Author: Andres-Papazian

Invest in EU
Dec 1 2012

Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Mr Serzh
Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia
Mr President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

Let me start by thanking President Sargsyan for his invitation to
visit Armenia and for such a warm welcome. Armenia is a country full
of rich history and culture. It is amazing to see what thus country
has given to the civilisation. Today I could testify this at the
Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. But Armenia is also a nation
that has its sights firmly set on an even stronger future.

Allow me also to thank you, Mr President, for the kind words you just
addressed to me and for your references to the positive role of the
European Union in relation with your country.

Mr President, after our very productive meeting in Brussels last
March, it is with great interest that I am here in Yerevan today to
witness the important changes that are taking place in your country.

We just had a very positive, comprehensive and friendly exchange of
views. We took stock of our bilateral relations and we discussed
concrete ways to move forward with our common agenda.

Armenia is a very important partner for the European Union in the
framework of our Eastern Partnership and we are building a strong
relationship based on political association, economic integration, and
deeper people-to-people contacts.

Indeed, the negotiations on the Association Agreement, including a
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, are progressing very well and
we should aim to reach a good agreement by the end of next year in
time of our Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Once completed, these negotiations will further strengthen Armenia’s
European perspective.

Recently, we also gave concrete steps in our Mobility dialogue. After
constructive – and should I say – quick negotiations we will be able
to sign the Visa Facilitation Agreement still this month, on 17
December, followed, at a later date, by the signature of the
Readmission Agreement. Our long term goal is clear and we will work
for it: we want visa free travel.

Today I also had the chance to congratulate President Sargsyan for the
good conduct of the Parliamentary elections in May 2012. I am
reassured by the President’s personal commitment to address the
shortcomings that were identified by the OSCE/ODIHR mission. In this
context, the working group that the President established is a strong
sign of leadership and I commend you for that. It is indeed of
critical importance that next the next elections are impecable in
terms of fairness and respect of international standards.

Democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, political
pluralism, media freedom and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms are the lifeblood of our partnership. This was the message
that I brought to all the meetings that I held today with Armenia’s
political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society. These values
and principles need to be upheld and actively defended. I am happy
with President Sargsyan commitment in this direction.

The European Union fully recognizes Armenia’s commitment to reforms
and the efforts being made. We are also aware of the challenges ahead.
But we are in this together and we support you. In fact, this year we
increased our assistance to the country giving an additional 15
million for an existing project on the reform of the Judiciary and for
an on-going operation on Vocational and Education Training. This is
not only recognition of your good work, but it is an incentive to keep
your reformist ambition.

Peace and regional stability are also necessary to advance our common
goals. I reaffirmed the urgent need to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

The EU continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and we
stand ready, in full complementarity with the Minsk Group, to provide
enhanced support for confidence building measures if the parties so
wish.

We believe that only through a stable neighbourhood and good relations
amongst the countries in the region will be possible for Armenia to
fully tap the potential of the country and also of its association
agenda with the European Union.

To conclude, let me once more thank President Sargsyan for welcoming
me today. Mr President, the European Union has a stake in Armenia’s
future and we are ready to work together with you in fulfilling the
aspirations of all Armenian citizens. You can count on us.

I thank you for your attention.

01 December 2012
.

From: A. Papazian

Democracy & Freedom Watch
Dec 1 2012

Ex-minister wanted to fly to Armenia with forged passport

by DFWatch staff | Dec 1

TBILISI, DFWatch – The former interior minister Vano Merabishvili is
under investigation for having tried to board a flight from Tbilisi to
Yerevan Friday with a forged passport.

Merabishvili was traveling together with President Saakashvili and others.

According to the interior ministry, upon arrival at the border control
at Tbilisi airport, employees of the president’s protocol service
presented Merabishvili’s passport, which was a forged passport.

The border police noticed that it was issued in someone else’s name,
one Levan Maisuradze, and appeared to bear that person’s signature,
but contained a photo of Vano Merabishvili – an easily recognizable
face to all Georgians.

In order not to interrupt the planned visit, Merabishvili was given an
opportunity to present his real passport.

The group then flew to Yerevan, and returned to Tbilisi later in the
evening, exiting the airport at 23:00.

Now, an investigation has been launched, and Merabishvili has been
called to come to the prosecutor’s office Saturday for interrogation.

Later on Saturday Vano Merabishvili held a press conference to respond
to the ministry’s statement.

Looking slightly insecure, he noted that the new government is trying
hard to assure society that he attempted to leave to Yerevan with fake
passport together with president delegation, but that such a claim is
absurd.

`We all know this government plans to scare and to detain everybody,
but their statement today goes beyond all boundaries,’ he said, adding
that current events in the country affect everyone.

Merabishvili, who is chairman of the National Movement party, left the
party office without answering any questions from journalists.

From: A. Papazian

Armenia is very important partner of EU – Barroso

news.am
December 01, 2012 | 13:45

YEREVAN. – Armenia is a very important partner of the European Union
(EU), European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said Saturday
during his joint news conference with Armenia’s President, Serzh
Sargsyan.

Pointing to Armenia’s rich heritage, Barroso stressed the country’s
role in the enhancement of world civilization. `At the same time
Armenia has set its sights on a bright future,’ the European
Commission head noted and, in this context, he recalled President
Sargsyan’s visit to Brussels in March.

Also, José Manuel Barroso attested to the progress in the talks on the
Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the establishment of the
Armenia-EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone, and expressed a
hope that the two documents will be prepared before the Vilnius Summit
to be convened at the end of 2013.

In addition, he recalled the initialing – on October 18 in Brussels – of
the Armenia-EU agreements on visa relaxation and readmission. As per
Barroso, the first of these documents will be signed next May and,
subsequently, the second agreement will be authorized.

The President of the European Commission spoke positively about
Armenia’s reforms and noted that some of the EU assistance provided to
Armenia was of advisory nature. In José Manuel Barroso’s words, EU
appreciates Armenia’s reforms yet it is aware of the respective
challenges the country faces and, in its turn, it stands ready to
assist Armenia in surmounting these challenges.

From: A. Papazian

Turkmen TV Altyn Asyr channel, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Nov 29 2012

Turkmen leader’s official visit to Armenia

[Excerpts Translated from Turkmen]

Today Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow started his two-day
official visit to Armenia.

[Passage omitted: welcoming ceremony in Yerevan]

In the first part of the day, the Turkmen leader’s motorcade went to
the presidential palace. The Armenian president, Serzh Sargsyan,
warmly welcomed the Turkmen president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, at
the main entrance of the palace. The one-to-one Turkmen-Armenian talks
were held at the Golden Hall of the palace.

[Passage omitted: the Armenian president welcomed Berdimuhamedow]

During the meeting, which was held in an atmosphere of mutual
understanding, trust and business environment, the presidents of
Turkmenistan and Armenia discussed wide range of issues related to
interstate cooperation, paid particular attention to implementation of
earlier reached mutual agreements and determined long-term priority
areas for the Turkmen-Armenian interaction.

The two countries’ leaders also exchanged opinions on urgent issues of
international and regional policy of mutual interest. Then the
negotiations continued in an expanded format with participation of
official delegations of the two countries in the White Hall.

[Passage omitted: the presidents stressed the importance of the
negotiations for further strengthening cooperation between the
countries; humanitarian issues were discussed during the meeting]

Following the expanded meeting, a ceremony to sign bilateral official
documents was held at the Big Hall. The president of Turkmenistan,
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and the Armenian president, Serzh Sargsyan,
under the applause of those gathered there, signed a joint communique.
Then with the participation of the heads of the two states the
following agreements were signed: an agreement between the government
of Turkmenistan and the government of Armenia on mutual providing land
plots for the embassy of Turkmenistan in Armenia and the embassy of
Armenia in Turkmenistan; an agreement between the government of
Turkmenistan and the government of Armenia on air communications; an
agreement between the government of Turkmenistan and the government of
Armenia on scientific and technical cooperation; an agreement between
the government of Turkmenistan and the government of Armenia on
cooperation in the field of seismic protection; an agreement between
the government of Turkmenistan and the government of Armenia in the
field of veterinary; and an agreement between the Ministry of
Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia
on cooperation in the agricultural field.

[Passage omitted: following the ceremony the president made statement
for media on issues discussed during the negotiations]

In the afternoon, a business lunch meeting was held between the
president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and the prime
minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, at the Big Hall of the Reception
House. Then from Receptions House the president of Turkmenistan,
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, went to the National Assembly of Armenia,
which is the legislative body of the country. There the head of state
had a meeting with the chairman of the National Assembly, Hovik
Abrahamyan.

[Passage omitted: then the Turkmen president visited Yerevan State
University, a research institute of manuscripts, the Turkmen leader’s
visit is continuing]

From: A. Papazian

There is a complete mutual understanding among Armenia and EU over NKR
issue. Serzh Sargsyan

13:44, 1 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Regional peace and security are
needed for reaching the goals of European Union. As reports Armenpress
this was noted by José Manuel Barroso during the joint briefing with
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. `I reaffirm the need for urgent
NKR conflict resolution. EU keeps supporting the efforts of OSCE Minsk
group’ Barroso noted.

President of European Commission noted that EU was willing to provide
with the all needed support in addition to the Minsk Group efforts.

In his turn Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has underlined that
there is a complete mutual understanding among Armenia and EU over NKR
issue. `We have repeatedly emphasized that Nagorno-Karabakh is a part
of the Europe which carries the same values so we highly estimate the
fact that EU representatives have direct contacts with NKR, mainly
their regular visits’ Serzh Sargsyan stressed.

President of European Commission arrived in Armenia on the invitation
of the president of Armenian Republic Serzh Sargsyan.

From: A. Papazian

Turkey’s blockade of Armenia violates international law – President

December 1, 2012 – 15:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan slammed use of
force, xenophobia and racism as outdated in the 21st century, urging
zero tolerance for the latters in the Eastern Partnership territory.
At a joint news conference with the President of the European
Commission José Manuel Barroso, Mr. Sargsyan criticized Turkey, a
member of G20 group for international economic development, for
illegally blocking Armenia’s border, while attempting to join the
European Union.
As he noted, the fact contradicts the logic of partnership, violating
the norms of international law.
`Borders mustn’t be used as marking lines in Europe,’ the President stressed.

From: A. Papazian

Russian, foreign military to hold over 60 joint events in 2013

December 1, 2012 – 11:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian servicemen will hold over 60 joint events
with their foreign fellows in 2013, a spokesman for the Russian
Defense Ministry has said, according to RIA Novosti.
`Great attention in the academic year 2013 [starting December 1] will
be paid to international military cooperation,’ the spokesman told
journalists.
`In line with agreements with armies of foreign states, more than 60
joint tactical training activities are due to be held,’ he said.
The spokesman added that the focus will be on strengthening military
cooperation with the member states of the CIS, the Collective Security
Treaty Organization regional alliance, as well as the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization.

From: A. Papazian

ARCHIVES NATIONALES
1000 documents numérisés chaque jour aux Archives nationales d’Arménie

Amadouni Virabian, le directeur des Archives nationales d’Arménie a
accordé une conférence de presse le 28 novembre à Erévan. A. Virabian
a affirmé qu’avec les deux appareils (scan) dont disposent les
Archives nationales, près d’un millier de documents sont numérisés et
archivés chaque jour. « A ce rythme nous aurons terminé ce travail
d’archivage numérique de nos documents dans une dizaine d’années »
ajouta Amadouni Virabian. Les Archives nationales d’Arménie disposent
de plus de 350 millions de documents dont une partie importante sur le
génocide arménien. Après les documents, les photographies seront
également numérisées dans les cinq prochaines années.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 1er décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Le Monde, France
29 nov 2012

Le doudouk arménien à la conquête d’Hollywood

C’est un peu l’histoire de la grenouille qui devient aussi grosse que
le boeuf. En version musicale. Le doudouk, à l’honneur cette semaine à
la Cité de la musique de Paris, est passé, en deux décennies, du
statut d’obscur instrument folklorique à celui de coqueluche
d’Hollywood.

Il a accompagné les souffrances de Russell Crowe dans Gladiator, les
aventures d’Audrey Tautou dans Le Da Vinci Code, et celles du
capitaine Jack Sparrow dans Pirates des Caraïbes III. On l’entend
partout. Une vraie « doudoukmania ». Au point que certains puristes le
considèrent dévoyé. Victime de son succès ?

Le doudouk, inconnu en Occident il y a une vingtaine d’années, possède
tous les atouts du succès. En particulier, son timbre. Un son grave et
chaud, lancinant et mélancolique, qui rappelle le registre bas de la
clarinette, le son du cor anglais, voire de la flûte de pan.

« Le son du doudouk est très particulier », explique le musicien Araik
Bakhtikian, « c’est la continuité de la voix humaine ». Et « pour
l’oreille humaine, il n’y a rien de plus fascinant que la voix humaine
», rappelle le compositeur de musiques de films et de séries Jon
Ehrlich, qui utilise du doudouk dans ses créations.

A cela s’ajoute l’exotisme de cet instrument. Originaire d’Arménie,
mais répandu dans l’ensemble du Caucase, le doudouk y est
originellement un instrument traditionnel, rituel. La musique des
enterrements, mais aussi des baptêmes et des fêtes.

« Jusqu’aux années 1950, dans les mariages, on faisait pleurer la
mariée au son du doudouk, pour lui rappeler qu’elle quittait le foyer
de ses parents », se souvient Gérard Madilian, joueur de doudouk et
auteur d’un ouvrage sur la musique arménienne. On imagine sans mal la
scène, tant le son est mélancolique, envoûtant.

Instrument populaire par excellence, le doudouk se révèle au reste du
monde à la fin des années 1990. L’Arménie possède alors un riche
patrimoine musical, généreusement financé par le régime communiste de
l’époque. Et la pérestroïka permet une relative ouverture sur le
monde. Le doudouk est prêt à prendre son envol. Il ne lui manque d’un
tremplin.

C’est une catastrophe naturelle qui lui donnera ce coup de pouce. En
1988, un tremblement de terre ravage le pays, faisant près de 30 000
morts. « Ce petit pays se retrouve soudain au centre de l’attention
mondiale. De nombreux pays vont alors aider l’Arménie. Parmi les gens
qui s’y rendent, beaucoup découvrent le doudouk, et c’est comme cela
que cet instrument va devenir célèbre », explique Gérard Madilian.

Presque simultanément, « La dernière tentation du Christ », de Martin
Scorcese, inclut cet instrument dans sa bande originale. Le doudouk
est lancé.

Après cette première prestation, l’instrument disparaît des écrans.
Comme toute star hollywoodienne qui se respecte, il se laisse désirer
pendant dix ans avant de faire son « come-back ». Dix années durant
lesquelles de nombreux musiciens de doudouk quittent l’Arménie, mise à
mal par une difficile transition post-communiste, pour l’Occident. Les
Etats-Unis, en particulier. Où l’attention se porte de plus en plus
sur cet étrange instrument, qui devient un incontournable des
bandes-son dans les années 2000.

Aujourd’hui, le doudouk est un classique des musiques de films, de
séries télévisées, et même de jeux vidéo. Le son de ce hautbois
arménien, formé d’un corps en bois d’abricotier – un bois qui durcit
avec le temps – et d’une anche double taillée dans un seul morceau de
roseau, ne surprend plus.

Pour autant, les oreilles occidentales ne connaissent pas vraiment le
doudouk. Hollywood, en le popularisant, l’a enfermé dans une case, lui
a assigné un cliché. Celui d’instrument « triste », de musique
d’ambiance, pour ne pas dire neurasthénique. Un comble pour les
musiciens arméniens, frustrés de voir le doudouk réduit à cette seule
interprétation. Le doudouk est mélancolique, certes, mais pas triste.
Et la différence est importante.

« Ce cliché du doudouk `’dépressif” provient d’une incompréhension
culturelle », explique Gérard Madilian. « L’oreille occidentale est
habituée au mode majeur. Quand un occidental entend une musique jouée
en mode mineur, il trouve cela `’triste”. Alors que ça n’est pas le
cas, pas du tout ! ». Le doudouk fait pleurer les mariées, mais les
fait aussi danser.

Malgré le cliché, la popularisation du doudouk a éveillée une vraie
curiosité musicale pour cet instrument. De plus en plus de formations
musicales de tous genres – polyphoniques, jazz, rock – le recherchent
et l’incluent. Et les professeurs de doudouk sont de plus en plus
sollicités. Le petit hautbois arménien est bel est bien en train de
devenir grand.

From: A. Papazian

DefenseNews.com
Nov 30 2012

Azerbaijan To Boost Defense Spending in 2013

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan’s parliament approved on Nov. 30 a 2013
budget that forecasts slowing growth and high inflation but also
boosts defense spending amid a military standoff with neighbor
Armenia.

The budget forecasts that the oil-rich Caucasus country’s gross
domestic product will grow by 5.3 percent next year against an
expected 5.7-percent growth rate in 2012.

Inflation is forecast at 5.7 percent.

The latest figures released by the World Bank offer a less optimistic
picture – predicting the country’s economy would grow by only 3.5
percent in 2013.

Defense and military spending will rise by 0.9 percent to more than
1.5 billion Azerbaijani manats ($1.9 billion/1.4 billion euros) amid
the continuing conflict with Armenia over disputed region of Nagorny
Karabakh.

Total budget revenues for 2013 are predicted to be 19.1 billion manats
($24.3 billion, 18.7 billion euros), with expenditure at 19.8 billion
manats ($25.2 billion, 19.4 billion euros) or 35.3 percent of GDP.

A largely Muslim country of 9.1 million people strategically located
between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is a key partner in projects
delivering energy from the Caspian Sea area to the West via pipelines
through Turkey, bypassing Russia.

It is locked in a long-simmering conflict with Armenia over Karabakh,
where ethnic Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized control
during a war in the 1990s that left some 30,000 dead. No peace deal
has been signed.

From: A. Papazian