CONFERENCE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF OPENING THE ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:10
The Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG) is organizing
an international conference on “The Economic and Social Consequences
of Opening the Armenia-Turkey Border”. The conference is to be held
on January 13-14, 2007 in Yerevan, Armenia.
The border between Armenia and Turkey has been closed since 1993. In
recent years, there has been increased pressure both external and
internal to open the border and normalize bilateral relations.
The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers,
international organizations, and other stakeholders to examine the
potential benefits and costs of opening the border and normalizing
relations between Armenia and Turkey. The conference aims to provide
the policymakers and general public with a comprehensive analysis
about potential benefits and costs of border opening.
There will be a specific focus on the following areas: static
implications of opening the border, dynamic implications of opening
the border, distributional consequences of opening the border,
trade creation versus trade diversion, relative competitiveness and
infant-industry protection, regional labor markets, migration, and
remittances, the role of the public sector, implications for other
nations in the region, lessons from other border opening/political
normalization experiences. There will be several high-profile
participants from Armenia and the rest of the world including the two
keynote Speakers, Yegor Gaydar, Russia’s First Prime Minister and the
Director of the Transformation Economy Institute; and Gary Hufbauer,
Senior Economist at the Institute of International Economics and
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for State of International Trade
and Investment Policy, USA Treasury.
The conference is co-sponsored by USAID, Eurasia Foundation and the
UK Embassy in Armenia.

VARUZHAN VOSKANIAN APPOINTED ROMAIA’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:30
The Prime Minister of Romania CÄ~Clin Popescu-TÄ~Criceanu has appointed
Senator Varuzhan Voskanian the representative of his country in the
European Commission. Varuzhan Voskanian chairs the national union of
Romanian Armenians.
Voskanian’s candidacy needs to be approved by the President of
the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso and the European
Parliament. Voskanian will assume office, when Romania joins the
European Union on January 1, 2007.
48-year-old Varuzhan Voskanian, a mathematician and economist, chairs
the Senate Committee on Finance and Budgeting and stands out for his
liberal views, the “Associated Press” reports.
–Boundary_(ID_s+Szx/E6SxTEfkO5gVYVdg)–

MINISTER OSKANIAN MET WITH GERMAN MARSHAL FUND EXPERTS
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 16:42
October 26 RA Foreign Minister received the German Marshal Fund
experts on conflicts, who arrived in Armenia in the framework of
a regional visit. The delegation comprises representatives of US
Congressmen’s Offices.
Minister Oskanian highly assessed the Fund’s activity and the
constant contacts with the countries of the region, which provide the
opportunity to learn about each other’s policy in different directions
in more detail.
During the conversation the parties turned to regional issues,
Armenia’s cooperation with NATO and EU, some aspects of
Georgian-Russian relations.
At the request of the guests, Minister Oskanian presented the
peace process of the Karabakh conflict settlement and dwelt on
Armenian-Turkish relations.

KAREL DE GUCHT: SETTLEMENT OF “FROZEN CONFLICTS” PRIORITY FOR THE OSCE
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 17:19
Wednesday OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel de
Gucht spoke at the North-Atlantic Council. During the meeting with NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Gucht noted that he considers
the settlement of “frozen conflicts” the priority of OSCE’s activity,
“Trend” agency reports, referring to NATO release.
In his turn, NATO Secretary General said that no organization can
accomplish its targets alone, and that coordination of efforts should
be a priority.
Karel de Gucht’s visit fell in the framework of the regular high-level
political dialogue between the two organizations.

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN HANDED HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT
ArmRadio.am
26.10.2006 17:45
The newly appointed of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Yasuo Saito
(seat in Moscow) handed his credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharyan.
Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment, the President said
Armenia is interested in the enlargement of cooperation with Japan.
Robert Kocharyan highly assessed the contribution of the Japanese
Government to the development of economy of our country. He attached
special importance to the programs in the sphere of energy.
As similarity between the two countries the parties mentioned the
scarce natural recourses and the great mental potential.
According to Robert Kocharyan, Japan is a good example of how success
can be achieved trough effective governance and diligence. He said also
that the experience of Japan in modernizing the country, maintaining
the national peculiarities can also be a good example for Armenia.
During the meeting reference was made to the international situation
in the context of nuclear weapons testing in the North Korea.

PACKAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO ELECTORAL CODE ADOPTED IN FIRST READING
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly adopted
in the first reading on October 26 the package of amendments
and additions to the Electoral Code with 84 for, 6 against and 2
abstaining votes. To recap, the EC acting from February, 1999 was
subject to amendment already for 5 times. The draft consisting of
100 articles, particularly, fixes decision on voting with envelops
and clerifying electoral commissions, orders of appealing actions and
inaction, commissions of authorized persons are widened. The latters
have a right not to interfere in works of a commission member, being
phisically present near commission members implementing registration
of voters, giving ballot-papers and votion envelops, sealing and
guarding the ballot-box and watching their works. The order of
summing up results of votion at district electoral commissions is
also changed: particularly, the report concerning results must be
formed based on intermediate reports concerning results of votion
in intermediate bundles formed each of 250 envelops. At present the
upmost number of voters involved in every polling station, 2000, is
reduced to 1600, as a result of what the number of polling statiions
will add 20-30%. Usage of moveable ballot-boxes to implement the
constitutional right of invalids, people having no possibility to come
to the district center on the votion day and undergoing stationary
treatment at medical institutions is among the innovations.
The right of video recording the process of summing up the votion
results is also defined. Transitional threshold of alliances as
a result of NA proportional electoral system elections was also
reviewed. If it makes 7% at present, the draft envisages this threshold
for alliance of 2 parties, and 10% for 3 and more parties. By the way,
a provision was additionally fixed in the draft according to which
journalists of the Public Radio and Television, other radio companies
and TV companies, members of editorial staffs who are registered as
candidates, are prohibited to cover the elections and hold radio and
TV programs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION UNION TO TAKE PART IN 2007 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ONLY IN A BLOC
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Self-Determination
Union will take part in the 2007 parliamentary elections only in a
bloc. Party Chairman Paruyr Hayrikian said this at the October 26 press
conference. In his words, it is not time to solve issues independently
today, as there are preconditions for creating a united ideological
front in Armenia. As his party’s allies Hayrikian sees “all forces
having some ideology who will fight for preservation of Armenia’s
independence and sovereignty.” Touching upon Armenian-Russian
relations, P.Hayrikian said: “U.S. occupied Iraq, but did not
become owner of any oil-well. And Russia through its spies took in
its hands all Armenia’s enterprises and institutions of strategic
importance.” In the words of the National Self-Determination Union
Chairman, “an agents network belonging to Moscow secret services,
full of thousands of spies and instigators” acts in RA, which “poses
great danger for such a small country as Armenia.” In response to
the question of a journalist, besides RA Prime Minister, whom else
he considers a special services agent, P.Hayrikian said that Andranik
Margarian was his friend and he wishes to see him “released” from this
status. The National Self-Determination Union Chairman also expressed
indignation in connection with the circumstance that December 20
formerly proclaimed Day of Official of Cheka” was announced Day of
RA National Security Employer. “Disclosure of the Armenian sector of
agents network of the National Security Committee is among the common
problems of the Armenian people and has a basic importance for our
people,” P.Hayrikian concluded.

OSCE ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO POSSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF LONG-TERM OBSERVATION MISSION IN RA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The OSCE attaches great importance to
holding the 2007 and 2008 state elections corresponding to democratic
standards and to sending invitations for implementation of the
long-term observation mission. Francesco Bascone, the Ambassador
of Italy to the OSCE said about it at the October 25 meeting with
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian. At the meeting at which OSCE Yerevan
Office head, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin and Ambassador of Italy to
Armenia Marco Clemente were present, it was spoken about discussions
of the Electoral Code and the coming state elections. As Noyan Tapan
was informed by the RA NA Public Relations Department, at Francesco
Bascone’s request, the NA Speaker presented in details the process of
discussions on the EC draft amendments and terms of adoption. It was
mentioned that it is envisaged to adopt the EC in December, during
the last four-day sittings of the autumn session. Touching upon the
issue of invitations addressed to international organizations for
implementation of the observation mission during the coming elections,
NA Speaker Tigran Torosian explained that it is possible to send
invitations only after appointing the elections day and assured that
Armenia is the first one interested in holding elections corresponding
to democratic standards and in participation of as many observers
in those elections as it is possible. OSCE Yerevan Office head,
Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin assured that in the opinion of the
Venice Commission and OSCE experts, there is no need of experts’
conclusion for the EC draft, and the draft may be adopted as soon
as it is ready. F.Bascone expressed satisfaction with the process of
the EC reforms and wished success in the process of holding elections.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES THAT INTERESTS OF ARMENIA NOT TO SUFFER AS A RESULT OF SPECIFYING BORDERS WITH GEORGIA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The map of 1939 is used as a basis
in the negotiations concerning delimitation of the Armenian-Georgian
borders. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated about it at the
NA on October 25. In his words, it is the only most complete map
which was adopted by the Armenian and Georgian authorities of that
time. In the Minister’s words other maps, particularly the one of
1945, are not complete and clear. V.Oskanian mentioned that borders
fixed in the 1939 map were violated in some parts by both sides.
“And today we face the task to find the golden mean, to find pragmatic
solutions for none of the sides has territorial losses,” the Minister
mentioned. In V.Oskanian’s words, there are still not agreed problems
between the negotiating sides. Exclusing possibility of concessions
damaging interests of Armenia, the Minister mentioned that there is
no alternative for mutually agreed exchanges. Otherwise, the issue
of the borders may not be settled, what, in the Minister’s words,
does not arise of interests of the two countries.

ARMENIAN ELECTIONS TO BE IN CENTER OF ATTENTION OF EUROPE, NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN TO RA SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s involvement in the
European Union New Neighbourhood program and the Actions Plan to be
signed in November to open new prospects of development for Armenia,
helping deepening of democracy, economic progress. Hans Gunnar Aden,
the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Armenia
stated about it at the October 25 meeting with RA National Assembly
Speaker Tigran Torosian. Touching upon the coming state elections in
Armenia, the Ambassador mentioned that both elections themselves and
pre-electoral period will be in the center of attention of Europe, and
it is expected that Armenia will display political will to guarantee
elections corresponding to the democratic standards. Attaching
importance to success of the Eurointegration policy fostered by
Armenia, T.Torosian informed the Ambassador about the discussions of
the Electoral Code being held at the Parliament. He mentioned that
while editing the draft amendments to the Electoral Code, the National
Assembly closely cooperates with the CE and OSCE experts, and there
are all bases for adoption of the Electoral Code, for creating in this
way good legislative bases for holding elections. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA NA Public Relations Department, the observers’
participation in the elections and objectivity and impartiality of
their estimations were bilaterally attached importance.