Author: Toneyan Mark

AKHTAMAR ARMENIAN CHURCH ON TURKISH PARLIAMENT’S AGENDA

Tert
Nov 6 2009
Armenia

Democratic Society Party (DTP) Van Deputy Ozdal Ucer brought to
Turkey’s parliamentary agenda the issue that certain Armenian,
Assyrian and Chaldean religious sites especially in Van were used as
barns and military sites, and that it was forbidden to put a cross on
the dome of the Sourp Khatch Church on Akhtamar Island. The member
of parliament demanded preservation of these structures within the
context of preserving ‘cultural wealth.’

MP Ucer expressed to the parliament his contempt at the intolerance
against religious minorities’ places of worship and at the careless
restoration works with destructive consequences. Submitting a question
motion to be answered by Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertıugrul
Gunay, Ucer said a disrespectful attitude was apparent in places of
worship belonging to Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean peoples in Van
and the surrounding area, reminding parliamentarians that the Red
Church in Van’s BaÅ~_kale town was used as a barn and the church in
Albayrak village as a military site.

Though the Sourp Khatch Armenian Church in Akhtamar Island was
restored, according to the parliamentarian, worship was prohibited
there, the restoration was not performed in accordance with the
original form, and a cross was still not put on the church dome.

Noting that the Sourp Khatch Armenian Church in Akhtamar Island was
allowed to be used as place of worship, Ucer said this situation
conflicted with the state officials’ statements which follow that
"Our diversity is our wealth."

Ucer asked the following questions to be answered by the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism: "How many churches are there within the borders
of Van province? What kind of studies are conducted relating to them?

Is there an ongoing study in accordance with the original of the
Akhtamar Church? Is there any study to open the said church to
worship? Are other churches in the city subjected to any kind of
restoration?"

AAA THANKED CONGRESSMAN PERIELLO FOR HIS DEDICATION TO AFFIRMATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 20:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a meeting on Capital Hill, Armenian Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Congressional Relations Associate
Bianka Dodov emphasized the importance of squarely affirming the
Armenian Genocide and thanked Congressman Tom Periello for his support
of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide resolution.

H. Res. 252 was introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff along with
his colleagues Congressman George Radanovich and Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs, Congressmen Frank Pallone Jr. and Mark Kirk. This bipartisan
legislation recalls the proud chapter in U.S. history in helping to
save the survivors of the first genocide of the twentieth century.

With over 130 cosponsors, the legislation is currently pending before
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where last Congress, it was
adopted by the full Committee with the support of the late Chairman
Tom Lantos.

"The Armenian Assembly thanks Congressman Periello for his dedication
to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide," stated Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. "In the face of an ongoing campaign to deny the Armenian
Genocide, H. Res. 252, and its counterpart in the Senate, S.

Res. 316, sends a powerful message," added Ardouny. "The Assembly will
continue its advocacy efforts and outreach to all those committed to
the cause of genocide education and prevention to ensure passage of
this important human rights legislation."

As a newly minted Member of Congress, Periello serves on the House
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the House Veterans’
Affairs Committee.

ARMENIA INTENDS TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION WITH NATO

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2009 18:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met Special
Representative of NATO Secretary General in the South Caucasus and
Central Asia, Robert Simmons. At the meeting, RA FM emphasized the
importance of bilateral collaboration and expressed Armenia’s intention
to strengthen it through Armenia -NATO Individual Partnership Action
Plan (IPAP).

In his turn, Robert Simmons gave high assessment to NATO’s partnership
with Armenia, expressing a hope that 2009-2010 IPAP will also be
successfully implemented. He emphasized the importance of Armenia’s
contribution to international peacemaking mission.

At the meeting, the parties focused on regional issues, with NATO
Secretary General’s Special Representative expressing approval for
progress in RA-Turkey rapprochement process, RA MFA press service
reported.

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.