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SESSION OF THE ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION COMMITTEE
HELD IN YEREVAN
Armen Baibourtian, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister (left), Karen Chshmaritian, Armenian Minister of Trade and Economic Development (centre) and Hugues Mingarelli, European Commission Director for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia Republics (right)
This year's session of the Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee was held in Yerevan on June 20, 2005. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation in economic and political spheres, as well as considered the prospects of improvement of the business atmosphere, tax and customs reforms.
Speaking at a news conference following the session, Armenian Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmaritian said that by the end of the year, Armenia and the EU will finish the development of the Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy. According to him, out of 29 cooperation spheres suggested by Armenia, the European Union will select priority spheres, focusing on Armenia's involvement in regional programs.
Hugues Mingarelli, European Commission Director for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia Republics, stated that considerable economic growth and macro-economic stability have been marked in Armenia over last years. At the same time, he noted, much needs to be done for improving the business atmosphere and reforming the taxation and customs systems. The parties also discussed the safe operation of the Armenian Nuclear Plant. Hugues Mingarelli reiterated EU's readiness to allocate 100mln euro to Armenia for the creation of alternative energy sources.
"This sum may become the part of the fiscal plan to be implemented by attracting other donors in the event if the Armenian side expresses readiness to close the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant shortly," he said.
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EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
TO THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
VISITED ARMENIA
On May 4-5, 2005 European Union Special Representative (EUSR) to the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie, visited Armenia.
Heikki Talvitie, European Union Special Representative to the South Caucasus
During the visit, Ambassador Talvitie met Armenian President Robert Kocharian, National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdassarian and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.
At the meeting, Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Heikki Talvitie discussed Armenia-EU cooperation within the European Neighbourhood Policy, the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and legislative reforms in Armenia.
At the meeting with Armenian National Assembly chairman Arthur Baghdassarian, Heikki Talvitie expressed the opinion that recent hearings in the Armenian parliament on the ways of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict made an important contribution to the peace process.
By the request of the EU Special Representative, Arthur Baghdassarian presented the course of legislative reforms in Armenia and, particularly, processes of reform of the Constitution and the Electoral Code.
Arthur Baghdassarian and Heikki Talvitie also discussed issues related to the South-Caucasian Parliamentary Initiative in the context of the possible formation of a regional parliamentary assembly on its basis.
Addressing a briefing in the Armenian Foreign Ministry on May 5, the European Union Special Representative to the South Caucasus expressed the hope that the Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy will become a "real instrument" defining the future volume and content of Armenia-EU relations. Heikki Talvitie expressed the opinion that the Action Plan will be finished by late 2005 or early 2006.
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EUROPE DAY CELEBRATED IN YEREVAN
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On May 11, 2005 Europe Day was celebrated in Armenia. Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, diplomatic missions and NGOs took part in the reception organized by the Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia.
This year, the Europe Day was celebrated in the Children's Art Gallery of the National Esthetic Center of Armenia. An exhibition of paintings of Armenian children dedicated to Europe opened in the gallery a day before. Henrik Igitian, head of the Center, said that "the children, who have never been to Europe, managed to work a miracle within a month and express the European countries and traditions."
Head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia, Torben Holtze, noted that it was the first event of this kind held by the EU in Armenia. "Looking at these paintings, I make sure that many of their authors will become famous artists in the future," said Torben Holtze.
After the exhibition, Torben Holtze handed over certificates and memorable presents to 18 art schools of Armenia, whose pupils have taken part in the exhibition.
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Torben Holtze, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia (left) and Thorda Abbott-Watt, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Armenia (right) |
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EU REMAINS ARMENIA'S MAIN
TRADE PARTNER
The European Union is the main trade partner of Armenia, Armenian Director of the Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC), Tigran Jrbashian, stated.
On June 30, 2005, speaking at the workshop "The European Union Market - Opportunities for the Armenian Business," organized within the framework of the "Development of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (EUCCA)" TACIS project, Tigran Jrbashian said that the export of Armenian production to EU countries in 2004 totalled $257,3mln.
As Tigran Jrbashian noted, the activization of Armenia-EU trade relations is boosted by Armenia's membership in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). He noted that the full use of GSP system will allow to increase the volumes of the Armenian export to EU countries noticeably.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia Tigran Davtyan noted that Armenia's trade and economic relations with EU countries have intensified over last years. According to him, EU countries account for 40 percent of Armenia's trade turnover and more than 50 percent of investments.
Tigran Davtyan stated that "our key objective today is to create favourable conditions for the integration of Armenian business into the European market."
The "Business Guide to the EU market" booklet was presented at the workshop and was distributed to all participants.
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TEMPUS-TACIS PRESENTED EU "ERASMUS MUNDUS" PROGRAM
On June 3, 2005, TEMPUS-TACIS presented the European Union's new program "Erasmus Mundus" to Armenian students.
Head of the TEMPUS-TACIS National Bureau in Armenia, Lana Karlova, informed that "Erasmus Mundus" offers the students of the faculty of physics of the Yerevan State University (YSU) the possibility to receive a grant for education in bachelor programs in prestigious European universities. According to her, such programs will facilitate the compatibility of levels of the higher education, thus supporting the reform on higher education in countries that signed the Bologna Declaration "On creating a common space for higher education in Europe."
The German Academic Exchange Service - DAAD program was also presented to the students of YSU faculty of physics. DAAD project coordinator Ruth Buttner informed that DAAD has allocated 10 scholarships to Armenian students for the years 2005 and 2006.
DAAD project coordinator Ruth Buttner |
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"ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ON THE CROSS-ROAD OF
"NEITHER WAR NOR PEACE" PROJECT PRESENTED
The Research Center "Region" [Armenia] and the Institute of Peace and Democracy [Azerbaijan] with the support of the Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia presented the project "Armenia and Azerbaijan on the cross-road of "neither war nor peace" in Yerevan on June 1, 2005.
Acting head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia, Alexis Loeber, spoke of the importance of the project, noting that the development of peace, democracy and human rights is the prime objective of the European Union in the South Caucasus.
Alexis Loeber pointed out that the film, shot within the framework of the project, will serve to the overcoming of prejudices between Armenians and Azeris. He spoke of EU's readiness to assist to the realization of such initiatives in the future.
Head of the Department of Conflictology and Migration of the Institute of Peace and Democracy in Baku, Arif Yunusov, noted that the participants of the project have "tried to find out how we treat each other and third countries." According to Yunusov, besides the film, they have conducted a media monitoring in Armenia and Azerbaijan and a sociological poll, as well as opened a forum in the internet within the framework of the project.
Head of the "Region" Research Center, Laura Barseghian, stated that "this is a special project" aimed to discover the true moods in Armenian and Azerbaijani societies.
The book "Armenia and Azerbaijan on the cross-road of "neither war nor peace" was published after the end of the project.
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Alexis Loeber, Acting head of the Yerevan Office of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia (left), Laura Baghdasaryan, Head of "Region" Research Centre (centre) and Head of the Department of Conflictology and Arif Yunusov, Migration of the Institute of Peace and Democracy of Azerbaijan (right)
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THE REALIZATION OF VET PROGRAM FINISHED IN ARMENIA
A congress summarizing the activity of the EU Project "Support to the Development of an Integrated Vocational Education and Training (VET) System in Armenia" was held in Yerevan on June 28, 2005 (the program intended for 30 months was launched in February 2004).
Sergo Yeritsyan, Armenian Minister of
Education and Science |
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Addressing the congress, Armenian Minister of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsyan highly assessed the process of realization of the VETArmenia program, noting that the Ministry is negotiating with international organizations on making investments to the Vocational and Secondary Education systems of Armenia, which will allow to consolidate positive changes.
VET-Armenia Project Director Aram Avagyan thanked Armenian Ministries of Education and Science, Labour and Social Issues, Agriculture for the assistance in the realization of the program. He reminded that the program was implemented in three directions: Policy and Strategy Development, Vocational Education and Training Institutions and Employment and Labour Market.
On May 17-18, VET-Armenia conducted its last seminar in Tsakhkadzor, entitled "Elaboration of the Strategy and Policy of the Integrated Vocational Education and Training System in Armenia."
Nikolay Petrov Lead Expert on Policy and Strategy pointed out that the strategic direction of the reformation of the Integrated Vocational Education and Training includes the transition to the education based on professional competences, the provision of the quality of the educational process, the enhancement of profitability of educational services, etc. To that end,
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Nikolay Petrov thinks, it is first of all necessary to publish the state conception of the education development, approve laws and by-laws and stimulate non-governmental investments into theprofessional education and training.
Nikolay Petrov noted that the "final product" of the project for the elaboration of the strategy and policy of the Integrated Vocational Education and Training System, will be presented as a document, consisting of the VET System modernization priorities and Action Plan for its implementation.
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BOOKS ON THE ART OF NEGOTIATING AND
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PRESENTED
On May 31, 2005, the International Center for Human Development (ICHD) presented two books about the art of negotiating and conflict management: "Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In" by Roger Fisher and "Peace by Peaceful Means" by Johan Galtung.
The books have been translated and published within the program "Towards new leadership" with the financial assistance of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
International Center for Human
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Development Executive Director Tevan Poghosian stated that the choice fell on these books as "Roger Fisher and Johan Galtung are world known scientists, tutors and experts."
Tevan Poghosian expressed the hope that the books will be interesting both for students and for diplomats, politicians and businessmen. He also noted that the National Institute of Education of Armenian Ministry of Education and Science has recommended using the Armenian editions of these books as a supplementary manual for the students of universities.
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"EUROPEAN UNION IN THE EYES OF ARMENIANS"
WEB SITE PRESENTED
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On June 17, 2005, the "Youth For Achievements" Association presented the web site "European Union in the eyes of Armenians," financed by the European Commission.
Project Leader Gurgen Hakopian, said that the portal www.europe.am is called to tell the Armenian society more about the European Union.
"European Union in the eyes of Armenians" Project Coordinator Varya Meruzhanian noted that they have announced children's art contest "Europe in my eyes" for attracting the Armenian youth to the web site. As a result, 52 paintings were placed on the site, 5 of them were considered the best through voting.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION
CENTER'S COMMUNAL
POLICY WEB SITE
PRESENTED
The Public Information Center presented the web site "Communal Policy" in Yerevan on June 1, 2005.
The site www.cp-pic-msw.am has been created within the framework of the "Policy Advice and Support for the Communal Policy for Promoting Sustainable Solid Waste Management," realized in Armenia by the British Parson Brinckerhoff Company with the assistance of the European Commission.
The site aims to assist to bodies dealing with solid waste management, to regional administrations and to all interested organizations.
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CHARITABLE ACTION
On 16 June, 2005, the Yerevan Office of the European Commission Delegation to Georgia and Armenia jointly with USAID opened a diningroom in the old people's home in the village of Hakhtanak. The furniture of the dining-room and the kitchen was purchased by revenues gained from the sale of the tickets to the European Film Festival held in Yerevan in December 2004.
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