STATEMENT BY VARTAN OSKANIAN
Panorama.am
16:28 02/10/06
On the occasion of the signing of the joint statements on the
conclusion of consultations on the ENP Action Plan: We welcome the
Finnish Presidency here, in the person of my friend, Erkii Tuomioja,
the Finnish FM, and the representative of the European Commission,
Torben Holze, representing Benita Ferrero Waldner who called to
say she could not be here, because of local political commitments
in Austria. Thanks also to Ambassador Terhi Hakala whose tireless
efforts have brought us to this day, and also want to recognize
Ambassador Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative to the
South Caucasus. Although this document will be signed in November,
in Brussels, we appreciate the delegation’s coming here to Armenia,
so that our public can share in this historic occasion.
I would also like to thank the NGOs and civil society for their
engagement and involvement in enhancing the content and make it more
representative of the wishes of our society.
Once the document is signed, we’ll be able to publicly present the
entire document. Let me just tell you that it says clearly, at the
outset, that through this Action Plan, Armenia is invited to enter into
intensified political, security, economic and cultural relations with
the EU, enhanced regional and cross border co-operation and shared
responsibility in conflict prevention and conflict resolution.
And the document, goes on to detail each of these categories, and
sets a 5-year time period during which each of these actions will
take place. This is a huge opportunity for Armenia to become the
beneficiary of a tried and true process to change what needs to be
changed, re-enforce and confirm that which needs to be affirmed –
in a word to strengthen the institutions of state.
The distinction of this document, as the joint statement clearly says,
is that it involves significant measures of economic integration
and political cooperation. It’s called an Action Plan and rightly
so. It is not just a document of intentions, but of concrete actions
to bring Armenia’s social, political, economic systems more in line
with Europe’s since the premise is that we do in fact live in the
same neighborhood and interact together. It opens new partnership
perspectives in very basic fields such as science, education, culture,
and of course in economic development.
These reforms are extremely important for Armenia. We are where we
are today, exactly because we made the courageous economic reforms on
Day 1 of our independence. We knew then and we know even better today
that reforms are our only resource, they are what will strengthen and
empower our society. This document provides the opportunity to move
forward with reforms in a focused, strategic way. It gives us a way
and a means to do what we know we must do – revamp our institutions,
retool our society, rethink our methods and assumptions. We are signing
this on the 15th year of our independence, it will be concluded on
the 20th year of our independence, and we will be able to mark a
new turning point in Armenia’s future as a more democratic, open and
prosperous society.

NUCLEAR PLANT CEASED WORK
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[01:24 pm] 02 October, 2006
The RA Nuclear power plant ceased work for 45 days yesterday for
taking preventive measures and loading the station with nuclear
fuel. According to the station administration, the necessary
consignment of nuclear fuel ha already arrived at the site.
A number of measures will be taken for raising the level of security of
the nuclear power plant. The CoE has allotted 1 million 300 thousand
euros for the realization of the program within the framework of the
program “TASIS”.

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTERS’ TROIKA OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ARMENIA
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[03:53 pm] 02 October, 2006
The Foreign Ministers’ Troika of the European Union and Armenia welcome
the successful outcome of consultations on the European Neighborhood
Policy Action Plan, started in November 2005.
In connection with the visit of the Foreign Ministers’ troika of
the European Union to Armenia, the two sides note that an agreement
in principle has been reached on a final ENP Action Plan text. The
necessary steps can now be taken in order to prepare the formal
adoption of the Action Plan at the next EU-Armenia Cooperation Council,
to be held on the 14th of November in Brussels.
The European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan is a significant step
towards an increasingly close relationship between the EU and Armenia,
going beyond co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic
integration and deepening of political co-operation. The European Union
and Armenia are determined to make use of this occasion to enhance
their relations and to promote prosperity, stability, and security.
The Finnish EU Presidency – H.E. Mr. Erkki Tuomioja
The European Commission – H.E. Mr. Torben Holtze
The Government of Armenia – H.E. Mr. Vartan Oskanian
Yerevan, 2 October, 2006.

TURKEY BELONGS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
By John K. Cooley
Christian Science Monitor, MA
Oct 2 2006
Full Turkish membeship would do much to stabilize its turbulent Middle
East neighborhood.
ATHENS – It’s time for policymakers of the 25 European Union (EU)
nations, as well as leaders of 70 million Turks, to take a deep breath,
step back, and carefully consider whether it’s wise to halt or impede
Turkey’s effort to join the EU.
Turkey’s pro-Western government, along with a majority of its business
leaders and its secular-minded, Westernized military, is committed to
accession. But some Turkish politicians who have favored membership
for decades have recently expressed doubts because of widespread
European rejection.
Strategic and human considerations favor Turkey’s bid, if it has
fulfilled all the preconditions – a big “if” at this juncture. Now
that EU ministers have postponed a membership progress report from
Oct. 24 to Nov. 8, decisionmakers happily have more time to review
the pros and cons of this crucial question.
Membership advocates insist that EU rules would stabilize Turkey’s
economy and political structure.
But objections are growing louder in European capitals. It wasn’t
always this way. Back in 1959, France invited a wary Turkish government
to join the EU’s predecessor, the European Economic Community (EEC),
as an associate member, which it did in 1963. Today, Nicholas Sarkozy
and Segolene Royal, the two front-running candidates in France’s 2007
presidential election, and senior politicians in Austria, also facing
elections, urge some kind of “privileged relationship” for Turkey,
short of full-fledged membership.
Turkey began knocking at Europe’s door when it applied to fully
join the former European Community in 1987. For more than a decade,
it met with refusals, based partly on the Ankara government’s poor
relations with Greece, especially conflict related to Turkey’s 1974
invasion and occupation of northern Cyprus.
In the 1990s, Turkey agreed to a customs union with the EU, abolishing
many trade tariffs with its members. Its candidacy got a further
boost in 2002, when Turkey’s Islamist but pro-European Justice and
Development Party (AKP) came to power and began making the reforms
necessary for EU accession. Turkish Prime Minister Recip Tayyip
Erdogan, a consistent proponent of EU membership, has pushed through
abolition of the death penalty, cracked down on torture, and secured
more rights for Turkey’s substantial Kurdish minority.
Today, support for accession has plummeted among both Turks and
Western Europeans, with levels of approval well below 50 percent.
Austria, mindful of its 17th-century role as a bulwark against Turkish
invasion of Western Europe, and commentators elsewhere object to having
Turkey’s 99.8-percent Muslim population join the EU. They call it a
“Christian club,” an epithet also used by Turkish and other Muslim
opponents of EU membership. Fear of massive Turkish immigration,
which could deprive Western Europeans of jobs, is widespread.
Another objection is that only 3 percent of Turkey’s vast territory is
within geographical Europe, leading to a European debate about where
Europe’s real borders should be. European critics condemn Turkey’s
acts of closing newspapers opposed to government policy.
They also criticize its prosecution of intellectuals and authors –
such as prizewinning novelist Orhan Pamuk – for “insulting Turkishness”
or discussing the 1915-17 massacres of Armenians.
Kurdish terrorist bombings at Turkish tourist resorts and guerrilla
warfare by the Marxist Kurdish Workers’ Party are further prickly
issues.
But Cyprus remains the key. The EU requires Turkey to recognize the
Greek Cypriot-governed Cyprus Republic by opening Turkish harbors and
airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes. Ankara and the so-called
Turkish state in northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey) refuse.
They demand that the EU first lift “embargoes” against the north by
unfreezing promised economic aid. But the EU and the international
community refuse, arguing that this would be de facto recognition of
the Turkish Cypriot regime. The Greek government, despite hostility
from the Greek public, strongly backs Turkish EU membership in order
to strengthen relations with its neighbor and old rival, Turkey.
Former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer eloquently argues
Turkey’s case for membership. In a Sept. 27 article in the German
newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, Mr. Fischer reminds us that Turkey,
as a modernizing Muslim EU member, would be a bridge between Islam
and Europe; would extend benefits of the economic eurozone; and would
help to curb the spread of Islamist extremism and violence.
The EU ministers should reassure Turkey in November that it belongs
in an expanded EU. The protracted accession negotiations – possibly
as long as 10 to 15 years – with the desirable goal of full Turkish
membership could do much to stabilize Turkey’s turbulent Middle East
neighborhood. The United States should continue to encourage all
concerned to keep moving in that direction.
~U John K. Cooley, a former Monitor correspondent, has covered the
Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region for more than 40 years.
coop.html

AZNAVOUR FASCINATED ONCE AGAIN
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[12:56 pm] 02 October, 2006
more images The “traces” of the concert “Aznavour and friends” are
still present in the Republic Square.
The deconstruction of the equipment is still under way reminding
the passers by about the unprecedented concert which will place two
days ago.
Those who were present, will never forget the sensations of the day;
nor will they forget the mood of the square, and the voice of Charles
Aznavour will echo in their ears every now and then.
Although some people complained that the sound of the concert was not
as loud as promised, it can’t be denied that the chance to listen to
the world-famous chansonnier could not be missed.

PACE CHIEF CRITICIZES CHIRAC GENOCIDE REMARKS
Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Oct 2 2006
The Council of Europe’s parliamentary leader criticized Monday
suggestions by French President Jacques Chirac that Ankara should
recognize World War I era massacres of Armenians as genocide if it
wanted to join the European Union.
“One can’t change the rules in the middle of the game,” Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van der Linden
told reporters, referring to EU membership conditions for Turkey.
Referring to the French President, who said Saturday that Turkey
needed to come to terms with its Ottoman past, van der Linden said:
“This is not the first time he has changed his mind.”
The EU has not made recognizing the 1915-1917 massacres as genocide
a condition for entry into the block, and up until Saturday France
had refused to make a direct link between the two. But when asked
in Yerevan whether the two should be linked, Chirac said “Honestly,
I think so.”
“If there are serious questions, we will tackle them but we don’t
add to (existing) conditions,” van der Linden said in describing the
procedure for entry into the EU. “If there is a loss of confidence,
we create mistrust then the entire negotiation will suffer,” then
lawmaker added.
Founded 60 years ago, the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe is not
part of the European Union.
In a related development, a leading French Socialist who hopes to run
for the presidency said Sunday his party shared Chirac’s view on the
Armenian genocide. “This is also the position of the Socialist Party,”
said former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a contender
for selection as the Socialist candidate for next year’s French
presidential election.
Turkey strongly denies responsibility for genocide, arguing that
300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in an internal
conflict sparked by attempts by Armenians to win independence in
eastern Anatolia.
“We have considered that acknowledgment … of the Armenian genocide
should be made a condition of Turkey’s entry into the EU,” Strauss-Kahn
said on television. “There are plenty of other conditions, but this
one is symbolic,” he stressed.
France, with 400,000 citizens of Armenian descent, officially
recognized the events as genocide in 2001, putting a strain on
relations with Turkey. Previously, however, France had refused to make
a direct link between the genocide issue and Turkey’s EU membership
bid. The bloc of 25 nations has not made it a condition.

YEREVAN TO CELEBRATE ITS 2788TH ANNIVERSARY OCTOBER 13-14
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 14:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian capital of Yerevan will celebrate its
2788th anniversary this year. As Chief of the Department of Culture,
Sport and Youth of the City Hall Kamo Movsisyan told journalists,
festivities will be held in the capital October 13-14. “10 delegations
will visit the city during the celebration,” he said.
The festivities will be full of surprises this year and these will be
held under the personal supervision of Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan.
The opening ceremony will take place in the National Academic Theater
of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiarov, while the closing will
be in the Sport and Concert Complex after K. Dermichyan October 14,
reports Novosti-Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BERNAR FASIE: “CHANGING NEGOTIATIONS FORMAT OUT OF QUESTION”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
OSCE MG co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernar Fasie (France),
Matthew Bryza (USA) have gave a press conference in Baku today,
APA reports.
They regarded the meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as constructive.
Bernar Fasie said their principal aim is to restore direct dialogue
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
We have somewhat achieved our aim in the meeting we had in Baku.
Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to meet with Vardan Oskanyan and we hope
Oskanyan to give a positive answer too”.
They also tried to make clear “Co-chairs creativity has run out”.
“We started mediation mission with new energy after summer holiday.
Our countries consider military solution to the conflict impossible
and make amendments to the settlement principles”.
Yuri Merzlyakov said the principles changed in summer. Bernar Fasie
said they will not release the details.
Bryza said he is optimistic about meeting in Baku and hopes for
constructive meetings in Yerevan and Khankendi. Touching on Verdan
Oskanyan’s statement that Garabagh should also join the settlement
process, Fasie said that changing format of the negotiations is out
of question.
He also touched on the journalists’ remark on their calling Khankendi
as Khankendi/Stepanakert.
“We want to make the parties closer by using this form”.
Yuri Merzlyakov took a stance on the issue of Lachin and Kalbajar.
“Liberation of Lachin and Kalbajar is an issue which can be discussed
by the Foreign Ministers, we can say nothing until they agree on this
issue”.

INAL BATU: “AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY SHOULD TAKE JOINT ACTION AGAINST ARMENIAN IMPUDENCE”
Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
“The European Union countries have been making severe remarks regarding
the sa-called ‘Armenian genocide.'”
“This made both Turkish people and brotherly Azerbaijani people
run out of patience. This is a systematized campaign which aims to
make the Turkish people loose confidence in the European Union and
its targets,” Turkish diplomat, parliamentarian from the Republic
People’s Party Inal Batu told the APA.
The parliamentarian noted that politicians aim to take votes from
electors benefiting from the groundless ‘Armenian genocide.’
“They promised Turkey that it will be treated like other countries
at the discussions. The European Union promised not to put additional
demands for Turkey. However, they did not keep these promises.
Europeans have realized that groundless claims of ‘Armenian genocide’
make us fury, and they focus on this issue on purpose,” Mr.Batu said.
“France is leading in this process. What aim might a state official
Jacques Chirac have by visiting Armenia? This visit shows how Chirac is
far from feelings of justice and historic consciousness. The European
Union keeps ignoring Armenia’s occupying important parts of Azerbaijani
territory leaving more than one million people to become displaced
persons while it keeps on making groundless ‘genocide’ claims.”
Turkish parliamentarian said the Turkish world faces an injustice
bloc. “They are conducting a secret war against us ignoring the
history. Regrettably, France which is taking pride in claiming to be
the cradle of democracy and civilization is leading in this war. I
wish the unfair campaigns against Turkey and Azerbaijan end as soon
as possible.”
He stressed Azerbaijan and Turkey should make joint efforts.
“We share the same language, religion, culture and history. We are
two brotherly countries that have become target of Armenian injustice
and charlatanism. US and European Union break new records every day
regarding double standards. See the latest troubles that happened
to Lebanon. I wonder whether the West will simply observe if Arab
states attacked Israel. Or if Turk Cypriots dominated in Cyprus and
Turks acted in the same way, what would the situation be. We face
such standards of the West in our daily life. Now, there is ‘clash
of cultures.’ Permanent support for Christians in Muslim-Christian
conflicts strengthens hostility against Islam. Though Azerbaijan and
Turkey are secular states, I must say our conditions are becoming more
difficult. We suffer injustice due to bad approach towards Islam,”
he stressed.
Inal Batu have worked for Turkish Foreign Ministry for 40 years. His
last diplomatic mission was to be Turkish ambassador extraordinary
and plenipotentiary ambassador to Italy. He is a prominent diplomat
and politician for defending Turkey’s rightful position on the false
‘Armenian genocide.’
URL:

VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL TALKS HELD AT AZERBAIJANI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS – RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR AT OSCE MINSK GROUP
Author: E. Huseynov, A. Mammadova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
informed journalists that very interesting and useful talks on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution took place at the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Foreign Affairs today [on 2 October]. He was commenting
on the results of consultations held in Baku with the Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the Deputy Foreign Minister as
well as Araz Azimov, the Special Envoy to the Azerbaijani President.
“The talks dealt with the resumption of direct contacts between both
parties in the near future. Merzlyakov stated.
In turn the U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair, said that during the talks he viewed the meeting to be
very constructive.
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will also hold consultations with the
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.