Author: Kalantarian Kevo

LE GAZ IRANIEN BEAUCOUP PLUS CHER QUE LE GAZ RUSSE SELON LE MINISTRE DE L’ENERGIE

Le gaz iranien va coûter beaucoup plus cher a l’Armenie que celui
en provenance de la Russie, meme si le prix de ce dernier monte a
declare le ministre armenien de l’energie et des ressources naturelles
Armen Movsisyan.

” L’Iran ne propose pas du gaz a des prix moins chers que les Russes,
car son gaz est vendu a des prix regionaux. L’Iran vend du gaz a la
Turquie et d’autres pays a un prix beaucoup plus eleve – environ 370
dollars ” a declare Armen Movsisyan.

Armen Movsisyan a egalement declare que l’Armenie aujourd’hui echange
de l’electricite avec du gaz en provenance d’Iran.

” Nous n’avons pas la capacite suffisante pour importer la totalite
du volume de gaz requis par le troc ” a souligne le ministre.

Le gaz iranien doit etre convertie en energie pour une exportation
vers l’Iran, 3 kilowattheures par mètre cube de gaz naturel.

vendredi 31 mai 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

ANCA: NO NEW TRADE DEALS WHILE TURKEY BLOCKADES ARMENIA, OCCUPIES CYPRUS

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

ANCA’s Kate Nahapetian testifies

ANCA’s Nahapetian Calls for U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement and Double Tax Treaty during Testimony before U.S.

Trade Panel

WASHINGTON-During testimony earlier today before the U.S. Trade Policy
Staff Committee, Armenian National Committee of America Government
Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian called upon the U.S. government
to condition Turkey’s participation in any new Transatlantic trade
initiatives upon Ankara’s immediate lifting its blockade of Armenia
and ending its occupation of Cyprus.

Nahapetian offered the ANCA’s testimony during the first of two-days
of public hearings regarding the proposed Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP). The hearing was chaired by Doug Bell,
who heads the TPSC, and included the participation of representative
from a broad range of U.S. agencies including the Departments of
Treasury, State, Commerce, Transportation, and Health and Human
Services.

“Turkey’s blockade of Armenia, a landlocked nation, which has been in
force for more than two decades and prevents an important East-West
trade route, is among the longest-standing in modern history,”
explained Nahapetian. “This blockade is all the more objectionable,
since Turkey’s act of economic aggression is targeted against the very
Armenian people that Turkey’s predecessor state, the Ottoman Empire,
attempted to exterminate during the Armenian Genocide.”

Nahapetian went on to point out that, “We are particularly concerned
about Turkey’s unwillingness to comply with previous trade agreements.

Since its 2005 Customs Union Agreement with the European Union, Turkey
has refused to implement the requirements of beginning to normalize
relations with the Republic of Cyprus, a European Union member, and
opening its ports and airports to Cyprus. Turkey must demonstrate
that it no longer flagrantly violates trade obligations before being
granted any preferential treatment under the Transatlatic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP).” The complete text of Nahapetian’s
testimony is provided below.

During a question and answer session with TPSC Chairman Doug Bell
and U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle
East Dan Mullaney, Nahapetian discussed the ANCA’s commitment to the
expansion of the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship, focusing specifically
on the benefits to bilateral commerce that could be realized through
the negotiation of a U.S.-Armenia Double Tax Treaty and a Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement.

The Turkish government, has, in recent months, lobbied Washington
aggressively for inclusion in a proposed far-ranging Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership between the U.S. and the European
Union, as well as for its own U.S.-Turkey bilateral free trade
agreement. The ANCA, along with the American Hellenic Institute (AHI)
and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), has submitted a
joint written statement to the USTPSC encouraging the U.S. government
to require, as a pre-condition for any new trade deals involving
Turkey, that Ankara have fully withdrawn its military occupation
of Cyprus, unconditionally lifted its illegal economic blockade of
Armenia, and ended all obstacles to trade, investment, and other
forms of commerce it has imposed upon Cyprus and Armenia.

Also offering testimony will be a broad range of corporate, labor,
citizens, and trade associations, including U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
AFL-CIO, American Insurance Association, Securities Industry
and Financial Markets Association, Software Information Industry
Association, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Public Citizen,
U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Consumer Federation of America,
Underwriters Laboratories, Biotechnology Industry Organization,
Transatlantic Business Council, American Association of Exporters and
Importers, American Apparel and Footwear Association, and American
Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers.

Armenian National Committee of America Testimony at Hearing

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Public Hearing

Docket Number USTR-2013-0019 May 29, 2013 Washington, DC

Hello, my name is Kate Nahapetian and I am Government Affairs Director
for the Armenian National Committee of America, the largest Armenian
American advocacy group.

We welcome the opportunity to share our views regarding U.S.

negotiating priorities and the proposed Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union.

I will summarize the concerns we outlined in our joint statement with
the American Hellenic Institute and the Hellenic American Leadership
Council, leading organizations of the Greek American community.

Our concerns relate primarily to the Turkish government’s stated
interest in joining this agreement, although Turkey is not a European
Union member, as well as public comments by Turkish leaders and others
regarding a possible U.S.-Turkey Free Trade Agreement. Although the
President’s notice to Congress of his intention to negotiate this
agreement made it clear that the agreement would be between the United
States and the European Union and inclusion of Turkey in this process
would require additional notice to Congress, we wanted to share our
concerns nevertheless.

In the course of any talks or negotiations related to such agreements,
we call on the President to be guided by the Trade Act of 1974 which
affirms our nation’s commitment “to establish fairness and equity in
international trading relations,” a principle that the government of
Turkey regularly violates.

More specifically, we call upon to the Obama Administration to ensure
that the TTIP, related agreements, and any bilateral agreements that
may directly or indirectly involve the Republic of Turkey require, as a
statutory precondition, that the Turkish government 1) unconditionally
lift its illegal economic blockade of Armenia, 2) fully withdraw its
unlawful and brutal military occupation of Cyprus, an EU member, and 3)
immediately end all obstacles to trade, investment, and other forms
of commerce it currently imposes on Cyprus and Armenia. The blockade
of Armenia, a landlocked nation, which has been in force for more than
two decades and prevents an important East-West trade route, is among
the longest-standing in modern history. This blockade is all the more
objectionable, since Turkey’s act of economic aggression is targeted
against the very Armenian people that Turkey’s predecessor state, the
Ottoman Empire, attempted to exterminate during the Armenian Genocide.

Within days of signing an agreement in October 2009 to end its blockade
of Armenia regardless of any progress on the Nagorno Karabakh peace
process, Turkey reneged on the agreement and insisted that it would
not end its blockade until the Nagorno Karabakh conflict was resolved
in Azerbaijan’s favor.

The World Bank, U.S. State Department, and European Parliament reports
have all outlined the devastating impact of Turkey’s blockade against
Armenia, which has been in place for over a decade.

The traditional railroad linking Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan
could be operational within days, but instead of allowing this rail
system to run, Turkey is financing the construction of an entirely
new railroad system that would circumvent Armenia and traverse Georgia
to reach Azerbaijan at a cost of over $600 million.

In yet another example of Turkey’s efforts to hamper rather than
promote free trade, Turkey invoked the rarely used Article XIII of
the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO, when Armenia joined the
WTO in 2002, meaning that it would not abide by any WTO obligations
as they apply to Armenia. Article XIII has been invoked only eight
times and only three are still maintained, one of them being Turkey’s
invocation against Armenia.

We are particularly concerned about Turkey’s unwillingness to
comply with previous trade agreements. Since its 2005 Customs Union
Agreement with the European Union, Turkey has refused to implement the
requirements of beginning to normalize relations with the Republic of
Cyprus, a European Union member, and opening its ports and airports to
Cyprus. Turkey must demonstrate that it no longer flagrantly violates
trade obligations before being granted any preferential treatment
under TTIP.

The implementation of any provision of such agreements related to
Turkey should be conditional upon official annual certification by the
President and subsequent confirmation by the Congress that Turkey has,
over the past twelve months, fully complied with these conditions.

These requirements, if enforced, will support and strengthen U.S.

leadership in promoting a multilateral rule-of-law based trading
system, and, more broadly, in encouraging compliance by Turkey and
other countries with international agreements to promote trade.

We welcome, as a general principle, the U.S. Trade Representative’s
commitment to the expansion of U.S. trade and investment based on
“fairness and equity in international trading relations” that require
respect for the rule of law. We hold, however, that, in the case
of Turkey, we would not advance our national interests, further our
economic prosperity, or promote our core values by rewarding a nation
that so egregiously and flagrantly undermines the integrity of the
global trading system by occupying a European Union member state and
refusing to end its two decade blockade of landlocked Armenia.

Moreover, any inclusion of Turkey in an already complex process
involving multiple European Union member states would create serious
complications and disruptions to the process.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Trade Policy Staff
Committee to discuss our priorities and proposals on this matter in
greater detail.

ARMENIA TODAY

Ahram Online, Egypt
May 30 2013

As Armenia celebrates the 95th anniversary of its restored statehood,
the country is working to improve its domestic development and security
in the region, writes Armen Melkonian [Armenian ambassador to Egypt]

Armenia today is celebrating the 95th anniversary of the restoration
of its statehood. The struggle for independence was not an easy one.

For six centuries, the people of Armenia, whose history and cultural
heritage go back millennia, making their ancestors the contemporaries
of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, were deprived of their own
state due to the continuous invasions of foreign conquerors.

Consecutive generations of Armenians sacrificed their lives to put an
end to the sufferings of their people and to achieve the sacred goal
of independence. Finally, on May 28, 1918, following the nightmare
of the atrocities of WWI and the Armenian Genocide under the Ottoman
Empire, which claimed as many as 1.5 million innocent lives, the First
Republic of Armenia was formed as an independent and sovereign state.

However, soon afterwards Armenia found itself integrated into the
Soviet Union as one of its constituent republics. Soviet Armenia
was not a sovereign state, but it played an important role in
the preservation of Armenian statehood until the aspirations of
independence were realised once again on the eve of the collapse of
the Soviet Empire with the emergence of the Third Republic of Armenia
in 1991.

Since then, and bearing the lessons of history in mind, Armenians
have been crafting their present and their path towards the future
on the basis of universal values and the principles of democracy,
human rights, social justice and the free-market economy. After 22
years of independence, we are able to speak proudly about irreversible
progress and the significant successes that have been made along the
path of state-building. We already have mature institutions of public
administration and local government, an emerging civil society and
free media, a growing economy and improving social conditions.

Notwithstanding these achievements, we are still pursuing policies
that will lead to a better, fairer, freer, and more prosperous country,
with the aim of overcoming the current challenges and moving forwards
towards a more dignified and prosperous livelihood for every citizen
and each family.

Economic development is a core priority in this regard. We are still
facing a whole array of problems, including unemployment, poverty and
emigration, the solutions for which are still to be found. However,
there have also been great achievements, despite the permanent blockade
imposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

GDP growth in 2012 was slightly more than seven per cent, which is one
of the best performances for that year in the world. We are looking
forward to 6.2 per cent economic growth in 2013. The government
of Armenia is promoting high-productivity industries utilising new
technologies, attaining favourable terms for domestic producers and
exporters in external markets, developing free economic zones within
the country, attracting efficient foreign investments, and systemically
reforming the business environment.

Armenia has also declared an “open door” investment policy. There
are no restrictions on the participation of foreign investors in any
economic activity in Armenia. According to the Heritage Foundation’s
Index of Economic Freedom, Armenia’s economy was the 32nd freest
economy in the world in 2012.

In order to increase the country’s economic competitiveness and
ensure sustainable economic growth, the government has declared the
development of a knowledge-based economy to be its core long-term
strategic objective, while simultaneously developing a range of sectors
with strong export potential, like mining, metallurgy, machinery,
pharmacology, biotechnology, chemicals, precision engineering,
textiles, and jewellery.

There is also great potential for IT, agriculture, tourism, health and
education. Lacking fuel resources, Armenia places great emphasis on
the development of its own renewable energy sources, such as hydro,
wind and solar energy. About 40 per cent of Armenia’s electricity is
produced by the Medzamor nuclear power plant.

The establishment of a fair state that will guarantee equal
opportunities, ensure and enhance competition, while at the same time
protecting the most vulnerable social groups, is another priority
for the government. A wide package of reforms has been introduced
to further consolidate democratic institutions, strengthen the rule
of law, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms,
improve electoral procedures and relevant legislation, strengthen
the independent judicial system and expand the role of civil society.

The recent presidential elections in Armenia in February 2013,
followed by the municipal elections in the capital Yerevan in May,
were assessed by international monitors to be in full compliance with
the highest democratic standards. They are the most eloquent evidence
of the great successes of both the government and people of Armenia
in pursuing the on-going processes of democratisation and ensuring
full respect for the rule of law and for human rights.

In order to achieve our goals, extensive and dynamic engagement in
international political and economic relations is essential. Our
bilateral and multilateral international cooperation is progressing
steadily. We are advancing relations with all the power centres and
leading states of the world, strengthening our alliance and strategic
partnership with the Russian Federation, expanding and strengthening
our friendly partnership with the US and our rapprochement with Europe,
deepening our traditional cooperation with the CIS Member States
and our immediate neighbours of Georgia and Iran, while developing
relations with Arab and other friendly countries.

We are looking forward to expanding the already existing
cooperation with Egypt, to which we are tied by a traditional and
historically-formed friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Egypt in 1992, there have been plenty
of activities, as well as official visits and contacts in different
fields and on all levels. More than 40 agreements and protocols have
been signed and joint governmental commissions of economic cooperation
have been set up.

The Armenian community, famous for its significant input into
the public and cultural life of Egypt, is nowadays also actively
contributing to the strengthening of Armenian-Egyptian cooperation
and friendship.

Armenia has become an active participant in leading international
organisations and political processes, including the UN, the OSCE,
the COE, the CIS, CSTO, BSEC, WTO and TRACECA. We are observers at the
AL, NAM and AU. Just two weeks ago, Armenia assumed the presidency of
the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe, a position which
the country will hold for the next six months. The priorities of our
presidency are combating racism, intolerance and xenophobia, promoting
intercultural dialogue and fostering democracy and human rights.

As part of our policy of creating stronger relationships with Europe,
we are actively involved in the EU Neighbourhood Policy Eastern
Partnership Programme, and we have already entered into the final
stages of negotiations on the Association Agreement, as well as on
the Agreement on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. We are
also contributing to international peacemaking: Armenian troops are
participating in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

We are pursuing the issue of reinvigorating the process of the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and addressing its
consequences. In 2015, the international community will commemorate the
centenary of the Genocide. For us, the recognition and condemnation of
the Armenian Genocide is not just a matter of justice and retribution
or a moral debt to be paid to our ancestors: it also has a security
dimension. Without Turkey’s sincere repentance, security in our region
will always be endangered. We believe that true reconciliation does
not consist of forgetting the past, but of the ability to cooperate
in the elimination of the consequences of past crimes.

Lasting peace and stability in our region very much depend on the
fair and peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The
conflict started when Azerbaijan tried, by ethnic cleansing and then
by unleashing a large-scale war, to suppress the right of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh to exercise their legal right of self-determination.

In the face of imminent elimination, the Nagorno-Karabakh population
resorted to self-defence and in the end forced Azerbaijan to conclude
a ceasefire agreement in May 1994.

Since then, Armenia has been exerting its efforts towards the
settlement of the conflict exclusively through peaceful means and on
the basis of the purposes, principles and norms reflected in the UN
Charter and the provisions of statements made by the three co-chairs
of the countries of the OSCE Minsk Group: France Russia and the US. We
believe that any settlement must be based on the recognition of the
Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination.

Like the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is the only
internationally mandated negotiating forum for this conflict, Armenia
has many times urged respect for the ceasefire agreement and abstention
from hostile rhetoric that fosters feelings of enmity and increases
tension. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani side has rejected all the
proposals presented by the mediators, and it poses a threat to the
security of the region by constantly increasing its military build-up
and threatening the use of force against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

Azerbaijan rejects all proposals for confidence-building measures
and the consolidation of the ceasefire. It systematically provokes
violations of the ceasefire and performs ceaseless acts of vandalism
towards the Armenian historical and cultural heritage. Such an
approach is endangering the negotiating process and the fragile peace
on the ground. Instead of instilling anti-Armenian hysteria into its
own society and multiplying its military budget on account of its
large oil revenues, the leadership of Azerbaijan should realise that
there is no alternative to the peace settlement and it should adopt
a constructive position within the negotiation process.

Notwithstanding the existing problems, Armenia is confidently
developing, looking to its future and strengthening its role in
the region.

The writer is the Armenian ambassador to Egypt.

BLUE FUEL DEBATE: GAS TARIFFS AT FOREFRONT OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION

SOCIETY | 31.05.13 | 16:10

Photolure

By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Discussions on the expected price hike for gas are incessant on the
highest rostrums of Armenia, as well as courtyards of residential
houses, in public transport, working places and homes. The increase of
gas tariff feels like stab in the back to the impoverished, unemployed
or those surviving on low wages and could take a long time, if ever,
for them to recover.

The public discussion to reconsider the tariffs for gas and electricity
failed this week at the Public Services Regulatory Commission, after
which “Let’s prevent the gas price hike” civil initiative made an
appeal to be more united in an attempt to “prevent monopolies from
robbing people”.

The discussion got postponed because there was no room in the hall for
the numerous organizations and citizens registered for participation,
this circumstance sparking discord and quarrels. Robert Nazaryan,
chairing the commission, announced that the discussion would continue
another time, without reporters’ presence.

The Union of Manufacturers and Employers of Armenia, concerned
over the issue, is planning to submit a proposal to the government,
suggesting that discussion opportunities are created for also the
business circles of Armenia.

“It is about subsidies, compensations, using alternative energy
sources. Most importantly, those entities which are ready to install
energy saving systems should be provided with affordable financial
means so that they can do the installation rapidly. Otherwise our
compatibility and the achievements we have finally made recently
in terms of industrial policy would appear in a rather questionable
condition,” Arsen Ghazaryan, head of the Union, told RFE/RL.

Along with the criticism against Russia because of the increase of
gas tariffs, constructive suggestions are made today on how to enable
Armenia, having no energy carriers, to secure its own electric power.

Well-known businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan wrote on his Facebook page
that using alternative energy carriers should become the imperative
for Armenia for the coming years, and energy productivity has to
become one of the country’s top issues of economic strategy.

“The government has to start the development of the project from energy
audit in the country, meaning, it has to collect accurate data on the
volumes of energy resources used, energy efficiency indexes, etc. I
am certain that such an audit would reveal that Armenia is among
the world’s ‘richest’ countries, if it allows energy to be used so
generously in households and various spheres of economy. The world’s
leading experience should help us understand how we can reduce our
dependency on imported energy carriers,” says Sukiasyan.

He suggests that smart illumination systems be installed with
contemporary energy saving light bulbs; energy saving means be
applied at multi-story and administrative buildings, energy saving
construction, and even painting, technologies be applied when building
walls, ceilings; build “passive houses” – energy saving houses,
where in winter the air temperature is maintained at a certain level
without heaters and no air-conditioners in summer, plus a switch to
using solar energy.

Armenia’s National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan,
however, suggests inquiring into the gas prices in other countries
and see that Armenia, in this case, is in a much better condition
than many other states.

“Over the past five years gas tariffs have gone up in many countries,
unlike Armenia. We have to think deeper about strengthening our economy
so that such price hikes do not have a tangible impact,” he says.

MONTEE DE L’ISLAMISME EN TURQUIE

Le journal Les Echos pointe la montee inexorable de l’islamisme en
Turquie. Titrant ” L’agenda islamiste cache du Premier ministre turc
“, le quotidien d’information economique et financière se fait a son
tour l’echo de la derive de la laïcite turque.

” Recemment, une station du metro d’Ankara a averti les jeunes
voyageurs qu’ils devaient ” se comporter moralement “, raconte le
journal ” Hurriyet “. En d’autres termes, sous une surveillance
officieuse, il est interdit de s’embrasser. La reaction ne s’est pas
faite attendre : un groupe de jeunes a organise dans la station un
happening pour protester. Sans savoir que des contre-manifestants
chantant ” meme si votre sang doit couler, l’Islam vaincra ” etaient
la pour les attaquer. ” Personne n’a ete serieusement blesse, mais
cela pose d’inquietantes questions en Turquie au moment où l’AKP (le
parti au pouvoir) est suspecte d’avoir un agenda islamiste cache “,
ecrit le chroniqueur Semih Idiz. Deja Turkish Airlines a interdit
a ses hôtesses de se maquiller avec du rouge a lèvres ou encore
le gouvernement turc a lance un ” jihad ” contre l’alcool. L’AKP
prepare ainsi un projet de loi qui restreindrait, de facon plus sevère
que dans les autres pays europeens, les boissons alcoolisees et la
publicite. Le Premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a deja admis
qu’il souhaite voir emerger une ” jeunesse religieuse “. Deja certains
se refèrent a Mourat IV (1623-1640), qui avait interdit l’alcool,
le tabac et le cafe. Cette interdiction a d’ailleurs echoue car le
sultan etait un grand buveur, ironise le journaliste. Comme tout
cela echouera en Turquie. Pour Semih Idiz, ces evenements doivent
conduire a examiner les intentions cachees de l’AKP et les Turcs a
reagir contre le gouvernement et les groupes attaquant des jeunes
dont le seul crime est d’afficher leur affection.”

jeudi 30 mai 2013, Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

GDF SUEZ ENTRE FINALEMENT DANS LE PROJET DE GAZODUC NABUCCO

Gaz de France a achete 9% des parts du projet Nabucco-ouest, le gazoduc
qui doit acheminer du gaz provenant d’Azerbaïdjan jusqu’en Europe,
ce qui permettrait de reduire les importations de gaz russe.

Il a achete 9% des parts de Nabucco-ouest, a annonce OMV, le groupe
energetique autrichien qui dirige le projet auquel participent deja
le hongrois MOL, le roumain Transgaz, le bulgare Bulgargas et le
turc Botas.

Ce gazoduc, qui doit relier l’Autriche a la frontière entre la
Bulgarie et la Turquie doit entrer en service d’ici 2020. A terme,
il pourrait fournir a l’Europe jusqu’a 8% de ses besoins en gaz,
soit 23 milliards de m3 dans plus d’une quinzaine de pays. Il permet
surtout de reduire la dependance au russe Gazprom. “Par cet engagement
dans Nabucco-ouest, GDF Suez apporte son entier soutien a ce projet
strategique et confirme son positionnement d’acteur majeur du gaz
naturel en Europe”, a souligne Jean-Francois Cirelli, vice-president
du groupe francais, cite dans un communique. “Cet accord ouvrira,
par ailleurs, l’accès a de nouvelles ressources pour le groupe dans
la mer Caspienne”, a-t-il ajoute.

Cette annonce intervient a un moment crucial. En effet, les operateurs
du gisement de Shah Deniz en Azerbaïdjan doivent bientôt prendre
une decision sur le trajet des livraisons de gaz de la Caspienne
vers l’Europe. Ces operateurs – l’entreprise locale Socar et ses
partenaires BP, Statoil et Total – doivent choisir entre Nabucco
et son concurrent TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline). Si le feu vert est
donne a Nabucco, les travaux devraient etre lances en 2015 pour des
premières livraisons de gaz a la Georgie et la Turquie en 2018 et en
2019 pour le reste de l’Europe.

La France avait d’abord annonce sa participation en 2007 avant que
GDF ne soit ecarte en 2008.Mais Gaz de France s’etait a nouveau dit
interesse l’annee suivante.

jeudi 30 mai 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

IT IS TIME TO ADMIT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION PROCESS FAILED – MP

16:53 ~U 30.05.13

Nikol Pashinyan, a Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary
group member, does not think that the 2012 budget report of Armenia’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has anything to do with reality.

Armenia’s Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan presented the report to the
parliament on Thursday.

“Like the others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has presented a
document on its great achievements,” he said.

He asked Sh. Kocharyan if it is time for Armenia’s foreign office to
admit that the Armenian-Turkish protocols, which are the result of
Armenian-Turkish football diplomacy, have failed for Armenia.

“When the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed, there were brought
accusations that they would frustrate the Armenian Genocide recognition
process,” Pashinyan said. He pointed out that only one state has
recognized the Armenian Genocide since 2008.

Sh. Kocharyan admitted that the recognition process slowed down even
earlier as Turkey assured other nations it was conducting dialogue
with Armenia. According to him, it is the protocols that specified
the sides’ positions. At present, Turkey is claiming some secret
negotiations.

“I state we are not negotiating. It is obvious now that Turkey has
torpedoed the protocols and is being pressed now,” he said.

Armenia is actively preparing for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. So is Turkey doing.

“The problem is as follows: which of the sides refused to ratify
the protocols? If they were of benefit to Turkey, it would not have
stepped back.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

EFFECTIVE ANTI-HAIL SYSTEM MUST BE CREATED IN ARMENIA – ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN

May 30, 2013 | 16:42

YEREVAN. – An effective anti-hail system must be created in Armenia,
Secretary of the National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan said.

“We offer to establish a unified system of anti-hail protection,”
he told reporters on Thursday.

Baghdasaryan said diverse anti-hail stations are installed in many
communities. There is no single mechanism of control, personnel is
poorly prepared.

“We have offered and will begin the research to create a single
system. Modern scheme of agricultural insurance must be introduced,”
he noted.

The farmers must be protected from the economic consequences of
natural disasters.

“We will be consistent in addressing the issue,” Baghdasaryan promised.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

WE HAVE AROUND 6,000 ARMENIANS IN KUWAIT, SAYS AMBASSADOR

16:37 ~U 30.05.13

Photo from Fadey Charchoghlyan’s Facebook profile

Armenia’s ambassador to Kuwait says 6,000 Armenians reside in the
country today, with most being businessmen, including from Syria.

Speaking to Tert.am, Fadey Charchoghlyan noted that the
Syrian-Armenians, who have settled in the country in the wake of the
recent tensions in Syria, feel very comfortable now, as most have
found jobs and other interests of life in Kuwait. “The community is
quite calm; they do not interfere in political developments. Most are
businessmen; we have car masters, jewelers and doctors well recognized
and loved by the Kuwaitis,” the diplomat said.

The Kuwaiti-Armenian community’s history dates from 1955, Charchoghlyan
said, adding that the Armenians of Syria, who have been migrating to
the country recently, do not form a big majority.

“And the Kuwaiti state, which has imposed a ban on every citizen from
Syria, would issue visa to Armenians upon our request, and they would
come to their relatives as we have 90% Syrian-Armenians in Kuwait,”
the ambassador said, noting that the Syrian-Armenians are given
Armenian passports as their identity documents in Kuwait.

Charchoghlyan said that the energy-rich Arab country, which is
interested in Armenia, is planning to sign several cooperation
agreements with the country in the near future.

According to him, Armenia is also an interesting tourism attraction
site for Kuwait. “We have a very serious growth in summer when the
Kuwaitis come to Armenia,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NO PROBLEMS IN ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS – ARMENIA’S DEPUTY FM

May 30, 2013 | 14:12

YEREVAN. – There are no, have not been, and will not be problems in
Armenian-Russian relations, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

To the query as to the reason for Russia’s toughened stance in recent
times-in terms of the rise in the price of the Russian natural gas
being supplied to Armenia-and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan not
attending the CSTO summit, Kocharyan said:

“Armenian-Russian relations are very multilayered, multifaceted,
and they continue to be so.”

News from Armenia – NEWS.am