BYELARUS ARMENIA MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN "ATATURK" STADIUM
Aysor
Feb 23 2010
Armenia
On March 3 the Armenian national team will have a meeting with the
Byelorussian team. The game will take place at the "Ataturk" stadium
of Turkish Antalia city at 19:00, the press office of the Armenian
Football Federation informs.
ERGENEKON INVESTIGATION HAS VARIED EFFECT ON TURKISH NGO’S, MINORITY GROUPS
2010/02/22 | 10:21
Region
Turkish NGO’s and groups that focus on human rights and minority issues
are split on the issue of whether the Ergenekon case has led to an
increase or decrease in pressure exerted by the state against them.
Etyen Mahcupyan, Agos chief editor and a columnist for Taraf, says
that the Ergenekon investigation has cut the number of threats made
against Agos. Mahcupyan told Hurriyet that it was hard to say who was
behind the recent hacking of the Agos website. The investigation began
in 2007 into a suspected gang known as Ergenekon that was allegedly
plotting to overthrow the ruling government.
"We have the usual number [of threats against Agos] via e-mail, so
they do not count," he said, adding that whenever Armenian issues
are in the forefront, like April 24 Genocide commemorations, threats
toward the newspaper rise. At the same time, however, the newspaper
becomes temporarily "forgotten" whenever the Kurdish problem begins
taking the country’s attention," Mahcupyan said.
Ozturk Turkdogan, president of the Human Rights Association, or IHD,
said the organization "always receives threatening messages," and he
had observed no difference between 2007 and today.
Akın Birdal, a deputy from the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party,
or BDP, said the threats may have decreased but human rights violations
have not. "The guarantee for human rights and liberties is the law
itself, and you see the state of the law," he said, pointing to the
recent government-judiciary tension.
OSCE TO CONDUCT MONITORING OF CONTACT LINE BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI TROOPS
APA
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan
Baku – APA. Under the mandate of the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the contact line of troops south of
Tazakend village of Aghdam region of the Republic of Azerbaijan will be
monitored on February 23, Azerbaijan Defense Ministry’s press service
told APA. Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzyk, his field assistants Vladimir Chountulov and Peter
Key will conduct the monitoring on Azerbaijani side.
Field assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Imre Palatinus, Jiri Aberleh and Jaslan Nurtazin
will conduct the monitoring on the opposite side of the line of contact
recognized as territory of Azerbaijan on the international level.
ATP’s Environmental Education Program Creating a New Generation of
Informed and Responsible Citizens
onmental-education-program-creating-a-new-generati on-of-informed-and-responsible-citizens/
By Asbarez Staff on Feb 19th, 2010
The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently announced the addition of Alla
Berberyan to its team of program managers in Yerevan. Alla has a
degree in Linguistics and Literature from Yerevan State University and
a master’s in Political Science and International Affairs from
American University of Armenia. She has completed a certificate
program in Environmental Sciences and Conservation at AUA, and has
attended a number of international trainings and conferences on
sustainable development and environmental sciences. The following is
an excerpt of an interview that was published in ATP’s latest annual
report.
Below is an Interview with Alla Berberyan
Why do you think environmental education is important for ATP and for
Armenia?
Alla Berberyan: Economic development occurs too often at the expense
of long-term social and environmental sustainability. Severe
environmental losses in Armenia began in the Soviet era, persisted
throughout the economic crisis of the 1990’s, and continue posing
major challenges today. Massive degradation of forests, soil erosion
and landslides, desertification, air and water pollution, and
biodiversity loss are no longer threats but are becoming the defining
characteristics of Armenia’s environment.
One reason for this deterioration and the widespread apathy and denial
towards these issues is the limited awareness of environmental issues
and the lack of responsible and empowered advocates of sustainability.
ATP has assumed a leadership role in developing environmental
education as a core program area to create a new generation of
environmentally responsible citizens who will value the natural
resources of our ancient land and uphold the notion of preserving and
restoring them.
What are the latest developments in ATP’s environmental education program?
A.B.: In collaboration with experts from the National Institute of
Education, ATP’s `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’ Teacher’s Manual was
updated to become a part of the required curriculum in public schools.
The manual was enhanced with new lessons to encompass a broader number
of environmental topics. We have expanded our regional network of
collaborating teachers, and will launch a new series of teacher
training events.
What is your vision for ATP’s environmental education program in 2010
and beyond?
A.B.: We will continue to train teachers in all regions based on the
updated Teacher’s Manual. Our EE Program will continue to advance
eco-literacy among Armenian youth through environmental classes and
events at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education
Center at Karin Nursery and the new Ohanian Center for Environmental
Studies in Margahovit.
How have teachers and students responded to ATP’s environmental
education curriculum?
A.B.: The curriculum offers a combination of interactive and practical
lessons that raise the schoolchildren’s interest in their surrounding
environment and nature. The manual equips teachers with information to
guide students to recognize and appreciate the value of natural
ecosystems and the feasibility of sustainable practices. Teachers and
students are responding to the manual with enthusiasm. The students
become advocates of change, display creativity and initiative, and
often find positive solutions to some of the environmental problems
around them.
What is the status of environmental education in the country in
general? Has the government been supportive of this ATP program?
A.B.: The 2001 Law on Environmental Education called for
implementation of ecological education from pre-school to graduate
levels. Based on this mandate, the National Strategic Program on
Ecological Education was developed in 2007. However, environmental
education and awareness was a relatively low priority, especially
since there was a deficit of educational materials in the field.
We collaborated with the National Institute of Education of the
Ministry of Education and Science, which has been very supportive of
our projects, including integration of environmental education into
the public education system through the `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’
Teacher’s Manual.
What are the next steps needed to improve the level of environmental
education in Armenia?
A.B.: It is important to take steps that can turn Armenia away from
the current path of purely economy-focused, environmentally
destructive development. The most essential of those steps is
increasing the public’s understanding and acceptance of the fact that
the environment is influenced by each individual’s actions as well as
by their inaction. It is important to grow such consciousness in
younger citizens. Because of the Soviet past and recent political
challenges, our society is experiencing pervasive passivity and
denial, and the level of civic engagement is low.
It is vital to develop the belief among the young generation that
every person has the power and responsibility to contribute to the
well-being of our society. We need to continue environmental training
at all levels of our society and maintain pressure on the country’s
leadership to pursue sustainable policies and practice.
The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently announced the addition of Alla
Berberyan to its team of program managers in Yerevan. Alla has a
degree in Linguistics and Literature from Yerevan State University and
a master’s in Political Science and International Affairs from
American University of Armenia. She has completed a certificate
program in Environmental Sciences and Conservation at AUA, and has
attended a number of international trainings and conferences on
sustainable development and environmental sciences. The following is
an excerpt of an interview that was published in ATP’s latest annual
report.
Below is an Interview with Alla Berberyan
Why do you think environmental education is important for ATP and for Armenia?
Alla Berberyan: Economic development occurs too often at the expense
of long-term social and environmental sustainability. Severe
environmental losses in Armenia began in the Soviet era, persisted
throughout the economic crisis of the 1990’s, and continue posing
major challenges today. Massive degradation of forests, soil erosion
and landslides, desertification, air and water pollution, and
biodiversity loss are no longer threats but are becoming the defining
characteristics of Armenia’s environment.
One reason for this deterioration and the widespread apathy and denial
towards these issues is the limited awareness of environmental issues
and the lack of responsible and empowered advocates of sustainability.
ATP has assumed a leadership role in developing environmental
education as a core program area to create a new generation of
environmentally responsible citizens who will value the natural
resources of our ancient land and uphold the notion of preserving and
restoring them.
What are the latest developments in ATP’s environmental education program?
A.B.: In collaboration with experts from the National Institute of
Education, ATP’s `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’ Teacher’s Manual was
updated to become a part of the required curriculum in public schools.
The manual was enhanced with new lessons to encompass a broader number
of environmental topics. We have expanded our regional network of
collaborating teachers, and will launch a new series of teacher
training events.
What is your vision for ATP’s environmental education program in 2010
and beyond?
A.B.: We will continue to train teachers in all regions based on the
updated Teacher’s Manual. Our EE Program will continue to advance
eco-literacy among Armenian youth through environmental classes and
events at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education
Center at Karin Nursery and the new Ohanian Center for Environmental
Studies in Margahovit.
How have teachers and students responded to ATP’s environmental
education curriculum?
A.B.: The curriculum offers a combination of interactive and practical
lessons that raise the schoolchildren’s interest in their surrounding
environment and nature. The manual equips teachers with information to
guide students to recognize and appreciate the value of natural
ecosystems and the feasibility of sustainable practices. Teachers and
students are responding to the manual with enthusiasm. The students
become advocates of change, display creativity and initiative, and
often find positive solutions to some of the environmental problems
around them.
What is the status of environmental education in the country in
general? Has the government been supportive of this ATP program?
A.B.: The 2001 Law on Environmental Education called for
implementation of ecological education from pre-school to graduate
levels. Based on this mandate, the National Strategic Program on
Ecological Education was developed in 2007. However, environmental
education and awareness was a relatively low priority, especially
since there was a deficit of educational materials in the field.
We collaborated with the National Institute of Education of the
Ministry of Education and Science, which has been very supportive of
our projects, including integration of environmental education into
the public education system through the `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’
Teacher’s Manual.
What are the next steps needed to improve the level of environmental
education in Armenia?
A.B.: It is important to take steps that can turn Armenia away from
the current path of purely economy-focused, environmentally
destructive development. The most essential of those steps is
increasing the public’s understanding and acceptance of the fact that
the environment is influenced by each individual’s actions as well as
by their inaction. It is important to grow such consciousness in
younger citizens. Because of the Soviet past and recent political
challenges, our society is experiencing pervasive passivity and
denial, and the level of civic engagement is low.
It is vital to develop the belief among the young generation that
every person has the power and responsibility to contribute to the
well-being of our society. We need to continue environmental training
at all levels of our society and maintain pressure on the country’s
leadership to pursue sustainable policies and practice.
PROGRAM OF SOLUTION ON MIGRATION ISSUES IS UNDER DESIGN
Aysor
Feb 19 2010
Armenia
The three-year Program of Contribution to the Development of the
Migration Policy has been summed up today, after being implemented
in 2007-2009 by joint efforts of the International Center for Human
Development, the British Council, and the Migration Agency of the
Ministry of Territorial Administration of Armenia.
Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia, Arthur
Baghdasaryan, has announced today that a working group set to work
over the program on migration issues. The program is expected to be
designed in the near 2-3 months by the working group, created under
the decree by interdepartmental commission on coordination between
Armenia and the EU.
"We hope that in the near two or three month the program will be
delivered, providing a complex document to solve the migration issues,"
said Arthur Baghdasaryan pointing the importance of the solution to
these issues to Armenia in sense of national security and issues of
managing the migratory flows and risks.
According to Arthur Baghdasaryan, nest year Armenia will put into
operation the biometric passports, which will provide stronger basis
for Armenia-EU cooperation.
LATIN JAZZ FLUTIST YULIA MUSAYELYAN DEBUTS WITH INTERCONTINENTAL SOUNDS
By Jean Belovic
Blue Music Group
F eb 19 2010
Armenian latin jazz flutist Yulia Musayelyan from Moscow, Russia,
improvises and grooves fluently on her debut album, Caminos. The album
features pianist Vardan Ovsepian, and an Argentinian rhythm section
from New York, Fernando Huergo on bass and Franco Pinna on drums.
Musayelyan’s original compositions are primarily of South American
character in rhythm, harmonically they suggest Russian and Eastern
European moods. She features traditionals from Armenia, which
work well for her as flutist. Musayelyan’s sound is beautiful and
classically trained, no trace of the "multi-reed syndrome" can be
detected as with so many jazz musicians these days. Her soloing is
straightforward, fairly simple and effective, not twisted by jazz
historical banalities. This is primarily a leader and flute solo
demonstration with interactive rhythm section participation, and for
a debut album, Caminos demonstrates promise and fresh expression.
Musayelyan is featured on several albums as sideman, those with
Marta Gomez, Fernando Huergo, Grupo Nuevo and Julio Santillán are
the most significant ones. An enjoyable introduction by a new artist
on the scene.
AZERBAIJANI MP RAISES ISSUE OF RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT IN PACE
news.az
Feb 19 2010
Azerbaijan
Azay Guliyev offers PACE to work out mechanisms of implementation of
UN and OSCE resolutions on Armenia.
Chairman of the State Support to NGO Azay Guliyev has raised the issue
of the resolution of the Karabakh conflict at the PACE winter session,
said sources in the public relations department of the Council of
the State Support to NGO.
He noted that though the negotiations had continued for more than
15 years, Armenia’s nonconstructive position hampers the adoption of
such a decision. More than a million of people have become refugees
and IDPs in the result of occupation of 20% lands. Azerbaijan spares
no effort for the peaceful settlement of the conflict. However,
Armenia does not execute requirements of four UN resolutions, as well
as a number of demands, fixed in the documents of the OSCE and the
Council of Europe and does not free the Azerbaijani lands. Therefore,
the deputy considers it important to adopt definite mechanisms of the
implementation of the UN resolutions and OSCE documents at an annual
PACE session to be held in Oslo.
Azerbaijan cannot wait for another 15 years of ineffective negotiations
and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly must present a definite position
on this issue.
In turn, head of the Armenian delegation in PACE Aram Safaryan tried
to distract attention of the listeners from the deputy’s speech.
However, Guliyev was in time to point at the maneuver of the Armenian
side.
TURKISH-ARMENIAN NORMALIZATION IN AZERBAIJAN’S INTERESTS
news.az
Feb 16 2010
Azerbaijan
Lawrence Scott Sheets News.Az interviews Lawrence Scott Sheets,
Caucasus Project director for the International Crisis Group.
Everyone is talking about the updated version of the Madrid principles,
although no-one actually knows the old version. What do you think
are the updated principles?
Since the talks are confidential, we do not know the full contents
of the Madrid proposals and, therefore, can only speculate about
the details.
But what is more important and certain is that the fundamental
pillars of the Madrid proposals remain unchanged. These, as you
know, include Armenian withdrawal from the occupied territories
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh; the right to return to their homes
for all refugees and IDPs; an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh,
which would provide internationally-backed guarantees for security and
self-governance to the whole of its population; a corridor linking
Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh; and a legally binding popular vote,
the modalities of which have yet to be agreed, which would determine
the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh.
These points have been repeatedly mentioned by the Minsk Group
mediators and also are included in the factsheet accompanying the
July 2009 L’Aquila statement of the presidents of the Minsk Group
co-chairing countries.
Analysts think that the attempts of Turkey and Armenia to end enmity
and open borders will probably be impossible because of the Karabakh
conflict. Do you think the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border
is possible without the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and
Azerbaijan’s consent?
There is a general understanding that Turkish-Armenian normalization
and settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are parallel but
mutually reinforcing processes. There do exist implicit linkages
between the two; however, we should bear in mind that both these
processes are quite complex on their own and if we tie them too much
with each other, we may end up further complicating both, which is
in nobody’s interests.
Making the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border conditional upon
the actual withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories is wrong and serves to undermine both processes. These
two issues have different levels of complexity: the opening of
the Turkish-Armenian border is a quickly implementable measure,
while Armenian withdrawal and agreement on the final status of
Nagorno-Karabakh is a more difficult and long-term process.
At the same time, we recognize that Turkey is not going to improve
relations with Armenia at the expense of deteriorating relations
with Azerbaijan.
A realistic and optimal solution for all regional stakeholders could
be an agreement on the basic principles in the coming few months
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which would be equally acceptable
for both and would provide a solid basis for working out a subsequent
final peace deal. This development could also help move forward the
stalled Turkish-Armenian normalization process.
What is to be expected from the Karabakh talks process in 2010,
since Turkey is likely to become an active participant?
We extensively covered the developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh talks
in our last briefing on this topic published in October 2009. Last
year was unprecedented in terms of diplomatic efforts to achieve
a breakthrough in the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both
presidents and international mediators were very active and showed
their genuine interest in getting to a solution.
What is important now is for both countries and the international
mediators alike to keep up the positive momentum at the talks. If
this momentum is sustained, I think, we can witness an agreement on
the basic principles already this year.
Do you think another participant in the OSCE negotiating process –
France – welcomes Russia’s activeness in the Karabakh conflict? Do
the three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs coordinate their actions in the
negotiating process on Nagorno-Karabakh?
The degree of cooperation and common commitment among the three Minsk
Group co-chairs to bring an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is quite good. There is a general understanding that the status quo
is not sustainable and is dangerous. All three co-chairs agree that
the status quo should be gradually changed in accordance with the
roadmap outlined in the basic principles document. This favourably
differentiates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the conflicts
in neighbouring Georgia, where Russia, France and the US have more
disagreements than points of convergence.
What do you think will happen if the idea of opening the
Armenian-Turkish border fails? How will this influence the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict?
This would certainly have negative repercussions on the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. This possible development would make
Armenia more intransigent in the talks, the international community
would lose interest in both processes for a time and, cumulatively,
these factors would serve to further entrench the harmful and dangerous
status quo in the region.
Therefore, strange as it may sound to an Azerbaijani audience,
Azerbaijan, as a party which is deeply hurt by the regional status quo
and is interested in change, should be interested in Turkish-Armenian
normalization.
FRANCE TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS
ArmInfo
2010-02-16 17:08:00
ArmInfo. On February 15, within the frames of his visit to France,
Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council Artur Baghdasaryan
met French Secretary of State for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche.
The Armenian National Security Council press-service told ArmInfo
that the meeting covered issues related to Armenia’s cooperation with
European structures. The sides agreed that France should contribute to
the process of reforms in a number of directions within the frames of
Armenia-EU cooperation. Baghdasaryan also met Coordinator of National
Intelligence of France Bernard Bajolet. During the meeting the sides
reached agreement on cooperation between the two countries’ law-
enforcement bodies.
ACBA LEASING TO FUND ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES
ArmInfo
15.02.2010
ArmInfo.ACBA Leasing is expected to fund energy saving and
energy-efficient technologies, Arsen Bazikyan, Deputy Director, ACBA
Leasing, told ArmInfo. He said ACBA Leasing is currently negotiating
with a world-known company engaged in funding energy-saving projects.
"Presumably in mid 2010 we will become a partner of that company to
fund acquisition of modernized power saving technologies that preserve
ecological balance and saving fuel and electricity," A. Bazikyan said.
ACBA Leasing was found in 2003. Out of 4 leasing companies, ACBA
Leasing has leading positions in the market. The company’s strategy is
to ensure dynamic growth and extend the spectrum of leasing services.
ACBA Leasing is a universal leasing companies engaged in all the
economy sectors. Any type of equipment may become subject of leasing
transaction. The founder of the leasing company is ACBA-Credit Agricole
Bank, the holders of a 54% pct stake in the company.
ACBA-Leasing services are available also at all the 36 branches of
ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank in Yerevan (31) and in the regions (5).