Author: Chalian Meline

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 12, 2004, Wednesday

Enlarged E.U. defines policies towards its new neighbours

Brussels

The European Commission on Wednesday mapped out a vision of closer
political and economic ties with the European Union’s neighbours in
the east and the south, saying the newly-enlarged 25 member bloc must
be surrounded by a “ring” of stable and prosperous friends.

Countries from Morocco to Ukraine were not eligible for E.U.
membership but could be given a “real stake in the enlarged E.U. so
that they too can develop and prosper,” European Commissioner Gunter
Verheugen told reporters.

“A ring of well-governed countries around the E.U., offering new
perspectives for democracy and economic growth, is in the interests
of Europe as a whole,” Verheugen said.

The Commission – the European Union’s executive arm – said it did not
want the E.U.’s latest expansion to create “new dividing lines” in
Europe.

Officials said countries eligible to benefit from increased aid,
trade and political links with the E.U. should include Russia,
Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia.

All so-called southern Mediterranean nations, including Israel and
the Palestinian territories, should also become part of the new
neighbourhood policy, they added.

Countries opting to forge closer relations with the E.U. will have to
sign up to joint action plans committing them to democratic and
economic reform as well as respect for human rights.

“The pace at which the E.U. develops links with each partner will
reflect the extent to which these common values are effectively
shared,” the Commission said.

Countries which draw up the action plans will also have to engage in
an intensive political dialogue with the E.U., covering issues such
as the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction as well as efforts to resolve regional conflicts.

If successful, the countries could then enjoy access to the E.U.’s
market of 450 million people, participate in a number of E.U.
programmes in education and training, research and innovation and
achieve improved interconnection and physical links with the E.U. in
the fields of energy, transport, environment and information
technology.

Close co-operation will also be demanded in areas like border
management, migration, the fight against terrorism, trafficking in
human beings, drugs and arms, and combating organised crime.

Verheugen insisted that the action plans will be differentiated and
tailor-made to reflect the existing state of relations with each
country.

Once the action plans are implemented, the E.U.’s new neighbours
could sign up to “privileged partnerships” with the bloc, the
Commission said.

The policy will be backed up by an aid package worth 255 million
euros (303 million dollars).

The first wave of countries to join the programme are expected to
include Moldova, Ukraine, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan,
Tunisia and Morocco, with Egypt and Lebanon set to be included in the
autumn.

The new strategy has to be approved by E.U. governments before it is
implemented by the Commission. dpa si pmc

Armenian sides to have dialogue on resolving tensions, parliament speaker says

Associated Press Worldstream
May 11, 2004 Tuesday

YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s opposition parties, which have been
demanding the resignation of President Robert Kocharian in weeks of
large demonstrations, have agreed to start a “political dialogue” with
the government side, Parliament speaker Artur Bagdasarian said Tuesday.

In a statement, Bagdasarian said an agenda for the discussions will be
worked out on Thursday. Further details on the talks, including their
format and whether any issues were off-limits, were not immediately
available.

“As speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, I express the hope
that the representatives in parliament of all political forces will
do everything possible to establish a new political situation in the
country and by the path of political dialogue reach a resolution of
the current difficult questions,” Bagdasarian said.

Weeks of demonstrations have raised political tensions in Armenia.

Kocharian won a second term in presidential elections a year ago that
sparked mass protests. Opposition groups alleged widespread violations
in both rounds of the election.

CELLINI INTERNATIONAL PLANS TO EXPAND COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

ArmenPress
May 10 2004

YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS: Italian Cellini International, a trading
partner of several Armenian jewelry companies, has purchased some 500
kg of jewelry items manufactured in Armenia to have sold them at USA,
Canada, Mexico and Italy over the last three years.

Samvel Najarian, the deputy chief manager of the Los Angeles-based
Paros, a subsidiary of Cellini International, told Armenpress a
new cooperation expansion plan is being developed with Armenian
companies. Cellini International made its first presence at an annual
jewelry exhibition in Armenia this year showing a variety of items,
which it plans to cell throughout the CIS.

Najarian said Armenia remains an attractive country for investing in
jewelry due to its skilled and relatively cheap labor force.

Sunday, May 23, 2004
4:00 PM
Free admission

The Armenian Cultural Committee of Boston presents
A Panel Discussion:

“The Caucasian Policy of the Major Powers and Future of Armenia”

Panelists:
Dr. Murat Acemoglu
David B. Boyajian

Moderator: Dr. Armen Bagdoian

Location:
Church of the Good Shepherd
Corner of Mount Auburn Street and Russell Avenue
(1/2 mile from Watertown Square & one block from Common Street)
Watertown, Massachusetts

28.04.2004 14:54:00 GMT
Turkey ready to broaden relations with Armenia

Moscow. April 28 (Interfax) – Turkey is prepared to broaden relations with
Armenia, if that country shows it is willing to expand contacts with Turkey,
Turkish Ambassador to Russia Kurtulus Taskent told a press conference in
Moscow on Wednesday.

“We would like to establish good relations with Armenia,” he said.

However, he expressed regret that Armenia has territorial claims against
Turkey. “Of course, no one is strong enough to take away territory from
Turkey,” he said.

If all these aspects in Armenia’s policy regarding Turkey are settled,
relations will develop intensively, the ambassador said.

One cannot say that there are no relations at all between Turkey and
Armenia. “They do exist and the leaders of both countries meet and discuss
their future. Business contacts are being maintained, as well,” he said.

He said that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Armenia’s
independence. “We would like to develop our relations with Armenia the way
we do with other countries,” Taskent said.

Armenian and Azeri leaders to continue negotiations

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04

[Presenter] The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents (Robert Kocharyan
and Ilham Aliyev) assessed the Warsaw meeting constructive. There is a
mutual wish to restart the negotiations, the Presidents Kocharyan and
Aliyev announced after the face-to-face meeting. Robert Kocharyan
informed that an agreement was reached to make continual the meetings
of the two countries’ foreign ministers. It is expected that Vardan
Oskanyan (Armenian foreign minister) and Elmar Mammadyarov
(Azerbaijani foreign minister) will meet in May. The presidents will
instruct them to have more frequent and constructive contacts in the
future. The presidents themselves will try to use various
international summits for the bilateral meetings.

[Correspondent Lilit Setrakyan from Warsaw over telephone] The
European Economic summit started its work in Warsaw. The leaders of 16
countries and 10s high ranking officials are in Warsaw these days. The
leaders of the Caucasus three countries who are also in Warsaw used
this opportunity for the bilateral meetings. President Kocharyan’s
working day programme was significant by the meeting of President
Ilham Aliyev, which took place by the mediation of the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group who arrived in Warsaw specially for this
occasion.

The presidents also had a face-to-face meeting. The presidents made an
announcement after the meeting. Ilham Aliyev noted that the meeting
was held in a constructive atmosphere and the discussion process on a
peaceful settlement will be continued for both sides’ mutual
interest. Robert Kocharyan confirmed Ilham Aliyev’s assessment and
announced that they agreed to continue the negotiations also by the
foreign ministers’ negotiations. Oskanyan and Mammadyarov’s next
meeting will be held in May. President Kocharyan also noted that the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will use any desirable meetings
and summits to continue the talks.

After the face-to-face meeting Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev
together with Georgian President Saakashvili took part in the working
lunch with in the framework of the European Economic summit, to
discuss Caucasus issues. There were discussed the relations with the
expanded Europe and new neighbours. The Armenian, Azerbaijani and
Georgian presidents presented their countries’ economic developments,
business spheres and atmospheres and possibilities of the regional
economic cooperation.

After the Economic summit Robert Kocharyan met Polish President
Aleksander Kwasnieski. The presidents discussed Armenian-Polish
relations and cooperation in the international organizations.

President Kocharyan’s working day’s programme concluded with a
cultural event in the Warsaw National Opera Theatre.

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 1, 2004

OPERATIONAL CONSULTATION OF NKR POLICE

Opening the operational consultation the head of the NKR police Armen
Isagulov presented the agenda question “On the results of the
operational-service activity of NKR police in the first trimester of
2004”. The first vice head of the police, major-general of the police
Arshavir Gharamian mentioned in his report that the police units
maintained stable controllable situation in the mentioned period. In
the period concerned 152 offences were reported against 167 of the
previous year. The crime rate dropped by 9 percent or 15 cases. The
increased number of grave crimes was artificially caused by the
introduction of the new criminal code. On the other hand, the rate of
revelation was improved by 12 percent. The police bodies revealed 7
cases of drug crimes against 4 in the first trimester of 2003. 3
cases of confiscation of weapon and ammunition were reported. In the
same period citizens voluntarily handed in 14 guns. Another important
thing is that the two reported cases of murder were revealed, and the
rate of revelation of cases dismissed in the previous years
increased. The department of criminal investigation of the
administration of operational services promoted cooperation with the
town department of police and the regional departments. As a result
10 crimes were revealed against 1 in the first trimester of 2003. The
group for investigation for criminals and missing people discovered
and extradited 2 criminals who were outside the republic; one of them
was found with the assistance of the Stepanakert town department. The
reporter touched upon the activities of the departments for public
order, interrogation, as well as a number of subdivisions and
agencies and pointed out the drawbacks and mistakes. The results of
the operational consultation were summed up by the head of the NKR
Police, lieutenant-general of police Armen Isagulov. In his address
the head of the system dwelled on the necessity of correcting the
faults in the activities of separate subdivisions and agencies, and
indicating their causes. He stressed the idea that the operational
agencies should come in closer cooperation with local inspectors, and
the heads of certain subdivisions must improve the mechanisms of
control thus promoting the general progress. Corresponding
instructions and tasks were given in this reference. Before closing
the consultation Armen Isagulov conferred 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree
medals for “Long Service in the Police” on a number of members of the
police for conscientious and responsible service.

RUDOLF MARTIROSSIAN

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 3 2004

Armenia about to minimize losses from cargo ferries delay

YEREVAN, May 3 (Itar-Tass) – The Armenian authorities are taking steps
to minimize losses inflicted by suspension of cargo ferries via the
port of Batumi, Armenian Transport and Communications Minister Andranik
Manukyan said on Monday.

After the Adzharian authorities ordered to demolish railway bridges, 63
ferry carriages with food and other products are stuck in Batumi, the
minister said. Yerevan is conducting talks with Georgia on transporting
the ferry to the port of Poti.

`If the situation does not change, Armenia will receive its cargoes via
Poti, which will be less costly than via Batumi,’ Manukyan said.

During current Armenia’s transport blockade, the Black Sea ports of
Batumi and Poti and Georgia’s railway are the only way for Armenia to
receive cargoes, mainly food and fuel.

ArmenPress
May 4 2004

ARMENIAN BOXERS WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN POLAND

WROCLAV, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: Three Armenian boxers, Hovhannes
Danielian (48 kg), Gabriel Tolmazian (54 kg) from Yerevan and Samvel
Matevosian (69 kg) from Vanadzor snatched gold medals at an
international youth championship in Wrozlav, Poland. Edgar Manukian
(57 kg) came third.
Armenia’s combined team was the first in team fight overcoming
combined teams of England, France, Italy, Czech, Lithuania, Ukraine
and Poland. Samvel Matevosian was recognized the best boxer of the
championship.

Bahrain Tribune
April 27, 2004 Tuesday

Five new envoys present credentials

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh
Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, yesterday received credentials from
five ambassador-designates. The ambassadors are Abdulrazaq Taher of
Ghana, Daiya Aldeen Saeed of Djibouti, Rito Rekola of Finland, Dr
Arshak Poladyah of Armenia and Janos Jeerees of Hungary.