France hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan summit over Nagorno-Karabakh
EurActiv, 28 October 2014, https://www.euractiv.com/
Armenian and Azeri leaders have agreed to pursue talks over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region after resuming direct contacts at a meeting in Paris Monday (27 October), the French government said.
"Status quo is not sustainable," the office of French President François Hollande said after he hosted talks between Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev and Armenia's Serzh Sargsyan, following an increase in clashes over the region during the summer. The two leaders agreed to exchange information about people who have gone missing in the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, Hollande's office said.
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan "have agreed to continue the dialogue, in particular with a new meeting in September 2015 in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York," Hollande's office reported.
François Hollande is expected to visit Armenia in the first semester 2015 (Panorama).
Link to the French Presidential office’s press release (in French)
EU-Armenia Relations
French investments in Armenia at about $1 billion today - Sargsyan
Arka.am, 28 October 2014, https://arka.am/en/news/
French investments in the Armenian economy amount to about $1 billion today, Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan said at his meeting with France’s president Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday.
(…) Sargsyan and Hollande said they were happy about economic relations actively developing along with the high-level political dialogue, the press office of the Armenian president reported.
The presidents discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, as well as regional and global challenges. Sarsgayn thanked Hollande for France’s contribution to OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts and for the Paris meeting aiming (…) The sides stressed the current Armenia-France relations are based on long-years’ friendship and common values. High-level mutual visits, close parliamentary ties, development of decentralized cooperation in all fields of mutual interest and cooperation within international organizations help strengthen these relations even more from one year to another, according to the report.
Hollande expressed his gratitude to Armenia’s president for contribution to peacekeeping missions and readiness to take part in UN actions in Africa.
General News on Armenia
Our target is large businesses – Armenia PM
News.am, 28 October 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
The Government of Armenia considers small businesses as a source of employment, and it will create conditions for its preferential activities.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated the abovementioned during the 2015 State Budget draft’s introduction at the National Assembly standing committees’ joint session on Tuesday. “Our target is the large [businesses], and we will reduce the shadow here. “The measures, which are aimed at the development of external economic relations, will target the raising of the competitiveness of the [country’s] economy and the deepening of integration into the global economy. The implemented policy also will target the balanced development of rural areas, and raising the level of use of the resource potential and the accessibility of the main resources that are used in agriculture. Consistent activities will be conducted to develop various forms of business in the agrarian sector,” the Armenian Premier specifically noted.
Armenian Premier Rules Out Early Elections
Radio Free Europe, 27 October 2014, https://www.rferl.org/content/
Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has dismissed opposition calls for an immediate change of government, saying that if such a change is to take place, it will not be through early elections.
Armenia army to have “cyber troops”
News.am, 28 October 2014, https://news.am/eng/news/
Considering the need for the creation of modern military units that ensure the cyber security of the army, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia has decided to follow the respective leading world track-record. The Armenian News-NEWS.am’s sources informed that the Armenian army will soon have a training center for the pre-military draft-age youth, and a highly qualified professional team in the Armed Forces.
Armenian prime minister receives Cardinal Ravasi
Aysor.am, 27 October 2014, https://www.aysor.am/en/news/
Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received today President of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, according to the press office of the government. Cardinal Ravasi attached importance to bilateral cooperation. He expressed confidence that mutual visits will contribute to the strengthening of relations between Armenia and Vatican. PM Hovik Abrahamyan and Cardinal Ravasi discussed issues related to the organization of Armenian Genocide Centennial events and popularization of the Armenian culture in the international arena.
15th anniversary of terrorist act in Armenian parliament
Panorama.am, 27 October 2014, https://www.panorama.am/en/
Today marks the 15th anniversary of the terror attack that took place in the Armenian National Assembly. On October 27, 1999, a group of five terrorists broke into the parliament hall and killed Armenian MPs and government members.
General News on Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia's affiliation to EEU excludes military solution of Karabakh conflict
Armenpress, 28 October 2014, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/
“Signing of the agreement was prolonged, because Azerbaijan exerted certain pressure on Kazakhstan, perfectly understanding that by joining EEU Armenia will elevate to a new level its relations with Russia and other EEU states, which are also CSTO member states with Armenia and the above countries will make Azerbaijan accept that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement of the NK conflict”, Director of the Institute of CIS States Konstantin Zatulin told Armenpress.
Azerbaijani Parliament discusses issue of Azerbaijani hostages
News.az, 28 October 2014, https://news.az/articles/
The Azerbaijani Parliament has today discussed yesterday’s “trial” of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, taken hostages by Armenians.
It was offered to adopt an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and other international organizations to protect their rights.
MP Fazil Mustafa said though the separatist regime held the so-called “trial”, famous Russian lawyers could protect their rights, adding that a lawyer named Bahruz Mammadov said yesterday that he could do his best for the protection of their rights.
News from Azerbaijani sources
Armenian troops continue violating ceasefire with Azerbaijan
Azernews, 28 October 2014, https://www.azernews.az/
The situation on the contact line between Azerbaijan and Armenia has remained tense as the Armenian Armed Forces shattered ceasefire a total of 21 times throughout the day, Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry reported on October 28. The ceasefire was violated in Qizilhajili village in Gazakh region, Kengerli, Jevahirli, Sarijali villages in Agdam region, Ashagi Seyidahmadli, Horadiz, Garakhanbeyli villages in Fuzuli region, Goranboy and Khojavand regions.