Category: 2018

Azerbaijani Press: German Ombudsman for Human Rights on Violation of Human Rights in Azerbaijan

Jalatian Sonya
TURAN, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
Aug 25 2018
German Ombudsman for Human Rights on Violation of Human Rights in Azerbaijan


Berlin/25.08.18/Turan: On the eve of the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Baku, the federal human rights commissioner, Berbel Kofler, noted the unsatisfactory situation with observance of human rights in Azerbaijan. Civil rights in this country “are still in many cases limited, like freedom of the media, assembly and words,” the politician said on Friday, August 24.

The situation with human rights in Azerbaijan is “generally problematic,” Kofler said. Representatives of the opposition, human rights activists and critical journalists are “intimidated by threats, detentions, and in some cases – by harassment by the judiciary,” Kofler of Deutsche Welle radio quotes.

Those who openly criticize the government, are imprisoned or fired from the civil service, the family members of political activists who have left the country are under pressure.

“But precisely because of the above, it is extremely important for me that Germany continues regular and direct communication with the Azerbaijani authorities,” Berbel Kofler stressed. The federal government and the European Union, according to her, should use their communication channels in Azerbaijan to remind them of the need to respect human rights in this country.

The visit to Azerbaijan on August 25 is the final stage of Angela Merkel’s trip to the countries of the South Caucasus. Previously, the Chancellor visited Georgia and Armenia.

In Baku, the head of the German government will meet with President Ilham Aliyev.

According to the AFP agency, Azerbaijan is primarily interested in Germany as an energy supplier. Its significance in this context is likely to increase even more thanks to the construction of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline, which will extend through the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to the Greek border. It is assumed that with the help of this pipeline it will be possible to somewhat reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.

Merkel’s trip to Azerbaijan before the arrival in the country was overshadowed by the fact that Baku banned the entry into the country as part of the German delegation to the deputy of the Bundestag, Albert Weiler, who holds the post of deputy chairman of the parliamentary group for Transcaucasia. The reason for the decision was that in the past, Weiler repeatedly visited Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite this, Merkel decided not to cancel the visit to the Azerbaijani capital. -0-

Azerbaijani Press: The Caucasus meets Merkel with the Prussian step

Ekmekjian Janet
TURAN, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
Aug 25 2018
The Caucasus meets Merkel with the Prussian step

by Analytical Service Turan

Analysts of different countries note, it is no coincidence that before the tour to the Caucasus, Merkel met with President Putin – a German-speaking Russian leader, an adherent of Peter’s imperial culture. It is not excluded that during the meeting the Chancellor and the President agreed the depth and breadth of German expansion to the South Caucasus, of course, taking into account traditional Russian interests.

In Yerevan, Merkel made a hidden message to Russia, calling Armenia a successful model of relations with the EU and Eurasia at the same time: “Armenia can be an example of successful cooperation, both with Russia and the EU.”

The Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also made it clear that Armenia is not going to take sharp steps between the two poles: We intend to develop relations both with Russia within the framework of the EAEC and CSTO, and with the EU, in particular Germany.

Indeed, today Russia and Germany are the main economic partners of Armenia. But Merkel is impressed by the actions of Pashinyan’s government in the field of democracy, fighting corruption, transparency, which further croaks the South Caucasian ship towards European civilization.

Two hundred years ago, the Russian empire granted the German burghers the opportunity to colonize the Caucasus when German settlements appeared in Georgia and Azerbaijan, and the oil boom of the second half of the 19th century exported substantial German capital and engineering thought to Baku. This fact was emphasized especially in Georgia, which could be regarded as an invitation to the next German expansion in exchange for de-occupation of part of Georgia, where Russian troops are quartered and puppet regimes are proclaimed. Merkel hinted that for her the themes of the 200th anniversary of the resettlement of the German colonists, deoccupation, Georgian European integration are of no small importance and are the tip of the South Caucasus policy. It is no accident that due to the historical and geographical realities, Georgia is a window for Western expansion into the Caucasus and further to the Caspian region, especially in the conditions of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, when all regional projects are regulated from Tbilisi by circumstances.

The tour of Merkel to the South Caucasus tour Merkel finished in Azerbaijan. This is the traditional route of all European politicians who arrange similar regional visits. Next, the Caspian, which divides the second echelon of the struggle for influence – Central Asia. The European and mostly German assessment of the place of Azerbaijan in the Caucasian trio is regarded as communicative. If Georgia is seen as a window of Europe, then, in Lenin’s words, Azerbaijan is the gateway to the East. Pipeline, transport corridors are beginning to gain increasing importance on the eve of the big economic boom, which the world economy is pregnant with. Cross-border projects – the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, the railways, the East-West, the North-South and others, where the key place is occupied by Azerbaijan, comes to the fore in the post-Soviet policy of Germany, which is called the economic locomotive of the EU.

These issues could be at the center of attention of the Putin-Merkel meeting and act as bargaining chips of Russian pipeline expansion to Europe. It can be assumed that the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, which is being lobbied by Germany, will open the way for the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, the realization of which has been impeded for a long time by Moscow.

President Ilham Aliyev, as one of the players of the communication policy in the post-Soviet space, realizes the importance of the location and role of Azerbaijan in this matter. Taking it into account, he manages to defend his interests, which does not include tasks for any hasty integration. On the eve of Merkel’s visit, discussions began in Azerbaijan about the need to join the CSTO, which could be viewed as the unwillingness of the Azerbaijani elite to discuss democracy and human rights issues in an accelerated mode, and even more in the revolutionary vein of the change of vectors in Georgia and Armenia. After long exhortations by the West, the authorities released the opposition politician Ilgar Mammadov. Observers regard this gesture as a curtsey towards Germany, no more. The alleged large amnesty did not follow. Aliyev offered to be satisfied with step-by-step solutions in bilateral and multilateral relations.

A1+: Toy seller banned from trading in square (video)

Emil Lazarian
  • 14:39 | August 27,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:

Today, the citizens who were selling children’s toys, balloons and other small items at Republic Square and Northern Avenue were in front of the Government building. They protest that they are no longer allowed to trade in the Republic Square and Northern Avenue. According to citizens, for the first time that they were not allowed to trade there was when the German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Armenia and had to walk through Northern Avenue, and the ban is continuing to be already four days.

Protesters say they are ready to go to the tax field if they will be provided booths and have the opportunity to earn money for daily living.

More information is in the video.

A1+: Bucharest-Yerevan regular flights to be operated

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 16:05 | August 27,2018 | Politics
  • Armenian:

The talks between the Armenia International Airports CJSC and Romanian Tarom airline have been completed.

The two sides signed an agreement according to which the Tarom airline will carry out Bucharest-Yerevan regular flights starting from September 5.

As ARMENPRESS noted Bucharest’s geographical position is very convenient for transit flights in main European destinations.

A1+: Seedstars international competition searches for best Armenian startup

Hovhannisian John
  • 17:29 | August 27,2018 | Economy
  • Armenian:

The 10 best startups from Yerevan will be invited to pitch in front of an investment panel and compete to be crowned the most promising seed-stage startup of Seedstars Yerevan 2018. The winning startup will join the global Seedstars Family and take part in the regional and global Seedstars Summits that include our tried and tested bootcamp and investor forum. It’s a catalytic platform for high growth emerging market startups. In addition to seeing the top startups pitch, you can look forward to an event filled with disruptive tech, inspirational discussions, networking sessions and one flight ticket for the winner to come to Switzerland to compete for over $1 mln in investment.

For more information, you can contact Lusine Ghukasyan, Public Relations Officer of Microsoft Innovation Center – 094 64 22 21, 010 54 53 43, [email protected] or visit www.mic.am.

Rudolf Pashikyan-leader of European Chess Championship

Ekmekjian Janet
  • 18:13 | August 27,2018 | Sports
  • Armenian:

Rudolf Pashikyan is the most successful Armenia’s representative at the European Youth Chess Championship in Riga.

The 10-year-old has scored 5.5 points out of 6, and he leads the tournament table. He will meet today with Georgian representative David Nemsadze, who is one of his main opponents.

12-year-old Robert Philiposyan also performs successfully in the championship, and is the 2-7th places with 5 points.

14-year-old Marian Mkrtchyan is most confident among the girls, who have not been defeated in the championship yet, and follows the three leaders of that age group with 4.5 points.

President Sarkissian sends condolence letter on death of legendary goalkeeper Alyosha Abrahamyan

Jalatian Sonya
  • 18:19 | August 27,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a letter of condolences over the death of legendary goalkeeper of Ararat-73 football team Alyosha Abrahamyan:

“I have learnt with a deep sorrow about the death of legendary goalkeeper Alyosha Abrahamyan. He was defending the honor of not only his team, but also his people by always remaining on the high position not only as an athlete, but as an individual.

After Alyosha Abrahamyan’s death, thanks to his legendary play and football biography, the gate of Ararat-73 will remain impregnable, and he will stay in our memory as a deserved defender of “the gate of all of us”. I extend condolences to the renowned athlete’s family, relatives, friends and all football lovers and share their grief.”

Sarkissian about existing political situation in Armenia: Positive results will be achieved soon

Jhanna Virabian
  • 19:17 | August 27,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:

The press service of the President of Armenia has answered to the remarks of a number news outlets which referred to the assessments of the President to the existing political situation in the country.

“President Armen Sarkissian always follows and keeps in focus the processing going on in the country. Assessing vital the necessity for all the government branches to act in the framework of the Constitution and the powers it grants them and to display respect to each other, the President of the Republic expects from all the political forces to be guided by the understanding of national security of our country and the sustainable and stable development priorities. National interest, the country’s security and the respect towards the rights of a person and a citizen are a priority for all of us.

The President of the Republic welcomes the meeting of the PM and the Speaker of the National Assembly, positively assessing the agreements reached during the meeting. The President hopes positive results will be achieved soon.

The President of the Republic reaffirms his position that the best way to solve issues is through dialogue and negotiations, given that the sides respect the agreements by consistently taking actions to fulfill those agreements and taking lessons and recording achievements during the process. This should be made the main culture characterizing our political relations.”

Gianpiero Ruggeri: I do not feel myself as a stranger because Italians and Armenians are very similar in nature

Boris Nahapetian
  • 19:59 | August 27,2018 | Culture
  • Armenian:

At Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Giacomo Puccini’s “Il Tabarro” (The Cloak) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.”

“We present about 2-3 operas annually, and most important is the right choice of singers,” says director Eduard Topchyan.

Arsen Soghomonyan, who lives in Moscow, will perform the role of the Canio in “Pagliacci” opera, who, by the way, started his carrer with the Philharmonic. At that time, he was a baritone, and after only a year and a half, the singer acts as a tenor. Baritoneal tenor is a rare phenomenon and this is a great success, says the conductor.

Soprano Anna Kasyan, who will perform Nedda’s role, was a real revelation for Topchyan. He applied to Anna by Serzh Smbatyan’s advice, he heard her and admired.

The singer was born in Tbilisi and lives in France, and she is in Armenia for the first time. Her playlist includes more than twenty roles, from Mozart to Verdi and she has no lack of invitations from the world’s best theaters. She agreed with great pleasure to take part in the performance, and even canceled the concert in London.

Unlike Anna, Italian Baritone Gianpiero Ruggeri is in Armenia for the third time. “I’m not a Armenian,” he says, “but I do not feel myself as a stranger because Italians and Armenians are very similar in nature. Cooperation with this orchestra is a great pleasure. There is a professional approach to music here, which you cannot even find in many European theaters.”

PM receives member of Committee on Foreign Affairs of European Parliament Martin Sonneborn (video)

Emil Lazarian
  • 20:19 | August 27,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received member of Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, MEP Martin Sonneborn on August 27.

As the press service of the Government of Armenia reports, the PM welcomed the MEP and thanked him for his pro-Armenian actions at the European Parliament, particularly over the issues of the Armenian Genocide and Nagorno Karabakh.

During the meeting issues referring to the democratic processes and reforms in Armenia were discussed.

The PM referred to the non-violent, peaceful velvet revolution, noting that Armenia lives an era of great transformations, and the steps of the new government are aimed at the development of democracy, fight against corruption, establishment of rule of law, protection of human rights, independence of the judicial branch, elimination of economic monopolies and establishment of favorable business environment. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that these reforms will give Armenia an opportunity to be more democratic, more secure and successful.

Martin Sonneborn saluted the peaceful democratic process in Armenia and the reforms initiated y the Armenian Government in various spheres. The sides highlighted the assistance of European institutions for the successful implementation of the reform agenda in Armenia.

The interlocutors also referred to Nagorno Karabakh conflict and highlighted its peaceful settlement in the sidelines of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format.