Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN DEMARCHE?: DISCUSSION OF GEOPOLITICAL CHOICES ON IN YEREVAN AFTER SARGSYAN SKIPS TWO MAJOR EX-SOVIET SUMMITS

ANALYSIS | 31.05.13 | 10:53

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

Discussions are on in Armenia regarding what other arguments Moscow
may use to persuade Armenia to join the emerging Eurasian Union, a
major post-Soviet reintegration effort initiated by Russian President
Vladimir Putin.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan did not attend the Russia-led
Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) summit in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, on May 28, nor did he travel to Astana, Kazakhstan,
the following day for the EurAsEC summit there, which gave rise to
speculations that thus the Armenian leader showed his determination
not to bow to Russian pressure.

On May 30, while answering questions in the National Assembly,
Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan
reaffirmed that Armenia is going to initial Association and Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreements with the European Union in
November, and if it joins the Russia-led Customs Union, it will not
be able to do so. At present Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth
of Independent States Free Trade Area, and that’s enough, Kocharyan
hinted.

In order to attract Armenia to its reintegration zone Russia has
recently used several methods. In particular, it has stated about
the strengthening of its military base in Armenia and, through some
experts, has been spreading rumors about the possibility of renewed
hostilities in the Karabakh conflict zone.

Sergey Kurginyan, a Russian pundit who ardently advocates the
establishment of the Eurasian Union, visited Armenia recently. He
frightened Armenians with gay marriages and a possible law on incest
in Europe, suggesting that Armenia should not deal with such Europe
but should rather choose a healthier way – the Eurasian Union. He
also said that Armenia alone would not survive and it had to join
one of the empires.

Kurginyan also said that the United States and Turkey were building a
Sunni zone in which Armenia will not survive without Russia. Earlier,
Russia raised the price of natural gas for Armenia, which resulted
in some anti-Russian sentiments in the country.

A number of Armenian pundits have also begun to actively promote
the Customs Union and the continuation of the Armenian-Russian
“strategic alliance”. In particular, many of them have tried to
present Sargsyan’s decision to attend the summits in Bishkek and
Astana not as a demarche against Moscow, but as an ordinary matter,
saying that relations between Armenia and Russia remains “brilliant”.

Meanwhile, the latest CSTO and EurAsEC summits were very important
for the future of these organizations. The CSTO summit discussed
the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan planned for 2014 and
the possible deterioration of the situation in Central Asia in this
regard. The CSTO decided that it was responsible for this zone,
which can become a hotbed of terrorism and drug trafficking.

By refusing to travel to Bishkek, Sargsyan, in fact, declared
about Armenia’s non-participation in the CSTO’s future operations in
Afghanistan or around it, which could spell a demise for the Russia-led
defense pact of six post-Soviet nations that does not have combat
experience yet.

As for the EurAsEC summit in Astana, Ukraine submitted its application
for an observer status in the Customs Union during it. Ukraine also
intends to sign an Association Agreement with the EU in November.

Russia has failed to make Ukraine abandon this plan. The absence of
Sargsyan from the summit could also mean that Armenia does not want
even an observer status in the Eurasian Union.

One can already now come across headlines in the Armenian press like:
“It only remains for Russia to send troops to Armenia” or “Who else
would Moscow send to persuade Yerevan?”.

Meanwhile, Artur Baghdasaryan, the secretary of the National Security
Council of Armenia, on Thursday denied any political motives behind
President Sargsyan’s absence from the summit in Bishkek, stressing
that Armenia’s relations with Russia remain “excellent.”

DENDESH MAY ESTABLISH COOPERATION WITH REAL AUTHORITIES OF SHUSHI

Friday,
May 31

A few days ago the municipality of Hungarian city of Dandesh signed
a declaration on pairing with a delegation representing the city of
Shushi in Nagorno Karabakh. The declaration was signed by a delegation
from Baku. The delegation undertook such a mission without having
any rights.

The Chairman of Shushi charity fund Bakur Karapetian sent an open
letter to Mayor of Dandesh Laszlo Farago.

“I wrote to them that since they signed a declaration on pairing with
Shushi, I propose continuing the friendship with the real authorities
of Shushi and not with impostors. The rejection of my proposal will
show that the authorities of Dendesh were involved in a political
action,” Bakur Karapetian told reporters.

30.05.2013, 22:07

Aysor.am

ARA GULER’S EXHIBITION TO LAUNCH IN YEREVAN

12:18, 31 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. Prominent Armenian photographer from
Constantinople Ara Guler will introduce his exhibition in Yerevan. The
exhibition held under the slogan “Hello” will launch in the National
Gallery of Armenia. As reports “Armenpress” the exhibition will kick
off at 15.00 on June 4. The exhibition will be open for the Armenian
public for three months.

The renowned photographer has already arrived in Yerevan.

Ara Guler was born August 16, 1928 in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey.He
is an Armenian photojournalist from Constantinople, nicknamed “the
Eye of Istanbul” or “the Photographer of Istanbul”. He is considered
one of Turkey’s few internationally known photographers.

He studied at the local Getronagan Armenian High School. Owner of a
pharmacy on Istiklal Avenue, his father had a wide circle of friends
from the art world of the period. Ara Guler’s early contact with this
world inspired him to embark on a career in cinema.

During his high school years, he jobbed in movie studios and attended
drama courses held by Muhsin Ertugrul, the founder of modern Turkish
theater. However, he abandoned cinema in favor of journalism, joining
the staff of the newspaper Yeni Istanbul as photojournalist in 1950 and
studying Economics at the University of Istanbul at the same time. He
then transferred to another newspaper, Hurriyet. After completing his
military service in 1961, Guler was employed by the Turkish magazine
Hayat as head of the photographic department.

About this time, he met Henri Cartier-Bresson and Marc Riboud, who
recruited him for the Magnum Photos agency, which he joined. (He is not
currently a member.) He was presented in the British 1961 Photography
Yearbook. Also in that year, he was accepted as the only member to
the American Society of Magazine Photographers (ASMP) (today called
the American Society for Media Photographers) from Turkey. The Swiss
magazine Camera honored him with a special issue.

In the 1960s, Guler’s photographs were used to illustrate books by
notable authors and were displayed at various exhibitions throughout
the world. His works were exhibited in 1968 in 10 Masters of Color
Photography at the New York Museum of Modern Art and at Photokina
Fair in Cologne, Germany. His photo album Turkei was published in
Germany in 1970. His photos on art and art history were used in Time,
Life, Horizon and Newsweek magazines and publications of Skira of
Switzerland.

Guler traveled on assignment to such countries as Iran, Kazakhstan,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kenya, New Guinea, Borneo, as well as
all parts of Turkey. In the 1970s he held photographic interviews with
such notable politicians and artists as Winston Churchill, Indira
Gandhi, Maria Callas, John Berger, Bertrand Russell, Willy Brandt,
Alfred Hitchcock, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Marc Chagall,
Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso.

Guler’s work is collected by international institutions, such as the
National Library of France in Paris; the George Eastman Museum in
Rochester, New York; University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sheldon Memorial
Art Gallery; Museum Ludwig Köln, and Das imaginäre PhotoMuseum, Köln

THE LIMITED DEFINITION OF TERRORISM UNDER TURKISH LAW AN IMPEDIMENT TO EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST GLOBAL TERRORIST NETWORKS

12:12, 31 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: The State Department’s annual terrorism
report, released yesterday, takes on Turkey, citing a Turkish law
that it describes as an “impediment” to effective action against
global terrorist networks, reports Armenpress referring to Armenian
National Committee.

“The limited definition of terrorism under Turkish law, restricted to
activities targeting the Turkish state and its citizens, represented
an impediment to effective action by Turkey against global terrorist
networks. For example, although Turkish police temporarily detained
several alQa’ida (AQ)-affiliated operatives attempting to transit
through Turkey illegally in 2012, Turkish authorities chose to deport
these individuals to their countries of origin quickly rather than
pursue domestic legal action against them, at least in part because
of the lack of appropriate legal tools,” reads the “Country reports
on Terrorism 2012”.

In part of Armenia, it says: “The United States, Georgia, and Armenia
participated in cross-border exercises that successfully demonstrated
the Governments of Georgia and Armenia’s internal, bilateral, and
international notification and response procedures in the detection
and interdiction of illicit trans-border movements of weapons of mass
destruction materials”

UN MEMBRE DU PARTI DIRIGEANT SOUS LE FEU DE L’OPPOSITION

Le leader parlementaire du Parti republicain du president Serge
Sarkissian d’Armenie (HHK) a ete sous le feu de ses collègues de
l’opposition après avoir insulte publiquement l’un d’eux lors d’une
seance de l’Assemblee nationale la semaine dernière.

Galust Sahakian, qui est aussi vice-president du HHK, a fustige
ouvertement Zaruhi Postanjian, une deputee du parti Zharangutyun
(Heritage), après qu’elle ait critique les autorites armeniennes
lors de debats au parlement sur leur nouveau programme d’action
quinquennal. Zaruhi Postanjian a particulièrement frappe sur le
Procureur general Aghvan Hovsepian, le qualifiant de ” fraudeur “.

” Seuls les criminels peuvent etre malheureux avec les procureurs du
pays ” a declare Galust Sahakian au parlement. ” La dame distinguee
devrait egalement etre informe que l’Assemblee nationale n’est pas une
autoroute où elle peut essayer d’arreter les voitures et s’offusquer
après qu’ils refusent d’arreter ” a-t-il dit, en comparant clairement
Zaruhi Postanjian a une prostituee.

Le parti Zharangutyun (Heritage) n’a pas tarde a condamner les propos
de Sahakian et exiger des excuses. ” Ce n’etait pas un comportement
digne d’un vrai homme ” a declare Ruben Hakobian, le chef du petit
groupe parlementaire du Zharangutyun.

” Personne n’a le droit de dire une telle chose sur une mère de
quatre enfants “, a convenu Lyudmila Sargsian, une deputee du Congrès
National Armenien (HAK). ” [Sahakian] est maintenant a un âge où il
doit se comporter correctement en ce qui concerne les jeunes femmes,
sans oublier les anciens “. ” Qu’il regarde autour de lui ” a-t-elle
declare au service armenien de RFE /RL (Azatutyun.am).

Galust Sahakian, 65 ans, a precise vendredi qu’il ne s’excusera pas
pour ses propos. Il a affirme qu’il ne l’avait pas l’offense.

Selon Ruben Hakobian, la direction du parti Zharangutyun envisage
maintenant de porter l’affaire devant le comite d’ethique du
parlement. ” Nous allons encore discuter de la question et prendre
une decision après que Zarouhi soit revenue de Bruxelles dans les
prochains jours “a-t-il dit.

Hovannes Sahakian, un autre parlementaire du HHK a exhorte le parti
d’opposition de ne pas solliciter de mesures disciplinaires contre
le vice-president du HHK, en disant que les leaders de l’opposition
eux-memes utilisent souvent un langage offensant dans leurs attaques
contre le gouvernement.

” Zaruhi Postanjian et le chef de sa faction ont souvent utilise
l’expression” republicain voyous ” a-t-il dit. ” Personne n’a le droit
moral d’appeler quiconque un voyou republicain. Il y a de bonnes et de
mauvaises personnes a la fois dans le HHK et le parti Zharangutyun “.

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’AUGMENTATION DU PRIX DE L’ENERGIE COMPROMET LE DEVELOPPEMENT

Les fortes hausses imminentes des prix du gaz naturel et de
l’electricite remettent en question la forte croissance economique
projetee par le gouvernement armenien, a averti jeudi la principale
association d’homme d’affaires de l’Armenie.

Arsen Ghazarian, le president de l’Union des industriels et des
entrepreneurs, a egalement declare que les autorites ne font toujours
pas assez pour mettre fin a au traitement privilegie dont jouissent
certains hommes d’affaires fortunes qui leurs sont proches.

Le gouvernement s’est engage a reduire significativement la pauvrete
et le chômage dans le pays grâce a un programme d’action quinquennal
approuve par le Parlement armenien la semaine dernière. Le programme
prevoit un taux de croissance economique annuelle de 5-7 pour cent
qui se traduira par plus de 100.000 nouveaux emplois d’ici 2018.

Selon Ghazarian, la hausse de 50 pour cent du prix de vente a l’Armenie
du gaz naturel russe, qui a ete annoncee plus tôt ce mois-ci, soulève
des questions au sujet de ces objectifs economiques.

Le direction de la reglementation des services publics armeniens a
declare la semaine dernière que les prix du gaz et de l’electricite
fournie aux menages vont probablement augmenter respectivement de 18
pour cent et 27 pour cent au debut de juillet.

“Naturellement, cela aura un impact negatif ,” a explique Ghazarian
au service armenien de RFE /RL (Azatutyun.am) dans une interview. ”
Notre syndicat va ecrire au gouvernement pour lui dire que le rythme
du developpement economique pourrait ralentir. Le programme economique
du gouvernement prevoyant une croissance de 7 pour cent ainsi que
notre strategie d’exportation pourrait subir des coups très graves. ”

Les hausses de prix pourraient etre encore plus nettes si le
gouvernement ne decide pas de subventions pour compenser le coût
du gaz importe de Russie. Le gouvernement a egalement promis des
subventions supplementaires pour les familles a faible revenu.

Selon Ghazarian, l’Union des industriels et des entrepreneurs estime
que le gouvernement devrait se reunir avec des representants de
la communaute des hommes d’affaires pour discuter des moyens de
recompenser les entreprises privees utilisant des technologies
alternatives. “Ou alors, notre competitivite et les realisations
en matière de politique industrielle seront en grave danger “,
a-t-il affirme.

L’environnement economique difficile de l’Armenie constitue un autre
defi serieux a une croissance soutenue. Deux hauts responsables du
Fonds monetaire international (FMI) ont averti plus tôt ce mois-ci
que le developpement economique rapide du pays exige des reformes
” profondes et rapides” pour mettre fin au traitement privilegie de
certains hommes d’affaires et ameliorer la collecte des impôts.

Le programme gouvernemental approuve par l’Assemblee nationale une
semaine plus tard, prevoit “des mesures concrètes separer le monde
de entreprise de celui de la politique” mais il jette peu de lumière
sur le programme de reforme du gouvernement en la matière.

Ghazarian semblait sceptique quant a l’impact positif du programme
sur l’environnement des affaires. ” Pourquoi on ne rencontre pas
d’enthousiasme du public, mais plutôt du scepticisme au sujet
du programme ?” s’est-il interroge. “Les gens veulent voir les
entreprises traitees sur un pied d’egalite… Or il y des abus de
positions dominantes, et des statuts privilegies qui genèrent des
profits disproportionnes et conduisent les concurrents a la ruine.”

Le chef d’entreprise, qui possède l’une des plus grandes entreprises
de fret de l’Armenie, a declare les efforts du gouvernement pour
ameliorer le climat d’investissement n’ont pas suffi jusqu’ici. ” Il
ya des resultats, mais ils ne sont pas satisfaisants “, a-t-il estime.

“Des efforts sont faits, mais nous ne voyons pas le type de resultats
que nous souhaitons. ”

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

FIN DE LA VISITE DU PRINCE CHARLES EN ARMENIE

La visite privee de trois jours en Armenie du Prince Charles a pris
fin jeudi, avec une rencontre avec le Catholicos Karekin II au siège
d’Etchmiadzine de l’Eglise apostolique armenienne.

Durant cette entrevue, le Patriarche a presente l’Eglise armenienne
et sa mission historique au Prince Charles en insistant sur son rôle
fondateur dans la constitution de l’identite du peuple armenien. Le
Catholicos a aussi evoque les liens chaleureux et anciens qui lient
les Eglises d’Angleterre et d’Armenie ainsi que leur collaboration
fructueuse au service du dialogue entre les Eglises. Accompagne
par le Catholicos Karekine II, l’archeveque Nathan Hovhanissian,
responsable des editions du Catholicossat et ancien Primat des
Armeniens de Grande Bretagne ainsi que de Mgr. Vahan Hovhannissian,
l’actuel Primat, le Prince Charles a visite la cathedrale et le tresor
de saint Etchmiadzine ainsi que les divers sanctuaires et institutions
du Patriarcat supreme.

Durant son sejour en Armenie, le Prince a aussi visite les monastères
de Khor-Virap, de Keghart et de saint Hripsime.

L’ancien pontife anglican, l’archeveque de Canterbury Rowan Williams
avait visite Etchmiadzine en 2007. Il avait assiste avec Garegin II
a une reception qui etait organisee par l’ambassade britannique en
Armenie a l’occasion de l’anniversaire de la reine Elizabeth II.

Garegin II a guide la visitee de Charles dans dans la cathedrale qui se
situe a 20 kilomètres au sud d’Erevan,et l’a accompagne dans le musee
adjacent qui renferme les tresors de l’eglise. Un de ces bâtiments
abrite les manuscrits religieux. Il a ete construit l’annee dernière
avec l’aide financière de Vatche Manoukian, un homme d’affaires
britannique d’origine armenienne.

M. Vatche Manoukian est arrive a Etchmiadzine pour assister a une
reception qui a eu lieu en l’honneur de Charles. Armen Sarkissian,
un ancien premier ministre armenien base a Londres et qui a organise
la visite du prince, etait egalement present.

Selon Melikian, le Prince Charles ” a ecoute les informations qui lui
ont ete presente avec un grand interet”. “je pense qu’il vraiment
apprecie sa visite,” a declare le porte-parole de l’eglise dit au
service armenien de RFE / s ‘RL (Azatutyun.am).

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

BUSTS OF FOUNDERS OF FIRST AZERBAIJANI REPUBLIC ARE TAKEN DOWN IN AZERBAIJAN; INSTEAD, MONUMENTS FOR HEYDAR ALIYEV ARE INSTALLED

19:53 30/05/2013 ” SOCIETY

Azerbaijan commemorates 95th anniversary of the Democratic Republic.

On May 28, in 2013 Azerbaijan celebrated the Day of the Republic, the
95th anniversary of proclamation of Azerbaijani Democratic Republic.

However, the busts of the leaders of Azerbaijan ADRs are being
destroyed at the same time, the Azerbaijani newspaper “Zerkalo” states.

As stated in the article, Azerbaijan was declared a Democratic
Republic on May 28, in 1918, in Tbilisi after the collapse of the
trans-Caucasian Federation. It lasted until April 28, 1920, when
the Red Army troops entered Baku. On 27 May, in 2013 Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the monument erected in Baku
on the occasion of the Republic Day, in honor of ADR.

“Meanwhile, the representatives of the opposition periodically
accuse the authorities in refusing to perpetuate the memory of ADR
politicians. According to them, the authorities have a particularly
biased attitude towards Mahammad Rasulzadeh, the founder of the
Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. As evidence they state that there is
no park, no square named after Rasulzade in Baku,” the article reads.

The officials say that there is a village in Baku that is named after
Rasulzade. The opposition, however, does not accept this argument,
noting that this village has been named after Rasulzade during the
reign of Popular Front of Azerbaijan. The current government, they
say, is doing everything to erase the name of Mammadamin Rasulzade
from the memory of the people.

“During the reign of Abulfaz Elchibey the busts of Mammadamin Rasulzade
were installed around the buildings of the executive authorities
of some regions of Azerbaijan. Subsequently, these busts have been
demolished under various pretexts.

In particular, Mammadamin Rasulzade’s bust, that was established in
1992 in front of the building of executive power of Aghjabadi district,
was taken down under the pretext of restoration in 2000. But instead
of restoring it was just buried (mediaforum.az). On 30 August 2012,
Rasulzade’s bust, installed in front of the executive power of
Sabirabad district in 1992, was demolished too,” the “Zerkalo” writes.

Jamil Hasanli, doctor of historical sciences, professor and member
of Forum of Intellectuals stated, “We should not forget that it was
thanks to them that the word “Azerbaijan”, which had a linguistic and
geographical significance until 1918, acquired political significance
as well. It was due to their efforts that Azerbaijan appeared on the
world map as a state.”

He described the destruction of Mammadamin Rasulzade’s busts in
Azerbaijan as disrespect towards their own statehood.

“Rasulzade is one of those who made history. Therefore, I find the
destruction of his busts unacceptable. I believe that the actions
of the destroyers of Rasulzade’s busts are appearance of disrespect
towards their own history,” J. Hasanli stated.

In all regions of Azerbaijan monuments are installed to the former head
of the republic, a former KGB General Heydar Aliyev. In addition,
about 60 museums in Azerbaijan are called after Heydar Aliyev,
the main pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, the international airport,
Avenue of Heydar Aliyev, modern education complex after Heydar Aliyev,
Heydar Aliyev Palace, the Deepwater plant, Baku Oil Refinery, Sports
Concert Complex, Heydar Aliyev Reservoir, the Academy of National
Security Ministry after Heydar Aliyev, Highest Military school after
Heydar Aliyev, the Lyceum after Heydar Aliyev and so on. The largest
state fund in the country is also named after Heydar Aliyev. In
addition, in Sadarak district of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic a
village called Heydarabad has been settled. Some particularly zealous
Azerbaijani officials and admirers of Heydar Aliyev, such as Mayor
of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov, suggested even to rename the people of
Azerbaijan into Heydarians. During the power of Heydar Aliyev’s son –
Ilham – who rules Azerbaijan since 2003, the process of “Heydarization”
of Azerbaijan received a special scope.

Source: Panorama.am

AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA MILITARY COOPERATION AND TURKEY’s INFLUENCE (2)

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 30 2013

ZAUR SHIRIYEV
[email protected]

As discussed in my previous column, the political-military realities
of the post-2008 period saw changes in the military strategies of
Baku and Tbilisi, with each country redefining its priorities. These
changes have demonstrated some key differences between the policies
pursued by each government. The main difference is that Azerbaijan,
with its huge military budget, is better equipped to purchase military
equipment from foreign companies or countries. However, due to
restrictions on arms sales, Baku can only trade with a few partners,
mainly the former Soviet countries (Ukraine, Russia and Belarus),
though it also has a strong partnership with Israel in this field.

Unlike Baku, Georgia’s smaller military budget has restricted the
development of its defense industry, and it also has doubts about
cooperating with Israel; both of these factors have led Tbilisi to
look for new opportunities.

In this regard, both countries focused on the development of their
defense industries and bilateral cooperation in this sector for the
following key reasons:

>From a strategic perspective, both countries would like reduce their
dependency on foreign military suppliers and better provide for their
armies, both in terms of military readiness and modernization. The
development of their defense industries may allow them to sell their
own weapons to foreign countries; they may be able to start trading
with former Soviet Union (FSU) and Central Asian countries.

>From a military perspective, the short-term aim for both countries
in terms of the defense industry is to produce drones, tanks and
different kinds of artillery.

>From an intelligence perspective, Tbilisi, with its more modernized
military intelligence service, could provide military cadre training.

The two countries can also share military intelligence more frequently
and cooperate to combat common military/non-military threats; their
2002 mutual defense agreement stressed this point.

Therefore, since 2009, defense industry cooperation between Azerbaijan
and Georgia has been improving. The reason for this is that since 2008,
new opportunities have arisen. Prior to 2008, Baku had long demanded
that Tbilisi stop letting Armenia repair its battle tanks and other
armored techniques at a Russian munitions factory in Tbilisi.

Once Georgia cut ties with Moscow and agreed, high level ministry
of defense visits from Azerbaijan to Georgia commenced and both
sides reached a compromise. This stimulated the development of their
defense industry cooperation. The initial agreement was for Baku to
help modernize Georgia’s tanks and aircraft repair plants.

But defense cooperation between the two countries is likely to become
stronger, especially after Georgia’s Defense Minister Irakli Alasania
took office and declared that one of the country’s priorities will
be enhancing and strengthening its defense cooperation with close
strategic allies, namely Azerbaijan and Turkey. On March 18, Alasania
visited Baku and signed a bilateral cooperation plan for 2013. The
details were not disclosed but cooperation is likely to include:

First of all, upgrading the military factories in both countries
and jointly producing equipment. Georgia plans to produce modernized
versions of the SU-25 aircraft at the Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing
Company (TAM) and Tbilisi has spoken to Azerbaijan about the financing
of the project and the establishment of joint production. Azerbaijan
purchased 13 attack aircraft from Georgia in 2002-2003, and it is
possible that Azerbaijan will buy Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing
Company (TAM) in the near future.

Secondly, it is in the interests of both sides to improve Azerbaijan’s
defense industry with the aim of jointly producing armored vehicles and
equipment. However in the last three years, Azerbaijan’s cooperation
with different foreign countries has opened up opportunities for
Georgia to acquire modern military technologies with the help of
Azerbaijan.

Thirdly, both countries will cooperate with Turkey, which is much
more accomplished in the defense industry. Turkey’s indigenous
defense programs encompass the full spectrum of military operations
and include major areas across land, air, sea and space. As stated
by Georgia’s defense minister, Tbilisi is interested in trilateral
format cooperation. Meanwhile, defense cooperation between Turkey and
Azerbaijan dates back further than Turkish-Georgian ties but for both,
cooperation with Turkey in the defense industry marks a new page in
their partnership.

According to military sources and Jane’s Defense Weekly’s reports,
Turkey is developing its defense industry in many areas. Its most
ambitious defense program is its indigenous fighter project F-X,
through which the country aims to eventually replace the single engine
Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft in the Turkish Air Force (TAF)
service with a nationally designed and built platform. Additionally,
In January, Turkey decided to abandon its plans to buy an off-the-shelf
system for its T-Loramids surface to-air missile (SAM) program and
is now seeking to co-develop a SAM system as part of the country’s
ambition to become self-sufficient in defense technologies.

Beyond the possible trilateral format cooperation in defense
industries, all sides agreed to jointly strengthen military exercises.

Since September 2006, under the framework of a NATO program,
trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in
pipeline security has taken place annually. Moreover, under the
trilateral format, Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turkish special forces
conducted the Caucasus Eagle 2012 military exercises for the first
time and will conduct these every year. The next steps seem to be
Azerbaijan and Turkey’s attendance at a joint US-Georgian military
exercise in 2014, which Georgia’s defense minister suggested joining
during his visits to Baku and Ankara.

In this regard, the urgent need for an improvement in the trilateral
format of cooperation in the defense industry and military training
could be strengthened in the near future if the countries sign a
defense industry cooperation agreement at the trilateral level.

BAKU TO HOST MEETING OF OIC PARLIAMENTARY UNION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

APA. Azerbaijan
May 30 2013

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva – APA. The meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) will be held in Baku, June 19-20, member of the Executive
Committee, MP Govhar Bakhshaliyeva told APA.

According to her, along with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
Azerbaijan’s representatives will raise the illegal resettlement of
Syrian Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh: “A number of resolutions have
been adopted in this regard. OIC has always supported Azerbaijan in
this fair activity. These resolutions unambiguously demand Armenia’s
withdrawal from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.”