REFERENDUM ON CONSTITUTION IN ARMENIA SCHEDULED NOVEMBER 27
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 13:46
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian today signed
a decree on conducting a referendum on the Draft Changes to the
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, reported the Press Service
of the Armenian leader. The referendum on Constitution is scheduled
for November 27. Besides, the Armenian President signed the Law on
Amendments and Supplements to the Armenian Law on Referendum.
SOUTH CAUCASUS IS A NATO PRIORITY
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 13:36
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan met
with NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Sec. Gen. Simon Lunn, who
is in Yerevan to take part in Security in the South Caucasus joint
seminar of the NATO PA and National Assembly of Armenia, reported the
Press Service of the Armenian Parliament. Chairman of the Standing
Commission on Defense, Internal Affairs and National Security Mher
Shahgeldyan was also present at the meeting. The South Caucasus
is a priority to the NATO PA, stated Simon Lunn. He emphasized the
importance of carrying out active work at the inter-parliamentary
assembly. The interlocutors discussed opportunities to hold
international conferences on fighting terror and use of chemical
weapons in Armenia in 2006. Simon Lunn expressed the NATO PA full
support to these programs. Artur Baghdassaryan noted the importance
of NATO PA support to the forming of regional partnership. Common
discussions help overcoming differences, he added.
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF ARMENIA AND UKRAINE UNDERUSED IN GOODS TURNOVER BETWEEN THEM
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 10:48
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan met with
newly appointed Ukrainian Ambassador to Armenia Aleksandr Bozhko,
reported the Press service of the Armenian Government. Having
congratulated the diplomat with appointment to the office for a
second time, A. Margaryan said he hoped for the Ambassador to promote
Armenian-Ukrainian relations further. Mr.
Bozhko informed the Armenian PM on latest developments in the political
and economic life of Ukraine. The situation in the region is stable
at present, a new Government is formed, headed by an experienced PM,
relations in the international arena are also being regulated, he
emphasized. Having noted the importance of further strengthening of
political and diplomatic relations between the two countries that have
chosen the way of European integration, the interlocutors discussed
the current state and prospects of development of bilateral trade and
economic relations. They specifically highlighted cooperation within
international organizations. The economic potential of Armenia and
Ukraine is underused in goods turnover between the two countries, the
interlocutors noted. The parties expressed confidence that the previous
sessions of the Armenian-Ukrainian Inter-Governmental Commission for
Trade and Economic Affairs, as well as a range of agreements signed
between the parties would encourage bilateral economic relations. A.
Margaryan and A. Bozhko agreed to speed up the holding of the
Commission fourth session upon the appointment of its new Ukrainian
co-chair to deal with accumulated matters more efficiently.
LATVIA STANCE IN KARABAKH ISSUE COINCIDES WITH THAT OF EU
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 13:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Latvia’s stance in the Nagorno Karabakh issue
coincides with that of the European Union. Latvian President Vaira
Vike-Freiberga stated it at a news conference upon completion of talks
with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku. Violation of territorial
integrity of a sovereign state is “a factor that causes concern”,
she stated. At the same time Vaira Vike-Freiberga spoke in favor
of peaceful settlement of the conflict. “The conflict settlement
should base on territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, while NK can get
autonomy. This status is similar to those of autonomies available in
Europe,” I. Aliyev stated in his turn, reported RFE/RL.
AFTER THE EUPHORIA, TURKEY PREPARES FOR THE HARD SLOG
By Anthony Browne, Brussels Correspondent
The Times, UK
Oct 5 2005
TURKEY promised a “great struggle” to turn itself into a modern
economically developed democracy, as officials in Brussels started
work yesterday on EU entry negotiations.
After the euphoria of agreeing to start talks early yesterday, EU
leaders spoke of the difficulties of bringing the vast, semi-developed
Muslim nation, which is almost entirely in Asia, up to EU standards.
President Chirac of France said that Turkey would need a “major
cultural revolution” and may never be ready to join.
Over the next ten or fifteen years Turkey will have to implement 83,000
pages of EU legislation. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime
Minister, said: “There will be a great struggle to fully implement
the harmonisation laws. Our ideal is a Turkey that will take its
place among democratic, free and developed countries.”
Turkey must also resolve the conflict over its illegal occupation
of Cyprus, starting by recognising its Government and opening up its
ports and airports to Cypriot traffic.
Angela Merkel, who is likely to be the next Chancellor of Germany,
and Nicolas Sarkozy, who aspires to be the next President of France,
oppose Turkish membership and could derail talks once in power.
France and Austria, whose voters oppose Turkish membership, have
promised referendums on the issue.
The membership talks were formally opened at a ceremony in the small
hours yesterday when Abdullah Gul, the Turkish Foreign Secretary,
and Jack Straw, his British counterpart, read opening statements.
A few hours later, European Commission officials started the
painstaking “screening” process, assessing Turkey’s harmonisation
with EU law under 35 chapter headings, covering everything from human
rights to environmental protection. This screening process will be
followed next spring by negotiations on each of the 35 chapters.
Each EU country has a veto on the closing of each chapter, which
will give hostile countries such as Austria and Cyprus plenty of
opportunities to trip Turkey up.
Austria is also insisting that Turkey, which would be the biggest
member by the time it joins, cannot be admitted until the EU is ready
to absorb it.
There is concern that although Ankara passed a modern penal code last
year Turkish judges are continuing to breach human rights.
European politicians have also been alarmed by human rights abuses,
such as the prosecution of a Turkish writer for acknowledging that
his country had committed genocide against Armenians, the continued
persecution of religious minorities, a recent order to close down
the country’s only gay rights group, and the killing of children in
mental hospitals.
THE CHALLENGES
Adopt and implement 83,000 pages of EU legislation
Resolve dispute over Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus, including
recognising Cypriot Government
Renegotiate Nice Treaty to change voting weights in the EU
Probable next leaders of France and Germany oppose Turkey’s membership
Any present EU member can veto any of 35 different “chapters” of
negotiations over the next ten years
Referendums in France and Austria, with voters of both highly hostile
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ARMENIA’S BUDGET EXPENSES TO TOTAL $1BLN IN 2006
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 4 2005
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. The budget expenses are to total $1bln
in Armenia in 2006, Speaker of the RA Parliament Artur Baghdasaryan
told reporters. According to him, the current economic growth in
Armenia allows additional funds to be directed to the social sector.
Specifically, legislative amendments will allow the Government to
pay AMD 35,000 birth grants and AMD 70,000 allowances to low-income
families. “We will continue this selective policy and increase yearly
allocations,” he said. In 2006, Armenia’s budget revenues are to
total AMD 380bln, and budget expenses AMD 450bln. 7.5% GDP growth,
and 3% inflation are expected next year. ($1 – AMD 443.07) P.T. -0-
SPEAKER OF ARMENIA’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR WIDE POPULARIZATION OF REFORMS
Pravda, Russia
Oct 5 2005
02:07 2005-10-05
“When we speak about changing the ruling elite in Armenia we must
consider that in two and three years accordingly parliamentary and
presidential elections will take place,” said Speaker of the National
Assembly of Armenia Artur Bagdasaryan at a briefing Tuesday.
“If someone tries to prove that the constitutional reforms are
ineffective, I’m open to a constructive dialogue. Maybe, the current
draft is not ideal, but it has been approved by the Council of Europe’s
Venice Commission and international community,” added the speaker.
According to Bagdasaryan, on the threshold of the referendum on
constitutional changes in Armenia, people are divided into four
groups – those, who are against all changes, those, who agree with
the changes, those, who are uninformed about the reforms, and the
last group are speculating about the reforms.
“We must start a wide campaign to inform people about the current
reforms. However, this process must not be a monopoly of the ruling
coalition, and should involve all political and social forces.
Constitutional reforms help creating more transparent government
system”, said Artur Bagdasaryan, REGNUM reported.
BLOCKADE OF ARMENIAN BORDER BY TURKEY UNACCEPTABLE TO EUROPE
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 14:34
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan met with
President of the CE Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Giovanni di Stasi, reported the Press service of the Government
of Armenia. Positively evaluating the CE-Armenia cooperation for
almost 10 years in forming local self-government bodies and control,
A. Margaryan said the mutually favorable cooperation would further
continue. He welcomed Giovanni di Stasi’s visit to Armenia, especially
that election of local government bodies is held in Armenia observed
by the Congress monitoring mission. Giovanni di Stasi emphasized
that notable improvement is registered in the field: the percentage
of population participation is growing, the government and society
acquire some experience in forming democratic institutions. Speaking of
constitutional amendments, the CE Congress President underscored the
importance of establishment of election of Yerevan Mayor. Giovanni
di Stasi expressed readiness to promote Armenia in fulfilling the
demands of the Charter on Local Self-Government Armenia had ratified
in 2003. The parties also discussed regional cooperation at their
meeting. Margaryan emphasized Armenia is for active cooperation in
the South Caucasus and will continue efforts in this respect. In
his turn Giovanni di Stasi considered the blockade of the Armenian
border by Turkey unacceptable. He highlighted the idea of formation
of regional center for local government bodies. In his opinion,
it will promote establishment of economic, social and cultural
cooperation between them. Welcoming the idea the Armenian PM expressed
readiness to support initiatives that would held solve common regional
problems. Mr. Margaryan also welcomed the Transborder Cooperation in
Europe conference opening in Yerevan October 5.
ARMENIAN SPEAKER MET WITH CIS IPA
Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 14:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan today met with
Secretary of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Mikhail Krotov,
reported the Press Service of the NA of Armenia. In the course of the
meeting the parties discussed the meetings of CIS IPA Commissions on
Economics and Finance and Science and Education opening in Yerevan
October 5. Mikhail Krotov informed Artur Baghdassaryan on the current
works of the CIS IPA.
Besides, the interlocutors discussed matters referring to the CIS
IPA plenary session to be held in St. Petersburg.
REFERENDUM ON AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA ON NOV. 27
ARKA News Network, Armenia
Oct 4 2005
YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan signed a
decree on holding the referendum on Amendments to the RA Constitution
on November 27, 2005; RA Presidential Press-Service reported ARKA
News Agency. The decree was signed according to the RA Constitution,
RA Law “On Referendum”, and taking into consideration proposal of
the RA National Assembly to put the draft amendments to Constitution
on referendum.
RA National Assembly adopted amendments to the RA Constitution in
the third and final reading on September 27, 2005. The previous
referendum on amendments to Constitution in 2003 failed. Amendments
to Constitution are Armenia’s main commitment to the Council of
Europe. A.A. -0–