Month: December 2008

TURKISH FM: "TURKEY ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CONSULTATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN ON REGIONAL POLITICAL ISSUES"

Today.Az
litics/49808.html
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Turkey attaches great importance to consultations with Azerbaijan
on regional political issues, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan said.

Babacan said: "We continue to broaden multi-faceted relations with
Azerbaijan. Our political and economic cooperation is strengthening in
parallel with cultural one." He added "on the other hand, we hope for
continuing dialogue with Armenia and turning a new page in relations
with the country."

Babacan pointed out his country also attaches substantial importance
to political and economic stability in the South Caucasus region.

"Peaceful settlement of problems in region, expansion of regional
cooperation are basis of our policy towards the South Caucasus,"
Babacan underlined.

The Minister also stressed the necessity of building mutual trust
among countries in region in order to achieve resolution of existing
problems.

THE VIOLATED RIGHT OF "A1+" MUST BE RESTORED

A1+
[06:26 pm] 25 December, 2008

Judge of the European Court of Human Rights Alvina Gyulumyan
touched upon the verdict reached by the EC for the lawsuit filed
by "A1+" during a press conference today. Gyulumyan noted that the
fulfillment of the verdict is mandatory and the Ministerial Committee
is following-up on the completion.

"The court reached a verdict. The Ministerial Committee of the Council
of Europe will determine how the verdict must be implemented and what
the requirements are for the country, not the court."

Gyulumyan also noted that the court takes into account the
socio-economic situation of the country when fixing the amount of
the fine.

Let us recall that "A1+" TV was shut down in 2002 and on June 16 this
year the European Court of Human Rights approved the lawsuit filed by
"Meltex" company and reached a verdict according to which the shutdown
of "A1+" independent television was against the 10th article of the
European Convention of Human Rights, which refers to the right to
freedom of speech.

"We believe that the state bodies have not made reasonable decisions
and this is the violation that gave citizens the chance to know why
this company was given an advantage and for the television station
to know the reason for no frequency so that we will not face this
problem during the next contest," said Alvina Gyulumyan.

Based on the verdict reached by the European Court of Human Rights, the
Armenian government had to pay 10,000 euros as compensation for court
expenses and 20,000 euros as compensation for damages caused to "A1+".

Do the payments make up for the government’s obligations to "A1+"
TV? In response to that, Alvina Gyulumyan said:

"The Ministerial Committee not only follows-up on the financial
compensation, but also plans measures to restore the right."

One of the journalists noted that not only does "A1+" not have the
right after the verdict of the European Court, but the government
has adopted a law according to which there will be no tenders until
2010. What must "A1+" do? Should it file a lawsuit? In response to
that, Alvina Gyulumyan said that "A1+" may file a lawsuit if it feels
that its right is violated by law.

ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN: "THE RELATIONS TURKEY-ARMENIA AND TURKEY-AZERBAIJAN HAVE REALLY BROKEN APART"

Today.Az
itics/49805.html
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

The current year was filled with events, important for Armenia in
the external political sphere, according to famous Armenian political
scientist Alexander Iskandaryan. He said paradoxically, in the sphere
of relations with Russia and the United States, these were mainly
the events, caused from beyond Armenia.

"I imply the so-called "five days war". The war has dramatically
changed the situation in the South Caucasus, which influenced the
dynamics of relations between Armenia and Russia and the United
States. The sharp worsening of image, as well as Georgia’s role
and weight for the West, raised importance of Armenia (as well as
Azerbaijan) which lead to the intensification of US policy in the
region.

On the contrary, the internal political events in Armenia (February
elections and the events following them) affected Armenia’s image on
the West and neutralization of this effect will take time, at least
in 2009.

As for Turkey, the changes are merely revolutionary. I think it would
be excessive to repeat facts, which are known to the reader, but it is
clear that the whole background of the Armenian-Turkish relations have
changed in the result of events in 2008. I do not support the idea
that the Armenian-Turkish relations will improve quickly and we are
looking forward the results of the spring local elections in Turkey.

But regardless of how the process moves forward, there have already
been revolutionary changes. "Armenia issue" has become an issue of
internal discourse in Turkey and the real breaking of Turkish-Armenian
and Turkish-Azerbaijani relations has occured", said Iskandaryan.

As for the influence of the global financial crisis on the geopolitical
situation in the region, he said it will affect all economies of the
region and reduce the regional weight of energy producing countries

Speaking about the Karabakh conflict, he said the resolution of this
conflict in the political perspective is impossible, it remained in
a frozen state. The parties have no real readiness for resolution,
military resolution is unserious, external powers are unable to force
the sides to make compromises. The quo status is maintained.

"The most important event of this year was the Meindorf declaration".

As for his expectations from the 2009 in the sense of the resolution
of the conflict and the overall development of the South Caucasus
countries, Iskandaryan said he still expects pseudo fights on pseudo
fields, and nothing real can occur on this scene.

"As for the overall development, two processes are important:
continuation of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and cooperation with
Europe in the implementation of the Eastern Partnership program. I
also expect the replacement of powers in Georgia.

And, certainly, in this unstable situation, which is observed due
to the world financial crisis and the expected social programs,
emergency situations are possible in all the countries of the region",
concluded Iskandaryan.
From: Baghdasarian

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN CHAIRED THE YSU BOARD SESSION

A1+
[07:04 pm] 25 December, 2008

The Yerevan State University Board held its year-end session today
chaired by the President of Armenia, President of the Yerevan State
University Board Serzh Sargsyan.

During the session, YSU Rector, correspondent-member of the Armenian
National Academy of Sciences Aram Simonyan presented the report on
the activities during the 2007-2008 academic year. He said that the
activities have been aimed at the development of the university,
as well as raising its role in the domestic and international
scientific-educational fields.

According to Aram Simonyan, during the academic year the University
has continued the improvement of the educational process, structural
reforms, development and modernization of educational technologies,
expansion of research activity. In his words, certain progress has
been registered in the organization of the educational process,
modernization of methods, enrichment of content of education and
increase of quality.

Aram Simonyan expressed content that more and more undergraduate,
Master and P.H.D. students are interested in research activity year
after year. The rector considered the establishment of the Department
of Diaspora Studies as the most important innovations this year.

During the session, board members discussed the executive of the
university’s proceeds and expenditures in 2008. Members of the session
approved the executive and the budget for 2009.

The next issue on the agenda was the propositions stated in the
strategic plan for development during the 2009-2010-2013-2014 academic
years.Rector Aram Simonyan noted that the plan is aimed at implementing
the prospective projects of the university. The board members also
approved the propositions of the strategic plan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LETTER TO GEORGIAN OMBUDSMAN

A1+
[07:19 pm] 25 December, 2008

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan sent a letter to his Georgian
counterpart Sozari Subari.

As informed by the press service of the Ombudsman, in the letter
Armen Harutyunyan informs that he has received a letter from the
administration of the "Yerkir" Association for NGOs which expresses
concerns about the trials of heads of the "United Javakhk" organization
Vahagn Chakhalyan, Gurgen Shirinyan and their family members who are
charged with murder of police officers. According to the authors of
the letter, there are many violations being made during the trial.

Reminding his Georgian counterpart Sozar Subari of the mutual
agreements in the letter, Armen Harutyunyan asked him to conduct
monitoring to find out whether the human rights implanted in
international documents and Georgian legislation are protected or not.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONTEST FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY BLOCK IN 15 DAYS

A1+
[07:46 pm] 25 December, 2008

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan headed today’s government
session during which government officials passed the RA bill on
"Construction of new nuclear energy blocks in Armenia", which will
be presented to the RA National Assembly.

By another resolution, the government approved the contest package for
the "Selection of the company in charge of the construction of the new
nuclear energy block" and confirmed the staff of the inter-ministerial
contest committee. The prime minister assigned RA Energy and Natural
Resources Minister to make an official announcement regarding the
international contest 15 days after the official record of purchases.

MASTER PLAN APPROVED

The government approved the 2008-2012 Master Plan presented by the
owners of the "Zvartnots" and "Shirak" airports. The RA Government’s
N392-N resolution, which was passed in 2003 to confirm the Master
Plan presented by the owners of "Zvartnots" airport, was revoked. The
passing of the resolution was guided by the 72nd article of the RA
law on "Legal acts" and based on the propositions and requirements
signed on December 18, 2001 between the RA Government and "Corporation
America S.A." company.

NEW OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE SEES NO NECESSITY IN REFORMING ORGANIZATION

Trend News Agency
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Trend News written interview with the newly appointed OSCE
chairman-in-office, Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyyanis.

Question: What priority does Greece set for its term of chairmanship
at the OSCE? Do you see any need to reform the OSCE?

Answer: I don’t think there is a need to reform the OSCE. Instead I
believe that the Organization needs our full support to continue its
good work. Obviously we have set goals for our time in office, and we
plan to announce those in Vienna on 15 January. But in general, the
Greek Chairmanship will try to build a stronger OSCE at the heart of
the European security architecture. This is necessary at a time when
the region faces grave geopolitical challenges. To build the OSCE
the people of Europe deserve we will be guided by three principles:
respect for the Organization’s regulations, values and principles,
pursuit of optimum convergence and consensus; and strengthening of
the presence and role of the OSCE in early warning, prevention and
management of conflicts and crises. We believe that the OSCE has a
great role to play and we plan to help fulfill that.

Question: What steps could Greece take on the way of settlement of
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? What are your views
on the solution to this dispute on the basis of territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan?

Answer: It is well known that we firmly support the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of all States, within their internationally
recognized borders. To resolve this particular dispute, Greece believes
that frequent meetings between the two sides lead to the establishment
of mutual confidence and do initiate positive steps. We also cannot
ignore the human pain caused by the current situation. We believe that
to help the establishment of security and stability in the region,
the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons must return to their
homes. The OSCE Minsk Group should be commended for its efforts to
facilitate negotiations and propose principles for the settlement of
the conflict based on international law. Greece fully supports these
efforts and encourages constructive engagement from both parties,
in line with the Statement delivered at the Helsinki Summit earlier
this month by the French Foreign Minister on behalf of the European
Union. We hope in 2009 we will see progress in this direction.

Question: What issues will be on the focus during your forthcoming
visit to the South Caucasus, in particular, to Azerbaijan in 2009?

Answer: Again, we will outline our priorities and our travel plans
in January.

Question: Will the term of OSCE mission in South Ossetia and Abkhazia
be prolonged and extended next year?

Answer: We very much regret that it was not possible to find the
consensus among the 56 participating States so that the Mission to
Georgia could continue its valuable work. The Greek Chairmanship
will work hard to find a way for the OSCE to continue activities in
Georgia in some form that is acceptable to all.

EU WELCOMES MOSCOW AND HELSINKI DECLARATIONS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend News Agency
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

INTERVIEW With High Representative Javier Solana

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 23 /Trend News, E.Ostapenko/ Written interview
with Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP, for Trend News

Question: What do you think will become the essentials of a new
partnership agreement between Russia and the European Union? What is
the greatest concern of the EU about Russia?

Answer: There is a common understanding between the EU and Russia that
it is in our mutual interest to see our relationship based on a new,
legally binding and comprehensive agreement. The current Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement was signed already in 1997 and does not
reflect the full width of our co-operation today. Negotiations on the
new agreement have been resumed after a reflection pause during the
autumn. We expect the new agreement to cover our political dialogue,
external security, freedom, security and justice, economic, trade
and energy issues; and research, education and culture.

One of our main concerns at the moment is the continued tensions
in Georgia. Despite determined EU mediation and a 200-strong EU
monitoring mission, the situation in and around South Ossetia and
Abkhazia remains unstable, and we are hope to see more progress in the
Geneva talks when they resume next year. What happened in Georgia this
year should convince all concerned to redouble the efforts to find
a peaceful and sustainable solutions to the other "frozen conflicts".

Question: Taking in to account the recent statements by Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the sides are "closer to resolving the conflict than
ever". Do you share such optimistic views?

Answer: As I said, after the Georgia conflict in August it has
become even more clear that a military solution to the conflict is
not an option. In this spirit, we welcomed the Moscow declaration
of 2 November and the declaration of Helsinki of 4 December, as
they confirmed that all sides sign up to the need for a peaceful
solution. We fully support the Minsk Group and we ready to help in
any way we can, for instance through confidence-building measures
and people-to-people contacts.

Question: International organisations, including the OSCE, call on
countries in the region to promote regional co-operation, stressing
that this would help in resolving conflicts. How do you view the
prospects of co-operation in the region, taking into account the lack
of any relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Turkey
and Armenia many years because of territorial claims?

Answer: The conflict in Georgia has demonstrated the vulnerability
of the region as well as the complexity of the conflicts and the
high risks related to them. Regional cooperation and constructive
dialogue are hence more essential than ever for the region’s
stability, prosperity and progress. In this context, we welcomed
the recent signs of rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey as
a basis for the normalisation of bilateral relations. We strongly
encourage both parties to continue this path and pursue constructive
dialogue. Progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will
also facilitate the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. There is now a momentum that should not be lost. It is in this
spirit that we actively encourage any form of regional cooperation and
constructive dialogue leading to stronger ties between the countries
in the region as the best way to create prosperity and stability
for all. Don’t forget that the European Union is itself a very good
example of regional co-operation and of how conflicts can be overcome.

Question: The Director General of IAEA Muhammad El-Baradei in an
interview with the German newspaper Day Welt said that Iran wants
to acquire technology to produce nuclear weapons. Do you think Iran
wants to get the technology to develop nuclear weapons? Could the EU
change its policy towards Iran in the future?

Answer: The latest IAEA report confirms that the facts on the ground
remain of great concern. Unfortunately Iran has neither suspended nor
frozen its enrichment-related activities, and still does not comply
with the relevant UNSC Resolutions. Furthermore, Iran is still not
disclosing all the necessary information to clarify the issues which
have a possible military dimension.

The EU therefore continues to follow a dual-track approach with
regard to Iran: increasing pressure including through UNSC sanctions
measures on the one hand, and showing openness to negotiations on the
other hand. These could start as soon as Iran creates the necessary
environment.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CALLS TO BE POSSIBLE ON NEW YEAR’S EVE?

A1+
[08:20 pm] 25 December, 2008

The "ArmenTel" company (Beeline trademark) has started networking as
it prepares for the load of calls on New Year’s Eve. The company will
form on-duty groups of workers, as well as an Information Technologies
administration and Customer Service section. "ArmenTel" administrators
will be at the workplace during the holidays to find quick solutions
to issues that come up.

According to the data of "ArmenTel", calls made on New Year’s Eve
increase by nearly half a million compared to regular days, while
the number of SMSs received goes up by 60%.

ARMENIAN-MADE PRODUCTION PREVENTED TO SMUGGLE TO NAKHCHIVAN

Azeri Press Agency
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Nakhchivan. Gurbanoglu-APA. Armenian-made production was prevented
to pass to Nakhchivan, Nakhchivan State Customs Committee told APA
local bureau that several persons tried to smuggle these materials
through check point of Nakhchivan.

14 brochures propagating touristic areas of Armenia, as well as
Armenian-made four boxes of cigarette, 60 kg Russian-made Ovelsky
candies, which were possible to export from Armenia with Armenian
commodity index and registered as legal production can be imported
to Azerbaijan, were confiscated.

Officials of Customs Committee confiscated 408 porno CDs, 16 video
CDs, 311 pyrotechnic device, 220 Iranian made alcohols, 39 lamps,
110 kg cellophanes, 16.5 kg hempseed, 16 cold steel.

These materials were burnt on December 24.

The investigation is under way.