Author: Kajoyan Gevork

GALUST SAHAKIAN DEFEND L’ADHESION A L’UNION DOUANIERE

ARMENIE

Mettant au rancart de nombreuses critiques contre l’adhesion de
l’Armenie a l’Union douanière (UD), le vice-president du Parti
republicain d’Armenie a affirme que ” nous nous dirigeons vers une
cooperation economique, pour l’interet superieur de l’Armenie, en
mettant de côte les sentiments “.

En reference a l’UD Galust Sahakian a declare a la presse mardi
que c’est une question de distribution sur le marche et qu’il n’y a
aucun pays parmi les anciens Etats sovietiques, actuellement membre
de la Communaute des Etats independants, qui auraient manifeste une
implication active dans les marches europeens.

” Je ne crois pas qu’il y ait une necessite de garantir a la
population que l’adhesion a l ‘UD a ete l’un de nos reves les plus
chers, parce que ce n’est pas vrai, ce n’est pas non plus en entrant
dans cette union que tous les autres pays membres vont abandonner
leurs interets et se precipiter a la protection de la vôtre. Nous ne
pouvons tout simplement voir que notre part d’interet pour elle ”
a declare Galust Sahakian, soulignant l’importance d’etre l’un des
fondateurs de cette union, qui, dit-il, cree une large plate-forme
pour l’Armenie. ” Les decisions ne seront prises que par consensus,
ce qui est notre meilleur outil “.

En ce qui concerne les nouvelles qui circulent dans la presse que la
Russie a l’intention de soulever la question du statut de la langue
russe en Armenie, Galust Sahakian a dit qu’aucune langue ne sera
dotee d’un statut special.

” Le russe pourrait etre la langue de travail de la zone de l’UD,
cependant ce qui est une necessite est de travailler sur l’amelioration
et atteindre un niveau superieur de competence. La langue armenienne
est notre identite, toutes les autres langues sont nos outils ”
a-t-il dit ajoutant que la souverainete de l’Armenie est intouchable
aussi. ” Il n’y a pas de problème. Nous sommes un Etat independant,
utilisant des outils de l’Etat pour assurer la croissance economique
la plus elevee possible “.

par Gohar Abrahamian

ArmeniaNow

vendredi 29 novembre 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

EU AND ARMENIA HAVEN’T STOPPED INTEGRATION PROCESS

Vestnik Kavkazussia
Nov 29 2013

29 November 2013 – 7:28pm

The European Union didn’t sign an associate membership agreement
with Armenia in the framework of the Vilnius summit of the eastern
Partnership due to the country’s plans to join the Customs Union of
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, even though the agreement has already
been drafted and approved by both parties.

The parties said however that they weren’t going to stop the
integration process and that mutual cooperation would continue.

Vestnik Kavkaza discussed EU-Armenian relations with the head of the
Caucasus Institute, Alexander Iskanderyan.

According to the expert, the EU and Armenia failed to sign an agreement
only due the country’s ties with Russia. He underlines however that
this doesn’t mean that Armenian isn’t going to continue its European
integration.

“That’s the main tendency in Armenian foreign policy – to be flexible.

The country is trying to be on good term with all parties,” he says.

MEDVEDEV ORDERS ROSATOM TO REACH NUCLEAR SECURITY ACCORD WITH ARMENIA

Interfax, Russia
November 28, 2013 Thursday 2:48 PM MSK

MOSCOW. Nov 28

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered Rosatom to sign a
nuclear security cooperation agreement with the Armenian government
on behalf of Russia.

“To designate the Rostom State Atomic Energy Corporation for holding
negotiations with the Armenian side jointly with the Russian Foreign
Ministry and Rostekhnadzor (the Federal Service for Ecological,
Technological and Nuclear Supervision) and signing the agreement on
behalf of the Russian government,” says the prime minister’s directive
posted on the official legal data portal on Thursday.

The draft agreement compels the sides to cooperate “in the development
of the nuclear security infrastructure in the Republic of Armenia in
the operation of the Armenian nuclear power plant and the construction
of new units.” These efforts will be taken consistent with the
recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The sides will interact in several areas, such as the development of
innovative atomic energy units.

Russia and Armenia will upgrade nuclear security in the management
of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

It is planned to upgrade legal norms pertaining to nuclear security
and to develop a network of crisis centers in the Republic of Armenia.

——————– November 28, 2013 Thursday 3:29 PM MSK

Medvedev orders Rosatom to reach nuclear security accord with Armenia
(Part 2)

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered Rosatom to sign a
nuclear security cooperation agreement with the Armenian government
on behalf of Russia.

“To designate the Rostom State Atomic Energy Corporation for holding
negotiations with the Armenian side jointly with the Russian Foreign
Ministry and Rostekhnadzor (the Federal Service for Ecological,
Technological and Nuclear Supervision) and signing the agreement on
behalf of the Russian government,” says the prime minister’s directive
posted on the official legal data portal on Thursday.

The draft agreement compels the sides to cooperate “in the development
of the nuclear security infrastructure in the Republic of Armenia in
the operation of the Armenian nuclear power plant and the construction
of new units.” These efforts will be taken consistent with the
recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The sides will interact in several areas, such as the development of
innovative atomic energy units.

Russia and Armenia will upgrade nuclear security in the management
of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

It is planned to upgrade legal norms pertaining to nuclear security
and to develop a network of crisis centers in the Republic of Armenia.

Another directive of the prime minister ordered the Federal Service for
Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision to sign an agreement
with the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency on cooperation in the
regulation of nuclear and radiation security issues in the peaceful
use of atomic energy.

Te cm

TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON RAISES OVER $3.8 MILLION FOR CHARITIES

Market News Publishing
November 28, 2013 Thursday 4:48 AM PST

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (“BNS-T”) – Toronto Waterfront Marathon Raises
Over $3.8 Million For Charities

Runners, spectators and neighbourhoods alike at the 2013 Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon raised over $3.8 million in support of
185 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. In
celebration of their fundraising efforts, just over $61,400 in prizes
was presented to charities at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Awards
Night in Toronto on November 27.

“Enormous congratulations to all our Charity Challenge and costume
runners, our Neighbourhood Champions and spectators, plus our Marathon
Jrs!” said Race Director Alan Brookes. “Your energy, dedication and
determination exemplify the spirit of the marathon and enrich our
city immeasurably.”

This year, the charities raised $3,858,072. Since its inception in
2002, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge has raised a grand total of
more than 21 million dollars for local charities.

“The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is an incredible event for
our city, where the dreams of runners, both elite and recreational
are realized and runners, walkers, spectators and communities join
together to raise much needed money for our community,” said Claude
Norfolk, Scotiabank Senior Vice President of Toronto Region. “We would
like to thank all of the participants and supporters who raised an
outstanding amount of funds for 185 charities through the Scotiabank
Charity Challenge.”

In addition to the total amount of dollars raised by participating
charities, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge awarded first, second and
third place cash prizes to participating charities in each of three
categories totalling $33,000. Each category winner received $6,000
with the second place charity receiving $3,000 and $2,000 going to
the third place charity.

The 2013 winners are:

Highest fundraising dollars raised:

Fountain of Love and Life – $205,291

SickKids Foundation – $145,685

Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto – $105,746

Most participating fundraisers:

A Run to Remember (supported by Armenian Community Centre) –
301 Runners

Engineers Without Borders – 157 Runners

Epilepsy Toronto – 144 Runners

Highest fundraising dollars per fundraiser:

Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation – $4,687 / participant

Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada – $3,945 / participant

Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada – $3069 / participant

The Neighbourhood Challenge was created in order for the Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon to have a sustainable, year-round impact
on our local neighbourhoods, groups, charities and families. The
Neighbourhood Challenge gives back to those communities that the
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course runs through. It’s a
friendly competition amongst neighbourhoods to see who puts on the
best cheering stations along the race route. Thousands of supporters
gather along the length of the course to celebrate our different
neighbourhoods.

During the awards ceremony, Scotiabank awarded a total of $14,000 to
the charities of Neighbourhood Challenge winners.

The winners of the 2013 Neighbourhood Challenge are:

Greektown

St. Lawrence Market (hosts St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association)

Liberty Village/King West (hosts St. Christopher House)

Honourable mentions went to South Riverdale, The Beach, and
Cabbagetown.

For the fourth year in a row, Scotiabank also gave out five cash
awards totalling $5,000 to the winner’s charity as part of the Best
Dressed Costume Contest at the marathon.

The winners of the 2013 Best Dressed Costume Challenge are:

Marathon Winner – Brett Titus as a man in a cage

Marathon Runner Up – Kevin Bibby as a fireman

Half-Marathon – Rosena Joseph as a bride

5K Winner – Ana Tomy as a skeleton

5K Winners – Kevin Bourgeois and Johnathan Puddle, wearing tuxedos

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon:

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the signature event of
the Canada Running Series and the country’s premier international
running event, annually, attracting over 25,000 participants from
over 60 countries and raising more than $3.8 million for over 180
local and national charities. Visit

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which
we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global
philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as
a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our
charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has
provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community
causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us
at TSX closing price for BNS-T Date: 2013/11/27
Closing Price: 65.39

UKRAINE’S PATH NOT TAKEN

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Nov 28 2013

by Charles Tannock*
28 November 2013 /BRUSSELS

Sometimes history can be too ironic. This week, as Ukraine marked
the 80th anniversary of the Holodomor, Stalin’s engineered famine
in Ukraine, President Viktor Yanukovich’s government announced that
it would not sign a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with
the European Union at a summit in Vilnius on Nov. 28. Just like that,
Ukraine’s chance to transcend its tortured history appears to have
been thrown away.

The ostensible issue that forced Yanukovich to balk was the EU’s
demand that former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, now serving
a seven-year prison sentence, be permitted to travel to Germany
for medical treatment. Though the European Court of Human Rights
has ruled her imprisonment politically motivated, Yanukovich —
whose power to pardon is absolute — has refused to countenance her
release, desiring above all to prevent her candidacy in the Ukrainian
presidential election due in 2015.

Perhaps Yanukovich’s retreat from Europe should have been foreseen,
given behavior — like locking up his political opponents — that has
been difficult to reconcile with European values and democratic norms.

But it was his recent series of secret meetings with Russian President
Vladimir Putin that sealed the fate of the agreement with the EU.

Former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski once observed
that in Russian eyes, Russia without Ukraine was a normal nation-state,
but Russia with Ukraine was an empire. But Russians who believe that
Yanukovich’s retreat from Europe represents a great victory should
think again. Just as Putin’s gross mismanagement of the economy
has led even the economics minister to predict stagnation for the
rest of this decade, his geopolitical nostalgia is poised to saddle
Russians with the same dysfunctional empire that impoverished them
under the Soviets. Worse still, it seems that only the same system —
in which siloviki (secret policemen) are in charge — appears capable
of holding together such a ramshackle economic empire.

Putin can preen, but the fact remains that Ukraine’s economy is in
far worse shape than Russia’s. A demographically declining empire of
crony capitalists, from which the most talented and educated flee —
some 300,000 left Russia last year alone — is hardly likely to be a
serious strategic challenger to either the United States or China. On
the contrary, China covets much of eastern Russia, lands taken from
it during its years of “humiliation” in the 19th century.

Having recently traveled to Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine, I saw
firsthand the splits in the political class and in public opinion
concerning whether these countries should hitch their economies and
security to Europe and the US, or submit to Russia through membership
in its Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC). The Russian system
vaguely resembles Imperial Japan’s Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere in both its rhetoric and its aim of subordinating neighbors.

Armenia was the first ex-Soviet state to succumb to Putin’s pressure
and shun the EU Eastern Partnership. After four years of negotiations,
Putin warned President Serzh Sargsyan that the price of Russian gas
would be doubled, Russian security guarantees would be withdrawn
(Armenia is locked in a bitter dispute with oil-rich Azerbaijan),
and the large Armenian diaspora in Russia would no longer be as
welcome to work and live in the country as before.

Similar attempts to bully Georgia were made, and former Prime Minister
Bidzina Ivanishvili talked about joining Putin’s customs union. But,
following the overwhelming defeat of the overtly pro-Russia
candidate Nino Burjanadze in the recent presidential election,
the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to stay the Euro-Atlantic
course, particularly as Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions
remain under Russian occupation. (Russia has also tried heavy-handed
tactics on Moldova by threatening to ban the country’s wine exports
to Russia and to recognize the independence of the breakaway territory
of Transnistria.)

The West can diminish the force of Russian bullying by assuring
ex-Soviet countries that the Eastern Partnership is not dead, and that
something short of the envisioned free-trade areas will emerge. The
EU can also continue to work for greater access to visas and,
eventually, full visa-free travel. It can remain engaged on cooperation
agreements affecting aviation, trade, academic exchanges, transport,
infrastructure, tourism and agriculture and rural development.

Moreover, it can provide renewed help for democratic
institution-building: assisting judicial reform, raising
anti-corruption awareness and encouraging prosecution of even
high-ranking offenders, as well as supporting engagement by
civil-society groups. Perhaps most critically, countries such as
Austria, where members of the Yanukovich clique have created obscure
companies to hide their ill-gotten assets, can stop turning a blind
eye to the plundering of countries like Ukraine.

Unfortunately, in an era of budgetary austerity and lingering eurozone
fragility, EU member states were unable to neutralize Russia’s
economic threats against Ukraine, particularly the loss of the Russian
market. Perhaps a more radical solution to Russian bullying might have
been to match Russia’s recent arbitrary ban on Ukrainian chocolate
exports with a ban on Russian vodka exports to the EU.

In the end, it may be the oligarchs who have bankrolled Yanukovich’s
career — particularly Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man — who
will make the ultimate decision about Ukraine’s fate. As Ukraine’s
European prospects diminish, the economy — and thus the oligarchs’
fortunes — will be exposed to the Russian siloviki’s untender
mercies. Perhaps once Akhmetov and his ilk comprehend the long-term
risks to their businesses and wealth, they will induce MPs that are
beholden to them to switch sides and unite with pro-EU forces to
restore Ukraine’s European future.

________________________________

*Charles Tannock is foreign affairs coordinator for the European
Conservatives and Reformists in the European Parliament. © Project
Syndicate 2013

EXPERT: ARMENIAN, BELARUSIAN JOURNALISTS SHOULD INCREASE COOPERATION

Belarusian Telegraph Agency, Belarus
Nov 28 2013

28.11.2013 17:37

MOGILEV, 28 November (BelTA) – Belarusian and Armenian journalists need
to establish closer ties, famous Armenian blogger and information
security expert Tigran Kocharyan told BelTA during the Second
Belarus-Russia Forum of Young Journalists.

“I am happy to take part in the forum of young journalists. I
was curious to know more about mass media in Belarus, Russia and
Kazakhstan and I wanted to share best practices used in Armenia. One
of the objectives of my visit is to establish direct contacts with
Belarusian partners and to understand what we can do for each other,”
Tigran Kocharyan said.

He emphasized that Belarus and Armenia have many things in common:
“We split a little bit 20 years ago; everyone was busy with their own
things. However we have a common history, we fought hand in hand for
our freedom. Many Belarusians live in Armenia and a lot of Armenians
live and work in the interests of Belarus; therefore, we should not
lose contacts. One of my suggestions is to arrange media tours for
Belarusian journalists to Armenia and Armenian journalists to Belarus.

Otherwise, others might take advantage of the things we take for
granted and they might shape the wrong opinion of our countries”.

Tigran Kocharyan noted that Belarusian media space is interesting
and a bit unusual for Armenia. “It was a pleasant surprise that
printed press is very popular here, which is not the case in Armenia,
unfortunately. Newspapers are not so much popular in Armenia and are
placed fourth after television, Internet and radio,” the expert said.

More than 150 participants gathered in Mogilev for the Belarus-Russia
Forum of Young Journalists “Common vision for the future” on 26-28
November. The Belarusian-Russian Forum of Young Journalists is designed
to enhance the qualifications and skills of media representatives,
to promote international communication, and to develop the media
community of Belarus and Russia. The event was organized by the
Information Ministry of Belarus, the Union State Permanent Committee,
Belarusian Union of Journalists, the BRSM Youth Union, Mogilev Oblast
Executive Committee, and with the support of the Foreign Ministry of
Belarus and the Belarusian Embassy in Russia.

VAHAN HARUTYUNYAN: DESPITE SERIOUS COMPETITION, AIR ARMENIA IS ACHIEVING GOOD RESULTS

14:46 28/11/2013 ” ECONOMY

One month ago, the Air Armenia airline began operating regular
flights to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Samara, Krasnodar, Sochi and
Rostov-on-Don.

In an interview with Panorama.am, Vahan Harutyunyan, the company’s
owner, said that despite a serious competition, the company is
achieving good results thanks to high quality services and low prices
for tickets.

“All our passengers speak positively about the company, which inspires
us to further improve quality of our services and increase the number
of flights,” he said, adding that their expectations came true.

“We realized that there will be a high competition in all directions
and we were ready for it. I think we make a worthy rival to foreign
air carriers with many years of experience,” Mr Harutyunyan said.

Beginning December 11, Air Armenia will operate Yerevan-Nizhny
Novgorod-Yerevan regular flights on Wednesdays.

According to the Air Armenia owner, the company’s entry into the
market led to a decrease in ticket prices. He attaches importance to
existence and operation of a national air carrier. “Experience shows
that it can give a result. I hope our compatriots will prefer flying
on the planes of the national carrier,” he added.

Source: Panorama.am

“THE EYEWITNESS”: LOSS OF WESTERN ARMENIA IN MEMORIES OF 102-YEAR-OLD MAN

10:56, 26 November, 2013

The Armenian Genocide initiated in the Ottoman Empire during the
World War I in the beginning of the previous century is one of the
biggest crimes against humanity. Advancing the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide the new project introduced by Armenpress News
Agency is dedicated to the story of the eyewitnesses and survivors
of the calamity to prove the world one more time that our demand for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is fair and justified. This
time the project is dedicated to Varazdat Manukyan, who has a special
touching life story. The creative team of the project visited Gyumri,
where lives the 102- year-old.

GYUMRI, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: The host of one of the old houses in
the central street of Gyumri is the 102-year-old Varazdat Manukyan,
who lives alone in that giant house. He does not have enough health
to collect the harvest of his garden and process it.

The man, having enviable analytical ability and a good memory, started
to tell about his memories, periodically interrupted by not only my
questions, but also his tears. Varazdat Manukyan, born in 1911 in Kars,
reminds of the history of his family on the deportation path to Gyumri.

The old man remembers when the Armenians, deported from the Western
Armenia, did not have any place to live, had no food and faced quite
difficult conditions.

“The Turkish were ignorant, stupid and beast people. They lived in
the mountains and were savages. They came to Middle Asia and saw that
everything was changed. They got astonished and came to Egypt, the
army of which was hired army. They got there and got the authority”,
– said the Armenian Genocide survivor.

“The Turkish did not save even the children. Nobody resisted them. At
that time our country was called “From sea to sea Armenia” and
where is it now? Where are Kars, Sarighamish, Ardahan, Trabzon and
Erzurum? We had a giant country and the Turkish took it from us”, –
said Varazdat Manukyan.

(THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Author – Tatevik Grigoryan Photos – Arevik Grigoryan

COMPOSITION OF AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION GOING TO MEET WITH ARMENIAN CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES MADE PUBLIC

APA, Azerbijan
Nov 27 2013

[ 27 November 2013 19:05 ]

Baku. Ramiz Mikayiloghlu – APA. The Azerbaijani delegation has today
left for Strasburg to meet with the representatives of Armenian civil
society on November 28-29.

APA reports that the Azerbaijani delegation includes chairperson of
Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens Assembly Arzu
Abdullayeva, director of Women’s Institute Sajida Abdulvahabova,
chairman of El Movement, head of the National Council’s Executive
Office Eldar Namazov, director of Atlas Research Center Elkhan
Shahinoglu, former chairperson of Board of Directors of the Open
Society Institute – Assistance Fund (Soros Fund) in Azerbaijan Irada
Baghirova.

The meeting organized by the policy department of the Council of
Europe will focus on assistance to the solution of the conflict
through cooperation (scientific, education and other spheres) beyond
conflict. The delegation members have been tasked not to talk to press
about the composition of the delegation and the topic of discussion
till the end of the visit.

Arzu Abdullayeva told APA that the participation of David Shahnazaryan,
member of the Armenian National Congress leading by former president
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, head of “Concord Center” for Legal and Political
Studies, in the meeting had already been confirmed.

SURVEY: MAJORITY OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS HAVE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN RUSSIA, BUT THEY WOULD PREFER TO LIVE AND WORK IN EUROPE

YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. The majority of Armenian citizens have
relatives and friends in Russia, but they would prefer to live and work
in Europe, Aram Navasardyan, head of the Armenian Marketing Association
that is Gallup International Association’s office in Armenia, said
Wednesday at a news conference in Novosti International Press Center.

Some 66% of the surveyed people said that many of their close relatives
and friends live in CIS countries, mostly in Russia, 31% in European
countries, 27% in the United States and 16% didn’t point any country.

He said 20% of respondents would like to move to European countries,
9% to the CIS countries, mostly to Russia, 6% to the United States
and 59% said “nowhere”.

As for employment, 25% of respondents would like to work in European
countries temporarily, if they got a chance, 17% pointed out the CIS
countries, 9% the United States and 45% nowhere.

The survey conducted in October showed that 64% were not opposed to
Armenia’s intention to join the Customs Union, while in April 67%
of respondents supported this idea.

Some 1,067 people in Yerevan and Armenia’s provinces have been surveyed
over a period between October 9 and 16. —-0—- – See more at: