Month: September 2013

SERZH SARGSYAN: THERE ARE PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA WHICH NEED RESOLVING

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, September 3, 18:07

Many problems have been accumulated between Armenia and Russia
which need discussion and adoption of decisions for enhancing of
our relations, and of course, for positive processes, President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said during the meeting with President of
Russia, Vladimir Putin in Novo-Ogarevo, 3 September, as an official
website of the Kremlin reported.

“The relations between Armenia and Russia have been built at
centuries-long traditions of friendship and fraternity between the
peoples of our countries. And I am confident that these relations will
go on developing in the course of mutual understanding, according
to the Treaty for Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. I
am confident that every generation of the Armenians and the Russians
should do their bit in the history of these relations. We value these
relations and shall do everything possible for their development. This
is an absolute priority for us”, – President Sargsyan said.

At the same time. president of Armenia said several problems are
available in the relations between Armenia and Russia which need to
be resolved, for these relations to raise to a new higher level. He
added that he arrived in Moscow just for this reason.

For his part, President of Russia Vladimir Putin thanked his Armenian
counterpart for accepting an invitation and said he is happy for
the intensively developing relations between the two countries
practically in all the directions. “We have frequent contacts between
our parliaments, governments, business-structures. To be honest,
I hope for the positive result in this context as well. As for the
economy, commodity circulation has grown by more than 23%. Russia
remains the first trade and economic partner of Armenia, and this
tendency will be preserved”, – Putin said.

ARMENIA TO JOIN THE CUSTOMS UNION

18:37 03.09.2013

Armenia said Tuesday it has decided to join the customs Union and
participate in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. The
decision was announced after a meeting between Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Moscow.

“The presidents reaffirmed the resoluteness of the Russian Federation
and the Republic of Armenia on the further development of economic
integration in the Eurasian territory,” read a joint statement adopted
upon the outcome of the meeting.

“In this context, President Serzh Sargsyan said Armenia had decided
to join the customs union and take the necessary practical steps to
subsequently participate in the formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union.”

PHOTO EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ARTSAKH LIBERTY WAR WAS OPENED IN YEREVAN

20:18, 3 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Supreme body of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation on September 2-7 organizes a series of events
dedicated to Nagorno-Karabakh independence anniversary. “Armenpress”
reports that on September 3 in Yerevan was opened photo exhibition
dedicated to Artsakh liberty war.

“This year is 22nd year of Artsakh independence and 25 anniversary of
Artsakh movement. On occasion of these events ARF initiated a series
of events which kicked of on September 2 in Yerablur. In Northern
Avenue for other four days will be introduced photos dedicated to
liberty fight,” mentioned chief of staff of ARF Armenian Supreme body
Artak Aghbalyan.

Until September 7 is planned to organize a meeting with liberty
fighters, open lecture on Artsakh reorganization which will be probably
held by Giro Manoyan, discussions will also be organized.

ARF Supreme body also plans organizing of lessons of national,
revolutionary songs.

At the last day of the events will be shown Jivan Avetisyan’s film
“Interrupted childhood”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA IS THE REGIONAL LEADER AMONG INTERNET USERS

19:27, 3 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenia is the leader in South
Caucasus by internet usage indicators. About this fact speak the
results of The 2012 Caucasus Barometer research implemented by
“Caucasian Research Resource center” in Armenia, Georgia and
Azerbaijan. “Armenpress” reports that The 2012 Caucasus Barometer
research reveals that under half of each population uses the internet
once a week or more, and within that 33% of Armenians, 26% of Georgians
and 11% of Azerbaijanis use it every day. While internet use is more
common in Armenia, its usage has increased in all three countries since
2010. Additionally, internet use is more common among men than women,
among capital residents, and among those 18-35 years old.

Although internet usage is increasing in each country, over half
of each population does not use the internet. Lack of need for the
internet is the primary reason in Armenia and Azerbaijan, whereas lack
of access to a computer is the primary reason that people do not use
the internet in Georgia. Additionally, about a quarter of Azerbaijanis
indicate that they are not interested in using the internet (24%)
or have no way to connect (20%).

Those who use the internet were asked to name their most frequent
activities online. The majority of people in Georgia and about half
in Armenia and Azerbaijan mentioned social networking sites such
as Odnoklassniki, Facebook and Myspace. Searching for information
was also frequently mentioned, as was using Skype, particularly
in Armenia. The data also shows that Azerbaijanis more frequently
download, listen to and watch music and videos, as well as receive
or send emails than in their Caucasian neighbors. Other internet
activities such as playing online games, visiting dating websites,
blogging, shopping or engaging in forum discussions were not frequently
mentioned and thus remain less popular in the region.

ARMENIA PREPARING FOR MEMBERSHIP IN CUSTOMS UNION

20:50 03.09.13

At Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan paid a working visit to Russia on September 3, 2013.

Presidents Putin and Sargsyan expressed their satisfaction with the
positive dynamics of Russian-Armenian political, trade and economic,
military and technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

They re-affirmed their commitment to the principles incorporated
in the Agreement on friendship cooperation and mutual aid signed on
August 29, 1997, as well as to the Declaration on allied cooperation
in the 21st century, signed on September 26, 2006.

During the talks the Armenian and Russian leaders thoroughly discussed
the state and prospects of bilateral partnership and foreign policy
cooperation.

The Armenian and Russian presidents re-affirmed their commitment to a
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in cooperation
with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the basis of principles of
equality and peoples’ right to self-determination, nonuse of force
or threat of force and territorial integrity of states, all of which
make a single whole.

The sides stated their willingness for further consolidation and
improvement of cooperation in politico-military and military and
technical areas.

The two presidents expressed their willingness for the implementation
of bilateral projects to modernize and diversify Armenia’s economy
and strengthen the country’s security.

The Armenian and Russian presidents stressed the importance of
extending the operation of the Armenian nuclear-power plant and of a
new NPP construction project. The sides reached an agreement on the
supply of energy carriers to Armenia.

The Armenian and Russian leaders stressed the importance of further
efforts to implement infrastructure projects, including railway
communication and construction of new communication lines.

The sides emphasized consistent implementation of the long-term
economic cooperation program until 2020.

A joint statement by the Armenian and Russian presidents

During their talks in Moscow, Russia, on September 3, 2013, Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
discussed the state and prospects of bilateral partnership and foreign
policy cooperation.

The presidents confirmed the two nations’ aim, namely, further
development of economic integration in the Eurasia area.

In this context, President Serzh Sargsyan announced Armenia’s decision
to join the Customs Union and take the necessary steps with a view
to being involved in forming the Eurasian economic union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support to the Armenian
president’s decision and stressed Russia’s willingness to assist
the process.

SARKISIAN OPTS FOR RUSSIAN-LED ECONOMIC UNIONS

Presidents Sarkisian and Putin meet Tuesday in Russia

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-In a dramatic about-face that will almost certainly
scuttle Armenia’s Association Agreement with the European Union,
President Serzh Sarkisian announced on Tuesday his decision to join
a Russian-led union of ex-Soviet states after a meeting with Russia’s
President Vladimir Putin.

A joint statement issued after the talks held near Moscow said
Sarkisian informed Putin about “the decision of the Republic of
Armenia to join the Customs Union” of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan
and “take necessary practical steps for that purpose.” The statement
added that Yerevan will also “participate in the formation of the
Eurasian Economic Union,” which Putin hopes will bring together a
larger number of former Soviet republics loyal Moscow.

Sarkisian confirmed the unexpected U-turn at a joint news conference.

“I confirmed Armenia’s desire to join the Customs Union and get
involved in the process of the formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union,” he said.

Explaining the “rational decision,” Sarkisian pointed to Armenia’s
membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a
Russian-led military alliance. “I have repeatedly said before that when
you are part of one system of military security it is impossible and
ineffective to isolate yourself from a corresponding economic space,”
he said in remarks posted on his website.

“This decision is not an abandonment of our dialogue with European
structures,” added the Armenian leader. He said his government remains
committed to “institutional reforms” sought by those structures but
made no mention of the planned Association Agreement with the EU.

EU officials have repeatedly made clear that the agreement is “not
compatible” with possible Armenian membership of the Russian-led
trade bloc. The authorities in Yerevan seem to have accepted this
precondition, speeding up the association talks with Brussels this
year.

The EU’s executive body, the European Commission, announced
“substantive completion” of the talks in late July.” It said the
Association Agreement will be initialed at an EU summit in Vilnius
in November.

The prospect of such a deal has triggered growing Russian pressure
on Yerevan over the past year. A host of Russian pundits close to
the Kremlin have warned in recent months that its signing would cause
irreparable damage to Russian-Armenian ties and military cooperation in
particular. One of them, Konstantin Zatulin, was quoted by the Moscow
daily “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” as saying ahead of Putin’s latest talks
with Sarkisian that Armenia risks the kind of “negative consequences”
that are currently facing Ukraine, another ex-Soviet state planning
to sign an Association Agreement with the EU.

Russia briefly banned imports of most Ukrainian goods last month in
what was widely seen as a warning to Ukraine.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS TO TAKE BILATERAL TIES TO NEW LEVEL

September 3, 2013 – 18:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Moscow hosted a meeting between the Presidents of
Armenia Russia, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, with the latter
welcoming the active development of bilateral ties, Kremlin press
service said.

At the meeting, the Russian leader specifically stressed the economic
cooperation, with the trade turnover between the countries topping
23%. “Russia is Armenia’s key trade and economy partner, with the
tendency remaining unchanged,” Putin added.

As the Armenian President, in turn, noted, a number of pending issues
need to be discussed to strengthen bilateral ties and promote positive
development. The President expressed hope for the age-long friendly
and fraternal relations between Armenia and Russia to continue in
accordance with the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual
Assistance.

“Relations with Russia are an absolute priority for Armenia and we’ll
take every effort to see them develop. However, there are also some
issues that need to be resolved to take our ties to a new level,”
President Sargsyan said.

Earlier, Russian President’s aide said that the prospects of the
Armenia-Russia cooperation within Customs Union and Unified Economic
Space will be discussed during the September 3 Moscow-hosted meeting
between both countries’ leaders.

“Development of international processes in the CIS, multilateral
cooperation within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
will be discussed, as well as provision of stability in Transcaucasia,
including the Karabakh conflict settlement efforts,” Yuri Ushakov said.

Prior to the meeting, Armenian as well as foreign experts were tying to
forecast the agenda of a meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin. Some believed that the Armenian leader was expected to pick
between the Customs Union and EU Associated Membership, choosing
between Russia and Europe.

Thus, Sargsyan will have to persuade Putin that the economic element
of the Association Agreement won’t lead to changes in the military
and political sector of cooperation.

Other experts believe the Karabakh conflict settlement in the light
of the oncoming presidential election in Azerbaijan to become the
key issue of the meeting agenda.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: WE DON’T REJECT DIALOG WITH EUROPEAN STRUCTURES

Armenia’s desire to join the Customs Union is a rational decision
which is not a rejection of the dialog with European structures.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made that statement during today’s
meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking about Armenia’s intention to enter the Customs Union and take
part in the process of forming the Eurasian Economic Union, President
Sargsyan said: “It is a rational decision. This decision stems from
Armenia’s national interests. The decision is not a rejection of
our dialog with European structures. With the support of European
partners, Armenia has implemented a number of serious institutional
reforms. In this sense, present-day Armenia is a much more productive
and competitive state than it was years ago. We intend to continue
these reforms in the future, too”.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA SIGNALS MOVE TOWARDS RUSSIA-LED EURASIAN UNION

News | 03.09.13 | 19:39

Photo:

Armenia has decided to join the Customs Union and later participate
in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union, the presidents of
Armenia and Russia, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, said in a
joint statement following their talks in Moscow today.

The Russian president’s official website kremlin.ru says during
the talks at Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow the
sides discussed at full length the current state and prospects of
bilateral allied partnership, issues connected with cooperation in
the foreign-policy domain.

“We conducted a detailed exchange of opinions on issues of Eurasian
integration and I confirmed Armenia’s desire to enter the Customs
Union and join the process of forming the Eurasian Economic Union,”
said Sargsyan in his statement for the press following the meeting,
as quoted by Kremlin.ru.

Putin, for his part, said: “The Russian side supports the decision
of Armenia on joining the Customs Union, its participation in the
formation of the Eurasian integration process. We will comprehensively
support this process. I am sure that Yerevan’s joining Eurasian
integration structures will give a powerful impetus to mutually
advantageous economic cooperation.”

In July Armenia completed talks with the European Union on establishing
a deep and comprehensive free trade area, which is, according to many
indications, a mutually exclusive project with the Customs Union
of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Armenia has also been expected
to initial an Association Agreement with the European Union at the
Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in November.

It is not clear yet whether Armenia will go ahead with its plans
after Sargsyan’s September 3 talks in Moscow.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN ANNOUNCED ABOUT ARMENIA’S DECISION TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION

18:35, 3 September, 2013

MOSCOW, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: President of the Republic of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan paid a working visit to Moscow on September 3 on
invitation of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. Presidents
Sargsyan and Putin mentioned with satisfaction the positive dynamic
of Armenian-Russian cooperation in political, trade-economic,
cultural-humanitarian, military spheres and confirmed loyalty to
the principles enshrined in treaty “About friendship, cooperation
and mutual support” signed on August 29, 1997 and declaration
“About strategic cooperation between Republic of Armenia and Russian
federation aimed to 21st century” signed on September 26, 2006. During
the negotiations the heads of the states discussed the current level of
bilateral strategic partnership and its prospects, issues relating to
foreign policy cooperation. The Presidents confirmed their loyalty to
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement in format of joint work
with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, on the base of one principle formed
from retraining from threat or use of force, Territorial integrity of
states, equal rights and self-determination of people. In the context
of joint work directed to regional stability and security was mentioned
the mutual readiness of sides in further expansion of cooperation in
a number of fields. The Presidents of two countries with a separate
statement confirmed Armenia’s and Russia’s determination in developing
integration processes in Eurasian territory.

The readiness of two countries of practical implantation of joint
programs directed to strengthening energy security of Armenia,
modernization and diversification of its economy was expressed.

Armenian and Russian Presidents highlighted the importance of
continuation of joint efforts in direction of implementation of
infrastructure programs including railway connection as well as new
logistic and communication ways. The importance of full realization
of long-term economic cooperation program till 2020 between Armenia
and Russia was stressed.

***

“Armenpress” was informed from public relations and information
department of Armenian President’s office that in result of
negotiations on September 3, 2013 in Moscow Presidents Sargsyan
and Putin confirmed the aim of the Republic of Armenia and Russian
Federation in direction of further development of economic integration
processes in Eurasian territory. Int hat context President of the
Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced about Armenia’s decision
to join Customs Union and necessity of implementation corresponding
steps for that aim and in future about participating in formation
of Eurasian economic union. President of Russian Federation Vladimir
Putin expressed his support to the abovementioned decision of Armenia
and informed about readiness of Russian side to support the process.

***

Speech of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan during press conference
on results of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin:

“Honorable Mister President, respectable representatives of media,
I want to begin with gratitude word directed to Mister Putin for just
ended open negotiations, atmosphere of confidence and arrangements
directed to further development of Armenian-Russian relations. As it
was said in constructive atmosphere together with Russian President we
discussed the main issues of strategic partnership of our countries –
in political, trade-economic, energy, humanitarian and other fields.

Naturally we spoke about regional issues and settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I confirmed once more Armenia’s
readiness to settle the conflict exclusively peacefully on the base
of principles of self-determination of people, retraining from threat
or use of force, Territorial integrity of states. I re-confirmed our
readiness to continue looking for solutions from crises on the base
of settlement principles and elements reflected in joint statements
of Russian, American and French Presidents. One of main topics of our
negotiations was the necessity of infrastructure reforms in Armenia,
securing modernization and diversification of oru economy where Russia
is represented with many enterprises. We discussed in details on
prospective directions of our cooperation. We also discussed issues
relating Eurasian integration and I confirmed Armenia’s wish to join
Customs Union and be involved in the process of formation of Eurasian
economic union. 20 years ago Armenia together with Russia and other
CIS member states formed its military security system in format of
Collective security treaty. During these decades the system approved
its vitality and efficiency. Today our CSTO partners form new platform
of economic cooperation. I have said many times that being in a same
system of military security it is impossible to isolate yourself from
corresponding geo-economic territory. This is a rational decision and
it comes from interests of the Republic of Armenia. This decision
is not refusal from dialogue with European organizations. During
these years Armenia in support of its European partners held serious
institutional reforms. Nowadays Armenia in this sense is much more
efficient and competitive country as it was several years ago. Ladies
and gentlemen the results of our negotiations are reflected in our
joint statements signed with Vladimir Putin several minutes ago. I
am sure that realization of all arrangements will give new impetus
to strategic allied partnership. Mister President I am grateful for
warm receiption and made arrangements”.