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Category: Southern Caucasus

  • High-speed trains may be used on Baku-Tbilisi-Istanbul railway line

    High-speed trains may be used on Baku-Tbilisi-Istanbul railway line

    Baku is hosting the 11th session of the coordination council for rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of the Marabda-Kartsakhi (Turkish border) railway line within the project of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, Trend reports.

    The session will hold talks on the rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of the Tetriskaro-Tsalka and Tsalka-Akhalkalaki railways.

    It will also consider adjustments to expenditure on the Akhalkalaki-Karstakhi railway line, presented by the Azerinshaatservice.

    The sides will discuss construction of the Akhalkalaki railway station.

    Azerbaijan and Georgia will consider use of Spanish high-speed trains, produced by TALGO, on the Baku-Tbilisi-Istanbul line.

    They will approve a new budget for the Marabda-Kartsakhi Railway Company for 2011.

    via High-speed trains may be used on Baku-Tbilisi-Istanbul railway line | Vestnik Kavkaza.

  • Expert: no document can guarantee stability of Armenian-Turkish relations

    Expert: no document can guarantee stability of Armenian-Turkish relations

    3765YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. No document can guarantee stability of Armenian-Turkish relations, considers specialist in Turkic philology Artak Shakaryan.

    “Today Turkey does not attack Armenia and it is not a good will of Ankara. It is the result of relatively calm inter-political situation in Armenia and presence of Russian military bases in the country”, he said in the press-conference on Tuesday.

    As an example he mentioned the current tense relations of Turkey and Syria. “Strained relations between Turkey and Syria proves that no document can stop Turkey if Ankara considers expansion of its borders or influence possible. But once Turkey and Syria had close interrelations”, said Shakaryan.

    Today, the issue of Armenian-Turkish protocols is not a priority issue in Turkey and if there is no pressure from USA, Ankara will return to these protocols as late as possible – maybe in 2014 on the threshold of 100 years of the Genocide of Armenian in Ottoman Empire.

    There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. The border between two countries was closed since 1993 by the official initiative of Ankara. Complicated relations between both countries are due to a number of circumstances, particularly by the support of Ankara to Azerbaijani position in Karabakh conflict and acute reaction of Turkey on the process of international recognition of Armenian Genocide in 1915 in Ottoman Empire.

    Process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations started by the initiative of the President of Armenian Serzh Sargsyan in autumn 2008. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Turkey Edward Nalbandyan and Ahmed Davutoghlu signed “Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations” and “Protocol on the development of mutual relations” on October 10, 2009. These documents should be ratified by the parliaments of both countries. However, on April 22, 2010 Sargsyan signed a decree on the termination of ratification process of protocols announcing that Turkey is not ready to continue the started process. Ratification process of protocols by the Turkish Parliament is in a frozen state.-0-

    via Expert: no document can guarantee stability of Armenian-Turkish relations | 29/06/2011 11:04 | News agency ARKA – Armenian news.

  • Bloomberg photojournalist deported from Baku because of her Armenian origin

    Bloomberg photojournalist deported from Baku because of her Armenian origin

    73441PanARMENIAN.Net – In the evening of June 28, Bloomberg news agency photojournalist Diana Markosian was deported to Istanbul from Baku, contact.az reported, citing Turan.

    According to RFE/RL Azeri service, on June 28, Diana Markosian was detained at Baku airport.

    Emin Huseynov, director of Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, who’s been in contact with Markosyan, stated that Markosyan came to Baku in the early hours of 28 June, but was not permitted to go out of the airport. “Markosian is dual citizen of U.S. and Russia. She came to Baku with her Russian passport. Her documents are all in order.”

    Elkhan Polukhov, head of the press office for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Markosian did not have accreditation. “She sent her documents, presented herself. Bloomberg directors as well as Diana herself were told that her visit here would not be possible, the accreditation cannot go through – because problems may arise in providing her safety here. It was suggested that she be replaced by another journalist.”

    Photos taken by Markosian have been published in newspapers such as the New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

    On 18 April 2011 Swedish journalists Charlie Laprevote, My Rohwedder Street and Charlotta Wijkstrom were detained and deported from Baku, having come there to film a documentary about freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.

    via Bloomberg photojournalist deported from Baku because of her Armenian origin – PanARMENIAN.Net.

  • Turkish Olympiads poetry competition finalists stun audience, Georgia wins

    Turkish Olympiads poetry competition finalists stun audience, Georgia wins

    Foreign students in 9th International Turkish Olympiads poetry final leg won hearts of Turks with their what they called “splendid performance” on Wednesday night. A Georgian student became first in the competition.

    Georgian (L) and Azerbaijani students got first and second places at Turkish Olympiads' poetry final night.
    Georgian (L) and Azerbaijani students got first and second places at Turkish Olympiads' poetry final night.

    The poerty final of the olympiads was at the Haliç Convention Center in İstanbul on Wednesday night and thousands of people, including senior officials, politicians, high-profile guests from media and arts attended the event.

    The Olympiads, organized by the International Turkish Education Association (TÜRKÇEDER), have brought hundreds of foreign students each year from Turkish schools established throughout the world. This year’s International Turkish Language Olympiads, which include nearly 1,000 students from 130 countries, started with a spectacular opening ceremony at İstanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace on June 15. As part of the Olympiads, the students are expected to compete in 13 categories, ranging from poetry to songs. Various events, all under the umbrella of the Olympiads, are being held throughout Turkey.

    The winner of the night was Leila Kurbanova from Georgia, who recited Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s poem and the second place went to Mehbare Zeynalova from Azerbaijan. A student from Belarus received the third place.

    Prominent figures from Turkish literary world and authors also attended the event.

    İstanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu presented medals of the students who became top three at night. Mutlu said in his speech that he greets those [teachers] who traveled all across the globe “to meet people,” referring to the slogan of this year’s Turkish Olympiad.

    He said he send his gratitude to the teachers who make great efforts while suffering to teach science, culture and love to these what he termed “beautiful children.”

    Author and Zaman daily columnist Ahmet Turan Alkan said Turkish Olympiads are now becoming to be an international brand slowly, adding that these students will become in the future Turkey’s honorary ambassadors.

    Yavuz Bülent Bakiler, a prominent Turkish author, said he thanks esteemed Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen for assisting in launching Turkish schools abroad and that greets with respect those who spent their energy for this.

    via Turkish Olympiads poetry competition finalists stun audience, Georgia wins.

  • APA – American Turks and Azeris say no to US intervention in Turkey’s religious affairs

    APA – American Turks and Azeris say no to US intervention in Turkey’s religious affairs

    Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. American Turks and Azerbaijanis have started a new campaign to protect Turkey’s rights, APA’s Washington DC correspondent was told by Azerbaijani Diaspora.

    The US Senate Resolution introduced on May 24 for the U.S. Congress to demand Turkey to grant special international privileges to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul, bypassing the Constitution and secular laws of that country.

    The resolution contradicts the founding principles and the Constitution of the US by seeking the federal government institution to interfere in sovereign religious affairs of a foreign country.

    Turkish, Azeri and Turkic-Americans oppose H. Res. 196 by sending the Pax Turcica Capwiz action letter to their elected representatives and local media.

    US Turks and Azeris call on all friends and supporters to join the campaign.

    via APA – American Turks and Azeris say no to US intervention in Turkey’s religious affairs.

  • APA – American analysts: Turkey will try to strengthen both political and economical ties with Azerbaijan as it relies on this country

    APA – American analysts: Turkey will try to strengthen both political and economical ties with Azerbaijan as it relies on this country

    Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. Turkey and its foreign policy have been in the focus of numerous think tanks and political analysts in Washington DC this week, APA’s US correspondent reports.

    Turkey will continue supporting peace and stability in the South Caucasus and supporting Azerbaijan’s position in Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations, the analysts agreed.

    Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations said at the conference “Turkey’s June 2011 Elections: What’s Next?” at SETA Foundation said the three major determinants of Turkish foreign policy are Turkey’s economic ambitions to become a trading state, the process of becoming a more open and democratic society, and global changes overall.

    According to him, Turkey will strengthen its positions in the South Caucasus and will continue its mediation policy. He also talked about Turkey’s position during the Arab uprising.

    Another expert, Duran Ogur, believes, Turkey will try to strengthen both political and economical ties with Azerbaijan as it relies on this country.

    Analysts at a another conference “Turkey After the June 12 Elections: Challenges and Opportunities” at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said Turkey understands Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains a concern for Turkey and the country will continue its efforts to bring a peaceful solution to it.

    In their turn, political experts Rumi Forum conference “Turkey Decides: The Effects of the 2011 Turkish Elections on Domestic and Foreign Policy” said Turkey’s role in the region may indeed increase. They noticed Turkey’s role in promoting economical development and trans-regional ties in the area.

    Azerbaijan’s role as an energy and trade partner will increase as well, analyst Chris Gremers said. According to him, as soon as Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolved, Azerbaijan, as well as other countries in the region, will have more chances to develop.

    Fuat Keyman, Director of Istanbul Policy Center and Professor of International Relations, Sabanci University, said at a Woodrow Wilson International center for Scholars conference that after the election process is over in Turkey a lot depends on Turkey’s next steps.

    Other analysts said it is expected that Turkey will be paying much more attention from now on to its foreign policy and regional policy specifically.

    Changes and major priorities of Turkish foreign politics were also discussed at a Brookings Institution conference titled as “Assessing the Outcomes of Turkey’s Elections”.

    via APA – American analysts: Turkey will try to strengthen both political and economical ties with Azerbaijan as it relies on this country.