Author: Babajanian Karo

MARKAROV: AZERBAIJANI SUBVERSIVE ACT IS PART OF BAKU’S POLICY ON KEEPING TENSIONS HIGH

15:05 10/12/2014 >> POLITICS

As a result of the downing of a Nagorno-Karabakh helicopter by
Azerbaijani forces, the expected meeting between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers did not take place, political analyst
Alexander Markarov told reporters on Wednesday.

Also, a necessity emerged to make a pause in the peace talks, he added.

“The latest subversive act by Azerbaijan is part of Baku’s policy on
keeping the tensions high,” said the expert.

According to Markarov, it is not within the OSCE Minsk Group mandate
to use sanctions against the sides, with Azerbaijan refusing to create
mechanisms to investigate border incidents. “Azerbaijan’s image suffers
greatly and this cannot be compensated by hosting the European Games,”
he said.

Source: Panorama.am

LES RESERVES D’EAU DE L’ARMENIE PEUVENT DIMINUER DE 30% EN RAISON DU CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE SELON UN SPECIALISTE

ARMENIE

Les reserves en eau de l’Armenie sont de 3 milliards de mètres cubes,
et elles pourraient diminuer de 30% soit de 700 millions a 1 milliards
de mètres cubes en raison des changements climatiques a declare Aram
Gabrielyan, coordonnateur national de la Convention-cadre des Nations
Unies sur les changements climatiques.

>,
a-t-il dit.

Aram Gabrielyan a egalement declare que les pertes d’eau sont
egalement causees par la consommation inefficace de l’eau et un
système d’approvisionnement en eau imparfait.

Cela signifie que l’adaptation au changement climatique est un problème
majeur pour l’Armenie. L’approche ecosystemique est necessaire pour
faire face a ce problème.

L’emplacement physique et geographique du pays aggrave la menace de
consequences nefastes du changement climatique.

L’Armenie se trouve 1850 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer. > a declare l’expert. >.

mercredi 10 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

DER GHOUGASSIAN DISCUSSES BOLIVIA’S RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

By Rupen Janbazian on December 9, 2014

Special for the Armenian Weekly

On Nov. 26, the two Houses of the Bolivian Parliament (the
Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia) unanimously approved
measures recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The resolutions express
solidarity with the Armenian cause and condemn “all denialist policy
regarding the Genocide and crimes against humanity suffered by the
Armenian nation.”

Khatchik Der Ghougassian

In an exclusive interview with the Armenian Weekly, Khatchik Der
Ghougassian, professor of international relations at Universidad
de San Andres in Argentina, discussed the passage of the resolution
and outlined the potential for strengthened Armenian-South American
relations in the coming years.

***

Rupen Janbazian: The Buenos Aires-based “Agencia Prensa Armenia”
reported that on Nov. 26, 2014, the two houses of the Bolivian
Parliament unanimously approved measures to recognize the Armenian
Genocide with the approval of the Bolivian Foreign Ministry. It
is interesting that this resolution passed in Bolivia, a country
with no major Armenian population, or even any Armenian diplomatic
representation. How did this resolution come about? Was the greater
South American-Armenian community involved in any way?

Khatchik Der Ghougassian: Not only does an organized Armenian community
not exist in Bolivia, but I also doubt if there are any Armenians
actually living in the country. While there may be some Armenians
involved in business in Bolivia, it is evident that the idea for the
resolution came from the Bolivians themselves. Two members of the
Argentine-Armenian community traveled to La Paz during the last phase
of the initiative to help write the final resolution. One of them,
Roberto Malkasian, is an expert in law and, as far as I know, had a
big part in putting the resolution into words. It must be emphasized,
however, that the initiative came from the most progressive sector
of the ruling party in Bolivia, and not from Armenians. It is also
very interesting that the resolution is unique in the fact that it
emphasizes aspects of the Armenian cause that have not appeared in
similar resolutions in other countries.

R.J.: The Bolivian Parliament is dominated by political allies of
President Evo Morales, who has been in power since 2006. How does
the passage of this resolution fit into the foreign policy agenda of
President Morales and his Movement for Socialism Party?

K.D.G.: To understand the initiative and the way it fits into the
foreign policy agenda of President Morales, we have to consider the
importance of ethical considerations for small countries like Bolivia
and Uruguay in taking positions in international affairs. This sounds a
little bit naive, as foreign policy is usually based on more practical
and “material” interests. But the Movement for Socialism Party came
into power with a strong commitment for justice. For almost 500 years,
the native Bolivians were enslaved–first by Spanish conquerors, then
by the ruling elite after independence. Bolivia was and continues to
be a country rich in natural resources. For centuries, conquerors have
looted the silver of Potosi and left the population in poverty. In the
1980’s, Bolivia became the first country where [U.S. President Ronald]
Reagan’s so-called “war on drugs” policy was first implemented, using
the military to repress ethnic communities. It was also where, in the
1980’s, the neoliberal policies of “shock therapies” were applied
for the first time, leading to further concentration of wealth and
power in the hands of a minority.

‘Unfortunately, Armenian diplomacy in South America has not been as
strong as it should have been over the past decade…[when there were]
important breakthroughs in Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, and Chile.

While focusing on Moscow, Washington, and Brussels, Yerevan has
ignored the south in general and South America in particular, even
though Argentina was among the first countries where Armenia had
diplomatic representation right after independence. … Armenia has
never considered the potential of alternative strategic alliances
with emerging powers like Brazil, or champions of human rights and
anti-imperialism such as Argentina, Uruguay, or Venezuela.’

However, Bolivia is also a country with a rich tradition of popular
uprisings and a quest for justice. Ernesto Che Guevara was killed in
Bolivia; leading guerilla figures, such as the current vice president,
Alvaro Garcia Linera, were also well-known intellectuals. Neoliberal
policies in the 1990’s were particularly harmful for the people. It
was at this time that Evo Morales, a simple peasant, rose as a
representative of the emerging social protest. He was harassed and his
candidacy for presidential elections was “vetoed” by Washington. The
final episode of the privatization process came in 2003, when the
then president, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, wanted to sell Bolivia’s
natural gas to a Californian firm, prompting popular protests and
what became known as the bloody “gas war,” which eventually led to
the president’s resignation and exile to the United States. It is this
strong alliance of progressive intellectuals and popular leaders that
came into power in 2006, when Bolivia joined the “left-turn” process
in South America, despite foreign pressure. Morales received strong
support from Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Nestor Kirchner of Argentina,
and Inacio Lula Da Silva of Brazil. Since then, not only has he been
consistent in addressing centuries-old injustices, but has also put
the country on the developmental path and sustained a principled
approach in international affairs. The ethical commitment to just
causes shapes Morales’ Bolivia’s identity.

Bolivia’s Palace of Congress in La Paz

Following the passage of the resolution, the head of Bolivia’s
Senate, Zonia Guardia Melgar, was invited to Buenos Aires by the
Argentine-Armenian community. While there, she spoke at the Saint
Gregory Church and mentioned Che Guevara as an example of commitment
to just causes, and in her interview to Prensa Armenia, gave full
support to Armenians and Kurds in their struggle.

R.J.: While relations between Turkey and Bolivia are limited,
trade volume between the 2 countries totals about $8 million. Do you
believe the passage of the resolution will affect relations between
the two countries?

K.D.G.: Actually, both Turkey and Azerbaijan have been actively
promoting investment and economic cooperation in the field of energy
and other sectors of Bolivia. Considering the lack of Armenian
diplomatic representation in the country, Turkish and Azeri activism
has been successful in lobbying in Bolivia, though this has been
based on mostly empty promises and falsifications. For example,
they have pushed to pass a resolution on the so-called “genocide”
in Khojaly [Karabagh], as they did in Mexico. However, they must have
underestimated the commitment to righteousness of the ruling party.

While it is true that Turkey has some trade with Bolivia, the volume
is actually very small. Still, it is important, considering that
Armenia has no trade whatsoever. I do not think that the resolution
will have any impact on the trade relationship of the two countries.

Moreover, the Turkish-Azeri neo-denialist strategy will probably
promise to invest even more into the country–perhaps try to buy
political will, seduce some soccer team, etc. In other words, they
will try to do more to try to show that Bolivia’s real interests lie
with them, not Armenia and the Armenians.

R.J.: Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has issued a
statement commending the passage of the resolutions. What does the
recognition of the genocide mean for Armenia-Bolivia relations and
Armenia-South America relations in general?

K.D.G.: Nalbandian’s statement was much appreciated in Bolivia and is
a good starting point for relations. Unfortunately, Armenian diplomacy
in South America has not been as strong as it should have been over the
past decade. During this time, there have been important breakthroughs
in Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, and Chile. While focusing on Moscow,
Washington, and Brussels, Yerevan has ignored the south in general
and South America in particular, even though Argentina was among the
first countries where Armenia had diplomatic representation right
after independence. Diplomatic protocols have always been properly
respected; however, Armenia has never considered the potential of
alternative strategic alliances with emerging powers like Brazil,
or champions of human rights and anti-imperialism such as Argentina,
Uruguay, or Venezuela.

South America has been very important for Armenia’s economy, especially
when considering the Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, who is
the first individual investor in Armenia.

Unfortunately, Yerevan never considered the relationship as a means
to open doors in South America to look for new opportunities. While
I understand that serious material limitations may exist, I am sure
that strategic planning can overcome these limitations. The situation
has seemed to change since 2011-12. Azerbaijan has been pursuing an
aggressive diplomatic campaign, investing their petrodollars in the
social, economic, and political sectors of countries from Mexico to
Argentina, all while their representatives publically declare that
their objective is to counter-balance the presence of organized
Armenian communities in the region.

Today, Armenia has embassies in three Latin American countries,
and President [Serge] Sarkissian’s visit to Argentina, Uruguay, and
Chile last July was a great success. Nevertheless, there is still a
lot that could be done. Bolivia’s passage of the resolution proved
that it is possible to think outside of the box when it comes to
their foreign policy.

R.J.: Leading up to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, do
you foresee any other countries in the area taking similar steps
recognizing the genocide?

K.D.G.: It all really depends on how active Armenia’s diplomacy is in
the area. There is much to capitalize on considering the important
political and juridical successes that local Armenian communities
have achieved over the years.

One thing I am sure of is that Turkey’s policy of denial will be very
active in the area over the coming year, and they will surely combine
their efforts with Azerbaijan. We already see a sort of division
of labor in this respect: While Azerbaijan remains in charge of the
“hard” denial, such as questioning the historical existence of Armenia,
Ankara promotes a “softer” brand of denial, such as [President Recep
Tayyip] Erdogan’s offerings of condolences of a so-called “common
suffering.” Moreover, Turkish organizations, such as the Gulen
movement, which are falsely branded as humanitarian initiatives,
are very actively penetrating civil society and promoting a false
image of a tolerant Ottoman past with important investments in the
educational field. While the relations between the Gulen movement
and the ruling party seem to have been turbulent in recent days,
they are both actively working to deny the Armenian Genocide.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH WISHES TO EXIST – BAKO SAHAKYAN’S INTERVIEW TO ITALIAN PAPER

12:05 * 10.12.14

President of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Bako Sahakyan has given an
interview to the Italian publication IL GIORNO, sharing his concerns
of the country’s challenges in light of the continuing land dispute
with Azerbaijan.

The translated interview is presented below.

Mr President, what impact do the Azerbaijani oil and gas have on
the negotiations?

Oil and gas have an impact on geopolitics, so Azerbaijan is no
exception. But I must emphasize one very important fact: the more
Azerbaijan exports hydrocarbons, the tougher its stance on the
negotiations. There is a permanent parallel between hydrocarbon export
agreements and Azerbaijan’s desire to make the necessary concessions
to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The first sign was
in 1997 when, after the signing of the first oil project, Azerbaijan
rejected negotiations with US. And this parallel continues.

Why?

Thanks to high profits from oil, Azerbaijan’s military expenses have
increased by 2,500 percent in the past ten years. But I believe that
oil and military expenses are worth nothing whenever we fight for
freedom and the protection of fundamental human rights. Moreover, the
profits from exported hydrocarbons would offer the country a wonderful
opportunity to develop also social policies and become progressive
instead of being one of the most freedom-killing regions on the
Eurasian continent, which spreads anti-Armenian military propaganda,
subduing the free press.

Why don’t the United Nations and international organizations take
appropriate measures?

You are right. Of course, they can do more. It is necessary to note
that the Azerbaijani efforts towards isolating Karabakh and lessening
international organizations’ attention have been continuing for over
two decades. Of course, it marks the continuation of the Azerbaijani
human rights violations and pressures to which we were subjected under
the USSR. Any Azerbaijani step in this direction reveals the legitimate
causes of our struggle on the hand and strengthens our resoluteness
to head towards state-building with confident steps on the other.

As for the international community, the process of our republic’s
independence and our people’s right to self determination, we,
unfortunately, witness double standards here. Kosovo and Sudan’s
recognition were glaring examples of that. But we never lose spirit.

Our state was founded at the moment when, like the world’s key
democracies, we too, reacted to the adversary’s transgressions,
exercising our right to rebel and [to protect] our self-determination.

We were coerced into an unequal war and nevertheless won. There was
a disproportion between sets of values. We were leading a battle to
protect our homes and our fundamental rights, while the Azerbaijanis
busied themselves with territorial invasions.

What about the relations with Armenia?

You know, the Armenian Diaspora, which has survived a genocide,
sees its homeland in Artsakh and om Armenia. As far as identity is
concerned, there are a kind of symbiotic relations among Artsakh,
Armenia and the Armenia Diaspora. But this doesn’t affect our
resoluteness to achieve our country’s de jure recognition.

Did the conflict contain a religious element?

No, the reasons were universal in terms of fundamental human rights.

But there were religious speculations by Azerbaijan during the war,
with the Azerbaijani front having Chechen jihadists and contract
killers.

Nagorno-Karabakh hasn’t been recognized yet. How is it possible to
be the president of a country which doesn’t exist de facto?

I don’t feel myself an imperfect president; the citizens have elected
me, so we are struggling for the people’s freedom. When in the trenches
yesterday, we had no room to escape, protecting our villages; today,
we are committed to the strengthening of our democratic system. I am
very resolutely disposed.

Were there blunders during the Karabakh war?

All wars are tragedies. I share every individual’s grief, both on
the one side and the other. The war was imposed on us; we won and
developed sensitivity; it is possible to avoid new wars. What Baku
obviously lacks is sensitivity, as certain lessons have been forgotten.

And what about the relations with Italy?

We maintain a permanent cultural and value-based dialogue with
the people in Italy. There are not yet any political and economic
relations officially. We multiply the potential of our centuries-old
friendship. Of course, it isn’t difficult given also your rebirth,
which imparted spirit to our fight and what’s even more, the Lombardia
and Veneto politicians’ missions in Artsakh, which were so important.

What’s your message one hundred years after the Genocide?

We, the descendants of that genocide’s survivors, committed ourselves
to prevent a new genocide as early as twenty years ago, and we will
do that again when necessary. The Armenophobia preached by Baku is,
of course, very adventurous.

ARMENIAN DISTRICT HIT IN ALEPPO BLAST

12:39 * 10.12.14

The historical Armenian neighborhoods of Aleppo continue facing mortar
and missile attacks and rocket blasts amid the continuing clashes.

An Armenian national prelacy and a church were the target of a recent
attack. Armed rebels have also hit a jewelry market in the city’s
Farhat neighborhood, a local Armenian news outlets reports in a post
on Facebook.

A makeshift rocket fell and exploded on a residential building whose
top floor had an apartment belonging to an Armenian and workshops owned
by Armenian jewel-makers. The damages are said to be only material.

The neighborhood has remained deserted in the wake of the rebel
attacks, with most of the Armenians having moved to safer areas.

UN PRET ALLEMAND POUR FINANCER UNE LIGNE DE TRANSMISSION ENTRE L’ARMENIE ET LA GEORGIE

Energie

Le gouvernement armenien a obtenu hier un pret allemand de 85,2
millions d’euros (105,6 millions de $) qui sera utilise pour la
synchronisation des reseaux nationaux d’electricite de l’Armenie et
la Georgie grâce a une nouvelle ligne de transmission.

La banque allemande de developpement d’Etat, la KfW, a accorde le pret
après une entente signee a Erevan entre l’un de ses cadres superieurs,
le ministre des Finances Gagik Khachatrian et le chef du reseau de
transport d’electricite nationale de l’Armenie, Aram Ananian.

Un communique publie par le ministère armenien des Finances a
declare que le pret servira a financer la construction de la ligne
a haute tension et d’un poste a la frontière entre l’Armenie et la
Georgie. Il a declare qu’Erevan recevra egalement 20 millions d’euros
de subventions et de prets de l’Union europeenne dans le meme but.

Ce financement assurera la mise en oeuvre de la première phase d’un
projet visant a rendre les reseaux electriques armeniens et georgiens
identiques. Ainsi, il sera beaucoup plus facile pour chaque pays
d’importer de l’electricite a l’autre, selon le ministère des Finances.

Le Premier ministre georgien, Irakli Gharibashvili, et Kakha
Kaladze, le ministre de l’Energie, ont discute de la question avec
leurs homologues armeniens quand ils ont visite Erevan en août. Le
ministère armenien de l’Energie et des Ressources naturelles a dit
a l’epoque que les deux Etats voisins pourraient plus que tripler
l’approvisionnement en electricite mutuelle lorsque la nouvelle ligne
de transmission sera en service, en 2018.

Il a egalement ete annonce officiellement lors du voyage de
Gharibasvhili a Erevan qu’une societe peu connue, partiellement detenue
par un homme d’affaires georgien, Teimuraz Karchava, investira 600
millions de dollars dans la construction d’une centrale electrique
alimentee au gaz naturel dans le nord de l’Armenie qui fournira de
l’electricite a la Georgie. En vertu d’un accord finalise par Karchava
et le ministre de l’Energie Yervand Zakharian, le gouvernement armenien
accordera des allegements fiscaux a l’entreprise et garantira “un
approvisionnement de quantites suffisantes en gaz” a l’usine. Les
dates precises de sa construction ne sont pas encore connues.

mercredi 10 decembre 2014, Claire (c)armenews.com

HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK: EX-GYUMRI MAYOR TO GET PROMOTION?

09:22 * 10.12.14

The paper says it has learned from well-informed sources that the
former mayor of Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, is going to be promoted to
a new post in the near future.

The paper claims that President Serzh Sargsyan needs Ghukasyan’s
support in the second largest city. But the top figures of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia are said to be undecided as to the post
to offer Ghukasyan who is known for his eccentric character, says
the paper, adding that a regional tax agency’s chief might be the
possible appointment.

THE CHURCH DOES NOT ESCAPE SECULARIZATION, SAYS ARMENIAN HISTORIAN

09:35 * 10.12.14

Below is an interview with Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, a theology professor
at the Yerevan State University and the American University of Armenia

Young and erudite, he represents the new elite of this country that
recovered its independence in the post-Soviet area. He proposes a
fine analysis of Armenia’s position in a turbulent region and of its
deep Christian identity.

Armenia, the first country in the world to have adopted Christianity
as state religion in 301 AD, is now surrounded by countries with
a Muslim majority. How does the country manage its relations with
its neighbours?

It is not easy. The identity of contemporary Armenia, whose
independence was claimed in 1991, was forged in a hostile environment.

This hostility was first embodied by the war in Nagorno-Karabakh
(1991-1994), with opposing Armenians and Azerbaijanis fighting about
the region, populated by a Christian majority. Although an official
cease-fire agreement was signed 20 years ago, the Armenian victory
is not recognised by Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijani borders are shut
and the fact that the young generations do not share the personal
experience of a common history anymore makes the situation even
harder. The other main hostile element is Turkey, because of its
support to Azerbaijan but also because of the Armenian Genocide the
Turkish government did not recognise. Georgia, in the North, is a
Christian “brother” but is still in conflict with Russia, the big
brother that keeps these new Republics under pressure. Armenia is
caught in a vice between the North, under the pressure of Russia’s
desire to dominate, and the South, threatened by the increasing
influence of radical Islam. Surprisingly, relations with Iran are
good. The Armenian community in Iran enjoys religious freedom, has the
possibility to build churches and to circulate freely between both
countries. Moreover, Iran contributed to the cease-fire in Karabakh
and to a non-religious understanding of these events.

What place does the genocide occupy in modern Armenia’s identity
construction?

The memory of the Armenian genocide is fundamental in the formation
of modern Armenia’s identity. This traumatic event unites the Armenian
community beyond frontiers, as the diaspora population is more numerous
than Armenians living in Armenia. Though it is interesting to note
that the war with Azerbaijan has modified the Armenians’ vision of
the genocide: it is more and more perceived as a conflict between
Christianity and Islam.

The war in Karabakh contributed to this new reading of the facts,
using a lot of religious symbols such as the white crosses carried
by the Armenian fighters or the attempt, by some Sunnite group,
to declare jihad or holy war against Armenians. This reading pushed
to see today’s Azerbaijanis and yesterday’s Turks through the prism
of the common identity of “Muslim Turks”, claiming for jihad against
Armenians therefore perceived first of all as Christians. A symptom of
this phenomenon is the speaking of the crypto Armenians, Armenians who
were forced to convert to Islam in order to escape genocide. Today,
the ones aware of their ancestors’ forced conversion secret reveal
it and speak out, claiming their Christian belonging.

How important is Christianity in today’s Armenian identity?

Armenia does not escape the Christian West’s secularisation movement.

Although Armenians claim to be attached to the Church, 90% of them
do not attend Masses, except for holidays. The 2005 Constitution
declares the separation between State and Church, while acknowledging
the Church’s role in Armenian history and culture. But this remains
a national debate. Therefore, after 4 September 2008, the Armenian
President affirmed that the Armenians’ identity must not be based on
religion but on the concepts of liberty and equality, as the Armenian
identity is also influenced by the language, the territory and the
culture, not only by religion. Everybody did not like this declaration.

Does Armenia, as Europe, suffer from a lack of priests?

Yes, Armenia does suffer from it, despite the fact that they are
allowed to get married. Their social status and their economic
condition are too difficult. A lot of villages do not have priests
anymore and when they do, they often occupy this function following a
family tradition but do not know the prayers anymore. They lost their
role in the countryside. Nevertheless, the highest hierarchic levels
remain coveted, despite the fact that high-level clergymen are not
allowed to get married. It is also necessary to note that there are
neither monks nor nuns anymore in Armenia. The numerous monasteries
to be found around the country are empty.

The Armenian Church is independent. What weight does its spiritual
leader carry?

The Armenian Church’s leadership is currently in the hands of
Catholicos Garegin II, who is not particularly popular. The Pope could
be more popular, as far as he presents an appealing personality, even
though the Armenian Church separated from Rome after the Council of
Chalcedon in 451. The Armenian Church’s main characteristic is its
independence and its national anchor, rather than its leadership. The
Church is not proselyte but depends today of the support provided by
the Armenian diaspora. But this essential support suffers, sometimes,
the consequences of the Church’s internal tensions between different
centres, but also between a liberal minority and a traditionalist
majority. Since its independence in 1991, the Armenian Church faces,
on the one hand, the decreasing reality of its social role and, on the
other hand, is increasing manipulation by some political parties. The
Church is regularly at the heart of the debate on national identity.

Interview by Laurence D’Hondt

ARMENIAN SOLDIER KILLED IN CLASHES WITH AZERBAIJANI SOLDIERS

Turkish Press
Dec 9 2014

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

BAKU, Azerbaijan – An Armenian soldier has been killed in border
clashes with Azerbaijani forces, according to a statement from the
Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.

The clashes erupted on Monday between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers
when an Armenian reconnaissance unit tried to cross the front line
in southern Azerbaijan, the statement said.

The situation is now under the control and the Azerbaijani army
suffered no losses, the statement added.

Armenian officials strongly denied these Azerbaijani statements and
claimed the Azerbaijani army had attacked an Armenian soldier.

On May 12, 1994 a cease-fire agreement was signed between Azerbaijan
and Armenia after two decades of conflict over the disputed territory.

In February 1988, the regional parliament in Nagorno-Karabakh,
which is largely populated by ethnic Armenians, voted to declare its
independence from Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s parliament voted to recognize the independence, a move that
prompted a forceful evacuation of over 200,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis
from Armenia.

Thousands of Azerbaijani civilians lost their lives in the resulting
conflict. (AA)

ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION TO GIVE SERIOUS BOOST TO ITS ECONOMY -RUSSIAN MP SAYS

YEREVAN, December 9. / ARKA /. Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian
Economic Union from January 1, 2015 will give a serious boost to its
economy and enable it to build new roads, create new jobs and stop
the out-emigration of its labor force, according to Oleg Lebedev,
the first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma committee on CIS
affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots.

He said the Eurasian Economic Union is a union of independent states,
which are being integrated into a single economic union and will
complement each other.

“I am confident that Armenia’s economy will get a new development
impetus from January 1,” said Lebedev to reporters on Tuesday.

By a vote of 103 to 7 and one abstention the National Assembly of
Armenia ratified December 4 the agreement that makes the country
a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. The other members of the
Russia-led trade bloc are Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The agreement was endorsed by 5 of the six factions in the Armenian
parliament. The only party that voted against was Zharangutyun
(Heritage) of former foreign minister Raffi Hovhanissian. The agreement
comes into force on January 1, 2015.-0-