EU Mulls Areas Of Cooperation For Future Agreement With Armenia, Envoy Says
Azatutyun.am, November 07, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/26680014.html
The European Union does not exclude that a new agreement with Armenia considering the South Caucasus country’s commitments to an emerging Russian-led trade bloc may be signed in the near future, according to a Brussels representative in Yerevan.
Talking to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun.am) on Friday, Ambassador Traian Hristea, the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, said that negotiations around the matter are currently underway between the two parties.
The European Union and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding on November 3 launching the Single Support Framework for EU support to Yerevan under which the 28-nation bloc pledged to provide between 140 million and 170 million euros to Armenia for private-sector, public administration, and justice reforms over the next three years.
Armenia-EU Relations
The Newly Appointed Ambassador of France Presented the Copies of Credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
ArmRadio, November 08, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/11/08/the-newly-appointed-ambassador-of-france-presented-the-copies-of-credentials-to-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs/
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Jean-François Charpentier, the newly appointed Ambassador of the French Republic to Armenia on the occasion of presenting the copies of credentials.
Congratulating the Ambassador on the appointment Minister Nalbandian expressed hope that the new Ambassador will bring his important contribution during his mission in the strengthening and widening of Armenian-French special relations.
Expressing gratitude for the reception and congratulations the newly appointed Ambassador Charpentier mentioned that France has special warm feelings towards the Armenian people and Armenia as well as France attaches great importance to the development of the relations between the two states. Ambassador Charpentier reassured that he will spare no efforts in order to expand the dynamic development of the comprehensive interaction between Armenia and France.
The sides had a detailed discussion on the issues relating to the agenda of Armenian-French bilateral cooperation.
General News on Armenia
Armenia Plans To Reestablish Interior Ministry
Azatutyun.am, November 07, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/26679574.html
Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has advocated further structural changes in his Cabinet, saying that the Ministry of the Interior that was reorganized into the National Police Force in 2002 will be reestablished.
Earlier this week the Armenian government already endorsed a number of readjustments in its current structure, asking the parliament to approve the merger of the ministries of emergency situations and local government and the establishment of a new ministry to be tasked with advancing economic integration and reforms stemming from Armenia’s international commitments, including its planned membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) beginning next year.
Talking to reporters while visiting the southern resort town of Jermuk on Friday, Premier Abrahamian defended a “gradual optimization” of the government system.
“Nineteen ministries is too many for Armenia,” the official Armenpress news agency quoted him as saying. “Steps will be taken to reunite [some of the ministries]. In the future we will turn the [merged] ministries of emergency situations and the ministry of local government into the Ministry of Internal Affairs as it is the case in many European countries. Numerous services will be included in that ministry.”
Armenian delegation participates in 2nd UN conference of Landlocked Developing Countries
Armenpress, November 07, 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/783023/armenian-delegation-participates-in-2nd-un-conference-of-landlocked-developing-countries.html
From 3 to 5 November in Vienna the Armenian delegation took part in the 2nd United Nations conference of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). The delegation was headed by the Secretary General and Chief of Staff of MFA Shahen Avakian.
The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President of Austria Heinz Fischer, presidents of Zambia, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, prime-ministers, ministers, other high ranking officials and heads of different international organizations delivered welcoming addresses at the opening of the ceremony. The Austrian Foreign minister Sebastian Kurz was elected as Chairperson of the conference.
The main purpose of the conference was to sum up the implementation of the Declaration and Action Plan adopted in Almaty in 2003, through general discussion outline effective international and regional strategies of international trade transit areas, as well as to reassure the commitment of international community to support to landlocked developing countries to face economic development challenges.
Armenian president hosts Russian health minister
Tert.am, Novemeber 08, 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/11/08/armenia-rd-an/
President Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday received a delegation headed by Russian Minister of Health Vernonika Skvortsova.
According to a press release by the Armenian leader's press office, the delegation visited Yerevan earlier this week to participate in the first Armenian-Russian health conference (held on Nov 7).
Greeting the guests and highlighting the importance of the event, the president expressed hope that it would lay the foundations of a new format of bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
Noting that health issues address any human being in any part of the world, the president called for active steps towards uniting all countries' efforts against global challenges. He cited the world countries’ fight against Ebola as the best example of health cooperation.
Agreeing with the Armenian leader, the Russian minister, for her part, stressed the importance of uniting efforts, raising countries’ awareness of latest scientific achievements and exchanging experience.
Prosperous Armenia Party ready for decisive action in Liberty Square
Aysor.am, November 10, 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2014/11/10/bargavach/
Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) hails the positive position of associates from Armenian National Congress (HAK) Party concerning the formation of territorial offices of the new national movement.
The comments issued by BHK’s spokesman Tigran Urikhanyan say: “Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) reaffirms the determination to make radical changes in the country. In order to give a national and comprehensive character to the movement, BHK is ready for large public events in regions and Yerevan, including decisive actions in Liberty Square at the right moment.
We would like to note at the same time that the political forces participating in the movement, in particular HAK, have the right to independently organize a mass event in any place at any time”.
Armenian National Congress (HAK) Party earlier issued a release in connection with the statement of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK). The statement of HAK says that
1. At the November 6 sitting of its political board, BHK took a decision to set up united offices of the National Movement in all major settlements;
2. The formation of united offices is not a bad idea if it is being done in parallel with active political actions in Yerevan’s Liberty Square, which may be an additional stimulus for efficient activities of those offices;
3. Indefinite postponement of active political actions could be a fatal mistake as the regime may use this time to mobilize their own camp and split the ranks of the National Movement;
4. Taking these circumstances into account, HAK considers it important to intensify – in parallel with the formation of offices – the serious political process that started in Liberty Square and give it a positive nature, and not to weaken that process.
Microsoft Center Armenia Gets $1 Million Investment
Asbarez, Novemebr 07, 2014, https://asbarez.com/128696/microsoft-center-armenia-gets-1-million-investment/
Microsoft Innovation Center Armenia has attracted $1 million of venture investment in the last 18 months, Bagrat Yengibaryan, the head of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), said Friday.
According to him, in addition to foreign investments from Swiss Seedstarst, there are also Armenian investments from Granatus Ventures and Hovnanian Foundation, which provide assistance to Armenian IT companies worldwide.
“We have much to do in this direction. What is important is that Armenian start-up companies could prove they are competitive and interesting for venture funds and international investors,” said Yengibaryan.
According to him, Armenia is entering a new stage of IT development by shifting from order fulfillment and use of cheap labor force to offering solutions and products
General News on Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh reports 300 ceasefire violations
Tert.am, November 08, 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/11/08/armenia-lghh/
The ceasefire along the Line of Contact between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh was violated 300 times in the past week, with the adversary releasing over 3,000 bullets against the Armenian defense guards.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army reports that its frontline subdivisions managed to retaliate the Azerbaijani forces, confidently continuing their military vigil.
Warlick: Armenia and Azerbaijan FMs will meet in Basel
News.am, November 08, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/238217.html
The OSCE Minsk Group US Co-Chair, James Warlick, has confirmed the likelihood of the mediators’ meeting with the foreign affairs ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We will also continue to meet with the Foreign Ministers, including at the OSCE ministerial in Basel [, Switzerland,] next month,” the American co-chair told APA news agency of Azerbaijan.
“The [Armenian and Azerbaijani] presidents’ meetings have helped to move forward the process of a negotiated settlement [in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], and it’s important to continue these meetings.
“Speaking for the US, we fully expect that the two Presidents will continue to meet on a regular basis as they have done recently.
“It is important to keep up the dialogue which took place most recently at the Paris summit [between the two presidents],” James Warlick also said.
Parliament of Navarre adopts statement on Nagorno Karabakh
ArmRadio, November 07, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/11/07/parliament-of-navarre-adopts-statement-on-nagorno-karabakh/
On November 3, Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Navarre (Spain`s autonomous community /region) issued an official statement, where it calls on the international community, especially the OSCE Minsk Group and the European Union to take all necessary effective steps to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In the statement, the Parliament of Navarre expresses confidence that the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh should be a necessary part of any forum in which the country’s future is decided, as well as applauds the firm commitment of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to democracy.
The Parliament of Navarre will notify the OSCE, the EU, the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the President and Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh about its statement.
Stable and strong Armenia is Karabakh’s main guarantor
News.am, November 08, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/238134.html
The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Friday received a delegation led by speaker Ashot Ghulyan of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic National Assembly (NKR NA).
The NKR (Artsakh) delegation is in Armenia within the framework of the tenth session of the Armenia NA and the NKR NA Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission.
The President stressed that very close cooperation has been established between the state agencies of the two Armenian republics. Sargsyan also expressed willingness to discuss all the matters that concern, or may concern, the society and the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ghulyan, for his part, thanked Sargsyan for providing useful information on several matters that are pressing and important for both Armenia and Artsakh. Subsequently, the NKR parliament leader presented the agenda items of the aforesaid session, which kicked off Friday in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan, and which comprise all pressing topics.
Stepanakert Denies Paris ‘Agreement’
Asbarez, November 07, 2014, https://asbarez.com/128707/stepanakert-denies-paris-%E2%80%98agreement%E2%80%99/
The statements of the French President François Hollande proposing that the sides put their disagreements on fundamental principles aside and start drafting a comprehensive agreement, which were made following the Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting in Paris, are, according to Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Ashot Ghulyan, not the French president’s own opinion. Rather, it is another change in Azerbaijan’s position, Ghulyan asserts.
“This is one more change in Azerbaijan’s position, which is claimed to be the international community’s position rather than Azerbaijan’s own opinion. Ten years ago, it was Azerbaijan that stated it could not sign or draft a major agreement, calling for agreeing on the principles. And now they say they cannot formulate the principles and proposes drafting a major agreement. Azerbaijan is just buying time, trying to influence the negotiation process. So it is changing its position again,” Ghulyan told reporters on Friday.
News from International Sources
Azerbaijani Opposition Rallies Against Crackdown
Radio Free Europe, November 09, 2014, https://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-opposition-rally/26681925.html
Thousands of opposition supporters have protested against the Azerbaijani government, demanding the release of "political prisoners" in the oil-producing nation and calling for an end to President Ilham Aliyev's 11-year rule.
When the crowd defied police by chanting for Aliyev's resignation, power was cut to prevent speakers from using microphones to address the rally at Mahsul Stadium in Baku.
The November 9 protest was organized by the National Council of Democratic Forces of Azerbaijan (NCDC), a pro-democracy movement.
Speakers addressed the crowd from a stage that displayed pictures of detained or jailed rights activists, independent journalists, and opposition politicians with the words "Free Political Prisoners" written on a banner.
Oxford Conference will reflect on Karabakh conflict settlement process
Common Space EU, November 10, 2014, https://www.commonspace.eu/eng/news/6/id3114
Academics from a number of European Universities and think tanks, diplomats and practitioners, as well as activists representing stakeholders in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement are gathering in Oxford for a one day conference on the theme "The impact of international and regional developments on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process". The Conference is organised by the group LINKS (Dialogue, Analysis and Research) and the Russia and Eurasia Studies Centre, at St. Antony's College, University of Oxford and will take place on Tuesday, 11 November.
In a period of increased global tensions, and at a time when Europe faces some of the biggest challenges to peace and security since the end of the cold war, efforts to peacefully resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have become increasingly entangled with wider regional and international issues. In the meantime, as events in the last few weeks have shown, the conflict continues to claim the lives of many Armenians and Azerbaijanis in incidents on the line of contact, reminding us that it remains a serious threat to peace and prosperity in the Caucasus and wider Europe. It also negatively affects hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the conflict divide.
The conference will analyse the current situation, and discuss what more can be done - and what can be done differently - in order to move the peace process forward.
News on Turkey
“Silk Road” will contribute to improvement of Yerevan-Ankara relations
News.am, November 08, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/238180.html
“We hope that Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations will improve with the help of the Black Sea Silk Road Corridor [(BSSRC) interregional tourism route].”
The US Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
“The reason why we [, the US,] are partnering with such projects lies in the fact that we believe that, over time, the normalization of relations between people will contribute to the improvement of relations between governments and countries.
In Heffern’s words, there is no promise, there is no condition.
“But the idea is that, over time, human relations contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations between countries,” the American diplomat noted.
The BSSRC is a 3,000-kilometer route which starts from Thessaloniki, Greece, and ends in Meghri, Armenia, and it includes around 150 scenic spots.
Appalling silence over Turkey’s 1915 genocide against Armenians
ArmRadio, November 07, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/11/07/appalling-silence-over-turkeys-1915-genocide-against-armenians/
“Just before the invasion of Poland, Adolf Hitler urged his generals to show no mercy towards its people — there would be no retribution because “after all, who now remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?”
“As the centenary of the Armenian genocide approaches — it began on April 24, 1915, the night before the Gallipoli landing, with the rounding up and subsequent “disappearance” of intellectuals and community leaders — remembrance of the destruction of more than half of the Armenian people is more important than ever. Yet, as Hitler recognised in 1939, the crime the Ottoman Turks committed against humanity by killing the major part of this ancient Christian race has never been requited or, in the case of Turkey, been the subject of apology or reparations,” Geoffrey Robertson writes in an article published by The Australian.
The article runs as follows:
“The Young Turks who ran the Ottoman government did not use gas ovens but they did massacre the men and sent the women, children and elders on death marches through the desert to places we hear of now only because they are overrun by Islamic State. They died en route in their hundreds of thousands from starvation or attack, and many survivors died of typhus in concentration camps at the end of the line. The government ordered these forced deportations in 1915, then passed laws to seize the Armenians’ lands, homes and churches on the pretext that they had been abandoned…”
News from Azerbaijani Sources
Azerbaijani Defense Minister: Raise our flag in Shusha!
News.az, November 09, 2014, https://www.news.az/articles/karabakh/93377
Zakir Hasanov appealed to the army.
Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov congratulated Azerbaijani servicemen on November 9 - the Day of the State Flag of Azerbaijan.
Oxu.Az reports with reference to the MInistry that Z.Gasanov wished each serviceman success in their valiant service:
"I believe that you, faithful to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the military oath and charter, will achieve new successes in combat and moral-psychological training and under the supervision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces will raise our tricolor national flag in Shusha, Khankendi and other our native lands, which are under occupation!"