order, of VimpelCom. The attorney of "Bi Line" Hayk Harutyunyan made a speech at the session and said that the proprietary right also covers the trademark as an object of intellectual property. The proprietary
right is guaranteed by RA Constitution as one of the basic human rights, and it may be deprived of this right only in judicial order.

The decision of the Council of Appeal of the Agency on Intellectual Property regarding pre- term termination of rights for the Bi Line trademark in 38th trade class of telecommunication was made based on the Law on Trademarks. However, the law provisions apparently conflict with the Constitution standards, as they envisage possibility of deprivation of the rights for intellectual property
in a non-judicial order. In view of this, the decision of the Agency on Intellectual Property is anti-constitutional as a decision made by a non-authorized body, H. Harutyunyan said. He also indicated
that objections of the defendant, saying that the right for intellectual property is not a property, are groundless. This is confirmed both by the legislation provisions, according to which the rights for trademarks include exclusive property rights, and by the basic decisions of the European Court on Human Rights.

Thus, the decision of the European Court from January 11, 2007, says that protection of Article 1 of the Convention Protocol 1, which establishes the proprietary right, covers also the intellectual property. The European Court recognizes that the proprietary rights cover not only the things but some other rights, that is, assets, trademarks, taking into account that they may be an object of paid deals of a sufficient financial cost. H. Harutyunyan said that a situation, when the proprietary right of a simple
fountain pen may be deprived only in a judicial order, while one may be deprived of the right for an expensive trademark in an administrative order. He added that the matter in this case also concerns sufficient financial interests.

The attorney said that the conflict on trademarks of "Bi Line" and "BeeLine" occurred between the Armenian Company and "VimpelCom" Russian Company in 2007. If at the initial stage of negotiations,
"VimpelCom" suggested only $10,000 for refusal of all the rights, this amount grew later and the last suggestion by representatives of VimpelCom at negotiations made up 500,000 Euro only for refusal of
the rights in the telecommunications class, the attorney said. Thus, it follows that having been deprived of the right for "Bi Line" trademarks in 38th trade class, the claimant has been deprived of an
opportunity to get remuneration at the rate of no less than the indicated amount. To note, the cost of Beeline brand, by assessments of BusinessWeek in 2007, made up $ 7.164 bln and grew by 24% per year. In view of this, it becomes clear that big financial interests may be interfered with around this brand in Armenia. In view of the end of the working day, judge of the Administrative Court Hovsep Bedevyan postponed the hearing till April 16.

To recall, "VimpelCom" Russian OJSC, having got the Agency's decision, launched its trademark Beeline in Armenia started April 7, however, it refrains from using the brand in the Armenian and
Russian spelling.







Finance and banks

2008-04-11 13:40:00 Brand New Toyota Cars Through Special Loan Facility Provided By Armimpexbank

ArmInfo. Armimpexbank CJSC is pleased to announce the launch of a new car loan program together with the official importer of Toyota vehicles to Armenia - "Toyota Yerevan" LLC. Within the framework of the loan program the following preferential terms are offered to individuals willing to purchase brand new Toyota vehicles from "Toyota Yerevan" LLC:

Downpayment - at least 15% of the total cost of the purchased vehicle.Annual interest rate - 12%.
Loan repayment period -up to 5 years.

Already 27 individuals received their loans for the total amount of AMD 238,909,500. A simplified procedure is introduced in order to save time of all our valued customers. For more details potential
customers can just visit sales representatives of Toyota Yerevan LLC or visit Armimpexbank cjsc.

Armimpexbank is one of the oldest banks in Armenia established back in 1910. In August 2007 the shares of the bank were purchased by TDA Holdings - a company affiliated with the largest Russian investment bank Troika Dialog. The Chairman of the Board is Mr. Ruben Vardanyan and the CEO is Mr. Artak Hanesyan.

Ranking of Armenian Commercial Banks prepared by Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), the aggregate car loans provided in the country in 2007 made up 35 billion drams. ArmImpexbank entered this segment of credit market just at the beginning of 2008.


2008-04-09 13:09:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR

ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 308,5 drams for 1 dollar, 484drams for 1 EUR and 12,9 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 309 drams for 1 dollar, 487 drams for 1 EUR and 13,1 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


Social

2008-04-09 15:57:00 Armenian CJSC Haypost to upgrade structure of the company

ArmInfo. Armenian CJSC Haypost will upgrade structure of the company to raise effectiveness of its activity, press-release of Haypost says.

The new structure will be presented by director General of Haypost Hans Boone. "According to the upgraded structure all the divisions of Haypost will have a strict direction of activity and will implement an accorded work, which will raise effectiveness of the company activity very much. Special attention will be paid to introduction of new services as well as upgrading of the traditional post services", - Bonne said. Thanks to the new structure cooperation between the administrative leadership and regional
structures as well as internal control and security will become maximally effective. The leadership of the company will draw attention to raising of professional skills of employees as well as to the control of management and administrative responsibility.


Ecology

2008-04-08 23:08:00 Nairit and Prometey Khimprom poison air of Yerevan and Vanadzor with benzol

ArmInfo. Ecologists say that benzol concentration in Yerevan and Vanadzor is 1.5 times higher than the admissible level.

Ecology Minister of Armenia Aram haroutyunyan says that the key sources of benzol are Nairit rubber plant in Yerevan and Prometey Khimprom in Vanadzor.

So, he has instructed his men to carry out an ecological inspection of the companies. If the inspection confirms the Minister's suspicions, the companies will have to pay big fines.

Doctors say that high benzol concentration may result in sickness and dizziness. The key derivative of benzol is toluene: in Yerevan its concentration is 2.4 times higher than allowed, in Vanadzor - 1.9 times higher. Long-term exposure to benzol may result in leukemia and anemia.

To remind, last year Prometey Khimprom was bought by Roding International Limited company (Russia) for $25mln. Presently, the company produces synthetic corunds and calcium carbide. There was a big explosion in Nairit's waste water collector in Oct 2006. The Ecology Ministry has carried out inquiry and has proved that the blast was caused by explosive gases produced by waste from Nairit.


2008-04-08 17:41:00 Inspectors of RA Environment Ministry and Agricultural Ministry to control deforestation at Teghut copper-molybdenum deposit

ArmInfo. A document on inspecting the course of deforestation at the Teghut copper- molybdenum deposit in Lori region and the reafforestation work as compensation for deforested Teghut
has been signed between the Armenian Environment Ministry and the Agricultural Ministry, Armenian Environment Minister Aram Harutyunyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to the monitoring held by the public information organization "Ecolur", 200 thsd seedlings have been transplanted from the Teghut deposit into a nursery. However, neither the minister nor
"Ecolur" failed to say where exactly the nursery is. It is only known that the big trees were carried to the town of Alaverdi. At the same time, the minister noted that Teghut's program meets all the ecological parameters. Now the assumed commitments should be carried out.

The development of the Teghut copper-molybdenum deposit in Lori region was launched without Armles (Armforest) CJSC's conclusion on probable damage to the Lalvar forestry. An ecological expert examination was conducted by the Armenian Environment Ministry without the request of the Agricultural Ministry, under the jurisdiction of which Armles is. Meanwhile, according to experts, 50
thsd cub.m. of wood will be cut at 357 ha of Teghut forest to develop the deposit. The compensation will be assessed taking into account not the hectares, but the number of trees being cut or to be cut. At
the moment deforestation and reclamation of the land belonging to two villages' community continue actively. ACP company's heavy machinery stirred up the whole area of the future tailing dump of the Teghut mine. Ecologists state that the technogenic waste of the open mine will be thrown into the nearest river Shnogh. Despite the fact that the company promised to build a dam with double protection, ecologists realize that it won't be able to protect the Shnogh, near which the tailing dump will be. Moreover, in
this connection, the company is going to change the bed of another river - the Teghut.


2008-04-08 17:38:00 ACP offers miserly compensation for development of Tekhut copper-molybdenum deposit

ArmInfo. Armenian Copper Programme (ACP) offers 35 AMD (11 US cents) compensation for 1 sq m of Tekhut copper-molybdenum deposit in Lori region of Armenia, residents of Tekhut and Shnokh villages have told a group of ecologists.

According to the preliminary estimates, Tekhut may have 500 tons of copper-molybdenum ore, however, some experts say that the reserves may be much bigger. Today, one ton of copper on the world market costs $9,500, one kg of molybdenum $85. So, ACP is expected to earn several hundreds of billions of USD. In this light, most of the residents of the villages express protest against the miserly
compensation the company is going to pay for the land. They say that earlier ACP promised bigger compensation.

To remind, over 20 ecological organizations have formed a SOS-Tekhut coalition and keep reporting violations of local laws and international conventions and pointing to lots of deficiencies in the
Tekhut project.

They say that the project may result in extinction of 10 species of creepers and 191 species of plants; 59 specifies of birds and 55 species of animals are expected to leave the area; lots of archeological monuments will be destroyed.

To note, Russian VTB bank will allocate $200mln for the project. ACP has been granted right to develop Tekhut for 25 years.


Culture

2008-04-09 13:26:00 Leadership of CJSC INTER RAO UES gifts shroud to Holy Mother Russian Orthodox Church in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Before the Easter of Russian Orthodox Church, the leadership of CJSC INTER RAO UES gifted a shroud to the Holy Mother Russian Orthodox Church in Yerevan. On Good Friday, the
burial shroud of Christ (Plashchanitsa) is put on a symbolic tomb in the center of the church, where it will lie until the Easter service, which starts shortly before midnight Saturday.

Chairman of CJSC INTER RAO UES Board of Director Andrey Rappoport told journalists that it is the gift of the company to all the Orthodox Christians. He stressed the importance of the Church as the center of Orthodox Culture and a historical monument. The church was built yet in 1912 in the Tsarist period. 'One cannot find such churches in Russia', A. Rappoport admitted.

In 2001, by the initiative of the Russian Orthodox Church community in Yerevan a Memorable Cross was erected in the area of the church in memory of the Russian fighters who sacrificed their lives for the
independence and integrity of Armenia. They key sponsor and client was Armenian Electric Networks CJSC.