ARMENIAN GYMNASTS UNSUCCESSFUL AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
PanARMENIAN.NET
09.09.2009 09:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Angelica Afyan and Naira Minasyan representing
Armenia at the 29th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship showed
unsuccessful performance with rope.
Afyan and Minasyan are on 118th and 124th positions respectively.
On September 9, the Armenian gymnasts will show exercises with ribbons.
STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES MAKE UP 6% IN ARMENIA’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
PanARMENIAN.NET
09.09.2009 16:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Educational system on the whole cannot be considered
competitive, but we can’t say there’s no competition at all, RA
Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan told today a press
conference. Out of 74 thousand students receiving their education in
Armenia, 6000 are foreigners, Minister noted, adding that "We turn
out to be exporting knowledge abroad."
Ashotyan also informed journalists of upcoming events, including
the international symposium in Tsahkadzor (organizer: UNESCO, in
cooperation with United Nations).
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Students from foreign countries make up 6% in Armeniaâ??s educational system
09.09.2009 16:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Educational system on the whole cannot be considered competitive, but we can’t say there’s no competition at all, RA Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan told today a press conference. Out of 74 thousand students receiving their education in Armenia, 6000 are foreigners, Minister noted, adding that «We turn out to be exporting knowledge abroad.»
Ashotyan also informed journalists of upcoming events, including the international symposium in Tsahkadzor (organizer: UNESCO, in cooperation with United Nations).
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Armenian Home Sales Surge After Lengthy Decline
David Harutiunian
September 08, 2009
YEREVAN — The number of real estate transactions in Armenia jumped by
36 percent in June after months of steep decline during the
international economic crisis, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reports.
David Harutiunian, a top aide to Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian who
oversees the government’s anticrisis measures, told RFE/RL that the
increase in transactions reported by the State Cadastre Committee
bodes well for Armenia’s emergence from its worst economic recession
since the early 1990s.
Harutiunian said the "increased activity in the market" is a
"significant indicator which shows that the [real estate] market is
slowly recovering and that we have passed the stage of [price]
fluctuations."
The rise in apartment and house sales was confirmed by private
developers.
Armen Mkoyan, director general of the Elite Group construction
company, said apartments are selling now. He added that the situation
is "stabilizing" and sales are increasing. He told RFE/RL that "we
have seen positive dynamics in the last two months."
Harutiunian attributed increased housing sales to the June
establishment of a state-owned mortgage fund that is supposed to make
housing loans cheaper and more accessible.
The National Mortgage Company has an authorized capital of 22 billion
drams ($58.3 million) and is expected to receive 20 million euros ($28
million) in additional funding from the German government.
Surge_After_Lengthy_Decline/1817837.html
ROBERT BRADTKE APPOINTED NEW U.S. COCHAIRMAN OF OSCE MINSK GROUP
ARKA
September 8, 2009
Yerevan
Robert Bradtke, former Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to Croatia,
has been appointed the American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group,
the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.
The Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe mediates the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Its co-chairs are the United States, Russia and France.
According to the U.S. State Department, Bradtke completed his
three-year assignment in Zagreb in July and has a huge experience of
diplomatic work, as well as possessing extensive knowledge of European
security policy.
In August, there were reports that U.S. diplomat Matthew Bryza, who
co-chaired the Minsk Group at the time, could be replaced by Tina S.
Kaidanow, a former U.S. ambassador to Kosovo.
The statement said Ambassador Bradtke brings to this position more
than thirty-six years of Foreign Service experience and extensive
expertise in European security policy. In July of this year, he
completed a three year assignment as Chief of Mission at American
Embassy Zagreb, Croatia. Prior to that, he served from 2001 to 2004 as
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,
with responsibility for NATO and the OSCE.
"The United States understands the critical importance of achieving
a peaceful resolution20to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We welcome
recent positive dialogues between President Sargsyan of Armenia and
President Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Secretary Clinton has indicated to
the two presidents her strong interest in the Minsk Group’s ongoing
efforts to bring the process to a fruitful conclusion, and the Obama
Administration is committed to doing everything possible to support
this goal. We have informed the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan
of Ambassador Bradtke’s appointment.
Ambassador Bradtke looks forward to his first trip to the region in
the coming weeks,’ the statement said.
The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in 1988 after the
predominantly Armenian-populated enclave declared about secession
from Azerbaijan As Azerbaijan declared its independence from the
Soviet Union and removed the powers held by the enclave’s government,
the Armenian majority voted in 1991, December 10, to secede from
Azerbaijan and in the process proclaimed the enclave the Republic
of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Full-scale fighting, initiated by Azerbaijan, erupted in the late
winter of 1992. International mediation by several groups including
Europe’s OSCE’s failed to bring an end resolution that both sides
could work with. In the spring of 1993, Armenian forces captured
regions outside the enclave itself. By the end of the war in 1994,
the Armenians were in full control of most of the enclave and also
held and currently control seven re gions beyond the administrative
borders of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Almost 1 million people on both sides have been displaced as a result
of the conflict. A Russian- -brokered ceasefire was signed in May
1994 and peace talks, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, have been
held ever since by Armenia and Azerbaijan.
SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO NECESSITY OF DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH BALKAN STATES
NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
VELIKI BRIJUN
The negotiations in an enlarged staff held on the first day of RA
President Serzh Sargsyan’s two-day official visit to Croatia were
followed by his joint press conference with Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic.
According to RA President’s Press Office, S. Sargsyan stated that
Armenia attaches importance to the necessity of deepening and
developing relations with Croatia and in general with Balkan states
in all spheres, political, economic, cultural.
In his words, the Armenian and Croatian peoples had a similar fate, a
past full of ordeals, which todays creates a basis for firm friendship,
mutual respect and confidence. "Our nations’ history has also various
marvellous crossings, which is also evidence of Armenian-Croatian old
historic contacts and cultural penetration. For me, it was pleasant and
surprising to hear that the saint patron of your wonderful Dubrovnik
and the whole Dalmatia, Sveti Vlaho is indeed Armenian Archbishop of
Sebastia Saint Barsegh," S.
Sargsyan said.
Stating that since independence Armenian-Croatian contacts were
irregular for objective reasons, S. Sargsyan meanwhile mentioned that
at present the situation has changed radically and gives a possibility
to enrich the agenda of Armenian-Croatian relations by various issues.
"Now we should form formats of periodical contacts and ensure
contacts between various strata of our societies. Establishment of
interparliamentary contacts, formation of intergovernmental commission
and establishment of contacts at the level of local self-government
bodies will be its important components," the RA President said. He
added that Armenia welcomes the possibility of cooperation with Croatia
in all possible EU formats and in particular, within the framework
of the Eastern Partnership and Black Sea Confederation programs.
Mentioning that in his private talk to the Croatian President
they had also touched upon problems of international and regional
mutual interest, including the latest developments in the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement negotiations process, S. Sargsyan mentioned with
satisfaction that Croatia as a country that got independent as a
result of Jugoslavia’s collapse, realizes very well the importance
of the principle of peoples’ self-determination and the possible
consequences of opposing an armed force to it. "Using force against
people struggling for self-determination only strengthens that people’s
right in the legal, political, and moral sphere," S. Sargsyan said
adding that regional conflicts should be settled without use of force,
only peacefully and through negotiations.
S. Sargsyan also presented to his counterpart the current condition of
Armenia’s initiative aimed at normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations. In
his words, mutual understanding was recorded in the issue that
lifting the blockade of Armenia by Turkey and establishment of normal
diplomatic relations cannot proceed from any preconditions.
ACCORDING TO PARUYR HAYRIKIAN, NO PRACTICAL ADVANCES EXPECTED IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IN FUTURE
NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. In the opinion of Paruyr
Hayrikian, the Chairman of the National Self-Determination Union
party, the protocols initiated between Armenia and Turkey can record
an advance giving positive hopes in the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations.
However, as he mentioned at a September 7 press conference, "at
present, there is nothing real."
In P. Hayrikian’s words, at present we deal with theoretically possible
developments. However, according to him, Armenia’s biggest problem
is that there are no people ready for independence in the power
links. "Today Armenia has a very hard negative moral-psychological
and political heritage.
Armenian people living with national, moral values always feel uneasy
in conditions of today’s policy of Armenia," P. Hayrikian said.
According to the speaker, no practical advances, including
opening of roads, is expected in the Armenian-Turkish relations
in the future. As to the Nagorno Karabakh problem, according to
P. Hayrikian’s evaluation, the protocols have no binding element but
there are provisions that will give a possibility to speak about it
in the future.
KHACHATUR SUKIASYAN WAIVES HIS MANDATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 22:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA NA member Khachatur Sukiasyan waives his
parliament mandate because of the unprincipled conduct and confused
voting of other MPs. After what happened to Sukiasyan and his
colleagues-parliamentarians, the activist has nothing to do in
Parliament any more, says a release issue by Khachatur Sukiasyan’s
press service.
"IF MY GOING-OFF CHANGES SOMETHING, I CAN DO IT RIGHT NOW."
Aysor
Sept 7 2009
Armenia
Armenia’s national-team coacher Vardan Minasyan at the press conference
after the match was upset not only because of the results of the game
but of the fans’ attitude which demanded his resignation.
Interviewed by "Aysor" correspondent, Vardan Minasyan said he was
dissatisfied with his wards’ playing.
"Of course I am unhappy with this game. The players made mistakes
and missed the balls. Perhaps these mistakes can be forgiven during
the Armenia’s Championship but in play with the team which forwards
stand in Germany’s League Championship (Bundesliga) the failures of
that kind lead to gol," V. Minasyan said.
However V. Minasyan hoped the team would be in better shape in the
play with National Belgium team.
At the "Aysor" correspondent request the coach also commented the
fans’ attitude which demanded his resignation. "If my going-off
changes something, I can do it right now," he said.
In fact this statement is a sort of recognition that no one coach
can reach the success with the team in the current situation.
Vardan Minasyan also noted that players got tired to the end of the
game. Speaking about the possible changes in the national team in
the return game with Belgium the coach noted that some players had
received yellow cards, some had had injuries and it would be clear
after further analysis who would take part in upcoming game.
"If we have problems with the players, we will invite footballers of
the youth team," V.Minasyan said.
ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT MAY HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON ARTSAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 21:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I attach importance to Armenian-Turkish relations,
as our foreign policy pursues certain trends towards establishing
friendly ties with all countries, especially neighboring states," RA
Ambassador to Ukraine Armen Khachatryan announced today in Stepanakert,
during Armenian Ambassadors’ meeting with NKR President Bako Sahakyan.
"Sooner or later we had to normalize ties with Turkey and are now
making first our steps in that direction," Armenian Ambassador said.
In view of Turkish-Azerbaijani ties and Ankara’s influence on Baku,
the diplomat finds that Armenian-Turkish rapprochement may have
positive impact on Karabakh conflict settlement.
DEMOCRATIC, ARMENIA INITIATIVES MAY BE PRAISED IN EU REPORT
Today’s Zaman
Sept 4 2009
Turkey
The European Commission’s progress report on Turkey, which is
expected to be released on Oct. 14, is likely to include praise for
the government’s democratic initiative involving the country’s Kurds
and the recent protocols announced between Turkey and Armenia.
Based on information leaked to the Turkish media, the draft report
focuses much of its attention on the Kurdish issue and the government’s
handling of it. It states that Turkey should implement the project as
soon as possible in order to address the issue. The draft report also
stresses that efforts must be made to achieve the broadest consensus
possible throughout the society.
Turkey should prepare a project as soon as possible to address the
issue and find the most possible consensus in the society regarding
how to address the problem, the draft report also stresses.
Among the other positive steps taken by Turkey, the draft report
discusses the Kurdish language broadcasts on TRT Å~^eÅ~_, the
restructuring of the military courts and the appointment of a chief
European Union negotiator on behalf of Turkey.
The developments on Aug. 31 between Turkey and Armenia regarding the
issue of opening the border and establishing diplomatic relations are
not yet in the draft report, but the commission, which has welcomed
the move and is preparing to add it to the report as another positive
step, the Turkish media reported.
The EU’s enlargement chief, Olli Rehn, said on Wednesday that the
EU has been pleased with Turkey’s efforts regarding its "democratic
initiative" and expects concrete steps to be taken in that regard.
"I hope it [the democratic initiative] results in concrete steps that
will address the cultural and linguistic rights of all Turkish people
and strengthen the socioeconomic development of the Southeast," Rehn
said in a speech he delivered to the European Parliament’s Foreign
Relations Committee, as quoted by the NTV news channel.
Rehn also said they expect Turkey’s reforms to improve the rule of
law and basic freedoms.
The draft report, which looks at the political criteria and examines
the acquis communautaire, the EU’s total body of law accumulated thus
far, and how much of it Turkey has adopted in the last 12 months, also
underlines Turkey’s shortcomings. One deficiency is in regards to the
Cyprus issue. As the European Commission will issue its opinion on
the progress made by Turkey towards normalizing relations with the
Greek Cypriots and in particular developments vis-a-vis extending
its customs union, the issue is of high importance. So far it seems
highly unlikely that a solution will be reached any time soon as the
peace talks are going extremely slowly.
The EU admitted Greek Cyprus into the EU in 2004 as a representative
of the entire island, even though the island has long been divided
into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north. Additionally,
the Greek Cypriots rejected the United Nations-mediated Annan plan
to reunify the island immediately prior to EU accession. Turkish
Cypriots supported the same Annan plan in a simultaneous referendum,
but the EU has not delivered what it promised, which was to ease
the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and, as a result, Turkey has
refused to open its air and sea ports to Greek Cypriot traffic.
The EU suspended accession negotiations on eight chapters in 2006
because of Turkey’s stance and agreed to review the situation in 2009.
Noting the present impasse, the draft report states that negotiations
between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots continue and that no other
chapters are planned to be suspended unless there is a demand from
member states.
Rehn said the 2009-2010 period requires a solution to the Cyprus
problem and that José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European
Commission, will do his best to help it happen.
Another point the draft report makes is related to freedom of the press
and freedom of expression, despite progressive changes in Article
301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), used to prosecute writers and
journalists for insulting Turkishness.
Delays in the opening of Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary in Ä°stanbul
and recognizing the patriarchate’s "ecumenical" status are also noted
in the draft in addition to relations with the military, which the
report said do not approach EU standards.
Rehn also gave some examples where Turkey lacked progress. These are
the areas of "freedom of religion, freedom of expression, women’s
rights and union rights," he said, as reported by the Milliyet daily.