Author: Andres-Papazian

MEDVEDEV, ALIYEV TO DISCUSS KARABAKH, ENERGY COOP’N

ITAR-TASS
Nov 18 2010
Russia

MOSCOW, November 18 (Itar-Tass) – The Nagorno-Karabakh peace process
will be, most likely, the main subject of discussion at a meeting
between Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation (RF)
and Ilkham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. The meeting is to be held on the
sidelines of the 3rd summit of the Caspian countries here on Thursday.

A Russian delegation expert has told Itar-Tass, “I think that problems
concerning efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
will be, of course, the main subject of discussion”.

Meanwhile, Medvedev met with his Armenian counterpart Serge Sargsyan
in the Kremlin on Wednesday. Sargsyan told the RF president that
“Armenia strives for peace and stability in the Caucasus. This is
precisely the basis of its efforts in the search for a peaceful and
lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem”.

The Russian delegation experts said, “Fuel and energy supply, including
that in the Caspian Sea in reference to the summit, will be the second
subject of discussion during the upcoming meeting between Medvedev
and Aliyev”

“One can suppose that matters relating to routes for the transportation
of energy resources from Caspian deposits may be also touched upon,”
he said. “It is not ruled out that the Nabucco theme (construction
of the pipeline) may be raised as well,” the expert added.

From: A. Papazian

SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL ADOPTS NO RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH

news.az
Nov 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Araz Alizade No resolution on Nagorno Karabakh conflict was adopted
during the session of Socialist International in Paris.

“Initially, it was planned to adopt this document but for the reason
of the lack of time, this resolution was not adopted. I do not know
where Armenian mass media have taken information about the resolution
but it is clearly someone’s fancy”, the chairman of the Socialist
Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Araz Alizade said.

Earlier, Armenian mass media referring to Dashnaktsutun party spread
information that the document on Nagorno Karabakh settlement was
adopted at the session of the Council of Socialist International
in Paris.

“We now see the opportunity and the need to establish trust and
dialogue both within the framework of Socialist International and
the wide political field of Azerbaijan and Armenia. There is a need
to promote the resolution of the Karabakh conflict for peace and
stability in the region.

Socialist International will continue actions to preserve and continue
the process of defining the status of Nagorno Karabakh appropriate
for all parties.

We urge the parties to respect the agreement signed in 1994 on
ceasefire, abstain from any kinds of its violating, including sniper
fires and demonstrate political will to attain balanced, adequate
and single-time compromise”, the document which was not adopted
allegedly said.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN AND VLADIMIR PUTIN MEET IN MOSCOW

Panorama
Nov 18 2010
Armenia

President Serzh Sargsyan discussed on Tuesday the process and
perspectives of developing Armenian0Russian bilateral ties with
Russian PM Vladimir Putin, President’s press service reported.

Noting that Russia has been and is Armenia’s basic trade-economic
partner, President Sargsyan said the figure of product turnover raised
by 12% between Armenia and Russia. President remarked half billion
US dollars investment made by Russia into Armenian economy last year,
which are continued this year.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that because of adverse weather conditions
agricultural field has greatly suffered both in Armenia and Russia.

“If our industry recorded growth of 10%, then we have loss in
agriculture about 17.18%.”

Russian PM VL. Putin ensured that Russia being well aware of Armenia’s
needs, is ready to cooperate.

Vl. Putin has also noted that Russia is Armenia’s leading trade
partner. “Our biggest companies work in Armenian market and we’re
grateful to You and Armenian Government that necessary conditions
are created for it,” Russian PM said.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN TO ATTAIN ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH IN NATO PA, MP

news.az
Nov 18 2010
Azerbaijan

A member of the delegation in NATO PA noted that draft resolution
of the NATO PA on the Karabakh conflict is still on the agenda of
this organization.

‘The draft resolution of the NATO PA on Karabakh conflict is still
on the agenda. The discussion of this resolution was put off at
Azerbaijan’s request. However, we will submit it for discussion in
the structure’, said member of the Azerbaijani delegation in NATO PA,
deputy Zahid Oruj.

‘Azerbaijan will attain the adoption of the resolution on the Karabakh
conflict in the NATO PA by all means. We need to expose Armenia in
all international organizations and for this purpose Azerbaijan will
continue offensive diplomacy.

The NATO PA, adopting the resolution on the situation in Georgia,
showed that the territorial integrity of the Caucasian countries is
still important for the alliance and this structure will be closely
watching the developments in our region’, Oruj said.

From: A. Papazian

‘CONTINUOUS STEPS’ NEEDED TOWARDS ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI DIALOGUE

news.az
Nov 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Kirill Tanayev News.Az interviews Kirill Tanayev, general director
of the Effective Policy Foundation.

The third summit of the heads of the Caspian littoral states to
discuss the legal status of the Caspian Sea and security cooperation
is being held in Baku on 18 November. Do you think the summit will
be affected by the cooling in relations between Iran and Russia,
after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Moscow of betrayal over the supply
of S-300s to Tehran?

First of all, I would separate political rhetoric and issues of
strategic relations between countries. It is better to see the
significant and essential differences between the public statements
of politicians and relations between presidents, the problems they
raise and discuss in a bilateral format, especially since the summit
will discuss issues of importance to the entire region, to all Caspian
states. Therefore, it’s better not to hurry to make hasty assessments
and forecasts.

The first summit of heads of OSCE member-states in 11 years will be
held in December in Astana. The OSCE Minsk Group has been dealing
with the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh for many years. Should we expect a breakthrough on
this in Astana?

It is not ruled out that important initiatives and statements on the
Karabakh conflict will be voiced at the OSCE summit in Astana. Anyway,
Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev and the OSCE Minsk Group have done
a great deal on this recently. There is definite expectation.

At the same time, I think the expectation of a “breakthrough”,
which is perceived differently in Azerbaijan and Armenia, is a little
optimistic. I do not expect a rapid and simple way out of a conflict
such as Nagorno-Karabakh at all. There are no simple solutions in
cases where blood is still being shed.

As a Minsk Group co-chair, Russia has recently been taking the
initiative in settling the Karabakh conflict. Several trilateral
meetings have been held in recent months involving the presidents of
Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The latest one was held in Astrakhan.

Will Moscow’s attempts lead to a breakthrough?

First of all, I would like to stress the principal importance of
the continuing dialogue between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan under the mediation of Dmitriy
Medvedev.I think it is of principal importance in the current situation
to prevent the start of comperehensive military action in the conflict
area. Preventing the sides from using force and encouraging dialogue
is the best and most realistic strategy today.

There is a need for continuous steps, however small, on the way to
dialogue. And in this sense the latest meeting of the three presidents
in Astrakhan has already yielded some results. I think others will
also follow. I believe this action is the important foreign policy
achievement of President Medvedev.

What are Russia’s priorities in the region in 2011? What is the role of
Baku and Yerevan in Moscow’s policy in the South Caucasus and beyond?

The priorities of 2011 hardly differ significantly from the priorities
of 2010 and 2009: peace and stability in the South Caucasus; economic
development and cooperation; raising trust and security between the
countries. This is the principal position of Russia.

Both Azerbaijan and Armenia are countries that have not only common
history with Russia. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia are strategic allies
of Russia, their peoples are connected with the Russian people through
great economic, educational, scientific, cultural and, finally,
interpersonal relations.

Russia is interested in the prosperity of all the countries in the
region and is interested in the development of mutually profitable
economic, public, scientific and educational and cultural relations
with them. Much has already been achieved. I think the positive
dynamics in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia with Russia will
develop next year. All the conditions are in place for this.

From: A. Papazian

HAYOTS ASHKHARH: ARMENIAN FLAG RAISED AT NORTH POLE CONVEYED TO SERZH SARGSYAN

news.am
Nov 18 2010
Armenia

According to the information at Hayots Ashkharh daily’s disposal,
Vice President of Union of Armenians of Russia, Russian-Armenian polar
explorer, political figure Arthur Chilingarov stated that he had raised
the Armenian flag during his recent expedition to the North Pole.

Hero of the Soviet Union and Russian Federation conveyed the flag to
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan within the framework of celebrations
dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the union.

From: A. Papazian

AZG: DOCUMENT ON KARABAKH IN ASTANA?

news.am
Nov 18 2010
Armenia

The Azg newspaper writes that the expectations from the OSCE Summit
in Astana on December 1-2 are over-optimistic, and they can hardly be
realized. One of the expectations is progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process because of officials’ ungrounded statements.

Signing any document and expecting such an event is never preceded
by any statements, so any expectations from the Astana summit are
unrealistic. On the other hand, with the need for further meetings
and negotiations considered, it is clear the statements are part of
the process.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev
added one more statement. He pointed out that the negotiations over
documents progress with difficulties, especially when documents on
conflicts are in question.

On the other hand, a possible Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential
meeting during the summit is not a reason for optimism either.

Immediately after the previous meetings the Azeri President tried to
discredit the Minsk process.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO OPEN CONSULATE IN BULGARIA

news.am
Nov 18 2010
Armenia

On November 17, Ministerial Council of Bulgaria made a decision to
open Armenian and Kenyan Consulates in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Governmental
press service reported.

Armenian Consulate will be led by Sarkis Kalustov Sarkizov, Honorary
Consul in Varna and will cover Varna, Burgas, Dobrich, Shumen and
Targovishte. He is a Bulgarian citizen.

Consulate of Kenya will be located in Sofia, under the leadership of
Honorary Consul Ivaylo Ivanov Dermenjiev (a citizen of Bulgaria).

From: A. Papazian

AHMADINEJAD SAYS NK CONFLICT WILL BE SETTLED IF FOREIGN PRESSURE IS SOFTENED

Panorama
Nov 18 2010
Armenia

Iran~Rs President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made his remarks over the
resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after his negotiations with
Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani media reports say.

According to Ahmadinejad if foreign pressure is smoothed on Southern
Caucasus, the conflict will surely find its solution: ~SIran hopes,
NK conflict will get peaceful resolution.~T

Iranian President said Iran hails efforts of the both parties towards
peaceful and internationally met conflict settlement.

From: A. Papazian

AHMADINEJAD STRESSES FAIR USE OF CASPIAN SEA BY NEIGHBORS

ISNA Iranian Students News Agency
Nov 18 2010
Iran

TEHRAN (ISNA)-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated that
all Caspian Sea littoral states should use the sea fairly.

“Iran and Azerbaijan share views on Caspian Sea and we believe that
Caspian Sea is the sea of peace and brotherhood and all littoral
states should use it fairly. Iran and Azerbaijan are playing a very
leading role in the issue,” he said in a press conference with Azeri
counterpart Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday in Azerbaijan.

Also regarding Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Ahmadinejad said, “we
believe that the conflict should be resolved through talks and in a
fair manner.”

Ilham Aliyev on his part expressed satisfaction on Ahmadinejad’s trip
to Azerbaijan and said, “the volume of economic cooperation between
the two countries must be expanded by several times.”

“Azerbaijan has deepened ties with Iran after it became independent and
the relations are not only beneficial to the two countries, but the two
neighboring states play an influential role in regional developments.”

He also called for boosting bilateral security cooperation as well.

Meanwhile, Azeri President referred to Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and
said his country wants that the issue be settled based on international
rules as soon as possible.

Iran and Azerbaijan also signed an agreement on energy and
transportation.

Iranian President left for Baku on Wednesday for Caspian Sea littoral
states summit.

He was accompanied by senior aide Mojtaba Samareh-Hashemi, Chief of
Staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

From: A. Papazian