STANCE OF UKRAINE CONCERNING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN STABLE

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
May 24 2006

President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko has declared, that his country
is ready to be one of participants of forming of plans of settlement of
“the frozen conflicts” in territory of the GUAM states. As informed,
Yushchenko has declared it on May 22 in Kiev after the meeting with
the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, answering the question of
the Azerbaijan journalists in connection with Nagorno Karabakh.

“We recognize that each such conflict demands personal plan. There
is no typical recommendation, there is no typical recipe – as,
shall admit, to resolve problem of Nagorno Karabakh, the problem
Pridnetsrovie, or the problem of Abkhazia. These are very personified
conflicts, and they should be considered exclusively proceeding
from the personal plan”, the head of Ukraine has declared. Having
reminded of the plan offered in due time by Ukraine on settlement
of the Pridnestrovie conflict, he has noted, that the given plan was
accepted both by the Moldavian Parliament and leaders of Pridnestrovie.

“Ukraine admits that each country, including the countries of GUAM,
require support concerning the declared sovereignty and the line of
borders which have been originally defined. We speak about firmness
of borders, about integrity of territories. It is a key component of
policy”, Yushchenko said. He added, that the given position concerns
not only to the GUAM countries, but also the world policy as a whole.

“Therefore, the stance of Ukraine concerning territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan is firm, and I can only confirm it”, Mr. Yushchenko stated.

“JUSTICE” FACTION BEGINS COLLECTING SIGNATURES FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKING GROUP FOR STUDY OF SITUATION IN ARMENIAN AVIATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 24 2006

YEREVAN, May 24. /ARKA/. “Justice” oppositional parliamentary faction
has begun collecting signatures for establishment of a working group
for study of the situation in the Armenian aviation and organization
of parliamentary hearings. According to the information provided by
the Secretary of “Justice” faction Viktor Dallakyan 20 signatures
form required 44 are already collected.

He said parliamentary opposition has not once offered to create
a working group for study of the situation in the Armenian civil
aviation; however proposals were continually rejected.

“In the present situation especially in the light of crash of the
A-320 Armenian liner near Sochi on May 3, opposition will insist
on formation of a working group and holding special parliamentary
hearings, presumably on June 12”, Dallakyan said.

STAFF MANAGER OF YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY HRANT BAGRATYAN TO RESIGN BY THE END OF JUNE

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 24 2006

YEREVAN, May 24. /ARKA/. Staff and Grape Purchase Manager of the
Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC), RA ex-Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan
will resign by the end of June, upon his own application, according
to the Press Service of the YBC. Bagratyan has been Staff and Grape
Purchase Manager of the YBC since 1998.

“YBC Board of Directors expresses its gratitude to Mr. Bagratyan
for his service in establishment of good relations between the YBC
and wine-growers of Armenia, as well as for his contribution to
strengthening company’s authority and image in the republic, and
wishes success in future activities”, YBC press release says.

The Press Service also informed that the Administrative-Financial
Manager of the YBC from 1999 to 2006 Alexander Ghazaryan has been
appointed Regional Director of Pernod Ricard in Kazakhstan. His post
will be taken up by Ignaty Arakelyan, who has been Chief Accountant
of YBC since 1999.

In June 1998 YBC joined Pernod Ricard group international corporation
owner of a number of famous trade brands of spirits. Pernod Ricard
company obtained Yerevan Brandy Company at international tender for
$30 mln.

OSCE OFFICIAL WELCOMES ABKHAZ RAILWAY DEAL

Civil Georgia, Georgia
May 24 2006

Speaking at the OSCE Economic Forum, which concluded in Prague on
May 24, Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Pierre Chevalier
welcomed plans for a railroad project via breakaway Abkhazia, which
will connect Russia and Armenia via Georgia.

In early May the Georgian, Abkhaz, Russian, and Armenian sides signed
a protocol on establishing a consortium – the Black Sea Railways –
which will rehabilitate the Abkhaz railway.

“Everything must be done to entice parties to a conflict to find
complementary ways to overcome their differences… One possible
contribution in this respect is to lay emphasis on the economic and
social interests they have in common,” Pierre Chevalier said.

He also noted that projects proposed after an OSCE Needs
Assessment Study in breakaway South Ossetia included transportation
infrastructure. A donors’ conference will be held in Brussels on
14 June.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA SHOULD TAKE RESOLUTE STEPS FOR RESOLVING NK PROBLEM – DANIEL FREED
Author: R.Abdullayev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 24 2006

The sides should take resolute steps for the final solution of
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. However, the final clarification of the
situation existing in the negotiation process will be possible only in
late this week, Trend reports quoting the interview of the assistant
of the USA state secretary Daniel Freed to ATV television.

Daniel stressed that it was his third visit to Baku over past 6
months. “My goal is to find a peaceful solution variant to Karabakh
problem. Every resident of the region has the right to desire peace
and it needs to realize this desire in the nearest future,” told
Freed noting that for this purpose, it needs to take exact steps at
the state level.

“The Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and Armenian president Robert
Kocharyan may resolve the problem peacefully,” noted Freed.

ROBERT SIMMONS: “NATO HAS PLANS CONCERNING NK”

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 24 2006

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Vardan Askanyan, stated
that NATO “wants to be involved with many issues concerning Nagorni
Garabakh, and proposes to hold discussions in this respect”.

In turn, deputy General Secretary of NATO, Robert Simmons, being in
Yerevan, informs: “Our interest directly concerns military changes
and conflicts in the region. NATO has some active plans and concept
concerning Caucasus and conflicts in the given region”.

In near future Alliance is going to enlarge the mandate of coordinator
of the region in question. Armenian mass media focused on recent
statement of R. Simmons concerning the fact that regulation of “frozen”
conflicts is the main priorities of NATO.

Special representative of organization stresses that nothing has
changed in NATO policy directed to Nagorni Garabakh: conflict should
be regulated peacefully owing to mutual efforts of both countries.

Azerbaijani officials in turn inform about necessity to increase NATO
role in regulation of the mentioned conflict. It should be reminded
that the given issue was touched upon during Simmons’ recent visit
to Baku while presentation new priorities of Alliance.

One of the principal items NATO “Individual Partnership Action Plan”
(IPAP) intended for Azerbaijan and Armenia includes security, defense,
public policy, science and administration issues of the countries.

During press conference held in Yerevan, Simmons stated that Brussels
watches tension in Caucasus which impedes cooperation. Alliance is
not worried about Russian military forces in Armenia. Accordingly to
Simmons, NATO dose not interfere in this issue, moreover Armenia is
not against it.

As for possibility of placement of NATO peacemaking forces in Nagorni
Garabakh Simmons underlined that it is possible after long and detailed
discussions. Regardless of anything NATO hopes for peaceful end of
the above conflict.

It was also pointed out that if addressed, the structure may join
the events to provide peace agreement.

NATO official does not deny participation of organization he
represents in security of oil-pipe line Baku – Tbilisi – Ceyhan and
other energetic project being realized in the region.

Accordingly to him NATO forces will not be entrusted with security of
oil-pipe. Alliance may provide technical aid for countries in which
the line lies and organize training.

In his speech delivered in Yerevan, Simmons touched upon the issue
of Armenian-Turkish frontier. He informed that military alliance does
not want to interfere in affairs of these countries.

At the same time Simmons called relationship between Armenia and
NATO “very good”. NATO representative specially stressed that he is
satisfied with cooperation of Yerevan and Brussels in the field of
army improvement.

–Boundary_(ID_hNVwjeF7EPa71HkZ4DuCk A)–

NICOLAE UREKI: “PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN BUCHAREST”

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 24 2006

“President Ilham Aliyev intends to participate in The Black Sea Forum
for Dialogue and Partnership summit to be held in Bucharest on June
5”, ambassador of Romania to Azerbaijan Nicolae Ureki has told a
press conference.

The ambassador said that he expects participation of Georgia, Moldova,
Ukraine and Armenia presidents, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece to be
represented in prime minister and Foreign minister Heads level.

Series of international, as well as officials of Norway, the US and
Israel have been invited. Political statement called “The Black Sea
Forum for Dialogue and Partnership” is expected to be adopted in the
measure. According to the diplomat, the project of the document was
presented to the Black Sea region countries, several meetings have
been held for agreeing the documents on the experts’ level. The
objective of the meeting is energy security, crises management,
protection of environment, holding of inter-cultural dialogue.

Nicolae Ureki said that issue on “frozen conflicts” will not be
discussed at the forum. The ambassador stated that there is not
alternative to Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. Stressing
Azerbaijani-Armenian Presidents meeting is considered within Bucharest
summit, Nicolae Ureki said he hopes for finding way out of the Nagorno
Garabagh conflict which lasted long.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE TIME HAS COME TO AGREE ON BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RESOLUTION – JOINT STATEMENT OF OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES
Author: R.Abdullayev

TREND, Azerbaijan
May 24 2006

The time has come for both the sides in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
reach agreement on basic principles of settlement. Russia, France,
the US underline the international community’s belief in peaceful
settlement of the conflict, Trend reports referring to joint statement
of OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries issued May 24 in Baku.

The statement says Azerbaijan and Armenia shall prepare their people
for peace, for to war.

Daniel Freed, Assistant to US Secretary of State, said the meetings
with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov
have been led during the visit to Baku, discussing important aspects
of future settlement of the conflict and working out the options of
meeting of president of the two countries in the closest future.

“Our discussions in Baku were constructive. We are heading for
Yerevan tomorrow and then we will return to our capitals to brief
our leaders”,- US official said.

In turn, Grigory Karasin, deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said this
joint mission is an extraordinary event. It must be taken as a sign
of the seriousness with which OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries
approach the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement issue, and belief
that the countries are at the point where a mutually beneficial
agreement is achievable. “What happens now will be up to Azerbaijan
and Armenia”, – Karasin said, outlining the mission is leaving Baku
with hope for progress.

YEREVAN SURPRISED AT MAMMADYAROV’S STATEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.05.2006 18:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We are again surprised by the fact that Azerbaijan
tries to put forth an approach not corresponding to the contents of
the current talks on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Acting Spokesman of
the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetyan said when commenting
on the statement by Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov who said that “the
stepwise resolution of the conflict is the best one.” “We have many
times stated that the achievement of mutual consent first of all
implies the acknowledgement by Azerbaijan of the right of Karabakh
people to self-determination, after what liquidation of consequences
of war may be discussed,” he said, reported the RA MFA press office.

VISIT OF PACE SPEAKER ON MONITORING OF CULTURAL SITES TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO BE POSTPONED

Regnum, Russia
May 24 2006

Visit of PACE speaker on monitoring of cultural sites, British MP
Edward O’Hara to Azerbaijan and Armenia, planned for May 28, has
been postponed.

The PACE planned to send the mission, headed by O’Hara, on May 28
-June 4 into the region. The mission is to familiarize itself with
the state of Armenian historical sites in Nakhichevan and prepare a
detailed report on it.

It is worth reminding that reports on destroying of Armenian monuments
in Old Julfa (Nakhichevan) by Azerbaijani soldiers were received by
the Armenian Embassy to Iran. On February 16, the European Parliament
adopted resolution, condemning Azerbaijan’s actions, aimed at
destroying of khachkars at Old Julfa Armenian cemetery. Supporters of
the document pointed out inadmissibility of destroying cultural sites,
which have equal importance to all mankind, by Azerbaijan. It was
stressed that detailed requests should be formulated for Azerbaijan,
which committed the crime and which joined EU New Neighborhood
Program. Mentioning statements that destroying of khachkars was caused
by the Karabakh conflict, the European MPs stressed that Nakhichevan
is far from the conflict zone.