Author: Andres-Papazian

CONFRONTATION BETWEEN AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN DELEGATION AT EURONEST PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY’S SOCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING IN YEREVAN

APA
Feb 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Member of Azerbaijani Parliament Azay Guliyev, Rovshan
Rzayev and Faraj Guliyev have been on a visit to Armenia since
February 21 in order to participate at the meeting of Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Social Affairs, Education,
Culture and Civil Society.

APA reports that the serious confrontation occurred between Azerbaijani
and Armenian MPs at the meeting. The reason of the confrontation was
a speech of Azerbaijani MP Azay Guliyev. In his speech, Guliyev spoke
about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians, existence
of 1 mln refugees and the damage to Azerbaijan caused by the war,
as well as Armenia’s non-constructive position.

This speech drove the Armenian MPs wild. They called it as the next
stage of Azerbaijan’s propaganda. The sides were calmed after the
interference of the meeting’s organizers. The MPs are in Yerevan now.

Armenian mass media headlined the confrontation between the MPs of
both countries.

From: A. Papazian

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WANT TO CREATE A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT TO HELP TO RESOLVE THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
Feb 23 2012
Azerbaijan

Delegation of Azerbaijan and Armenia participated in the opening
performance of the Musical Theater headed by Mikhail Shvidkoy in the
frame of recommendations made by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian
presidents on further development of humanitarian cooperation on
Feb.21. The Chairman of the Russian State Duma Sergey Narishkin,
famous art and culture figures, members of the public and the Diaspora
attended the event, Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia said.

A “round table” on The role of social and cultural cooperation in the
strengthening of inter-ethnic dialogue and conflict resolution with
the participation of the representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Russia was held at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on
February 22.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Rector of Baku
Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people’s artist Farhad
Badalbeyli, rector of Baku Slavic University, Corresponding Member
of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Professor Kamal
Abdulla, rector of Azerbaijan State National Conservatory Siyavush
Kerimi and director of the State Philharmonic Hall Murad Adigozalzadeh
represented Azerbaijan at the meeting.

Armenian Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan, Deputy National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia Hermine Naghdalyan, Rector of State Theater
and Cinematography Institute Armen Mazmanian, editor-in-chief of Aravot
newspaper Aram Abramyan and director of Rolan Bykov Foundation Nune
Manukyan represented Armenia.

President’s special representative for international cultural
cooperation Mikhail Shvidkoy, first deputy chairman of the Public
Chamber Mikhail Ostrovskiy, head of the Public Chamber’s working group
on international cooperation and public diplomacy Alexander Sokolov,
member of the Russian Public Chamber’s commission for tolerance and
freedom of conscience Alla Gerber and member of the Russian Public
Chamber’s commission on support for mass media Andrey Dementyev
also attended the meeting, executive director of the Humanitarian
Cooperation Foundation of the CIS Armen Smbatyan represented Russia.

Deputy Secretary of the Public Chamber of Russia, Mikhail Ostrovskiy
greeted the participants of the “round table”. He informed the guests
about the structure, aims and objectives of the Public Chamber and
noted the importance and topicality of the theme that they would
discuss.

Dementyev said about the necessity of cultural dialogue between
the representatives of the independent states, which will promote
mutual understanding. Gerber supported Dementyev’s position and
said the organization of mutual funds, festivals, “round tables”
with participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia – will be a good
ground for mutual contacts.

Shvidkoy said it is the first meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
intellectuals after two years. And the Public Chamber, representing
different sectors of civil society, can become the platform for a
discussion on which they can act not as the warring parties, but
as opponents.

Thanking for the opportunity to host the meeting of delegations of
the two republics, Azerbaijan Ambassador Bulbuloglu said there are
representatives of civil society who do not make the task of resolving
political issues. “It is the prerogative of the presidents of both
countries and they do a great job in this direction. We, as members
of the public, want to create a favorable environment that would help
policy makers in dealing with conflict. Two neighboring nations still
live near each other and it is important that this coexistence became
possible. We can not allow the younger generation that grew up during
the conflict, experienced only enmity and hatred to each other,”
Bulbuloglu said.

Later, the ambassador recalled that the first trip was organized
between the representatives of the intellectuals of the two republics
and Armenian ambassador to Russia A.Smbatyan to the Nagorno-Karabakh,
Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2007. The meetings were held with the
presidents of both countries.

Then, Bulbuloglu said that it caused an ambiguous reaction in the
society. “Someone has supported them, but there were many critics.

They are not scared. The mission of public diplomacy reiterated its
trip along the same route in 2009. There were more supporters.

The tours of the Youth Symphonic Orchestra of the CIS countries headed
by outstanding musician Vladimir Spivakov to several Commonwealth
countries, including Azerbaijan and Armenia were organized by the
International Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states
in September of 2010. The public reaction of the two republics was
positive, confirming our position that these actions are necessary,
Bulbuloglu said.

The meetings with deputies of the two republics were also organized
in Moscow. They had quite a constructive dialogue. Editors-in-chief
of Azerbaijani and Armenian media managed to meet.

The ambassador stressed the role of Azerbaijani and Armenian media.

Unfortunately, it does not always form a normal background to conduct a
political dialogue. He stressed the importance of social responsibility
of the press in terms of the conflict, the inadmissibility of inciting
hatred and insulting. Bulbuloglu put forward the idea of a new meeting
of editors-in-chief of leading Azerbaijani and Armenian newspapers
and electronic media in Moscow.

Ambassador of Armenia Oleg Yesayan, Hermine Naghdalyan, and others
spoke from Armenian side. They supported the need for dialogue between
the representatives of two republics, conduction and participation
in joint activities and thanked the Russian side for provision of
the possibility to organize such meetings in Russia.

Civil society should take more active position professor Farhad
Badalbeyli said. He noted that in spite of everything it is necessary
to carry out cultural projects together, not retreating from each
other and go forward, because the hatred is the way to nowhere.

Kamal Abdulla said about the necessity for a dialogue that leads
to understanding.

Each of the participants of the “round table” made proposals aimed
at rapprochement and cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH COURT TO KEEP ‘GENOCIDE’ BILL: DIASPORA

Hurriyet Daily News
Feb 23 2012
Turkey

Franck Mourad Papazian, an influential figure of Armenian Diaspora,
says they are going to bring a new law before Parliament even if this
‘genocide’ law is annulled.

One of the leading figures of the Armenian diaspora in France,
Franck Mourad Papazian, said there was no likelihood of the country’s
constitutional court overturning the draft bill to criminalize the
denial of Armenian genocide allegations.

“The weight of the Constitutional Court would come under question
if the law were to be retracted. Most important of all, we are going
to sustain our efforts to bring a new law before Parliament even if
this law is annulled,” Franck Mourad Papazian, who is also a member
of the Dashnakszutyun Party, told the Hurriyet Daily News.

Following the French Parliament’s approval of the bill, some 65
deputies and 60 senators appealed to the country’s constitutional
court for a reversal of the decision. The ball still lies in the
court of a judicial commission in the constitutional body.

“I would not like to [think] the constitutional court would annul
this law […] Turkey has exerted great pressure on France since
the bill gained currency. More than anything else, the French people
would not [yield to] such an anti-French and anti-Armenian attitude,”
Papazian added.

France officially recognized the events of 1915 as genocide in 2001.

Some circles in France are debating whether that law would also be
imperiled if the bill criminalizing the denial of genocide claims is
overturned, but Papazian does not agree: “Absolutely not. The ‘denial
law’ and the bill in 2001 bear no connection to each other at all.

Some so-called experts have also brought up this issue, but that is
not possible,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN, SOUTH KOREAN FMS DISCUSS KARABAKH ISSUE

February 24, 2012 – 14:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – In the framework of a working visit to South Korea,
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with his counterpart,
Kim Sung-Hwan.

Welcoming Minister Nalbandian, Korean FM noted that “in 2012 Armenia
and Korea will celebrate the 20th anniversary of establishment of
bilateral diplomatic relations, which will become a good reason for
discussing their further development.”

Kim Sung-Hwan hailed Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s possible
participation in oncoming summit on nuclear security.

During the meeting Minister Nalbandian briefed his counterpart on
RA foreign policy issues, as well as development of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict resolution.

Discussion of cooperation on the fields of Information technology
(IT), tourism, culture and visa facilitation was also in focus of
the meeting, Armenian MFA press service reported.

From: A. Papazian

INGO ARMENIA, CASCADE INSURANCE MERGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 24, 2012 – 14:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Ingo Armenia and Cascade Insurance have announced
the launch of merging process.

“With our deal, insurance market acquires a large company with vast
professional potential providing insurance services on a global level,”
Ingo Armenia CEO said.

Refraining from announcing ‘price’ of the deal, Levon Altunyan noted
that it is expected to be finalized by the end of 2012 first quarter.

He further said that as a result of the merger a solid financial base
will be established, as well as a broad agency network of professionals
will be formed providing quality service.

From: A. Papazian

22 SINGERS REFUSE PARTICIPATION IN BAKU-HOSTED EUROVISION 2012

Panorama
24/02/2012

Late on Thursday Armenian singers have addressed Union of European
Broadcasters and Armenian Public TV refusing their participation in
Baku-hosted “Eurovision 2012” international song contest.

Currently 22 singers have signed under the statement:

1. Artur Grigoryan 2. Nune Yesayan 3. Hayko 4. Artur Ispiryan 5. Emmy
6. Nadezhda Sargsyan 7. Eric 8. Vardan Badalyan 9. Eva Rivas 10. Lilit
Hovhannisyan 11. Vahram Petrosyan 12. Arman Hovhannisyan 13. Alla
Levonyan 14. Aramo 15. Razmik Amyan 16. Emma Petrosyan 17. Arsen /Mro/
18. Sofy Mkheyan 19. Hasmik Karapetyan 20. Aida Sargsyan 21. Arsen
Grigoryan 22. Nara More singers are supposed to join the statement.

“We refuse to stage in a country famous with mass slaughter of
Armenians and massacre, in a country where Armenophobia is a state
policy, in a country that bans visits for people of Armenian descent,”
reads the statement.

From: A. Papazian

ATTAQUE CONTRE LE PRESIDENT DE LA REGION REBELLE D’ABKHAZIE : UN MORT
Ara

armenews.com
jeudi 23 fevrier 2012

MOSCOU, 22 fev 2012 – Une attaque a l’explosif suivie de tirs a
vise mercredi matin le convoi du president de la region separatiste
georgienne d’Abkhazie, Alexandre Ankvab, tuant l’un de ses gardes du
corps, a annonce le chef de la garde presidentielle, cite l’agence
Interfax.

“Le president d’Abkhazie Ankvab n’a pas ete blesse lors de l’attaque.

Il se trouve sur son lieu de travail a Soukhoumi” la capitale abkhaze,
a indique le chef du service de securite presidentielle, Anri Boboua.

“Selon les premières informations, après l’explosion de l’engin sur le
bord de la route emprunte par le cortège du president d’Abkhazie, les
voitures ont essuye les tirs d’un lance-grenade et d’une mitrailleuse”,
a indique une source policière a Interfax.

Le bilan fait etat d’un garde du corps tue et de deux autres blesses,
selon les agences russes.

Les assaillants ont pu prendre la fuite dans un massif forestier,
selon cette meme source, et les autorites ont deploye des militaires,
des policiers et des helicoptères pour tenter de les retrouver.

Le president russe, Dmitri Medvedev, a de son côte appele M. Ankvab
pour proposer l’aide de la Russie dans l’enquete, ont rapporte les
agences russes. L’Abkhazie et l’Ossetie du Sud sont deux regions
separatistes pro-russes de Georgie dont Moscou a reconnu l’independance
dans la foulee de la guerre russo-georgienne d’août 2008.

Seuls quelques Etats d’Amerique latine et des îles du Pacifiques ont
reconnu ces Etats. La communaute internationale considère les deux
regions comme faisant partie de la Georgie.

M. Ankvab a ete elu en août 2011 a la presidence abkhaze après le
decès de son predecesseur, Sergueï Bagapch.

Cet ancien Premier ministre et vice-president a ete vise par plusieurs
tentatives d’assassinat depuis 2005. Il avait ete notamment blesse a
la main et a la jambe par des tirs contre sa maison en septembre 2010.

From: A. Papazian

FARHAD BEDELBEYLI: THE MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS WAS HELD IN NORMAL ATMOSPHERE

APA
Feb 22 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani and Armenian embassy in Russia will issue a joint statement
on the meeting

Moscow, Farid Akbarov – APA. “The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
intellectuals was held in normal atmosphere, Azerbaijani and Armenian
ambassadors to Russia also attended the meeting,” Rector of Baku
Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people’s artist Farhad
Bedelbeyli, who attended the meeting, told APA’s Moscow correspondent.

He said the participants of the meeting will not give detailed
information about the discussions.

“We decided not to give information about the meeting. The embassies
of the two countries will issue a statement. I can only say that
it was decided to continue such meetings. The meeting between the
intellectuals has not ended, the discussions will be continued in
the evening,” he said.

The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals has been held
today at the editorial office of the Rossiyskaya gazeta. Rector of
Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people’s artist
Farhad Bedelbeyli, rector of Baku Slavic University, Professor Kamal
Abdulla, rector of Azerbaijan State National Conservatory Siyavush
Kerimi, director of the State Philharmonic Hall Murad Adigozalzadeh
are representing Azerbaijan at the meeting.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Armenian former
Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan, Special Representative of the
Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail
Shvidkoy are also attending the meeting.

Mikhail Shvidkoy told APA’s Moscow correspondent that the next meeting
of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals will be held in May. He
did not say where the meeting will be held.

From: A. Papazian

COMPOSITION OF AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION ATTENDING MEETING WITH ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS IN MOSCOW KNOWN

APA
Feb 22 2012
Azerbaijan

Moscow, Farid Akbarov – APA. The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
intellectuals in Moscow is being continued at the Central House
of Literature.

APA’s Moscow bureau reports that after the meeting held at the
editorial office of the Rossiyskaya gazeta, the delegations of two
countries came to the Central House of Literature. The meeting is
being continued.

The composition of the Azerbaijani delegation attending the meeting has
been known. Rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli,
people’s artist Farhad Bedelbeyli, rector of Baku Slavic University,
Professor Kamal Abdulla, rector of Azerbaijan State National
Conservatory Siyavush Kerimi, director of the State Philharmonic Hall
Murad Adigozalov are representing Azerbaijan at the meeting.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Armenian former
Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan, Special Representative of the
Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail
Shvidkoy are also attending the meeting.

The news about the meeting was publicized by Mikhail Shvidkoy, Special
Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural
Cooperation, in his article published in the Rossiyskaya gazeta. It
is the third meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals.

From: A. Papazian

NEXT MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS TO BE HELD AT EDITORIAL OFFICE OF THE ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA TODAY

APA
Feb 22 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. The next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals
will be held today at the editorial office of the Rossiyskaya gazeta,
said Mikhail Shvidkoy, Special Representative of the Russian President
for International Cultural Cooperation, in his article published in
the Rossiyskaya gazeta, APA reports.

The author says that it is the first meeting between the intellectuals
of the two nations after the four-year break.

“The four-year break can not be accidental. Though there has not
been a break in the diplomatic intercourse, it has been impossible
to continue the humanitarian dialogue initiated by Polad Bulbuloglu
and Armen Smbatyan, who were culture ministers of the two countries,
and then the ambassadors of these countries to Russia,” he said.

“Compromise is not the sign of weakness, it is the sign of power. The
sign of intellectual power. The decision to launch dialogue on the
humanitarian level gained an impetus after the Sochi meeting of
Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents,” he said.

APA reports that though the members of the Azerbaijani delegation
that will attend the meeting are not publicized, it is known that
rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people’s
artist Farhad Bedelbeyli will attend the meeting.

From: A. Papazian