Author: Nalbandian Albert

AZERBAIJANI FM HAILS ADOPTION OF UPDATED MADRID PRINCIPLES BY YEREVAN

Trend
March 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov welcomed the adoption
of the updated version of the Madrid Principles by Yerevan.

The principles remain on the negotiations table, Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian said March 18.

"We continue to negotiate. The working suggestions that were offered
by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were repeatedly proposed," he was
quoted as saying by Mediamax.

"This will create an opportunity to continue the negotiations process
and begin work on a large agreement on the settlement of the conflict,"
the minister told journalists at a news conference.

According to him, the Minsk Group co-chairs have not yet contacted him.

"We need to discuss further steps with the mediators," Mammadyarov
added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the United
States – are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

WE CAN DO SAME TO ARMENIANS AS WE DID TO SERBS: TURKISH FM

news.am
March 19 2010
Armenia

Within last months Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
participated in intensive diplomatic talks between Serbia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina and other states of the region, that aimed at ending the
potential conflict between the neighboring countries.

Earlier, the talks under Turkey’s mediation led to mutual ambassadors’
appointment by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The next step will
be Serbs’ apology for killing Turks in Srebrenica," said Davutoglu
to a group of journalists escorting him to Bulgaria.

However, despite Davutoglu’s statements, it is expected that Serbian
Parliament will only adopt the declaration on regret for loss of
innocent lives during the war in 1992-1995. He has to hold more
meetings in the coming months with two countries to ensure stable
progress in the region, Turkish Hurriyet reads.

"Turks and Serbs confront for already 1000 years starting 12th
century. While our problems with Armenia last for only 100 years,"
Davutoglu stated. If we can solve our problems in Balkans with
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, why can’t we deal the same way
with Armenia?" he wonders.

"Armenians do not discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with us. But
we tell them – if we could resolve the issue with Serbs through
the dialogue, we can do the same with you," Turkish FM voiced. "We
tell them that through our big efforts Bosnia and Herzegovina as
well as Serbia overcame their problems. Let’s do the same for you
and Azerbaijan."

ARMENIA HAS MANAGED TO STAY APART FROM THE CRISES POST-AFFECTS

Aysor
March 18 2010
Armenia

Today during the meeting with the journalists Artak Zakaryan, member
of the ARP touched upon the exchange of the expressions of Nerses
Yeritsyan, the Minister of Economy and Gagik Tsarukyan, the head of
the PAP. Nreses Yeritsyan told that we have "overcome the crises"
while Gagik Tsarukyan remarked that "Nerses Yeritsyan is not in his
place". Now coming to this quarrel Artak Zakaryan mentioned that every
minister is responsible for the political governing in its sphere and
"each viewpoint should be heard, respected and reasonable."

Artak Zakaryan mentioned that in this political stage the existence
of economic crises "is a problem of different viewpoints".

He said that Armenia has managed to avoid the most difficult
consequences of the financial economic crises, problems and projects
of social significance.

Artak Zakaryan also mentioned that he knew nothing about the news
concerning Nerses Yerityan’s resignation.

TURKEY IN ‘DARK AGES MODE,’ SAYS LONDON DAILY NEWS

Asbarez
Mar 18th, 2010

Turkey Goes Into "Dark Ages Mode" Following Armenian Expulsion Threat

Turkey once again is retreating into "dark ages mode" with threats
by Prime Erdogan following comments during a recent visit to London
to expel 100,000 Armenians in Turkey "if necessary I will tell the
100,000: OK, time to go back to your country".

The issue of the Armenian genocide and the failure by Turkey to
recognize this ever happened, not only discredits any aspirations
that Turkey has of joining the European Union, but also its supporters
which include the current Conservative and Labour party’s in the UK.

Over 20 countries have accused the Ottoman Turks of genocide over the
killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians during the First World War;
Sweden this week passed a resolution in its parliament recognizing
the genocide and calling for Turkey to follow suit. Prime Minister
Erdogan then canceled his visit to Stockholm and recalled the Turkish
Ambassador in protest.

Turkey is now at its most dangerous, and may also as some have pointed
out more likely to swing towards the East than the West, with ever
closer ties to Iran.

Turkey needs some carrots, but must also begin to play ball over
the gambit of issues that are pre-requisites it must resolve before
EU membership is seriously considered. The United States has warned
Turkey that it would pay "the price" if it was to side with Iran in
the UN Security Counsel over the nuclear issue.

Once again Turkey is not interested in what the "political mood"
is in Brussels, Paris or London, but is not more interested in what
is in Ankara’s and Islam’s interest.

PHILIP GORDON: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION COULD FORWARD

Armradio.am
18.03.2010 11:41

A congressional resolution that would recognize World War I-era
killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide could go forward
despite opposition from the Obama administration.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon told reporters there is
no deal with Democratic congressional leaders to block the resolution.

That contradicts earlier claims by the State Department.

"Congress is an independent body, and they are going to do what
they decide to do," Gordon said ahead of speech at the Brookings
Institution.

Gordon acknowledged the congressional committee vote had set back
relations at a time when the United States is seeking help from
Turkey to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But he said the United
States has not seen a deterioration in cooperation with Turkey on a
wide range of foreign policy matters.

Gordon said the resolution is an obstacle for reconciliation talks
between Turkey and Armenia. But Gordon denied the process had stalled.

"I really think that those two countries’ leaderships are committed
to doing this," he told reporters, AP reports.

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA: CHRISTIAN ROOTS ARE THE STRONGEST

ArmInfo
2010-03-17 16:13:00

ArmInfo. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visited the Russian
church in Yerevan on Wednesday and presented the church with an Icon
of the Russian Holy Virgin Mary of Kazan.

The Patriarch met with the Russian community in Armenia at the church
and called them to be active members of the Armenian society. "There
is a very big Armenian Diaspora in Russia and Armenians have fully
integrated into the Russian public life. I call all of you to live in
peace and never dispute for anything. There may be nation and language
peculiarities, but in the Orthodox Church we are a single family.

Christian roots are the strongest basis. Common Christian roots form
common system of values. When people live in the single system of
values they feel fraternity. The historical image of common residence
of the Russian and Armenian peoples testifies that it is first of
all the common Christian system of values that formed these good
relations," Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia said.

His Holiness Kirill granted a certificate and awarded the Order of St.

Seraphim of Sarov of 3rd Degree to Director General of the Electric
Networks of Armenia Yevgeny Gladounchik for contribution to development
of the Russian community. In addition, Patriarch Kirill awarded Russian
Consul General in Gyumri Vladimir Khrulev with Saint Prince Daniel
of Moscow Order of 3rd Degree, and Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan
with Order of Sergey Radonezhsky for restoration of the Memorial
"Honor Hill" in the area where 156 officers of the Russian soldiers
killed in the Russian-Turkish wars were buried.

For his part, Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II
gifted the Icon of the Holy Virgin Mary to the Russian church.

EMBASSY: OSCE MINSK GROUP’S FRENCH CO-CHAIRMAN’S WORDS DISTORTED IN YEREVAN

Trend
March 16 2010
Azerbaijan

During his speech at the Rose-Roth" NATO Parliamentary Assembly
workshop, OSCE Minsk Group’s co-chair from France Bernard Fassier
‘s words was distorted and contracts the reality, the French Embassy
in Azerbaijan reported.

Azerbaijan cannot win in the case of a war in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Fassier was quoted as saying by the several Armenian media outlets
in Yerevan Friday.

"Azerbaijan’s victory in the case of a renewed war is impossible
because I personally know about the bravery of the Armenian and
Karabakh warriors," he said at the "Rose-Roth" NATO Parliamentary
Assembly workshop, Novosti-Armenia reported.

Fassier refutes all comments of the Armenian and Azerbaijani media
on his distorted remarks, the report says.

Fassier gave the necessary explanations to the government authorities
of both countries on the subject and they were satisfied, the
embassy said.

March 15, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has had a
telephone conversation with OSCE Minsk Group’s co-chair from France
Bernard Fassier upon Fassier’s initiative. The minister expressed his
concern over the information spread by the Armenian and Azerbaijani
media referring to him, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Elkhan Polukhov
told Trend News.

During the conversation, Fassier said that as a co-chairman and a
military man, he can not allow such a blunder as assessing the armed
force of this or that army or country’s willingness to resolve the
conflict in a military way, Polukhov said. "Fassier said that such
a distortion of his words is unacceptable and causes his great concern.

It was also noted that during a press conference in Yerevan, he spoke
in French and was provided with a very bad translation into English
and Russian languages of his speech," he added.

AGBU EUROPE WELCOMES RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BY THE PARLIAMENT OF SWEDEN

Azg
March 16 2010
Armenia

AGBU Europe congratulates the Parliament of Sweden for
acknowledging the genocides committed against the Armenians,
Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs and Pontic Greeks during the First
World War.

The Parliament of Sweden adopted the resolution by a vote of 131 to
130 on Thursday 11 March. In response, Turkey withdrew its Ambassador
and cancelled Prime Minister Erdogan’s scheduled visit.

"Sweden often strives to reconcile effectiveness and ethics in
its relations with the world. We applaud it for its principled and
constructive stance on the Genocide. The truth will set us all free."

said Nicolas Tavitian, of AGBU Europe.

This vote comes on the heels of another vote, last Thursday (March 4),
in the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, which also acknowledged
the Armenian Genocide. The resolution passed in spite of heavy pressure
from Turkey; the Turkish government recalled their ambassador to the
United States.

Opponents to the resolution in the US most often justified their
stance on the basis of Turkey’s strategic importance to the United
States. They also argue that Turkey may now refuse to open its border
with Armenia.

AGBU Europe believes it is a mistake on the part of European countries
or of the U.S. to yield to the demands of a fellow NATO member,
EU candidate country and self-declared friend to conceal the truth.

Turkish society is in the process of discovering the truth about their
country’s past. We are doing them no favour if we oblige in their
historic taboos precisely when their own society is challenging them.

Turkey signed two protocols with Armenia on October 10, 2009 that were
intended to lead to the normalization of relations between the two
countries after a 17-year blockade (1993-2010) of Armenia by Turkey.

The country then reneged on its commitment and subjected ratification
of the agreement to further conditions. The process is widely
considered blocked in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The
recognition of the Genocide in Sweden and the United States is a
useful signal to Turkey that it needs to radically rethink its policy
towards the Republic of Armenia and towards Armenians generally and
to urgently complete the normalization process.

THE DIPLOMATS TO PROMOTE THE ATTRACTION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN ARTSAKH

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
2010-03-16 15:58

A meeting of the Permanent Representatives of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic to foreign countries with Director of the Artsakh Investment
Fund Karen Yesayan took place on March 16.

Karen Yesayan introduced the main directions of the Fund’s activity.

He noted that in the conditions of the world financial-economic crisis,
the Fund hadn’t only managed to achieve all the scheduled goals,
but it had also started the implementation of new programs.

Dwelling on the existing problems caused, in particular, by the
Republic’s internationally unrecognized status, Karen Yesayan called
upon the diplomats to promote the process of attracting foreign
investments in various economic spheres of Artsakh.

The NKR permanent representatives made specific proposals of
investment attraction from various structures and organizations of
the host countries.

Some official representatives of the NKR MFA participated in the
meeting.

AGREEMENT ON ARMENIAN-GERMAN FINANCIAL COOPERATION SIGNED

Noyan Tapan
March 16, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Minister of Finance
Tigran Davtian and the German Ambassador to Armenia Hans Jochen
Schmidt on March 16 signed the Agreement on Financial Cooperation
between the Governments of Armenia and Germany in 2009-2010. Under
the agreement, Armenia will receive 105.5 million euros in the coming
years. The press service of the RA Ministry of Finance reports that
these financial resources will be allocated for the implementation
of the following programs:

Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation Component (Rehabilitation of
Water and Wastewater Systems in Shirak and Lori marzes) – up to 40
million euro loans,

Vorotan Hydropower Plants Cascade Rehabilitation Component – up to
22 million euro loans,

Sustainably Developing Apartment Financing Market Component – up to
20 million euro loans,

Renewable Power Bearing Substances Crediting Component – up to 18
million euro loans and up to 1.5 million grants on technical assistance
measures under this program,

Environmental Protection Program: Preserve Assistance Component –
up to 4 million euro grants.

A separate agreement will be signed for each of the indicated programs,
prior to which negotiations will be conducted to specify the amounts
of loans and grants, the terms, etc.

Armenian-German bilateral cooperation started in 1993. Initially
technical assistance was provided, and since 1995 financial cooperation
projects have also been implemented. "Caucasian Initiative" regional
programs were added in 2001, thanks to the intergovernmental
negotiations.

The Armenian-German financial and economic cooperation focuses on
three major spheres: encouragement of the financial and private
sectors, development of the energy sector, and development of water
and wastewater systems. Relatively small-scale environmental and
healthcare programs are implemented as well. The programs have been
financed by KfW Bank with resources provided by the German Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in recent
years – also with its own financial resources.

Agreements of a total of 160.3 million euros have been signed so
far within the framework of Armenian-German financial cooperation,
including credit programs of 118 million euros and grants of 42.3
million euros.