Author: Jalatian Sonya

ARMENIA’s MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE TO PAY TWO-DAY VISIT TO
GEORGIA
TBILISI, MAY 26. ARMINFO. On May 27, Armenia’s Minister for education
and science Sergo Yeritsyan will leave for Georgia on two-day visit,
ARMINFO was informed in Ministry’s press-service.
As “News-Georgia” was informed in Georgia’s press-service of education
and science Ministry, Yeritsyan is to meet with Georgia’s Minister for
education and science Alexandr Lomaya and ministry’s other
representatives, to visit Armenia’s embassy in Georgia, 104th
secondary school in Tbilisi and Georgia’s State agrarian university.
On May 28, Yeritsyan will visit an Armenian church in Tbilisi and the
Pantheon, as well as Tbilisi pedagogical university after Sulkhan Saba
Orbeliani to meet with both workers of chair of Armenian language and
literature and Armenian language teachers of Georgian schools with
Armenian teaching. Yeritsyan will return Yerevan on May 28.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/26/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenian Victories Celebrated at Sardarabad 2) Ankara under Fire over Armenian Conference Cancellation 3) Karabagh FM Rules out Resolution to Conflict without Popular Consent 4) German Opposition Leader Wants Turkey to Improve Ties with Armenia 1) Armenian Victories Celebrated at Sardarabad YEREVAN (Yerkir)--The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body of Armenia marked the 87th anniversary of the May 28, 1918 Armenian Independence Day at the Sardarabad Museum and Memorial. In his opening remarks, Supreme Body representative Armen Rustamian said, `May is our symbol of unity. The ARF is marking the victories this nation has won in the battles of Avarair, Sardarapat and Shushi, as well as the victory in the Great Patriotic War in a unique way--in open-air celebrations... Another display of such unity will take place on May 28 around Mount Aragats," Rustamian said. Armavir governor Albert Heroyan, in turn, said, "About 3,500 Armenians have shed their blood here to create an independent Armenia." "Sardarabad is an unforgettable page of our history, and every Armenian feels stronger here," Lavrenti Barseghian, director of the Genocide and Sardarabad museums said, addressing the crowd. 2) Ankara under Fire over Armenian Conference Cancellation (AFP/EUObserver)--Turkey came under fire Thursday for halting a landmark conference questioning the official line on the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, as European Union diplomats warned that Ankara's democratic credentials had taken a serious blow. Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University, where the gathering was to open Wednesday, put off the event after Justice Minister Cemil Cicek accused the participants--Turkish academics and intellectuals who dispute Ankara's version of the 1915-1917 massacres--of "treason." Cicek condemned the initiative as "a stab in the back to the Turkish nation" and said the organizers deserved to be prosecuted. The Genocide, one of the most controversial episodes in Ottoman history, is rarely discussed in schools and the aborted conference would have been the first by Turkish personalities to question the official stand on the events. Several countries have recognized the massacres as genocide--a theory Turkey fiercely rejects--and Brussels has urged Ankara to face its past and expand freedom of speech. "The remarks of the justice minister are unacceptable. This is an authoritarian approach raising questions over Turkey's reform process," a diplomat from an EU country said on the condition of anonymity. "Now it is a real watershed. We expect government action to correct Cicek's remarks," he said. "It's up to the government to decide what to do. Doing nothing would be also a choice, but certainly not in favor of Turkey's EU membership prospects." `Since Çiçek delivered his remarks under his title of justice minister and government spokesman at Parliament, the bloc would accept his remarks as the Turkish government's position towards freedom of expression,' one EU diplomat emphasized. Another EU diplomat regretted the postponement of the conference because it "would have reflected the evolution taking place in Turkish society." The EU is looking forward for the conference to be rescheduled, he said, adding: "The Europeans will keep on insisting that civil society has a great role to play in Turkey." The Turkish media too lashed out at the justice minister, saying his outburst cast a pall on freedom of expression in the country and played into the hands of a mounting Armenian campaign to have the massacres recognized internationally as genocide. "Zero tolerance to freedom," the Radikal daily trumpeted on its front page, while Milliyet's headline declared: "Democracy takes a blow." "What, really, is treason? To hold a conference in order to start a debate in Turkey on a Turkish problem debated almost everywhere in the world, or to brand as 'traitors' people who may think differently at a time when Turkey is waging a battle for democracy in the face of many obstacles?" wrote columnist Murat Celikkan in Radikal. "Cemil Cicek should resign as justice minister and if does not, he should be forced to do so," he said. The EU expressed regret concerning "the mixed messages" coming from Turkey. "We are aware of the tragedy in 1915. We hope that now, thanks to the EU prospect it will be possible to create a climate of confidence with the Armenians," a spokesperson for the European Commission said. This is why "we expect that such a seminar will be held in the future, as the academic point of view is highly valuable when discussing these historical issues," she added. However, the spokesperson declined to speculate on possible consequences for the launch of EU talks, due on October 3. "A clear agreement on starting the talks was reached by the Council [member states], the decision was taken at the highest political level," she said. "The European Commission continues to monitor the situation and will issue a statement in its next [enlargement] report on Turkey," the spokesperson concluded. Some countries, particularly France, which has a large Armenian population, have pushed for a tough line on Turkey in regards to Armenia. The EU has said it wants to see Turkey improve ties with neighboring Armenia before it begins EU entry talks later this year. Some European officials have gone further, saying Turkey must acknowledge wrongdoing before starting talks. "This strengthens the hand of those outside Turkey who say, 'Turkey has not changed, it is not democratic enough to discuss the Armenian issue,'" said Hrant Dink, editor of the Armenian weekly Agos and a conference participant. "It also shows there is a difference between what the government says and its intentions." 3) Karabagh FM Rules out Resolution to Conflict without Popular Consent STEPANAKERT (PanArmenian.Net)--Mountainous Karabagh Republic's (MKR) foreign minister Arman Melikian said it is premature to speculate about the outcome of the meeting between Armenian and Azeri Presidents, held last week in Warsaw. `The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs consider that there is progress; the foreign ministers also speak of possible progress. But nothing is obvious yet,' Melikian said during an interview aired on Karabagh public TV. `It should be understood, however, that control over the territories is the business of the MKR authorities, and any developments or any preliminary agreement cannot be put into practice without the consent and participation of the people of Karabagh,' he stressed. Melikian advised remaining calm concerning possible outcomes, and advised: `There are merely mutually optimistic statements. If these are grounded, it is not so bad.' 4) German Opposition Leader Wants Turkey to Improve Ties with Armenia (RFE/RL)--Germany's top opposition leader who is tipped to defeat Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in upcoming parliamentary elections urged Turkey on Thursday to improve its strained relations with Armenia before starting accession talks with the European Union. Reuters news agency quoted Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel as saying that "time is ripe" for Turkey to establish direct relations with Armenia. She said the Turkish government should also clarify its stance on Cyprus before the start of the accession talks on October 3. The CDU, which is strongly opposed to Turkish membership in the EU, is the main sponsor of a draft resolution by the German parliament, the Bundestag, that calls on Turkey to "take historic responsibility" for the Armenian genocide. Although the declaration, which is expected to be formally adopted by the Bundestag next month, stops short of calling the mass killings genocide, it has been strongly condemned by Ankara. In a statement last February, Turkey's ambassador to Germany accused the CDU of acting as a "spokesman for fanatical Armenian nationalism." All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Caspian Energy
caspenergy.com
05/25/2005
TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT ENERGY PARTNER FOR CASPIAN
Exclusive interview of the State Minister of Turkey for foreign commerce Mr.
Gulshat Tuzmen
Caspian Energy: Mr. Minister could you please explain of today’s main
priorities of foreign economy course of Turkey, which countries’ relations
are major to Turkey?
Gulshat Tuzmen: – During the last decade, Turkey has diversified its exports
not only in products but also in terms of markets. Turkey’s main trading
partners du- ring the last decade have been the EU countries. Turkey’s
exports to the central and eastern European countries and the CIS countries
have also been increasing stea- dily.
In 2004, Turkey’s exports reached a record-high level of 63.01 billion USD
with an increase of 40,4% while our imports increased by 55,4% compared to
the previous year reaching 97.34 billion USD (SIS Figures).
It is worthy to note that bilateral trade relations with EU countries have
always been of utmost importance for Turkey. While the trade volume between
Turkey and EU countries realized as 79.8 billion USD in 2004, our exports to
EU countries have reached to 34.4 billion USD and the imports of Turkey from
these countries were realized as 45.4 billion USD.
At this point, it should be pointed out that Germany, as being one of the EU
countries, ranks the first place in Turkey’s foreign trade. The volume of
trade between Turkey and Germany has displayed an increasing trend during
the last decade and reached its highest level in 2004 with a value of 21.3
billion USD. In 2004, Turkey’s exports to Germany were 8.4 billion USD,
reflecting an increase of 17% as compared to the previous year, while our
imports from Germany were 12.5 billion USD showing an annual increase of
32%.
The U.S. has always been one of the major trading partners of Turkey ranking
the third in our exports and the fifth in imports. Bilateral trade volume
increased more than 30% in 2004. But the figures from US side indicate that
Turkey is not an important trade partner for US: However Turkey’s share of
the US foreign trade is less than 0,5 %. Turkey’s exports to the U.S were
3.75 billion USD and our imports from the US were about 3.5 billion USD in
the year of 2003. Turkey’s exports to the U.S reached to 4.8 billion and our
imports from the U.S. were about 4.7 billion level in 2004. According to
these figures Turkey’s exports to the USA increased to 28% and imports from
the USA increased 34%. Nevertheless the trade figures have been below the
real potentialities of both economies and there is a wide room to utilize
the economic potentials of both countries.
In addition to the traditional markets, Turkey’s aim is to focus on
improving the trade relations with the neighboring and surrounding
countries. In line with this objective, the “Trade Development Strategy with
Neighboring and Surrounding Countries” was initiated in 2000.
This strategy involves Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq,
Romania, the Russian Federation, Syria and Ukraine as the neighboring
countries, and Moldova, Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Hungary, Israel, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as the surrounding countries. In 2003, Hungary,
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
Yugoslavia, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somali, Lebanon, Kuwait,
Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E, Oman, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Belarus were
added to this strategy.
Thanks to this strategy, the share of these countries in Turkey’s total
trade volume increased from 7% to 21% within three years. Our main aim is to
raise the share of the neighboring and surrounding countries in our total
trade volume to 30% in the short run.
On the other hand, the Middle East has a crucial place in Turkey’s foreign
relations within political and economic spheres. In 2004, the trade between
Turkey and the region was recorded as 12.3 billion USD with an increase of
32% compared to 2003.
As a result of the Trade Development Strategy with the Neighboring and
Surrounding Countries, Turkey is looking for new ways to enhance its trade
and support a fair trading environment in the Middle East, the South Eastern
Europe, the Black Sea region, the Caucasus and the Central Asia.
Turkey also initiated a strategy towards enhancing the economic relations
with Africa in 2003. In line with this strategy, the trade volume between
Turkey and the African countries reached 7.7 billion USD indicating an
increase of 92% within two years.
What’s your estimation concerning internal figures of Turkish economy
development?
– Leaving the 2001 economic crises far behind, 2004 has been another
flourishing year for Turkish economy.
One of the most remarkable achievements has been in the battle against
inflation. The rate of increase in Consumer Price Index (PPI), which was
68,5% in year 2001, was successfully reduced to 9,3% in 2004. As for the
rate of increase in Producer Price Index (PPI), which was nearly 90% in the
year 2001, it was also reduced to 13,8% in 2004. The rates of increase in
the indices are expected to be 8% in 2005. Turkey has welcomed New Turkish
Lira, relieved from six zeros, in the beginning of 2005.
The main indicator reflecting the improvement in 2004 is interest rates.
Real interest rate of domestic debt has decreased to 10,7% by December 2004
from 16,5% in December 2003. Industrial production, which increased by 9.1%
in 2003 and by 9.8% in 2004, also reflects the improvement in the economy.
Increase in the manufactured goods was 10.4% in 2004.
Capacity utilization rates were 78.6% in 2003 and it rose to 83.5% by June
2004. Average rate for 2004 was 81,5% that reflects the need for new
investments in order to carry on the high rate of growth in the economy.
2004 is a year in which the budget performance has improved substantially.
Primary surplus was 30% higher than expected. On the other hand, domestic
and foreign debts continued to increase at a high rate. Foreign debt has
increased to 153.2 billion dollars in the third quarter of 2004 from 145.8
billion USD in 2003.
One of the greatest impacts to the economic growth has come from exports.
Compared to the previous year, exports reached a value of 62,8 billion USD
by 32,8% increase.
Especially “transport vehicles and its subsidiary industries” has brought
enormous dynamism to Turkey. Exports of this sector increased by nearly 60%
both in two adjacent recent years and approached a value of 8.3 billion USD
in 2004.
Another important sector for Turkey is undoubtedly “textiles and
ready-wear”, which is under growing threat of Chinese competition. The value
of the exports for the sector was high at about 18 billion USD in 2004. The
rate of increase, though lower than the average rate of increase, was still
good for a mature industry at 15,4% and the share of the sector in total
exports was 28%.
75% of “transport vehicles and its subsidiary industries” exports and 55% of
total exports were to the European Union countries. Other than EU; Middle
East, Commonwealth of Independent States, NAFTA and North Africa are also
among the regions, to which Turkish exports rose more than 30% in 2004.
England, Italy, Germany, USA, Iraq, France, Spain, Netherlands and Russia
are listed in the top in the Turkish export value increases.
According to the calculations of the Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade,
Turkish Lira in real terms appreciated by 10% against USD and 4% against
Euro in 2004. The cumulative appreciation against USD between 1999 and 2004
has been 36,6%. It is obvious that the exchange rates have not been in favor
of Turkish exporters. However, exports have increased from 27 billion USD to
63 billion USD, meaning a 136% increase, in the last five years.
There are various reasons underlying the phenomenon. Quality, customer
relations and geographical advantages are among the most crucial factors.
Also, as about 55% of Turkish imports are valued in dollars, cheap dollar
enabled Turkish exporters to access low-priced intermediary and capital
goods.
In 2004, despite the 32,8% rise in export income, current account deficit
increased by 93,8% and became 15,5 billion USD. The increase mainly stems
from imports.
About 85-90% of Turkish imports are composed of capital goods and
intermediary goods. The composition of the imports highlights the fact that
the increasing imports boosted production for domestic and foreign markets.
Turkish economy grew by 9.7% in the first three quarters of 2004 after a
7.9% growth in 2002 and 5.9% in 2003. Capacity utilization ratio of the
manufacturing industry supports this view, as well. Capacity utilization was
on average 80% in 2004, whereas it was 72% and 75% in 2002 and 2003,
respectively.
What’s the perspective of development of the economy mutual relations with
Caspian countries, could you please make known us about the largest pro-
jects with Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran?
– In all economically developed regions, intra-regional trade plays a
pivotal role in economic development, which has been missing for a long time
in the Caspian region.
We are aiming to alter this structure and enhance the intra regional trade
and economic links. In this respect, the main objective of our policies has
been to improve the trade relations with our neighbors and surrounding
countries since 2000. Our immediate neighborhood comes as the natural trade
and economic partners.
Believing that enhanced trade links in the region will also contribute to
the economic and political stability in its region, Turkey attaches great
importance to the bilateral and regional initiatives, for facilitating trade
and for creating a fair and predictable trading environment in the Black Sea
region, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea basin.
Focus point of Turkey’s trade strategy is, of course, to improve our
performance and competitiveness in the fields of exports of goods and
services in the immediate neighboring countries, in this regard, to our
east, including but not limited to, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and
Turkmenistan.
We achieved quite progress in reaching out to the consumers in these
countries. Let me dwell upon Iran first.
Our exports to Iran which was recorded as 158 million USD in 1999 quadrupled
in 2004 and reached 803 million USD which indicates 50% increase compared to
2003.
Our imports on the other hand were rea- lized as 1.9 billion USD in 2004,
increasing by 5% compared to the same period of 2003. The trade volume was
realized as 2.7 billion USD in 2004.
We set the target for bilateral trade as 4.5 million dollars for this year
and 10 billion USD in the medium term.
However, I have to underline the trade deficit against Turkey in trade
between Turkey and Iran. As of 2004, the trade deficit was around 1.1
billion USD. We consider our natural gas importation from Iran as the major
source of the deficit. We are working on some projects to enhance our
bilateral trade relations.
To achieve our medium term target in trade, we initiated negotiations with
Iran on a Preferential Trade Agreement aiming at progressive reduction of
tariffs and elimination of the non-tariff barriers.
We have been doing our utmost to improve infrastructure of border gates and
its connecting ways. The modernization of Kapikoy Border Gate under BOT was
completed in 2003. Now, we have been doing rehabilitation of Van/Kapikoy and
HakkariEsendere border gates.
On the other hand, we have recently established Border Trade Centers on the
border between Turkey and Iran namely in Sarisu, Kapikoy/Razi, and
Esendere/Serow region in order to foster, support and boost the economic
activities of the border and peripheral cities of both countries.
Direct investments realized by Turkish companies in Iran have increased
considerably during last two years. Today, Turkey, which have invested in
Iran 150 million USD, are ranked the second biggest investor country in Iran
after Germany.
Similarly, during the last two years we observed also considerable increase
in the activities of the Turkish contracting companies in Iran. By the end
of 2004, the total amount of the projects undertaken by Turkish contracting
companies in Iran reached 370 million USD.
Energy constitutes one of the significant sectors for the improvement of
economic relations between Turkey and Iran. In 2002, Iran and Turkey
inaugurated the natural gas pipeline link between the two countries. Now,
new project on transmission of Iranian natural gas via Turkey to the
European countries is on our agenda.
Now, let me turn to our relations with the Caucasus and the Central Asia.
Compared with 2003, our exports to the Caucasus and Central Asia (except
Armenia) increased by almost 35% by the end of 2004 and reached 826 millions
USD.
In 2000, the share of the Central Asia in our total exports was 0.9%. In
2004, it reached 1.32%. Since 2000 until 2004, our exports to Azerbaijan and
Turkmenistan increased two times while in Kazakhstan, our exports grew by
three times.
Compared with 2003, the Turkish companies’ exports to Azerbaijan grew by
28%, reaching 400 millions USD in 2004.
Our aim is to reach 1,5 billion dollars of exports to Central Asia (except
Armenia) in the next two years. But, we are striving to accomplish that in
2005.
For this purpose, I have been to Azerbaijan very recently in November. I had
the opportunity to meet with Mr. Ilham Aliyev and members of the Azeri
government. We set forth several proposals to increase the trade turnover,
including but not limited to off-set arrangements, establishment of joint
transportation companies, improving railway transportation facilities by
construction of Kars-Tbilisi railroad. Accordingly, we also agreed with
Azerbaijan on the development of an Economic Development Strategy.
We should also point out that our performance in the fields of construction
and direct investments has been even more impressing.
Today, Turkish companies invested more than 1.6 billion dollars in various
sectors of the Azerbaijani economy. There are more than 800 Turkish
companies operating in Azerbaijan, and they are the biggest foreign investor
in the sectors other than oil extraction and processing. Similarly, our
direct investments in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan is around 2,5 billions
USD.
Concerning the construction and contracting services, the total amount of
projects undertaken in Central Asia reached 12 billion dollars at the end of
2004. The Turkish companies have completed 5.5 billions USD worth of
projects in Turkmenistan, 3.5 billions dollars worth of project in
Kazakhstan and 1.6 billions USD worth of projects in Azerbaijan.
What does mean for Turkey the rea- lization of mega-projects
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan named after Heydar Aliyev and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum?
– Turkey stands as an important energy partner for Caspian Sea countries,
Europe and the projects being developed in the region opens a new area for
cooperation for the countries.
Located at a crucial geopolitical region, Turkey will become a natural
bridge between the energy rich countries of the Caspian region, Central
Asia, the Middle East and the European markets. In other words, the Turkish
route could be the fourth artery of natural gas for Europe after Russia,
Norway and North Africa. It should be noted that EU gas demand is expected
to increase by around 40% until 2020. This is a new area of cooperation
between Turkey and the rest of Europe, which is looking for ways to expand
and diversify its energy sources.
This is no coincidence because the gap in world’s energy supply and demand
is one of the key elements, which determines energy policies. With its
emerging and rapidly growing economy, Turkey is facing a rising growth of
its demand for energy by 8% per annum whereas the world average is 1.8%. On
the other hand, the Caspian region’s oil and gas potential has attracted
much attention. The potential of the Caspian basin is estimated to be
179-195 billion barrels of oil and 157-186 trillion cubic meters of natural
gas.
The landlocked countries of the Caspian basin aim at ensuring sustainable
and continuous flow of revenues from exporting oil and gas to finance their
economic and social development. Moreover, oil consuming countries and
foreign investors are searching for viable export routes for the projec- ted
production.
Turkey, straddling the Caspian basin and Europe, forms a natural energy
bridge between the source-rich countries of the Caspian basin and the
energy-hungry world markets. Due to its geographical location and being the
biggest energy importer of the area, Turkey casts itself as an energy hub in
its region. As one of the biggest investors in the region and having close
historical, cultural and economic ties with the countries of the region,
Turkey acts not only along with its commercial interest but also bears the
responsibility for supporting these nations in their social and economic
development.
The EU Commission published on November 2000 the Green Paper titled “Working
towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply”, which put
emphasis on uninterrupted flow of gas through secured and diversified
external energy. It underlined Turkey’s role in this respect. Indeed, the
Turkish energy strategy is to transform Turkey into a major consumption and
transport terminal in the Mediterranean.
It is with these considerations that the East-West Energy Corridor project
was ela- borated. The East-West Energy Corridor concept is mainly based on
the construction of trans-Caspian and trans-Caucasian oil and gas pipelines
traversing Georgia and ending in Turkey. The East-West Energy Corridor
essentially aims at transporting the Caucasian and Central Asian energy
resources to the Western markets through safe and alternative routes. The
East-West Energy Corridor project mainly comprises the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
(BTC) Crude Oil Pipeline, South Caucasian Natural Gas Pipeline
(Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline) and Turkmenistan-Turkey-Europe
Gas Pipeline projects.
The third and last phase, namely the construction stage of the BTC project
was launched on 10 September 2002 and the groundbreaking ceremony took place
on 18 September 2002 at Sangachal, Azerbaijan.
Another project, which constitutes an important part of the East-West Energy
Corridor, is the South Caucasian Pipeline project, which is to ship
Azerbaijani natural gas from the Shah Deniz field to Turkey via the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum route. The construction has started and natural gas
will flow in 2006.
The participation of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to the East-West-Energy
Corridor will assist the trans-Caspian states in their integration to
Western economies and further contribute to regional cooperation. Turkey
will in the long term become a junction for the natural gas pipelines
originating from all neighboring countries. We are already delivering
natural gas from Russia and Iran. Projects from Iraq, Syria and Egypt are
also under consideration.
How do you see the future of Turkey’s economy? What’s the relations with
EU’s countries, which projects are fulfilled, what about their realization?
– Turkey’s economic performance targets for year 2005 are as follows:
– Expected GDP growth rate is 4,8% and expected GNP growth rate is 5%. GNP
is expected to reach 298,4 billion dollars and GNP per capita 4.128 dollars.
– By the end of 2005, increasing rates of both Production Price Index (PPI)
and Consumer Price Index (CPI) are expected to fall to 8%.
About the foreign trade performance; exports are expected to reach 75
billion dollars while the value of expected imports are 104 billion dollars.
Hence, trade volume would be about 180 billion dollars and foreign trade
deficit would be about 29 billion dollars. It is expected that the ratio of
current account deficit to GNP would be 3,6% in absolute value.
Turkey’s economy will be one of the ten biggest economies in the world in
the next 15-20 years. If Turkey grows by 6% per year, Turkey’s GDP is
estimated to be 1,3 trillion dollars by 2023. This target is realistic
because Turkey has proved in the last 3 years that as long as structural
reforms are established, the growth rate can be quite high (average growth
rate for the last 20 years was 4,5%). This growth is the key to low
unemployment and equal income distribution.
Foreign trade is one of the main contributors to job creation and growth.
Turkey’s export is estimated to be 500 billion dollars and import is
estimated to be 600 billion dollars by 2023. Turkey has achieved a better
performance in the last 3 years. We have many advantages to achieve this
target.
These advantages can be summarized as follows:
– The production process in Turkey has been transforming through more
productive and competitive techniques. This transformation is valid also for
the export of Turkey. Turkey’s industrial structure is highly flexible and
can easily adapt to new technologies.
– With the stabilization of the economy and the accession to the EU, foreign
direct investment inflow will increase substantially.
– Turkey’s young and highly educated labor force is another key for high
growth and structural transformation.
– Turkey is cooperating with many regional countries through regional
agreements (such as Black Sea Region Economic Cooperation) and bilateral
agreements.
– Turkey is geographically close to the high-income countries of EU.
– Turkey’s domestic market is likely to create high demand for both domestic
and foreign goods.
– Turkey is a gateway for goods and energy trade between West and East.
When it comes to EU, relations with the EU are inevitably high on our
agenda. Turkey is passing through an important period in its relations with
the EU. The EU has recently decided on the launch of accession negotiations
with Turkey in October 2005. We expect the screening process that will
precede the negotiations to start soon.
We are definitely aware of the fact that the negotiating process will be a
long and challenging one. However, I can assure you that political
leadership and the administration as well as the civil society in Turkey
possesses the determination and ability necessary to reach the end of this
road.
A great degree of the EU experience has already been accumulated in Turkey
during the course of the 41-year association relationship. I believe,
Turkey’s achievements as a Customs Union partner and a candidate country in
the past ten years prove that Turkey is able to properly conduct the
accession negotiations and successfully reach the ultimate aim of accession.
We are very pleased with what has been achieved in economic integration on
both sides. The Customs Union was an ambitious target. We achieved it in
1996 without significant financial assistance from the EU. This is an
indication of our ability to compete economically.
Furthermore, economic restructuring program backed by the IMF has been in
place since 1999. It introduced the necessary reforms that pave the way for
complying with the Maastricht criteria. We will see the economic and
political stability consolidated definitively once the accession
negotiations are started and are on their way.
Once accession negotiations are launched, Turkish economy will thrive even
more. Foreign direct investment will improve because of the necessary
implementation of EU standards and the further consolidation of Turkey’s
political and economic stability.
Turkish membership would one day offer tremendous opportunities to countries
in its region. Turkey will be a bridge between Caucasus and Central Asia on
the one part, and Europe on the other.
Ankara Agreement signed in 1963 with the EU drew the framework of Turkey-EU
financial cooperation. Under this legal framework, in order to encourage
Turkey’s economic and social development, between 1964 to 1981, three
subsequent Financial Protocols were signed and an amount of v 680 million
was committed to Turkey from European Investment Bank (EIB) loans and EU
loans at a reduced interest rate.
Financial assistance governed by financial protocols included grants and
credits that constituted mostly of the European Investment Bank resources.
Financial assistance of the EU was directed to the projects related to
infrastructure and industry investments. 63% of the EU assistance was used
in this period.
After the establishment of the Custom Union, EU increased the funds
available considering the needs of Turkey. Within the framework of the
Association Council Decision no 1/95 on Customs Union; EU projected the
financial support to “MEDA, grants and credits mostly from EIB) and EU
budget”. 33% of the EU assistance was used in this period.
In the post-Helsinki period, the European Commission has taken a number of
decisions to increase the financial assistance. In this period, all funds
for Turkey were considered as pre-accession oriented. In this period,
Turkey’s allocation has been doubled and amounts now to 899 million euro in
grant aid (administered by the Commission) and 1.470 million euro in loans
(administered by the EIB).
At the moment, there are several projects that are being financed by the EU
funds. These projects are directed towards the adoption of the EU
legislation and Turkey’s compliance with the economic criteria for
membership. “Development of a clustering policy for the SME’s” and
“Establishing a RAPEX like system for a more safer free movement of goods”
are the most important two projects maintained by the Undersecretariat of
Foreign Trade. Moreover, there exist another clustering project with The
General Secretariat Of Istanbul Textile & Apparel Exporters’ Associations
(ITKIB) focusing on textile sector. The aim of both clustering projects is
to increase the competitiveness of the SME’s in the global world market. We
also arranged for a project namely as “support of the quality
infrastructure” which is coordinated with KalDer – Turkish Society for
Quality.
Is there enough contract and legal base in Turkish-Azerbaijan economy
cooperation?
– The legal framework of the trade and economic relations between Turkey and
Azerbaijan has been completed. There are numerous agreements covering the
various aspects of our bilateral relations, including trade, customs,
transportation, investments, and taxation among others. We recently signed
the Long Term Economic Cooperation Agreement in May 2004 and in the mean
time, in accordance with this Agreement. We are communicating with the
Azerbaijan government for preparing the Implementation Plan.
In the long term, in accordance with our international obligations, we also
aim to conclude a free trade agreement, liberalizing completely the trade
between our countries.
Therefore, the legal framework is ready and available and it is time to
benefit from this framework.
Thanks for your interview.

“ARMENIAN STATE SYMBOLS” PROGRAM OF “PROJECT HARMONY”
YEREVAN OFFICE TO BE COMPLETED MAY 26
YEREVAN, MAY 25. ARMINFO. Official ceremony of a flag hoisting will
take place in all Armenia’s regions May 26 as a completion of
“Armenian State Symbols” 5-week On-line Program of “Project Harmony”
Yerevan office.
As ARMINFO was informed in the office of “Project Harmony”, pupils of
schools from Armenia’s regions participated in the program. They
presented essays on the topic of “Why the symbols are important for
the state?”. The action is dedicated to the 87th anniversary of the
First Republic of Armenia. Representatives of both the “Project
Harmony” and the US embassy in Armenia will participate in the
ceremony. -r-

CENN – MAY 25, 2005 Daily Digest
Table of Contents:
1.. AP: Baku Officials Cite Opening of BTC as Reason to Ban Protests
2.. Military Cooperation to Protect BTC Pipeline
3.. President Sezer Heads to Azerbaijani for Pipeline Opening
4.. Kazakhstan President is Paying an Official Visit to Baku
5.. Leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Launched Talks
6.. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement
7.. The Caspian Sea Unites: President’s Constructive Visit to Baku
8.. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipe Filling Slated for May 25 in Baku
9.. New Caspian Sea Pipeline to Boost Economic Prospects in Region
10.. Officials Inaugurate Azerbaijan Pipeline
11.. Baku-Ceyhan will Enhance Energy Independence – Saakashvili
12.. The Open Society Institute-Assistance Foundation (OSI-AF)
Announces Completion of Important Phase of the Baku-TbIlisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
Pipeline Monitoring Project
13.. Vacancy Announcements
1. AP: Baku Officials Cite Opening of BTC as Reason to Ban
Protests
Source: Associated Press, may 22, 2005
Azerbaijan protests demanding free elections were beaten back yesterday
on May 21, 2005 by police, who arrested dozens as they broke up a banned
rally in the oil rich former Soviet Republic on the Caspian Sea four
days before the inauguration of a new pipeline.
Tension between the government and the opposition on the tightly
controlled country has increased since an October 2003 election in which
Ilham Aliev replace his late father, Geidar Aliev, as president in a
vote the opposition said was marred by fraud. A parliamentary vote is
scheduled for November. Officials had forbidden the opposition to
protest, citing security concerns four days ahead of the visit of
foreign leaders who will attend a ceremony marking the opening of
Azerbaijan’s portion of the US backed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
2. Military Cooperation to Protect BTC Pipeline
Source: The Messenger, May 23, 2005
Oil is beginning to flow into the BTC this week and already officials
are discussing need for increasing security issues
On May 25, 2005 officials are covering in Baku to mark the first oil
being pumped into the BTC pipeline
Georgian media outlets are reporting that Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia
are intensifying military cooperation in order to protect the BTC crude
oil pipeline. Turkey is already assisting Georgian and Azerbaijan armed
force to meet NATO standards, and the cooperation now under discussion
will further increase cooperation and will last until Georgia and
Azerbaijan join NATO.
While government and business officials will be meeting in Baku on May
25 to mark the pumping of the first oil to the BTC’s first pump station,
the ministers of defence of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are scheduled
to meet in June in Baku and it is then that reports indicate the
officials will formally announce increased military cooperation.
Protecting the BTC pipeline has been a hot topic of discussion for a
long time already and now that the pipeline is beginning to enter
operation, there is greater urgency to secure its route and facilities.
The paper Rezonansi states the cooperation will include protection of
the pipeline, combating of terrorism ands fighting against smuggling of
weapons and narcotics. The paper also suggests that Ukraine would join
the military alliance.
The Georgian military analyst Irakli Sesiashvili rather than defence
institutions taking up the issue of pipeline security, the respective
countries’ state security services should take on this task because
police are more appropriate for this role than armies are.
But already officials are resorting to armed forces to respond to energy
security issues; in early May US officials announced they were working
with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on a Caspian Guard project that would
cost around USD 100 million and would be aimed at providing security for
Caspian oil resources.
The Washington Times quoted Richard Perle, the former head of the US
Defence Policy Board, as saying on May 10, 2005 “The fulfilment of this
project is necessary, as it will defend the Caspian countries from the
threat of Moscow. We are ready to support those states that have good
relations with the USA.”
The implementation of these security measures is a major cause of
irrigation to big player in Russia and Iran. Iran in particular at a
recent meeting to define the legal status of the Caspian Sea argued that
they are against “the miniaturization” of Caspian region and allowing a
special pipeline to be constructed under the Caspian Sea. Tehran also
expressed its concern over the involvement of western countries’ armed
forces to protect the Caspian region and demanded an immediate
resolution defining the legal status of the Caspian region, involving
five countries: Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Western countries, particularly the US, are unlikely however to lessen
their support for protecting energy resources in the region or allow
Iran influence Caspian issues in their favour.
3. President Sezer heads to Azerbaijani for pipeline opening
Source: Central Daylight Time, May 24, 2005
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will be in Azerbaijan Tuesday, May
24, 2005 to take part in ceremonies to mark the first flow of oil into
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. When fully operational, the
pipeline will carry the main flow of Azeri oil to the West.
The multi-billion dollar pipeline project, which is a joint venture
between both private enterprise and the involved states, is designed to
carry the main flow of Azeri oil from Baku on the Caspian Sea to the
Turkish Mediterranean coastal port of Ceyhan for export to the West.
Sezer will be in Baku as the guest of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.
While in Azerbaijan, he will meet with the heads of state of countries
attending the ceremony, before returning to Turkey on Wednesday, May 25,
2005.
4. Kazakhstan President is paying an official visit to Baku
Source: KAZINFORM, May 24, 2005
Today on May 24, 2005 President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has
arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit, our correspondent reports
from Baku. Bilateral meetings with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev are
scheduled in the program of the visit. A number of documents are
supposed to be signed after the talks.
Tomorrow Kazakhstan President will visit the Caspian Energy Museum and
Sangachal terminal. President Nazarbayev is also expected to take part
in the ceremony of opening the Azerbaijani part of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline.
5. Leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan launched talks
Source: KAZINFORM, May 24, 2005
The Head of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has arrived in Baku today,
on May 24, 2005. After the ceremonial reception in the Palace of
Azerbaijan President in Baku a private meeting of both leaders was held,
our correspondent reports from Baku.
During the talks both Presidents discussed the questions of expanding
partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan a range of international
problems. The talks proceeded with participation of both states’
delegations. A number of important documents are supposed to be signed
after the meetings.
6. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan sign strategic partnership
agreemenT
Source: KAZINFORM, May 24, 2005
Today on May 24, 2005 in Baku President of Kazakhstan Nursultan
Nazarbayev and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev have signed an Agreement
on Cooperation and Strategic Partnership between the states.
After the talks a series of important documents were signed by the
Governments of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. In particular the parties
agreed on cooperation in the sphere of tourism, labor, employment and
social protection of population, fight against terrorism, drug traffic
and organized crime.
7. The Caspian Sea unites: President’s constructive visit to
Baku
Source: KAZINFORM, May 24, 2005
“The Caspian Sea will not separate, but unite us”, said President of
Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev at the press conference after the
bilateral talks between the leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
commenting upon relationship between the states.
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan belong to the group of major oil producing
countries in the Caspian region and can become active participants of
the world market of energy resources. Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan will soon be
renamed Aktau-Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and become the main outlet of
Kazakhstan’s oil to the world market.
“Nevertheless the opportunities of economic partnership between the two
states are not exhausted. Kazakhstan could supply Azerbaijan with grain
and purchase oil industry technique in exchange”, noted Kazakhstani
leader.
8. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipe filling slated for May 25 in Baku
Source: Interfax, May 24, 2005
The ceremony to mark the initial filling of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline with oil will take place at the Sangachal oil terminal in Baku
on May 25, the Azerbaijani government told Interfax.
“Taking part in the ceremony will be the presidents of Georgia, Turkey,
and Kazakhstan. All three presidents arrived in Baku on Tuesday. The
presidents are expected to sign a political declaration to support the
East-West transportation corridor,” the government source said.
In addition, high-ranking officials from 30 countries and the management
of the companies involved in the pipeline construction will also take
part in the ceremony, he said.
9. New Caspian Sea pipeline to boost economic prospects in
region
Source: Associated Press, May 24, 2005
Presidents and oil company executives will inaugurate a 1,100-mile
pipeline Wednesday on May 25, 2005 that will carry millions of gallons
of crude from the landlocked Caspian to the Mediterranean a much-needed
alternative to Mideast energy resources.
Analysts say the $3.2 billion, U.S.-backed Baku-Ceyhan pipeline could
also help bring stability to the troubled region. The Caspian is thought
to contain the world’s third-largest oil and gas reserves.
“This global project will completely change the economic situation in
Azerbaijan, and in the political sense it will influence the rest of the
Caucasus and Central Asia,” said Vafa Guluzade, a former foreign
affairs adviser to the Azerbaijani government.
Built by a consortium led by BP PLC, the pipeline runs from Azerbaijan
through Georgia to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
Until now, Caspian states sent almost all their oil through Russian
pipelines to reach world markets. The new route will neutralize any
Russian attempts to use economic levers to bring former Soviet republics
back under its wing, Guluzade said.
The pipeline “will carry a huge volume of oil, and Russia is nervous
that it is being deprived of big money and also the possibility to
dictate its terms to these states,” he said.
Azerbaijan will earn taxes and royalties on the oil, while Georgia and
Turkey are to profit from transit fees.
The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey are to be
on hand along with U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and oil
executives to watch Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev open the taps
Wednesday for the first symbolic drops of oil to enter the pipeline at
the Sangachal oil terminal, about 25 miles south of the Azerbaijani
capital, Baku.
Aliev and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev planned to sign an
agreement on transporting Kazakh oil through the new pipeline Tuesday.
“We view this as a significant step forward in the energy security of
that region,” Bodman said Tuesday in Moscow.
The president of the pipeline consortium, Natik Aliev, said it would
take up to a month and a half to fill the Azerbaijani section of the
pipeline. The Georgian part will be ready after that, and then the
Turkish stretch, which Turkish authorities have said should be filled by
Aug. 15. It will take approximately 420 million gallons of crude to fill
the entire pipeline.
Bodman said deliveries would begin in the fall.
“This is a contribution toward … an increase supply in oil in the
world,” he said. “It adds a new supplier of some consequence.”
But experts say the new oil will provide only short-term relief to a
world that is consuming more crude every year. Oil prices, while down
from their recent highs, are still hovering around $49 a barrel.
Four years ago, oil officials spoke of finds that could rival the Middle
East’s production. But experts now say the Caspian should pump some 168
million to 210 million gallons per day, on a par with Iran.
Eshan Ul-Haq, chief analyst at PVM Oil Associates in Vienna, Austria,
said the pipeline will have an impact but only for Europe, because
initial volumes will be low.
He also said the pipeline’s oil could bring prices down for sour-grade
crude such as those produced by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and it could mean
lower prices for Russian Ural oil. The oil most in demand is light,
sweet crude, which most refiners prefer because it is low in sulfur and
easy to process.
It will take approximately 10 million barrels of crude to fill the
entire pipeline.
10. Officials Inaugurate Azerbaijan Pipeline
Source: Associated Press Writer, May 25, 2005
The Governments also signed protocols on amendments to the Agreement on
basic provisions of partnership in oil machine engineering.
SANGACHAL, Azerbaijan — Officials on Wednesday May 25, 2005 inaugurated
the first section of an 1,100-mile U.S.-backed pipeline bringing Caspian
Sea oil to Western markets.
The presidents from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey were on
hand for the ceremony at the Sangachal oil terminal, about 25 miles
south of the Azeri capital, Baku, to open the taps for the first drops
of oil to enter the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
The pipeline from the Azeri capital to the Turkish Mediterranean port of
Ceyhan is seen as a significant move toward reducing the West’s
dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Most Caspian oil exports previously
have moved through Russian pipelines.
The $3.2 billion project, with a capacity of 1 million barrels a day, is
the first direct oil link between the landlocked Caspian, which is
thought to contain the world’s third largest oil and gas reserves, and
the Mediterranean. The pipeline, built by a consortium led by the BP oil
company, passes through Georgia en route to Turkey.
All three countries look to earn substantial revenue from the pipeline
through transit fees and royalties.
“This pipeline first of all will help solve economic and social
problems, but the role of the pipeline in strengthening peace and
security in the region also is not small,” Azerbaijan’s President Ilham
Aliev said at the opening ceremony.
It will take approximately 10 million barrels of crude to fill the
entire pipeline.
11. Baku-Ceyhan will enhance energy independence – Saakashvili
Source: Interfax-Azerbaijan, May 25, 2005
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline will strengthen Georgia’s energy independence.
“Georgia has long been playing the role of a link between East and West.
Today it is a place where major global companies make large investment
to ensure the country’s energy independence,” Saakashvili said at a
ceremony marking the first oil to be pumped into the pipeline at the
Sangachal terminal near Baku.
As a member of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project, Georgia will play a
major role in transporting oil to world markets, the president said.
Georgia’s authorities are interested in opening other energy and
transport corridors, as well, he said.
12. The open society institute-Assistance Foundation (OSI-AF)
announces completion of important phase of the Baku-TbIlisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
pipeline monitoring project
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rovshan Bagirov: (99412) 986933, 412722
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 24, 2005. The Open Society Institute – Assistance
Foundation (OSI-AF) today announced the completion of an important phase
in the BTC pipeline monitoring conducted by local NGOs in Azerbaijan
with OSI-AF support.
In April 2004, OSI-AF and BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited (BP)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for supporting NGO monitoring
and capacity building. According to the MOU, OSI-AF acted as a donor,
facilitator and coordinator of local NGOs throughout the monitoring
project. Since then, OSI-AF, the participating NGOs and BP have all
worked intensively on this groundbreaking and rewarding project.
In May, 2004 OSI-AF initiated the project with a broad announcement in
the national media in Azerbaijan, inviting NGOs with relevant experience
to participate in monitoring of the BTC oil pipeline. Monitoring by NGOs
was to focus on the following areas: (1) environment; (2) social issues;
(3) human rights (particularly labour and land rights); (4) historical,
cultural and archaeological heritage; (5) use of local resources.
OSI-AF, in agreement with BP, wanted the process to be as inclusive as
possible and not limit it to only a few NGOs. As a result, eighty-six
local NGOs applied to OSI-AF to participate in the monitoring process.
To ensure more ownership and capacity building amongst this large number
of NGOs, OSI-AF facilitated a selection process amongst them, and
twenty-seven NGO representatives were grouped together in five NGO
Working Groups, one for each of the five areas listed above. Each
Working Group consisted of four to seven members, each of them
representing the NGOs selected to participate in the BTC pipeline
monitoring.
>From the outset, it became apparent that many of the NGOs in Azerbaijan
needed development of special skills and experience in monitoring
(methodology, planning, data collection and audit analysis, interview
techniques, report writing, presentation skills etc). Capacity building
was therefore considered essential to promote efficient data collection,
systematic interpretation of findings, production of quality reports and
ultimately meaningful outputs for all the parties concerned. For this
purpose, BP provided OSI-AF with funds to cover all training and
mentoring components of the project.
The project commenced in April 2004 and involved activities ranging from
training and presentations, initial document reviews, data collection
and report writing. They also included site visits to 75% of communities
along the pipeline. The result of this was reflected in five reports
produced by the Working Groups, the last one of which was completed in
early May 2005. A review of these reports took place during a number of
workshops attended by the NGOs, OSI-AF and BP over the course of May
2005. During this review, valuable recommendations were identified and
taken on board by BP, and an agenda was set for the review of findings
that merit further study.
Farda Asadov, OSI-AF/Azerbaijan Executive Director, commented: “The
project of civil society’s monitoring of the BTC pipeline construction
was not only about identifying positive and negative impacts of one of
the world biggest construction projects, it was most importantly a first
real opportunity for local civil society and a trans-national business
giant to cooperate and engage in an equal, healthy, constructive and
on-going dialogue”.
Michael Townshend, Chief Executive of BTC commented: “”BTC has been
subject to an unprecedented degree of monitoring meeting international
standards and encouraging public scrutiny. This monitoring initiative
provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to transparency,
to identify areas for improvement and play our role in strengthening the
capacities of civil society.”
To develop this dialogue further, OSI-AF and BP are planning a second
cycle of monitoring later in 2005. This will enable the NGO’s to
increase their knowledge and understanding of BTC and also, to further
develop their capacity and skills.
Five reports prepared by NGO Working Groups together with BP/BTC
Responses will be disclosed to the public on May 30th, 2005 during a NGO
Work Groups joint press conference, to be held in International Press
Centre at 11:00. Reports will be also available on-line after May 30th,
2005 at the following address:
The Open Society Institute- Assistance Foundation/Azerbaijan belongs to
the Open Society Foundation Network established by famous investor and
philanthropist George Soros. The Network encompasses more than 50
countries with initiatives in Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus,
Latin America, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Haiti, Mongolia, and
Turkey. OSI also supports programs in the United States and selected
projects elsewhere in the world. The main goal of OSI-Azerbaijan is to
foster transition of a closed society to a more open one. Since its
establishment in the country in 1996, OSI-Azerbaijan has encouraged the
development of the third sector by awarding grants and through
operational activity to support civic initiatives in education reforms,
communication technologies, human rights and rule of law, mass media,
public health, gender equality and arts and culture. Responding to new
challenges of the country development, OSI-Azerbaijan has recently
concentrated on increasing civil society involvement in the
democratization process, good governance and transparency of the use of
national resources.
13. Vacancy Announcements
13.1. Terms of Reference for National GIS/Cartography Expert
I. Background
The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river
system which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water
scarcity is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality
and quantity constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water
users over the coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary
responses are necessary to address the threats to the river system, and
their underlying causes. The main objective of project is to draft a
framework for Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) for Kura-Aras
river basin. The project so far produced a number of documents reporting
the results of institutional and technical studies, as well as
identified technical objectives for IRBP&M. For better understanding of
problems observed by national experts in background technical reports
and to help further reporting needs assessments of riparian countries
the project implementation teams will hire GIS/Cartography specialist
who will be responsible for preparing visual/cartography materials.
II. Scope of Work
a.. Collect necessary GIS/Cartography data according to the content
and material reviewed in Preliminary Background Analysis of Kura-Aras
River Basin on national levels;
b.. Conduct GIS mapping of Kura-Aras River Basin using ESRI’s advanced
GIS software – ArcGIS 8.3;
c.. Provide graphical support (thematic maps and other visual
material) for preparing Task 5.0 – National Objectives for the
Integrated River Basin Management and Planning;
d.. The list of thematic maps may include, but is not limited to:
– Background map of Kura-Aras River Basin: topography, simple
hydrology (national limits);
– Detailed hydrology and flow modules;
– Hydrogeology of Kura-Aras River System;
– Scheme of sub-basins/watershed network and gauging-stations;
– Ground water resources: artesian basins/sub-basins, main
aquifers;
– Mineral resources;
– Climatic Scheme: zones, regions, etc.;
– Major soil types
– Vegetation cover: floristic regions, protected areas,
ecosystems;
– Agriculture map: agriculture zones, crops, intensity
(productivity);
– Population dynamics;
– Industrial sites, economic zones (by activity types);
– Water quality maps: pollution loads by industrial sites,
pollution sources, discharge, microbiological and bacterial pollution;
– Sources of industrial water use (capacity);
– Water infrastructure: portable water (pipeline system),
sewerage, water treatment plants;
– Melioration network;
– Hydro power plants, their capacity.
III. Deliverables
The consultant will provide following deliverables:
a.. GIS database and thematic maps, both electronic and hard copies
(A4/A3 format color maps), English and Russian versions;
b.. Other visual material, i.e. graphics, schemes (as necessary),
etc.;
c.. Provide post-assignment oral consultations to the National Teams
if necessary on subjects related to the work.
IV. Qualifications and skills required
a.. First degree in a geography/cartography, natural sciences,
environment, or related fields;
b.. At least five years working experience in GIS and Cartography;
c.. Professional experience of working on similar tasks funded and
executed by UN or other international donor organizations;
d.. Good working knowledge of English and Russian is desired;
e.. Experience of working with multi-stakeholders on national and
regional levels with governmental, as well as non-profit organizations
in a plus.
V. Payment Schedule
Payment will be made in two installments: 20% upon signature of a
contract and 80% after successfully completing the task. The final
payment will be paid upon written evaluation and confirmation of the job
done by National Team Leaders and the Project Executing Manager. This
amount might be reduced in case that quality and deadlines are not met.
VI. Duration
Up to 2 month, with a possibility of a contract extension.
VII. Duty Stations
a.. Tbilisi, Georgia;
b.. Yerevan, Armenia;
c.. Baku, Azerbaijan.
Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae in their respective
countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) to National Team Leaders
electronically no later than 18:00 Friday, June 3rd, 2005 to:
1.. Mr. Zurab Jincharadze, Team Leader – Georgia
E-Mail: [email protected]
1.. Mr. Vilik Sargsyan, Team Leader – Armenia
E-mail: [email protected]
1.. Mr. Farda Imanov, Team Leader – Azerbaijan
E-mail: [email protected]
And copy to the Project Executing Manager:
Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
E-mail: [email protected]
13.2. Terms of Reference for National Expert in Data Collection
I. Background
The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river
system which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water
scarcity is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality
and quantity constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water
users over the coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary
responses are necessary to address the threats to the river system, and
their underlying causes. The main objective of project is to draft a
framework for Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) for Kura-Aras
river basin. The project so far produced a number of documents reporting
the results of institutional and technical studies, as well as
identified technical objectives for IRBP&M. For better understanding of
problems observed by national experts in background technical reports
the project implementation teams will hire expert who will be
responsible for evaluation of existing databases connected to water and
related sectors, as well as their technical condition, monitoring and
perspectives.
II. Scope of Work
1) Assess availability of data on:
a) Location of water objects and hydro-posts on them in the
Republic
b) Water and water economy balances in State and separate river
basins
c) Short and long-term anticipations related to water quantity and
quality in the Republic
d) Quantity characteristics of surface water resources
e) Quality characteristics of surface water resources
f) Quantity characteristics of ground water resources
g) Quality characteristics of ground water resources
h) Mineral waters
i) Water use (irrigation, drinking water communal supply,
industrial water supply, cattle watering, fishery, hydro-power
generation, recreational activity, water transport, etc.)
j) Water withdrawal (wastewater treatment stations, wastewater
collectors, etc.)
k) Permits for water use and withdrawal
l) Hydro-technical constructions (water reservoirs, canals,
HPPs, pumping stations, drainage, etc.)
m) Monitoring of lakes
n) Monitoring of forests
o) Ameliorative condition of lands
p) Natural hazards (floods, mudflows, and drought)
2) Management of data collection, processing and maintenance in
different sectors (in past, present and future)
3) Existing ways of data maintenance in different sectors (Cadastres,
electronic databases, reference books, books, video information, etc.)
4) Availability of existing data by sectors
a) Completely available
b) Partially available
c) Payable
d) Not available
5) Existing standards in different sectors (e.g. industry, fisheries,
irrigation, etc.)
6) Periods of quantity and quality monitoring in respective sectors
(years), and its timing (hours, days, months, trimesters, years)
7) Perspective planning of maintenance of overall National Water
Cadastre
8) Suggestions on maintenance of trans-boundary water cadastre, creation
of mutual database, exchange of information, as well as possibilities
for creation of emergency anticipation and prevention systems (technical
capacities, legal basis, methodologies, etc.)
III. Deliverables
a.. Expert will draft report in Russian langauge
IV. Qualifications and skills required
a.. First degree in natural sciences, environment, or related fields;
b.. Working experience in water sector and data management;
c.. Experience of working with multi-stakeholders with governmental,
as well as non-profit organizations;
d.. Good working knowledge of Russian;
V. Payment Schedule
Payment will be made in two installments: 20% upon signature of a
contract and 80% after successfully completing the task. The final
payment will be paid upon written evaluation and confirmation of the job
done by National Team Leaders and the Project Executing Manager. This
amount might be reduced in case that quality and deadlines are not met.
VI. Duration
Up to 2 month, with a possibility of a contract extension.
VII. Duty Stations
a.. Tbilisi, Georgia;
b.. Yerevan, Armenia;
c.. Baku, Azerbaijan.
Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae in their respective
countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) to National Team Leaders
electronically no later than 18:00 Friday, June 3rd , 2005 to:
1.. Mr. Zurab Jincharadze, Team Leader – Georgia
E-Mail: [email protected]
1.. Mr. Vilik Sargsyan, Team Leader – Armenia
E-mail: [email protected]
1.. Mr. Farda Imanov, Team Leader – Azerbaijan
E-mail: [email protected]
And copy to the Project Executing Manager:
Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
E-mail: [email protected]
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PAYS SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN SOUTH
CAUCASUS
24.05.2005 08:50
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey has number of tasks, including the opening of
border with Armenia and acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide, Member of
the European Parliament Joseph Borel stated at a meeting with Armenian
Parliamentary Speaker Artur Baghdasarian, reported the Press Service of the
Armenian National Assembly. In his words, Armenia’s stand in the
Armenian-Turkish relations is a constructive one, however the corresponding
response from Turkey is not received yet. In the course of the meeting the
parties also discussed the question of contribution of the European
Parliament to the creation of the South Caucasian Parliamentary Assembly
that can assist to the solution of regional problems. At the same time he
noted that the EP pays special attention to tasks of the countries of the
South Caucasus. In the course of the meeting Artur Baghdasarian presented
the process and the goals of the reforms in Armenia. The Armenian Speaker
invited Borel to visit Armenia.

Armenia’s centre-left parties set up union
Arminfo, Yerevan
23 May 05
Armenia’s four centre-left political parties – the Progressive Party,
the United Communist Party, the Women of Armenia party and the Justice
party – have adopted a decision to consolidate and create a
Centre-left Union.
The goal of the union is to consolidate all socialist political
forces, the leader of the Renewed Communist Party, Yuriy Manukyan, has
told an Arminfo correspondent.
He said that the main aim of the new union is to achieve social
justice, ensure stability, peace and evolutionary changes. Yuriy
Manukyan said that a working group has been set up to organize a
congress of the new union. Meanwhile, the leader of the United
Communists stressed that the congress could take place only if out of
the 27 socialist political forces, 10 would join the new union.
For his part, the leader of the Progressive Party, Tigran Urikhanyan,
said that representatives of the party were holding consultations on
unification with several socialist political forces. Among them Tigran
Urikhanyan mentioned the Progressive Communist Party and the Social
Democratic Party.

Armenian paper predicts Azerbaijan is next in line for revolution
Hayots Ashkarh, Yerevan
21 May 05

An Armenian paper thinks that the American administration has set its
sights on Azerbaijan as being the next country in the Central Asia and
Caucasus region to be ripe for “colour revolution”. The paper thinks
that a particularly strong clue for such conjecture is provided by the
fact that the revolutions in both Georgia and Kyrgyzstan took place at
around election time and elections are due in Azerbaijan later this
year. The paper concludes by noting that if revolution sweeps
Azerbaijan, Armenia should not expect to get off scot-free. The
following is the text of the article entitled “Parade of revolutions,
Azerbaijan will be the next” by Armenian newspaper Hayots Ashkarh on
21 May. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
By means of George Bush’s latest speech, the USA republican
administration has finally confessed that the “colour revolutions”
happening in the CIS countries are financed and sponsored by him. At
the same time the US president underlined the main strategic priority
of this process, i.e. the inevitability of the expected political
changes in the Caucasus-Central Asia region.
In such conditions an interesting question arises for the peoples of
the Caucasus and Central Asia: has their country been included in the
list of overseas democracies? Who is going to make revolution for them
in their country? But surely any political change, especially
revolution, is possible only as a manifestation of the strong will of
the majority of citizens in a given country.
Elections in Azerbaijan give clue to American thinking
What other countries in addition to Georgia and Kyrgyzstan are waiting
their turn in the queue for a “colour revolution”? To find an answer
to this question we need to pay attention to the fact that the
revolutions indicated by Bush took place only as a result of regular
elections and developments after the elections. The institution of
elections is the main mechanism that the USA view as being an
instrument for the establishment of democracy in the newly independent
CIS countries. Thus it is not accidental that the National Democratic
Institute [with headquarters in Washington DC] and other American
structures are above all working on improving the monitoring of
election processes in the CIS countries. We should note that at
present, in the whole of the Caucasus-Central Asia region, it is
Azerbaijan which is the country on the threshold of parliamentary
elections [in November 2005]. For this reason we think that by hinting
at his “great expectations” as regards the “prospect of change”, the
US president was pointing specifically at the inevitability of events
expected in Azerbaijan in the autumn.
Other factors pointing to Azerbaijan as next in line
Such a prediction gains more objective weight if one examines in
detail the political, geoeconomic and geopolitical processes in and
around Azerbaijan. They are:
a) the “hereditary autocracy” in Azerbaijan fully corresponds to the
“dictator regimes” mentioned by the US president;
b) the existence of a “new generation” that wishes liberty, which was
mentioned by the US president, tallies fully with the existence of a
strong pro-Western opposition in Azerbaijan;
c) the US president considers the Caucasus-Central Asia region as a
geopolitical whole and Azerbaijan as a “connecting link” and thinks
that it is an absolute priority to establish control over Azerbaijan;
d) the Azerbaijani leadership needs to understand that the Baku-Ceyhan
oil pipeline exists to control the world prices of oil.
Revolution in Azerbaijan would leave its mark on Armenia
Thus, on closer examination it becomes evident that the idea of the
inevitability of a colour revolution in Azerbaijan in the autumn is
the “hot point” of George Bush’s policy speech in Tbilisi. The events
expected in Azerbaijan will pose the main challenge which Armenia and
Karabakh will also be obliged to resist in the future, because if an
Azerbaijani model of the Georgian Saakashvili scenario suddenly
appears [presumably with breakaway regions such as Ajaria being
reabsorbed], our country will be forced to correct its foreign policy
as well.

Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
May 23 2005
Karabakh talks start taking shape
David McHugh
WARSAW – Azeri President Ilham Aliev has met with Armenian and
Turkish leaders at separate talks on the disputed enclave of
Karabakh, officials said early this week.
Aliev met first with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, followed by
a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey is
Azerbaijan’s closest ally in the region and the two countries often
coordinate steps with each other.
The meetings, which took place late Sunday and early Monday ahead of
the two-day Council of Europe summit, focused on the presence of
Armenian troops in Karabakh, a mountainous region inside Azerbaijan
that has been under the control of ethnic Armenian separatists since
the early 1990s, following hostilities that killed an estimated
30,000 people.
`I hope that negotiations will bring results,’ Aliyev was quoted as
saying by the Interfax-Azerbaijan news agency. `The positions are
well known. The issue has been discussed for years, and each side has
its own position. These positions have been discussed again.’
A cease-fire was signed in 1994, but the enclave’s final political
status has not been determined and shooting breaks out frequently
between the two sides, which face off across a demilitarized buffer
zone.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mamadyarov said on private ATV
television Monday that one focus of the talks was possible Armenian
withdrawal from seven occupied regions adjacent to the former
autonomy of Nagorno-Karabakh. `They agree to return all the regions
but they’re thinking about when,’ he said.
Speaking at the summit, Armenian President Kocharian said his country
was looking `to find ways of including the de-facto established
Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh into the European process of
integration.’
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said in his speech that `Armenia is
not only occupying parts of Azerbaijan, it also refuses to recognize
its border with Turkey and has historic claims on some parts of
eastern Turkey.’
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier and Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov also took part in the talks, officials said. France,
Russia and the United States lead the Minsk Group under the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is seeking
to assist a diplomatic solution.
In related news, local TV this week reported that Armenian armed
forces again opened fire on Azerbaijani troops in two occupied
regions according to an ANS TV report quoting the Ministry of
Defense.
The ANS Karabakh bureau also reported that Armenian armed shelled
from positions in the occupied area of Gulchuluk Sovkhoz of Aghdam
region at the Azerbaijani army in Chiraqli village this Tuesday and
Wednesday nights. No casualties were reported.

Pan Armenian News
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WAR ON TERROR TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
23.05.2005 04:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ May 24-25 an international conference entitled `Tolerance,
struggle against discrimination and xenophobia in the context of war on
international terror’ organized by the Institute of the Human Rights
Protection under the aegis of UNESCO will be held in Yerevan. According to a
report of the department of information and public relations of the Armenian
Ombudsman, the event is called to consolidate peace, contribute to the
formation of the atmosphere of mutual tolerance and trust as well as
establishment of a dialogue between the states of the region. About 60
participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia as well as
representatives of international, intergovernmental and public organizations
will take part in the conference. Person in charge for Human Rights of the
Russian Federation Vladimir Lukin, member of the Executive Committee of the
European Institute of Ombudsman Nicholas Schwerzler , President of the Saint
Petersburg Humanities and Political Studies Center Strategy Alexander
Sungurov, members of the office of the Georgian National Defender, the
representatives of the UNESCO, Yerevan UNDP Office, Russian Embassy, the
President Administration as well as public organizations of the national
minorities of Armenia will be among the participants, IA Regnum reports.