Author: Andres-Papazian

EXPERT SPEAKS OF DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN KHACHKARS IN GENEVA

news.am
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

A regular “Economy of Intellectual Property” workshop was held in
Geneva on January 13. Representatives from about 40 governmental
organizations and NGOs were invited. Armenia was represented by
political expert Sasun Hovhannisyan.

In his speech, Hovhannisyan presented the reforms implemented in
Armenia in the sphere of intellectual property, stressing the need
for introduction of international experience. Much of his speech
was devoted to destruction of the Armenian khachkars (cross-stones)
in Old Julfa by Azerbaijan.

“In December 2005, as a result of government-backed crime organized
by Azerbaijanis, over 5000 khachkars were completely destroyed at the
cemetery of Old Julfa in Nakhchivan. Khachkars are original monuments
of the Armenian culture, intellectual property of the Armenian nation,”
the expert said. He stressed that world community has not responded
to this fact so far. “It is regrettable that cultural heritage fell
victim to petrodollars,” he emphasized.

Hovhannisyan called on World Intellectual Property Organization and
all the delegates to give a legal assessment of cultural terrorism
in Azerbaijan.

From: A. Papazian

RA NA SPEAKER HOVIK ABRHAMAYAN SECOND TIME ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE ARMENIAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

parliament.am
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

On January 13 a sitting of the Council of the Armenian State University
of Economics (ASUE) was held. The Speaker of RA National Assembly,
the member of ASUE Hovik Abrahamyan participated in the sitting. RA
Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said that the first
agenda issue of the sitting was the election of the ASUE Council
President, and he addressed the members to introduce the candidates.

The member of the Council of the Armenian State University of
Economics, Pro-rector Vardan Sargsyan proposed candidacy for the
President of the Council RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan.

Mr Abrahamyan thanked those present for the trust, noting that it
was very obliging to be president of the Council of one of the most
influential higher educational institutions and being proposed in
that post for the second time. Congratulating everybody on the New
Year and Christmas he expressed conviction that the year 2011 would
be a year of progress, restoration of tolerance and mutual trust,
building well-to-do Armenia. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that together
with professors’ staff, members of the Council and students, he as
NA Speaker and Chairman of the RPA Political Committee would do his
best to more raise the rating of the higher educational institution
of having 80-year history and to reach all the corruption phenomena
to minimum and be it eliminated.

The Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said that by RA
legislation the election of the President of the Council of the higher
educational institution could be carried out either by open voting or
by secret ballot. By the proposal of the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
it was decided to carry out the election of the ASUE Council President
by secret ballot.

26 members of the ASUE Council, who took part in the secret ballot,
unanimously elected RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
President of the Council of the Armenian State University of Economics.

In his speech Hovik Abrahamyan thanked the members of the Council
of the Armenian State University of Economics for displayed trust
and joint work. Stressing with pride that he had been a graduate
of this higher educational institution Mr Abrahamyan noted with
satisfaction the circumstance that an opportunity was given for
second time to work in an atmosphere dear to him, and the relation
with it had begun still years ago, when he was studying in this
higher educational institution. In the NA Speaker’s opinion, during
these years considerable work had been done together in this higher
educational institution in the aspect of educational, upbringing
and organizational aspects. The Council displayed itself as active
functioning body being in general concerned with the problems of
education. Hovik Abrahamyan is sure that from now on the Council will
continue its efficient activity. “I am sure that together we are able
to take steps, which will give opportunity to keep high the 80-year old
Armenian State University of Economics and strengthen its place in the
educational field. I am ready myself to do my best for the progress
of one of the best higher educational institutions of the country,”
the NA Speaker noted. According to him, the time and the events show
that the value of the knowledge and the demand of the high qualified
specialists more increase day by day in the world, which means that
the demands being presented to the education also increase.

Mr Abrahamyan is sure that in the Armenian State University of
Economics there is distinct perception of all this, fundamental
awareness of the time demands, and he has been informed from the
report of the implemented works, realistic and tangible steps are
taken to provide high result and qualified knowledge.

Later the sitting of the Council continued presided over by the
Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan. The agenda issues
regarding the results of the educational-scientific, research and
financial-economic activities and the main indices of the 2011 draft
budget were discussed, which presented the ASUE Rector, academician
of RA National Academy of Sciences Yuri Suvaryan. It was noted that
intensive educational reforms are carried out in the higher educational
institution, educational new technologies are expanded, and interactive
auditoriums have been created in all faculties and some elements of
creating remote educational system are invested. The Rector ensured
that everything was done in the fighting against corruption in the
ASUE. In his word, the internationalization of the education is also
one of the strategic problems of the higher educational institution:
the ASUE cooperates with 11 higher educational institutions of
different countries. Mr Suvaryan noted that from 2011 twenty best
students of the ASUE would receive 20000 drams fellowship from the
NA Speaker’s fund.

From: A. Papazian

RF, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN FMS TO MEET IN MOSCOW ON JAN 24

ITAR-TASS
Jan 14 2011
Russia

YEREVAN, January 14 (Itar-Tass) — A meeting of the foreign ministers
of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan devoted to issues of Karabakh
settlement will be held in Moscow on January 24 on the initiative
of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edvard Nalbandyan said here on Friday.

Besides, as the minister said, a regular visit to the region of the
co-chairmen of the Minsk OSCE Group for Nagorny Karabakh, who represent
Russia, France and the United States, is scheduled for February.

From: A. Papazian

POLITICAL SCIENTIST: ARMENIA RUINS REMAINING PRESTIGE BY TRYING TO LEGITIMIZE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

Trend
Jan 14 2011
Azerbaijan

Armenia stroke another blow to the remnants of its prestige by trying
to legitimize the recognition of illegal structures, Azerbaijani
political analyst and Trend Expert Council member Fikret Sadikhov said
today. He made the statement while commenting on Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan’s decree on the amendments to the law on international
treaties.

Sargsyan signed the amendments to the law, which was adopted by
parliament on Dec. 17, Novosti-Armenia reported. The amendments
regulate the relations between Armenia and unrecognized territories
in matters of peace, human rights, and humanitarian, financial and
economic assistance. The bill states that unrecognized territories
may be a party to an international treaty.

Last year put an end to Armenian euphoria about any recognition of
Nagorno Karabakh as a state, the analyst said. Such illusions burst
like a soap bubble, he added.

“Naturally, in this situation, the Armenian side is trying to
demonstrate to its public and the diaspora that it may, if necessary,
recognize these self-proclaimed republics and try to engage them in
some sort of contact,” Sadikhov said. “But everything is so virtual
and improbable that it causes not bitterness, but rather irony and
laughter.”

Sadikhov said if Armenia recognizes Nagorno Karabakh, or Transdniester
or Abkhazia in the future, “absolutely nothing will change,” and no
legal changes will be made to international law. This is obvious to
the international community, he said.

“There is no country or international organization in the world that
does not recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Naturally, it’s
annoying to Armenia, and Yerevan is taking these steps in the hope
that by recognizing the independence of some secessionist formations,
perhaps, it will comfort its hopes and calm the more nationalist
circles in Armenia,” he added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S HYSTERIA CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD, ARMENIAN FM SAYS

news.am
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

The self-termination of most of the 192 U.N. member-states are
precedents for Nagorno-Karabakh’s self-determination, RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian told a news conference Jan. 14.

Nagorno-Karabakh self-determination process follows the way passed by
the international community, Minister Nalbandian said. The documents
based on the three principles – territorial integrity, peoples’ right
to self-determination and nonuse of force of threat of force – are on
the negotiating table. The sides are also negotiating the six elements
envisaging the determination of Nagorno-Karabakh’s final status on
the basis of Nagorno-Karabakh people’s free will, interim status,
which implies preservation of status quo if it is internationally
recognized. The six elements also provides for security guarantees,
land communication and return of refugees and territories. The Minister
emphasized the fact that the documents do not specify the territories.

“At present, the Armenian side’s position is in line with that of the
international community. The international community says all the
three principles and six elements are a single whole. The Armenian
side says the same, stressing it accepts all the elements as a basis
for negotiations. What does Azerbaijan say? They do not do what they
say,” Nalbandian said.

The Minister pointed out that the Armenian side will not accept any
changes in the negotiation format, as they will be of no benefit.

He qualified Azerbaijan’s policy as short-sighted, as Azerbaijan
prohibits foreign citizens from “such hysteria cannot be understood. I
hail al those visiting Nagorno-Karabakh despite Azerbaijan’s violent
reaction. Under the circumstances it is unclear why Azerbaijan does
not allow foreign citizens to visit Nakhichevan, a territory under
its control. May be they do not allow tourists to visit Nakhichevan
to prevent them from seeing the destroyed Armenian cultural monuments
and asking: “Where is the people that created all these things?” “In
any case this shortsighted policy will not produce any results,”
Minister Nalbandian said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY ACTIVE IN 2010 – FOREIGN MINISTER

Panorama
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

Armenia’s President paid 22 visits to foreign countries in 2010. He
visited all countries – permanent members of the UN Security Council –
Russia, United States, Great Britain, China and France, met with their
leaders, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told a news conference. He
said that Armenia hosted heads of six countries last year. There were
many mutual visits at the governmental and parliamentary level.

Armenia established embassies in seven countries.

The Armenian-American relations rose to a new quality in 2010, the
Armenian President visited U.S., official Yerevan hosted U.S. Secretary
of State. EU Association Agreement talks have been launched, allied
relations with Russia have reinforced, the Russian President visited
Armenia, a series of agreements were reached and documents were signed.

“Armenia continued comprehensive cooperation with neighboring
Georgia and Iran. We continued purposeful steps to develop
beneficial cooperation with Asian countries, particularly, China,
India and Japan. Active steps were taken to develop relations with
Arab countries,” the Minister said adding that Armenia was actively
involved in activities of many international organizations, Armenia
exerted efforts to establish stability and security in the region,
was active and initiative.

From: A. Papazian

M. YOVANOVITCH POSITIVELY ASSESSES RA LAW “ON CONDUCTING MEETINGS, ASSEMBLIES, RALLIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS”

ITAR-TASS
Jan 14 2011
Russia

Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan today received Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of U.S. to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch, Yerevan
Mayor’s Office press service reports.

Ambassador Yovanovitch thanked the Mayor for a warm welcome and gave
assurance that cooperation between Yerevan Mayor’s Office and U.S.

Embassy will further intensify.

Stressing importance of international cooperation, the Mayor presented
possible fields for cooperation on exchange of experience in municipal
management, cadre retraining, education, advisory services and
development of investment field.

The U.S. Ambassador attaching importance to reformation of the
investment field noted that creation of convenient business environment
in Yerevan is very important for American businessmen.

Yerevan Mayor informed the Ambassador about establishment of a new
structure in Mayor’s Office to assist and develop business programs.

Karen Karapetyan stressed necessity of reinforcement and expansion
of tourist ties between Yerevan and the United States.

Marie Yovanovitch speaking about holding meetings and gatherings in
Yerevan positively assessed RA Law “On Conducting Meetings, Assemblies,
Rallies and Demonstrations.”

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN PAYS VISITS TO CYPRUS AND GREECE

Panorama
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

President Serzh Sargsyan pays a state visit on January 17 to the
Republic of Cyprus and to the Republic of Greece on 18 January,
President’s press service reports.

In the sidelines of Cyprus visit, President Sargsyan will have meetings
with President Dimitris Christofias, Archbishop Chrisostomos II,
Chairman of House of Representatives Marios Garoyan.

President will attend Armenian-Cypriot business conference opening.

Serzh Sargsyan will have a meeting with the representatives of Armenian
community; president will put a wreath on Armenian Genocide Monument
erected in the city of Larnaca.

On 18 January President Serzh Sargsyan will arrive in Greece, where
he has scheduled meetings with President Karolos Papoulias, Archbishop
of Athens and Greece, Chairman of Greek Parliament, Prime Minister.

On 20 January President will be back to Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

CLINTON FLIES TO TURKEY TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

Panorama
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will pay a visit to Turkey.

According to “CnnTurk” news service, the exact time schedule of the
meeting is not still released, but most probably it will take place
in the first half of February.

It’s reported that the highlights of US State Secretary’s visit will
be “Kurdistan Workers Party”, Iranian, Turkish-Israeli conflicts,
normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties.

Before Ms. Clinton’s arrival, new appointed Ambassador of US to Turkey
will fly to Ankara.

From: A. Papazian

SEYRAN OHANYAN AWARDED BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR ORDER OF “MARSHAL BAGHRAMYAN”

news.am
Jan 14 2011
Armenia

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received Bulgarian Ambassador
to Armenia Todor Staykov who has completed his diplomatic mission
in Armenia.

Ambassador Staykov was awarded the Order of “Marshal Baghramyan”,
RA defense ministry press service informed NEWS.am. Minister Ohanyan
expressed gratitude to Todor Staykov for his contribution to the
development of Armenian-Bulgarian military cooperation.

From: A. Papazian