Author: Jalatian Sonya

THE FROZEN CONFLICTS START TO THAW
Simon Tisdall

guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 29 April 2009 17.15 BST

Under pressure from Brussels, Europe’s ‘wild east’ is coming in from
the cold – but plenty of obstacles still remain

The EU’s invitation to Belarus to attend a special summit in Prague
next week is the latest sign a spring thaw may be taking hold along
the ragged, fraught frontiers of Europe’s "wild east". The so-called
frozen conflicts that have disfigured the region since the end of
the cold war are beginning to melt at the edges. Under pressure from
Brussels, the ice is starting to shift.

Most significant in strategic and economic terms is the burgeoning
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia, which last week unveiled
a joint road map to normalise relations after almost a century of
hostility. The plan includes re-opening the border closed by Turkey
in 1993 in protest at Armenian support for separatists contesting
Azerbaijan’s control of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Despite effectively placing its membership bid on hold, the EU is happy
to piggyback on Turkey’s considerable influence in the Caucasus and
the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions for its own purposes. These
include the advancing of common trade, development, security and
human rights agendas and most importantly, perhaps, the securing of
non-Russian controlled energy supply routes from central Asia.

The kiss-and-make-up scenario now de veloping between Ankara and
Yerevan has thus been warmly welcomed in Brussels, and in the
US. Prospectively it makes it easier to draw relatively isolated
Armenia, which has long lived in Moscow’s shadow, closer towards
the western fold. And that in turn dovetails nicely with developing
western ties other post-Soviet republics such as Georgia and Ukraine.

A parallel thaw is underway between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have
begun talks on de-icing Nagorno-Karabakh. Oil-producing Azerbaijan,
on the shores of the Caspian, is a crucial player in terms of future
European energy supply and transit. It pays to keep it happy. Once
again the EU, along with Turkey, has been active in promoting the
nascent peace process. And the EU’s Prague summit will host the next
encounter of the two countries’ presidents.

It’s possible to read too much into another EU-facilitated meeting
of old enemies, held last week between Georgian officials and
representatives of Russia and South Ossetia, the tiny separatist region
that sparked last summer’s Caucasus war. The talks took place in a
tent and afterwards, the Georgians complained the Russians had set
up a "hotline" telephone link but failed to give them the number. All
the same, it was the first such meeting in the conflict zone and the
parties agreed to meet again. That’s progress of sorts.

Recent political upheavals in Moldova, one of the more complex frozen
conflicts, have presented Brus sels with an additional opportunity
to advance its agenda and interests. And this opening coincides in
turn with the EU’s controversial invitation to ostracised Belarus to
attend the Prague summit.

Once condemned as "Europe’s last dictatorship", President Alexander
Lukashenko’s regime has a dismal record of misrule and was previously
blacklisted by Brussels. But by bringing Belarus in from the cold,
the EU is again signalling that engagement, based on enlightened
self-interest, trumps confrontation. Responding positively so far,
Lukashenko has taken to describing his country as a "bridge" between
east and west.

The 27 EU heads-of-government will bestow their blessing on this 21st
century brand of Ostpolitik in Prague when they formally launch a new
"eastern partnership" with six former Soviet bloc states – Belarus,
Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Armenia. But for all the
positive signs, plenty of large and small obstacles remain with
potential to derail the whole enterprise.

Azerbaijan, for example, opposes any Turkey-Armenia rapprochement
while the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute is unresolved. This tension, plus
the opposition of ultra-nationalists in all three countries, could
scupper both sets of negotiations. Then there is the wider issue of
how much is just talk and how much the EU can actually deliver, in
terms of financial and developmental aid, security, peace-building
and political reform to countries whose needs are enor mous and
growing. Goodwill may quickly dissipate once the six realise the new
partnership is not a path to EU membership but a substitute for it.

But the biggest unknown remains the attitude of Russia, which already
feels threatened by current trends and retains formidable wrecking
power should it choose to wield it. Whether the issue is South
Ossetia’s "Passport to Pimlico" separatists, Ukraine’s gas pipelines,
Nato exercises in Georgia, the future of Moldova’s Transdniestria
region or Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s geopolitical orientation, Russia
will continue to have a major say in a region it still regards as
within its sphere of influence.

In fact, Russia still seems to think it has a veto. Right now, the
EU is trying to demonstrate that is not the case.

NATO REPRESENTATIVE GREETS ARMENIAN-TURKISH POLITICAL DIALOGUE

Panorama.am
18:17 28/04/2009

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received NATO’s Deputy
Secretary General Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, the press department
of the President’s Administration reports.

The President stressed that the European direction remains one of
the principle directions of the foreign policy of Armenia and the
cooperation with NATO is the most important element to it. Serzh
Sargsyan said that the collaboration with Euro Atlantic Alliance in
the frames of "Partnership for Peace Program" is a part of country’s
national security.

The Ambassador emphazised the cooperation with Armenia. The reforms
in defense have been highly evaluated by the NATO representative, as
well as the participation to NATO’s programs, especially to the program
of fighting against international terror, peacekeeping mission, etc.

The Deputy Secreatry General has also greeted the Armenian-Turkish
political dialogue and the improvements in this regard.

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARMENIA DOES NOT SHARE ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN’S OPINION REGARDING ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

ArmInfo
2009-04-28 16:06:00

Republican Party of Armenia does not share ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s
opinion regarding the Armenian-Turkish relations, Eduard Sharmazanov,
RPA Press Secretary, parliamentarian, told ArmInfo.

The said the coalition respects the ARFD’s decision to leave
it. ‘I think the future cooperation with oppositionist ARFD will
bring effective results’, he said. Sharmazanov is sure that Dashnak
parliamentarians behave very correctly after leaving the coalition. ‘I
hope in future the opposition- authorities cooperation will be
constructive and will develop via debates’, E. Sharmazanov said.

ARFD LEAVES ACTING COALITION BECAUSE OF IRRESISTIBLE DISAGREEMENTS REGARDING FOREIGN POLICY PROBLEMS OF ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-04-27 14:00:00

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktiutyun [ARFD] has left
the acting coalition because of irresistible disagreements regarding
the foreign policy problems of Armenia, member of ARFD Supreme Board
Armen Rustamyan said at today’s press-conference.

He also added recognition of the Armenian genocide, including
by Turkey, is one of the strategical directions of the national
security policy of the state. ‘Taking into account the anti-Armenian
position of the Turkish authorities, which are dictating their
pre-conditions to Armenia, the joint statement of foreign ministries
of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland made on the eve of 24 April is
unacceptable for us’, – Rustamyan said and added there are also
principle disagreements with the official position of the Armenian
authorities regarding some points of the talks between Armenia and
Turkey. He also said that after leaving the coalition ARFD will act
as a new opposition force in the political field of Armenia. ‘ARFD
is going to be guided only with the national interests of the state
in the matter of the Karabakh conflict settlement and normalization
of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Moreover, we are going to make
the relevant steps for formation of civilized relations between the
opposition and authorities’, – he said and wished luck to all the
parties which enter the coalition in their future activity.

Day.Az, Azerbaijan
April 25 2009

Azeri ruling party says Turkish-Armenian road map "unreal"

25 April: Details of the "road map" signed between Turkey and Armenia
and published in the media do not correspond to reality, ruling New
Azerbaijan party has said.

"There are no serious grounds to say concrete opinion about the
details published in the media." MP Ali Ahmadov, executive secretary
and deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan party, told journalists on
Saturday.

According to Ahmadov, he does not believe that Turkey will take steps
that contradicts Azerbaijani interests.

"The president and the prime minister of Turkey have repeatedly stated
that normalization of ties with Armenia will not damage the relations
with Azerbaijan." Ahmadov said.

Transcript: Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan
The Wall Street Journal’s Marc Champion sat down with the President of
Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, April 20, 2009, to talk about relations with
Turkey and Azerbaijan, the possibility that the U.S. will recognize
Armenian genocide and more. Below is an edited transcript.

* * *
The Wall Street Journal: Opening up Armenia’s border with Turkey matters
for Armenia, but why does it also matter for the region, for the U.S. or
Russia?

Mr. Sargsyan: I think the reason is straightforward, the fewer obstacles
and artificial barriers the better for everyone. I believe it is also a
very natural desire to see the last closed border of Europe opened. And
thirdly, I believe for the U.S. and Russia and everybody else it’s
extremely important to see stability and peace in this region, and
without this border being opened it is impossible to see a solid system
of security in this region.

WSJ: Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey said recently there won’t be a
deal on border opening, there won’t be a final deal signed until there
is a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. What is your response
to that? Also, do you still think border can open by October, as you
have said before?

Mr. Sargsyan: Of course that statement of Prime Minister Erdogan was not
in the framework of our agreements. As you may know, I invited
[Turkey’s] President Gül to Yerevan [to a World Cup qualifier soccer
match] and after that our efforts intensified and our negotiations
lasted for a few months. Both we and the Turkish side in the
negotiations supported the idea that we are negotiating without any
preconditions. You know that there has been a genocide and there is no
single Armenian in the world would doubt that there was a genocide. But
by inviting President Gül to Armenia, we reiterated our position that
non-recognition by the Turkish side of the genocide is not an
insurmountable obstacle to restoration of relations between our
countries. . Obviously setting preconditions at a point where the
perimeters are already set and we are very close to a breakthrough is
absolutely not acceptable for us.

Of course, if the border is open or is on the eve of opening, I will
visit Turkey to attend the return match. Now I want to stress that the
ball is on the Turkish side and since the media labeled this development
as football diplomacy.like in any football game, this diplomacy has a
time frame attached to it. Which means that the ball cannot be in the
Turkish side all the time. .

WSJ: Do you mean you can only visit Turkey if the border has been
reopened, or is about to be?

Mr. Sargsyan: You understood me exactly right.

WSJ: But if there is no sign of the border opening you will not visit?

Mr. Sargsyan: What is the sense of that? We invited President Gül to
Armenia to use that opportunity to intensify our dialogue, to launch a
conversation. The idea of me returning to visit for the return game was
to further and achieve more in that dialogue, I was not supposed to
travel to Turkey as a simple tourist or as a football fan.

WSJ: On April 24, President Barack Obama is due to make a statement on
Armenian memorial day. The focus is on whether he uses the term genocide
or doesn’t. Right or wrong, it seems clear that if the U.S. recognizes
the genocide that will make the Turks less willing to engage with
Armenia. Which is more important to you? The U.S. genocide recognition
now, or success in these reopening talks with Turkey?

Mr. Sargsyan: I think already now the motivation of Turkey has
decreased, because as you said Prime Minister Erdogan is now offering
preconditions. I believe it is not us Armenians who push the U.S. to
recognize the genocide. The U.S. had its diplomats, missionaries and
businesses in the Ottoman Empire, as well as its insurance companies, on
the ground at the time of the genocide. The amount of evidence, the
amount of factual materials the U.S. possesses on the matter of genocide
is excessive and is as convincing today as it was years ago. Therefore
the moment the U.S. finds it necessary to recognize the genocide they
will do it.I don’t believe we are pushing people into a dilemma between
national interest and moral standing.

WSJ: So your preference, the preference of the Armenian government,
would be for Mr. Obama to recognize the Armenian genocide, even if that
puts the last nail in the coffin of any deal with Turkey to open the
border any time soon?

Mr. Sargsyan: I would not like to see this process in a coffin. I would
like us to be more open and broad-minded when watching this issue. That
is why we want this issue of genocide not to be an obstacle to our
relations with Turkey. After all, by recognizing the genocide neither we
nor other countries that recognize it want to harm Turkey. I think this
matter is very straightforward, restoration of justice and prevention of
genocide in the future. Because if we try to tie relations between
Armenia and Turkey to recognition of the genocide by one country or
another .Armenian-Turkish relations will always be the footballs of
other countries. If some countries decide to create difficulties in
those relations, they would just announce a recognition of genocide and
so would compromise relations between Armenia and Turkey. Once again, it
is not we who are pushing the U.S. to recognize the genocide.

WSJ: Azerbaijan has been very upset by the prospect of the border
opening, that seems to have been a reason why Mr. Erdogan made the
border opening conditional on progress in Nagorno Karabakh. The Azeris
say that if you open the border with Armenia it will remove any pressure
on Armenia to compromise over Nagorno Karabakh. Are they right?

Mr. Sargsyan: When we were starting this negotiating process, I am
confident that in Turkey they also calculated the possible reaction of
Azerbaijan. I do not believe that anyone in Turkey expected anyone in
Azerbaijan to applaud this process or to be excited about it. In other
words the reaction of Azerbaijan as the motive for Turkey stepping back
is not understandable for me. Especially as Azerbaijan’s expectations
concerning these negotiations are exaggerated. By opening Armenia’s
border or normalizing relations with Turkey, Armenia’s approach to
Nagorno Karabakh will not undergo any changes or amendments. The problem
of Nagorno Karabakh can be solved only on the basis of mutual
compromises. This can never be a one-way, give-me type of approach that
resolves this problem of Nagorno Karabakh. Despite the absence of
relations with Turkey and despite the economic situation in Armenia,
there can be no Armenian leader who signs a paper or who has a small
idea in his mind that Nagorno Karabakh can be given to Azerbaijan for
any motivation or reason. .It has been one year now since I have been
dealing with the Nagorno Karabakh issue as president of the country, and
I have had three meetings with the president of Azerbaijan since. I
believe this has been sufficient time to get understood by each other,
we are aware of each other’s positions, and now is the time for a very
serious exchange of possible developments and ways to advance to a
resolution.

I am happy to see that the Azeris seem right now to understand that this
issue should be resolved by peaceful means and on the basis of all
principles of international law. In these last three or four days I have
had some pleasant moments watching my Azeri colleague visiting Russia.
Both in his meetings with our Russian counterpart and in talking to
Russian media he spoke about principles of international law, because
until now they usually spoke about only one of those principles which is
territorial integrity. The core issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
Once this problem is solved all the others will easily find their
solution.

When Azeris speak about the occupation of some of their territories,
they somewhat change or trick around the reality. They forget that those
are the territories from which on a daily basis thousands of shells were
fired at the people of Nagorno Karabakh. They forget that it was their
side that by use of force imposed a war on the people of Nagorno
Karabakh and posed a serious threat and challenge to the existence of
the people of Nagorno Karabakh, which brought us to the outcome we are
at today in the form of the self-defense of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh. The fact that 15 years have elapsed since then doesn’t change
the cause and consequence of this reality.

WSJ: Does that mean the Chechens have a right to self-determination?
Also you were military commander in Nagorno Karabakh, are you the right
guy to negotiate a deal?

Mr. Sargsyan: I have been the head of the committee for self defense of
Nagorno Karabakh. I was one of those who protected and fought for the
rights of these people. And I think that, yes, I am one of those who has
the right to conduct negotiations on this subject.

As to the first part of your question, yes we believe that all people
have the right to self determination. We are not talking about all
people who compactly populate a piece of territory. Azeris in their
argument have gone so far as to say, well then maybe the Armenians also
should have a right to self determination in Glendale in the United
States, where they compactly live in one town. But we are talking
about.a group of people who have been compactly living for thousands of
years in that particular piece of land. Nagorno Karabakh has never been
part of Azerbaijan. It was merged with Azerbaijan by a decision of the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union. And Nagorno Karabakh seceded from
the Soviet Union exactly the way the republics have done it under the
legislation of the Soviet Union. And of course, Chechnya also has a
right to self-determination, and Chechens have entertained that right by
a referendum they recently conducted. [Chechnya has held referenda on a
new constitution within the Russian federation, following two
devastating wars. Some observers challenged the Russian turnout figures
as fraudulent.]

WSJ: Why were the borders drawn this way [to carve out autonomous
regions populated by neighboring ethic groups]?

Mr. Sargsyan: This was formulated as an expression of goodwill to
promote the advancement of communist ideas towards the Muslim east. And
this was also done on a wider scale across the Soviet Union to
complicate relationships and to .make sure that no Soviet republic ever
had it in its mind to use the right to secession from the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics that was provided for in the constitution.
Just imagine if Armenia had tried to secede from the Soviet Union, when
there were two Armenian autonomous arrangements within Azerbaijan. These
would stay with Azerbaijan forever. If Azerbaijan were to decide to
secede from the Soviet Union, both Nakhichevan and Karabakh would be
kept within the Soviet Union.

WSJ: In early May you will be in Prague for the European Union’s Eastern
Partnership talks, and President Aliyev will be there too. Is that the
occasion to, as you said earlier, start making some real progress on
Nagorno Karabakh?

Mr. Sargsyan: Why not? The Co-chairs [of the so-called Minsk group
overseeing talks – France, Russia and the U.S.] have asked me about that
opportunity and I have said I don’t mind any meeting in any location. We
will be guided by the principles of the Minsk group, which also include
the idea of territorial integrity and self-determination. And if the
President of Azerbaijan is ready to continue negotiations on the basis
of these principles, and to achieve progress on that, we are ready.

WSJ: The sub-commissions [to be set up under the proposed Turkey-Armenia
agreement] as I understand it will include one on history, what would
its goal be?

Mr. Sargsyan: You are asking what questions can be addressed by that
historical questions. I can give you one example. The historic Armenian
monuments in the Ottoman Empire and today. There are thousands of such
monuments. I am sure that Turkey would have many questions to raise with
us.

WSJ: Is the genocide an acceptable issue to discuss?

Mr. Sargsyan: We cannot prohibit Turkey from raising any issue in any of
the sub-commissions, just as they cannot limit us in raising any issue.
One thing is for sure – the fact that a genocide took place raises no
doubts in us.

WSJ: Azerbaijan has come into a lot of money from oil revenues recently,
and they spent a lot on defense, on military equipment. Is that a
concern to you? Do you see in that a potential threat of further war in
Nagorno Karabakh?

Mr. Sargsyan: Of course it concerns us. . At the same time I am
confident the resources we have allocated to the Armenian armed forces
are serious and sufficient. And our armed forces are very well prepared
to fight defensive battles.

WSJ: Are you confident that if you needed it, the Collective Security
Treaty Organization [A NATO look-alike comprising Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan] would intervene on your
behalf?

Mr. Sargsyan: The collective defense principle of an attack against one
is an attack against all is a corner stone of the CSTO. And you know
that particular provision of the CSTO guided us recently when we
established collective forces for reaction in case of armed attacks,
which of course brought a very painful reaction from Azerbaijan. And I
think it also motivated Azerbaijan to get closer to Russia. And I am
happy to see that in the South Caucasus has emerged that believes Russia
is a strategic partner.

WSJ: Has Russia been supportive of your efforts to reopen with Turkey?

Mr. Sargsyan: At least at all the meetings at different levels we have
heard from Russia that they are in favor of reopening with Turkey.
Meanwhile, the biggest effort has been put in and continues to be in by
the United States of America, for which I am very thankful to the
administration of the U.S.A.

WSJ: Your election last year had a problematic response in the street
[eight people were killed in a police crackdown on demonstrators] and
then internationally. Does that make it harder for you to reach
agreements such as this one with Turkey?

Mr. Sargsyan: We are ready for relations without preconditions despite
all the obstacles we might face, despite all possible pressures we might
feel. But of course post election developments in Armenia have
restrained me in many fields. And of course, if developments did not go
in that direction we could make much better decisions for Armenia. But I
am confident we are overcoming these post-electoral developments.

WSJ: The Council of Europe just put off a decision on whether to suspend
Armenia’s membership because of these events. Is there anything you
would say to the Council of Europe about the detentions? [Armenian
opposition parties say 56 people still being held are political
prisoners.]

Mr. Sargsyan: They closely monitor the situation and they have full
information on it. I think developments in Armenia now are fully in line
with Council of Europe statements after the elections. With all European
structures, not only the Council of Europe, we cooperate because of our
belief in the usefulness of that cooperation. And it is our aim to
deepen these cooperations. We wish to live according to civilized rules.

THOUSANDS WILL RALLY AT THE TURKISH CONSULATE IN LA ON APRIL 24

PanArmenian
April 21 2009
Armenia

The United States has the best chance in a generation to help end the
cycle of genocide and recommit the world to the noble and necessary
cause of a future without genocide, Asbarez reports. Inspired by
this fierce urgency of now, thousands across the state of California
will rally at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles (6300 Wilshire
Boulevard) on Friday April 24 at 4pm to call for an end to over a
century of race murder, fueled by Turkey’s ongoing denial of its
genocide against the Armenian people.

Last year, nearly 15,000 activists converged on the Turkish Consulate
amid intensified activity by the Turkish government to prevent the
U.S. House of Representatives from recognizing the Genocide.

"We as Armenian-Americans know that our nation should properly
recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide, and all subsequent
genocides," said Vache Thomassian, the chairman of the AYF (Armenian
Youth Federation). "Now, more than ever, we have to rise above
political expedience and take a moral stance against genocides and I
firmly believe Barack Obama has the integrity to be the leader that
does so."

As a Senator and as a presidential candidate, President Obama was
a strong advocate of proper Armenian Genocide recognition and swift
action to stop the Darfur Genocide. During his 2008 campaign for the
White House, Obama repeatedly pledged to "respond forcefully to all
genocides," including the one currently raging in Darfur.

Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, this year’s protest comes
a month after U.S. legislators introduced a resolution calling on
the U.S. president to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The demonstration will also take place against the backdrop of a
series of anti-genocide events organized throughout the U.S. and
around the world during Genocide Prevention Month.

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY DENY INCIDENT BETWEEN TOP DIPLOMATS

Turan
April 20 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku, 20 April: "Reports about a conflict in Yerevan between Turkish
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Mahmud Mammadquliyev is another invention by the Armenian media. This
misinformation is aimed at casting shadow on relations between the
two fraternal nations. Such rumours cannot affect relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey," acting press secretary of the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry, Elxan Poluxov, told Turan.

To recap, Armenian media outlets reported that Babacan had roughly
interrupted a conversation with Mammadquliyev during the session of the
foreign ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
in Yerevan last week and hurried to a meeting with Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also denied the reports about the
incident. The ministry described Armenian media reports as "fantasy".

"Turkey and Azerbaijan are historically connected with friendly and
fraternal relations. Such reports are aimed at sowing confusion in
the Azerbaijani society," says the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement
that Turan received from the Turkish embassy [in Baku].

KARABAKH POLITICAL PARTIES CALL FOR RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE, KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

Asbarez
howarticle=41706_4/21/2009_1
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

STEPANAKERT–A joint announcement issued Tuesday by seven political
parties working in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic urges the
international community to recognize the Armenian Genocide and the
independence of Karabakh.

"Recent political developments, which aim to determine the scope of
relations between countries in the region are cause for deep concern
because they also include issues of vital importance for the Armenian
people," said the announcement.

"We deem unacceptable any attempt whereby the fact of the Armenian
Genocide is called into question or becomes a subject of discussion
and we call on the international community to, instead of telling the
Armenian people to get over its past and reconcile, be vigilant that
Turkey recognizes the crime committed against the Armenian people
and mankind by the Ottoman Empire and make the necessary moral and
financial reparations," the statement continued.

"As bearers of the political will of a people that not so long ago
confronted the real threat of Genocide and after a forced war defended
the inalienable right to independence and self-rule, we appeal to
the countries of the region and the international community never to
question the self-governance of the people of Artsakh and the reality
of an independent state," the statement continued.

The political parties also added that the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide and Karabakh’s independence will benefit
the establishment of justice and restore the rights of all oppressed
peoples.

The statement was signed by the "Free Homeland" party, the Democratic
Party of Artsakh, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Artsakh
Central Committee, the "Movement 88" party, the "Moral Renaissance"
party, the Communist Party of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the
"Armengan" Party of Artsakh.

GARANT-LIMENS EXPANDS ITS POSITIONS

ArmInfo
2009-04-21 21:19:00

The insurance company "Garant-Limens" specializing in insurance of
medical risks is expanding its positions due to new service – insurance
for those going abroad. The decision on providing Garant-Limens with
licence for the given insurance class was taken at April 21 sitting
of Board of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA).

Director of Garant-Limens Levon Minasyan told ArmInfo that the
company has changed the strategy of development to diversify the
risks, particularly, it is envisaged to decrease the share of medical
insurance in the portfolio to 70% (by almost 30%) within the next
3 years.

According to Minasyan, to provide full-fledged services to clients
outside Armenia, Garant-Limens has already concluded an agreement
with the French AXA Group, assistance services will be provided by
AXA Assistance company.

"The company’s insurance policy is not cheap, it costs thrice as
much as the average market one. This is conditioned by the company’s
serious intention to provide high quality services",- Minasyan said.

According to ArmInfo data, Garant Limens has been operating in the
market since 1999. It has licence for 7 insurance classes, 3 of them
being launched (insurance of medical risks, vehicles and accidents).

According to the Ranking of Insurance Companies of Armenia prepared
by ArmInfo, in 2008 Garant-Limens collected premiums worth 154.4
mln AMD and held the 8th position among 10 insurance companies in
operation. The company’s volume of redemptions exceeded 60 mln AMD.