Author: Babajanian Karo

ARMENIA WILL JOIN THE CUSTOMS UNION LED BY RUSSIA

DIPLOMACY

Armenia announced Tuesday its intention to join the customs union
dominated by Russia, its main ally and supported by Russian President
Vladimir Putin, who is campaigning for an ever closer integration of
the countries of the former Soviet Union project. This announcement
was made during a visit to Moscow Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

“Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan expressed Armenia’s decision to
join the Customs Union and to take all necessary measures to that,
then participate in the formation of a Eurasian economic union”,
reported Russian news agencies quoted a joint statement signed by
the two leaders.

Customs Union for the time being comprised of Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan, has to Moscow by project lead to a Eurasian Economic Union.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the decision of Armenia
and assured that Russia would do everything possible to facilitate
this process,” it added in the statement.

At the meeting, Putin announced that the railway company RZD Russian
Railways plans to invest 15 billion rubles ($ 341 million) in the
development of Armenian rail network, according to the Interfax
news agency.

He also indicated that the public company Rosatom would cooperate with
Armenian experts to extend until 2026 the operation of the nuclear
power station of this small landlocked country in the Caucasus
duration.

In a speech posted on his site, Serzh Sargsyan for his part said his
“rational decision” since the accession of Armenia to the Organization
of the Collective Security Treaty, a military alliance led by Russia.

“I’ve said many times that when you are part of a system of military
security, it is impossible and counterproductive to isolate you from
the economic space corresponding to it,” he said.

“This decision is not an abandonment of our dialogue with the European
structures,” said the Armenian leader. He said that his government
remains committed to implementing the “institutional reforms” sought by
these structures, but there is no mention of the association agreement
with the EU expected.

Russia has stepped up efforts to increase the integration of former
Soviet republics since the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

Putin had called in 2005 the explosion of the Soviet Union (1991)
“greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the twentieth century.

With AFP

Wednesday, September 4, 2013, Ara © armenews.com

RUSSIA LURES ARMENIA TO TRADE BLOC AFTER UKRAINE, BELARUS SPATS

BusinessWeek / Bloomberg
Sept 3 2013

By Stepan Kravchenko September 03, 2013

Armenia will join a Russian-led customs union, bolstering President
Vladimir Putin’s designs for closer integration between former Soviet
states days after disputes rattled his country’s ties with Belarus
and Ukraine.

Armenia plans to “join the customs union, undertaking practical steps
for that purpose, and later to take part in forming the Eurasian
Economic Union,” Putin and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan,
said today in a joint statement distributed to reporters after a
meeting at the Russian leader’s residence near Moscow.

Putin has championed Russia’s alliance with Belarus and Kazakhstan
to strengthen economic ties among former Soviet republics, promising
reduced natural-gas prices to Ukraine if it agreed to join the trade
bloc. The three former Soviet republics, with a combined population of
about 170 million people and more than $2 trillion in combined output,
created a single economic space on Jan. 1, 2012.

STORY: Why Is Vladimir Putin Acting So Crazy?

The government of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrested the
Russian head of OAO Uralkali, the world’s biggest potash producer,
last week, prompting Russia to raise scrutiny of its neighbor’s
products including pork and announcing plans to reduce oil flows.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has linked delays experienced
by Ukrainian exporters on the border with Russia last month to
disagreements between the two countries over the customs union.

Russia will assist Armenia’s bid “to the utmost,” Putin said in
the statement.

The joint economic bloc, which plans further policy integration
to become the Eurasian Economic Union by 2015, wants to coordinate
economic and currency policy and adopt unified visa and migration
rules. Putin has said that the alliance of former Soviet countries
will help reduce global imbalances and fuel integration across
“Greater Europe.”

ARMENIA WILL JOIN CUSTOMS UNION OF RUSSIA, BELARUS AND KAZAKHSTAN, PRESIDENT SAYS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Sept 3 2013

3 September 2013 – 6:33pm

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan says his country will join the
Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and take part in
the Eurasian Union project. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he
welcomes this decision.

“Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has announced that his country had
decided to join the Customs Union and to take part in the Eurasian
Union project,” RIA Novosti cites a joint statement as saying.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the two states will now
start talks concerning the integration process.

ARMENIA TO JOIN RUSSIA TRADE BLOC, SURPRISES EU

EU Observer
Sept 3 2013

‘Normal’ shooting resumes in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict Ukraine
urges Russia to accept ‘reality’ on EU relations Azerbaijan chief
paints rosy picture on EU visit

By Andrew Rettman

BRUSSELS – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has said he wants to join
a trade and political union with Russia instead of an EU alternative.

The decision was announced in a statement on the Kremlin’s website
during his visit to Moscow to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin on
Tuesday (3 September).

The Kremlin communique said: “The presidents reaffirmed the focus
of the Russian federation and the Republic of Armenia on the further
development of economic integration in the Eurasian territory … In
this context, Mr Sargsyan said Armenia had decided to join the
Customs Union and take the necessary practical steps to subsequently
participate in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.”

Sargsyan, before flying back to Yerevan, confirmed the news.

But he added, in a statement on his own website, that he still wants
good EU relations.

“This decision is not a rejection of our dialogue with the European
institutions. During recent years, Armenia, with the support of
European partners held a number of important institutional reforms.

And today’s Armenia, in this sense, is considerably a more effective
and competitive state than years ago. We intend to continue these
reforms also in the future,” he said.

The news came as a surprise to EU officials.

The EU has concluded negotiations on a political association and free
trade pact with Armenia and expected to initial it at an EU summit
with former Soviet states in Vilnius in November.

If Armenia does become a full member of the Russian-led customs bloc,
along with Belarus and Kazakhstan, it cannot sign the EU pact at the
same time.

But Sargsyan might be trying to cherry pick bits of the Russian offer
which are compatible with the EU deal.

EU diplomats in Yerevan held crisis meetings on Tuesday evening to
get an insight into events.

A European Commission spokesman told this website: “We are consulting
closely with our Armenian partners. When we have all the information,
we will, of course, examine all the potential implications of what
was announced today.”

Sargsyan’s u-turn was made in the context of tricky developments
on Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russia is Armenia’s main security guarantor in its frozen conflict
with Azerbaijan over the breakaway territory.

It has a military base in Armenia itself.

But in June this year Russia began delivery of some $1 billion of
tanks, artillery and rocket launchers to Azerbaijan.

Russia in recent weeks has also threatened Moldova and Ukraine, two
other former Soviet states which are seeking deeper ties with the EU.

It told Moldova that if it inks an EU deal in Vilnius it will cut
trade relations and make it harder to solve its conflict with the
breakaway territory of Transniestria.

It told Ukraine it will take “protective measures” on trade.

Putin has said he wants all former Soviet republics, except the Baltic
states, which are EU members, to join his customs bloc.

He plans to transform it into a political union, the Eurasian Union,
in 2015.

“There is a saying in Russia: It takes a long time to saddle a
horse, but no time at all to make it gallop,” a Russian diplomat
told EUobserver, referring to the pace of progress on Russia’s
Eurasian plan.

BIG EXODUS OF ALEPPO-ARMENIANS EXPECTED SOON – TIGRAN SARGSYAN

13:14 02.09.13

A big exodus of Armenians is expected from Aleppo in the near future
as the tensions in Syria continue, Armenia’s prime minister has said,
commenting on a possible war scenario in the country.

Speaking to reporters in Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital, Stepanakert,
Tigran Sargsyan warned that the expected displacements from Syria
may not be absolutely safe.

“We must clearly be ready for such developments to be able to receive
the Syrian-Armenians who have to somehow overcome the blockade. We
are discussing all the scenarios,” the Armenian service of RFE/RL
has quoted the premier as saying.

US BIGGEST ROLE-PLAYER IN MIDDLE EAST – EXPERT

15:36 03.09.13

The president of Modus Vivendi Center said Tuesday that the future
developments in Syria are likely to have a key importance for Armenia
and the Armenian people.

“The US, which has remained alone with its policies, receives
assistance only from Turkey and partially France,” Ara Papyan told
a news conference, addressing the conflict in Syria.

According to him, the Middle East faces a fuel supply problem today,
with the United States being considered the number one fuel exporting
country. As for Russia, he said, the country is interested to maintain
the tension to keep the oil prices rising.

“In my estimation, no big war is expected in future. But Syria will
face missile attacks, and that’s because Obama has put himself in a
such a position that he is not able to do anything,” he noted.

Returning to the possible developments in Armenia, Papyan pointed out
to two problems: the Armenian community in Syria and the situation
in Armenia. He said the Armenian community in Aleppo will no longer
resume its one-time size and image because of the war, with the tension
in Armenia expected to rise in the face of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s
interests in a war scenario.

ARMENIA’S SEVAN PENINSULA TO HAVE CABLE CARS

September 03, 2013 | 01:39

A cableway will be built in Armenia’s Sevan Peninsula.

In 2009, Akhtamar company launched an investment program to create
tourism infrastructures, including for alpine skiing, in the area of
the peninsula.

To this end, equipment was imported under the Temporary Import
customs procedure.

But the time period for this procedure has expired, and therefore
the company petitioned to the Government with a request to extend
this customs procedure for three more years.

The aforesaid matter is put on the agenda of Thursday’s Cabinet
meeting.

FAAE SENT CONDOLENCES ON LEVON ANANYAN’S DEATH

11:15, 3 September, 2013

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The administration of the Forum
of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE), headed by the President
Ashot Grigorian, sent condolences on the occasion of the death of the
President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan. As reported
by Armenpress, the FAAE message says as follows: “The administration of
the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe and the FAAE President
Ashot Grigorian express their condolences on the occasion of the
death of the President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, the renowned
writer and public figure Levon Ananyan to his family and relatives and
consider that the loss is irretrievable for the entire Armenian nation.

Everybody knows Levon Ananyan to be a bight partner of the youth
of 70s. By now Levon has remained a freedom fighter of honesty and
justice, proving his principled commitment to the Armenian culture,
the Armenian nation and the highest values of the humanity in general.

Levon Ananyan was a personality and his loss is undoubtedly
irretrievable”.

On September 2 the President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon
Ananyan passed away in Yerevan at the age of 67.

Levon Ananyan was born on October 13, 1946 in Koghb village of Tavush
region. In 1964 he graduated from secondary school in Tavush. Levon
Ananyan is a graduate of the Yerevan State University, Department
of Philology. He has worked for a number of state journals. For
approximately 25 years he worked for the “Garoun” monthly. In 1989,
he became a member of the Writers Union of Armenia, and from 1990 –
2001 he was chief editor for “Garoun”. In 2001, he was elected the
President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia. He lectured at the Yerevan
State University Department of Journalism. He is the president of the
Noyemberyan NGO. He is also a member of the Journalists’ Union. He
has authored many articles on social and political issues, which have
been printed in the state press. He has also translated and published
Russian and English books to the Armenian language; he founded “Apollo”
Publishers (The biography according to Wikipedia free encyclopedia).

Armenpress news agency expresses its condolences to Levon Ananyan’s
family and relatives and shares the grief of its director Aram Ananyan.

AVAN SHUSHI PLAZA HOTEL HOSTS ANNUAL POETRY FESTIVAL

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Participants of the AVAN Shushi poetry contest

SHUSHI, Artsakh-AVAN Shushi Plaza Hotel is pleased to announce the
holding of its 2nd Poetry Festival in Shushi. The event which was
held in Avan Shushi Plaza hotel took place on Tuesday August 06,
2013 through Thursday August 8.

More than 90 students ranging in age from 9 to 16 took part in the
2nd annual poetry contest. Students from Tehran, Javakhk, Yerevan and
every region of Artsakh took part in this year’s festival. Students
were grouped into three age groups and competed for prizes in each
age group.

Poetry organizing committee consisted of Alec Baghdasaryan,
President of Avan Ishkhan Partnership Group, Dr. Artsron Avakyan,
Dean of Language, President of the organizing committee; Dr. Gourgen
Melikyan, Dean of Eastern Armenian Studies; Dr. Samvel Mouradian,
Dean of Armenian Literature, Yerevan State University; as well as
Armenian Poetry stars, Mrs. Lala Mnacakanyan and Mrs. Anna Hekikian
who along with Mrs. Naira Martirosyan, education Ministry of Artsakh,
acted as the Jury for the contest.

“We are very excited about the success of our 2nd annual Poetry
Festival,” said Alec Baghdasaryan. “We believe every participating
student was a winner given the opportunity to visit Shushi, form
friendships and to listen to other students as well as Armenia’s poetry
stars perform.” Tours were organized for participating students to
visit Gandzasar, Tigranakert, Stepanakert, Shushi Ghazanchecoc churh
and other touristic sites in Artsakh.

Avan Ishkhan partnership, is continuously looking for ways to return
Shushi to its past glory as a cultural center for Armenians by taking
on projects which will contribute to development of Shushi as a
cultural center. We believe that our Poetry Festival is a fitting
event to be conducted in Shushi annually. We are committed to the
continued success of this project and energized with this year’s
success will work with other Diaspora schools and organizations,
to expand the list of countries participating in the future poetry
festivals. Our goal is to expand the festival in coming years to
include students from Diaspora schools as contest participants as well
as guest presenters from around the world to enrich the program. Avan
Ishkhan Partnership projects include development of the Avan Shushi
Plaza Hotel, the Eastern Shouka (Bazzar), the Eastern Bath as well
as many other historic buildings in the heart of Shushi.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: ARMENIA’S INTEGRATION WITH EURASIAN STRUCTURES WILL GIVE A STRONG IMPULSE TO MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION

by Elita Babayan

ARMINFO
Tuesday, September 3, 19:51

Armenia’s integration with Eurasian structures will give a strong
impulse to mutually beneficial cooperation, Russian President Vladimir
Putin said after his meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
in Moscow on Tuesday.

He said that the meeting was very constructive and reflected the
nature of the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership. “We have
discussed all the key issues, with priority given to economic ties.

Russia is Armenia’s key trade and economic partner. Last year our trade
turnover grew by 22% to more than $1.2bln. In Jan-May 2013 it rose by
13%. Russian investments in Armenia have exceeded $3bln. This is almost
half of all foreign investments made in the Armenian economy. There are
almost 1,300 Russian companies in Armenia or about 25% of all foreign
companies working in the country. They cover a wide range of fields:
gas, nuclear and hydro energy, transport, telecoms, finances. Among
our biggest projects are Gazprom’s participation in the construction
of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the activities of Inter RAO UES to
restore the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade, Rosatom’s plans to extend the life
of Armenian Nuclear Power Plant by 10 years,” Putin said.

He said that Russian Railways is planning to invest almost 15bln
RUR in Armenian railroads, while Vneshtorgbank and Gazprombank are
committed to enlarge their activities in the banking sector.

“We are ready to develop our cooperation in culture, science and
education. We have Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University plus
six branches of Russian universities, with over 2,000 students,”
Putin said.

He said that during the meeting he and Sargsyan also discussed the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem.