Author: Vardanian Garo

PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND FRANCE MEET IN PARIS

ArmInfo
2008-11-04 22:27:00

ArmInfo. Armenian and French Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas
Sarkozy met in France.

As the Public Television of Armenia reports, the meeting covered a
wide range of issues, including the current stage of the Karabakh
peace process.

The Armenian president told his French counterpart about the details
of the Declaration on the Karabakh peace process recently signed in
Moscow. Sarkozy welcomed the continuation of the political dialogue
between Armenia and Turkey. The sides also discussed issues of
activation of economical cooperation.

Before meeting with the French President Sargsyan had met with Prime
Minister Francois Fillon and President of Senate Gerard Larcher. The
sides discussed problems concerning the implementation of projects in
the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, particularly, in
the energy sector. They pointed out the importance of the construction
of a new nuclear power plant and said that there was serious potential
for further development of economic cooperation.

Sargsyan has also met with Charles Aznavour.

>From Paris Sargsyan will go to Brussels to mee with high ranking
European officials.

MEDVEDEV TO RAISE CAUCASUS CRISIS IN STATE OF NATION ADDRESS

RIA Novosti
14:55 | 03/ 11/ 2008

MOSCOW, November 3 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
will speak about the situation in the Caucasus in his state of the
nation address next Wednesday.

The November 5 state of the nation address, twice postponed from
October 23 and 30, will be Medvedev’s first, and the 15th delivered
to parliament by a Russian head of state.

"This document will include answers to a number of quintessential
questions that the country faces," Medvedev promised in his latest
video blog posted on his website on Sunday.

In particular, he highlighted the Caucasus crisis. "We cannot avoid
its repercussions, not only for our country but for the entire world,"
he said.

Medvedev said his address would contain the usual issues. "But life is
so eventful that in every new address, naturally, these issues take
on quite different dimensions," ha said, giving the global financial
crisis as an example.

He also said he would touch upon ways to improve the life of Russians,
reform of the armed forces, and international issues.

Georgia attacked its breakaway republic of South Ossetia on August
8 in a bid to bring it back under central control.

Moscow subsequently launched an operation to repel Georgian forces
from the region and later recognized both South Ossetia and another
breakaway republic, Abkhazia, as independent states.

The presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Moscow
on Sunday to try and find a resolution to the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict. The meeting ended with Medvedev, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev signing a declaration
agreeing to continue seeking a resolution to the conflict.

Nagorny Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan with a largely Armenian
population, declared its independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia
in 1988 and has been a source of conflict ever since.

AquaExpert
October 29, 2008 Wednesday

Armenia: Plant Bjhni stop water production

ABSTRACT

The management of the mineral water plant Bjhni (Armenia) has taken
the decision to stop its production due to the impossibility of
further activity. It is due to the fact that the Service for providing
enforcement of judgments of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia has
imposed a sequestration on the plant’s property.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Nov 1 2008

First meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia
held in Moscow

01 November 2008 [11:14] – Today.Az

The Foreign Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia are preparing
for the meeting of the presidents of the two countries.

Sergey Lavrov, Elmar Mamedyarov and Edward Nalbandyan started talks
in Moscow on late October 31.

As was expected, the ministers were to made statements for the press,
yet no information about the details of talks around the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict have been provided so far.

On November 1 the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, including Yuri
Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Matthew Bryza (USA)
as well as personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office
Anzhey Kaspshik will also join the ministers during the consultations.

The high level meeting with participation of the presidents of Russia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia is expected on November 2. The Foreign
ministers of the three countries and the mediators gathered in the
framework of preparations for this meeting.

/Regnum/

URL:

WORLD BANK EARMARKS US$ 20 MILLION TO ARMENIA

A1+
[12:12 pm] 31 October, 2008

The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved a US$20 million
credit for additional financing for the Armenia Municipal Water and
Wastewater Project (MWWP). The additional financing will support the
government’s efforts in scaling up activities implemented under the
ongoing program of water system rehabilitation and improvements,
including an extension of the ongoing management contract between
the Armenia Water and Wastewater Company (AWSC), the water utility
in charge of the project, and an international water supply utility
operator.

Armenia has achieved considerable progress in efficiently delivering
safe and continuous water to its citizens. Reforms in water management
supported under the Bank-funded Municipal Development, Municipal Water
and Wastewater, and Yerevan Water and Wastewater Projects have led
to improved supply, quality, and financial viability of the water
utilities. The need for additional funding from the Bank to scale
up the on-going project was anticipated at appraisal of the project
and the management contract was prepared on the basis of a six year
program. The additional financing will therefore fund extension of
the management contract and the remaining investments identified
earlier. It will contribute towards meeting the huge investment needs
of the Armenian water supply sector.

"Citizens across Armenia have long awaited improvements in their
water supply," said Jonathan Kamkwalala, Leader of the World Bank
team designing the project. "The investment program under the
on-going project has largely proceeded on track, and the repair and
rehabilitation program for AWSC water supply systems has already
resulted in improved water quality and increased availability of
clean and safe water supply in areas participating in the project."

He continued "As an example, the weighted average daily hours of
drinking water availability has increased from 6 hours in 2004, to 12.2
hours in 2008, while the water safety and quality also improved in the
same period in the areas where the project has been implemented. The
institutional and financial performance of AWSC has notably improved as
a result of the project, however, there remain significant investment
needs in the sector. That’s why the Bank will continue supporting
the government in reforming the water and wastewater services."

The Additional Financing will support three main components: (i)
AWSC Management Strengthening by providing funding for continuation
of the management contract for additional two years; (ii) AWSC
Investments by funding institutional and financial capacity building,
procurement of equipment and machinery to improve the operations
of AWSC, rehabilitation and improvement of chemical and biological
laboratories, and assistance to AWSC’s training activities; and
(iii) Investments in Branch Systems by providing funding for the
replacement of deteriorated treatment and chlorination equipment;
procurement and installation of pressure loggers, pipes and fittings,
and design and civil works for network rehabilitation.

Armenia joined the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993. Commitments
to date total approximately US $1.076 billion for 49 operations.

The credit is provided on "hardened’ IDA terms with a maturity of 20
years, and a grace period of 10 years included. Armenia has been in
the process of graduating from IDA since July 1, 2006.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO MEET ON OCTOBER 31

Today.Az
18.html
Oct 30 2008
Azerbaijan

The Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia will hold
a meeting in Moscow on October 31 and they will meet with the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs on November 1.

The due announcement was made by acting Foreign minister of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mamedyarov, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.

"The results of these meetings will be presented to the presidents
after which they will conduct talks", said Mamedyarov.

As for the announcement about possible recognition of independence of
Nagorno Karabakh, Mamedyarov said that this is not a subject of talks.

"The conflict has two parties – Azerbaijan and Armenia. As for the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh they earlier
participated until Armenia decided to speak on behalf of the Armenian
community.

Therefore, I consider it senseless to change the format of talks",
said he commenting on Yerevan’s announcement about the need to involve
Karabakh Armenians into the negotiation process.

"Azerbaijan is certainly recognizing the principle of
self-determination as our country is the UN member and participant
of the Helfinki fila act. This is one of the international principles.

But on the other hand, self-determination does not mean that you can
violate the territorial integrity by way of force. If we consider the
principles of international law, the principle of territorial integrity
is the main one among them. As for the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians,
as I have repeatedly stated they are the Azerbaijani citizens.

Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani population of Nagorno Karabakh
was driven away by force. Therefore, our position is as follows:
first the Azerbaijani population must return to Nagorno Karabakh,
peaceful co-existence must be ensured and normal political and
economic conditions should be created, after that we will speak of
the possibility to define the status", said Mamedyarov siting such
status of Tatarstan within Russia as an example,

"In other words, Nagorno Karabakh will get the highest degree of
autonomy in the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan",
concluded the acting foreign minister.

ARMENIAN, AZERI, RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS TO MEET IN MOSCOW NOVEMBER 2

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.10.2008 12:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan will
meet in Moscow on November 2.

Serzh Sargsyan, Dmitry Medvedev and Ilham Aliyev will discuss the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, the Kremlin’s press
office reported.

During his formal visit to Armenia on October 20-21, Dmitry Medvedev
said, "I am hopeful that the sides in the Karabakh conflict are ready
to fix progress in the negotiation process. The Presidents of Armenia,
Russia and Azerbaijan will meet in Moscow in the near future to discuss
the issue. Russia will keep on searching for a mutually acceptable
decision on Karabakh."

THERE SHOULD BE COMPROMISES, BUT NOT AT EXPENSE OF KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE OR SECURITY, RPA VICE-CHAIRMAN STATES

Noyan Tapan
Oct 28, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. There should be compromises in the
process of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, but not at the expense of
Karabakh independence or security. Razmik Zohrabian, the Vice-Chairman
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), expressed such an opinion at
the October 28 press conference adding that Artsakh should have a land
border with Armenia. He affirmed that both OSCE Minsk Group and Russia
try to find ways of a peaceful solution to the conflict realizing
that a war can break up at any moment if they leave the problem frozen.

According to R. Zohrabian, Russia has signed a Collective Security
Treaty with Armenia, by which it assumed a commitment to help Armenia
if a danger of war emerges. At the same time Russia has signed a
Declaration on Not Using Force with Azerbaijan. "Now imagine Russia’s
condition in the context of Ilham Aliyev’s bellicose statements,"
the RPA figure said. According to him, Russia will try to find a
peaceful settlement to the conflict by all means.

According to R. Zohrabian, I. Aliyev’s spirits rose after he
received 88% votes, but he should not be filled with much enthusiasm
understanding that this index is not evidence of democracy at all.

The International Herald Tribune, France
October 22, 2008 Wednesday

Medvedev wades into Karabakh conflict

YEREVAN, Armenia

President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia, projecting Moscow’s diplomatic
clout in the Caucasus, pushed Tuesday to bring the leaders of Armenia
and Azerbaijan together for talks on the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh
region.

Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in a
war as the Soviet Union fell apart and the region now runs its own
affairs, with support from Armenia. It has declared its independence
but is not recognized by any state.

President Serge Sargsyan of Armenia and his counterpart from
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, last met on the issue in early June, but the
war in Georgia in August appears to have lent fresh impetus to
diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

The war in Georgia erupted when Moscow sent troops to crush a bid by
Georgian troops to reassert control over the breakaway region of South
Ossetia, another ”frozen conflict” arising from the breakup of the
Soviet Union.

Visiting Armenia, a staunch ally, Medvedev said the war in Georgia had
shown the need to resolve disputes ”on the basis of international
principles and by negotiations.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan have never signed a peace treaty, and
Azerbaijan has not ruled out using force to restore its control over
Nagorno-Karabakh.

”I hope we are in an advanced stage now,” Medvedev said after talks
with Sargsyan.

”Both sides are ready to seek solutions,” he said, adding that he
hoped to meet together with Sargsyan and Aliyev ”in the very near
future.”

”I hope such a meeting will take place in Russia.”

Turkey, a NATO member and ally of Azerbaijan, had taken the diplomatic
lead on Nagorno-Karabakh in the wake of the August war. The initiative
by Medvedev will be seen as a response, in a region where Russia and
the West are vying for influence over vital energy transit routes from
Central Asia to Western markets.

Diplomats say that, without Russia, little headway can be made on the
frozen conflicts.

The war between Russia and Georgia deepened concern in the West over
the reliability of the Caucasus energy corridor.

Armenia is considered Russia’s strongest ally in the region, but is
also being courted by the United States. Yerevan is a member of the
NATO Partnership for Peace program and hosted alliance exercises over
the past three weeks.

OSCE: ABSENCE OF MIDDLE CLASS SOURCE OF INSTABILITY IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2008 14:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Office in Yerevan is implementing a number
of programs for development of democratic institutes, civil society
and dissemination of OSCE principles.

"Presently, we are implementing a project meant to make the police more
democratic and to strengthen trust between the public and police. Next
year we will launch a training policemen to prevent disorders,"
said Sergei Kapinos, the head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"With the support of the authorities, we will also try to increase
the parliament’s control over security, defense and law enforcement
agencies," he said.

"Another trend of our activity is economy. Stability and security in
the region may be achieved through formation of middle class in the
republic. Unfortunately, its absence is the source of instability
in Armenia. Besides, special programs will be launched to combat
illegal migration and trafficking as well as to secure human right
protection. Reform in the juridical system is also envisaged,"
Ambassador Kapinos said.