Author: Hunanian Jack

GUDRAT HASANQULIYEV: "TURKEY’S CURRENT POLICY DOES NOT PROMOTE THE RESOLUTION OF THE KARABAKH PROBLEM"

Today.Az
olitics/50662.html
Feb 13 2009
Azerbaijan

"I do not think that the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to
Russia will have any impact on the resolution of the Karabakh problem",
said chairman of the Single Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Milli
Medjlis deputy Gudrat Hasanquliyev.

He said Turkey could have chosen a more principal position in the
sense of protection of Azerbaijan’s interests.

"Unfortunately, Turkey has not done this and its position in
the region, as an influential state, more responds to Russia’s
interests. In turn, Russia needs Turkey to prove its validity by
active support of Azerbaijan’s interests.

It should be recognized openly that Turkey’s role in the region is
reduced to zero. Currently, this country is unable to influence the
resolution of any problems in the region.

At the same time, if Turkey demonstrates principal position Russia will
be obliged to consider this country. Yet today’s policy of Turkey does
not promote resolution of the Karabakh problem. If Turkey’s statements
are not backed by the real actions, they are of no importance.

I think the current visit of President Abdullah Gul is a simple
official state visit bearing no relationship to the resolution of
the Karabakh problem", noted Hasanquliyev.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO INCREASE RATES OF CUSTOM DUTIES FOR IMPORT OF FINISHED PRODUCTS

ArmInfo
2009-02-12 14:30:00

ArmInfo. To support the local producer, the Armenian government has
decided to increase the rates of custom duties for import of the
finished products to the republic up to 15%.

This draft alteration in the Customs Code of Armenia was approved at
today’s governmental session and is one of the anti-crisis measures,
Economy Minister of Armenia, Nerses Yeritsyan, said when introducing
the draft legislative alteration.

He also added that 15% is a maximum admissible rate for Armenia as the
country is WTO member and has no liabilities to this organization. He
explained that a zero customs duty is imposed on many goods being
imported to Armenia so far. The minister added that it is scheduled to
shortly publish a list of the goods and groups of goods the customs
duties on which will be increased. According to the minister, the
customs duties should be increased first of all on the goods which
are produced in Armenia and compete with import analogues. Thus,
import-replacement will be stimulated in Armenia, N. Yeritsyan said.

KOCHARYAN DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN CONGRESS

A1+
[06:43 pm] 12 February, 2009

The 4th Congress of the "Prosperous Armenia" party stroke the eye
with the representation and officialdom. The string quartet was
playing live classical music for the delegates on the first floor
of the government sessions hall. All "Prosperous Armenia" delegates
were dressed in suit and tie and the only people without ties were
ARF representatives Hrant Markaryan and Armen Rustamyan.

The Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese and Croatian delegates were seated in
the first row. They addressed the political party and faction members
and transmitted the addresses and congratulations of the presidents
to founding leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party Gagik Tsarukyan.

In his speech translated to Russian, Representative of the Communist
Party of China Tyan Tsuntszyan stated that thefriendly ties between
Armenia and China have spanned centuries and are further enhanced
with the support of the "Prosperous Armenia" party.

Assistant to President of Croatia Miro Pipich, Representative of "Party
of Regions" of Ukraine Lavrinovich and member of the "United Russia"
faction of Russia Igor Chernishev attached importance to the role of
the "Prosperous Armenia" party in the political field of Armenia.

Seated next to the foreign guests were Serzh Sargsyan, RA
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and NA Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan,
leaders and secretaries of the Republican, ARF, Country of Law and
"Heritage". None of the non-parliamentary political parties were
invited. Even Robert Kocharyan was not invited and his name was not
mentioned in the speeches.

Serzh Sargsyan made an opening speech at the congress followed by
ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markaryan, leader of County of Law
Arthur Baghdasaryan. They attached importance to the cooperation with
"Prosperous Armenia" and stated that the party has turned into an
organized party in a short matter of time.

Head of the "Heritage" faction Armen Martirosyan made a speech with
a cold-shower effect as he recalled the tribulations that the two
factions have seen.

"We met on the crossroads during a very crucial period when we
witnessed the tragedy of March 1. We are all responsible," said
Martirosyan adding that we must establish peace and stability in the
country together to get out of the situation with honor.

In his speech, Gagik Tsarukyan talked about the inadmissibility of
hatred, while Serzh Sargsyan put "people making up stories" in order.

In fact, for the first time in the history of political parties of
Armenia, the RA presidential administration accredited journalists to
provide coverage of the event, while some opposition media journalists
were deprived of that opportunity.

MONITORING HELD ON CONTACT LINE BETWEEN AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN ARMIES

Trend News Agency
Feb 11 2009
Azerbaijan

Monitoring was held on the contact line between Armenian and
Azerbaijani armed forces on Feb. 11 in 2009 after a mandate by the
special envoy of the OSCE chairman, Trend News regional correspondent
reported.

The monitoring in Sarijali village of the Agdam region proceeded
without incident on Feb. 11.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: "WE DO NOT CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS ON THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT THROUGH THE MEDIATION OF TURKEY

APA
Feb 11 2009
Azerbaijan

Yerevan-APA. Armenian Foreign Ministry refuted news published in
Turkish Hurriyet newspaper on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, APA reports quoting Armenian websites.

Tigran Balaian, Spokesman for Armenian Foreign Ministry said that
the Ministry did not conduct negotiations on the settlement of the
conflict through the mediation of Turkey.

"Negotiations are conducted on the solution to the conflict through
the mediation of OSCE MG Co-Chairs basing on Madrid proposals as it
was said by foreign minister Edward Nalbandian many times," he added.

TERRY DAVIS: "THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF ITS MEMBER-STATES"

Today.Az
news/politics/50591.html
Feb 10 2009
Azerbaijan

I think that there have been some progress in terms of democracy
and holding better elections but I am very concerned about freedom
of expression and freedom of media in Azerbaijan, said CE Secretary
General Terry Davis.

"The democracy does depend on freedom of expression and freedom of
media and I am also concerned about a number of journalists who are
being put under pressure in Azerbaijan", said he.

Speaking about the proposed amendments to the Constitution of
Azerbaijan to be introduced via a referendum, the secretary general
noted that he considers it reasonable to submit amendments to the
Constitution and to have a referendum on these amendments.

"I do not think its a very good idea to rush into a referendum. I am
also disappointed that the government of Azerbaijan did not ask for
the opinion of experts of the Council of Europe".

As for the amendments connected with the prohibition of video, audio
of photo recording without permission of a person, Davis said it is
very important to have a balance between on the one hand the right
of privacy and on the other hand the right of media to comment on
what a politician is doing, especially if a politician or a public
official draws public attention to his or her private life. In that
case media has a right to scrutinize on what the politician or public
official is doing.

The CE Secretary General also spoke of the CE position on the Karabakh
conflict.

"The position of the Council of Europe should be very clear not only
on this conflict but on other conflicts as well. We believe that
all international and domestic internal disputes should be solved by
peaceful means and it was agreed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia when
they joined the Council of Europe. Now the mediation between Azerbaijan
and Armenia about Nagorno Karabakh is a responsibility of the Minsk
Group – a part of a different organization – OSCE. And we try not to
interfere with the work of the Minsk Group", noted he and said he hopes
the meetings between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will
be fruitful and result in the settlement of this conflict very soon.

He also noted that there is absolutely no policy of double standards
towards Azerbaijan and voiced concern about the warlike statements
voiced in the region.

"I do not accept that the Council of Europe applies double standards
or different standards in different places. The Council of Europe
always supported the territorial integrity of its member-states and
that applies to Moldova, or Cyprus or Azerbaijan. I regret very much
that the way people in Azerbaijan draw attention to pointing out
difficulties in Armenia. I think Armenia does the same thing about
Azerbaijan. The fact is that both countries – both Azerbaijan and
Armenia – need to improve. There is an old saying in the Christian
Bible that before you start drawing attention to a speck of dust in
the eye of someone else, you should take out a stone from your own
eye. And I do wish that both Armenia and Azerbaijan concentrate on
solving their own problems and raising standards of democracy and
civil rights in their own country", concluded the CE Secretary General.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER REPORTS PROGRESS IN MEETING WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2009
Turkey

MUNICH (A.A) -08.02.2009 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has
said, "we have initiated a process in which we discuss our problems
with Armenia on bilateral level."

Babacan, who is currently in Munich Germany, to attend the 45th Munich
Security Conference, told Turkish reporters that he held talks with
President Serzh Sargsian and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian of
Armenia and that they made progress during the talks. "Our target is
to fully normalize the relations between the two countries. I think
that the third countries’ making contributions to this process would
be beneficial," he said.

Upon a question, Babacan said that Turkey would deploy one of its
frigates as part of a United Nations-led force off the Somali coast
to prevent hijacking of ships by pirates.

Meanwhile, Babacan met with Gen. James Jones, US national security
adviser, and Richard Holbrook, US Special envoy for Afghanistan
and Pakistan.

Interfax, Russia
Feb 7 2009

U.S. diplomat believes Armenia, Azerbaijan could sign framework deal
on Karabakh in summer

YEREVAN Feb 7

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch believes Armenia and
Azerbaijan could sign a framework treaty on basic principles of the
settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in summer 2009.

Speaking on Radio Liberty, Yovanovitch said she positively viewed the
recent meetings between the Armenian and Azeri presidents in Moscow
and Davos in this context.

The U.S. also welcomes dialogue between Armenia and Turkey and is
willing to facilitate further steps in this direction, she said.

Public discussions on National Security Concept of NKR to be organized

933

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. During the February 6 sitting,
the Public Council of Foreign Policy and Security made a decision to
initiate public discussions of the National Security Concept of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to contribute to adoption of the document.

The draft concept will be developed by members of the Council and
experts. Taking into account the fact the the NKR and the Republic of
Armenia are located in the united security territory, the Council was
unanimous that the draft National Security Concept of the NKR must be
related to the National Security Strategy of the RA and become its
organic continuation and addition.

According to a press release of the Public Councul, the chairman of the
Council Masis Mailian underlined the importance of such a political
document as a key element of the NKR’s security system. In his words,
while taking the existing potential and opportunities into
consideration, the document should include the envisaged goals for
ensuring the security of individuals, the public and the state from
external and domestic threats, as well as the official comprehensive
position of the state strategy.

Armswissbank becomes market maker for newly listed HSBC Bank Armenia bonds

2009-02-06 20:47:00

ArmInfo. Starting February 6, 2009, Armswissbank cjsc will provide buy
and sell prices for nominal coupon bonds of "HSBC Bank Armenia" cjsc,
which have been listed on NASDAQ OMX Armenia since February 2, 2009
under ticker symbol HSBCB1.

The press service of NASDAQ OMX Armenia reports that this issue
consists of 10,000 bonds with nominal value AMD 100,000, maturity 365
days and coupon yield 9%p.a, and is included in the Bbond list of the
stock exchange.

In its status of a market maker Armswissbank will ensure that investors
are always able to buy and sell the bonds of the issuer on NASDAQ OMX
Armenia, thus promoting the liquidity of the securities in
the secondary market.

Armswissbank has been a member of the stock exchange since September
14, 2007 and, apart from HSBCB1, is also the market maker for corporate
bonds issued by "ArmRusGasprom" cjsc (HRGAB2), which is currently the
only security on NASDAQ OMX Armenia Abond list, "Valletta" LLC (VALTB2,
VALTB3), and "Armenian Copper Programme" cjsc (ARCPB1) ` all three on
the exchange’s Bbond list.

Earlier this January, HSBC Bank Armenia also became a member of NASDAQ
OMX Armenia. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange
company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company
services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is
number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX
technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing
organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50
countries.

In January 2008, Nordic exchange operator OMX Group acquired 100% of
shares of the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) and the Central
Depository of Armenia (CDA). After the combination of NASDAQ and OMX in
March 2008, Armex and CDA have become fully owned by the NASDAQ OMX
Group, Inc.

On January 27, 2009, "Armenian Stock Exchange" ojsc was officially
renamed as "NASDAQ OMX Armenia" ojsc.