Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIA IS USING ITS POTENTIAL IN A WRONG WAY – DIPLOMAT

October 19, 2013 | 01:56

YEREVAN. – The ratification of visa facilitation and readmission
agreement by European Parliament is a rewarding gesture, Armenian
diplomat said.

Arman Navasardyan, ambassador and head of diplomat.am website,
considers Armenia an important state for Europe.

“We must learn to use our geopolitical and strategic location in the
right way. We must understand what Russia and Europe want in order to
turn it into bilaterally beneficial collaboration,” he told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Being a small state, Armenia is using its potential in a wrong way,
Navasardyan added.

The diplomat categorically disagrees with those claiming that Armenia
has no future with Europe after stating an intention to join Customs
Union.

“The Association Agreement seems to be up in the air, but it was a
right move to strengthen ties with Russia given the current situation,
in particular in Syria,” he emphasized.

“If you are with Russia, it does not mean you alienate yourself from
EU,” Navasardyan concluded.

European Parliament backed an EU-Armenia visa facilitation agreement
on. MEPs also gave their green light to an EU-Armenia agreement on
the readmission of persons residing without authorization.

DEPUTY MFA EXCLUDES ANY NKR-RELATED DECISION WITHOUT KARABAKH AUTHORITIES’ AGREEMENT

16:42, 18 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS: Any important decision in the Nagorno
Karabakh issue cannot be adopted without the agreement of the Artsakh
authorities. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan stated about it at the session of the
National Assembly of Armenia.

“Unfortunately the Artsakh authorities do not participate in the
negotiations and maybe it is one of the reasons that the negotiations
are not that efficient, but any important decision should be made
only with the Artsakh authorities”, – said Shavarsh Kocharyan,
Armenpress reports.

He noted that if a decision is made to hold a monitoring in the line
of contact of Armenia-Azerbaijan, it is not carried out without the
agreement of the Artsakh authorities.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S COMMITTEE REFUSED TO INCLUDE ISSUE OF KARABAKH REPUBLIC RECOGNITION IN UPCOMING SESSIONS’ AGENDA

16:48, 18 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia refused
to include the project of the law “On Recognition of the Independence
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic” in the agenda of upcoming four-day
sessions. As reports “Armenpress” three members of the Standing
Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia voted against the project of the abovementioned law and
two of the members cast their votes on behalf of the project of the
law. Three other members did not participate in the voting.

MEETING IN THE NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

17.10.2013

On October 17 the Chair of the NA Standing Committee on protection of
Human Rights and Public Affairs Elinar Vardanyan met with the senior
classes of the schools of Yerevan, Vanadzor and Shirak Marz. The OSCE
Yerevan Office, which implements human rights awareness programme in
the sphere of joint general education with the NGO Yerevan Club of
Intellectual Games, initiated the meeting.

The Committee Chair Elinar Vardanyan presented the pupils the main
functions of the legislator and the authorities reserved to them by
Constitution and the directions of the activity of the Committee led by
her. Mrs Vardanyan also touched upon the peculiarities of majoritarian
and proportional electoral orders, talked about the creation of laws,
particularly the professional debates in the NA Standing Committees.

During the talk the pupils addressed their questions to Mrs Vardanyan.

The schoolchildren expressed concern about the incompatibility of the
educational programmes and textbooks, emigration, danger of sects,
asked questions about adding free places for studying in the higher
educational institutions. Elinar Vardanyan gave exhaustive answers to
the schoolchildren’s questions. She also touched upon the cooperation
of the Committee with the Institute of the Human Rights Defender,
the issues pertaining to the alternative service, the women’s and
men’s rights, the protection of the economic, social, cultural rights
of the handicapped and the criminal procedure system.

WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP: ARAM AVAGYAN STARTS WITH VICTORY

October 17, 2013

Armenia’s Aram Avagyan (56kg) started the World Boxing Championship
with a victory over Gamal Yafai representing England.

His next opponent is Italy’s champion Yahin Parienello.

Another Armenian boxer Arman Amirkhanyan (69 kg) defeated Israel’s
Artyom Masili in 1/32 finals and continues competitions.

NEWS.am Sport

KASPERSKY ATTENDED OPENING OF KASPERSKY EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN YEREVAN

15:09, 18 October, 2013

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS: The founder director of Kaspersky Lab
Yevgeny Kaspersky transfers the tremendous experience and knowledge
to the Armenian specialists. The opening of the Kaspersky educational
and certification center was held at the State Engineering University
of Armenia. Armenpress reports that Yevgeny Kaspersky and the SEUA
Rector Ara Avetisyan performed the solemn opening of the center and
got acquainted with the educational and certification centers.

According to the Associate Professor of the Department of Software
and Information Security of the State Engineering University of
Armenia Vahan Margarov, the courses will be free of charge and the
certification exam will be paid.

The founder director of Kaspersky Lab, the professor Yevgeny Kaspersky
has arrived in Armenia to present the seven levels of cyber threats
– evolution, the developments of the means of struggle against them
beginning from the formatting of the floppy discs to the negotiations
on the international control over the cyber arms use. In the framework
of the visit to Armenia Yevgeny Kaspersky will be awarded with the
title of the honored doctor of the State Engineering University
of Armenia.

Back in 2009 the Armenian Ministry of Economy and Kaspersky Lab signed
“Secure Armenia” memorandum on cooperating in the sphere of information
technologies in Yerevan. Yevgeny Kaspersky informed that the sides
would unite efforts in organizing infrastructural solutions to secure
antivirus protection of information systems in state governance bodies
and educational institutions in Armenia.

According to him, Armenian government set itself the “ambitious task”
to computerize the entire country and make internet popular, and
the signed memorandum would also contribute to spreading knowledge
in the sphere of information security. Yevgeny Kaspersky informed
that the memorandum provided for active participation of Kaspersky
Lab in organizing and realizing training programs for secondary,
secondary specialized and higher educational institutions in Armenia,
as well as centers for increasing qualification among teachers and
state officials.

JAMES APPATHURAI: NO CONTRADICTION BETWEEN GOOD ARMENIA-NATO PARTNERSHIP AND ARMENIA’S PARTICIPATION IN CSTO

October 18, 2013 | 14:18

YEREVAN. – NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for South
Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai confirmed the Alliance’s
readiness to further assist the reforms that Armenia is carrying out
in defense sector.

The NATO official noted Armenia’s contribution in Afghanistan and
Kosovo which is clear demonstration that Armenia is a contributor to
international security.

During the meetings in Armenia, James Appathurai expressed support
for continued and deeper cooperation between NATO and Armenia when
it comes to reforms.

“NATO is supporting Armenia as it develops its new defense strategies
for helping Armenia modernize its defense education structures. We
are working with Armenia to fight corruption, in particular when it
comes to procurements. We are doing a lot and can do more,” he said,
adding that it is an important period till the October 2014 summit.

The Alliance is looking towards the future of NATO after the end
of ISAF mission in Afghanistan. He stressed that NATO has recently
deepened cooperation with its partners.

“We want deepen it in future and we want to discuss with Armenia
and other partners how they see cooperation in the future. What I
heard from my Armenian interlocutors, starting from the president,
was clear. First there is no contradiction between good partnership
with Armenia and NATO and Armenia’s participation in the CSTO or its
decision on Customs Union, and we share this view,” he added.

Secondly, Armenia intends to continue its contribution to peacekeeping
mission, for example in Afghanistan, which is welcomed by the Alliance.

“Armenia would welcome closer cooperation to support its own defense
reform and priorities, and we will give that,” he added.

James Appathurai called the visit “encouraging” and expressed
confidence that political relations with Armenia will continue and
strengthen.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

GEORGIA’S KEY PRESIDENTIAL RUNNERS UNANIMOUS ON ARMENIA – AMBASSADOR

14:54 ~U 18.10.13

The Georgian ambassador to Armenia said Friday that the main
presidential hopefuls in his country are unanimous in their approaches
to Armenia.

Speaking at debate entitled, Georgian Presidential Elections and
European Perspectives, Tengiz Sharmanashvili said three of the main
candidates realize well the strategic importance of the relations
with the country.

The diplomat noted that the president of Georgia is no longer as
powerful as before as a result of the recent constitutional reforms.

“David Bakradze’s platform contains nothing unexpected. He sees
no other way than European integration though he emphasizes that
an integration into Europe will take long-lasting efforts. George
Marjanishvili does not see an alternative either. Nino Burjanadze is a
well-known figure as she has been an acting president and a supporter
of [President Mikheil] Saakashvili. But their paths split later as she
began criticizing the Saakashvili policies. She considers ties with
the European Union an extremely important thing but she doesn’t say
there aren’t alternatives. She speaks of an approximation to NATO,
not a membership,” he said, dwelling on each of the candidates’ plans.

As for the Armenian president’s decision on the Customs Union (CU)
integration, the ambassador said Georgia never imposes restraints on
a country’s choice while deciding to develop relations. He promised
that his country will not be critical of Armenia in case the latter
decides to become a CU member state.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NATO REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THE “SECRET”

Nobody disputes Armenia’s strategic partnership with Russia, it
is the sovereign decision made by Armenia in a situation we all
understand very well, said NATO SG’s Special Representative for the
South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai in answer to the
question on dependence on Russia.

He noted that Armenia has always followed balance in its foreign
policy, adding that they are conducting a policy of open doors and
are ready to cooperate. However, he says, these open doors are for
expanding and deepening cooperation and should not be taken for the
open doors for the enlargement of the alliance.

He noted that in the result of the balanced policy Armenia has
decided to have a policy and practical cooperation with NATO which
is commendable. He believes that Yerevan wants to discuss with them
what more can be done, and it is not a matter of either or but both.

He said he reiterated in his meetings with Armenian high-ranking
officials NATO’s readiness to support defense reforms in Armenia. NATO
supports Armenia’s new defense strategy, upgrading of military
education infrastructures in line with international standards,
as well as fight against corruption in procurement, he noted.

The NATO official said he had come to Armenia to listen to the opinion
and visions of Armenia on how to deepen cooperation.

He said his interlocutors in Armenia, including the president,
stated clearly that nothing will hinder deepening relations with
NATO along with being a CSTO and Customs Union member, nothing that
they also think so. It has also been reiterated that Armenia will
continue to participate in the international peacekeeping process,
James Appathurai said.

He also noted that NATO has never had a political objective to expand
towards the post-Soviet space, however it is a political priority
to keep NATO doors open for all the democratic European countries
wishing to affiliate with the alliance.

He noted that affiliation to the alliance remains valid for Georgia.

15:06 18/10/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO ATTEND FUNERAL CEREMONY FOR WILFRIED MARTENS IN BRUSSELS

YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan will
head to Brussels Friday night to attend the funeral ceremony for former
Belgian Prime Minister and President of the European People’s Party
(EPP) Wilfried Martens who died on October 10.

Three of Armenia’s political parties – Republican Party of Armenia,
Orinats Yerkir and Heritage – were given an observer’s status in the
EPP on February 10 2012.

The European People’s Party is represented in all political
institutions of the European Union, as well as in the Council of
Europe.-0-

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