Author: Hunanian Jack

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS THE STRATEGY FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

armradio.am
17.05.2010 17:18

EU strategy for the South Caucasus will be discussed at the next
plenary meeting of European Parliament on May 20, according to the
press service of the European Parliament.

Bulgarian Parliamentary Evgeny Kirilov will deliver a speech.

Issues of cooperation with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan under the
Eastren Partnership Program will be discussed.

Reference will be made to issues of security, peaceful solution to
conflicts, human rights of the three countries, as well as economic
and social development.

Resolution on EU strategy for the South Caucasus is expected to be
adopted on the basis of outcomes of the meeting.

ORANGE HAS SURPRISES FOR HELLO OSLO SMS QUIZ PARTICIPANTS

Tert.am
17.05.10

For those who participated in Hello Oslo SMS Quiz but did not get the
chane of going to Oslo during the Eurovision 2010 Song Conteset Orange
has prepared surpsizes: it will organize Eurovision’s FlashMob dance
which will host the largest FlashMob event in the Europe. Already
a special Eurovision 2010 FlashMob Dance (Armenia) group has been
created on Facebook where the tutorial videos of the dance are posted.

The place and time of Yerevan FlashMob are for the moment kept in
secrecy, in order to make the event as spontaneous as possible.

Moreover, very soon in addition to the official video of Apricot
Stone TV will also broadcast a non-official video of the song,
where habitants of different cities and villages of Armenia have been
lip-dubbing. The lip-dub video, in line with "together we can do more"
signature of Orange, calls to support Armenia all together.

"It’s not all. First time in the two biggest cities of Armenia Orange
has initiated a public screening of the Eurovision, which will allow
to support Armenia together", said Orange Armenia Marketing Director
Aram Lazarian.

Orange promises that the days of Eurovision semi-final and final will
become unforgettable for the habitants of Yerevan and Gumri due to
various activities. Even more, Yerevan will host an unprecedented
Eurovision concert with the participation of previous Eurovision
participants from different countries.

Today, Azerbaijan
May 15 2010

Azerbaijani MP: In principle, a state called Armenia does not exist

15 May 2010 [14:12] – Today.Az

`It is not worth to take seriously statements of a person who is not
independent in his decisions,’ Member of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis
(Parliament) Bakhtiyar Sadigov said. He was commenting on Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s statements accusing Baku of not
fully accepting the Madrid Principles.

"In principle, a state called Armenia does not exist. There is an
outpost and military base under this name. With this in mind, it is
not surprising that Yerevan has not yet expressed its position on the
updated Madrid principles. Apparently, it has not received
instructions from its protector about this agreement,’ the MP said.

`Though the Madrid principles do not fully coincide with Azerbaijan’s
interests, it accepted them to moved forward negotiation process.
However, Armenia turned the two weeks, given to the country’s
leadership to discuss this document, into a few months. Not instructed
by its patron, Armenia acted in a manner peculiar for it. It’s all the
more convinced us that it is impossible to negotiate a peaceful
settlement to the Karabakh conflict," the MPs added.

‘Delaying a peaceful resolution, the Armenian leadership is leading
the nation to a deep abyss. The population is already in poverty.
Recent developments indicate that Azerbaijan may take steps
alternative to peaceful negotiations with Armenia. We have every right
to do this’ MP Sadigov noted.

/Day.Az/
URL:

NKR prime minister: Nagorno-Karabakh has already been established de facto

2010-05-15 15:22:00

ArmInfo. Within the frames of the parliamentary pre-election campaign
in the NKR, the representatives of the Free Motherland Party of
Nagorno-Karabakh held a meeting with the lecturers and students of the
Artsakh State University.

ArmInfo own correspondent in Stepanakert reported tat during the
meeting Head of the Free Motherland Party, NKR Prime Minister Ara
Haroutyunyan said: "We are striving to prove to the world that the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has already been established de facto and
the country is developing in the democratic way and forming a civil
society".

He pointed out the achievements in the socio-economic and public
spheres, particularly, the positive results in the anti-corruption
fight, and stressed the necessity of removing a number of negative
phenomena, particularly, those of bureaucratic nature. Ara
Haroutyunyan also touched on the perspective fields of the NKR
economy.

"Transparent and fair elections are going on in the NKR today",- said
Ara Haroutyunyan and called on the Artsakh State University lecturers
and students to take an active part in the voting.

To recall, the election to the 33-seat Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament of
the 5th convocation is scheduled for 23 May 2010. Four parties have
advanced their party lists for 17 seats envisaged under the
proportional election system, namely, Free Motherland, Democratic
Party of Artsakh, Communist Party of the Nagorno- Karabakh Republic,
and ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party. 16 seats are envisaged under the
majority voting system.

AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ANALYSTS DISAGREE ON IMPACT OF TURKISH-RUSSIAN RAPPROCHEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
M. Aliyev

Trend
May 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani political analysts disagree on the possible positive
impact of the Turkish-Russian rapprochement on resolving of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkish-Russian rapprochement, mutual visits of the Presidents, and,
moreover, the abolition of the visa regime will have a positive
impact on resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, strengthening
of Azerbaijani position, political analyst Fikret Sadikhov told
Trend today.

He said that Russia has always been an ally and a major military and
financial sponsor of Armenia because of concerns over Russian-Turkish
confrontation. Moscow relied on Yerevan as a springboard, the military
and political base from which it will be possible to resist the
influence of Ankara.

"Now, actual Russian-Armenian alliance is not so strong amid
strengthening of relations between Turkey and Russia," analyst said. He
said that the last meeting of the presidents of Turkey and Russia,
their agreement to cancel the visa regime can give a new impetus to
the peace negotiations of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Drawing an analogy between the Turkish side’s statements about the
readiness to engage in mediation efforts in this matter and Russian
Defense Minister’s visit to Baku, which followed the participation
of President Ilham Aliyev in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow,
Sadikhov expressed his belief in the influence of these processes to
accelerate resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .

"Armenia has been driven into a corner. It should give a clear answer
about the update Madrid principles. It rushes about and understands
that this document will lead to de-occupation of Azerbaijani
territories in any version," he said.

Another Azerbaijani political analyst, Director of the Center for
Political Technologies and Innovations Mubariz Ahmedoglu is skeptical
regarding discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by the Presidents
of Turkey and Russia.

"I do not think Russia is ready to discuss with Turkey the issue of
resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia voluntarily or
forcibly will withdraw other co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group from
the game, influence on them for its own interests", Ahmedoglu said.

He said that Russia will make every effort to prevent joining of
other countries in the region, including Turkey and Iran, the process.

"Statements by Medvedev in Ankara were sounded to pay tribute to
Turkey. The statements of the Turkish side are sincere. They want
processes on resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to intensify,"
the Center director said.

ARMENIA-NATO COOPERATION CONTINUES

Aysor
May 13 2010
Armenia

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanian participated in the NATO 28+1 ministerial session,
which was held on May 12 in Brussels.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian spoke to the session, referring to the items of Armenia-NATO
cooperation, priorities of the foreign policy of Armenia, the process
of normalisation of relations with Turkey, settlement to the Karabakh
conflict, and issue of peace and stability in the region.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, in his turn, referred to the reforms
in the defense sector of the country.

The sessioners appreciated reforms in Armenia, Armenia’s involvement
in the peace operation in Kosovo and Afghanistan; Ambassadors of the
NATO nations on behalf of their governments expressed their commitment
and readiness to contribute to Armenia’s steps towards peace, stability
and security in the South Caucasus.

Within the framework of the travel to Brussels, Armenian ministers
Nalbandian and Ohanian have met with NATO Deputy General Secretary
Claudio Bisogniero. Armenian officials confirmed the readiness to
continue mutually beneficial cooperation with NATO.

MOSCOW HOPEFUL FOR ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 16:45 AMT 11:45 GMT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hopes for full normalization of
relations between Armenia and Russia.

"Naturally, a complicated process like rapprochement meets different
response inside the countries involved. Still, I hope Armenia and
Turkey will find necessary solutions to fully normalize bilateral
ties," Russian President said at news conference after the meeting
with his Turkish counterpart.

As Mr. Medvedev noted, Armenia-Turkey reconciliation "will help
establishment of regional stability."

"Parties to Karabakh conflict have made serious progress but they
should not stop at what has been achieved," RIA Novosti cited Dmitry
Medvedev as saying.

ERNEST VARDANYAN IS A VICTIM OF ‘POLITICAL VENGEANCE: ALL ARMENIAN MEDIA ASSOCIATION

Tert.am
10:17 13.05.10

The All Armenian Media Association has issued a statement and condemns
what it calls a "political vengeance" against the Armenian journalist
Ernest Vardanyan.

The statement reads as follows:

"The All Armenian Media Association expresses deep concern over the
political vengeance against Armenian journalist of Near Dnester,
Ernest Vardanyan.

"The video disseminated by the Ministry of National Security of
Near Dnester, in which Vardanyan supposedly confessed that he had
collaborated with the authorities of Moldova, is apparently the
result of assaults and threats. The journalist had previously provided
information about this in his announcement in April.

"The All Armenian Media Association condemns the imprisonment of
the Armenian journalist and calls on the law-enforcement bodies of
the Republic of Armenia to take advantage of their opportunities to
extenuate the pressures against Ernest Vardanyan. The association also
calls on Armenia’s Chamber of Advocates to take measures in order to
show necessary legal support to the Armenian journalist."

UNSAFE FUN: ATTRACTIONS IN ARMENIA DO NOT UNDERGO TECHNICAL CHECK UPS
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow
11.05.10 | 16:36

Social

Experts say Armenia needs an organization that would oversee the
situation with amusement parks (photo: Ashot Petrosyan, Nikolay
Grigoryan).

After four people were injured when an amusement park ride crashed
Sunday in Yerevan’s Victory Park, an investigation revealed that
most such thrill rides are not properly registered in Armenia. Such
rides should be registered with the National Center for Technical
Security of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, but most are
not. The attractions have not undergone inspection and in fact such
an inspection body does not exist.

The "Typhoon" ride that malfunctioned, seriously injuring two riders,
was owned by Teg company, against which a criminal case has been filed.

"Typhoon was put into operation a month ago, it was planned by
an unlicensed organization, by an individual, and it was installed
illegally," Vladimir Hovsepyan, Head of the Technical Security Service
of Yerevan.

Hovsepyan says that soon check-ups of all such attractions in Yerevan
will be held.

According to Ashot Petrosyan, Head of the National Center for Technical
Security of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, each park or
company is responsible for its own safety regulations. "They have to
have someone or an organization responsible for the fulfillment of
these functions," says Petrosyan.

According RA Ministry of Emergency Situations currently there are 47
amusement rides registered in Yerevan (though more exist) and only
13 of them have undergone a technical examination. None of the rides
in other towns of Armenia have undergone inspection.

Petrosyan says that besides the National Center for Technical Security,
there are three accredited companies in Armenia, which can determine
whether rides are safe.

Nikolay Grigoryan, head of public relations department at RA
Ministry of Emergency Situations, says that the poor situation in
the attractions’ examination and control sphere is the result of a
legislative shortcoming.

"There is no such organization which implements control and checking,
as well as realize disclosure of non-registered facilities which have
not undergone an examination," Grigoryan says.

DELEGATION OF GEGHARKUNIK PROVINCE LEAVES FOR FRANCE

ARMENPRESS
MAY 10, 2010
GAVAR

The delegation of Gegharkunik province headed by Governor Nver
Poghosyan has left for France. The delegation is comprised of Vanik
Hovhannisyan, head of the Agriculture and Nature Protection Department
of Gegharkunik governor office, Hasmik Shahbazyan, PR manager, and
Varduhi Mnatsakanyan, head of the Development Programs and Analysis
Department.

Gegharkunik governor office told Armenpress that the official visit
was paid at the invitation of the board of the French Izer province
council within the frameworks of the agreement on Gegharkunik-Izer
trade-industrial and educational-cultural mutual cooperation.

May 10-15, the delegation of Gegharkunik province will be hosted in
Grenoble city, in the chief council of Izer province, where it will
take part in a forum summoned by the French party. The joint works
carried out in the spheres of education, healthcare and tourism in
the recent several years in Gegharkunik will be here discussed.

Our delegation members will also visit the hospital of the Grenoble
city to get acquainted wit the achievements of the local healthcare
enterprise. Afterward they will visit Otran city accompanied with
the head of "Afrat" tour agency and will get acquainted with the
infrastructures and development degree of the rural tourism.

As a result of joint discussions, the heads of the provinces of
Gegharkunik and Izer will sign an agreement of three-year cooperation
and will prepare the materials of the Armenian-French forum to be
held this October in Yerevan. Our delegation members will meet with
the Armenian community of Grenoble, too. The program also intends a
series of cultural events and diologues.