Month: December 2008

ARMENIA-EUROPEAN UNION COOPERATION COUNCIL’S 9TH SITTING HELD IN BRUSSELS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The annual sitting of the
Armenia-European Union Cooperation Council took place on December 9
in Brussels. Armenia’s delegation consisting of various departments’
high-ranking representatives led by RA Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian took part in it.

Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the Minister of European Affairs of France
presiding over in EU led the delegation on the part of Europe.

Presenting the steps undertaken in Armenia in the direction of
fulfillment of the European Neighborhood Policy Actions Plan,
E. Nalbandian said that program’s fulfillment is the priority of
cooperation with EU, the evidence of which is RA President Serzh
Sargsyan’s creating an interdepartmental commission coordinating
cooperation with European structures. The RA Foreign Minister also
attached importance to the signing of the agreement on sending a group
of EU advisers to Armenia on business, for efficient implementation
of reforms in various spheres in cooperation with EU.

RA Deputy Ministers of Finance, Economy, Energy, and Justice presented
the reforms implemented in those spheres, government’s economic
policy, reforms done in the court and legal sphere, steps undertaken
to provide Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant’s security, program of building
of a new nuclear power plant.

The fulfillment process of the Armenia-EU Actions Plan of the European
Neighborhood Policy was discussed in detail during the sitting. Both
sides expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the
program. At the same time it was mentioned that program’s possibilities
are not exhausted completely yet and there are considerable prospects
to expand the cooperation.

The European side welcomed the Moscow Declaration on Nagorno Karabakh
settlement adopted lately, the December 4 joint statement of OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairing countries’ Foreign Ministers and the December
5 statement of OSCE Foreign Ministers Council.

The Eastern Partnership proposal was presented by the European
Commission, which envisages deepening of cooperation between European
Union and partnership member countries in a number of spheres.

At European side’s request E. Nalbandian presented the negotiations
process of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, as well as the steps aimed
at normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

A meeting between E. Nalbandian and Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy,
took place after the sitting. The sides discussed a number of issues
regarding Armenia-European Union cooperation and exchanged thoughts
over regional developments.

After the meeting E. Nalbandian, Minister of European Affairs of France
Jean-Pierre Jouyet and Benita Ferrero-Waldner signed an Agreement on
Some Aspects of Air Communications between the Republic of Armenia and
the European Community. It will facilitate cooperation of Armenia and
European Union member-countries, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein,
Iceland, and Norway in the aviation sphere.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign
Ministry Press and Information Department, the previous day, on
December 8, E. Nalbandian had a large speech on Armenia’s foreign
policy at the Royal Institute of International Relations of Belgium.

In his speech he in detail presented the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
negotiations process. Touching upon the statement of OSCE MG
co-chairing countries’ Foreign Ministers in Helsinki calling for
using the positive moment created after the meeting of Armenian and
Azeri Presidents, OSCE Foreign Ministers’ statement, and Azerbaijan’s
response to those documente, E. Nalbandian said: "It is not the first
time that Azerbaijan after taking one step, I would say even half a
step goes two steps back, and a natural question emerges: is Azerbaijan
indeed ready to go to solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem today?."

In connection with the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations the RA Foreign Minister said that the two states are indeed
interested in establishment of diplomatic relations with each other and
opening the border, therefore normalization of the relations without
preconditions is logical. He considered positive and constructive
his last contacts with the Turkish Foreign Minister and said that an
agreement has been reached to continue the meetings.

Minister of State of Belgium Francois-Xavier de Donnea, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Peter Semneby,
Special Representative of NATO to the South Caucasus and Central
Asia, Ambassador Robert Simmons, members of Belgian parliament and
Senate, dozens of Ambassadors accredited in Brussels were present at
E. Nalbandian’s speech.

Completing his visit to Brussels on November 9, E. Nalbandian left
for Sofia where he will join the delegation led by RA President
Serzh Sargsyan.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION HOLDS A SERIES OF EVENTS ON OCCASION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL DAY

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. On December 10, on the occasion
of the 60th anniversary of UN Human Rights International Convention,
members of the Armenian National Congress and radical opposition
supporters visited the Victory Park and laid flowers to the memorial of
the repressed. Then those gathered went to the monument to Alexander
Miasnikian, where they lit candles and laid flowers in the memory of
the citizens perished during the March 1 events. The actions proceeded
without any incidents.

Opposition’s actions on the occasion of the anniversary of Human Rights
International Convention will continue until 21:00 pm of December 10,
the end of the "political walk" organized in Northern Avenue. And
before that, from 14:00, political prisoners’ wives’ sit-down strike
is planned in Sakharov Square, and then they will organize a march
from Northern Avenue to RA Prosecutor General’s Office building.

VARDAN MALKHASIAN RELEASED

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Vardan Malkhasian, a member of the
Consolidation of Armenian Volunteers union and of the Board of the
Homeland and Honor party, was released from the Vardashen penitentiary
institution in the morning of December 10. It should be mentioned
that in 2006 he was found guilty by Article 301, RA Criminal Code
for voicing "appeals aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order
by force" and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Dozens of representatives of the Resistance of Political Prisoners’
Children youth organization and Consolidation of Armenian Volunteers
had come to meet V. Malkhasian. Coming out of the prison gates,
V. Malkhasian addressed to those gathered and showing a model of a
wooden church he was holding in his hand stated that it had been made
by political prisoners. As he explained, the red paint spattered
on the church symbolizes the blood of innocent citizens who died
on March 1. According to V. Malkhasian, the responsibility of that
blood lays not only on "the authorities seizing the power," but also
on the Armenian church led by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,
as the "March 1 crime" was committed with the very silent consent of
the latter.

In his interview to journalists V. Malkhasian stated that he will
continue fighting the regime "in any way, by all means." Touching
upon ANC’s decision to stop the rallies for some time, he said that
he trusts first President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s wisdom and considers
that he cannot make wrong decisions.

V. Malkhasian planted a tree in the penitentiary institutions’s
yard with political prisoners’ children stating that it is a symbol
of freedom.

FALL IN PRICES RECORDED IN ARMENIA’S FOOD MARKET IN PERIOD BEFORE NEW YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Some cases of a price fall were
recorded in Armenia’s food market in the period before New Year,
the chairman of the RA State Commission for Protection of Economic
Competition Ashot Shahnazarian told reporters on December 10. According
to him, there has been a fall in prices of foodstuffs in supermarkets
which is a positive phenomenon. "We have achieved this thanks to joint
work. The economic entities have also realized that it is advantageous
to work in this way," A. Shahnazarian noted.

In his words, a tendency of inflation has been observed only in
the egg market, with the price of an egg increasing from 55 to 60
drams. A. Shahnazarian assured those present that the Commission will
follow the fluctuations of prices in the egg market, and in case of
revealing a continuous inflation, it will initiate proceedings.

As regards the prices of dried fruit and nuts, A. Shahnazarian said
that it is difficult to control this market because it is a free
market without any economic entities that have a dominating position.

EXPO BEAUTY 2008 EXHIBITION OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The EXPO BEAUTY 2008
International Exhibition was opened on December 10 at the Moscow House
cultural-business center of Yerevan. More than fourty companies from
Armenia and abroad take part in this specialized exhibition held for
the fifth time. Flower compositions will be presented in the days of
the exhibition, a fashion show, a beauty contest will be organized,
and designers will hold master classes.

As Ara Stepanian, the LOGOS EXPO Center’s Executive Director, said
at the exhibition’s opening ceremony, besides presenting goods
and services, exhibition’s goal is to contribute to establishment
of new business contacts. According to him, the center holds 10-12
specialized exhibitions annually, which reflect dynamic development
of our country’s economy. A. Stepanian said that the 10th anniversary
of LOGOS EXPO’s foundation will be marked next year, on the occasion
of which it is planned to expand exhibitions’ list.

EXPO BEAUTY will work until December 12.

KARABAKH NGOS URGE ARMENIAN TV CHANNELS TO REPLACE NKAO MAPS BY NKR ONES

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 13:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nagorno Karabakh non-governmental organizations
sent a letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with a request
to replace the image of NKAO on the maps in Armenian TV channels by
images of Republic of Armenia and NKR.

The letter says, in part,

"The national liberation war for Artsakh ended in a glorious victory
14 years ago. Removing the artificial borders imposed on the Armenian
people, the NKE constitution fixed the sovereign frontiers of the
Armenian lands won by the best sons of our nation.

The Armenian people proved that Azerbaijan’s attempts to perpetrate
genocide will never remain unpunished…

The map of NKAO we can every day see on the Public Television of
Armenia offends the memory of our heroes. We do urge to replace it
by the map of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic."

RA FOREIGN MINISTER: BAKU MAKES ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 12:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian dwelt
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process when addressing
the Royal Institute for International Relations, Belgium, the RA MFA
press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Commenting on the declaration issued by the Foreign Ministers of the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states and the Azerbaijani reaction that
followed, Minister Nalbandian said, "It’s not for the first time when
Azerbaijan makes one step forward and two steps back. I wonder whether
Azerbaijan is ready for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict."

As to the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, the Minister remarked
that both countries are interested in establishment of diplomatic
relations and opening of borders.

He assessed his recent contacts with the Turkish Foreign Minister
and informed that an agreement to continue contacts was achieved.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU CALLS TO SPEED UP KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 13:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian delegation led by Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian arrived Tuesday in Brussels for an annual meeting of the
Armenia-EU cooperation council. The European delegation was headed by
French Minister of State, responsible for European Affairs Jean-Pierre
Jouyet.

Minister Nalbandian briefed on the steps Armenia takes in the framework
of the ENP Action Plan, making special mention of formation of an
interdepartmental commission for coordination of cooperation with
the European structures.

Deputy Ministers of Finance, Energy and Justice dwelt on reforms
carried out in the republic.

The European delegation welcomed the declaration on the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict signed November 2 by Presidents of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Russia, the statement adopted December 4 by Foreign
Ministers of the OSCE MG co-chair countries and the statement adopted
December 5 by the OSCE Ministerial Council and called to speed up
the settlement process.

CSTO SECURITY COUNCILS SECRETARIES ADOPT JOINT STATEMENT AND 2009 EVENT PLAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 14:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils adopted
a joint statement upon the outcomes of their December 9 meeting
in Yerevan.

The statement says that CSTO member countries support Russia’s
initiative on the European Security Treaty.

"We hail the Russian-French initiative to hold a pan-European summit
with participation of CIS, CSTO, EU and NATO for a discussion of
future security architecture," said Nikolay Patrushev, head of the
RF Security Council.

Secretaries of Security Councils also signed an event plan for 2009.

ARTSAKH-ARMENIA-DIASPORA TRINITY ESSENTIAL FOR KARABAKH PROBLEM RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 14:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Deputies of the National Assembly of France,
mayors of the French cities, politicians, representatives of the
Armenian organizations of France and journalists attended December
8 a reception dated to the 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement
organized by the NKR Permanent Representation in France, the NKR MFA
press office reported.

"20 years have passed since that historical year of 1988. During these
20 hard years, we suffered a war, had innumerable victims, experienced
and still keeps on experiencing a severe blockade…But we managed
to withstand and win a victory thanks to our unity and solidarity",
said Hovhannes Gevorgyan, NKR Permanent Representative in France.

Speaking about the Diaspora’s role in the victory of Artsakh,
Mr. Gevorgyan mentioned that the Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora trinity
keeps on being an indispensable condition for the final resolution
of the Karabakh problem and the NKR’s international recognition.

He also touched upon the tragic events of Sumgait, in 1988, and the
earthquake in Spitak.

Those present paid homage to the innocent victims by one-minute
silence.