Today the new Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Marco Clemente handed his credentials to Armenian president Robert Kocharyan. The diplomat expressed willingness of his country to spread spheres of co-operation between Italy and Armenia, stating that he is glad to introduce Italy to the country, which has ancient civilisation and rich culture. President voiced satisfaction over the present level...

On June 25 Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan met the new Ambassador of Italy Marco Clemente. Clemente handed his credentials copies to Oskanyan. At the meeting both parties stated that being based upon traditional friendly feelings between two nations, Armenian-Italian relations essentially developed during 10 last years. Enough legal and contract field was established, which enables to...

Armenia is participating in VINEXPO, the most prominent vine trade-fair all over the globe, which is now under way from June 22 to 26 in Bordeaux, France. To take part in this biennial event participants have to wait for years. Armenia’s participation in the trade-fair is an exception to the rule: an accord between Armenian Embassy in France and the VINEXPO authorities was reached at previous...

Standing parliamentary commission on financial, budget and economy issues held Tuesday its first gathering. The head of the commission Gagik Minasyan said a deputy chair of the commission is to be chosen at today’s meeting. He put forward Vahram Baghdasaryan, the People Representative group secretary’s candidacy. After presenting his program and answering the questions parliamentarians put to...

On June 19 a scientific conference on “Armenian Genocide – Death and Rebirth of A Nation”, took place in Brussels. Representatives of Armenia and European countries partook in it. The reports and discussions were mainly about the Armenian genocide, committed by the Turkish Government in 1915-1916, the fate of Armenians, and the horrible consequences of the Genocide to the world culture heritage....

On June 18, the day of the 16th anniversary of approving the first Declaration on Genocide by the European Parliament, the “Armenian Genocide – Alive History” exhibition was staged in the Brussels’ House of International Unions. EP members Jonas Schosted, Lenart Sakredeus, and the Comparing Centre of the Armenian Unions of Sweden initiated it. The collection of the documentary photos introduced...

On June 20 the new Parliament continued working. MPs of “Justice” and “National Unity” didn’t take part in the sitting. Being guided by the 107th article of Parliament regulations, Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan stated under the `order`, if within 24 hours one third of all the MPs doesn’t introduce a bill on distrust to Government, the activity program of Government is considered adopted....

Russian Defence Ministry is occupied with moving Russian ammunition and defence technology out of Georgia. As “Ria Novosti” Agency informs, the armament is brought out of the 130th Russian ammunition depot located in Sagarejo settlement of Eastern Georgia. The ammunition will be transferred to the Russian dump in Gyumri. The first echelon will be sent out on June 20. The armament is envisaged to be led out within 5 days. In 2002 Russia...

Today Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan received the temporary plenipotentiary of Bulgarian Republic to Armenia Stephan Dimitrov. Mr Margaryan considered as vital for Armenia Bulgaria’s experience for integrating with European Union, and activation of the economical relations between two countries, in particular. He also stated that conduct of the 3rd sitting of the Armenian-Bulgarian intergovernmental...

For boldness when defending the frontiers of the homeland under 20 decree of Robert Kocharyan Colonel Mirjabar Abrahamyan, commander of N 1035 military unit Major Ashot Dallakyan, head for signals of N 1035 military unit Captain Sargis Charchyan, commander of the 1st company of the 2nd battalion of N 1032 military unit were decorated with Battle Service medals.

At the first deliberation held by Parliament Chairman Arthur Baghdasaryan on June 18 the principles and issues of forming the delegations of the Parliament in inter-parliamentary organisations /Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Inter-parliamentary Assembly of country-members of Commonwealth of Independent States,...

On June 19, at 12:00 PM the last sitting of the first session period of Parliament, will take place, with introduction of Government activity program and the issue over Government’ trust on the agenda.

On June 17 Sergei Mironov, Chairman of Federal Council of Russia, sent a congratulation message to Armenian Parliament Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan. Congratulating the newly elected Chairman of Parliament on behalf of the Federal Council, Mr Mironov voiced confidence that efficient dialogue between the Federal Council and the Armenian Parliament will continue, and it will keep having structural...

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received Tuesday a delegation headed by Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yanis Magriotis, whose visit came as part of his regional tour connected with Greece’s EU chairmanship termination. Work done by the EU in South Caucasus region while Greece’s chairmanship was discussed at the meeting. It was noted that a special regional envoy would be appointed at the EU meeting expected this week in Greece...

Under the preliminary results of re-voting in N 29 election district in Armavir on June 15, Mekhak Mkhitaryan, member of “Land of Law” Party, has gained majority of votes. CEC Press Service head Azniv Karapetyan told that 5412 people voted for Mkhitaryan, 5115 for Arayik Aghababyan, member of Pan-Armenian Working Party, 2971 for non-party man Taron Sahakyan, 42 for non-party man Sergik Srapionyan,...

President Robert Kocharyan yesterday visited the only cart circuit in Armenia “Fast Cart” and tested himself as an automatic pilot. Sharing his impression with journalists after the lap, he underlined that carting became his new passion . Varduhi Voskanyan, Chair of the Carting Federation of Armenia, stated in her turn that there are 16 carts in the park of the cart testing point, including...

President Robert Kocharyan has today received the delegation, headed by World Bank Executive Director Ed Melgert. Mr Melgert appreciated highly the process of the economic reforms in Armenia, underlining that results of reforms are already obvious. Robert Kocharyan stated collaboration of our country with WB develops rather efficiently. According to him, WB had a significant role in the...

On June 12 Ambassador Armen Martirosyan, the newly appointed permanent representative of Armenia to UNO, presented his credentials to UNO Secretary General Kofi Annan. After the official ceremony of handing a short talk took place, at which both parties voiced satisfaction over collaboration between UNO and Armenia system, and expressed willingness to intensify and develop co-operation. Mr Martirosyan...

On June 11 adjuration of Alvina Gyulumyan, the judge elected from Armenia for the European Court of Human Rights, took place in ECHR session hall. European Court Chairman L. Wildaber, Armenian permanent representative, Ambassador K. Ter-Stepanyan and EC members of various countries were present to the oath ceremony.

On June 13 Parliament continued work of the first sitting period. Misunderstanding during summarisation of results of the closed voting over electing a chair for the Parliament Committee on Social, Health and Environment Protection Issues occurred at the previous sitting. Under the Parliament’ regulations, a committee chair is to be elected by majority of registered MPs and not by majority...

On June 11 president Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on relieving Ararat Mkrtchyan of Health Minister post, Razmik Martirosyan from the post of Social Welfare Minister, Levon Mkrtchyan from his post on Education and Science Minister, David Zadoyan of the Agriculture Minister post, Roland Sharoyan from the post of Armenian Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. On June 11 Kocharyan signed a decree...

Being guided by the 55th article of the Constitution and basing on the resolution of the Constitutional Court of Armenia, president Robert Kocharyan signed a decree on ceasing the commissions of Alvina Gyulumyan, member of the Constitutional Court of Armenia, under her application . President signed another decree on appointing Zinavor Ghukasyan the member of the Constitutional Court.

On June 10 at 6: 30 PM data, CEC received 13 applications on reject of MP mandates - 12 out of those registered in the proportional election list of Republican Party of Armenia, 1of ARF. The head of the president ’s staff Artashes Tumanyan registered in ARF rejected his MP mandate. The next candidate of the list, ARF member Mushegh Mikhaelyan will be given the mandate instead of him. PM...

Today Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanyan received Lithuania Ambassador Rimantas Shidlauskas. He handed the copy of his credentials to the Minister. Issues regarding bilateral relations, extension of the legal and contract field, and the region were discussed at the meeting. At the request of Shidlauskas Mr Oskanyan briefly introduced the present state of Karabakhi conflict settlement at the meeting.