Author: Babajanian Karo

UKRAINE, ARMENIA, MOLDOVA HAVE TO DEFINE THEIR OWN PATH – HERMAN VAN ROMPUY

September 05, 2013 | 19:31

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said Ukraine’s
Association Agreement with the European Union would not damage the
country’s long-standing ties with Russia.

Speaking during the lecture at the European University of Saint
Petersburg, Herman Van Rompuy touched upon Association Agreements
with Ukraine, Armenia and Moldova.

“We share common borders, and also common neighbours. Ukraine,
Armenia, Moldova which matter to us both, have to define their own
path. But in our view, for Ukraine, an Association Agreement with the
European Union would not damage the country’s long-standing ties with
Russia. Why should it have to be a case of ‘either/or’?” he said.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

GAGIK HARUTYUNYAN: ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT IS A PIECE OF PAPER THAT MEANS NOTHING AT WAR

15:43 05/09/2013 ” TOPIC OF THE DAY

The U.S. and its allies fail to win in Syria because Bashar al-Assad
and the Syrian government enjoy public confidence, director of Noravank
Foundation Gagik Harutyunyan told reporters.

According to some calculations, only 20 percent of Syrian rebels are
Syrian citizens, and the rest are mercenaries, including those from
Azerbaijan and Turkey, he said.

“The Syrian war is the first multi-polar war, with the United States
and its allies on one side and Russia, China and Iran on the other,”
Harutyunyan said.

Commenting on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement, the speaker said,
“Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Libya had Association Agreement. But it
is a piece of paper that means nothing at war.”

The Noravank Foundation’s director attached importance to relations
with Russia. “Armenia can be a model for the great European system,
combining the principles of both the European Union and the Customs
Union,” he said.

Source: Panorama.am

SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN: ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH THE EU AS BEFORE

16:06 05.09.2013

Hasmik Dilanyan
“Radiolur”

Armenia is ready to sign the Association Agreement with the European
Union. Serious works have been done in that direction, Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told reporters today.

He added, however, that the provisions of the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Agreement are becoming incompatible with the membership
in the Customs Union, and the two cannot be combined.

Armenia has no shared border with any of the countries of the Customs
Union. This was the main issues that raised heated discussions.

According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, experts have found solutions that
will cover the possible losses Armenia might incur by joining the
Customs Union.

The Deputy Foreign Minister assured that the move was not a surprise
to Europe, as it was well aware there could be such developments.

Armenia will continue to cooperate with the European Union as before
with only one difference. “The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
is now becoming incompatible with the Customs Union. We are ready to
maintain all other programs with the EU, the format of cooperation is
now being discussed. We’re willing to sign the Association Agreement
and continue the implementation of reforms,” Kocharyan said.

Shavarsh Kicharyan said has not heard any strict assessment from the
European Union on these days.

The Deputy Foreign Minister reiterated his opinion that countries
“lose the opportunity of independent decision-making” to a certain
extent by joining the Customs Union. This has been the case with
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and is connected with customs policy
and tariffs. Shavarsh Kocharyan considers this is natural and added
that this does not mean “complete loss of sovereignty.”

Nagorno Karabakh is the red line we’ll never cross, Kocharyan said and
assured there could never be customs regime between Armenia and NKR.

INSOLVENT STUDENTS CANNOT BE STUDENTS – YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY RECTOR

12:10 05.09.13

If a first-year student fails to pay his/her tuition fees for the
first semester, he or she cannot be a student, Rector of Yerevan
State University (YSU) Aram Simonyan told Tert.am.

“Solvent students do pay. The students that find it difficult to
pay have to pay part of their tuition until with the other part is
included in the social package. But they cannot study without paying
their tuition fees,” Simonyan said.

Asked about first-year students that refused to continue their
education because of raised tuition fees, the YSU rector said that
as far back as April they were informed of the planned increase.

Armenian News – Tert.am

SEVAN WHITEFISH ENDANGERED: SPECIALIST

13:04, 5 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The amount of the Sevan Lake
whitefish is gradually decreasing. This was stated by the Director
of the Hydro-ecology and Zoology Scientific Center of the National
Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Bardugh Gabrielyan
at the press conference held on September 5. “For already five years
we have been suggesting the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia
to prohibit the fishing of the whitefish in Sevan, as the resources
of that sort of fish are endangered”, – said Bardugh Gabrielyan,
as reported by Armenpress.

According to the Director of the Hydro-ecology and Zoology Scientific
Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia,
this year has been a prolific period for the whitefish and if
necessary works had been done, the amount of the fish would be able
to be increased. “Though no control is being carried out and even in
the prolific periods the whitefish is not let to be reproduced”, –
emphasized Bardugh Gabrielyan.

In 1980 the resources of the whitefish in the Sevan Lake made
10-12,000 tons. In 1990 they made 28-30,000 tons and currently it is
only 6-8 tons.

RUSSIA HAS NOT PRESSED ARMENIA TO JOIN CUSTOMS UNION: HEAD OF ARMENIA PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. The head of administration of Armenian
president Vigen Sargsyan refuted allegations that Russia put pressure
on Armenia to make the latter access Russia-initiated customs union.

“I would like to assure everyone that Armenia has no partners who
speak the language of ultimatums and conditions with Armenia”, Sargsyan
said in his interview to the Armenian service of Radio Liberty.

Since the beginning of the formation of the customs union, Armenia has
honestly and clearly expressed its interest in the process, he said.

Then it was said not having a common border is a serious obstacle
on the way to accession and expert groups were set up to suggest
solutions.

“Recently they managed to submit solutions that allow overcoming this
problem and making participation in the customs union effective and
useful to Armenia’s economy”, Sargsyan said. The decision was made
for the benefit of the country and its citizens, he added.

Tuesday, after the negotiations between Armenia’s and Russia’s
presidents were over, a statement was made saying Armenia
intends to enter the Customs Union and participate later in
formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.-0– – See more at:

ARF CONFERENCE CONCLUDES IN YEREVAN

By Weekly Staff // September 4, 2013

YEREVAN-On Aug. 24-26, the ARF Bureau held a conference in Yerevan
to discuss four key topics: organizational problems, the situation in
the Caucuses and its implications on Armenia, the country’s domestic
realities, and the relationship between the diaspora and Armenia. ARF
delegates and representatives from various Armenian communities in
the diaspora, as well as from various regions of Armenia, attended
the talks.

The conference reflected on the challenges and problems confronting
Armenians and Armenia, and discussed ways in which the ARF could
best use its manpower and resources. It underscored that collective
work was essential to overcoming the organizational problems of the
ARF. In order to keep pace with the time and current events, it is
crucial to develop a clear strategy, while making the best use of
technological development, members said.

The conference examined the social, economic, and psychological
situation of Armenia, and discussed the negative and worrisome features
that threaten the integrity of the present-day republic, especially
the rate of emigration from the country, which is increasing on a
daily basis and threatens the country’s national security. It was
agreed that in order to stop this phenomenon, the state is obliged
to adopt socio-economic measures that will benefit the people.

In regards to the situation in the Caucuses, conference attendees
asserted the following points: 1) The region is witnessing various
transformations, which will lead to global changes. Armenia is affected
by these changes, and hence is being confronted by new challenges
and problems.

2) Armenia’s foreign policy is presently facing temptations. The
country stands between Russia’s and the West’s power-balancing
intrigues.

3) To overcome the current challenges, it is essential for the Armenian
state to strengthen itself internally, and to unify its manpower and
adopt an active foreign policy.

4) The conference made it clear that the ARF does not accept any
skirmishes on the Karabagh-Azerbaijan border that would threaten the
national security of the people and the state. From this perspective,
it is necessary to adopt a new policy as far as the international
recognition of Karabagh is concerned.

5) The centennial of the genocide should serve to strengthen the
efforts towards the Armenian Cause (Hai Tahd), to formulate the current
targets as far as our national demands are concerned, and to widen
the content and geography of our efforts towards the Armenian Cause.

6) The Armenian state must seek multilateral economic and political
ties to secure guarantees of an independent policy.

The conference also discussed the political developments in the
Middle East, and especially the challenges facing the Syrian-Armenian
community. Attendees affirmed that Syrian Armenians remain a priority
for the ARF in the political, national, and state context. Their harsh
economic and material situation compels us to regard the issue as a
problem that requires continuous, daily effort. Furthermore, in order
to solve the problems of the various endangered Armenian communities
worldwide, it is essential to establish mutual relationships and work
with international organizations and the governments of the countries
in question. Cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora requires
continuous effort, which can be achieved by focusing on positive
initiatives and clear targets.

The conference confirmed that for the service of the Armenian
Nation and Armenia, it is a priority for the ARF to strengthen its
organization and presence in Armenia and the diaspora.

AZERBAIJAN: CRACKDOWN ON CIVIL SOCIETY

11:44 05.09.13

The Azerbaijani government is engaged in a deliberate, abusive strategy
to limit dissent. The strategy is designed to curtail opposition
political activity, limit public criticism of the government, and
exercise greater control over nongovernmental organizations, The
Human Rights Watchreports.

The clampdown on freedom of expression, assembly, and association
have accelerated in the months preceding the presidential elections,
scheduled for October 9, 2013.

The 100-page report, “Tightening the Screws: Azerbaijan’s Crackdown
on Civil Society and Dissent,” documents the dramatic deterioration
of the government’s record on freedom of expression, assembly, and
association in the past 18 months. The authorities have arrested
dozens of political activists on bogus charges, imprisoned critical
journalists, broken up peaceful public demonstrations, and adopted
legislation imposing new restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Human
Rights Watch documented the arrest and imprisonment of several
high-ranking members of opposition political parties, government
critics with large followings on social media, and people who have
frequently been involved in political protests.

“A vibrant public debate through the media and freedom to participate
in peaceful public demonstrations are part and parcel of free and
fair elections,” said Giorgi Gogia, senior South Caucasus researcher
at Human Rights Watch and author of the report. “It will hardly be
a free and fair vote if so many people who criticize the authorities
and report the news in the country are in jail or otherwise harassed
into silence.”

The government should ensure that all those in detention on
unsubstantiated, politically motivated charges including political
activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and other civil society
activists, are released. The government should stop pursuing spurious
charges against its critics, Human Rights Watch said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

ALEXEY KOLOMIETS: ARMENIA-EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT MAY SHARE THE FATE OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

ArmInfo’s Interview with Alexey Kolomiets, President of the Center for
European and Transatlantic Studies in Kyiv

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, September 4, 23:08

Armenia is still going to initial the Association Agreement and DCFTA
at the Vilnius Summit in November. This circumstance has caused serious
discrepancies between Yerevan and Moscow though at the recent meeting
with Russian President Vladimir Putin Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
has announced the country’s intention to join the Customs Union. What
should we expect from this meeting in the future?

I am confident that in this matter everything will depend on the
political will of the Armenian president and the stance of the Armenian
society or its key groups. I think only Putin has understood the
“significance” of the agreements with the EU for Kyiv, when he has
recently said that “Ukraine does not sing an agreement to join any
association”. It looks incredible, but behind the wild chatter on the
matter in Ukraine, only Putin voiced the most correct words about the
core of what Europe offers. There is no doubt that during the visit of
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to Moscow, Vladimir Putin imposed
strong pressure upon Sargsyan. However, Putin himself is in a very
hard geo-political situation. He needed success in the talks with
Armenia. But what can he offer Armenia? This is a cardinal question.

All the same, everything will be resolved in the territory of Armenia,
in Yerevan.

What are the prospects of initialing/signing of the Association
Agreement by Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia during the summit in
Vilnius? Do you think Russia will hinder the signing of the Agreement
between Ukraine and the EU in every possible way?

There is a little prospect for Ukraine to sign the Association
Agreement with the EU during the summit in Vilnius. Yanukovich’s
regime in Ukraine has started a primitive, blackmailing game since the
EU-Ukraine February summit. In the EU they do not understand this game,
and that is bad. The so-called opposition forces in the Parliament of
Ukraine seem to have joined this game which is shortfall and chiefly
based on their own political calculations. Against such a background,
perhaps, initialing of the agreements is more possible, but it is
not clear how the situation will develop. It is not clear either how
to combine processes with these association agreements with those
within the EU and its member-states. Just this synchronization is
the key task and requires a great amount of work. Of course, Russia
will interfere in this process in different formats and at different
levels. However, I do not think that what is happening in the trade
relations between Ukraine and Russia is “a trade war”. It seems to be
a well-planned general operation. The most interesting and important
thing may begin after possible signing of the agreements with Europe.

There is an opinion saying that there will be nothing following the
initialing of the Association Agreement due to the discrepancies
between these Agreements and the national security of Armenia,
particularly, the Karabakh peace process. Some experts think that
the Armenia-EU Association Agreement may share the fate of the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Do you think this scenario possible?

Such a scenario is quite realistic. I cannot say whether it will be
good or bad for Armenia. The Armenia-EU Association Agreement may
share the fate of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols especially given
that the EU is almost becoming a full strategic impotent against the
background of the Syrian problem. The national interests of Armenia
should be inviolable.

Having criticized the Kremlin’s stance, Ukrainian President Viktor
Yanukovich pointed out the need to hold a referendum in order to
choose between Eurasian and European integration processes. What was
the President of Ukraine guided by and is the referendum a way out
of the situation?

I think Yanukovich’s statement is absolutely destabilizing and
primitive. Actually, Yanukovich has always been guided by personal
gain and deception. Even if we suppose that Ukraine will become a
member of the European Union some day, it will happen in twenty years
or so. Ukraine may hold a referendum on the Customs Union but it will
fall into chaos and desperation shortly after the referendum.

Some experts think that due to integration into the Customs Union,
Ukraine will lose a part of its sovereignty. What risks does the
European integration contain for Kyiv?

This is an important issue for the country. Ukraine does not speak
about it but it will have to sooner or later. At the moment, the
country does not consider transferring its sovereignty to the Customs
Union. Actually, Ukraine’s chances to join that structure are almost
equal to zero. As regards the EU, things are much more dramatic
and much more serious here. To all appearances, Ukraine will have
to divide its sovereignty. Moreover, no one knows what the European
Union will be like in 2015. The first parameters of the new European
Union will most likely be visible following its summit in December.

Kyiv and Moscow are already conducting “trade wars” in relation to the
forthcoming signing of the Association Agreement with Europe. What
is the biggest threat for Ukraine? Are the benefits from European
integration able to compensate for it?

I am inclined to think that there have been no “trade wars”. But if
they really start, everything will develop very seriously. The biggest
threat is the huge banking sector of Russia in Ukraine. However,
the current regime that has almost led Ukraine to default is even a
bigger threat.

UNE COMMISSION POUR AMENDER LA CONSTITUTION

POLITIQUE

Serge Sarkissian a mis en place une commission ad hoc chargee
d’elaborer des amendements constitutionnels. Certains de ses allies
disent que ces amendements pourraient le maintenir au pouvoir après
son second mandat qui se termine en 2018.

Le bureau de presse de Sarkissian a declare que la commission
sera dirigee par le president de la Cour constitutionnelle, Gagik
Harutiunian, et sera composee de 8 autres membres dont la majorite sont
des representants du gouvernement ou allies. La commission comprendra
notamment Davit Harutiunian, qui a revele la semaine dernière que le
basculement de l’Armenie vers une republique parlementaire dirigee
par un puissant Premier ministre est l’une des variantes de la
reforme constitutionnelle actuellement discutee par les dirigeants
politiques. Il n’a pas voulu se prononcer sur la possibilite pour
Sarkissian de devenir premier ministre en cas de changement radical
du regime presidentiel actuel.

La Constitution armenienne, adoptee en 1995 et modifiee en 2005,
donne des pouvoirs très etendus au president de la republique, faisant
de lui le personnage le plus puissant du pays. Mais la Constitution
interdit a Sarkissian de briguer un troisième quinquennat. Selon des
sources anonymes citees dans le 168 Zham, Sarkissian souhaiterait se
maintenir au pouvoir après 2018.

Le president n’a pas encore commente publiquement cette reforme. Un
communique publie par son bureau de presse a cite la necessite d’un
” veritable equilibre ” des branches du gouvernement, une meilleure
gouvernance et une meilleure protection des droits de l’homme. La
commission de specialistes devrait proposer une nouvelle reforme en
avril prochain. Si le president valide cette reforme, les amendements
constitutionnels devront etre rediges sous dix mois.

jeudi 5 septembre 2013, Ara ©armenews.com