Armenia under diplomatic siege
Mirror Spectator Editorial
1/02/2005
Critical or desperate situations are not new for Armenia, and today we are in
one of those situations. To sound more patriotic we may claim that against
all odds Armenia will survive and Armenians are destined to live to the end of
history and contribute to the world civilizations. But history has prevalence
over patriotic rhetoric; the historic truth is that after the fall of the
Cilician Kingdom in 1375 AD, Armenia was not able to survive as a sovereign
nation
and fell under Seljuk and Ottoman rules for six centuries.
Also, the first Republic in early 20th Century did not survive for more than
two years, and it was soon absorbed into the Soviet Empire until its second
independence in 1991. In both instances the genesis of an Armenian Republic was
more of a geo-strategic fallout from the regional new political formations,
rather than any specific design by any Armenian entity. Of course in both cases
Armenians hung on the opportunity and they revived their sovereignty, albeit
in a decimated portion of their historic territory.
Today, the world is being reshaped, especially in the Caucasus region, and
the fallout may spell danger to the very existence of the fledgling Armenian
Republic.
Any prudent policy may not save the country from extinction, if the
powers-to-be so decide, but an imprudent act may exacerbate the situation and
contribute to the demise of a sovereign state.
Armenia’s foreign policy is not defined by anyone’s whims; it is derived from
its urgent needs. In order survive: Armenia needs Iran as its trading
partner, and Russia, both for trade and for defense against real Turkish danger.
Unfortunately, those ties are at best tenuous for strategic reasons, over which
Armenia has no control.
Armenia has been vying for the lifting of the Turkish blockade and resumption
of diplomatic relations with that country, which has become an international
player with Armenia on the bottom of its priority list. Georgia’s “friendship”
is at best treacherous, given the actual facts on the ground. On top of all
these complexities the U.S. has grand designs over the region, strengthening
Armenia’s enemies, not necessarily out of any specific animosity against
Armenia. The U.S. Ambassador to Baku is vocally advocating the lifting of
Section 907
of the U.S. Freedom Support Act, which will further embolden bellicose
parties in Baku.
The diplomatic world is crumbling over Armenia, and yet some armchair
politicians â~@~S in Armenia and the Diaspora â~@~S are engaged in their petty
game,
oblivious of the rising tide. No one can say that Armenia is curbing the freedom
of
the press after reading the nihilistic and insane statements in that press.
Unfortunately, that irresponsible diatribe is making its way into the Diaspora
press as well.
The diplomatic salvo began with the Azeri initiative to place the Karabagh
issue on the UN General Assembly agenda as a case of ethnic cleansing. Armenian
diplomacy, aided by OSCE group, was successful in deflecting the assault, only
temporarily. Then came the statement by retiring U.S. Assistant Secretary
Elizabeth Jones, accusing the Karabagh leaders as “criminal elements”; along
with
all the secessionist movements in the former Soviet territory. That was
certainly not a slip of the tongue, as Ms. Jones clarified to Foreign Minister
Oskanian, in view of overall U.S. policy in the region.
Then came the next tide of the diplomatic pressure, when Parliamentary
Assembly of the European Council (PACE), headed by David Atkinson (UK) and Mats
Einarsson (Sweden) formulated and passed a very unfavorable resolution, which
states that “considerable parts of territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by
Armenian forces” and that “separatist forces are still in control of
Nagorno-Karabagh”. The only saving grace in the resolution is that it recommends
that
the Baku government negotiate directly with the Nagorno-Karabagh leadership.
There were also references to so-called “ethnic cleansing” by Armenians
against Azeris, just reversing the roles.
Deputy Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament, Vahan Hovanissian, deplored the
Atkinson resolution characterizing that “it smells petroleum”, while Armenia’s
representative at PACE, Tigran Torossian, lamented Russian inaction in view of
this dangerous turn of events, saying that Russia is Armenia’s ally, but also
has
interests in Azerbaijan. That was a most revealing position on Moscow’s part,
and it raises a very serious question: whether Russia will be willing to
defend Armenia militarily if a conflict arises, when it is reluctant to defend
diplomatically.
Some setbacks have also been recorded on the European front when the EU
decided to place the Armenian Genocide issue on the back burner. An earlier
resolution adopted in 1987 no longer is in force, and European leaders are not
embarrassed to state that genocide recognition is no longer a pre-condition for
Turkey’s admission into the EU. That shift of position has helped transfer the
diplomatic initiative to Ankara, whose unrepentant leaders have been pressuring
Yerevan to declare its position on 1921 Kars Agreement, which had sealed
Armenia’s border with Turkey. Aggressive Turkish policy is being pushed one step
further by asking Armenia to drop all claims on its historic territories and to
table the genocide issue from its foreign policy agenda.
To aggravate the situation further the U.S. has turned the heat up on Iran.
Condoleezza Rice, the face of U.S. war machine, declared during her
confirmation hearing, that Washington couldn’t allow an Iranian regime that
threatens
Israel to survive. Of course no one dared to ask if Iran threatened the U.S. in
any way.
It seems that Iran’s conciliatory gestures in supporting the U.S. invasion of
Afghanistan and Iraq has not been sufficient to assuage or convince any
leader in Washington. Any overt or covert attack in Iran will only strengthen
Azerbaijan, which has become a staging base for such an attack. Iran’s
dismemberment or containment will embolden the ruthless rulers in Baku and
seriously
damage Armenia’s economic sustenance.
Armenia’s leadership may not be the best, and many groups have grievances,
especially since the last elections. But thus far it has been able to navigate
safely through perilous waters. Besides, none of the critics have demonstrated
the proven ability to conduct a better diplomacy, nor have they come up with
an alternative. Should a calamity take place and the present administration is
toppled or replaced, it is doubtful that the new leaders will be less corrupt
and smarter statesmen.
Einstein’s theory of relativity not only applies to science, but also to
diplomacy. Armenia has inherited and has been experiencing all the problems of
the
fallen Soviet Empire, and yet it is faring much better economically and
diplomatically than most of the other republics. One has to keep in mind the
perspective relativity in assessing the situation in Armenia. Nothing happens in
a
political vacuum. Everything is relative and calls for the overthrow of the
current regime must be accompanied with far better recommendations and
demonstrable viability.
As Armenia is under intense diplomatic siege, even from the viewpoint of the
fierce critics, the current administration seems to be the “necessary evil”. A
stable Armenia can fare much safer under current conditions than one going
through political experiments.
–Boundary_(ID_mmPGqnbaWii8DcaMt/fEeA)–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Feb 7 2005
Kuwait is an adherent of peaceful settlement of Karabakh Conflict
OSCE mission on determination of facts completes its work in all 7
regions of Nagorno Karabakh
The Armenian delegation headed by RA Minister of Defense Serge
Sargsyan leaves for Iran
RA Prime Minister congratulates Julia Timoshenko with appointment on
the position of Ukrainian Prime Minister
Gagik Barseghyan is relieved of his post of an Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Italy
BRIDGE 2005 International Business Forum to be held in Tsakhkadzor
(Armenia) on February 25-28
RA President goes on shot-term leave
Revaluation of AMD to USD in 2004 made 14.16%
*********************************************************************
KUWAIT IS AN ADHERENT OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. Kuwait is an adherent of peaceful
settlement of Karabakh conflict and will protect this position in
international structures, RA NA told ARKA that it was stated by
Kuwait PM Sabah al Ahmad al Sabah during the meeting with RA PM
Arthur Baghdasarian. The parties noted that both countries are
adherents of ideas of regional peace and do not have political or
economic contradictions. It is a good base for development of
bilateral relations and cooperation in international organizations.
Baghdasarian noted that first official Armenian-Kuwait meetings aimed
at development of bilateral cooperation in all spheres. He offered to
sign agreement on interstate cooperation, which was approved by al
Sabah. Besides, al Sabah promised his assistance in creation of
Center of Arabic Culture in Armenia. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
OSCE MISSION ON DETERMINATION OF FACTS COMPLETES ITS WORK IN ALL 7
REGIONS OF NAGORNO KARABAKH
STEPANAKERT, February 7. /ARKA/. OSCE mission on determination of
facts completes its work in all 7 regions of Nagorno Karabakh. OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairman Yuri Merzlyako (Russia) and Bernard Fasye
(France) and personal representative of OSCE Acting Chairman Andjey
Kaspshik met in Stepanakert with refugees deported from Azerbaijan.
Note monitoring group headed by Director of OSCE MFA German
Department Emili Margaret Haber, included experts from Finland,
Italy, Sweden, Germany and co-chairmen countries – Russia, France,
USA. Preparation of the report for co-chairmen will be completed
within 1-2 weeks.
Today OSCE mission left for Yerevan. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE ARMENIAN DELEGATION HEADED BY RA MINISTER OF DEFENSE SERGE
SARGSYAN LEAVES FOR IRAN
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. The Armenian delegation headed by RA
Minister of Defense, Secretary of the National Security Council Serge
Sargsyan left for Iran by the invitation of the Secretary of Iran’s
National Security Council Hasan Rohani. According to RA Ministry of
Defense Press Secretary, Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan, in the
framework of the visit the Armenian delegation wills meet the Iran’s
Foreign Ministry official and special envoy in charge of Caspian
Affairs Mehdi Safari, the Chief of the Iranian Foreign Ministry
Department for CIS issues Morteza Safari, as well as ex-Ambassador of
Iran to Armenia Mohammad Farhad Koleini.
According to the press-release, on February 8, the Armenian
delegation will visit Saadabad complex, where meetings with H.Rohani,
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the Chairman of the Expediency
Council of Iran Hashemi Rafsanjani are planned. The same day the
delegation will visit the residency of the Armenian eparchy of
Teheran and the Armenian Embassy in Iran. On February 9 the Armenian
delegation will return to Yerevan. A.H. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES JULIA TIMOSHENKO WITH APPOINTMENT ON
THE POSITION OF UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
congratulated Julia Timoshenko with appointment on the position of
Ukrainian prime minister, RA Government press office told ARKA. In
his letter Margarian noted the importance of development of
multilateral links between Ukraine and Armenia. “I hope that thanks
to your activity at this high position friendly relations and
mutually beneficial cooperation between our states will successfully
continue for the prosperity of our people”, the letter said. L.D.
–0–
*********************************************************************
GAGIK BARSEGHYAN IS RELIEVED OF HIS POST OF AN AMBASSADOR
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF ARMENIA TO ITALY
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. By the decree of the Republic of Armenia
President Robert Kocharyan, Gagik Barseghyan is relieved of his post
of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to
Italy. According to RA President’s Press Service Department, by
another decree, the President appointed Rouben Shugaryan an
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Italy,
reliving him of his previous post of the RA Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs. A.H.–0–
*********************************************************************
BRIDGE 2005 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM TO BE HELD IN TSAKHKADZOR
(ARMENIA) ON FEBRUARY 25-28
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. BRIDGE 2005 International Business Forum
will be held in Tsakhkadzor (Armenia) on February 25-28. According to
Center of International Integration Support «MASTER», in the margins
of the business-forum it is planned to conduct round tables,
dedicated to the following themes: export-import of the commodity,
ecological products, production technologies, and ways of small and
medium business development. Special sessions, section and plenary
sittings and business-meetings will also be held within the framework
of the forum. Representatives of official structures and managers of
companies and organizations of the world will tale part in the
business-forum.
BRIDGE 2005 International Business Forum is organized by the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia and Center of
International Integration Support «MASTER» officially supported by
the Ministry of Trade and Economical Development of Armenia, Ministry
of Foreign Affaires of Armenia and Central Bank of Armenia. L.V.–0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT GOES ON SHOT-TERM LEAVE
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. The Armenian President Robert Kocharian
went on a short-term leave today. As the Press Service of RA
President told ARKA, Kocharian will spend his vacation in Armenia.
L.V.–0–
*********************************************************************
REVALUATION OF AMD TO USD IN 2004 MADE 14.16%
YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. Revaluation of AMD to USD in 2004 made
14.16%, and compared to 2003 AMD increased by 7.83% average, CBA
Chairman Tigran Sargsian stated today representing program of
monetary-credit policy of CBA for 2005. As an example that similar
revaluation is not just “Armenia phenomena” he brought the example of
other countries with transition economy, where national currency
revaluated against USD – Bulgaria – by 9.16%, Croation – 9.94%, Czech
Republic – 8.54%, Estonia – 8.9%, Georgia – 9.6%, Slovakia – 12%,
Hungary – 10%. He also noted that EURO rate to USD in 2004 also
increased in value – by 10.25%. At this Sargsian noted that potential
of USD devaluation in Armenia is not exhausted yet. L.D. -0–
*********************************************************************
–Boundary_(ID_85Sk9xf2vOuCqKylsuF5Yg)–

Denial technology
Yerkir/arm
February 04, 2005
For the purpose of facilitating its accession to EU and preventing the
process of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
the Turkish parliament has decided to organize a session devoted to
this issue, inviting Turkish-Armenian intelligentsia representatives.
It is not a new thing for Turks to use Armenians against
Armenians. Back in 1912 Young Turks made the former Armenian patriarch
of Constantinople and a number of other Armenian activists (editor of
the Turkish â~@~Sabahâ~@~] newspaper Tigran Kelekian, banker Galust
Kyulpenkian and others) express support to the semi-drafted program
of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.
Another Armenian cleric in Constantinople expressed admiration with how
Armenians live in Turkey in 1980, which was often quoted by Turkish
agents denying the fact of the Genocide. Todayâ~@~Ys initiative is
a repetition of these formats.
This is a kind of â~@~affiliateâ~@~] of the so-called
â~@~Turkish-Armenian reconciliation commissionâ~@~] which aims to
once again fix the Turkish strategy in the international opinion. This
is: history must be left to historians. The question is what does it
matter who we leave history to, if Turkey, anyway, betrays it.
–Boundary_(ID_EBSe8H8nbTM9QFJZuXNa4w)–

Federal News Service, Inc.
FNS DAYBOOK
February 8, 2005 Tuesday
DISCUSSION – THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PAUL H. NITZE SCHOOL OF
ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (SAIS)
SUBJECT: The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of
Advanced International Studies (SAIS) holds a discussion, “Track II
Diplomacy and the Prospects of Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation.”[AGENDA] Speakers’ comments are not for attribution
LOCATION: SAIS, Nitze Building, Kenney Auditorium, 1740 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. — February 8, 2005
PARTICIPANTS: David Phillips, deputy director, Center for Prevention
Action, Council on Foreign Relations and Matt Bryza, National
Security Council deputy director of Europe and the Caucasus
CONTACT: Members of the public should RSVP to 202.265.4300; e-mail,
[email protected]; Felisa Neuringer Klubes, 202-663-5626;
e-mail, [email protected]; or
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian economy grows 10 percent in 2004: central bank chief
Agence France Presse — English
February 7, 2005 Monday 5:36 PM GMT
YEREVAN Feb 7 — Armenia chalked up economic growth of 10.1 percent
last year and could repeat its strong performance again in 2005,
the central bank’s president said Monday.
“We have not ruled out that the 2004 scenario — economic growth
of 10 percent or more — happens again in 2005” thanks to booming
industrial activity, Tigran Sargassian told journalists.
He also said he was forecasting inflation of three percent this year
compared with two percent in 2004.
–Boundary_(ID_vRFZWQK+eaEDyhxWoOvuxg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Associated Press State & Local Wire
February 7, 2005, Monday, BC cycle
Las Vegas deportation case illustrates mixed-family issue
LAS VEGAS
An appeals court ruling has given a southern Nevada family hope they
can win an immigration case and avoid deportation to Mexico.
A lawyer representing Luz Maria Medrano and her family said the
decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco
could set a precedent for families with some members born in the U.S.
or who have become U.S. citizens.
The family’s case hinges in part on the status of 6-year-old Angel
Bacilio, who was born in the U.S. and is the only member of the
family in the country legally.
An immigration law expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd
School of Law said the case illustrates the complexity of immigration
cases involving families with some legal residents and others who are
not.
“Someone born here has citizenship, but can’t sponsor a parent or
family members until he or she is over 21 years old,” said David
Thronson, co-director of the UNLV immigration law clinic.
The new Mexican consul in Las Vegas, Mariano Lemus Gas, said the
issue of mixed-status families facing deportation should be dealt
with uniformly rather than case-by-case.
He said he believes American immigration law should be reformed to
balance industry’s need for immigrant labor with workers’ rights and
dignity.
Lemus Gas said he was tracking about 16 immigration reform
initiatives in Congress.
“I hope your Congress can approve at least some of them,” he said.
When the family appeared before U.S. Immigration Court Judge Harry
Gastley in November, they argued they should be allowed to remain in
the U.S. because Angel has learning disabilities and needs special
therapy. It would be a hardship for him to leave to Mexico should his
parents and older brother be deported, they said.
The judge held that Angel could adapt to life in Mexico and his
condition did not constitute a hardship under the law, Gastley said.
The family – Medrano, 39, Angel Bacilio-Gutierrez, 33, Demian
Martinez-Medrano, 16, and Bacilio, 6 – is now represented by Las
Vegas lawyer Leon Rosen, 81.
Rosen said the appeals court’s Jan. 26 ruling opens discussion about
whether an attorney should be assigned in all deportation cases, like
in criminal matters.
Federal law currently classifies deportation as a civil matter, where
people have a right to an attorney but aren’t guaranteed one.
Medrano, a Mexican immigrant, was divorced, desperate and destitute
when she entered the U.S. illegally with her son, Demian, about 1990.
She made her way to Chicago, where she lived with an uncle and worked
in restaurants before moving to Las Vegas in 1997.
She met her husband, Angel Bacilio-Gutierrez, 33, a Mexican immigrant
who had entered the country illegally when he was 14. She studied
English and real estate, and now works in a real estate agent’s
office.
Demian, who has spent almost all of his life in America, told the Las
Vegas Review-Journal he thinks of himself as an American.
“I go to movies, go bowling, go to school and stuff,” he said. “This
all of a sudden makes me feel like an outsider.”
Las Vegas had another case recently in which two girls were rescued
from deportation to Armenia when U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Tom Ridge intervened at the behest of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Thronson said U.S. authorities increasingly face complex immigration
cases involving families of mixed status.
A recent study by the Urban Institute, a social policy research
group, found 85 percent of families led by non-citizens have members
of mixed status.
Thronson said the Medrano family’s best chance will be to prove they
have lived here more than 10 years, are of good moral character, have
no convictions and would face exceptional and unusual hardship if
deported.
“Saying that life would be harder or that they’d lose opportunities
(in Mexico) isn’t going to be enough,” Thronson said. “But if they
can establish there’s a disability or a need for medical care, that
could do it.”
Bacilio-Gutierrez said he fears the worst if his family loses its
appeal.
“If they send us to Mexico, this whole family is going to be
destroyed,” he said.

Amir receives letter from Armenian President
Bahrain News Agency
February 7, 2005 Monday 12:21 PM EST
Manama, February 07
The Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah received a letter
Monday from the Armenian President, Robert Kocharian.
The letter was delivered by the Armenian National Assmebly Speaker,
Arthur Baghdasaryan during his meeting with the Prime Minister,
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia`s FM felicitates Iranian counterpart on victory
IRNA, Iran
February 7, 2005 Monday 11:16 AM EST
Tehran, February 07 — Armenia`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan
Oskanyan sent a message to his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi,
felicitating him on the 26th victory anniversary of the Islamic
Revolution.
He said that continued cooperation between the two states` foreign
ministries based on mutual respect can serve to enhance Armenia-Iran
relations in various fields as well as promote their common interests.
Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan
had earlier congratulated the Iranian government, Majlis and nation
on the auspicious event.

The West Australian (Perth)
February 7, 2005 Monday
METRO
Big bands make it a big day
by SIMON COLLINS
Techno, hip-hop and good old rock’n’roll – there was something for
every one of the 36,000 music lovers
More than 36,000 fans rocked into Claremont Showground yesterday for
Perth’s sell-out instalment of the Big Day Out.
They flocked to hear a big range of acts from the hip-hop of Beastie
Boys, the Streets and Scribe, and techno of Chemical Brothers, to
straight-up rock’n’roll from Powderfinger, Spiderbait and the Donnas.
There was something for just about everyone – if you didn’t like the
Aussie hip-hop of Adelaide’s Hilltop Hoods, you could squeeze through
the huge crowd to catch almost veteran rockers Grinspoon.
Punters turned to one another to comment how much Melbourne act
Dallas Crane rocked on the green stage. Or agreed to disagree about
Leeds dance rock act The Music. Or asked the quickest way to the beer
ticket stall.
The Big Day Out is also the ultimate opportunity for self-expression,
with hairstyles designed to turn heads and shock mothers, or bodies
painted head-to-toe in blue paint.
Many simply declared their allegiance by wearing their favourite
band’s T-shirt, usually black.
One of the biggest acts were Iowa hardcore band Slipknot, whose
unrelenting barrage of drums, guitars and guttural roars nearly shook
the Showground into rubble.
The nine-piece act took the stage in their trademark fright-masks,
welcomed by their legion of fans whom the band refer to as Maggots.
Based on the tried and true method of determining a band’s popularity
by the number of T-shirts worn by punters, Slipknot seemed streets
ahead – and the screams of the Maggots confirmed it.
Slipknot and Armenian-American hard rockers System of a Down
delivered the most intense effort segment of the day, prompting mass
moshing and headbanging.
Stage announcers asked for calm in the crowd as the testosterone
flowed as thick and mean as the dense noise.
Decked out in matching Aussie green-and-gold tracksuits,
forty-something rap veterans Beastie Boys busted out some fly hip-hop
jams – that means they were good – to complete 11 hours of action on
the main stages.
There were seven stages in all, including the Local Produce stage
where Screwtop Detonators rocked as if their lives depended on it.
Ten Perth bands performed on this comparatively tiny stage, nestled
in a nook of the venue between the bastion of dance music, the Boiler
Room, and the smaller green and essential stages.
Many local acts have moved beyond this stage in their careers, with
Eskimo Joe and the John Butler Trio earning their spots in the main
arena, while Little Birdy followed Jebediah on the back stages.
And if you felt overwhelmed by the musical smorgasbord, you could
take it easy in a chill-out tent.
GRAPHIC: Home-grown talent: Local boy made good John Butler shows how
his trio earned a spot in the main arena of the Big Day Out.
Pictures: Lee Griffiths.; Fun in the sun: Zeb Hollingsworth and Ashar
Lumsdaine enjoy their big day out at Claremont Showground.;
Rock’n’roll: Powderfinger delivered lashings of straight-up
rock’n’roll.; Surf’s up: Some of the more adventurous fans had a go
at crowd surfing, seen here during Grinspoon’s performance.

Azerbaijani president describes Turkey as “closest ally”
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
7 Feb 05
Baku, 7 February: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that Turkey
and Azerbaijan are the closest allies of each other. “Turkey has always stood
by Azerbaijan,” said Aliyev.
Aliyev hosted Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and his delegation at
the Presidential Palace.
In a speech delivered at the palace, Aliyev stressed that relations in all
areas are developing rapidly between Turkey and Azerbaijan. “It is pleasing to
see the developments between our two countries in the areas of economy and
politics. The Turkish investments in Azerbaijan are very prominent for the future
of Azerbaijan,” told Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, Turkey stands by Azerbaijan in the issue of Upper
Karabakh. “We always feel Turkey’s support to Azerbaijan,” expressed Aliyev.
Aliyev thanked Arinc for Turkey’s support that led to the adoption of a
decision by the European Council that describes Armenia’s actions in Karabakh as
“an occupation of Azeri territory”. Aliyev indicated that the understanding of
“one nation, two governments” will always exist between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Arinc expressed a desire to see the end of Armenian occupation of Karabakh.
“We want the Armenian occupation to end soon and no longer wish to see tyranny
in Karabakh,” said Arinc.
Aliyev will host a dinner tonight in honour of Arinc and his delegation.