Council of Europe Forum for the Future of Democracy: "European Democracy in the 21st century: Principles and Challenges" Call for applications for the next Forum which will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 20 October 2010 Please note the deadline for receipt of applications is 18 June 2010 Application form | Background note
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Armenia's Defense Minister leaving for Turkey
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan will visit Istanbul February 4-5 to participate in the working meeting of the Defense Ministers of the countries contributing to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). Public Radio
U.S. Intelligence Chief Warns Of Karabakh War
The likelihood of another Armenian-Azerbaijani war for Nagorno-Karabakh has increased as a result of the rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey, according to America’s top intelligence official. “Although there has been progress in the past year toward Turkey-Armenia rapprochement, this has affected the delicate relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and increases the risk of a renewed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,” Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair warned late Tuesday in written testimony to a U.S. Senate committee. Armenia Liberty
Ankara sends envoy to Bern to complain about Armenia
Ankara is sending Feridun Sinirlioglu, a representative of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, as an envoy to Switzerland to convey Turkey’s concerns over the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court on the Protocols envisaging normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, according to Hurriyet. Feridun Sinirlioglu is also expected to visit Moscow, Washington and Paris. Panarmenian.net
Early Release Refused to Hatspanyan
The interagency committee declined prisoner Sargsis Hatspanyan’s request for early release, it emerged on February 3. Hatspanyan is on the oppositoin ANC list of “political prisoners”. Haikakan Zhamanak
Larisa Alaverdyan will not Take Part in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Session
Larisa Alaverdyan from the opposition Heritage Party was told on 3 February she would not be attending the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session on Feb. 18-19 due to budgetary constraints. Ms Alaverdyan is a substitute member of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Heritage deputies described the move as intentional obstruction of opposition deputies’ work. Aravot
Mikaelyan will be Operated
After undergoing a cardiovascular examination in a civilian hospital on February 3, Sasun Mikaelyan, convicted to 8 years in prison for involvement in March events, will be operated. Mikaelyan was transferred to a civilian hospital after reports about his ill health. Azatutiun.am
Reactions to PACE Rapporteurs Statement
Former Chairman of the parliamentary ad hoc committee on March events Samvel Nikoyan disagreed with the assessment of the PACE co-rapporteurs that the March riot was not an attempt of coup d'état. Disagreement was also expressed with the criticism that the committee tried to spare the authorities in its final report. “If we conclude there was social polarisation [as root case of the riot], this criticism refers only to the authorities,” said Nikoyan. Head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Davit Harutiunyan commenting on the recent statement by the co-rapporteurs, said they were expecting concrete solutions by March 17 and coalition forces should hold a meeting to discuss what should be done. “I hope the police reform and improvement of electoral framework will be addressed by then,” said Harutiunian. Aravot
AGO Group Report
Discussion of the report on AGO group visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2009 was on the February 3 Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ session agenda. Aravot
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