Author: Badalian Vardan

REMARKS BY HRVP CATHERINE ASHTON FOLLOWING HER MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER EDWARD NALBANDIAN AT THE END OF HER VISIT IN ARMENIA

Europa.eu

Nov 17 2011

Minister, can I first of all say what a great pleasure it is to meet
with you and with your Prime Minister and with your President, and
to meet you here in Yerevan. You and I have met a number of times,
in Brussels and indeed all over the world, but it’s the first time
I have the opportunity to be here and it’s wonderful to do so and it
certainly won’t be my last visit here.

Like you, I want to express my pleasure at the progress in the
bilateral relations between the European Union and Armenia. As I
described it earlier to you, I think we have made real progress in
developing the strength of this relationship, and as you rightly
say, a relationship based on the values that we share, the values of
support of these people of this country and support for democracy,
human rights and the rule of law.

You and I also had the opportunity to talk about the region and some
of the challenges that you face, and the need to try and move forward
in order that this region can grow economically and politically,
and indeed strengthen its relationships to the European Union.

The European Union very much wishes to see our relationships get
stronger. And although all countries across the world are dealing with
the economic situation, there is a strong desire in Europe to make
sure that we honour the commitments that we have and that we keep the
strength of our relationships. So we’ll now be looking to how much
we can do together. This relationship is not just about money, it’s
also about the kind of cooperation and the way in which we can work
together. So for example with the free trade agreement it will be the
opportunities we offer our businesses to collaborate. It’s going to
make a huge difference. The opportunities to develop small business,
to export and so on. The President last night was explaining to me
you have I think 350 companies employing 5000 people in new technology.

The more that we can offer them, opportunities, as well as for example
your agricultural markets, then the more that the economy can grow
and the more that this country will be able to develop in a way I
know the Foreign Minister and the government wish.

And of course we also touched upon the international agenda where
we’re very conscious of the role that you are playing and – as Armenia
develops and grows in its international relations – ready to work
together. This is often expressed in our bilateral relationship,
where we look at what we can do to support our economies, and also
through the progress made on moving towards a free trade agreement. I
think these efforts will come to fruition in the next few months.

Finally, on visas – as I was explaining to the Minister and to the
Prime Minister earlier, the process of moving on visas and moving
on trade takes a long time at the very beginning. And the reason is
because there are many issues to be resolved of a technical nature.

And it’s often seen that’s the longest and most difficult part of
the process. Once you’ve done all the technical work then the process
of negotiation moves much more quickly. So you shouldn’t see this as
being about delay, it’s about making sure that everything is actually
in place. And the technical teams have to do their work on both sides,
because it’s important that your people and for the people in Europe
that this is done properly and done well. I’m confident that we’re
now at the phase when we’ll see significant movement shortly, but it
is for the technical people to finish their work first.

So, Minister, thank you for your hospitality, it’s very nice to be
here and I do want to say how much we appreciate the strength of the
cooperation we have.

VAHAGN CHAKHALYAN ARMENIA’S ‘HRANT DINK’ IN JAVAKHK – ACTIVIST

Tert.am
18.11.11

Armenian film director Tigran Khzmalyan, considers the jailed
Georgian-Armenian public figure, Vahagn Chakhalyan, Armenia’s scapegoat
in Javakhk region.

At a news conference on Friday, he even compared the activist with
Hrant Dink, the assassinated editor-in-chief of the Armenian-Turkish
weekly Agos.

“Hrant Dink’s name was hardly ever mentioned in the past, but now
that he’s no longer alive it’s very easy to say he is our flag. Vahagn
Chakhalyan is now our Hrant Dink. Today we have a political prisoner in
Javakhk, who, despite being in detention, leads the Javakhk-Armenians
struggle, not allowing any insult to their national dignity,” he
told reporters.

Khzmalyan, who is an active member of Sardarapat group, said the
Georgian authorities seek to represent Chakhalyan’s arrest as a
national minority issue notwithstanding the fact that the Armenians
in Javakhk live on their historical land.

The Georgian authorities arrested Chakhalyan in 2008, accusing him
of resisting a representative of the authorities, acquiring and
maintaining weapons and plotting disorders. He was subsequently
sentenced to 10 years in prison and now serves his time in a tight
security penal colony.

“Several armed troops of the Georgian special services entered
Javakahk to arrest Chakhalyan. Yerevan’s tacit response was evident,”
Khzmalyan added.

The activist said that the group had several times applied to the
Foreign Ministry but their proposals for a meeting had been declined.

Khzmalyan called for pan-national efforts for freeing the jailed
activist.

“It’s not only the Javakhk-Armenians that have to deal with Vahagn
Chalhalyan’s case; that’s a pan-national issue. As a matter of fact,
Javakhk is our northern gate, our window of opportunities to the West.

It is not a cumbersome problem for the Armenian and Georgian
authorities,” he added.

YEREVAN HOSTS TVETANA PASKALEVSA’S WOUNDS OF KARABAKH DVD PRESENTATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 18, 2011 – 14:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On November 18, Yerevan hosted presentation of
Wounds of Karabakh DVD by distinguished Bulgarian journalist and
documentary filmmaker Tsvetana Paskaleva.

“The film frames remind us of the horrible days people of Nagorno
Karabakh faced for four years. I am not sure I will have enough courage
to go through these tragedies with them, see their tears and wounds,”
Paskaleva said, thus explaining the title.

She noted that Karabakh war changed her entire life forcing her to
live in Karabakh and follow the developments. “The longer I stayed
in Karabakh the more I wanted to live further to witness a peaceful
settlement of the conflict,” she said.

“This is a huge project – 7 documentaries that the world was in severe
need of. It is also needed for true understanding of the Karabakh
conflict, which is pending a peaceful resolution,” Paskaleva said.

The DVD released by Armenian Music Center company will be available in
six languages: Armenian, Russian, English, Spanish, French, Bulgarian.

TSVETANA PASKALEVA TO PRESENT HER FILM SERIES ON KARABAKH ABROAD

PanARMENIAN.Net
November 18, 2011 – 15:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Bulgarian journalist and documentary filmmaker
Tsvetana Paskaleva intends to start a tour to different countries to
present her film series Wounds of Karabakh.

During the DVD presentation in Yerevan, Paskaleva briefed on her
plans to draw public attention to Karabakh issue.

According to her, the film series will later be introduced to the
U.S audience, entering the world of DVD libraries.

The DVD released by Armenian Music Center company will be available in
six languages: Armenian, Russian, English, Spanish, French, Bulgarian.

NEW YEREVAN MAYOR SWORN IN, PROMISES TO SERVE FOR PROSPERITY OF YEREVAN RESIDENTS

/ARKA/
November 18, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, November 18, /ARKA/. New Yerevan mayor, Taron Margaryan,
was sworn in today at a special ceremony at the City Hall attended
also by President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and
other high-level officials, Novosti-Armenia news agency reported.

‘I promise to fulfill my duties bona fide in accordance with
the Constitution and serve for the prosperity of Yerevan and its
residents,’ the 33 year-old mayor said.

President Sargsyan congratulated the mayor on taking up this
responsible post wishing him vigor and perseverance in executing
his duties.

‘You have no right to frustrate your fellow citizens and colleagues.

We are next to you always ready to support you,’ Serzh Sargsyan said.

Taron Margaryan was elected mayor by forty-nine members of the Council
of Elders (legislative assembly) of the Armenian capital on November
15. Taron Margaryan is the son of former Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan, who died in 2007.

Taron Margaryan had been nominated for the vacant post by the governing
board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia on October 31. Prior to
his election, he served as vice mayor. The former mayor of Yerevan,
Karen Karapetyan, resigned October 28 at his own will to take up
another job. The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) controls
35 seats in the Council of Elders. The other 17 seats are controlled
by the junior coalition member Prosperous Armenia party.

Taron Margaryan was born on April 17, 1978 in Yerevan. In 1995 he
graduated from school and was enrolled into the Armenian Agricultural
Academy. In 2001 he graduated from it with Master’s degree.

In 2001-2003 he worked as a senior specialist, then chief of the
regional subdivision of the State Committee of Cadastre in Yerevan’s
Nor Nork administrative district.

In 2003 he was appointed deputy head of a department in the ministry of
Nature Protection in charge of bio resources. In 2005 he was elected,
and in 2008 re-elected as head of Yerevan’s Avan district.

Since 2009 he has served as deputy mayor.

Margaryan has been a member of the Republican Party since 1996. In
2006 he was elected to its Board.

He was awarded Anania Shirakatsi, Garegin Nzhdeh medals, as well
as Gold Medal of Yerevan mayor, Gold Medal of the Armenian Agrarian
University, Fridtjof Nansen Gold Medal and Eagles of Armenian Mountains
Medal and Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan Order. Margaryan is married and
has one son and one daughter.-0-

AZERBAIJANI LEADER, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF DISCUSS ENERGY, KARABAKH

news.az
Nov 16 2011
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has received the EU’s high
representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine
Ashton.

She arrived in Baku on Tuesday at the start of a visit to the three
countries of the South Caucasus.

Aliyev and Ashton discussed the prospects for energy cooperation
between Azerbaijan and the EU and exchanged views on ways to settle
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, state-run
news agency AzerTAj reported.

Aliyev described cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European
Union as multifaceted and said that relations between the country
and the EU were developing successfully,

Recalling his meeting with Catherine Ashton in Warsaw, the president
stressed the importance of her visit to the region and Azerbaijan. He
said that the trip to Baku would contribute to developing further
the relationship between Azerbaijan and the EU.

In turn, Catherine Ashton expressed satisfaction with her visit to
Azerbaijan, AzerTAj said.

President Ilham Aliyev hosted a dinner in honour of the senior EU
official.

Energy, human rights, Karabakh, Azerbaijani-EU relations and Iran were
all issues raised earlier in the day by Catherine Ashton at a joint
press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

“I was very keen to come here to develop further the bilateral
relationship between the European Union and Azerbaijan and highlight
the importance of making sure that our relationships are tailor-made
to suit the needs of both,” Ashton said in a statement to the press
conference.

“Azerbaijan is an important partner of the European Union in terms
of energy and I know that you have worked closely with my colleague,
Commissioner Oettinger, to advance this issue,” she said.

In the past week alone, two presidents, one minister and one special
envoy have come to Baku to discuss the export of Azerbaijani gas.

The consortium developing Azerbaijan’s giant Shah Deniz gas field is
expected to announce its chosen route for the export of gas to Europe,
via what’s loosely termed the Southern Energy Corridor, by the end
of the year. The EU is supporting the Nabucco pipeline project, one
of three projects to have submitted bids to export Shah Deniz II gas.

Shah Deniz operator BP has come up with a fourth option, in case none
of the three routes prove suitable.

Catherine Ashton noted Azerbaijan’s role in the region and
internationally.

“You are also an increasingly important player in this region and of
course, with the election as a non-permanent member of the Security
Council, also in the United Nations.”

On EU relations, she said: “The Eastern Partnership is an important
way in which we demonstrate the closeness of our relationship, building
on the common values and aspirations that we hold for all our people.

“For all my life the issues of human rights have been central to
the way I approach the relationships that we have in the EU. With
all the countries in the Eastern Partnership it’s part of the core
values that we hold. The minister knows well the position the EU and
I hold in terms of these issues.

“I hope my visit here today will be an opportunity to demonstrate the
value that we place on this relationship and consider further in our
meetings what more we can do to develop and deepen that relationship
in the future.”

She outlined the EU’s supporting role to the OSCE Minsk Group, the
international body mediating a solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Karabakh.

“We have also touched upon the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. The European
Union has a different role to the Minsk Group who is responsible for
trying to resolve this issue. I appointed a special representative
to offer our support in some of the ways that the European Union can
support the process; an example being confidence-building measures.”

On Iran and the concerns over its nuclear program, the EU high
representative said: “Briefly we have also discussed some foreign
policy issues, among them Iran. As you know, on behalf of the E3+3
or the P5+1, I’m responsible for leading the negotiations with Iran,
and we take a very clear double-track approach. We believe in trying
to get the Iranians to negotiate and to respect their commitments on
nuclear proliferation. And we’re concerned about the latest report from
the IAEA. When the 27 foreign ministers met yesterday, we discussed
these issues. While we wish to see Iran honour its commitments and
come to negotiate, we recognize we need to keep up the pressure. We
will examine what further sanctions we should take.”

Catherine Ashton said that her visit allowed her to see Azerbaijan’s
development for herself.

‘AMERICAN HORROR STORY’ RECAP: “OPEN HOUSE”
By: Emily Cheever

Ology.com

Nov 17 2011

A phone beeping off it’s hook, an ominous score, a woman weeping by
the fireplace. Looks like it’s another episode of American Horror
Story. And break out the iced tea because this week it’s an “Open
House.”

I’m starting to wish this show was a little more deft in revealing
their rules of haunting. For example, why (besides the fact that she
was a lusty woman in her life) can Moira be seen differently? Why
haven’t we met Larry’s wife and children? And mostly (perhaps they’re
saving that for a finale) what is so special about this house/land
anyway?

In previous week’s we’ve seen a little more opportunities for acting
where this week was back to it’s freak fest roots. Not only do we
see that Constance once chained up her other mentally challenged
son in the attic, Viv masturbating to the black security guard, a
mastectomy due to demon baby teeth, but we also see Moira literally
bite someone’s dick off. Entertaining? Yes. Sensical? Eh. But being
seven episodes in, I suppose we can’t hope for much sense anymore.

The pulp of the episode came from the fact that Vivian trying to
sell the house. Even with her issues, she’s the most balanced person
on this show. She gets two offers- one from Larry and one from an
Armenian developer who lusts after Moira and everyone calls Persian.

One of the two interested buyers will be schlongless by the episode. I
bet you can guess which one.

The Armenian wants to buy the house with the sole purpose of tearing
it down to build an apartment complex. Constance, having most of her
relatives in the house, hates the idea as she fears that she will
loose her ghost family forever. This is how she enlists Moira’s help,
and Larry’s (subplot: he’s in love with her and his wife knew it- she
was the one who burned herself and the kids) to do that unspeakable
thing. What was it? Oh right, that penis thing. After the Armenian
dies Constance orders, “make sure he’s off the property before he
expires. i wouldn’t care to ever encounter his carcass again.”

Unfortunately, Violet’s character is starting to be pushed into a
one note teen. Yes, we get it. She’s sad. She can see ghosts, she
likes the house, and she’s sad. Hopefully they will play more with
the idea that 1) she’s still a normal teenager who should, you know,
do stuff and 2) really have fun with the plot that she’s dating a
ghost. Now she just seems pathetically content in her moping, which
is something that all teenagers do from time to time, but considering
that this was never a show about normalcy, they should switch it
up. I do appreciate that there was a glimpse of Violet beginning
to understand her medium powers- in writing classes they talk about
this as “learning the rules of the world.” Still, it was not enough
to push me into affection for her character.

The big reveal and push from this episode comes from Vivian at the
very end. We now know that Vivian is having twins, not a demon baby,
which is disappointing on some level. But when Violet shows her old
photos that she found in the attic she recognizes the face of Mrs. Dr.

Charles. Will Vivian start to believe in ghosts?

I’d prefer that in the future of American Horror Story, they stick to
just establishing the history and cut out guest characters. Sure, Eric
Stonestreetâ~@~K and Zach Quintoâ~@~K were great, but this Armenian
guy? I felt that he only existed for shock value. We got enough
shock value already when we find out that Mrs. Dr. Charles’ monster
baby (made by her ether addicted husband) is alive. Then she tries
to breast feed it (it bites her nipple off, essentially). Then she
kills her husband and herself. See? That’s enough shock value. Listen,
I truly love how creatively f*cked up this show is but like all Ryan
Murphy shows need to be reminded, a little goes a long way.

Awesome scene acknowledgement: After Moira gives the Armenian a blow
job for the first time (as the young one), the old Moira leaves
the room wiping her chin. It’s a simple trick but really fun. The
camera work that is, not the whole blow…you know what, you get what
I’m saying.

SumOlogy: Private parts are at the mercy of American Horror Story.

PRESIDENTS OF IRAN, ARMENIA ASK FOR BROADER COOPERATION IN PHONE TALK

Islamic Republic News Agency
Nov 17 2011

Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA – Presidents of Iran and Armenia in a phone talk
Wednesday evening emphasized need for broader cooperation in political,
economic and cultural fields.

According to the IRNA Wednesday Night News team, the information
website of the President’s Office quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
as saying in the phone talk with his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisian that there are lots of fields for expansion of ties and
cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

President Ahmadinejad added, ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes
expansion of relations between the two countries to maximum possible
level.’

The IRI president meanwhile referred to the record of the historical
and cultural relations between the two nations, reiterating,’
The two nations have affectionate and heartfelt feelings for each
other and this provides a good potential for ever more expansion and
strengthening of bilateral ties.’

The Armenian president, too, in the phone talk referred to the
importance of ever more expansion of comprehensive ties, reiterating,
‘Armenia is interested more than ever before in expansion of
Tehran-Yerevan comprehensive ties, to safeguard the interests of the
two nations, as well as those of the other regional nations.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS THE DEBATE OF 2012 STATE DRAFT BUDGET

National Assembly

Nov 16 2011
Armenia

On November 15 the RA National Assembly continued the work of the
four-day sittings and by voting passed the bills debated on the
previous day, after which the exchange of thoughts on the bill “On
Amending the RA Law On Use of Control Cash Machines”

Before turning to debate by the NA Vice Speaker Samvel Balasanyan the
deputies welcomed the teachers and pupils of Gyumri N 18 School, who
were hosted in the parliament within the NA “Open Lesson” programme.

Vardan Ayvazyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Economic
Affairs, presented the endorsement on the bill.

Then the parliament began the debate of the draft “RA 2012 State
Budget.”

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in his speech has touched upon the
prior directions fixed in the basic document of the coming year, and
the state draft budget is aimed at solving it. And in that aspect he
drew the deputies’ attention to the programme speech of RA President
Serzh Sargsyan, which he had sounded in the Congress of the Armenian
Union of Manufacturer and Businessmen.

It also designed that for ensuring economic sustainability Armenia’s
cooperation with the European Union and the programmes indicated in
that sphere will be of essential importance.

RA Minister of Fiuance Vache Gabrielyan submitted for the deputies’
debate the incomes and expenditures according to spheres designed by
2012 State Draft Budget.

RA Central Bank Chairman Artur Javadyan gave a speech on 2012 State
Draft Budget.

The debate of the budget document will continue at NA November
16 sitting.

In accordance with Rules of Procedure, the parliament extraordinarily
debated the package of the bills “On Amending the RA Law On Minimum
Monthly Salary and “On Amending the RA Law On Income Tax,” submitted
by the ARF faction.

Armen Martirosyan presented the position of the Heritage faction on
the package of the bills.

In the final speech RA Finance Minister Vache Gabrielyan once again
noticed that the state draft budget of the upcoming year has social
orientation, and the allowances and pensions will be raised by 10%.

The last hour of the last sitting, in accordance of NA Rules of
Procedure, was allocated the deputies’ announcements.

ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II EXERCISES INFLUENCE QUIETLY UNLIKE GEORGIAN, RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS

epress.am
01.31.2011

As the “power vertical” is consolidated in the post-Soviet space,
most nonstate institutions are getting weaker, with one interesting
exception: the national churches. In early 2011, the patriarchs have
a spring in their steps, writes senior associate for the Caucasus
with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Thomas de Waal
in The National Interest.

The phenomenon is strongest in Armenia, Georgia and Russia. The
Armenian Catholicos, Karekin II is not just the leader of the Armenian
Gregorian Church but of Armenians worldwide. But he exercises the
enormous influence he has fairly quietly. Ilia II of Georgia (who has
been patriarch of Georgia since 1977) and the patriarch of Moscow,
Kirill I, are more visible and both are shrewd political figures.

You could say that these two patriarchs are possibly the only
untouchable figures in their two countries. In an opinion poll for NDI
last April Patriarch Ilia II won an astonishing 90 percent approval
rating, easily making him the most popular figure in Georgia-and
comfortably outstripping President Mikheil Saakashvili who earned a
positive rating of 58 percent.

Last year the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill I, was in seventh place
in Nezavisimaya Gazeta’s traditional list, compiled by experts,
of Russia’s one hundred leading political figures-no mean feat for
a nonpolitician. Ahead of him were only Vladimir Putin and Dmitry
Medvedev and their closest allies. Behind him in the list were Russia’s
defense and foreign ministers and Alexei Miller, head of Gazprom.