Trend, Azerbaijan
April 8 2010
Turkish PM: Turkey not to give up Turkish-Armenian protocols
Turkey is a country that keeps its word, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said at a press conference in Paris, CNN Turk reported.
"Turkey will not give up the Turkish-Armenian protocols, unless there
is nothing supernatural," – he said.
Regarding a possible meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan, Erdogan
said that he will speak on the subject after receiving a response to
his offer by Armenia.
Russian-Armenian innovation center to be opened in Yerevan on April 15
2010-04-09 16:12:00
ArmInfo. The Russian-Armenian innovation center will be opened in
Yerevan on April 15, Head of the Armenian Office of the Federal Agency
for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Abroad and International Humanitarian
Cooperation, Viktor Krivopuskov, told journalists, Friday.
According to him, the representatives of large Russian technological
companies will attend the ribbon- cutting ceremony of the center. The
center will allow Armenian scientists to sell their inventions and
patents in the market more effectively. "Our colleagues from the
Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will confirm that they
receive a lot of patents for registration", he said and added that
Armenia’s task is to make innovators launch them not only in Armenia
and even CIS, but also other countries. "Nobody will deny that at
present innovations are one of the most valuable resources for any
country",- said Krivopuskov.
To recall, the center is to become the first joint center for
innovation cooperation within the frames of the Interstate target
program on innovation cooperation of CIS until 2020. According to the
members of the working group for elaboration of the Interstate target
program on innovation cooperation of CIS, the program will allow CIS
countries to enhance labor efficiency 2.5 times by 2020, reduce GDP
energy intensity by 70%, increase expenditures on science by 3% of
GDP, and those on education – by 6% of GDP. The priority spheres of
development are energy, machine building, aerospace industry,
transport, communication, agriculture, biotechnologies and medicine.
‘WATCH OUT FOR EVA RIVAS’ ON HOLIDAYS IN GREECE
SunIsle
April 8 2010
UK
People on holidays in Greece keen on spotting a celebrity or two might
like to keep their eyes peeled for Eurovision Song Contest contestant
Eva Rivas, who is currently touring the country.
The singer – who will be representing Armenia in this year’s
competition – is promoting her record Apricot Stone and left
Thessaloniki for Athens on April 5th, ESC Today reports.
According to the news source, the star was welcomed warmly by officials
in the former township and, following her arrival, apricot trees
were planted.
This was meant as a symbol for the relationship between Greece
and Armenia and Riva also appeared on TV channels in the country,
speaking of her pleasure at being able to visit the region.
It could also be possible for tourists to snap a picture of Paris
Hilton, who has been linked to Greek model and actor Nassos Pappas.
The Greek Reporter noted that the pair were expected in the area
over Easter.
FOREIGN MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN COMMENTS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH NORMALIZATION
ArmInfo
2010-04-09 11:19:00
ArmInfo. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry commented on the statement
by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton on April 6, calling on Armenia and Turkey to ratify
the protocols on normalization of relations, Press Secretary of the
Foreign Ministry Elkhan Polukhov told APA.
"Azerbaijan understands EU’s desire to help Armenian economy, but
If EU wants to be committed to the balanced policy, it should not
forget about the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani territories by
Armenia," he said. "We hope that Ms. Ashton will take the situation
in the region into account in future and keep the illegal occupation
of territories of Azerbaijan under his vigilant control"- said E.
Polukhov.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the Armenian-Turkish process
bears no relation to Azerbaijan and much less to the false and vague
data of Polukhov on the poor results of Azerbaijan’s aggression
against Nagorny Karabakh. For some evident reasons Polukhov does
not want to remember of the pogroms of the Armenian population in
Azerbaijan during the war unleashed by Azerbaijan as well as of the
continuing militarists statements by his leadership.
RUBEN VARDANYAN IN POLITICS IN ARMENIA?
Tert.am
15:45 09.04.10
The Standard Bank of South Africa may during a half-and-a-year’s
time become the owner of at least the control packet of Troika
Dialog’ shares owned by famous Russia-based Armenian businessman
Ruben Vardanyan.
Citing its own anonymous sources Russian local newspaper RBK daily
writes that currently the sides discuss the possible variants of
acquiring Troika’s shares.
Ruben Vardanyan categorically denied any possibility of selling
Troika’s control packet to any foreign company, inclusive The Standard
Bank, adding, though, that he might leave the company in three years
and in that case he would leave his shares to the "partnership."
According to the source the issue of acquiring the control packet
of Troika Dialog was discussed yet in 2009. Should this happen The
Standard Bank will have to make changes in the top management staff:
Vardanyan may be replaced by Jacques Der Megreditchian.
The source also mentioned that Ruben Vardanyan will completely devote
himself to charity and educational projects or will practice politics
in his homeland – Armenia.
EAFJD WELCOMES EU’S COMMITMENT TO ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS
armradio.am
09.04.2010 18:08
The European Armenian Federation for Justice& Democracy welcomes
the statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Mrs.
Catherine Ashton, confirming European Union’s unwavering commitment
to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without
any pre-conditions.
The Federation would further point out that inherent in the EU
statement is the recognition by EU’s highest-level leadership that
an imbalance exists between the disposition of Armenia which has
followed the "no pre-conditions" principle and has submitted the signed
Protocols to its Parliament, and that of Turkey, which is insisting
on pre-conditions thus halting the ratification process, while at the
same time making statements in support of the normalization process.
The Federation also commends the European executive for its active
efforts toward reinforcement of ties, within the Eastern Partnership
framework, between Armenia and the European Union leading to closer
political association and economic integration.
"At the same time, we deeply regret that so far there has not been a
strong and unanimous condemnation, by the European Union’s leadership,
of Prime Minister Erdogan’s open threats to deport the Armenians living
in Turkey in retaliation for the US congressional consideration of the
Armenian Genocide resolution," declared Hilda Tchoboian, Chairwoman
of the European Armenian Federation.
"Turkey’s present blockade of Armenia and its systematic policy of
denial of the Armenian Genocide should lead the European Union to have
a full appreciation of Turkey’s politics of aggression in the region,"
added Hilda Tchoboian.
The European Armenians expect the European leadership to stand firm on
its refusal of any pre-conditions to normalization of relations. They
also expect the leaders of Europe to clearly demand that the Turkish
blockade of Armenia is lifted once and for all.
SERZH SARGSYAN HOLDS A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH DMITRY MEDVEDEV
ArmInfo
2010-04-09 20:48:00
ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has held a telephone
conversation with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. The Armenian
presidential press-service told ArmInfo that Serzh Sargsyan once
again expressed his condolence over the acts of terrorism committed
in Moscow and other cities of Russia. He also thanked the Russian
president for the invitation to participate in the celebrations of
the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The source says the two countries’ presidents also discussed the
recent developments and the possible forthcoming meeting.
TURKEY WANTS TO OPEN TURKISH SCHOOLS IN FRANCE
WorldBulletin.net
April 8 2010
Turkey
The Turkish premier said that Turkey was fulfilling a historic
constitutional amendment.
The Turkish premier said on Wednesday that Turkey was fulfilling a
historic constitutional amendment.
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met members of Turkish
community living in Europe in a meeting in Paris, France and said
Turkey was amending its constitution to have a legal system in line
with European standards and to have a democracy in line with that in
Europe and contemporary countries.
"When we achieve this, nobody can obstruct Turkey’s growth,"
Erdogan said.
Erdogan said his government wanted to make Turkey be one of the top
ten economies in the world by 2023.
The prime minister said 2010 and 2011 would be the years in which
Turkey would most rapidly grow.
Erdogan called on Turkish citizens to make use of dual citizenship
right granted by France, and cast votes and had a chance to be elected
in that country.
Also, Erdogan said Turkey had almost integrated to European
institutions with its economy and foreign policy.
"With its 73 million population, young and dynamic labor force and
educated people, Turkey is coming to European Union (EU) to undertake
burden, not to be a burden on the union, and to add vision and power,"
he said.
Erdogan asked the Turkish citizens living in European countries to
go on promoting Turkey.
The prime minister said Turkish citizens should never have any
problems in integrating to the society of the countries they were
living, but said assimilation was another thing and nobody could ask
them to get assimilated.
Erdogan hinted Turkey might open Turkish schools in France, and was
working on establishing consulates in Bordeaux and Nantes.
Prime Minister Erdogan said French President Nicolas Sarkozy might
visit Turkey till the end of this year, and a visit to Istanbul would
launch a new process between Turkish and French businessmen.
Erdogan said Turkey would work to open new chapters with the EU, and
said he did not think two countries would face problems in overcoming
several problems, including the Armenian allegations regarding the
incidents of 1915.
"I may meet Armenian President Serzh Sargsian in the United States,"
he also said.
Erdogan also said his special envoy had returned to Turkey from
Armenia, and he would meet with his special envoy.
On Tuesday, Erdogan attended the closing ceremony of "Season of Turkey"
events in France.
Turkish culture was introduced in France with more than 600 events
in 120 cities throughout "Season of Turkey" for nine months.
Earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan met French President Nicolas Sarkozy,
Prime Minister Francois Fillon and French Parliament Speaker Bernard
Accoyer.
After addressing Turkish people, Erdogan returned to Turkey.
DOORS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AGAIN OPEN
parliament.am
April 8 2010
Armenia
Within the framework of the Open Doors programme of the National
Assembly in the park of the parliament an event was held dedicated
to the Holiday of Maternity and Beauty, which was organized by
the National Association of the Armenian Students and the Youth
Organization of the Republican Party.
The students of the higher educational institutions of Armenia marked
the April 7 with festive concert. The members of the parliament also
joined RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan.
TIGRAN KOTANJIAN 2ND IN DUBAI OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
PanARMENIAN.Net
April 8, 2010 – 13:25 AMT 08:25 GMT
Five Armenian chess players are taking part in the Dubai Open Chess
Championship which brought together 150 participants from 32 countries.
The 3rd competition day brought success to Armenians. Four of them
– Tigran Kotanjian, Gabriel Sargissian, Hrant Melkumian and Tigran
Petrossian won their matches.
Currently, Tigran Kotanjian is the 2nd in the championship standings.