Friday, March 11, 2011
Congressman Engel raised Armenian Genocide issue
Congressman Engel raised Armenian Genocide issue
March 11, 2011 15:49
Today, Congressman Eliot Engel raised the issue of the Armenian Genocide during the first oversight hearing held by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, the Armenian Assembly of America informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Speaking at the hearing entitled “Overview of U.S. Policy toward Europe and Eurasia” Congressman Engel cited the “hostile” nature of Turkey’s relationship with Israel and highlighted numerous double standards by Turkey, including its demand for an apology from Israel, when we “can’t get Turkey to apologize for the Armenian Genocide.”
“We commend Congressman Engel for his steadfast support for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Congressman Engel continues to speak out for truth and justice, and we look forward to working with him and his colleagues to ensure that the Armenian Genocide is never forgotten,” said Assembly Board Member Annie Totah.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
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Armenian Reforms Still Too Slow, Says EBRD
Armenian Reforms Still Too Slow, Says EBRD
Armenia -- Erik Berglof, chief economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, at a news conference in Yerevan, 9Mar2011.
09.03.2011
Ruben Meloyan
The Armenian authorities are still too slow to carry out reforms that are essential for ensuring faster and sustainable economic growth, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Wednesday.
In a report presented by its chief economist, Erik Berglof, the bank concluded that the authorities have yet to demonstrate that they have learned the right lessons from the global financial crisis which has hit Armenia hard. It said they should do more to improve the domestic business environment and tax administration and tackle widespread government corruption. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank similarly think that such reforms are necessary for the country’s sustainable economic development. The Armenian authorities seem to accept this prescription, having repeatedly pledged to take relevant steps. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and Central Bank Governor Artur Javadian outlined measures planned or already taken by them in a November 2010 letter to the IMF’s managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Berglof said the authorities should enforce legislative changes approved by parliament and take other concrete actions. “Armenia is not the only country that has problems with implementing business environment reforms,” he told a news conference in Yerevan. “It has a lot to do with a lack of competition, concentrations of certain sectors, oligarchic structures.”According to the report, Armenian businesspeople interviewed by EBRD experts feel that economic activity in the country is also hampered by the sizable informal sector of the economy and the lingering fallout from the 2008 post-election unrest. “There is a sense that the political environment is still not entirely predictable,” said Berglof. The Armenian economy grew by 2.6 percent last year after contracting by over 14 percent in 2009. Like the authorities in Yerevan, the IMF and the World Bank, the EBRD expects it to expand by over 4 percent this year. The London-based development bank has invested 352.6 million euros ($490 million) in mainly private Armenian firms since the mid-1990s. This has taken the form of equity purchases and direct loans.
Armenia -- Erik Berglof, chief economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, at a news conference in Yerevan, 9Mar2011.
09.03.2011
Ruben Meloyan
The Armenian authorities are still too slow to carry out reforms that are essential for ensuring faster and sustainable economic growth, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Wednesday.
In a report presented by its chief economist, Erik Berglof, the bank concluded that the authorities have yet to demonstrate that they have learned the right lessons from the global financial crisis which has hit Armenia hard. It said they should do more to improve the domestic business environment and tax administration and tackle widespread government corruption. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank similarly think that such reforms are necessary for the country’s sustainable economic development. The Armenian authorities seem to accept this prescription, having repeatedly pledged to take relevant steps. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and Central Bank Governor Artur Javadian outlined measures planned or already taken by them in a November 2010 letter to the IMF’s managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Berglof said the authorities should enforce legislative changes approved by parliament and take other concrete actions. “Armenia is not the only country that has problems with implementing business environment reforms,” he told a news conference in Yerevan. “It has a lot to do with a lack of competition, concentrations of certain sectors, oligarchic structures.”According to the report, Armenian businesspeople interviewed by EBRD experts feel that economic activity in the country is also hampered by the sizable informal sector of the economy and the lingering fallout from the 2008 post-election unrest. “There is a sense that the political environment is still not entirely predictable,” said Berglof. The Armenian economy grew by 2.6 percent last year after contracting by over 14 percent in 2009. Like the authorities in Yerevan, the IMF and the World Bank, the EBRD expects it to expand by over 4 percent this year. The London-based development bank has invested 352.6 million euros ($490 million) in mainly private Armenian firms since the mid-1990s. This has taken the form of equity purchases and direct loans.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Aznavour to join a rally for the first time in his life
Aznavour to join a rally for the first time in his life
March 10, 2011 - 12:30 AMT 08:30 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - World famous singer, Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland Charles Aznavour will join a rally at the French Senate to demand adoption of a law penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
“For the first time in his life, Aznavour will take part in a political action,” Nouvelles d'Arménie reports. The event initiated by Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France will also bring together Patrick Devedjian, Serge Klarsfeld and other public figures.
On October 12, 2006, French National Assembly passed a bill on criminalization of the Armenian Genocide denial. Recently, WikiLeaks published a cable quoting French President Nicolas Sarkozy as saying that the bill “will be buried in the Senate”, what aroused Aznavour’s indignation.
Five Armenian billionaires, according to Forbes survey
Five Armenian billionaires, according to Forbes survey
13:27 • 10.03.11
Forbes Magazine has revealed its list of top billionaires for 2011. The rating list of the world's wealthiest men has this year hit an unprecedented record, with 1,210 billionaires whose total assets make $4.5 trillion. The sum is said to be exceeding essentially the Gross Domestic Product of Germany and nearly equaling that of Japan. Out of the 214 new billionaires appearing in this year's rating, most (108 people) are from countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China.The top three positions have remained unchanged compared to last year. The world's richest person is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim who this year increased his assets by $20.5 billion, twice as much as Armenia's total Gross Domestic Product, Capital Daily reported. Slim currently has estimated assets of $74 billion, according to Boston Daily. The second in the list is the founder of Microsoft Company, Bill Gates, with a net worth comprising $56 billion. Wren Buffett, chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., holds on to the third place with $50 billion.There is an increased number of rich men from developing countries, particularly, the Asia-Pacific region, where billionaires' number has increased to 332 (more than the quarter of the billionaires worldwide). A leading country in the list, the United States, has this year weakened its positions, with the new names of wealthy people having increased by only 6% (compared to the 47% in China or 30% in Russia).Russia's richest man is Vladimir Lisin, the owner of the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant, who ranks 14th in the list, with total assets of $15.8 billion.Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the popular social networking website Facebook, has increased his assets to $13.5 billion, which is 3.4 times more compared to last year.American-Armenian tycoon Kirk Kerkorian remains the world's richest Armenian. The 93-year old has estimated assets of $3.5 billion. This year's rating also includes the names of four other Armenians, all representing Russia. Joint owners of RESO Garantia company, brothers Sergey and Nikolay Sarkisovs, and director and principal shareholder of Roosstrakh company Danil Khachaturov (each having $1.5 billion) appear in the 833rd place in the world and the 65th place in Russia. The founder of Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan, is the 879th wealthiest man on the global scale and the 72nd in Russia.Head of Troika Dialog Group Ruben Vardanyan is not included in the 2011 billionaires' list.
Tert.am
13:27 • 10.03.11
Forbes Magazine has revealed its list of top billionaires for 2011. The rating list of the world's wealthiest men has this year hit an unprecedented record, with 1,210 billionaires whose total assets make $4.5 trillion. The sum is said to be exceeding essentially the Gross Domestic Product of Germany and nearly equaling that of Japan. Out of the 214 new billionaires appearing in this year's rating, most (108 people) are from countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China.The top three positions have remained unchanged compared to last year. The world's richest person is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim who this year increased his assets by $20.5 billion, twice as much as Armenia's total Gross Domestic Product, Capital Daily reported. Slim currently has estimated assets of $74 billion, according to Boston Daily. The second in the list is the founder of Microsoft Company, Bill Gates, with a net worth comprising $56 billion. Wren Buffett, chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., holds on to the third place with $50 billion.There is an increased number of rich men from developing countries, particularly, the Asia-Pacific region, where billionaires' number has increased to 332 (more than the quarter of the billionaires worldwide). A leading country in the list, the United States, has this year weakened its positions, with the new names of wealthy people having increased by only 6% (compared to the 47% in China or 30% in Russia).Russia's richest man is Vladimir Lisin, the owner of the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant, who ranks 14th in the list, with total assets of $15.8 billion.Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the popular social networking website Facebook, has increased his assets to $13.5 billion, which is 3.4 times more compared to last year.American-Armenian tycoon Kirk Kerkorian remains the world's richest Armenian. The 93-year old has estimated assets of $3.5 billion. This year's rating also includes the names of four other Armenians, all representing Russia. Joint owners of RESO Garantia company, brothers Sergey and Nikolay Sarkisovs, and director and principal shareholder of Roosstrakh company Danil Khachaturov (each having $1.5 billion) appear in the 833rd place in the world and the 65th place in Russia. The founder of Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan, is the 879th wealthiest man on the global scale and the 72nd in Russia.Head of Troika Dialog Group Ruben Vardanyan is not included in the 2011 billionaires' list.
Tert.am
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Great Lent
Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Great Lent
13:22 • 07.03.11
After the Carnival, which was celebrated on Sunday, Christian churches observe the Great Lent This is a period of fasting that lasts until Easter (48 days). This year, resurrection of Jesus Christ will be celebrated on April 24.
Churches recommend the use of vegetarian food in this period. Fasting also requires abstinence from some negative practices, such as talkativeness, lying, using bad language etc.
The first 40 days of the fast symbolize the period of Jesus Christ's temptation in the desert without drink or food. This is said to be a period when Jesus sacrificed himself for the salvation of the human race.
The forty-day period is then followed by the Holy Week which lasts 8 days.
The ancient church canons prohibited weddings and offerings in this period. But a church decree issued by Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I allowed weddings during the Great Lent provided the marriage was extremely urgent. The only exception was the days of the Holly Week.
The church tradition recognizes three types of fast – abstention from alcohol and food of animal origin, abstention of all types of food, including vegetarian products, and abstention from food and water.
Fasting is also considered useful from the medical viewpoint, as the non-use of meat and fats at the close of winter has a positive impact on the organism. But this should not be seen as a form of diet recommended for losing weight or treating diseases. Fasting is not restricted to abstinence from animal food only. It is first of a means for purifying one's soul of all kinds of moral ills and evils and turning to a decent life.
Tert.am
13:22 • 07.03.11
After the Carnival, which was celebrated on Sunday, Christian churches observe the Great Lent This is a period of fasting that lasts until Easter (48 days). This year, resurrection of Jesus Christ will be celebrated on April 24.
Churches recommend the use of vegetarian food in this period. Fasting also requires abstinence from some negative practices, such as talkativeness, lying, using bad language etc.
The first 40 days of the fast symbolize the period of Jesus Christ's temptation in the desert without drink or food. This is said to be a period when Jesus sacrificed himself for the salvation of the human race.
The forty-day period is then followed by the Holy Week which lasts 8 days.
The ancient church canons prohibited weddings and offerings in this period. But a church decree issued by Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I allowed weddings during the Great Lent provided the marriage was extremely urgent. The only exception was the days of the Holly Week.
The church tradition recognizes three types of fast – abstention from alcohol and food of animal origin, abstention of all types of food, including vegetarian products, and abstention from food and water.
Fasting is also considered useful from the medical viewpoint, as the non-use of meat and fats at the close of winter has a positive impact on the organism. But this should not be seen as a form of diet recommended for losing weight or treating diseases. Fasting is not restricted to abstinence from animal food only. It is first of a means for purifying one's soul of all kinds of moral ills and evils and turning to a decent life.
Tert.am
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Armenian, Azeri, Russian Presidents adopt joint statement
Armenian, Azeri, Russian Presidents adopt joint statement
March 05, 2011 | 17:56
The Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents adopted a joint statement on the result of their meeting in Sochi.
The leader discussed the implementation of the trilateral agreement adopted at their meeting in Astrakhan, October 27, 2010. Specifically, the President agreed to complete the POW exchange process as soon as possible, says the statement.
The document underlines the necessity for settling all the disputable issues in peaceful means and investigating possible incidents along the line of contact with the sides’ participation, under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, with the assistance of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
The three Presidents also pointed out the high importance of their regular contacts over the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and agreed to maintain them in this format, in addition to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ activities.
Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that, at their meeting in Astrakhan, October 27, the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents approved a joint statement on their meeting in Astrakhan. The sides agreed to exchange the POWs and bodies of killed soldiers.
The sides negotiated the return of eight POWs, six civilians, as well as dead bodies. Azerbaijan was to return Manvel Saribelkyan’s body, and the Armenian side the bodies of Muraz Ibragimov and Farid Ahmedov.
Manvel Saribekyan
Saribekyan was arrested on September 11 on the frontline of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Azerbaijani side called him an Armenian saboteur. Shortly after his detention, Azerbaijan’s ANS TV broadcast a report in which Manvel Saribekyan was identified “for his training in subversive activities in Azerbaijan.’’ The corresponding video appeared on YouTube.
Subsequently, information was received from Baku that “Saribekyan had committed suicide.” According to a report Manvel Saribekyan was found with a strangulated scar on the neck characteristic to a person who has been hanged and forensic experts did not find traces of violence on his body.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Saribekyan was a lost shepherd who was looking for his missing cattle and crossed the Armenia-Azerbaijani border; Azerbaijan persistently said Saribekyan was a member of an Armenian diversion group. Following this, the Azerbaijani propaganda machine spread an “interview” with Mr. Saribekyan through YouTube, in which he stated that he had been trained for terrorist acts on Azerbaijan’s territory. However, expert assessment of the video concluded that the video was filmed under physical and psychological pressure.
On October 26, Azerbaijani authorities handed over the death certificate of the deceased to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Order of the Prosecutor General of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 104 of RA Criminal Code (premeditated murder with extreme cruelty).
After the examination held in Armenia, doctors concluded that Saribekyan’s death occurred as a result of violence.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
March 05, 2011 | 17:56
The Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents adopted a joint statement on the result of their meeting in Sochi.
The leader discussed the implementation of the trilateral agreement adopted at their meeting in Astrakhan, October 27, 2010. Specifically, the President agreed to complete the POW exchange process as soon as possible, says the statement.
The document underlines the necessity for settling all the disputable issues in peaceful means and investigating possible incidents along the line of contact with the sides’ participation, under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, with the assistance of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
The three Presidents also pointed out the high importance of their regular contacts over the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and agreed to maintain them in this format, in addition to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ activities.
Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that, at their meeting in Astrakhan, October 27, the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents approved a joint statement on their meeting in Astrakhan. The sides agreed to exchange the POWs and bodies of killed soldiers.
The sides negotiated the return of eight POWs, six civilians, as well as dead bodies. Azerbaijan was to return Manvel Saribelkyan’s body, and the Armenian side the bodies of Muraz Ibragimov and Farid Ahmedov.
Manvel Saribekyan
Saribekyan was arrested on September 11 on the frontline of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Azerbaijani side called him an Armenian saboteur. Shortly after his detention, Azerbaijan’s ANS TV broadcast a report in which Manvel Saribekyan was identified “for his training in subversive activities in Azerbaijan.’’ The corresponding video appeared on YouTube.
Subsequently, information was received from Baku that “Saribekyan had committed suicide.” According to a report Manvel Saribekyan was found with a strangulated scar on the neck characteristic to a person who has been hanged and forensic experts did not find traces of violence on his body.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Saribekyan was a lost shepherd who was looking for his missing cattle and crossed the Armenia-Azerbaijani border; Azerbaijan persistently said Saribekyan was a member of an Armenian diversion group. Following this, the Azerbaijani propaganda machine spread an “interview” with Mr. Saribekyan through YouTube, in which he stated that he had been trained for terrorist acts on Azerbaijan’s territory. However, expert assessment of the video concluded that the video was filmed under physical and psychological pressure.
On October 26, Azerbaijani authorities handed over the death certificate of the deceased to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Order of the Prosecutor General of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 104 of RA Criminal Code (premeditated murder with extreme cruelty).
After the examination held in Armenia, doctors concluded that Saribekyan’s death occurred as a result of violence.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Nalbandian Slams Azeri Aggression and Details Protocols Process
Eduard Nalbandian
VIENNA—Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, who is on a working visit to the Austrian capital, sat down with the Austiran Der Standard newspaper for an in-depth interview on official Yerevan’s views on matters, including the Armenia-Turkey protocols and the Karabakh conflict.
On Tuesday, Asbarez reported on a portion of the interview, which dealt with Armenia’s decision to not support a Turkish candidate for the leadership post of the OSCE. Today we provide a translated transcript of the interview in its entirty.
Standard: You signed the Zurich protocols that aimed at normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia despite political protests in your country and within the Diaspora around the world. How frustrated do you feel that Turkey has put the ratification on hold?
Nalbandian: Some people, including in Europe, have no confidence on the Turkish side. They think that Turkey says one thing and does something else. The negotiation process with the Turkish side was long, a difficult one and with many obstacles. There were more than ten meetings on the ministerial level. In Davos, for example, we had 35 hours of negotiations with then foreign minister Ali Babacan. We finally came to the agreement and we signed Protocols in Zurich in October, 2009, in the presence of representatives of Switzerland, the US, Russia, France, EU, Council of Europe. Once it was signed, Turkey put forward preconditions for ratification.
Standard: What do you think happened with the Turkish side?
Nalbandian: You probably have to ask them. Maybe nothing happened In any cases, may those who said you cannot trust Turkey had a valid argument.
Standard: Did the Turkish government pull back for electoral reasons?
Nalbandian: Turks tend to think that only in Turkey they have elections and public opinion. We have in fact much more reason to talk about preconditions.
Standard: To what extent has Azerbaijan, Turkey’s political partner and energy source, sabotaged the process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey?
Nalbandian: All countries in the world supported this process, with one exception: Azerbaijan. I don‘t think they were right. The normalization of relations could have been beneficial not only for Turkey and Armenia, but for the entire region. And Azerbaijan is part of this region.
Standard: How can the Zurich protocols be revived again?
Nalbandian: There is only one way. We have signed the protocols, we have to ratify and implement them – without any preconditions according to the principle of pacta sunt servanda.
Standard: Will that be possible once the parliamentary elections in Turkey in June are over?
Nalbandian: After the parliamentary elections there will be other elections. If you look for a reason to postpone the ratification you can always find one. I think Turkish society today is more supportive of normalization on the one hand, and on the other hand are more receptive about the past. The start of negotiations and the signing of the protocols opened new windows. For the first time on the 24th of April last year, the people gathered in Turkish cities to commemorate the day of the Armenian Genocide. More than 30,000 Turkish citizens signed a petition apologizing to the Armenian people.
Standard: Looking at the overarching, more than 25 year old, frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh, how much of a danger is it for the South Caucasus?
Nalbandian: The Azerbaijani authorities, almost on a daily basis, make bellicose statements and provoke. In one year alone, they doubled their military budget and they rejected the proposals of the international community to come to an agreement on non-use of force, consolidation of ceasefire, withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact. I do not think that anyone can interpret that such behavior by the Azerbaijani authorities does not pose any dangers.
Standard: But, do you have to take these bellicose statements as you said, seriously or are they not rather made for domestic consumption in Azerbaijan?
Nalbandian: The threat to use force is a violation of international law. And absence of adequate reaction to such bellicose behavior may lead to serious consequences.
Standard: To what extent are autocratic rule and underdeveloped civil societies a source of instability in the region?
Nalbandian: I would be more cautious in making any comparisons of political-social development among the countries of the region. While Armenia is a developing democracy, Azerbaijan is a developing authoritarian regime. This is a view expressed by most international organizations and shared by most of the experts.
The media and civil society in Armenia are actively involved in political discussions, something unheard of in Azerbaijan. Quite the contrary, full-fledged state sponsored propaganda of hatred toward Armenians hinders the peace process. And the minds of the young generations are being spoiled in such a way that it hinders future reconciliation.
A spirit of compromise and peaceful discourse are, in general, less probable in authoritarian countries.
Standard: Now, with some months having passed, did you get accustomed to the idea of Austria having opened one single embassy in the region in Baku and not in Yerevan or Tbilisi?
Nalbandian: If I say I am very happy about it, would you believe me? No. We opened our embassy in Vienna many years ago—one of the first after independence. I think it is high time for Austria to reciprocate and open representation in Yerevan. Our aim has to be to elevate our relations to a much higher level.
Standard: Former Austrian foreign minister Ursula Plassnik is running for Secretary General of the OSCE. Will Armenia support her?
Nalbandian: We did not make a decision on the candidates yet. But concerning the Turkish candidate, we have stated that we cannot support him because Turkish representatives in different international organizations generally hold a different view with their biased approaches and do not waste any opportunity to express themselves against Armenia’s positions.
Standard: What does that mean for the other candidates and Mrs Plassnik?
Nalbandian: That means that one of the other candidates could be supported from our side…
Standard: Will you narrow down the list?
Nalbandian: We will do so, pretty soon.
VIENNA—Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, who is on a working visit to the Austrian capital, sat down with the Austiran Der Standard newspaper for an in-depth interview on official Yerevan’s views on matters, including the Armenia-Turkey protocols and the Karabakh conflict.
On Tuesday, Asbarez reported on a portion of the interview, which dealt with Armenia’s decision to not support a Turkish candidate for the leadership post of the OSCE. Today we provide a translated transcript of the interview in its entirty.
Standard: You signed the Zurich protocols that aimed at normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia despite political protests in your country and within the Diaspora around the world. How frustrated do you feel that Turkey has put the ratification on hold?
Nalbandian: Some people, including in Europe, have no confidence on the Turkish side. They think that Turkey says one thing and does something else. The negotiation process with the Turkish side was long, a difficult one and with many obstacles. There were more than ten meetings on the ministerial level. In Davos, for example, we had 35 hours of negotiations with then foreign minister Ali Babacan. We finally came to the agreement and we signed Protocols in Zurich in October, 2009, in the presence of representatives of Switzerland, the US, Russia, France, EU, Council of Europe. Once it was signed, Turkey put forward preconditions for ratification.
Standard: What do you think happened with the Turkish side?
Nalbandian: You probably have to ask them. Maybe nothing happened In any cases, may those who said you cannot trust Turkey had a valid argument.
Standard: Did the Turkish government pull back for electoral reasons?
Nalbandian: Turks tend to think that only in Turkey they have elections and public opinion. We have in fact much more reason to talk about preconditions.
Standard: To what extent has Azerbaijan, Turkey’s political partner and energy source, sabotaged the process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey?
Nalbandian: All countries in the world supported this process, with one exception: Azerbaijan. I don‘t think they were right. The normalization of relations could have been beneficial not only for Turkey and Armenia, but for the entire region. And Azerbaijan is part of this region.
Standard: How can the Zurich protocols be revived again?
Nalbandian: There is only one way. We have signed the protocols, we have to ratify and implement them – without any preconditions according to the principle of pacta sunt servanda.
Standard: Will that be possible once the parliamentary elections in Turkey in June are over?
Nalbandian: After the parliamentary elections there will be other elections. If you look for a reason to postpone the ratification you can always find one. I think Turkish society today is more supportive of normalization on the one hand, and on the other hand are more receptive about the past. The start of negotiations and the signing of the protocols opened new windows. For the first time on the 24th of April last year, the people gathered in Turkish cities to commemorate the day of the Armenian Genocide. More than 30,000 Turkish citizens signed a petition apologizing to the Armenian people.
Standard: Looking at the overarching, more than 25 year old, frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh, how much of a danger is it for the South Caucasus?
Nalbandian: The Azerbaijani authorities, almost on a daily basis, make bellicose statements and provoke. In one year alone, they doubled their military budget and they rejected the proposals of the international community to come to an agreement on non-use of force, consolidation of ceasefire, withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact. I do not think that anyone can interpret that such behavior by the Azerbaijani authorities does not pose any dangers.
Standard: But, do you have to take these bellicose statements as you said, seriously or are they not rather made for domestic consumption in Azerbaijan?
Nalbandian: The threat to use force is a violation of international law. And absence of adequate reaction to such bellicose behavior may lead to serious consequences.
Standard: To what extent are autocratic rule and underdeveloped civil societies a source of instability in the region?
Nalbandian: I would be more cautious in making any comparisons of political-social development among the countries of the region. While Armenia is a developing democracy, Azerbaijan is a developing authoritarian regime. This is a view expressed by most international organizations and shared by most of the experts.
The media and civil society in Armenia are actively involved in political discussions, something unheard of in Azerbaijan. Quite the contrary, full-fledged state sponsored propaganda of hatred toward Armenians hinders the peace process. And the minds of the young generations are being spoiled in such a way that it hinders future reconciliation.
A spirit of compromise and peaceful discourse are, in general, less probable in authoritarian countries.
Standard: Now, with some months having passed, did you get accustomed to the idea of Austria having opened one single embassy in the region in Baku and not in Yerevan or Tbilisi?
Nalbandian: If I say I am very happy about it, would you believe me? No. We opened our embassy in Vienna many years ago—one of the first after independence. I think it is high time for Austria to reciprocate and open representation in Yerevan. Our aim has to be to elevate our relations to a much higher level.
Standard: Former Austrian foreign minister Ursula Plassnik is running for Secretary General of the OSCE. Will Armenia support her?
Nalbandian: We did not make a decision on the candidates yet. But concerning the Turkish candidate, we have stated that we cannot support him because Turkish representatives in different international organizations generally hold a different view with their biased approaches and do not waste any opportunity to express themselves against Armenia’s positions.
Standard: What does that mean for the other candidates and Mrs Plassnik?
Nalbandian: That means that one of the other candidates could be supported from our side…
Standard: Will you narrow down the list?
Nalbandian: We will do so, pretty soon.
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