Author: Kajoyan Gevork

RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL ALLOW ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL PROJECTS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 13 2013

13 November 2013 – 7:45pm

According to a member of the International Research Centre in Turkey,
Selim Ozertem, a successful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
with Azerbaijan will allow Armenia to participate in regional projects.

Such projects as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are crucial for the
region, he underlines. A possible infrastructural project that would
connect Armenia and Turkey would become a very important route for
international traffic, he says.

“One should understand however that Turkey will only open its borders
with Armenia if the situation surrounding the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan is settled,” he says.

ARMENIAN LAWMAKERS REJECT BILL RECOGNIZING INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 13 2013

13 November 2013 – 5:52pm

Members of the Armenian Parliament today rejected a bill that would
officially recognize the independence of the Azerbaijani breakaway
republic of Nagorno-Karabakh suggested by the head of the Heritage
party, Zarui Postandzhyan.

Only 10 lawmakers voted in favour. 1 member of the parliament
abstained, the others refused to take part in the vote.

IRAN DISCUSES ADDITIONAL GAS SHIPMENTS WITH ARMENIA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 13 2013

13 November 2013 – 1:31pm

The Armenian Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan
and The Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zanganeh have discussed
additional gas supplies from Iran to Armenia for the winter, an
exchange of Armenian electricity for Armenian gas and the expansion
of future programs in Tehran, News.am reports.

Movsisyan met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The latter handed
a message to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and discussed the
prospects for developing bilateral relations. Rouhani hailed the
positive ties with Armenia and stressed the importance of progress
in cultural and economic relations.

The Armenian Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan
and The Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zanganeh have discussed
additional gas supplies from Iran to Armenia for the winter, an
exchange of Armenian electricity for Armenian gas and the expansion
of future programs in Tehran, News.am reports.

Movsisyan met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The latter handed
a message to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and discussed the
prospects for developing bilateral relations. Rouhani hailed the
positive ties with Armenia and stressed the importance of progress
in cultural and economic relations.

ARMENIAN STREET HERITAGE HOTEL PENANG OPENS ITS DOOR FOR GUESTS

Hospitality Biz, India
Nov 13 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 18:00 Hrs [IST]
By HBI Staff | Mumbai

Armenian Street Heritage Hotel recently opened its door to guests in
Penang, Malaysia. The hotel is strategically located within the World
Heritage zone of George Town, which together with the historical city
of Melaka were declared world heritage sites by UNESCO in 2008, in
recognition of its rich multi-cultural Asian heritage with considerable
European influences.

The hotel features a viewing deck on the top floor, allowing guests
to enjoy the scenery of almost the entire heritage area right up to
the coast line of the island. The hotel also serves as an extension
of the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) office, which
is located right opposite the hotel. It is also host to the largest
model of the heritage area which is managed by GTWHI.

Located at 139, Lebuh Carnarvon, the Armenian Street Heritage Hotel
is managed by international hotel brand Tune Hotels and offers 92
rooms designed for solo travellers, couples and families. Each room
features an en-suite bathroom, luggage rack and a working desk. Fitted
out in heritage style, the hotel also offers modern amenities including
five-star mattress, television, hot power shower, hair dryer, in-room
safe and WiFi connection in all rooms.

“The Armenian Street Heritage Hotel is a project undertaken with much
love and passion especially for George Town’s heritage values. We
look forward to working very closely with the State Government and
its agencies, especially heritage and tourism bodies to bring in more
visitors to the heritage zone. The opening of this hotel cannot be
more timely to usher in Visit Malaysia Year 2014,” said Dato’ Yong
Chai Seng, Owner, Armenian Street Heritage Hotel.

ARMENIA BOOSTS DIAMOND EXPORTS 60% IN JAN-SEPT, GOLD EXPORTS UP 6.8%

Interfax, Russia
Nov 12 2013

YEREVAN. Nov 12

Armenia exported 1,857.2 kg of gold (including galvanic plating) in
the first nine months of 2013, up 6.8% from 1,738.7 kg in the same
period of last year, the country’s Customs Service reported.

The customs value of gold exports dropped 4.2% to $54.4 million from
$56.8 million in the first nine months of 2012. The Economics Ministry
attributed this to the drop in prices for gold this year.

Armenia exports Dore alloy with gold content of up to 92%. The country
does not produce pure (bank) gold.

Armenia imported 2,494 kg of gold (including galvanic plating) worth
$115.8 million in the nine months, up from 989 kg worth $52.4 million
in the same period last year. Armenia imports gold primarily in the
form of gold products and raw material for their manufacture.

Armenia increased exports of cut diamonds by 58% to 164,800 carats
in the nine months, from 104,300 carats a year earlier, the Customs
Service reported. The customs value of diamond exports rose to $64.2
million from $57.8 million a year earlier.

Imports of rough diamonds rose to 310,000 carats worth about $86
million, from 200,000 carats worth about $71 million in the first
nine months of 2012.

The Economics Ministry told Interfax that imports of rough diamonds
are nearly double exports of cut diamonds because some rough diamonds
are imported to make jewelry. The ministry attributes the growth of
cut diamond production to orders.

Armenia, which does not mine its own diamonds, imports rough for
polishing and exports the cut stones primarily to the same countries
from where the rough diamonds come – Russia and Belgium.

The ministry said earlier that the strategy for the development of
the polishing industry calls for Armenia to nearly double exports of
cut diamonds to $150 million in 2015 from $79 million in 2012.

Vp ak

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES RUMORS OF CESSATION OF ARMS SUPPLIES TO AZERBAIJAN

by Emmanuil Lazarian

Wednesday, November 13, 00:26

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied the publication in the Armenian
media that Israel has allegedly suspended arms supplies to Baku,
the Baku-based Turan news agency reports.

According to these publications referring to the Swiss Agency ISN,
Russia put pressure on the Israeli Foreign Ministry and gained
suspension of supplies of certain elements of offensive weapons. The
reason stated Russia’s reluctance to change the balance of power in
the region.

“No changes happened in this area, no appeals came from the Russian
side. No one changes the agreement,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yigal
Palmor said to IzRus in relations to the Swiss news agency’s reports.

Turan recalls that Israel is one of the largest sellers of arms to
Azerbaijan. Thus, in recent years the country supplied to Baku various
weapons and communication systems worth $1.6 billion.

AZERBAIJANI DIPLOMAT HARSHLY REPLIED TO ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AT SESSION OF UNESCO GENERAL CONFERENCE

APA, Azerbaijan
Nov 12 2013

[ 12 November 2013 12:28 ]

Baku – APA. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian made a
traditional speech basing on lies and slanders at general political
debate held within the 37th Session of UNESCO General Conference.

APA reports quoting the Foreign Ministry’s press service that Anar
Karimov, Charge d’affairs of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic
of Azerbaijan to UNESCO has issued a statement in the exercise of the
right of reply to the statement by FM of Armenia at the 37th Session
of UNESCO General Conference.

The statement says: “It is strange to hear from the Minister words
about respect to cultural diversity when his own country became ”
a unique ” mono ethnic and mono religious country by expelling 200
thousand Azerbaijanis from their historical home. It is also strange
to hear about Armenia’s endeavors to fight racism and xenophobia while
former President of Armenia replied to the question about roots of
Armenian -Azerbaijani conflict, that the roots of the conflict lay
down in ethnic incompatibility of Armenians and Azerbaijanis. These
are the words of leader of the nation who supposed to lead his country
towards peaceful coexistence with its neighbors in 21 century when
the civilized world overcomes the racial prejudices. This statement
was harshly criticized by many international organizations, including
then secretary general of council of Europe.

It is also strange to hear from the Minister words about respect
of cultural values and heritage when his own country occupied the
territory of another state, carried out ethnic cleansing in the
occupied territories and destroyed all cultural and religious heritage,
including mosques, temples, monuments and even cemeteries with only
goal to erase all traces of presence of Azerbaijanis both in occupied
territories and in Armenia itself.”

AZERBAIJANI AND TURKISH PRESIDENTS DISCUSS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 12 2013

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12

Trend: After a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham
Aliyev, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at a press conference
today that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was discussed at the meeting,
Turkish TRT Haber TV channel reported on Nov. 12.

According to Gul, along with regional issues, relations between the
two countries were also discussed at the meeting.

“Moreover, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the liberation
of occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is a national issue of
Turkey and Azerbaijan, were also discussed,” he said.

AZA MIGRANYAN: “DEFINING PRIORITIES WILL HELP ARMENIA TO MAINTAIN “AND-AND” PRINCIPLE”

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 12 2013

Last week, the head of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Viktor
Khristenko, visited Yerevan where he spoke about the advantages of the
Eurasian Economic Union. “Participation in an effective regional union
enables countries to be heard in the world and influence the formation
of new rules of the international dialogue,” Khristenko believes.

According to him, after joining the Customs Union and the common
economic area of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, Armenia will get
all the advantages enjoyed by members of the CU.

At the same time, the head of the laboratory of interregional
development problems of the Institute of Market Problems of the Market
Problems Institute of the RAS, Aza Migranyan, told Vestnik Kavkaza:
“Armenia has already voiced its decision to join the EEU. Thus, the
government will mainly focus on the Eurasian direction, even though
Armenia doesn’t exclude an opportunity of cooperation with the EU in
certain spheres, including legal cooperation, development of democratic
institutes, science, culture, and religion. Armenia will do its best
to maintain close cooperation with the EU, which has been established.”

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COMING MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS WILL BE A REMARKABLE EVENT, EXPERTS BELIEVE

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 12 2013

12 November 2013 – 9:04pm

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sargsyan may meet before the end of the year, a statement issued by
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs after their visit to the region reads.

According to the Director of Social and Political Research Centre,
Vladimir Yevseyev, the situation surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is better than before. The parties do now seem interested
in finding a solution, he believes.

Caucasian nations should work together in order to improve security in
region. They shouldn’t try to divide spheres of interest and influence,
but cooperate with each other, the expert stresses.

Azerbaijani expert Rovshan Ibragimov, the head of the Azerbaijani
President’s Strategic Research Centre, believes that the coming
meeting will be a remarkable event.

The initiative shows that the parties haven’t given up and are ready
to work together in order to find a solution to the problem.