Meeting of the Heads of State of Armenia and Azerbaijan

France Diplomatie (press release)
Nov 20 2009

Meeting of the Heads of State of Armenia and Azerbaijan
(November 22, 2009)

.At the invitation of the three Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement (the United States, France
and Russia), the Heads of State of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet
for the sixth time this year at the residence of France?s Consul
General in Munich on November 22.

France will be represented at this meeting by Ambassador Bernard
Fassier, France’s Co-Chair for the Minsk Group since January 2005.

The Basic Principles for achieving a peaceful, fair and lasting
resolution to this conflict were jointly proposed to the parties in
Madrid at the end of November 2007 by the French and Russian Foreign
Ministers and the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State.

In their joint statement on the sidelines of the G8 Summit in L’Aquila
in July, the French, American and Russian presidents reaffirmed that
these proposals were still on the negotiating table and invited the
parties to finalize them as quickly as possible. The appendix of this
statement described the basic elements of the proposals:

– return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to
Azerbaijani control

– an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh providing guarantees for
security and self-governance

– a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh

– future determination of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh
through a legally binding expression of will

– the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to
return to their former places of residence and,

– international security guarantees that would include a
peacekeeping operation.

The mediators are striving to achieve approval of these proposals by
the parties to the conflict.

-priorities_1/conflicts-and-crisis_1959/the-nagorn o-karabagh-conflict_3276/the-nagorno-karabakh-conf lict-meeting-of-the-heads-of-state-of-armenia-and- azerbaijan-22.11.09_13399.html

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france

Fight against oligopoly does not mean eradication of oligarchy

Galust Sahakyan: Fight against oligopoly does not mean eradication of oligarchy
20.11.2009 21:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Republican Party of Armenia fully supports Premier
Tigran Sargsyan’s statement on fighting economic oligopoly in
Armenia,’ leader of RPA parliamentary faction Galust Sahakyan told a
news conference in Yerevan.

According to him, Armenian Government and ruling party share unanimous
position on country’s economic monopolization which contributes to
regress.

However, when asked by a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter whether ruling party
was going to fight against their partisan friends who, as claimed
pro-opposition figures , are among outstanding representatives of
oligarchy, Sahakyan called on pro-opposition MPs to give specific
names. `There’s such an impression that opposition is the adherent of
Leninist principles, i.e. it proposes that macro-business be declared
bankrupt,’ RPA faction leader stressed.

HAK: ARFD forgets about being a represented in ruling coalition

Republican Party: ARFD forgets about being a represented in ruling coalition
20.11.2009 22:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s harsh criticism of 2010 Draft
State Budget is a manifestation of intolerance to Armenian
leadership,’ RPA faction leader Galust Sahakyan told a news conference
in Yerevan.

Criticizing authorities, Dashnaktsutyun always refers to their recent
years’ activities, forgetting in the meantime that it formed part of
government in that period.

Armenian-Turkish Protocols submitted to RA Constitutional Court

Armenian-Turkish Protocols submitted to RA Constitutional Court
21.11.2009 11:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Protocols on establishing diplomatic relations and
normalizing ties between Armenia and Turkey were submitted to RA
Constitutional Court on November 17, Court Chief of Staff Aroushan
Hakopyan said.

A full-court session must be convened within 20 days to appoint a
hearing date, he explained. `If within the 20-day time frame a
consensus is not reached, the decision to convene a hearing will be
extended for 10 additional days. If a month passes from the time of
submission and a decision is not reached, the protocols must be
returned to the President’s office or the court must decide on further
discussions,’ he added.

`If Constitutional Court’s decision is positive, President should
submit Protocols to Parliament for ratification. Thereafter, Foreign
Ministry should draw up a instrument of ratification in accordance
with established procedures and submit it to President’s approval.
Ratification document should bear state seal and Foreign Minister’s
signature. At the final stage, parties exchange instruments of
ratification, which is followed by entry into force of Protocols,’
Arushan Hakobyan stressed.

Pro Patria public mvt calls for declaring November 22 state holiday

Pro Patria public movement calls for declaring November 22 a state holiday
20.11.2009 22:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Pro Patria national movement calls for declaring
November 22 – the day of signing Woodrow Wilson’s arbitral decision on
Armenian-Turkish border – a state holiday, movement representative
Marine Vahradyan said in Yerevan. `The day became decisive for
Armenia, so we have submitted our proposal to National Assembly,’ she
stressed.

Commenting on RA-Turkish Protocols, she said the most convincing view
in that regard was expressed by Head of Modus Vivendi analytical
center Ara Papyan. Sharing his position on documents, she pointed out
to the inadmissibility of recognizing Armenian-Turkish border as
stipulated in Kars Treaty. `The only international document on
recognizing the border is US President Woodrow Wilson’s arbitral
decision,’ she stressed.

In turn, Armenian studies expert Vazgen Vahradyan said, `We have a
powerful weapon to win Turkey. That’s international law which favors
Armenia’s interests.’ Addressing RA-Turkish Protocols, he said Armenia
doesn’t need to normalize relations with Turkey because bilateral ties
`are normal as it is’. `Our relations with such recidivist state are
deemed quite natural,’ he said, adding that bilateral ties
normalization would be possible only in case of Turkey’s recognizing
Armenian Genocide and eliminating its consequences. `I don’t need
Turkey’s apologies unless consequences of Genocide are abolished,’ he
added.
From: Baghdasarian

Iran rejects proposals of IAEA and G8

Iran rejects proposals of IAEA and G8
21.11.2009 11:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran rejected IAEA’s proposal on sending enriched
uranium abroad for further procession.

Deputy Foreign Ministers of Russia, US, Great Britain, China, Germany
and France met Friday in Burssels to discuss Iran’s Nuclear Program.
Diplomats expressed disappointment with the absence of any visible
progress towards resolving the problem.

«Iran turned down IAEA’s proposals on exporting 70% of low-enriched
uranium to other states where it would be turned into fuel for a
Tehran medical research reactor,» said Robert Cooper, Assistant to
High Representative of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana.

This was followed by IAEA Chair Mohammed El-Baradei’s proposal on
delivering uranium to a third country, particularly Turkey, with which
Iran maintains friendly ties.

Later, however, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki confirmed
Tehran’s positive attitude to IAEA’s initiative on fueling Tehran’s
reactor, on condition of exchanging uranium on Iranian territory, AFP
reports.

New details revealed in Ergenekon case

New details revealed in Ergenekon case
21.11.2009 12:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s Armed Forces General Headquarters has filed
a suit against Taraf newspaper which published an article titled
«Waetchword – Kafes, said Ferrit Guler, Secretary of Turkish Armed
Forces General Headquarters.

«Turkey’s navy command has planned a series of attacks against the
country’s non-Muslim population to increase external forces’ pressures
on ruling party. Details about Kafes operation were revealed as a
result of investigation into Ergenekon case.»

NK war hero Leonid Azgaldyan would this year celebrate 67th birthday

Karabkh war hero Leonid Azgaldyan would this year celebrate his 67th
birth anniversary
21.11.2009 13:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 20, 2009, hero of Karabakh liberation
war Leonid Azgaldyan would celebrate his 67th birhday. In 1960, he
entered Moscow Lomonosov University, Department of Physics. Later, he
continued his education in Yerevan State University, receiving the
qualification of radio-physicist.

>From the very first days of Karabakh movement, Azgaldyan was involved
in national-liberation war. Since February 1990, he took command of
Independence Army, organizing self-defense operations in several
settlements, particularly, Vardenis, and fighting in the first line
during Nuvadi battles. Totally devoting himself to Karabakh liberation
war, Azgaldyan fought in Getashen, Shahumyan and Martakert. In June
1991, he created `Liberation Army’ military organization, and was its
Commander-in-Chief till the end of his life.

Leonid Azgaldyan died on June 21, 1992 in Martakert region, on the
outskirts of Tonashen village. He was posthumously awarded with
Armenian and NKR Military Cross First Degree Order.

Armenia opens National Tourism Office in Moscow

Armenia opens National Tourism Office in Moscow
21.11.2009 13:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s National Tourism Office (NTO) was launched
in Moscow, Organization’s Director Mariam Atayan told INTERFAX-TOURISM
agency.

"One of the priorities of office is to conduct PR and marketing
campaigns for shaping Armenia’s image as an interesting and
cost-effective tourism sphere for Russia, as well as increasing
tourists’ flow and raising tourism expenses, " Atayan said.

Besides, on December 15-18, NTO is planning to organize Russian
leading media’s press-tour to Armenia on the occasion of Chirstmas
holidays. Early in February, the presentation of Tzahkadzor, one of
Armenia’s largest downhill health resort, will take place in Moscow.

NTO also has plans to create a network of Armenian tourist operators
and organize their coordination with Russian partners,» office
director said.

2010 State Budget not effective for solving problems comprehensively

2010 State Budget not effective for solving problems in comprehensive schools
21.11.2009 13:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Heritage faction MP Anahit Bakhshyan has expressed
her concerns over 2010 State Budget which envisages only 10% increase
in high school teachers’ salary, instead of the 20% as prescribed by
law.

In her statement, MP characterized the budget as a document capable of
meeting the needs of comprehensive school. She also noted that loans
in education sphere are not used effectively.

State government bodies, according to Bakhshyan, submit draft budget
without considering National Assembly-adopted legal norms. `That’s to
say, laws passed by parliament are not implemented,’ she stressed.