Author: nina hovnanian

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY AND GEORGIA SIGN THREE-SIDED DECLARATION IN TRABZON

APA
June 8 2012
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. A joint press conference was held after three-sided meeting
with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoghly and his Azerbaijani
and Georgian counterparts Elmar Mammadyarov and Grigor Vashadze in
Trabzon, Turkey, APA reports quoting Press Service of the Ministry
of Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the pres conference the sides signed Trabzon Declaration.

After singing the foreign minister made public speeches.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan
gives big importance to the development of the energy project in
the region.

E. Mammadyarov also noted that Economic Development Ministers of
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia with participation of businessmen of
three countries will have a meeting in Qars city of Turkey on June 9.

Speaking about Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh problem,
Mammadyarov noted that recent incidents at the contact line of the
troops show that the conflict is not frozen and threatens security
and stability as well as future of the region.

EUROPEAN COURT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGES ARMENIA TO PAY 6,000 EUR TO LIFE PRISONER

arminfo
Wednesday, June 6, 18:10

Ararat Muradkhanyan, a life prisoner, has won the trial against
Armenia at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR). Muradkhanyan is
serving his sentence at the Nubarashen penitentiary, Justice Ministry
of Armenia.

Referring to the ECHR Aravot newspaper writes that in line with the
Court’s verdict Article 5 of the European Convention for Human Rights
was violated i.e. illegal keeping in custody. The Republic of Armenia
is obligated to pay 6,000 EUR as compensation to Muradkhanyan within
three months after announcement of the verdict.

Muradkhanyan was sentenced for life for murder of 2 and more people.

KARABAKH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO RETURN REPUBLIC TO NEGOTIATION TABLE

news.am
June 06, 2012 | 00:36

STEPANAKERT. – On the eve of presidential elections the domestic
political situation in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) is peaceful,
hero of Karabakh War, presidential candidate Vitaly Balasanyan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The attitude of the nation is not quite clear yet, but everything it
quiet and peaceful in the country, we are working and getting ready,”
Balasanyan said.

On commenting how he was getting ready for the elections, Balasanyan
mentioned that his team is busy with organization issues and is
developing the campaign program.

Among main points of Balasanyan’s program is returning NKR to the
negotiation table of the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, presidential elections in
NKR are to be held on July 19, 2012.

THE WORLD RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN MASTERPIECES BY RUSSIAN LANGUAGE

ARMENPRESS
6 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS: Russian day is celebrated worldwide on
June 6 in connection with the birthday of Russian renowned writer
Alexander Pushkin. Russian is one of the 6 official languages adopted
by the UN; over 260 million people around the world speak Russian. In
accordance with the official data two-third of Armenian society
master Russian.

Armenpress reporter had an interview with Armenian State Pedagogical
University (ASPU) Russian Language and Teaching Methods Chair Professor
Bella Yesaganyan. In the words of the interlocutor Armenian society
still keeps to Russian language and Russian traditions.

Despite the saying there can be no second mother tongue, for the
Russian specialists, Russian” fans” in Armenia Russian has become the
second mother tongue. The Honored teacher assures that in parallel
with the reduction of the interest towards Russian language especially
by the youth; however it still remains the dominant language.

The interlocutor noted she is against the idea Russian assume foreign
language status. The professor considers regardless the current
multilingual Armenian society we somehow ” depend” on Russian.

Yesangyan believes the spread of Russian language should be started
by teaching the pupils with correct textbooks. She deems that no
matter what changes will occur in the educational system and what
foreign language will prevail; Russian will remain the main language
representing our country to the world. ” The world recognizes Armenian
poetry masterpieces by means of Russian translations. Russian is
broadly used not only in the science but in other fields as well,
army inclusive” the professor concluded. For improving Russian
language abilities the specialist advices attending theatres, cinemas,
festivals oftener.

Pre-school and secondary school department senior specialist , Ministry
of Education of the Republic of Armenia, Lilya Balasanyan informed
Armenpress 60 secondary and 42 school possessing Russian grades are
operating in Armenia. In the words of Balasanyan no decrease has been
registered during the last 5 years.

About 4500 Russian language teachers are working in Armenia.

FOREIGN MINISTRY: RUSSIA CONCERNED ABOUT ESCALATION OF SITUATION AROUND NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
June 7 2012
Azerbaijan

The Russian side is concerned about the escalation of situation around
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander
Lukashevich said, Russia 24 TV Channel reported.

“We consider unacceptable further escalation of the conflict and will
continue assisting the parties to find ways for peaceful conflict
resolution,” he said.

He said Russia hopes that the meeting of foreign ministers of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in Paris will relieve the tense situation and help move
forward in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well
as agree on principles that should form the basis of a comprehensive
peace agreement.

Russia proceeds from the premise that the parties should adhere to the
ceasefire, Lukashevich said. Incidents such as those that occurred
on the contact line, lead to a breakdown of previous agreements and
complicate the negotiations, he said.

“We urge the parties to continue efforts aimed to achieve conflict
resolution through peaceful means based on the principles of
non-use of force, respect for territorial integrity and right to
self-determination of peoples,” Lukashevich said.

The format of the Minsk group works properly, it remains a basic
element of peace process over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as noted
also by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a regional
visit, Lukashevich said.

The situation on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani
troops remains tense, and ceasefire is violated in all directions,
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

On June 5 as a result of the Armenian Armed Forces’ provocation five
Azerbaijani servicemen were killed.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

KARABAKH CONFLICT HAMPERING REGION’S DEVELOPMENT – OIC SECRETARY GENERAL

Interfax
June 7 2012
Russia

Baku, June 7, Interfax – The sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
ought to return to the situation that was before the confrontation
started, which means that they should remove the fact and consequences
of the occupation, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary
General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told Interfax on Thursday.

In other words, the occupied territories should be given back to
Azerbaijan, while refugees and displaced persons ought to return
to their homes. OIC’s position is that Armenia occupied these Azeri
territories. This occupation is unacceptable in light of efforts to
maintain peace in the region, he said.

The consequences of this occupation, including the presence of more
than a million refugees and displaced persons, are also unacceptable,
he said.

Ihsanoglu said he was puzzled by Yerevan’s criticism of OIC’s approach
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The organization does not support any side in the conflict, it only
supports justice, he said.

OIC also wants the Armenian people to live in peace and prosperity,
which is why the continuing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is doing
harm both to Armenia and the region as a whole, he said.

OIC did not formulate such a position at Azerbaijan’s request. This
position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict won the support of all OIC
member states, he added.

JAPAN, ARMENIA AGREE TO COOPERATE ON DISASTER PREVENTION

Japan Economic Newswire
June 6, 2012 Wednesday 9:54 AM GMT

Japan and Armenia agreed Wednesday to cooperate on disaster prevention
and nuclear safety, as the two countries mark the 20th anniversary
this year of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
who is visiting Tokyo on the occasion of the anniversary, signed a
joint statement to elevate the countries’ partnership to a new level.

Noda conveyed Japan’s intention to provide human resources and
expertise to improve Armenia’s disaster preparedness. Like Japan,
Armenia lies in one of the world’s most active seismic zones.

On behalf of Armenia, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has
been formulating seismic risk assessment and necessary emergency
response measures for the capital city of Yerevan, where about 30
percent of the country’s population is concentrated.

Among other issues, the president said he will do his best to ensure
the safety of Armenia’s nuclear power plant by learning lessons
from Japan.

Armenia, which became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the
Soviet Union, has an old nuclear power station without a primary
containment structure.

The Soviet-designed Metsamor plant, located about 15 kilometers from
the Turkish border, stands in a region prone to earthquakes and is
often described as the world’s most dangerous atomic facility.

Turkey and European countries have been calling for many years for
Armenia to close the 32-year-old plant. But Armenia has said that it
has no immediate plans to shut the plant, which generates around 40
percent of its electricity.

ARMENIA’S PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS CHINESE AMBASSADOR

Xinhua General News Service
June 6, 2012 Wednesday 9:55 AM EST
China

Newly elected Armenian parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian met Chinese
Ambassador to Armenia Tian Changchun on Wednesday, the National
Assembly press office said.

Tian passed a message to Abrahamian from Wu Bangguo, chairman
of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress,
congratulating him on his election as speaker of the National Assembly.

Tian also noted that this year marked the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and China and
presented Abrahamian a book on the relationship.

Abrahamian, who was named speaker by the newly elected parliament
on Thursday, highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation and
friendly relations with China in various fields.

Armenia elected a new parliament on May 6. The government is still
being formed, although the prime minister and key ministers have
already been appointed by President Serzh Sargsian.

PRESS SERVICE OF ARMENIA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY COMMENTS ON THE STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL HEADQUARTERS OF AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES

ARMENPRESS
7 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: In an interview with Armenpress’
correspondent, press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia has
commented on a statement circulated by the General Headquarters of
the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The answer is as follows:

“That statement has surprised us. Analogous statements are usually
made at the level of the defense ministry and not headquarters. There
are relevant structures in the defense ministry of any country,
which circulate the department’s statements, come forth with comments.

If the given statement has been really made by the country’s
headquarters and is not another trick of propaganda, then it proves
either about profit clashes between groups of the country’s military
and political leadership and serious conflicts, or shows that civil
and why not, political control mechanisms do not work in the neighbor
country.”

As for the situation in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Defense
Ministry press service answered that violations of the ceasefire
regime have been registered in different parts of the border.

Yesterday after 19:00, certain decrease of periodicity of ceasefire
regime violations was noticed.

The Reserve Forces have expressed wish in the internet to leave for
the border zone and to participate in the defense of the homeland.

This readiness proves the patriotism of our citizens. All the citizens
who have already served in the armed forces are involved in the
Reserve Forces and will be drafted if need be. Today there is no need.

Armed Forces of Armenia confidently control the situation along the
line of contact and fulfill all the relevant tasks.

SHARMAZANOV: TURKS MUST WITHDRAW FROM OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:53:37 – 07/06/2012

The NA vice-speaker commented on the statement by the Turkish
foreign minister who said that rapprochement will be possible
only when Armenia withdraws from the occupied territories. Eduard
Sharmazanov said in this connection that Turkey does not fulfill
its international obligations and distorts the reality which proves
that Turkey and European integration are not synonyms. Yes, there are
occupied territories and Turks and Azeris must withdraw from them. To
refresh Turkey’s memory, I would like to inform that Turkey occupies
the north of Cyprus which is going to head for the European Union,
while Azerbaijan occupies Karabakhi territories – Shahumyan, Getashen,
Martunashen…Turkey’s ultimatums are unacceptable, and I would like
to reiterate that we are determined to reach our national goals,”
said Sharazanov.