Today, at a "Hayeli Club" press conference it was reported that American-Armenian analyst Richard Giragosian has been selected as the new director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), a leading independent strategic research center based in Yerevan. At the conference Mr. Girakosian stated that the Center would become more active in presenting independent reports and analyses of Armenia's domestic problems and foreign affairs issues. The ACNIS ws founded in 1994 by Raffi Hovannisian, a former Armenian foreign affairs minister, and current leader of the Heritage Party. Mr Giragosian commented, however, that the ACNIS has no official link with the party and that their analyses would be totally independent and impartial. The new director also stated that the ACNIS would be willing to offer political counsel to any political force that desired it. "I see historical times in store for Armenia today. The political crisis and these momentous times call for serious work. If we can reach an understanding with officials we would gladly share our ideas and opinions with all parties so that the issues facing the Armenian nation might be resolved," noted Mr. Giragosian in a mix of western and eastern Armenian. Mr. Giragosian stressed that the independent work to be carried out by the ACNIS was greatly needed in a country like Armenia where the vast majority of analysts and political commentators lack such impartiality. "I am concerned as to how we will register any advances for our people. Our present political situation requires that people not enter the political arena for purely partisan reasons but rather to assist the development of democracy. Commenting on the recent meeting of President Sargsyan and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in Davos, Mr. Giragosian stated that from the point of view of initiating a process it was positive and interesting given that since last September's meeting between Sargsyan and Turkish President Gul expectations were running high regarding concrete steps by Turkey in response. Regarding the Karabakh issue, Mr. Giragosian noted that despite the recent meeting between President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev in Switzerland, Stepanakert must be seated at the negotiations table for the issue to be resolved. Mr. Giragosian also took a swipe at Minsk Co-Chair Matthew Bryza by saying, "I am familiar with the workings of the Minsk Group but I don't have Matthew Bryza's smile. I approach the issue with a bit of skepticism and do not share his enthusiasm that the issue will be resolved sometime soon."