Robert Kocharyan has today met the party heads of political Coalition. The meeting participants discussed issues regarding improvement of Electoral Code, implementation of CE-commitments of Armenia. They have also referred to discussions over the bill on “2005 State Budget” in Parliament. {BR}

Armenia was granted the observer status in the 10th International Summit of Francophone in Burkina Faso. The final decision draft on this was made on November 24 during Francophone Ministerial Conference preceding Summit. {BR} Presidents and Foreign Minister of more than 50 states partake in Summit. It is scheduled to adopt Summit Declaration. The 10th International Summit of Francophone will continue...

In gratitude for national and cultural productive activity of Garegin II, Ruben Mirzakhanyan, Chairman of Teqeyan Cultural Union, has today decorated Catholicos with the highest decoration of Union - “Ararat” Diamond Order. {BR} Catholicos of all the Armenians thanked for the decoration and called to serving to the nation with the high sense of responsibility.

On November 25 President Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on nominating Romik Harutyunyan Vice-Director of National Security Service at Armenian Government. {BR}

On November 25 President Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on releasing Armen Bayburdyan from his commissions of Armenia’s Ambassador to India. {BR}

National security secretaries from Collective Treaty Organization member countries will gather next week in Yerevan for their 10th meeting.{BR} The heads of the units in charge of prevention of drug trafficking will be present at the meeting as well.

Armenian deputy foreign minister Tatul Margaryan received South Korean ambassador to Armenia Chon Te Ikin (residence in Moscow).{BR} The Armenian official stressed great importance Armenia’s relations with South Korea saying they play a major part in Armenian policy in Asia. South Korean consulate expected opening in Armenia was also among the issues under discussion.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Ruben Shugaryan has today received Dr. Jelili Avni Shevit, Albanian newly-appointed Ambassador to Armenia /residence - Moscow/. Ambassador handed the copies of his credentials to Minister. {BR} During the conversation after the ceremony the sides stated the necessity of activating the contacts between Armenia and Albania. Trade, tourism, culture were cited as the probable spheres for cooperation.

On November 23 President Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on ceasing the commissions of Karen Matevosyan, Judge of Armenian Economic Court and member of Justice Council, under his own application. {BR} Karen Matevosyan was nominated Justice Council member on February 11, 2004, for 5 years.

Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan left for Burkina Faso to partake in the 10th International Summit of Francophone. {BR} It is envisaged in the Summit to grant Armenia the status of an observer in that international organization. Armenia is already enrolled in some international structures neighbouring with Francophone such as International Union of France-speaking Capitals and International...

The UN General Assembly met on November 23-th morning to conclude debate on the outcome of the Millennium Summit and of the other major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields. {BR} The Assembly was also expected to consider a draft resolution on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan (document A/59/L.32), by which it would urge the parties...

The CIS nations’ defense ministers will gather Thursday in Moscow to discuss military cooperation concept and military aircraft flights regulations.{BR} Armenian defense minister Serge Sargssyan will attend the event. Collective Security Treaty defense ministerial meeting is to be held on the same day.

Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan has today met Rude Luuberse, High Commissioner of UN’ Refugee Office. According to PM, UNO assistance in settlement of refugees’ problems is inestimable. {BR} Andranik Margaryan informed that solution to the social and economic, dwelling and other problems of refugees is entered in the Strategic Program on Poverty Reduction, implemented by the Armenian...

On November 19 USA Senate unanimously acted to permanently normalize trade between the U.S. and Armenia, opening the door to expanded economic relations, new commercial opportunities, and the further strengthening of the longstanding bonds between the American and Armenian peoples. {BR} This provision grants Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Armenia. By establishment of PNTR...

”The 85-year-long cooperation between Saint Echmiadzin Church and Yerevan State University must continue today, too”, Radik Martirosyan, Rector of Yerevan State University, said during the visit of Garegin II to YSU. {BR} For the activity Catholicos of all the Armenians spread in favour of the nation and care for development of education and science under the decision of Scientific Board...

Today Intellectuals’ Forum of Armenia has appeared with a statement expressing concern over foreign policy of Armenia and the recent developments on Nagorno Karabakhi conflict. {BR} Intelligentsia voice their anxiety with entering the issue on “occupied territories” on the agenda of UNO General Assembly and state that it’s the evidence of the absolute defeat of the foreign...

Today Executive Power of Armenia has approved Reconciliation Agreement concluded between Armenian Government, OTE and “ArmenTel” JV CJSC. Armenian Justice Minister David Harutyunyan has represented the main clauses of it. {BR}

Armenian Defence Minister Serj Sargssyan has today received USA Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans. {BR} They have discussed issues of bilateral interest regarding Armenian-American military cooperation.

Armenian defence minister Serge Sargssyan received Wednesday Indian ambassador to Armenia Dipak Vokhra.{BR} At the meeting, the sides discussed plans to send Armenians to India for military training at Indian officials’ invitation. The Indian ambassador said proposals made by Armenia in connection with the training courses will be accepted with pleasure.

Today Armenian Parliament Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan has received 10 representatives of “Centre of Labor Analysis and Study” social organization and companies rendering IP services. Those persons have become unemployed as a result of Government decision on November 3. {BR} Stating that Armenian Government had functioned within commissions, Speaker Baghdasaryan suggested to study the...

President Robert Kocharyan has today received the delegation headed by Mikhail Rudyak, Chief Director of “Ingeocom Union” CJSC. Press Service of Armenian President releases this. {BR} Representing the activity of the company he heads and the way it had passed, Mr. Rudyak stated that “Ingeocom Union” has implemented huge construction in various states. It turned that in the...

On November 17 Presient Robert Kocharyan will leave for Germany for a 3-day-long visit. Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Economic Development, Central Bank Chairman, other officials and journalists are in the delegation. {BR} During the visit Armenia’s President will meet Germany’ President Horst Kohler and Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. He will also meet the representatives...

Ombudsman post was instituted in Georgia two months ago. Georgian parliament nominated the president supporter Sozar Subari to the post.{BR} On Monday, he arrived in Yerevan to study his Armenian counterpart experience. Armenian ombudsman Larissa Alaverdyan and the Georgian guest gave a joint news conference on Monday. Answering a question about recent closure of Russian-Georgian border by Russia,...

Armenian National Assembly speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan received Monday the CE ministerial council’s Ago group headed by Ambassador Roland Vegener.{BR} It was pointed out at the meeting that Armenia had accomplished a great deal in fulfilling its CE commitments. Constitutional reforms are planned to be implemented within 2005. The parliament speaker said he would resume dialogue with MPs...