Armenian News
IMF REVISES ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST FOR ARMENIA
IN 2010 FROM 1.8% TO 4.5%
ArmInfo
2010-05-19 15:50:00
ArmInfo. The International Monetary Fund has revised the economic
growth forecast for Armenia for 2010 to 4.5%, says Mark Lewis, Head of
the IMF Mission to Armenia. The new forecast was made after the visit
of the IMF Mission to Armenia on May 6-19. The previous forecast on
Armenia published in the World Economic Outlook in April envisaged
1.8% GDP growth. Inflation forecast for 2010 has changed as compared
to April and totaled 6.8%. Budget deficit will be a little more than
5%, Mark Lewis says.
To recall, in his speech after the visit of the IMF Mission to Armenia,
M. Lewis highlighted gradual economic recovery, growth of foreign
financial flows and improvement of the state fiscal system in Armenia.
ArmInfo
2010-05-19 15:50:00
ArmInfo. The International Monetary Fund has revised the economic
growth forecast for Armenia for 2010 to 4.5%, says Mark Lewis, Head of
the IMF Mission to Armenia. The new forecast was made after the visit
of the IMF Mission to Armenia on May 6-19. The previous forecast on
Armenia published in the World Economic Outlook in April envisaged
1.8% GDP growth. Inflation forecast for 2010 has changed as compared
to April and totaled 6.8%. Budget deficit will be a little more than
5%, Mark Lewis says.
To recall, in his speech after the visit of the IMF Mission to Armenia,
M. Lewis highlighted gradual economic recovery, growth of foreign
financial flows and improvement of the state fiscal system in Armenia.
HOLY MASS TO BE SERVED IN ST CROSS DELAYED
Panorama.am
17/05/2010
The holy mass to be served in St Cross Church of Akhtamar Island,
Lake Van, on September 12 has been postponed, since on that very day a
referendum of constitutional amendments have been scheduled in Turkey.
Turkish CNNTurk reported the head of Van community talked to archbishop
Aram Ateshyan and offered to delay the mass for a week.
Armenian side agreed with the new terms, which was appreciated by
Turkish authorities.
It's worth reminding that after the reconstruction of 2007 Akhtamar's
St Cross has become a museum and is crossless till today.
Panorama.am
17/05/2010
The holy mass to be served in St Cross Church of Akhtamar Island,
Lake Van, on September 12 has been postponed, since on that very day a
referendum of constitutional amendments have been scheduled in Turkey.
Turkish CNNTurk reported the head of Van community talked to archbishop
Aram Ateshyan and offered to delay the mass for a week.
Armenian side agreed with the new terms, which was appreciated by
Turkish authorities.
It's worth reminding that after the reconstruction of 2007 Akhtamar's
St Cross has become a museum and is crossless till today.
ARMENIA-NAKHIJEVAN BORDER HIT BY EARTHQUAKE
Panorama.am
17/05/2010
Armenia-Nakhijevan border has been hit by earthquake today 23km south
from the city of Vayq at 14:25 by local time.
Seismic security service told Panorama.am the quake measured 2,7
magnitude with 3-4 in its epicenter.
No other details are provided.
PASSENGER OUTFLOW SURPASSED INFLOW IN ARMENIA
Tert.am
17.05.10
The number of passengers that left Armenia through the local Zvartnots
and Shirak airports during January-April 2010 has outnumbered those
who came to Armenia, according to a release issued by the press service
of the Civil Aviation General Department of the Republic of Armenia.
Zvartnots airport has seen during this period 2,535 flights-landings
against the 2,260 of the same period last year. According to the
release the number of visitors to Armenia has during the period under
discussion been 160,167 while 205,644 passengers have left the country.
The amount of loads exported trough this airport has been 751 tonnes
against of 1,557 tonnes of imports.
Shirak airport in Gyumri carried out 60 flights-landings with 2,187
incoming passengers and 3,318 outgoing ones.
Tert.am
17.05.10
The number of passengers that left Armenia through the local Zvartnots
and Shirak airports during January-April 2010 has outnumbered those
who came to Armenia, according to a release issued by the press service
of the Civil Aviation General Department of the Republic of Armenia.
Zvartnots airport has seen during this period 2,535 flights-landings
against the 2,260 of the same period last year. According to the
release the number of visitors to Armenia has during the period under
discussion been 160,167 while 205,644 passengers have left the country.
The amount of loads exported trough this airport has been 751 tonnes
against of 1,557 tonnes of imports.
Shirak airport in Gyumri carried out 60 flights-landings with 2,187
incoming passengers and 3,318 outgoing ones.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUNG FAMILIES PROGRAM TO
OFFER BETTER CONDITIONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2010 - 14:10 AMT 09:10 GMT
Armenian Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Arsen Karamyan
said that the Affordable Housing for Young Families program will
offer better conditions within a month.
Specifically, they will refer to age restrictions, initial payment
and loan terms, Mr. Karamyan told a press conference in Yerevan.
"The program has faced some problems in practice, and the Armenian
government voiced willingness to amend it to make it more flexible
and affordable," he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the changes will make the mortgage
loan more affordable; however, the state cannot imperatively make
various suggestions at the real estate and financial markets, as it
would be an incorrect step under market economy. "But one should
understand that we deal with vulnerable groups of population, and
the state should secure some assistance to them," said Karamyan,
adding that this is also a task of demographic security.
Besides, from August-September, programs on social construction will
kick off in Syunik and Tavush regions of Armenia under the government's
concept on equal development of the country's regions.
These programs aim to provide young families with the opportunity to
purchase dwelling.
"I consider social construction in regions to be of keen importance,
as such projects have not been implemented in the regions since
Armenia regained independence, except for the 1988 earthquake zone,"
the Deputy Minister said.
20 young families received apartments under the Affordable Housing
to Young Families program as of today, while 60 applications are
currently being considered by banks.
The Affordable Housing for Young Families program was approved by
the January 29, 2010, sitting of the RA government. All the families
wishing to get a loan should meet certain requirements: family's gross
income should amount to approximately AMD 300-350 thousand, including
incomes of all family members. Besides, the "young family" definition
means family, where the spouses' cumulative age doesn't exceed 60 and
none of the spouses is over 35. The definition also covers families,
where the age of the only parent does not exceed 30. The maximum amount
of loan under the program totals AMD 16mln with 15-year payment term.
RFE/RL Report
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2010 - 14:10 AMT 09:10 GMT
Armenian Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Arsen Karamyan
said that the Affordable Housing for Young Families program will
offer better conditions within a month.
Specifically, they will refer to age restrictions, initial payment
and loan terms, Mr. Karamyan told a press conference in Yerevan.
"The program has faced some problems in practice, and the Armenian
government voiced willingness to amend it to make it more flexible
and affordable," he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the changes will make the mortgage
loan more affordable; however, the state cannot imperatively make
various suggestions at the real estate and financial markets, as it
would be an incorrect step under market economy. "But one should
understand that we deal with vulnerable groups of population, and
the state should secure some assistance to them," said Karamyan,
adding that this is also a task of demographic security.
Besides, from August-September, programs on social construction will
kick off in Syunik and Tavush regions of Armenia under the government's
concept on equal development of the country's regions.
These programs aim to provide young families with the opportunity to
purchase dwelling.
"I consider social construction in regions to be of keen importance,
as such projects have not been implemented in the regions since
Armenia regained independence, except for the 1988 earthquake zone,"
the Deputy Minister said.
20 young families received apartments under the Affordable Housing
to Young Families program as of today, while 60 applications are
currently being considered by banks.
The Affordable Housing for Young Families program was approved by
the January 29, 2010, sitting of the RA government. All the families
wishing to get a loan should meet certain requirements: family's gross
income should amount to approximately AMD 300-350 thousand, including
incomes of all family members. Besides, the "young family" definition
means family, where the spouses' cumulative age doesn't exceed 60 and
none of the spouses is over 35. The definition also covers families,
where the age of the only parent does not exceed 30. The maximum amount
of loan under the program totals AMD 16mln with 15-year payment term.
RFE/RL Report
Armenian Police Investigate Damage To Toxic Waste Site
Armenia -- Journalist EdiK Baghdasaryan investigates the chemical
waste disposal site in Nubarashen, Yerevan, undated
17.05.2010
Hasmik Smbatian
The Armenian police said on Monday that they have formally launched
criminal proceedings into the mysterious digging up of an industrial
grave near Yerevan that dangerously exposed large amounts of toxic
waste.
The Soviet-era burial site located near the city's southern Nubarashen
suburb contains more than 500 metric tons of DDT and other poisonous
substances that had been used by Armenian chemical enterprises.
An Armenian journalist and several environmentalists discovered late
last month that unknown individuals had broken into the site, tearing
down its fencing and flattening a mound of land covering the waste
with bulldozers or other heavy machinery.
Responding to their dire warnings, the Armenian government has
scrambled to restore the site with 31.6 million drams ($82,000) in
emergency funding approved on May 7. The government has been widely
criticized for its slow response to what ecologists regards as a
potential environment disaster.
A national police spokesman told RFE/RL's Armenian service that a
criminal case has been opened under two articles of the Criminal Code
dealing with substantial damage to property and violations of safety
standards that put many lives at risk. Nobody has been questioned or
detained as part of the inquiry yet, he said.
Meanwhile, senior officials from the Armenian ministries of
environment protection and emergencies assured journalists that
relevant authorities have already put warning signs around the burial
site and are now busy covering it with new thick layers of soil and
clay, restoring its water drainage system and circling it with barbed
wire.
They said the urgent measures are only the first phase of a waste
disposal program envisaged by the government. They said its ultimate
objective is the destruction of the dangerous chemicals.
`We have no destruction facilities in Armenia,' said Hovannes
Yemishian of the Emergencies Ministry. `Transporting it to another
country is also problematic.' The transportation process alone could
cost $2.5 million, he told a news conference.
`We could appeal to the Russian Federation which has many such
facilities and can destroy such substances very well, and it would
cost us less,' said Anahit Aleksandrian, the head of an Environment
Ministry department dealing with toxic waste disposal. `Our main
problem is transportation,' she added, alluding to the fact that
Armenia has no common border with Russia.
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian likewise said on May 7 that the
destruction process will be costly and require funding from Armenia's
foreign donors.
Armenia -- Journalist EdiK Baghdasaryan investigates the chemical
waste disposal site in Nubarashen, Yerevan, undated
17.05.2010
Hasmik Smbatian
The Armenian police said on Monday that they have formally launched
criminal proceedings into the mysterious digging up of an industrial
grave near Yerevan that dangerously exposed large amounts of toxic
waste.
The Soviet-era burial site located near the city's southern Nubarashen
suburb contains more than 500 metric tons of DDT and other poisonous
substances that had been used by Armenian chemical enterprises.
An Armenian journalist and several environmentalists discovered late
last month that unknown individuals had broken into the site, tearing
down its fencing and flattening a mound of land covering the waste
with bulldozers or other heavy machinery.
Responding to their dire warnings, the Armenian government has
scrambled to restore the site with 31.6 million drams ($82,000) in
emergency funding approved on May 7. The government has been widely
criticized for its slow response to what ecologists regards as a
potential environment disaster.
A national police spokesman told RFE/RL's Armenian service that a
criminal case has been opened under two articles of the Criminal Code
dealing with substantial damage to property and violations of safety
standards that put many lives at risk. Nobody has been questioned or
detained as part of the inquiry yet, he said.
Meanwhile, senior officials from the Armenian ministries of
environment protection and emergencies assured journalists that
relevant authorities have already put warning signs around the burial
site and are now busy covering it with new thick layers of soil and
clay, restoring its water drainage system and circling it with barbed
wire.
They said the urgent measures are only the first phase of a waste
disposal program envisaged by the government. They said its ultimate
objective is the destruction of the dangerous chemicals.
`We have no destruction facilities in Armenia,' said Hovannes
Yemishian of the Emergencies Ministry. `Transporting it to another
country is also problematic.' The transportation process alone could
cost $2.5 million, he told a news conference.
`We could appeal to the Russian Federation which has many such
facilities and can destroy such substances very well, and it would
cost us less,' said Anahit Aleksandrian, the head of an Environment
Ministry department dealing with toxic waste disposal. `Our main
problem is transportation,' she added, alluding to the fact that
Armenia has no common border with Russia.
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian likewise said on May 7 that the
destruction process will be costly and require funding from Armenia's
foreign donors.
Marco Brey
EuroVision.TV
May 18 2010
Oslo, Norway - The tall Armenian beauty Eva Rivas had her first
rehearsal today, and she was not only singing about an Apricot Stone,
it even appeared next to her on stage! Warm feelings surrounded her
performance, which is a musical blend of ethnic and modern sounds.
The Armenian entry for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest will feature
one of the national symbols of Armenia: an apricot. It is not only
part of many myths and legends, but it also gave the colour to the
lower stripe of the Armenian flag. On stage, an apricot stone was
placed behind Eva, and there was also an artificial waterfall. During
the performance, a dancer approached the waterfall with a vase and
then watered the apricot stone. It then opened up and made a small
apricot tree appear, which kept growing till the end of the stage act.
Armenia will be setting a new record in this year's Eurovision Song
Contest: Eva Rivas will be accompanied on stage by Jivan Gasparyan,
a 83-year-old musician - he will be the oldest ever person to feature
in an Eurovision Song Contest performance. He will be seated on a
stone, playing a duduk, a traditional Armenian flute. Apart from him,
Eva has three female backing vocalists to support her.
The tall Armenian singer performed in casual clothes today, but she
showed her dress for the Semi-Final to the cameras - it will be a long
dress in the colour of apricots. The stage was also lit in orange
colour, and it was surrounded by dark curtains. Smoke effects were
used, fitting the soft and mystic atmosphere of the song. In the last
run of the rehearsal, the pyrotechnical effects were also rehearsed.
They consisted of single flames appearing along the edges of the stage.
"Created within just 30 minutes, directly from the heart" In the press
conference, the Head of the Armenian Delegation, Diana Mnatsakanyan,
stated that she was very happy with the first rehearsal and with the
organisation on site in Oslo. When she was asked about the meaning
of her song, Eva Rivas explained that it is about the love of one's
motherland, but that it was not only directed to Armenians, but rather
to all diasporas in the whole world. It tells the story of herself
and the lyricist of the song, Karen Kavaleryan, who have both grown
up outside of Armenia and only returned there quite recently.
Eva told the press that the song "was created within just 30 minutes,
and it came directly from the heart."
The backing vocalists, Gor, Mariam and Tigran, were also introduced
to the press, and they presented a short excerpt of Apricot Stone
together with Eva Rivas. A journalist asked Eva to tell more about the
songs she recorded which were written by the famous artist Sayat Nova,
and she replied that his songs were "saint" to the people of Armenia,
as he wrote them when his heart was bleeding because he could not be
with the woman he loved. The songs had a deep meaning and one must
read between the lines in order to understand the lyrics, she added.
As Eva Rivas had done a very unusual promotional tour prior to the
2010 Eurovision Song Contest, which included the planting of apricot
trees all over Europe, she was asked to tell more about it. She said
that the trees she planted were already growing fast, and that she
would also plant one in Norway during her stay here.
Between 1996-2004, Eva used to be a soloist of one of the most famous
ensembles in Rostov called Arevik. As a member of the aforementioned
choir she sang both classical and variety songs, as well as Russian
and foreign compositions. As a solo singer, Eva was repeatedly a
laureate in different contests and compositions. Likewise, she gained
the title of Vice-Miss of the Caucasus in Yerevan. The same year,
during the annual ceremony Armenian Song of the Year , she won the
first prize. In 2008, Eva started a cooperation with the Armenian
Production producing centre and is currently busy recording a full CD.
Last year, Eva shot a video clip of the song Tamam Ashkharh made
by Bookhadir Yuldeshev, a director of a great number of foreign
video-clips and a series of films. The process of shooting took place
in Armenia, Afghanistan, Algeria and Uzbekistan for 17 days. The clip
gained wide acclaim both within Armenia as well as abroad.
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