Mammadyarov: Kocharian-Aliyev meeting laid basis for negotiations

Pan Armenian News

MAMMADYAROV: KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING LAID BASIS FOR NEGOTIATION PROCESS

16.09.2005 03:40

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov stated that
`in order to settle Karabakh conflict the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents should act as state men but not as political figures defending
national interests. In his words, the latest Kocharian-Aliyev meeting laid
basis for the negotiation process. `I should like to say that there is
progress but unfortunately problems remain’, he said.

Talvitie: Karabakh conflict should not be disregarded

Pan Armenian News

TALVITIE: KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD NOT BE DISREGARDED

16.09.2005 03:31

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During yesterday’s press conference in Baku EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie stated that despite
the great interest towards the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict should receive proper attention. The EU Special
Representative gave a high estimate to the Kazan meeting of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents and noted the necessity of taking the opportunity.
Mr. Talvitie also said that the organization he represents attaches utter
importance to the upcoming election and he will visit Azerbaijan before and
after the event.

NKR: Karabakh Issue Discussed in Paris

KARABAKH ISSUE DISCUSSED IN PARIS

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
16 Sept 05

On September 12 the first closed meeting of the PACE special
provisional commission on the regulation of the Karabakh issue took
place in Paris. The representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and the representative of the European
Union discussed the present state of the regulation of the conflict.

At the beginning of the meeting the historical background of the
conflict was presented by the executive director of the London
Information Network on Conflicts Denis Samouth. According to the head
of the Armenian delegation in the PACE Tigran Torossian, the
historical outline of the prehistory of the conflict and the present
situation provided an interesting and objective picture of the
conflict. In the meeting Armenia was represented by the head of the
department on the OSCE of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
Varoujan Nersissian, and Azerbaijan was represented by the vice
minister of foreign affairs Araz Azimov. Besides the co-chairs of the
Minsk Group, the special representative of the PACE on Karabakh Goran
Lennmarker and the special representative of the European Union in the
South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie were in the commission too. Nothing new
was said in the opinions expressed during the meeting but once again
it was emphasized that it is impossible to reach a resolution based on
only the principles of territorial integrity or self-determination of
nations. The two principles of the Helsinki agreement, that is
territorial integrity in reference to the so-called occupied
territories and the right for self-determination in reference to
status should be applied together. The Armenian side pointed out the
fact that the necessity of applying the principle of self-determination
is already considered. According to the head of the Armenian
delegation in the PACE Tigran Torossian, a clear understanding of the
fact that without the principle of self-determination of nations the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict is impossible is needed.
According to him, in regulation and decision making it is impossible
to reach good results unless the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh
Republic are involved. Once again stressing the preoccupation of the
international organizations with the peaceful and fair resolution of
the conflict clearly distinguishing between the responsibilities of
the organizations, he mentioned that the Minsk Group should deal with
the regulation, while the PACE should create atmosphere for the
regulation of the issue. `The issue completely fits into the mandate
of the Council of Europe and the obligations assumed by Armenia and
Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe, at the same time the promotion of
Eurointegration of the region has a very important role in the peace
process of the conflict,’ he said. The next meeting will take place in
December but before that the delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan
will meet to discuss the things to do.

CHRSITINE MNATSAKANIAN.
16-09-2005

RA FM held several bilateral meetings in New York

Pan Armenian News

RA FM HELD SEVERAL BILATERAL MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

16.09.2005 02:58

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian held several bilateral
meetings on his first working day in New York, where he is accompanying
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan to the 60th anniversary of the UN General
Assembly. On Thursday, the Foreign Minister met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
European Union Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood
Policy. They spoke about the ENP. The Minister briefed the Commissioner on
the current state of negotiations regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Minister Oskanian also met with George Iacovou, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Cyprus. They discussed regional issues as well as cooperation in
international organizations. Later, Minister Oskanian met with Ahmed Aboul
Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Minister Oskanian presented to
Minister Aboul Gheit President Kocharian¹s letter of congratulations to
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed developments in the
Middle East, and in the Caucasus. Minister Oskanian spoke with Pierre
Chevalier, Belgium¹s special envoy to the OSCE. The Minister explained
Armenia¹s cooperation with the OSCE at various levels, expressing Armenia¹s
appreciation for OSCE support in various areas, including democratic
development, regional development. The Minister briefed Ambassador Chevalier
on the ongoing Karabakh talks and prospects for a resolution. In the margins
of the UN General Assembly, the Francophonie Association held a high level
meeting. Minister Oskanian participated in the meeting which focused on ways
the developed world can help the developing world to alleviate poverty. The
Minister also held a working meeting with OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair
Ambassador Steven Mann. Prime Minister Margaryan will address the General
Assembly on Friday, September 16, and Foreign Minister Oskanian will do so
on Sunday, September 18.

Government Discusses Draft Decision on Permission To Sell ENA

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DISCUSSES DRAFT DECISION ON PERMISSION TO SELL ENA

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. At the September 15 sitting, the
Armenian government discussed the draft decision in connection with
the bid submitted to the RA government by the Midland Resources
Holding Limited company regarding the alienation of 100% of the shares
of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) CJSC.

To recap, Midland Resources – the owner of ENA – applied to the
Armenian government and the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission
in order to get their consent for selling 100% of ENA shares to the
Inter Energo company (Russia). ENA was recently given to Inter Energo
for trust management for 90 years.

According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, the RA
Ministry of Energy must, within a three-day period, negotiate with the
concerned parties the issues related to the obligations that the draft
decision contains in order to calrify these issues and stipulate them
in the draft, and in case of failing to reach an agreement it must
consider the draft decision as not adopted.

Tehran Primate to Participate in Assyrian Church Celebs in Damascus

PRIMATE OF ARMENIAN DIOCESE OF TEHRAN TO PARTICIPATE IN DAMASCUS IN
CELEBRATIONS DEDICATED TO 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ASSYRIAN CHURCH
SUPERIOR’S ACCESSION

TEHRAN, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Late on September
13, Archbishop Sepuh Sargsian, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of
Tehran left for Damascus, the capital of Syria to participate in
celebrations dedicated to the 25th anniversary of accession of Mar
Zakka I Iuazi, the spiritual superior of the Assyrian sister-church.

According to the “Alik” daily of Tehran, His Holiness Pimate will head
the delegation appointed by Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, members of which Archbishop Gegham Khacherian, the Primate of
the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, Archimandrite Norayr Ashgian, Sumbul
Sumbulian and Nubar Melikian are.

His Holiness Sepuh with the delegation he heads will participate in
church events and celebrations and will made a speech in the name of
the Great House of Cilicia on that occasion.

His Holiness Primate will return Tehran on September 16.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Repaired School Building Opens in Akhalkalak Village of Ghado

REPAIRED SCHOOL BUILDING OPENS IN AKHALKALAK VILLAGE OF GHADO

AKHALKALAK, SEPTEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The opening
of the repaired school building of village of Ghado of Akhalkalak
region took place on September 10. The building was repaired on the
initiative of the Commission of Programs of Assistance to Javakhk of
the Union of Armenian Relief with the resources given by the Armenian
Diocesan Council of Tehran.

Ghado school building was built in 1950-s and hadn’t been repaired up
to this year. The building was accident-prone. In order to avoid an
accident part of the building was isolated and lessons were held here
by 2 shifts. Today the building is already repaired and can stand at
least 20 years.

Bagrat Sargsian, Chairman of the Commission of Programs of Assistance
to Javakhk of the Union of Armenian Relief, Yesayi Abrahamian, Deputy
Chairman of Armenian Diocesan Council of Tehran, participated in the
solemn ceremony of opening of the repaired school building.

The teachers, pupils and parents of Ghado school expressed their
gratitude to the benefactors and organizers of construction.

Yesayi Abrahamian mentioned that living abroad, far from their
homeland, they realize the significance of the Armenian school very
well and sponsorship of repair of a school in Javakhk isn’t
accidental.

Congratulating all residents of Ghado, Bagrat Sargsian, Chairman of
the Commission of Programs of Assistance to Javakhk of the Union of
Armenian Relief, mentioned that the commission will try to attend to
the issue of furnishing of the school, as well.

According to the A-Info agency, the same day the opening of a new
first aid post took place in the village of Azavret of Akhalkalak
region. The first aid post was also repaired by the Commission of
Programs of Assistance to Javakhk of the Union of Armenian Relief.

FM Meets with PACE Secretary General, AGO’s Group, Venice Commish.

VARTAN OSKANIAN MEETS WITH PACE SECRETARY GENERAL, AGO’S GROUP,
CHAIRMAN OF VENICE COMMISSION

STRASBOURG, SEPTEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Vartan
Oskanian, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Armenia met with Bruno
Haller, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe, Ambassador Roland Wegener, the head of the Ago’s
Monitoring Group of the CE Committee of Ministers, then with the all
staff of the Ago’s Monitoring Group. Gianni Buquicchio, the Chairman
of the Venice Commission also participated in the last meeting.

At the meetings, the parties discussed the process of the
constitutional reforms and provided by it, the process of
implementation of obligations undertaken by Armenia in front of the
Council of Europe.

Attaching importance to the significance of the constitutional reforms
in the direction of development of democracy in Armenia and completing
the obligations undertaken in front of the CE, the CE officials again
expressed their assistance to the package of reforms, expressing hope
that the people of Armenia will estimate their significance for future
of the country and will orient in this situation right.

Vartan Oskanian informed the CE officials about the latest
developments of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as well.

In the evening, V.Oskanian met with Ambassador of Portugal Duarte, the
CE Ministers’ delegate.

Tigran Torosian Notes Two Circumstances Among Paris Discussions

TIGRAN TOROSIAN ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO TWO CIRCUMSTANCES AMONG PARIS
DISCUSSIONS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE

PARIS, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Tigran Torosian,
the NA Deputy Chairman, the head of the Armenian delegation at the
PACE, attaches importance to two circumstances at the September 12
hearings in Paris concerning the Nagorno Karabakh issue within the
framework of the Ad hoc Committee created for using the PACE 14-16
resolution. As Tigran Torosian informed the NA Public Relations
Department, the first of them is that in such structures the Minsk
Group Co-Chairmen and not only they but the Ad hoc Committee members
as well have already started to speak about the necessity of using the
principle of nations’ self-determination. The second important
circumstance is that the opinion that mandates of the Council of
Europe and the OSCE must be separated was predominant.

At the hearings, Denis Samouth, the representative of the British NGO
Links, who is famous among the society for his activity within the
parliamentary initiative of the South Caucasus as well, presented a
historic review concerning the pre-history of the conflict and the
present state. According to Tigran Torosian, the report was
interesting and balanced and creating an objective idea about the
conflict.

Varuzhan Nersisian, the head of the OSCE Department of the RA Foreign
Ministry, presented positions of Armenia concerning the process and
prospects of settlement. Araz Azimov, the Foreign Minister of
Azerbaijan was to do the same, who, however, presented his owm notions
instead of presenting the viewpoint of his country.

Then, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Bernard Fassier (France) and Yuri
Merzlyakov (Russia) as well as the representative of Steven Mann (USA)
made speeches. The main idea expressed by the Co-Chairmen was the
following: it’s impossible to give a solution based only on the
principles of territorial entity or nations’ self-determination, both
principles of the Helsinki Agreement should by used: the territorial
entity related to so called “occupied territories,” and the right of
self-determination in the issue relating to the status.

Andrej Kasprczik, the personal representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, and Goran Lenmarker, the special representative on
the Nagorno Karabakh issue of the OSCE Parlaimentary Assembly made
speeches. The latter repeated the ideas of his famous report,
emphasizing the solution of the issue by giving Nagorno Karabakh wide
self-governance in the structure of Azerbaijan.

Heads of delegations of the Minsk Group in the South Caucasus and
other members of the Committee, Heiki Talvitie, the EU special
representative in the South Caucasus made their speeches as
well. Among them, the NA Deputy Chairman pointed out the speech of
Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the RF delegation. The latter
mentioned that conflicts have different reasons and pre-histories and
should have different solutions, at the same time emphasizing that the
Council of Europe shouldn’t duplicate the OSCE activity, and the
solution should take into account both territorial entity and right of
nations to self-determination.

The head of the delegation of Turkey attempted to repeat Azerbaijani
legend concerning 20% of the Azerbaijani territory, but tangled and
then attempted to present other numbers.

The head of the Armenian delegation at the PACE and another Committee
member from Armenia, Shavarsh Kocharian, the representative of the
opposition made speeches from Armenia. Tigran Torosian emphasized that
there are some very important foundamental issues concerning the
problem settlement. The first of them is a clear separation of
differences of mandates by the PACE and, in general, the Council of
Europe and by the OSCE Minsk Group: the Minsk Group should undertake
problems of the conflict settlement, and the CE should undertake
creation of an atmosphere necessary for the problem settlement. This
issue fully meet both CE mandate in general and obligations of Armenia
and Azerbaijan before the Council of Europe. At the same time,
deepening of the European integration in the region is of upmost
importance for securing a peaceful solution of the conflict. It was
mentioned that there should be a clear notion on the fact that it
would be impossible to secure in any way a positive result of that
process without representatives of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
during the settlement process and making decisions. At the same time,
there should be a clear notion on the fact that the solution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is impossible without using the principle of
the self-determination of nations. It was specially emphasized that
creation of obseving mechanisms for implementation of proposals of
14-16 resolution is too important in order that it is clear which of
the parties carries out those proposals and which of them neglects
them.

In respond to Azeris’ questions, Shavarsh Kocharian presented numerous
facts concerning the war propaganda, thus, concerning those points
which obviously oppose the spirit of 14-16 resolution.

Few times there were questions relating to settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh problem by the example of Aland Isls. Concerning to this, the
head of the Armenian delegation presented that when Arkadi Ghukasian,
the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh was asked such a
question, he clearly answered that just now we are ready to sign an
agreement concerning upmost possible self-governance, only … in the
structure of Finland.

There were numerous questions connected with Azerbaijani approaches,
particularly, concerning increasing of military expenses and martial
statements.

After the discussion, the Committee continued its work. It was decided
that the next meeting will take place in December but before that,
during the the October session, a meeting of delegations of Armenia
and Azerbaijan is necessary for discussing further activity.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Company Maz to Export 100 Cars to Armenia in 2006

COMPANY MAZ TO EXPORT 100 CARS TO ARMENIA IN 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Belarusian company MAZ, which
is taking part in the Armenia Expo 2005 exhibition that opened in
Yerevan on September 14, plans to export 100 trucks and dump trucks to
Armenia in 2006, which will exceed twofold this year’s
index. According to Stepan Abramovich, Head of the company’s
Department for Export to CIS and Central Asian Countires, out of the
50 trucks envisaged to be exported to Armenia this year, 30 ones have
already been transported to the country.

MAZ started exporting trucks to Armenia two years ago. The company’s
main Armenian customer is the Yerevan Brandy Plant. Construction and
mining indusrty companies have also begun to order cars due to the
economic growth in the country. Although in terms of quality MAZ
production is not inferior to that of other foreign companies, its
trucks are cheaper by almost 50%.