Author: Emil Lazarian

COUNTERACTION TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TURKEY’S POLITICAL PRIORITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2007 17:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The activation of international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide has provoked serious disturbances in the political
circles of Turkey, which have launched an intensive campaign to
deny the Armenian Genocide both within the country and outside of
it. As is mentioned in the RA MFA annual report on Armenia’s foreign
activities in 2006, the counteraction to the international recognition
of the Genocide is included in a number of political priorities
of Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul confessed that
during the coming 10 years the most important problem for Turkey
will be the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
and as a consequence, the worsening of relations between Turkey and
third countries. In this regard Ankara has initiated elaboration
of a state countermeasure program, which according to the Turkish
side, does not exclude the possibility to apply to international
instances. Azerbaijan also has joined to Turkey’s efforts aiming
at opposing international recognition of the Armenian Genocide: in
Turkey and a number of other countries have taken place Turkish-Azeri
joint discussions, state and public structures of both countries have
implemented different measures. In contrast to the Armenian Genocide
Azerbaijan with Turkey’s assistance pushes through the so called
‘Azeri genocide at the beginning of 20th century and in 90ies’,
emphasizing on the events in Khojalu.

Armenia takes every necessary steps to neutralize Azeri and Turkish
anti-Armenian moves and propaganda.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA KEEPS FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH ARAB STATES

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2007 18:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The goal of cooperation with Middle-Eastern countries
in 2006 was keeping and deepening the current level of political
dialog, guarantying mutual support in international organizations,
says the RA MFA annual report on Armenia’s foreign activities in
2006. The document underlines that the high level of political,
scientific and cultural ties between Armenia and Egypt was kept in
2006. "For the fist time Armenian companies participated in the 10th
international exhibition of informational technologies in Cairo on
February, and in commemoration of 1600th anniversary of Armenian
Alphabet an exhibition was held in Alexandrine library on Armenian
Medieval manuscripts of Matenadaran," says the report.

The report draws attention to the relations with Lebanon and reminds,
that according to the decision of the Armenian government, Beirut was
given humanitarian aid during Israeli aggression. Particularly, Lebanon
was given 7.5 tones medicines and medical equipment, which totally
was worth 27 million AMD. During the war some 850 peoples were taken
from Lebanon and Israel to Armenia by ‘Armavia’ air company flights.

The report also touches upon the peacekeeping mission of Armenia in
Iraq. "According to the December resolution of the RA NA the Armenian
peacekeepers, totally 46 people-combat engineers, drivers and doctors,
will continue their mission in Iraq during 2007," says the report.

IN 2006 ARMENIA-EU RELATIONS PASSED ON NEW QUALITATIVE LEVEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.01.2007 18:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2006 was marked by establishing qualitative new
relations between Armenia and the European Union: on November 14
during the session of Armenia-EU Cooperation Council was confirmed
and came into effect the Armenia-EU Action Plan in the framework of
European Neighborhood Policy. As says the RA MFA annual report, with
this document Armenia is offered to establish intensive relations
with the EU in the spheres of policy, security, economy and culture,
to strengthen regional and border cooperation, as well as to take
responsibilities on preventing and settling conflicts. Cooperation
in energy and transportation spheres occupies an important place
in Armenia-EU relations. The issue of possible closure of Metsamor
Nuclear Power Plant continues to remain one of the main points of
talks between Armenia and the EU. Alongside, issues of integrating
Armenia into the Trans-European transportation programs are being
discussed. The European side assured that the EU neither politically
nor financially will assist transportation projects which bypass
Armenia, particularly the construction of Kars-Akhalkalaki railway.

As is mentioned in the RA MFA account, in the European Union report
on Turkey the European Commission urged Ankara to open its borders
with Armenia, the resolution of the European Parliament condemns the
blockade of Armenia by Turkey. On February 16 the European Parliament
adopted a resolution on ‘Historical monuments of Azerbaijan’,
which condemns the destruction of Armenian Khachkars in Old Djulfa,
Nakhichevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHARENTSAVAN TO ELECT NEW MAYOR ON JANUARY 28

Armenpress
Jan 10 2007

CHARENTSAVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS: Election of mayor of
Charentsavan, a town in central Armenian province of Kotayk is set for
January 28. Aghvan Ghukasian, head of the regional election commission,
said originally three candidates sought the post, but one of them,
Lusya Petrosian, was refused registrations as she did not provide
all required documents.

The two remaining candidates are Hakob Shahgeldian, who is not
affiliated with any party and Arthur Galstian from the United Labor
Party.

The town has about 23,000 eligible voters who will cast their ballots
in 12 election precincts.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MATTHEW BRYZA: WE WANT TO SEE RAILWAYS THAT WILL LINK THE WHOLE REGION

ArmRadio.am
10.01.2007 16:22

US Deputy assistant Secretary of State on Europe and Eurasia Matthew
Bryza has urged not to perceive the signing of the bill banning
financing of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway by President
Bush as US opposition to the project. Matthew Bryza said this in an
interview with Azerbaijani "Azertag" state agency, Mediamax reports.

"We always endorse programs expanding transport communication. We
aspire to develop the programs, which connect all the countries along
East-West corridor. Of course, we wish that some day the railway
from Turkey to Baku passed through the territory of Armenia. First,
because it reflects our policy, economically it is more logical to
reach from Turkey to Georgia through Armenian land, using the railway
that already exists. But we cannot take such decision.

Investors themselves propose convenient ways for their investments. If
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey want to build a railway, naturally,
we cannot mind.

At the same time, we do not back the program. Let’s hope that in the
near future we shall see railways that will link the whole region,"
Matthew Bryza said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR AUTHORITIES READY TO RETURN THE AZERI CAPTIVE

ArmRadio.am
10.01.2007 18:00

NKR authorities are ready to return serviceman of Azerbaijani Army
Eldaniz Nuriev to the Azeri side, Mediamax was told at the State
Committee on Prisoners of War and Missing Persons.

The State Committee applied to the NKR Office of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the request to return Eldaniz
Nuriev to the Azeri side.

On December 31, 2006, serviceman Eldaniz Nuriev, 30, crossed the
contact line of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh
in the direction of Fizuli and was detained by servicemen of NKR
Defense Army.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: THE YEAR 2006 WAS PERIOD OF ASCENDING DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-IRANIAN RELATIONS

Yerevan, January 10. ArmInfo. The year 2006 was a period of ascending
development of the Armenian-Iranian relations, the Armenian Foreign
Ministry’s report on the results of 2006 runs.

The report says that the bilateral Armenian-Iranian relations
were constantly the focus of the two countries’ presidents and
governments. There were mutual visits and meetings at different
levels in 2006. In July, the Armenian President paid a working visit
to Tehran. The bilateral economic relations in various spheres are
successfully developing, special attention is paid to power engineering
and transport. Progress has been registered in the field of agriculture
and trade, as well as in science, culture and sport.

According to the document, the Armenian-Iranian economic ties include
elements of regional cooperation. In this respect, Armenia’s joining
the Agreement on the International North-South Transport Corridor is
of much importance. The agreements reached at the trilateral meeting
of the energy ministers of Iran, Armenia and Georgia held in Yerevan in
autumn 2006 can be qualified as the most important achievements of the
year, the report notes. A significant role in promoting the bilateral
relations belongs to the Armenian-Iranian inter-state commission
whose sixth session was held in Tehran in January. The commission
focuses on such issues as the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, the joint construction of a hydroelectric station on the
Arax river, the operation of a new sector of the Iran-Armenia highway,
the designing of the construction of the Armenia-Iran railroad. Due
to the steps taken by the Armenian side, the works at the Meghri
check-point have considerably improved. The interregional cooperation
has activated between the provinces Eastern and Western Atrpatakan,
Ardebil, Mazandaran, Ormozgani on the one hand, and the Armenian
regions Syunik, Ararat, Armavir – on the other hand. The issue of
opening a Consulate General of Armenia in Tabriz is on the agenda.

The inter-parliamentary ties have also activated. In July 2006, the
group of Iran-Armenia inter-parliamentary friendship visited Tehran,
and in September a delegation led by Majlis Chairman Hadad Adel paid a
visit to Yerevan. The most important closing event of the year became
the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s visit to Tehran.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JUBILEES OF TEN PROMINENT ARMENIAN FIGURES TO BE CELEBRATED AT STATE LEVEL IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Jan 10 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. By the decision of the Armenian
government, the jubilees of 10 prominent Armenian statesmen, scientists
and artists will be celebrated at state level in 2007. NT correspondent
was informed from the Art Department of the RA Ministry of Culture and
Youth Issues that this year the following jubilees will be celebrated:
the 150th anniversary of painter Gevorg Bashinjaghian, the 100th
anniversary of painter Garzu, the 125th anniversary of scientist
Levon Orbeli, the 100th anniversary of scientist Norayr Sisakian,
the 150th anniversary of actress Siranuysh, the 80th anniversary
of filmmaker Frunze Dovlatian, the 75th anniversary of statesman
Karen Demirchian, the 50th anniversary of statesman Monte Melkonian,
the 150th anniversary of Gusan Sheram and the 100th anniversary of
composer Aram Satian.

Besides, in 2007 the 175th anniversary of foundation of the National
Library of Armenia, 70th anniversary of creation of the State Academic
Chorus of Armenia and the 70th anniversary of foundation of the
K. Stanislavski Russian Dramatical Theatre will be celebrated.

Events, exhibitions and meetings dedicated to these jubilees will
take place in Yerevan and marzes this year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN JUDOISTS TO TRY TO GAIN RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION IN BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

Noyan Tapan
Jan 10 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian national and youth judo
teams will hold their teaching and training gathering on January
12-24 at Yerevan Center of National Teams of Olympic Kinds of
Sports. National team’s principal coach Gagik Aghamalian has invited
24 and youth team’s principal coach Tigran Babayan 10 sportsmen to
the gathering.

In the words of Chairman of Judo Republican Federation,
international-class referee Alexan Avetisian, Armenian judoists should
succeed at international tournaments for gaining the right to take
part in the Olympic Games to be held in 2008 in Beijing.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TICKETS OF SERGEI KHACHATRIAN’S CONCERT CONCLUDING DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE IN SLOVAKIA SOLD MORE THAN A MONTH BEFORE CONCERT

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jan 10 2007

BRATISLAVA, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Concluding
concert of Days of Armenian Culture festival will take place on
January 11 at the big hall of Bratislava State Philharmony. Well-known
Armenian violinist Sergei Khachatrian will perform at the concert. He
will perform Aram Khachatrian’s Violin Concert with Slovakian State
Symphonic Orchestra.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by Ashot Grigorian, organizer of Days of
Armenian Culture festival, Chairman of representation of Armenian
Organizations of Europe and Slovakian Armenian community, this
Concert was last performed in Slovakia in 1999 within the framework
of Bratislava Music Festival by another talented Armenian violinist,
Jean Ter-Merkerian. Invitations of concerts of these two talented
violinists, Jean Ter-Merkerian and Sergei Khachatrian, were organized
by A.Grigorian, who has currently initiated reception of high-ranking
officials invited to S.Khachatrian’s concert at the hall of Ararat
club.

Slovakian Minister of Culture, First Deputy Minister, Bratislava Mayor,
under the aegis of which the festival was held, other officials have
expressed willingness to take part in the concert.

As A.Grigorian reported, more than a month before S.Khachatrian’s
concert all tickets have been already sent and the interest of
Slovakian music lovers was in its zenith by the performance of
the young Armenian violinist, who living in Germany more than ten
years retained citizenship of Armenia and performs under the flag of
Armenia. "Concerts with his participation became the greatest surprise
for the most authoritative halls of the world," A.Grigorian said.

To recap, Days of Armenian Culture festival started in Slovakia and
neighboring countries in September 2006. A number of concerts were
held within the framework of the festival, in particular, soloists of
Yerevan Al.Spendiarian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet,
soprano Lusine Ordukhanian and tenor Artak Kirakosian, Armenian State
Philharmony Orchestra and Komitas quartet performed at these concerts.