Author: Kajoyan Gevork

RUSSIA INTENDS TO STRENGTHEN ITS POWER IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 4 2013

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, December 4

Russia intends to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus.

President Vladimir Putin made a statement concerning the issue at
the Russian-Armenian Interregional Forum in Yerevan on December 2.

According to Putin, Russia has never planned to leave the region.

“On the contrary, we are going to strengthen our position in the
South Caucasus,” Putin said.

He emphasized that the Russian position would strengthen, “relying
on the best inheritance from our ancestors and good relations with
all countries of the region, including Armenia.”

Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze “does not want to believe
that Russia might create a threat for Georgia.”

She admitted that the Federation has already used all its levers
against our country.

“However, despite the fact, we might face certain threats from Russia.

It is known to us from where the threat might emerge,” Panjikidze
stated.

She noted that Georgia has chosen its way of development and,
presumably, Russia will not take actions aimed at disrupting the
signing of the agreement with the European Union.

“Georgia and Russia are holding fruitful negotiations. We stand
for changes in our relations and I think that Russia is unlikely to
exacerbate them,” she said.

Parliamentary majority member Davit Zurabishvili emphasized that
Georgia should respond to Russian attempts with more steps forward
to Europe.

Member of the United National Movement (UNM) Zurab Tchiaberashvili
made clear that Russia’s aims are obvious. According to him, Russia
is trying to divide the world into various spheres of influence.

“Russia wants the states of the former Soviet Union to be under the
Federation’s supervision. The attempt is illegal as it restricts the
freedom of states. The situation taking place in Ukraine is a vivid
example of the Russian policy,” Tchiaberashvili stated.

Military analyst Tengiz Pkhaladze thinks that Russia does not wish
to lose its levers in the Caucasus region and will do its best to
retain them.

“Putin’s visit to Armenia and the statements made to them serve
Russia’s aim to preserve power in the region,” Pkhaladze stressed.

Political analyst Vazha Beridze believes that the situation in Ukraine
and the developments there will result in serious effect on Russian
influence.

“If the West loses Ukraine, Russia might become the major leading
force for the post-Soviet states very soon,” Beridze states.

ARMENIA HAS NO RIGHT TO SELL SHARES OF ARMRUSGASPROM AND VOROTAN CASCADE WITHOUT PRIVATIZATION – MP

December 04, 2013 | 18:32

YEREVAN. – Armenia has no right to sell the shares of ArmRusgasprom
and the Vorotan cascade without privatization program, MP Artsvik
Minasyan said.

He recalled that privatization of the Vorotan cascade of hydro power
plants was included in the program in early 2000s, but was excluded
in 2006-2007.

“Twenty percent of ArmRusgasprom shares have never been included
in the program. Then, what is the legal basis for Armenia to hold
negotiations on ArmRusgasprom shares with Gazprom and with Contour
Global on Vorotan cascade,” Minasyan wonders.

In reply, the Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan said that the law
does not prohibit talks on selling state assets, even if they are
not included in the privatization program

“It’s not about selling but about preliminary agreement. Well, when
it comes to selling, then we will find legal justification with the
help of parliament,” Minister said.

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN KIEV, DECEMBER 5

APA, Azerbaijan
Dec 3 2013

[ 03 December 2013 14:50 ]

Edward Nalbandian: “We want to achieve progress in the negotiations
as much as possible”

Baku – APA. The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers will meet
in Kiev on December 5 as a part of the meeting of the OSCE Foreign
Ministers’ Council, said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
APA reports quoting Armenia today. He said that they want to achieve
progress in the negotiations as much as possible: “Of course, it is
important that both sides have a desire to resolve the conflict.”

Nalbandian said that Armenia is committed to the peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. If Azerbaijan takes such a position,
it will be possible to advance the negotiation process and approach
to the resolution of the conflict.

At the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Vienna,
November 19, the foreign ministers of both countries were tasked to
meet as soon as possible.

ARMENIANS RALLY AGAINST CUSTOMS UNION AS PUTIN DELIVERS REWARDS

Business New Europe
Dec 3 2013

bne
December 3, 2013

Armenians picketed a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin on
December 2, in protest over Yerevan’s surprise decision in September
to join the Customs Union. The Russian leader came bearing gifts,
confirming a huge discount on gas prices.

Around 500 people protested in Yerevan on December 2 over the plan for
Armenia to enter the Russian-led Customs Union. Echoing the feelings
of frustration at movement back towards the east being expressed
on the streets of Ukraine, demonstrators carried banners demanding
“Putin, go home,” reports Reuters.

Others insisted “”No to the USSR”, in protest against Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan’s decision to turn his back on closer
integration with the European Union. His country had spent months
negotiating an association and trade pact with Brussels, but that
process was turned on its head by a surprise announcement – in the
wake of another meeting with Putin – that Armenia would instead join
the Customs Union on September 3.

The protest march ended outside Sargsyan’s residence, where
demonstrators submitted a letter calling on the president to reverse
the decision. Demonstrators also voiced solidarity with protesters in
Ukraine, where mass protests have taken place in recent days after
President Viktor Yanukovych failed to sign a similar agreement with
Brussels, citing pressure from Moscow.

Yerevan police blocked the protesters’ way, saying their demonstration
was unsanctioned and arrested around 110 people, ArmInfo reports.

Opposition leaders claim that police beat several demonstrators.

Members of the Aizan, Free Democrats and Heritage parties are believed
to be among those arrested. Several leading anti-Russian activists were
detained in Yerevan before the rallies started, according to RFE/RL.

Speaking at a parliament session, Armenian National Congress MP Nikol
Pashinyan criticised the arrests. He claims the demonstrators were
“fighting to preserve the sovereignty and honour of Armenia”, Hetq
Online reported.

Sargsyan’s decision to move further into the Russian sphere of
influence was a shock to many Armenians, coming just two months before
the Eastern Partnership summit that took place last week in Vilnius.

Pressure

Under no little pressure from Russia, Armenia was the first of the
six countries expected to initial or sign EU association agreement
and trade pacts to drop out. In the end, only Georgia and Moldova
made the commitment. Ukraine is the big fish however, and speculation
swirls over Yanukovych’s next move. Russia is pushing hard to swell
the ranks of its own trade club, which it founded alongside Belarus
and Kazakhstan in 2011. Critics have often accused Putin of trying
to recreate the USSR.

Yanukovych told the EU that he cannot sign the deal due to pressure
from Russia, which openly threatened to erect trade barriers if he did
so. At the same time, Ukraine is in a fiscal hole, and a cut in gas
prices and cheap loan would help enormously. The Ukraine leader is due
to meet Putin next week, but is also in close contact with Brussels.

Any definite move towards the east would raise the tension on the
streets, which are occupied by tens of thousands of protestors across
the country.

In Armenia, Sargsyan does not face similar pressure pushing westwards.

A survey by the Eurasian Development Bank published in October found
that 67% of Armenians were in favour of Customs Union membership.

However, the opposition has accused Moscow of exerting heavy pressure.

Armenian consumer gas prices spiked by 18% in July, following a
price hike by Russian state-controlled export monopoly Gazprom. The
previous month, Russia completed an arms delivery worth around $1bn
to Armenia’s long time rival Azerbaijan, potentially escalating the
long-standing conflict over the breakaway Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Speaking at a Russian-Armenian regional forum in Yerevan during his
visit, Putin stressed the importance of the South Caucasus region
to the Russian government. “We are going to strengthen our position
in the South Caucasus, drawing on the best of what we have inherited
from ancestors and good relations with all countries in the region,”
he said, according to Reuters.

He also confirmed that Sarysyan’s government will be rewarded for its
decision to join the Customs Union. Putin announced the signing of
an agreement under which Russia will give up its 30% export duties
on gas sent to Armenia. Russia will export gas to Armenia at $189
per 1,000 cubic metres, which is less than half the price charged to
Ukraine and EU consumers.

Armenia will also see the 35% duty on Russian exports of petroleum
products scrapped. The charge is causing problems in more than one CIS
country that is not currently part of the Customs Union. Uzbekistan
and Tajikistan are currently facing fuel shortages.

Gazprom also confirmed that it will acquire the Armenian government’s
20% stake in ArmRosgazprom, which will give it full control of the
gas distribution company. Armenia will also be able to buy weapons
from Russia at domestic prices, and oil at a 30% discount, Putin told
the forum.

THE MAP OF ARMENIA INCLUDES 985 CITIES, TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS

CIOL
dec 3 2013

News | CIOL Bureau

RUSSIA: NAVITEL announced the release of the navigation map of Armenia,
which supports such free services as Navitel.Friends, Navitel.Events,
Dynamic POI and others all over the country!

The map of Armenia includes 985 cities, towns and settlements and
shows contours and locations of buildings. For Yerevan, the capital
of Armenia, the map ensures full coverage of road network and contains
a complete database of 25,200 addresses available for address search.

The map represents 22,878 km of road graph, and a wide variety of 4,266
POIs will be at hand for search of objects, which might be necessary
while moving along the route. The data is represented in Armenian,
English and Russian.

The map additionally includes a 3D-model of the National Gallery
of Armenia, which is the central Museum of Fine Arts of the country
and one of the largest museum within the Commonwealth of Independent
States.

The map of Armenia includes residential and industrial objects and
sites of cities, towns and settlements, highly detailed road network,
including streets and roads and taking into account traffic directions,
interchanges and other important information.

ANCA GRASSROOTS AND BANQUET BRING 1,400 AROUND HYE TAD

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

Primate of Artsakh Diocese, Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan being
presented the ANCA Khrimian Hayrig Award by Dr. Viken Hovsepian, with
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and Western Primate
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian on stage during the ANCA-WR Annual Banquet

LOS ANGELES-The ANCA Grassroots Conference and the annual banquet
brought together more than 1,400 supporters of the Armenian National
Committee of America-Western Region for the weekend long conference
and banquet being held at the Loews Hollywood Hotel and the adjacent
Roy Dolby Ballroom.

The weekend events kicked off Friday with the 2013 ANCA Grassroots
Conference, which brought together artists, academics, legal experts
and political officials for a three-day discussion of issues of
importance to the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Actress, activist Arsinee Khanjian speaks during the ANCA Grassroots
Fim & Arts Panel on Friday

ANCA Grassroots featured four panels-Film & Arts; Homeland-Diaspora;
Western Armenia and Transnational Justice-and two workshops-Hye Votes
and iZartonk. On Sunday, ANCA Grassroots hosted the groundbreaking
Hye Tad Global Initiative, which brought together six ANC leaders
from the Middle East, Armenia, Europe, Australia, South America and
Canada who shared their perspectives live via Google Hangouts linking
the global Hye Tad efforts via the internet.

This year’s ANCA-WR Annual Banquet was held at the Roy Dolby Ballroom,
home to the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball and featuring a special
menu by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

The ANCA-WR honored Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti with its “Man
of the Year” award; Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Archbishop
Parkev Martirosyan with its “Khrimian Hayrig” Award; legendary coach
Jerry Tarkanian with its “People’s Champion” Award; California State
Assemblyman Khatcho Achajian with its “Legislator of the Year” Award;
Ara Soudjian with its “Vahan Cardashian” Award; and Manas Boujikian
with its coveted “Legacy” Award.

Last week the ANCA-WR announced the Ghailian family as the 2013
ANCA-WR Annual Banquet sponsor.

“Philanthropy is a cornerstone of the Ghailian family which includes
Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Julia Ghailian, Mr. and Mrs. Carlo and
Gisella Ghailian, Mr. and Mrs. Angelo and Lori Ghailian and Miss Monica
Ghailian,” said the ANCA-WR in announcing the generous sponsorship.

Asbarez will have extensive coverage of both events in future editions.

AYF PARTICIPATES IN FIRST BDP YOUTH CONGRESS IN TURKEY

AYF Participates in First BDP Youth Congress in Turkey

DIYARBAKIR (DIKRANAGERD), Turkey-On Saturday, November 30, an Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Youth Organization delegation comprised of
Sarkis Degirmenjian and Rupen Janbazian from Armenia, participated in
the first youth congress of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP). The congress was organized by the Youth Assembly of the
BDP and was held in Diyarbakir’s Seyrantepe Sport Hall. The invitation
was extended to the AYF as well as all other member youth organizations
of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY).

The conference was attended by over 30,000 BDP members and supporters,
as well as several representatives of socialist youth organizations
from around the world. The representatives of the AYF addressed the
crowd, outlining their view on a number of regional and international
issues faced by both the Armenian and Kurdish people.

The speech, which was delivered first in Armenian and then in
Turkish, focused on the shared history of the two peoples and
how a cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding can be
instrumental in today’s changing Middle East. After the address, the
AYF representatives presented the BDP Youth Assembly members with a
commemorative plaque.

The following day, on December 1, the AYF delegation participated in
a forum organized by the BDP Youth Assembly with the representatives
of all the invited organizations, during which a number of issues
pertaining to socialist youth were discussed.

It is important to note that two other high-level meeting between
delegations representing the ARF and the BDP were held over the past
few weeks in Washington and Istanbul on October 29 and November 12
respectively. The November 29 meeting was the first time since 1923
that an official ARF delegation had visited Istanbul.

Turkey’s BDP, which was founded in 2008, has observer status in the
Socialist International, and publicly urges the government of Turkey
to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

PUTIN FACES PROTESTS AS HE WOOS ARMENIA

Reuters
Dec 2 2013

YEREVAN Mon Dec 2, 2013 8:33am EST

(Reuters) – About 500 people marched through the capital of Armenia on
Monday to denounce visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and to
protest against plans to join a Moscow-led customs union.

Some of the crowd in central Yerevan held banners declaring “Putin,
go home” or “No to the USSR”, a reference to the Russian leader’s
efforts to bind former Soviet republics together more closely in
economic and security alliances.

Putin flew to the South Caucasus country for talks on its decision
in September to join the Customs Union with Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan, but began his visit in another city, Gyumri. He was due
in Yerevan later on Monday.

The rally in Yerevan followed much larger protests in Ukraine, which
suspended plans to sign a trade deal with the European Union last
week and decided to rebuild economic ties with Russia instead.

Kremlin critics in the West accuse Putin of putting pressure on
Ukraine, Armenia and other former Soviet republics to reject agreements
that would increase their integration with the EU.

Putin has made clear Moscow wants to increase its influence in the
strategic region sandwiched between Russia, Turkey, Iran and the oil
and gas deposits of the Caspian Sea basin.

“We are going to strengthen our position in the South Caucasus,
drawing on the best of what we have inherited from ancestors and
good relations with all countries in the region,” Putin told a
Russian-Armenian regional forum in Gyumri.

“Participation in the Customs Union … already is bringing Russia,
Kazakhstan and Belarus tangible dividends,” he said.

Police blocked a central street as the demonstrators headed closer
to the headquarters of President Serzh Sarksyan’s administration,
and protesters handed over a letter urging the government to renounce
its decision to join the customs union.

Russia is the biggest foreign investor in Armenia and its largest
trading partner. Bilateral trade grew 22 percent to $1.2 billion last
year. Most trade has been imports to Armenia.

Three years ago Russia extended its lease on a military base in the
landlocked, resource-poor nation of 3.2 million until 2044, ensuring
it maintains a firm foothold in the South Caucasus.

The region also includes Azerbaijan, which has been embroiled in
a territorial dispute with Armenia since the Soviet collapse, and
Georgia, with which Russia fought a five-day war in 2008.

(Reporting by Hasmik Mrktchyan and Alexei Anishchuk; Writing by Steve
Gutterman and Alissa de Carbonnel; Editing by Timothy Heritage)

Hraparak: Putin will not stay overnight in Armenia

Sunday, December 01, 2013

`Hraparak’ paper writes that in all likelihood Russian President
Vladimir Putin will not stay overnight in Armenia.

`On his arrival in Gyumri, he will participate in the events there.
Then he will travel to Yerevan, visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial,
attend a dinner in his honor and return to Moscow. The reason for not
staying overnight in Armenia is probably that during his visit to Baku
he didn’t spend the night there either,’ the paper notes.

30.11.2013, 11:07
Aysor.am

Malta wins Junior Eurovision 2013, Armenia comes 6th

00:14 01.12.2013

Armenia, Junior Eurovision, Malta

With a total of 130 votes, Gaia Cauchi, 11, won the 2013 Junior
Eurovision Song Contest for Malta. In receiving the winner’s trophy
she thanked coach Gillian Attard and her parents.

Armenia came 6th in the contest. A total of 12 countries participated
in Junior Eurovision Song Contest held in Kyiv, Ukraine.