Author: Kalantarian Kevo

‘Azerbaijani diaspora is one of the most active in the world’

Thu 05 July 2012 06:18 GMT | 7:18 Local Time

Nazim Ibrahimov
The Azerbaijani diaspora is one of the most active in the world, head
of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov has told
reporters.
According to him, the work on the formation of diaspora, launched by
national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and successfully continued
by President Ilham Aliyev, is now bearing fruit.

“Among the world’s diasporas, the Azerbaijani is one of the most
active. It is no accident that Armenians are sounding the alarm.
Azerbaijani diaspora is ahead of the Armenian diaspora in the
information war.

This is the result of the hard work and conditions created by the
leadership of the country. I think that thanks to the attention of
President Ilham Aliyev, our diaspora will be a model for the world,”
Ibrahimov stressed.

News.Az

Film about Iranian Armenians to be shot

armradio.am
05.07.2012 15:46

Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
Armenia Mohammed Reyisi.

Greeting the Ambassador, Minister Hranush Hakobyan underlined the
Iranian government’s warm attitude toward the Armenian community and
attached importance to the Iranian-Armenians’ participation in the
programs organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The Ambassador mentioned that the Iranian-Armenians are full-fledged
citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran and play an important role in
the country’s cultural, educational, scientific and economic life.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the possibilities of
implementing the program called `Days of Iranian-Armenians’ in Iran
and Armenia, printing a book and producing a film about the
Iranian-Armenian community and mentioned that those programs would
further contribute to the strengthening of Armenian-Iranian relations.

Zdzislaw Raczynski : Nobody makes Armenia choose between Brussels and Moscow
ArmInfo’s interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Poland to Armenia Zdzislaw Raczynski

by Ashot Safaryan

arminfo
Thursday, July 5, 10:41

Mr. Raczynski, many people in Armenia consider partnership with the
EU as a counterweight to the relations with Russia. Do Moscow and
Brussels really compete in this region and, particularly, in Armenia?

I do not share the view that Armenia or any other country of the South
Caucasus faces a dilemma: either the EU or Russia. One can and should
speak of another choice: either an authoritarian, corrupted,
undemocratic model of development or brave, consistent, democratic
reforms aimed at building a legal, fair, open state and society close
to the European understanding of the mechanism of a modern state. The
European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) is addressed to all the neighbors –
both eastern and southern ones. The Eastern Partnership Program adapts
the ENP to the conditions and needs of the Eastern European countries.

Who do you think benefits from destabilization of the situation in the
region given that the Karabakh conflict and the permanent provocations
by Azerbaijan hamper the integration processes you have mentioned?

The aggravation of the situation in the region is hardly beneficial to
anyone. There is a conflict, and there are problems inherited from the
past. I would not say that some external forces intentionally bestir
the situation in the South Caucasus. This problem has several
components. I think all the three countries of the South Caucasus are
quite small by their size and potential. Their future in the system of
international relations in the economic space of Europe would seem
more promising if these three countries came out as a single unit. We
would deal with a conflict-free space with its states effectively
cooperating, having open borders and contacting societies. This would
be a different reality, a different quality. However, one cannot rule
out that other players may make advantage of this complicated
situation.

Can one say that Poland as the initiator of the Eastern Partnership
program supervises the integration processes of the South Caucasus
countries?

I do not perceive such definitions as supervisor, curator, leader,
head… The three independent, sovereign states determine their choice
and their fate themselves. Nobody has the right to impose anything on
them. It’s another matter that sometimes it’s not bad to listen to the
friends or look at a successful example, which can be applied in
another country. I think Poland can be such an example. Over the past
20 years Poland has managed to reform the country into a dynamic,
rapidly developing state, which manages to avoid the acute
manifestation of the economic crisis. In addition, Poland has neither
deposits of energy resources nor any extraordinary privileges. Poland
is much closer to its Eastern neighbors – geographically, historically
and culturally.

Moreover, the country has a serious scientific potential analyzing the
situation in the eastern part of the European continent. Warsaw has a
political will to address the issues of Eastern Europe. But to solve
the Eastern Partnership’s problems successfully, the resources of the
whole European Union should be mobilized, he said. Therefore, we
advocate involving the forces and funds of the EU in general and first
of all the most powerful economic state of Europe – Germany. One can
say without exaggeration that today the success of the project
addressed to the East depends on the harmonious interaction between
Warsaw and Berlin.

What attitude does Poland have towards the sanctions against Iran
given the demand of the growing Polish economy for energy resources?

Everyone in Europe realizes the concern over possible use of the
nuclear program of Iran not only for peaceful purposes. The
uncertainty around Tehran’s nuclear program is a serious destabilizing
factor. Here we are in sympathy with our European partners. Poland
supports the EU’s aspiration to gain transparency in Iran’s
intentions. Warsaw can have no separate position. In the meantime, I
cannot say how efficient the sanctions are. Moreover, I do not
consider the unilateral actions against Iran to be a panacea. I think
that the discrepancies can be removed by means of a dialogue, and
today there are still chances to do that.

Does the European Union understand the cooperation between Armenia and
Iran given the economic blockade imposed on our country by Turkey and
Azerbaijan?

The European Union fully understands the specific situation of Armenia
and the need for its cooperation with Tehran. It is enough to say that
no critical statements have been made so far. Moreover, the
authorities of Armenia assure that the interaction between Yerevan and
Tehran does not violate the regime of international sanctions against
Iran.

The recent mutual visits between Armenia and the EU have been paid
consistently, which is curious enough against the background of the
sanctions against Iran and tension in Syria.

I do not think the mutual visits of the high-ranking officials are
connected with any geopolitical games or with the situation around
Iran and Syria. Certainly, we are very much interested in the stance
of Armenia as a country situated closely to the ongoing processes. Of
course, Yerevan is well aware of what is going on there. But I take a
different view of all these phenomena: such visits confirm the
developing cooperation between Armenia and the EU.

European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton has recently said that the parliamentary elections in
Armenia were the best throughout the history of independence. Why is
Brussels so benevolent to our authorities given the numerous flaws and
violations during the electoral process?

Registration of some inaccuracies and flaws does not rule out that the
elections were the best of all the previous elections. They were
better than the previous electoral processes, but it does not mean
that they were really ideal. The whole report of the OSCE/ODIHR
Election Observation Mission directly points out the violations,
flaws, nobody shuts eyes to them.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ORDERS NEW ARMS PRODUCTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 3, 2012 – 14:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the
country’s arms designers and manufacturers on Tuesday, July 3 to begin
work on new small arms, body armor and communications equipment for
the infantry and airborne forces, RIA Novosti reported.

“We need new solutions for equipping our soldiers, for small arms,
individual communications and body armor,” Putin said at a meeting
in Sochi on the theme of the State Armaments Program and Infantry and
Airborne Forces. “I call on you to start design and research work in
these fields,” he added.

Putin noted that research and development for the ground forces
accounted for just ten percent of their equipment budget.

“And for the airborne forces its less than five percent,” Putin said.

“At the same time, over 75 percent of the total finance goes to
five research projects. That is a huge disbalance. This means that
there are many important areas of armament development and military
equipment which go without vital funding,” he said.

Putin said nine S-300 air defense missile systems must enter service
with the Army by 2020.

“Ten Iskander-M tactical missile launchers, nine S-300V4 air defense
missile systems, more than 2,300 tanks, about 2,000 self-propelled
artillery systems and mobile guns, as well as more than 30,000 vehicles
must enter service with the Russian Army,” Putin said.

“Beyond that, the deployment of new control and communication systems,
advanced reconnaissance systems and military equipment is planned,”
the president said.

By 2020, the government will spend over 2.6 trillion rubles ($79.8
billion) to arm the Airborne Forces and the Army, Putin continued. The
overall value of the national rearmament program will reach 20 trillion
rubles ($614 billion).

WB STANDS READY TO EXPAND ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMS IN YEREVAN

news.am
July 03, 2012 | 13:40

YEREVAN. – Energy saving programs were discussed during the meeting
between Armenian capital city Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and
Director Tamara Babayan of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Fund of Armenia. World Bank (WB) representative Arthur Kochnakyan
also took part in the meeting.

Underscoring the cooperation with the Fund, the Mayor specifically
stressed:

“We are open and ready to discuss all proposals which will contribute
to securing the comfort of our city and residents.”

In her turn, Babayan noted that the key objective of the Fund’s
program, which is carried out with the support of the WB, is to secure
energy saving.

“The efficiency of the projects, which are underway in the capital
city and especially in the recent months, is evident. And this comes to
prove yet again that effective management of finances enables to carry
out more visible and tangible changes in Yerevan. I can assure that we
look toward continuing the cooperation with you,” noted Tamara Babayan.

In his turn, WB representative Arthur Kochnakyan added that the WB
likewise stands ready to expand cooperation with Yerevan Municipality.

And Taron Margaryan proposed to discuss the possible avenues for
cooperation and to prepare a package of proposals.

Economy ministry: incident in Harsnakar restaurant unlikely to mar
Armenia’s image

YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. Mekhak Apresyan, chief of Armenian economy
ministry’s unit in charge of tourism development, speaking Wednesday
in Novosti International Press Center, expressed hope that the brutal
incident in Harsnakar restaurant belonging to Armenian Football
Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan, where three military doctors
were assaulted and severely beaten two weeks ago and one of them, Vahe
Avetyan, 35, died in the hospital of fatal injuries, would not tarnish
the country’s reputation.

According to the information released by online sources, Avetyan has
been beaten by Hayrapetyan’s bodyguards.

`International practice has showed that tourism is very sensitive
about various phenomena, such as instability in a region, diseases or
martial law as well as regular incidents,’ Apresyan said. `I hope this
incident will not deter tourists from traveling to Armenia.’

On Tuesday, Ruben Hayrapetyan stepped down as a member of Armenia’s
parliament, since he feels moral responsibility for the death of
Avetyan.

The incident has sparked public outcry either inside the country or
outside of it.

In recent days, civic activists staged a series of protest actions
demanding to prosecute all those guilty of Avetyan’s death.

Today protesters gathered outside the parliament building.
Representatives of the National Assembly’s Zharangutiun (Heritage) and
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutiun factions joined
today’s protest organized by the opposition Armenian National Congress
bloc.

Yesterday, the Armenian Association of Political Science issued a
statement condemning violence against the military doctors and called
on Hyrapetyan to stop his political activity.

Armenia’s Internet community has submitted a petition to UEFA and FIFA
urging these organizations to support their demand that Ruben
Hayrapetyan resign as president of Armenian Football Federation. -0-

Vahan Hovhannisyan: `Rompuy also said correct things… lessons should be learnt’

20:02 . 04/07

ARF-D faction member Vahan Hovhannisyan says it was a big mistake that
MPs didn’t have the opportunity to give European Council President
Herman Van Rompuy questions at the parliament today, as `with their
questions, the MPs would give correct formulations to the perceptions
with which the European side would leave the country’.

It remained a secret for V. Hovhannisyan why Rompuy refused to answer
questions as it was planned initially.

`Rompuy also said correct things… The important point of the speech
was that the European integration, as an Armenian political path is
serious and it means it is a strategic decision, which, naturally,
requires serious decisions within the country. Rompuy says
diplomatically May 6 elections were a step ahead, but he doesn’t say
they were in accordance with European standards, as they weren’t. A
step forward is a good thing, but if those steps don’t continue we’ll
step in the same place. The precept was very clear,’ yerkir.am cites
V. Hovhannisyan as saying. He added lessons should be learnt from
Rompuy’s speech, but the lesson must not be depriving MPs of the
opportunity to give questions.

Armenian Minister hosted newly appointed Iranian Ambassador

19:50, 4 July, 2012

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS: Minister of Diaspora of Armenia Hranush
Hakobyan on July 2 hosted Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Iran to the Republic of Armenia Mohammad Raiesi. Armenpress was
informed from that ministry of Diaspora that Minister Hranush Hakobyan
welcoming the guest highlighted the warm attitude of Iranian
authorities towards Armenian community and stressed the importance of
participation of Armenians of Iran in the programs of the Armenian
ministry.

The Ambassador mentioned that Armenians of Iran are full citizens of
Islamic Republic of Iran and have important role in cultural,
educational, scientific and economic life of Iran.

During the meeting interlocutors also discussed other cultural
programs stressing that they would be favorable for the strengthening
Armenia-Iran relations.

Azerbaijan Will Use the Military Operations Against Iran to Settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Militarily,’ R. Safrastyan Says

July 3, 2012 15:06

Armenian and Russian experts talked about the challenges brought about
by the developments in the Arab world during a spacebridge between
Yerevan and Moscow at the Novosti Armenia international press center
today.

Vladimir Sazhin, the chief science officer at the Academy of Sciences
of Russia, talking about the developments in Egypt, noted, `Morsi, the
newly-elected President of Egypt, is a good politician, but it is
known that there are controversies between him and the military.
Analyzing the policy he has pursued, one can notice that he wants to
act independently – he didn’t wait until the top brass would allow him
to come to power. However, I don’t predict happy future for Egypt. I
think that the top brass in Egypt will not lay down their arms to the
finish. A so-called diarchy has been established there. And the
influence of the US and Israel is big on this issue. In the latest
revolutionary period Egypt lost much money, therefore the economic
crisis is visible and I don’t think that Egypt will be able to recover
without foreign aid. And aid traditionally comes from the other side
of the Atlantic, the US.’

As for what impact the developments in the Muslim world had on
Armenia, Alexander Iskandaryan, the director of the Caucasus Media
Institute, noted, `The situation in Egypt is disturbed, but I think
Syria envies that condition. A civil war wages there at the moment. I
predict that there will be a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.’

Getting to the condition of the Armenian community in Syria, Mr.
Iskandaryan stated, `400 Syrian Armenians wanted to become citizens of
Armenia last year, whereas this year that number has reached 2000. The
factor of Syrian Armenians’ return starts to play a certain role on
the Armenian house market. These are indications that testify to the
situation that exists in Syria.’

Talking about the war in Syria, Alexander Ignatenko, a member of the
Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations under the Russian
Federation President, noted that this war had been instigated by Saudi
Arabia, at the end of the day, it was a war between Saudi Arabia and
Iran. And Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan said about the impact of the
developments concerning Iran on the Republic of Armenia, `If military
operations against Iran suddenly commence, Azerbaijan will take that
opportunity and try to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
militarily. Azerbaijan is carrying out big strategic projects with
Israel and thus wants to get the green light from the US for military
operations against Nagorno-Karabakh.’ And in A. Iskandaryan’s opinion,
Israel’s arming Azerbaijan is not the most dangerous factor that can
be predicted. On the other hand, the expert doesn’t share the opinion
that the West needs Azerbaijan for the war against Iran.

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Around 170 films will be presented in the framework of `Golden Apricot’

17:15, 4 July, 2012

YEREVAN, 3 JULY, ARMENPRESS: In the framework of 9th international
Yerevan film festival `Golden Apricot’ approximately 170 feature,
short feature and documentary films will be represented. The director
of film festival Harutyun Khachatryan informed Armenpress during the
press conference, that about 90 films from 170 will compete in the
competitive nominations, the others will be represented in
non-competition programs.
The festival opening will start with the `Shor and Shorshor’ film of
Hamo Beknazaryan, which will be accompanied with a jazz live music of
Vahagn Hayrapetyan written especially for this film. The movies will
be shown in Nairi, Moscow cinemas and in the Puppet theatre.
The festival mood will be provided by the everyday jazz concerts in
the square after Charles Aznavour. During the whole festival, a photo
exhibition will presented in the lobby of Moscow cinema, it will
include photos of famous film directors, who were awarded
`Parajanovyan taler’ prize in the framework `Golden Apricot’.
The festival will be finalized with showing the `Love’ film, which was
the main prizewinner of Cannes festival. The `Golden Apricot’ Yerevan
film festival is being implemented by the support of Armenian Ministry
of Culture.