Greece & Armenia to Enter Into Economic Development Program

Here is what we know so far:

Greece intends to involve Armenia into its five-year economic development program. During the meeting the sides discussed bilateral cooperation and issues that are of mutual interest.

Greece is a strong ally that must be kept close. Increasing trade between the two countries is a good start.

Source: Arka

Melkonian School Possibly Saved

The Melkonian School was founded in Cypress shortly after the Armenian Genocide.

The Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus would like to announce that Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis has issued a new preservation order on for the disputed estate of the Melkonian school in Nicosia which could cause indefinite delays in the administrators’ efforts to dispose of the land.

The Melkonian Alumni, who were at the forefront of the struggle to save the Melkonian ever since the decision to close the school was made three years ago, were praiseful of the efforts of a few dedicated people at the Town Planning Authority.

Let's hope it stays this way!

Source: Azg

Most Greeks Oppose Turkey's EU Membership

From the press release:

A public opinion poll commissioned by To Vima newspaper, published in Athens, Greece to Kapa Research pollster center has found that only 39.7 percent of Greeks support Turkey's bid to join the European Union, while 56.5 percent are against it. The survey also has found that only 38.5 percent of respondents are optimistic about prospects for settling the Cyprus problem and 39.4 percent believe that the united island will be in the European Union.

By the way, the above picture is that of Cyprus, the Northern portion of the island which was invaded and divided by Turkey in 1974. Just as we are trying to set history straight, they are trying to unify their beautiful island. However, it's clear from the poll numbers that they're not too optimistic that any of that would happen with Turkey's entry into the EU, just as we Armenians must realize that if it were to happen without precondition, our cause could be lost entirely.

Source: ArmenPress

Foreign Investments in Armenia Increase 32%

Well, we wanted some good news, and here it is!

Armenian national statistical service (Armstat) said the volume of foreign investments in the country's real economy sector in January-September of 2006 (not counting investments in the state management and banking sectors) rose almost 32 percent from a year ago to $297.5 million.

Armstat said the volume of direct investments was $149.4 million, 8 percent up from a year ago. It said investments from Greece declined 34 percent to $44.8 million, investments from Russia declined 5 percent to $34.4 million. Instead investments from Argentine grew 9 times to $58 million, 2 times from Lebanon to $56.2 million.

Investments from the USA and Great Britain made $17.6 and $21.1 million respectively, up 42 and 15 percent. Investments came also for the first time from China, Liechtenstein and Finland. Almost 34 percent of foreign and 23.7 percent of direct investments went to the communications sector, 23 percent of direct investments went to the mining and 16.4 percent to aviation sectors.

As long as these numbers don't hide a certain truth of fudging, this really is good news for Armenia. As reported earlier, this most likely means more Armenian assets are going to foreign companies/governments, which essentially means Armenains can't control their future. International conflicts and other such economic disturbances can possibly play havoc on Armenia's economy.

But since we're still growing rapidly, maybe this "initial wave" of investments - some 15 years in the making - is a good thing.

Source: ArmenPress.