Month: October 2006

TURKISH ANTALYA TO HOST MEETING OF PACE EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY GROUP
Author: J. Shakhverdiyev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006

A meeting of the Group of European Democracy of PACE (Paliamentary
Assembly of Council of Europe) is expected to be held in the Turkish
city of Antalya on 2-6 November, 2006, MP Ganira Pashayeva, a member
of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, informed Trend.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation presented in the PACE European
Democracy Group is Azerbaijani MPs Ganira Pashayeva and Aydin
Mirzazadeh who will participate at the forthcoming meeting.

Ganira Pashayeva pointed out that relations between the Council
of Europe and EU (European Union) are expected to be the centre of
attention with participants of the meeting. "The situation on the
Middle East as well as the future activity of the Group will be
discussed during the meeting", she said.

The MP added that an issue on France’s National Assembly’s passing a
bill that envisages a punishment for denying the so-called Armenian
"genocide" is expected to be discussed by the participants of
the meeting as well. "The forthcoming meeting will also focus its
attention on issues connected with the damage to the European values,
freedom of speech and human rights", said the Azerbaijani MP.

According to her, the issue on relations between Turkey and the EU
will be discussed as well during the forthcoming event.

FOREIGN MINISTER: ACTIONS PLAN ON EU NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY TO BE SIGNED IN NOVEMBER 14, 2006
Author: E. Javadova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006

An actions plan on the EU Neighbourhood Policy are expected to be
signed by the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia
in Brussels in November 14, 2006, Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan`s
Foreign Minister, told, Trend reports.

According to him, ideas expressed by the Co-Chairmen of OSCE
Minsk Group on the results of the last meeting in Moscow might be
discussed. Touching upon a possible meeting between the Azerbaijani
and Armenian Presidents, the Foreign Minister pointed out that this
issue can be solved only after November 14. He also added that after
that date, OSCE Minsk Group’s Co-Chairmen are expected to visit
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

A MEETING DEVOTED TO ISSUE OF PEACEKEEPING CONTINGENT OF GUAM MEMBER-STATES LIKELY TO BE HELD IN BAKU
Author: E.Javadova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006

The first issue that was raised and discussed during the meeting
held with Armenian Defence Minister Serg Sarkisyan was an issue
on withdrawal of the Armenian occupation forces from the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan, Safar Abiyev, Azerbaijan`s Defence Minister
told today, Trend reports.

He also told that a meeting of the Defence Ministers of CIS
member-states is expected to be held in a week where the Azerbaijani
Defence Minister will also participate. In addition, an issue
on holding a meeting of the Chiefs of the General Staffs of GUAM
member-states inn Baku to discuss an issue on forming a peacekeeping
element within this organization is under consideration now as well.

At present, works on the status of this element are underway. Issues
connected with the staff of the forthcoming element are under on
consideration now.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR MOSCOW

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharyan has left
for a two-day working visit to Moscow. The RA presidential press
service reports that Robert Kocharyan is to hold a private meeting
with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The RA President is also scheduled to hold meetings with RF Premier
Mikhail Fradkov and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

In Moscow President Robert Kocharyan is to take part in a ceremonial
unveiling of a monument to the great Armenian composer Aram
Khachaturyan.

SURVEY: MOST ARMENIANS FIND THAT ARMENIA IS ON WRONG WAY OF DEVELOPMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Majority of citizens of Armenia find
that Armenia was on a wrong way of development, according to the data
published in the social survey, conducted by the Gallup institute
with the assistance of the Armenian Sociological Association.

62% surveyed find that Armenia was on a wrong way of development,
31% – advocate direction of the country’s development, 7% – evaded
the question.

Besides that 2% surveyed are sure that Armenia’s economy developed
actively, 37% – reasonably, 39% find that no changes at all are
observed in this sphere, 15% assure that the economic state of the
country continually worsens, 6% – that it is in recession, and 1% –
find it difficult to answer.

At that 11% surveyed are sure that the country needs little time to
improve the situation in the country, 82% – much time, 7% – find it
difficult to answer. 57% find themselves optimists, 10% – pessimists,
and 21% – gave neutral answer.

According to the survey, 1% surveyed are absolutely satisfied with
financial state of their family, 25% – reasonably satisfied, 50% find
that the situation did not change, 17% – are not satisfied at all,
and 7% – completely dissatisfied.

1200 inhabitants of Armenia 18 upward took part in the survey,
conducted during the period between July 31 and August 10, 2006. The
survey was held by request of the International Republican Institute
(IRI) with the financial support of the USAID.

CONFERENCE ON HISTORY OF YEREVAN TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA’S CAPITAL

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. A scientific conference on the history of
Yerevan is to be held in Armenia’s capital on October 31-November 2,
2006. The press service of Yerevan Municipality reports that reports
are to be made by the workers of the Museum of Yerevan’s History, of
the Institute of History, Institute of Archeology and Ethnography,
RA Academy of Sciences, lecturers of the Department of History,
Yerevan State University.

About 30 reports will deals with the ancient and modern history of
Yerevan, the capital’s historical places, manners and customs of the
city and latest developments.

The Museum of History of Yerevan will mark its 75th anniversary in
2006. The Museum is currently located at the Yerevan Municipality. A
collection of articles entitled "Yerevan" has been published this
year.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH FRENCH AMBASSADOR

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. RA Minister of Defense held a meeting
with the outgoing French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny.

Press Secretary of the RA Minister of Defense, Colonel Seyran
Shahsuvaryan reported that during the meeting Sargsyan pointed out
that Armenian-French relations are developing from year to year. The
Minister also stated that a striking evidence of this is French
President Jacque Chirac’s visit to Armenia.

Sargsyan thanked the French Ambassador for his efficient activities in
Armenia and contribution to the development of defense cooperation. He
wished Henry Cuny success in his further activities.

In his turn, Ambassador Cuny expressed his appreciation of Armenia’s
attitude toward France. He pointed out his special attitude toward
the Armenian people and culture. He pointed out that he has collected
a rich library about Armenia.

Ambassador Cuny expressed the confidence that during his next
visit to Yerevan peace will be established in the region, and the
Armenian-Turkish border will be re-opened. Closed borders are an
anachronism, unbecoming behavior for the countries applying for
joining the European family, Cuny said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVES NEW-APPOINTED SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
received Friday newly appointed Swedish Ambassador to Armenia Hans
Gunnar Aden, Armenian Defense Ministry’s press office reports.

The minister and the ambassador discussed Armenia’s role in
geopolitical processes and the republic’s cooperation with NATO as part
of Individual Partnership Program and Partnership in the Name of Peace.

Sargsyan and Aden also considered the current stage of Karabakh
conflict settlement stressing the importance of OSCE Minsk Group’s
mediation in this process.

NKR PRESIDENT SIGNS LAWS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan signed a number of laws on October 28, 2006.

The NKR President signed the Forest Code and the Law on Primary,
specialized and specialized secondary education."

President Ghukasyan also signed amendments to the NKR Law "On
protection of selection achievements" to the NKR Land Code.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES HEADS OF EU DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
received Friday heads of EU diplomatic missions in Armenia,
presidential press office reports.

At this meeting, Kocharyan welcomed the completion of consultations
over the European Union’s New Neighborhood program and expressed
hope that it will get final approval in November. He said that this
program would make Armenia-EU ties closer.

The head of state spoke about the process of Karabakh conflict
settlement as well as Russian-Georgian tension and its impact on
Armenia’s economy.

The diplomats discussed issues related to coming national elections
with the president and stressed the necessity of ensuring transparency.

Kocharyan said observers would be invited for watching the process
of the elections.

Parliamentary elections are to be held in 2007 and presidential in
2008.