Author: Toganian Liana

EDWARD NALBANDYAN: PERMANENT ATTEMPTS BY AZERBAIJAN TO DISTORT ESSENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF NEGOTIATION PROCESS HINDER PROGRESS ACHIEVEMENT

ArmInfo
2010-03-17 10:14:00

ArmInfo. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan met OSCE
MG Cochairmen Yuri Merzliakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France),
Robert Bradtke (USA), as well as Personal Representative of OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk in Paris on March 16.

As Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reports, the last
developments in negotiations on settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and the prospects of the cochairmen’s visit to the region in the near
future were discussed during the meeting. The cochairmen presented
the results of Paris negotiations with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov to E. Nalbandyan.

The Armenian FM draw the cochairmen’s attention to the permanent
attempts by Azerbaijan to distort the essence and significance of
the negotiation process and emphasized that this negatively affects
the atmosphere of negotiations and hinder progress achievement. When
touching on the participation of the NKR in negotiations, Nalbandyan
emphasized that the conflict settlement is unreal without direct
involvement of the NKR authorities in the process.

TURKEY PM SAYS COULD DEPORT UP TO 100,000 ARMENIANS

YNet News
March 17 2010
Israel

Turkey’s prime minister has threatened to expel thousands of illegal
Armenian immigrants after US and Swedish lawmakers passed votes
branding World War One-era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks
as genocide.

Turkey, a NATO member and candidate to join the European Union,
recalled its ambassadors to Washington and Stockholm after the
non-binding votes and warned they could hurt a fragile effort to
reconcile with Armenia after a century of hostility. (Reuters)

AZERBAIJANI ANALYST: RETURN OF HUGE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ARMENIAN MIGRANTS TO HOME MAY LEAD TO MOST APPALLING CONSEQUENCES FOR COUNTRY
A. Hasanov

Today
4308.html
March 17 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political analyst Rasim Agayev.

What are your comments on Turkish PM Erdogan’s interview with BBC
in which he warned of possible expulsion of 100,000 illegal Armenian
migrants from the country if Yerevan "does not get rid of the mortgage
of the Armenian diaspora?"

Armenia has become involved in a geopolitics game thinking like a young
girl fond of her own fantasies believing that she is most beautiful
and desirable for all and forgetting sometimes to look in the mirror
to see a huge difference between her fantasies and real picture.

Armenia’s reluctance to look in the mirror reached its peak after
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the U.S. Congress adopted a
resolution on the mythical "Armenian genocide". This is despite the
fact that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during Guatemala
trip stated that the U.S. Congress will not consider a resolution on
the so-called "Armenian genocide".

So, still being in some kind of intoxication over the above resolution,
Armenia does not want to give up fantasies, while those who contribute
to these fantasies using this weak side for their own purposes and
while the future, especially economic and social survival of ordinary
people of this country is dependant on its geopolitical environment.

Erdogan’s statement was the first serious warning was for Armenians.

The fate of not only representatives of the Armenian nation, but also
that of illegal Armenian migrants in Turkey depends on whether Armenia
will draw appropriate conclusions from this statement. Turkey tired
of immoral actions of the world Armenians and the Republic of Armenia,
in a serious mood.

In other words, you mean that Turkey may also close its air border
with Armenia?

This is quite possible scenario of events and outcome of Armenia’s
actions towards Turkey. Inspired by fantasies, Armenia has forgotten
that Turkey is a regional superpower which has enough leverage on it.

Closure of the Turkish-Armenian air border, as well as expulsion of
illegal Armenian migrants from Turkey is only a fraction of steps
that Turkey can take with regard to Armenia.

What will be world community’s reaction to Turkey’s steps then?

It will only voice regret over Turkey’s actions at most or it would
be simply inappropriate to bring any claim to Turkey. Turkey is free
to act based on its own national interests, it is quite powerful and
influential not to respond to the biased view of some countries. And
finally, it has every right to fight phenomenon of illegal migration.

In your opinion, what impact return of 100,000 Armenian migrants to
home may have on situation in Armenia?

I am sure there is large number of criminals among Armenians illegally
residing in Turkey. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the
sharp decline in crime rate in Azerbaijan after 1990s due to fact
that Armenian criminals left the country in large number because they
constituted overwhelming percentage of criminals.

It is possible that certain percentage of Armenian criminal elements
is now in Turkey. I am confident that their move to Armenia, which
faces terrible social and economic situation, could lead to the most
appalling consequences for the country. As a whole, this country,
not being able to properly feed those already living on its territory,
will experience enormous problems in case huge number of people with
lost earnings comes returns home.

PROGRAM OF AMBULANCE SYSTEM MODERNIZATION IN ARMENIA WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE SECOND HALF YEAR OF

ARKA
March 16, 2010

YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. Program of ambulance system modernization
in Armenia will be launched in the second half year of 2010, said
Harutyun Kushkyan, Armenian Minister of Health during press-conference
on Tuesday.

Due to crisis, implementation of the program was delayed as it requires
serious financial investments.

"I hope that in 2010 we will start its implementation from second
half year as it is an important and necessary program which is one of
main directions of development of medical services provision sphere",
he said.

The program envisages rendering of medical services starting from
procurement of new ambulance cars and its re-equipment, as well as
increasing the professional level of medical staff.

"Medical brigade which goes out for the visits to the patients should
provide primary health care in any situation", said the Minister.

LEVON ARONIAN WINS TWO VICTORIES AT AMBER BLINDFOLD AND RAPID TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.03.2010 13:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian scored a victory
over Dutch Jan Smeets in the 3rd round of Amber Blindfold and Rapid
Tournament and is now the 5th in the standings, along with Boris
Gelfand (Israel) and Alexander Gruschuk (Russia). Ukraine’s Vasily
Ivanchuk is in the lead with 4.5 points.

In the 4th round, Aronian will play vs. Ivanchuk.

Levon Aronian (born on October 6, 1982 in Yerevan) is an Armenian
Grandmaster. He is the winner of FIDE Grand Prix in 2008 and 2009 and
2009 World Rapid Chess Champion. He was honored with Movses Khorenatsi
order in 2006 and with an order of merit in 2008.

GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES LACK TACT, ARMENIAN MP SAYS

news.am
March 15 2010
Armenia

The Georgian authorities should have exercised great tact if they
wanted to show that scandalous video on Russian intrusion into the
Georgian territory to test the population’s vigilance, Stepan Safaryan,
Head of the Heritage parliamentary faction, told NEWS.am.

He pointed out the need for a most detailed calculation in such cases
to prevent nervous reaction inside and outside the country. Safaryan
pointed out a similar incident in Armenia in 1993: the Haylur
program reported that the then President Levon Ter-Petrosyan had been
hospitalized, and Vice-President Gagik Harutyunyan was acting on his
behalf. The Haylur program was closed after that "joke."

Late on March 13, the Imedi television channel aired a fictitious
report of a Russian invasion and the assassination of Saakashvili
during its evening news program, which sparked panic in the country.

ANKARA EYES BRITISH MEASURE ON ARMENIA

United Press International UPI
/Ankara-eyes-British-measure-on-Armenia/UPI-247212 68664634/
March 15 2010

ANKARA, Turkey, March 15 (UPI) — Ankara is watching lawmakers in
London as they get set to deliberate over a national day of remembrance
for the deaths of Armenians during the Ottoman era.

Turkey pulled its ambassador to Sweden last week after Swedish
lawmakers narrowly approved a resolution describing the killing of
Armenians in World War I as genocide. The Turkish envoy to Washington
was recalled when a similar measure narrowly passed March 4 in the
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

A measure is on its way to the British Parliament that if adopted
would set aside an "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day." British
lawmakers are to review a draft of the measure this month.

Nilgun Canver, a council member in the London Borough of Haringey,
told Turkey’s English-language daily newspaper Hurriyet that there was
"no chance" the measure would pass.

Ankara expressed similar optimism regarding the U.S. measure, citing
a last ditch-appeal to shoot down the non-binding resolution by U.S.

Security of State Hillary Clinton. The measure passed on a 23-22 vote.

Armenia wants Turkey to recognize the killings as genocide but Turkey
has said there was no systematic attempt to wipe out the Christian
Armenian people in 1915.

YOUTH WINGS OF ARMENIAN PARTIES ADDRESS US CONGRESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.03.2010 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Youth wings of Armenian parties addressed an open
letter to US House of Representatives expressing their gratitude
to US House Foreign Affairs Committee for the passage of Armenian
Genocide resolution.

"Failure to recognize a crime of this magnitude is fraught with new
crimes against humanity. We hope that US House of Representatives
will vote in favor of H.Res. 252, proving themselves as supporters
of justice and guarantors for prevention of new crimes.

We’re confident that the passage of Armenian Genocide resolution
will not hamper Armenian-Turkey rapprochement, instead, promoting
normalization of bilateral ties without preconditions," the message
said.

The address was signed by ARFD’s Nikol Abgalyan Students Union
representatives, ARFD Youth Wing in Armenia, Prosperous Armenia
Youth Affairs Committee, Hnchak social democratic party’s Sargis
Tkhruni students and youths union, Ramkavar Azatakan party’s Armenak
Yekaryan youth club, RPA youth organization and Orinats Yerkir party’s
youth club.

The majority of NKR’s youth organizations joined the initiative.

On March 47, 2010, with a vote of 23 to 22, the House Foreign Relations
Committee successfully passed House Resolution 252 (H. Res.

252) pushing the Resolution in Congress for a final vote yet to
be scheduled.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED A DELEGATION HEADED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, JOAO SOARES

president.am
March 15 2010
Armenia

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received a delegation headed by the
President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Joao Soares.

President Sargsyan highlighted the importance of their regional visit
and noted that by familiarizing with the problems first hand they
were doing very important job. The President of Armenia expressed
confidence that this visit of the OSCE PA delegation would give a
new impetus to the efforts aimed at the establishment of peace and
security in our region.

In his turn, the head of the PA delegation said that OSCE attaches
great importance to the resolution of the conflicts in this region and
underlined that they have been following with respect and admiration
all the efforts of the Armenian President aimed at the establishment
of peace and security in the region.

President Sargsyan expressed thanks to the Chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen), Honorary
President of the PA and the Special Representative of the President
of OSCE PA for Karabakh, Goran Lennmarker, who’s a member of the
delegation, for the adoption by the Parliament of Sweden of the
resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. He noted that recognition
and condemnation of the crimes against humanity was the best way to
prevent them.

President Sargsyan stressed the importance of cooperation with the
OSCE PA, praising the assistance of the different structures of
the OSCE to the process of reformation which is being conducted in
Armenia since independence. He also said that fragile peace currently
maintained in the region should be credited also to the efforts of
the OSCE Minsk Group.

The President of Armenia and the President of the OSCE PA discussed
in detail the NK peace process, issues of regional security,
Armenia-Turkey process of normalization, and the process of democratic
reformation in Armenia.

BRINGING TURKEY CLOSER TO THE EU
Stefan Fule

Hurriyet
March 14 2010
Turkey

I have arrived in Turkey for my first official visit since the
beginning of my mandate as European Commissioner for Enlargement.

Bringing Turkey closer to the EU is among my highest priorities as
Commissioner. As I said during my hearings in the European Parliament
in January, asked if I could imagine a country like Turkey in the EU,
my answer remains the same: yes, I can.

Turkey has always been a key country for the EU due to its location,
its size and its strategic orientation. Its European vocation
has been confirmed over and over again through its membership in
many European organizations, as well as through the choices of its
political leaders over time. EU accession offers the most promising
and efficient prospect for continuing the modernization of Turkey,
which Kemal Ataturk began in 1923. And what better proof that Turkey
is in Europe than the selection of its beautiful Istanbul as the 2010
European Capital of Culture?

Our relations do not start from scratch. They already made history.

There is now free circulation of goods between Turkey and the EU,
bilateral trade has tripled, and today the EU is by far Turkey’s
biggest trading partner, while Turkey is the 7th most important
trade partner of the EU. Mergers and acquisitions involving EU and
Turkish companies have also increased dramatically, allowing our
economies to become ever more closely interdependent. In a sense,
Turkish economic competitiveness has become closely intertwined with
European competitiveness. But even more could be done to make sure
Turkey’s aspiration to join the EU could become one day a reality. And
the Commission is fully behind this objective. We need to pursue this
objective credibly and consistently.

I am aware of voices both in the EU and in Turkey who question this
course of action. But I have no doubt that honoring our commitments
is the right thing to do so that our engagement remains credible.

Credibility needs building with concrete actions on both sides. We
will continue our cooperation program and support the ambitious
reforms undertaken in Turkey. We need to continue working together on
the negotiations, opening new chapters as well as making progress in
the chapters that have already been opened. We need to overcome the
deadlock over Cyprus. With the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus there
is a unique opportunity to find a comprehensive settlement to reunify
the island. I will use all the instruments at my disposal to support
a solution to this problem.

I am convinced we can turn this around, from a vicious circle into a
virtuous one, provided there is political will of all actors involved.

I know it takes courage and determination to do so, but I believe
none is in short supply in Turkey. We have seen it already in the
constructive role Turkey played in the efforts towards normalization of
relations with Armenia. We fully support this process and stand ready
to extend technical and financial assistance to help implementing the
steps agreed between the two countries, including assistance related
to the opening of the border.

Turkey is strategically important not only for its regional leadership,
but also as the everyday demonstration that democracy, Islam and
secularism can work together. We have a large Muslim minority living
in the EU, practicing freely their religion and acting as responsible
citizens in democratic countries. Many of them are already EU
citizens. The EU is not defined by its religions but rather by its
respect for the fundamental freedoms that make the fabric of the
European societies, including freedom of religion.

As a country aspiring to join the EU, Turkey should make sure its
citizens enjoy the same freedoms in Turkey as they do in the EU. New
laws reinforcing the rights of citizens, workers and consumers,
improving sound management of public funds or food safety, are needed
not for the sake of the EU and of progress in the negotiations process,
but first and foremost for the sake of Turkey’s citizens.

These reforms are demanding and difficult. They require open and frank
discussions. They also require the capacity to have real dialogue and
a spirit of compromise between the different segments of society and
the political parties. Coming from the Czech Republic, which joined
the European Union only six years ago, I can assure you this will be
worthwhile, as it is the key to success in the accession negotiations.

* Mr. Stefan Fule is the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
Neighbourhood Policy.