NKR PRESIDENT AND RA FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS INITIATIVES STATED BY CO-CHAIRMEN DURING RECENT PERIOD
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 02 2006
STEPANAKERT, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Prospects of
development of interdepartment cooperation between RA and NKR Foreign
Ministries were discussed at the April 28 meeting of NKR President
Arkadi Ghukasian with the delegation headed by RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian. Attaching importance to deepening of expert’s mutual
cooperation and programs of making existing ties closer, Arkadi
Ghukasian expressed confidence that they will bilaterally assist
strengthening of positions of the Armenian sides in the negotiation
process. The NKR President touched upon the social-economic state and
prospects of development of the country. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the NKR President’s acting Press Secretary, Arkadi Ghukasian had a
private conversation with Vartan Oskanian on the same day. The sides
discussed the present state in settlement process of the Karabakh
conflict and exchanged opinions concerning initiatives stated by the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen.

NKR PRESIDENT SINGS DECREES ON CONFERING HONORARY TITLES AND REWARDING WITH NKR MEDALS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 02 2006
STEPANAKERT, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. NKR President
Arkadi Ghukasian signed a number of decrees on April 29 on confering
honorary titles and rewarding with NKR medals. According to them,
Hamlet Grigorian and Sergey Sargsian were confered title of the NKR
honorary figure of science for great contribution in the affair of
development of the spheres of science, education, display of exclusive
professional skills and scientific activity. As the NKR President’s
acting Press Secretary informed Noyan Tapan, Elmira Gabrielian, Vazgen
Gasparian, Zoya Iskandarian, Armo Mkrtchian, Lyudmila Shakarian were
confered honorary title of the NKR Honorary Pedagogue for teaching
children, teenagers and youth and the exclusive contribution in the
spheres of bringing up. Violeta Baghdasarian was confered honorary
title of the NKR honorary figure of culture. Sergey Avanesian was
confered honorary title of the NKR honorary figure of physical
training and sports. By Arkadi Ghukasian’s decree, Zhasmen Davtian,
Zoya Hovhannisian and Zhanna Hovsepian were rewarded with “Vachagan
Barepasht” medal for development of education and science in the NKR,
preparing qualified specialists, aimful and productive activity in
the spheres of education and brigning up. By NKR President’s another
decree, Aramayis Aghasian, Armenak Davtian, Grisha Ghazarian and
Marat Sahakian were rewarded with “Yerakhtagitoutiun” (gratitute)
medal for significant contribution in the spheres of education and
bringing up of the younger generation.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: “I SEE FUTURE OF ARMENIA IN EUROPEAN UNION, BUT NOT IN RUSSIA-BELARUS UNION”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “I see future of Armenia
in the European Union, but not in the Russia-Belarus union, see in
the succesive European integration,” NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian
stated at the May 2 plenary sitting of the Parliament, at the same
time expressing an opinion that there are no great differences among
positions of himself and other political forces representing the
coalition, as well as of the President of the republic. According to
A.Baghdasarian, if there are differences, they will be discussed,
and as a result, it will be possible to come to corresponding
conclusions. In the case of existence of a serious contrast, the
“Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law) party headed by him is ready to
leave the coalition, not to put the partners in “bad situation.” The NA
Speaker also mentioned that to see future of Armenia in the European
family does not mean that Armenia must have strained relations with
Russia, and he himself is not for opposing Russia and the European
values. According to him, no issue of membership to the NATO is put
on the agenda of the foreign policy being implemented at present,
but to speak about the prospect of deepening relations with the NATO
does not quiet mean that “Armenia must become a NATO member in tomorrow
morning.” Responding independent deputy Hmayak Hovhannisian’s question,
the NA Speaker assured that in his all public speeches, inclduing the
interview given to one of famous German newspapers recently, his and
his force’s position was clearly expressed. “The right of pluralism
is more important than its contents,” Artur Baghdasarian. Expressing
sorrow, that “the successive retreat of morality in the policy of
Armenia brought to a great tragedy,” the NA Speaker mentioned at the
same time, that he, as a “incorrigible optimist,” thinks that not
everything has already been lost.

RA NA PLENARY SITTINGS START ON MAY 2
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Regular plenary sittings of the RA
National Assembly started on May 2. Unlike the usual sittings, they
will last 3 days as the Monday was a holiday. More than 5 dozens of
issues and 13 international agreements presented for the RA President’s
certification are on the agenda. Before starting discussion of issues
on the agenda, the Parliament adopted 7 drafts discussed during the
previous four-days sittings. They envisage amendments and additions
to the acting laws.

NA ULP FACTION’S STAFF TO REMAIN UNCHANGED
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Member of NA United Labor Party faction
Levon Poghosian withdrew his application in the term set after he
made public his resignation. NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian declared
this at the May 2 parliamentary sitting. L.Poghosian, as well as
head of the faction Gurgen Arsenian transferred all shares of the
companies belonging to them to the trust management of the Swiss
juridical company and fulfilled the constitutional requirement
of MP’s being engaged in an entrepreneurial activity this way. To
recap, the application publicized by L.Poghosian at the NA previous
four-day session on resigning his MP commissions and on assuming the
position of Director General of Mshak company was conditioned by the
above-mentioned ban.

ANNUAL REPORT OF FREEDOM HOUSE PRESENTED TO RA NA SPEAKER
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 2, RA National Assembly Speaker
Artur Baghdasarian received the delegation led by Deputy Director
of the Freedom House NGO Thomas Melia, Head of the European Office
Christie Evenson and editor of the Economist Intelligence Unit
Anna Walker. As Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public Relations
Department, Th.Melia presented NA Speaker the 2006 annual report
of the Freedom House NGO mentioning that both the methodologies of
evaluation and the criteria are given in the report. The sides touched
upon the process of Armenian reforms attaching importance to deepening
of democracy, economic developments and free elections, freedom of
speech in the countries experiencing the transitional period for their
progress. Reliability of information was also considered important.

NOR ZHAMANAKNER PARTY CHAIRMAN AND NDI YEREVAN OFFICE DIRECTOR DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES OF HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of home and foreign political
issues, as well as those relating to the organization and fair and
transparent holding of the coming elections were discussed at the
meeting of Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) party Aram Karapetian with
Andrew Benett who has assumed the position of the Director of the
U.S. National Democracy Institute (NDI) Yerevan Central Office. The
meeting was held on May 2 at the NDI office. As Noyan Tapan was
informed from the party’s Press Service, Talin Sanasarian, Director
of NDI programs entitled “Leadership of Women and Political Culture”,
also took part in the meeting that lasted about an hour.

RA DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER ADVISES AZERBAIJAN TO RESTRAIN ITSELF FROM MAKING STATEMENTS ADDRESSED TO ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “This can be said by
a person who has no idea at all about the military service, about
transportations in the theater of war and about the mission of the
transport service,” RA Deputy Defence Minister Artur Aghabekian
declared this commenting upon the Azerbaijani President’s recent
statement made in Washington at the request of Noyan Tapan
correspondent. Ilham Aliyev, in particular, had declared that
Azerbaijan takes an active part in the anti-terrorist actions in
Iraq whereas Armenia only sends drivers there. A.Aghabekian also
advised Azerbaijan to show on TV the mission of its servicemen
in Iraq restraining itself from making statements addressed to
Armenia. According to him, the Defence Ministry constantly publicizes
the service of its staff, in addition, the Armenian servicemen have
been always given numerous letters of thanks and rewards by not only
the Armenian command but also by the command of the multi-national
division for fulfilment of the tasks in Iraq.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THIRD STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS DEDICATED TO WORKING OUT EU-ARMENIA ACTIONS PLAN TO BE HELD ON MAY 3 IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The third stage of the negotiations
dedicated to working out the EU-Armenia Actions Plan within the
framework of the European Neighborhood policy will be held on May 3 in
Yerevan. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Service, representatives of RA interested departments and
European Commission will take part in the negotiations. RA delegation
is led by RA Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Bayburdian, the European
one by Director of the European Commission on Issues of East Europe,
South Caucasus and Central Asia Huge Mingarelli. The provisions
not coordinated at the previous stages will be discussed. The joint
press conference of Armen Bayburdian and Huge Mingarelli will be held
immediately after the meeting.

NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF KYRGHYZSTAN HANDS COPY OF HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA FOREIGN MINISTER
Noyan Tapan
May 02 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 2, newly appointed Ambassador of
Kyrghyzstan to Armenia Apas Jumagulov (residence Moscow) handed the
copy of his credentials to RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. RA
Foreign Minister congratulated the Ambassador of Kyrghyzstan on
the occasion of his appointment and wished him success in his
high mission. Expressing satisfaction with the current state
of Armenian-Kyrghyz relations the interlocutors mentioned that
there is still much to do in the direction of deepening the ties
to which implementation of joint programs in concrete spheres
can contribute. The Ambassador emphasized that Kyrghyzstan has
centuries-old friendly contacts with Armenia and intends to develop
cooperation in different spheres. The interlocutors spoke about
deepening cooperation in international organizations. According to
RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, Apas Jumagulov
was born in 1934. He graduated from the State University of Oil
and Gas after Gubkin, he is an academician of RF Academy of Natural
Sciences. In 1993-1998 he was the Prime Minister of Kyrghyzstan. In
1998-2003 he was the Ambassador of Kyrghyzstan in GDR, in the Kingdoms
of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Since 2005 he has been the Ambassador
of Kyrghyzstan to Russia.