EU OFFICIAL ISSUES CAUTION OVER TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, Czech Republic
Oct 5 2005
5 October 2005 — The European Union’s external relations commissioner,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, warned today that Azerbaijan risks delaying
its participation in the EU’s European Neighborhood Program by pursuing
ties with Northern Cyprus.
“I told the Azeris clearly: ‘If they do not change their attitude, if
they do not find a solution, we will start moving ahead with Armenia
and Georgia,'” Ferrero-Waldner said. “We’re hoping now that the Azeris
will find a solution, but this is going to be a matter of some weeks
after I must give the go-ahead to the others [Armenia and Georgia]
because I cannot let them wait.”
The EU only recognizes the Greek-community government of the divided
island, which joined the EU in 2004.
Cyprus is now blocking Azerbaijan’s progress in the European
neighborhood program — also known as the wider Europe initiative —
over Baku’s links to the Turkish part of Cyprus, having specifically
complained about commercial flight activity.
Ferrero-Waldner, who was speaking before the European Parliament’s
foreign affairs committee in Brussels, said she had warned Azerbaijan
of the risk.

AZERI PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE DEFENSE BUILDUP
RIA Novosti, Russia
Oct 5 2005
BAKU, October 5 (RIA Novosti, Gerai Dadashev) – Azeri President Ilkham
Aliyev said Wednesday that his government would continue building up
the nation’s defense capabilities.
“We have to enhance our military potential as our lands are under
occupation,” Aliyev said during a tour of the National Guards’ new
headquarters. He said the government had increased defense spending
to $300 million this year, up from $175 million in 2004, and would
bring it to $600 million in 2006.
Aliyev said the negotiations with Armenia over the disputed region
of Nagorny Karabakh had so far failed to yield any positive effect,
meaning that having a strong army was of great importance to
Azerbaijan.
He said the National Guards were instrumental in maintaining stability
in the country and ensuring the security of regional pipelines.

SPEECH OF ALIYEV AT MEETING WITH STAFF OF SPECIAL STATE SECURITY SERVICE
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 5 2005
Dear soldiers, officers and generals,
I extend to all of you my heartfelt greetings and best wishes for
your glorious service to Motherland.
The National Guard of Azerbaijan was created after the country
restored its independence. In those years, the National Guard was
fighting selflessly against the Armenian occupants sacrificing their
lives for independence of Azerbaijan. The anarchy and chaos reigned
over the country questioning its very independence and future. The
turning point came in 1993 when national leader of our people Heydar
Aliyev returned to power in Azerbaijan. This allowed to re-establish
peace, stability and order in the country and paved the way for its
sustainable development. However, there were forces eager to plunge
the country into chaos and anarchy again.
We all remember quite well the coup attempts in 1994-95 suppressed
due to the courage of the national leader Heydar Aliyev and support he
had from the Azerbaijani people. The role of the National Guard then
was also great. Uniting around its leader, the people of Azerbaijan
achieved stability and managed to maintain it until now.
Stability is the basic condition for development of any country.
Social and political life in Azerbaijan is going well. Our country is
a rapidly developing one. The processes taking place in Azerbaijan are
decisive for the country’s present and future. Very important steps are
being taken towards improvement of the Azerbaijani people’s welfare.
Heydar Aliyev played a great in building of the Special State Security
Service and National Guard. It was beginning from the mid 1990s that
guardsmen were provided with logistical support, and considerably
improved their skills. Today, the process of army building is going
on rapidly. The yearly increasing military spending allows us to
maintain our military potential on a very high standard.
The 2006 military spending is going to be $600 mln against $300
mln in 2005 and 175 mln in 2004. This is a graphic evidence of the
governmental care about the army building, which foundation was laid
by national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.
Azerbaijan has great possibilities, possesses huge natural resources.
As you know, the new oil strategy initiated by Heydar Aliyev in 1994
have led to great changes in Azerbaijan. The dynamic development of
our country, rapid economic growth and improvement of the people’s
social conditions are the outcomes of that oil strategy. Of course,
the Heydar Aliyev Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is playing a key
role in maintenance and strengthening peace and stability in the
region, and, therefore, sustainable development within Azerbaijan.
This pipeline will create better possibilities for Azerbaijan bringing
in huge revenues to the country. From this standpoint, the National
Guard will have to bear vast responsibility. I am sure security of
this pipeline will be duly ensured in the future.
We should make it, and strengthen the defensive potential as we live
in conditions of war. Clearing of our lands occupied as a result
of aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, is the most important
question, the most important problem Azerbaijan faces. We aspire
to solve in the peace way the mentioned question. As you know,
negotiations are underway, however, the result is not present.
Creation of powerful military potential in that case is necessary. It
is equitable to our national interests. The potential of the Azerbaijan
army, which becomes the big force in region, becomes stronger. Further,
we shall support this rate of growth, even more to raise potential of
army, to increase the military budget and we shall achieve liberation
of the Azerbaijan lands.
Certainly, extremely important role in it is played by strengthening
economic potential, preservation of stability in Azerbaijan,
maintenance of social order. In the given direction, huge work is
carried out, and the role of National Guards in this cause is enormous.
The National Guards has protected great leader Heydar Aliyev
during the most difficult periods of the history of Azerbaijan –
in 1994-1995, has provided its protection and, thus, has protected
independence of the Azerbaijan state. Should there not be Heydar
Aliyev, if at that time he did not manage over Azerbaijan, existence
of Azerbaijan, as the independent state would be in doubt. And today,
the National Guards, Special Service protect me, the President and
Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Azerbaijan
Republic. My safety, and, thus, provided stability in Azerbaijan.
I do not doubt that all accepted decisions will be executed, and the
goals will be achieved. Azerbaijan develops very intensively. We have
great prospects. However, the happy future of our country depends on
all of us. All of us, everyone on the place, should aspire to bring
contribution to strengthening of the state independence of Azerbaijan.
Social questions of National Guards and Special Services also find
solution. To the given questions, we pay big attention, salaries raise,
the material base becomes stronger, at the same time we solve household
problems of employees. So it also should be. Azerbaijan develops,
in our country enormous work is carried out, and each citizen, in
particular, each person who is taking place on military service should
live well. It should not have household problems, and it should receive
the good salary and adequately serve. I am confident that creative work
going in our country, dynamics of development will allow us to achieve
all targets, comprehensively to strengthen our country. Economic
development, social justice, development of political processes in
a normal way and protection of stability, calmness and safety of our
country are the most important questions in the years ahead.
Azerbaijan will become a rich, powerful state. Now, in the world
there are new threats, and new challenges. In some cases, processes
going in the world result in very bitter consequences. In the various
countries there are monstrous acts of terrorism. In the places,
which took place near our borders, it is possible to tell, acts of
terrorism are made on a regular basis. But Azerbaijan is a space
of stability. Azerbaijan is space of safety. And we should protect,
and we protect this stability. We have opportunities for this purpose.
First of all, patriotism of Azerbaijani people, normal work of
the Azerbaijan military men and law enforcement bodies, operative,
and also the technical and other actions spent for prevention of the
negative facts which can take place in Azerbaijan, allow us to support
this peace and stability in Azerbaijan both now, and henceforth.
At all times, and during management of Azerbaijan in 1970s, our
national leader Heydar Aliyev had huge merits before the Azerbaijani
people. All life of the national leader – in 1990s as the President
of Republic, has provided development of Azerbaijan, has achieved
that Azerbaijan became a worthy member of the world community,
consist in service to people. One of the major among all carried
out works will be that in Azerbaijan stability, calmness, the peace
has been established. In Azerbaijan, has been created a strong army,
and the military men are capable to solve all tasks put before them.
Dear friends!
Dear soldiers, officers, generals!
Dear guardsmen!
Once again I warmly welcome you and wish successes in your honorable
service in the name of Motherland. Thanks.

TURKEY – MEMBERSHIP OR PARTNERSHIP?
written by: Dieter Farwick, 05-Oct-05
PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
Oct 5 2005
Turkey and the Asian and European neighbours It was a last minute
compromise. The question: “Turkey – membership or partnership?” had
become the remaining stumbling block on the road to negotiations
between the European Union and Turkey.
It came to some as a surprise that Austria rejected the proposal for
negotiations agreed upon by the 25 European heads of state in December
2004, negotiations with only one objective: Full membership of Turkey –
if and when Turkey meets the standards and criteria the EU has set.
Austria – against the rest of the EU.
In European countries, the resistance of Austria was met with more
sympathy than in the European governments. Why? For many people in
Europe, the perception of the EU has changed and there is no attractive
vision left.
The rejection of the proposed constitution by France and the
Netherlands brought back the question: Which kind of Europe do we
really want? Where are the cultural and physical borders of Europe?
Bureaucracy and centralization in Brussels have acquired a more
negative connotation. The rejection of the EU constitution by both
France and the Netherlands has made it obvious that the EU is not
in good shape. The extension by 10 new members without a necessary
reform is hard to digest. Cheap labor from the new members caused more
unemployment in the “old European countries”. The failing integration
of Muslims in many European countries and the terrorist attacks by
Muslims in summer 2005 increased already existing irritations and
uncertainties.
More countries will join the EU before the decision concerning Turkey
will be taken. The crucial question remains: Will the EU “25 plus” be
able to take Turkey in and will Turkey be able to meet the standards?
If and when Turkey becomes a member of the EU in 10-15 years time,
Turkey would become Nr.1 as far as population is concerned. It would
receive about 70 seats in the EU parliament – at the expense of the
“old” member states. Today, Turkey is a secular state. Will it last
the next decade? As Austria has shown, a single member can block
any decision. The EU is based on the common values derived from a
Christian – occidental culture. Turkey’s membership would certainly
change this character.
Without a doubt: Turkey will remain very important for the West’s
stability and security. Turkey is a springboard for Western ideas in
the Broader Middle East and Asia, where remarkable ethnic bindings
exist.
Turkey is a very strong pillar of the North Atlantic Alliance/NATO.
Having worked with Turkish soldiers, I appreciate them in integrated
NATO HQ and know the military skills of their troops. Being a member
of NATO, Turkey gets all support needed for security and stability.
The West gets all it needs through this membership in NATO as well.
Is there a need for additional support? Could a so-called “privileged
partnership” be a substitute for full membership?
The greatest mistake of the past might be that the United States and
Europe raised expectations that were too high for Turkey. On the other
hand, Turkish politics towards Cyprus, which is already a member of
the EU and the behavior concerning the Armenian genocide were not
very helpful.
With some hours delay, the official negotiations started on October
3 – as planned before – in Luxemburg.
Dr. Andrea Riemer of Austria, who has written newsletters for us
before, poses the decisive questions and tries to find some answers.
She offers a yardstick for all of us following the further
development. The topic EU/Turkey will be with us for the next 10-15
years. It is worth being presented here.
Turkey has to change a lot to become eligible for full membership in
the EU. It must become more democratic and tolerant toward ethnic
minorities. This process in itself is already a success – as was
shown in other countries aiming at membership in the EU.
World Security Network.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTER RULES OUT REGIME CHANGE AFTER ARMENIAN REFERENDUM
By Karine Kalantarian
Armenialiberty.org, Armenia
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 5 2005
Armenia’s government will not feel obliged to resign in the event of
its failure to push through constitutional amendments at the upcoming
referendum, one of its most influential members said on Wednesday.
Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian, also insisted that
popular apathy toward the proposed constitutional reform is not as
widespread as opinion polls and the media suggest.
“I want to assure all those people who don’t wish the authorities well
that nothing will happen if we fail to … ensure the [necessary]
voter turnout,” Abrahamian told RFE/RL. “If there are people who
think that the authorities must resign if the referendum fails,
they are badly wrong,” he added.
Armenia’s leading opposition forces hope to use the referendum,
slated for November 27, for a fresh attempt at regime change.
Opposition leaders say the rejection of the draft amendments to the
Armenian constitution would mean a popular vote of no confidence in
President Robert Kocharian and his administration.
However, Kocharian’s top allies reject any linkage between their
legitimacy and the outcome of the vote. “I find talk of regime change
inappropriate,” parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian said on Tuesday.
Abrahamian, who is widely regarded as Armenia’s unofficial deputy prime
minister, disagreed with those who believe that few Armenians show
interest in Kocharian’s package of amendments endorsed by Europe and
the United States. “I am convinced that the turnout will be adequate,”
he said. “We will do everything to get the people to participate and
explain to the people by means of propaganda that the constitutional
reform is very important for the country’s image and democratization.”
To pass, the amendments must be backed by at least one third of
Armenia’s 2.4 million eligible voters. An opinion poll released
last month suggested that only 13 percent of Yerevan residents will
definitely take part in the referendum. Baghdasarian himself stated
on September 12 that most Armenians “do not care” about the reform
which is dismissed as insignificant by the opposition.
According to Abrahamian, although the authorities will do “a lot of
work” to ensure a positive outcome of the referendum, they “can not
force people to take part in it.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS MULLS OVER EUROPE’S TURKEY DEAL
EurActiv.com, Belgium
Oct 5 2005
In Short:
A “victory”, “half yes” and “bad job” are words that stick out in
editorials in the press across the continent after the EU’s decision
on 3 October to start accession talks with Turkey.
Background:
Following four decades of preparations and a few days of heated
disputes, the EU formally opened accession talks with Turkey on
3 October.
Issues:
Beyond Turkey’s acceptance as a negotiating candidate, the 3 October
decisions reached in Luxembourg also affect Croatia and may have a
bearing on the Union’s future enlargement. Austria’s stance is also
a major moot point.
Positions:
Britain
According to The Times, “Austria has made an ugly contribution,
calling for the defence of “Fortress Europe”. Its objections sound
xenophobic as well as utterly futile, given that Austrian jobs will
face fierce competition from countries other than Turkey[…] but it
has made two important points, which Britain, Turkey’s most passionate
advocate, must answer. The first is that Europe has made a bad job
in the past of insisting that accession countries actually carry out
the reforms that they have promised to make. The second is that the
Austrian Government is “listening to the people”. After the defeat
of the constitution in France and the Netherlands this summer, that
is not an argument that any European leader can dismiss.”
The Mail also lauded Britain’s victory, adding that “the 25-nation EU
made clear its capacity to embrace the NATO nation on the borders of
Europe and the Middle East would be a factor in the pace of entry,
as well as Ankara’s progress in meeting strict criteria on rights
and other issues.”
The Financial Times chose to highlight the risks and the drawbacks
associated with the start of Turkey’s accession talks. “The 25
governments have failed not merely to sell the idea of future
enlargement, but also to persuade their electorates the last was a
good idea”.
The Independent said that the 3 October “decision could be one of the
most far-reaching taken since France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands,
Belgium and Luxembourg, first embarked on their experiment in European
integration half a century ago. A project originally designed to heal
the divisions in Europe is now in the vanguard of efforts to build
bridges between the West and the Islamic world.”
France
According to Le Figaro, “Cette victoire a l’arrache, dans une
atmosphère surrealiste, a laisse des traces, notamment dans les
pays d’Europe centrale. Plusieurs delegations reprochent aux
Britanniques leur methode de negociation un peu brutales, pas
toujours très transparentes, privilegiant les contacts bilateraux
aux reunions de groupe. […] Cet accord secret ternit la victoire de
la Grande-Bretagne, qui a dû renoncer a sa position de principe sur
le Tribunal penal international et sur la Croatie pour obtenir gain
de cause sur la Turquie. Ce marchandage inavouable, qui a abouti a
l’ouverture inattendue des pourparlers d’adhesion avec Zagreb lundi
soir, decredibilise en meme temps le discours de Carla Del Ponte,
qui assure, sans convaincre, qu’elle n’a subi aucune pression pour
donner son feu vert sur la Croatie”.
“On aurait aime pouvoir applaudir la decision des Vingt-Cinq de tenir
parole en engageant des negociations avec la Turquie et la Croatie,
comme une preuve de la vision strategique […]”, writes French
daily Liberation. “Helas, ils l’ont fait de la pire manière. Moins par
conviction que pour eviter un nouvel echec, après le rejet du projet de
Constitution et le budget introuvable. Et en raison d’un marchandage
­” Croatie contre Turquie “­ qui prouve, dans le cas croate, que les
principes du droit international que l’UE pretend defendre bec et
ongles pèsent peu au regard de considerations politiques. Et, dans
le cas turc, qu’une fuite en avant dans le sens de l’elargissement
empeche le debat, pourtant indispensable, sur les implications de ce
processus […]
Germany
Germany’s Der Tagesspiegel likened the EU to a “woman who, just
before getting married, decides that Europe needs more time to mull
over whether they can end up as a couple or simply be good friends”.
Die Welt said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel “spoke out loud
what numerous Europeans think, but are not allowed to say: full EU
membership for Turkey is nonsense until the fundamental questions of
the EU’s purpose, size and finances have been clarified.”
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Europe risks being
destroyed by aiming to expand beyond its limits.
Deutsche Welle said that “The ultimate aim of the talks is, inevitably,
Turkish accession, but entry is by no means in the bag.
[…] For the time being, piling on the pressure [on Turkey] is
counter-productive – all it will do is fan the flames of anti-EU
sentiment within this mainly Muslim country”.
Austria
Der Standard pointed to the possible motives behind Austria’s
insistence on changing Turkey’s negotiating framework (the changes,
actually, were “hardly perceptible”, the author added). It said that a
key driving power was Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik’s “look what we
dare” approach which was aimed at diverting the public’s attention from
the government’s approaching fiasco in the Steiermark by-elections.
Die Presse said that Vienna “played a high-risk game and won”.
“Nobody can take away from [Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel] the merit
of having been the only head of government to have openly expressed
the deep unease of Europe’s citizens over the EU’s policy on Turkey”.
The Netherlands
The Dutch paper De Volkskrant calls the EU’s decision a “Pyrrhic
victory”. Only at the expense of loss of credibility could the EU
have left the road it had taken many years ago. But continuing on
this road might also have negative consequences as a majority of the
public opinion clearly opposes Turkey’s membership. Sometimes it is
better to turn halfway than to continue, even if the original journey
looked promising, argues the paper.
Turkey
Hurriyet said that after 3 October “we are entering Europe on the
way to peace and co-operation”.
Milliyet lauded the opening of the accession talks as a “crucially
important step” towards “a new Europe and a new Turkey”.
The daily Sabah’s headline said that “Turkey and the EU lock their
fates, the civilisations embrace”.
Spain
The Spanish daily El Mundo said that “Turkey received a half yes”.
The paper recalled that the main stumbling bloc in the way of Turkey
is its “huge population and the state of its economy” and that many
EU countries and citizens remain wary of Turkey’s eventual accession.
El Pais warned that “the end of this adventure is not in the bag. If
what began today goes wrong in the end, it will be bad news for
everyone”.
Hungary
The daily Magyar Hirlap quoted a spokesman of the Hungarian Foreign
Ministry as saying that the 3 October decision was a “brave and
historical one”. According to Budapest, membership of the EU is the
most efficient method for encouraging the democratic processes and
settling disputes in a peaceful manner. Hungary will do its best
to help Turkey as well as Croatia in their preparation for full
EU membership.
Slovakia
According to the daily SME, Bratislava has been a supporter of Turkey’s
EU bid since the beginning. At the same time, the Slovak parliament
adopted a resolution in which it considered the killing of Armenians
in the 1920s a genocide. The paper recalled that Slovak Prime Minister
Mikulas Dzurinda welcomed the opening of negotiations with both Ankara
and Zagreb. Meanwhile, the country’s governing conservative party
(the Christian Democrats – KDH) are opposed to Turkey’s EU accession.
Czech Republic
The Czech daily Hospodarske Noviny said that while the country’s Prime
Minister Jiri Paroubek welcomed the acceptance of Turkey and Croatia as
negotiating candidates, the Czech People’s Party continues to favour a
“privileged partnership” scenario for Turkey and would prefer to put
Turkey’s EU accession to referendum in the country.
Romania
The daily Evenimentul Zilei said that “Old member of NATO, Turkey,
participates in the Alliance with the second biggest army after the US
(who intervened in favour of the accession). [Turkey] has potential
due to the fast economic growth. And demographically, it would bring
youth to the aging population of Europe, where a pension crisis is
occurring. On the other hand, the EU is going to absorb a country
with a population of 70 million, with an income per capita lower
that Romania’s. The regional funds and the agricultural subsidies
for Turkey would seriously affect the community budget, the same
budget the East Europeans are stretching. Turkey would bring to the
EU traditions and mentalities different to the European ones, most of
them belonging to the Islamic religion. But Turkey is a secular state,
not an Islamic one”.
Denmark
The daily Politiken said that “The goodwill that has benefited
countries like Bulgaria and Romania, and which in the view of many
observers has paved the way for them into the EU in spite of them
not quite respecting the actual membership conditions, will not apply
to Turkey”.
Sweden
The daily Dagens Nyheter said that “One could claim the enlargement
is one of the EU’s big achievements. It has united a Europe that was
once separated by force. The EU has managed to spread democracy and
respect for human rights in a way the US has never done […] If the
EU lets go of this task, turns inward and stops its growth, one could
even ask what good the EU actually does”.
–Boundary_(ID_MM4AdnFmsVa0lj3wRTNlQQ)–

LATVIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES TOMORROW IN ARMENIA
Armenpress
Oct 05, 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: President of Latvia, Vajra
Vike-Freiberga, is arriving in Armenia on October 6 on the third
and last leg of her South Caucasian visit. After visiting Azerbaijan
she is now in Georgia. Her delegation includes her husband, Imants
Freiberga and also government ministers and around 50 businessmen.
The goal of the visit is to discuss boosting bilateral ties, to deepen
cooperation and outline priorities of economic cooperation. She and
her Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, will also discuss regional
issues and European integration. Both presidents will have face-to-face
talks and then will sign a number of agreements, including a joint
declaration by the presidents, an agreement on encouraging reciprocal
investments, agreements on customs and cultural cooperation. They
will also hold a briefing for the press.
Latvian president will also meet with parliament chairman and prime
minister. Kocharian and Mrs. Freiberga will also attend a business
forum.
She will also visit the Genocide Memorial, will meet with the faculty
and students of Yerevan University and also visit Etchmiadzin, the
Brandy Factory and Martiros Sarian Museum. Diplomatic relations
between Latvia and Armenia were established in 2002. Armenian
president Kocharian visited Latvia in 2002 June. Trade between the
two countries in the first six months of 2005 was $1.5 million. The
Armenian community of Latvia is about 3,000 people, but only 20
percent of them have Latvian citizenship.

OFFICIAL REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN STARTED
Armenpress
Oct 05, 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The official campaign for
constitutional referendum started on October 4 after President
Robert Kocharian signed an order setting November 27 as the date for
constitutional referendum. Under the law on referendum the deadline is
November 26. The law also envisages release of budget funds for the
campaign and holding of the referendum to be handled by the Central
Election Commission (CEC).
The also provides for establishment of campaign funds by individuals
The amendments are intended to impose a more strict separation of
powers between the judicial, executive and legislative branches. The
proposed changes also include removal of a clause outlawing dual
citizenship for members of Armenia’s large foreign Diaspora.
Lawmakers passed the amendments on Sep. 28 by a 89-0 vote, with one
abstention. The vote was boycotted by the opposition which called
on Armenians to reject the amendments. The package of amendments
is deemed passed if supported by 780,000 votes, one third of 2,339,
704 eligible voters.

PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES VISITS ARMENIA
Council of Europe

Oct 5 2005
/noticias.info/ Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, is paying an
official visit to Armenia from 4 to 6 October. He has met President
of the Republic Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
Speaker of the National Assembly Artur Baghdasaryan, Minister of
the Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamyan, Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vardan Oskanyan, and Mayor of Yerevan Evand Zakharyan..
During the visit, the Congress President proposed to create a Network
of Local and Regional Authorities from the Caucasian countries. Mr Di
Stasi also confirmed the readiness of the Council of Europe Congress
to assist the Armenian authorities in implementing the amendments
to the Armenian Constitution, in particular concerning the status of
the city of Yerevan.
On 5 October, Mr Di Stasi participated in the opening of the 18th
Annual Seminar of the European Network of Training Institutions for
Local and Regional Authorities (ENTO), organised in co-operation with
the Congress and the Communities Association of Armenia. The aim of
the seminar is to provide a forum for in-depth debate and exchange of
information, experiences, best practices on the theme “Training and
Transborder Cooperation in Europe”. The sub-themes of the seminar are
“Transcaucasian co-operation” and “Training for Emergency Planning”.
The seminar is targeted at directors of training centres, training
project managers, senior executive officers responsible for training
and local public services, decision-makers, local and regional
elected representatives, practitioners and academics involved in the
subject. The seminar format places special emphasis on innovative
working methods, such as the open space method, presentation of
national examples and the best practices and networking.
President Di Stasi, Minister of Territorial Administration Abrahamyan
and the ENTO President Gert Fieguth will give a press conference on
Thursday 6 October at 10.00 a.m. in the building of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Deputy Chief
Executive of the Congress Antonella Cagniolati and Congress Secretariat
member Vyacheslav Tolkovanov.
For further information please contact Natalia Lapauri, Communities
Association of Armenia Tel. +374 91404853 or Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Tel. +374 10544041
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN COACH WISMAN WITHOUT EXPERIENCED DUO
by Khachik Chakhoyan
UEFA.com
Oct 5 2005
Sargis Hovsepyan (left) is suspended for Armenia (Getty Images)
Armenia coach Henk Wisman has named a 21-man squad for the final FIFA
World Cup Group 1 qualifier against Andorra. The notable absentees
are suspended defender Sargis Hovsepyan and Harutyun Vardanyan,
who has retired from the national team after being omitted from the
starting lineup against the Netherlands last month.
Armenia squad Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovsky (FC Dinamo Moskva),
Gevorg Kasparov (FC Pyunik), Armando Hambartsumyan (PFC Slavia Sofia).
Defenders: Valeri Aleksanyan (FC Pyunik), Robert Arzumanyan (FC
Pyunik), Aleksandr Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik), Karen Dokhoyan (FC Krylya
Sovetov Samara), Egishe Melikyan (FC Metalurh Donetsk), Artashes
Baghdasaryan (FC Kilikia).
Midfielders: Agvan Lazarian (FC Pyunik), Romik Khachatryan (OFI
Crete FC), Karen Aleksanyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau), Hamlet Mkhitaryan
(FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk), Armen Tigranyan (FC Pyunik), Samvel Melkonyan
(FC Banants), Artur Voskanyan (FC Pyunik), Artavazd Karamyan (AFC
Rapid Bucuresti).
Forwards: Edgar Manucharyan (AFC Ajax), Ara Hakobyan (FC Stal
Alchevsk), Aram Hakobyan (FC Banants), Aram Voskanyan (FC Yesil
Bogatyr Petropavlovsk), Galust Petrosyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau).