P. Hayrikyan: Self Determination Party not to participate in elections
15:09 07/03/2012 » Politics
`Union of national self determination won’t participate in the
forthcoming parliamentary elections, although the union had such
intentions,’ Chairman of union of national self determination party
Paruyr Hayrikyan told a news conference.
According to P. Hayrikyan, the studies showed the Union doesn’t have
sufficient public support.
Source: Panorama.am
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
March 7 2012
Turkish FM Proposes “Region of Peace” In South Caucasus
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 15:42 .
Turkish foreign minister has called for joint effort to make South
Caucasus “a region of peace and prosperity,” saying Turkey, Azerbaijan
and Iran had taken initial steps to that end.
“We can build a region of peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus.
Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan have taken an important step forward
toward that goal by holding regular meetings,” Ahmet Davutoglu told
reporters in a joint press appearance with his Azeri and Iranian
counterparts after their meeting in Nakhchivan, the capital of the
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
Davutoglu said the three countries had held their initial meeting in
Orumiyeh, Iran, which he said added a new momentum to the relations in
the region, and he added that the meeting agreed to set up
sub-committees to boost cooperation in tourism, energy, transportation
and trade.
Davutoglu said the next trilateral meeting was set to be held in the
eastern Turkish province of Van in October which would bring together
businesspeople from the three countries.
“We will open a new horizon. Firstly we will ease procedures at border
gates and transportation. It is our goal to develop a project of
prosperity in the region,” Davutoglu said.
The Turkish FM said Turkey wanted to create a conflict-free region and
boosted friendship on the principle of respect for territorial
integrity, adding that “a new era could begin in the region” with
contributions from Georgia, Armenia and Russia.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on his part said that
problems could only be solved through mutual consultations, adding the
most important aspect was that the three countries had shown political
will to that end.
“Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan friendly and brotherly in their
nature. I am confident that our relations will improve with each
passing day,” Salehi said.
Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the trilateral meeting
between the three countries were of utmost importance, adding that
Azerbaijan’s problems with Iran could be settled through negotiations.
AA
Greek Reporter
March 6 2012
Turkish Foreign Minister Says `The Democratic Rights Of Religious
Communities Are Our Top Priority’
By Fani Toli on March 6, 2012
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu said, during his meeting with
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and religious leaders on Saturday,
that the discussions about problems in the region aim at providing the
assurance that religious tolerance exists in Turkey’.
During the press conference Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu commented on the meeting
with the religious leaders, stating: ‘ Our top priority is the
democratic rights of religious communities in the region’.
DavutoÄ?lu repeated that the Turkish government desired to move towards
the harmonious coexistence of all religious communities in Turkey.
DavutoÄ?lu’s statements provoke thought about the international issues
that DavutoÄ?lu wants to discuss with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
and the religious leaders. The main issue that rankles Ankara is the
Syria issue.
The Turkish Minister, after the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew, will also meet with religious leaders of Armenians and
Arab christians.
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 7 2012
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to remain EU priority
The European Union wants progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process, and it will remain a priority of its foreign policy,
President of the European Council Herman von Rompuy said after a
meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, 1news.az reports.
The EU supports Madrid principles and urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to
activate efforts to reach an agreement, peace and stability. Rompuy
expressed concerns over new tensions at the contact line of forces and
hoped for fulfillment of the cease-fire agreement.
`For You, Women!’ month of free-of-charge medical aid launches in Yerevan
20:55, 7 March, 2012
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS: With the instruction of Yerevan Mayor
Taron Margaryan, a month of free-of-charge medical aid to women has
kicked off. The program will be conducted March 8-April 7 under the
heading of “For You, Women!”.
In contrast to the past years, the program will be implemented not
only in “Holy Virgin” medical center, but in a number of other medical
institutions of the capital as well, press service of Yerevan
municipality told Armenpress.
The women with health problems should first apply to local
policlinics. After passing there medical examination women will get a
pass to relevant medical institutions.
Armenia and Iran to monitor Arax river
arminfo
Wednesday, March 7, 22:36
An Armenian delegation, led by Environment Protection Minister Aram
Harutyunyan, visited Iran Mar 3-5 2012.
The press service of Armenia’s Environment Protection Ministry reports
that an Armenian-Iranian agreement for cooperation in the field of
environment protection was signed during the visit.
It stipulates joint efforts to monitor Arax river, to create a Garden
of Friendship and Peace and to organize mutual visits of students.
The Iranians suggested creating centers for supervising the projects.
Armenia pulls out of Azerbaijan-hosted Eurovision show
BBC
7 March 2012
Work is under way to build the concert hall for Eurovision in Baku
Continue reading the main story
The organisers of Eurovision song contest say Armenia has pulled out
of the 2012 show in Baku amid new tension with its old rival
Azerbaijan.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said it was “truly disappointed”
by Armenian Public Television’s decision.
Azerbaijani and Armenian forces fought a war over the disputed region
of Nagorno-Karabakh in the 1990s which left at least 25,000 people
dead.
A ceasefire was signed in 1994, but no permanent peace deal has been reached.
There has also been internal tension in Azerbaijan, where security
forces used force to break up an opposition rally in the northern
district of Quba on Friday.
‘Our main enemies’
Several people were injured in Quba Armenian Public Television accused
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev of making hostile remarks in recent
days.
“Despite the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities have given security
guarantees to all participating countries, several days ago the
Azerbaijani president made a statement that enemy number one for
Azerbaijan were the Armenians,” the TV said in a statement quoted by
AFP news agency.
Last month, a group of Armenian pop singers launched a Eurovision
boycott campaign, saying: “We refuse to appear in a country that is
well known for mass killings and massacres of Armenians, in a country
where anti-Armenian sentiments have been elevated to the level of
state policy.
“There is no logic to sending a participant to a country where he will
be met as an enemy.”
In a speech about local government on 28 February, which was posted on
the Azerbaijani leader’s website, President Aliyev said: “Our main
enemies are Armenians of the world and the hypocritical and corrupt
politicians under their control.”
Reacting to news of the Armenian withdrawal, senior Azerbaijani
politician Ali Ahmedov told reporters that Armenia had no genuine
reason to boycott the competition in Baku.
“The Armenian refusal to take part in such a respected contest will
cause even further damage to the already damaged image of Armenia,”
said Mr Ahmedov, who is secretary of the governing party.
Armenia to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian states
NEWS.AM
March 07, 2012 | 19:12
YEREVAN. – Armenia will conclude trade agreements with Southeast Asian
states, including Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea.
Armenian Government approved on Wednesday offers submitted by the
Armenian Ministry of Economy on concluding economic, scientific and
technical agreements with the aforesaid states. In addition, an
investment promotion and mutual defense agreements will be concluded
with Singapore.
Armenia has signed suchlike agreements with many states. Those
agreements intend to develop mutually beneficial economic cooperation
and diversification in all fields of mutual interest.
Armenia-EU: Financial support in exchange for democracy and stability
Analysis | 07.03.12 | 12:19
Photolure
President Sargsyan participated in the meeting of NATO-Armenia in the
28+1 format
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
The relations between Armenia and the European Union are entering a
new phase. President Serzh Sargsyan has visited Brussels to give
assurances that Armenia will continue its European integration and
cooperation with NATO.
While visiting the Belgian capital that is regarded as the political
center for both the EU and NATO, Sargsyan met European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso to say that `very important
developments’ have taken place recently allowing Armenia and the EU
`to reach a new milestone in their relations.’
Enlarge Photo
RA President Serzh Sargsyan and European Commission President Jose
Manuel BarrosoThe Armenian leader said that `Armenia’s relations with
the EU are anchored in the same system of values which is conditioned
by our historical, cultural, religious and linguistic similarities.’
He said both sides were mutually satisfied with considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement,
and negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and
visa regime facilitation were making headway.
Sargsyan said that Armenia is resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms and hails the
European Union’s `more assistance for more reforms’ principle.
At the same time, the Armenian president said that if reforms were
going faster than expected, Armenia would expect `additional resources
that would, in turn, expedite the reforms themselves.’ In fact,
Armenia is seeking increased aid from the European Union.
In response, Barroso said the EU neighborhood policy entitled `A New
Response to a Changing Neighborhood’, which implies additional
assistance, may be available to countries that are working to
strengthen their democracy and respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms. `Additional funds may be available beginning in 2012,’ said
the EU president.
At the same time, Barroso put forward yet another `condition’. He said
peace and stability in the region were needed to advance the common
goals of Armenia and the EU. `I reiterate the urgent need to resolve
the Karabakh conflict. The EU continues to support the efforts of the
OSCE Minsk Group,’ he said. According to Barroso, the EU is ready to
work with the OSCE Minsk Group to help support confidence-building
measures, if the parties themselves wish to do so.
Earlier, the EU adopted a document in which it pointed out the need
for raising the EU role in the Karabakh settlement. The document for
the first time mentions that the EU should have direct access to
Karabakh.
In Brussels, President Sargsyan also participated in the meeting of
NATO-Armenia in the 28+1 format and met with NATO Secretary General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The sides also discussed the Karabakh problem
and Sargsyan reminded that a few days ago the president of Azerbaijan
declared that the worldwide Armenian nation is Azerbaijan’s number one
enemy. `This fact must be given due assessment by the international
community,’ stressed Sargsyan.
`Our relations contribute to regional and Euro-Atlantic security,’
said Rasmussen. `The South Caucasus region is of great importance for
the Alliance, and Armenia is an important partner for NATO,’ he said.
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are among those invited to
attend a NATO Summit due to take place in the United States, on May
22.
All the European establishments should `hit the same nail’ in the
Karabakh issue, President of Armenia says
12:31, 7 March, 2012
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. In the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict all the European structures should “hit the same nail” to
reach the resolution of the issue, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
stated about it at a joint news conference with the Chairman of the
European Parliament Martin Schultz, in response to the question how he
treats the discussions of the NK issue in different international
establishments.
“The European Parliament referred to the Nagorno Karabakh issue not
today only. All the European establishments backed the fair demand of
the people of the Nagorno Karabakh in late 1980s and in 1990s,” Serzh
Sargsyan said.
At that time as well the European Parliament adopted resolutions over
the Nagorno Karabakh issue. “I am convinced that the European
Parliament cannot have other principles toward the same issue. So,
there is no need to worry,” the President of Armenia stressed.