Politics:

Armenia celebrates diplomatic victory

Review of September 4-10 domestic events.

September 11, 2010
Karabakh issue continues to dominate Armenia’s internal political agenda. Azerbaijani authorities turned provocations into tradition, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan stated, referring to recent incident on the line of contact of NKR and Azeri armed forces. “Diversions aim at frustrating the mediators’ efforts toward maintaining ceasefire, withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact as well as promotion of conflict settlement negotiations,” he said. Kocharyan called on international community to give adequate assessment to Azerbaijan’s provocative actions, aimed at undermining the peace process.
Economy:

New gas tariffs under discussion

For lack of gas resources, Armenia is extremely dependent on Russian Gazprom giant, which will again raise tariffs in 2011, continuing the policy of market pricing with Belarus, Moldova and Armenia.

September 11, 2010
By decision of the Public Services Regulatory Commission, the gas prices have risen 37.5%, totaling AMD 132 against the previous AMD 96 for ordinary consumers, and 13%, totaling USD 243.13 for 1 thousand cu m for enterprises respectively since April 1, 2010.
Armenia and world:

One must always be ready for a trick from Baku

Azerbaijan has calculated that if Turkey is chairman of the General Assembly of the UN, the resolution can be easily passed.

September 10, 2010
In the UN happened what was to happen: reluctant to look more ridiculous in the eyes of the world community, Azerbaijan called back her notorious resolution. Hardly can she have done it voluntarily, because of the current geopolitical realities. To Ilham Aliyev’s credit it must be said that he endured rather long, but finally realized that he, his oil and gas will not outweigh the common sense and energy projects of multinational companies, although it often happens the other way round.
Culture:

Desire to be an Armenian seized Gérard Depardieu in Yerevan

The renowned actor revealed something Armenian in himself and proposed to an Armenian beauty.

September 8, 2010
Desire to be an Armenian seized Gérard Depardieu in Yerevan
Thousands of fans could not believe the news that the legendary Gérard Depardieu will visit Yerevan unless they saw this man, great in all senses, on the Armenian land.
IT & Telecom:

Armenian communication files registered sustainable growth

Review of August 30 – September 6 telecommunications and information technology events.

September 7, 2010
Proceeds of the communication field totaled AMD 95.4bln in Armenia in January-July 2010 that is 3.2% higher as compared with the same period in 2009. - 923 computers were assembled in Armenia during the reporting period, registering 17% growth compared with January-July 2009. 198 computers were assembled in July 2010.
Sport:

Michel Platini: Football Academy in Yerevan is special

Review of August 26 – September 2 sports events.

September 3, 2010
Football: Football Academy opened in Yerevan on September 1 with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and UEFA President Michel Platini participating in the ceremony. According to FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan, the project cost $12 million of which $ 7 million 475 thousand was allocated by the UEFA and $400 thousand by FIFA. The territory of the Academy covers 13 thousand m2. It has 5 playing fields, 2 pools and several gyms. “UEFA built many academies in Europe but the one in Yerevan is special,” Mr. Platini noted.
Society:

Armenians do not celebrate Navasard as national holiday because Hayk Nahapet was not Christian

Navasard had been one of the most popular holidays before Gregorian calendar took effect.

August 13, 2010
For dozens of centuries Armenians had been celebrating the New Year, Navasard, on August 11. Once a favorite popular holiday, it now became a topic of historians’ remarks or Armenian folklore only. “August 11 is the first day of the new year according to the ancient Armenian calendar. It was celebrated by all – the rich and the poor,” said ethnographer Gohar Vardumyan, senior fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.
 
---