Author: Babajanian Karo

SERZH SARGSYAN: SOONER OF LATER TURKEY WILL BE COMPELLED TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH

16:01 14.11.20120

In the framework of his official visit to France, President
Serzh Sargsyan on November 13 left for Lyon, which has a large and
well-organized Armenian community, where he met with the Mayor of Lyon,
Senator Gerard Collomb, President’s Press Office reported.

The parties spoke with satisfaction about the well-established and
efficient cooperation between Yerevan and Lyon which already has
some history and highly valued Armenian-French partnership which is
developing in that format. From that point of view, stressed was the
importance of the traditionally regular and reciprocal visits of the
representatives of the two City Halls.

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Gerard Collomb for
his continued interest towards Armenia and issues which concern
Armenians, as well as for the multifaceted assistance, particularly,
Senator Collomb’s indispensable contribution to the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and his input in the development of the relations
between Yerevan and Lyon. The President of Armenia expressed confidence
that the Armenian-French friendship will continue to strengthen also
thanks to the activities and friendship of Armenia’s and France’s
sister towns.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor of Lyon, Senator Gerard
Collomb hosted an official dinner in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan.

In Lyon, President Sargsyan met also with the representatives of
the business community of France. At the meeting in the Trade and
Industry Chamber of Rhône-Alpes – one of the major industrial regions
of France, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. He spoke of
recent initiatives and developments which were of interest for the
entrepreneurs of France and Lyon in particular, implemented reforms,
Armenian-French economic ties, historical trade relations and prospects
of deepening these relations. Serzh Sargsyan noted that if existing
Armenian-French potential in that area is fully and efficiently
realized, economic opportunities of independent Armenia will allow
to increase considerably, even multiply the turnover between the
two countries.

“The Armenian-French Business Club has been functioning in Armenia
since last year, and yesterday the President of France Francois
Hollande suggested transforming it into the Trade and Industry
Chamber. We accept that proposal with great pleasure. The Club
provides professional and information support, organizes regular
thematic roundtables and serves to strengthen the French business
community in Armenia and ensure a greater involvement of the French
companies in the Armenian market. At the same time, I highly value
the forthcoming programs of the French Development Agency aimed at
the enhancement of Armenia’s advancement. We pin great hopes on the
activities of that Agency since we are aware of its capabilities,
since we are aware of the desire of the French leadership and since
we are ready to do our best to make the Agency’s activities in Armenia
a success,” President Sargsyan said.

The President of Armenia wished success to the entrepreneurs who
participated at the meeting in their future activities and joint
programs for the benefit of the Armenian-French relations and
strengthening of the friendship of the two nations.

Later, at the City Hall of Lyon, Mayor Gerard Collomb hosted a
reception in honor of the President of Armenia which was attended
also by the representatives of the Armenian-French community. At the
reception, President Serzh Sargsyan was bestowed the Medal of Honor
of Lyon.

“Vivid proofs of friendship between Yerevan and Lyon are to be found in
the center of the multinational Lyon where the Saint Hakop Apostolic
Church is located on the Armenia Street, a memorial dedicated to the
victims of the Armenian Genocide installed at the Place Bellecour,
and finally memories are fresh of the Lyon Garden opened last year
in Yerevan, which was officially inaugurated in the presence of
Mr. Collomb.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Each time I visit France, I feel like I am home and somewhat
unintentionally I mentally turn the pages of our unshakeable
friendship’s rich memory book which contains amazing parallels. And
then comes the unwitting desire to say “thanks” to you, dear people
of France, dear citizens of Lyon for being by our side during our
most ominous tragedies.

We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
and we have to make our national struggle more organized so that this
crime against humanity is never committed again. I am confident that
sooner of later, Turkey will be compelled to accept the truth. It
is probably the minimum of what’s needed for having relations with
Europe, and it was stated explicitly yesterday by the President of
France Mr. Hollande,President Sargsyan said.”

Concluding his three-day official visit to France, today delegation
headed by President Serzh Sargsyan will return to Yerevan.

ARMENIAN, IRANIAN CULTURE MINISTERS MEET IN TEHRAN

Source: Panorama.am
13:53 14/11/2012

Ministers of Culture of Armenia and Iran discussed issues related
to development of bilateral relations in the field of culture at a
meeting in Tehran, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported.

Referring to Armenian-Iranian long-running cultural ties, Iranian
Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini
said, “After the collapse of the USSR, the establishment of the
Cultural Center of the Iranian embassy in Armenia opened a new page
in cultural cooperation between the two countries. A lot of mutual
visits by cultural figures and students of Armenia and Iran have been
taking place in recent years.”

Armenian Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, for her part, referring
to Armenian and Iranian cultural monuments on the territory of Iran
and Armenia, said, “Over the past years, a number of measures have
been taken to protect and beautify the Blue Mosque of Yerevan.

Besides, Iranian authorities also greatly assisted in the preservation
of Armenian cultural monuments on the territory of Iran.”

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF URUGUAY JORGE ORRICO

13.11.2012

On November 13 Hovik Abrahamyan, the RA National Assembly President
received Jorge Orrico, President of the House of Representatives of the
Eastern Republic of Uruguay, and the delegation led by him, who came
to Armenia on an official visit. The NA Vice Presidents, the heads of
the NA Standing Committees and the factions were attending the meeting.

Welcoming the guests Hovik Abrahamyan noted with satisfaction that
warm and friendly relations existed between Armenia and Uruguay, which
were necessary to more develop, taking as a basis the traditional
friendship between our peoples. He highlighted the legal-contractual
field formed between the two countries, at the same time deeming
necessary its modernity and enlargement in order to create a fruitful
soil in different spheres for close cooperation.

In the development of bilateral relations the NA President Hovik
Abrahamyan highlighted such high ranking officials’ visits, as well
as the work of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups. The NA President
noted as a vivid example of bilateral friendship the recognition of the
Genocide by Uruguay in 1965, which witnessed of invaluable contribution
by Uruguay in the protection of human rights. He highly appreciated
the view sounded about the Karabakh problem by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Uruguay Luis Almagro Lemes during the forum organized by
the Armenian National Council and Uruguay-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary
Friendship Group held in Montevideo in September 2011, according
to which, “The Nagorno Karabakh has been and at present is directly
connected with Armenia, its Armenian population, and the independence
of Karabakh or in future joining Armenia is the best path for Nagorno
Karabakh”. According to Hovik Abrahamyan, this view fully reflects
the Armenian stance on the Karabakh issue.

The NA President expressed conviction that the visit of the
Delegation led by Jorge Orrico to Armenia would greatly promote the
more rapprochement of bilateral inner-state and inter-parliamentary
relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Thanking for the invitation and warm reception, the President of the
House of Representatives of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay Jorge
Orrico highly assessed the existing friendly relations between the
two countries and highlighted the development of bilateral ties and
reinforcement in different spheres. He also deemed necessary the
activation and rapprochement of inter-parliamentary relations. Mr
Orrico highly appreciated the role of the Uruguayan Armenians in the
development of Uruguay. “The Armenians’ contribution is big in the
formation of the Uruguayan culture. Today they are involved in all
spheres of life of our country, beginning from the Government up
to the spheres of education, science and sport. Coming to Armenia
we feel ourselves at home”, Jorge Orrico said. In his word, the two
peoples unite the past, without which it is no possible to understand
the present, and the rich jointheritage will help to move together
to future. He expressed hope that in future the bilateral contacts
would be more frequent for the benefit of effective cooperation.

The NA President Hovik Abrahamyan presented the Safarov case,
assessing it as an unprecedented phenomenon, an immoral step taken
on political purposes, which could negatively affect both on the
negotiation process of Nagorno Karabakh and weakening of tension and
establishment of stability in the region.

He presented the steps taken by the Armenian authorities and the
condemning responses of the international community.

Touching upon the negotiation process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
the President of the national Assembly noted that the Armenia side
saw its solution within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. “The
maintenance of the ceasefire and the solution of the conflict through
peaceful negotiations is very important for us”, Hovik Abrahamyan
noted. The NA President also touched upon the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

In relation to Safarov case Jorge Orrico noted that Uruguay condemned
that action, wherever it happened. “We have always fought for the
people’s equal rights. We condemn all the actions, which serve as
crime. The protection of human rights is of big importance in the
international arena, we are ready to support the solution of all
conflicts and disputable problems, which would go on through peace”,
he said.

At the end of the meeting the RA National Assembly President Hovik
Abrahamyan awarded the President of the House of Representatives of
Uruguay Jorge Orrico the Medal of Honour of the RA National Assembly
for significant contribution in strengthening the traditional friendly
relations and the development of the inner-state relations with the
Republic of Armenia. The member of the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Uruguayan Parliament and the Uruguay-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary
Friendship Group Ruben Martinez was awarded the NA diploma.

UN MINISTRE IRANIEN REMERCIE L’ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 14 novembre 2012

Le Ministre iranien de la Justice Seyed Morteza Bakhtiari a salue
l’Armenie pour la defense de l’Iran contre les sanctions imposees par
les etats occidentaux et a souligne qu’il n’y a aucune restriction
pour une nouvelle expansion des liens de Teheran avec Erevan.

” La Republique d’Armenie a eu une bonne position sur les sanctions
contre notre pays ” a dit M.Bakhtiari lors d’une reunion avec son
homologue armenien Hrayr Tovmasian a Teheran. Il a reitere les bonnes
et proches relations entre Teheran et Erevan et a dit ” il n’y a
aucune limitation pour l’amelioration du niveau d’interactions entre
les deux etats “.

Les deux ministres ont signe un accord pour l’extradition des
criminels. Le vice-ministre iranien de la Justice Ali Sadati a dit
que l’accord sera le premier du genre entre l’Iran et l’Armenie,
ajoutant que l’accord d’extradition prevoit que 12 prisonniers iraniens
actuellement en Armenie vont finir leurs peines de prison en Iran.

mercredi 14 novembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

HOW WILL DOMESTIC CRISES IN GEORGIA AFFECT FOREIGN POLICY?

Today’s Zaman
Nov 13 2012
Turkey

Despite the fact that only a short period of time has elapsed since
the Georgian parliamentary elections that gave an unexpected victory to
the Georgian Dream coalition, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili,
concerns about the new government have been raised in both domestic
and international circles.

Ivanishvili attracted a great deal of popular support by promising
that the people’s work and efforts would be honored properly, but the
expectations and demands this created have led to turmoil and upheaval
in the country. People agreed that Mikheil Saakashvili had failed to
adequately administer the aftermath of the Rose Revolution and that
living conditions had worsened since then, so many people decided
to support a different candidate who offered bold promises. Now,
however, due to the coalition government’s failure to honor those
pre-election promises, workers and prison inmates have resorted to
strikes in protest.

Prison strikes: The first of a series of protest strikes is an ongoing
hunger strike in Ksani prison. An estimated 2,000 or more inmates
are participating in the strike to protest prison conditions, and 15
inmates sewed their mouths closed. Hunger strikes are also being held
in other prisons to demand a change in the prison administration,
which has been accused of abusive behavior.

Drivers are also holding protests: The protest of 1,400 yellow bus
drivers that started on Nov. 8 still negatively affects transportation
in Tbilisi. The drivers want to draw attention to their working
conditions and to their salaries, and have announced that they will
continue to protest unless their 16 demands are met. Among their
requests, the drivers are asking the government to raise their wages.

The national government, however, stresses that the increase is at the
discretion of the Tbilisi Municipality, administered by Giorgi Ugulava
from the United National Movement (UNM), led by Saakashvili. The
protestors are asking for Ugulava’s removal from office, but with
this move they contradict themselves because Ugulava has attempted
to communicate with the current government in an effort to address
the drivers’ problems. Ugulava, elected mayor of Tbilisi in the
2010 elections, is also seeking solutions to ensure that the current
government provides operating funds to the municipality.

Metro workers may go on strike: Underground Transportation Union
President Giorgi Khitalishvili has noted the metro workers had
forwarded a list of 12 demands to the city council as well and stressed
that they would start a massive strike in support of the drivers’
protests in the event their demands are not addressed.

1,600 mine workers continue to protest: At a coal mining site run by
the Gruzugol Company in the Imereti region, 1,600 workers continue
to suspend their operations in protest of the recent decision to
reduce salaries and lay off workers. A local parliament deputy,
Eliso Capidze, Georgian Dream member of Parliament David Bezhuashvili
and parliamentarian and partner in the Georgian Industrial Group
Gia Zhorzholiani are trying to bring the laborers and the mine
administration together to find a reasonable solution. The Gruzugol
Company, which runs the mining site, is a partner in the Georgian
Industrial Group.

A deal has been made with the Poti Seaport workers: The Poti port
workers who stopped work demanding a raise in their salaries have
made a deal with Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. Under the
agreement, the salaries of the port workers will be raised by 20
percent effective Dec 1.

Employment struggle expected to negatively affect foreign policy: The
power struggle between the municipalities and local administrations
over employment opportunities continues. The former interior minister,
chief of general staff and a top commander have all been arrested.

Footage of incidents of torture in prison was aired on television, and
demonstrations demanding accountability for the officers responsible
affected public opinion ahead of the 2012 elections. Former Interior
Minister Bacho Akhalaia was held responsible for these incidents
of torture and was arrested for misconduct, as were Chief of Staff
Giorgi Kalandadze and Commander of the 4th Brigade Zurab Samatava,
though the latter two were subsequently released on bail.

There are ongoing effects associated with the arrest of Akhalaia, who
was appointed defense minister after the Russian-Georgian war in 2008.

Saakashvili viewed the arrest of Akhalaia as a move that would hurt
Georgia’s integration into the world of European and American affairs.

Akhalaia had enjoyed a good relationship with American diplomats,
but after these incidents, NATO military authorities suspended a
November visit to Tbilisi, which surprised the government and raised
some questions. The opposition parties, noting that such incidents
would hurt Georgia’s relations with NATO, blamed the government for
the strained relationship.

Georgia’s NATO representative, Grigol Mgaloblishvili, noted that
the emergence of such a crisis before the NATO Foreign Ministerial
Meetings to be held in December would be a problem. The Georgian
authorities seek to identify the source of the problem; however, NATO
has not offered any explanation so far. Amid ongoing discussions as
to whether Georgia will move away from the West due to its internal
crises, there are some major issues the government could use to make
some serious offers and take the initiative. In particular, these
include policies of rapprochement with Russia, which will boost the
Armenian economy and lead to some problems along the Azeri-Turkish
axis. The new government has not yet clarified its foreign policy
path. It seeks to improve ties with Russia on the one hand, and also
preserve its strong relations with NATO. But this would lead to a
total collapse in foreign policy. The repercussions of this ambivalent
stance and indecisive approach will be seen very soon.

* Mehmet Fatih OZTARSU is a strategic outlook analyst.

*.html

STATE TO SPONSOR A SPECIAL FILM ABOUT ARMENIAN ISSUE

Turkish Press
Nov 13 2012

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc said they have launched an effort
for cinema and documentary films that would create an impression in
the international arena by explaining the Armenian issue in accordance
with the historical realities.

Arınc who made a budget presentation about the institutions that are
linked to him at the Turkish Grand National Assembly Plan and Budget
Commission said a film will be made in order to recount the Armenian
issue to the world under the structure of Ataturk High Institution
of Culture Language and History.

ROVSHAN RZAYEV: THE PERSONS LIKE SOYUN SADIGOV CAN NOT DISCUSS THE FATEFUL PROBLEM OF AZERBAIJAN

APA
Nov 13 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku. Parvin Abbasov – APA. “The Union of Azerbaijani Organization in
Russia has no moral right to deal with Nagorno Karabakh conflict, or
Armenian community. The persons like Soyun Sadigov can not discuss the
fateful problem of Azerbaijan with Armenians,” member of Management
Board of Public Union “Azerbaijani community of Nagorno Karabakh”,
MP Rovshan Rzayev told journalists, APA reports.

He said activities are being carried out to hold the meeting of
Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno Karabakh.

“The exact date of the meeting is not known. The lost ties between the
two communities, restoration of confidence, form of future co-existence
will be discussed at the meeting. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
is not interested in this meeting,” he said.

GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIAN: THE RELEASE OF THE OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES IS THE ONLY CONDITION

APA
Nov 13 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag of Germany,
MP Karl-Georg Wellmann sent a letter to the European Azerbaijan Society
(TEAS) about Germany-Azerbaijan relations, Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno Karabakh, TEAS told APA.

The letter sent in response to the TEAS’ questionnaire about the
conflict says that Bundestag supports implementation of the resolutions
on Nagorno Karabakh passed by the UN, European Commission and OSCE
with the participation of all sides.

“We support all efforts towards peaceful solution to the conflict in
the region. We defend peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The
release of the occupied Azerbaijani territories is the only condition
to solve the conflict peacefully. We regard as illegal the displacement
of ethnic groups and plunder of the occupied territories.

The future can be established through the avoidance of violence
and protection of civilians. We accept the relevant commitments of
international community in accordance with the proposals made by the
OSCE Minsk Group.

In terms of the German-Azerbaijani relations, I can see a great
potential for the development of modern relations between the two
countries. Our plants being leader in technology can support the future
development of Azerbaijani economy. It includes the cooperation in
energy sector, as well as in healthcare. In my turn, I hold talks with
the chiefs of many German plants and encourage them to undertake many
commitments in Azerbaijan. Cooperating with the active Azerbaijani
delegation and organizations, we will gain a lot of achievements
towards the progressive development of Azerbaijan.

GAS FURORE IN ARMENIA
By Vahe Harutyunyan

Institute for War and Peace Reporting
IWPR Caucasus Reporting Issue #664
Nov 12 2012
UK

Government accused of covering up price hikes for Russian fuel.

In a political row over the cost of natural gas, Armenia’s prime
minister has been forced to deny figures published by his government’s
revenue service showing that Russia had hiked its prices by a third.

Although Armenia is heavily reliant on gas – 95 per cent of households
use it for cooking and heating – it has no reserves of its own, and
relies on supplies from Russia and Iran. The prices these suppliers
charge are thus crucial to its economy.

In 2005, Armenia was paying as little as 56 US dollars per 1,000
cubic metres, and economists say the dramatic rise since then is one
of the reasons why the country’s economy is in such poor shape.

Figures released by the Committee for State Revenues show that in July,
Russian gas cost 245 US dollars per 1,000 cubic metres, up from 180
dollars at the same point in 2011. Iranian gas remained unchanged at
180 per 1,000 cu m.

When journalists and members of parliament quizzed Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan over the figure, he denied there had been a price
rise. He insisted that price talks were continuing but no final deal
had been reached.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan took the same
line, telling parliament on October 24, “I want to reassure you that
nothing has changed with gas shipment prices. We are holding talks with
the Russians, and when something happens, we will inform the public,”

The revenues agency, however, stood by its data.

“The committee’s figures on state revenues are based on reported
prices from companies and on reports from the tax authorities. Customs
[payment] demands are based on these statistics,” Armen Alaverdyan,
the body’s deputy head, told a press conference on October 25. “The
published figures cannot be wrong.”

As well as being a major supplier, Russia controls Armenia’s
pipelines, gas purchases and domestic sales through the ArmRosgazprom
company. Eighty per cent of the firm belongs to Russian gas company
Gazprom, while the Armenian state owns the rest.

Hrant Bagratyan, a former prime minister who is now member of
parliament deputy for the opposition Armenian National Congress,
said ArmRosgazprom’s monopoly position raised many questions.

“How did it come to be that 80 per cent of shares in the monopoly
controller of the Armenian market ended up in the hands of Gazprom? So
what role does the Armenian government play?” he asked..”The Iranian
gas is used in our power stations to generate electricity which is
then sold back to Iran. Armenian consumers can only buy gas from
Russia…. All the pipelines coming into Armenia from abroad belong
to ArmRusgazprom, and hence to Gazprom. That means the Russians decide
where we import our gas from, and what price we pay. And now that the
Russians have again decided to raise gas prices, we can’t do anything
about it.”

Armenak Chatinyan, economic columnist for the Orakarg newspaper,
said the current set-up was bad for consumers.

“People have to buy [Russian gas] as they have no other option,”
he said. “And it isn’t just about the price of gas; it also affect
public transport fares, since gas is used as fuel. It can affect the
price of food as well.”

Chatinyan accused the government of trying to hide the real price by
holding it down through subsidies until the February 2013 presidential
election, when the incumbent Serzh Sargsyan is almost certain to
seek re-election.

“How come the price rise hasn’t reached consumers? Why aren’t we
paying more to ArmRusGazprom? Because the government is subsidising
the company so as to conceal this from the public,” he said.

Vahe Harutyunyan is a freelance journalist in Armenia.

AYDYN ADNAN SEZGIN: “APPROACHING BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IS BENEFICIAL FOR THE REGION”

Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 13 2012
Russia

Interview by Faud Safarov. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Turkey in Russia,
Aydyn Adnan Sezgin, told Vestnik Kavkaza on Ankara’s view on the
current level of Turkish-Russian cooperation, the position on Syria,
the missile defense system, and the Karabakh settlement.

– How can you characterize the current relations between Turkey
and Russia?

– I am glad to state that relations between Turkey and Russia are
developing rapidly in all spheres. There are no problems in the
bilateral political relations. Diversification of our economic
cooperation is taking place, and it develops widely: from energy
and construction to tourism and automobile industry. I am sure that
the volume of trade turnover will surpass $38 billion in the nearest
future, i.e. the rate which was reached in 2008 ahead of the financial
crisis. I am also sure that we will achieve the goal which was voiced
by our leaders – $100 billion.

In this context I would like to touch on mutual investments. Turkish
and Russian companies establish wide opportunities for business and
new working places due to mutual investments in $10 billion both
in Turkey and Russia. We expect that these figures will grow. I am
glad to see how people of our countries learn about each other and
recognize similar features due to tourism and the humanitarian sphere.

Cultural centers which are planned to be opened in the nearest future
in both countries will improve the process.

The Council on Top Level Cooperation was established as a joint
conference of the Ministers Council which is gathered once a year under
chairmanship of the Turkish prime minister and Russian President. The
Council controls three bodies. The Joint strategic Group on Planning
is headed by foreign ministers and is dealt with possibilities of
cooperation in the sphere of foreign policy. Of course our positions
may be different in various international affairs. At the same
time, both countries have an opportunity to conduct open friendly
consultations. We believe it is important. On the other hand, Turkey
and Russia want to develop bilateral relations.

The economic cooperation issues are considered by the Mixed Economic
Committee. We also have the Public Forum which involves business
circles, artists, representatives of the mass media from both
countries. I think the picture can be described in the following
way: Turkish-Russian relations are at the level of consistent
transformation. A step made in one sphere stimulates cooperation in
another sphere. It happens not accidentally. Our states have common
views on the developments in the world. Our relations are mutually
beneficial. Negotiations which will take place within the visit by
President Putin to Turkey and the agreements which will be signed
will speed up the process.

– In recent years the level of trade turnover between the countries has
grown. What aims does Turkey have in economic cooperation with Russia?

– We are glad to see that Turkish-Russian economic and trade relations
are developing since the early 1990s. They diversify and deepen. Russia
is the major trade partner of Turkey. In 2011 the trade turnover
between our countries was about $30 billion. In first nine months
of 2012 it reached $24.4 billion which means that by the end of the
year the trade turnover will be about $35 billion. The common aim of
the Russian and Turkish authorities is achievement of the volume in
$100 billion. The leaders of two countries have many times stated on
this target.

The general sum of contracts gained by Turkish contractors is $40
billion since the 1990s to the present day. Turkish contractors
achieved big success in conducted works in Russia, and today they
have the same potential. Turkish companies are dealing with important
projects which are connected with the Student Olympic Games 2013 in
Kazan and the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi. We are sure that
Turkish company will fulfill their duties perfectly, and the projects
will bring benefits both to Sochi and Kazan.

We want our companies to build important infrastructural facilities
for the Football World Cup 2018 which will be held in various Russian
cities. Today Turkish investments into Russia surpass $10 billion,
and the volume of Russian investments into Turkey is growing in recent
years, first of all in such spheres as energy, communication, banking,
and iron industry.

We believe that joint investments by businessmen from both countries
into third countries of the Eurasian area will provide Turkish-Russian
economic cooperation with new opportunities.

– Arab spring was a big surprise for the whole world. Do Russia and
Turkey have similar interests in front of instability in the region?

– The position of the experts is that changes in the region were
unavoidable. But I believe the speed of changes and their scale became
a surprise for certain circles.

As for Turkey and Russia, they have similar views on some aspects of
the process, on other – different views. The international society
shares common ideas about transformations in the region. It concerns
the crisis in Syria too. Our mutual aim is stoppage of bloodshed in
Syria and establishing of the constitution which would protect the
country’s unity and territorial integrity. We want to see Syria where
all layers of the population would feel safe, peaceful and calm Syria.

There are various views on how to reach the goal. Turkey and Russia
discuss the issue at the level of experts and leaders of the country.

– The missile defense system launched in Europe became a problem in
relations between the US and Russia. A part of the system will be
located in Turkey. What is Turkey’s position on the issue? How does
it correlate the fact that Ankara cooperates with Iran intensively,
against which the missile defense system is directed?

– The radar of early warning which is an element of the missile defense
system is located in the province of Malatya. The NATO missile defense
system – as it is stressed in its name – has a defensive character. It
was developed for defense of the territory of the North Atlantic
Alliance from foreign missiles. I would like to draw your attention
to the fact that the missile defense system is not directed against
any certain country. Therefore, the states which have no aggressive
intensions shouldn’t be afraid of the defense system.

Turkish-Iranian relations have a firm ground. Maintenance of mutual
trust is the main priority for us.

– Moscow and Ankara established contacts on settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia was involved
into the process of approaching Armenia and Turkey. What is the
current position of Turkey on these international issues?

– Relations between Turkey and Russia based on a historic ground
have gained a full scale in recent years. We are ready to make
necessary steps for enrichment of cooperation. We are happy to see
that the Russian side has the same will. Approaching of Turkey and
Russia is very beneficial for the region. Both countries experience
direct influence of the current problems in the regions. Open and
friendly discussion of these themes between Turkey and Russia is very
important. In this context the sincere dialogue on Nagorno-Karabakh
between Turkey and Russia satisfies us. Answering the second part of
your question, I would like to say that our main interest in the South
Caucasus is settlement of the current political conflicts by peaceful
means and turning it into the region of stability and cooperation.

Progress is of high need in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. It should be provided according to the international law and
within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This process has to be
peaceful. Turkey wants to develop relations with all their neighbors.

Continuation of the process is connected with the will of Armenia to
settle problems with their neighbors. It is necessary that Armenia
should demonstrate a constructive position on the issue. Turkey
believes in necessity of shifting the status quo to the course of
complete normalization.