Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

[28-03-2005 ‘Armenia-Azerbaijan’]
————————————————- ———————
PUTIN’S VISIT TO ARMENIA IS A POSITIVE FACTOR FOR AZERBAIJAN
Source : “Zerkalo” newspaper (Azerbaijan)
Author: F. Teymurkhanly

Political scientist Vafa Guluzade does not exclude the possibility for
liberation of certain occupied territories after this visit.

It is quite possible that President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Yerevan
was conditioned by the concerns over the `velvet revolution’ likely to
occur in Armenia. Thus, in the conversation with `Zerkalo’
correspondent, Vafa Guluzade commented on the trip of Head of Russian
state to Armenia. In his opinion, Russia will totally lose control
over this country in case these events do happen. The political
scientist thinks that Russia today is more than ever interested in
promoting Karabagh conflict settlement. `The point is that Russia is
seriously concerned over the sweeping `velvet revolution’ in
Kyrgystan. As a logical consequence, the new forces, getting power in
this country, will conduct their own policy free from Russian
influence. However, there were some statements that Kyrgystan will
keep developing friendly relations, however these ties will be built
on the equality principle”, V. Guluzade stated.

It is for this reason, as V. Guluzade thinks, that Russia has fears
over the events in Armenia to develop on the scenario common for
Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgystan, which in its turn means for official
Moscow losing its main outpost in the South Caucasus. Alongside this,
V. Guluzade noted that Putin’s attempts for setting a barrier on the
path of “velvet revolution”, likely to reach Armenia sooner or later,
are doomed to failure. According to the political scientist, Armenia
realizes that it can hardly afford the services of the `elder
brother’. `Therefore, Armenians currently aspire to developing
relations with USA and view the latter as a stronger pillar of
support”, V. Guluzade emphasized.

Developing this thought, the political scientist noted that after
Armenia’s independence from Russian control, Karabagh conflict will be
settled. According to V. Guluzade, it is Russia that became initiator
of the Karabagh conflict that was later frozen, again with the
involvement of the northern neighbor. “Without Russia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia will easily come to mutual agreement in Karabagh problem
settlement’, V. Guluzade emphasized.

In other words, V. Putin’s visit to Armenia will not only exclude any
negative impact on Azerbaijani-Armenian relations but, on the
contrary, will promote a considerable improvement. V. Guluzade thinks
that after Putin’s meeting with President of Armenia, several occupied
Azerbaijani districts will be liberated in exchange for opening
communications. According to the political scientist, Russia will thus
attempt to keep Azerbaijan and Armenia as allies. However, these
attempts are domed to fiasco. Answering the question if Putin’s trip
to Armenia is a new twist in the struggle for the South Caucasus in
the light of Bush’s visit to Georgia, V. Guluzade stated that Russia
is too weak for fighting USA. Supporting his argument, V. Guluzade
noted that in other case the events in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgystan
would not have occurred. As the political scientist thinks, from a
global superpower Russia has long been transformed into a regional
one, therefore its abilities should not be overestimated.

Thus, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin arrived in Armenia on a two
day working visit the day before. In the course of Yerevan
press-conference, Russian President stated that Russia will do its
best for promoting resolution of Mountainous Karabagh conflict. He
also expressed hopes that a regular round of negotiations between
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon be held. Head of the
Russian state informed the journalists that in the course of the
meeting with President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, regional problems,
including the process of settlement of Mountainous Karabagh conflict,
were specially considered. According to Putin, both Russia and
Armenia are interested in stabilizing the situation in the Caucasus.

[26-03-2005 ‘Region’]
———————————————————————-
NEW INTEGRATION PROJECTS ARE NEEDED, PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND ARMENIA HOLD
Source : `Golos Armenii’ newspaper (Armenia)
Author: Aris Ghazinian

The joint press conference of the heads of Armenian and Russian
states, Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin, was held in Yerevan on
March 25. It could not embrace the whole spectrum of most principle
issues of bilateral cooperation, apparently due to time limitations
(it took place two hours later than planned – the Presidents exceeded
the protocol limits).

Certainly, similar events do not always allow to `embrace the
unbounded’, however the problematic issues in the sphere of
Armenian-Russian ties apparently demand official comments. Somehow or
other, the Year of Russia started in Armenia, which was qualified by
Vladimir Putin as the best evidence of productive cooperation between
Yerevan and Moscow.

`Russian-Armenian relations develop practically in all directions’,
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated on March 25.
Agreement was reached about further promoting of the participation of
Armenian and Russian entrepreneurs in investment and privatization
activity in Armenia. We see significant prospects in the development
of industrial cooperation in energy and banking spheres’.In the
context of a greater activation of bilateral economic ties, the Heads
of Armenia and Russia paid special attention to the fact of starting
the long-awaited ferriage from `Caucasus’ port to the Georgian port of
Poti on March 25. `Despite the fact that the first cargo, grain, is
for Georgia, I hope this route will be used for transporting goods to
Armenia as well’, the Russian President noted. `It will open larger
opportunities for business and will promote strengthening of
integration processes’.

On his behalf, President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, stressed the
importance of running the ferriage, pointed to the necessity of
working out certain issues of tariff policy as well. Thus, the arrival
of the first ferry in Poti was conducted in accordance with the
Agreement on organizing direct railway-ferry communication via the
ports of Poti and `Caucasus’ between the Ministry of Economic
Development of Georgia and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian
Federation. Nevertheless, official Yerevan is both an interested and
de facto negotiating party in this process. The letter of
congratulation of the Georgian Minister Alexi Alexishvili, addressed
to his Armenian colleague Andranik Manukian on the same day, March 25,
is a good evidence of it.

In the course of Armenian-Russian negotiations on the highest level,
the Karabagh issue was certainly an issue of discussion. In this
respect, the heads of the two countries did not state anything
new. `Russia will do its utmost to solve this problem and hopes for a
forthcoming meeting and negotiations between Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan’, Vladimir Putin emphasized.

Though the Karabagh problem has not inspired new ideas with the heads
of the states, in the aspect of CIS development prospects, they
proposed quite fresh approaches. `CIS was established for the process
of USSR disintegration to proceed in a more civilized manner, as softy
as possible, with minimum losses in economic and humanitarian sphere’,
President of Russia emphasized. `I think CIS never had any top
priorities, particularly in the sphere of economic integration. If the
European states worked jointly for integration within European Union,
CIS was created for a civilized divorce. Herein lies the principle
difference between these structures, the rest being political babble
and empty talk. The disappointment comes from high expectations’.

Robert Kocharian also referred to the futility of such expectations,
`CIS is definitely not European Union, and we should not really pose
strong challenges for it. It is rather a good platform for frequent
meetings on the highest level to solve specific problems. Thus, I
never miss the chance for dealing with two-three tasks in the course
of such forums. We should be satisfied with the current stage’.

In this aspect, heads of Armenia and Russia stressed the necessity for
developing new, particularly integration and far-reaching projects,
among which Russian President names Eurasian Economic Society
(EurAsEC) and the New Economic Space. `They include elements of real
economic cooperation and set grounds for new and voluntary
integration’, Vladimir Putin noted.

In the course of the press conference, the recent events in Kyrgystan
were naturally discussed. Kyrgystan is not only an active participant
of EurAsEC but also a member of Organization for Collective Security
Agreement (OCSA) military strategic bloc, including Russia and Armenia
as members. `The events in Kyrgystan were not unexpected for Russia’,
Vladimir Putin commented on the issue. `It is the result of the
weakness of the authorities and aggravation of social economic
problems. It is really a pity that in a country of post-Soviet space,
political problems are solved through illegal means. We rely on the
opposition leaders to take the situation under control and stabilize
it. If Askar Akaev wishes to visit Russia, we will not object’.

—
Yerevan Press Club of Armenia presents `MediaDialogue Web Site as a
Regional Information Hub’ project. As a part of the project
web site is maintained, featuring the most
interesting publications from the press of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkey on issues of mutual concern. The latest updates on
the site are weekly delivered to the subscribers.

Swiss minister travels to Turkey after diplomatic spat put paid to previous
trip

Swissinfo web site, Bern
29 Mar 05

Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey is travelling to Turkey on
Tuesday [29 March], 18 months after a diplomatic spat put paid to a
previous trip.

Ankara withdrew its invitation at the last minute after a cantonal
parliament voted to recognize the 1915 slaughter of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians as genocide.

Three months later – in December 2003 – a similar vote in the House of
Representatives reached the same conclusion, drawing fresh
condemnation from Turkey.

Armenians say around 1.8m people were killed; Turkey disputes this,
putting the figure closer to 200,000.

The Turkish foreign ministry warned parliamentarians that the decision
could have “negative consequences” on relations between the two
countries.

The Swiss foreign minister is due to holds talks with her Turkish
counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on a wide range of issues.

Roberto Balzaretti, Calmy-Rey’s diplomatic adviser, told swissinfo
that discussions would cover mutual concerns such as “human rights,
minorities and economic relations”.

Asked whether Calmy-Rey would raise the Armenian question, Balzaretti
said it would be difficult “to avoid issues that have caused problems
in the past”.

Tread gently

Francoise Saudan, a member of the parliamentary foreign affairs
committee, who visited Turkey in August, cautioned that the Swiss
foreign minister would need to tread gently.

She said the genocide remained a touchy subject for Turkey, which had
not faced up to its past in the same way Switzerland addressed the
Holocaust-era bank accounts scandal.

But Jean-Jacques de Dardel, head of international security policy at
the Swiss foreign ministry, said this week’s visit was not about
resurrecting past disagreements.

“[She] is not going to Ankara to rekindle tensions, but to strengthen
relations between Switzerland and Turkey,” he said.

The issue of Turkish membership of the European Union is also likely
to feature during talks between both foreign ministers.

Calmy-Rey made it clear in December that the Swiss stood to benefit
should Turkey join the bloc.

Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, has signed a series of
bilateral agreements with Brussels covering areas including trade.

Iraq, which borders Turkey, and the Middle East are also expected to
be on the agenda.

Kurdish question

On the second day of her visit Calmy-Rey is due in the city of
Diyarbakir in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country, where she
is expected to meet local representatives and non-governmental
organizations.

This section of the trip was viewed in poor light by Ankara in
2003. Shortly after the invitation was withdrawn, the Turkish
authorities accused Calmy-Rey of meeting a member of a banned Kurdish
organization in Lausanne.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office later launched an investigation to
find out whether the Swiss foreign minister had been spied on by
Turkey’s secret service.

On the final day of her trip, Calmy-Rey is due to give an address to
Swiss and Turkish business leaders in Istanbul.

“Turkey is Switzerland’s most important business partner in the Middle
East. Around 40 Swiss firms move there every year,” said Balzaretti.

Swiss exports to Turkey totalled 1.9bn Swiss francs ($1.6bn dollars)
in 2004 – up 17 per cent on the previous year.

Last week the government lifted restrictions on arms exports to
Turkey, which were imposed in 1992 during a Turkish crackdown against
the Kurds.

Messenger.ge, Georgia
Tuesday, March 29, 2005, #056 (0830)

News in brief:

Georgia, Azerbaijan discuss border demarcation

A two-day meeting of the Azerbaijani-Georgian Commission for Delimitation of
the Azerbaijan/Georgia border began in Tbilisi on Monday, Black Sea Press
reports.
The sides will continue working on establishing the coordinates of the
interstate border, only 40 percent of which has so far been agreed.
Garib Mamedov, the chairman of the Azeri State Committee for Land and
Cartography, said that the sides had prepared a topographic map of border
sections that had been discussed by the countries. He added that of 24
sections on the border under discussion agreement had been achieved
regarding only five of them.
Mamedov stated that Azerbaijan was not prepared to cede that part of the
Keshish-Dag territory on which a monastery complex stands, as Azerbaijan
considers it to be of strategic importance: from there Azerbaijani, Georgian
and Armenian territory can be seen.

NON-RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915 IN OTTOMAN TURKEY AFTER
90 YEARS DISGRACE TO WHOLE HUMANITY

YEREVAN, MARCH 24. ARMINFO. Non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide
of 1915 in ottoman Turkey after 90 years is a disgrace to the whole
humanity. An employee of the Institute of History of the National
Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Doctor of Historical Sciences,
Professor Stepan Stepanyan says at a press- conference at the
Discussion Club “Pakagits.”

He says that the modern Turkey is as responsible for the Genocide as
the Young Turks, as Turkey denies and even insists on alleged
massacre of Turks by Armenians. Turkey must be made to compensate
some $60 bln to the successors of the Genocide victims and to return
the Western Armenia it had occupied.

Levering harsh criticism at the USA, which does not recognize the
Genocide to favor Turkey, Stepanyan notes that already 15 countries
in the world have recognized the Genocide, including Russia and
France. Germany is due to recognize the Genocide despite the fact
that 3 million of that country’s citizens are Turks. In this
connection, Stepan Stepananyan presented a newly published book
“Armenian Genocide” in Russian (500 samples), which he had worked on
for 3 years. If Turkey announces its archive open, it means that many
document have been liquidated, so the truth must be searched in
archives of other states.

In response to the question on possible participation of “Zionists
and masons” in organization of Genocide as several Armenian
historians say the professors notes that he respect the memory and
activity of all his colleagues, but he is sure that the main
organizers of Genocide were the Turks – Talahat-pasha, Enver-pasha
and Jamal-pasha.

Russia-Armenia cooperation has a lot of reserves – Putin.

Itar-Tass, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, March 25 (Itar-Tass) – There are a lot of reserves for
Russian-Armenian cooperation, President Vladimir Putin said.

“At present, Russia and Armenia are equally interested in the deepening
of broad contacts and see their future in close integration with each
other,” he said at ceremony of opening a Year of Russia in Armenia
on Friday.

Putin said Russia is a main investor and trade partner for Armenia.

Russian investments play an important role in development of key
sectors of the Armenian economy, Putin said.

“On the whole, Armenia is a beneficial and promising partner for
Russian business in joint energy, infrastructure, transport and
other projects.”

“We should make it so that they are used to full capacity. We are to
look for effective models of cooperation, open new possibilities for
the free movement of capital, goods and services, including by using
the potential of the CIS and other associations,” Putin said.

Nauseated Feeling and Media
by ETYEN MAHCUPYAN

Zaman Online, Turkey
March 25 2005

In every society, the periods of rapid and chaotic metamorphoses pave
the way for conservatism. Above all, if this reference to change
especially is coming from “outside” and denotes that the society
adopts a new way of life, then it wouldn’t be surprising if the
conservatism at issue turns into xenophobia.

For our modern world, which has been nourished by the nation-state
structure and nationalism, it would be seen as natural if this
conservatism becomes more of an excluder and adopts more “national”
tones. As a matter of fact, the anti-EU motion is heading towards
that direction~E We confront numerous examples of the uneasiness the
society feels for change being activated as a reactional nauseated
feeling. And trying to produce “proud reinforcing” outcomes from
this… It is possible to refer to art and science in order to repair
the pride that felt it could be hurt, but bearing in mind that since
it is being considered that we are not powerful enough in this field,
or as a result of the habit of “wanting to get something for
nothing,” the attitude of acting in order to rediscover history, has
been adopted. On the other side, the history issue does not seem to
be separated from the EU context, Armenian emigration, even
indirectly, and is in a position as the main part of the agenda.
Therefore, the said nauseated feeling, turning its face to history
and rediscovering itself through history, is a sensible phenomenon.

These kinds of activities, as reflected recently in newspapers;
laying wreaths at the grave of Talat Pasha, the British commemorating
the six soldiers they killed in 1920, at the station where the
incident happened, have gained significance within this context. It
seems hard to find a different explanation to these ceremonial
commemorations, which had been ignored for years, becoming very
popular all of a sudden, and people exerting efforts to find some
incidents to commemorate~E But what really is interesting here is the
media’s attitude: We see that the “centrist” media, which has taken
it upon itself the mission to reflect the irritation penetrating into
the depths of Turkey’s state structure, is making banner headlines
out of stories like this or carrying them to its front pages.
Moreover, we see that an editor is using his pen as a tool to
encourage these kinds of activities. And do bear in mind that all
these are being done in an atmosphere where the AKP government is
seen as “ambivalent and incoherent,” where a commander, as if this
did not amount to interference, blames the government over Iraq. What
is being seen is that the anti-EU and anti- AKP parties have joined
forces; a strategy in which one can be hindered through the other, is
being pursued. And the societal nausea — and the Armenian issue have
been used in the psychological context in the entire case.

Otherwise, would it be possible to ignore an incident, which at the
moment should have been the top priority on the agenda? The Armenian
ambassador to the EU [Viguen Tchitechian] told the European
Parliament’s Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission meeting [in
Strasbourg] that the Armenian Diaspora created the genocide issue.
Undoubtedly, this does not mean we are not confronting a so-called
genocide problem~E The ambassador said the following: “Without any
doubt, there was a genocide committed by Young Turks (Jeune Turks),
however, the responsibility for this should not be put on the
shoulders of modern Turkey and the Turkish nation. This genocide is
important for the security of Armenia~EBut it is not a precondition
for our relations with Turkey.” This statement is a sign that the
phenomenon, which is called “Armenian Issue,” can be divided into two
categories, history and politics, and both categories can move in
different directions. This is the point Turkey has been trying to
reach for years… But this news did not appear in many newspapers,
and in a few, it was a small story buried in the back pages.

Apparently, our media did not like this story. Let me put it this
way, the anti-EU and anti-AKP coalition that has been formed found it
far short of their targets. Because this matter, taking a
rationalistic turn, is hardening reactive nationalism that is being
produced and making manipulation difficult.

News Release

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2005

Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
818.243.6222
[email protected]

Mehranian Named 44th District’s “Woman of the Year”
-Armenia Fund chair honored at ceremony in Sacramento-

Glendale, CA (March 17) – Armenia Fund, Inc. is proud to announce
that Maria Mehranian, Chair of Armenia Fund Inc., was named the Woman
of the Year for the 44th California State District by Assemblymember
Carol Liu (D-Pasadena) during a special ceremony at the State Assembly
chambers in Sacramento.

Chosen by the Legislative Women’s Caucus, Mehranian was one of
80 women honored for making significant contributions to their
respective communities. “Maria is a role-model for all women, both
for her business leadership and her extraordinary contributions to
the Armenian and La Cañada Flintridge communities,” Liu said in a
prepared statement.

Partnering with the California Museum for History, Women and Arts,
California’s First Lady, Maria Shriver, and the State Assembly
unveiled an exhibit entitled Serving California: 2005 Woman of the
Year Honorees. “Every one of these women and everything they do
makes our state a better place to live,” said Shriver in a prepared
statement. The exhibit, on display through April 30, 2005, features
pictures and biographies of the women honored by the Legislature.

Mehranian is managing partner at Cordoba Corporation, an international
planning and development company based in Los Angeles. In addition to
Armenia Fund, Mehranian’s community involvement includes chairing the
La Cañada Flintridge Planning Commission. In 2004 Armenia Fund, Inc.,
with its affiliates around the world, raised over $11.5 million for
infrastructure development and humanitarian aid projects in Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh.

For more information about the California women honored, visit
or

For more information on Armenia Fund, Inc., visit
or call 818.243.6222.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of “Hayastan”
All-Armenian Fund.

###

–Boundary_(ID_whCry7gRadSLd18JXpgLsw)–

Armenian leader convenes meeting over blast near customs agency

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
24 Mar 05

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today held a meeting with the
heads of law-enforcement agencies in connection with a blast near
the Armenian State Customs Committee this morning.

The heads of law-enforcement agencies reported to the Armenian
president about details of the incident and the measures taken.
President Kocharyan instructed them to make every effort to solve
this crime and also to report regularly to him about results of the
investigation.

>>From Rivalries to Dialogue
By Ana Palacio and Vasil Hudak

Moscow Times
March 24 2005

President Vladimir Putin’s meeting in Paris with EU leaders took
place as relations between the Russian Federation and its key Western
partners — the United States, the European Union and EU member
states — are at a new low. An increasing number of Western voices
are calling for much tougher policies toward Russia, including
possible exclusion from the Group of Eight. They point to the ongoing
centralization of political, economic and social life. This includes
the new appointment of regional governors and growing state pressure
on independent media and civil society institutions, as well as the
treatment of Yukos and recent changes in allocating licenses for
natural resources exploration.

For their part, Russia’s leaders feel betrayed and misunderstood by
the West. They stress that Putin’s main concern is to preserve
Russia’s territorial integrity at all costs. Moscow presents this as
the main underlying reason for consolidating influence over Russia’s
regions and for regaining control over the nation’s critical natural
resources. Only a strong and stable Russia, they argue, can be a
reliable and predictable partner for the West in addressing such
global challenges as international terrorism and the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, or in dealing with China.

These conflicting views are most obvious in the former Soviet Union.
Called the “European neighborhood” by Brussels and “near abroad” by
Moscow, this region is undergoing a profound change initiated by the
Rose and Orange Revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, respectively.
Pro-democracy changes in these countries are viewed in Moscow as part
of a Western plot to isolate Russia and to diminish its importance in
global affairs. Because of its symbolic value and ethnic ties, the
loss of influence in Ukraine is a particularly sensitive issue for
President Putin. The question “who is next?” can be felt in Moscow’s
corridors of power. At the same time, anti-Russian attitudes are
growing, from Moldova, where anti-Russian rhetoric has helped
Moldovan Communists stay in power, to Armenia, where traditionally
pro-Russian political leaders are switching to a pro-Western
position. Moscow is reluctantly realizing that its influence in the
former Soviet Union is decreasing as a new generation gradually
replaces old communist apparatchiks, and this new political class
dares to look for new approaches. However, Russia’s influence,
potentially both positive and negative, should not be underestimated.
It is a key economic partner for these countries and holds enough
cards through open or indirect military influence in frozen conflict
zones to destabilize them.

The present crisis between Russia and the West should be turned into
an opportunity to cooperate in their shared neighborhood. First and
foremost, the West should acknowledge Russia’s potential to be the
main positive contributor in the region. Russian leaders should
demonstrate their country’s ability to constructively deal with such
critical issues as frozen conflicts and energy security. Meanwhile,
such strategic decisions as the future development of energy
transport and communication infrastructure should be handled by
creating an integrated European transport and communication network
and combating the perception that this is a tool to diminish Russian
influence. Russia should transform its approach to the countries in
the near abroad from one of domination to one of cooperation among
equals, respecting the political choice of each nation’s citizens.
Stable, prosperous and secure neighbors are in Russia’s national
interests.

A serious effort should be undertaken to explore ways of coordinating
the increasing economic and political integration of the countries in
the EU neighborhood, and their traditional ties to Russia and the
other former Soviet republics. Countries such as Ukraine or Georgia
should not feel they are being pushed to choose between one or the
other.

It is important to move from the current zero-sum approach to a new
dialogue and cooperation based on accepting the choice of the
countries within the shared neighborhood. Leaders should work
together to create a European space of security and prosperity that
would include Russia, the EU and the countries of the European
neighborhood and that would enjoy the economic and political support
of the United States. Such a constructive long-term agenda would
bring security and prosperity to the region, while serving as an
important turning point in now sour relations.

Ana Palacio, a former foreign affairs minister of Spain, and Vasil
Hudak, vice president of the EastWest Institute and director of the
EWI Brussels Center, contributed this comment to The Moscow Times.

POTENTIAL OF ARMENIAN ENTERPRISES CONVEYED TO RUSSIA CAN BE USED IN
FULL IN RUSSIAN STATE PROGRAMS

PanArmenian News
March 22 2005

22.03.2005 04:15

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The potential of Armenian enterprises conveyed to
the Russian Federation can be used in full in state programs, which
exist or are planned in Russia, while the enterprises themselves
can be integrated into industrial chains of Russia. Minister of
Energy of Russia Victor Khristenko stated it, Russian Ministry of
Energy reported. In his words, the inter-state integration cannot be
provided for within one day. Forming respective economic and other
preconditions is necessary to that end. An innovatory development
course is among the most important ones. «I think that scientific,
industrial and entrepreneurial circles of our countries should lay
a special emphasis on the need of innovatory growth, activation
of intellectual potential, development and application of high
technologies. Rapt attention should be paid to it. We should be
competitive at the international level. This can be attained only
in case we take the course of innovatory development,» Victor
Khristenko noted. The Minister also noted that the main document
regulating the relations of the Armenian and Russian Enterprises in
the military-economic sphere is the Agreement between the Government
of Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on
industrial and scientific-technical cooperation of defense enterprises
(March 30, 1994). In Khristenko’s words, in 1999 to strengthen
the available production ties of the defense industry enterprises
of Russia and Armenia (first out of the CIS countries) signed an
inter-governmental Agreement on maintaining the specialization of
the enterprises participating in military production. The agreement
refers to 23 Russian and 18 Armenian enterprises. The experience
gained and new integration opportunities of our countries allowed to
move from preserving the available production and scientific-technical
cooperation to the concept of their development and integration within
the framework of creation of new inter-state entities.

–Boundary_(ID_qXJHaXJbWo7juAMmw7/65g)–