The balance in Caucasia that shifted with the collapse of the Soviet Union caused a big change in the foreign policy vision of the states in the region. While examining the problems that emerged between republics, which gained their sovereignty, it is possible to see the changes in foreign policy of neighboring countries. (more…)
Category: Southern Caucasus
-
Number of Armenian tourists in Turkey increases
The number of Armenian tourists who visited Turkey this April increased by 26.9%, as compared to last year.
Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism said 4,889 Armenians visited Turkey in April 2012 as compared to 3,854 last year.
The number of citizens visiting Turkey as compared to March grew by 25.
In 2011, over 72,000 Armenian citizens visited Turkey.
via Number of Armenian tourists in Turkey increases | Armenia News – NEWS.am.
-
US put pressure on Azerbaijan by «Armenian genocide»
Gulnara Inanch,
Director of Information and Analytical Center Etnoglobus (ethnoglobus.az),
editor of Russian section of Turkishnews American-Turkish Resource website www.turkishnews.com ,
According to BBC, a group of former and present high ranking officials of the US Administration has called the presidential administration to put pressure over the sides for implementation of protocols signed betweenTurkeyandArmeniain 2009. FormerUSSecretary of State Madeleine Albright in her statement before the US Council on Foreign relations said that implementation of the mentioned protocols would serve for improvement of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
However, while speaking of the very issue in her visit toArmenia, US present Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted that initial unconditional dialog betweenTurkeyandArmeniawould not have any impact upon Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
Contradiction between the statements of the present Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, who, despite, is not in power but preserved her reputation, is the reflection of US view with regards to the issue.
As you see, White House tries to pull out “Armenian genocide” issue from connection with Azerbaijanby strengthening their attempts to make Turkeyrestore negotiations withArmenia. Because, in order to force Turkey to come to the negotiations without any precondition agreement of officialBakuis required. Statement of Hillary Clinton that Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has no connection with Turkish-Armenian relations proves it.
Therefore,Washingtontries to persuade Turkey that opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia will cause Armenia to compromise in Nagorno-Karabakh issue. On the other hand, as recognition of “Armenian genocide” is a principal issue for Azerbaijan along with Turkey, it is used as pressure object to Baku and Ankara.
The fact that “Armenian genocide” was the focus of attention again in Israel Knesset on June 12, it should be considered as pressure tool over Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is again proved by the report recently made by Madeline Albright together with former US president George Bush’s national security advisor Steven Hadley where this subject was the focus of attention as well. According to that report, establishment of good relations withIsrael by Turkey will lead to earning support of US Jewish society which will support Turkey to avoid discussion of “Armenian genocide” as in previous years. Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, who seeks for strategic cooperation policy with official Baku, said that this issue wouldn’t be discussed for the sake of strategic cooperation with Azerbaijanwhen “Armenian genocide” was focus of attention in Israel Knesset. Israel media that are close to state and power bodies has been asked to be attentive in the sensible issues related to Azerbaijan. Being attentive we can see that Israel media pretext not to see that “Armenian genocide” is brought to focus of attention in Israel Knesset.
Israel is Our Home (IOH) party head secretary Faina Kirschenbaum, Members of Knesset said that IOH – Kadima block would try to avoid discussions of “Armenian genocide” which is brought to focus of attention by the pressure of Israel Armenian church.
But the point is that some Israel politicians and public figures think that the “Armenian genocide” is the issue between Armenia and Turkey and it has nothing with Azerbaijan, especially with Nagorno-Karabakh. Therefore, in order to satisfy society and Jewish lobby, “Armenian genocide” is brought to focus of attention in the Israel Knesset.
Since “Armenian genocide” is the tool of political speculation, attempts by Israel officials to close the subject for the sake of cooperation with Azerbaijan will be temporary and it is expected to be used for the purpose of mollifying Turkey and Azerbaijan.
As we remember, along with speculations around adoption of the law prohibiting denial of “Armenian genocide” in French Senate, “genocide” issue was also brought to the focus of attention in Israel Knesset.
The fact that discussion of “genocide” issue in Knesset is due on June 18, on the eve of meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenian Foreign Ministers in France, is the another proof that this is the pressure method on Azerbaijan during negotiations.
Source New Baku Post (bakupost.az)
-
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR sees $17B Turkey investments
BAKU, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company says it plans to invest up to $17 billion in energy projects in neighboring Turkey over the coming eight years.SOCAR vice president Suleyman Gasimov said Thursday that investments will include $5.5 billion on a new refinery and $800 million on a power station.
Another major, still-unconfirmed goal mentioned by Gasimov is the construction of the proposed Trans-Anatolian natural gas pipeline, which Azerbaijan hopes could be used to carry gas from its Shah Deniz offshore field to Europe. Under current plans, Azerbaijan would take a lead in the project, known as TANAP, and provide several billion dollars for its completion.
SOCAR is investing aggressively overseas, in countries like Turkey and the former Soviet republics, as it tries to diversify its sources of revenue.
via Azerbaijan’s SOCAR sees $17B Turkey investments – Wire Business News – The Sacramento Bee.
-
Armenia waits for formation of a new coalition
Gulnara İnanch,
Director of Information and Analytical Center Etnoglobus (ethnoglobus.az), editor of Russian section of website www.turkishnews.com , ([email protected])
Declaration of statement by the chairman of “Bargavac Ayastan” (Prospering Armenia)
(PA) party Gagik Tsarukyan not to form a coalition with the ruling Republicans Party has yet proved to be a game. Upon PA party officials statement that they will not agree on coalition with the ruling party and that they will declare their decision regarding minister portfolio in the government until May 31 enables us to think that Tsaraukyan is conducting discussions with ruling party.
Next year’s presidential elections and ruling party’s wining 30% against the 44% increased the pretention of PA party. Party, for the purpose of justifying the confidence of voters, attracting those hesitating for presidential elections to OY and consequently obtaining majority of votes, demonstrates its power in this way.
Head of Armenian government Tigran Sarkisyan in his response to the question who can hold the post of Prime minister confirmed that OY chairman Gagik Tsarukyan can lead the new government answering that he is happy to have people to hold high posts.
Afterwards, Armenian government head Tigran Sarkisyan’s statement “who said PA would go to opposition” indicate how the ruling party is aware of processes and secret negotiations are under way.
G. Tsarukyan’s name is mentioned among the presidential candidates along with L.Ter-Petrosyan, R.Kocharyan and S. Sarkisyan.
The fact that Tsarukyan won the votes of half million of citizens enables him to be more confident in presidential elections along with flirting with the Republicans fearlessly and being pretentious for prime minister in the newly formed government.
To change the situation to his benefit G.Tsarukyan may form a coalition lead by himself creating a new plan for presidential elections.
-
AUKAA Yalli dance to be held in London
We are pleased to invite you to AUKAA Yalli dance to be held in London on 28 May 2012! AUKAA will conduct this cultural event with support of the Council on state support to NGOs under the President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Republican Day of Azerbaijan.Venue: King’s College, London , “Henriette Raphael Room”.
Time: 18.00-20.00, 28 May (Monday).Your help: please help us to identify 10-15 person in London who are ready to learn basic yalli dance during 26-28 May and perform at the event of 28 May. Please feel free to forward this mail to your friends and also come and bring your friends with you, event is open for public!
For details please contact Zaur Allahverdizade at [email protected] or Emel Ozturk at [email protected] (our coordinator based in London).