DOCUMENT ADDRESSED TO EUROPEAN UNION WITH RECOMMENDATION FOR SUPPORTING IN STATE FINANCING OF PRIVATE NEWS AGENCIES PREPARED WITHIN FRAMEWORKS OF IPI WORLD CONGRESS

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 20, 2008

BELGRAD, JUNE 20, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Mainly issues on
the foreign policy of the United States of America were touched upon
during the discussion of the last day of the General Assembly of
the International Press Institute (IPI) 57th World Congress, being
held these days in Belgrad, the capital of Serbia. It was conducted
by Jill Abramson, the Director General of the New York Times. Among
those, who made speeches, an especially sharp criticism was voiced by
Hafez Mirazi, the Washington Bureau Chief for Al Jazeera Television
and the Vice Chairman of Al Hayat. Article 19 of the UN Declaration
on Human Rights was discussed in the final part of the congress.

Discussion entitled "The problems and solutions existing in the
south-eastern Europe" were held for the members of the Associations of
Private News Agencies (APNA) at the parallelly proceeding session. As
a result of these discussions a declaration addressed to the European
Union with a recommendation for supporting in state financing of
private news agencies was prepared.

Within the frameworks of non-formal meetings Ashot Grigorian, the
Chairman of the Forum of Armenian Associations in Europe and the
Head of the Center of Noyan Tapan agency in Europe, met with Umud
Mirzoev, the Head of the International Information Institute from
Azerbaijan, and Azer Hasret, the representative of the "Freedom
of expression network" organization of the Central Asia and South
Caucasus. Co-existence problems in the territory of the South Caucasus,
in particular, problems concerning the futher co-existence and possible
cooperation of the Azeri and Armenian peoples were discussed. Tha
sides agreed to prepare journalistic speeches, mentioning the necessary
steps for providing the peace and co-existence of the region.

The points of view expressed by Ashot Grigorian and his Azeri
colleagues will be introduced in the form of a separate briefing one
of these days.

The last session of the South East Europe Medial Organisation (SEEMO)
entitled Media, Marketing and Business took place on June 18.