22 YEARS The Noah’s Ark #42 (1082) 16 November 2015 Published Since 1993 Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³μ³Ã³Ã»ñà (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) Armenia 'Deeply Shocked' By Paris Attacks Armenia on November 14 strongly condemned a spate of terrorist attacks in Paris, which left at least 120 people dead, and expressed solidarity with the govern- ment and people of "brotherly" France. "I am deeply shocked by news of last night's unprecedented acts of terror in Paris," President Serzh Sargsyan said in a letter of condolence sent to his French counterpart Francois Hollande. "I strongly condemn those outrageous attacks which have claimed many innocent lives." "In this difficult time, Armenia stands with brotherly France and is prepared to provide full support … Our prayers, hearts and souls are with the French peo- ple," Serzh Sargsyan said amid a chorus of international condemnation of the worst terrorist attack in modern French history. People light candles on French Square in memory Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian of the victims of terror attack in Paris, France issued a special statement in connection with the "barbaric" attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers that targeted a concert Nalbandian. "The fight against terror is the the need for the international community hall and several bars and restaurants in the fight of the whole civilized world." to fight against "such appalling manifesta- French capital late on Friday. Serzh Sargsyan, who has repeatedly tions of extremism." "We must not allow "We express our condolences and sup- described Armenia's relationship with violence, extremism and intolerance to port to the friendly people of France," said France as "privileged," similarly stressed prevail," he wrote to Hollande. In This Issue Noyan Tapan Video Studio Russia to upgrade joint air defense with is offering professional video and photography for indoor Armenia p.3 and outdoor events such as weddings, birthday parties, ADB, Armenia mark 10th anniversary official events, seminars and conferences. Tel: 060 27 64 62 of partnership p.7 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 "Traviata"'s New Performance Conducted by Gianluca Marciano p.p.10-11 Noyan Tapan Printing House Iran sees Armenia as a regional strategic is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital trade partner: Al-Monitor p.15 printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with SARF's 'Save Life' Telethon to aid high quality and low prices Tel: 060 27 64 62 Syrian Armenians p.17 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 16 November #42 (1082) 2015 2 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights Armenian President, Russian FM hail dynamically developing bilateral relations Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received on November 9 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. President Sargsyan hailed the dynamically developing bilat- eral relations, which, he said, are enhanced by frequent high- level meetings and reciprocal visits. According to Serzh Sargsyan, the intensive contacts are an evidence of the interest of the to countries to develop the allied relations and the willingness to discuss joint issues within the framework of the existing formats. The interlocutors agreed that the Armenian-Russian rela- tions are steadily developing in the economic, military-techni- cal and humanitarian fields. President Sargsyan praised Russia's role in the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and establishment of secu- rity and stability in the region. Sergey Lavrov also hailed the progress registered in all directions as a result of Armenian-Russian cooperation and praised the dynamically developing relations within the frame- work of integration processes. Referring to the negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh con- According to him, Armenia's membership in the Eurasian flict, Minister Lavrov reiterated that there is no alternative to the Economic Union will certainly have a positive impact from the peaceful settlement. viewpoint of further deepening and development of economic During the meeting the interlocutors exchanged views on relations. urgent international issues and challenges. Yerevan chides Lavrov chides PACE for resolution Baku for on Nagorno Karabakh non-constructive designed for that purpose. "We, the co-chairmen of the stance on Karabakh Minsk process - Russia, the United settlement States and France - speak out against the attempts to raise this issue at vari- The Armenian Ministry of Defense has ous international venues, which did offered deep condolences to the families of not engage in the settlement," he said, two Armenian soldiers Vahe Vanoyan and when commenting on a report by the Mikael Torosyan killed as a result of cease- PACE Committee on Political Affairs fire violation by the Azerbaijani side on and Democracy on the situation November 12. around Nagorno-Karabakh. The Defense Ministry said in a statement Armenia appreciates Russia's The Russian foreign minister noted it strongly condemns this "act of terrorist efforts to reach a solution to the that the co-chairmen of the Minsk nature." "Aware that these actions will not Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian group maintain regular dialogue on the go unpunished and the guilty will be held Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "This is a accountable, the military-political leader- said on November 9 following talks very complex issue with its own histo- ship in Azerbaijan once again chose escalate with his Russian counterpart Sergey ry," Lavrov said. the situation," the Ministry said. Lavrov. Nalbandian also expressed condo- "At the same time, we draw attention to "We discussed the issue of the lences over the Russian plane crash the fact that the steps targeted at destabiliz- Nagorno-Karabakh settlement," he over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and ing the situation in at the line of contact said. "Armenia highly appreciates thanked Lavrov for the assistance in intensify day by day after the completion of Russia's efforts aimed at resolving the transporting home the bodies of electoral processes and Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peace- Armenian citizens who lost their lives visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs ful means. We will continue working in the air crash in South Sudan. to the region. This is an evidence of the non- in this vein." "Today's meeting was another constructive stance of Azerbaijani leader- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey good opportunity to discuss the imple- ship on the settlement of the Karabakh con- Lavrov noted that Russia is opposed to mentation of the agreements reached flict and violation of the norms of interna- discussing Nagorno-Karabakh settle- at the level of heads of our states," tional law." ment at international venues not Nalbandian said. 16 November #42 (1082) 2015 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 3 Russia to upgrade joint air defense with Armenia airspace ever since the mid-1990s. Their integrated air defense system was given a "regional" status by the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in 2007. Top Russian military officials said at the time that Moscow has upgraded Armenia's anti-aircraft capacity and trained Armenian specialists to operate sophisticated S-300 systems. Some Armenian defense analysts suggested that Moscow is keen to extend the geographic span of the joint air defenses to the entire Russia moved closer on November 11 plans and instructed the Russian defense South Caucasus. Those consist of not only to setting up a new joint air defense sys- and foreign ministries to hold negotiations Armenian and Russian anti-aircraft tem with Armenia, with President with the Armenian side. weapons but also 18 or so MiG-29 fighter Vladimir Putin formally authorizing his The deputy commander of the Russian jets that are part of the Russian military government to negotiate a corresponding Air Force, Lieutenant-General Pavel base in Armenia. Russian-Armenian agreement. Kurachenko, said in September that the It is not yet clear how the new "region- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Armenian and Russian governments are al system" will differ from the existing Medvedev's cabinet confirmed late last preparing to sign the agreement. "We one and whether it will operate within the month plans for the creation of the have already gone far," he said, express- framework of the CSTO. Russian-Armenian "united regional sys- ing hope that the two sides will work out Russia has already created such sys- tem of air defense in the Caucasus region all remaining details by the end of this tems with Belarus and Kazakhstan and is of collective security." In a statement year. reportedly planning to sign similar deals cited by Russian news agencies, the The Russian and Armenian militaries with the two other CSTO member states: Kremlin said that Putin approved those have been jointly protecting Armenia's Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Joint air defense system to grant additional security guarantees to Armenia and Russia synchronization in Armenia and was sent rity in the Caucasus region within the to the Russian side for the same proce- state borders of Armenia and Russia. In dure, which was successfully complet- case of a need for protecting Armenia's ed," he said. air space, it will allow engaging not only The draft agreement is ready and the forces of the air defense and aviation of sides will agree on the date and location the 102nd Russian military base stationed of its signing. in Armenia but also the air defense and Davit Tonoyan noted that the agree- aviation of the South Military District of ment regulates bilateral relations but, Russia. It will grant additional guarantees according to the arrangement of the par- of security to Armenia and Russia". ties, it will be enforced within CIS and Can the new agreement be applied in CSTO as well in case of violation of the case Azerbaijan restarts military actions air space of one of the sides.