MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 ISRAEL DISMISSES REPORTS ON SELLING WEAPONS TO BAKUA senior official of the Israeli embassy in Georgia Harry Cleman, who arrived in Yerevan on Tuesday, dismissed press reports which claimed that Israel was selling military hardware to Azerbaijan. Meeting with local reporters, Cleman said that these “absurd” reports were disseminated with one goal- to harm development of Armenian-Israeli relations. “No such a deal was ever concluded and is not foreseen in the future,” he said. In response to a question whether Israel was planning to open its embassy in Armenia, Cleman said it depended on Armenia. “The next day after opening of Armenian embassy in Israel we shall open ours in Yerevan,” he said. According to him, the issue of the Armenian genocide should be left to historians and making it as a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy hinders normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. By Rouzan Poghosian © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 PUTIN-KOCHARIAN MEETING CONCENTRATED ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presidents Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin concentrated mainly on bilateral economic cooperation issues at the yesterday’s Kremlin meeting. Russian deputy prime minister Ilya Klebanov said so after the two-hour meeting was over. According to Klebanov, the issue of implementation of the already reached agreements between Russia and Armenia was discussed, which leads to the ‘Factories against debt’ deal. ‘A big step forward was made in the implementation of the reached agreements today’,- said the deputy prime minister. Klebanov underlined that the two sides are ‘satisfied by the fulfilled work, but they also realize the need of accelerating the process’. Mr. Klebanov noted that an intergovernmental agreement is drafted which regulates the ‘Factories against debt’ deal. ‘The presidents of the both countries are for the quickest conclusion of the draft agreement’,- said Mr. Klebanov. Vladimir Putin and Robert Kocharian also discussed bilateral cooperation in the natural gas and energy spheres, as well as the joint work aimed at modernizing the Armenian nuclear power plant. Before meeting with the Russian president, Robert Kocharian said that Armenia is concerned with the existing obstacles hampering the economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that new stimuli are necessary for boosting the economic relations. Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed his satisfaction concerning the regular contacts between him and Robert Kocharian, and expressed confidence that the negotiations will be successful. President Kocharian also met with the directors of Russian ‘GasProm’ and ‘Itera’ companies, and discussed cooperation in energy sphere with them. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 KOCHARIAN, KASYANOV STRESSED QUICK IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Armenian president Robert Kocharian and Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov spoke for quick implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries earlier this year- aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation. As daily Azg informed earlier president Robert Kocharian is paying a working visit to Russia. Opening the negotiations with the Armenian president yesterday, December 18, Mikhail Kasyanov noted that although the ministries of the two countries work quite actively, the implementation of the concluded agreements is being delayed a little. In Kasyanov’s words, Russia and Armenia must finish the works in this sphere in the ‘shortest period of time’. Armenian president Robert Kocharian noted in his turn that his visit to Moscow is ‘due to the concern that we may not finish the works in the expected time’. He also said that ‘it is easy to sign an agreement for the presidents, but the work that the ministries carry out after the agreements is quite heavy, so we must help them to bring it to a logical end’. Mr. Kasyanov commissioned the deputy prime minister, science, industry and technology minister Ilya Klebanov to accelerate the preparation of the list of those Armenian enterprises the shares of which the Russian side will be interested to purchase. The spokeswoman for Russian prime minister Tatiana Rashbash informed about this to the reporters after the Kocharian-Kasyanov meeting yesterday, December 18. During the meeting Mikhail Kasyanov and Robert Kocharian also discussed the preparation process of the draft agreement on Russian diamond supply to Armenia. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Ukraine-Armenia ARMENIAN CARGO FORWARDERS CONCERNED WITH UKRAINIAN FERRY COMPANY DECISIONA last month decision by the Ukrainian ‘Ukrferry’ company that Armenian businessmen will have to ship and receive goods using a ferryboat line connecting Ukrainian port of Ilichevsk with Georgian port of Batumi instead of the Ilichevsk-Poti line has caused anger in Armenia, as change of the roots leads to increase in the transportation costs. Commenting on this decision, chairman of Armenian government affiliated Commission for Protection of Economic Competition Samvel Stepanian said: ‘the Union of Cargo Forwarders of Armenia applied to us and informed that the Ukrainian ‘Ukrferry’ company makes Armenian companies to conclude unprofitable agreements for 2002. We contacted the director of the Georgian Poti harbor Mr. Iniashvili in this respect, and he answered that there is no limitation in his port and that the harbor has necessary capacity to receive the Armenian products. We would agree with the decision of ‘Ukrferry’ if it spread on the companies of other countries that use the port- Azerbaijan and Georgia, but the decision refers only to Armenia. Three percent of the imported products to Armenia are transported via ferryboats, as well as 1,8% of the exported products. According to calculations, if the goods are forwarded via Batumi, then Armenian companies will have more than 250,000 USD of losses annually. But besides the figures most concerning here are the probable consequences, which will impact the perspective development. Thus, according to Armenian-Ukrainian Economic Cooperation Commission the volumes of ferryboat shipment is going to increase considerably next year. If the change of the transportation line doesn’t hurdle, and we really have an essential increase of products’ shipment, then, naturally the economic losses of Armenian companies will increase even more. The latter may bring to unwanted social consequences- the prices of products will rise in the country etc. Shipments are made in different directions, products are forwarded and received from those regions where there is a land transport – railways and highways. The products are coming from European countries, Siberia, Central Asia etc. So we must support our businessmen and protect their interests. The CIS has an Anti-Monopolist Policy Interstate Council, and the heads of CIS countries’ similar councils are the members of the council. If the anti-monopoly committee of any country, in this case Ukrainian, doesn’t respond to our request and doesn’t try to regulate the issue, then we will put the issue for the interstate council’s discussion. Our commission sent a message to the anti-monopoly committee of Ukraine. And we know that they started to work on the regulation of the issue. I hope that in near future we’ll receive a final official answer from them’. By Arpine Sahakian © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Armenians in Europe FAAE ANNOUNCES EU TRAINING SEMINAR "ARMENIANS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION"The Forum of Armenian Associations in Europe (FAAE) will hold a seminar entitled 'Armenians and the European Union' on March 17-19, 2002 in Brussels. This introductory seminar is aimed at training up to 25 Armenian activists from all EU Member States in understanding the politics of the European Union's institutions and the opportunities they provide. Is the EU a chance for Armenia and the European Diaspora? How might the EU institutions integrate the preoccupations of Armenians? The seminar will provide some answers to these questions by providing an insight into Europe's policies. The European Union's significance to Armenians in Europe is considerable, and growing. The European Union is a major partner of Armenia as well as Turkey and it is also the world's main trading power and aid donor. Turkey's prospects as a candidate to join the European Union in particular have generated considerable interest in that country among the EU institutions. The Armenian Diaspora can also make a significant contribution in the construction of a multicultural European Union. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Constitution OPPOSITION DEMANDS LEAVING CHOICE TO VOTERSLeaders of six parties, who have agreed upon a joint package of constitutional reforms that advocates for passage to a parliamentarian way of governance, as opposed to another package of reforms that calls for maintenance of the so-called semi-presidential governance, but with limited authorities of the head of state, have issued a statement on Tuesday accusing president Kocharian of deviating from the path of democracy. The move came after Kocharian strongly criticized the opposition’s package of reforms, saying that it would never be put on a nation-wide referendum, to be held next year. The statement describes Kocharian’s announcement that he would not allow the alternative option be pushed through parliament as “a threat to the constitutional process” and calls on all healthy forces within the parliament to back it. “The constitutional reforms, a crucial process for the country’s advancement is assessed by president Kocharian only from that point of view of whether it fits his interests or not and his improper announcements tell about the discrepancy between the course of the president and democracy,” the statement reads. This move of the opposition comes as a logical answer to Kocharian’s announcements, and unfolds a new battle between the authorities and opposition, this time on ideological basis. The clash is described by the opposition as “constitutional movement,” with a clearly set goal of expanding the anti-presidential front to make the struggle as efficient as possible. Hrant Khachatrian, leader of a minor Constitutional Right Union party (CRU) says” “president Kocharian thinks he is the only person that is able to implement constitutional reforms.” Realizing the Kocharian will veto any alternative package of reforms, and that the parliament is facing a heaviest dilemma, leaders of the six promise to secure 66 votes to endorse the alternative package. Shavarsh Kocharian, one of its authors , believes that in case of securing 66 votes in favor of the alternative package would mean a serious qualitative change in the opinions of many deputies and Kocharian would think twice before vetoing it. Under the current legislation the alternative package must be put on a nation-wide referendum together with the presidential reforms only after being endorsed by 66 votes and given that Kocharian would not veto it. If he does, the opposition would have to secure already 88 votes, and if it succeeds, the two options would be put on referendum. Hrant Khachatrian, however, goes as far as to claim that Kocharian has schemed a plan that may suggest change of power, like ex-president Ter-Petrosian, who incited the public against him by announcing that the national ideology was a false idea. The opposition, however, does not intend to fail the presidential option of reforms, saying that it want the two options be put on referendum simultaneously to allow voters to decide by themselves which way of governance they would prefer. By Gor Abrahamian © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 NAGORNO Artsax REPRESENTATIVE BRIEFS HARVARD COMMUNITY ON CONFLICT RESOLUTIONRepresentative of the Nagorno Artsax Republic in the United States Vardan Barseghian told Harvard University students last week that the May 1994 cease-fire agreement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Artsax was the major achievement of the peace efforts aimed at the resolution of the Nagorno Artsax conflict to date. On December 12, speaking to a negotiations class at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (KSG) in Cambridge, MA, Representative Barseghian said: "The cease-fire accord was only made possible because all parties to the conflict were present at the negotiating table and were willing to accept their part of the responsibility for its implementation. This is the only formula that can work and bring realistic agreements". "Nagorno Artsax has been effectively independent for 10 years and I think it is important that we speak for ourselves not only with different governments, but also with academic and research institutions. We have welcomed this opportunity to appear before the Harvard community," Barseghian said. The briefing was an open event and interested students and faculty from Harvard University and Tufts University's School of Law and Diplomacy attended. The Nagorno Artsax Republic (NKR) declared its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1991-94 the people of NKR successfully defended themselves from Azerbaijani aggression. Since then, however, Azerbaijan has refused to negotiate with NKR directly to finalize a peace agreement. Massachusetts State Representative Peter J. Koutoujian, who was present at the briefing, noted that "Nagorno Artsax was able to defend its people, democracy and independence at a time when the international community was deaf to Nagorno Karabagh's plea for help during the Azerbaijani military aggression. It is in the interest of the democratic world to support the Nagorno Artsax Republic." Harvard Professor Keith Allred, who supported this seminar, said it was a great opportunity for the students to learn about the Nagorno Artsax conflict directly from the people in the region. He also thanked Representative Barseghian for an insightful and informative presentation and a dynamic question-and-answer session. His enthusiasm was echoed by several students. Harvard student Mathieu Lefevre said, "This presentation gave us a first-hand account of the issues at hand in this major international dispute. It was very interesting to hear the perspective of the main people involved: the people of Nagorno Artsax. This was also a perfect case study for our negotiation class." "I recommend to other universities that study the Nagorno Artsax conflict to initiate these kinds of briefings since without the official Nagorno Karabagh's perspective the picture cannot be complete", said Scott Talan, a student in the Kennedy School of Government's Master of Public Administration program. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 END TO KARABAGH CONFLICT SHOULD BE SEARCHED BY LEADERS OF TWO NATIONS, KAREKIN II SAYS"The leading states of the world are interested in the soonest solution of the long-lasting conflict over Nagorno Artsax, as it will bring stability and peace in the volatile region of the South Caucasus," head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Karekin said in an interview with French Le Figaro, wrapping up his Pontifical visit to France. His Holiness was received by France's president Jacques Chirac and other top officials, he also visited Lyon and Marseilles to meet with the local Armenian communities. Karekin II said that both Armenians and Azeris wanted to see the conflict resolved as soon as possible. "Solution to this conflict should be found out by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If it is not made today, we shall face bigger problems in future," he said. He also said that his meeting with the spiritual leader of Azeris, scheduled for the end of December in Moscow at the mediation of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexiy II would also focus on ways to end the conflict. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 NEW ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO LEBANONBy the December 17 decree of president Robert Kocharian Areg Hovhannisian was appointed to the post of Armenian ambassador to Lebanon. The residence of the Armenian ambassador is Beirut. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 ARMENIAN CITIZENS CAN ENTER UKRAINE WITHOUT VISAStarting January 1, 2002 the citizens of CIS countries can enter, leave or transit across the Ukraine without visas. They only need to have their passports. The official representative of Ukraine’s foreign ministry Igor Dolgov announced about this yesterday, December 18. At present the citizens of Belarus, Russia, Georgia and Turkmenistan can already enter Ukraine without visa- according to the agreement concluded between the countries and the Ukraine. Now the decision also expands on the citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Ukraine has already concluded agreements with some of the above-mentioned countries and with the rest corresponding bilateral agreements will be reached soon. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SIGNED PROTOCOL ON FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION19.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian arrived in Tokyo on an official visit. The Armenian head held a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yunidziro Koidzumi. Robert Kocharian and Yunidziro Koidzumi signed a joint protocol "On developing friendship and cooperation." Tomorrow meeting of the President with Emperor of Japan Akikhito will take place. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 VLADIMIR PUTIN SIGNED LAW ON RATIFICATION OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT ON JOINT PLANNING OF TROOP USE19.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law "On ratification of the agreement between the Russian Federation and Armenia on joint planning of troop use for the sake of joint security" adopted by both chambers of the Parliament the other day. The agreement, which was signed by the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia in September 2000, provides a legal basis for uniting efforts and coordinated actions of Russia and Armenia for securing joint defense in the Transcaucasus region. The document defines the order of forming joint headquarters, preparing documents for joint planning of using troops of the united grouping, envisages creation of a unified communication system and automated command of the troops, establishes the rules of rear, technical and financial supply of the troops. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 SASUN AGHAJANYAN WHO ATTEMPTED ON NKR PRESIDENT IS IN MENTAL HOSPITAL19.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ex-head of guard of the NKR's ex-minister of defense Sasun Aghajanyan, sentenced according to the case for the attempt at the President of Nagorno-Artsax Arkady Ghukasyan, is admitted to Nubarashen mental hospital for the complex checkup. This information was confirmed at the justice ministry press service yesterday. This decision was made after consultations held by psychiatrists. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 JAPANESE INVESTORS INTERESTED IN EXPLOITING BOWELS OF ARMENIA19.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The official delegation of the Republic of Armenia headed by President Robert Kocharian continues its visit to Japan. Today member of the delegation, Minister of Industry and Trade Karen Chshmaritian and Chairman of the Japanese agency for international cooperation Takaaki Kawakimoi signed "Program of developing mineral industry of Armenia." The program is designed for two years. The interest of Japanese investors in exploiting the bowels of Armenia is expected to lead to notable recovery of the mineral industry. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Japan, Armenia Vow To Fight Terrorism, Boost Ties TOKYO, (AFP) - Japan and Armenia agreed Wednesday to strengthen international cooperation in fighting terrorism and boost wide-ranging bilateral relations. The agreement was reached in a meeting between visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, according to a joint statement issued after their meeting. In the 35-minute meeting at his official residence, Koizumi welcomed Armenia's denunciation of terrorism following the September 11 terror attacks on the United States, a Japanese government official said. “Regional stability is essential to eradicate terrorism,” Koizumi was quoted as telling Kocharian, who was the first Armenian president to visit Japan. The premier pledged to promote friendly ties with Armenia and cooperate in maintaining stability in the region, the official said. The joint statement committed the two countries to strengthening cooperation in fighting terrorism, striving for a total ban on nuclear tests and support for the non-proliferation of mass-destruction weapons. It also said the two countries would promote bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural fields. Kocharian called on Japan to continue aid to his country even if Tokyo plans to cut its official development assistance due to its financial constraint, the official said. Kocharian also called for direct Japanese investment in his country. Koizumi noted Armenia's move toward a market economy and democracy and promised to consider as much cooperation as possible to its efforts, the official said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 RUSSIA READY TO GUARANTEE PEACE DEAL OVER KARABAGH MOSCOW, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: The press office of Russian president Vladimir Putin said that besides economic issues, the leaders of Armenia and Russia have also discussed ways for solving the Karabagh conflict during Kocharian's two day working visit to Moscow on December 17-18. "Russia is a key mediator in the process of regulation of the Karabagh conflict and Moscow stands for continuation of direct dialogue between Kocharian and Aliyev," a Moscow-based Russian news agency RIA Novosti said. The agency quotes Putin as saying that the status of Nagorno Karabagh should be searched for and agreed on by Azerbaijan and Armenia themselves, "but Russia is ready for its part to support any option, which would be acceptable to all conflicting sides and under these conditions it may take the role of the guarantor of the reached peaceful agreement." The issue of Armenia's blockade by neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey was also discussed by the two leaders. It was stated that de-blockading of Armenia is largely dependant on opening the railway across Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia. "Russia is interested in the opening of this section of the railway, but the question is not regulated because of the lack of political will on behalf of Georgia's leadership," RIA Novosti reports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 500 HUNDRED HOUSING CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO HOMELESS FAMILIES IN GYUMRI GYUMRI, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Five hundred housing certificates have already been distributed among eligible households in Armenia's second largest town of Gyumri, which have lost their houses or apartments in the 1988 earthquake. This project is implemented the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) along with the Urban Institute. This $20 million Earthquake Zone Recovery (EZR) Program is co-financed by USAID and th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted December 19, 2001 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 DOCUMENT ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF IRANIAN, ARMENIAN DIPLOMAS PREPARED YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: A team of Iranian experts from the ministry of science, researches and high technologies has arrived in Armenia for a three-day visit with the aim of discussing with their Armenian counterparts issues related to mutual recognition of educational diplomas and other relevant documents. The Iranian experts met on Tuesday with a similar team of experts in the Armenian science and education ministry to discuss the entire complex of the two countries' educational systems. The discussions have resulted in drafting a document, on the basis of which the two governments will sign an agreement on reciprocal recognition of academic degress, diplomas and other related documents. The paper is to be submitted to the government on Wednesday for approval. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.