VivaCell-MTS General Manager does not have any ambitions to run for Armenian president

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The press service of VivaCell-MTS mobile operator refuted today the reports that company’s General Manager Ralph Yirikian is allegedly going to take part in 2013 presidential elections in Armenia.

The full statement issued by VivaCell-MTS is as follows:

“On November 29, 2011, CNews media published an article titled “MTS has credited the potential president of Armenia for USD 90 million”, which spreads false information, referring to “market participants” and a “source in one of the competitors.”

The article, in particular, states that Ralph Yirikian, the General Manager of “K-Telecom” ( “VivaCell-MTS” trademark) has political ambitions to participate in Armenia’s 2013 presidential elections, and that Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has been providing him financial support. Furthermore, the article states that the source of the funds used by the Company for carrying out charitable activities may be the funds collected by the Armenian community in Lebanon.

One may only guess who are the alleged “market participants” and the “source in one of the competitors” spreading the false information, and what are the goals they are trying to achieve. There is no doubt that such actions of the alleged competitors are dishonest, unfair, and totally unacceptable.

Without going into a detailed analysis of the absurdity of the above information, it is important to note that under the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia eligibility requires that a presidential candidate should have been a citizen of Armenia, constantly residing and having voting rights in the Republic for the preceding 10 years.

Ralph Yirikian not only does not have any ambitions to be elected or appointed in any political position, as he clearly stated on various occasions, but also does not meet any of the above-mentioned criteria.

As for the social activities of the Company, those are carried out solely at the expense of the Company in accordance with the approved program of corporate social responsibility.

The Company is proud to be a pioneer in implementing large-scale programs of corporate social responsibility and introducing a new dimension to the business culture in Armenia. It is a pity that such initiatives become a subject of cheap and inappropriate speculations.”