Prosperous Armenia Party Spokesperson, MP Tigran Urikhanyan has disseminated a statement wherein he threatens on behalf of the party to make public a talk of PAP Leader Gagik Tsarukyan and Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian.  To recall, Tsarukyan and Hovannisian met in March 2013.

At PAP they are indignant at Hovannisian's latest statement in an interview with RFE/RL Armenian Service wherein Hovhannisian says that in the course of the above meeting Tsarukyan declared that he would never go against the incumbent authorities.  Therefore, Hovannisian said, he was not surprised to hear Tsarukyan's statement that Prosperous Armenia cannot be in the opposition.  PAP Spokesperson Urikhanyan says in his statement that Hovannisian misquotes Tsarukyan.

"Nevertheless, we consider Hovannisian's words as surplus emotions, otherwise, the record of the meeting may be made public. We are sure that in such case Hovannisian will have to answer the questions of his supporters," Urikhanyan says.

He recalls, the PAP representatives Vartan Oskanian ,Vahe Hovannisian, Naira Zohrabyan and Heritage representatives Hovsep Khurshudyan and Ruben Hakobyan were present at the above meeting.

ArmInfo's correspondent reports that 58 MPs of the Republican Party of Armenia voted against the bill.  Another 48 parliamentarians voted for the bill, while two MPs abstained from voting. The initiators of the bill pined hopes with the committee as it could inquire into the incidents and expose legitimacy of the investigation in the death of 10 people carried out by the Police, Special Investigation Service and the Prosecutor General's Office.  Head of the Republican Party Faction Galust Sahakyan explained that the bill was rejected due to 'certain problems with its adoption.'

 "It is surprising, considering that in the course of discussions six out of seven suggestions of the Republican Party were accepted and the last suggestion was accepted partially. We did not accept only the suggestion not to invite investigators and prosecutors to the committee for verification of some issues," says Gagik Jhangiryan, MP
from the Armenian National Congress.

 Depending in the results of the negotiations for the Russian gas tariff for Armenia, the issue of payment for the lands used by the 102nd Russian military base in
Armenia may be raised. Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan made such statement Monday is response to a relevant suggestion of Zaruhi Postanjyan, MP from Heritage Party. The speaker urged the parliamentarians not to force the issue and wait for the final results of the negotiations. "I promise to make a written suggestion
to the government if necessary," the speaker said.

The Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia, is part of the Transcaucasian Group of Forces. The military base is part of a joint air defense system of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which was deployed in Armenia in 1995. On August 20 2010 Russia and Armenia extended deployment of the base till 2044.

To recall, on May 14 ArmRusgasprom CJSC, the Armenian subsidiary of Gazprom OJSC, applied to the Public Services Regulatory Committee (PSRC) for revision of the effective tariff for gas for small consumers from 132 to 221,000 drams ($532) per 1000 cu m of gas. The tariff for big consumers (over 100000 cu m of monthly gas consumption) will be increased to $392.

 Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 416,5 drams for 1 dollar, 534 drams for 1 EUR and 13,2 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 418 drams for 1 dollar, 537 drams for 1 EUR and 13,3 drams for 1 Russian ruble.

Today, on May 20, the Administrative Court of Armenia will deliver a verdict on Barev, Yerevan Bloc's claim for cancellation of the result of the municipal elections on May 5, the bloc's press-service told ArmInfo.

Barev, Yerevan Bloc applied to the Administration Court on May 15. The bloc says that the facts the claim is based on are taken from four sources: copies of electoral registers of district election commissions, copies of special views and protocols, observations of the recalculation process, and evidences of the Transparency
International observers. Links to media publications and police references were collected in a special volume, the source reports.

The bloc received 6 mandates in the Elders Council of Yerevan. The ruling Republican Party received 42 mandates and Prosperous Armenia Party - 17 mandates.

 National Assembly of Armenia perceives Genocide of the Pontic Greeks as an inseparable element of the Genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Empire in 1915, which is documented in the preamble of the Constitution of Armenia. Vice Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov made such statement in response to ArmInfo's question when visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial in memory for Genocide of the Pontic Greeks.

"As a historian, I must say that there was no Genocide of Greeks as a separate scene. There was genocide of the entire Christian population in the territory of the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923. It was Genocide of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians," Sharmazanov said. He recalled that Izmir is a symbol of merciless annihilation of three Christian peoples - the Turkish authorities annihilated 12,000 Armenians, over 60,000 Greeks, who were nearly 90 percent of the town's population.

Sharmazanov said that in 2010 the Armenian Parliament called on the world parliaments to recognize Genocide of Armenians, Pontic Greeks and Assyrians as one. Sharmazanov recalled the Winston Churchill's indelible imprint in the history, who declared that Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) needed anew Turkey without Christian population, i.e. Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians.  "We must do our best for international recognize of the Genocide of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians.  We must work on this. I am sure the truth will triumph sooner or later," he said.  For his part, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to the Republic of Armenia Ioannis Tais said that Genocide of Pontic Greeks is of great importance for the countries with Greek population.  Those countries have already recognized the fact of Genocide.

"Parliament of Greece has also recognized the fact of the Greek Genocide, which paves the way towards international recognition of that fact," the Ambassador said. He said that the issue of compensation will be raised only after international recognition of the Genocide of Greeks.

In 1994, May 19 was selected by the Greek parliament as the day to commemorate the Pontic Greek Genocide by the Turks. In March 1915 Young Turks massacred Greeks drafted to the Turkish army near Smyrna (now Izmir) and in the Pontic region on the Black Sea coast. Turkish nationalists led by Mustafa Kemal committed ethnic purges of the Greek population in Turkey in the course of the Greek-Turkish war in 1919-1922. On May 19 1919 Kemal launched a second wave of massacre in
Samsun, which is marked as Day to commemorate the Greek genocide. By different assessments, 350,000 - 1,2 million Greeks were annihilated.

 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has awarded a status of the most active issuer in Armenia in 2012 to Ameriabank. The press service of Ameriabank told ArmInfo that the official award ceremony took place in Istanbul during the event organized by the EBRD within the Trade Finance Program.  

The source says that the award demonstrates the active and efficient trade finance activity of Ameriabank.  To increase trade finance, the Bank keeps on effectively cooperating with international financial structures and recognized foreign banks. As a result, the loan facility approved for Ameriabank already exceeds 100 mln USD.    

Ameriabank remains a leader in trade finance in Armenia, expanding the borders of cooperation with importers and exporters with every passing day. In 2012 the total amount of servicing of export and import operations via payment instruments exceeded 150 mln USD (75% more than a year before). In Q1 2013 Ameriabank's portfolio of letters of credit and bank guarantees totaled almost 50 mln USD (90% more than a year before). The amount of letters of credit doubled and bank guarantees were up 56% as compared with Q1 2012.

During the same event the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) awarded Ameriabank the status of confirming bank as part of the Trade Finance Project. The status is of big importance for development of trade finance in the region. This will boost exports and make export letter of credit, confirmation and bank guarantee service more accessible for exports. The status of confirming bank is an achievement, as Ameribank has been included in the list of EBRD confirming banks. This fact once again confirms the high status of Ameriabank as a reliable and recognized business partner in the international arena. In late November 2012 Ameriabank introduced a new service - acceptance of letters of credit  (an advising bank). The first contract unique for the Armenian banking
system had been signed later connecting a foreign bank with an Armenian company. Introduction of this service will give more opportunities to Armenian companies to find new export markets. The new banking service enables Ameriabank to boost cooperation with big foreign banks to attract more trade finance customers. For this purpose, Ameriabank has already introduced a service of issue of letters of credit.

Ameriabank CJSC is a universal bank providing investment, corporate and retail banking services in a full package of bank services. The majority shareholder of the bank is America Group (since Nov 2011) with 99.99% shares.

Will you please describe the last events in the domestic political situation in the republic? Does the movement headed by Raffi Hovannisian have prospects?

 A group of people have gathered in front of the government building to protest against the murder of serviceman Luks Stepanyan.

His parents tried today to bring his body from Verin Vernashen to Yerevan and to put it in front of the Government building.

The protesters insisted on a meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and even attempted to break into the Government building but the police prevented the attempt and began patrolling the building.

Chief of the Yerevan Police Ashot Karapetyan spoke with some of the protesters. They said that they would like to meet with Military prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan. Meanwhile, public activist Vardges Gaspari was running round the building and yelling "Serzhik is Murderer!"

To remind, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry. 

Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik Region, Ishkhan Stepanyan said that he intends to deliver the body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand explanations from the defense minister. Road Police and officers of the Defense Ministry of Armenia obstructed entry of a cortege
carrying body of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan to Yerevan. The cortege stopped on Sevan- Yerevan highway and the relatives of the killed soldier squabbled with the police. As a result, the relatives and the villagers of the killed soldier damaged the police vehicle.

Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan have left to meet with the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan. Minister Ohanyan promised the relatives of the killed soldier that the tragedy will be thoroughly inquired into and all those guilty in it will be
published. The minister promised open investigation.

On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident, charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2 and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia. In addition, a petition will be made to the court for Khachatryan's arrest. An action of protest is currently underway in front of the Government building.

 Relatives of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan agreed to return home after their meeting with Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan. The soldier was killed by his comrade on May 15 at Noyemberyan army unit. 

To recall, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry.  Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik Region, Ishkhan Stepanyan said that he intends to deliver the body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand explanations from the defense minister. Road Police and officers of the Defense Ministry of Armenia obstructed entry of a cortege carrying body of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan to Yerevan.  The cortege stopped on Sevan-Yerevan highway and the relatives of the killed soldier squabbled with the police. As a result, the relatives and the villagers of the killed soldier damaged the police vehicle.

Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan have left to meet with the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan.  Minister Ohanyan promised the relatives of the killed soldier that the tragedy will be thoroughly inquired into and all those guilty in it will be published. The minister promised open investigation. 

On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident, charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2 and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.  In addition, a petition will be made to the court for Khachatryan's arrest.  An action of protest is currently underway in front of the Government building. 

Coffin of Luks Stepanyan, a soldier who was killed by his comrade on May 15 at Noyemberyan army unit, will be carried to Yerevan, as the Police, Military Police and Defense Ministry officers have stopped the catafalque driving to the capital city. 

The relatives of the killed soldier took the body out of the catafalque to carry it to Yerevan. The mother of the killed soldier feels bad and is receiving first aid at the moment. Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan have left to meet with the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan. 

On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident, charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2 and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.  In addition, a petition will be made to the court for Khachatryan's arrest. 

To recall, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry. Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik Region, Ishkhan Stepanyan said that he intends to deliver the body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand explanations from the defense minister.

Free Democrats Party has disseminated a statement saying that Russia uses gas tariff to exert pressure on Armenia over progressing negotiations for the EU Association Agreement.

The authors of the statement say that the upcoming rise in the gas price is a political rather than economic problem that endangers the national security of Armenia. 
"It is not a secret that gas has always been a political instrument for Moscow to exert pressure on external subjects. Moscow has been repeatedly using it against Armenia," the statement reads.  Free Democrats alarm that the rise in the gas price will lead to price hikes and a new wave of migration from the country. The promised 30% subsidizing of the new gas tariff will not settle the problem, because the government will do it at the expense of the citizens.

Free Democrats Party urge the Public Services Regulatory Committee to reject ArmRusgaprom's application for revision of the gas tariff. 

To recall, on May 14 ArmRusgasprom CJSC, the Armenian subsidiary of Gazprom OJSC, applied to the Public Services Regulatory Committee (PSRC) for revision of the effective tariff for gas for small consumers from 132 to 221,000 drams ($532) per 1000 cu m of gas. The tariff for big consumers (over 100000 cu m of monthly gas consumption) will be increased to $392. 

Coffin of Luks Stepanyan, a soldier who was killed by his comrade on May 15 at Noyemberyan army unit, will be carried to Yerevan, as the Police, Military Police and Defense Ministry officers have stopped the catafalque driving to the capital city.

The relatives of the killed soldier took the body out of the catafalque to carry it to Yerevan. The mother of the killed soldier feels bad and is receiving first aid at the moment. Head of the Military Police Samvel Ghoukassyan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Police Head Vladimir Gasparyan have left to meet with the relatives of the killed Luks Stepanyan.

On the basis of the criminal case initiated over the incident, charges will be brought against David Khachatryan on Article 104.2 and Article 112.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.  In addition, a petition will be made to the court for Khachatryan's arrest.

To recall, on May 15 at 3:30pm, soldier David Khachatryan fired at Luks Stepanyan from his automated gun. Stepanyan died of the wound in the head. Another soldier Hrachya Sargsyan was hospitalized with gunshot wound in the head. He is currently at the reanimation department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry. Earlier, father of the killed, resident of Verin Getashen, Gegharkunik Region, Ishkhan Stepanyan said that he intends to deliver the body of his son to the government building in Yerevan and demand explanations from the defense minister.

 Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 416,5 drams for 1 dollar, 533drams for 1 EUR and 13,2 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 418,3 drams for 1 dollar, 537 drams for 1 EUR and 13,3 drams for 1 Russian ruble.

For the first time in Armenia, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has awarded an Armenian bank with a status of a confirming bank as part of the Trade Finance Project. The status was awarded to Ameriabank, following a relevant contract signed in Istanbul on May 9 as part of TFP, the press-service of Ameriabank reports.

As anticipated, the authorities in power made an unpleasant surprise for us, ordinary citizens, immediately after elections. This time, they surprised us with news on upcoming gas price hike for Armenia.  Given the heavy social and economic situation in the country that has been deteriorating over the last years, the upcoming gas price hike will affect all the sectors of public life, starting from economy up to environment.

Road Police and officers of the Defense Ministry of Armenia are trying to obstruct entry of a cortege carrying body of the killed soldier Luks Stepanyan to Yerevan. The soldier was killed by his comrade in army in Noyemberyan on May 15.

The Head of the Azerbaijani Armenians Assembly, Grigoriy Ayvazyan, said at today's press-conference in Yerevan that he is going to run for president in Azerbaijan in autumn of the current year.

"Being a citizen of Azerbaijan and grounding on its Constitution, I am going to exercise my right and take part in the presidential race. The Armenians - is one of the state building nations of Azerbaijan, and have a full right to participate in all the political processes developing in this country", - he said.

He also added that all his papers to be submitted to Central Electoral Commission of Azerbaijan are ready, and if his candidacy is not registered, it will demonstrate once again the fascist nature of the Aliyev's regime, which is afraid of even one Armenian.

Ayvazyan is confident that if registered, he will be supported by 60% of voters - not only Armenian refugees but also other national minorities of Azerbaijan. "The Azerbaijani authorities defied political and economic rights of one of the state building nations - the Armenians. Our purpose is to restore these rights. The Armenians
should have an opportunity to choose their own destiny and the destiny of their country", - he said.

The rise in the gas price will affect the people's social security, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia Ruben Tovmasyan told journalists on Friday.

He said that this may end in a civil strife, so, the government must to something to calm people down.

"This will raise a new wave of emigration, especially from the regions," Tovmasyan said.

He believes that had Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union, there would have been no such rise.

Following the growth in the Russian gas import price from $180 to $270 per 1,000 c m, ArmRusgasprom has announced a 67.4% rise in the price for the population (from 132,000 AMD to 221,000 AMD per 1,000 c m) and a 61.3% rise in the price for the industry (from $243 to $392 per 1,000 c m). The last time Russia raised its gas price for Armenia in Apr 2010.

 Within the frames of a criminal case initiated on the fact of multiple voting during the Yerevan Council of Elders election, one of the members of the Electoral
Commission of Malatia-Sebastia administrative district was named as a defendant.

As press-service of Armenian Prosecutor General's office reported, over the investigation it was cleared out that a member of the electoral commission of the ballot station 08/23, E.Manukyan, gave D.Mkhitaryan three envelopes and three ballot for the multiple voting at the election day on 5 May.

E.Manukyan was charged with article 38-34-153 of Armenian Criminal Code. The voter D.Mkhitaryan was charged with article 34-153 of the Criminal Code.