ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE TO CONTINUE CONSULTATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006
PARIS, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting of the Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian and the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov under the aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs took
place in Paris on October 24.
According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, during
the negotiations in a positive atmosphere, the sides continued the
discussion of new ideas and thoughts that the co-chairs proposed at
the Moscow meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers
on October 6 of this year. An agreement was reached to continue the
negotiations at the level of foreign ministers in order to clarify the
positions additionally. It is envisaged to hold the next meeting in
Brussels on November 14, 2006, within the framework of the Armenia-EU
Cooperation Council. On the same day V. Oskanian was received by the
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy.

WORKING OUT “BASIC PRINCIPLES” – GOAL OF OSKANIAN-MAMMADYAROV TALKS IN PARIS
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The goal of the talks over settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is to work out “basic principles, which will underlie
the peace treaty, acceptable to both parties,” French MFA official
representative Jean-Batiste Mattei stated today, when commenting
on the meeting between Armenian and Azeri FMs Vartan Oskanian and
Elmar Mammadyarov under the auspices of the OSCE MG. The diplomat
underscored that the principles in question should be “balanced,
fair and practical.” He reminded that the current cycle of talks
started at the previous meeting of the FMs in Moscow October 6,
also mediated by the OSCE, reports ITAR-TASS.

NKR DEFENSE ARMY HOLDS PLANNED TACTICAL EXERCISES
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NKR Defense Army holds planned tactical exercises
at present, NKR Defense Ministry Spokesperson, lieutenant colonel Senor
Hasratyan stated in Stepanakert Tuesday. “The exercises are aimed at
enhancing the level of interaction of branches with body of troops
during counter-attacks and defensive actions, improvement of skills of
personnel and the command,” Hasratyan noted, reports Novosti-Armenia.

SUCEESSFUL PROCESS OF UPCOMING ELECTIONS IS IMPORTANT FOR MAINTAINING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEMT, WB REPRESENTATIVE SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly Speaker
Tigran Torosian on October 24 received the Director of the World
Bank Armenia Office Roger Robinson who completes his term of
office in Armenia, NT was informed from the RA National Assembly PR
Department. T. Torosian said that much importance was attached to
economic development in the countries in the post-Soviet territory
during the first years of their independence, but the logical
process of development made people realize that the social life
should be reformed as well, and a country’s success is conditioned by
political, social and economic reforms. In the words of T. Torosian,
the improvement of political mechanisms is of particular significance
for implementing reforms in the social life. He expressed confidence
that by making reforms in the social life, it is possible to reach
success in Armenia in two-three years and create opportunities for
people to live a dignified life. Expressing gratitude to the NA
Speaker for the successful joint activities over the last 4.5 years,
Roger Robinson noted that during this period Armenian has registered
a serious economic success and a sustainable growth, which is no less
important. He underlined the importance of three factors – political,
economic and social – for the development of any country. In his words,
these factors are hardly ever present at the same time: the economic
development is the first one to appear, while political and social
developments take more time as the mentality and perception of people,
as well as their relations with each other and the state change.
He pointed out that the World Bank does not interfere in politics
but the successful course of the upcoming elections is important for
maintaining the economic development.

ROBINSON: ARMENIA HAD CONSIDERABLE ECONOMIC PROGRESS RECENTLY
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 14:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Speaker Tigran Torosyan met with
Director of the World Bank Yerevan Office Roger Robinson, who is
completing his tenure in Armenia, reports the Press Office of the
Armenian National Assembly. During the meeting Robinson said that
within 4.5 years Armenia made considerable economic progress and that
in sustainable development.
Three factors in his words are crucial for development of any country:
political, economic and social. At that he remarked that those factors
are never displayed simultaneously: economic development almost
always is ahead. The World Bank does not interfere with the policy,
however successful holding of election is crucial for sustaining the
economic development, WB Yerevan Office head said.
In his turn Tigran Torosyan stated that economic development
was highlighted in the post-soviet territory before, however the
development suggested that the social life has to be reformed as well
and a country’s success is conditioned by political-social-economic
reforms. The Speaker noted that Armenia is at an interesting phase. He
was sure that via reforms of the social life within 2-3 years success
can be attained and full opportunities for deserving life of people
can be created.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT MOSCOW
AZG Armenian Daily
25/10/2006
The Embassy of the Russian Federation to Armenia informed that RA
President Robert Kocharian is going to pay a working visit to Moscow
on October 30-31. The visit is aimed to increase the level of the
Russian-Armenian cooperation. Besides the actual issues of bilateral
importance, the sides are expected to discuss the Russian-Armenian
cooperation in the spheres of energy, transport, as well as those of
Russia’s and Armenia’s subjects. The parties are also to discuss the
issues concerning the implementation of the agreements signed between
our countries.
In the course of RA President’s working visit, the sides will pay
special attention to the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the current
situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

PENDING ELECTION IN ARMENIA – IMPORTANT EXAM FOR REPUBLIC
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ France will follow elections in Armenia with
attention, French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny stated in the
course of a farewell news conference owing to ending his tenure in
the country.
In his words, elections are an important exam to the republic –
especially taking into account Armenia’s participation in the European
Neighborhood Policy.
“The authorities, which are elected in Armenia, will be acceptable
to France,” Henry Cuny noted, adding France never interferes with
Armenia’s internal affairs.

TURKISH PEOPLE DO NOT BELIEVE IN FRIENDSHIP OF NEIGHBORS
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 17:43 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Most Turks do not believe in friendship of
neighboring countries, indicate the outcomes of a sociological survey
held in 32 out of 81 Turkish provinces, the Milliyet reports. “The
survey has shown that Turkish people do not believe in friendship
of their neighbors. Most Turks are convinced that European countries
are not friends for Turkey,” Milliyet writes. Turks do not trust US
and Greece most – 78.5% and 78.1% of respondents respectively. These
are followed by France, to which 76.1% of Turks mistrust. At that
sociologists highlight that the survey was conducted before adoption
of the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the
National Assembly of France on October 12. Right after it Turkish
officials criticized France and the Union of consumers launched
boycott of French goods.
Russia is also among countries, which Turks do not trust. 64.8%
of respondents do not trust it, while only 8.7% call it “friendly,”
reports the Milliyet.
Turks have most sympathies towards Azerbaijan – 71.4%.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHAT WILL BRING ARMENIA AND BELARUS CLOSER?
By Ara Martirosian
AZG Armenian Daily
25/10/2006
Prime Ministers of Armenia and Byelorussia Point out Number of Issues
for Fruitful Cooperation
The delegation of statesmen headed by Sergey Sidorski, Prime Minister
of Byelorussia, is currently paying a working visit to Armenia.
Before meeting with RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, the
delegation of Belarus statesmen met with RA President Robert
Kocharian. After the meetings, both delegations signed a number
of memorandums.
After signing the memorandums, the Prime Ministers of both
countries touched upon the results of the meetings at a joint press
conference. Andranik Margarian said that they have shaped stable legal
grounds for fruitful cooperation between our countries. He added that
the sides have signed about forty agreements.
Sergey Sidorski stated that the goods turnover between our countries
is gradually growing. As of January-July, 2006, it made $ 14 million,
as compared with the indicator of the last year that totaled to
$15 million. He added that after the last visit of RA PM to Belarus
five years ago, the goods turnover between our countries grew by 6,4
times. At the same time, Mr. Sidorski stated that there are still
great capacity for developing the cooperation between Armenia and
Byelorussia, taking into account the fact that the total annual
commodity turnover of Belarus surpasses $30 billion.
Besides, Mr. Sidorski pointed out the spheres that his country is
interested in. In particular, he mentioned the spheres of jewelry,
brandy production, IT and machinery production. He informed that
“Belshina” company is going to sign an agreement with its Armenian
partner. Moreover, the office of Belarus producers of medical equipment
and medicine are going to open their office in Armenia, soon. The
Belarus “Belaz” tracks are used in the mining industry. The center
for their technical service will also be opened in Yerevan. The sides
are to cooperate in the sphere of energetics, as well. Mr. Margarian
also emphasized the importance of the Belarus agricultural equipment
for Armenia.

GEORGIA WILL SOON IMPORT ELECTRICITY FROM IRAN THROUGH ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.10.2006 18:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgia will soon start importing electric power
from Iran through Armenia. A respective agreement between the
Ministries of Energy is already attained. As the Ministry of Energy
of Georgia reported, the Iranian energy will be imported via Armenia
as barter. Georgia will receive electric power from Iran in winter
and will return it in summer, reports Gruzia-Online.