Author: Toneyan Mark

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS IN BAKU

Trend
Nov 5 2009
Azerbaijan

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are on a visit to Azerbaijan.

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier
(France) and Robert Bradtke (U.S.) will meet with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to
discuss resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today, the Foreign
Ministry told Trend News.

Following their Baku visit, the co-chairs will head to Yerevan.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the peace negotiations.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL INEVITABLY BE OPENED: RUSSIAN EXPERT

Today
188.html
Nov 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Russia-based Center for Post-Soviet Area Studies
Alexei Vlasov.

Day.Az: When do you think the updated Madrid principles will be
presented to the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia?

Alexei Vlasov: Many views have already been expressed in this respect.

There is some vague wording about it. It is the maximum officials
can now say about this issue. Apparently, there are some points and
questions that should be finally negotiated to make a consistent and
clear stance.

Q: There were a lot of different opinions about impact of the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue on Karabakh conflict … What is Russia’s
position Russia in this regard?

A: Both Foreign Ministry and Russia’s leadership form their stance
most carefully at the official level which is quite understandable.

They prioritize the principle of "do no harm" as every careless
word, every careless phrase, especially at such a high level by the
state involved in settlement of conflicts in South Caucasus can be
interpreted in many different ways and lead to negative consequences.

I believe, Moscow’s official position on this issue is quite
appropriate at the moment.

As for my personal opinion, I see three factors. First, protocols
will probably be ratified, and after some time borders will inevitably
be opened. The second is that whether the Armenian-Turkish agreement
will be supplemented with some preconditions which will further define
the format of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I think,
there is 50-percent likelihood that the official statements by Turkish
officials addressed to the Azerbaijani leadership are well founded.

This is not an attempt to create a smokescreen around the ratification
of the protocols.

I am confident that further negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict are underway. The third factor is whether the present
leadership of Armenia will be able to convince the people of Armenia
and the Diaspora that at the moment the question of "genocide" should
be deferred and to what extent the population of Armenia is ready to
understand that regions which are under occupation should be returned
to Azerbaijan as a first step. The main point is for Armenian society
to move towards compromise.

Q: What is the current state of talks between Russia and the U.S. on
missile shield deployment?

A: Negotiations are on the same stage they were a few weeks ago when
U.S. announced its willingness to radically change its approach to the
format of deployment. In other words, the talks are underway. However,
but it would be overly optimistic to say that they will soon lead to
some results. This is linked with a kind of prevailing approach by
the Barack Obama administration to address key foreign policy issues.

Originally a powerful, relevant, strategic initiative was put forward.

But later it turned out that it lacks technical and fundamental
principles that must be determined in the course of implementation
of the initiative itself. Therefore, it takes quite a long time
from a beautiful media delivery of the U.S. president’s statement
to developing concrete principles which can help this statement take
effect. Unfortunately, we face similar situation.

Q: It is believed that Azerbaijan could begin to consider alternative
gas supplies to Europe, because the negotiations with Turkey on gas
exports were not constructive so far. Could this lead to the demise
of the Nabucco project?

A: The issue of alternative gas supply routes is not only of economic
but also of a political nature. There is a specific political context
and certain political points. In essence, Azerbaijan takes a quite
pragmatic approach, uses its energy potential as much as possible
to participate in various projects, which also involves neighboring
countries and countries close to the region.

Often understanding of Azerbaijan’s stance by other states, does
not always means understanding Azerbaijan’s interests on a range
of issues. Hence, sometimes a misunderstanding manifested even in
political points and energy transportation and economic issues.

I think that any option is possible, including the one where Azerbaijan
can choose a different, alternative model of gas transportation. In
any case, it will be the decision of the Azerbaijani leadership,
and it will be fully reasonable and justified.

RESTORED ARMENIAN CHURCH TO OPEN IN KAYSERI

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.11.2009 17:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian church of
Kayseri will open on November 8 after restoration. Repaired due to
the donations of Istanbul’s Armenian community, it will be consecrated
in accordance with the canons of Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).

Monastery will be consecrated by Archbishop Aram Arteshyan representing
AAC Patriarchate in Constantinople. Opening ceremony will be attended
by Kayseri provincial governor and Mayor. Turkish President who
descends from Kayseri has also been invited to participate in the
opening. "Church consecration will be followed by the first liturgy,"
Hurriyet reports.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Church dates from 1191. Its restoration
lasted 3 years.

ARMENIA TO RECEIVE $70 MILLION ADB AID FOR NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR IN 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.10.2009 17:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to contract signed, Asian Development Bank
will extend up to $500 million to Armenia to upgrade its main 550-km.

corridor road, Gagik Grigoryan Head of Foreign Relations Department
at RA Ministry of Transport and Communication said at round table
discussion on Russia-Armenia transportation issues, within EXPO-RUSSIA
2009 Armenia exhibition frameworks.

In 2010, Armenia will receive $70 million ADB aid to begin
construction.

The Ministry official also touched on priority project of Iran
-Armenia road construction, noting that negotiations are conducted
with ABD for project financing. He also added that a work group was
created at deputy ministerial level, with Armenia, Russia and Iran
as participants.

Introducing infrastructure’s priority projects, Grigoryan especially
noted that transportation expenditures comprise the major part of
product safe-cost, so the development of this sphere would be of
major importance to Armenia.

In their turn, Russian companies briefed discussion participants on
their activities, as well as products and services, which could be
in demand at Armenian market.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN RECEIVES THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF NETHERLANDS TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
Oct 30, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Secretary of National Security
Council Arthur Baghdasaryan received October 30 the newly appointed
Ambassador of Netherlands to Armenia Peter Yan Langenberg.

Speaker for the secretary of National Security Council Gayane Gasparyan
told Armenpress that issues on Armenia-Netherlands bilateral relations
have been discussed.

Arthur Baghdasaryan noted that there is a great potential of developing
of Armenia-Netherlands relations in different directions and expressed
hope that during his chairmanship Peter Yan Langenberg will have a
significant contribution to the development of Armenia-Netherlands
cooperation in different spheres.

With the ambassador’s request Arthur Baghdasaryan presented the
structure and functions of National Security Council. The Armenia-EU
program on activities, regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations were
referred as well.

MOSQUE FOUNDATION FUNDS RESTORATION OF ARMENIAN CHURCH

Today’s Zaman
Oct 29 2009
Turkey

A Malatya foundation that was established to build mosques has assumed
the financial costs of the restoration of a historic Armenian church
located in the neighborhood where assassinated Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink was born.

The head of the Carmuzu TepebaÅ~_ı Mosque Building and Preservation
Foundation, Latif Yıldırım, said they started planning the project
to help restore the Armenian TaÅ~_horon Church in 2008 and wrote
letters to the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
as well as Armenian businessmen to win their support. They also spoke
with the Armenian Patriarchate in March, he said.

Money had been allocated for the restoration by the Culture and
Tourism Ministry in 2009; however, due to budgetary problems, the
foundation decided to take on the costs of the restoration. While
noting that their project, which they call a "project of peace," is
a model of good relations between different faiths, Yıldırım said,
"We do not think we will experience financial problems."

Armenian Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan said the church is a cultural
treasure and added, "We will be very happy if such a project is carried
out." He also noted that there are some other churches in need of
restoration and highlighted that this must also be done. The muhtar
(local official) of the neighborhood in which the church is situated,
Mustafa Å~^ahin, said such a project would contribute to peace and
stressed, "Whether used as a place of worship or as a museum, the
historic church will contribute to unity and solidarity in the area
as well as to tourism."

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO EURO-INTEGRATION KICKED OFF TODAY IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
Oct 29, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: The fifth annual two-day
international conference dedicated to Euro-integration kicked off
today in Yerevan entitled "Eastern Partnership: is it declare a
new round in Euro-integration process?". Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandyan, Secretary of National Security Council Arthur
Baghdasaryan, head of the delegation of European Commission to Armenia
Raul de Luzenberger, political analysts participated in the opening
of the event.

Greeting the participants of the conference Arthur Baghdasaryan noted
that for Armenia integration into European value-system is a big
objective and for reaching it the country’s authorities are carrying
out an extended work with the support of the EU. According to him,
EU’s "Eastern Partnership" program which also involves Armenia,
will open new ways of development in front of Armenia.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said Armenia’s ties
with EU and its member states have history of ages, Armenia has also
participated in the formation of European value-system. "EU adopts
ideas of peace and human rights protection. The same ideas are adopted
by Armenia which moves forward with its vision. Armenia believes
that this human value-system will be registered in the region,"
the foreign minister said.

According to him, Euro-integration is one of the main directions of
Armenia’s foreign policy thus the country pays a great attention to
relations with EU which is an important partner for Armenia in all
the spheres.

"EU has big potential in the region thus it has means for establishing
peace in the South Caucasus. Within the framework of "Eastern
Partnership" Azerbaijan has adopted a policy of not cooperating with
Armenia and this fact must get a relevant response by EU," Edward
Nalbandyan said.

The minister noted that EU’s cooperation with Armenia develops in
political, economic, energy and other spheres. Armenia will implement
all the programs of EU which stem from its interests and it is a
realized choice of our people, Edward Nalbandyan said.

Raul de Luzenberger highly assessed the current state of EU-Armenia
relations. According to him, the group of EU experts functioning in
Armenia carries out a great work for assisting in the implementation
of reforms in Armenia the results of which will be possible to fully
see in some period of time.

Referring to the EU’s "Eastern Partnership" program Luzenberger
noted that it intends creation of free trade zone which will give an
opportunity for Armenia to export its products to European market
making them completely in accordance with European standards which
is on its part important for Armenia’s population.

"The budget for the Eastern Partnership Program" has already been
approved and annual 25 million euro assistance to Armenia will in
2011 reach 70 million.

POLITICAL PRISONERS’ DAY OBSERVED ON OCTOBER 30

Noyan Tapan
Oct 29, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Political Prisoners’ day was first
observed in 1974 in Soviet labor camps, honoring those who had been
unjustly imprisoned and remembering those who had lost their lives
to political repression.

On the occasion of this day, a number of human rights and
non-governmental organizations of Armenia issued a joint statement
which reads:

"It is deplorable that today, thirty years later in independent
Armenia, there are seventeen political prisoners, and there has been
no justice for the victims of March 1, 2008.

In the course of the fraudulent presidential election of February 2008
and the government’s March 1 crackdown on peaceful protesters, ten
people were killed, hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested,
and many more were forced into hiding.

The election and its aftermath represented an attack on democracy;
what followed was the ruin of the judicial system. Rather than trying
to discover what really happened on March 1, and why so many people
lost their lives, the government launched a program of smear campaigns
and show trials. The sordid partial amnesty, in which many of the
political prisoners were released, was no substitute for justice.

Worse, it left seventeen men in prison. All of these men have been
convicted unjustly, many solely on the basis of police testimony. Yet
they face sentences of up to nine years in prison.

Regional developments and geopolitical concerns seem to have
overshadowed the fact that so many political prisoners remain, but
we must not allow them to be forgotten. Every day these men spend in
jail brings with it additional risks to their health and additional
hardship for their families.

On the occasion of October 30, Political Prisoners’ Day, we join
the families of the seventeen political prisoners in calling for the
immediate release of their husbands and fathers, sons and brothers. We
join the families of the victims of March 1 in calling for justice
for their loved ones so tragically lost. We demand an end to political
repression in Armenia".

The statement was signed by Armenian Helsinki Association; Helsinki
Assembly, Vanadzor; Socioscope Democracy Today; Armenian Helsinki
Assembly, Yerevan; Jurists against Torture; Public Information and
Need of Knowledge (PINK); Journalist Club, Gyumri region and some
other organizations.

ARMENIAN RETAILER STAR TO OPEN A RENOVATED SUPERMARKET IN YEREVAN ON OCTOBER 28

ArmInfo
2009-10-27 15:57:00

ArmInfo. The largest retailer of Armenia – STAR company will open
a renovated supermarket in 21, Davit Anhaght Str., Yerevan, on
October 28.

The STAR press-service told ArmInfo that the given supermarket was for
the first time opened in July 2006 and became the third store of the
company’s trade network. In September 2009 the company’s leadership
made a decision on reconstruction of the store to bring it in complete
compliance with the modern standards of retail trade. The trade area
of the supermarket is 360 sq.m., about 50 employees work there. 6
point-of-sale terminals are installed at the store, 2 of them being
"quick tills" which will allow providing high-quality services to
the customers.

To save the time of customers, the supermarket will operate under
the 100% self-service system , it is equipped with the newest system
of illumination and conditioning. The first floor accommodates the
supermarket, a drugstore, pawnshop, and a dry-cleaner’s, and the
second floor accommodates an AFC cafe. "The new strategy of STAR
supermarket is based on the unique combination of three important
factors of trade: wide assortment, low prices and European level of
service",- the press-release says.

According to the source, the assortment of the store is considerably
widened: it has about 10 thsd names of commodities, 75% of them
and food commodities and 25% are non-food items. The departments
of "Fruit/vegetables", "Household products", "Home furnishing"
are enlarged.

The service options of the supermarket include: discounts by
StarCard; points of inverse relationship with customers, opportunity
of calculation by bank cards and payment via special terminals of
communal services, as well as mobile and internet communication. In
addition, aiming to serve customers of various social groups, the
store will provide low prices for residents of Armenian regions. The
low prices will be ensured due to regular price promo-actions and
special promo-program "Always low price".

The STAR network of supermarkets, which has been operating since
1998, numbers 13 supermarkets (12 in Yerevan, 1 in Hrazdan). One
of the shareholders of the STAR network is the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with 28.3% share of
participation.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV HOLDS HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS IN LUXEMBOURG

APA
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited
Luxembourg to attend the tenth meeting of the European Union –
Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, Foreign Ministry’s press service told
APA. The plenary meeting of the Cooperation Council was preceded by
a joint ministerial working breakfast with participation of Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt, Spanish State Secretary for
European Affairs Diego López Garrido, EU High Representative for the
Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, representatives
of the European Commission, foreign ministers of the three South
Caucasian countries. During the meeting the parties discussed the
current state and prospects of the relations between the European
Union and the South Caucasian countries, cooperation within the
framework of the Eastern Partnership, particularly preparation of the
association agreements with EU, resolution of the conflicts in the
South Caucasus. Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is interested in
deepening cooperation with EU in various spheres and attaches great
importance to the Eastern Partnership Initiative. Touching on the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Elmar Mammadyarov said in
order to achieve improvement in the settlement, Armenia must withdraw
its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

The next meeting was held with EU High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. They exchanged views
on the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, regional issues, particularly
on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Elmar Mammadyarov
gave information about the negotiations on the settlement of the
conflict, our country’s position on the problem. Foreign Minister
said withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani
lands will pave the way for the restoration of all communications in
the region, establishment of peace and security, regional development
and cooperation. Javier Solana underlined the importance of dynamics
in the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict and said the
European Union is ready to take possible steps for the improvement
of the process.

The tenth meeting of the European Union – Azerbaijan Cooperation
Council was held after the meetings. The EU delegation was led by Carl
Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy
represented the Commission and Diego López Garrido, State Secretary
for European Affairs represented the incoming Spanish Presidency. The
participants underlined the importance of improving EU-Azerbaijan
relations basing on the countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity
and respect for the inviolability of the internationally recognized
borders. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Brussels
gave impetus to Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. Eastern Partnership
Initiative was welcomed and it was noted that this program will give
an impetus to the development of the relations between the EU and
Azerbaijan. The importance of the association agreement was also
underlined.

The most recent state of the process of settlement of
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict was discussed at the meeting. Elmar
Mammadyarov said opening of the borders and restoration of
communications without the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the
occupied territories wouldn’t bring peace and stability to the region
because the essence of the problem – the fact of occupation of the
Azerbaijani territories is not solved. EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation
was also discussed at the meeting and the sides underlined the role of
Azerbaijan in the European energy security and diversification of the
energy resources. EU noted that it supports the draft resolution on
the "Transnational Eurasian super information main line" proposed by
Azerbaijan to the UN General Assembly and it was agreed to establish
European Research Center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The participants of the meeting
also emphasized the significant role of democratic reforms in the
strengthening of sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, representatives of EU Presidency, European
Commission, as well as foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia held joint press conference.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov held a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They held discussions around the meeting
of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Chisinau, current round of
the talks and next visit of the co-chairs to the region.

Elmar Mammadyarov also met with the chairman of Luxembourgian Chamber
of Deputies Laurent Mosar and discussed with him the current state and
development prospects of Azerbaijan-Luxembourg relations. The foreign
minister informed about the process of development in Azerbaijan,
strategic projects where Azerbaijan is an initiator and one of the
participants, as well as regional significance of the country. Mosar
said he closely watched the development processes in Azerbaijan and
welcomed its right direction and high achievements.

Elmar Mammadyarov held his last meeting within the visit with
the foreign minister of France Barnard Kouchner. The ministers
discussed current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-French
cooperation, regional situation, particularly settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan-EU cooperation as well.