Author: Andres-Papazian

The Messenger, Georgia
May 6 2011

EU asks Yerevan to test its nuclear power station

By Messenger Staff
Friday, May 6

During the current visit to Yerevan of the President of Lithuania, who
is also acting Chairman of OSCE Dalia Grybauskaite various topics were
raised. Among these were talks on safety issues of the Armenian
nuclear power station which is actively functioning. Now European
countries have decided to test their nuclear power stations and expect
that European neighbourhood countries will do the same. After Japan’s
disaster many people outside Armenia demand that Yerevan closes down
the station. But before the new nuclear power station will be built
the Armenian leadership intends to continue running its existing power
station.

From: A. Papazian

The Messenger, Georgia
May 6 2011

Some problems hindering the realization of project constructing
motorway around the Black Sea

By Messenger Staff
Friday, May 6
Many countries of the Black Sea region consider the proposed
construction of a first class motorway circling around the Black Sea
to be an excellent proposition. Some countries are expressing an
interest towards this project and suggesting their vision of how it
would work. For instance the Azeri transport minister thinks that this
project will not be implemented unless Armenia frees Karabakh.
According to Zia Mamedov under current circumstances when Armenia
occupies Azeri territories it is impossible to conduct either
bilateral or multilateral negotiations with Yerevan. Overall, the
minister mentioned that Baku welcomes this project and is ready to
participate in it. There is another problem concerning this issue.
This is the Russian occupied territory of Abkhazia. So far Georgian
officials have not expressed their distinct position over this issue.
Some segments of the motorway around the Black Sea are already being
constructed. The distance is around 7000 km and it will be connecting
12 countries which are: Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia,
Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania and Greece.

The Azerbaijani side stated that if Armenia joined the project while
not considering the Azeri position, Baku will withdraw from this
project.

From: A. Papazian

BusinessWeek
May 6 2011

Moldovan journalist pardoned in separatist region

CHISINAU, Moldova

Authorities in the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester have pardoned a
journalist they convicted of spying for the central government and
imprisoned.

The region’s official news agency said Thursday that separatist leader
Igor Smirnov initiated the pardoning of reporter Ernest Vardanean.

Trans-Dniester — which broke away over fears Moldova would reunite
with neighboring Romania — fought a war with Moldovan forces in 1992
that killed 1,500 people. The region is not internationally recognized
but is supported by Russia, which has 500 troops stationed there.

Moldova’s government had called the treatment of Vardanean a human
rights violation and demanded his release.

Vardanean, an ethnic Armenian, was arrested in April 2010, convicted
of spying and high treason, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 6 2011

CoE, EU to provide financial assistance for democracy strengthening in
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

May 06, 2011 | 16:12

The Council of Europe and the European Union have today officially
launched implementation of projects worth EUR 4 m to strengthen
democracy, good governance and stability in the Eastern Partnership
member-states.

The project provides support to reform processes in 6 member-states of
the Eastern Partnership project, particularly Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, Council of Europe informed
Interfax-Ukraine on Friday. It will provide assistance in the spheres
of judicial reform, electoral standards, as well as fighting
cybercrime and corruption.

The projects should be implemented within 30 months.

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
May 6 2011

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Stepanakert

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan arrived on 6 May in Stepanakert
within the frameworks of celebrations dedicated to the Victory
Holiday, the Day of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army and the
liberation of Shoushi.

Central Information department of Artsakh President reports that Bako
Sahakyan of Artsakh and other officials met the Armenian President at
the airport.

The Presidents visited the airport complex and got acquainted with the
process of activities carried out there.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 6 2011

Famous Armenian jazz musician to present solo album in Yerevan

May 06, 2011 | 22:07

YEREVAN. Presentation of a new album of famous Armenian jazz musician
Vahagn Hayrapetyan will be held in Yerevan on May 7.

The musician will appear not only as a pianist but also a vocalist.

Hayrapetyan admitted he had recorded the album for a short period of
time. He explained it by his desire to perform songs included in the
album.

From: A. Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
May 6 2011

Issue of Armenian snipers to be raised with OSCE PA President
Fri 06 May 2011 13:07 GMT | 16:07 Local Time

Azerbaijani Parliament will raise the issue of increasing number of
Armenian snipers along the contact line with the OSCE PA President.
The statement came from Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament
Bahar Muradova in an interview with reporters on Friday.

`This issue will be raised during OSCE PA President Petros Efthimiou’s
visit to Azerbaijan on May 12-13. This issue will also be raised at an
event on emigrational issues to be held under the OSCE slogan in Italy
on 20 May. It will be discussed at the summer session of OSCE, too,’
Muradova said, reported Trend.

Armenian snipers have always been deployed on the contact line. But
now they are in high alert because of the concern of Armenians, she
added.

In the meantime, these are attempts to preserve the status quo and
keep Azerbaijan under constant pressure.

1 news.az

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 6 2011

US carries out transformation policy in Armenia – politician

May 05, 2011 | 16:14

YEREVAN. – U.S. is holding transformation in Armenia leading to
changes through involvement of forces desiring changes both in the
opposition and in leadership, said Armenian politician, former member
of Karabakh committee Ashot Manucharyan.

As an example of transformation Manucharyan pointed out dismissal of
Yerevan Mayor, an arrest of high ranking police official and
restoration of an investigation into March 1 events.

The politician considers U.S. pursues its own goals: to have an easily
administrated country which will comply with the standards of new
world.

`U.S. has an objective to eliminate a looting system which is
advantageous to Armenia. However, at the same time U.S. gets power
over Armenia which is not of benefit to the country,’ he stressed.

Manucharyan considers that South Ossetia and Abkhazia is the price
that Georgia paid for its `political well-being’, whereas Armenia’s
price is still unclear.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 6 2011

Big Armenian businessman will purchase Kotayk brewery

May 05, 2011 | 16:33

YEREVAN. – Leader of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), the owner of
Multi Group company Gagik Tsarukyan is negotiating purchase of Kotayk
brewery, spokesman for PAP leader Khachik Galstyan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Galstyan did not specify the price of the brewery. According to him,
the deal is most likely to be reached next week.

`At the moment negotiations are underway with the French side that
bought Kotayk brewery. However, no deal has been concluded yet. We
will provide details in the future,’ he noted.

Gagik Tsarukyan sold Kotayk brewery in Abovyan town in 2006 for $4
million to Castel Group, owned by major French businessman Pierre
Castel.

Network of factories producing beer in the CIS countries also belongs
to Castel Group.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
May 6 2011

Turkish chorus performed Armenian songs for Armenian journalists (video)

May 06, 2011 | 00:04

Famous Antakya Chorus of Civilizations performed several national
Armenian songs for Armenian journalists who visited the Turkish city
of Antakya.

Head of chorus Yilmaz Ozfirat said visit of the Armenian journalists
was a pleasant surprise for chorus which is a nominee for Nobel Peace
Prize 2012, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reports.

`Our chorus comprises Christians, Muslims Shiites and Sunnis, Jews and
Armenians. We gathered for world peace. Singers are of different ages
and different professions. We have given concerts in many places but
the most important for us is to perform in the areas which face
problems where we can help overcome misunderstanding,’ he said.

Yilmaz Ozfirat noted that he would like to give a joint concert with
Armenian musicians as soon as the dispute is settled between Armenia
and Turkey.

The chorus formed in 2007 has 120 members.

From: A. Papazian