Author: Khoyetsian Rose

RA PM AND FAO DIRECTOR-GENERAL DISCUSS THE PROSPECTS OF IMPLEMENTING JOINT PROJECTS

ARMENPRESS
MAY 13, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS: RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received
today Jacques Diouf, Director-general of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO). An official from the press
and PR office of RA Government told Armenpress that Tigran Sargsyan
welcomed the guest and said he appreciates the efficient cooperation
between the Republic of Armenia and FAO. He also mentioned that
Armenia is interested in deepening the cooperation. Speaking on the
forthcoming joint projects, the two sides stated they consider the
deepening of cooperation in the direction of developing infrastructures
for irrigation and reserving, producing agricultural means (seeds,
pest killers), as well as creating market management system to be
quite prospective. RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan emphasized
the importance of FAO experts’ participation in public discussions
on conception of agricultural development. In this context, the FAO
Director-general represented the international practice. The speakers
also stressed the importance of implementing complex projects for
the development of villages, which will have a good influence of
decentralization of agriculture. Issues on the works for the 27th
conference of FAO Sub regional Offices for Central and Eastern Europe
and for Central Asia were touched upon as well.

Director-general of FAO Jacques Diouf expressed his gratitude for
organizing the conference, held in Yerevan May 13-14, properly.

BAKU INTERPRETS ESSENCE OF TALKS ON KARABAKH TOO LOOSELY – ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Interfax
May 12 2010
Russia

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is worried by Azeri
officials’ remarks suggesting that the two countries could resume
armed hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Azerbaijan is continuing to distort not only the reasons and
consequences of the conflict, but also the essence of the negotiations,
and it is also taking any opportunity to threaten to use force," the
Armenian Foreign Ministry press service quoted Nalbandian as saying
at the 120th session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers
in Strasbourg.

A statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the OSCE Ministerial
Council adopted in December last year rejects the use of force or a
threat of such and acknowledges people’s right to self-determination
and territorial integrity,.

"The same principles are contained in the Madrid document, which
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs presented in 2007. Baku rejected the
existence of this document for a year until they suggested that they
accept it. However, if we try to clarify the situation, Azerbaijan’s
position includes too many exceptions, and they interpret their
provisions too loosely," he said.

"Judging by the record of the past years, it is obvious that all
of Azerbaijan’s efforts aimed at resolving the problem at other
international forums and so influencing the negotiations within the
framework of the Minsk Group are destructive," Nalbandian said.

Despite Azerbaijan’s obstructions on the path of settling the
conflict, Armenia will continue its efforts to resolve the problem
of Nagorno-Karabakh through negotiations, he said.

TURKEY WANTS "PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGE" IN GREECE TIES

WorldBulletin.Net
May 13 2010
Turkey

Davutoglu said, the visa exemption agreement between Turkey and Russia
was a "revolutionary step".

Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:23

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday the visa
exemption agreement between Turkey and Russia that was signed on
Wednesday was a "revolutionary step".

Speaking on Haberturk TV channel, Davutoglu said that Russian tourists
may come to Turkey without visa this summer.

Turkish businesspeople, intellectuals and tourists will be able to
travel to Russia without a need for visa, Davutoglu said.

Four high level visits took place between Turkey and Russia in a
year. Our relations were not competition but rather cooperation and
economic integration, Davutoglu said.

In the past five years, the nature of Turkey-Russia relations went
through a change. This change would make serious contributions to
stability from the Balkans to China, Davutoglu said.

The model of "High Level Strategic Cooperation Council" was one
developed by Turkey. In the event economic union is established with
countries in such councils, the Turkish economy would benefit from
such an entity, Davutoglu said.

Touching on energy agreements made with Russia, Davutoglu said that
such agreements defeated the thesis that Turkey and Russia were in
competition with each other in the field of energy.

We are establishing a model with Russia that shows how we are
progressing into cooperation and (economic) integration rather than
competition, Davutoglu said.

"Psychological change"

In regard to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit
to Greece on Friday, Davutoglu said that the Turkish government was
working to create an atmosphere of psychological change.

We are trying to change the perception that the two countries are in
competition with each other, Davutoglu said.

Our goal in bilateral relations with Greece is not merely to minimize
tensions. We have to maximize the number of areas in which cooperation
may take place so that no notion of tension remains in minds,
Davutoglu said.

We do want to reach economic integration with Greece. We plan
to develop relations in areas ranging from economy to tourism,
Davutoglu said.

In reference to Turkey’s relations with Armenia, Davutoglu stressed
that no one would benefit if the protocols signed between Turkey and
Armenia get suspended.

Turning back from the protocols is neither to the interest of Turkey
nor Armenia, Davutoglu said.

Just as in the Balkans, Turkey will help realize "psychological
revolution" in the Caucasus. We will turn the Caucasus into a region
of peace and security, Davutoglu also said.

TURKISH PACE PRESIDENT NAVIGATES DELICATE VISIT TO ARMENIA

Hurriyet
May 13 2010
Turkey

PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) shakes hands with Armenian
President Serge Sarkisian during their meeting in Yerevan on
Wednesday. AFP photo

The Turkish President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe, Mevlut Cavusoglu, arrived in Yerevan Wednesday amid
controversy.

Cavusoglu’s refusal to visit an Armenian memorial site of the events of
1915, forced Armenian authorities to change the nature of his trip from
an "official" visit to that of a "working" one and sparked a boycott
of meetings by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Dashnaktsutyun.

The Dashnaktsutyun said it will refuse to meet with CavuÅ~_oglu, a
Turkish citizen, during his visit to Yerevan, Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty’s Armenian Service reported.

CavuÅ~_oglu met Wednesday with President Serge Sarkisian, who expressed
hope that the PACE delegation visit would shape a more objective view
of Armenia and the challenges in the region. "This visit will provide
an opportunity to discuss issues on our agenda, and I’m confident
that it will contribute to the deepening of cooperation between
the Republic of Armenia and the Council of Europe," said Sarkisian,
the U.S.-based newspaper Azbarez reported on its website.

MOSCOW, ANKARA TO PROMOTE KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT?

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 16:51 AMT 11:51 GMT

Moscow and Ankara intend to promote establishment of stability in
the Caucasus, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated.

"Both Russia and Turkey are interested in resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. Russia will use every possibility to further the
peace process," he told a news conference after the meeting with his
Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on May 12, RIA Novosti reported.

LE PRESIDENT SARKISSIAN CELÈBRE LA VICTOIRE SUR LES NAZIS ET LA LIBERATION DE CHOUCHI
par Gari

armenews
mardi11 mai 2010
ARMENIE

Dans une allocution publique le 9 mai, a l’occasion de la Journee de
la Victoire et de la paix, le president armenien Serge Sarkissian a
celebre l’anniversaire d’une double victoire, celle sur l’Allemagne
nazie, il y a 65 ans, a laquelle les Armeniens ont apporte leur
courageuse contribution au sein des forces sovietiques, et celle
sur les forces azeries, il y a 18 ans, qui a permis la liberation
de Chouchi. La celebration du 65e anniversaire de la Victoire, qui
a donne lieu a d’importantes defiles militaires a Erevan, coïncide
en effet avec celle de la liberation de Chouchi, devenu un camp
retranche des forces azeries, comme l’a rappele le president armenien,
qui faisait alors partie du commandement des forces armeniennes au
Karabagh. " Le destin a voulu que l’histoire armenienne se glorifie
d’une autre victoire, le 9 mai aussi, mais en 1992. La liberation de
Chouchi, qui fait gloire et honneur aux soldats armeniens. Elle a ete
notre reponse a ceux qui ont perpetre des nettoyages ethniques, des
massacres et autres crimes de guerre " declare notamment le president
Sarkissian dans son allocution qui conclut ; " La nation armenienne
est maintenant resolue a vivre libre et a ne tolerer aucune agression
contre elle…. Aujourd’hui nous nous inclinons devant la memoire
immortelle de ceux qui ont obtenu des victoires en mai. Avec leur sang
ils ont gagne le droit pour notre peuple a vivre et a se developper.

Nous leur devons notre reconnaissance. Une fois de plus je tiens a
feliciter chacun d’entre nous a l’occasion de cette grande fete. Nous
sommes fiers de nos victoires et de toutes les grandes realisations
qu’elles ont rendu possibles. "

TURKISH COLONEL APPOINTED AS ADVISOR TO ABIYEV

Aysor
May 11 2010
Armenia

A Turkish gendarme has been appointed as an Advisor to Azerbaijan’s
Defense Minister Safar Abiyev, Sabah paper reported.

The appointment comes as an implementation of the dealing between
Turkey and Azerbaijan on training courses for officers.

The appointed Turkish officer is Colonel Unal Odemish, who becomes
responsible for forming and training the gendarmerie forces of
Azerbaijan within the six months term. The gendarmes in Turkey serve
as police officers in the rural regions of the country and rebuff
attacks by Kurdish rebels, according to Turkish media.

It’s worth mentioning that the Turkish advisors trained Azerbaijani
soldiers and prepared the military operations against Armenia since the
Karabakh war. A Military Advisor to President Elchibey of Azerbaijan
was Turkish General Yashar Demirbulak, who later became a member of the
Security Council of Azerbaijan. Nearly 150 Turkish officers, including
10 retired Generals, served in Azerbaijan along with Yashar Demirbulak.

ARMENIA SHOULD BE CONCERNED OVER RUSSIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT, EXPERT SAYS

news.am
May 10 2010
Armenia

Armenia and Armenian diplomacy should be concerned over any
Russian-Turkish rapprochement, Ruben Mehrabyan, expert for the Armenian
Center for Political and International Research told NEWS.am, speaking
of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s impending visit to Turkey and
prospects of creation of a high-level cooperation council.

The expert believes that the unresolved Karabakh conflict is presently
a powerful lever for Russia to maintain its influence in the region.

"It will not lose grasp of leverage without finding an equivalent. I
do not rule out a possibility that once Russia and Turkey come to an
agreement, they will leave out the other actors, such as EU and U.S.,"
Mehrabyan said. He added that no crucial developments are expected,
despite the serious challenges facing Armenia.

"Armenia should be worth something to resist possible threats. In the
20th century to be worth something means to have a democratic system,
with human rights respected, no political prisoners and primitive
problems. These are Armenia’s tasks. I do not think that we will
experience crucial changes in the near future, but we should make
steps to withstand future challenges," the expert said.

DINK FAMILY LAWYERS HAVE LESS FAITH THAN EVER IN TURKISH JUSTICE

yers-have-less-10-05-2010,37423.html
Published on 10 May 2010

As the 13th hearing in the trial of the alleged killers of
Turkish-Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink is held in Istanbul
today, Reporters Without Borders reiterates its support for his family
and its lawyers in their struggle for a fair trial and for all the
circumstances of his murder to be brought to light.

The Dink family’s lawyers have just filed a complaint against Istanbul
deputy governor Mustafa Guran accusing him of abuse of authority and
obstruction for refusing to let them see the report of an investigation
by interior ministry inspectors into the alleged role of police and
security officials in the murder.

The lawyers, Fethiye Cetin and Ismail Cem Halavurt, say they need
access to the report for various initiatives, including an appeal
against a 12 March decision clearing police chief Celalettin Cerrah
of any responsibility. Once they had made it clear they intended
to appeal, the governor should have released the report to them,
they insist.

Although guaranteed by Turkish legislation and the European Convention
on Human Rights, any possibility of a free and fair trial is being
blocked the deputy’s governor’s refusal to cooperate. He would face
a possible three-year sentence if the prosecutor’s office agreed to
try him on a charge of abuse of authority under article 257-1 of the
criminal code.

The Dink family and its lawyers also want the Dink murder trial
assigned to prosecutors who work on it full-time so that it is given
the required attention. Until now, the prosecutors in charge of the
case have had to handle other cases at the same time.

A determined campaigner for recognition of the Armenian genocide, Dink
was prosecuted many times in connection with his work as a journalist
and was targeted by judicial officials and ultranationalists in the
months prior to his death. He was gunned down on 19 January 2007 in
the Istanbul district of Sisli, just a few meters from the entrance
to Agos, the weekly newspaper he created in 1996.

LABOUR HAS TAKEN BACK EALING COUNCIL AFTER 4 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE RULE

Armenian National Committee
of the United Kingdom
[email protected]
10/05/10

Dear all,

Labour has taken back Ealing Council after 4 years of Conservative
rule. A massive swing back to Labour occurred with the following
results:

Overall result: Lab: 40 Con: 24 Lib Dem: 5

Furthermore, we are very pleased that Mr ARA ISKANDERIAN has been
elected as councillor on his first attempt. This is great news for the
Armenian Community in Ealing and we have no doubt that he will pursue
our cause within the council, in particular the issue of a permanent
monument being erected in Ealing commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Also, we are pleased that Mr Stephen Pound has been re-elected as
MP for Ealing North with a massive 50.4% of the vote, increasing
his majority to 9,301. We would also like to congratulate Mr Bassam
Mahfouz who although did not get elected, had a great campaign and
lost only by a relatively small majority of 3,700 votes. I am sure
we will see him secure his seat next time around.

Best Regards