Armenia Applies For Eurasian Union Membership

ARMENIA APPLIED FOR EURASIAN UNION MEMBERSHIP

WPS Agency, Russia
Oct 24 2013

by Tigran Oganesjan, Konstantin Volkov, Igor Yavlansky Source: Izvestia
(Moscow issue), No 200, October 24, 2013, p. 7

HIGHLIGHT: PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE SUPREME
EURASIAN ECONOMIC COUNCIL; Facing a choice between Russia and the
European Union, Armenia seems to have chosen Russia.

President Vladimir Putin Enhanced Coverage LinkingVladimir Putin
-Search using:Biographies Plus NewsNews, Most Recent 60 Dayswill
attend the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in
Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This structure is the primary body of
the Customs Union and the United Economic Zone comprising Russia,
Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Agenda of the meeting includes Armenia’s
bid for membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.

President of Armenia Serj Sargsjan announced that Armenia wanted to be
a part of the Eurasian Economic Union in the wake of negotiations with
Putin in September. It had been thought before the negotiations that
official Yerevan might sign an agreement of association and another
on establishment of a free trade zone with the European Union at the
Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius on November 28 and 29.

Naira Zograbjan, chair of the Armenian parliament’s permanent
commission for European integration, attributed the choice of the
Customs Union to national security considerations.

Zograbjan admitted that Brussels’ scandalized reaction was surprising.

“Whether or not membership in both structures is compatible can only
be decided when we have all Customs Union documents,” she said.

Sergei Mikheyev, Director General of the Political Situation Center,
said that Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union was a distinct
possibility.

“The situation in Armenia greatly differs from that in Ukraine. There
is a sizeable pro-Western faction within the ruling Armenian elite.

There is a substantial Armenian diaspora in Europe that also promotes
rapprochement with the European Union. As for common people, they
stand for better relations with Russia. Being realists, they cannot
help knowing that membership in the Customs Union will benefit Armenia
way better.”

“From Armenia’s standpoint, there are no alternatives to Russia in the
sphere of national security. Not even NATO can challenge Russia there,”
said Tamara Kasianova, Senior Vice President of the Russian Club of
Financial Directors. “Should Yerevan opt for European integration,
Russia will withdraw its military bases from this country. In
other words, Armenia will barter the Russian defense umbrella for
the European but this latter has too many holes in it to suit the
Armenians.”

The Armenian-Russian trade turnover in 2012 exceeded $1.2 billion
whereas trade with the European Union earned Armenia but $578.5
million. Russian investments in Armenian economy exceed $3 billion.

Moreover, the Armenians living and working in Russia transact nearly
$1.44 billion to their families at home every year. There are almost
1,300 businesses with Russian capitals in them in Armenia.

[Translated from Russian]

From: A. Papazian

Kazakh Leader Says Syria, Turkey Want To Join Customs Union

KAZAKH LEADER SAYS SYRIA, TURKEY WANT TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION

Interfax, Russia
Oct 24 2013

Minsk, 24 October: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said
that a number of countries were interested in [joining] the Customs
Union and the Eurasian Economic Union which is being set up.

“They say Syria wants to join (the Customs Union [of Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan] – Interfax). Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has asked me if Turkey can join the Customs Union,”
Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a meeting of the Eurasian Economic
Council in Minsk today.

The Kazakh president noted that during his visits to foreign countries
he is often asked: “Are you setting up a Soviet Union?”

“Maybe, we should accept Turkey (to the Customs Union – Interfax)
and there will be no more questions,” Nursultan Nazarbayev noted.

He also paid attention to issues regarding Armenia’s statement [about
its plan] to join the Customs Union. In this regard, Nursultan
Nazarbayev recalled Kyrgyzstan’s wish to join the Customs Union
and said: “Let’s do the same with Armenia.” Specifically, he said
that there was a need to develop a road map to accept Armenia and
Kyrgyzstan to the union.

From: A. Papazian

ArmenTel Fined 20 Million AMD For Trademark Infringment

ARMENTEL FINED 20 MILLION AMD FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGMENT

14:51, October 25, 2013

Armenia’s State Economic Competition Protection Commission (SECPC)
today fined ArmenTel 20 million AMD ($50,000) for trademark
infringement.

Orange Armenia, a telecommunications competitor of ArmenTel, filed a
complaint with the SECPC, arguing that the company’s new cell phone
packageParzic Parz (Simpler than Simple), sounds too much like one
of its one rate packages called Parz (Simple).

Orange Armenia basically argued that the ArmenTel name was an attempt
to duplicate the name of their package that was registered as a brand
name in 2011.

Orange Armenia also pointed out in its complaint that ArmenTel was
running ads for its package featuring orange and red billiard balls.

(Orange Armenia, as the name implies, features orange as its trademark
color)

In its decision, the SECPC says that it asked ArmenTel to explain
the similarities but that no clarification was forthcoming.

From: A. Papazian

http://hetq.am/eng/news/30263/armentel-fined-20-million-amd-for-trademark-infringment.html

From The History Of Armenian Coins: Karabakh Khanate Mintage

FROM THE HISTORY OF ARMENIAN COINS: KARABAKH KHANATE MINTAGE

When the Persian power weakened, half-independent khanates of Karabakh,
Shirvan, Sheki, Ganja and others were established.

In 996 by Muslim calendar (1588 AD), Karabakh and the surrounding
territories belonging to Ottomans fell under the sway of Persian
rulers. In the second half of the 18th century the Persian power
weakened and half-independent khanates of Karabakh, Shirvan, Sheki,
Ganja and others were established. Panah Ali Khan conquered the
fortress of Shosh village and declared himself the Khan of Karabakh.

October 25, 2013

PanARMENIAN.Net – The khanates of that period had their own coins,
the main mint place being located in Panahabad (Shushi).

Persian Empire, Fat’h Ali Shah, (1797-1834) silver Abbasid minted in
1797 in Panahabad (Shushi). Weight 4.36g, diameter 22.36mm.

>From the end of the 18th till the beginning of the 19th century
(1763-1806) Karabakh Khanate issued a silver coin called Abbasid
and copper coin half Bisti. These were minted by Ibrahim Khalil Khan
(1763-1806) and then Mehdi Qulu Khan Muzaffar (1806-1822). The mint
place – Panahabad – is mentioned, thus suggesting that Karabakh
Khanate was a land independent from any other power, particularly
Azerbaijan, which didn’t even exist at that time. Description of
coins The silver coins, Abbasids, carried inscriptions in Persian,
the name of the ruler and mint place. Abbasids weighed 2,0-2,3g and
were circulated in Persia as well as. 1 Bisti was equal to 20 Dinars.

Karabakh Khanate, Mehdi Qulu Khan Muzaffar (1806-1822), silver Abbasid
minted in 1806-1814 in Panahabad. Weight 4.28g, diameter 22.0mm

After the signature of the Treaty of Gulistan, the above mentioned
territories went under the rule of Russian Empire (1813). In 1868,
they were included in the Elisabethpol (Elizavetpol) Governorate
(Ganja). Thus, some khanates stopped minting coins, as the Russian
Empire implemented centralized mintage system. This year, the Central
Bank of Armenia enriched its collection with silver coins minted
in Shuhsi. Some of them, Abbasids, were minted during the period of
Karabakh Khanate.

Karabakh Khanate, no date, silver Abbasid minted in Panahabad. Weight
1.907g, diameter 23.12 mm

The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan,
the numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.

Viktoria Araratyan / PanARMENIAN.Net, Varo Rafayelyan / PanARMENIAN
Photo

From: A. Papazian

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/171789/

Armenia Not Interested In Walking Behind Any Country’s "Tail" – Ruli

ARMENIA NOT INTERESTED IN WALKING BEHIND ANY COUNTRY’S “TAIL” – RULING PARTY MP

October 25, 2013 | 14:10

YEREVAN. – Naira Zohrabyan petitioned to her Council of Europe
colleagues and demanded a clarification in connection with the European
Parliament (EP) resolution that contains disturbing formulations
concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party National Assembly (PAP NA)
Faction Secretary Zohrabyan herself stated the above-said at Friday’s
NA briefing with news reporters.

“Those [EP] MPs with whom I spoke said they had voted by the show of
hands. As per the European Friends [of Armenia (EuFoA)] organization
chairperson, they are not included in the resolution,” Zohrabyan added.

In turn ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) NA Faction leader
Galust Sahakyan reflected on the EP resolution, with respect to the
European Neighbourhood Policy, and noted that it has nothing to do
with Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union.

“It is not that we are going [toward the Customs Union] to become a
‘tail’ of a country; instead, we are going [toward the Customs Union]
to create favorable conditions. Don’t motivate yourselves that our
state is interested in walking behind any country’s tail!'” Sahakyan
stated.

In his words, “Armenia will not enter the Customs Union in [just]
one stroke; if a political risk comes up, Armenia will choose a
different path.”

To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in
Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and
Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join
the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the
Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan
likewise are members in the Customs Union. And in response to this
development, the European Union had stated that the signing of the
Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area agreement is now doubtful.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

Putin: Customs Union Countries Support The Intention Of Armenia And

PUTIN: CUSTOMS UNION COUNTRIES SUPPORT THE INTENTION OF ARMENIA AND KYRGHYZSTAN TO JOIN THE EURASIAN INTEGRATION PROJECT

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Friday, October 25, 11:50

The Customs Union countries have supported the intention of Armenia and
Kyrghyzstan to join the Eurasian integration project. A working group
will be set up shortly to this end. The working group will prepare a
relevant ‘road map’ for Armenia and Kyrghyzstan, President of Russia
Vladimir Putin said in a press conference after the meeting of the
Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, ArmInfo’s correspondent reported.

After the meeting in Minsk, the presidents of Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan signed a package of documents on the areas of integration,
on Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union and the United Trade
Area (UTA), and the annual report on fulfillment of the UTA’s budget
for 2012.

Commenting on Ukraine’s refusal to access the Customs Union, Putin
told reporters that Ukraine was free to chose whether to sign the
Association Agreement with the EU or not, but if Kyev signs the
Association Agreement, the Customs Union will become impossible
for Ukraine.

“It is impossible, first of all, because the association with Europe
implies creation of a free trade area between the EU and Ukraine,
which does not meet Russia’s interests,” Putin said.

From: A. Papazian

Darfour : La MINUAD Se Dit Preoccupee Par La Situation Securitaire

DARFOUR : LA MINUAD SE DIT PREOCCUPEE PAR LA SITUATION SECURITAIRE

Publie le : 25-10-2013

Info Collectif VAN – Le Collectif VAN vous
propose ce communique de presse publie sur le site de l’ONU le 23
octobre 2013.

ONU

23/10/2013

Conseil de securite: le chef de la MINUAD se dit preoccupe par la
situation securitaire au Darfour, où la mission s’efforce de rallier
les mouvements refractaires au processus de paix

” La situation en matière de securite au Darfour et les menaces contre
la MINUAD et le personnel humanitaire continuent de representer une
source de preoccupation grave “, a declare, ce matin, devant le Conseil
de securite, le Representant special conjoint de l’Union africaine
et des Nations Unies et Mediateur en chef conjoint pour le Darfour,
M. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

Lors d’un expose par videoconference depuis Khartoum, le Chef
de l’Operation hybride Union africaine-Nations Unies au Darfour
(MINUAD), qui presentait le rapport du Secretaire general sur la
question, est revenu sur les incidents qui se sont produits au cours
des trois derniers mois. Il a egalement aborde les progrès realises
dans la mise en ~uvre du Document de Doha pour la paix au Darfour
-Document de Doha-, adopte en 2011 par le Gouvernement du Soudan et
par le Mouvement pour la liberation et la justice.

Le Secretaire general adjoint aux operations de maintien de la paix,
M. Herve Ladsous, ainsi que le Representant permanent du Soudan auprès
des Nations Unies, M. Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, se sont egalement
exprimes au cours de cette seance.

Rappelant qu’entre le 11 et le 13 octobre 2013, un Casque bleu
zambien et trois Casques bleus senegalais avaient perdu la vie dans
des attaques perpetrees par des hommes armes, M. Chambas a assure
qu’il continuerait a exhorter le Gouvernement soudanais a faire tout
son possible pour que les auteurs de ces ” crimes haineux ” et ”
d’autres qui ont vise la Mission “, soient arretes et traduits en
justice. ” Les affrontements intercommunautaires qui continuent de
miner la region rendent la situation au Darfour encore plus complexe
“, a-t-il ajoute, en citant les combats entre les tribus Rezigat du
Sud et Ma’alia a l’est du Darfour, ceux entre les tribus Myseria
et Salamat au centre et ceux entre les tribus Rezigat du nord et
Beni Hussein au nord. Ces affrontements, qui ont cause un certain
nombre de victimes et force les populations a quitter ces regions,
ont eu des consequences plus lourdes que les combats qui ont oppose
recemment l’armee soudanaise et les mouvements non signataires du
Document de Doha, a-t-il fait remarquer.

Le representant du Soudan a condamne les pertes en vies humaines
parmi les Casques bleus et souligne que les combats et deplacements
de populations mentionnes par M. Chambas etaient un souci majeur pour
le Gouvernement soudanais. M. Osman a ensuite interpelle directement
le Conseil de securite, en exhortant ses membres a faire en sorte
que la MINUAD puisse remplir efficacement ” son rôle militaire “. ”
La Mission ne peut pas rester les bras croises quand elle est prise
pour cible, sinon cela signifie qu’elle ne peut ni se proteger contre
les assaillants, et encore moins assurer la protection de la population
civile et les autres tâches definies dans son mandat “, a-t-il declare.

M. Ibn Chambas a indique que la MINUAD, en etroite cooperation avec les
autorites locales, regionales et etatiques, s’efforcait d’ameliorer
la situation en apportant un appui logistique et technique constant
visant a faciliter la reconciliation entre groupes tribaux. ” Bien
qu’un certain nombre d’accords aient ete conclus pour mettre fin aux
hostilites, la situation demeure fragile “, a-t-il neanmoins reconnu.

Le Chef de la MINUAD a indique que la fourniture de l’aide aux
communautes touchees continuait d’etre entravee par les restrictions
de circulation et les procedures administratives, ” qui ont un impact
negatif sur la poursuite de notre effort collectif “. M. Chambas en
a profite pour rappeler que, le 28 septembre, a New York, l’Union
africaine avait souligne qu’il etait imperatif d’assurer la libre
circulation de l’ensemble du personnel de la MINUAD.

M. Osman a reagi en assurant le Conseil de la volonte de Khartoum
d’aider la Mission a remplir pleinement son mandat. ” La cooperation
entre le Gouvernement et la Mission a rarement ete aussi active,
ce dont temoigne le nombre croissant de visas octroyes et le fait,
signale dans le rapport du Secretaire general, que la Mission a pu
mener un nombre important de patrouilles ces trois derniers mois “,
a-t-il releve.

S’agissant de la mise en ~uvre du Document de Doha, M. Ibn Chambas
a declare que, depuis la conference des donateurs qui s’etait tenue
en avril dernier, les signataires du Document s’etaient concentres
sur la mise en place de mecanismes d’application de la Strategie de
developpement du Darfour, prevue par le Document. Il a precise, a
cet egard, que des marches publics concernant plus de 1 000 projets
de developpement au Darfour avaient deja ete publies, leur valeur
totale s’elevant a 82,5 millions de dollars.

” La mise en ~uvre de l’accord entre le Gouvernement soudanais et
le Mouvement pour la justice et l’egalite, signe le 6 avril 2013,
peine a avancer “, a egalement souligne M. Chambas.

S’agissant des efforts entrepris par la MINUAD pour faciliter
le dialogue entre le Gouvernement soudanais et les mouvements
non signataires, le Chef de la Mission a indique qu’au cours de
consultations organisees du 22 au 27 août, a Arusha, en Republique-Unie
de Tanzanie, les mouvements presents avaient reitere que le règlement
politique negocie a la crise du Darfour doit etre trouve ” dans le
cadre d’une solution generale aux problèmes du Soudan “. ” Pour le
Gouvernement, tout dialogue entre ses representants et les differents
mouvements doit etre base sur le Document de Doha “, a-t-il ajoute.

” Le Conseil de securite doit exercer une pression plus forte afin
que les mouvements non signataires prennent place a la table des
negociations “, a rencheri M. Osman. Ce dernier a en outre attire
l’attention sur le fait que le rapport du Secretaire general note
une baisse des violences sexuelles dans la region du Darfour, une
consequence directe, selon lui, de l’application du Document de Doha
par les autorites soudanaises.

Le representant a egalement salue les efforts conduits par le
Procureur special pour le Darfour, qui traite, a-t-il dit, des dizaines
d’affaires et a procede a la condamnation de ” plus de 40 personnes
accusees de crimes graves “. ” La justice de mon pays est efficace
“, a-t-il affirme, en assurant que ” les auteurs des attaques contre
la MINUAD seront juges pour leurs actes “.

Il a ainsi repondu a la demande du Secretaire general adjoint aux
operations de maintien de la paix, M. Herve Ladsous, qui a exhorte le
Gouvernement du Soudan a identifier les auteurs d’attaques violentes
contre les personnels humanitaires et ceux de la MINUAD. ” L’impunite
doit cesser “, a insiste M. Ladsous, avant de souligner que des efforts
etaient entrepris avec les pays fournisseurs de contingents militaires
et de police pour s’assurer que le personnel en uniforme deploye au
Darfour soit bien equipe, forme et prepare pour mieux repondre a une
situation securitaire difficile.

Pour que la Mission dispose des ressources, de la configuration et
des procedures dont elle a besoin, les Nations Unies ont entame une
evaluation de la MINUAD, en consultation avec l’Union africaine, dont
les resultats seront presentes au Conseil de securite en fevrier 2014,
a precise M. Ladsous. En depit de ces circonstances, la MINUAD reste
determinee a s’acquitter de son rôle essentiel, a savoir proteger
la population civile, faciliter l’acheminement de l’aide et apporter
son appui au processus de paix, a-t-il souligne.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : ONU

From: A. Papazian

http://www.collectifvan.org/article.php?r=0&id=76453
www.collectifvan.org-

Latvian Parliamentary Delegation Visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

LATVIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

October 24, 2013 | 16:56

YEREVAN. – Latvia Saeima (Parliament) Deputy Speakers Andrejs
Klementjevs and Inese LÄ”biÅ~Fa-Egnere, and MP Dana Reizniece-Ozola
on Thursday paid a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in capital
city Yerevan.

The Latvian MPs were accompanied by Armenian National Assembly Deputy
Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, who is also Head of the Armenia-Latvia
Friendship Group.

The guests laid a wreath and placed flowers to the monument to the
genocide victims.

The delegation members also toured the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute and signed its honorary guestbook.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

160,000 People Emigrated From Armenia In Nine Months – Opposition MP

160,000 PEOPLE EMIGRATED FROM ARMENIA IN NINE MONTHS – OPPOSITION MP

October 24, 2013 | 14:53

YEREVAN. – In line with the Russian migration service data, a total
of 160,000 Armenian citizens arrived in Russia-via Upper Lars border
checkpoint-in the past nine months in 2013.

Opposition MP Aram Manukyan stated the aforesaid Thursday at the
Armenian National Assembly.

He said that the Government of Armenia is intentionally putting off
the issuance of the country’s poverty indices, which should have been
made public in September.

As per Manukyan, the government’s policy squeezes the taxpayers out
of the country, and the frequent changes in the laws also contribute
to this occurrence.

From: A. Papazian

http://news.am/eng/news/177512.html

Armenian Minister’s Son Could’ve Been Sentenced To Death In Iran: Ne

ARMENIAN MINISTER’S SON COULD’VE BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN IRAN: NEWSPAPER

10.24.2013 14:16 epress.am

Iranian border guards arrested RA Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs
Yuri Vardanyan’s son at the Armenia-Iran border on suspicion of drug
trafficking, according to local daily Zhoghovurd’s sources. Seeing that
he is a citizen of Armenia and the son of a high-ranking official,
Iranian law enforcement officials, in order to avoid an unnecessary
row, immediately sent him back to Armenia, informing Armenian border
guards of the incident and calling for David Vardanyan’s arrest.

The Armenian newspaper reports that the Iranians “behaved this way”
because in their country those charged with drug possession get
the death sentence, and so that they don’t sentence a citizen of
Armenia to death, they prefered to hand over the minister’s son to
the Armenian authorities.

From: A. Papazian

http://www.epress.am/en/2013/10/24/armenian-minister%E2%80%99s-son-could%E2%80%99ve-been-sentenced-to-death-in-iran-newspaper.html