Month: November 2009

CSTO INSTITUTE BRANCH TO OPEN IN YEREVAN

news.am
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

Today, Nov. 24, 2009 solemn opening of Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) Institute branch will be held in Yerevan. The
objectives of the Institute are studying of political and social
situation in CSTO member states, as well as provision of public
awareness on CSTO activities.

The institute will also ensure cooperation with other international
structures, research foundations and institutes for strategic studies.

CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha, currently in Armenia on a
visit will also attend the opening ceremony. Several branches of the
institute will also open in Caucasus till this year end.

November 24, a round-table meeting on "CSTO as a stability and security
factor in Caucasian region" will be held in Yerevan.

Political analysts, experts, as well as CSTO Institute and
international organizations’ representatives will take part in the
meeting.

SOUTH CAUCASUS NEEDS "HELSINKI-TYPE" SECURITY CONFERENCE
Leyla Tagiyeva

news.az
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Alexandros Petersen News.Az interviews Alexandros Petersen, Dinu
Patriciu fellow for Transatlantic Energy Security and associate
director of the Eurasia Energy Centre at US think-tank the Atlantic
Council.

How do you see the state of the Karabakh conflict settlement process,
considering recent events?

There is no doubt that the Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia is not only of bilateral but also of regional concern,
since Turkey is now normalizing relations with Armenia which affects
the situation. Russia is involved in the process, supplying Armenia
with money and arms. Moreover, this assistance is provided at the
diplomatic level. We should not forget Iran either.

Another factor that makes the conflict of international concern is
the interest of the superpowers, primarily, the United States, the
transatlantic community and the EU in its resolution.

We should also realize that not only the West but also the East –
the countries from the other side of the Caspian Sea and further to
the East – are interested in the settlement.

Azerbaijani authorities call the conflict a threat not only to regional
but also international security. Do you agree with this?

Yes, this conflict is a hindrance to the East-West transportation
corridor from Asia to Europe. So there is no doubt that this
is an international conflict. To be honest, it should not be
viewed as a purely regional problem. It is odd that despite the
international importance of this problem, little is being done to
achieve a settlement, at least by the countries that call themselves
"superpowers". I think Russia plays a big role here, hampering progress
on the part of the Minsk Group, but there are other reasons too.

What changes are needed to make the superpowers take effective measures
to settle the conflict?

There are several important aspects here. First of all, we should
step up the work of the Minsk Group, especially the United States and
France. Moreover, we should let Turkey become active in the process
as a Minsk Group member and a country that plays an important role,
especially in relations with Armenia. I think these three powers –
the United States, France and Turkey – should put consolidated pressure
on Russia to play a constructive role in the Minsk process.

But Russia has repeatedly proposed several initiatives on settlement of
the problem, in particular, promoting meetings between the presidents.

Yes, in recent years we have seen Russia playing a leading role here
by promoting high level meetings, including between the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia without involving other Minsk Group co-chairs.

Yet, in the current situation, Russia’s attempts to become the only
arbiter in the conflict settlement are counterproductive. Therefore,
we should strengthen the Minsk process and put pressure on Russia
not to replace this process.

There is another aspect related to the medium and long-term. In order
to achieve a settlement of the conflict, regional integration and
cooperation between the three states in the South Caucasus, a kind of
a conference on regional security based on the Helsinki process needs
to be created. I think by doing this we would achieve settlement not
only of the Karabakh problem but also the South Ossetian and Abkhaz
conflicts, thereby promoting the interests of all the aforementioned
superpowers.

ARMENIAN AND ITALIAN FMS DISCUSSED VISA REGIME

news.am
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

November 23, in the frames of his working visit to Italy RA FM Edward
Nalbandyan met with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini. Italian
FM underlined that his country is interested in the development of
cooperation with Armenia and is ready to take effective steps in
this direction. The officials discussed Armenia-EU cooperation in
various fields, the measures taken towards the promotion of bilateral
collaboration in the frames of European neighborhood policy and
Eastern partnership program.

Frattini welcomed the activities on Armenia-Turkey reconciliation,
expressing hope that Protocols will be ratified shortly entailing
the border opening.

Nalbandyan and Frattini discussed the facilitation of visa
regime between EU and Armenia, noting it will contribute to the
intensification of ties.

RA Foreign Minister presented the recent developments in Karabakh
conflict settlement and the outcomes of Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents’ meeting in Munich. Receiving invitation to visit Yerevan,
Frattini assured that plans to arrive in Armenia in the first half
of 2010.

The Foreign Ministers signed a number of agreements before the meeting.

ARMENIAN, TURKISH SPEAKERS MEET IN MOSCOW

Aysor
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament Hovhannes Abrahamyan met with his
Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Sahin yesterday in Moscow, Parliament’s
press office reports.

The parties spoke about last developing in process of reconciliation.

Mr. Abrahamyan stressed that Armenian side considers it necessary to
ratify Armenian-Turkish protocols in reasonable time. The parties have
praised joint work done by Armenian and Turkish Presidents and said
those works created a good basis for establishing friendly relations
between the two peoples.

"The parties agreed to encourage direct contacts between people and
said is necessary to try to establish relations between Parliaments.

The two sides have highly praised the meeting and expressed hope that
reasons for new meetings will appear," said spokesman.

THE INTELLECTUALS PRESENTED THEIR PROBLEMS TO ARTAK DAVTYAN

Aysor
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

Yesterday Artak Davtyan, the Member of Parliament, the Chairman of
the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport
of the National Assembly received Astghik Gevorgyan, the chairman of
the Armenian Union of Journalists, Levon Ananyan, the chairman of
the Armenian Union of Writers, Karen Aghamyan, the chairman of the
Armenian Union of Painters, Robert Amirkhanyan the chairman of the
Armenian Union of Composers, Mkrtich Minasyan the chairman of the
Armenian Architects, Rudolf Vatinyan the Secretary of the Armenian
Union of the Cinematographs and Sona Meloyan secretary of the Union
of the Armenian theater workers.

As the RA NA public relations department informs the Chairman of
the Standing Committee Artak Davtyan congratulated composer Robert
Amirkahnyan on his jubilee and wished him a fruitful work. He offered
the intellectuals of Armenia to present the problems concerning them
which, as was promised, were to be presented to the spokesman of the
NA Hovik Abrahamyan and possible solutions would be given.

Astghik Gevorgyan, the chairman of the Armenian Union of Journalists,
informed that lately the Government is circulating the changes made
in the RA "Law about the Public Organizations" and the RA Law project
of making additions where changes that are to be done there concern
the activities of the Arts Unions and cause anxiety.

The activity of the Armenian Art Unions is being regulated by the
"RA Law about the Public Organizations". Those who were present
considered some changes in the law offensive for their dignity.

As a result of the discussion the president of the Committee Artak
Davtyan has suggested to present distinct suggestions which will be
discussed in the NA corresponding committees and in parliamentary
audiences.

The chairman of the committee Artak Davtyan and the heads of the
Art Unions were of the same opinions that having a law about the Art
Unions and artists is necessary.

NA VICE PRESIDENT AREVIK PETROSYAN PARTICIPATES IN THE EURO-ASIA ECONOMIC FORUM IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

National Assembly
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

The delegation led by the Vice-President of the National Assembly
Mrs. Arevik Petrosyan was in the city of Xi’an of the People’s
Republic of China (PRC) on an official visit on November 13-19 to
take part in the 2009 Euro-Asia Economic Forum on the theme Hand in
Hand Cooperation and the Boosting of the Economic Development.

During the opening ceremony of the big representation forum, where
the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China also attended,
NA Vice President Mrs. Areviik Petrosyan delivered a speech. She, in
particular, highly assessed the development of the Armenian-Chinese
relations, expressed her gratitude to China for support shown to
Armenia’s social-economic development and expressed hope that it would
be continuous, and new joint economic projects will be carried out.

Mrs. Petrosyan presented the Armenian realities of overcoming the
financial-economic crisis and the conditions of developing economic
cooperation with the concerned sides.

Within the framework of the visit Mrs. Petrosyan met with the leading
representatives of the Shaanxi Province of the People’s Republic of
China and discussed issues of strengthening bilateral relations and
further development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: NO ONE CAN SAY WHEN THE PROTOCOLS WILL BE RATIFIED

news.az
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Mehmet Ali Shahin "We want to normalize relations with all our
neighbors including Armenia.

Now the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia are in the Medjlis
commission on external ties. But no one, including me, can say when
they will be ratified", speaker of Turkish Parliament Mehmet Ali Shahin
said in Moscow after the meeting with his Armenian counterpart Hovik
Abramyan within the framework of the sitting in the BSEC Parliamentary
Assembly, CNN-Turk reports.

The Turkish speaker also met with Azerbaijani and Russian counterparts
Oqtay Asadov and Boris Grizlov.

MILLI MAJLIS FIRST VICE SPEAKER RECEIVED A MEMBER OF UK’S HOUSE OF LORDS

Azerbaijan Business Center
Nov 24 2009

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Ziafet Askerov, the first vice speaker of Milli
Majlis (Azerbaijan’s parliament), received yesterday in John Desmond
Forbes Waverley, a member of the UK’s House of Lords

The parliament’s press service reports that the sides covered the
situation with settlement of Nagorno Garabagh conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Askerov replied the Lord’s questions. The meeting
also involved Samed Seyidov, the head of the Parliamentary Committee
for International & Inter-Parliamentary Relations.

TURKISH DIASPORA IN EUROPE OPPOSES OPENING OF BORDERS WITH ARMENIA

news.az
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Representatives of the Coordination Council of the Azerbaijani and
Turkish Diaspora Organizations consider it incorrect to open borders
with Armenia without the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

By results of a joint sitting of the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Europe
and the Coordination Council of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora
organizations in Frankfurt, the participants drew up an appeal to
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

According to the Hurriyet newspaper, the appeal says that the
Azerbaijani and Turkish people are close to each other and they have
always adhered to single positions.

"We, the representatives of the Coordination Council of the Azerbaijani
and Turkish Diaspora organizations, consider it incorrect to open
the border between Turkey and Armenia without the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict. We also oppose the protocols on normalization of
ties signed between Turkey and Armenia, because Armenia continues
putting territorial claims to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

We, the Turkish diaspora of Europe, ask the leaders of the two
fraternal countries to make everything possible to preserve these
relations for future generations", the appeal says.

US CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL E. MCMAHON: BOTH USA AND RUSSIA ARE INTERESTED IN ADJUSTING THE CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

APA
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. APA’s Washington correspondent’s
interview with US congressman Michael E. McMahon

– How would you estimate the current development in the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the Armenia-Turkey normalization?

– The basic truth of a question, nevertheless, is that Turkey supports
close relations with Azerbaijan, and within many decades a problem
of communications between Turkey and Armenia has been adhered to the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. It would be naïve to think that the
signing of the protocols in October would eliminate this historical
context.

A timeline still has to be set for the protocols to be ratified by
Turkish or Armenian governments. But by this I don’t mean, however,
that the signing in Switzerland was not a huge step forward for
both countries.

Ultimately, Turkey and Armenia have been working together on this
issue, and I believe that the opening of the border would do wonders
for Armenia’s economy and political outlook. Turkey, which has asked
for nothing in return, is a critical US ally. And if the protocol
documents can bring Armenia closer to the West and at the same time
closer to a political solution to resolving Nagorno-Karabakh, I would
support that.

– There are beliefs in the region that the "key" countries play
an important role in conflicts adjustment. Barak Obama and Dmitri
Medvedev have met again, discussing numerous issues, including frozen
conflicts and security. How do you see the cooperation between US
and Russia on these issues?

– It is critical that the United States and Russia maintain an open
dialogue and work together to prevent nuclear dangers throughout the
world. For example, global nonproliferation efforts cannot succeed
without a new START treaty by the December deadline. Both the United
States and Russia, due to their roles throughout the later twentieth
century as global energy suppliers and leaders in arms sales, hold an
incredible amount of stock in this fight. Their coordinated efforts
to monitor the actions of other parties are not only beneficial,
but necessary for global security.

Global nonproliferation, however, is not the only mutual area of
interest for these two countries. They also share an interest in the
Caucuses, as well, and I am fully supportive of the protocols being
signed between Turkey and Armenia. As this process moves forward,
Azerbaijan will play a role as well. In Ankara, Philip Gordon mentioned
that it is unlikely that progress between Armenia and Turkey will occur
without progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both USA and Russia
are interested in adjusting the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Again,
cooperation between the United States and Russia will pave the road
to peace in this region and greater energy security that reaches far
beyond the Caucuses.

– It has been more than one year after the Georgia war, do you think
there are still risks for new tensions present in the region?

– The conflict in Georgia has unfortunately alienated many of
our Eastern European allies and increased instability in not just
that country, but in the Ukraine and in many other former Soviet
satellites. I whole-heartedly believe that these nations are autonomous
and must be treated as such. There have been several reports in the
past few days indicating that tensions are growing in this region. The
Georgian people are incredibly divided over their allegiances and
there seems to be no sign of an ease in this tension.

What I find to be the most unfortunate aspect of this conflict is
that both sides acted brashly and have widened an already existing gap.

This fact, of course, also leaves the United States in a difficult
position, as well.

I feel that the United States can play a constructive role in this
conflict through greater cooperation with Russia. I would stress that
the situation in Georgia is incredibly fragile, so such talks with
Russia should be conducted away from the public eye in order to avoid
alienating any of the parties and increasing tensions further. I do
feel, however, that the United States, Russia and Georgia should work
together to address the conflict and the future of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. As it stands, the heightened tensions are only creating
an incredible strain on the international community and the Georgian
people.