Author: Emil Lazarian

NO ISSUE OF RA NAS CHAIRMAN’S RESIGNATION ON AGENDA OF COMING SITTING OF CHAIRMANSHIP
Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The enlarged sitting of the Chairmanship
of the National Academy of Sciences takes place on April 5. The main
issue is the discussion of results of the work of the commission
controlling the financial activity of the RA NAS administration,
particularly, of Chairman Fadey Sargsian. The commission was
created by academicians Anri Nersisian’s and Hrachik Simonian’s
demand. Representatives of the RA NAS and leading institutions of
higher education of the country are involved in the commission. As the
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by the RA NAS Press Service,
no issue of F.Sargsian’s resignation is on the agenda of that sitting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT IS READY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH PROPER RECEPTION OF AZERBAIJANI NATIONAL TEAM, RA PRIME MINISTER ASSURES
Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The assistance programs implemented
by UEFA considerably contribute to development of football and, in
general, sport, in the country. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
declared this on April 4, receiving UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer
Olsson. In particular, the Prime Minister attached importance to the
Hat Trick investment program, as well as the Small Fields program
aimed at promotion of children’s football in the country. A.Margarian
emphasized that the Armenian government pays great attention to the
restoration of the good traditions of the Armenian football: the state
renders assistance for the purpose of allocating areas for sports
grounds, buying sports equipments, implementation of construction,
etc. Expressing satisfaction with establishment of close cooperation
between RA government and Armenian Football Federation, as well as
among the Federation and football clubs, Lars Olsson gave assurance
that football development can also contribute to society’s progress
by uniting several thousands of fans around a single goal. He also
attached importance to promotion of mass and especially children’s
football, in particular, to the Small Fields program mentioning that
the financial assistance given by UEFA for this and other programs will
not only continue but will also increase. As Noyan Tapan was informed
from RA Government Information and Public Relations Department, at the
meeting the interlocutors also touched upon the preparation of Football
Europe Championship to be held in 2008, in particular, the issue of
Armenian and Azerbaijani national teams’ appearing in the same group
in the selective tour, as a result of drawing lots. In this connection
A.Margarian assured that the Armenian government is ready to solve
issues of proper reception of the Azerbaijani national team, providing
the security of the competitors and their fans. Expressing gratitude
to the Prime Minister for such an approach, Lars Olsson emphasized that
UEFA expects such security guarantees from the Azerbaijani side, too.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VARTAN OSKANIAN AND EU REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSED ARMENIA-EU ACTION PLAN ELABORATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.04.2006 23:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received today
Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for External
Relations Fokion Fotiadis, who is on visit in Armenia. Congratulating
Mr. Fotiadis with the appointment the RA FM voiced hop that the visit
will serve as a good basis for mutual cooperation. Vartan Oskanian
underscored Armenia intends to deepen relations with the Directorate
General for External Relations. The parties discussed a scope of
issues referring to the EU-Armenia relations. Special attention was
paid to the energy security of the region and diversification of
energy sources.
The parties referred to the elaboration of the Armenia-EU Action Plan
within the European Neighborhood Policy. Giving a high estimate to the
two completed stages they voiced assurance that in May the discussions
will be over and the program will be ready for implementation. The
interlocutors also emphasized that to establish normal relations
in the region special attention should be paid to the settlement of
conflicts, especially to the Nagorno Karabakh one.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMAN KIRAKOSIAN DISCUSSED ARMENIAN-CZECH RELATIONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2006 01:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ April 3-4 Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister
Arman Kirakosian paid a visit Czechia, reported the RA MFA press
office. During the visit Arman Kirakosian met with First Deputy
to Czech FM Jaroslav Basta and Director General for Territorial
Administration Jaromir Plisek. Besides, he met with Czech Parliament
Vice-speaker Edvard Outrata and Deputy Chair of the Committee on
External Affairs Jan Kavan. The parties discussed the expansion of
the Armenian-Czech interparliamentary ties and the forthcoming visit
of Czech parliamentarians to Armenia. Arman Kirakosian also held a
meeting with representatives of the Armenian community.

GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT’S LITTLE AID TO SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI FARMERS
Lragir.am
06 April 06
The news agency A-Info informed that the government of Georgia decided
to distribute 25 kg of fertilizers to every family in the rural areas
of Samtskhe-Javakheti.
The Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia and the administration of
the representative of the Georgian president in Samtskhe-Javakheti
estimated that 1096 tons of fertilizer will be distributed to 47
844 families. The aid will first be distributed in the regions of
Akhaltskha, Aspindza, Adigeni and Borjomi, which have lower altitude,
and then in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda.
It should be noted that 25 kg of fertilizers is too little for the
smallest farm, for an average farm needs an average of 500-1000 kg
in spring.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROGRAM OF PEOPLE’S UNIVERSITIES IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI
Lragir.am
06 April 06
The news agency A-Info informed that the EU and the German Association
of People’s Universities are planning to implement a 30-month education
program in Samtskhe-Javakheti, costing 500 000 euros.
According to the director of EU projects Adriana Longon, the purpose
of this program is to defend the rights of Armenians living in
Samtskhe-Javakheti and their integration with the country’s civil
society.
It is foreseen to establish people’s universities in Akhaltskha and
Akhalkalaki, where a civic education program will be implemented.
Besides getting legal knowledge in these universities 6300 people
will attend courses of the Georgian language. There will be also
courses of handcraft to encourage small business.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEAKER SAYS LAW DEFIES PRIVILEGES
Lragir.am
06 April 06
A two-day international conference of representatives of the
parliament, the government, the civil society, the mass media and
international foreign organizations started April 6 on the role of
National Assembly – civil society cooperation in the struggle against
corruption. The conference was organized by the National Assembly of
Armenia, the Eurasia Foundation, the OSCE, the United States and UNDP.
During the sessions debates will be held on corruption and black
economy, the role of the public control bodies and mass media in the
struggle against corruption, and other issues.
The conference was opened by Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan. Considering
the struggle against corruption a political priority, Arthur
Baghdasaryan emphasized 10 main directions. The activity of
governmental agencies must be transparent and effective. “We cannot
spend both much and badly, we have to consolidate government expenses
and upgrade their effectiveness.” The second priority is, according
to the speaker, persistent and unbiased application of the law. “The
law must not allow privileges, the law must not accept voluntarism,
bureaucracy, official abuse in the struggle against corruption.” The
third priority is to enhance struggle against black economy and fourth,
“progress is impossible without judicial reforms.” “The citizens must
be aware of their rights. The motto “if you do not know your rights,
you do not have rights” is up-to-date.” This is the fifth priority that
Arthur Baghdasaryan pointed out. Hence the speaker of the parliament
emphasizes the importance of civil society and free press, as well
as the parliament’s controlling functions in finance. Responsibility
and “consistent and coordinated struggle” is the way to reach this,
believes Arthur Baghdasaryan.
In this anti-corruption plan Arthur Baghdasaryan lays emphasis on
membership to GOPAC. About 200 parliamentarians of over 60 countries
are members of this organization, established in 2002. The three main
components of the working style of this organization are mutual aid,
clearly-set goals and training among government officials on their
role.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
05-04-2006
Minister Oskanian Receives Fokion Fotiadis, European Commission’s Deputy
Director General of Directorate General for External Relations
Minister Oskanian, on April 5, received Fokion Fotiadis, the European
Commission’s Deputy Director of the Directorate General for External
Relations who was in Armenia on a working visit.
Congratulating the guest on his appointment, Minister Oskanian expressed
hope that this first meeting will be the beginning of close cooperation. The
Minister also noted that Armenia intends to deepen its partnership with the
European Commission’s Directorate General for External Relations.
The two discussed the Armenia-EU relationship. They focused on regional
energy issues and specifically Armenia’s energy security and sources of
diversification. In this regard, they exchanged views on the energy
potential of the South Caucasus and nearby regions, as well as the prospects
for safe utilization of the atomic energy.
The Minister and the Deputy Director General discussed in detail the pace
and progress of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan elaboration
process. They assessed highly the two stages of consultations already held
in this connection and expressed confidence that it will be possible to
conclude the Action Plan during the third round of discussions in May and to
pass to its implementation.
Stressing the need for conflict settlement in the region, the two spoke
about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and prospects for its peaceful
settlement. In this regard, Minister Oskanian presented the latest
developments in the negotiations process.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI LAWYER FAILED TO UNDERSTAND HUNGARIAN PROSECUTOR
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.04.2006 19:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The prosecutor demanded 30-year imprisonment
for Ramil Safarov accused of the murder of Armenian officer Gurgen
Margaryan,” Safarov’s defender Adil Ismaylov said. Meanwhile as
PanARMENIAN.Net agency reported earlier, actually the Hungarian
prosecutor demanded life imprisonment at that 30 years without
the right of amnesty. The prosecutor said the murder was committed
with extreme cruelty and is a threat for the national security of
Hungary. He also underscored that when committing the crime Safarov
was sane.
Adil Ismaylov said that Safarov’s lawyers submitted a petition for
one more medical-forensic examination, since the results of the
previous ones differ. However the judge declined the petition and
said the decision will base on the examinations conducted. Lawyers
representing both sides addressed the court April 4.
Ismaylov also informed Safarov will make his last statement April 13.
It should be noted that Hungarian lawyer Gabriela Kaspar stated that
Margaryan’s murder should be classified as genocide since it was
committed through national hatred.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SEZER SPEAKS GUARDEDLY ABOUT KARABAKH ISSUE
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
05/04/2006
“Turkey sees the regulation of Nagorno Karabakh issue in the context
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity through peace talks,” Turkish
President Ahmed Necet Sezer stated after a meeting with his Azeri
counterpart in Baku yesterday adding that Ankara is ready to do
everything to settle the Armenian-Azeri conflict.
Though Sezer was expected in Baku early this year, the Turkish
president had to postpone his visit because of heavy schedule. However,
Sezer declared in Baku that good-neighborly relations and partnership
between Turkey and Azerbaijan are an example for the other states of
the region.
Turkish and Azeri presidents consider important their participation
in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil project.
Sezer stated that his visit to Baku testifies to Turkish-Azeri
fraternal ties, and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev underscored that
Azerbaijan always feels Turkey’s support. The Azeri president did not
forget to remind the people of Azerbaijan that the country’s stance
on Karabakh issue regulation is unshakable.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress