NO FRESH INFORMATION ABOUT CAPTIVE ARSEN KHOJOYAN
13:50 17/03/2014 >> SOCIETY
There is no exact information about the fate of Armenian captive
Arsen Khojoyan, Zara Amatuni, head of communication programs of the
ICRC Yerevan Office, told Panorama.am.
23-year-old Armenian citizen Arsen Khojoyan crossed into Azerbaijan
on March 7. He is currently in Baku.
“We are following the developments, but currently there is no
information subject to release,” Mrs Amatuni noted.
Source: Panorama.am
REFERENDUM IN CRIMEA IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR AZERBAIJAN – POLITICAL ANALYST
YEREVAN, March 17. / ARKA /. The March 16 referendum in Crimea in
which 96.6% of voters on the mostly Russian-speaking peninsula chose
to secede from Ukraine has become a major concern for Azerbaijan
as it has set a new precedent for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
a political analysts Aram Manukyan said today.
He said there are obvious similarities between Crimea and
Nagorno-Karabakh as both these territories were forcibly given to
other republics by the Soviet authorities.
However, he said, considering further developments one should have
in mind that the international law actually operates when behind it
there is a powerful force. In case of Crimea it is Russia.
“Armenia should pursue a persistent foreign policy and have reliable
and powerful allies whose interests will coincide with the interests
of Armenia. Only in that case we can expect a fair solution to the
Karabakh conflict,” he said.
According to him, at this historical period the best ally of Armenia
is Russia, but to believe that it will revise its approaches to act
in a way that will benefit only Armenia is wrong, because Moscow is
now not interested in deterioration of its relations with Azerbaijan.
“On the other hand, Moscow has officially demonstrated its position
on such conflicts and now it can not step back from it,” said Manukyan.
In a related development, Ashot Manucharyan, a former member of
Karabakh committee, said the Crimea referendum in mind Azerbaijan
will behave “meek as a lamb” to try to avoid troubles.
According to him, the next target of Russia, which has already entered
into a confrontation with the West and will seek to consolidate the
territories which it considers its legitimate zones of influence,
will be Azerbaijan .
He argued that new dramatic developments are expected also in Turkey,
as in its current form it is no longer needed by the West.
“Developments in Turkey will affect also Armenia and therefore,
we must be very attentive to these issues,” he said. -0-
– See more at:
KARABAKH MFA: CRIMEAN REFERENDUM YET ‘ANOTHER MANIFESTATION’ OF PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION
KARABAKH | 17.03.14 | 19:24
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(the Artsakh Republic) considers the referendum held on March 16 in
the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as “yet another manifestation of
realization of the right of people to self-determination.”
In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry said that “the right
of every people to choose its path of development and determine its
destiny on its own through democratic expression of will, as it is
enshrined in the UN Charter and a number of fundamental international
documents, is a key principle of international law.”
“The experience of recent years, in particular the referendums
envisaged in Catalonia and Scotland prove that the recognition and
realization of the inalienable right of people to self-determination
is the most optimal and democratic way for the peaceful settlement
of this kind of issues,” it said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
hopes that the situation following the referendum in the Autonomous
Republic of Crimea will be addressed and resolved in the legal context
exclusively by peaceful means.”
ANOTHER $50 MILLION TO BE INVESTED IN JOINT ARMENIAN RUSSIAN VENTURES
YEREVAN, March 15. / ARKA /. Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsyan
received last Saturday a Russian delegation led by Russian transport
minister Maxim Sokolov, who is the co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, who said
additional $50 million will be invested in Armenian-Russian joint
ventures. The Armenian cochairman of the commission is Tigran Sargsyan.
Sokolov was quoted by Armenian government press service as saying that
40 percent of foreign investments in Armenia have come from Russia
and another $50 million are to be invested in around 1,820 Armenian-
Russian joint ventures.
“I am glad that our dialogue is developing so rapidly, especially
in the run-up to Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union and the
Common Economic Space. This is important both for Armenia and Russia,
and also other members of the Customs Union,” Sokolov said.
Sokolov arrived in Armenia to attend the opening of a joint Armenian-
Russian factory of medical instruments in Yerevan.
Tigran Sargsyan said visits of Russian delegations to Armenia give
a new momentum to the Armenian- Russian relations.
Sarkisian and Sokolov discussed the status of agreements reached
during the February 24 meeting of the heads of the two governments,
including measures envisaged by the roadmap of Armenia’s accession
to the Russia-led trade bloc.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, total foreign
investment in the real sector of Armenian economy in the first 9
months of 2013 slashed by almost 32 percent year-on-year to $395.6
million. Foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 62 percent to $
155.1 million. -0-
– See more at:
HUNGARY’S OMBUDSMAN CONDEMNS EXTRADITION OF RAMIL SAFAROV
March 17, 2014 | 19:15
Hungary’s Ombudsman has conveyed his Armenian colleague a report
related to extradition of Ramil Safarov.
In his report, Ombudsman condemned the actions of Hungarian
authorities, in particular actions of the Justice Ministry.
The report indicated that by approving extradition, the minister did
not demand any guarantees that he will be put to jail in homeland. The
minister had to take into account that the nations of Hungary and
Azerbaijan have different approach to the convict and the crime he had
committed. The report says that such an approach threatens principle
of rule of law.
As reported earlier, Ramil Safarov, a then-lieutenant in the
Azerbaijani military, was extradited on August 31, 2012 from Hungary,
where he was serving a life sentence–and with no expression of
either regret or remorse–for the premeditated axe murder of Armenian
lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Budapest back in 2004. Safarov had planned on
killing the other Armenian military serviceman, who likewise was
attending the aforesaid program, but he was unable to carry out
this plan.
Ramil Safarov’s return to Baku was welcomed, as was his act of murder,
by the officials of president Ilham Aliyev’s government and much
of Azerbaijani society, and the Azerbaijani president immediately
granted him a pardon, he was declared a national hero, promoted to
a higher military rank, and was allocated housing and pension.
And Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31, 2012
that Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary. Also,
Sargsyan instructed the Ministry of Justice to take all measures to
petition to the international judicial tribunals, and with respect
to the Safarov case.
Fars News Agency, Iran
March 16 2014
Iran Beats Armenia, Turkey, US in Wrestling World Cup
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s National Freestyle Wrestling Team beat Armenia,
Turkey and the US wrestlers in the World Cup 2014 in the US city of
Los Angeles.
The 2014 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup was inaugurated on Saturday.
Iran’s team beat their Armenian rivals in all 8 categories in the
first day of the championships.
In their second competition Iran won Turkey 7-1 in the early hours of
this morning.
In the third round of the competitions a few hours ago, Iranian
wrestlers also won powerfully the game 5-3 against the American team.
India is the last team to fight with Iran. If Iran beats India, it
will be one of the two teams in the final game.
10 countries in two groups are participating in the paramount tournament.
Iran, US, Armenia, Turkey, and India are in group 1; Russia, Ukraine,
Mongolia, Georgia, and Japan are in group 2.
The final match is scheduled to be held later today.
Renowned Armenian art worker Artashes Hovhannisyan dies
14:27 * 16.03.14
Honored Art Worker of Armenia, Professor Artashes Hovhannisyan has
died, the Theater Union of Armenia reports.
Artashes Hovhannisyan started his career at the Ijevan theater. Later
he worked at the Hrachya Ghaplanyan drama.
He created the first privately-owned Nork theater, which worked for a
long period.
During his last years Artashes Hovhannisyan created the Tekeyan
theater. A renowned director, he staged performances at Yerevan’s
Youth Theater, Gyumri’s Vardan Achemyan theater and in other theaters.
Armenian News – Tert.am
Crimea referendum of benefit to Nagorno-Karabakh – David Babayan
12:00 * 16.03.14
David Babayan, Spokesman for the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), talked to Tert.am about possible consequences of the
referendum in Crimea scheduled for March 16.
Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized.
“International recognition of states is not limited to legal framework
or precedents because there are numerous precedents in the world.”
“Doubtless, this means exercising people’s right to
self-determination. As we know, the Crimean population first declared
independence from Ukraine. Now they are going to decide on their
future by means of a referendum. So this future may be as part of
Russia or as part of Ukraine, with a higher degree of autonomy. We
will see the real picture in a few days. The same took place in
Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] in 1991, which was preceded by a decision
on reunification in 1988. And we can see it in Crimea now.
As to whether the referendum results – if in favor of Crimea joining
Russia – might serve as a good precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh, Babayan
said:
“Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized. International
recognition of states is not limited to legal framework or precedents
because there are numerous precedents in the world. Nonetheless, this
is one more instance. And a number of other precedents should be
expected this year – Scotland, Catalonia. And we are going to see how
international law operates. And it will be new evidence of peoples’
right to self-determination.”
Nagorno-Karabakh recognized the independence of Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Does it mean Nagorno-Karabakh will recognize results of the Crimea
referendum?
“Before Ossetia and Abkhazia are internationally recognized, are we
cooperating and have recognized each other. Crimea is not holding a
referendum on independence. Rather, it is a referendum on joining
Russia. It is not a problem of recognition. They want to remain part
of Ukraine or join Russia. This is an exercise of peoples’ right to
self-determination – a change of status as part of another state.
Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir
Zhirinovsky made a statement recently that making Nagorno-Karabakh
part of Russia would be the best solution to the problem.
“Vladimir Zhirinovsky makes statements on different occasions. I am
not going to comment on or criticize them.
“I can only say that the Artsakh people held two referendums on their
future, showing the entire world their aspirations. Our wish is an
independent, democratic and social state, and we are creating such a
state.”
Armenian News – Tert.am
AZERBAIDJAN
Total compte vendre ses 10% de Shah Deniz II
Total discute de la vente de sa participation de 10% dans le projet de
développement du gisement de gaz naturel Shah Deniz II, en
Azerbaïdjan, ont déclaré vendredi deux sources industrielles.
“La stratégie de Total est de se désengager des projets où il a une
participation minoritaire et de privilégier ceux dont il est
l’opérateur”, a dit à Reuters l’une des sources.
Une autre source a précisé que Total négociait avec Botas, une
compagnie publique turque, la vente de ses parts. Botas, qui a
confirmé les discussions, développe le réseau de gazoducs destiné à
acheminer le gaz azéri vers la Turquie puis vers l’Union européenne.
Un porte-parole de Total s’est refusé à tout commentaire.
Pour les analystes, la décision de Total s’explique sans doute par la
baisse des prix du gaz russe, qui rend moins intéressant
l’investissement dans de coûteux nouveaux gisements.
Le norvégien Statoil avait lui-même ramené sa participation dans Shah
Deniz II de 25,5% à 15,5% en décembre, revendant ses parts aux
associés BP et à la société azérie SOCAR pour 1,45 milliard de
dollars.
Shah Deniz II doit acheminer, à partir de 2019 environ, 16 milliards
de m3 de gaz par an en Europe, doit 10 milliards de m3 pour l’Europe
et six milliards de m3 pour la Turquie.
Le retrait de Total de ce gisement n’a rien d’étonnant dans la mesure
où le pétrolier français veut se concentrer en Azerbaïdjan sur le
gisement d’Absheron, dans lequel il détient une participation de 40%.
Les forages exploratoires ont évalué les ressources du site à 150-300
milliards m3 de gaz, le gisement ayant lui-même été déclaré
exploitable commercialement en 2012.
Total a adopté une gestion de ses actifs plus volontariste ces
dernières années, achetant et vendant plus fréquemment et se
recentrant sur des projets où il peut être opérateur.
Il avait vendu pour 13 milliards de dollars d’actifs à fin 2013, dans
le cadre d’un programme de cessions de 15 à 20 milliards de dollars de
2012 à 2014, objectif qu’il espère dépasser cette année.
dimanche 16 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com
ARMENIE
L’Iran a l’intention d’élargir la coopération avec l’Arménie dans le
tourisme médical, musicale et écologique
L’Iran a l’intention d’élargir la coopération avec l’Arménie dans le
tourisme médical, musicale et écologique a déclaré Seyyed Mohammad
Kazim Holdi-Nasab, un haut fonctionnaire du gouvernement iranien en
charge du patrimoine culturel, de l’artisanat et du tourisme.
Il a dit que le développement du tourisme est l’une des priorités des
nouvelles autorités iraniennes, et que donc l’Iran a l’intention
d’élargir la coopération avec les pays voisins, y compris l’Arménie,
dans ce domaine.
Le responsable iranien a rappelé que l’Iran et l’Arménie ont signé un
mémorandum compréhension mutuelle en 1999 et un plan d’activité dans
la sphère touristique de trois ans en 2007 et a ajouté que les
nouvelles autorités de l’Iran ont l’intention de revoir les
arrangements avec l’Arménie.
dimanche 16 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com
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