Official news
On 6 October Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Sabirabad and Kurdamir Districts. " In his remarks the President informed that the parliamentary elections cannot cease the execution of a long-term program implemented by the government. “The programs on development are implemented by stages, now we are n the first stage. In 2008 we will report on the implementation of a five-year program and after a next program will be submitted. I promise that your problems will be resolved,” Aliyev said.
The President stressed that the first stage of the forthcoming parliamentary elections envisages nominating candidates and a process of registration ended successfully, no violation was made and as a result over 2,000 candidates will rival for deputy mandate. According to the President, the second stage of the elections is the electioneering process which develops successfully. He underlined the successful implementation of the Elections Code and decree dated 11 May, while in some places the decree is violated.
Aliyev also underlined that pre-election elections period will offer equal terms for all candidates. “The people of Azerbaijan believe in the promise, while if no concrete action is done, confidence disappears. Obviously, the people do not believe in those who speak to nation only in the elections period.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev satisfied with the results of the negotiations with the Latvian counterpart Vayra Vike-Freiberga. At the joint news conference on 3 October 2005 in Baku Ilham Aliyev noted that during the first official visit of the Latvian President to Azerbaijan the main topic of the talks was the cooperation between the two countries, as well as the settlement of the conflicts in the South Caucasus region, Trend reports. According to him, the integration of Azerbaijan into Europe became one more topic of the negotiations with the President of Latvia.
Replying the questions of journalists the President of Azerbaijan stated the country’s position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is based on the international principles. He noted Armenia occupied about 20% of the Azerbaijan’s territory, including the areas, adjourning Nagornoy Karabakh, where the Armenians were not residents previously. He noted, Azerbaijan guarantees security to the local population and the political stability.
Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, received Menzies Campbel, the deputy chairman of the British Liberal Democratic Party, Foreign Minister of the Shadow Cabinet, Deputy Executive Director of the G.Smith Memorial Fund, in Baku on Wednesday.
The head of the country noted that the visit will allow Campbel to get familiar with the current events in the country, as well as in the view of development of interstate relations. The President voiced satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation and activities of British investors and companies in Azerbaijan. He mentioned importance of cooperation not only in oil and gas sector, but also other spheres, including education.
Campbel stressed that it was his first visit to Baku. Speaking about the activities of the G.Smith Memorial Fund, he underlined that their goal was to contribute into interstate relations, as well as invite the youth of different countries to the UK.
Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, received Vladimir Rushaylo, the CIS Executive Secretary, on Wednesday.
Rushaylo said that main goal of the visit to Baku was to discuss implementation of decisions of the CIS Kazan Summit and hold exchange of opinions on economic integration. He stated that CIS observers would set to the monitoring of pre-election situation in Azerbaijan on Thursday. Our main goal is to give objective appraisal to the elections, express our opinion on correspondence or un-correspondence of the elections with local legislation,” he added.
Aliyev mentioned importance of consultations on implementation of the decisions of the CIS Kazan Summit. He said that Azerbaijan desires to use multilateral opportunities of economic development within the CIS.
Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, received Igor Yusupov, the Russian President’s Special Representative on International Energy, on Wednesday.
The head of the country mentioned speeded development of the interstate relations, including increase of the goods turnover and expansion of the relations in culture, Trend reports.
Yusupov stressed that Russia was pleased with Azerbaijan’s successes in economy and other spheres. Touching upon the meeting of opening of the Caspian countries’ working groups, Yusupov mentioned concrete work done in relation to holding of the summit.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited the new administrative building of the Special State Guard Service on Monday 2005. In his address to the audience the head of state noted the great role of the national guards in the establishment of stability in the country. He noted that the National Guards was established after Azerbaijan gained independence. “The establishment of stability is the key task of the head of state. The key role in this respect is played by the National Guards,” Aliyev stressed.
The head of state noted that the public budget assignments for military purposes grew every year. If in 2004 they comprised $175m, in 2005 they made up $300m, while in 2006 they will comprise $600m. The President noted that the intensive peaceable talks on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict the problem remain unresolved conflict. “In this respect the powerful army assumes special importance. We will achieve the liberation of occupied areas,” Aliyev underlined.
The President also noted that the role of the National Guards in ensuring the security of the export oil and gas pipelines. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main oil pipeline takes a great role for Azerbaijan, which will ensure big revenues for the public budget. The head of state voiced his confidence that the security of the export pipelines, noting the purchase of advanced technique in this respect.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent on 3 October 2005 a message of congratulations to the country’s Jewish community members in regard to the New Year Holiday, Rosh-Ha-Shana. It is one of the most ancient ceremonies of Jews, the message notes, Trend reports.
В"The necessary democratic and legal base for preserving the language and the culture of the national minorities, their national and religious traditions and customs is created in our country”, the report says.
The confidence is expressed, that the Jewish community of Azerbaijan will be always involved directly in the socio-political and cultural life of the country, and further strengthening of the state independence.
Hilmi Ozkok, the general of the Turkish Armed Forces, is on visit to Azerbaijan starts from 6 to 8 October, the Defense Ministry told Trend.
The Turkish general will first meet with Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, then pay a tribute to the grave of former President Heydar Aliyev, as well as the Martyrs Alley and the monument erected to Turkish soldiers. He also meet with Safar Abiyev, the Azerbaijani Defense Minister.
Ozkok will attend Nachivanski Lyceum and High Military School on Friday.
Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, received Mehdi Safari, the Iranian President’s Representative on Caspian Issues, on Thursday. Safari conveyed greetings of Mahmud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, to Aliyev. He noted that they work on implementation of the documents signed during Aliyev’s visit to Iran and assured the Azerbaijani President that the construction of the gas pipeline from Iran to Nakhichevan would be over soon.
Touching upon the expansion of bilateral economic relations, Aliyev underlined that joint economic projects served to development of the bilateral ties.
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
The US policy in regard to resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will remain unchanged, Sean McCormack, an official of the US Department of State, stated to a briefing held in Washington.
McCormack was commenting on the question whether a letter by 50 Congressmen to President Bush with a challenge to support a right of Nagorno-Karabakh for self-determination could testify for changes in the US policy.
"We, indeed, welcome interests by the Congressmen to different foreign policy issues, including this one. The US policy in regard to Nagorno-Karabakh and efforts taken for the resolution of the conflict remain unchanged. We support the work done by the OSCE Minsk Group and any efforts taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan for solution of disagreements. However, there is not any change in the US policy,” McCormack reiterated.
Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations met in Strasbourg on 5 October. The activities of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh is not directed at the resolution of the conflict, Lord Rassel Johnston, the head of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh.
“The restoration of the communications between Azerbaijan and Armenia is possible only after settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Terry Davis, the CE Secretary General, said to a news conference on Wednesday, trend reports.
Davis noted that he visited Azerbaijan 2 week ago to discuss the settlement ways of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “The restoration of railway communications between Azerbaijan and Armenia is very important issue, but the sides will not manage to achieve it without regulation of the problem,” he added.
Davis emphasized the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group and stressed that he was personally acquainted with the Presidents and Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. “I hope that the issue will be solved soon,” he added.
The activities of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh is not directed at the resolution of the conflict, Lord Rassel Johnston, the head of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh, told special correspondent of Trend in Strasbourg. He was commenting on the statement on the statement by the Russian co-chair at the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuriy Merzlyakov, on possible transfer of part of authorities to the PACE Ad Hoc Committee.
“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only through the talks between the representatives of the two counties. The committee is not a forum for holding talks and its key objective is to relax the tension and establish relationships between the parliaments of the countries. We do not distribute the authorities with the OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group continues its activities and under the group the meetings of the Presidents are organized,” Rassel Johnston.
“As to the authorities of the authorities of the committee, we did not hold official talks with the Minsk Group on the distribution of authorities. We had only oral consultations. The key objective of the activities with the Minsk Group is to achieve progress in the current and future talks,” Lord stressed.
Foreign policy
The 18-th sitting of the Caspian states task group on elaboration of the Caspian Sea legal status Convention commenced on 6 October 2005 in Baku. All 5 littoral states: Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran take part in the meeting being held at the level of deputies Foreign Ministers, Trend reports.
On the background of the developing world events the significance of the Caspian legal status grows, the deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, the President’s special representative on the Caspian problems Khalaf Khalafov said in a statement, opening the sitting. He voiced the interestedness of the Azerbaijan’s side in the soonest elaboration and adoption of the Convention. В"I guess, all aspects of the problem may find its solution by way of the constructive dialogue”, the diplomat noted. According to Khalafov, the sides have reached the principal arrangement in the trade navigation issues, ecology at the current stage and the time for resolving more complicated matters has arrived. We will do out utmost in this regard, the diplomat underlined.
Аzerbaijan adheres to the principles of the trilateral arrangements between Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on dividing the sea bottom, he also respects the position of Iran and Turkmenistan on dividing the sea into sectors, Khalafov stated. Touching upon the regional energy projects the deputy Minister noted they are aimed at the common development and ensuring the region’s security.
Тurkmenistan is ready to carry on bilateral consultations with Azerbaijan on rapprochement of positions on the Caspian matter, the Turkmenistan president’s representative at the talks of the Caspian legal status definition Hoshgeldin Babayev told Trend on 7 October exclusively.
According to him, the sides maintain permanent contacts on the issue, however, the date for the next consultations is not defined yet, but there is hope it will happen shortly.
As for the position of Turkmenistan on the disputable fields on the Caspian Sea, according to him, the position of Turkmenistan here is “clear and based on the international law norms”, the diplomat noted.
It should be noted Turkmenistan claims for the “Kyapaz” oil field on the border of
Azerbaijan with Turkmenistan and threatens Azerbaijan during some years by the international court.
Erik Utembayev, the representative of Kazakhstan, also mentioned constructiveness of the negotiations. Movsun Baharvendi, the representative of Iran, stressed big and positive changes in the issue and noted that all sides believed that the work on the convention would be completed soon.
According to Russian representative Igor Yusupov, number of disagreements decreased.
The 18th meeting also made a decision on holding of next meeting in Astana.
Establishing links with the Northern Cyprus may prolong joining Azerbaijan to the Neighborhood Policy in the European Union (EU), the EU commissar on foreign relations Benito Ferrero-Waldner said, Trend reports citing the Liberty radio. В"EU recognizes the independence of the Cypriot Republic. And this state protests against setting up ties of Baku with Lefkosha, the flights to the Northern Cyprus from Azerbaijan “, she said.
Addressing the Foreign Affairs committee of the European Parliament in Brussels she reported, she informed Azerbaijan, in case the country does not change its position, EU will unite only with Armenia and Georgia. We hope Azerbaijan will settle this issue. However, some weeks are needed for that”, she said.
The Azerbaijan’s FM information department head Tair Tagizade reported, the policy of Baku is aimed at averting the crisis both in Turkish and Greek communities of Cyprus. He said Azerbaijan has not received any official information on the cooperation with Europe in the framework of the “Neighborhood Policy”. “Azerbaijan is ready to take moves according to the action plan set. As for the air flights this initiative bears a commercial character and has nothing to do with the government’s foreign policy”, Tagizade said.
Cooperation with the European Union (EU) is also important for Azerbaijan, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammadkuliyev said in a statement, commenting on the reports on possible delay of the EU program “New Neighborhood Policy” implementation in connection with the cooperation of Azerbaijan with the northern part of Cyprus.
According to him, Azerbaijan is an alternative and serious source of energy resources for Europe and the country is very important from the point of view of transport corridors. I think, EU will take positive decision and our process of cooperation with EU will develop”, Mammadkuliyev noted.
The agreement on cooperation was signed on October 2005 between the Parliaments of Azerbaijan and Latvia in Strasburg.
The agreement from the Azerbaijani side was signed by the head of the Azerbaijan’s Parliamentary delegation to PACE Samed Seyidov, from the Latvian side - by the Latvian Seym chairman on European issues Oscars Kastens, a Trend special correspondent from Strasburg reports.
Samed Seyidov said Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe for over 5 years and took serious steps for integration into the European Union.
В"Latvia is the PACE member for over 10 years and has a large experience in this issue. Azerbaijan may use this experience”, Samed Seyidov said.
It should be noted, signing of the document took place in the presence of delegations from Armenia and Georgia.
A total of 7 AzerbaijanI-Latvian documents were signed in Baku on Monday under the official visit of Latvian President Vaira Vike Frayberg, Trend reports.
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Latvia, Ilham Aliyev and Frayberg, undersigned a joint statement.
The intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements on cooperation in the sphere of culture, on mutual understanding in customs issues, on mutual defense of investments, on cooperation in fighting terror, organized crime, drug and psychotropic substances trafficking, as well as a Convention on avoiding double taxation, on economic and scientific-technical cooperation.
Will of nation, but not impact of foreign forces is major factor of democratic elections, Sean Woo, the head of the Office of the US-based Helsinki Commission, stated in a meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov.
Conveying the greetings by the co-chair of the commission he represents Senator Sam Brownback, Woo said that his country attaches great interest to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and attentively observes over the developments.
Political life
The �Pro-Azerbaijani Forces’ election bloc addressed to the Central Election Committee (CEC) in gard to violation of the rights of Hajiaga Nuri, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Islam Party, Akif Heydarli, the head of the press service of the bloc, told Trend.
According to Heydarli, a group of electors from the constituency 28, where the candidacy of Nuri was cancelled, addressed to them. “The electors demand restoration of Nuri’s candidacy. We enclosed the appeal to the letter of the CEC,” he added.
Heydarli also noted that the letter sent to the CEC also included some violations of law happened in Akhsu-Ismayilli constituency 87.
The Azerbaijan National Democratic Party (ANDP) left the rented residence located in Rasul Rza Str. 96 on Tuesday, the press service of the party told Trend.
Though the apartment was rented till 10 March 2006, owner demanded the party to resettle in 3-day term.
The editorial offices of the newspapers Milli Yol (National Way) and Boz Gurd (Grey Wolf) have to resettle as well. There is no information concerning their new address.
Samad Ibadov, the editor-in-chief of Milli Harakat, located in Samil Azizbayov Str. 174, offered the ANDP the place in the office. “They may resettle here on 5 October. We are ready to give place for the newspaper and the party led by Isgandar Hamidov,” he said.
The chairman of the Azerbaijan National Statehood Party (ANSP) Nemat Panahli is getting ready for holding the meeting, he told Trend.
Having noted, that he still holds negotiations with some political forces, Panahli stated on the grandness of the scheduled action. В"We do not want to hold the rally in haste. We want to think it over, before holding the meeting, to elaborate some plans, not like some blocks with their 5-10 people on the square discrediting themselves”.
He did not give information with what forces he holds negotiations. He only noted, he means a number of oppositional blocks.
He also did not specify the date of the meeting. “The action’s venue will be “Galaba” square, as for the time, I do not know yet. It does not depend on me”.
Parliamentary elections
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rene Van Der Linden noted the importance of holding democratic elections in Azerbaijan with the existing Elections Code, special correspondent of Trend reports from Strasbourg.
He voiced his confidence in the democratic and transparent elections.
Speaking on the implementation of a resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh the PACE President said that it is impossible to establish peace by force, but we can establish a favorable atmosphere for the talks and organize a meeting of representatives from both countries. Major milestone is the belonging of the people residing in the occupied territory to a concrete state. It can be resolved only after the peaceable talks,” he underlined.
In reply to question whether the CE expects from the referendum on changes to the Constitution Linden said that first of all the ruling and opposition parties should hold talks and achieve an agreement. “The opinions of both sides are very important for us. The ruling party should go to talks, while the opposition parties ought to accept the proposals by the authorities If Armenia wants to be accepted to the international community, they should go to it together,” he stated.
In this period 44 candidates refused from participation in the elections.
The chairman of the Central Election committee (CEC) Mazair Panahov received on 4 October 2005 the USAID country director for Azerbaijan Jim Gogen, assistant to the USAID deputy head on Euro-Asia Drew Lute, the USAID chairmen on Caucasus Denny Robertson, the CEC press service told Trend.
At the meeting the CEC chairman noted that USAID gave their recommendations on holding democratic elections in Azerbaijan and thanked the guests for that. Jim Gogen noted, the cooperation between CEC of Azerbaijan and USAID is at the high level. He voiced readiness to render comprehensive assistance in regard to the parliamentary elections.
The head of the Baku office of the International Foundation on Electoral Systems (IFES) Daniel Blessington reported, his institution hold workshops in 125 constituencies and the last seminar will be held in Baku in late October. The topic of these events is connected with the requirements of the President’s Decree of 11 May and the application of international standards at the elections. В"We explain to the participants at these events, that in accordance with the President’s Decree the executive structures are not to interfere into the elections”, Blessingon said.
154 international observers, who will observe the parliamentary elections on 6 November, were registed,” Azer Sariyev, the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), told Trend.
He noted that 74 of them were observers forming the CIS observation delegation, while 46 represented the OSCE Bureau on Democratic Institutes and Human Rights, 25 - the Ftench Diplomatic and Starategic research Centre, 3- the CIS Parliamentary Assembly. 3- the International Crisis Group, 3 - the International Fund for Elections System, 1 - Eurasian Fund.
Sariyev also noted that 477 calls were made to the �hot line’ of the CEC. The �hot line’ was established to prevent problems on electoral lists and elections cards. The CEC does not accept the claimants on injection of changes into electoral lists, as they are related not to the CEC, but the liabilities of the courts.
The delegation led by Vladimir Rushaylo, the chairman of the CIS Exevutive Committee, met with Mazahir Panahov, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC). Panahov mentioned shignificance of the observartion institute in the forthcoming parliamentary elections and their opinions in the appraisal of the voting, trend reports. He also informed the geusts about the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan.
Rushaylo recollected that during the presidential elections in 2003 Azerbaijan established favor conditions for all international observers and voiced hope that they would be able to fulfill their mission in this case as well.
According to Rushaylo, the delegation includes over 150 people and their number will increase by this time. The headquarters of the delegation will be located in Baku, Nakhichivan, Ganja and Lankaran. “Our observers will carry out their mission in 125 regional constituencies. We plan to meet with non-party candidates and candidates balloting from parties and blocs, what is important for objective appraisal of the pre-election situation,” he added.
Rushaylo stressed that over balloting of 2,000 candidates shows that the elections will be held in fair order. President Ilham Aliyev’s 11 May 2005 decree on improvement of election practice and the current pre-election situation forecast holding of democratic elections.
The members of the Azadlig oppositional election block made attempts on 9 October 2005 to hold an unauthorized action of protest in front of the Baku 28 May metro station.
Approximately at 14.30 the traffic leading to the metro station was restricted (both for vehicles and pedestrians) and in some places there were live cordons of the police, Trend reports. At about 16.00 the group from the coalition’s representatives tried to force its way to the metro from the Azadlig avenue arranging the march. However, at the crossing of the avenue with other streets (Nizami, Hagani, Beybutov, Aliyeva and other) the police managed to avert the oppositionists’ attempts to make their way to the venue of the unsanctioned action. A serious clash took place in Hagani street close to the headquarters of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). Up to 10 wounded action’s participants have been accommodated at the headquarters, while the especially active protestors were detained. An ambulance car arrived to the incident scene.
Meanwhile the alliance’s members attempted to stage march in the central Nizami street, which the policemen prevented.
State building
Representatives of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces participate in some military courses and conferences, the Defense Ministry told Trend.
In accordance with the NATO program on partnership for peace, from 3 to 14 0ctober integration courses of partnership for peace will start in Rome, Courses on tactical cooperation of NATO вЂ" in Ankara.
From 4 to 7 October courses on direct management and exchange system of partnership is held in Poti, conference on initial planning of Sea Breeze-2006 training - in Sevastopol, courses on operation in the places of the crimes committed with use of mass destruction weapon - in Baku.