Official news
On 29 October the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Estonian delegation led by Country's Foreign Minister, Urmas Paet. The Head of the Azerbaijani State highlighted the opportunity to hold discussions on further development of bilateral relations, mentioning the necessity of further activation of the political and economic ties between the two countries. The President voiced his hope that the current visit would be an important step in development of the relations in the coming years. Minister Urmas Paet said it was his first visit to Azerbaijan, and as he hopes, it would be useful. He also emphasized the good level of relations, underlining necessity of intensifying them in certain spheres. A large group of delegation is accompanying the Estonian Foreign Minister to discuss deepening of cooperation in numerous fields, Urmas Paet said.
On 29 October the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the BP Group's Chief Executive Director for Exploration and Production, Andrew Ingles. Andrew Ingles informed on successful cooperation between the Company, which he represents, and Azerbaijan. He spoke of the works on the Shah Deniz field, emphasizing that the production on this project would play an important role in the future development of Azerbaijan. President Aliyev expressed confidence for further continuation of cooperation between BP and Azerbaijan.
On 29 October the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a letter of congratulation to his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on Turkey's Republic Day. In his letter, Ilham Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan and Turkey have centuries-long friendship and fraternity. Ilham Aliyev wished for Abdullah Gul's health, happiness and long life, and also for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Turkey.
An opening of the training center of the State Service of the Special Security held in Garadagh District of Baku. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev participated in the ceremony
On 30 October the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Iranian delegation led by Vice President and Head of National Organization for Youth, Ali Akbari.
President Aliyev said relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are developing in all spheres, and highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation regarding youth affairs. The Azerbaijani leader praised the Iranian delegation's visit to Azerbaijan for forthcoming Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative conference. He mentioned the role of reciprocal visits in strengthening the two countries' ties. Ali Akbari said that Iran-Azerbaijan relations are successfully developing. He said that he is pleased to be in Baku and attend the forthcoming conference. Akbari thanked Ilham Aliyev for his assistance in organizing such high level events.
As a result of numerous negotiations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), practical projects have been implemented in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said when receiving the First Vice-President of the EBRD, Varel Freeman at the Presidential Palace on 31 October.
The President voiced his satisfaction with the level of partnership with the EBRD and said he hoped for further expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and EBRD.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Bank is ongoing, Freeman said. The purpose of the EBRD is to assist further development of partnership with Azerbaijan and to support development and important changes ongoing in the country, he noted.
"Today the world faces a dilemma - dialogue among religions and cultures or intolerance, violence and tensions," the First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, who is also the president of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and an MP of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said on 1 November speaking at the Baku conference on 'Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations'.
According to her, the purpose of creation of the alliance of civilizations is to establish trust and dialogue, as well as to admit ethnic and cultural values and to respect them. Today terrorism and other negative phenomena most frequently occurring in the world cannot be annihilated by forces of only one country. Therefore, we should join our efforts. Since ancient times Azerbaijan has been known for its tolerance, both religious and ethnic, she said. "Tolerance is one of our key achievements and we a re proud of it," she said.
The President of the Qatar Science and Culture Foundation Shiekha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned noted importance of establishment of trust among generations and cultures. "We have to model such societies which have dialogue between different civilizations and cultures. We should avoid conflicts proceeding from disagreements". The youth should oppose all sorts of extremism, illiteracy and poverty. "We should value all people, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. And the youth should contribute to dialogue among cultures and civilizations," she noted.
The messages of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan were read out for the participants of the conference including the former Portuguese President George Sampayo, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, and other high-ranking guests.
During the conference to last 2 days well-known scientists will deliver reports on history, mutual relations among different civilizations and their political, social and cultural aspects - 'Culture and Relations among Cultures, 'Dangers of Phobias - Islamophobia and Westphobia', 'Development of Youth: from Poverty to Wealth', 'Educational Reforms in the Muslim World and in the West' and others.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan, who is also the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Good Will Ambassador and an MP of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Mehriban Aliyeva, received a special award of the Organization for Islamic Conference Youth Forum for contributions to improvement of the dialogue among cultures and civilizations during the international conference 'Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations' in Baku on 1 November.
On 1 November, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received at the Presidential Palace Mr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, the Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
Mr. Altwaijri thanked the Azerbaijani leader for his support to ISESCO, describing his organization's relations with Azerbaijan as exemplary.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the level of the relations between Azerbaijan and ISESCO. He also appreciated ISESCO Director General's participation in the Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations conference.
On 1 November the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received at the Presidential Palace Jorge de Sampaio, UN Secretary General's High Representative for Alliance of Civilizations, the former President of Portugal.
The Azerbaijani leader highlighted the significance of holding the Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations conference in Baku, and highly appreciated participation of the UN Secretary General's representative in the event.
Mr. Sampaio, for his part, recalled with pleasure his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in Istanbul.
On 1 November the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the delegation of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum. President Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with holding in Baku of the Youth for Alliance of Civilizations Conference, and described it as a success. The Azerbaijani leader stressed the importance of the issues addressed by the Conference. President of the Forum Ali Sarikaya stressed the importance of the Youth for Alliance of Civilizations Conference`s being held in Azerbaijan. Ali Sarikaya praised Ilham Aliyev's support of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev got familiar with the ongoing reconstruction work in Aziz Aliyev and Istiglaliyyat streets of Baku.
The head of state gave necessary instructions and recommendations on the preservation and rehabilitation of architecture monument, improvement of gardens and preserved and greening
On 2 November the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received at the Presidential Palace Mr. Hugo Quaderer, Minister of Environmental Affairs, Land Use Planning, Agriculture and Forestry of Liechtenstein. Mr. Quaderer expressed satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan. He let the Azerbaijani leader know that his delegation had been to a number of provinces of the country. The Minister pointed out that his country is very interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan. In his turn, President Ilham Aliyev, expressed hope that this first visit by Liechtenstein delegation to Azerbaijan would give an impetus to fruitful cooperation between the two countries.
On 2 November the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received Speaker of Switzerland's National Council Mrs. Christine Egerszegi-Obrist. The Swiss Speaker said she is pleased to meet Ilham Aliyev. Christine Egerszegi-Obrist said her current visit is very important to her country in terms of closer familiarization with Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev remembered his meeting with Swiss President during his visit to Davos this year, and stressed they had very fruitful discussions. The Azerbaijani leader said both countries have good potential to enhance their relations in various areas.
Law enforcement
The security measures have been intensified and the number of the policemen have been increased around the US and British embassies in Azerbaijan, Trend correspondent reports from the screen. The US and British embassies in Azerbaijan temporarily ceased their activities due to the security issues. After the appeal of the law-enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan, they re-established their activities on 29 October.
Two suspicious men near the United States embassy in Azerbaijan were detained and delivered to the Police Station in Nasimi District of Baku on 29 October.
It is expected that the detained persons are Vahabists. The bearded men attempted to take photo in front of the United State embassy in Baku.
The United States and Britain embassies temporarily suspended functioning due to security issues. The embassies restored functioning after appeal to the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan. The number of police was increased in front of the embassies.
The detained men are questioned.
Azerbaijani National Security Ministry held a wide operation against Vahabists in Azerbaijan's Ismayilli region.
The operation was held in Devichya Bashna ( Maiden Tower) territory in Khanaye village of Ismayilli region. The detailed information about the operation has not been announced yet.
The head of the Public Relations Department of the National Security Ministry, Arif Babayev, promised to announce more detailed information on the fact.
A fight has been reinforced against radical religious groups in Azerbaijan. Six Vahabists were detained in Sumgayit region of Azerbaijan. The operation was also held in Mashtaga District of Baku.
Terror acts and diversions have been prevented in Baku which had to be committed in several buildings belonging to the Government and embassies and missions of the foreign countries joining the international anti-terror coalition, a source stated at the Public Relations Department of Azerbaijan National Security Ministry.
Recently, reaching a criminal agreement with the members of radical vahabist group, the officer of the military unit of Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, senior lieutenant Kamran Asadov, deserted from his military unit, taking four submachine guns, one machine gun, 20 grenades, many shells and other military equipment.
"Asadov and other members of the group hid part of the armaments in the territory of Azerbaijan's district of Ismayilli and later left for Baku," the same source stated.
As a result of operative measures, the group was detained by the employees of the National Security Ministry on 27 October in Baku's settlement of Mashtaga. During the operation, one of the group's members was killed due to his resistance.
Part of the hidden armament was found and taken in Mashtaga and other part in Ismayilli.
"A criminal case has been filed over the fact. Currently operative-research measures are continuing and intensive investigation is being held to detain other members of the group," the same source stated.
Foreign policy
Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry's Press Secretary, Khazar Ibrahim, said during the briefing on 29 October that two more Congressmen, Henry Braun (Northern Carolina State) and Mike Connovy (Texas) joined the US Congress's working group for Azerbaijan.
Currently the number of members of the US Congress's working group for Azerbaijan equals 25.
Israeli Embassy is ready to render security assistance to Azerbaijan, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Artur Lenk said on 29 October when commenting on temporary suspension in activities of several diplomatic corps and foreign companies in Azerbaijan.
"We are ready to assist Azerbaijan in that, because we have experience in combating terrorism," Ambassador said.
Foreign companies' offices located in the Landmark business centre in the centre of Baku were temporary shut down due to security issues in the morning of 29 October.
French Senate's Speaker Christian Poncelet and the Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov considered development of inter-parliamentary cooperation when meeting in Paris on 30 October. According to the Secretariat of the French Senate, the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and France, situation in the South Caucasus and Caspian Sea countries was also discussed at the meeting.
Azerbaijani Speaker left for Paris on 29 October at the invitation of Christian Poncelet. Asadov will meet with the chairman of the National Assembly Bernard Accoyer in Lassay hotel on 31 October, as well as with the head of MP group of the governing party in the National Assembly Jean-Francois Cope and the representatives of inter-parliamentary friendship group, the Secretariat reported.
Azerbaijani Foriegn Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Abdulaziz Otman Altivaijry, the Director General of the Islamic Sceince, Education and Culture Organization (ISESCO), the Foriegn Ministry said.
The two sides stated that membership of ISESCO at UNESCO and opening of its representations is an importance and voiced their satisfaction with the activity of the organization and increase of its authority.
During the meeting it was proposed to hold a conference of first ladies from the countries entering the Organization of the Islamic Conference and establish a woman organization. The Proposals by the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates on the propaganda of true Islam values, organization of events for removal of deficit in news and the establishment of the Scientific Foundation for Development of Science and Education in Islamic work were appraised.
The UNESCO Representative appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution in ISESCO. He drew attention to a decision on conduct of a meeting at the Culture Ministries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Baku in 2009. Next year the Azerbaijani culture week will be held Rabat.
Political parties
Karabakh Liberation Organization's effort to hold the fifth stage of the military tournament 'Militant fighter for Karabakh's freedom' on 29 October, the day of the 14th anniversary of occupation of Azerbaijan's district of Zengilan, incurred failure, a source stated in the organization.
The contest in the shooting center of Baku's settlement of Bilajari was prevented by the policemen. Closing the way to the center, the employees of Binagadi Police Department did not miss the participants to enter the center. After resistance, the police removed the members of the organization from the territory. The police stated that the Executive Power and Police Department of Binagadi district imposed a ban on KLO to hold any events in this center. They did not explain the reasons of the ban.
On 29 October the KLO made a statement saying that the Azerbaijani power and its local bodies avoid conducting any events of patriotic character and do not wish to strengthen military-patriotic spirit in the Country. "We require that the Presidential Administration and Interior Ministry should immediately explain it," the statement says.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
The Karabakh Organization Committee (KLO) was founded in Baku on 28 January 2000 with the aim of conducting a public struggle for the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian occupants. The organization, headed by Akif Nagi, a candidate in historical sciences, unites over 10,000 people, including outstanding representatives of intelligentsia, refugees and internally displaced people, youths, former veterans, senior ranking officers in reserve, as well as different social segments of the population.
The chairman of the Umid Party, Igbal Alizadeh, said small parties should join big ones.
According to Alizadeh, foundation of numerous political parties does not prove presence of democracy in the country. The countries with democracy norms the political parties must be elected into the parliament on proportional election system financed by government and play an important role in social life of the country. However, political parties have no such an opportunities in Azerbaijan.
"If the aforesaid conditions to be created in Azerbaijan then small parties would have to join big ones," Agazadeh said.
The Umid opposition party was founded in 1993. In 2002 the Civil Union Party joined Umid. MP Igbal Agazadeh the chairman of the party.
Azerbaijani Bloc Azadlig considered to be the leading opposition force in Azerbaijan, the Musavat party and the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) agreed to stick to a unified position on changing the Election Code of Azerbaijan, the chairman of the DPA Sardar Jalaloghu reported to Trend on 30 October.
A meeting involving the deputy chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Gulamhuseyn Alibeyli, the head of the Musavat party's election administration Arif Hajili, and the chairman of the DPA took place on 30 October. It was decided to make unified suggestions on the Election Code.
Jalaloglu said that the sides decided to make proposals regarding formation of the election commissions on a parity base between the Government and the opposition. According to their proposals, half of the seats in the commissions should belong to the government and half to opposition or Azadlig bloc and ADP and Musavat parties. Explaining the reasons why these parties should dominate, Jalaloghlu said that these parties go ahead for the number of votes in 2003 and 2005 parliamentary elections.
Due to refusal of other opposition parties against this initiative, Jalaloghlu said that it is impossible to establish a single model meeting the demands of all political forces. According to him, if Azadlig bloc and ADP and Musavat parties can acquire half of the seats in the election commissions, they will take into consideration the interests of all opposition parties supporting them. Jalaloghlu said that these three parties will demonstrate a single position during the discussions initiated by the Venice Commission with regards to the Electoral Code on 9 November in Baku.
In case no serious differences occur among the sides and if the political situation is favourable, four former allies may unify for the presidential elections to take place next year, Jalaloghlu said.
The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) and the Communist Party of Azerbaijan (CPA) signed an agreement of cooperation, according to Rustam Shahsuvarov, the CPA's chairman.
The president of the Federation, Michel Madeyr, paid an official visit to Baku to meet with the leadership of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan at their headquarters, where the agreement was reached.
According to Shahsuvarov, the CPA and the Federation will hold joint meetings and rallies within the framework of the agreement. "First of all, we will hold protests against the pressure on socialist youth in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Palestine. Conferences and symposiums will be held in Baku for these purposes. There has not been problem concerning pressure against youth in Azerbaijan," Shahsuvarov said.
The World Federation of Democratic Youth was founded in 1945, with their central headquarters located in Budapest. The members of the Federation, including the CPA, are active in 150 countries, regularly holding festivals for youth in different countries
The Azerbaijani National Independence Party (ANIP) held a support action in front of the Turkish Embassy in Baku. ANIP supported Turkish Government's struggle against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The members of ANIP were holding Azerbaijani and Turkish flags and slogans ' Turkey, we support you!' and 'Down with terror!'
The participants of the action read a resolution, but police officers prevented them from submitting it to the Embassy.
Three participants of the action - ANIP's secretary on propaganda and press Ali Orujev, secretary on work with municipalities Elshan Mustafayev, and the chairman of an ANIP branch Parviz Mustafayev - were detained and delivered to Office 21 of Nasimi District Police.
The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) has three suggestions regarding the formation of election committees, the NAP Deputy Executive Secretary Siyavush Novruzov reported to Trend on 3 November.
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (CE) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) will hold meetings on the improvement of the Azerbaijani Election Code to involve political parties in Baku on 7 to 9 November. Consideration of appeals will be discussed. The meeting on 9 November will be dedicated to the re-formation of election committees.
The NAP suggested either retaining the current format or forming election committees made up from independent persons or judges.
According to Novruzov, these methods are used in the world's election practice.
Novruzov considers it impossible to form election committees on a parity basis. He says no country in the world has that. " Azerbaijan is not a testing area," he said.
Azerbaijani election committees consist of parties of a majority and minority from Parliament, as well as independent MPs.
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, the Liberal Party, the Azerbaijani National Independence Party, the Musavat, and other opposition parties suggested the formation of election committees with the authorities and the opposition on a par
Nagorno-Karabakh
The Armenian Armed Forces fired at the Azerbaijani National Army from Azerbaijani occupied Agdam region's Shikhlar village (from 6.50p.m to 7.10p.m on 29 October), and from the village of Chayli and Goyarkh in the region of Terter (from 11.45p.m to 12.15a.m), according to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.
The Azerbaijani army retaliated, no casualties were reported.
The negotiations on peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are at a deadlock. "There is no progress in the negotiations, and that is contingent on the position of the Armenian side," the Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim said at a press conference on 29 October.
According to Ibrahim, Armenia's non-constructive position impedes peaceful settlement. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group did not make any new suggestions during their recent Baku and Yerevan visits, he said. "The problem is Armenia does not take the Minsk Group's suggestions seriously."
Caucasus should not have lingered conflicts. All conflicts should be peacefully settled, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet urged in Baku on 29 October.
"Armenian-Azerbaijani, Georgian-Abkhazian, Georgian-Osetian conflicts, as well as the conflict in the Trans-Dniester Region are very sensible and they impede development of the countries," the Minister said.
Estonia's position on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is that it should be peacefully settled within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he said.
The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is better to solve within the framework of the CIS, the Russian MP Oleg Kulikov said.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
"The only way out of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is to reinforce the inter- integration processes which is more close ties in the post-Soviet area. The issue can be settled within the framework of the restored post-Soviet area," Kulikov said.
According to Kulikov, as the issue is beneficial to foreign forces the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict cannot be settled in the near future. Russia is interested in settlement of the issue. However, there are more relevant problems for Russia, including its relation with Ukraine, coolness of ties with Belarus, problems in Islamic world, and many others," the MP said.
" Armenia faces economic difficulties. When the country faces difficulties it attempts to find easier decision like appeal to foreign forces. More close economic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan to make Russia the leader in settlement of the conflict," Kulikov said.
"It is difficult to me to describe ways in resolving the conflict, as no international conflict has been finished positively. In the many cases conflict ends in legitimization of separatist attitudes," the MP said