MEP: Artsakh people’s right to self-determination should be recognized
Armradio.am, October 13, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
“We must do our best to have the right of Artsakh people to self-determination recognized,” Member of the European Parliament, Head of the EU-Armenian Friendship Group Eleni Theocharous declared in Stepanakert today.
The MEP had a number of meetings within the framework of the visit to Nagorno Karabakh. She declared after the meeting with President Bako Sahakyan that the main issue on the agenda was the recognition of the right of Artsakh people’s right to self-determination.
“We must do our best to have the right of Artsakh’s people to self-determination recognized. We reiterated our willingness to work in that direction and support the process,” she said.
EU-Armenia Relations
Armenian Ombudsman and French Ambassador discuss human rights
News.am, October 13, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The Embassy of France in Armenia is one of the best partners of human rights ombudsman's office, Karen Andreasyan said during his meeting with Ambassador Henri Reynaud.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to cooperation on human rights protection, in particular, legal reforms, Ombudsman's office reported.
The diplomat highly assessed the activities of Ombudsman and his office in protection of human rights in Armenia. For his part, Karen Andreasyan underscored importance of working with the French embassy.
General News on Armenia
Parliament Speaker won’t change PACE Armenian delegation
Armenpress.am, October 13, 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Galust Sahakyan is not going to change the members or the head of the Armenian delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Parliament Speaker stated at the press conference held in Tsakhkadzor that the talks concerning the members of the Armenian delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are absurd.
“I am not going to change the head or any of the members of the Armenian delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as, finally, it should be understood that four people cannot do anything against 500”, - said Galust Sahakyan, Armenpress reports.
President Sargsyan meets director of ARF Armenian National Committee of Europe
Times.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.times.am/?p=97067&l=en
On October 13 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received the Director of the ARF Armenian National Committee of Europe Gaspar Karapetyan (Greece). The Armenian President handed the RA high state decoration, the Medal of Mkhitar Gosh, to Gaspar Karapetyan for his outstanding pro-Armenian activities. The medal had been awarded to him on the occasion of Independence Day. Press service of Armenian President informs about this.
The president congratulated Gaspar Karapetyan and wished him further success.
Armenian PM meets with IMF director in US
Tert.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/10/14/hovik-abrahamian/
On the last day of his working visit to the United States, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan met with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) managing director, Christian Lagarde.
Highly praising the IMF cooperation in economic development and institutional reforms, the premier stressed the role of the the Fund's continuing partnership with Armenia. “The IMF has been and remains our key partner when it comes to macro-economy. Since Armenia’s gaining independence, macro-economic stability has been a key achievement to which the IMF has had its considerable contribution,” he said.
The premier added that a new three-month program, approved by the Fund’s board, signals a new round for Armenia’s economy in terms of bringing the country closer to developing markets. Abrahamyan said that the Armenian Government is resolute on continuing the reforms aimed at promoting economic development and raising the country’s competitiveness.
Armenia constitutional reform concept to be submitted to President
News.am, October 14, 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The Armenian Presidential Professional Commission on Constitutional Reforms will submit the constitutional reform concept to President Serzh Sargsyan by no later than Wednesday, commission member, constitution specialist Vardan Poghosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
In Poghosyan’s words, there will be no more delays and the concept will be introduced to the President and to the public in the next one or two days.
“On October 10 and 11, the Venice Commission considered the constitutional reform draft concept, giving it an approval and a high assessment,” the constitution specialist said.
Nikol Pashinyan: Constitutional reforms are political swindle
Aysor.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/
The constitutional reforms are a political swindle by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, the deputy of Armenian National Congress (HAK) parliamentary faction Nikol Pashinyan said today at a joint press conference with members of Civil Contract public-political union.
“The so-called statements against the changes are another version of the swindle,” the deputy said, citing the article he wrote in 2012. According to Pashinyan, the article was in the context of constitutional reforms.
“At that time Prosperous Armenia Party was in favor of the reforms, but the ruling majority was against. Although the roles have changes, the meaning of the process remains the same,” Nikol Pashinyan declared.
Opposition Parties Schedule Next Rally
Azatutyun.am, October 13, 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
Armenia’s three leading opposition parties said on Monday that they will again rally supporters in Yerevan on October 24 to push their demands for regime change and present a plan of actions for that purpose.
Levon Zurabian, a leading member of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) declined to elaborate on “concrete steps” which he said will be made public at that demonstration.
The HAK and the Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Zharangutyun (Heritage) parties scheduled the next protest three days after holding a join rally in Liberty Square. Addressing a large crowd on their behalf, Zurabian warned President Serzh Sarkisian to negotiate his exit from power or face a “wave of civil disobedience.”
The HAK’s top leader, former President Levon Ter-Petrosian likewise demanded on Friday the conduct of snap presidential and parliamentary elections. He said at the same time that the opposition trio is ready to consider unspecified “reasonable” proposals from the Armenian authorities.
Armradio.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/10/14/a-call-to-the-christian-world-to-unite-in-prayer-at-the-armenian-genocide-and-the-syriac-sayfo-centennial-commemoration-in-2015/
On October 13, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Mor Ignatius Ephrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, signed a joint declaration in the presence of the delegations of the two Churches.
…In this fast changing world our Churches are facing new challenges in their pastoral life. We place great importance upon the development of our bilateral relations in the areas of spiritual and theological education, pastoral life and promotion of monasticism. We encourage the representatives of our Churches to continue their cooperative efforts on the diocesan levels.
We are greatly concerned with the situation in the Middle East. Today the countries of the Middle East, which are the birthplace of the monotheist religions and where representatives of different religions have lived and worked side by side for centuries, are going through major crisis. We strongly condemn the activities of all terrorist groups and religious extremists, and all violence committed against Christians, Muslims, Yazidi people and other minorities. We are hopeful that the war on terror in Iraq and Syria will succeed in establishing peace in the region, so that those who were forced into exile may return to their homes…
General News on Karabakh
Karabakh: Mediators arriving in the region to prepare Armenia-Azerbaijan summit
Armenianow.com, October 14, 2014, https://www.armenianow.com/karabakh/57581/armenia_azerbaijan_karabakh_minsk_group_mediators
The three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are arriving in Baku on Tuesday. In the Azerbaijani capital, according to local media, ambassadors James Warlick (USA), Igor Popov (Russia) and Pierre Andrieu (France) are expected to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan announced through his Twitter account on Monday that the mediators will arrive in Yerevan on October 17. In Armenia the mediating troika is to meet with President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
Montserrat Caballe back in Artsakh for a concert
Armradio.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/2014/10/14/montserrat-caballe-back-in-artsakh-for-a-concert/
World-renowned Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe will perform at Renaissance Square in Stepanakert today. The concert is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of conclusion of ceasefire.
Montserrat Caballe, who was named Honorary Ambassador of UN in 1974 and Ambassador of Peace in 1991 and was designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1994, first visited Artsakh in June 2013. As a result she was “blacklisted” by Azerbaijan.
After the visit Caballe released the album “Armenia and Artsakh: An Isle of Christianity,” which was presented in Paris on December 12, 2013. The singer then promised to visit Artsakh again, and this time she has arrived in Stepanakert with her family.
Caballe said ahead of today’s concert she would like to sing for the sake of peace and prosperity in Artsakh.
Black caviar production launches in Karabakh
Panarmenian.am, October 13, 2014, https://www.panarmenian.net/
Production of black caviar was launched in the village of Mataghis, Karabakh’s Martakert region, the republic’s Prime Minister stated, according to Karabakh-Open.
As Ara Harutyunyan said at the meeting with Armenian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy students, the project was implemented through the efforts of Diaspora investors, with the support of German experts. The first batch of products will be ready in December, with the exports set to start in 4 years. An annual production volume of 30 tons is planned in 7 years to place Karabakh among the top exporters.
Harutyunyan also briefed the students on the mining, agriculture and energy projects in Karabakh. He hailed the hike in foreign investments, testifying to increased trust in political and economic stability of the republic.
The Prime Minister further dwelled on Karabakh’s foreign policy agenda; he stressed the importance of the economic development of the republic welcoming Armenia’s support.
NKR pays special attention to promotion of ties with scientific circles
Aysor.am, October 14, 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received a group of participants of the conference held by the International Association for Armenian Studies recently in Yerevan, according to the press service of the NKR president.
Bako Sahakyan underlined the importance of their visit to Karabakh, noting that the republic has an important role in Armenian studies.
The president said that the NKR pays special attention to the establishment and promotion of ties with scientific circles of various countries, considering it a major direction of the development of scientific and cultural relations.
The Primate of Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs of the NKR Narine Aghabalyan, Minister of Education and Science Slava Asryan participated in the meeting.
News from International Sources
Secretary General Jagland calls on Azerbaijan to release opposition politician Ilgar Mammadov
Council of Europe, October 13, 2014, https://hub.coe.int/en/web/coe-portal/press/newsroom?p_p_id=newsroom&_newsroom_articleId=2062125&_newsroom_groupId=10226&_newsroom_tabs=newsroom-topnews&pager.offset=0
With reference to a recent judgment from the European Court of Human Rights which it declared final today, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has called on the authorities of Azerbaijan to release jailed opposition politician and commentator Ilgar Mammadov.
“The court has now rejected the government’s appeal, which means the judgment is final. I therefore call on the authorities to rapidly implement the judgment and to release Mr Mammadov,” he said.
Ilgar Mammadov was sentenced to seven years in prison in March after being charged with offences linked to street riots in the town of Ismayilli in January 2013.
In May of this year, the European Court of Human Rights concluded that Mr Mammadov had been arrested and detained without proper evidence, and that the purpose of his detention had been to silence or punish him for criticising the government and publishing information it was trying to hide.
Russian defense minister's visit to improve relations with Azerbaijan
Vestnikkavkaza.net, October 14, 2014, https://vestnikkavkaza.net/
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has concluded his visit to Azerbaijan. He met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Defense Minister Zakir Gasanov to discuss regional security and stability, cooperation in the Caspian Sea, prevention of air accidents and improvement of naval transparency. The defense ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2015.
Vladimir Yevseyev, the head of the Caucasus section at the Institute of CIS Countries, the director of the Center for Socio-Political Studies, said that Shoygu's visit will boost bilateral military cooperation. The expert said that the Russian minister had discussed joint drills and training of Azerbaijani officers in Russia.