Month: November 2009

LACK OF SCIENCE FUNDING, SAYS ARMENIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES PRESIDENT

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

In Armenia, funding for the sciences reaches 8 billion AMD, which is
less than 1% of the state budget expenditures, National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) President Radik Martirosyan told journalists today.

According to Martirosyan, all over the world, the amount of science
funding is calculated not by the state budget’s expenses, but by its
percentage in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Martirosyan presented
some data to compare science funding in Armenia to that in the rest
of the world.

Thus, science funding comprises 4% of the GDP in "developed" (editor’s
use of quotes here) countries and only 0.2% in Armenia. Among Armenia’s
neighbouring countries, in Georgia and Azerbaijan namely, the figure
is higher: 0.5% of GDP.

Martirosyan also added that according to international criteria,
annual expenses spent for a single scientist (including his or her
salary) amount to 120-130 thousand EUR, as compared to only 3, 000
EUR in Armenia.

Martirosyan added that the issue is also included in the 2020
Science Development Strategy. In this document, which, according to
Martirosyan, is rather declarative, gives preliminary estimates of
the desired financing.

According to president of the National Academy of Sciences, in 2020,
science funding will increase up to 2% of the GDP, which means that
the present funding amount will increase ten-fold.

Martirosyan also stated the general discussion on Science Development
Strategy will be held in December.

ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT DOESN’T HARM THIRD PARTY, SAYS RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Armenia and Turkey are friendly countries for Russia; therefore, Moscow
is interested in the establishment of good neighbourly relations
between the two countries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy
Karasin stated in his interview to Armenian Russian-language paper
Respublika Armenia (Republic of Armenia).

According to Karasin, Armenia-Turkey dialogue cannot be interpreted
as harm done to a third party.

He also said that he is ready to support the establishment process
of the two countries’ relations in future as well, maintaining his
cooperation both with Armenia and Turkey.

"First and foremost, this refers to the sectors of energy and
transport-communication. The Russian JSC INTER RAO UES, which owns
assets in Armenia, is involved in energy supply to Turkey. JSC Russian
Railways is prepared to ensure smooth railway communication between
the two countries through Dogu Kapi-Akhuryan border crossing point.

There are also other projects, the implementation of which may
have a positive impact on the Armenian and Turkish population,"
the diplomat said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIFFICULTIES IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS NO IMPACT ON ARMENIA-NATO PARTNERSHIP

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

The difficulties that Turkey and Armenia have had in their bilateral
relationship weren’t "serious obstacles" to the development of
NATO-Armenia relations in the past, NATO Secretary General Andres Fog
Rasmussen stated in his interview to Azerbaijani news source Day.az.

"Armenia has been a member of the Partnership for Peace Programme
since 1994 and NATO-Armenia relations have been developing steadily
for a considerable period of time now. So I do not think there is a
direct link between the two processes."

Besides, Rasmussen stated that the current efforts by Armenia and
Turkey to establish relations can have a beneficial effect not only
on the further development of NATO’s ties with Armenia, but also on
regional security as a whole.

ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS RATIFIED IN ALL LIKELIHOOD: RUSSIAN ANALYST

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols, in all likelihood, will be ratified,
and after a certain period, the two countries’ border will open, said
Alexei Vlaslov, general director of the Russian Center of Post-Soviet
Studies at Moscow State University, in an interview with Azerbaijan
news agency Day.az.

Explaining Russian’s opinion on what influence Armenia-Turkey dialogue
can have on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Vlaslov noted that on an
official level, Russia’s leadership formulates its position with the
utmost care and that is completely justified.

"Here is the ‘don’t harm’ principle at work where any unconsiderate
word, any negligent expression stated by a participant-state in the
settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus can be interpreted
differently and lead to negative consequences. In my opinion,
Moscow’s official position at this moment is completely justified,"
added the director.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY’S FOREIGN POLICY NOT SHIFTING COURSE, SAYS ERDOGAN

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Turkish prime minister has dismissed claims that Turkey’s foreign
policy was shifting course, reports Turkish news agency Anadolu Ajansi.

"Turkey’s foreign policy is not shifting direction, its axis or
course. But it is normalizing and taking concrete and decisive steps
forward to a level as it should. And it becomes ever more important
and effective," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday at a meeting of
his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Erdogan said Turkey was committed on its European Union membership
bid despite what he described as "unfair and discouraging attitudes."

"We are on track with our EU accession process and it is out of the
question that we quit making reforms. The fact that our direction leads
toward the West and our sincere efforts for EU membership do not mean
that we turn our backs on the east or the north. Turkey’s foreign
policy is built on peace, dialogue, cooperation and communication,"
Erdogan said.

WASHINGTON THREATENS AZERBAIJAN WITH RECOGNITION OF KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Washington basically set a firm ultimatum to Azerbaijan, making it
understood that "should Azerbaijan attempt to take military action
in Nagorno-Karabakh, the U.S. will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh’s
independence," announced Azerbaijan’s opposition party Yeni Musavat
Tuesday, noting this information on its website, reports Russian news
source newsru.com.

In Baku, they insist that the U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary
Tina Kaidanow recently responded to Baku’s oft-stated military
statements. In addition, according to the same sources, the Americans
insist that they know that Azerbaijan is preparing for war.

In observers’ opinions, Azerbaijan’s military rhetoric is connected
with the fact thatAzerbaijan’s territorial integrity is not discussed
during negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as it is demanded
by Ilham Aliyev.

New Region news agency, referring to the topic, highlights an important
fact: Tina Kaidanow before taking her present post was U.S.

Special Representative in Kosovo, and is considered "one of the key
architects of the Kosovo scenario."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YEREVAN: ARTISTS DONATE WORKS TO CAPITAL CITY

Tert
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

An exhibit of works by Armenian artists has opened in Yerevan’s History
Museum, which can be found in the city hall building. The exhibit,
called "Happy Birthday, Yerevan," includes 64 works by contemporary
artists, who have donated their works to the beloved city.

Exhibited artists include such names as Artists’ Union of Armenia
President Karen Aghamyan, and contemporary artists Ara Haytayan,
Arman Grigoryan, Teni Vardanyan, and Artur Sargysan, among others.

"This is an interesting event, which must set an example for others,
since Yerevan is everyone’s home," noted Yerevan city mayor Gagik
Beglaryan during the opening ceremony.

In Beglaryan’s words, there are 88 items on display in Yerevan’s
History Museum (not to be confused with the National History Museum
found in Republic Square), a part of which are art works by well-known
Armenian artists.

Karen Aghamyan added that this is already the second such initiatve.

The first time a similar exhibit took place was in Lachin. The
president of the Artists’ Union of Armenia also expressed hope that,
in the future, the exhibited works will be displayed as well in a
separate gallery room.

KARABAKH WON’T SURRENDER LIBERATED TERRITORIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 14:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Citizens of Nagorno Karabakh won’t surrender the
liberated territories, said Jivan Avetisyan, director of "Smoking
Fuse", the first documentary on Madrid Principles.

"We decided to shoot a film regarding the recent political developments
in Armenia. The day may come when we confront with a fait accompli
on Karabakh issue," Avetisyan told a news conference on Nov. 4.

He said he tried to be maximally impartial when presenting the opinion
of Karabakh people on the Madrid Document.

"Madrid Principles envisage withdrawal of Armenian troops from the
territories liberated by our soldiers and return of Azeri refugees
there. What will happen then? Azerbaijan will meddle with Karabakh
affairs and the tragedy will repeat. If we surrender territories,
Baku will want more. Madrid Document is a mine which will explode in
Armenia sooner or later if Yerevan doesn’t reject it," Avetisyan said.

PROJECT OF WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEM RECONSTRUCTION IN AN ARMENIAN VILLAGE PRESENTED IN BAGNO A RIPOLI

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Project of water-supply system reconstruction in
Aygabac village of Shirak region of Armenia was presented Tuesday in
Bagno a Ripoli, Italy. The 300-thousand euro project is financed by EU.

Pupils of Bagno a Ripoli staged a performance about Armenia’s history.

Armenian ambassador to Italy Ruben Karapetyan thanked for the
performance and stressed the importance of cooperation between the
two countries

RUSSIA SENSING THREAT FROM ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 17:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia-Turkey rapprochement protocols pose
many threats to Armenia, specifically in NKR conflict settlement
issue, Armenian Communist Party Leader Ruben Tovmasyan told a
news conference in Yerevan. He expressed RA CP’s protest against
Protocols’ signing and ratification. Nevertheless, Ruben Tovmasyan
noted that documents will in all probability be ratified by Armenian
and Turkish Parliaments. Protocols signing ceremony in Zurich suggested
superpowers’ pressure on Armenia in the issue.

"Today, Turkey trying its best to force Moscow out of the region, so as
to emerge as a regional leader. We must remember that Armenia-Turkey
border is protected by Russian border guards, and Russia has made
significant investments to improve its military base in Armenia,"
Ruben Tovmasyan emphasized. He noted that Moscow feels the threat
posed by Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, and Armenia must preserve the
"sacred friendship with Russia".