Month: October 2006

HENRI CUNY INDICATES NECESSITY TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. "There should be an understanding
about the necessity to continue negotiations on the Karabakh
conflict settlement because it proceeds from the interests of both
countries." The French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Cuny, who completes
his diplomatic mission in Armenia stated this at the October 24 press
conference. He said that the OSCE Minsk Group is continuing its work:
today a meeting of the French foreign minister with his Armenian and
Azerbaijani counterparts is taking place in Paris. He also reminded
about the RA President Robert Kocharian’s words that "nobody, except
for the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, is familiar with the
Karabakh file as well as Jacques Chirac." In the words of H. Cuny,
France played a great role in resumption of the negotiations on
peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict in 2006. "Within the
framework of the negotiation process, the co-chairs implement the work
on harmonization, but the decision on choosing the "melody" is taken
by the presidents of the two countries," the ambassador noted. As
regards the possible impact of the law on criminal repsonsibility
for denial of the Armenian Genocide, which was adopted by the French
National Assembly, on the Armenian-Turkish relations, Ambassador
Cuny stated:"Your future is in your hands." In connection with talks
about France’s support for former NA speaker Artur Baghdasarian,
H. Cuny said: "France does not interfere in the internal affairs of
any state. At the same time, it does not prevent the establishment of
friendly relations with certain people. Artur Baghdasarian has always
been quite friendly disposed to France and supported Francophonie
in Armenia." Nenri Cuny stated that his country expects transparent
elections to be held in Armenia: "We will follow the elections with
great attention."

JAPANESE AMBASSADOR EXPRESSES HOPE ABOUT DEEPENING OF ARMENIAN-JAPANESE RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Saito
(residence – Moscow) on October 24 presented a copy of his credentials
to the RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian. Attaching
importance to the development of the Armenian-Japanese relations
since Armenia’s independence, the ambassador expressed a hope they
will further deepen and strengthen thanks to bilateral efforts and
stated his willingness to assist with this. During the meeting, the
sides presented the process of establishing the mutual embassies and
spoke about international developments, especially in the context
of North Korea’s nuclear test. According to a press release NT was
submitted by the RA MFA Press and Information Department, at the
request of the quest, G. Gharibjanian presented the current process
of negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

TWO ARMENIAN AND TWO LITHUANIAN TRANSLATORS FAVOURED WITH "KANTEGH" PRIZE THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Kantegh" (light) annual literary
prize of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Writers’ Union
of Armenia was this year given to translators Ruben Ghulian, Samvel
Mkrtchian, Lithuanian poet Sigitas Geda and Maryte Kontrimaite. As the
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Davit Muradian, the Secretary
of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, R.Ghulian was awarded this prize for
translation of "The Divine Comedy" trilogy of Dante, and S.Mkrtchian
was awarded for translations from the Anglo-American literature. S.Geda
was given the prize for translation of the "Book of Lamentations"
(Matyan Voghbergutyan) poem by Grigor Narekatsi, M.Kontrimaite was
awarded for translations from the Armenian literature. D.Muradian also
mentioned that Olexander Bozhko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Armenia,
was favoured with the medal for Literary Merit.

ARMENIAN AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS UNDERLINE IMPORTANCE OF ACTION PLAN TO BE SIGNED AT EU-ARMENIA COOPERATION COUNCIL

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

PARIS, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. During the meeting of the French
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy and the Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian in Paris on October 24, issues related
to Armenia-France bilateral relations and Year of Armenia in
France were discussed. Speaking about EU-Armenia relations,
the ministers underlined the importance of the Action Plan to be
signed at the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council on November 14, which
will open new opportunities for further deepening of the bilateral
cooperation. According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department,
the ministers exchanged ideas about the peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict and the opportunities of making progress in the
negotiations. Some regional problems and the possible impacts of the
Russian-Georgian relations on the region were addressed as well.

TRADE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND BELARUS SHOWS GROWTH TENDENCY

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A considerable growth has been
registered in trade between Armenia and Belarus. Vahagn Movsisian,
Director General of the Armenian Development Agency (ADA), stated this
at an Armenian-Belarusian business meeting on October 24. According
to him, in 2005, exports from Armenia to Belarus made 2.5 mln USD,
while in January-August of this year – 2 mln USD. Imports from
Belarus into Armenia made 11.3 mln USD in January-August of 2006
against 12.8 mln USD in 2005. V. Movsisian said that Belarusian
businessmen consider such sectors as electronics, information and
communication technologies, and production of drinks as promising in
terms of cooperation.

"Armenia has much potential for chip production, design,
outsourcing. We’ll try to find some common edges for cooperation by
combining the existing potential," V. Movsisian noted. The meeting
was held within the framework of the official visit of the delegation
headed by the Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorski to Armenia.

ARMENIA OPENS DOOR TO LARGE MARKETS – RUSSIA, EAST, ASIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 17:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French Ambassador to Armenia is content with the
volume of French investments into the economy of Armenia and the number
of French enterprises functioning in Armenia, French Ambassador to
Armenia Henry Cuny stated in the course of a farewell news conference
owing to ending his tenure in the country. In his words, Armenia by
itself is not a large market, taking into account demographic factors
and the paying capacity of the population. However, taking into account
the geographic location of the republic, Armenia is a promising door
to large markets – Russia, East, Asia. At that the French diplomat
cited the example of Pernod Ricard company, which exports 95% of its
produce from Armenia. Of course the situation would be different, if
speaking of open borders of Armenia was possible, Henry Cuny said. At
that he noted that wide prospects for fields not demanding transport
expenses are opening in Armenia – information and high technologies.

NUMBER OF EUROINTEGRATION OPPONENTS INCREASED IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 17:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Abrupt decrease of European-leaning moods is
registered in Turkey. If 57.4% of the population of the country were
for accession to the EU, now this idea is supported only by 32.2%,
indicate the returns of a sociological survey held in 32 out of
81 Turkish provinces, the Milliyet reports. "The number of European
integration opponents has abruptly increased in Turkey," the newspaper
writes. "The percentage of those thinking that the country should by
no means enter the EU went up to 25.6% in 2006.

This number was 17.9% in 2002," the Milliyet notes.

The EU demands that for full membership Turkey hold reforms,
specifically in democratization of internal legislation, human rights,
freedom of expression, solution of the Cyprus issue.

Official talks on Turkey’s accession to the EU were launched October 4,
2005. Within a year, according to reports of sociologists, the number
of Euro-pessimists increased in Turkey almost twice. "At present 33.3%
of respondents say they do not care, whether their country will join
the EU or not. A similar opinion was expressed by 18.2% a year ago,"
the research data says. The survey has indicated that most Turks
do not trust the EU- 78.1% among those questioned. At that 76.5% of
respondents believe that the EU will toughen EU accession criteria,
the source writes.

The survey in Turkey reflects European moods towards that
country. According to latest surveys, most residents of EU member
states do not want Turkey to join the EU. Some 35% of respondents
support Turkey at present. According to estimates of Western experts,
the European integration process in Turkey may take 15-20 years,
reports RIA Novosti.

ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE TO CONTINUE CONSULTATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

PARIS, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting of the Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian and the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov under the aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs took
place in Paris on October 24.

According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, during
the negotiations in a positive atmosphere, the sides continued the
discussion of new ideas and thoughts that the co-chairs proposed at
the Moscow meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers
on October 6 of this year. An agreement was reached to continue the
negotiations at the level of foreign ministers in order to clarify the
positions additionally. It is envisaged to hold the next meeting in
Brussels on November 14, 2006, within the framework of the Armenia-EU
Cooperation Council. On the same day V. Oskanian was received by the
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy.

WORKING OUT "BASIC PRINCIPLES" – GOAL OF OSKANIAN-MAMMADYAROV TALKS IN PARIS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The goal of the talks over settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is to work out "basic principles, which will underlie
the peace treaty, acceptable to both parties," French MFA official
representative Jean-Batiste Mattei stated today, when commenting
on the meeting between Armenian and Azeri FMs Vartan Oskanian and
Elmar Mammadyarov under the auspices of the OSCE MG. The diplomat
underscored that the principles in question should be "balanced,
fair and practical." He reminded that the current cycle of talks
started at the previous meeting of the FMs in Moscow October 6,
also mediated by the OSCE, reports ITAR-TASS.

NKR DEFENSE ARMY HOLDS PLANNED TACTICAL EXERCISES

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NKR Defense Army holds planned tactical exercises
at present, NKR Defense Ministry Spokesperson, lieutenant colonel Senor
Hasratyan stated in Stepanakert Tuesday. "The exercises are aimed at
enhancing the level of interaction of branches with body of troops
during counter-attacks and defensive actions, improvement of skills of
personnel and the command," Hasratyan noted, reports Novosti-Armenia.