Author: Badalian Vardan

TURKEY FACING ILHAM ALIYEV’S “RIGHTEOUS ANGER”?

Azerbaijan is waiting for Turkish explanations on the opening of
Yerevan-Van flights, the latters not matching Ankara’s official stance.

A report on the opening of direct Yerevan-Van flights threw Baku
into another fit of hysterics. Azerbaijan seems to believe that any
Armenia-related step initiated by Russia or Turkey must be coordinated
with Baku for fear of the “righteous anger” of Ilham Aliyev.

PanARMENIAN.Net – Current hysterics is the second major one after
Zurich Protocols. The Protocols were doomed to oblivion form the
onset, the Yerevan-Van flights, on the other hand, belonging to a
realm of business, are much more likely to work. Formally, the flights
were initiated by a private Turkish company Bora Jet. Baku, however,
suspects that Ankara might actually be behind the private initiative,
with Turkish President’s congratulatory message to Armenian leader
on the latter’s reelection further undermining Azeri authorities’
trust towards Turkey’s policy line.

The executive secretary of Yeni Azerbaijan ruling party Ali Akhmedov
stated that Baku is waiting for Turkish explanations over the launch of
the flight. He further expressed Baku’s reluctance to accept a possible
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement while “Azeri lands remain occupied.”

Azeri president’s administration expressed a similar stance, with the
officials stressing Baku’s “sensitivity” to any contacts with Armenia
or Nagorno Karabakh. “Baku deems such contacts to signal support for
Armenia,” the Head of the Presidential Administration’s Department
on Social Political Issues Ali Hasanov said.

Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ismail Alper Coskun reassured Baku,
noting that the launch of the private company’s flight shouldn’t cause
doubts as to the official position of Ankara. However a political
analyst Mubariz Ahmedoglu, who’s known to be close to governmental
circles, refuted the envoy’s version of a “private initiative.” “No
flights in Turkey can be allowed without the official permission of
the Turkish government, regardless of financials gains. There’s no
need trying to trick Azerbaijan,” he said.

Baku, however, is the only one to blame for the trap it got caught
into. The flights might well be followed by a resumption of a
Kars-Gyumri railway connection. Also, the change of power in Georgia
may alter the regional position of Azerbaijan, which is the main
cause of concern for he latter. And the “countless oil-brought riches”
which Baku will soon run out of won’t affect the situation. It’s hard
to believe Ilham Aliyev is unaware of the fact, but the inertia of
thought prompts him to continue dictating conditions.

Turkey is currently facing an unpleasant situation – with the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire to be marked
in 2 years, Ankara feels constrained to take some steps. Yerevan-Van
flight is the first step which can be followed by Kars-Gyumri railway
opening and even cancellation of visa regime. However, one must say,
Armenian citizens have no problem getting visas at Georgia’s Vale or
Sarpi check points. As for Baku, it may continue its demarches till
they actually make Ankara sick.

Karine Ter-Sahakyan / PanARMENIAN News

TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN LOBBY FOR RETURN OF MESKHET-TURKS

Thursday,
March 21

“Under Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, Javakheti Armenians
have begun to enjoy full rights as Georgian citizens. It is necessary
to continue solving socioeconomic, language and other problems facing
Armenians of Javakhk,” the deputy of HHK parliamentary faction,
Chairman of Javakhk Union Shirak Torosian said at the meeting with
reporters today. He discussed the problems of Javakheti Armenians
and the return of Meskhet-Turks to Javakhk.

In his words, there is no separatism in Javakhk, the local Armenians
simply want their problems to be dealt with.

As regards the return of Meskhet-Turks, Torosian said that in 1944
Meskhet-Turks were deported from Meskhetia and not from Javakhk,
and there were only a few Muslim villages in Javakhk.

According to him, Turkey and Azerbaijan are actively lobbying for the
return of Meskhet-Turks, while Georgia had to assume the obligations
to ensure their return as settling Meskhet-Turks on the border with
Turkey would not be in the interest of Tbilisi.

Torosian said the return of Meskhet-Turks is aimed at changing the
ethnic-religious picture in Javakhk, it is an attempt to weaken the
Armenian factor in the whole region.

TODAY, 14:12

Aysor.am

SERZH SARGSYAN’S AND RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S ART OF BLUFF

2013-03-21 15:31:38

After yesterday’s conference of the President of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan, the situation on the political scene looked like a bomb
hit, all the pieces of which wound all both in Freedom Square, and
the political elite.

The situation in Armenia has long been similar to the game “Red or
Black”, which is better known in Armenia as “Mafia”. As you know, in
this game the participants are divided into red and black, in other
words, the evil and the good, and every time at night blacks are
trying to destroy one of the red, while all this is happening with
the closed eyes. That is, in fact, none of the red is not aware of
the real color of the other participants, except the “Sheriff” of reds.

When people act as red players and power players are black and hide in
the shade of red, each time trying to get rid of one more citizen-red
player, you understand that in fact the victims of this game are more
vulnerable and defenseless. This game is very popular in Armenia and
in spite of the fact that the real game has lost its appeal, as the
power of the people, it is in full bloom.

It is noteworthy that, from time to time there are people who play
the role of “Sheriff” of red and black are trying to fight against,
against experienced players in the face of Serzh Sargsyan.

The situation in Yerevan is reminiscent of the ending of the game,
when in the game are, for example, the sheriff, Don and one red player,
“another red player” is the nation, and the red and black players are
Raffi Hovannisian and Serzh Sargsyan, but in this case it can not bring
the game to the end due to lack of appropriateness of real players.

These days in Freedom Square Raffi Hovannisian convinces people that
Serzh Sargsyan is black player and Serzh Sargsyan, in his turn,
tries to prove that he is red. That’s what processes are actually
in Armenia, in particular, in Yerevan, just a game, resulting in the
so-called suffering again of “another red player” who always confuse
their bluffs other two players.

The difference between this game from the real is that people are not
able to take the initiative and chose one of these two players. The end
of this game is to come on April 9, then the game is either completed
or renewed as of the municipal elections in Yerevan.

Gevorg Avetisyan

EU IS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE ASSISTING ARMENIA IN IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS: TRAIAN HRISTEA

13:22, 21 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: The EU will continue assisting the
Republic of Armenia in the launch of diversified reforms. The Head
of EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea delivered a
speech on the progress registered by Armenia in 2012 regarding the
launch of the European Neighborhood policy on March 21. “I hope this
document will become a kind of instrument for you and will contribute
to seeking reform formulations and their further application in
Armenia,” he noted. The Head of the EU Delegation stated in accordance
to the survey conducted among the Armenians, it turned out that the
population considers the EU as an essential partner, seeking further
intimation of ties with the EU. Hristea assured the EU is determined
to continue assisting Armenia in the launch of reforms.

Report on Armenia’s 2012 progress dwells on the deepening of political
dialogue between Armenia and the EU, activation of high ranking
ties, EU readiness to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was
stated in the report 2012 May 6 Parliamentary Elections and February
18 Presidential Elections were held good. Progress registered in
macro-economic policy, poverty reduction and social cohesion spheres
was also included in the report. Armenia’s economic activity continues
to register progress conditioned by the growth in export volumes and
favorable climatic conditions.

EU INSISTING ON SOONER DECOMMISSIONING OF ARMENIAN NPP

YEREVAN, March 21. /ARKA/. The EU continues insisting on sooner
decommissioning of the Armenian NPP, Traian Hristea, Head of EU
Delegation to Armenia, said reading the report on Armenia’s progress in
implementing the programs of European Neighborhood Policy Armenia-EU.

In April 2012, the Armenian government extended the service life of
the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor by another ten years.

The government noted, in accordance with the current legislature
of Armenia, the commissioning license of the second bloc of the NPP
was released in 2011 for 10 years, however, under the commissioning
conditions it expires on September 1, 2016.

In fact, the Armenian authorities intend to build a new power plant
at the place of the current Armenian NPP. As of now the construction
of one 1000- MW power bloc is discussed.

Hristea noted the EU will go on emphasizing the closing of the NPP as
its modernization will not make it meet the international standards
of nuclear safety.

According to him, it was concerning that Armenia hadn’t introduced
any detailed decommissioning program yet.

He also said after the Fukushima-1 disaster, Armenia jointly with the
EU assessed the safety and risks of Metsamor NPP. The report will be
published in 2013.

Hristea also noted the EU is ready to support Armenia in the efforts
to find some alternative power sources.

The Metsamor plant located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan, was
built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake
in 1988 that killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northern
Armenia. One of the plant’s two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors
was reactivated in 1995.

Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to
replace the aging Metsamor plant. The new plant is supposed to operate
at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. Metsamor
currently generates some 40 percent of Armenia’s electricity. But
the government has yet to attract funding for the project that was
estimated by a U.S.-funded feasibility study to cost at as much as
$5 billion. ($1 – 416. 81 drams). -0-

EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY IN 2012

[24674.jpg] 11:28, March 21, 2013

The cooperation of the EU with its partner countries is stronger and
is delivering positive results, indicate the country and regional
reports on the progress of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
in 2012 published today. Two years after the launch of a new approach
to the ENP, achievements are encouraging in many areas of cooperation,
although 2012 has been a challenging year due to political instability
and difficult socio-economic conditions. Still, political reforms are
uneven in partner countries and progress towards deep and sustainable
democracy is not always linear.

The “ENP annual package” presented by Catherine Ashton, EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission
Vice-President and Å tefan Fule, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
Neighbourhood Policy, shows that many partners remain committed to
strengthening relations with the EU and that the EU has deepened its
support to those partners embarking on important reform agendas.

Indeed, despite the current economic crisis in the EU, financial
resources in the form of grants and loans allocated to the region have
increased. However, the Communication concludes that much remains to
be done to implement the EU offer. For the first time, in addition
to the recommendations, the package includes an assessment of last
year’s recommendations.

Given the different pace and direction of reforms in individual partner
countries, the package concludes on the need for bigger differentiation
in the EU response to individual country needs and aspirations.

The country progress reports give a mixed picture of progress in
democratic reforms undertaken in the Southern neighbourhood.

Democratic elections were held in Egypt, Algeria and Libya. The
EU increased its assistance for holding free and fair elections in
line with international standards and deployed elections observation
missions to Algeria, Egypt and Jordan. Civil society in the South has
grown more vocal than in the past. Concerns remain about freedoms
of assembly, association and expression, including media freedom,
in many partners, notably Egypt and Algeria. Constitutional reform is
slow. The EU has set up Task forces for Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt to
improve the coordination of financial assistance provided by the EU,
EU member States and international financial institutions.

Countries in the East increasingly take different paths. Moldova,
Georgia and Armenia continued democratic reforms, and held elections
which were generally in conformity with international standards.

Ukraine’s parliamentary elections presented a more mixed picture
with several shortcomings and constituted a deterioration compared to
standards previously achieved. Azerbaijan needs to make significant
further efforts to meet its commitments in the field of democracy,
including electoral processes. The elections in Belarus took place
against an overall background of repression.

Commenting on the achievements and delays in the area of democratic
reforms in partner countries, High Representative Catherine Ashton
said: “The European Union will continue to do all it can to help the
development of deep democracy in our partner countries. The European
Neighbourhood Policy has a vital role to play in supporting this
process. Delays in some partner countries are obviously a matter of
concern, but must not be used as an excuse for disengagement. For
the EU, building sustainable democracies remains a top priority.”

Most partner countries are going through political transitions and
the role of a thriving civil society is more and more important to
contribute to democracy and good governance building. But reports show
that in some partner countries NGOs are still faced with interference
from authorities. The EU has continued to support organisations via
the Civil Society Facility. The European Endowment for Democracy was
set up last year to provide rapid and flexible support for those that
work for democratic changes.

EU Commissioner Å tefan Fule declared: “I attach great importance
to the partnership with civil society in the ENP. The role of civil
society remains central to the democratisation processes. We have
significantly enhanced our engagement with civil society of partner
countries to maximise public support for reforms. Therefore, it is
regrettable that in some partner countries, civil society organisations
continue to face serious constraints such as obstacles to freedom of
movements, lawsuits against NGOs leaders, cumbersome administrative
procedures, acceptance of financial support subject to authorisation,
etc.”

Trade relations with neighbours have continued to intensify. The
EU continued negotiations of Association Agreements with Moldova,
Armenia and Georgia that include Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Areas (DCFTA), and of Association Agreement with Azerbaijan. The
EU-Ukraine Association Agreement was initialled and awaits signature
after Kiev delivers on the necessary steps. In the South, the EU
started preparations for DCFTA negotiations with Morocco, Tunisia,
and Jordan.

The EU and partners continued work to improve the mobility of people.

2012 saw significant progress towards the goal of visa-free travel
within the Eastern Partnership (EaP). Moldova and Ukraine made
substantial progress in the context of the Visa Liberalisation
Action Plan (VLAP). A visa dialogue was opened with Georgia and Visa
Liberalization Action Plan delivered, while Armenia granted visa-free
entry to EU citizens as of January 2013. Following the establishment of
Mobility Partnerships with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, negotiations
for an EU-Azerbaijan Mobility Partnership were launched. Work was
also undertaken to develop closer ties with the Southern partners
on mobility and migration. Agreement on a Mobility Partnership with
Morocco was reached and negotiations with Tunisia continue. A dialogue
was also opened with Jordan in December 2012.

As a result of a better cooperation in specific sector areas, the ENP
is more and more influencing people’s life in a positive and concrete
way. Projects supported by the EU and related to transport (i.e. road
safety, public transport improvement), environment (i.e. water
management, impact assessments), education (i.e. participation of
students and researchers in European programmes allowing more than 3
250 scholarships to be provided to ENP students and academic personnel
in 2012) or energy (i.e. development of renewable energies), among
many other, are improving daily living conditions in partner countries.

Based on the core principle of “more for more” the EU continued to
provide financial support for partner countries’ reform efforts by
making available additional financial resources worth EUR 1 billion
from the EU budget in the period 2011-13. Of this, EUR 670 million
is channelled through two umbrella programmes: EUR 540 million for
SPRING in the Southern Mediterranean and EUR 130 million for EaPIC
in the Eastern Neighbourhood. Both programmes focus on promoting
democratic transformation and institution-building and supporting
sustainable and inclusive growth. Funds from these programmes have
been allocated on the basis of clear evidence of implementation of
democratic reforms. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have also extended
their lending capacities in partner countries. To leverage funding from
these and other financial institutions, the EU has increased resources
allocated to the Neighbourhood investment Facility. This is providing
greater support for large investments and private sector development.

In both the Eastern and Southern regions, the EU has continued the
steadfast implementation of the two roadmaps that were put forward
as part of the 2012 ENP packages. In the Eastern Neighbourhood, the
EU has stepped up engagement to ensure a successful outcome of the
Vilnius Summit next November. In the Southern Neighbourhood, the EU
took over the Northern co-Presidency of the Union for Mediterranean
and the adoption of a communication proposing initiatives to support
for the integration of Maghreb countries.

In supporting the reform processes in the Neighbourhood the EU
has intensified the cooperation with other stakeholders, notably
all EU institutions, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Eastern
Partnership Civil Society Forum, the Anna Lindh Foundation or Eastern
Partnership Civil Society Forum. It has increased efforts aimed at
better coordinating with other international donors.

Syria has remained a very specific case in the Neighbourhood. The EU
suspended all bilateral cooperation with the government but remains
engaged in helping the citizens. It has taken diplomatic actions to
facilitate a peaceful solution to the conflict, supporting the UN-
League of Arab States Special Envoy, actively participating in Friends
of Syria meetings and providing aid to the refugees and neighbouring
countries affected by the crisis.

For more information:

Website of Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Å tefan Fule

Website of High Representative and Vice President of the European
Commission, Catherine Ashton

European Commission: European Neighbourhood Policy

Memo/13/241 Algeria

Memo/13/242 Armenia

Memo/13/243 Azerbaijan

Memo/13/244 Belarus

Memo/13/245 Egypt

Memo/13/246 Georgia

Memo/13/247 Israel

Memo/13/248 Jordan

Memo/13/249 Lebanon

Memo/13/250 Libya

Memo/13/252 Moldova

Memo/13/253 Morocco

Memo/13/254 OPT

Memo/13/255 Syria

Memo/13/256 Tunisia

Memo/13/257 Ukraine

GAREGIN CHUGASZYAN POINTED OUT FIVE STEPS

10:32 21/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

During yesterday’s civil forum on Freedom Square, member of Sardarapat
initiative Garegin Chugaszyan mentioned five steps that are necessary
to establish a democratic system in Armenia. The first step is the
creation of the movement’s structure with three bodies: coordinating
board, support council and local coordinating boards.

He noted that the first body is to ensure the second step, formation of
alternative bodies and their activities. Based on transitive democracy
principles, a constitutional authority and electoral commission should
also be established. Then the declaration of the new state should be
worked out.

During this time, according to Chugaszyan, it is important to form
a wide intellectual front which will involve professionals, civil
activists and will be the army that will support the movement.

After electoral commissions, Garegin Chugaszyan says, it is necessary
to hold founding parliamentary elections after which the acting prime
minister will leave and an interim government will be formed.

At the last stage the interim government will hold democratic
elections.

MEANINGLESS TO HOLD ELECTIONS WITH THE PRESENT ELECTION CODE

13:58 21/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

The parliamentary group of Prosperous Armenia Party presented
its recommendations on an extraordinary session on post-electoral
developments to the NA Speaker. Naira Zohrabyan briefed journalists
on details, saying that their party is ready to attend any discussion
in any format on this issue. The important thing for the Prosperous
Armenia Party, according to Naira Zohrabyan, is to have a draft package
of Electoral Code reforms, to form a group of constitutional reforms
where each party will come up with their proposals.

Naira Zohrabyan said PAP has recommendations relating to the
Constitutional reforms, which she would not like to unveil now.

As to the issue on extraordinary parliamentary elections raised by
the Heritage parliamentary group, Zohrabyan said that the current
outrageous Electoral Code allows for fraud, and it is meaningless to
hold elections with the existing Electoral Code.

CHELSEA AND MAN CITY ON ALERT AS HENRIKH MKHITARYAN PLOTS SHAKHTAR EXIT

13:05 21.03.2013

Chelsea and Manchester City target Henrikh Mkhitaryan has declared
that he is looking to leave Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of the season,
The Mirror reports.

The Armenian midfielder has been impressive for the Eastern Europeans
for some time, attracting admiring glances from many of the continent’s
top club sides.

Both City and Chelsea are believed to be in the hunt, and have been
linked with summer moves in recent months.

Mkhitaryan has admitted that he is looking to join one of the world’s
top clubs and is hoping to do so at the end of the current campaign:

“For every player, to play for the strongest clubs in the world is
a dream, and the main goal,” he is quoted by The Mirror.

“I will do everything possible to move this summer to a different
team.”

Mkhitaryan is, by trade, an attacking midfielder, but has spent large
spells of this season playing in a slightly more advanced role.

His impressive domestic displays have allowed him to win 36
international caps for Armenia.

RETOUR SUR LA RENCONTRE ENTRE RAFFI HOVANNISIAN ET HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN

Le leader de l’opposition Raffi Hovannisian a minimise l’importance
de sa reunion la semaine dernière avec le president du parlement Hovik
Abrahamian, en disant que celui-ci ne presentait pas de propositions du
gouvernement pour desamorcer les tensions post-electorales en Armenie.

Hovik Abrahamian a rendu visite et s’est entretenu avec Raffi
Hovannisian pendant environ 20 minutes vendredi soir Place de la
liberte alors que ce dernier continue sa grève de la faim pour
protester contre les resultats officiels de l’election du 18 fevrier.

Hovik Abrahamian, qui a realise la campagne de reelection du President
Serge Sarkissian, a declare par la suite que les autorites armeniennes
sont pretes a faire des concessions ” raisonnables ” a leur principal
rival politique. Mais il a souligne que les appels de Raffi Hovannisian
a de nouvelles elections presidentielles ou parlementaires demeurent
” inacceptables ” pour eux.

” Il ne m’a rien propose “, a declare aux journalistes Raffi
Hovannisian. ” Mon interlocuteur est Serge Sarkissian, et en l’etat
actuel des choses, Serge Sarkissian ne m’a pas envoye toutes les
propositions. C’etait une visite de courtoisie “.

Raffi Hovannisian, qui a refuse toute nourriture depuis huit jours,
a reitere qu’il est en attente de ” propositions concrètes ” de Serge
Sarkissian qui representeraient ” les solutions d’importance nationale
” sans plus de precisions.

mercredi 20 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com