Author: Andres-Papazian

6TH SESSION OF ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON SEPTEMBER 9-10

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 31, 2010
YEREVAN

Representatives of more than 53 states, including the Armenian
delegation headed by the RA Minister of Transport and Communication
Manuk Vardanian, participated in the International Transport Forum
held in Leipzig, Germany on May 26-28.

The forum participants discussed a wide range of issues related to
reduction of environmental pollution caused by means of transport,
introduction of transport operation-related innovations, as well
as problems of providing state assistance to innovations in the
sphere, developing cooperation of member states and international
organizations, introducig initiatives on efficient transport
technologies, and raising security in the transport system.

On the sidelines of the forum, M. Vardanian met with transport
ministers of Russia, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Ukraine. The current
state of cooperation in the transport sector and the need to
increase the number of annual permits on bilateral international
cargo transportation were discussed at the meetings.

The Belarusian and Ukrainian ministers also examined the possibility
of signing a new intergovernmental agreement on international motor
transportation, which will not provide for permits.

NT was informed by the minister’s spokeswoman Susanna Tonoyan
that the agenda of the upcoming sessions of Armenian-Bulgarian and
Armenian-Romanian intergovernmental commissions and some organizational
issues wre also discussed. In particular, it was decided that the
6th session of the Armenian-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission
will be held in Yerevan on 9-10 September 2010.

From: A. Papazian

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND QATAR DISCUSS ISSUES OF COOPERATION

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 31, 2010
DOHA

During his working visit to Qatar, Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgian met on May 31
with Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, Minister of Energy and Economy
Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.

The sides underlined the necessity of deepening bilateral cooperation
and expressed their willingness to make efforts in this direction. The
important role that the Armenian-Quatari intergovernmental commission
plays in the development of cooperation was pointed out.

The press service of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration
reported that A. Gevorgian indicated energy and tourism as perspective
spheres of cooperation. He said that Armenia plans to carry out a
number of large-scale projects, including those on construction of a
new nuclear power unit, North-South highway, Iran-Armenia railway,
and the country is ready to cooperate. In his words, Armenia pays
special attention to regional energy and infrastructure projects and
has an intention to cooperate with Qatar too in these fields.

For his part, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah said Qatar is interested
in promoting cooperation with Armenia through its participation in
regional projects. In this connection, he stressed the role of Armenian
communities which he said enjoy prestige in Arab countries as well.

On the same day A. Gevorgian attended the international forum “Free
Trade, Development and Democracy” held in Doha.

From: A. Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN: ” 28 MAY IS A SPECIAL HISTORIC DAY FOR THE ENTIRE ARMENIAN PEOPLE

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 31, 2010
STEPANAKERT

Address of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan in connection
with the day of the First Armenian Republic, where it’s said:

“Dear compatriots,

I cordially congratulate all of us on the day of the First Armenian
Republic.

28 May is a special historic day for the entire Armenian people. 92
years ago after the victory in the heroic battle of Sardarapat, the
first Armenian Republic was proclaimed. Withstanding different ordeals,
suffering indescribable hardships and losses for centuries our nation
found strength to endure and declare its existence to the world. The
heroic soul and self-confidence of the Armenian people were again
reborn, the lost Armenian statehood was restored. It became the basis
and source of inspiration for our future victories.

In 1918 the Armenian people both did not give way to despair escaped
from extermination, it was able to gain a glorious victory because
in the fatal hour we could consolidate and unite around national ideas.

This is the most significant lesson the history tells us and we should
always follow this precept.

Freedom, independence and democracy, the only true path our people
chose in 1918 have been guiding us in modern time. I am confident
that this way will be victorious for the two Armenian states.

I congratulate once again all our compatriots in every corner of
the world and wish peace, prosperity and great successes in favor
of continuous strengthening of the Armenian statehood and the bright
future of the Armenian people.”

From: A. Papazian

KURDISH REBELS ATTACK TURKEY NAVAL BASE

Yerkir
31.05.2010 14:52
Yerevan

Kurdish militants fired rockets at a Turkish naval base Monday killing
six troops in the latest assault on a military target since a jailed
Kurdish militant leader signaled an end to peace efforts.

Seven soldiers were wounded in the attack on a military vehicle
carrying troops to guard duty in the southern city of Iskenderun,
Hatay province, provincial governor Mehmet Celalettin Lekesiz was
quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency.

The attack was carried out by members of the “separatist terrorist
organisation”, Lekesiz said, using the official jargon for the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leading a 25-year insurgency.

Media reports said three of the wounded soldiers were in critical
condition in a military hospital in Ankara.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the PKK, whose
leader Abdullah Ocalan decided to abandon efforts to seek dialogue
with the Turkish government.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER CANCELS VISIT TO ARGENTINA OVER ATATURK BUST CONTROVERSY

Yerkir
31.05.2010 12:34
Yerevan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled a trip to
Argentina on Sunday after Buenos Aires authorities halted the display
of a bust of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement the two-day visit, which
was to have begun Sunday, had been canceled, and it hoped Argentina
would take steps to remove the shadow cast on Turkish-Argentine
relations. It said that Buenos Aires district was reversed as a result
of initiatives by the Armenian lobby.

Argentina’s president spoke with Erdogan to explain she could not
overrule the decision, yet he found this unacceptable and decided
not to go, the statement added.

From: A. Papazian

ISRAEL ATTACKS “LIBERTY” FLOTILLA

Yerkir
31.05.2010 13:05
Yerevan

At least 10 people have been killed after Israeli commandoes attacked
a fleet of ships carrying aid to Gaza Strip, a BBC report has said.

It remains unclear whether the shooting took place by the commandos
once they were aboard or whether the flotilla was fired upon when
the three Israeli vessels made contact with the flotilla about 123
kilometers off the Gaza coast, says another report.

Qatar’s Al Jazeera Television said the clash happened in international
waters off the Gaza coast after activists ignored Israeli order to
turn back.

The ships are carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid to try to break a
long-standing Israeli-led blockade.

Israel says its forces were attacked by activists when they got on
board the Turkish vessel.

From: A. Papazian

DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA ARMAN KIRAKOSIAN ATTENDS MEETING OF COUNCIL OF BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 31, 2010
SOFIA

The 22nd meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Member States
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) took place
in Sofia on May 28. The meeting chaired by Bulgaria was preceded by
a sitting of the Committee of Senior Officials of BSEC Member States.

The Armenian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister of
Armenia Arman Kirakosian. He made a speech on Armenia’s practical
participation in the implementation of the priorities of the BSCE
current chairmanship.

At the meeting, the Council of Foreign Ministers of BSEC Member
States made three dozen decisions on promotion of economic cooperation
envisaged by the BSEC agenda, including a key decision on development
of BSEC-EU partnership. At the conclusion of the meeting Greece took
over the chairmanship of the BSEC.

According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, on May 28 A.

Kirakosian met with Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raykov.

The sides discussed the issues related to Armenian-Bulgarian relations,
particularly the preparation for a session of the Armenian-Bulgarian
intergovernmental commission and a business forum to be held in
Yerevan in September, as well as the events being organized within
the framework of Year of Armenian Culture in Bulgaria.

Issues concerning the continuity of political consultations, the
expansion of economic ties, and the necessity of mutual high-level
visits were also discussed at the meeting.

From: A. Papazian

SERGEY MOVSESYAN WAS APPOINTED THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC MINISTER OF HEALTH CARE

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 31, 2010
STEPANAKERT

On 31 May President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan signed
a decree releasing Armen Khachatryan from the post of the Artsakh
Republic minister of health care according to his own request.

According to the report by the central information department of the
office of the Artsakh Republic President, by another Presidential
decree Sergey Movsesyan was appointed minister of health care.

From: A. Papazian

PRINCIPAL OF NUBARASHEN SPECIAL SCHOOLS RELIEVED OF POST

A1Plus.am
31/05/10

Armenia’s Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan today
signed a degree on relieving Meruzhan Yengibaryan of his duties as
Principal of Nubarashen #11 Schools for Children with Special Needs.

The decision was made under Articles 113 and 123 of the RA Labour Code.

Last week First Instance Court of Erebuni and Nubarashen Administrative
Districts sentenced Nubarashen teacher Levon Avagyan, charged with
sexual harassment, to two years of imprisonment.

Principal of Nubarashen #11 Meruzhan Yengibaryan had earlier denied
the accusations pronounced against him saying the school had very
good conditions and no one used violence against children.

From: A. Papazian

ARTAK SHAKARYAN: TURKEY HAS COMMITTED PROVOCATION AGAINST ISRAEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 31, 2010 – 19:49 AMT 14:49 GMT

Turkologist Artak Shakaryan said that Turkey has committed a
provocation against Israel, pursuing several goals – to gain Iran’s
trust, obtain dividends among the electorate on the threshold of the
parliamentary elections, as well as enhance Turkey’s positions in
the eyes of the Arab world countries.

“It should be taken into consideration that parliamentary elections
will be held in Turkey next year, thus, the Turkish authorities
are trying to satisfy Islamist moods in Turkey and gain Iran’s trust
through the anti-Israeli propaganda,” Shakaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.

“But I do not think that serious changes are observed in the
Turkish-Israeli relations. Turkey knows that after the elections it
will manage to normalize the relations with Israel,” the Turkologist
stressed. However, the expert has not excluded the possibility that
the tension in the Turkish-Israeli relations may serve as a new
stimulus for discussion of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the
Israeli parliament.

After more than 10 people died in an Israeli operation on aid-carrying
ships bound for Gaza, among them Turkish vessels, Turkey has warned
Israel that the incident may lead to irreparable consequences in
the two countries’ bilateral relations. The Turkish Foreign Ministry
recalled the ambassador to Israel upon the military assault.

Besides, Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy was summoned to the Turkish
Foreign Ministry as hundreds gathered outside Israeli missions to
protest the assault.

From: A. Papazian