BAKU WILL GO ON CONDUCTING THE POLICY OF RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA, MEMBER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT THINKS
by Ashot Safaryan
Thursday, October 10, 18:17
The presidential election in Azerbaijan and Ilham Aliyev’s reelection
can change nothing in the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict,
secretary of the Prosperous Armenia Party parliamentary faction,
Naira Zohrabyan, told Arminfo correspondent.
From: A. Papazian
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF WILFRIED MARTENS
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent today a telegram of condolence
to the family and relatives of President of the European People’s
Party (EPP) Wilfried Martens and the EPP members in connection with
the death of Wilfried Martens, the presidential press service said.
“Wilfried Martens made an indisputable contribution to the foundation
and formation of Europe’s largest political family – the European
People’s Party.
We highly appreciate Wilfried Martens’ contribution to and support of
Armenia’s European integration. In particular, he made indisputable
consistent efforts so that the Republican Party of Armenia and two
other political parties of Armenia would join the European People’s
Party that enjoys great popularity throughout Europe.
The name of political figure Wilfried Martens who became so dear will
remain among the names of friends of Armenia and the Armenian people,”
the president’s telegram reads.
From: A. Papazian
THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF TURKMENISTAN PRESENTED CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, SERZH SARGSYAN
17:29, 10 October, 2013
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Today, the newly appointed Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of
Armenia Gurbannazar Nazarov, presented his credentials to the President
of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan . Armenpress was reported
from the Department of Mass Media and Public Relations of the President
Staff of the Republic of Armenia, that Serzh Sargsyan congratulated
the Ambassador and expressed hope that during his tenure he will do
his best to strengthen and develop interstate relations between two
friendly states. At the meeting, the parties stressed the importance
of reciprocal visits and regular human contacts in the lateral and
bilateral formats .The Ambassador of Turkmenistan, also highlighted
the role of the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan,
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow to Armenia paid by the invitation of the
President of the Republic of Armenia last year and the consistent
activity of the two countries towards the implementation of the
agreements made by the presidents.
© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am
From: A. Papazian
NECESSARY TO ENHANCE ARMENIA-EU RELATIONS BASED ON PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
17:53 10.10.2013
Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, EU
On October 10th Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia met Gediminas Kirkilas, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament
of Lithuania.
Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian expressed confidence about
the Armenian-Lithuanian relations which have experienced a dynamic
development during the recent years. He especially highlighted the
high-level political dialogue between the two countries and developing
human ties.
Expressing gratitude for the reception, the Vice-Speaker of the
Lithuanian Parliament stated that Lithuania is interested in developing
diversified relations with Armenia including the improvement and
enhancement of inter-parliamentary collaboration.
During the meeting the sides also discussed the Armenia-EU partnership
and the preparatory works of upcoming Vilnius Summit of the Eastern
Partnership. In this context Minister Nalbandian touched upon his
visit to Lithuania last month and his meeting with his Lithuanian
counterpart Linas Linkevicius during which the Ministers shared the
view that it is necessary to enhance the Armenia-EU relations based
on the achievements reached during the recent years.
From: A. Papazian
WE HAVE DEPRECIATED US
October 10 2013
On the advice of one of my friends, I read Shahan Natalie’s article
“The Turks and Us”, and those who have not done it, I will also
recommend reading it. I, especially, liked the following idea:
“Take any newspaper. We will find brilliant editors there who own
the destiny of the political world. And, neither the editor, nor the
reader will once ask a question: ultimately, who reads these articles.
Would we like to lead Poincaré, Mussolini, or Lloyd George with
our political wisdom?” It was written in 1928, but, agree that it
is very topical. I, particularly, recalled a commentator, who, let’s
assume, after voicing strong accusations against Erdogan, completes
his judgments with the following rhetorical question: “How come, Mr.
Erdogan?” Probably, it seemed to the commentator that the Turkish
Prime Minister is anxiously sitting in front of the TV and waiting
to see what assessment the Armenian publicist is going to give to
his activities. It seems to me that Natalie had presented one of
the most important defects of our political thought: it seems to us
that we need to explain the world, its elders, and the leaders of
the countries how good and fair we are, and how insidious and beast
our enemies are, and if the elders and leaders understand this, they
will definitely begin supporting us. This erroneous view was also
criticized in 1997 by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. “Indeed, they (Russian
authorities – A.A. ) do not realize the strategic interests of their
country. Is it Armenia that should make them understand? Aren’t those
giving lessons to Russia put themselves into a ridiculous situation
by discrediting the image of the Armenian?… And, finally, still how
long the fanaticism of becoming a toy of Russia or any other country,
by self-deception, should be the lifestyle of an Armenian?” Indeed,
there is no need to admonish, and persuade somebody, to demonstrate
your perfection and advantages; every country, friendly or hostile,
moreover, every superpower will pay you the price that you deserve.
Repeating this indisputable truth becomes important during today’s
“Customs-European” debate. The problem, therefore, is raising own
price. Shahan Natalie was offering tools for it, which in today’s
world are applicable in this historical phase. The tools that we need
to apply regardless of the independent state, reached the goal in
one case, Artsakh liberation. In the domestic political, economic and
cultural life, in this sense, we have nothing to be proud of. We have
depreciated our price with our actions. … And supplicating justice
from the world is simply ridiculous. As Shahan Natalie wrote, “the law
is dominant in the political life, and forget the justice. Because,
ultimately, the justice is relatively one word: what is not fair for
us is just for the other.”
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
Read more at:
From: A. Papazian
RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: MULTIPLE INACCURACIES IN ARMENIA-EU DEAL TEXT
October 10, 2013 – 16:29 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian text of the association agreement with
the EU contained a number of inaccuracies, the Russian presidential
adviser said.
According to Sergey Glazyev, the agreement envisaged for Armenia to
fulfill “directions in the sectors of sea fishery and frontier trade
with the EU,” although the country has no outlet to the sea of a border
with the EU. “The document is full of similar inaccuracies, which means
those responsible for negotiations never even read the text,” he said.
“Were Armenia to sign the paper, the country would lose its sovereignty
in the same sectors as Ukraine, actually becoming deprived of a chance
to participate in Eurasian integration process or become involved in
the structures of preferential economic interaction,” Komsomolskaya
Pravda daily quoted him as saying.
Armenia completed technical talks on a ‘deep and comprehensive
free-trade agreement’ (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set
to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition
to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing
of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on
co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration
with the EU.
However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union,
with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance
to Armenia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia’s intention as
a U-turn in relations with the European Union. “Seems as if Armenia
will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with
Russia instead,” he said.
Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds
the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia “has blocked its chances of
signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join
the Russia-led union.” “We respect any choice of countries but they
cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different
tariff requirements,” he said.
However, Armenian leadership continues expression intention to expand
ties with the EU, which won’t contradict Armenia’s CU membership.
“Armenia will take part in the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit
in Vilnius and is ready to sign the Association Agreement,” President
Serzh Sargsyan said at the October 2 PACE session.
“No Armenia-EU document is being readied to be signed at a Vilnius
summit,” the spokesperson of the EU Commissioner Stefan Fule said.
“We’re trying to find routes for further cooperation with Armenia,
based on the existing achievements,” Peter Stano said.
From: A. Papazian
PAK SHUKA STANDOFF: CIVIL ACTIVISTS CALL FOR BOYCOTT OF COVERED MARKET
SOCIETY | 10.10.13 | 09:31
Photolure
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Struggle over the Covered Market in central Yerevan will continue,
say civil activists who call for a boycott of the place and promise
a campaign against the “system” this time.
The agricultural market known as Pak Shuka reopened this week after
nearly two years of controversial renovation that activists say has
distorted its original architectural form.
While the front part of the building retains its former appearance,
an underground parking garage has been built and a new two-story glass
building has appeared in the rear part of the market, while the market
proper occupies only a small part where people who worked there in the
past are enabled to sell fruits and vegetables today. The major part
of the building, meanwhile, has been turned into a huge supermarket
with about two dozen cash counters.
Scores of activists representing the civil initiative calling itself
“Let’s Liberate the Monument From the Oligarch” marched to Pak Shuka
on Wednesday afternoon to protest the official reopening of the
facility. There, however, they encountered a counterdemonstration
staged by the employees of the market who backed its owner, affluent
businessman and MP Samvel Alexanyan, who is behind the controversial
redevelopment.
Activists say with his redesign Alexanyan has “distorted” the
architectural landmark of the city.
Many activists who gathered near Pak Shuka expressed doubts that this
facility meets health and safety requirements, they claimed that
it could collapse at any moment as the construction was conducted
without a proper permit and the cadastre has not granted the right
for using it.
Such claims made earlier had been dismissed by those carrying out
the reconstruction project.
Meanwhile, scores of pro-Alexanyan citizens with banners saying “No To
Hired Oppositionists”, “No To Grant-Eaters”, “You Are Against Creation
of 700 Jobs”, “No To Foreign Spies” etc. staged a counterdemonstration
at Pak Shuka. They insisted that the renovation of the building only
saved it from the final decay and collapse.
Police officers were deployed on the scene to prevent possible clashes
between the two sides. Despite mutual accusations and verbal exchanges,
the two-hour-long standoff proceeded mostly peacefully, with no major
incident reported.
During the action Robert Aharonyan, the leader of the socialist
movement, accused the activists of trying to cause a crisis in Armenia.
“The same people always appear in different places and their goal is to
create a critical situation to show to those who issue grants to them
that there isn’t a normal situation in Armenia. But we have a stable
situation,” said Aharonyan. He, however, invited representatives of
the opposite side for negotiations at one of the hotels in Yerevan
the next day.
Activists indicated that they would not accept such invitations. They
said that an obvious crime has taken place and there was no conducting
negotiations “over a crime”, which must entail punishment in an order
prescribed by law.
Narine Sargsyan, 43, who said she was a resident of the building next
to the Covered Market, said she was thankful for the renovation of
the building, as the territory has finally been cleaned and shopping
has become more convenient.
“It used to be a place for rats, we couldn’t pass through this
territory, it smelled so bad, but today I went to the store,
everything was so clean and nice, and the prices are reasonable,”
Sargsyan told ArmeniaNow.
Sardarapat movement member, filmmaker Tigran Khzmalyan, meanwhile,
urged citizens to boycott the market.
“We are going to pay special attention to getting this message
across to all Armenians and tourists through the internet. This is a
defiled place, a place that has been seized from the country, nation,
culture, the place that has been distorted. A taboo, a boycott will
be our answer and beginning today any person who has dignity will
not go to this place, will not shop there,” said Khzmalyan, adding
that the protest will not be limited to actions organized by 20, 30,
or 100 and 200 people but will bear a “system” nature.
From: A. Papazian
KARABAKH WAR VETERAN CHASED BY A CAR AFTER DEMONSTRATING OUTSIDE COVERED MARKET IN YEREVAN
10.10.2013 15:28 epress.am
Coordinator of the Pre-Parliament civil initiative, Karabakh war
veteran Jirair Sefilian was pursued by a silver BMW late on Wednesday
night when he was returning home from the Pre-Parliament headquarters
located at 5/5 Alek Manukyan, according to a statement issued by
the group.
He was able to see only part of the license plate number: 24 MU.
According to the Pre-Parliament statement, the incident occured near
Sefilian’s home in Yerevan’s Zeitoun neighborhood. The chase lasted
about half an hour, from 11:40 pm to 12:10 am.
The same day, at around 4 pm, during the demonstration outside
the Covered Market, Sefilian was approached by someone claiming to
represent the owner of the Covered Market, oligarch Samvel Aleksanyan,
and attempted to have a private conversation with him, but having his
request refused, the man who identified himself only as “Rubo” left.
“Rubo” had been sitting in the same car with Samvel Aleksanyan and had
approached Sefilian after coming out of that car, reads the statement.
The Pre-Parliament secretariat notes: “The time and resource of
cheap tricks of criminals enjoying the patronage of a criminal and
anti-nationalist regime has expired. From now on, our people will
stand up for its country and impose its will on the anti-national
regime and its criminal puppets.”
From: A. Papazian
MATENADARAN WORKERS CONDUCT RESEARCHES IN ZMMAR
10:23, 10 October, 2013
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Zmmar Prelacy of the Lebanese
Diocese of the Armenian Catholic Church, which is considered to be
one of the major spiritual and cultural centers contributing to the
development of the Armenian studies, hosted a group of scientific
workers from the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
Matenadaran. The visit lasted two weeks.
“Armenpress” had a conversation with the scientific worker of
Matenadaran Tatevik Manukyan, who shared with us her expressions
regarding the recent visit to Zmmar and the manuscripts they examined.
Among other things Tatevik Manukyan stated that they visited Zmmar
to study the non-listed manuscripts, which had not been described
previously. The activities were launched in accordance with the
agreement reached upon by the Vicar General of the Patriarchal
Congregation in Zmmar, Father, Supreme Archimandrite Gabriel Muradyan
and Director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan last year.
The Congregation in Zmmar was founded in 1749 by founder of the
Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, Catholicos Abraham Artsivyan.
Currently, there are more than 2,000 manuscript books kept at the
monastery in Zmmar. Overall, the collection at the depository in
Zmmar is the world’s fifth depository of Armenian manuscript books
in terms of quantity and scientific and cultural value. In addition
to manuscripts, out of the nearly 1,100 antique books printed from
1512 to 1800, 335 are kept with care at the depository in Zmmar, and
“Urbatagirk” (Venice, 1512) is one of the rare examples. There are
also other books, the only copies of which have been preserved and
are kept at the depository in Zmmar.
The manuscripts included in the collection in Zmmar are related to
Armenian life in the Middle Age, all spheres of science and culture,
and they are valuable for studying the history of neighboring countries
as well. Among the manuscripts in Zmmar are unique samples of Armenian
literature and literature that has been translated in the late Middle
Age. The collection is rich in manuscripts containing musical notes
and writings about medicine.
From: A. Papazian
EUROPEAN UNION UNLOCKS NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TERRITORIAL COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA
18:34 09.10.2013
For the first time the Regional Conference “Advancing Territorial
Cooperation in Eastern Partnership Countries: Armenia – Georgia
Territorial Cooperation Programme” will be held on October 11, 2013
at the Cultural Centre of Stepanavan, Armenia.
The European Union in the framework of its Eastern Partnership
Territorial Cooperation Programme (EaPTC) promotes and strengthens
cross-border relations between regional and local state authorities,
communities and civil society organisations to develop joint
solutions to common social and economic development challenges in
the participating boarder regions.
The Regional Conference has a two-folded objective: to raise awareness
of the wide public of the border regions of Armenia and Georgia on
the opportunities and benefits the potential beneficiaries from both
sides of the border may enjoy from participation in the Programme,
as well as to provide a platform for open discussion of priorities
and prospects of territorial cooperation at the local level, taking
into consideration the specificities and needs of the participating
border regions.
Mr. Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister for Territorial
Administration of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Tengiz Shergelashvili,
First Deputy Minister for Regional Development and Infrustructure
of Georgia, representatives of Armenians and Georgian regional and
local authorities, civil society organisations and European experts
will participate in the event.
The Regional Conference is organized by the EU-funded Eastern
Partnership Territorial Cooperation Support Programme (EaPTC Support
Programme).
From: A. Papazian