By Martin Danielian
YEREVAN, May 2 — Head of foreign relations department of Azerbaijani President`s administration Novruz Mamedov told Bloomberg Businessweek that Azerbaijan may rethink its «pro-Western» stance and realign with a new bloc if it doesn`t get more support. Azerbaijan wants Europe and the US to pressure Armenia into relinquishing liberated territories of Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan is not yet paying attention for a proposal to join another political union, but it can be considered in five to ten years, said Mamedov. Azerbaijan is the only secular state which tied its destiny with the “West” added Mamedov reminding that 35% of NATO supplies to Afghanistan is implemented through Azerbaijan, but see no positive attitude in return.
The senior Azerbaijani official accused Western media of intesifying tension between Azerbaijan and Iran regarding publications in Foreign Policy where unnamed U.S. intelligence agent pointed out secret arrangement between Azerbaijan and Israel about using its airports for possible air strikes against Iran. This assertion was strongly rejected by official Azerbaijan. In this context Mamedov also pointed out the fact that Israel broke an agreement to keep a recent $1.6 billion arms deal with Azerbaijan a secret.
Yerevan Report
By Sona Gevorgian
YEREVAN, May 2 — Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian is the world`s second best player (2825 points) in the latest FIDE rankings. Magnus Carlsen (Norway) tops the list. Russia`s Vladimir Kramnik with 2801 occupies the 3rd position.
Another Armenian chess player Sergei Movsesian dropped to 47th place with 2698 points, Vladimir Akopian climbs 49th with 2697 points while Gabriel Sargissian is 71st with 2679 points. Armenia’s chess champion of 2012 Tigran L. Petrosian comes 94th with 2657 points.
Armenian female chess players Elina Danielian (2478), Lilit Mkrtchian (2458) and Lilit Galoyan (2364) are ranking 25th, 33rd and 98th respectively.
Republic of Armenia, improving by one position is ranked the fourh after Russia, Ukraine and China.
Yerevan Report