Author: Boshkezenian Garik

RAS AL KHAIMAH UNITED ARAB EMIRATE TO INVEST UP TO $500 MILLION IN GEORGIA’S PORT OF POTI

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2010 – 10:57 AMT 05:57 GMT

The Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirate will invest up to $500 million
in Georgia’s busiest Black Sea port of Poti over the next four to
five years through its investment authority Rakia, senior executives
in its Georgian subsidiaries said in interviews this week.

Poti, which was briefly seized by Russia after August 2008’s war
over the breakaway territory of South Ossetia, is a key transit
route linking the Caucasus and Central Asia to Europe, and Georgia’s
government has been working with Rakia to establish a free industrial
zone on the territory which would allow companies to operate tax free
and export goods.

Rakia already fully owns Poti’s existing port, plans to finish
construction of the zone by the end of May, and will start to build
a second port adjacent to it next year at a cost of $300 million.

"Rakia will hold a majority in the new port, we’re funding it but also
looking for big international banks to become involved," said Khaled
Chatila, Poti Sea Port’s general manager. Rakia will also expand the
first port, which handles oil and general cargo, to increase grain
and cement capacity, he said.

Some 15 companies have already signed up for the free zone and 50
are expected by the end of 2010, according to Joseph Nibladze, Rakia
Georgia’s senior marketing executive.

"They will include furniture makers, chemical manufacturers, steel
fabricators and agricultural producers from Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates," he said.

Georgia’s economy, fuelled by $2 billion in foreign investment, grew
12.4% in 2007. But the war and world economic crisis scared investors
away and it shrank by 3.9% last year. The government is predicting
a return to growth of 4.5% in 2010.

Another free industrial zone in Kutaisi in western Georgia is already
up and running, with Egyptian household goods manufacturer, Fresh,
assembling gas cookers and water heaters there for export to Azerbaijan
and Armenia.

"Two more zones are planned, one in Gonio near the Turkish Georgian
border, and one in the east of the country," said Finance Minister
Kakha Baindurashvili.

"Our theory with the free industrial zones is that both the investor
and the government do well. They get a free tax environment, free
trade and good logistics and we get increased employment and dollar
flows," he said, The Wall Street Journal reported.

APA, Azerbaijan
May 8 2010

Armenian foreign minister to meet with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs next week

[ 08 May 2010 12:25 ]

Baku. Victoria Dementieva ` APA. Armenian foreign minister Edward
Nalbandian will meet with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in Brussels
next week.

According to APA, Nalbandian will attend the meeting of foreign
ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on May 11, Armenian
foreign ministry said.

The Armenian minister will visit Brussels following the meeting. He
will attend NATO-Armenia (IPAP) meeting within the North Atlantic
Council 28+1 format. Nalbandian will meet with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs in Brussels to discuss the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict with them.

Aysor, Armenia
May 8 2010

Liberation of Shushi: the 18th anniversary of victory

The 8th and 9th of May on 1992 became a turning point in the
liberation war of Artsakh. On May 8th the liberation actions of Shushi
were decided. It was headed by Arkadi Ter Tadevosyan, Kamandos.

The liberation of Shushi was a turning point for the Karabakh war. It
was exactly from here that the Azerbaijani were hitting Stepanakert
and the surrounding villages.

Regardless the overwhelming forces of the rival due to the Armenian
heroic braveness and brilliant fighting efficiency on May 9 Shushi was
finally liberated, which allowed us to return our fatherland and to
keep moving forward.

On May 18 the Armenian subdivisions reached the border of the Armenian
Republic.

The name `Shushi’ is derived from the word `shosh’ which in Artsakh
dialect means the newly grown branch of the tree which is higher than
the others. This namr Shushi has received because of its
geographically high position.

The Nagorno-Karabakh (armed) conflict broke out back in 1991, when,
subsequent to the demand for self-determination of the
Nagorno-Karabakh people, Azerbaijani authorities attempted to resolve
the issue through ethnic cleansings, carried out by Soviet security
forces (KGB special units) under the pretext of the implementation of
the passport regime and by launching of large-scale military
operations, which left thousands dead and caused considerable material
damage. A cease-fire agreement was established in 1994. Negotiations
on the settlement of the conflict are being conducted under the
mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen (Russia, USA, France)
and on the basis of their Madrid proposals, presented in November,
2007.

Azerbaijan has not yet implemented the 4 resolutions of the UN
Security Council adopted in 1993, by continuing to provoke arms race
in the region and openly violating on of the basic principles of the
international law non-use of force or threat of force.

Armenia’s Sargsyan travels to Moscow

13:13 08/05/2010 » Society

At the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitri
Medvedev, President Serzh Sargsyan will conduct a working visit to
Moscow on May 8-9 to participated at the events dedicated to the 65th
anniversary of the end of WWII.

The President of Armenia will also participate at the unofficial
summit of the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
and CIS Heads of State.

Source: Panorama.am

CIS leader to hold unofficial summit in Moscow

MOSCOW, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS: CIS leaders will hold a summit meeting
dedicated to the 65th anniversary of victory in WWII here on Saturday.

The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently chairing the
CIS, invited CIS leaders to come to Moscow to mark the V-Day. `The
unofficial meeting of CIS heads of state will be dedicated to the 65th
anniversary of victory in WWII, a central subject of Russia’s current
chairmanship in the CIS,’ a Kremlin source told Itar-Tass and added
that the year 2010 had been declared the Year of Veterans in the CIS.

`The CIS heads of state are expected to pass a joint address to WWII
veterans. Along with the address to the CIS peoples and the world
community on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Victory
passed at the CIS Chisinau summit in October 2009, this document will
demonstrate adherence to the historical truth about World War II, and
will focus on protection of socio-economic rights and legal interests
of WWII veterans,’ the source said.

`Bearing in mind the meeting’s unofficial character, there are no
fixed agenda. The heads of state are likely to take a chance to
exchange their views on the current state and prospects for
development of comprehensive cooperation within the CIS. Thus, they
are expected to discuss the first results of Russia’s chair in the
organization, including such subjects as innovation and hi-tech
cooperation, top-priority areas of humanitarian cooperation in
2011-2012, and issues of a forthcoming 20th anniversary of the CIS in
December 2011,’ the source added.

On Friday, Russian president’s aide Sergei Prikhodko said the
Saturday’ s summit would be attended by CIS executive secretary Sergei
Lebedev, whose term of office expires in 2010, and the issue might
also be raised at the meeting.

According to Prikhodko, leaders of all former Soviet republics were
invited to Moscow, with the exception of Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili. `He will be out of place here,’ Prikhodko was reported to
say. `Why should we invite him (Saakashvili), if he demolishes
monuments? (The monument to soldiers killed in WWII was destroyed in
December 2009) It would be strange to invite Saakashvili due to this
reason only. If a man takes a political decision to demolish a
monument to war heroes he will be unwelcome here.’

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER T. SARGSYAN PARTICIPATES IN THE SESSION OF THE BUREAU OF THE GROUP OF THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE’S PARTY

ARMENPRESS
MAY 7,2010
KARLOVY VARY

The session of the bureau of the Group of the European People’s Party
(EPP Group) kicked off yesterday in Czech town of Karlovy Vary with
participation of Armenian Prime Minister, member of the Council of
the Republican Party of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan. The core issues of
the discussion at the session are the challenges and prospects of
the Eastern Partnership, the 2002 strategy of Europe, the fighting
against crime, and creation of working places. The session under the
heading of "Eastern Partnership: the Challenges and Prospects of the
European Continent" will be summoned after the opening speeches.

The board of the European People’s Party, high-ranking officials from
the European countries and particularly from Czechia, participate in
the gathering.

Head of the EPP Group Joseph Daul welcomed the participation of
Tigran Sargsyan and pointed out that the EPP Group stands up for
cooperation with the Eastern partners, which is based not only on
business contacts but on democracy, freedom, strengthening of law
supremacy, interaction of the spheres of education and culture as well.

The speeches of Cyril Svoboda, chairman of the Czech
Christian-Democratic Party, and of Armenian Prime Minister T. Sargsyan
are intended, which will be followed by discussions. Gunar Hokmark,
vice-chairman of the EPP Group in the European parliament, responsible
authority of EU expansion and neighborhood policy affairs, will
deliver a closing speech.

Chairman of the European parliament Jerzy Buzek will take part in
the discussions. Even in this period of the global economic crisis
an importance is attached to maintenance of partner relations with
everyone, which shares the common merits of human rights, law supremacy
and democracy, which are laid in the basis of the European Union.

The European People’s Party is the largest one in Europe, it has
been established in 1 976, the central office is in Brussels. The EPP
is defined as center-right party. It is quite an influential power,
and 72 parties of 39 countries are affiliated with it.

Within the frameworks of the visit Prime Minister T. Sargsyan will
meet in Prague with his Czech counterpart Yan Fischer.

ARF CONFERENCE KICKS OFF IN YEREVAN
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
07.05.2010 18:45

The conference of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun,
featuring representatives of Armenian National Committees, kicked
off in Yerevan today. The forum will continue for three days and will
end in Nagorno Karabakh.

In his opening address, ARF Bureau member Levon Lazarian noted that
"the conference is aimed at unifying the Armenian nation within the
country, as well as in Karabakh and Diaspora for the settlement of
national problems." "This does not mean we seek war or extremism,
we simply wish to solve national problems in compliance with our
national interests," Levon Lazarian said.

"The dynamically changing geopolitical situation in the region incites
new challenges entailing the following question: how many independent
states will be in the South Caucasus, (3 states, 3+1, 3+2 or 3+3),"
chairman of the ARF Supreme Council and the Head of the Standing
Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan said.

Turkey is aspiring to play a greater role in the region, Armen
Rustamyan said, adding that "if Turkey gets involved in regional
developments, Iran should also be given the chance to maintain the
balance."

According to Armen Rustamyan, Armenia is in isolation today, but
the process of coming out of this isolation and the establishment of
the Armenian-Turkish relations should not be realized at the cost of
national interests.

CYPRIOT AND ARMENIAN PEOPLES HAVE BEEN TIED WITH BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP FOR CENTURIES

Armradio.am
06.05.2010 19:15

On May 6 Armenian Ambassador Gagik Ghalachyan presented his
creadentials to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris
Christofias.

"The Cypriot and Armenian peoples have been tied with bonds of
friendship for long centuries now while they have also shared similar
destinies throughout history," the Ambassador said.

"In the aftermath of the Genocide of Armenians perpetrated in the
Ottoman Empire at the dawn of the previous century many Armenians,
having lost their historic motherland, found refuge and second home
in Cyprus. It was only recently that the sad 95th anniversary of that
great tragedy was marked worldwide, also in the Republic of Cyprus,
once again voicing that justice is yet to be served, and the crime is
yet to be acknowledged. We know that the friendly Cypriot people have
similar sentiments and resentments, with their homeland still divided,
their rights still trampled," Ambassador Ghalachyan stated.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the ways of further deepening
of bilateral relations, urgent international and regional issues.

President Christofias said that "as EU member state Cyprus is very
close to Armenia, both in political and geographic terms, and we will
continue to do our utmost to strengthen the EU- Armenia relations in
all areas."

"In this respect, let me express our support to the efforts undertaken
by President Sargsyan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within
the OSCE Minsk Group process, without the use of force but through
negotiations based on the principles and norms of international law.

Allow me to also refer to the agreement between Armenia and Turkey
to advance the process of normalization of relations that currently
is experiencing a stalemate due to the fact that Turkey has not
proceeded with steps to ratify the Protocols. In this difficult turn
we commend President Sargsyan’s declared commitment to the vision of
peace, stability and reconciliation. In this way, Turkey would be
taking a step of political goodwill, that could hopefully serve as
a precedent for Ankara to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and abide
with international and European law," the President of Cyprus stated.

Mr. Christofias requested the Ambassador to convey to President
Sargsyan, as well as to the brotherly people of Armenia his warmest
greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity. He
took the opportunity to renew an invitation to President Sargsyan to
visit Cyprus.

"KARABAKH PEOPLE’S POSITION IS OF A PRIMARY IMPORTANCE"

Aysor
May 6 2010
Armenia

Head of Media Relations Division of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tigran Balayan by the request of one of the Medias has commented
on the statements of Baku concerning the absence of the position of
Armenia as well as exceeding of some time limits, which as if Armenia
asked for the normalization process of the Karabakh issue.

The press, information and public relations department informs that
the answer runs as follows: "The position of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh expressed at the 1991 referendum is of primary importance in
the settlement of the conflict. Armenia has always supported and will
continue supporting this position. Azerbaijan is only losing time:
sooner or later it will have to reckon with the will of the people
of Nagorno Karabakh.

Not finding understanding of its destructive position in the
negotiation process, some Azerbaijani officials think of nothing
better than showing off in front of their own people through endless
chain of falsifications and sabre-rattling."

U.S POLITICAL ANALYST: WEST’S DOUBLE STANDARDS IN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CHANGE AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN POLICY

Trend
May 6 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani leadership fundamentally changed foreign policy
in connection with the double standards of the West in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, U.S political analyst, journalist,
expert on South Caucasus Samson Katzman said in his report at an
international conference in Tel Aviv on the theme "Asia: the media
and regional conflicts".

"Despite this, under the influence of Armenian lobby, mostly in
the U.S., some leaders of this country, as well as their friends
continue to put pressure on Azerbaijan and Turkey. It is seriously
hampering the normalization of the process and at the same time leads
to the emergence of new hotbeds of conflict. The obvious example is
Georgia", Katzman said, the Azerbaijani State Committee on work with
the Diaspora said.

Politicians, journalists and public figures from the U.S., Germany,
Russia and Ukraine participate in the conference. Organizers are
the Azerbaijani State Committee on work with the Diaspora and
the International Association Azerbaijan-Israel. Chairman of the
committee Nazim Ibrahimov and representatives of the Azerbaijani
media participate in the event.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.