Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN GOLD EXPORTS DOWN SLIGHTLY IN 2012

Interfax, Russia
Feb 11 2013

Armenia’s gold exports edged down 0.4% to 2,329.8 kilograms last
year, including galvanic coating, the country’s National Statistics
Service reported.

The customs value of the exported gold was up 15% from $67.3 million in
2011 to $77.5% last year, which Economy Ministry specialists attribute
to rising prices for the metal. Armenia exports Dore gold bars with
up to 92% gold content. Pure gold is not produced in the republic.

Armenia imported 1,378 kg of gold last year with customs value
of $77 million versus 1,521 kg for $78.3 million in 2011. Gold is
delivered to the republic in the form of gold wares and raw material
for making them.

COMPOSER, MP, ETHNOGRAPHER SPEAK OF ARMENIA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

TERT.AM
19:56 ~U 12.02.13

The singer and composer Ruben Hakhverdyan describes the presidential
candidates’ behavior and statements as “political exhibitionism
and clownery.”

“That’s all,” Mr Hakhverdyan told Tert.am.

Talking to Tert.am, Vahan Hovannisian, a member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) parliamentary group,
said that the ARF-D did not join the presidential election campaign
because of the “ludicrous statements and situations.”

“They [the presidential candidates] must be failing to find another
way of attracting public attention,” Mr Hovannisian said.

The first 23 days of the presidential election campaign in Armenia
have shown ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan that each next day is going
to be “more eventful.”

“The concept of ‘president’ is so devalued now that it is taken with
fun rather than seriously now. I think this concept has lost its
value along with general loss of values. Whoever wants can run for
the presidency,” Ms Kharatyan said.

KIRO MANOYAN: THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY SHOULD REACT ON THE SITUATION AROUND AZERBAIJANI WRITER AKRAM AYLISLI

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 12, 17:50

The situation around the Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli, which wrote
the book “Stone dreams”, causes anxiety, and the Armenian community
should react and express their position regarding the event, the
head of the Hay Dut Yerevan office, Kiro Manoyan, said at today’s
press-conference.

He said that the world community has already reacted at the problem
around the writer in Turkey and the problem of intolerance to national
minorities in Azerbaijan.

He thinks that such actions by the Azerbaijani authorities are an
attempt to deflect attention away from more important events taking
place in this country. “I do not rule out worsening of situation at
the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces.

This is an attempt to deflect attention away from domestic political
situation”, – Manoyan said.

VOTE 2013: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST SAYS VOTING RIGHTS OF SEVERAL GROUPS VIOLATED IN ARMENIA

VOTE 2013 | 12.02.13 | 16:05

Hovhannes Kocharyan, Artur Sakunts
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Civil society representatives as well as representatives of parties
involved in the electoral processes consider that the voting rights
of a number of groups are being violated in Armenia.

During a discussion organized in Yerevan on Tuesday Helsinki Citizens’
Assembly Vanadzor Office head Artur Sakunts, in particular, spoke
about violations of the rights of arrested persons, citizens living
abroad and serving in the armed forces.

According to Sakunts, detainees and soldiers do not have access to the
programs and booklets of all candidates, while among the candidates
only the incumbent president actually can go to military units for
campaigning purposes. “But the army elects not only the president,
but also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [of the Armed Forces], so
they should be able to learn about the programs of all potential
candidates,” said Sakunts.

Speaking about the problem of Armenian citizens residing abroad and
having no right to take part in the national elections (they have
not been eligible to vote since 2003), Sakunts said that the state
must organize their balloting.

“Speaking about those living abroad they say they have no right
to take them out of the electoral roll, because they continue to
enjoy suffrage. But if they do, then be so kind as to ensure they
can properly exercise their right. Otherwise it is illogical,” said
the leading human rights activist.

Opposition candidates have repeatedly raised the issue of removing the
names of citizens permanently absent from the country from the voting
lists. For years the Armenian opposition has accused the government
of using up to half a million votes of such people to rig elections.

But head of the passport and visa department of the Police Hovhannes
Kocharyan dismissed such demands as ungrounded, saying that technically
it is impossible to take the data of the absent citizens from the
voter lists (as such data can be obtained only by means of a personal
search engine) and also because Armenia’s legislation prohibits the
publication of such data.

“It is a totally unreasonable and illegal demand made to the police:
personal data can be spread only if the law authorizes a state body
and an official to disseminate such information. Otherwise, it is
unlawful to disseminate such information as it constitutes an offense,”
said Kocharyan.

“I wonder how many voters in Armenia would want their being absent
from Armenia to become information that is in the public domain? Isn’t
it an instance of persecution against a person?” the official queried.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO AGRICULTURE, EXPERT SAYS

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Three of the Armenian candidates for
president, Serzh Sargsyan, Raffi Hovannisyan and Hrant Bagratyan, have
an economic component in their election platforms, head of Alternative
analytical centre, PhD in economy, professor Tatul Manaseryan told
a press conference Tuesday.

Special attention is paid to rural problems in particular.

“The candidates realize that development of agriculture is an important
step to ensure the food supply security and economic development in
the country”, Manaseryan said.

The candidates say it is important to solve employment problems in
rural areas, according to Manaseryan.

The expert stressed that all three contenders touch also upon social
issues and promise to raise pensions and wages, but propose different
mechanisms for it.

“Opposition candidates pay great attention to reduction of black
economy”, Manaseryan said.

According to the expert, the main difference between the election
platforms is how the platforms are formed.

“For example, Serzh Sargsyan’s platform points only to main objectives
and targets, whereas Hrant Bagratyan describes his proposals in more
detail and in numbers; Raffi Hovanisian’s platform is less spatial,
but contains indicators the candidate promises to achieve if elected”,
Manaseryan said.

The expert sees certain differences also in approaches, for instance,
Raffi Hovanissian promises to create 180,000 new jobs, whereas
Bagratyan intends to promote self-employment among the population.

In general, according to the expert, the most important is not the
extent of detail in the platform, but candidate’s capability of keeping
his promises. Here, special attention should be paid to the past and
the political biography of each contender, Manaseryan said.

Armenian presidential elections are scheduled for February 18. Seven
nominees are running for president: incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan,
former prime minister and leader of Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan,
former foreign minister and head of Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisyan,
famous Soviet dissident and leader of National Self-Determination party
Paruyr Hayrikyan, ex foreign minister of Karabakh Arman Melikyan,
political scientist and head of Radio Hay Andrias Ghukasyan and
philologist Vardan Sedrakyan. -0-

NO ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN CAN PREVENT CARREFOUR FROM COMING TO ARMENIA

ARMINFO
Tuesday, February 12, 13:32

No Armenian businessman can prevent Carrefour from coming to Armenia,
member of ARFD, former Agriculture Minister David Lokyan told ArmInfo
on Tuesday.

“I don’t think that our businessmen can stop Carrefour,” Lokyan said,
when asked to comment on media reports that oligarch MP, the owner
of Yerevan City supermarket network Samvel Alexanyan is trying to
prevent the arrival of potential rival.

Lokyan said that Carrefour will hardly have problems with opening
supermarkets in Armenia. “They always consider optimal ways to develop
their business in areas having no supermarket networks. In Tbilisi
some 2-3 years ago they opened a network and are now going to open
one in Armenia,” Lokyan said.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE NOMINEE HAGEL CALLS FOR GROWTH IN ARMENIA-US DEFENSE TIES

NEWS.AM
February 12, 2013 | 12:35

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to a direct inquiry by Senate Armed
Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, president Obama’s nominee to
serve as Secretary of Defense, former Senator Chuck Hagel, called
for the expansion of U.S.-Armenia defense relations, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We would like to thank Chairman Levin for drawing attention, during
this especially closely watched Senate confirmation process, to the
importance of growth in the U.S.-Armenia defense relationship,” said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We share Senator Hagel’s
view that there is much room for the development of these ties, and
look forward, should he be confirmed, to engaging with the Department
of Defense on this matter.”

In response to a written inquiry by Chairman Levin, Senator Hagel
explained “The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound. As with
all relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we can
strengthen our cooperation and partnership.” He went on to note
that, if confirmed, “I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to
strengthen existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of
cooperation that support Armenia’s defense reforms, especially its
peacekeeping brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition
operations.”

“I would look for the United States to be Armenia’s partner of choice
and help Armenia’s defense establishment contribute to regional
security and stability.”

ARMENIAN POPULATED ALEPPO IN DARKNESS FOR A FEW DAYS

12:20, 12 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: For three days incessant most
Armenian populated second largest city Aleppo is sank into darkness.

Berio National Primacy press secretary Jirayr Resyan told Armenpress,
the electricity is completely switched off; the internet and
telephone also do not operate regularly. Parallelly the water supply
is irregular, as water pomp is working with difficulty due to lack of
electricity. There are no news refer to the lack of energy supply. The
only gratifying fact in the words of press secretary is the bread
issue ceased to be urgent.

The army is launching large-scale operations seeking to clear out the
city from the rebels, Reisyan states. Although the morning was quiet,
the voices of shootings could be heard throughout the night. Military
helicopters constantly monitor the city’s different districts. The
army is also trying to clear the airport territory from the rebels,
to restore the security in order it will be possible to launch flight
to Aleppo. According to press secretary the situation is more tense
in the suburbs.

Over 60 thousand people were killed during 23 months ongoing clashes
in Aleppo, including four dozen Armenians.

LE MYANMAR ETABLIT DES LIENS DIPLOMATIQUES AVEC L’ARMENIE

En voie de democratization depuis la liberation de l’opposante et
prix Nobel de la paix 1991 Aung San SZuu Kiy, dont le parti a fait son
entree au Parlement en 2012, le Myanmar (Birmanie)a confirme sa volonte
de s’ouvrir sur le monde en etablissant des liens diplomatiques avec
l’Armenie. L’Armenie est ainsi le premier pays où le Myanmar ouvrira
une ambassade en 2013, après avoir etabli des relations diplomatiques
avec le Malawi, le Bhoutan, le Luxembourg, la Lituanie, l’Estonie et
l’Islande en 2012. Un communique commun avait ete signe en ce sens
le 31 janvier a New York entre le representant du Myanmar aux Nations
unies et son homologue de l’Armenie. L’Armenie est le 111e pays avec
leque le Myanmar a etabli des liens diplomatiques depuis l’accession
a l’independance de la Birmanie en 1948. Ce processus diplomatique a
ete gele depuis la prise du pouvoir a Yangoon par une junte militaire
qui a condamne la Birmanie a l’autarcie et lui a valu l’austracisme
de la communaute internationale pendant plus de trois decennies.

mardi 12 fevrier 2013, Gari ©armenews.com

COOPéRATION POLICIèRE ET JUDICIAIRE BELGO-TURQUE

Publié le : 12-02-2013

Info Collectif VAN РРRetour sur la Trilat̩rale
ministérielle Affaires étrangères, Justice et Intérieur qui s’est
réunie entre la Belgique et la Turquie le 22 janvier 2013. Pour la
Belgique, Didier Reynders, ministre belge des Affaires étrangères,
était aux côtés de sa collègue vice-Première et Ministre de
l’Intérieur JoÔlle Milquet ainsi que de la Ministre de la Justice
Annemie Turtelboom et de la Secrétaire d’Etat a l’Asile et a la
Migration Maggie De Block. La délégation turque était composée
d’Ahmet Davutoglu, Ministre des Affaires étrangères, de Sadullah
Ergin, Ministre de la Justice et d’Ä°dris Naim Å~^ahin, Ministre
de l’Intérieur.

Rappelons que la Turquie emprisonne pour “terrorisme” tous ses
opposants politiques. Une telle coopération – a l’instar de la
coop̩ration franco-turque Рlaisse augurer de toutes les d̩rives et
tous les amalgames. Au lieu de défendre les courageux intellectuels
qui brisent, en Turquie, le tabou du génocide arménien, et qui
défendent pacifiquement les droits des Kurdes, l’Europe entérine
et favorise le fascisme vert d’Ankara. Inquiétant. Didier Reynders
a donné le vendredi 1er février 2013 une interview a la radio
franco-turque MIT, connue pour ses positions niant le qualificatif de
génocide pour le génocide arménien. A cette occasion, il a mis sur
son profil Facebook un lien vers le site outrageusement négationniste
Turquie News, témoignant d’une complaisance problématique. Le 11 juin
2005, le président du MR, Didier Reynders, déclarait au journal Le
Soir a propos de la négation du génocide des Arméniens: “Je ne peux
pas imaginer que des militants ou des mandataires tiennent des propos
ou diffusent des écrits qui soient clairement négationnistes. Et
je n’ai pas besoin du droit pénal, en tant que président, pour
faire le ménage.” Vraiment ? Le Collectif VAN vous propose par
ailleurs un lien vers le document détaillant la “Mission princière
(belge) en Turquie du 15-19 octobre 2012 inclus” : 53 sociétés
bruxelloises représentées par 92 personnes ont participé aux
différents événements.

Le site de Didier Reynders

jan 22, 2013

Trilatérale ministérielle Affaires étrangères, Justice et
Intérieur entre la Belgique et la Turquie

La Trilatérale ministérielle Affaires étrangères, Justice et
Intérieur entre la Belgique et la Turquie s’est réunie ce 22 janvier.

Pour la Belgique, j’étais aux côtés de ma collègue vice-Première
et Ministre de l’Intérieur JoÔlle Milquet ainsi que de la Ministre
de la Justice Annemie Turtelboom et de la Secrétaire d’Etat a l’Asile
et a la Migration Maggie De Block.

La délégation turque était composée d’Ahmet Davutoglu, Ministre
des Affaires étrangères, de Sadullah Ergin, Ministre de la Justice
et d’Ä°dris Naim Å~^ahin, Ministre de l’Intérieur.

Cette réunion trilatérale est la deuxième a se réunir au niveau
des Ministres, après une première rencontre qui s’était tenue a
Istanbul, en octobre 2008.

Cette plateforme vise a mener un dialogue entre les autorités
politiques des deux pays sur des sujets d’intérêt commun,
particulièrement la lutte contre le terrorisme, la coopération
policière et judiciaire ainsi que la coopération en matière
consulaire et de gestion des migrations.

1. Nous avons exprimé notre détermination a lutter contre le
terrorisme et a développer davantage de coopération dans ce domaine.

Nous avons réitéré notre engagement a poursuivre ces objectifs
par le biais de mesures conformes aux obligations de nos deux Etats
au regard du droit international, en particulier sur la suppression
et la prévention du terrorisme, de même que celui des droits de
l’homme et des réfugiés.

Nous nous sommes félicités du dialogue politique en matière
de lutte contre le terrorisme établi entre la Turquie et l’Union
européenne. Le rôle très actif de la Turquie dans les instances
des Nations-Unies traitant du terrorisme a également été souligné.

Nous avons rappelé l’importance de la lutte contre le financement
du terrorisme et avons convenu de poursuivre nos efforts en ce sens.

2. Avec mon homologue turc, nous nous sommes réjouis du développement
constant de nos relations bilatérales dans tous les domaines, où
nous partageons des vues et des intérêts communs. Nous nous sommes
également entretenus de la situation au Moyen-Orient, en ce compris
la Syrie, des droits de l’homme et des relations entre la Turquie
et l’Union européenne. Nous avons par ailleurs discuté de dossiers
consulaires et de questions de visa.

3. Les Ministres de l’Intérieur ont signé un Memorandum of
Understanding sur la coopération policière qui prévoit notamment,
dans le respect des obligations nationales et internationales, des
échanges d’expérience et de bonnes pratiques en matière de lutte
contre le terrorisme, la criminalité organisée, la traite des êtres
humains, le trafic de drogues et le blanchiment d’argent.

4. Les Ministres de la Justice ont signé une Déclaration conjointe
sur la coopération judiciaire qui prévoit notamment, dans le
respect des obligations nationales et internationales, la mise sur
pied de consultations techniques sur l’entraide judiciaire. Des canaux
directs de communication seront établis entre les autorités centrales
pour renforcer l’efficacité de cette coopération et améliorer la
compréhension mutuelle des procédures et législations nationales.

Lire aussi :

U.E : Démocratisation de la Turquie ou ” turquification ” de
l’Europe ?

MISSION PRINCIERE EN TURQUIE : 15-19 octobre 2012 inclus

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Source/Lien : Le site de Didier Reynders