Category: 2017

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
 Wednesday
The Armenian delegation to PACE proposes to annihilate the reports of
those deputies of the Assembly whose names are involved in the
corruption scandal around Azerbaijan.
Yerevan October 11
Tatevik Shahunyan. Armenian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe proposes to cancel the reports those deputies
of the Assembly, whose names are involved in the corruption scandal
involving Azerbaijan.
As the head of the Armenian delegation, deputy speaker of the National
Assembly of Armenia Arpine Hovhannisyan stated from the PACE rostrum,
the reports prepared by the deputies involved in corruption scandals,
including those involving Baku, can not inspire confidence in the
Assembly delegates, especially if these reports concern Azerbaijan
itself . "Well, how can we trust the report on Azerbaijan prepared by
Alan Deshteks if his name is being discussed in a scandal involving
Baku? What should we do in this case? If the unaccepted reports can
still be revised or canceled somehow, how to deal with the adopted
documents that the Azerbaijani lobbyists themselves prepared for the
sake of Baku? "The Armenian parliamentarian asked.
In this regard, member of the Armenian delegation Naira Zohrabyan
proposed to cancel all reports prepared by the participants of
corruption scandals fueled by petrodollars Baku.
In turn, Transparency International called on PACE to launch tough
anti-corruption measures, including sanctions against corrupt PACE
members, in order to restore confidence in the Assembly in the context
of allegations of corruption and in connection with the resignation of
the chairman. "Transparency International" welcomed this week's PACE
vote on a resolution on strengthening the rules for fighting
corruption, but calls on the organization to quickly address existing
accusations. In the statement, the organization refers to a recently
published investigation, according to which current and former PACE
members received funds to promote Azerbaijan's image abroad.
"Regarding the current and former members of the parliamentary
assembly, which turned out to be financially profitable from
Azerbaijan, an investigation must be conducted, and eventually the
authorities of their countries should take up their duties," said
Patricia Moreira, managing director of Transparency International.
The organization believes that the countries mentioned in the
investigation should begin their own investigations into reports of
political corruption. "Transparency International" also calls on the
Council of Europe to establish a permanent investigative office as an
effective mechanism for disclosing the future of money laundering and
bribery. "The Council of Europe and its member states must also adopt
procedures that would exclude a country that violates integrity rules
and takes bribes," the statement reads

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Wednesday
Goal of U.S. Government is to transition its relationship with Armenia
from one of aid to one of trade - Deborah Grieser
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The long-term goal of the U.S.
Government is to transition its relationship with Armenia from one of
aid to one of trade, USAID Armenia Mission Director Deborah Grieser
said in her op-ed, reports Armenpress.
“USAID is proud of its partnership with Armenia, and of its evolution
over the past 25 years. We are committed to building on our successes
in working towards a more engaged, prosperous, and well governed
Armenian society”, Deborah Grieser said, adding that it’s a great
honor for her to lead the USAID Mission in Armenia.
She presents the works carried out in Armenia since 1992. “Since 1992,
USAID has partnered with the Government of Armenia and its citizens to
address a variety of challenges. Over 25 years, USAID assistance and
USAID’s partnership with Armenia has evolved to respond to Armenia’s
changing needs in its transition to a modern democratic society and a
free-market economy. USAID has provided over $1 billion USD to improve
the lives of the Armenian people, supporting their efforts to
strengthen democratic, economic, and social governance”, she says.
Following Armenia’s devastating earthquake in 1988, USAID contributed
to an international response to provide food, shelter, medicine and
fuel to those in need. Upon Armenia’s independence in 1992, the USAID
Mission in Armenia was established, and the USAID-Armenia partnership
formally began with programs providing humanitarian assistance.
As Armenian institutions, public and private, have developed, the
USAID-Armenia partnership has evolved. USAID programs are now largely
implemented by local organizations and support Armenian-led
initiatives. USAID works directly with the Armenian Government,
Armenian organizations and private sector, and coordinates closely
with other international donors and organizations to address remaining
development challenges.
“Together we promote economic growth through rural development in
agri-business and tourism, and provide support for civil aviation,
energy independence, and information technology. We promote democracy
and improved governance through local governance reform,
anti-corruption efforts, and support for civil society, independent
media, and the protection of human rights. Together we promote child
welfare reform, an inclusive education system, and work to reduce the
burden of tuberculosis and maternal and child mortality”, Deborah
Grieser writes.
She highlights that USAID’s partnership with the Government of
Armenia, its citizens, international and local partners has yielded
impressive results.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Wednesday
Elections of Istanbul's Armenian Patriarch still uncertain: No
response from Governor's Office to letter over elections
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The letter sent by the Armenian
Patriarchate of Istanbul to the Istanbul Governor’s Office over the
patriarchal elections remained unanswered, Bagrat Estukian –
editor-in-chief of Armenian section of Agos daily, told ARMENPRESS.
“Now an attempt is made to organize a new meeting with the public
authorities to personally present the matter. As you know, a letter
was sent for the first time over this issue, they said they will
provide a response in two months, the deadline was on October 9, but
no response was received. At the moment if possible the issue will be
personally presented”, Bagrat Estukian said, adding that the locum
tenens will also attend the possible meeting.
“No response was received, everything is being done to prolong the
process and maintain this uncertain situation. Today the issue is in
crisis. The further steps are still unknown, let’s wait for the
meeting”, he said.
During the church meeting in Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate on
October 26, 2016 a decision was made to apply to the Turkish
authorities with a request to provide a privilege to elect a new
patriarch.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Wednesday
Diaspora Minister calls for change of attitude of preservation of
Armenian language & culture abroad
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Diaspora of Armenia
Hranush Hakobyan says the preservation of Armenian identity is the
greatest issue of the Diaspora.
The minister says that already the 4th, 5th generations are born in
the Diaspora who live in non-native environment, in foreign
conditions, and interact with other cultures and approaches.
In an interview with ARMENPRESS, the minister emphasized that in these
conditions the Armenian language willingly or unwillingly is
“shrinking”, and is becoming more of a family language, with its space
of usage getting smaller.
“This is why we must form love and awe for the Armenian language
within the upcoming generation and the youth of the Diaspora, but the
schools of our Diaspora are gradually getting lower in quality, since
the Armenian school is not competitive compared to the English, French
or German schools. Naturally, parents prefer that their children
receive more quality education in other schools”, the minister said.
Hakobyan said the structures of the Diaspora, pan-Armenian
organizations, as well as the Church have the task to develop and
enhance the Armenian schools in the Diaspora.
“And Armenia must train teachers, provide textbooks, which we do very
consistently. This year alone we have sent 80 thousand books to more
than 300 schools, structures and organizations of the Diaspora. I am
proud that the Armenian structures of Valencia have joined forces and
are opening an Armenian school. How can I not be proud or not bow
before the leadership of the Armenian educational-cultural union who
are caring for our pan-national school of Marseille?”
Hakobyan said there are more than 1000 Armenian schools in the
Diaspora, 650 of which are Sunday schools.
“We must change the approach”, the minister says, arguing that it is
wrong for the children to go to school on weekdays and see that all
their friends have weekends instead.
The minister also welcomed the Armath initiative, which created
engineering robotics, which attracts children to the labs, where
everything is in Armenian language.
Hakobyan also argues that the creation of an e-school will be a very
important initiative.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Wednesday
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not geopolitical –senior Armenian lawmaker
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the Standing Committee on
Foreign Relations of Armenian parliament Armen Ashotyan received on
October 11 MaimoHenriksson, Head of the Department for Russia, Eastern
Europe and Central Asia of the Foreign Ministry of Finland.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the National
Assembly of Armenia, greeting the guest, Armen Ashotyan highlighted
the works aimed at fostering cooperation between the parliaments of
Armenia and Finland, particularly, the activation of inter-committee
cooperation.
During the meeting the sides also referred to Armenia’s foreign policy
agenda, particularly Armenia-EU relations. In this context the Eastern
Partnership format was highlighted as a platform for developing global
economic ties. The sides also touched upon the new Comprehensive
agreement to be signed between Armenia and the EU in November in the
sidelines of the Eastern Partnership summit.
Referring to Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the sides highlighted the role
of the OSCE Minsk Group as the only mediation mission for the
settlement of the conflict. Armen Ashotyan also noted that Nagorno
Karabakh issue is not a geopolitical one.
During the meeting the sides also discussed Armenia’s social-economic
development issues, the achievements in the humanitarian sphere and
cooperation prospects.
At the end of the meeting the sides highlighted the activation of mutual visits.

Congressional Documents and Publications
Helsinki Commission Announces Briefing on Nagorno-Karabakh
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS
HELSINKI COMMISSION ANNOUNCES BRIEFING ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH
WASHINGTON--The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also
known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following
briefing:
"AVERTING ALL-OUT WAR IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH: THE ROLE OF THE U.S. AND OSCE"
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
2:00PM
Russell Senate Office Building
Room 188
Live Webcast: www.facebook.com/HelsinkiCommission
Last year, the conflict surrounding the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
region in the South Caucasus saw its worst outbreak of violence in
more than two decades. The so-called Four Day War in April 2016
claimed approximately 200 lives and demonstrated that the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh, which has persisted in a state of no-war/no-peace
since a 1994 ceasefire, is not a "frozen" conflict at all. Instead,
the Line of Contact separating the parties sees numerous ceasefire
violations annually. Each one risks igniting a larger-scale conflict
that could draw in major regional players, such as Russia, Turkey, and
Iran.
Since 1997, the United States, France, and Russia have co-chaired the
Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE), the principal international mechanism aimed at reaching a
negotiated solution to the conflict. The fragility of the
Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire underscores the importance of United States
engagement in the Minsk Group process.
The U.S. Helsinki Commission will host two former United States
Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group process as well as a renowned independent
expert on the conflict to assess the current state of the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Minsk Group format, and the prospects for
achieving a lasting peace.
* Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, Professor of Diplomacy and Conflict
Resolution, University of Kentucky; Former U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group (1999-2001)
* Magdalena Grono, Europe and Central Asia Program Director,
International Crisis Group
* Ambassador James Warlick, Partner and Senior Policy Advisor, Egorov
Puginsky Afanasiev and Partners; Former U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group (2013-2016)
The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as
the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal
Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki
Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of
human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military
cooperation in 57 countries. The Commission consists of nine members
from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one
member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.