Author: Kalantarian Kevo

EXPERT: THE CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST DID NOT TOUCH ON THE SOUTH CAUCASUS THANKS TO THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

by Ashot Safaryan

Tuesday, December 9, 14:41

The sharp crisis in the relations between Russia and the West did
not touch on the South Caucasus and did not result in inbalancing
of the situation in this region, Nikolai Silaev, Senior Research
Associate of the Center for Research on the Caucasus at Moscow State
Institute of International Relations, said at today’s presentation of
the report entitled,”Russia-Armenia Integration against the Background
of Global Crisis.”

He said that the relations of Russia with the South Caucasus countries
and, in particular, with its strategic partner Armenia are strong
enough to overcome the crisis in the international relations. “These
relations are growing deeper, and Armenia is joining the Russia-led
Eurasian Economic Union. And it is normal that this process is
accompanied with the stormy domestic political discussions. At the
same time, it is obvious that the developed relations between the
two countries in the security sector also exist today in the economic
sector,” Nikolai Silaev added.

He also emphasized that only deployment of the Russian military
base in Armenia is not enough for the economic integration at the
post-Soviet area. And Georgia’s experience is evidence of that, as
Russian military units were deployed there several years ago. “The
relations of Russia with its partners at the post-Soviet area should
become multilateral and should not be limited only by the military
cooperation”,- the expert said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HOSTS URUGUAY SENATE CHIEF

16:46 * 09.12.14

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday received Speaker of the
Uruguayan Senate Danilo Astori.

Greeting the high-ranking guest, the president noted with satisfaction
that the past year was a promising and important period in the
bilateral relations and a good opportunity to deepen mutual ties
between the two countries.

According to a press release by the presidential press office,
the sides highlighted the importance of parliamentary democracy in
the bilateral relations, agreeing mutually that the two countries’
parliamentary friendship groups helped strengthen the partnership
further.

President Sargsyan thanked the Uruguay for the invaluable contribution
to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, noting that the move
marked the beginning of a large-scale international process.

The Armenian leader also highly praised the country’s balanced stance
on the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement efforts.

COURT SUSTAINS HETQ’S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CASE AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY

17:47, December 8, 2014

Armenia’s Administrative Court today sustained a freedom of information
case presented by Hetq (Investigative Journalists) obligating the
Ministry of Nature Protection to provide copies of export, sale or
transport permits of rare animals as regulated by the CITES for the
period 2010-2013.

Hetq sought the copies for an investigative series it was working on
entitled “Dangerous Monkey Business: Armenia’s Links to the Illegal
Trafficking of Endangered Species.”

The ministry initially refused Hetq’s request, arguing that such
documents contained ‘secretive material’. It merely provided a list
of animals imported to and exported from Armenia.

After this initial refusal by the ministry to provide the copies of
the permits, Hetq suggested that any ‘secretive details’ be blacked
out. The ministry again refused and sent the same list.

The Administrative Court also sustained the IJ’s demand to be
compensated for the 49,000 AMD it had incurred in legal fees.

GALUST SAHAKYAN RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF CHINA

09.12.2014

On December 9 the RA NA President Galust Sahakyan received Tian Erlong,
the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the People’s Republic of China to Armenia.

The RA NA President congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of
beginning the diplomatic mission in our country and wished fruitful
activity for the benefit of the Armenian-Chinese friendship. Galust
Sahakyan highlighted the political contacts of high level between
the two countries, the mutual visits and the bilateral meetings.

Highlighting the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in boosting the
political dialogue between the two countries, expressed his readiness
to support the enlivening of the Armenian-Chinese inter-parliamentary
relations. Galust Sahakyan highly assessed the joint programmes
implemented in the scientific-educational, cultural, economic spheres
and welcomed the establishment of the Chinese biased school, which
will promote the deepening of the Armenian-Chinese cooperation in
the scientific-educational and cultural spheres.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh problem the NA President has noted
that Armenia adheres to the negotiation principle of the problem
settlement and highly assesses the balanced position of China related
to Artsakh problem. Talking about the Centennial of the Armenian
Genocide and worthy evaluating the crime perpetrated against our
people, the Head of the parliament has expressed hope that the Chinese
side will take part in the events to be organized in April 2015.

Ambassador Erlong has noted that it is a great honour and
responsibility for him to be the Ambassador of China in Armenia and
represent his state in a country with which the historical, cultural,
trade-economic relations and contacts are of centuries old. Mr Erlong
has highly assessed the cooperation of the parliaments of the friendly
countries, the exchange of experience and mutual visits, which are
an important part for the development of friendly relations. In the
Ambassador’s word, China pays great attention to the deepening of
traditional friendly relations with Armenia, and even in Beijing
University Armenian is taught. Tian Erlong has noted that since
the establishment of diplomatic relations the contacts develop
rather dynamic. He has highlighted the cooperation in the cultural,
trade-economic, humanitarian spheres, noting that the volume of the
trade turnover between the two countries has increased. The Ambassador
has expressed hope that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be solved
through peaceful negotiations.

REMANIEMENT : NOMINATIONS A DES POSTES AU GOUVERNEMENT APRES DES CHANGEMENTS STRUCTURELS

ARMENIE

Le president armenien Serge Sarkissian a signe un decret pour nommer
Armen Yeritsyan ministre de l’Administration territoriale et des
situations d’urgence.

Armen Yeritsyan a conduit le ministère des Situations d’urgence avant
sa fusion avec le ministère de l’Administration territoriale dans
le cadre des changements structurels au sein du Cabinet armenien
approuves le mois dernier.

Ces changements font suite a la demission d’Armen Gevorgyan, qui a
servi comme ministre de l’Administration territoriale et vice-Premier
ministre.

Le President Sarkissian a egalement nomme l’ancien ministre des
Finances Vache Gabrielyan vice-premier ministre et ce dernier
sera egalement a la tete du ministère de l’integration economique
internationale et des reformes. Ce ministère a ete cree dans le cadre
des reajustements structurels et est charge de coordonner les reformes
economiques et les relations decoulant de la prochaine adhesion de
l’Armenie dans l’Union economique eurasienne dirigee par la Russie.

mardi 9 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

UN OPERATEUR ETRANGER ENLÈVE LES ORDURES A EREVAN

ARMENIE

Une societe libanaise qui a remporte un appel d’offres annonce par
la municipalite d’Erevan a commence ses prestations dans la capitale
armenienne.

Le Maire Taron Margaryan a inspecte l’equipement qui sert a
l’enlèvement des ordures de la SARL SANITEK Place Shahumyan.

Deux societes avaient ete choisies pour fournir des services a
Erevan en 2012 lors d’un appel d’offres dans lequel les entreprises
specialisees dans l’enlèvement des ordures et le nettoyage sanitaire
des huit pays ont participe.

La societe libanaise sera responsable de la fourniture des services
dans les districts administratifs de l’Ouest (Achapnyak, Davtashen,
Kentron, Malatia-Sebastia, Shengavit) d’Erevan, tandis qu’un consortium
de societes armeno-suedoises, EcoGroup et LL Milioconsult, fournira
les services de la secteur oriental (les districts administratifs
d’Arabkir, Avan, Erebuni, Kanaker-Zeytoun, Nor-Nork et Nubarashen).

mardi 9 decembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

ALEXEI PUSHKOV: “MOSCOW WILL DO ITS BEST FOR A POLITICAL RESOLUTION OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT”

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 8 2014

8 December 2014 – 1:51pm

By Vestnik Kavkaza

2014 has been a difficult year for development of relations between
Russia and not only the Western countries, but also the South Caucasus
states. However, in the context of the complicated international
situation, the context with its neighbors became especially acute for
Moscow. The head of Russian State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Alexei Pushkov, comments on the prospects of relations between Russia
and the Transcaucasian countries for Vestnik Kavkaza.

– What do you think about the prospects of development of relations
with the South Caucasus states?

– Relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are different.

Armenia is our ally. It is part of the CSTO. It has been decided that
Armenia will join the Customs Union and, if I understand it correctly,
there is talk about Yerevan joining the Eurasian Economic Union, which
will become effective on January 1, 2015. Azerbaijan is our strategic
partner, a friendly country, which, if I understand it correctly,
currently does not want to join any integration associations or bind
itself by any additional obligations. There are very good bilateral
relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, as far as I know, in the
spheres of politics and economics. Will Azerbaijan join the integration
mechanisms in which Russia is involved? I think this is a question
which is being reviewed by the leadership of this country. In any
case, it seems to me that Baku considers further developing relations
with Russia, whatever form these relations might take, and it is
especially important for us. We do not want to push anyone anywhere,
but it’s important to preserve a good foundation and positive attitude
in Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

– What is Moscow’s role in resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

– In my opinion, Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the most difficult
conflicts existing in the former Soviet Union. Russia, as you
know, takes an active part in resolving [the conflict] and holding
negotiations between the leaders of the two states, uses its authority
to keep this frozen conflict from turning into an active one. In my
opinion, this is the essence of Russia’s role today and it is extremely
important. There is a big difference between a frozen conflict when
there are political solutions to it and between an active conflict
which is marked by a possibility of armed clashes and a worsening of
the situation. So I think that Russia will continue to pursue efforts
to create as many conditions as possible for a political discussion
of this issue, and not for a military resolution of the conflict.

– Could we speak about improvement of relations between Moscow
and Tbilisi?

– The situation in relation to Georgia is much more complicated,
because Georgia has chosen the path of gradual rapprochement with
NATO. At the moment, the Georgian leadership says that there will
be NATO training centers built in Georgia. It is the only thing that
prevents the Georgian population from being fully “happy.”

Georgia has consistently emphasized its Euro-Atlantic orientation. It
has been done in a milder form than during Saakashvili’s term, but,
nevertheless, we have to admit that they are talking about the same
foreign policy doctrine.

In my opinion, Georgia is bringing unnecessary tension into relations
with Moscow, which are improving, when it makes political demarches
about the security arrangements that Russia signed with Abkhazia.

These agreements are simply confirming the status quo. Nothing new is
happening. There are no fundamentally new developments. Everyone knows
that Russia is Abkhazia’s guarantor of security. Everyone knows that
certain military-technical measures are being taken in this regard. I
do not think that the Georgian side is unaware of that.

Together with Abkhazia we are creating an international legal
foundation for them. That is, we are legalizing what exists de facto.

If Georgia wants to bring uncertainty into relations with Russia,
it wants to jeopardize those certainly beneficial aspects that have
been achieved in the framework of improving relations. In particular,
as you know, economic relations have improved, Georgia received the
opportunity to export its products to the Russian market, etc. This
is the choice of the Georgian leadership, but I have serious doubts
about whether it is beneficial for Georgia.

If Georgia takes a more balanced position, and realizes that certain
events have occurred, and that they will not be reversed and that
Russia has the right to defend its security when it is being constantly
challenged, including by Georgian NATO partners, a balanced position
would be more beneficial for Georgia and, of course, it would be more
acceptable to Russia. As a result, positive trends that have appeared
in our relations in the last few years would be maintained.

ANOTHER ACT OF SABOTAGE THWARTED: AZERBAIJAN HAS 5-7 VICTIMS

18:43 | December 8,2014 | Politics

The Defense Army of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has prevented t an
infiltration attempt by Azerbaijan near the Line of Contact between
Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces, Armenpress.am reports citing
its source.

The Armenian side thwarted the act of sabotage, making the opponent
suffer 5­-7 losses.

The Armenian side has no victims, but a soldier was injured during
the operations.

CENTRAL DEPOSITORY OF ARMENIA BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL NUMBERING AGENCIES

17:04 08/12/2014 ” ECONOMY

During the General Meeting of Members of the Association of National
Numbering Agencies (ANNA) held on November 19-21, 2014 in Indonesia,
Central Depository of Armenia OJSC (CDA) was granted a full member
status of the organization, the press service of NASDAQ OMX Armenia
reported.

As a full member of ANNA CDA will continue to assign ISIN
(International Securities Identification Numbers) and CFI
(Classification of Financial Instruments) codes making Armenian
securities easily identifiable for international institutions and
foreign investors. The status of a full member of ANNA will enable the
CDA to vote and speak at Ordinary or Extraordinary General Meetings,
inspect the annual accounts as well as participate in working groups.

To recall, CDA has been a Partner of ANNA since June 2014 and has
assigned more than 1400 identification numbers so far.

Source: Panorama.am

AZERBAIJAN KILLS ARMENIAN NATIONAL IN KARABAKH

Press TV, Iran
Dec 8 2014

Azerbaijani troops have killed an Armenian national in their new
clashes with separatist forces from Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Garik Ispirian, 19, was killed in a fresh wave of violence that
erupted on Monday in the area bordering the Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

In late 1991, the Armenian representatives in the local government of
the Nagorno-Karabakh proclaimed the region a republic, independent
from Azerbaijan. That was followed by a series of brutal wars that
left at least 30,000 people dead.

Concerns have been raised about the re-escalation of violence this
year as Azerbaijan and Armenian-backed forces have intensified their
exchange of fire across the area.

Backed by Western governments, Baku has vowed to take back the disputed
territory while Yerevan says it will respond to any offensive in a
crushing manner.