Turkish, Azeri defence ministers discuss cooperation, Armenia
Anatolia news agency
5 Oct 04
ANKARA
“Armenia’s policy about Azerbaijan and Turkey is extremely
dangerous. If Armenia does not give up its policy, Turkey should not
open its border with Armenia, and Azerbaijan will be ready anytime to
take its occupied territories from Armenia” said Defence Minister
Safar Abiyev of Azerbaijan on Tuesday [5 October].
Turkish National Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul met today Abiyev who is
in Turkey for an official visit.
Speaking at the meeting, Gonul said: “Turkey was the first country
that recognized Azerbaijan’s independence. Turkey and Azerbaijan have
been acting in full harmony in international fora such as the Council
of Europe and the NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). There have been
perfect military relations between our countries. Nearly 3,000
Azerbaijani military personnel were trained in Turkey.”
Meanwhile, Abiyev recalled that a part of Azerbaijani territories had
been under occupation of Armenian armed forces. “Despite four
decisions taken by the United Nations in 1992 and 1993, Armenia has
not yet withdrawn from our territories. Azerbaijan must have a
powerful army to take its territories back. Therefore, we attribute
great importance to strengthening and modernization of our army,” he
said.

IRAN’S E. AZARBAIJAN PROV BOOKS 5% RISE IN NON-OIL GOODS EXPORTS

Asia Pulse
Oct 05, 2004

TABRIZ, East Azarbaijan Prov, Oct 5 Asia Pulse – Some 6,500 tons of
non-oil goods valued at US$4.2 million were exported from this
northeastern province during the first half of the current Iranian
calendar year (started March 20, 2004).
This was a 5 per cent increase compared to the figures of the
preceding year.
The goods were exported to the Azerbaijan Republic, Armenia and the
Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan.
Consumer goods, construction materials and foodstuff were among the
main goods exported.

US official says military exercises to boost relations with Azerbaijan
Assa-Irada
5 Oct 04
Baku, 4 October: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met US
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln
Bloomfield on 4 October. Bloomfield spoke about the expediency of
holding military exercises and events of this kind to expand military
ties between the two countries. Speaking highly about Azerbaijan’s
support for the USA in fighting terrorism, Bloomfield emphasized the
need for the further expansion of bilateral relations and their
continuation within the framework of international organizations.
Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan attached major importance to
partnership with the USA. The Azerbaijani military backs the US
efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, he added. Mammadyarov hoped
that the USA would become more active in the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as a co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Bloomfield said that the USA was very sensitive to tension in
Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. He said
that official Washington would continue its efforts to settle the
problem.

BULGARIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS DISCUSS BILATERAL TIES
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Bulgarian president Georgy Parvanov
has arrived today in Armenia on a two-day visit at the invitation of
Armenian president Robert Kocharian.
According to presidential press services, after the ceremonial
greeting of the high rank guest at the presidential residence, Robert
Kocharian and Georgy Parvanov had a face-to-face meeting. The two
presidents discussed different domains of Armenian-Bulgarian
relations, the current pace of cooperation and future prospects, as
well as shared opinions on regional and international issues. The
presidents of both countries expressed their determination to support
political dialogue and stimulate bilateral cooperation. They noted
with satisfaction their common commitment to integrate into European
structures as a priority area of foreign policy in both countries.
Later enlarged Armenian-Bulgarian talks were held with the
participation of Robert Kocharian and Georgy Parvanov. Discussed were
issues on boosting economic cooperation and special role of transport
infrastructures. The sides noted with satisfaction that the trade
turnover has increased recently between the two countries. The
president of the two countries also held a press conference.

ARMENIAN ENVOY TO NATO HANDS OVER CREDENTIALS TO SECRETARY GENERAL
BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s recently appointed envoy
to NATO, Samvel Mkrtchian, handed his credentials to NATO Secretary
General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on October 4 at NATO headquarters in
Brussels.
Armenian foreign ministry said following the ceremony NATO
Secretary General and Armenian envoy discussed the details of
Scheffer’s upcoming visit to Armenia, as well as issues on
NATO-Armenia cooperation, South Caucasian developments and regional
conflicts regulation. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NATO will attach
bigger attention to the South Caucasus with the aim to increase its
stability and create new development prospects.
Samvel Mkrtchian was appointed new Armenia envoy to NATO by
president Kocharian on September 10, replacing Vigen Chitechian,
Armenian Ambassador to Belgium, who served simultaneously as envoy to
NATO. Before the appointmentSamvel Mkrtchian was head of the Foreign
Ministry’s European Department.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BULGARIAN PRESIDENT GEORGY PARVANOV’S INTERVIEW TO ARMENPRESS
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: In an exclusive interview with
Armenpress news agency, Bulgaria’s president Georgy Parvanov, who
arrives on October 5in Armenia at the invitation of president Robert
Kocharian, said there are now all preconditions for both nations to
boost their relations in all areas. “Bulgarians and Armenians are
tied together not only by traditionally friendly reciprocal feelings
and historically close relations, but also by contemporary domestic
and international political processes, which make your country a
perspective partner of Bulgaria in the strategically important South
Caucasian region,” he said.
“I assess the two meetings between Armenian and Bulgarian
presidents held within one year as manifestation of the reciprocal
readiness to further consolidate the regular and fruitful political
dialogue between the two countries that plays a crucial role in giving
a fresh muscle to the entire complex of bilateral relations,”
president Parvanov said, adding also that his talks with Kocharian in
Yerevan will serve as a basis to analyze what has been achieved so far
and to also specify next moves for solution of concrete issues.
Georgy Parvanov also underscored positive tendencies in development
of relations between Armenian and Bulgarian ministries, administrative
and business structures on the regional level, which he said were
evidence of maturity and efficiency of bilateral political
partnership, but added that there is still a great deal of unused
potential.
In response to a question whether the Bulgarian-Armenian
cooperation was sufficient for European integration process, as well
as for their interaction within international organizations Georgy
Parvanov said his country is interested in strengthening security,
democratic development and prosperityof the South Caucasian
states. “The successful development of Armenia and other countries of
the region is largely dependent on how clearly they perceive their
European perspective,” he said.
“I believe that Bulgaria’s successful process of joining the
European Union, as well as the interest, shown by Armenia to
Bulgaria’s experience in this area create excellent preconditions for
making their cooperation an important component of bilateral relations
regarding the European integration and a key factor of their further
development. And because of that I hail Armenia’s inclusion in Wider
Europe, New Neighbors Initiative, and hope that it will result in a
serious progress in its relations with the European Union and
Bulgaria. As a future member of the EU Bulgaria will make its
contribution to the development of such relations. I believe that
deepening of these processes will also result in a new dynamism in
Armenian-Bulgarian relations,” Parvanov said.
Bulgaria’s president also lauded Armenia’s intention to continue
and deepen cooperation with NATO through its Partnership for Peace
program and other forms of Euro-Atlantic cooperation. “As a member of
NATO Bulgaria is ready for active cooperation with Armenia in the
general strive towards expanding the zone of stability and security in
the Black Sea basin and the Caucasus,” hesaid.
According to Parvanov, there is also a development potential,
offered by such a specific regional organization as the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) that should not be overlooked. “We have to
realize that BSEC’s development prospects are tied to a great extent
to European integration processes,” he said, adding that not only in
regional, but also in a more global perspective Bulgaria and Armenia
are not only interested, but have to interact closely in fighting
against international terrorism, the most dangerous challenge to the
peace and stability.
In response to a question about whether the Armenian-Bulgarian
Business conference held on the sidelines of a last year visit by
Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Bulgaria has contributed to the
development of bilateral economic cooperation Georgy Parvanov said: ”
Though I risk to introduce a negative element in the generally high
assessment of the current Armenian-Bulgarian relations, I have to
state that the trade and economic cooperation between the two
countries does not meet the level of political dialogue, but the
growing tendency that started last year is very optimistic,” he said.
He said the Bulgarian-Armenian Business Forum was very important,
first of all because business communities in both countries started
looking at one another as perspective business partners, who can
develop wide economic ties on the basis of modernized
legal-contractual basis that is in line with market requirements,
supported also by the two countries’ membership in the World Trade
Organization. He added that now economic entities and business circles
haveto directly support trade. “It is now the time to think about
establishing a permanently working joint business forum that would be
a significant support to the activities of the intergovernmental
commission for economic, scientificand technical cooperation, whose
work in the several years has been positive.
According to Bulgaria’s president, the most perspective branch of
cooperation among the two countries is transport. “Bulgaria is
interested in getting established as Europe’s transport “gates” to
Armenia and other South Caucasian and Central Asian
countries. Contacts in this area can develop both on bilateral level,
within the frameworks of TRACECA project, as well as within the
BSEC. “Another such area are mutual investments. Now both countries
are home of foreign investments, concurrently the national capital in
both is gearing up and needs to be supported and encouraged by a 1995
signed agreement on assistance and mutual protection of investments. I
would like to mention a concrete example of jointly implemented
investment project, a winery built near Yerevan with Bulgarian
technical assistance,” he said. According to Parvanov, thereare
possibilities also for cooperation in energy, including also nuclear
energyand nuclear security, agriculture and in scientific researches.
In response to a question how he could assess the OSCE Minsk
grouprole in the process of the regulation of Nagorno Karabagh
conflict Georgy Parvanov said his country assesses positively and
supports the OSCE Minsk group and is ready to continue to render its
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan in their efforts to find a
long-lasting and mutually acceptable peace formula for ending the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict. Georgy Parvanov said efforts now should be
focused on preventing tension on the line of contact and reaching a
constructive and efficient dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“The meetings between Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers within
the frameworks of so-called Prague process, as well as the meetings of
presidents Aliyev and Kocharian in Warsaw and Astana this year with
participation of the OSCE Minsk group cochairmen are important steps
in that direction. I believe that there is a real possibility in
making a breakthrough in the negotiation process,” he said, adding
that Bulgaria will continue, after termination ofits chairmanship in
the OSCE, to support the efforts, directed at the establishment of
inter-ethnic tolerance and peaceful co-existence, economic
rehabilitation and development of the region, attraction of the
support of other international organizations and donors for
implementation of projects, able to produce economic results.
President Parvanov was also asked to comment on the role of the
Armenian community of Bulgaria in the strengthening of bilateral
ties.” It gives me a pleasure to answer this question. The Armenian
Diaspora of Bulgaria plays a significant role in public, political and
spiritual life of the country, making its contribution to further
strengthening of ties between the two nations. The Armenian cultural
organization Yerevan, Armenian churches, the Armenian school in
Plovdiv function effectively. Besides, Armenian is taught in seven
other schools in Sofia, Rusa, Varna, Pazarjik, Sliven, Dobrich and
Burgas,” he said.
“We shall be counting on the Armenian community’s knowledge, ideas
and its possibilities in future as well in order to expand contacts
between ourtwo nations. I would like the youth in our countries, both
from the viewpoint of our historical fate and mutual sympathizes, as
well as in the context of our common European future to establish firm
communication skills in culture, education, sports and culture. During
president Kocharian’s visit to Bulgaria we reached concrete
arrangements in some of these areas. Now we have to fill them with
concrete content, to find new and modern forms of interaction and make
spiritual ties an integral part of our everyday life, but not an
element of official visits’ programs.” he said.

ICRC BEGINS TRAINING COURSE FOR IHL
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The International Committee of
theRed Cross (ICRC), Armenia office has started today a five-day
training course on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for 12
officers of Armenian Armed Forces in the resort town of
Tsakhkadzor. The course for future IHL instructors is organized by the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with
the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.
Conducted by the ICRC regional IHL expert, this course focuses on
the effective use of the “IHL for Commanders” and “IHL for
Instructors” manuals, used as a didactic tool for IHL training in the
Armenian Army. The course also covers topics such as conduct of
operations, commander’s responsibility, behavior in combat and the
ICRC and its activities.
Similar training courses have been organized in the past. Through
such courses, the ICRC seeks to ensure that officers from Armenian
Armed Forces know and respect the rules and principles of IHL.
The ICRC stands ready to support the Armenian military
authoritiesin integrating IHL into the teaching and combat training
programs of the Armenian armed forces.

RECEPTION IN THE CABINET
AzerTag
October 04, 2004
Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Artur Rasizadeh has
received the delegation of Finland headed by Minister of Foreign
Affairs of this country Erkki Òuomioja, 4 October.
Having welcomed visitors, the head of the Azerbaijan Government has
expressed hope that visit of the Finnish delegation would serve
expansion of bilateral relations. Having noted the low level of the
Azerbaijani-Finnish economic relations, Mr. Artur Rasizadeh has
stressed interest of Azerbaijan in exchange of experience with Finland
on development of non-oil sector. Finland could participate more
actively also in global transport projects – “North – South” and
ÒRÀÑÅCÀ, he said.
Speaking about the economic reforms conducted in the country, the
established political stability, the Prime Minister has emphasized
that the main problem for Azerbaijan remains the unsolved
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Erkki Tuomioja has emphasized interest of the Finnish side in
expansion of links with Azerbaijan in various fields, including in
sphere of information technologies and communications. During visit,
according to the Finnish minister, there has been achieved an
agreement on arrival in Azerbaijan delegations of businessmen from
Finland with the purpose of studying investment prospects.
The parties had exchange of views on other questions representing
mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VISIT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF FINLAND TO BAKU RECEPTION AT THE AZERBAIJAN
PARLIAMENT
AzerTag
October 04, 2004
Foreign minister of Finland Mr. Erkki Tuomioja has arrived in Baku on a
business visit.
On 4 October, Chairman of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament) Murtuz
Alaskarov received the Finnish minister and delegation he leads.
Greeting warmly the guests, Speaker of Milli Majlis recalled the kind
relations between the two countries, the group of friendship with the
Finnish Parliament in Azerbaijan Parliament, also stressed urgency of
creation of such group in the Finnish Parliament.
Head of the Azerbaijan Parliament updated the guests on the reforms
conducted in the legal, economic, political and other spheres, as well
as the accomplishments Azerbaijan has achieved, emphasizing that
Azerbaijan is themost developed country of the region, however, he
said, some problems, in particular, the unsolved Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict impedes progress in the region. Speaker of
Azerbaijan Parliament told of the history, reasons of the conflict,
stressing the non-consecutive position of Armenia related to the
problem, underlining that some states and international organizations
regard the question from the position of `double standards’.
Expressing gratitude for warm reception, Mr. Erkki Tuomioja stated
that his country is interested in development of links with
Azerbaijan. The country, therefore, considers necessary to make some
steps in this direction. Goal of the visit is to have exchange of
views on this and other issues, he underlined.
The Minister said that Finland wishes the Nagorny Karabakh conflict be
settled in peace way. The conflict should be solved only with the
consent of the sides concerned, but also with the participation of
international structures and Finland stands ready to render assistance
in this cause.
Also were exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

A1 Plus | 19:19:14 | 04-10-2004 | Politics | PACE FALL SESSION |
AGO GROUP WILL PAY ATTENTION TO A1+ PROBLEM
“I am not an expert in the media-related issues, but it is known that
Armenia is now under monitoring and I expect to get due information about
A1+ TV Company”, CE Secretary General Terry Davis said answering the
question A1+’s correspondent put to him at a news conference held Monday in
Strasbourg.
He also said, in addition to the CE monitoring group. There is his Ago
group, which will leave for Armenia in one week.
He said he thought Ago group would present reliable report about the
situation in Armenia, including information about A1+.