Author: Andres-Papazian

Vardan Ayvazyan was no deprived of anything

05:36 pm | June 25, 2010 | Politics

Republican MP, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee
on Economic Affairs Vardan Ayvazyan today declined to discuss the
rebuke received from President Serzh Sargsyan about two months ago
saying it was a mere inner-party matter.

Mr. Ayvazyan also refuted the rumours about his “punishment”

According to press publications, the leadership of the Republican
Party deprived Ayvazyan of his business after the latter voiced
support for Prosperous Armenia Party Leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

“The President is the head of a party I am affiliated with. Being a
Republican, I have certain obligations and commitments. I simply
received a rebuke, that’s all,” he said and added that it was linked
to the activity of the Commission on Economic Issues and to
“Republican Vardan Ayvazyan.

“Do you know that I have received the Anania Shirakatsi medal and
other awards but I don’t want speak about them,” he said.

Speaking about Armenian economy, Mr. Ayvazyan said the economic growth
registered in the country during the first five months allows
predicting GDP growth in the country.

Unlike Vardan Ayvazyan, the opposition predicts a social rebellion in the fall.

To this, Mr. Ayvazyan said, “The opposition demonstrates seasonal
behaviour. Each season, the opposition declares to begin the next
season with disorders,” the Republican MP said.

From: A. Papazian

Won’t communities be left without water?

04:22 pm | June 25, 2010 | Social

The construction of a small power plant on the Argichi River may leave
five Armenian communities Geghovit, Madina, Vaghashen, Nergin Getashen
and Verin Getashen without water.

Earlier this week, EcoLur sent an alarm to the Ministry of Territorial
Administration of RA, the Ministry of Nature Protection of RA, the
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of RA and the Committee on
Lake Sevan Issues under the President of RA. The Ministry of
Territorial Administration was the first to answer EcoLur’s concern.

According to the Ministry’s press service, Minister Armen Gevorgyan
was informed about the problem ten days ago and he immediately
reported to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.

The latter assigned the Ministry to study the situation on the lake
and met with the representatives of the five communities in a special
sitting in Gegharkounik Marz on June 24.

From: A. Papazian

PACE sets three demands to Armenian authorities

03:31 pm | June 25, 2010 | Politics

A written declaration entitled “Continuing non-compliance by Armenia
of its international obligations” has appeared on the website of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)

PACE recalls that Resolution 1609 (2008) on Armenia adopted after the
2008 elections firmly establishes that “the underlying causes of the
crisis are deeply rooted in the failure of the key institutions of the
state to perform their functions in full compliance with democratic
standards and the principles of the rule of law and the protection of
human rights”, and calls for “an independent, transparent and credible
inquiry into the events of 1 March 2008” including the killing of 10
persons, and demands to release the persons detained on artificial and
politically motivated charges;

PACE Stresses that proper functioning of democratic institutions is
not achievable without the establishment of the truth and full
restoration of justice including the punishment of those responsible
for previous human rights violations;

PACE Emphasises that unpunished violations stimulate the sense of
impunity and contribute to their recurrence, a vivid example of which
is the death in custody of Vahan Khalafyan, who was allegedly tortured
and subsequently killed by his interrogators;

PACE is alarmed by newly-initiated criminal proceedings against three
opposition activists, including journalist Ani Gevorgyan from the
daily newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak;

PACE considers unacceptable that:

– no one is yet held responsible for the killing of 10 persons;

– representatives of the opposition, convicted on politically
motivated charges, are still kept in jail;

– the authorities refuse to examine the illegal involvement of the
army in the events of March 2008,

PACE urgently demands that the Armenian authorities:

– identify and punish those responsible for the killing of 10 persons;

– release prisoners convicted on politically motivated charges;

– conduct a transparent and credible inquiry into the illegal
involvement of the army.

The continuing non-compliance by the Armenian authorities of its
international obligations and Parliamentary Assembly’s demands is
unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it.

From: A. Papazian

“Yellow card” to Azerbaijan

02:56 pm | June 25, 2010 | Politics

International organizations decrying Azerbaijan’s recent diversion did
not give names in their statements.

In response to their statements, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian today advised speaking openly and naming those responsible
to avoid further problems.

“In order not to encourage those who make bellicose statements, those
who frequently violate the truce, those who refuse to remove snipers
from the contact line, those who incite provocations and attempt to
disrupt negotiations, the international community should call things
by their proper names and openly declare who was responsible for the
recent incident at the line of contact between the NKR and Azerbaijani
armed forces,” Edward Nalbandian said during a joint press conference
with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of
Austria, Michael Spindelegger.

During the meetings with the authors of statements Minister Nalbandian
learnt that the appeals are addressed to Azerbaijan. “Statements on
the recent incident in Chaylu signal as `yellow card’ for Azerbaijan,”
he added.

Edward Nalbandian stressed that Azerbaijan attempts to attach
religious colouring to the conflict and involve the Islamic world in
the matter.

“I advise the international community to express a definite stance on
the incident not to make an impression among Azerbaijanis that it will
allow or accept any encroachment, bellicose statement or approach,”
Minister Nalbandian said.

Replying to a journalist’s question why Austria decided to open its
first embassy in Azerbaijan which is labeled as an authoritarian
country by the international community, Michael Spindelegger said,
“Nabucco pipeline project tempted many Austrians; hence we decided to
open the first embassy in Baku.The financial crisis frustrated our
plans to open Embassies in all South Caucasian countries. But we shall
establish diplomatic outposts in Armenia and Georgia in due time”

In response to an Austrian journalist’s question why the
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement was suspended, Minister Nalbandian
said, “The reason is that Turkey has returned to the language of
preconditions. Turkey constantly reiterates that it does not set
preconditions while in fact, does the opposite. Not only Yerevan, but
also the international community repeatedly insist on normalising
relations without preconditions. Negotiations will resume only in case
Turkey shows respect for international agreements.”

From: A. Papazian

Memorial service for slain Armenian servicemen

02:17 pm | June 25, 2010 | Social

On June 27, a memorial service will be held in Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin in commemoration of the Armenian servicemen killed in the
result of Azerbaijani subversive act near the village of Chaylu on
June 18.

“The faithful are invited to pray for the brave soldiers perished for
the protection of their Motherland and for the fast recovery of the
wounded soldiers,” reads a statement of Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia hails Kuwaiti investments

01:56 pm | June 25, 2010 | Official

On June 25, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received the
Minister of Finance of Kuwait, Mustafa Jassim Al-Shemali.

Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian noted that “the Armenian and
Arab peoples have been tied with centuries-old friendship, and
interstate relations continue developing on this basis.” Edward
Nalbandian added that the development of multifaceted relations with
the Arab world was among the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy.

Mr. Nalbandian noted that Armenian President’s state visit to Kuwait
in November 2008 marked a breakthrough in a number of spheres; an
Armenian Embassy was established in Kuwait.

Minister Mustafa Jassim Al-Shemali thanked the Armenian FM for the
warm reception extending the greetings of Kuwaiti Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister.

Mustafa Jassim Al-Shemali assured that his country intends to expand
the cooperation with friendly Armenia and is taking concrete steps in
that direction, noting that his visit will be followed by visits of
high-level officials.

The parties discussed issues related to the expansion of relations in
the spheres of trade and economy, education, science and agriculture.
Edward Nalbandian said Armenia welcomed Kuwait’s investments in
different spheres of its economy.

Minister Nalbandian hailed the signing of the agreement on
encouragement and mutual protection of investments. The parties noted
that the establishment of air communication between Armenia and Kuwait
would contribute to the development of economic cooperation.

The Armenian Foreign Minister asked Mustafa Jassim Al-Shemali to
convey his greetings to his Kuwaiti counterpart.

From: A. Papazian

Aliyev sticks to his principles

12:44 pm | June 25, 2010 | Politics

Following the large-scale exercises on the 92nd anniversary of
Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev called on the
Azerbaijani armed forces to be ready to liberate native lands by the
order of the Supreme Commander.

The Azerbaijani president stressed the importance of army building,
increase of Azerbaijani military strength and mostly spoke of
achievements made in this direction, Azerbaijani Apa news agency
reports.

For many years we have suffered from aggression, our lands are under
occupation. At any time we have to be able to liberate our homeland
from invaders. Along with political and diplomatic efforts, we must
have a strong army to liberate the lands. The process is going well.
Today the level of the Azerbaijani army is very high”, he said.

The President said that during the seven years of military expenditure
in Azerbaijan increased by more than 13 times.

“Today, in Azerbaijan military expenditures for 2010 amount to 2
billion 150 million dollars, which exceeds the entire state budget of
Armenia. However, this is not enough. We will continue to increase our
military power, to procure all necessary for our army weapons,
ammunition and equipment”, said Ilham Aliyev.

“Our goal is to further strengthen the independence of the country, to
guarantee the independent policy of Azerbaijan, to resolve all
problems facing the country. The most important and foremost among
these problems – is liberation of our lands from the invaders,” he
continued.

Ilham Aliyev especially stressed that Azerbaijan has never denied the
possibility of military solutions to the issue.

As you know, for many years Armenia and Azerbaijan are negotiating in
this direction. Great is the role of mediators in the negotiations.
However, despite this, the question is still unresolved. Today
Azerbaijan faces new challenges: either to continue negotiations – we
ready for this – or to choose another path. We have to be ready for
any variant, and the statements I have made repeatedly over the past
few years testify to this,” Aliyev said adding that the patience of
the Azerbaijani people is not unlimited.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia should toughen its position

12:00 pm | June 25, 2010 | Politics

Armenakan-Ramkavar Azatakan Party extends condolences to the families
of the servicemen killed in Martakert region, at the contact line of
Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces on June 18.

The party has issued a statement in which it suggests rewarding the
servicemen with state orders and medals, and providing material and
moral compensation to their families.

The party expresses its concern over the incident and urges that the
casualties of the Armenian side resulted by the vile onslaught of
enemy be thoroughly investigated by military and law-enforcement
agencies and the results be published.

Armenakan-Ramkavar Azatakan Party says people responsible for the
protection of this section of the border should be made accountable to
exclude the reoccurrence of similar attacks in the future.

The party is concerned with allegations of international structures,
in particular, with that of the OSCE Minsk Group.

“In fact, they equated the aggressor and victims. Apparently, unbiased
and impartial mediation is excluded, hence Armenia should toughen its
position in the Karabakh issue,” the party statement reads.

From: A. Papazian

US Department of State
June 25 2010

Secretary Clinton to Travel to Kyiv, Krakow, Baku, Yerevan and Tbilisi

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC

June 25, 2010

In Kyiv, Secretary Clinton will open the second meeting of the
Strategic Partnership Commission and meet with government officials,
including President Yanukovych and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko, and
with civil society and independent media leaders. In Krakow, Secretary
Clinton will participate in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of
the founding of the Community of Democracies, an organization
initiated by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and her
Polish counterpart Bronislaw Geremek in 2000. Secretary Clinton will
also meet with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski.

The Secretary will continue on to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia,
where she will hold meetings with government officials and civil
society leaders to discuss bilateral issues, as well as issues related
to regional peace and stability.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian Coalition parties to cooperate with EPP

11:24 am | June 25, 2010 | Politics

The working group of the European People’s Party on the membership
issues convened a sitting in Brussels on June 24.

The meeting discussed the integration of Armenian parties in the
European People’s Party. A decision was made to give Armenian
Coalition parties an opportunity to side with the EPP.

Bilateral negotiations are expected to start between the Prosperous
Armenia Party (BHK), Republican Party (HHK) and Rule of Law (OYK) and
European People’s Party in the nearest future.

A high-level mission of the European People’s Party is due to arrive
in Armenia by the end of 2010 to see to what extent the Armenian
coalition parties correspond to European standards.

From: A. Papazian