Author: Andres-Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S HAZARDOUS WORKSTYLE RECEIVED NO ADEQUATE APPRAISAL BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: SPEAKER

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

“Unfortunately, loyal to its deconstructive policy, Azerbaijan
continues the armament race at the expense of its oil super-profits
in the region, violating all the norms as prescribed by common
armament agreements of Europe,” Armenian National Assembly Speaker
Hovik Abrahamyan said at a sitting of the European Parliament Foreign
Affairs Committee in Brussels.

“Azerbaijan’s leadership doesn’t stop continuous bellicose statements,
spreading hatred towards Armenians among its people,” the Speaker
said, highlighting that Azerbaijan doesn’t refrain from military
threats even at the threshold of the regional cooperation talks and
the military doctrine it recently adopted is a vivid proof for this.

“However, Azerbaijan’s hazardous workstyle for the region has
received no adequate appraisal by the international community,”
H. Abrahamyan said.

According to him, Karabakh issue has many sensitive sides, thus,
Armenia expects impartial and balanced approaches.

“With these motivations I have addressed a letter to the President
of the European Parliament over the resolution on “The need for the
EU to develop a strategy for the South Caucasus”, endorsed by the
Parliament May 20, 2010. The resolution involves non-accurate remarks
about Nagorno-Karabakh as not aware of the nuances of the conflict,
the author of the resolution has never visited the region and has not
consulted with the OSCE MG Co-Chairs, particularly, the representative
of the EU member France,” the Speaker said. Thus, significant facts
related to the conflict have been disregarded, he highlighted.

“Disregarding these facts can have negative impact on the Karabakh
settlement process. The recent Azerbaijani provocation in the line of
contact didn’t come accidentally, either, leaving 5 Armenian soldiers
and 1 Azeri dead,” H. Abrahamyan said.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN SARGSYAN ASSESSES PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF “AVAILABLE APARTMENT FOR YOUNG FAMILY” PROGRAM AS SATISFACTORY

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

Consultation was held today at the Armenian government over the
“Available Apartment for Young Family” state target program chaired
by the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. According to the government’s
information department, during the consultation the participants
discussed the process of implementation of the program and further
activities. Deputy finance minister Vardan Aramyan, deputy sports
and youth affairs minister Arsen Karamyan, deputy chairman of the
Central Bank Vache Gabrielyan came forth with reports.

As part of the program 100 loans amounting to approximately 1 billion
AMD have been provided. About 80% of the credits have been provided
in Yerevan and the 20% in the Armenian provinces.

Tigran Sargsyan assessed the process of implementation of the program
as satisfactory and pointed out that the level of usage of the loans
by the young families from the provinces is rather low. Pointing out
the importance of equal territorial development, the head of the
government assigned the Finance Ministry to prepare a bill during
August on making changes in the pilot program for the young families
of the provinces and the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry to intensify
the public awareness process.

Summing up the process of the implementation of the program and
development tendencies as well as the existing demands, it was noted
that the 3 billion AMD intended by the “Available Apartment for Young
Family” state target program will be used at its full by the end of
the year.

From: A. Papazian

CHESS: ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS IN BENASQUE OPEN

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

GM Hrant Melkumyan and IM Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian (Brazil) have
scored 5 points each out of 6 and are one point behind the leader of
the tournament, GM Alexandr Fier (Brazil) in the open which is being
held in Benasque, Spain. GMs Karen Movsziszian and Zaven Andriasian
have scored 4,5 points each, Remy Artinyan (France) – 2,5 points,
Armenian chess federation reported.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY MAY TEMPORARILY OPEN BORDERS WITH ARMENIA

news.az
July 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Turkish representatives will take part in military and humanitarian
trainings of NATO t be held in September of this year in Armenia.

According to Turkish Radikal, the names of Turkish servicemen have
already been added to the list of the Alliance soldiers who will come
to Armenia for exercise. In addition, the newspaper says that there is
a plan to open the Armenian-Turkish border for the limitless passage
of servicemen for a time period.

The exercise is expected to involved servicemen of 19 member-states and
partners of NATO. Azerbaijan has rejected participation in trainings.

The decision to hold military exercise in Armenia was adopted by the
NATO member-states including Turkey. The exercise will be held on
11-17 September 2010.

According to diplomatic sources, the temporary opening of the border
will ensure the passage of military column for humanitarian purpose
and this does not mean that the state border between Turkey and Armenia
is declared open. But this will soften ties between Yerevan and Ankara.

The newspaper also states that the return of seven occupied regions
of Azerbaijan is the subject of talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

An agreement on this issue is expected to be reached under assistance
of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, the newspaper reads.

From: A. Papazian

D. BABAYAN: STATUS QUO BENEFICIAL FOR ALIYEV

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

“We didn’t expect something different. Generally, such military,
non-constructive policy leaves us nothing but to think that no
breakthrough is possible in the issue in the future,” the head of the
central information department of Artsakh President’s office David
Babayan told Panorama.am commenting on Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev’s speech.

Azerbaijan’s President said at a government sitting Tuesday that when
Armenians speak about Nagorno-Karabakh independence, it’s just their
fantasy. “Without Azerbaijan’s consent Nagorno-Karabakh cannot get
any status. Azerbaijani people will never allow to separate Karabakh.”

According to Babayan, with his speeches, Aliyev also violates the
mother law of his country. “In one of his recent speeches he called
Artsakh as “Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

However, even their Constitution does not have the term “NK region”.

Thus, when Aliyev says something that contradicts to the Constitution
of his own country, what can one expect from this person or this
state? Naturally, nothing,” Babayan said.

As he said, this once again shows that we cannot reach settlement
in the near future with such an approach, moreover, it also shows
that status quo is beneficial for Aliyev and he doesn’t seek for
any settlement.

Answeing Panorama.am question on Aliyev’s remark that Azerbaijani
people will never allow to separate Artsakh from Azerbaijan, D.

Babayan said: “What is to say Azerbaijan will not allow? When
the Soviet Union collapsed, did it give consent to Azerbaijan’s
independence, is this a democratic approach to the issue? Of course,
Azerbaijan’s khan-despotic status is reflected in its foreign and
dometic policies as well.”

Then he added: “When he speaks about giving sovereignity to Karabakh,
we should understand here that he cannot do it since there are
minorities in his country. What comes interesting here is that
in this context NK independence is more beneficial for Azerbaijan
than speaking about sovereignity as speaking about sovereignity and
referendum could hint at least three minorities in Azerbaijan (Avar,
Lezgie, Talish) raise the sovereignity issue and this will damage
the already artificial notion of “Azerbaijani nation”.

Thus, Azerbaijan should do its best either to take Karabakh without
Armenians or just to leave the issue as it is. The nation formation
process is not over in Azerbaijan yet and, consequently, it’s more
aggressive and intolerant in terms of minorities and the recognition
of independence.”

From: A. Papazian

POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL COMPLEX

Aysor
July 14 2010
Armenia

On July 14, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan met with Polish
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski who is in Armenia at his invitation.

First they had a private talk, then the delegations also joined
the meeting.

Welcoming the guest Edward Nalbandyan said: “The Armenia-Poland
traditionally warm and friendly relations have become more active
lately, a high-level periodic political dialogue proceeds between our
countries, economic collaboration and cultural exchanges expand. This
visit is a good opportunity to discuss the current agenda of
Armenia-Poland collaboration, to outline new programs.”

The Polish Foreign Minister expressing gratitude for warm reception
said that Poland attaches importance to development of comprehensive
cooperation with Armenia, use of current potential, and his visit’s
main goal is to undertake practical measures in that direction.

Ministers Nalbandyan and Sikorski expressed satisfaction with mutual
interest to develop comprehensive cooperation stressing that there
is a political will and good preconditions for it.

During the talk Ministers Nalbandyan and Sikorski expressed
satisfaction with the dynamics of development of cooperation between
the two countries, attached importance to holding regular consultations
between the two Ministries as another format of efficient cooperation.

The Armenian and Polish Foreign Ministers attached importance to
facilitation of visa regime for two countries’ citizens and agreed
to undertake concrete measures in that direction.

Edward Nalbandyan and Radoslaw Sikorski discussed steps to be
undertaken to deepen cooperation in spheres of economy, education,
and culture, MFA press office reported. The Ministers spoke about the
results of Armenian-Polish intergovernmental commission meeting held
in Yerevan the day before.

The Foreign Ministers discussed the process of cooperation between
Armenia and European Union and steps to be undertaken in the sphere.

The sides attached importance to complete use of Eastern Partnership
potential and many-sided cooperation.

The South Caucasus problems and ways to their resolution were on the
negotiation agenda. At the guest’s request Minister Nalbandyan spoke
about the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
negotiations. The sides stressed that Nagorno Karabakh conflict
peaceful political resolution has no alternative.

The Armenian and Polish Foreign Ministers meeting was followed by
their joint press conference.

The Polish Foreign Minister also laid a wreath to the Armenian
Genocide Memorial.

From: A. Papazian

HRANT MELKUMYAN IS CHASING ALEXANDER FIER

Aysor
July 14 2010
Armenia

The Grandmaster Hrant Melkumyan and the international master Grigor
Sevak Mkhitaryan in the open taking place in the Spanish Benask city
have received 5 points each from the possible 6 and are behind the
leader Grandmaster Alexander Fier with one point only.

Grandmasters Karen Movsisyan, Zaven Andriasyan have received 4.5 points
each, Remi Artinyan 2.5 points, informs the Armenian chess federation.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN, POLISH FOREIGN MINISTERS SATISFIED WITH THE DYNAMICS OF DEVELOPMENT OF PARTNERSHIP

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan met today with his Polish
counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski who is paying an official visit to
Armenia upon the invitation of E. Nalbandyan. The meeting launched
in face-to-face format and continued with the participation of
delegations, MFA reported.

Welcoming the guest Edward Nalbandyan said: “Recently the
Armenian-Polish friendly relations have notably intensified and
periodical high level political dialogues are underway, economic
cooperation has extended. This visit is a good opportunity to discuss
the agenda of the Armenian-Polish cooperation, point out new programs.”

Polish Foreign Minister thanked for the warm reception and said that
Poland signifies development of multifaceted relations with Armenia,
implementation of the existing potential and the main goal of his
visit is to undertake practical steps in that direction.

Ministers Nalbandyan and Sikorski pointed out the mutual readiness
for developing comprehensive cooperation, pointing out that there is
necessary political will and good prerequisites for it.

During the conversation the Ministers expressed content over the
dynamics of development of partnership between the two countries,
highlighted the conduction of periodical consultations as another
format of effective cooperation.

The interlocutors also signified the easing of visa regime and agreed
to undertake steps in that direction.

Edward Nalbandyan and Radoslaw Sikorski discussed ways to deepen
cooperation in the spheres of economy, education and culture. The
Ministers also referred to the results of the session of the
Armenian-Polish inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation,
held in Yerevan Tuesday.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed deepening of Armenia-EU
cooperation, referred to a number of regional issues. At guest’s
request, Edward Nalbandyan presented the recent developments over
the Artsakh conflict settlement.

The meeting was followed by the joint press conference of the
Ministers.

Polish Foreign Minister also visited Armenian Genocide Memorial and
laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the first genocide
of the 20th century.

From: A. Papazian

E. NALBANDYAN: AZERBAIJAN’S RESOLUTION SUBMITTED TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON NEGOTIATING PROCESS

Panorama
July 14 2010
Armenia

Azerbaijan’s another unilateral resolution submitted to the UN General
Assembly will have a negative impact on the negotiating process,
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan told reporters at a
joint conference with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in
Yerevan today.

“I think, all the states backing the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement
process are of the same opinion,” Nalbandyan highlighted.

According to the Azerbaijani media, Azerbaijan introduced a 10-point
resolution at the 64th sitting of the UN General Assembly, called
“Preservation of the international humanitarian law and international
human rights in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S INTERESTS REMAIN IMPORTANT FOR TURKEY – DAVUTOGLU

news.az
July 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Ahmet Davutoglu Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has again stated
Turkey’s full support for Azerbaijan.

Asked by Turkish Democratic Left Wing Party MP Suleyman Yagiz about the
stalled Turkish-Armenian protocols on rapprochement, Davutoglu said:
“Ankara’s positions have not changed, the interests of fraternal
Azerbaijan remain important for Turkey.”

“Relations with Azerbaijan have always been important to us and Turkey
spares no effort to find a solution to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict.

Turkey will continue full support for Azerbaijan in all issues and
our government can never reject these principles,” Milliyet newspaper
reported the foreign minister as saying.

Meanwhile, Davutoglu said Turkey remained committed to the Zurich
protocols signed with Armenia and would continue to look for normalize
ties with this country.

From: A. Papazian