Author: Tavakalian Edgar

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
May 21 2010

Turkish minister sees a "new page" in relations between Turkey, USA

Washington, DC, 21 May: The Turkish state minister for foreign trade,
Zafer Caglayan, said on Friday [21 May] that Turkey and the United
States opened a new page in relations.

Caglayan, currently on a visit to Washington, DC, said his visit
achieved its goals, "We have a timetable now and we drew a road map
with that timetable. We did not have road map before."

Caglayan, who met with the executives of the leading US companies and
finance institutions, said the executives told him that Turkey would
be a very important power in its region.

"The executives of US companies said eight of every 10 refrigerators
used in houses in Britain were manufactured in Turkey. Investment
opportunities in Turkey should be explained well to the other
countries. We should very well explain labour-force costs and Turkey’s
logistic and geographical advantages to them," Caglayan said.

Caglayan said he met with the executives of United Technologies
company and the company expressed eagerness to open maintenance and
operation section in Turkey’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport. He said the
company also thought of making investment in manufacturing of
helicopters.

"The company wants to manufacture aircraft engines in Turkey. They
also want to invest in Turkey to sell some models of Sikorsky
helicopters to the whole region," he said.

Caglayan said he also thanked the US companies for the support and
lobbying activities they extended to Turkey during the Armenian
resolution.

Caglayan said, "When we were asked about Turkey’s trade with Iran, we
told them that it was more than the trade with the USA". He said
Turkey would become peaceful transition corridor in case the deal in
Tehran was put into effect.

Caglayan said they also assessed the problems between the two
countries, adding that actual process would start from now on.

Responding to a question, Caglayan said Turkish Coalition of America
(TCA) fulfilled important social responsibility project and within the
scope of the project it sent Indians, minorities in the United States
and children of Armenians to Turkey.

Caglayan said TCA supported increase in investments in several fields,
like mine, construction, infrastructure and education in places like
Arizona, where Indians were overwhelmingly populated.

Caglayan later left Washington, DC, for Turkey.

Estonia undone by slick Armenia
Published: Thursday 20 May 2010, 19.45CET

by Mihhail Malkin
from Tallinn

Estonia 2-3 Armenia
Gevorg Ghazaryan scored twice as the visitors jumped above their hosts
into third place in Group 2.

Armenia jumped above Estonia into third place in 2011 -UEFA European
Under21 Championship Group 2 after overcoming their hosts 3-2 in
Tallinn.
FC Pyunik striker Gevorg Ghazaryan scored either side of a Davit
Manoyan effort to give Flemming Serritslev’s side the points. Kaimar
Saag had equalised for the hosts, but Ken Kallaste’s 81st-minute
strike turned out to be little more than a consolation after the
visitors had opened up a two-goal second-half advantage.
Both team started the match with attacking purpose, but it was Armenia
who threatened most. Ghazaryan had already hit the post with a free-kick
before following up Henrik Mkhitaryan’s long-range effort to give his
side the lead. Saag then chipped Edvard Hovhannisyan to level matters
in the 32nd minute. Armenia retook the lead ten minutes after the
break and although Siim Luts hit the bar soon after, Armenia were
creating plenty of chances and Ghazaryan got his second midway through
the half. Saag set up Kellaste to reduce the arrears late on, but
Armenia held out for the points.
©UEFA.com 1998-2010. All rights reserved.

AIRLINE COMPANY "ARMAVIA’ PRESENTED A GIFT TO ITS 200TH PASSENGER

ARKA
May 20, 2010
YEREVAN

Yesterday national airline company "Armavia" presented a valuable
gist to its 200th passenger since 2010.

"A gift from the airline company TV-set LCD received Sofia Elchey,
representative of one of international organizations who arrived to
Yerevan from Tbilisi for participation in the seminar of statistics.

She thanked the airline company "Armavia" fro warm attitude and
attention saying that it is the first time she had success.

"It is very pleasant to have such a surprise being in a business trip.

After Yerevan we depart to Kiev and other NIS countries. We have a
large Armenian community in Budapest. I know Armenians and respect
them", she said.

Acting Commercial Director of the company Anna Atoyan emphasized the
importance of such an action which became a tradition for the company.

Atoyan said that from July regular flights will be implemented to
Barcelona, Warsaw and Tehran.

Airline Company "Armavia" was established in 1996. >From July 2005
the full package of shares went to Mikhail Baghdasarov, president of
the company "Mika Limited". In 2009 more than 700 thousand passengers
were transported by "Armavia". Currently "Armavia" consists of 9 planes
(a320-3, a319-3, CRJ-200, YAK-42-VIP).

RA EDUCATION AND SCIENCE MINISTER’S ADDRESS FOR CONGRATULATION ON THE FAREWELL LESSON OF SCHOOLS

ARMENPRESS
MAY 20, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS: RA Education and Science Minister Armen
Ashotyan delivered an address today congratulating school graduates
of the public schools of Armenia on their last lesson at school. The
farewell lesson is expected to be held May 21. An official from
the press and PR office of RA Education and Science Ministry told
Armenpress that the Minister’s address reads as following:

‘Dear graduates, I congratulate you on your last lesson at your
schools. This ceremonial day is unique for all of you, as you take
your leave of the school- the unique environment, where you have been
gaining knowledge, recognizing the world, forming simple and genuine
friendly relations for over 10 years.

You say goodbye to people, who have been teaching you to be honest and
optimist, to honor the dignity and believe in the ‘day of the future’.

I also express my gratitude to all the teachers, who, with the
consistent work and devotion, care and patience, have sent another
generation to the life and told the graduates to appreciate the
knowledge, remain devoted to the global and national values. I wish
the graduates all the success, as the success of any person of the
society implies success for our nation and our state’.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS ORENBURG GOVERNOR

armradio.am
20.05.2010 16:30

President Serzh Sargsyan today received Governor of Russia’s Orenburg
region, Aleksey Chernishev.

President Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the warm attitude toward
our compatriots living in Orenburg region and noted: "The culture
of inter-ethnic contacts in Orenburg region can serve as a deserving
example."

Aleksey Chernishev said to be glad to have an opportunity to visit
Yerevan and meet the President of Armenia. The Governor said his
delegation comprises experts from different speheres, and an agreement
on bilateral cooperation will be signed on May 21 to define the
directions of cooperation and establish mutually beneficial ties.

"Not only Armenians, but also all residents of Orenburg region assessed
your visit in 2009 as a step aimed at promoting the development
of cooperation between the peoples of Armenia and Russia," Aleksey
Chernishev stated.

The parties noted that the allied relations between the two strategic
partners, the high-level political dialogue, the centuries-old
friendship between the two peoples provide for a good basis for
deepening the cooperation between regions.

According to Serzh Sargsyan, the high-level political relations should
be reinforced by mutually beneficial economic ties and programs.

TURKISH MINISTER SAYS VISIT TO USA "HISTORIC"

Anadolu Agency
May 18 2010
Turkey

Istanbul, 18 May: Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan described
his current visit to the United States as historic.

Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from Istanbul’s Ataturk
International Airport for the USA, Caglayan said that "during Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to the USA,
a working group comprised of two ministers from each country was
established to boost commercial and economic relations".

Mr Ali Babacan and I were authorized as the Turkish representatives of
the working group. Within this frame, we began working. Our relations
were frozen after an Armenian resolution was adopted by a committee of
the US House of Representatives. While the US President Barack Obama
made a statement on 24 April that we did not expect, our efforts to
resume relations continued. The Turkish undersecretary of foreign
trade will make all the necessary commercial efforts, Caglayan said.

Our trip to the USA will be a short one. On Wednesday [19 May] we
will meet with relevant US secretaries, representatives of various
think tanks and businesspeople, Caglayan said.

"This visit of ours carries significance as an historic one. Our
strategic partnership of more than 50 years with the USA is not
reflected on the trade figures. Out of 1.6 trillion US dollars’ worth
of US imports, only 3.2bn US dollars’ worth of goods come from Turkey.

We need to further develop our commercial ties with the USA. We
will conduct meetings so that US firms make more investments in
Turkey. In our meetings planned for July, Turkish businesspeople and
representatives of non-governmental organizations will hold talks
with their US counterparts," Caglayan said.

Zafer Caglayan is expected to return back to Turkey on Friday.

TURKISH MP: IT WILL BE DISASTROUS FOR ARMENIA IF RUSSIA REFUSES TO HELP

Today
May 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with chairman of the Constitutional Commission of the Grand
National Assembly of Turkey (Parliament) Burhan Kuzu.

According to Armenian media, Russian president’s recent visit to
Ankara was not welcomed warmly in Armenia. Armenia claims that the
Russian-Turkish rapprochement pushed the process of normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations to the background. Do you agree with
these arguments?

Medvedev’s visit is very important in terms of opening a new
page in Turkish-Russian relations and laying foundation for closer
cooperation in the years to come. The two countries signed agreements
to cooperate in energy sphere, including in nuclear energy and to lift
visa requirements. Turkish-Russian rapprochement will pave a way for
peace and cooperation in the region. We believe that this cooperation
will benefit Azerbaijan, too. The Turkish authorities are confident
that relations with Russia can do no harm to Azerbaijan’s interests.

In fact, Russian has a serious influence in Caucasus. Russia never
intended to leave the Caucasus. Today it tries to preserve its
influence in the region. Attempts by regional countries to avoid
cooperation with Russia promise nothing good for them. Russia is a
strong state, it has a strong army. One needs to build cooperation
with this country, but not to irritate it.

Building relationships with any of the post-Soviet countries, Turkey
tries to learn how it will impact Azerbaijan. If this cooperation
contradicts Azerbaijan’s interest, Turkey gives up doing so. Turkey
and Azerbaijan consistently coordinate their foreign policies. I think
that Medvedev’s remarks about the Karabakh issue voiced in Turkey are
friendly, and they will play a role in resolving the conflict. Yerevan
has a cause for concern because Armenia stands on its feet thanks to
Russia. If at some point Russia refuses to help Armenia, it will be
disastrous for the country.

In fact, Armenia suspended realization of the Zurich protocols on
Turkish-Armenian normalization by the Constitutional Court decision. I
think that Turkey and Azerbaijan should continue the path started
together and solve regional problems in their favour in agreement
with Russia.

What are your predictions about the future of Turkish-Armenian
protocols?

>From the beginning we said that if the negotiations and attempts to
cooperate with Armenia are a cause of concern for Azerbaijan, Turkey
will immediately abandon it. In addition, Turkish president and prime
minister have reiterated that the Turkish-Armenian cooperation is
impossible until Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is settled.

The Zurich protocols have left the agenda long time ago.

Responsibility for this lies with Armenia, because the country
demonstrated its insincerity by the decision issued by the
Constitutional Court. Armenia signed them for the sake of "a show" for
the international community. On the other hand, Armenia first refused
to accept these protocols as they are and later refused to ratify
them and the protocol process became frozen as a result. Turkey cannot
simply implement these protocols unilaterally. As for predictions, I
do not believe that the process will revive in the near future. Turkey
has neither patience nor time to listen to whims of Armenians.

Proposals have been made lately for Turkey to become one of co-chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group. Is it real?

If the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group have been fruitless, the
co-chairs are also responsible for this. The power of the Unite States
in the world, Russia’s influence in the region, specific weight of
France in international politics suggest that once these countries
want, they can easily solve this problem.

As to Turkey’s co-chairmanship, it can make much greater contribution
to the process, because as an influential regional power, Turkey is
important both for Azerbaijan and Armenia. It can achieve results.

Turkey’s co-chairmanship can at least help remove injustice towards
this problem. The purpose of the Minsk Group should be no division of
territory, but a search for truth about the conflict and to restore
justice.

As a lawyer, I believe that the only way to resolve such conflicts
derives from international law. The international convention which
reflects the principle of inviolability of territorial integrity of
states, known UN resolutions, as well as evidence that history can
not be reversed are key to resolving the Karabakh problem. Minsk
Group should solve the problem by using these keys.

Parliaments of two of the three co-chairs countries have once debated
recognition of the s-called "Armenian genocide" and have adopted
relevant resolutions. The 3rd co-chair country is on the same path.

This only supports the statement that the Minsk Group is not able to
be impartial in matters relating to Armenia. Can Azerbaijan, guided
by these facts, refuse the mission of the Minsk Group?

Of course, the above facts call into question objectivity of the
Minsk Group mission. They cannot simultaneously dance to the tune of
Armenia and take an impartial stance in the Karabakh issue. The Minsk
Group was guided by double standards in dealing with conflict from
the outset. To address this imbalance, Azerbaijan should insist on
Turkey’s co-chairmanship and at the same time to look for countries in
the OSCE that will support this idea. The Minsk group has existed for
nearly 20 years. This is a long term for solution of local conflicts.

You can cope with global disasters for 20 years. It is clear that the
Minsk Group cannot continue to operate in this way. It must either
increase its peacekeeping efforts or dissolve.

Some Turkish media outlets claim that Azerbaijan does not actively
support Turkey in the campaign against the recognition of "Armenian
genocide". Is it true?

I think this is a wrong view. Turkey and Azerbaijan are fraternal
countries, and we need to solve any problem together and help each
other. Many can envy our current relationship. We felt Azerbaijan’s
support at a time when the U.S. House of Representatives Committee
on Foreign Affairs adopted the "Armenian genocide" resolution and
when this issue was discussed in the Knesset of Israel. More than 20
countries have already recognized the "genocide". The Armenian lobby
in the U.S. is working to achieve this, too.

However, recognition of "genocide" cannot change reality. If a
proponent of the "genocide" resolution in the U.S. is shown the map,
he/she will not find Turkey on it or he/she will not be able to
explain what "Armenian genocide" is. While speaking of "genocide",
they must be guided by official documents and evidence. There is no
evidence to prove "genocide" because it did not happen, in fact.

SMB TO REMAIN IN SPOTLIGHT OF RA GOVERNMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 18, 2010 – 17:14 AMT 12:14 GMT

Despite huge efforts of the Emergency Response Team under the RA
government in 2009 to assist the small and medium businesses (SMB)
under the conditions of the global economic crisis, the results are
not sufficient.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that the problems of
small and medium businesses are in the spotlight of the RA government.

"We are not happy with the results, however, we will manage to achieve
the set goals through our own and public control," Sargsyan said
after a working discussion at Bio Kat company.

At the same time, he noted that the government’s activity should be
transparent, while programs of the Emergency Response Team should be
available on the government’s official website.

The Prime Minister added that the government is going to control the
results of its decisions and will be visiting those companies, to which
governmental assistance was provided. This time it was Bio Kat company.

Specifically, the company received governmental assistance at the
amount of AMD 120mln through MSB Investments UCO in October 2009,
due to which the company purchased modern equipment and expanded
its production.

"It means that our initiatives are implemented: new jobs are created,
the competitiveness is increased in the market. We have gained
positive results, but we also want to transfer these impulses to the
population," the Prime Minister noted.

Founder of Bio Kat company Hrachik Hakobyan said that the company’s
business plan submitted to the Emergency Response Team is being
implemented within set terms. The company produces around 20 types of
dairy products: eight classic and 12 dietary. Besides, according to
Hrachik Hakobyan, the company will offer new products to consumers –
ice-cream and yogurts starting from May 25.

He added that the number of employees have increased due to the new
industrial unit.

PRESS CONFERENCE OF PACE PRESIDENT MEVLUT CAVUSOGLU IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly
parliament.am
May 17 2010
Armenia

The two-day visit of PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu was summed up
by press conference on May 13.

PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that his visit to Armenia was
amongst the priorities of his presidency of the PACE, and it was
important to start the dialogue with these member states which need
the most the support and assistance of the Council of Europe. Mr.

CavuÅ~_oglu said that he had already visited Azerbaijan, Moldova,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Armenia and he was planning to visit
Georgia at the beginning of June. PACE President expressed his
thanks to the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan,
who addressed his best wishes to him on the very day of his election
as President. He also liked to stress the excellent cooperation that
they in the Assembly had with the Armenian delegation and its Chairman
Mr Davit Harutyunyan. Within the framework of his visit, Mevlut
CavuÅ~_oglu met with the President of the Republic, the NA Speaker,
most political forces represented in Parliament, the members of PACE
delegation, the Human Rights Defender, the members of the National
Commission for Radio and Television, the representatives of the NGOs,
the extra-parliamentary opposition and had a meeting with the parents
of the victims of the clashes, which occurred on 1-2 March 2008. PACE
President noted that joining the Council of Europe, Armenia committed
itself to strengthening and developing the fundamental principles and
values that unite our member states: democracy, human rights and the
rule of law. He stressed that the role of the Parliamentary Assembly
is to accompany this process, and the Assembly had been doing through
its monitoring procedure and through constant parliamentary dialogue.

For the Council of Europe, peace, stability and a thriving democracy
in each one of its member states are of fundamental importance,
which also applies to Armenia. Mevlut CavuÅ~_oglu said that the
Parliamentary Assembly was deeply concerned with the events that
followed the elections of 2008, noting that they had been doing
everything in their power ever since to assist the country to overcome
the crisis in public confidence and to move towards reconciliation and
constructive dialogue. The Monitoring Committee carefully examined the
recommendations of the NA Ad-hoc Committee, which was investigating
the events of 1-2 March 2008. It was noted that those conclusions and
recommendations, in combination with the Assembly recommendations,
could comprehensively address the circumstances that led to March
events. In the PACE President’s opinion, it was important that
these recommendations were implemented in good faith and without
undue delay. Mr CavuÅ~_oglu said that t he Parliamentary Assembly
had called on the Armenian authorities to establish a roadmap for
the implementation of the recommended reforms. Some very encouraging
response by Mr Harutyunyan, as the Chairman of the NA Committee on
State and Legal Affairs had been received. The Committee would submit
a relevant report to the National Assembly, which would be a good
opportunity for the parliament to strengthen its vital function of
parliamentary control the monitoring of the implementation of these
recommendations. PACE President expressed hope that the executive
branch would also play its role in this process to the full. He
expected that the RA authorities would provide to the Assembly a
detailed list of all the reforms that need to be implemented along
the line of the parliamentary recommendations, as well as specific
deadlines. There are still two outstanding issues that have not
received a satisfactory solution. According to his assessment, in
the view of the Assembly, the issue of persons detained in relation
to the events of March 2008 is not fully resolved either. In this
respect, Mr CavuÅ~_oglu had raised with the authorities in particular
the case of Nikol Pashinian, too. PACE President said that over the
last two days, their discussions with all his Armenian interlocutors
had concentrated on the most important reforms that were needed in the
country: first, the electoral reform, and Mevlut CavuÅ~_oglu emphasized
that the next elections in the country in 2012 should be organized
up to the highest European standards. It was noted that the PACE
expected that a new version of the Electoral Code would be submitted
to the Council of Europe for expertise as soon as possible.The next
issue, according to PACE President, are the reforms of the police:
CavuÅ~_oglu considers as a positive step that the Armenian authorities
authorized the publication of the report of the European Committee
for the Prevention of Torture. According to him, it is needed now to
implement these reforms. As a next step CavuÅ~_oglu talked about the
reforms in the justice sector, stressing that the independence of
the judiciary is one of the key elements in restoring public trust
and strengthening the rule of law in the country. Referring to the
next issue, freedom of assemblies, meetings Mr CavuÅ~_oglu considered
sufficient the existing legislation. PACE President also talked about
the freedom of the media, noting that he had mostly been concerned with
the independence and pluralism in the TV sector. He expressed hope that
the public tender for broadcasting licences, which has to be organized
in July, will be a major step forward in this respect. Regarding
the role of the Assembly in preventing and overcoming conflicts,
the PACE President noted that it was the only organization where
all member states are included, except Belarus. "Therefore we are a
major forum for dialogue between states and between parliamentarians,
and dialogue is the first and most important step in building mutual
trust and understanding. We have been using to the full the potential
of parliamentary diplomacy, both in frozen and "hot" conflicts. I can
give as an example the dialogue that we have been trying to establish
between the Russian and Georgian delegation," he said.

Regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue, Mr CavuÅ~_oglu noted that
the PACE had a very clear position which had been expressed in
several resolutions and in particular Resolution 1416 of 2005. In
this resolution, the Assembly makes some very clear demands and
recommendations to both sides of the conflict. So, on the one
hand, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have a duty to comply with these
recommendations. On the other hand, the Parliamentary Assembly has
the duty to monitor how its recommendations are implemented by member
states. As a part of this process, the Assembly asked its Bureau to
create an ad hoc sub-committee, which functioned until the death of
the Chairman, Lord Russell-Johnston, since then, there have been
no agreement as to the person who is the best suited to chair the
sub-committee as well as its precise format and mandate.

PACE President Mevlut CavuÅ~_oglu congratulated Armenia for hosting
this year’s Forum for the Future of Democracy. He expressed hope
that he would be back to Yerevan, Armenia in October to take part in
the Forum.

Afterwards Mr CavuÅ~_oglu answered the journalists’ questions.

ARMENIAN PM RECEIVES THE DELEGATION HEADED BY HIS CZECH COUNTERPART

ARMENPRESS
MAY 17, 2010
YEREVAN

Delegation headed by the Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer arrived today
in Yerevan on a two-day working visit. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan received today the Czech delegation and had a face-to-face
conversation with Jan Fischer after which an extended meeting took
place.

Governmental press service told Armenpress that Tigran Sargsyan
welcomed the guests in the government and said that during the previous
meeting in Prague they have specified the strategy of cooperation and
expressed assurance that today’s meeting, the visit to Armenia and the
business forum will give new impetus to the Armenian-Czech relations.

The Czech prime minister thanked Jan Fischer for the warm reception
and noted that the visit will be another positive step in making
closer the Armenian-Czech relations. The Armenian prime minister on
his part highlighted the expansion of bilateral legal-agreement field.

As prior directions the parties noted the expansion of cooperation
in information technology, energy, mine and chemical industries,
construction of small hydro power plants, education, youth and
sport, tourism spheres. Tigran Sargsyan pointed out the necessity of
development of cultural ties which will by all means serve for the
consolidation of friendly relations.

The parties highlighted the role of the Armenian-Czech business forum
opened today in Yerevan in respect of disclosing new spheres. "Our
goal is to create a business environment which will promote the
consolidation of relations between the private sectors," Tigran
Sargsyan pointed out.

The interlocutors also discussed details on deepening cooperation
within the framework of the EU’s Eastern Partnership program.

Particularly the prime minister highlighted the passing of the Czech
experience with the help of ENP’s "Twining" tool to the Armenian
state bodies.

The prime ministers of the two countries also referred to the regional
issues as well. The prime minister welcomed Czech’s position over the
NK issue and noted that "The balanced position of our Czech partners
over the Karabakh conflict settlement and the circumstance that they
too find that the conflict must be solved within the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group is very important for us."

After the meeting contracts "About the air transport between the
governments of the RA and Czech Republic" and "About accepting back
the people living without permission" were signed followed with a
joint press conference between the two prime ministers.