France hosts Karabakh talks
Public Radio of Armenia, 27 October 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
Although few expect a breakthrough after more than two decades of bloodshed, it is “important to bring the two presidents together, to call on them to work together, to get back to the table to reduce tensions,” a French diplomatic source said ahead of the summit.
“It would be extremely surprising to have concrete progress. But there is a will from President Hollande to make progress with both parties, to have a dialogue,” the diplomat told AFP.
Hollande will hold separate meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan.
During his talks with Azerbaijan’s strongman Hollande will also have to deal with Baku’s poor human rights record.
NB: The timeline will be the following (as posted by the French Presidential cabinet):
11.00 CET: Bilateral meeting between Presidents Hollande and Aliyev
12.15 CET: Bilateral meeting between Presidents Hollande and Sargsyan
18.00 CET: Trilateral meeting between Presidents Hollande, Aliyev and Sargsyan
20.00 CET: Dinner – Closing of the Summit
EU-Armenia Relations
President Sargsyan meets Lithuanian Foreign Minister
Times.am, 27 October 2014, https://times.am/?p=98436&l=en
On October 24 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius who has arrived in Armenia on an official visit. Press service of Armenian President informs about this.
At the meeting the interlocutors express satisfaction with the fact that over the last years Armenian-Lithuanian relations have been dynamically developing and year after year their cooperation in various spheres has been deepening. President Serzh Sargsyan and Linas Linkevicius attached great importance to active reciprocal visits and contacts in that context warmly recalling the Lithuanian Foreign Minister’s visit to Armenia in March last year and Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Lithuania as Minister of Defense which the parties agreed laid down the foundation of strong relationships in the defense and security spheres paving the way for further regular contacts between the two countries’ defense ministries.
General News on Armenia
Armenian human rights activist welcomes oversight functions for opposition forces
Tert.am, 26 October 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
Head of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office Artur Sakunts welcomes the constitutional amendments envisaging oversight functions and the post of Parliament vice-speaker for opposition political forces. However, this mechanism cannot be practically applied in Armenia, he says. “Theoretically, it is a realistic and efficient institution because, with political majority existing, it is important to limit the majority’s power to ensure democratic processes and development. That is, democracy implies that limits to the majority’s power. Otherwise, it will turn into absolute rule, authoritarianism, Nazi Germany being the most glaring example,” Mr Sakunts told Tert.am.
Armenian Ruling Party Sees No Grounds For Government Change
Azatutyun.am, 26 October 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) acknowledges that there are lots of problems in the country, but it does not think that a change of government can be a solution to them, according to a senior representative.
Israel must not sell arms to the Azeris: Yair Auron
Public Radio of Armenia, 27 October 2014, https://www.armradio.am/en/
The sale of weapons to a government committing genocide is like the sale of weapons to Nazi Germany during World War II, Professor Yair Auron writes in an article published by Haaretz.
“In light of the increased manifestations of hatred in Azerbaijan against the Armenians, Azerbaijan’s increasing military strength and the rise in internal tensions there, it is feared that if war breaks out again between Azerbaijan and the Armenians in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, there will be massacres against the Armenian population in that contested region.
And yet, despite the handwriting on the wall, last month Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon flew to Azerbaijan to meet with the heads of its military and state, including the president.
As far as the Armenians are concerned, the conflict with the Azeris is a fight for survival, a fight for their right to live in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Next year will mark 100 years since the genocide against the Armenian people. An Azeri assault, if one takes place, could be a sorrowful reminder of the events of those days. (…)”
Consensus on EEU Accession? No strong opposition to treaty on membership in Russian-led bloc likely in Armenian parliament
ArmeniaNow, 27 October 2014, https://armenianow.com/
On November 17-18, the Armenian parliament will be convened for a special session to discuss the treaty on Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Although officially out of six parliamentary factions only two have expressed their positions on the matter, there is little doubt that the Parliament will ratify the document.
Davutoğlu's Senior Advisor of Armenian origin doesn't mention Armenian question among
Turkey's priority issues
Armenpress.am, 27 October 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The newly appointed Senior Advisor of the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkish-Armenian journalist Etyen Mahçupyan stated that he is hopeful that he can contribute to the development of Turkey in new direction on this position. As reports “Armenpress”, Etyen Mahçupyan stated this in his recent interview to the Turkish Cumhuriyet periodical. Etyen Mahçupyan highlighted “the Kurdish issue” and “bureaucratic mentality” as the main issues for Turkey.
Armenia should be more active over Genocide problem – MP
Tert.am, 26 October 2014, https://www.tert.am/en/news/
In an interview with Tert.am, Armenian crossbencher Edmon Marukyan spoke of the approaching centennial of the Armenian Genocide.
“The government has its functions, but is should not always raise problems that could cause harm to its international relations. Relevant organizations represent the interests of Armenians in the west and raise the problem of their rights,” the MP said.
General News on Nagorno-Karabakh
Babayan: Artsakh’s participation in talks needed for concrete results
Aysor.am, 27 October 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/
Highest-level meetings on the Karabakh problem enable to keep peace and stability and settle the problem through negotiations, the spokesman for the president of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic David Babayan told the correspondent of Aysor.am.
Russia Sees No Karabakh Customs Posts
Azatutyun.am, 25 October 2014, https://www.azatutyun.am/
The chief of Russia’s Federal Customs Service appeared to have confirmed on Friday that Armenia will not start collecting duties from goods imported from Nagorno-Karabakh after joining the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev raised the possibility of Armenia setting up customs posts on its border with the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) earlier this year. Citing Azerbaijani concerns, Nazarbayev demanded in May that the accession treaty with Armenia mention its internationally recognized borders that do not include Karabakh.
Karabakh FM attends Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's annual gala event
Armenpress.am, 27 October 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Karen Mirzoyan is on a working visit to Canada. The Minister started his visit with Toronto city, where he visited the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Protestant Churches, some Diaspora structures and schools.
Azerbaijani saboteurs’ trial kicks off in Stepanakert
Panorama.am, 27 October 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/law/
The trial of the two members of an Azerbaijani commando group, Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Guliyev, began in Nagorno-Karabakh capital Stepanakert on Monday, the NKR Judicial Department reports.
The saboteurs infiltrated Karvachar in the summer of 2014.
Azerbaijan violated ceasefire regime for about 300 times
Armenpress, 25 October 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
In accordance with the operative data of the Defense Army of Nagorno Karabakh Republic, within the period ranging from October 19 to October 25, the rival violated the ceasefire regime for about 300 times on the line of contact of Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing armies. More than 3000 bullets were fired towards our troops during this period.
News from Azerbaijani sources
MFA: Terrorism is an integral part of Armenia's national policy
News.az, 27 October 2014, https://www.news.az/articles/
Terrorism is an integral part of Armenia's national policy, and the country supports it.
The statement came from acting head of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's press service, Hikmet Hajiyev while commenting on Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s speech at the press conference on 24 October. (…)
"Armenia is the only country in the world that proclaimed war criminal, fascist "General Dro" (Drastamat Kanayan) and terrorist Monte Melkonian as national heroes. There are even monuments built in Yerevan, dedicated to these people.In the world fight against terrorism practice, "Armenian terrorism" and its "method of operation" are studied as a separate sphere. Armenia's foreign minister, who talks about history, needs to recall Armenians' dashnak terorrism, which began in XIX century, tsarist Russia's order of June 12 1903, as well as the terror acts of the ASALA organization, which is part of the world terror, and which has merged with Armenian special service", Hikmet Hajiyev said.
"The Republic of Azerbaijan today faces also terror carried out by Armenia on a state level. The world community rightly praises Azerbaijan's contribution to the fight against international terrorism", said Hajiyev.
Armenia violates ceasefire with Azerbaijan over 20 times within 24 hours
Trend.az, 27 October 2014, https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/
Armenian armed forces, located near the villages of Yusifjanli of Aghdam district, Kuropatkino of Khojavend, Ashagi Veyselli, Garakhanbeyli of Fizuli, Mehdili of Jabrayil district, opened fire at the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces. Azerbaijani positions also took fire from the positions located at the nameless heights of Khojavend and Fizuli districts.
Emigration, inflation growing in Armenia
AzerNews.az, 27 October 2014, https://www.azernews.az/
Emigration from Armenia is on the rise. A new phase of a massive outflow was revealed during a session of the National Assembly on October 24. Secretary of the Armenian National Congress's parliamentary fraction Aram Manukyan blamed the incumbent government for the problem in the country.