Month: May 2008

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 27 2008

Negotiations Considering Gradual Withdrawal of Armenia’s Troops from
Occupied Territory, considers Former Russian Mediator
27.05.08 17:09

Former Russian mediator Vladmir Kazimirov stated today in Yerevan that
the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are considering possible
stage-by-stage withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied territory.

According to Mediamax, while speaking today at a press conference in
Yerevan, the retired Russian diplomat said that there had been no real
progress in the negotiations since striking armistice in 1994.

According to Kazimirov, the top-priority task for today is not to
determine the Nagorno-Karabakh status or to return the occupied
territory, but first to conclude a firm armistice at the troops
contact line. He stressed that the key to settlement of the conflict
is to prevent restoration of military operations.

Kazimirov said that referendum or plebiscite to define the status of
Nagorno-Karabakh must not be delayed to 10-15 years. `I think 5 years
are enough,’ he said.

esctoday.com, Netherlands
May 27 2008

The 2008 Bezençon Awards winners

During the Eurovision 2008 afterparty at this year’s Euroclub, the
traditional Marcel Bezençon Awards for Best Composition, the Artistic
Award as well as the Press and the Fan Awards were presented to four
of this year’s participating countries.

The Marcel Bezençon Awards, named after the EBU director who in 1955
conceived the idea of the Eurovision Song Contest, have been given out
since 2002 in three categories with one more being added this
year. The Composer’s Award winner this year was Andrei Tudor for his
composition Pe o margine de lume, performed by Nico and Vlad Mirita
for Romania. The winner of this award is voted for by all the
composers participating in the final of contest.

Former Eurovision Song Contest winners vote for the Artistic Award
which this year went to Ani Lorak from Ukraine. The Press Award, which
is given to the most popular song among the accredited members of the
press each year was awarded to the Portuguese entry Senhora do
mar. Paolo Coehlo’s song, performed by Vania Fernandes, was one of the
favourites of the fans and press members throughout both Eurovision
weeks.

And last but not least a newly introduced award was presented this
year, the Fan Award by Swedish website gylleneskor.se. Readers of the
site had the opportunity to vote online for their favourite 2008
artist under the age of 25 which was non other but Armenia’s Qele,
qele performed by Sirusho.

ARMENPRESS

REPORTERS COVERING SPORT EVENTS TAKE PART IN IASJ
MEETING IN CHINA

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: Meeting of the
International Association of Sport Journalists (IASJ)
was held in Beijing May 21-25. The gathering was held
ahead of the Olympic Games focusing on a set of
specific issues.
Particularly, the focus was on increasing the role
of sporting journalists, advertising sports as a
healthy life style, propagating peace through sports
and so on.
Over 70 journalists writing on sports, including
representative of Armenia – sport correspondent of
-Armenpress- news agency – took part in the meeting.
The key note speakers were Jianni Merloni, president
of the Association and Edgar Anthony from the
International Olympic Committee.
The journalists were taken on a tour around
sporting facilities in Beijing and were shown the
future press center. They also visited several
historical and cultural sites in Beijing.

ARMENPRESS

SAMVEL FARMANIAN SAYS IN CREATION OF PUBLIC COUNCIL
PRESIDENT SEES ESTABLISHMENT OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN
DIFFERENT LAYERS OF THE SOCIETY

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian highly underscores the formation of the
Public Council and its future role. By it he sees the
establishment of dialogue between different layers of
the society.
Press secretary of the Armenian president Samvel
Farmanian said today at a briefing that the president
assigned the staff to organize discussions in 10 days
with all the stakeholders – political and
non-governmental organizations, specialized
associations, intellectuals, for setting up a task
group.
S. Farmanian said that in this round it is spoken
about hearing the opinions of different sides over the
formation of a task group. In the coming four-five
days this process will end and the suggestions will be
presented to the president over the formation of the
task group. Here, he pointed out a very important
circumstance – the public is the owner of the Public
Council and the more it includes different layers of
the society, the more the work will gain.
Spokesperson of the president also noted that the
expectations from the Public Council are quite great
and it is very good that the president’s initiative
had such a wide response: he said they receive
hundreds of letters daily which the staff of the
president will try to sum up and present the
suggestions to the president in 4-5 days.
S. Farmanian also called on the citizens, all the
stakeholders, parliamentarian forces, specialized
associations, individuals, intellectuals who want to
be involved in the formation of the task group present
opinions over the formation of the council.
According to him, they may be useful and make this
establishment a mechanism of assembling opinions,
suggestions, for finding effective solutions to
different issues in short period of time.
The name of the establishment must be specified,
the discussions are being held over variants -Public
Chamber- and -Public Council-.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SK Today, Slovakia
May 27 2008

Slovakia Signs Agreement on Cooperation with Armenia

May 27, 2008. Politics Business

Yerevan, May 26 – Slovakia’s Justice Minister Stefan Harabin and his
Armenian counterpart Gevorg Danielian in Yerevan on Monday signed an
agreement on partner co-operation between Slovakia and Armenia,
informed the justice ministry press department.

"I believe that the bilateral co-operation will bring the
strengthening of democracy and legal statehood in a given region. Only
democracy can contribute to stability in the region," said Harabin.

The partner agreement is to facilitate the mutual exchange of
information on domestic legislation, the structure and the activities
of legal bodies, as well as the field of education and training of
employees of the judiciary. Both ministers also agreed on organising
common lectures, seminars, and trainings aimed at improving
professional qualification of both countries’ experts in the field of
justice.

In addition, the agreement concerns the exchange of practical
experience from implementing multilateral international and other
agreements on legal assistance.

The aim of consultations with Danielian is to foster more effective
protection of the rights of Slovak and Armenian citizens, as well as
problem-free contact between Slovak and Armenian courts.

ARMENPRESS

PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISIAN APPROVES NATIONAL SECURITY
COUNCIL STATUTE

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: On May 26 President
Serzh Sarkisian signed a decree to approve the statute
of the National Security Council.
The presidential press service told Armenpress that
in accordance with its statute the National Security
Council brings up all issues in domestic and foreign
policies, political, military, economic, social, food,
energy, ecological, information, demographic,
scientific and other spheres which relate to the
country’s national security and its national
interests. It is also in charge of organization,
coordination, supervision of work for implementation
of concepts and government programs stipulated by the
national security strategy and making relevant
decisions.
The National Security Council coordinates the work
of government bodies and assesses their efficiency in
terms of implementation of national security related
decisions, sets the main directions for strengthening
the country’s strategic development, its national
security and competitiveness and makes decisions on
their implementation.
In accordance with the national security strategy
it implements strategic reforms in the armed forces,
law enforcement, tax and customs bodies, and assesses
their efficiency.
The work of the National Security Council is headed
according to the Regulations, by president of Armenia.
The chairman of the National Security Council approves
its monthly plan of actions and ratifies its
decisions.
The presidential decree also sets the authorities
of the National Security Council Secretary, who
ensures implementation of issues envisaged by the
national security strategy, organization and
coordination of related work and their supervision.
The National Security Council has inter-agency
commissions which organize the work of government
bodies for implementation of issues stipulated by the
national security strategy.
The president has set a staff for the National
Security Council whose work is governed by the
National Security Council Secretary.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 27 2008

Vladimir Kazimirov: "There has not been any progress in Nagorno
Karabakh conflict since 1994"

27 May 2008 [14:57] – Today.Az

There has not been any progress in Nagorno Karabakh conflict since
1994, said former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk group, deputy chairman
of Association of Russian diplomats Vladimir Kazimirov.

"It would be necessary to proceed by small steps, choose two-three
topics of independent meaning and attempt to work our and prepare an
agreement on them in conditions of the duration of the process and its
definite instability", said Kazimirov in the international Novosti
press center in Yerevan on May 27.

He sees the topic of cultural and material values of the two countries
among possible issues for discussion.

"This could be a topic of a separate agreement. Of course, the
importance of this private issue in the overall resolution is
incomparable, as it is a small contribution, but in conditions when
there is not a real progress, which could be feld by people. Each
small progress is an important impulse, promoting resolution of
disputable issues", said Kazimirov.

According to him, co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group could have worked
at such issues and at least "direct efforts on one of them and attain
breakthrough on it".

/Novosti-Armenia/

URL:

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 27 2008

Vladimir Kazimirov: "Issue of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution is
in the military not in the political field"

27 May 2008 [14:23] – Today.Az

The key to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict is the
inadmissibility of military actions, said Vladimir Kazimirov, former
co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group and deputy chairman of the
Association of Russian diplomats.

"I do not see possibility for real and significant promotion of the
issue. As for the renewal of military actions, the key to resolution
of the whole Karabakh conflict is the inadmissibility of military
actions, as this threat has not been removed so far", said Kazimirov
in the international Novosti press center in Yerevan on May 27.

According to the former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Azerbaijan "makes military announcements, despite the continuing
consultations on the level of Presidents and Foreign Ministers of the
two countries".

At the same time, Kazimirov noted that these consultations differ from
the decision of the Budapest summits, which reads that the co-chairs
are empowered to hold talks between the conflict parties, which
implies the direct participation of Nagorno Karabakh.

Kazimirov said Azerbaijanis preserve chances for the military
resolution of the conflict, while "Armenians try to use more favorably
positions in the military sense, the current front line, which is the
shortest, compared with the contours of the former Nagorno Karabakh
Autonomous Republic.

"The issue is still in the military, not political area. Only when the
ceasefire is fixed reliably and conclusively, there will be a freedom
of maneuver on the political field, while until that the countries are
slaves of military counteraction", said Kazimirov

/Novosti-Armenia/

URL:

ARMENPRESS

17TH SESSION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF -HAYASTAN-
PAN-ARMENIAN FUND HELD TODAY

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of -Hayastan-
Pan-Armenian Fund Serzh Sargsian chaired today the
17th session of the Board of Trustees. The aim of this
annual gathering is to discuss the work carried out
during the past year, specify the steps which must be
undertaken in the coming year. After the blessing of
the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II the
president declared the opening of the session.
-I highly underscore the activity of the -Hayastan-
pan-Armenian fund and as a head of the Board of
Trustees will do everything to keep the efficiency of
this important for Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora relations
institution high. The fund has passed a long way to
and while preparing to this session I tried to get
acquainted in details with its activity, issues and
thought over the future steps. I highly underscore
today’s session as an opportunity of frank and open
discussion. I think we have serious work to do to
analyze the way we passed and plan the future
actions,- Serzh Sargsian said to the participants of
the session.
He congratulated the new members of the Board of
Trustees – Karabakh President Bako Sahakian, Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsian, Prime Minister of Nagorno
Karabakh Arayik Harutyunian, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian, Finance Minister Tigran Davtian,
head of the State Tax Service Vahram Barseghian,
representative of the Ramkavar Azatakan party George
Manukian. Serzh Sargsian also thanked Robert Kocharian
for heading the Board of Trustees for ten years.
During the past year the list of donators of the
fund has been enlarged. The president said that a
certificate of the donator member will be granted to
Martin Liederman from Germany. The local donator
members have become -VivaCell-, -ACBA Credit
Agricole-, -Ardshininvest- banks, -Karabakh Telecom-
and businessman Michael Baghdasarov.
The executive director of the fund Vahe
Aghabekyants said that last year about 11 million USD
from the 22 million was provided for the
implementation of programs in Artsakh, another 11
million were directed towards implementation of
programs in Armenia. All the programs are in the
process currently, but because of exchange rate
fluctuations and increase of prices for building
materials two important programs have been suspended –
construction of Martakert hospital and a water
pipeline.
During the coming year the implementation of
programs will continue and according to Aghabekyants
the main focus will be on the implementation of
programs necessary for Armenia and Artsakh. Works will
also continue towards the implementation of rural
development programs.
The executive director suggested the Board of
Trustees to set up a task group which during the three
years will study the structure of the fund and will
prepare a package of suggestions of reforms. -Though
the establishment has rich experience but it needs to
be renovated just like any living organism so that it
will be able to confront new challenges,- he said.
Aghabekyants also noted that the structure, statute
of the fund need to be changed. This year too he said
the annual telethon will be held in November. The
report of Aghabekyants on the activity of the fund in
2007 was heard behind closed doors.
Karabakh President Bako Sahakian said the fund has
been created for the implementation of programs of
pan-national importance and during the past years the
establishment managed to implement its mission.
He said Karabakh has transferred from the
humanitarian programs but the elements of social
tension still exist. -The board is the best place to
raise issues and discuss them,- Bako Sahakian said,
noting that they also spoke about the programs of
development of villages.
During the session the sides also watched a film
telling about the activity of fund.

RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 27 2008

Armenian and Russian Foreign Ministers to meet

RBC, 27.05.2008, Moscow 12:42:54.Foreign Ministers Eduard
Nalbandian of Armenia and Sergei Lavrov of Russia will discuss
cooperation between the two countries as part of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO), the Russian ministry’s representative Andrei
Nesterenko reported. He indicated that the Armenian Foreign Minister
would pay a working visit to Moscow on May 29-June 1 to touch base on
Russia and Armenia’s approaches to international issues of primary
importance and to further coordinate Moscow and Yerevan’s foreign
policies, particularly as part of continuing their joint work as part
of the CIS and the CSTO, international organizations, such as the UN,
the Council of Europe, and the OSCE, and multilateral forums.

One of the key items on the agenda for the talks will be issues of
collaboration with a view to providing security and stability in the
Caucasus, as well as the current state of affairs in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.