Author: Kalantarian Kevo

SITTING OF THE ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
17.12.2009 16:53

The recurrent 4th sitting of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental
committee of the military-technical cooperation took place in Yerevan
from the 14th to 17th of December.

The sitting was presided over by the co-chairs of the committee,
Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Alik Mirzabekyan and the deputy
director of the Russian federal service of military-technical
cooperation Konstantin Biryulin. Participants of the sitting discussed
issued related to the further development of the Armenian-Russian
military and military-technical cooperation.

On the sidelines of the sitting, the Armenian Minister of Defense,
Seyran Ohanya,n and the deputy director of the Russian federal service
of military-technical cooperation, Konstantin Biryulin, signed an
agreements on "Interaction between the Governments of the Republic of
Armenia and the Russian Federation while exporting goods of military
importance to a third country."

Seyran Ohanyan underlined that the signing the agreements between the
Armenian and Russian Governments was of great importance for fostering
the Armenian-Russian military cooperation and would contribute to
the strengthening of the fighting capacity of the two countries.

CONSULTATION OF AMBASSADORS OF ARMENIA ACCREDITED TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HELD IN PARIS

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 15, 2009
PARIS

PARIS, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
who is in Paris on a working visit, on December 14, held a consultation
of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Armenia to European
countries and international organizations with participation of
Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian and Secretary General
Shahen Avagian. At the consultation the interlocutors touched upon
the consultation of heads of RA diplomatic representations held in
September in Yerevan and the fulfillment process of commissions given
by the RA President.

E. Nalbandian presented cooperation with the European Union to the
heads of diplomatic representations, gave them commissions on further
activization of involvement in European structures and deepening of
cooperation with European organizations.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
at the meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the 17th session
of OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers held on December 1 in Athens
and the adopted documents, as well as the meeting of EU Eastern
Partnership Foreign Ministers held on December 8 in Brussels.

SUPPLY OF RUSSIAN GAS TO ARMENIA CUT OFF

ArmInfo
2009-12-14 12:11:00

ArmInfo. Transit of natural gas to Armenia from Russia through the
territory of Georgia has been stopped in the evening of December 13
from 9:00 OM by local time, press service of ArmRusgazprom CJSC told
ArmInfo today.

According to the source data, the Company received an official
message saying gas supplies have been stopped in view of the
necessity of elimination of the problems appeared on Northern
Caucasus-Transcaucasus, Mozdok-Tbilis, Oktyabrskaya- Olginskaya,
Oktyabrskaya-Olginskaya-Chmi gas pipelines. According to the source,
gas supply of the republic’s consumers will be carried out from
reserves of Abovyan underground gas storage. Moreover, gas from Iran
is still received.

Earlier, Chairman of the Board, Director General of ArmRusgazprom CJSC
Karen Karapetyan told ArmInfo that Armenia will be able to technically
receive 6-9 mln cub m of gas per day from Iran in early 2010 instead
of the current 3 mln cub m. To note, ArmRusgazprom CJSC is the only
gas supplier to Armenia. 80% of its shares belong to Gazprom and 20%
– to the government of Armenia.

THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF LATVIA

Frida y, 11 December 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with Latvian President Waldis
Zatlers in Yerevan.

The parties have discussed a broad range of issues concerning the
furtherance of bilateral relations in different spheres of political
and economic cooperation.

The need for activating and encouraging business contacts was
emphasized on either side. Hope was expressed that the ongoing
Armenian-Latvian business forum will provide strong incentives for
expansion of trade and economic ties between the two countries.

In this context, trade and tourism, environmental protection,
development of information technologies and the production of
pharmaceuticals were singled out as prospective areas of cooperation.

Cultural, interuniversity and scientific exchanges were said to be
able to give a fresh boost to current warm relations between our
two nations.

ANALYST: FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT HAVE APPEARED FOR FIRST TIME AFTER MANY YEARS
N. Abdullayeva

Today.Az
11 December 2009 [14:37]

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Eldar Namazov.

How do you assess the outcomes of the recent Erdogan-Obama meeting?

Of course, the outcome Turkish prime minister’s U.S. trip and outcome
of his talks with Barack Obama will become clear later when the
agreements reached in Washington will be implemented. This visit was
crucial on backdrop of current situation in our region. This visit
was focus of attention not only in Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also
in Armenia and Russia and many other countries.

Was the Erdogan-Obama meeting fruitful in terms of resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Turkish prime minister kept his promise to Azerbaijan in the issue
that Azerbaijan was interested most of all, namely interdependence
between normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations and resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

It is wrong to rush to extremes accusing Turkey almost of betrayal
or praising it. I think that this visit is not an end of some process.

None of the issues that were raised at the meeting was resolved right
there. The visit was part of a dynamic and very complex process.

I am sure that we all have to be patient, because in future we will
face numerous situations when public opinions will be different as
settlement of the Karabakh conflict is a very complicated process.

Despite all advances which the diplomats speak about, one needs
to bear in mind that such complex processes are easier to disrupt
rather to reach a final success. So, I’d still prefer to approach
all negotiations with pragmatism rather than emotion.

In your opinion, could Erdogan persuade Obama that Turkey-Armenia
border must not be opened until Azerbaijan’s occupied lands are
liberated?

Ambiguity in this issue makes me to assess the visit with caution.

Turkish prime minister voiced the position which Azerbaijan expected
it to do. But all this does not mean a serious turning point in the
negotiations. In my estimation, we are most close to signing any
agreement first since the negotiation process was launched.

How do you assess the recent optimistic statements about resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The situation in the region has now changed. There are certain
expectation in Yerevan regarding normalizing relations with Turkey
given difficult economic situation that Armenia faced due to closure
of the Russia-Georgia border, global economic crisis, decline in
country’s GDP with pessimistic forecasts for coming years.

It all makes the Armenian leadership to urgently seek a way out of
this situation. Cooperation between Russia and Turkey and Azerbaijan
and Russia has become much more significant in terms of regional
energy projects. In this regard, Russia’s positive attitude to the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, as well as Turkey’s mediation role in
resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is also not accidental. This
is due to serious economic and political reasons.

So, we can assume that in comparison with the situation of 10 years
ago now there are certain prerequisites to reach an agreement.

But Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s positions are still opposed. Therefore,
both countries have much work to do to coordinate the alleged
compromise with public opinion. The public always accepts something
very painful especially after years of official propaganda by their
country about intransigence and achieving maximum results.

And when it’s time to move toward compromise, what yesterday seemed
a winning political rhetoric leads to a serious obstacle to reaching
any agreement.

Therefore, we must be realistic. For the first time after many
years some geopolitical factors have appeared that contribute to the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict while the talks themselves
are quite complex.

EUFOA: THE WINDOW FOR NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IS LIKELY TO CLOSE SOON

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2009 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA)
published its latest policy paper "Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement:
Historic Turning Point or Missed Opportunity?"

The paper analyses the current stage of the Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement and reflects exclusive inputs from high-ranking officials
very closely involved in the process on both sides. "Having analyzed
both countries’ timetables, we are actually very pessimistic.

The window of opportunity for a normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey is likely to close soon, unless both parties ratify
the protocols without delay," says the document.

"The EU needs to push Turkey to be serious about this ratification,
if we want to achieve our longstanding goal of peace and stability
in the region", says Secretary General Michael Kambeck.

The paper also shows that Turkey’s approach, keeping the ratification
open until after their parliamentary elections, exposes the whole
process to a long list of risks.

CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN AND ASIAN MEDIA OPENED TODAY IN MOSCOW

ARMENPRESS
Dec 9, 2009

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Conference of the European and Asian
media opened today in Moscow organized by the Russian "Novosti"
agency. Heads of CIS and Baltic countries’ mass media, political and
public figures are participating in the event. The conference will
continue its work till December 10.

This is the fourth annual gathering of the national mass media of
post-soviet countries. Its goal is the discussion of those issues
which mass media is facing in the contemporary world.

At least 150 heads and top-managers of printed and electronic mass
media as well as more than 150 Russian guests and participants are
taking part in the event.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev addressed today the participants
with a welcoming speech.

In his speech the Russian president noted that mass media need
permanent dialogue. "We are erecting the history, we are element
of the history, thus this history changes. Many schemes which were
functioning 20-40 years ago, 100 years ago are not applicable thus
it is better to listen, understand each other better, perceive the
information better which in our countries is forming without closing
eyes, without ideological biasness: this is one of the best goals,"
the Russian president said.

He also noted that the creation of contemporary technology data,
existence of contemporary mass media having high-quality staff are
inseparable feature of independent and strong state.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and spokesman for the head
of the Russian government Dmitry Peskov will deliver speeches at
the event.

Armenia is represented in the conference by the head of the public
relations and information department of the Armenian President’s staff
Ara Saghatelyan, director of Caucasus Institute, political analyst
Alexander Iskandaryan, executive director of Armenpress news agency
Hrayr Zoryan, heads of Public TV, Yerkir Media, Kentron, Armenia TV
channels, "Novosti Armenia" agency, etc.

ARMENIA PLANS TO SEND 40-STRONG MILITARY SUB-UNIT TO AFGHANISTAN IN EARLY 2010

Noyan Tapan
Dec 8, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on
December 7 discussed the agreements on regulation of legal and
financial issues with the NATO in connection with the participation
of a sub-unit of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia as
part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
(ISAF). The indicated agreements had been presented by the Armenian
president for ratifiaction.

The main speaker, RA Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanian said that
ISAF is a NATO-led security and development mission in Afghanistan
established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December
2001. Armenia as a full and equal member of the international community
must make its contribution to the cause of ensuring the international
security. It was stated that since 2004 Armenia has taken an active
part in international peacekeeping missions, particularly in Iraq
and Kosovo.

The minister said that in case of the agreements’ ratification, Armenia
will send a 40-strong sub-unit consisting of a infantry platoon,
a military doctor and three staff officers to Kunduz Province in
Afghanistan. The major mission of the Armenian sub-unit to act under
German command will be protection of the airport landing strip and
structures in the city of Kunduz.

In the words of S. Ohanian, it has been agreed with the German side
that under an interdepartmental agreement to be signed with Germany’s
Federal Ministry of Defence, the German side will be obliged to cover
a considerable part of the Armenian side’s financial obligations
envisaged by the agreement: the expenses on transportation, arms,
accommodation and medical services of the Armenian sub-unit. The
Armenian side is obliged to cover the expenses on wages of the mission
participants. In case of ratification of the agreements, the Armenian
sub-unit will leave for Afghanistan in February 2010.

IMF WILL CONTINUE SUPPORTING ARMENIA WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS

armradio.am
09.12.2009 15:45

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received outgoing IMP Permanent
Representative in Armenia Nienke Oomes and her successor Giermo Tolosa.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Nienke Oomes for her productive
activity in our country.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the problems caused by global
financial-economic crisis.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan spoke about the efforts of the Armenian
Government targeted at resisting the global crisis, its influence on
Armenian economy.

The Prime minister voiced hope that the work with the new IMF
Representative would be as effective.

Nienke Oomes expressed gratitude for the appreciation of her activity
and assured that the IMF would continue assisting Armenia with
implementation of reforms and would maximally help outr country
overcome the existing problems.

CLOSED BORDERS ARE ARMENIA’S FAULT, TURKISH FORMER FM

Mon 07 December 2009 | 08:39 GMT Text size:

Hikmet Chetin "Turkey has been among the first countries to recognize
Armenia’s independence.

Turkey had opened borders with Armenia before 1992 and the two
countries had contacts. Yet, when we saw that Armenia starts occupying
Azerbaijani lands, we could not stay indifferent", Turkey’s former
Foreign Minister (1991-1996) Hikmet Chetin told in his interview to
Turkish Milliyet.

"I have witnessed all these events and it is too difficult when you
get information that your brothers are killed and their lands are
occupied every day. Certainly, Turkey could not bear this and seeing
that Armenia continues aggression against Azerbaijan despite numerous
appeals, we decided to close borders with this country. Thus, closed
borders are Armenia’s fault", the former minister said.

"If now Armenia stops occupation of these lands, I think there will
be no hindrances for establishment of relations. Our prime minister
should also explain the situation to Obama. He should say that the
opening of borders without due steps from Armenia’s part in this
direction will be problematic. Armenia should respond to Turkey’s
goodwill gesture at least by withdrawing from 5 occupied regions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is an excellent diplomat and he
understands that the full settlement of the Karabakh conflict cannot
be expected now. But the release of the occupied lands could at least
reduce distrust in the region. I think Obama can put pressure on
Armenians in this issue in order to raise confidence in this region",
he said.