Author: Andres-Papazian

COMMEMORATION DAY OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH

aysor
July 15 2010
Armenia

Today the Armenian Apostolic church marks the commemoration day
of the Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet Isaiah is the first of the four
major prophets of the Old Testament. He was born and spent almost his
entire life in the city of Jerusalem, in the eight century B.C. The
66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah are considered to be an ocean of
wealth, concerned with issues related to God, justice, sin, religion
and various social ills. Being an educated and intelligent man, he
was the spiritual guide to four kings of Jerusalem, expressing God’s
will on many national matters. His book, written in an unsurpassed
style and spirit, is the link between the Old and the New Testaments.

Isaiah is also called the “Evangelist Prophet” for his prophesizing
on the coming of the Messiah – Jesus Christ. In the Book of Isaiah,
Chapter 61, the prophet comes forth as a servant sent by the Lord’s
Soul “to bring the good news to the poor and to take care of the
desperate and hopeless.” Christ would later read the words of Isaiah
in the synagogue in Nazareth, as He became the realization of that
mission in the world (Luke 4:16-21).

According to tradition, Isaiah was killed by particularly brutal means.

From: A. Papazian

SPAT CONTINUES AHEAD OF POSSIBLE ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI MEETING

news.az
July 15 2010
Azerbaijan

Elkhan Polukhov Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has accused
the Armenian foreign minister of being deliberately misleading.

Spokesman Elkhan Polukhov was commenting on remarks by Armenian Foreign
Edward Nalbandian about the content of a possible meeting between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers on the sidelines of
an informal OSCE Ministerial session in Almaty on 16-17 July.

Nalbandian told a press conference in Yerevan yesterday that,
“If the meeting is held, it is first of all necessary to clarify
whether Azerbaijan is ready to continue talks on the basis of the
latest version of the Madrid document on which high level agreement
was reached in St Petersburg.”

Polukhov told Day.Az yesterday that Nalbandian seemed to have changed
the format of the negotiations, as only Russia out of the three OSCE
mediating countries had been present at the St Petersburg talks.

“The negotiating process is held between the parties to the conflict –
Armenia and Azerbaijan – and is mediated by the co-chairs of the
Minsk Group countries – France, the USA and Russia. A document
prepared by the Minsk Group co-chairs and containing the updated
Madrid principles aimed at the resolution of the Karabakh conflict was
adopted in December 2009 with the participation of the delegations of
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states, including Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner,
and US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg. However, only the
Russian side was represented in St Petersburg in the absence of France
and the United States,” Polukhov said.

“Against the background of the recent statements of the presidents
of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states made in Canada, instead of
busying themselves with useless rhetoric and attempts to mislead their
audience, the Armenian leadership should prepare its community for the
inevitable withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan and the future coexistence of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan,”
Polukhov said.

“Someone is trying to get the Armenian side out of the difficult
position they are in at the negotiating table today,” he concluded.

The OSCE has been mediating in talks to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict since a cease-fire was agreed in 1994. The main sticking
point in the negotiations is and always has been the status of
Nagorno-Karabakh, which Azerbaijan insists should remain part of
its territory.

From: A. Papazian

BAKU, YEREVAN ‘SHOULD DEVELOP’ KARABAKH SETTLEMENT MECHANISM

news.az
July 15 2010
Azerbaijan

Hillary Clinton ‘The visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
is important since it “underlined” the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
the agenda of the US and West.

I hope it will mark the start of the new period of the more intensive
participation of US in the resolution of the conflict’, said Alexandros
Peterson.

He said the conflict parties are in a difficult state in terms of the
negotiation process and the diplomatic step by the United States in
this situation would be quite desirable.

‘Nevertheless, Baku and Yerevan, supported by three co-chairs of
the Minsk Group, should have developed the mechanism of the Karabakh
conflict settlement’.

As for the differences in US and Russian positions on the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict, the expert said the following:

‘It is merely impossible to imagine an even clearer difference in
the US and Russian approaches. The United States as an actor of
international policy treats its role of a mediator seriously and
tries to be maximally neutral in this issue even despite the useless
attempts of the Congress to interfere.

At the same time, though Russia has held a number of high
level meetings as a co-chair, it supports Armenia with arms and
diplomatically. I think Moscow’s role in the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict has always hampererd progress but the improvement of bilateral
ties between US and Russia may lead to a more productive attitude of
the Russian leadership’.

From: A. Papazian

CONSTRUCTION ON IRAN-ARMENIA OIL PIPELINE TO BEGIN IN AUTUMN

Oil and Gas Industry Latest News

July 15 2010

Send to a FriendPrintConstruction work on the Iran-Armenia oil
pipeline will begin in the autumn, Armenian Energy Minister Armen
Movsiyan said July 14. “It is estimated that the oil pipeline will
cost $160-180 million, and Armenia and Iran will split financing for
the project fifty-fifty. There is an agreement with the Iranian side
that Iran will invest in the project and Armenia will pay its part
as it receives dividends”, Movsiyan said at a news conference.

He noted that only the state was investing in the pipeline at the
current time. “After the pipeline is built, a tender will be announced
for private companies, who have not invested in the construction,
to operate it”, he said.

Earlier, the Armenian Energy Ministry announced that a joint
Armenian-Iranian working group was completing work to decide the
diameter of the future pipeline from Iranian refineries in Tebriz
to the Armenian city of Ersakh. Construction is to begin after these
assessments are made. Oil products will be stored at a terminal being
built in Ersakh. the pipeline will carry gasoline and diesel fuel.

From: A. Papazian

FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES DANIEL ROSENBLUM

Aysor
July 15 2010
Armenia

On July 14, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan received
Armenian-American Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission
American Co-chairman, Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and
Eurasia Daniel Rosenblum.

Welcoming the guest Minister Nalbandyan appreciated very much the
activities of the Armenian-American Intergovernmental Economic
Cooperation Commission stressing that many programs were developed
and implemented through the commission.

Daniel Rosenblum thanked Edward Nalbandyan for the reception assuring
him that the commission will keep its efforts to deepen cooperation
in the economic sphere.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenian-American
economic cooperation and U.S. assistance to Armenia and Artsakh,
exchanged thoughts over possibilities of expanding cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

NA SPEAKER: ARMENIA COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THE POLICY DIRECTED TO DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY

Panorama
July 15 2010
Armenia

As part of his working visit to the European Parliament, delegation
headed by the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan had meetings with the
Vice-President of the European Parliament László TŒkés, the
Vice-President of the Euronest Jarek Sarius-Volski, the Co-Chairman of
the delegation of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
Milan Cabrnoch, the head of the Euronest delegation in the European
Parliament Christian Wigenin, the Secretary General of the European
People’s Party Antonio Lopes Isturiz White, NA public relations
department reported.

At the meeting with the Vice-President of the European Parliament
László TŒkés Hovik Abrahamyan said Armenia signifies the
continuative deepening of the cooperation with the EU, especially
within the framework of the Eastern Partnership initiative launched
in May 2009.

It opens new perspectives for establishing contract relations for
expanding cooperation with the EU.

Hovik Abrahamyan also signified the expansion of cooperation between
the European Parliament, national parliaments of the EU member
states with the Armenian National Assembly, the formation of joint
commissions, active work of friendship groups.

The Speaker said that Armenia is committed to continue the policy
directed to the development of democracy and in this respect
highlighted the active process of harmonizing the Armenian legislation
in accordance with the European standards. Hovik Abrahamyan suggested
involving members of the National Assembly into the activity of the
European Parliament, in inter-cultural dialogue events. The NA Speaker
also offered to organize European Parliament-Eastern Partnership
meetings as well as conduct Inter-Cultural Dialogue Forum.

The Vice-President of the European Parliament László TŒkés
highly assessed the visit of the Armenian NA Speaker to the European
Parliament saying it will promote the inter-parliamentary and
EU-Armenia partnership and signified Hovik Abrahamyan’s suggestions
on conducting forums in Armenia which will promote the cooperation
and dialogue in different formats. He highlighted the necessity of
development of democratic institutions in Armenia and becoming a
leader of democratization in the region.

During the meeting the sides also raised regional issues and signified
the necessity of peaceful settlement of the existing conflicts. H.
Abrahamyan espressed concern over the cease-fire frequent violations
in the line of contact by Azerbaijan, noting it cannot contribute to
establishing peace and stability in the region.

The same day the delegation had a meeting with the Vice-President of
the Euronest Jarek Sarius-Volski and member of the European Parliament
Traian Ungureanu. The sides discussed a wide range of issues on
cooperation within the framework of “Euronest”. The NA Speaker
officially presented suggestions on making amendments in the “Euronest”
Regulation. Particularly, it is suggested to eliminate the point on the
settlement of the conflict. Another change suggested by the Armenian
side relates to the applying of the principle of consensus in the
issues of vital, strategic significance for the national delegations.

Volski highly evaluated the constructive activity of the Armenian
delegation within the framework of the Parliamentary Assembly and
noted that all the suggestions presented by the Armenian side are
acceptable for them.

From: A. Papazian

EURONEST LAUNCH SET FOR MID-AUTUMN

Aysor
July 15 2010
Armenia

Within the framework of working visit to the European Parliament, a
delegation led by NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan met with the presidency
of the European Parliament delegation in Euronest.

Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan said that the National Assembly of Armenia
welcomes and hails the creation of the Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly. In spite of the problems in the way to establishment, there
is some progress. Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that in its relations
with Eastern Partnership countries Armenia prioritizes the principle
of non-use of dual standards. He expressed hope that the Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly will not become a new arena for lobbying
based on interests but will be a field of real democratic reforms
and European integration bridge for Eastern Partnership countries.

Delegation head Christian Vigenin appreciated very much Armenia’s
constructive and active involvement in Euronest activities and
expressed conviction that the partnership will further develop and
strengthen. He noted that Hovik Abrahamyan’s proposals concerning
regulatory amendments are acceptable for the delegation presidency.

Mr. Vigenin said that Euronest launch is set for mid-autumn, NA press
office reported.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

Aysor
July 15 2010
Armenia

The delegation led by NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan met with the
delegation of EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee within
the framework of the working visit to the European Parliament.

Armenia-EU cooperation prospects as well as regional security and
cooperation were discussed.

Mr. Abrahamyan stressed that Armenia prioritizes the European
direction and rapprochement with the European Union. Our country
pays a special attention to development of bilateral relations with
European structures and European countries. The NA Speaker expressed
satisfaction with the launch of the associated agreement with Armenia
what will create new prospects in establishment of comprehensive
cooperation with the European Union.

Issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh settlement and Armenian-Turkish
normalization were discussed at the meeting, NA press office reported.

Delegation members Vahan Hovhannisyan, Armen Rustamyan and Artak
Zakaryan answered questions of Members of European Parliament.

From: A. Papazian

SADOYAN: SUPERPOWERS WILL NOT ALLOW WAR

Aysor
July 15 2010
Armenia

Superpowers will not allow any serious clashes and operations.

National Democratic Union Head, Chairman of the Commission on
Enterprise and Consumer Rights Protection of the Public Council Arshak
Sadoyan told a press conference.

“Unfortunately, time works to the detriment of us, however, taking
into consideration the positive disposition of superpowers to us,
moving backward in the Armenian-Turkish normalization slowly will
not affect us very much,” Mr. Sadoyan said.

The speaker supposes that the Armenian-Turkish process cannot be
considered as past, “the situation allows us to reproach, for instance,
U.S., a number of European structures and Turkey, saying that we did
our utmost but failed just because of them.”

Mr. Sadoyan is convinced that but for Azerbaijani problems,
normalization of relations with Armenia would be beneficial for
Turkey. “To speak frankly, it is also beneficial for Armenia and
Armenian people. How long can we live missing our lost homeland?” the
speaker said.

From: A. Papazian

NO MEETING SCHEDULED BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS IN ALMATY

Panorama
July 15 2010
Armenia

At this moment no meeting between the Armenian and Turkish Foreign
Ministers has been scheduled in Almaty, Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Tigran Balayan told Panorama.am. Hurriyet reported earlier
that Davutoglu is expected to have meetings with Armenian and
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in Almaty.

Armenian Foreign Minister announced Wednesday that the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs are preparing a pentalateral meeting in the frames of
the non-official meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers due in Almaty
July 16-17.

Note that earlier media reported about a pentalateral meeting between
French, Russian Foreign Ministers, the US Secretary of State, as well
as the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in Almaty.

From: A. Papazian