Commercial Bank of Greece to sell stakes in Armenian and Georgian units
AFX Europe (Focus)
Sep 28, 2004
ATHENS (AFX) – Commercial Bank of Greece (Emporiki Bank) announced
today it plans to sell the majority stakes it owns in the subsidiaries
in Emporiki Bank Armenia and Emporiki Bank-Georgia.
According to a source, Emporiki Bank has already found bidders.
Emporiki currently owns a 76.52 pct stake in Emporiki Bank Armenia
and a 75 pct stake in Emporiki Bank-Georgia.
Source: Euro2day NewsWire
AZERI OPPOSITION PARTY CALLS TO EXPEL AZERBAIJAN FROM COUNCIL OF EUROPE
PanArmenian News
Sept 28 2004
28.09.2004 18:43
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The Great Creation” Azeri opposition party intends
to request the Council of Europe (CE) to expel the country from the
organization. The party took the decision to draw up an appeal to the
PACE sitting, which will discuss Azerbaijan’s fulfillment of the
commitments to the CE on October 5. In the opinion of the party
members, being governed by means of “feudal” methods, Azerbaijan,
where even deputies are subjected to tortures, cannot be a CE member.
Independence of the psyche
Editorial
Yerkir/am
September 24, 2004
The current internal political situation that many people qualify
as a crisis does not have merely political causes and consequently
cannot be resolved by merely political means.
The problem is not political but social. Thus the solutions must
be sought in the domain of social psychology and collective social
consciousness if we want those solutions to be sustainable and not
superficial.
Changes in the collective psyche and consciousness imply measures
directed at the consolidation of collective dignity and self-respect,
self-sufficiency and independence.
The psychology of self-sufficiency and independence must be
consolidated both at the individual and national levels. The feeling
of social unity and conciliation cannot be artificially imported
from abroad unless real foundations for its consolidation are created
within the society. Without the reunification of the society on the
basis of a feeling of self-respect it will not be possible to resolve
the political crisis.
Unfortunately, we have to state that independence has remained a legal
fact without turning into a psychological reality. The independence
and self-sufficiency of the collective consciousness must become the
basis for the formation of a unique Armenian line which must be rooted
in the collective psyche before it can become a political doctrine
and behavioral norm.
The existing situation can be resolved through real social initiative
aimed at the transformation of the social environment. This process
must aim at the formation of the Armenian line, in other words it
must be a social consensus around national interests based on the
psychology of self-sufficiency and independence.
This social process must stimulate confidence in our strength; it must
generate a new wave of patriotism and self-respect. This new wave is
the only force capable of restoring true patriotism. The reunification
of the society is possible only on the basis of a new pathos.
The Armenian line implies a grand vision of the future, a vision of
how the society sees itself in 10, 20, 50 years perspective. It should
not be a theoretical but an idealistic vision. The social pathos must
unite people around this ideal, this dream. The party ideologies must
be pro-Armenian rather than being pro-Russian or pro-Western. They
must be functional tools rather than being an end in themselves.
The political domain must be formed in such a way as to ensure the
necessary flexibility vis a vis the external players. Ideological
differences should never cause hostility. Rather, they should ensure
the flexibility of the society while being united around the same
pathos.
Armenian, British Defence Ministries sign cooperation memo
Mediamax news agency
24 Sep 04
YEREVAN
The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of
Defence of the Republic of Armenia have agreed a memorandum of
understanding in defence contacts and cooperation.
Armenian Minister of Defence Serzh Sarkisyan and British ambassador to
Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt signed the memorandum at a brief ceremony
at the Armenian Ministry of Defence in Yerevan today.
The aim of the memorandum is to further strengthen good relations
between the two ministries and to serve as a basis for increased
cooperation between them in the field of defence.
Over the last year the United Kingdom has sponsored a variety of
training courses outside Armenia for 16 members of the Armenian Armed
Forces, including the first Armenian cadet ever to attend the Royal
Military Academy, Sandhurst.
The British Ministry of Defence also funds English language training
within the framework of the Peacekeeping English Programme run by the
British Council Armenia at the Armenian Ministry of Defence.
The memorandum of understanding notes that stable and democratic
sovereign states contribute to confidence, stability and security in
Europe as a whole. It will put the existing cooperation programme on a
formal footing, and enable Britain and Armenia to develop further
contacts in areas such as defence management in democratic societies,
language training, peace support in humanitarian operations and arms
control.
Zaman, Turkey
Sept 24 2004
EU Process will not Stand any more Mistakes
SELCUK GULTASLI
The last 15 days have been really exciting for us in Turkey. All of
Europe took Turkey’s future membership under the microscope because
of the “adultery” [issue]. Many things were said.
Christian Democrats, Armenians, and Greeks were madly pleased. This
debate showed the real face of Turkey, they said, and Europe was
barely saved.
Turkey on the other hand tried to decipher the profound diplomatic
secret code in Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s insistence [on
the adultery issue]. In the end, the issue was resolved with European
Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen’s statement, “No
more obstacles before Turkey.” Perhaps Turkey’s 45 years of hope were
saved in the nick of the time.
By looking at positive and negative aspects of the last 15 days, we
should draw a road map for ourselves over the next three months.
Let’s try to see this crisis from a positive angle. Even if, as it is
written in the Financial Times the other day, Erdogan jeopardized the
biggest strategic objective of the country simply to test his
personal authority, he prevented the EU from imposing other
conditions with a single strategy. Therefore, the requirements were
clarified in order for the progress report to come out “clean” and no
more gray areas remain. Because of the adultery issue, the camps for
and against Turkey crystallized more. Those who could not speak
before now had the chance to show themselves by taking on the
“adultery” issue. We have seen our enemies and friends once more and
now can better identify friend and foe. With this crisis, we have
seen that regardless of how well Turkey does its homework, little
things will be made to turn into bigger issues; the tolerance that
has been shown to some [EU] candidates will not be shown to Ankara;
Turkey will crash if it trembles, and the biggest friends of Turkey
will start to sway in the moments of such crisis. Ankara saw once
more that it has to take these realities into consideration and play
its role before the EU.
The most negative side of the crisis is that the reliability of
Erdogan, who has been regarded as the most “reformist” politician
according to some after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and to others after
Turgut Ozal, was harmed.
His easily taking a step back in Brussels reinforced Erdogan’s former
style of politics. For a while it seemed as if he had adopted a
political path from the past. Even if the crisis ends, its harm
continues. Since November 3 [2002], the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) had never let Turkey be looked down upon until it let the
initiative to EU in the subject of reforms that made Ankara a
candidate take a hit once again with this crisis. The “adultery”
discussion paved the way for the anti-Turkey campaigns to begin
early.
We will discuss for a long time whether this debate stemmed from the
personal ambitions of Erdogan or appeared out of profound and subtle
tactical calculations; however, the most important lesson to be
learnt is that Turkey must tread carefully, knowing that the upcoming
three months will be very sensitive and unlikely to stand another
crisis.
As The Times wrote, enemies should be served equipment while the EU
has started to dig the trenches for the toughest fights through
Turkey.
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB AWARDS BEST REPS OF FOURTH ESTATE
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22. ARMINFO. A ceremonial presentation of prizes to
representatives of Armenia’s fourth estate has been held today. It is
the sixth year in succession that the Yerevan Press Club has give such
prizes.
The prize “For best photorepresentation of social problems’ was given
to the photojournalist of the ARMINFO News Agency and of the “Golos
Armenii” newspaper Hakob Berberyan. He also received a special prize
of the Institute of Multiaspect Information. In the categories: “For
prompt information and contribution to formation of mass media
Internet versions”, the prize was given to the “a1plus”
(); “For impartial, well-informed and competent review of
the European and Spanish football championships” the prize was given
to the sport commentator of the RA Public Television Armen Melibekyan,
and the prize “For creative progress in 2003-2004” was given to the
“Fotolur” agency. The jury gave the prize “For best economic coverage”
to the commentator of the Armenian-language, service, Radio Free
Europe, Atom Margaryan. The jury has not given prizes for the best
political and social articles, the reason being that in 2003-2004
socio-political articles were purely informative without any objective
comments. The last prize was given “For the best open and transparent
work and effective cooperation with journalists” to Chairwoman of the
Parliamentary Commission for Science, Education, Culture and Youth
Affairs Hranush Hakobyan.
Armenian, Belarus chief prosecutors sign cooperation memo
Arminfo
20 Sep 04
YEREVAN
Armenian and Belarus Prosecutor-Generals Agvan Ovsepyan and Viktar
Sheyman respectively signed a memorandum on mutual assistance and
cooperation in Yerevan today. A delegation of the Belarus
Prosecutor-General’s Office led by Prosecutor-General Sheyman arrived
in Armenia yesterday at the invitation of the Armenian
prosecutor-general and will complete its visit tomorrow.
[Passage omitted: the Minsk convention regulates relations between the
countries]
The Belarus prosecutor-general said that 39 trade-economic,
military-technical, scientific-technical and other agreements and
contracts in various areas had been signed between the sides. In 2001,
Viktar Sheyman added, a large-scale agreement on friendship and
cooperation was signed between Armenia and Belarus.
[Passage omitted: large Armenian community lives in Belarus]
Armenian premier off to Kazakhstan for CIS summit
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
14 Sep 04
[Presenter] The Beslan tragedy, its consequences and lessons will
be discussed in Astana. The fight against terrorism will be the main
issue at the meeting of the CIS leaders and prime ministers. The CIS
law-enforcement agencies will receive appropriate instructions on the
basis of analyses of the North Ossetian events and will think of ways
to fight terrorism and international crime.
[Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, captioned, at airport
before leaving for Astana] Development of economic relations will be
mainly discussed at high-level meetings.
Armenia aims at serious cooperation with NATO – president
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 14, 2004
YEREVAN, September 14 — Armenia aims at serious cooperation with
NATO, and “the scale of partnership may be broadened,” President
Robert Kocharyan told a delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
on Tuesday.
The delegation is visiting Armenia to attend a roundtable meeting at
the national parliament.
The president said he was satisfied with the current level of
cooperation with NATO, a source in the presidential press service told
Itar-Tass. He said Armenia is taking part in a number of NATO programs.
Kocharyan dwelt on regional cooperation, the Armenian Armed Forces
reform and Armenian peacekeepers in Kosovo by request of the
delegation.
Armenia is ready to develop relations with Turkey without any
preliminary conditions, Kocharyan said. Yerevan thinks that these
relations cannot be conditioned on Armenian relations with a third
country, he said implying the Turkish unwillingness to normalize
relations with Armenia as long as the latter supports Nagorno-Karabakh
in its conflict with Azerbaijan.
Regional cooperation can create favorable conditions for the settlement
of conflicts, Kocharyan said. He noted that Armenia had proposed the
formula of conflicts settlement through cooperation many times but
Azerbaijan rejected the proposal.
Armenia should refuse taking part in Baku exercise – Azeri defence minister
ANS TV, Baku
10 Sep 04
Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev has voiced his view about the
planned visit of Armenian officers to Baku [on 13-26 September]. At a
meeting with the outgoing Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Nikolay
Ryabov, Abiyev said that Armenia neither recognizes Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity nor gives up laying fresh territorial claims
to Azerbaijan. There are no diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan
and Armenia. In this case, is it expedient for Armenian servicemen
to take part in the Baku-hosted exercises? End of quote.
The minister said that the Azerbaijani people are categorically against
the participation of Armenian officers in these exercises. Armenia’s
efforts to participate in these exercises in the run-up to the CIS
summit in Astana [Kazakhstan] where the Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents plan to hold a meeting, could further aggravate relations
between the two states and undermine the talks.
The Defence Ministry says that Armenia tries to show that it welcomes
international cooperation, but has only occasionally attended
NATO events. Armenia should refuse taking part in the Baku-hosted
exercises. For example, Abiyev said, Azerbaijan did not attend a
similar event in Armenia last year.