Month: November 2009

ARMENIA TO ATTRACT CREDITS?

news.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

A 15% economic decline will be registered in Armenia this year, Gagik
Minasyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, Credit and
Budgetary Policy, RA Parliament, told a press conference. "9.2 per cent
economic growth was forecast for this year, but we have registered
an 18 per cent decline due to the economic crisis. We plan to close
this year with a 15% decline," Minasyan said.

Some economic growth is expected next year, but the forecasts may
prove false. "The analyses show that Armenia has reached the bottom
of economic decline, but, unfortunately, we cannot make forecasts
about economic growth," Minasyan said.

Nevertheless, Minasyan said that 1.2% economic growth is possible next
year. The reason for the optimistic forecasts is credit investments.

The Armenian Government has allocated funds to the construction and
mining industries from the attracted credits. The revival of the
industries will produce a beneficial effect on the other industries,
Minasyan said.

He said that Armenia’s foreign national debt will reach U.S. $3bn this
year, and U.S. $3.5bn next year. "Armenia is negotiating to attract
credits now," Minasyan said, without naming the lending agency. He
also pointed out that the unallowable limit of national debt is 50%,
but Armenia has not yet reached it.

In submitting the 2010 draft budget to Parliament, RA Minister of
Finance Tigran Davtyan stated that Armenia will not borrow credits
in 2010, as it has borrowed a sufficient amount of funds.

WEST MUST STAND FIRM ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH: EXPERT

Trend
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

The South Caucasus has a historic opportunity today and all interested
parties should take steps to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
European Expert on the South Caucasus Amanda Akcakoca said. She added
that the EU, which usually acts as an observer, must play a larger
role in settling such conflicts.

"The West needs to take a more principled position as it does with
other conflicts because sitting on the fence is of no benefit to the
resolution of this conflict," European Policy Center expert Akcakoca
wrote Trend News in an e-mail.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Turkey and Armenia are playing a waiting game. Each side is waiting
for the other to move. It is no surprise then that Ankara has not
ratified a recent protocol, the expert said.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey were broken due
to Armenian claims of an alleged genocide and its occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. Their border closed in 1993.

Some Turkish MPs declared ratifying the protocols with Armenia
impossible, and no progress has been made in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In his interview with Reuters, the Armenian
foreign minister rejected Turkey’s demand on concessions in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in exchange for a historic rapprochement
between Yerevan and Ankara.

Turkey does not plan to open its borders with Armenia, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davudoglu said earlier.

Turkey wants Armenia to budge on Nagorno-Karabakh and so far nothing
has happened, the expert said.

According to the expert, Turkish leaders have repeatedly promised Baku
that without progress on Nagorno-Karabakh, there will be no progress
in establishing relations with Armenia.

"The longer the delay the more the momentum will erode. Both sides
need to be brave and do it. It is time to move to a future beyond
the past," Akcakoca said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OIC, BSEC, GUAM: AZERBAIJAN ENTANGLED WITH FOREIGN-POLICY PARTNERS
Armen Gevorgyan

news.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

President Ilham Aliyev has actually boycotted the sitting of
the Standing Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation,
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in Istanbul. Deputy Minister
of Economic Development Sevinj Gasanova is representing Azerbaijan,
which is unequivocal evidence of deeper political disagreements between
Baku and Ankara. The other OIC member-states are represented by the
Presidents and Prime Ministers.

What is more, Azerbaijani Vice-Premier Abid Sharifov attended a
reception at the Turkish Embassy in Baku on the occasion of Turkey’s
Independence Day, while President Ilham Aliyev visited a Russian
village in one of the regions thereby trying to suggest a threat of
Baku’s "geopolitical turn."

It is worth recalling Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement
during his recent visit to Kuwait. The Armenian leader stated that
Azerbaijan is manipulating the OIC member-states, trying to cash in on
religious solidarity. "A lack of awareness of the Artsakh problem,
Azerbaijan’s impermissible attempts to cash in on the factor of
religious solidarity often result in wrong decisions made by the
Organization of Islamic Conference," the Armenian leader stated at
his meeting with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah.

In this respect, the Azeri leaders not participating in the Istanbul
sitting meets Armenia’s interests. The participants themselves will
be able to understand the policy of Azerbaijan, which is trying to
reap dividends from the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process irrespective of
the international agencies’ aims. It is common knowledge that even the
projects implemented by the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
(BSEC), which aims at creating conditions for the region’s economic
and communication integration, encounter obstacles set by Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev’s visit to the Russian village is a "touching" signal
for Moscow: "if our Turkish brothers are befooling us, we are ready
to befool them in a team with Russians." Aliyev has made initial
steps by signing a contract for the supply is a symbolic amount of
gas to Russia with Gasprom. The Azeri leader must have thought that
his step would help him to gain Moscow’s favor to an extent that it
would revise its position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its
relations with Armenia. We see, however, that Russia is among the
key lobbyists for the unblocking of the Armenian-Russian border,
as it is in Armenia, rather than in Azerbaijan, that Russia has its
only military base in the region, which is actually blocked as well.

Russia has actually created a powerful energy basis in Armenia and is
preparing for exporting energy to Turkey. Russia is getting ready to
open a window on Iran in Armenia. And, finally, Russia will participate
in a nuclear-power plant construction project in Armenia.

The "anti-Russian" Transcaspian gas pipeline, which has not so far
been constructed, may well run southward, to Armenia through Iran,
and will thus serve the interests of Armenia and Russia – and,
incidentally, of Turkey.

So President Ilham Aliyev can be advised to visit a Georgian village
when the OIC holds its next meeting. Azerbaijan, with its limited gas
reserves and lack of direct communication with Central Asia, appears
to be of interest to Georgia alone. We would like to warn the Azeri
leader against visiting Kvemo Kartli, which is part of the Georgian
territory. Azerbaijan is known to respect that country’s territorial
integrity, Georgia being Azerbaijan’s partner within GUAM.

NKR STATUS-QUO NOT TO TAKE FOREVER

news.am
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

According to EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter
Semneby, it is good to have a get off the Armenia-Turkey negotiations
ground. The EU official told Russian paper Kommersant that opening of
the border will be a first step in dealing with abnormal situation,
when three most lengthy regional borders are blocked.

"Today, Armenia-Turkey relations are on the verge of breakthrough. The
ratification process will surely be complex, but it is of mutual
interest to the countries and in prospects – of Azerbaijan’s too,
as it is also interested in border opening. The August 2008 war in
Georgia revealed vulnerability of the South Caucasian states, that
can be eliminated through solution to these problems. I am confident,
Armenian leadership holds with me and the present status-quo of
Nagorno-Karabakh is not in Armenia’s interests, that cannot last
forever," declared Semneby.

According to him, more confidence in the Caucasus is needed, when
the third parties’ commitment (EU and Russia) should be there. "I
hope together we will succeed in dialogue establishment," he concluded.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARABAKH’S ARMENIAN POPULATION WILL ENJOY BENEFITS OF AZERI CITIZENSHIP

news.az
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

Elkhan Polukhov The Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh will in
the fullness of time receive all the benefits enjoyed by Azerbaijani
citizens, the spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, Elkhan
Polukhov, has said.

"Azerbaijan’s position in the negotiation process has always been
absolutely clear – Nagorno-Karabakh can get the highest status
of autonomy within the framework of the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. The negotiations process between the parties can consider
details of the level and specifics of the autonomy granted," Polukhov
said in an exclusive interview with Novosti-Azerbaijan news agency.

He said that unlike Armenia, which has become a mono-ethnic state
after driving out the Azerbaijanis and Kurds, Azerbaijan has never had
problems in ensuring the rights of national and religious minorities.

"Azerbaijani citizens, who have every opportunity to preserve and
develop their national and religious identity, do not think about
separatism as the country creates equal conditions for everyone,"
Polukhov said.

He said that more than 30,000 ethnic Armenians live in Azerbaijan
beyond the occupied lands and they are fully fledged citizens of
the country.

"The issue of separatism in Nagorno-Karabakh is not an idea of
the Armenian people," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said. "This
is a product developed by the political leadership of Armenia and
supported by representatives of the Armenian diaspora, which is far
removed from the daily problems and sufferings of its people both
in Armenia and the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, some
people have become hostages to the unpromising policy of the Armenian
authorities who pursue the interests of a small group of people that
do not think of the future of their own people."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PREPARES ANTI-CRISIS PROGRAM

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

The oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) pays great attention
not only to political matters but to economical and social ones,
said at press-conference coordinator of Armenian National Congress
Levon Zurabyan. He also pointed that this year’s January-September
mark cutback of economic activity by 18%.

"Armenia holds the record for economic recession. This demands on an
explanation," he said blaming authorities for providing benefits for
some oligarchs involved in import deals.

Armenia’s economy is in a great dependence on foreign transfers which
have decreased over past months because of crisis. "If transfers
decline by 40-50%, Armenia’s economy will face collapse. In this
case the authorities should provide low pricing, otherwise people
will not be able even to pay utility bills," he said.

According to Levon Zurabyan winter will bring some social impairing.

Meanwhile, Armenian National Congress is developing anti-crisis
program and will present it soon, he announced.

FORMER US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE STEPHEN OXMAN: "THERE IS A NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE INCREASE OF TERRORISM IN THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH AREA"

APA
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. Former Assistant Secretary of US State
for European Affairs Stephen Oxman believes that there is a need for
international assistance to prevent the increase of terrorism in the
Nagorno-Karabakh area, APA US bureau reports.

Speaking to APA’s US correspondent he pointed out that Azerbaijani
territory Nagorno-Karabakh which is occupied by Armenians is right
now uncontrolled. "Azerbaijani authorities are often stressing that
this area is open for free terrorism activity. Baku can raise this
issue on international level. Azerbaijan has a special interest in
being cooperative with other nations of the international community,
because otherwise they risk of getting forgotten about in the bigger
constellation of world affairs".

Former Assistant Secretary believes that "it would be an excellent
opportunity for Azerbaijan to cooperate with the international
community to control Nagorno-Karabakh area: "Especially taking into
consideration that Baku joined all 12 international conventions on
counter-terrorism and reinforces regional cooperation on fighting
terrorism through signing numerous agreements and participating in the
activities of regional organizations such as NATO, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, and others. Azerbaijan also was
amongst the first countries to offer the United States unconditional
support in the war against terrorism, in Afghanistan".

Speaking about options to provide a control by the international
society for Nagorno-Karabakh territory, US analyst brought out three
factors. "First of all, it is important that Azerbaijan takes up its
own role by continuing the peace talks with Armenia and seeing if some
settlement can be reached, and second by actively soliciting the help
from the international community so that Azerbaijan is not isolated
from the rest of the world. A cooperative spirit should bear fruits".

AZERBAIJANI, TURKISH DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS IN EUROPE OPPOSE OPENING OF TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER

Today
355.html
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani and Turkish diaspora organizations in Europe will hold
a joint meeting to oppose the opening of Turkish-Armenian border,
Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Diaspora said.

"Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Diaspora initiated the meeting given
numerous appeals from Azerbaijani and Turkish communities in Europe,"
the committee said in a statement.

The meeting to be held in Frankfurt on Nov. 21-22 will be organized
by the Congress of Azerbaijanis in Europe and Coordinating Council
of Azerbaijan-Turkey Diaspora Organizations.

Representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas in Europe have
appealed to the committee voicing concerns over protocols signed
between Turkey and Armenia in Zurich on Oct. 10 to establish diplomatic
relations and open Turkish-Armenian border.

"Diaspora organizations unequivocally oppose opening of
Turkish-Armenian border till the solution of the Karabakh problem,"
the committee said.

Meeting of diaspora organizations in Frankfurt will focus on three
themes – "Azerbaijan-Turkey: a common history, common interests
and common challenges", "Integration of Azerbaijan and Turkey to
the world of globalization: Realities, problems and prospects",
"Cooperation between Diaspora organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey:
current level of development and prospects. "

Europe-Azerbaijan Information Center will be presented and an
initiative group of women’s organizations Europe-Azerbaijan will be
set up during the meeting.

The two-day meeting will be attended by representatives of Azerbaijani
governmental agencies and members of parliament.

ARMENIA’S FOREIGN STATE DEBTS TO MAKE UP AMD 3.5 BILLION BY THE END OF 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2009 13:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By the end of 2010, Armenia’s foreign state debts
will make up AMD 3 billion, Gagik Minasyan, Chair of NA Committee on
Financial-Budgetary Affairs, told today a news conference in Yerevan.

In that connection he said that Armenia’s 2009 foreign state debts
comprise AMD 3 billion instead of the AMD 1.5 billion registered last
year and is expected to increase to AMD 3.5 billion by the end of 2010.

With regard to GDP – foreign debt ratio, Head of parliamentary
committee said it will make up 31% by the end of 2009 instead of the
13% registered last year and will increase to 41% in 2010.

Maximum ratio, in accordance with international norms, should not
exceed 50% barrier, Minasyan added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONITORING OF ARMENIAN-AZERI CONTACT LINE PASSES OFF WITHOUT INCIDENT

news.az
Nov 10 2009
Azerbaijan

OSCE Monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE)have inspected a southern section of the contact line
between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces.

The monitoring was conducted near Azerbaijan’s Fizuli – Horadiz
road and passed off without incident, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry
spokesman Teymur Abdullayev said on Tuesday.

Imre Palatinus and Vladimir Chountulov, field assistants of the
personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office, conducted
the monitoring on the Azerbaijani side.

Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal representative of the OSCE
chairperson-in-office, and his field assistants, Jiri Aberleh, Peter
Key and Jaslan Nurtazin, conducted the monitoring on the opposite
side of the contact line, which is internationally recognized as the
territory of Azerbaijan.