ANCA, AHI challenge U.S.-Turkey trade agreementMarch 29, 2013 - 10:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and American Hellenic Institute (AHI) this week urged the United States Trade Representative to require that any new U.S.-Turkey trade agreement stipulates that Ankara ends its illegal occupation of Cyprus and lifts its unlawful blockade of Armenia. In a March 26 letter to acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis, AHI President Nick Larigakis and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian explained that the two communities welcome, in principal, the Obama Administration "leadership on the expansion of U.S. trade and investment based on a fair playing field and respect for the rule of law," but stressed that, "in the case of Turkey, however, it is clear that the United States would not advance our national interests, our economic welfare, or our core values in any meaningful or enduring manner by rewarding a nation that so egregiously and flagrantly undermines the integrity of the global trading system by occupying a European Union member state and maintaining the last closed border in Europe." President Barack Obama notified Congress last week that his Administration would launch trade talks with the European Union aimed at forging the world's largest free-trade area. The Turkish media reported soon after the U.S. announcement that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan immediately had sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to commence U.S.–Turkey free trade agreement talks in parallel with European Union negotiations. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. EU calls on Azerbaijan to release all political prisoners The European Union calls on Azerbaijan to release all those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights. |