Month: November 2009

FOREIGN MINISTER OF SLOVENIA SAYS SOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CORRESPONDS TO THE INTERESTS OF ALL, INCLUDING COUNCILOF EUROPE

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
STRASBURG

Foreign Minister of Slovenia Samuel Zhbogar at the ceremony of passing
the chairmanship from Slovenia to Switzerland at the Ministers’
Committee stated that the settlement of the "frozen" conflicts,
particularly the quick solution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
corresponds to the interests of all, including Council of Europe.

"First I must say that all the "frozen" conflicts, particularly
the Karabakh conflict must be solved as soon as possible. "Frozen"
conflicts in short period of time may turn into hot conflict thus
we must find solution to the conflicts. Council of Europe does not
participate in the Karabakh conflict regulation process, OSCE Minsk
group is dealing with the issue. In parallel with it Armenia and
Azerbaijan must too find solution to the issue," Slovenian foreign
minister said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COUNCIL OF EUROPE READY TO SUPPORT IN PROCESS OF NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
STRASBURG

STRASBURG, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Secretary General of Council of
Europe Turborn Yagland at a press conference after the ceremony of
passing the chairmanship from Slovenia to Switzerland stated that
the Council of Europe is ready to display necessary assistance to
the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

"As to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, I
can say that if these countries need any support from the Council of
Europe we are ready to provide it. In this respect no one has applied
to us. The two countries are members of the Council of Europe and this
fact is important for the two countries and for the whole process. I
greet this normalization," Yagland said, adding that Council of Europe
hopes that the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey
will help to the regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SESSION OF THE HEADS OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE CIS MEMBER STATES

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan is leaving November 20 for Yalta on a working visit to
participate in the regular session of the heads of the governments
of the CIS member states.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that the delegation
headed by the prime minister consists of head of the government’s
staff David Sargsyan, deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan,
Armenian ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan, Armenian ambassador to
Ukraine Armen Khachatryan and others.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN RECEIVES FIRST AIDE OF FRENCH EMBASSY IN ARMENIA CHRISTIAN BECK

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Chairman of NA Permanent Commission
on European Integration Affairs Naira Zohrabyan received today First
Aide of French Embassy in Armenia Christian Beck.

Media and Information Department of Armenian National Assembly told
Armenpress that welcoming the guest N. Zohrabyan highly assessed
Armenian-French political relations, and taking them into consideration
expressed hope that similar high-quality relations may be established
also in the sphere of economy. In regard to the issue on Armenia’s
integration to European Union, N. Zohrabyan attached importance to
the role and experience of France, as of one of the core countries
of EU and expressed hope that the cooperation in that sphere will be
much more active.

Once again putting the stress on the Armenian position on Nagorno
Karabakh regulation issue, the chairwoman of the commission highly
assessed the French efforts as the country’s chairing OSCE Minsk Group
in solving the conflict through peaceful negotiation process. Speaking
of Armenian-Turkish relations, N. Zohrabyan reaffirmed once again that
the regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions is
a separate process and has no connection with NK conflict regulation,
which, according to her, Minsk Group co-chairs have stated for many
times, too.

Referring to the issues of regional cooperation Naira Zohrabyan
confirmed that Armenia is faithful to its adopted policy and is for
the regional cooperation on different issues despite the fact that
they are consistently hindered by neighbor Azerbaijan.

Expressing gratitude for reception First Council of French Embassy
in Armenia Christian Beck reaffirmed the French readiness to develop
the mutually beneficial relations. Issues on the further cooperation
were discussed as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ISSUES ON ARMENIA-OSCE/ODIHR COOPERATION DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan received today director of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Janez Lenarcic who is in Yerevan
on a working visit.

Armenian Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department told
Armenpress that during the meeting the sides discussed issues on
Armenia-OSCE/ODIHR cooperation.

E. Nalbandyan, assessing the role of the ODIHR in moving forward the
human rights protection and democratic principles, noted that Yerevan
highlights the cooperation with the office.

Janez Lenarcic, expressing satisfaction with the effective cooperation
with the Armenian authorities, expressed gratitude to Edward Nalbandyan
for visiting the headquarter of ODIHR in Warsaw.

During the meeting the interlocutors underscored the support of
the office both in improving the electoral processes and in the
implementation of the observing mission.

The parties also referred to the process of democratic reforms in
Armenia and the steps carried out in that direction.

Armenian foreign minister drew the interest of the ODIHR director
to the anti-Armenian propaganda by Azerbaijan, noting that it is an
obvious violation of OSCE norms.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF THE EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION OF SUPREME AUDIT INSTITUTIONS

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenian National Assembly Speaker
Hovik Abrahamyan received today chairman of the European Organization
of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI) Governing Board, president
of the Poland’s Supreme Chamber of Control Jacek Jezierski.

NA public relations department told Armenpress that greeting the guest
Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted his visit ton Armenia both from the point
of view of developing Armenian-Polish bilateral cooperation, and of
participation of Armenia in the works of the European establishments.

Armenian NA speaker asked to convey his warm greetings to the chairmen
of the Polish Senate and Seim, as well as to the prime minister of
the country.

During the conversation the NA speaker said he is satisfied with the
work of the Armenian Oversight Chamber and drew the attention of his
interlocutor to the legislative and practical guarantees directed
toward ensuring the independence of the Armenian Oversight Chamber.

In this pre-context the interlocutors agreed that the most important
factor in the effective activity of the oversight bodies is their
independence. Hovik Abrahamyan presented to the guest the partnership
between the Armenian NA and the Oversight Chamber and its importance
from the point of view of effective implementation of the NA oversight
toward the purposeful expenses of the budget means. He particularly
noted that the NA staff has been included in the Oversight Chamber’s
2010 checking so that the public get convinced in the transparency
of the activity of the country’s legislative body.

Chairman of the Armenian Oversight Chamber Ishkhan Zakaryan also took
part in the meeting.

ALIYEV SAYS GARABAGH TALKS FRUITLESS

AssA-Irada
November 17, 2009 Tuesday
Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev has said Azerbaijan is seeking to settle its
conflict with Armenia in peace but these efforts have not yielded fruit
so far. We are trying to resolve the Upper Garabagh problem peacefully,
because we dont want war. But it is not working, President Aliyev told
the ceremony of commissioning a residential building constructed for
369 refugee families in the Binagadi district of Baku on Tuesday.

Aliyev noted that, though talks are underway with Yerevan, no drastic
solution has been found yet to the long-standing dispute. Talks
have been held so many times. Seven or eight times a year. There is
certain progress. But we have not been able to achieve a drastic
solution of the problem, because the Armenian side is displaying
a stance completely contradicting all international norms. The
president emphasized that Azerbaijan has been suffering from Armenias
policy of ethnic cleansing for many years. Further, Aliyev blamed the
international community for indifference to the unjust situation. This
is an unbearable situation, the biggest injustice and a crude violation
of human rights. But the world community remains indifferent to
this. True, international organizations have adopted the needed
decisions and resolutions. But they are not being enforced. In this
case, those resolutions lose their significance. Unfortunately, the
norms of international law are being violated, blatantly violated, in
the world. Azerbaijani land remaining under Armenian occupation for
many years is a consequence of this. Speaking about army-building,
the commander-in-chief said the Azerbaijani government was greatly
supporting the military, and it is strengthening. We are holding talks,
but, at the same time, we have to be ready to free our land from
invaders militarily any moment, Aliyev said. Azerbaijan and Armenia
fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in
1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other
Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law.

The OSCE-brokered peace talks have been fruitless so far.

MOSCOW STATE ACADEMIC SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA TO GIVE A CONCERT IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Moscow State Academic Symphonic
Orchestra will hold a concert November 25 and 27 in "Aram Khachatryan"
concert hall. An official from Armenian Culture Ministry told
Armenpress that the concert will be conducted by the art director of
the orchestra Pavel Cogan.

The first concert day works by Glinka, A. Khachatryan and Glazunov will
sound. On November 27 the orchestra will perform the second symphony
of Aram Khachatryan, the concert for violin and orchestra, conducted by
Art Director of Armenian State Youth Orchestra Sergey Smbatyan. Michael
Simonyan from USA will come forward as a solo performer.

Yerevan concerts of Moscow symphonic orchestra are conducted under the
high patronage of Armenian First Lady Rita Sargsyan with the support
of Armenian and Russian Culture Ministries and Yerevan Conservatory
after Komitas.

ARMENIAN OVERSIGHT CHAMBER AND THE POLAND’S SUPREME CHAMBER OF CONTROL SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Oversight Chamber and the
Poland’s Supreme Chamber of Control signed today cooperation agreement
in the Armenian National Assembly.

Chairman of the Armenian Oversight Chamber Ishkhan Zakaryan said at a
press conference after the signing ceremony that the document supposes
exchange of experience in the spheres of foreign state oversight
methodology and procedures, professional classes and training,
professional information, exchange of guidelines and manuals.

With the Polish side it is expected to conduct a nature protection
oversight in Armenia. According to I. Zakaryan, the best experience
in the implementation of the nature protection oversight in Europe
has Poland.

Ishkhan Zakaryan said that the cooperation between the two chambers
in fighting against corruption risks, consequences of the global
financial crisis has given new content to the cooperation between the
two chambers: the search of ways of jointly overcoming the challenges
have become the priority of European cooperation countries.

The delegation headed by the president of the Poland’s Supreme Chamber
of Control Jacek Jezierski arrived in Armenia November 18.

Jacek Jezierski is also the Chairman of the European Organization of
Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI) Governing Board. This is first
visit of high-ranked official of the suchlike European organization to
Armenia which is agreed with not only the active work of the Armenian
Oversight Chamber during the past two years but also active cooperation
with international, CIS as well as a number of European countries.

The circumstance that the heads of the financial oversight supreme
bodies of CIS decided to conduct the 10th session of the council in
2010 in Armenia witnesses about the high level of partnership.

Jacek Jezierski said that works are being carried out that all the
member countries apply same or similar methods of control. It refers
to all spheres, including in fighting against corruption.

The European establishment is aimed at developing such a procedure of
checking which may be applied by all the cooperating countries. In
one issue all are of the same opinion – the oversight chambers must
be independent.

OPENING BORDER BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA SHOULD BE HARMONIZED WITH RETURNING FIVE OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI REGIONS: RUSSIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST

Trend
Nov 18 2009
Azerbaijan

Opening the border between Turkey and Armenia should be harmonized
with returning five occupied Azerbaijani regions, head of the expert
group of Information and Analytical Center at Moscow State University
named after M.Lomonosov, Alexey Vlasov, told Trend News.

"And it should be the first step in resolving this conflict, and
further the question of the status of Karabakh will raise, but the
issue can be postponed indefinitely, having resolved at least the
return of the occupied regions at the first stage," said Vlasov.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the protocols on restoration of diplomatic relations
between Ankara and Yerevan in Zurich on October 10.Diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due to Armenia’s claims
of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The
border between them has been broken since 1993.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

With tightening of solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, the
conflict level in the region will increase, Vlasov said. "Unless
concrete steps are taken to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
the conflict level in the region will only increase," said the
political scientist.

In his view, the unilateral opening of the border between Turkey and
Armenia without the withdrawal of Armenian troops is a disputable
question.

"If the Turkish parliament ratifies the opening of the border between
Turkey and Armenia, then, according to the rules, within 60 days
after ratification, the border should be opened. But this is a very
big question whether the border will be opened," he said.

According to Vlasov, this is explained through the fact that there
are contradictions on the issue at the party of Erdogan, and through
difficult attitude towards the situation in Turkey itself.

Regarding how Kazakhstan’s chairmanship to the OSCE next year will
help solve Nagorno-Karabakh problem, the expert noted that Kazakh
President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently attended the summit of
Turkic states. "It seems that the relationship between Kazakhstan
and Azerbaijan is in the plan of strategic partnership," said Vlasov.

According to him, Kazakhstan has a difficult task "to harmonize its
interests with those of external e powers – the U.S., Russia and the
EU" in the settlement of this protracted conflict. "For Kazakhstan,
it is important not to spoil relations with Turkey and to maintain
a powerful dialogue format with Azerbaijan," said Vlasov.

According to the expert, in such a situation, Kazakhstan needs to
support the initiative of the OSCE Minsk Group and the solution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem within the Madrid principles.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress