His Holiness Aram I visits French Ambassador

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS HAS LUNCH WITH THE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE

His Holiness Aram I accepted a personal invitation by the Ambassador
of France to Lebanon, Bernard Emie and had lunch with him in the
French Embassy on March 23.

His Holiness and the Ambassador held a meeting before the lunch and
discussed the current situation of Lebanon and the possibilities of
brining the country out of the stalemate it faces.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.cathcil.org/
http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm
http://www.cathcil.org/

BAKU: Self-proclaimed “Upper Garabagh Republic” admits illegalsettle

Self-proclaimed “Upper Garabagh Republic” admits illegal settlements

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 25 2005

Baku, March 24, AssA-Irada — The self-proclaimed Upper Garabagh
Republic leadership told the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs before the
monitoring held by the OSCE fact-finding mission in the occupied
Azerbaijani regions that it has created opportunities for the
settlement of Armenians in Lachin District and considers it normal,
the Russian co-chair of the Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov said.

Merzlyakov noted that the OSCE mission has not determined that the
settlement of Armenians in the occupied regions is realized according
to a purposeful policy of the Armenian government.

The Russian co-chair said there is evidence on the support of
Armenians’ settlement by the leadership of the self-proclaimed
republic. However, he declined to comment on its relations between
the leadership of the ‘republic’ and the Armenian government.

“It is impossible to solve the issue of illegal settlement of Armenians
in the occupied regions until they are liberated. These regions are
currently controlled by Armenians,” said Merzlyakov.

The Russian co-chair added that it will be impossible to withdraw
Armenians from Upper Garabagh unless Armenian armed forces are
withdrawn from the occupied lands.*

And They Spoke For A Long Time

AND THEY SPOKE FOR A LONG TIME

A1+
25-03-2005

The today’s meeting Kocharyan-Putin lasted longer than anticipated.
The journalists waited for the Presidents for about two hours.

The press conference anticipated at 11.30 a.m. started at 1:30 p.m.
Robert Kocharyan informed that the meeting took place in a friendly
atmosphere, and the length of the conversation was conditioned by
the wide range of themed for discussion – political, economical,
cultural and other issues. The main stress was put at the necessity
of boosting investment programs.

RF President Vladimir Putin thanked Robert Kocharyan for the invitation
and for the friendly conversation. He noted that the negotiations
were very fruitful and immediately voiced hope that the Russian days
in Armenia will pass actively and all the 200 events will be realized.

The RF President found the enhancing of mutual trust important. Also he
mentioned the importance of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of
the victory in the Great Patriotic War, and said the two nations must
celebrate it together. On this occasion on March 8 Robert Kocharyan
will leave for Moscow.

There has also been a reference to the Karabakh conflict; Vladimir
Putin informed that they will do everything possible to settle the
conflict, but he sets hope on the meetings and negotiations between
the two Presidents.

By the way, Vladimir Putin noted that today the Russian-Azerbaijani
relations in the CIS frames have been discussed. Possibly he meant
the Russian-Armenian relations, and it was a slip of the tongue.

BAKU: Explosion hits downtown Yerevan

Explosion hits downtown Yerevan

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 25 2005

Baku, March 24, AssA-Irada

A powerful explosion hit downtown Yerevan on Thursday morning. The
blast was caused by an explosive hidden in the tree near the State
Customs Committee building, according to Armenian sources.

The Committee chairman’s office car was damaged as a result of the
explosion but the chairman and his driver received no injuries.
The explosion came on the first day of Russian President Vladimir
Putin’s official visit to Yerevan.

Armenian law-enforcement bodies stated on the eve of the Russian
President’s visit that security was tightened in the country.*

President Putin visiting in Armenia

PRESIDENT PUTIN VISITING IN ARMENIA

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, March 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin
has noted the positive development of relations between Russia and
Armenia in the economic and political spheres.

When opening talks with his Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharyan,
Putin said: “I am happy to note that bilateral contacts have been
maintained regularly, not solely top-level ones, but also between
experts and business people. The situation is also pretty good in
terms of economic cooperation.”

President Kocharyan said, for his part: “The Russian president’s
visits have always been seen as major events. They are of prime
importance for Armenia. I hope we will discuss the current state of
bilateral relations and, certainly the key event – the opening of
Russia’s Year in Armenia.”

“I believe we will ensure Russia’s energetic presence in Armenia this
year so that relevant events will make a big impression on our
citizens. I am glad you managed to time your working visit to
coincide with the opening ceremony,” said Kocharyan.

President Putin described Russia’s Year in Armenia as an extremely
important event. “This event is extremely important as it is targeted
for a long term,” he said.

Russian cultural figures will pay visits to Armenia throughout the
year. Citing previous events of this kind in other countries, Putin
said they had a positive effect on the humanitarian sphere, provided
a basis for economic cooperation, and boosted economic contacts.

“I very much hope this will also be the case in Armenia. Furthermore,
our countries have long time maintained warm and friendly relations,”
said Putin.

“Events of this scale will promote the further development of
relations between Armenia and Russia,” believes President Putin.

Russian & Armenian presidents open year of Russia

RUSSIAN AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS OPEN YEAR OF RUSSIA

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, March 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan will participate in the opening
ceremony of Armenia’s Year of Russia, held in Yerevan.

According to a source in the Armenian presidential administration,
the main purpose of Putin’s trip to the country is to take part in
the festivities.

“This significant event meets the traditional ties of friendship
and spiritual and cultural closeness of the two peoples. It is
especially significant in view of the celebration this year of the 60th
anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War,” the source said.

The Year of Russia program includes about 120 joint events in
political, economic, humanitarian, scientific, technological and
inter-regional areas.

According to a spokesman of the Russian embassy’s press service in
Armenia, the Year of Russia will provide for trade and industrial
exhibitions and fairs, expansion of the exchange of economic
information and the holding of scientific and practical conferences
on various problems of bilateral and regional economic cooperation.

The Armenian public will be exposed to the best Russian theater
companies, achievements in the Russian musical, theater and art
schools, and today’s outstanding Russian performers in theater,
film and television.

Writers, poets, actors and producers will also meet during the course
of the Year of Russia.

The Bolshoi Ballet, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, The Moscow
Chekhov Art Theater, The Obraztsov State Central Puppet Theater and
The Alexandrov Academic Company of the Russian Army are all scheduled
to perform in Armenia.

“In the areas of education and science, the events under the
Year’s program will expand contacts between the higher educational
establishments of the two countries, to train and re-train specialists,
to hold scientific exchanges and events, aimed at strengthening the
position of the Russian language in Armenia and toorganize events
through the National Academies of Russia and Armenia, including all
kinds of forums on the priority themes of joint scientific studies,”
the spokesman said.

The opening ceremony of the Year of Russia in Armenia will end with
a big gala concert.

“A logical continuation of the Year of Russia in Armenia will be
the Year of Armenia in Russia in 2006. Its main aim is to open the
way for a public and business initiative, to establish direct human
contacts, to expand the informational and cultural exchange and to
deepen bilateral contacts,” the embassy’s spokesman said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tbilisi: Georgia asks ArmRosgazprom to continue delivery of electric

The Messenger, Georgia
March 25 2005

News in Brief
Georgia asks ArmRosgazprom to continue delivery of electricity

The United Power Distribution Company of Georgia appealed to Armenia’s
ArmRosgazprom with a proposal to continue delivery of Armenian
electricity to Georgia.

Yerevan News Agency Noyan Tapan was informed at an ArmRosgazprom
press service that the Armenian side would most likely prolong the
period of the corresponding contract, which expires on March 31.

BAKU: OSCE to hold frontline monitoring in Goranboy

OSCE to hold frontline monitoring in Goranboy
Baku, March 24, AssA-Irada

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 25 2005

Under the mandate of the OSCE chairman’s special envoy, monitoring
will be held on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian military
troops in Borsunlu village of Goranboy District on Friday, the Ministry
of Defense told AssA-Irada.

The monitoring will be held on the Azerbaijani side by the OSCE
special envoy’s field assistants Imre Palatinus and Aleksandr Samarski.

The envoy’s field assistants Miroslav Vimetal, Peter Key and Torsten
Ahren will be in charge of the monitoring on the Armenian side.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU: Russia supports resumption of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

Russia supports resumption of Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 25 2005

Baku, March 24, AssA-Irada

Russia is ready to assist in settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper Garabagh both on a bilateral basis and within
the OSCE Minsk Group. This country supports a resumption of dialogue
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, in particular, talks between the two
countries’ presidents, the Russian Foreign Ministry representative
Alexander Yakovenko said. The dialogue will bring the positions of
the conflicting sides closer and lead to achieving commonalities,
he added.*

BAKU: Meeting of Azeri, Armenian FMs may be postponed again

Meeting of Azeri, Armenian FMs may be postponed again

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 25 2005

Baku, March 24, AssA-Irada

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian says his upcoming Prague
meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov may not
take place, according to Interfax news agency.

“There is no need for the meeting of foreign ministers, as the two
countries’ presidents are scheduled to meet in May,” he said.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are presently engaged in organizing
the next round of the Prague meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers, Yuri Merzlyakov, the Russian co-chair of the MG,
said. The meeting will probably take place shortly, with the venue
yet to be determined, he added.

The two ministers’ Prague meeting, which was originally scheduled
for March 2, was postponed due to Oskanian’s poor health condition.*