Author: Kajoyan Gevork

BAKU BOLSTERS ITS MILITARY POTENTIAL

WPS Agency, Russia
May 29, 2013 Wednesday

Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, No 105, May 29, 2013, p. 1

PROJECTILES ARE TO BE MASS-PRODUCED IN AZERBAIJAN; Azerbaijan increases
its military might.

Jet-propelled projectiles are to be mass-produced in Azerbaijan. What
information is available to this newspaper indicates that the
Azerbaijanis launched this project together with Roketsan, a
Turkish company. The Turks are responsible for engines. All the
rest (including launchers and assembly as such) will be done by the
Azerbaijanis themselves.

The range of the 112mm caliber projectiles will be twice that of the
analogous systems (including Grads) currently used by the Azerbaijani
army. As for the range of the 107mm caliber projectiles, it will be
4 kilometers longer than the range of Russian and Ukrainian analogs.

Azerbaijan constantly increases import of arms. It is the only country
in the region whose military import rose 155% (!). Azerbaijani military
budget this year amounts to $3.7 billion.

This emphasis on national defense is a corollary of the
Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. “Armenia wants
to preserve status quo. A fair solution to the problem is the last
thing it needs. As for intermediaries, they are mostly focused on
measures of trust and stabilization along the contact line… and
not on what the negotiations ought to be about,” said President of
Azerbaijani Ilham Aliyev.

Aliyev continued, “This state of affairs is unacceptable and
intolerable… Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is accepted and
recognized by the international community. It must be restored. All
occupiers must be withdrawn from the Azerbaijani territories.”

WPS’2013

[Translated from Russian]

KUWAITI NA CHAIRMAN MEETS YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, PROFESSORS

12:59 ~U 31.05.13

Speaker of National Assembly of Kuwait Ali Al-Rashid met today with
the professor staff and students of the Yerevan State University.

Addressing the present, the YSU rector Aram Simonyan said that it is
a great honor for him to host the National Assembly speaker of Kuwait
in the University. He voiced hope that the visit of Ali Al-Rashid
will promote the further development of the relations between the
two countries.

“It will afford an opportunity to exchange viewpoints, exchange ideas.

There is a necessity to undertake new steps in the relations between
the two countries,” he said.

Simonyan reminded that still in 2009 the Armenian government and
Kuwait signed an agreement in education sphere which the YSU rector
said is an important step regarding the promotion of education.

Aram Simonyan noted that he was in the University of Kuwait and
hosted delegations from there in the YSU. He said Islam Center will
be established in the YSU.

Kuwaiti parliament speaker said the main goal of the visit to Armenia
is to find out what investments Kuwait can make in Armenia. He said
that though Kuwait is a very small country with a small population,
it is the most democratic one and free and transparent elections are
being conducted there.

“The developments in our region are called ‘Arab Spring’ and we can
really say that a real spring is in our region for the last 50 years.

As to the investments, in our opinion it will reinforce more
the friendship between our countries. We also highly rate the
implementation of direct flights from Armenia to Kuwait,” he said.

The Kuwaiti parliament speaker also said that the Kuwaiti investments
in different countries are profitable for their countries which became
obvious when Iraq occupied Kuwait. “When Iraq occupied our country we
did not stop paying salaries to people. It was on the account of the
investments made in foreign country. We understood its significance
when they occupied our country,” he said, stressing that the joint
interests reinforce the relations between the two countries.

Armenian News – Tert.am

SARKISSIAN A RENCONTRE LE PRINCE CHARLES

Le president Serge Sarkissian a rencontre mercredi 29 mai 2013 le
Prince Charles et l’a salue pour son projet de charite a Erevan
orchestre par Armen Sarkissian, l’ancien Premier ministre de la
Republique d’Armenie.

Le service de presse du president armenien a declare que les deux
hommes ont discute du projet intitule ” Erevan My Love ” et qui
a pour objectif de faire renaître et de sauvegarder le patrimoine
architectural et les monuments historiques de la capitale armenienne,
d’ameliorer le niveau de vie des enfants invalides, des jeunes et
des familles aux revenus modestes.

Les deux pays veulent egalement renforcer les relations entre l’Armenie
et la Grande-Bretagne. Le president Sarkissian lui aurait aussi parle
de sa rencontre en 2010 avec la reine Elizabeth II a Londres. Le
leader armenien s’etait alors rendu dans la capitale britannique
pour assister a un gala de collecte de fonds organisee par le Prince
Charles et l’ancien Premier ministre armenien.

Selon la declaration presidentielle, le Prince Charles a souligne
l’importance du projet ainsi que la construction en cours d’un lycee
international dans la station armenienne de Dilijan. La construction
est financee par Ruben Vardanian, un banquier russo-armenien.

L’ecole de Dilijan, qui devrait etre ouverte l’annee prochaine, fera
partie de la base de British United World Colleges (UWC), reseau
comprenant plus d’une douzaine d’institutions educatives a travers
le monde. Le Prince Charles a ete le president de l’UWC de 1978 a 1995.

Vardanian a egalement annonce qu’une allee de 65 arbres sera bientôt
plantee a Dilijan et portera le nom du Prince de Galles.

jeudi 30 mai 2013, Laetitia ©armenews.com

CUSTOMS UNION PROPOSAL WOULD BE IN ORDINARY ARMENIANS’ INTERESTS, SAYS EX-PRESIDENTIAL RUNNER

18:13 ~U 30.05.13

In contrast to the ruling elite, the proposal for joining the
Customs Union would offer advantages to ordinary Armenian citizens,
an ex-presidential candidate has said, dismissing earlier allegations
that the absence of a direct border with Russia could be an obstacle
to such efforts.

“The topic is of a little significance to Armenia too because in case
of joining the Customs Union we would export everything from the
country at a zero percent interest rate and likewise carry out the
import on Armenia’s border. And who is interested in levying taxes on
border? Of course our government; hence the leadership will make no
step towards lifting the border custom fees,” the political analyst,
Andrias Ghukasyan, told Tert.am.

“That’s a fundamental clause of the government system,” he explained.

“That’s how the present-day elite, authorities and the regime keep
the economic sector under control. What will Serzh Sargsyan do should
the border become transparent? Who can he do a favor in terms of
importing a product? Of course, no one. We must be realistic [to see]
who it offers advantages to.”

The expert believes that Russia, as a power generating country, would
take more advantages from selling taxed oil and natural gas. “Why
should Russia or Turkmenistan, which have power generating resources,
have an interest in the Customs Union? They might as well impose
taxes on their gas and oil before selling them to us,” he explained.

Ghukasyan said the Customs Union deal has been at issue since 1993.

“We would take a superficial approach to those processes which were
controversial since inception. The Soviet Union’s split into Soviet
nations gave guarantees that the exchange of goods and people inside
the Soviet Union should not be overloaded with customs or other
procedures. The absence of a customs union has been always to the
advantage of countries having power-generating resources. [The Customs
Union] would not offer advantages to those newly- established countries
that used to oppose to customs ‘barriers’ inside the Soviet Union,”
the former candidate said, adding that it isn’t realistic to speak
about the plan 20 years after the USSR’s collapse.

“In case Armenia joins the any customs union, which implies no customs
clearance of products transported across the border, that will signal
a change of government. The incumbent authorities will never do such
a thing,” he added.

But Ghukasyan expressed a disagreement to the political opinion that
Russia is concerned over Armenia’s EU integration efforts. “Armenia
can never turn to Europe because Armenia’s elite has a certain past,
which is criminal,” he added.

Asked how then he would explain the plan for imposing higher natural
gas tariffs on Armenia, Ghukasyan ruled out Russia’s impact on
such a decision. He described it as the Armenian authorities’
plan offering them the shortest way to increase the budgetary
revenues. “The government is not capable of creating conditions
for economic development, that’s why it had to lay the burden on
the population through raising the gas prices and thus ensuring the
increase in state revenues,” he said, adding that any surge in prices
in the past 20 years has been the government’s initiative.

But the expert noted that the deepening crisis between Armenia and
Russia is obvious. He said it is impossible to have a constructive
dialogue in either the EurAsEc (Eurasian Economic Comminity) or
the EU integration efforts. “The same questions – whether Russia,
Iran or Turkey are good – will be based on some common emotional
and very superficial opinions. That isn’t a way for developing a
statement of question. What is first of all necessary for the nation
is a willingness and aspiration to live independently in terms of
both security and economic perspectives. It is necessary for every
nation in this era to be able to independently manufacture food and
clothing and create urban development conditions. Anyone not capable
of creating something is not competitive in the world,” Ghukasyan
said in conclusion.

Armenian News – Tert.am

B. SAHAKYAN PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETING OF THE “HAYASTAN” ALL-ARMENIAN FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Today – 16:56

On 30 May Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan together with
President Serzh Sargsyan of the Republic of Armenia partook in the
meeting of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund Board of Trustees held
in Yerevan. Central Information Department of the Office of Artsakh
Republic President informs about this.

According to President Sahakyan this format of meetings has already
become a platform for discussing the programs of Pan-Armenian
significant and outlining new priorities. President Sahakyan said
that nowadays we faced qualitatively different problems, which should
be resolved by implementing new strategic initiatives. Among such
projects the Head of the State underlined the Vardenis-Martakert
highway, which is the main link connecting Artsakh with Armenia in
the northern direction and whose role is difficult to overestimate
for the two Armenian states.

According to President Sahakyan the exploitation of the highway will
immediately solve numerous socioeconomic and strategic problems; in
particular, it will contribute to the development of the Martakert
and Shahoumyan regions, amelioration of the demographic situation
and will give a strong impetus for the development and strengthening
of the entire Artsakh. Taking into consideration all these aspects
the Artsakh Republic President proposed to include the improving and
asphalting of the Vardenis-Martakert highway into the program of the
“Telethon-2013”. The proposal was accepted and included in the program
of telethon.

On the same day the leaders of the two Armenian States partook in
the 3rd session of the state commission on coordinating arrangements
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

RA NA PRESIDENT HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN RECEIVES THE PACE PRESIDENT JEAN-CLAUDE MIGNON

30.05.2013

On May 30 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan received the
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon, who arrived in Yerevan to take part in
the meetings of the PACE Bureau and the Standing Committees.

Welcoming Mr Mignon’s first visit to the Republic of Armenia, the
President of the National Assembly noted that it was taking place
during a very important event for Armenia, in the presidency of Armenia
in CoE Committee of Ministers. “The first presidency of Armenia in
the Council of Europe is a significant event for our country. This
is a unique opportunity for Armenia to have its contribution and
participation in the formation of the agenda of the Council of Europe
aimed at democracy, human rights and rule of law, all-human values
in the member countries.” Hovik Abrahamyan has noted that Armenia
greatly highlights the cooperation with the Council of Europe, as well
as the support of the organization in the democratic reforms going on
in our country. Touching upon the NK problem, the NA President Hovik
Abrahamyan stressed that Armenia had been resolute to continue its
efforts directed at the solution of the problem through peaceful
means. Hovik Abrahamyan once again reiterated that the Armenian
side saw the solution of the problem only in the Minsk Group format,
through peaceful negotiations, based on well-known three principles –
nations’ self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of
force. “However, Azerbaijan with its bellicose posture leads the
process to a deadlock, and because of this position progress is not
registered,” the NA President said.

The PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon highlighted the democratic
reforms going on in Armenia, in this context highly assessing the role
of the parliament. Congratulating Armenia on assuming the presidency
in the CoE Committee of Ministers, the PACE President noted that an
important and historic opportunity had been created for Armenia to
advance the CoE political agenda and assured that he would display
his support in the implementation of the initiatives during Armenia’s
presidency. Touching upon the settlement of the NK problem, Mr Mignon
noted that it should be solved within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group, as a result of peaceful negotiations and on the basis of the
Madrid principles.

In the course of the meeting other issues were also discussed.

As the power of “knowing how to forgive” is eternal in Parliament

2013-05-27 10:14:32

Ethics Commission or the Commission on the Ethics of senior officials
is a commission whose mission is to increase public confidence in the
member countries and public institutions in the implementation of a
fair system of government, as well as in the development of
high-ranking officials for a transparent and public society.

Let’s discuss the activities and work of the commission in effect. In
fact, today the phenomena which are the subject of society, remain
unpunished by the Commission. When a few months ago, the deputy of the
National Assembly Mher Sedrakian threatened and insulted the
journalist, Ethics Commission convened a meeting and made a conclusion
and as a result reached an unspeakable result. Republican Party member
Mher Sedrakian apologized to the journalist. Although before him other
officials, including Edward Sharmazanov Ashotyan also asked for
forgiveness, but, in fact, the phenomenon of violation of the rules of
ethics, was present, particularly in Parliament.

Today, all express in the way they want, they insult in the way they
want and who they want, and accordingly the commission, which is
designed to prevent such phenomena is as deaf as a post, prefers to
remain silent.

Despite the fact that the members of the commission were appointed by
the President of the Republic of Armenia in the presence Speaker of
the National Assembly, Prime Minister, the President of the
Constitutional Court, the President of the Cassation Court, the
Prosecutor General of Armenia, however, and there were still people
who believed and believe in the activities of the Commission and this
activity was to proceed from the interests of the faithful.

Thus, it appears that there is created a situation where you can
insult, “break someone’s jaw”, rape, and in the end only regret for
what you Have done, or at least apologize to all. In short, the very
high level of permissiveness today threatens to become the most
flagrant violation of human standards both in Parliament and in other
institutions.

How to explain the Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party Sahakyan
expression, addressed to the deputy Postanjyan, who called the
Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepian “rogue”: “This woman must be
educated to the fact that the National Assembly – is not a track to
slow down cars, and when they do not stop to be offended.” Where is
the Ethics Commission, where are the actions that are taken in such
cases? There are not such things. And Galust Sahakyan continues to go
about his business as if nothing has ever happened.

And to mention about deputies, as well as MPs voting instead of the
other, is simply meaningless. It only remains to close the doors of
the Commission and open the doors of reality, ridding society of
unnecessary “luxury” in the form of the Ethics Commission.

In essence, the system will not be subjected to significant changes as
power and wisdom of “knowing how to forgive” are eternal.

Gevorg Avetisyan

AzerNews. Azerbaijan
May 27 2013

Karabakh mediators plan to arrange presidential talks this year
27 MAY 2013, 12:15 (GMT+05:00)

By Sara Rajabova

The OSCE Minsk Group brokering settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict intend to organize the next meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents this year.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the
early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian
armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and
seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council has adopted four
resolutions on Armenia’s withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory,
but Armenia has not followed them to this day.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Igor Popov of Russia, Jacques
Faure of France and Ian Kelly of the United States – and Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk
traveled to the region on May 23-24. The co-chairs met with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on May 23, and Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on May 24.
The presidents and the co-chairs discussed developments since their
last meetings, reiterated their commitment to the peace process, and
exchanged views on the need for a summit later this year.

The mediators expressed their readiness to explore ideas for moving
the process forward, and reiterated the need to avoid actions or
rhetoric that could raise tensions or damage the negotiations. They
will meet with the foreign ministers in the coming weeks to explore
mutually acceptable approaches to resolving the long-standing
conflict.

Before the co-chairs’ visit to the region, Foreign Ministers Elmar
Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandian met in Poland on May 17, where the
ministers together with the Minsk Group mediators discussed possible
ways to advance the peace process.

The ministers exchanged views on the current situation and reaffirmed
their commitment to promoting peace in the region.
Russia, France and the U.S. have long been working to broker a
solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk Group, but
their efforts have been largely fruitless so far.

Peace talks are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by
the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles, also known
as Basic Principles. The document envisions a return of the
territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control;
determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh; a corridor
linking Armenia to the region; and the right of all internally
displaced persons to return home.

Armenian politicians are against lie detectors
Mon, 05/27/2013 – 19:12
Trending topic

In Russia lie detectors may be put into circulation to reveal corrupt
government officials. RF State Duma already initiated legislative
changes for that.

It is known that the Russia innovations are quite widely used in
Armenia and we tried to find out the opinion of our political figures
about the possible application of lie detectors.

The representative of the ruling Republican Party MP, Chairman of the
Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Gagik
Minasyan is against following the Russian example.

“I think the worst example in connection with the fight against
corruption is Russia. It will be great if we do not use the Russian
example in the fight against corruption. It is a state from which a
lot can be learnt but not the fight against corruption “, in response
to the question of “Fastinfo” Gagik Minasyan said.

Davit Sanasaryan from `Heritage’ party is also against lie detector
but for another reason. He thinks that there is no need of spending
additional finances on that sphere as everything is clear even without
that. `There is no need to reveal corruption with lie detectors’- D.
Sanasaryan said, adding `Every citizen can say who they are: name by
name’.

The head of ARF faction Armen Rustanyan thinks that in the fight
against corruption even lie detectors will not help, for the simple
reason that there is no fight against corruption in the country at
all. `Nothing will help, as there should be fight against corruption
so that detectors are used, there is no fight’ – Armen Rustamyan
highlighted.

Author:
Factinfo

Brussels to host third session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

21:53 27.05.2013

MEPs will meet their counterparts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine for the third session of the Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly, in Brussels, on 28. and 29. May. The partners
will seek agreement on shared security concerns, trade, energy
cooperation and social issues and will discuss political messages for
the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius.

The assembly, chaired by co-presidents Kristian Vigenin (S&D, BG) and
Borys Tarasyuk (UA, Verkhnova Rada), will seek to adopt joint reports
on regional security, trade, energy cooperation and social issues.
Belarus does not at present take part in the assembly’s activities,
for political reasons, but a working group on Belarus with invited
opposition representatives will meet during the assembly.

The meeting will be opened formally with an address by EP
Vice-President Jacek Protasiewicz, and speeches by the two co-chairs
and the EU Commissioner for the Neighbourhood Policy, Mr Åtefan Fule.