Author: Babajanian Karo

BERRI, ARMENIAN COUNTERPART REAFFIRM TIES

NOW LEBANON

Oct 3 2011

Speaker Nabih Berri and his Armenian counterpart, Hovik Abrhamyan,
on Monday stressed the importance of bilateral ties as well as
“enhancing relations” between the two countries.

“The political relations between Lebanon and Armenia are strong and
firm,” Berri said during his official visit to the country.

However, he called for “boosting bilateral economic cooperation,”
and suggested to form a “parliamentarian quartet commission that aims
to enhance those ties,” the National News Agency reported.

The Armenian speaker said in turn that the ties with Lebanon must
“be deepened in all fields.”

“The Armenian citizens in Lebanon are faithful to the government and
are contributing to its [empowerment],” Abrhamyan added.

Berri arrived in Armenia earlier in the day for a three-day official
visit

-NOW Lebanon

KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN BE SOLVED ONLY WITH SUPPORT OF INT’L COMMUNITY – ENVOY

news.az
Oct 3 2011
Azerbaijan

Nagorno-Karabakh solution will come about and be sustainable only
with the support of the international community.

The statement came from ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Germany to Azerbaijan Herbert Quelle on the eve of the October 3
Day of German Unity.

“World public opinion will play a key role in establishing this
support,” he underscored.

According to Quelle, the EU, as well as Germany, is interested in
contributing to a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“We have always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. At the
same time we have to accept that there is a negotiation format in the
form of the OSCE Minsk Group. Nobody wants to disturb this format,”
ambassador said.

The EU and Germany, according to ambassador, are mostly concerned with
the question of how we can assist in building a framework around the
ongoing negotiations which will be conducive to a solution.

“I am confident that the new EU special representative for the Southern
Caucasus will come up with proposals in a not too distant future,”
he said.

The ambassador noted the readiness to examine any concrete requests
for supporting Azerbaijan’s concern.

He is also convinced that further progress in democratization that
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pronounced again in his speech on
27 May 2011 will be very positive for the global image of Azerbaijan.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Relations in economic and political spheres

According to the ambassador, relations between Germany and Azerbaijan
are good and historically friendly in all spheres.

Concerning economic relations, the ambassador said that the countries
are in the final stage of negotiations for the establishment of a
bilateral chamber of industry and commerce in Baku,” he noted. This
institution will support German-Azerbaijani business relations and
further strengthen Germany’s presence and position in Azerbaijan.

“Baku is quite an attractive market for German cars and many other
products. I would also like to see more German financial direct
investments,” he added.

According to Quelle, small and medium enterprises are the backbone of
the German economy, and it is essential that an investment destination
offers them the proper legal framework and necessary securities.

Azerbaijani authorities are aware of certain deficits still existing
in this respect and work to remedy them.

Concerning political relations, ambassador said Germany fully supports
Azerbaijan’s efforts to adopt the value system that Western Europe
has enjoyed since the end of World War II, including human rights,
democracy, rule of law and market economy.

“The EU and her member states including Germany are in a constant
dialogue about the whole range of these issues. I have the feeling
that this dialogue will be further intensified,” the ambassador said.

Among the bilateral meetings taking place, the ambassador highlighted
high-level working group on trade and investment that was formed this
year in Berlin and will meet again in Berlin in October.

NO ONE TO RECOGNIZE ‘NKR’ – US EMBASSY

news.az
Oct 3 2011
Azerbaijan

‘Joseph Simitian is traveling in the South Caucasus region as the
representative of the Californian Senate.

He is not representing the US government, which does not control his
movement and his meeting’.

The statement came from spokesman for the US embassy to Azerbaijan
Keith Bean, while commenting on the visit of member of the US
Californian Senate Joseph Simitian to the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

“Neither the United States, nor the countries including Armenia,
recognize the so-called ‘Nagorno Karabakh Republic”, Keith Bean said.

The Karabakh conflict erupted as a result of the unfounded claims
of separatists to annex the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of
Azerbaijan SSR to Armenia SSR in February 1988.

SERBIAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN: “ARMENIAN TROOPS MUST BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN”

APA
Oct 3 2011
Azerbaijan

“Azerbaijan and Serbia value their independences”

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. Interview with Serbian Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Zoran Vajovic

– Mr. Ambassador, Serbian embassy has been opened in Azerbaijan
recently. Did you visit Azerbaijan befor?

– The Serbian embassy was opened in Azerbaijan in March. I arrived in
Baku in May and submitted my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. I
am happy that our embassy is located in the center of Icherisheher
(Old City of Baku), which was included in the UNESCO’s list. I like
this place. There was no official opening ceremony and we are expected
to hold the ceremony next year. But the embassy is working and we are
planning to open the consular office as well. I visited Baku several
times before. I was working in the Serbian embassy in Turkey, which
was also responsible for the relations with Azerbaijan. I was very
happy while hearing about my appointment to Azerbaijan. I have not
been in the region of Azerbaijan yet, but I believe that your country
achieved fantastic results during 20 years of independence. We can
see these results everywhere – new roads are constructed, large-scale
infrastructure projects are realized, much attention is given to
the construction of social facilities, new oil and gas fields are
discovered, the country increases its currency resources every year
and all of these show how big potential Azerbaijan has.

– How do you value the development of bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Serbia?

– The bilateral relations between our countries are developing and
our partnership reaches new strategic level. Serbia and Azerbaijan
have no discords in any issue. There is a mutual understanding in the
level of both bilateral and international cooperation. I am very happy
that I am working in the country, which has good political relations
with Serbia. Our countries defend each other in the international
arena and within all international organizations.

– Which spheres is Serbia interested to develop cooperation with
Azerbaijan in?

– Our political relations are in highest level. A number of mutual
visits were realized in the past year. Serbian President Boris Tadic
visited Azerbaijan in May, 2010 and President Ilham Aliyev visited
Serbia in June, 2011. The meetings between foreign ministers Vuc
Jeremic and Elmar Mammadyarov have regular and intensive character.

Serbia is very interested in the development of economic relations
and economic and trade relations. Unfortunately the level of economic
relations is at odd with the level of political relations.

– Serbia-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission is expected to hold
first meeting in Belgrade this autumn. Are the date and agenda of
the meeting scheduled?

– The commission’s first meeting will be held on November 3-4, 2011
in Belgrade. It was agreed during the two-day visit of Vuc Jeremic,
who is co-chair of the commission, to Azerbaijan on August 31,
2011. The first business forum will also be held in the framework of
the meeting. We are hopeful that the agreement on economic cooperation
and some agreements between the business people will be signed during
this forum. Serbia is interested in involving Azerbaijani investment
in its economy. Azerbaijan is also interested in participation in the
infrastructure projects in Serbia, including the construction of roads
and ports. I consider that the first meeting of the intergovernmental
commission will be an important step toward strengthening the economic
cooperation between the countries.

-Serbia-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce is functioning in Belgrade.

Some Azerbaijani construction and foreign trade companies have already
opened their offices in Belgrade. Some Serbian construction companies
also have offices in Baku.

-Is Serbia interested in improving energy cooperation with Azerbaijan?

-Serbia is interested in participating in any energy project that
can pass through its territory. Any pipeline that will pass through
the territory of Serbia may be profitable for our country.

-What steps is your embassy going to take in order to develop
scientific and cultural relations between our countries?

-This issue was also discussed during the visit of Serbian Foreign
Minister Vuk JeremiÄ~G to Baku. We are planning to exchange students
and teachers, organize various exhibitions. I would like to arrange
the visit of the Belgrade Philharmonic to Azerbaijan to participate
in Gabala festival. Serbian representatives will also attend the World
Youth Forum that will be held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary
of Azerbaijan’s independence.

-How is visa for your country granted?

-Serbia’s visa policy is liberal enough. Serbia cancelled visa regime
with Turkey, offered to cancel visa regime with Azerbaijan last year.

It would allow the citizens of both countries to travel free and to
develop the bilateral relations in tourism. But visa travel exists
between our countries. By the end of the year we are planning to open
a consular department and issue visas to the Azerbaijani citizens
that will visit Serbia.

-How much is trade turnover between our countries?

-Unfortunately, the volume of trade turnover is not so big, it
does not coincide with the level of political relations between
our countries. The trade turnover was $ 10 million last year. Trade
turnover is based on agriculture, import of food products. We would
like Serbia to join energy projects. Oil and gas account for the main
part of Azerbaijan’s export, we would like to increase our share of
participation in this field. I am sure that the first meeting of the
intergovernmental commission will give an impetus to the development
of trade turnover between our countries. We are interested in
extending energy cooperation, increase foreign trade deals and export
agricultural products to Azerbaijan. Work continues on the accumulator
plant project of Serbian companies in Azerbaijan. Enhancement of
economic relations is the top priority of the development of bilateral
relations and the embassy is playing an active role in this process
by establishing contacts with the private sector.

-What is Serbia’s position in Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

-Serbia’s position has not changed. Serbia supports Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. The conflict
must be solved peacefully. Armenian troops must be withdrawn from
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, because all international
organizations, including the four resolutions of the UN confirm the
occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories. Serbia strongly supports
Azerbaijan concerning this issue in the international arena.

We are small countries valuing our independence and object to the
double standard policy in the international relations of the 21st
century. Sometimes, these double standards are also felt in the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Even with the participation of
the world’s leading political players Azerbaijan can not still achieve
the victory of justice, return of the territories and internally
displaced persons. Azerbaijan also supports Serbia in the Kosovo
problem. The southern part of Serbia, Autonomous Province of Kosovo
and Metohija unilaterally declared their independence, Serbia does
not accept it.

ZARUHI PETROSYAN DIDN’T POISON HERSELF. DOCTORS REFUTE DEFENSE CLAIMS

epress.am
10.03.2011 14:42

Medical examiners Dr. Sargsyan and Dr. Melikyan testified in court
on Sept. 30 as part of the ongoing Zaruhi Petrosyan murder trial,
the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia reported. Dr.

Melikyan stated that he did not find any traces of poison upon
examination of the body. Thus, the defense’s claim that Zaruhi tied
from self-inflicted poisoning was refuted.

Also refuted was the claim that Zaruhi’s cause of death and injuries
were from falling down the stairs. According to Dr. Sargsyan, she
could not have received such injuries by falling down the stairs.

Then the defense presented several motions, including:

a re-examination of the body (that is, the autopsy); the re-examination
of the following witnesses: Asia Zakaryan, David Hakobyan and
Hayastan Petrosyan’ a re-examination of Zaruhi Petrosyan’s phone;
and a court appointment of a psychological examination of the accused,
Yanis Sarkisov.

All motions were rejected.

The prosecution stated that all witnesses were examined and gave
their testimonies, which were crystal clear, while all such actions
are merely aimed at delaying the trial.

The judge declared the trial’s examination period completed. He then
gave both parties 10 days to prepare for the next stage of the trial
when parties will debate the facts.

The next court session will be held on Oct. 14 at 12 pm.

Recall, 20-year-old Petrosyan died on Oct. 1, 2010, as a result of
repeated psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her husband
(Sarkisov) and his mother. Subsequently, a group of 7 local NGOs
formed the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia and
are monitoring the case.

The Coalition has organized a candlelight vigil to mark the one-year
anniversary of Zaruhi’s death and invites all those interested to
participate in the vigil which will take place near Swan Lake in
Yerevan at 6 pm today.

RECONSTRUCTED “RANCHPAR 1” PUMPING STATION LAUNCHED

armradio.am
03.10.2011 13:48

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and Vice President for Compact
Operations of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Patrick Fine
participated in the opening of the “Ranchpar 1” pumping station
reconstructed by the Millennium Challenge Account- Armenia Program.

“Ranchpar 1” pumping station irrigates 6 100 hectares of land,
supplying irrigation water to 10 thousand water-users in 23 communities
of Ararat marz.

The MCA-Armenia program has invested $5.5 mln in the reconstruction of
the pumping station. The total investments of MCA-Armenia in Ararat,
Armavir, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik and Syunik marzes make $42 mln.

ON 1 OCTOBER ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN WAS PRESENT AT SOLEMN CEREMONY OF OPENING THE “ARTSAKH EXPO-2011” SECOND TRADE-INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION STARTED IN CAPITAL STEPANAKERT

Monday, 03 October 2011 05:18

Thereafter the Head of the State partook at the meeting of the
“Bridge Artsakh-2011” third economic forum.

In his welcoming speech the President noted that every initiative, any
step directed to develop our country and contribute to the activation
of entrepreneurship, boosting economy and strengthening the foundations
of independent statehood is rated high in Artsakh. Bako Sahakyan
underlined that among the most effective ways to solve this issue
of nation-wide significance are both the consolidation of efforts
and potential of the world spread Armenians and establishment of
mutually beneficial cooperation with various foreign companies and
private entrepreneurs.

The Head of the State qualified issues to be discussed at the forum
as actual and important that possess promising cooperation prospects
Premier of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, head of the NKR
Cabinet of Ministers Ara Haroutyunyan and other officials partook at
the forum.

TURKEY SAYS ISRAELI WARPLANES DIDN’T HARASS ITS SEISMIC RESEARCH SHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 1, 2011 – 09:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Turkish General Staff has denied news reports
that a Turkish seismic research ship exploring gas near Cyprus was
harassed by two low-flying Israeli warplanes and a helicopter on
Thursday, September 29 night, according to Today’s Zaman.

A written statement posted on the General Staff’s website on Friday
said that the reports are untrue.

Turkish Vatan daily published a story on Friday referring to a story
by the Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, which argued that Israel
boosted its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean as of Thursday
night. The report said the two F-15 jets that took off from Tel Aviv
flew through the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot airspaces. The
jets reportedly ignored warnings from the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (KKTC) officials and got so close to Turkey’s Mediterranean
coasts that they could be even seen from Mersin’s beaches, the report
said. Turkey then reportedly sent two F-16 jets to the area to track
the Israeli jets, which then returned to Israel.

An Israeli military helicopter also flew over the Turkish research
ship, Piri Reis, on Thursday night, according to the daily, as it was
in the Aphrodite gas field, off Cyprus’ southern coast and adjacent
to the larger Leviathan field. The helicopter flew low over the ship
for a long time, the report said.

46232 CARATS OF DIAMOND PRODUCED IN ARMENIA JAN-AUG 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 1, 2011 – 11:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 46232 carats of diamond were produced in Armenia
in January-August 2011 against 43 329 carats during the same period
in 2010.

According to the National Statistical Service, 218,3 kg of jewelry
was produced during the reporting period against 267,5 kg in 2010. The
slump in the industry was 18,4% compared to January-August 2010.

MAGNETIC FORCE OF ROOTS

Thursday, 29 September 2011 04:30

Stepanakert School #3 is under complete overhaul. The works are funded
by the Sarkisov brothers from Russia. Accompanied by corresponding
officials of the urban development and education and science spheres,
the benefactors have recently visited the site to see the process of
construction works.

The school staff warmly greeted the guests. It was the Sarkisov
brothers’ first visit to Karabakh, but they didn’t forget their roots,
which lead to Shushi. “My grandfather was born in Karabakh in 1904.

Unfortunately, almost all the members of his family were killed in
1915. In 1920, my grandfather was already in Russia. Many compatriots
came to us and told about Karabakh. My grandfather missed Karabakh
very much. So, I was connected with Karabakh from my childhood, via
grandfather’s stories and recollections”, said Sergey Sarkisov. The
real acquaintance with already independent Artsakh took place much
later. The meeting with NKR President Bako Sahakian in Moscow became
decisive. “In the RF capital city, I attended President Bako Sahakian’s
press conference. He told about Karabakh and the works conducted
here. He also noted that the financial condition in Artsakh is very
hard. After the meeting, I came up to him and offered my support”,
said the benefactor.

The sphere’s choice wasn’t accidental. “This is the sphere, from which
we should start. Any revival starts just from school”, expressed his
confidence Sergey Sarkisov. He was informed of the construction works
process, but to familiarize with the works and to evaluate them in
place is more impressive. “I was always informed of the works, got
photos of them, but what I saw here was greater and more impressive. I
liked the school and, what is most important, I liked the people”,
the benefactor noted.

Minister of Urban Development Karen Shahramanian introduced the
details of the construction works: “Currently, the works correspond
to the schedule. First, the educational buildings are rebuilt, which
will be strengthened and brought in correspondence with the 9-point
seismic stability standards. The 4th floor of the first basic building
is already dismantled and the roof-installing works are underway”,
the Minister of Urban Development informed.

Two-stage overhaul of the complex is planned – first, the proper
school building and second, the adjoining multifunctional building.

Karen Shahramanian specified the term: the first-stage works in the
educational buildings will be completed in 2012, after which the
second stage will start.

The amount allocated for all this lets us have an idea of the
expected works’ volume. “$3 million is planned for the restoration of
Stepanakert School #3″. The funding is realized in accordance with the
schedule and without any delay”, said Karen Shahramanian. Today, the
main expectations of the benefactors and the sphere’s officials depend
on the builders. The representative of Pant Company, implementing
the construction works, assures that they will not be disappointed
in either the schedule or the quality.