Month: October 2006

PETER SEMNEBY: EUROPEAN IDENTITY CAN UNITE THE COUNTRIES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2006

EU Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby declare din
Yerevan today that "the European identity can unite the countries of
the South Caucasus."

Speaking at the "South Caucasus 2006: new trends of development,
threats and risks" international forum, Peter Semneby said that
the interest of the international community towards the region has
considerably increased recently.

According to the EU Special Envoy, the three countrie sof the South
Caucasus are fighting for their national identity, but the European
Union suggests them a "European identity."

Peter Semneby noted that after Romania’s and Bukgaria’s accession to
he European Union EU will get immediately involved in the Black-Sea
region and will be able to play a greater role in stabilization of
the South Caucasus. RA Deputy Foreign Minsiter Arman Kirakosyan said
in his speech that the three countries of the South Caucasus should
work jointly and develop economic ties. In his words, this is the
key for the region’s prosperity.

The Deputy Foreign Minister confessed that there are still a number of
factors that hinder the regional cooperation – the problems between
Armenia and Turkey, Russia and Georgia, as well as the unsettled
conflicts. "However, economic cooperation can settle many of these
questions or at least create conditions for reduction of the tension,"
Arman Kirakosyan said.

HRANT DINK DOES NOT THINK TURKEY WILL RUSH TO AMEND THE PENAL CODE
Marlena Hovsepyan

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2006

Surprise was awaiting Hrant Dink on his return to Turkey after the
Armenia-Diaspora Third Forum in Armenia: he learned from media that
a new case was launched against him according to Article 301 of the
Penal Code for offending Turkishness. This time the reason was the
interview with "Reauters" agency. To the request to characterize the
events that occurred at the turn of the century, Hrant Dink said,
"How can these be called, if not genocide? The people that lived on
the land for four thousand years does not live there. What is this,
if not genocide?"

In an interview with "Radiolur" Hrant Dink declared he has not
received a notice of appointment so far, and he has no idea hoe the
events will develop this time, but even Turkish intellectuals have
raised noise connected with the new lawsuit.

Recently the European Parliament set as precondition for Turkey’s
accession to the European Union the amendment of the Penal Code.

Certainly, pressures of the international community have certain
influence, but Hrant Dink does not consider that Hrant Dink will rush
to amend the Penal Code.

"I don’t think any change will be implemented in this direction before
the parliamentary elections next year. Xenophobia has proceeded,
and the chauvinists stand against this."

One of these days Turkish TV again referred to the Armenian Genocide
issue. The guest of the NTV Channel Hrant Dink said that inviting the
Armenians of the world to Turkey to discuss the Armenian Genocide is
double-dealing, "You call the Armenians of the world to come to Turkey
to speak about the Genocide. Do you think the Armenians will not use
the word "genocide?" Will you sue them? If you don’t charge them, then
why do you charge me? Is it my fault that I am a citizen of Turkey?"

We can only hope that the Turkish court will not consider these words
offensive for Turkey and will not launch the third case against Dink.

ARMENIAN SIDE HAS SOME REMARKS TO MAKE REGARDING THE CONCLUSION ON THE A-320 CRASH RESULTS

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2006

Specialists of the General Board of Civil Aviation Agency and "Armavia"
Company are summing up the remarks and objections to be submitted
connected with the final conclusion on the results of investigation
of the A-320 crash reasons. According to the Head of the General
Board of Civil Aviation Agency Artyom Movsisyan, within the coming
10 days the Armenian side will submit a number of suggestions worth
including in the document.

According to his assess ion, the Armenian side agrees with most of
the conclusions in the document. There are, however, additional
considerations, particularly connected with the flying control
officers, which should be included in the document. "Even if these
activities do not envisage penalty, the inclusion of these in the
document will allow escape similar shortcomings in the future, since
these have negative impact on air transportation," he noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRENCH PRESIDENT IMPRESSED WITH THE WARM RECEPTION IN ARMENIA

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2006

The President of France Jacques Chirac, who was paying a state visit
to Armenia, left for France yesterday. RA President Robert Kocharyan
and RA First Lady Bella Kocharyan arrived at "Zvartnots" airport to
see off the French President. The farewell ceremony was attended by
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, NA Deputy Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan,
Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmarityan, Minister
of Culture and Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosyan, other officials.

RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told the journalists that the
visit passed on a very high level, "The French President was really
impressed. First of all he was impressed with the warmth of our
people. Thus, I think our people paid the due and expressed its
gratitude to Jacques Chirac."

In Vardan Oskanian’s words, it is obvious that day-by-day our region
acquires greater importance: the regional and international rating of
Armenia rises parallel to economic growth and stability. "President
Chirac’s visit was not only the result of historical ties between
the two peoples, but also of the fact that Armenia today is a factor
of stability in the region and a reliable partner. And I think there
will be similar visits in the future too," the Foreign Minister noted.

ERKKI TUOMIOJA: EU-TURKEY TALKS MAY LAST OVER 10 YEARS

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 15:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The EU welcomes Armenia’s urge to more
democratization and hopes for the coming elections in 2007 and 2008 to
be fair and honest, Erkki Tuomioja, the Foreign Minister of Finland,
which presides the EU currently, stated in Yerevan. In his words,
the ENP provides for EU members and countries cooperating with EU in
some way, be democratic ones.

Speaking of the talks between Turkey and EU, Erkki Tuomioja noted
that the talks may last over 10 years and will be hard. "Turkey has
much to do in reforms to become a European country. EU membership is
voluntary and Turkey made its choice itself. We hope it will be able to
become a country meeting democratic requirements," the Finnish FM said.

ARMENIAN FM: ARMENIA READY TO COOPERATE WITH ALL COUNTRIES IN REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 16:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When the European community speaks of regional
cooperation, it means open borders between countries of the region,
Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at a news conference in Yerevan. In
his words, there are problems, however these can be solved by
cooperation in economy and security. "Armenia has no problems with
Georgia and Iran. If Turkey opens the border, I do not see problems
either. We are ready to cooperation, however Azerbaijan is not
and does not want normalization of the situation in the region,"
Oskanian remarked.

In his turn Erkki Tuomioja, the Foreign Minister of Finland hopes that
the coming visit of the co-chairs of the OSCE MG over settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict may move the process from the stalemate.

"There is an opportunity for the OSCE MG to open "window of hope,"
Erkki Tuomioja said. As for Nagorno Karabakh being mentioned as
belonging to Azerbaijan in the Action Plan within the ENP, he said
NK is not mentioned in the document. "The parties to conflict should
solve these issues themselves," he underscored.

EU READY TO ASSIST RUSSIA AND GEORGIA TO SOLVE CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 16:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU Troika delegation leaves Yerevan for Tbilisi
October 2 and will try to deal with the situation between Russia
and Georgia on the spot, Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja stated at a news
conference in Yerevan. In his words, the parties should try to avoid
a new round of tension. "EU is ready to help Russia and Georgia to
solve the conflict, but it is not enough. They should be ready to it
themselves," the Finnish FM said.

A statement approving the Action Plan within the ENP is planned in
Georgia. The EU started talks to implement the program simultaneously
with the South Caucasus states in 2005.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA NOT READY TO SPEAK OF FULL EU MEMBERSHIP YET

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia at present is not ready to speak of EU full
membership, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at a news conference
in Yerevan. In his words, unless the EU decides how it will expand,
speaking of it makes no sense. "Our task is to maximally implement
the ENP," he said.

In his turn Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja underscored that each country
chooses its format of relations with various structures, e.g. the
EU and NATO. "Finland is not a NATO member and we are not going to
become such.

However, if, for example, Armenia wants it, it is its business,
no one will object," he remarked.

AZERBAIJAN MAJOR GOAL TO ISOLATE ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 17:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Peaceful resolution of the Georgian-Russian
crisis is a major task of the Armenian foreign policy at present,
Armenian Deputy FM Arman Kirakosyan stated at South Caucasus 2006:
Trends of Development, Threats and Risks international conference
organized by Spectrum Center for Strategic Analysis. In his words,
Armenia has normal relations with both countries. Kirakosyan hoped
the crisis, which has a strong impact on the economy of the country,
will be solved soon. "We hope the EU will help to overcome it within
the ENP," the Deputy FM said.

He also reminded that Azerbaijan’s major goal is to isolate Armenia
from the rest of the world. "GUAM pursues a short-sighted policy,
which will do not good. Armenia, to the contrary, cooperates with
countries of the region and international structures – this is the
complementary foreign policy’s actuality.

As for cooperation with the EU, not membership in that organization,
but democratic reforms are important for Armenia. Participation in
the ENP will help overcome conflicts and differences in the region,"
Kirakosyan underscored.

EU-ARMENIA ACTION PLAN TO MAKE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF RA CLOSER TO EUROPE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 17:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Once the EU-Armenia Action Plan within the ENP
is signed, we’ll be able to publicly present the entire document,
Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated after the singing of a joint
statement with the EU Troika on completion of consultations for
working out the Action Plan. "Let me just tell you that it says
clearly, at the outset, that through this Action Plan, Armenia is
invited to enter into intensified political, security, economic and
cultural relations with the EU, enhanced regional and cross border
co-operation and shared responsibility in conflict prevention and
conflict resolution," he said.

In Oskanian’s words, the document, goes on to detail each of these
categories, and sets a 5-year time period during which each of these
actions will take place.

"The distinction of this document, as the joint statement clearly says,
is that it involves significant measures of economic integration
and political cooperation. It’s called an Action Plan and rightly
so. It is not just a document of intentions, but of concrete actions
to bring Armenia’s social, political, economic systems more in line
with Europe’s since the premise is that we do in fact live in the
same neighborhood and interact together. It opens new partnership
perspectives in very basic fields such as science, education, culture,
and of course in economic development," Oskanian remarked. In his
words, these reforms are extremely important for Armenia. "We are
where we are today, exactly because we made the courageous economic
reforms on Day 1 of our independence. We knew then and we know even
better today that reforms are our only resource, they are what will
strengthen and empower our society. This document provides the
opportunity to move forward with reforms in a focused, strategic
way. It gives us a way and a means to do what we know we must do –
revamp our institutions, retool our society, rethink our methods and
assumptions. We are signing this on the 15th year of our independence,
it will be concluded on the 20th year of our independence, and we
will be able to mark a new turning point in Armenia’s future as a
more democratic, open and prosperous society," the Minister noted.