Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Interfax, Russia
Nov 30 2012

Azerbaijan: Armenia must sign peace deal as condition for
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement

BAKU. Nov 30

Azerbaijan’s foreign minister said on Thursday that Armenia must sign
a peace agreement with Azerbaijan in trying to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict if it accepts the proposals of the Minsk
Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Elmar Mammadyarov made the point at a meeting with the European
Union’s special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis
in Georgia, Philippe Lefort.

The minister also argued at the meeting that Armenia’s plan to open an
airport in the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Khojaly (Xocali) would impede
efforts to settle the conflict. He added that the Minsk Group
co-chairs shared this stance.

He said Armenia’s military occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and
surrounding Azeri areas is the only obstacle to settling the conflict.

Lefort called for dialogue between Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Azeri and
Armenian communities, arguing that it would be an important component
of efforts to establish lasting peace.

He and Mammadyarov expressed satisfaction with current relations
between Azerbaijan and the EU. They also discussed energy projects
significant for the region.

Closed borders, threats of use of force, xenophobia and racism have no
place in the 21st century

15:33 01.12.2012

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the President of the European
Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso. The results of the meeting were
summed up at a joint press conference.

`The Armenian people have always been steady in their aspiration to
have a government system anchored on European values – freedom,
democracy and rule of law. We view the cooperation with European
structures as an important factor for Armenia’s institutional
reinforcement and implementation of effective reforms,’ Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan told reporters.

President Sargsyan said he reiterated Armenia’s resoluteness to deepen
and develop the Armenia-EU cooperation. `We aim to complete the
negotiations on the Association Agreement, including the creation of a
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, before the summit in Vilnius
scheduled for November 2013 and thus raise our relations to a new
level.’

`During the meeting I expressed our conviction that it’s necessary to
deepen the cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership
format. Closed borders, threats of use of force, xenophobia and
racism have no place in the 21st century. All our statements and
actions become imperfect, if against their background one of the
partner countries calls the people of another partner country an
enemy. This is a classical and disgusting example of hatred,’
President Sargsyan stated.

`We cannot pretend that it’s normal that Turkey, which is a member of
the G20 and bids for EU membership, illegally keeps the border of its
Eastern partner Armenia closed. This does not only contradict the
simple logic of partnership, but also violates the basic principles
and norms of international law. In Europe borders should not be used
as dividing lines,’ Serzh Sargsyan stated.

`Armenia has declared on many occasions that Nagorno Karabakh is part
of the European family, the bearer of the same values. Therefore, we
attach importance to the immediate contacts of EU representatives with
Nagorno Karabakh, particularly their periodic visits,’ he said.

Barroso urges sides of NKR conflict to remain faithful to the process
of Minsk Group

13:43, 1 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Settlement of NKR conflict remains to
be the priority of EU external policy. This was stated by European
Commission President Manuel Barroso on December 1 meeting with
representatives of Armenian civil society. `There is an opinion that
the conflict is frozen and there is no possible solution. Despite the
task is rather difficult I am sure that it is possible to reach peace
and we need to do that. We urge the sides of the conflict to remain
faithful to the process of Minsk group both on word and deed and
return to the discussion of crucial issues’ Armenpress quoted Manuel
Barroso as saying.

According to him EU is willing to provide with the all needed support
in addition to the Minsk Group efforts.

`Under the instrument for stability a new program will be adopted in
June which is mainly aimed at the peaceful settlement of NKR conflict.
The principals of the agreement are already ready. It is only the
political courage needed for their implementation’ Barroso declared.

European Commission President Manuel Barroso arrived in Armenia on the
invitation of Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan.

ARMENIE-EUROPE
« La dernière frontière fermée de l’Europe doit être ouverte sans
conditions » dit Serge Sarkissian au sommet régional du PPE à Erévan

Lors du sommet des Partis Populaires Européens en Erévan hier, le
président arménien Serge Sarkissian a appelé l’Europe à « lever sans
conditions la dernière frontière fermée de l’Europe » au sujet de la
frontière fermée entre la Turquie et l’Arménie. « L’intégration
européenne favorise la communication entre nos peuples, les sociétés
et les individus ainsi que les partis politiques » dit Serge
Sarkissian pour condamner ainsi les frontières fermées qui ne
permettent pas cette communication européenne.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 1er décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

HAUT KARABAGH
70e anniversaire du commandant Leonid Azkaldian (1942-1992) héros de
la guerre du Karabagh

Le 22 novembre fut organisée à Stepanakert une soirée dédiée au 70e
anniversaire du combattant et héros de la guerre de libération du Haut
Karabagh, Leonid Azkaldian (1942-1992). Le 30 novembre une autre
soirée était organisée à l’Université d’Etat à Erévan en souvenir du
héros tombé au champ d’honneur. Le commandant Leonid Azkaldian à la
tête de groupes de combattants armés de plusieurs centaines de
personnes durant la guerre de libération du Haut Karabagh est
considéré comme l’un des organisateurs et fondateurs de l’armée
arménienne. Il fut l’un des premiers à prendre les armes en compagnie
de ses hommes et libérer 23 villages dans la région de Mardakert au
nord du Haut Karabagh. « Il était très proche de ses hommes et il les
aimait comme un père. Aujourd’hui sa tome est devenue un lieu de
pèlerinage pour ses combattants » dit aux journalistes, un de ses
compagnons d’arme Narég Galstyan. Selon Gaguik Kinossian, Leonid
Azkaldian était après Karékine Njdeh l’un des commandants les plus
disciplinés de l’armée arménienne et d’ajouter « En quatre ans de
combats avec son groupe de 300 hommes il ne donna que 27 martyrs dont
il fut le dernier ».

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 1er décembre 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

`Who Will Survive in Sevan’ – New Film Highlights Challenges
Confronting Armenia’s `Blue Jewel’

17:57, November 29, 2012

The Armenian environmental organization EcoLur has prepared a new
documentary film called `Who Will Survive in Sevan’.

The film raises issues that concern us all but that are especially
relevant to te residents of the forty communities that encircle the
mountain lake.

EcoLur says that local communities have no say in the decision making
process when it comes to government projects impacting the lake. The
organization claims these projects cost 370 million AMD annually.

The film tackles issues including water pollution in the rivers
feeding Sevan, the negative impact of hydro-electric power plants on
feeder rivers, the resultant decrease of bio-diversity, government
mismanagement, etc.

!c

Azerbaijan Business Center
Nov 30 2012

EU recognizes importance of Azerbaijan for Europe

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
has received the delegation led by the WHO European Union Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Philippe Lefort.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that during the meeting
Mammadyarov expressed satisfaction with the expansion of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and the EU.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the processes in the
region, the energy projects of regional importance, and acknowledged
the importance of Azerbaijan for Europe.

Mammadyarov, speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Garabagh
conflict, pointed out that if Armenia accepts OSCE Minsk Group’s
proposals it must sign a big peace treaty. The Minister also informed
Lefort that the use of the airport in Khojali in the occupied
Azerbaijani lands can cause a big blow to peaceful negotiations.
Mammadyarov reminded the EU representative that the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair countries hold similar position and the main problem in the
conflict is Armenia’s refusal to withdraw its armed forces from the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Lefort, in his turn, noted the importance of establishing contacts
between the two communities to promote peace.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2012

Yerevan hosts meeting between presidents of Armenia and Georgia

Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov 30 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili arrived in Yerevan on Friday,
where he participates in the second Eastern Partnership Summit of the
European People’s Party (EPP).

Saakashvili met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in the frame of
the visit.

The main topics of discussion were the prospects for deepening
bilateral cooperation between neighboring countries and regional
security issues, Georgian presidential administration told Trend.

Mikheil Saakashvili noted that Armenia is a partner of Georgia, and
the relations between nations should develop more intensively.
Saakashvili said Georgia and Armenia – are members of the Eastern
Partnership, which are connected by European values.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian meets Georgian President
in Zvartnots airport.

Interfax, Russia
Nov 29 2012

Armenia stands for peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict – Sargsyan

YEREVAN. Nov 29

The Karabakh conflict must be solved peacefully, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan told a press briefing on Thursday. Turkmen President
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow also took part in the briefing.

“Our principled standpoint is that the problem should be resolved only
peacefully on the basis of international legal principles and norms,”
he said.

“Only this approach can prevent attempts to prioritize particular
principles and bring a lasting solution,” the Armenian president said.

He also said he had discussed regional and international issues with
his Turkmen colleague.

“We confirmed the wish of Armenia and Turkmenistan to assist in the
strengthening of peace and security,” the Armenian leader said.

European Court rules in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses against Armenia

news.am
November 27, 2012 | 20:51

On November 27 the European Court of Human Rights announced its
decision on the case Khachatryan and others vs. Armenia. According to
the ruling, Armenia violated two sections of Article 5 of the European
Convention on Human Rights, and must pay a total amount of 112
thousand euros as compensation to the applicants. This was reported in
the press release of the European Court of Human Rights.

All 19 applicants were citizens of Armenia and followers of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses. When turning to the Armenian authorities for
alternative labor service instead of military service on religious
grounds in accordance with the 2004 law `On Alternative Service,’ they
were appointed to serve in a variety of settings, such as hospitals,
nursing homes and clinics.

In May and June 2005, they informed the institutions that, as the
alternative service is under the control of the military, they cannot
continue to serve with a clear conscience, and then left their duty
stations. They were detained for several months during the criminal
proceedings against them as they had left their duty stations, which
were eventually discontinued.

For this reason, 17 applicants complained that they had been detained
for an act which did not constitute a crime. In this case, there is a
violation of paragraph 1 of Article 5 (right to liberty and security)
of the European Convention on Human Rights. Furthermore, relying in
particular on the part 5 of Article 5 (right to compensation for
unlawful detention) they complained that they were denied in
compensation for unlawful detention.

The Court dismissed the applications of two applicants and appointed
to the remaining 17 applicants a compensation of 6 thousand euros each
for moral damage, as well as 10 thousand euros to all 17 applicants
combined, for costs and expenses.