Month: September 2013

EUROPEAN UNION REMAINS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING TIES WITH ARMENIA, COMMISSIONER SAYS

YEREVAN, September 20. / ARKA /. The European Union remains committed
to developing cooperation with Armenia, despite the fact that it
has no interest in signing an association agreement with it, having
chosen to join the Russia-led Customs Union, European Commissioner
for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fuele said, according
to RIA Novosti.

“The European Commission is ready for new forms of cooperation with
Armenia” – Fuele said at a news conference on the fringes of a Yalta
European Strategy forum. According to him, Armenia remains an active
member of EU’s Eastern Partnership program and continues implementation
of EU-proposed reforms.

Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan announced September 3 after talks
with Russia’s Putin in Moscow that his country would join the Customs
Union. Before that Armenia was expected to initial an association
agreement with the European Union in late November. Following this
the Armenian government offered to finalize a watered-down version
of the association agreement, but EU’s enlargement commissioner
Stefan Fuele dismissed this idea during a visit to Armenia saying
the association agreement was actually one agreement. “They (the
association agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade
area) are two parts of one treaty that have been negotiated with our
Armenian colleagues. There are clear links between those two parts;
you can’t separate just one at the expense of the other,” he said at
a news conference in Yerevan. -0-.

11:48 20.09.2013

From: Baghdasarian

EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT: UKRAINE FEE TO PICK PARTNERS, PUTIN SAYS

September 20, 2013 – 10:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia respects Ukraine’s right to choose its
priorities and partners, including Kiev’s choice between closer
economic cooperation with Moscow or European integration, Russian
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, September 19, according
to RIA Novosti.

“Today, Ukraine is an independent state and we respect it. And,
of course, the choice of priorities, the choice of allies is a
national sovereign right of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian
leadership,” Putin said at a meeting of the annual Valdai Discussion
Club, commenting on Ukraine’s plans to sign an association agreement
with the European Union.

On Wednesday Ukraine’s government approved the draft European Union
Association Agreement, moving the country one step closer to its
final signing, which is slated for November.

Moscow has been increasing pressure on Kiev to join the Customs
Union, which would – in effect – keep Ukraine under Russia’s sphere
of influence. Although Ukraine has observer status in this bloc,
it has made it clear it does not plan to take on full membership.

During Thursday’s meeting of the Valdai Club, which gathered high-level
Russian officials and foreign political scientists, Putin reiterated
that Russia is worried that European goods could enter Ukraine – free
of import duties – and then be re-exported to Customs Union countries,
flooding the market and undercutting domestic producers.

The Russian president added that Russia was also seeking to sign a
new basic agreement with the EU and if the two states joined forces
and entered the talks with a common stance, they would be able to
negotiate more favorable terms of the deal.

“We believe that if Ukraine joined the Customs Union and we coordinated
our joint efforts and negotiated with the Europeans, we would had
more chance to negotiate better terms of trade with our main economic
and trade partner,” Putin said, adding that trade with the EU states
accounts for nearly a half of all Russian trade turnover.

He said that according to estimates made by Russian experts and
confirmed by Ukraine’s Academy of Sciences, Ukraine would receive
additional budget incomes of nearly $9 billion if it joins the
Customs Union.

“[But] how would [Ukraine] benefit from the association with EU? Open
markets? Well, this does make economy more liberal. But I have no
idea about whether Ukrainian economy will be able to cope with such
liberalism. But this is not our business, our Ukrainian partners
should decide it for themselves,” Putin said. The EU, concerned over
Armenia’s jointing the Customs Union, will make concessions to Ukraine
in signing the Association Agreement, Eavex Capital investment company
said in an analytical article on September 16.

“With Ukraine as the most important country in the Eastern Partnership,
the recent EU statement should be viewed as an expression of support
to Kyiv in its intention to sign the Association and Free Trade
agreements in Vilnius,” ForUm quoted Eavex Capital as saying.

According to analysts, the European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso may back Ukraine in this issue, having earlier mentioned
Kyiv’s European aspirations as a priority.

RESTORING RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA UNACCEPTABLE NOW: GEORGIAN OFFICIAL

September 20, 2013 – 14:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Georgian Prime Minister’s special envoy for relations
with Russia Zurab Abashidze discussed the issue of Georgian breakaway
republics’ borders during his meeting with a Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister Grigory Karasin in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday,
Sept 19, according to RIA Novosti.

The situation on the border between Georgia and its de-facto
independent republic of South Ossetia deteriorated on Tuesday when
Russian border guards started installing a barbed wire fence near the
border with Georgia. Tbilisi accused Moscow of violating international
norms.

Abashidze said he expressed the Georgian government’s deep concern
about “the blatant violation of humanitarian and international norms”
to Karasin.

“The restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia is in principle
unacceptable for Georgia at this stage,” Itar-Tass quoted Abashidze
as saying after the meeting.

“Right now, this is unacceptable in principle, for us it would mean
the recognition of the so-called new realities,” he said. “Georgia
cannot do this.”

“Our country was falling apart not once, but we have lived to this
day,” he added. “I think that we will see a lot more in our lifetime.”

Abashidze also said that Georgia’s participation in the Sochi Olympics
in 2014 was “an uneasy decision” for Tbilisi.

“We have politicians who criticize it, but we do not want to mix
politics with sports,” he said. “We want the Olympic Games to pass
peacefully and quietly, without incidents.”

It has been five years since the end of the “Five-Day War” in 2008 —
the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia. In
the aftermath of the events of August 7-12, diplomatic ties between
Russia and Georgia were terminated, and relations between the two
countries teetered between confrontation and the search for new
political dialog, saysa publication on Russia Direct.

Most obstinate of all was the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

After 2008, Moscow recognized the two republics as independent states

The first steps toward mending relations with Russia were, in fact,
taken under Mikheil Saakashvili when Georgia agreed to Russia’s
accession to the WTO, thereby creating opportunities for economic
cooperation within an international framework.

Big strides were then made by the government of Bidzina Ivanishvili,
who came to power as a result of the victory of the opposition (the
Georgian Dream coalition) in the parliamentary elections of 2012.

Saakashvili still retains the presidency, but in reality his power
is minimal: The country is run by the Cabinet of Ministers, and the
president’s National Movement resides in opposition.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LOOK TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA DESPITE ITS CUSTOMS UNION ORIENTATION

Analysis | 20.09.13 | 18:57

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent

After Armenia’s announcement of its decision to join the Customs
Union, the international financial organizations that have provided
assistance and credits to Armenia have been trying to clarify prospects
for further cooperation.

Although immediately after the announcement by President Serzh
Sargsyan on September 3 there were fears that Western foundations
and banks will stop cooperation with Armenia, some two weeks after
the event it became clear that a political decision has been made to
continue and even build up this cooperation. Over the past two days
at least three major financial partners of Armenia declared about
the continuation of their programs.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will
provide financial aid of $43 million to Armenia, said Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. For the purpose of establishing a competitive and
diversified private sector, by September 2017 USAID will provide $10.4
million to the Armenian government. The prime minister also said
that the U.S. has provided $1 million in additional aid to Armenia
for agricultural registration.

The mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which arrived in
Yerevan on September 5, made progress in discussions with the Armenian
authorities on the action plan for the current and subsequent years,
the statement by the head of the IMF Armenia mission Mark Horton says.

Based on the results of the inspections Armenia will be granted
an additional funding of $84 million. Thus, the total issuance in
accordance with arrangements will amount to $407.2 million.

The new head of the Yerevan office of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Mark Davis is also going to
make an effort to continue the implementation of the Bank’s programs
to promote private sector development in Armenia. To this day, the
EBRD has invested over 656 million euros (about $888 million) in
120 programs. In 2012, the Bank signed an agreement in Armenia on 15
programs for a total amount of 94 million euros (about $127 million).

In an interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Heffern said that support for reforms in Armenia will
be continued and that the Customs Union does not prevent it. European
officials have also said that “the EU will not abandon Armenia.” And
the fact that financial institutions have decided to continue working
with Armenia suggests that in Armenia, parallel to the “political”
accession to the Customs Union, a closer “economic” integration with
the West may be launched.

The opening in Armenia of the office of one of the world’s most
renowned IT companies, Oracle, could mean that Washington intends
to launch the second stage of “diversification” of Armenia. And this
company certainly will not be the last.

From: Baghdasarian

MAINTAINING RELATIONS WITH CUSTOMS UNION IS BEST DECISION FOR ARMENIA – SOCIOLOGIST

September 20, 2013 | 13:15

YEREVAN. – The independence was given to us; we have not achieved it.

The Soviet empire collapsed, and they simply, “threw us off the train.”

Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan stated the above-said during a press
conference on Friday.

“We should try to use our independence correctly. We should either
enter the Customs Union [CU], or the European Union. The best would be
to maintain ties with the CU, since they will not buy our products in
Europe. But this does not mean we have to become a backward country,
in terms of technology,” the sociologist stressed.

He added that Armenia needs to produce not solely for domestic
consumers, but to go out to foreign markets.

Adibekyan stressed that by remaining in the Customs Union, Armenia will
maintain what it has, but it will fall behind in the technology sector.

“By entering Europe, we will develop in terms of technology, but
we will have to share European values, including gender equality,”
Aharon Adibekyan maintained.

To note, on Saturday, September 21, Armenia will mark the 22nd
anniversary of its independence.

ARMENIA’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON CUSTOMS UNION ENTRY IS CERTAIN BREAKTHROUGH – POLISH POLITICAL SCIENTIST

September 20, 2013 | 00:33

The Russian president’s more active policy toward the Caucasus is
one of the greatest achievements in the region in recent times.

Political scientist Mateusz Piskorski, Director of the EuropeanCenter
of Geopolitical Analysis, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, the Armenian president’s announcement, with respect to
the intention to become a member in the Customs Union and taking part
in the Eurasian integration, is an important step in the integration
processes in the post-Soviet environment.

“One might even say that Armenia has made a specific progress. And
I assume that, after Armenia, the other post-Soviet states will
seriously consider accession to the processes of integration in the
Eurasian Economic Union,” Piskorski concluded.

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in Moscow
between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs
Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union.

From: Baghdasarian

JAMALIAN: ARMENIA WILL RETALIATE WITH PREVENTIVE ACTIONS ON BORDER

“We have heard many such statements and we will often hear them in the
future as well,” Armenian Defense Minister’s advisor David Jamalian
told Aysor.am, when commenting on Azerbaijani Defense Ministry’s
statement that Azerbaijan is not going to withdraw its snipers from
the line of contact until the end of the war.

Jamalian said that the Armenian defense minister declared recently
that Armenia will not allow imposing a war upon it for a second time.

“The basis of that statement is the hard and often invisible
work that ensures each day of peace. The destructive position of
Azerbaijan provides an additional stimulus for raising our army’s
combat readiness.

A logical result of any sniper activity of Azerbaijan will be
preventive or punitive actions of our special units and frontline
servicemen. We have accumulated wide experience over time, as a result
of such statements of Sabiroghlu,” Jamalian added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGSYAN SENT CONDOLENCES TO MEXICAN PRESIDENT

13:36, 20 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS: The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent today a letter of condolences to the
President of the United Mexican States Enrique Peña Nieto on the
occasion of the numerous casualties and enormous devastation caused
by the Manuel hurricane which hit Mexico. As Armenpress was reported
by the Department for Mass Media and Public Relations of the Armenian
President’s Staff, Serzh Sargsyan wished the families of the victims
valor and the soonest recovery to all the injured.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TO COOPERATE WITH UK

10:56, 20 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Emergency Situations
of the Republic of Armenia Armen Yeritsyan hosted the delegation led
by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the UK to the
Republic of Armenia Jonathan Aves on September 19. The Ministry of
Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress”
that the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia
Armen Yeritsyan welcomed the guests and introduced the structure
of the Ministry, its mission, realized programs, and international
cooperation. Among other things Minister Yeritsyan touched upon the
recent achievements of the Ministry and noted that in accordance with
the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia the bonds
of the Stepanavan Airport were passed to the Ministry of Emergency
Situations of the Republic of Armenia.

Previously, the Stepanavan Airport was under the authority of the
State Property Management Department adjunct to the Government of the
Republic of Armenia. In addition the Minister of Emergency Situations
emphasized that the Ministry employed a number of handicapped persons,
who are involved in the activity of the structure.

In turn, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the
UK to the Republic of Armenia Jonathan Aves expressed his gratitude
for the invitation and underscored that the UK Embassy is willing to
expand cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and is
open for suggestions.

At the course of the aforesaid meeting Ambassador Jonathan Aves
introduced the newly appointed UK military attache to Armenia Nick
Wilkes.

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

WIDESPREAD JOB CUTS ARE EXPECTED IN ARMENIA’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE – NEWSPAPER

September 20, 2013 | 06:47

YEREVAN. – The process of enlargement continues within Armenia’s system
of governance bringing along personnel shifts, Hraparak daily reports.

“In parallel with uniting the inspectorates, enlargement will take
place also in the investigative bodies that function within different
departments; they [i.e., the investigative bodies] will be included
within one or two bodies.

“It is clear that the head of such body will have a great reputation,
[and] therefore there is stiff competition for that post.

“Also, widespread job cuts are expected in the system of governance,
and the increase in salaries will actually be carried out on the
account of having a large number of unemployed. Some departments
have been told that the staff will be reduced by about 50 percent,”
Hraparak writes.