Author: Babajanian Karo

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO EURONEST, ARMENIAN NATIONAL PLATFORM OF EASTERN PARTNERSHIP CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM SIGN MEMORANDUM

Tert.am
06.10.11

Head of the Armenian delegation to Euronest Vahan Hovhannisyan
and Coordinator of the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern
Partnership Civil Society Forum Vache Kalashyan signed a memorandum
of understanding in Armenian Parliament, Oct 6.

Vahan Hovhannisyan expressed his appreciation of cooperation with
civil society. He noted that during its six-month membership in the
Euronest Parliamentary Assembly the delegation has held two discussions
with the National Platform.

As a result, proposals made by the Armenian National Platform proved
topics for two reports delivered at different committees of the
assembly. Hovhannisyan said that such cooperation with civil society
is unprecedented at the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.

It is time for the Armenian delegation to Euronest and the Armenian
National Platform to document cooperation, which may cause further
initiatives, he said.

In his turn, Vache Kalashyan expressed his gratitude to the Armenian
delegation for its assistance to the process and response to the
National Platform’s proposals. The memorandum is “society’s property”
and is open for signing by all those wishing.

The memorandum indicates objectives of cooperation, principles and
duties of the signatories. It has the following five objectives:
reducing corruption in the government system, struggle against
restrictions on civil rights and freedoms, information on Armenia’s
commitments to the European Union, dissemination of European values,
and drafting laws based on Armenia’s agreements with the European
Union.

Artak Zakaryan, a member of the Armenian delegation to the assembly,
informed the National Platform members of the details of the latest
session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly and answered their
questions.

“FRANCE DOES NOT FORGET” – SARKOZY WRITES IN GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Tert.am
06.10.11

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has visited the Armenian Genocide
memorial and the Genocide Museum where he wrote in the book of honored
guests that France does not forget the Armenian Genocide.

In the book Nicolas Sarkozy particularly wrote: “France does not
forget.”

Prior to that, Sarkozy, accompanied by Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan visited Tsitsernakaberd – Genocide memorial – and placed a
wreath there.

In the Memorial Park of Tsitsernakaberd the two presidents planted
a tree next to the memorial column dedicated to the law that France
adopted in 2001 and recognized that Armenian Genocide.

Earlier Sargsyan and Sarkozy had visited His Holiness Garegin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Later in the evening Sarkozy will attend a state super to be served
on behalf of Armenia’s president.

YOURI DJORKAEFF: I AM PROUD AND HAPPY THAT I AM IN ARMENIA TODAY

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 6, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, ARMENPRESS: “I am very happy and proud that
I am in Armenia,” said well-known French-Armenian football player
Youri Djorkaeff, who has arrived in Armenia together with the French
President. “Tomorrow we will play against Macedonia, and I hope that
we will be able to play well, as this is a unique opportunity for us,”
he said.

Speaking of the President’s visit, he noted that Sarkozy’s visit is
a fine gesture. “I hope it twill positively influence on relations of
the two counters. This is a signal of friendship, and Armenia in its
turn has displayed such gestures in response,” Youri Djorkaeff assured.

AZERBAIJAN CONFIRMS ARMENIAN TROOPS’ OPERATIONS CAUSED 2 SOLDIERS’ DEATH

Tert.am
06.10.11

The Armenian armed forces’ military operations on the
Azerbaijani-Armenian border have left two soldiers dead, the
Azerbaijani news agency APA reported, citing a Defense Ministry
official.

Temur Abdualaev, a deputy spokesperson at the Azerbaijani Defense
Ministry said the dead soldiers were Novruz Garyaddyogly, 20, and
Suleiman Ababsoglu, 22.

The Armenian forces were earlier reported to have launched retaliatory
operations in the vicinities of Chinari village, killing two soldiers
of the Azerbaijani army.

SARKOZY VISIT AIMS TO STRENGTHEN FRANCE’S INFLUENCE IN REGION – POLITICIAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 6, 2011 – 12:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Leader of the Christian Democratic Union Khosrov
Harutyunyan thinks that the visit of French President Nicolas
Sarkozy to the South Caucasus aims to discuss political and economic
cooperation as well as to strengthen France’s influence in region.

According to Harutyunyan, Mr. Sarkozy will also focus on the Nagorno
Karabakh problem when in Armenia and Azerbaijan and will not avoid
discussing Abkhazia and South Ossetia when in Georgia.

He also noted that France is the most powerful political force in
the European Union.

SARKOZY TELLS BAKU AND YEREVAN TO ‘TAKE THE RISK OF PEACE’

Focus News
Oct 5 2011
Bulgaria

Yerevan. French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday called on
Armenia and Azerbaijan ahead of his two-day visit to “take the risk
of peace” and restart talks on the contested Nagorny Karabakh region,
AFP reported.

“For you also, the moment has come to take the risk of peace. Because
there is no greater danger than that of inaction, which gives rise
to illusions, fuels resentment, and delays bit by bit the chances
of peace every day,” Sarkozy said in an interview to Armenian news
agency Mediamax.

“It’s the same message I will bring to President Aliyev in Baku,”
he said.

Sarkozy will spend Thursday evening in Yerevan before continuing his
brief tour of the former Soviet states in the Caucasus region Friday,
visiting Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Nagorny Karabakh, a mountainous territory populated mostly by
Armenians, was given to Azerbaijan in the Soviet era.

It declared its independence after a war between 1988 and 1994 that
claimed 30,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Although a cease-fire was signed, Baku and Yerevan remain at bitter
odds over the non-recognised republic, with Armenia insisting that
Karabakh will never return under Azerbaijan’s control.

Both civilians and soldiers are regularly reported shot along the
Karabakh border, and Armenian forces last month claimed to have shot
down an Azerbaijani spy plane for the first time.

The latest peace talks held in Russia in June disintegrated into
mutual accusations of undermining the peace process and failed to
produce a concrete agreement.

“ON THE WAY” FILM – A VISITING CARD FOR ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
21:42, 5 October, 2011

“On the Way” film has been screened with the support of RA First Lady
Rita Sargsyan. It has been created as a result of the joint work of the
National Dance Ensemble, and film director, producer Harutyun Azaryan.

“The film is about pagan, medieval, and modern Armenia, where dance
is in the acting role. It is about sublimity of high ideas,” film
director Harutyun Azaryan said. The film presents the Armenian world
with its uniqueness and diversity. After almost two-year complicated
screenings the film is presented to the spectator for the first time.

ARTSAKH SOLDIER KILLED OVER AZERI CEASEFIRE VIOLATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 5, 2011 – 19:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On October 5, 5 p.m. local time, Artsakh serviceman
Yuri Sargsyan, born 1987, died from a gunshot wound to the head while
on military duty in the eastern part of the line of contact between
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijani armed forces, NKR defence
army press service reported. Investigation is under way.

Despite international community’s appeals, Azerbaijan continues
ceasefire violations, with over 200 instances of ceasefire violations
reported last week. Azerbaijan fired about 900 shots using machineguns
and sniper rifles.

U.S. RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE DEPENDS ON ISRAEL -EXPERT

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 5, 2011 – 18:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide depends
on Israel, according to the director of Armenian National Academy of
Sciences’ Oriental Studies Institute.

“The pressure of Jewish lobby, as well as tensions in Israel-Turkey
ties may cause a change in U.S. policy on Genocide recognition,”
Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

As the expert noted, Ankara-Washington relations are mostly dependent
on Jewish lobby. “All depends on how far Israel is ready to go,
given the possibility of dramatic exacerbation of Turkey-U.S. ties
after the latter’s Genocide recognition,” Safrastyan said.

Commenting on Armenia-Turkey relations, the expert noted Syria and
Middle East issues to be on Ankara’s priority agenda, with the latter
unready for any Armenia-related initiatives.

“However, once Turkey’s increased its regional presence, it might
start a more aggressive diplomacy,” the expert concluded.

“TWENTY SONGS TO TWENTY-YEAR-OLD ARMENIA”: ELODIE FREGE CONGRATULATES ON BEHALF OF FRANCE

ARMENPRESS
19:23, 5 October, 2011

Well-known French singer Elodie Frege’s “Twenty Songs to
Twenty-Year-Old Armenia” concert program is the gift of France
to Armenia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary. The concert is
held on the initiative of the French Embassy in Armenia and with the
support of private companies in Armenia.

I am like a child here, who has come to reveal and know new things. I
hope I will gain new friends and a new family here: Elodie Frege told
today a press conference. She will address the message of friendship
of the French to Armenian people through a song. Armenian singers
will also participate in “Twenty Songs to Twenty-Year-Old Armenia” –
Emma Petrosyan, Aramo, Suren Arustamyan, Eva Sujyan, Erik, and others,
as well as the symphonic orchestra of RA Public Television and Radio.

“It is a high honor for me to be hosted in Armenia. Unfortunately,
I have come with a short period of time, tomorrow I leave,” the singer
said, expressing hope that the spectator will like the concert.

The open-air concert will be held at “Gafesjian” Center for the Arts.

The entrance is free for everybody.