OFFICIAL CHRONICLE
On 17 December the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received BP Company's Vice President, Andy Inglis.
Andy Inglis highlighted the increase in the gas production in Azerbaijani fields of Shah Deniz and voiced his confidence for the successful continuation of the works in this sphere.
The President said that the growth in the gas production in Shah Deniz fields will further increase Azerbaijan's role as significant fuel producer and exporter. He voiced his hope that the successful co-operation between Azerbaijan and BP will continue foe long years.
On 18 November, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Defence Minister of Belarus Leonid Maltsev and his accompanying delegation.
The Head of State said that Azerbaijan-Belarus relationships are successfully developing, stressing the importance of reciprocal official visits for developing cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev noted Azerbaijan-Belarus relations contribute to strengthening of regional security. Azerbaijani Leader expressed confidence that Belarusian Defence Minister's visit will help enhance bilateral ties between the two countries.
Leonid Maltsev noted cooperation between the two nations is successfully developing in all spheres including the defence one. Maltsev said he has witnessed huge development in Baku during his short-term trip. According to Minister Maltsev, the present visit will help develop cooperation between the defence ministries of both countries.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, issued an order to strengthen State support to the entrepreneurship in the Country, create favorable business climate and ensure State registration of the entrepreneurs in accordance with the principle of 'single window'
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited two of the Ministry of Defense Industry on 21 December.
The President attended at the opening ceremony of the Baku Peyk plant, which belongs to the Production Association on Defense, Research, Navigation and Ministry's Communication System.
The President was informed that the enterprises established during the former Soviet Union was transformed to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry's control in 2006 and was re-constructed. Some 60% of funds for re-construction was allocated by state and 40% at the expense of credits.
The plant produces about 40 types of electronic indicator panel which are used both for military and civil purpose.
The President also visited the Research-and-production Union of Iglim.
The presentation ceremony of the first edition of the Baku magazine, of which Editor-in-Chief is Leyla Aliyeva, the Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation's Representation in Russia, took place in Rits-Kartlon Hotel in Moscow. The event was attended by the outstanding cultural, scientific, public-political figures and intellectuals of Russia, business-elites, as well as representatives of the Russian show-business.
The presenter of the ceremony, popular TV presenter, Vladimir Molchanov, stated in his speech that each people has a favorable city in life where he/she is always eager to go, and this city for many people attending this event is the capital of Azerbaijan, lovely city Baku. Comprehensively speaking of the history, geographic situation and national composition of the city, Molchanov presented a short film about Azerbaijan.
Later, congratulating the participants of the event, the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine and also the Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation's Representation in Russia, Leyla Aliyeva, said that the presentation of the Baku magazine is a very glad event for her because an effort was made to demonstrate all beauties of the city via this magazine.
According to her, today Baku is the place of economic development, national traditions and rich cultural values. Baku has always differed with its tolerance and hospitality and is native city for people of various nationalities, Leyla Aliyeva said. "Today presenting this magazine in Moscow, we tried to bring small part of the ancient culture of Azerbaijan to Russia's capital and prepared an interesting national concert," she said.
The Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation's Representation in Russia stated that Azerbaijan and Russia are connected by the long years fraternity and good-neighbourliness. She voiced her confidence that the Baku magazine will further develop the cultural dialogue between the two countries, as well as will be a source of information about Azerbaijan. Leyla Aliyeva congratulated those who worked on the establishment of the magazine.
Attending the event, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, said that participating in the presentation of the Baku magazine in Moscow is double gladness for her. She congratulated Editor-in-Chief Leyla Aliyeva and her team on the occasion of the successful realization of this project.
"Everything is important, including works of journalists, preparation of photos, materials and editing decision. All these play an important role. I think that this young team succeeded in creating such beautiful and interesting magazine within a short period," Mehriban Aliyeva said.
According to the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, there are publications that acquire their readers hardly and for long. However, the situation is just opposite here: numerous auditoriums have long waited for the publication of this magazine. According to her, this magazine will establish a bridge not only between Baku and Moscow, but also between various regions of Russia. She voiced her hope that the Baku magazine will be a favorable publication not only for the Azerbaijanis residing in Russia, but also for those who are near Azeri people and are interested in their culture, history.
Mehriban Aliyeva delivered greetings and the best wishes to all event participants on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and red the congratulation of the State Head to the team of the Baku magazine. "I congratulate all members of the team of the Baku magazine on the occasion of the first edition of the magazine. The magazine takes the name of our city. It is incumbent. Baku is a unique city. Baku's contemporary face, fascination of its ancient streets, original panorama of Baku bight remain in the memory of those who visit Baku at least once. It is the surprising atmosphere of Baku which was fully reflected on the pages of the magazine. The pages of the Baku magazine contain facts of our history and more obvious events of today. I think that the Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijani diasporas received a beautiful present. I believe that the number of its readers will be expanding in and out Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijan is dynamically developing. Our achievements in various spheres find their reflections on the pages of many publications. However, up to now, we had not a Russian-language magazine providing objective information about Azerbaijan. This magazine will fully fill up this information emptiness. In addition, the magazine gives an opportunity to become familiarized with the Azerbaijanis residing in Russia and to further know about their achievements and problems. I hope that soon the Baku magazine will be published in other languages, combining the Azerbaijanis residing in various countries. I wish happiness, health and prosperity to those who assisted in publishing this magazine. Successes!"the letter says.
Participating in the ceremony, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia, Polad Bulbuloglu, also congratulated the team of the Baku magazine.
The laureate of the international contests, honorable artist of Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet, Samir Jafarov, opened the concert part of the ceremony with the song of the popular Azerbaijani composer Tofig Guliyev about Baku.
An exclusive contribution to the establishment of the Baku magazine was made by the Commercial Director of "Crocus International", Emin Agalarov. Describing the magazine beautiful, interesting and contemporary, he performed both his songs and popular hits.
PARLIAMENT
A bill which stipulates state financing of creative persons and organization in Azerbaijan was developed.
"There are more than 100 creative organizations in Azerbaijan. The Government cannot finance all these organizations. The Union of Arts rejected from financing due to small sum of funds allocated by state budget. The issues must be solved by bill," stated the chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on cultural issues MP Nizami Jafarov on 17 December during the meeting dedicated to discussions of the 'Creative persons and creative unions'
The bill establishes status and rights of creative persons and creative unions, as well as legal bases of relations with creative persons and unions.
The goal of such a bill is to create ground for development of moral potential and render assistance to functioning of professional art unions which united representatives of culture, literature and art, Jafarov said.
According to the chairman of the commission, the bill reflects that a sum was allocated from the state budget to provide functioning of creative organizations.
"The bill envisages construction of buildings or to allocate state lands for construction of buildings in the territory for art organizations, he stated.
Azerbaijani MPs demand Azerbaijan's Ministry of National Security to make clear the issue of existence of PKK bases and high-ranking officials supporting this terrorist organization in the Country. Several Azerbaijani sources of media accuse high-ranking representatives of supporting terrorism linked with PKK. The articles state that on the eve of Turkish President Abdullah Gul's visit to Azerbaijan, all officials suspected of the PKK were called to the Ministry of National Security for being questioned. "Such articles not basing on facts bring harms to the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations," said the Chairman of opposition Azerbaijan Unified Popular Party, Gudret Hasanguliyev, at the meeting of Azerbaijan Parliament on 18 December.
He said that such articles strengthen the national hatred. The Security Ministry should make comments in this respect.
MP Sabir Rustamkhanli, the chairman of the pro-governmental Party of Civil Solidarity, said that the Security Ministry should clarify the issue on support to PKK in Azerbaijan. There are people among the Turkish businessmen functioning in Azerbaijan who support PKK.
MP Aydin Mirzazade, a member of the Political Council of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, called as absurd the idea on presence of forces in Azerbaijan who support the PKK, as well as establishment of PKK bases in Azerbaijan. Mirzazade said that including the issue on PKK to the agenda, the opposition forces try to gain political dividends. " Turkey and Azerbaijan hold identical position on the PKK issue.
The Azerbaijan Parliament supports the decision of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting, on limitation of the programs shown in the Turkish language. "The National language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, and the broadcasting should be in the Azerbaijan language," Ogtay Asadov, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament stated. He was commenting on the proposals made by MP Aynur Jamalgizi.
Jamalgizi considers that there is no logical ground to prohibit broadcasting in the Turkish language. "There is no considerable difference between Azerbaijani and Turkish languages, and the translation of the programs from Turkish to Azerbaijani will mean mere waste of money," the MP said. According to Jamalgizi, the Turkish language does not influence negatively on the Azerbaijan. "Milli Majlis (Parliament) should stop this. If we want to protect the Azerbaijani language, we must protect it from the other languages".
Asadov said that the decision of the Council is related to the broadcasting of the television channels in Azerbaijani language, but not on the prohibition of the Turkish. "It was recommended that all radio and television companies should broadcast in Azerbaijani language, whereas the channels show the programs recorded from the Turkish TV without dubbing. We have our own language and the programs must be in Azerbaijani language," Asadov said.
Bahar Muradova, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, said that Turkish language negatively influences the Azerbaijani's. "The Turkish language has its own dialects; however no Turkic speaking nation equates their own language with Turkish. Everyone ought to speak its native language.
According to Muradova, Azerbaijani people must respect their native language. "We must preserve our language and I support this decision". MP Baba Tagiyev also backed this decision by the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting
FOREIGN POLICY
Baku offers Tehran to hold a meeting between the security bodies to solve Iran's disagreement on the announcement by the Azerbaijani Security Ministry on detention of a criminal group cooperating with the Iranian special service organizations.
"In a meeting with the representatives of the Iranian Foreign Ministry we offered to organize a meeting between the relevant bodies so that to clarify the issue," Abbasali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran, said in a telephone interview from Tehran on 17 December.
Last weekend the Iranian daily Tehran Times media reported that the Iranian government is dissatisfied with announcement spread by the Azerbaijan Security Ministry which indicated the relationships between the recently detained 'Said's band' in Azerbaijan with the corps of Iranian revolution's defenders Sepah, targeting seizing the state power by force. The Azerbaijani Ambassador was called to the Foreign Ministry of Iran to clarify the situation. Report spread by the Azerbaijan Security Ministry indicated the relationships between 'Said's band' and Sepah, the daily wrote. The Ministry voiced its disagreements which charges laid by some media outlets and sate bodies of Azerbaijan as 'groundless' and demanded Baku to make official apology.
The Ambassador confirmed his meeting at the Iranian Foreign Ministry. "We discussed this issue, but they did not address any note to Azerbaijan," the diplomat said. Taking into consideration the comprehensive and successful Azerbaijani and Iranian cooperation, the best method to solve the problem is to organize a meeting of the official of the Security Ministries of the two countries.
A verdict on the armed group known as Said's band (named after Said Dadashbeyli), was made in Baku on 10 December. The group arrested in January 2007 was accused of forced seizing the state power in Azerbaijan.
The Court of Grave Crimes sentenced 14 members of the group to the imprisonment term from 2 to 14 years. They are accused of state betrayal, arranging for seizing the state power, illegal preservation of arms and fabrication and spread of false money, preservation and spread of drug.
On 17 Dec, the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry considers holding The Week of Azerbaijan in Armenia, stating the true information about Azerbaijan, stated Khazar Ibrahim, the press-secretary of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The week of Azerbaijan was announced in Armenia from 17 December, will be organized by the Britain embassy in Armenia.
Armenian officials tell the wrong information to population about Azerbaijan, and such an event may change the relations of Armenians towards Azerbaijan, Ibrahim believes. The Azerbaijani delegation, who will take part at the event, includes the representatives of the Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly and the human right activists of the country. Within the framework of the Week of Azerbaijan, pupils will write a composition on the topic 'How I imagine Azerbaijan' and 'How I see the future of Azerbaijan and Armenia'. The film by Luiza Pogosan 'Open borders!' about Armenia and the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan will be shown in the event.
Azerbaijan has shown more attempts in the Azerbaijan-British Inter Parliamentary groups so far. Two months ago, we demanded an improvement in the activity of the group during a meeting in the British embassy in Baku, and today we can see the positive changes in this direction, said Chingiz Asadullayev, the head of the Task Group on Azerbaijani-British Inter Parliamentary relations on his visit to Britain.
Summing up the results of the two day visit, which was held by the Azerbaijan Parliament in Britain, Asadullayev stated that "We will discuss the issues concerning the visa regime between the both countries, as well as the state of Azerbaijani students studying in Britain during the next meeting."
From 3 April 2007, Azerbaijan started the issuing of the biometric visa for Azerbaijani citizens. There is a necessity to submit the biometric information in order to get a visa. The process takes several minutes. But the Ministers and the children under the age of five do not require passing the process. The five day visit of the Azerbaijan delegation to Britain is implemented within the framework of the project of the British LIKS organization.
The Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan voiced its disagreement with the demonstration of a documentary film at the Azerbaijani State Television Channel about the activities of a criminal group 'Said's band', which targeted the seize of the state power by force in cooperation with the corps of Iranian revolution's defenders Sepah. The group (named after Said Dadashbeyli), was arrested in January 2007 was accused of forced seizing the state power in Azerbaijan.
The film demonstrates their relations with Sepah, which provided them with bases for training.
"Film, with script written by US and Israeli intelligence bodies, targets damaging the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, the embassy said on 17 December.
Baku offers Tehran to hold a meeting between the security bodies to solve Iran's disagreement on the announcement by the Azerbaijani Security Ministry on detention of a criminal group cooperating with the Iranian special service organizations.
"In a meeting with the representatives of the Iranian Foreign Ministry we offered to organize a meeting between the relevant bodies so that to clarify the issue," Abbasali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran, said in a telephone interview from Tehran on 17 December.
The Azerbaijani Ambassador was called to the Foreign Ministry of Iran last weekend to clarify the situation. The Ministry voiced its disagreements which charges laid by some media outlets and state bodies of Azerbaijan as 'groundless' and demanded Baku to make official apology.
The Ambassador confirmed his meeting at the Iranian Foreign Ministry. "We discussed this issue, but they did not address any note to Azerbaijan," the diplomat said. Taking into consideration the comprehensive and successful Azerbaijani and Iranian cooperation, the best method to solve the problem is to organize a meeting of the official of the Security Ministries of the two countries.
A verdict on the armed group known as Said's band was made in Baku on 10 December. The Court of Grave Crimes sentenced 14 members of the group to the imprisonment term from 2 to 14 years. They are accused of state betrayal, arranging for seizing the state power, illegal preservation of arms and fabrication and spread of false money, preservation and spread of drug.
People's diplomacy may be used after Azerbaijan and Armenia come to some agreement, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said to journalists on 18 December. "I do not see any problem in the meetings of NGO representatives of both the countries'," he said. According to Mammadyarov, in case any agreement is achieved, people will be informed about it.
The Minister also touched upon the document which was submitted to the conflicting sides by the OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs in Madrid. He said the work over the document is in progress. "I positively treat the document. But it has several points, which require revision. Azerbaijan does not agree on the several points. But we are working on the document," the Minister said.
BAlthough the Minks Group had made different suggestion, Armenia did not turn down its non-constructive position. The last time when the co-chairs made written suggestions to the conflicting sides, was in November. At present, the two countries are considering the suggestions.
The Kosovo variant of the conflict settlement, is a dangerous precedent for the settlement of the conflicts in Azerbaijan and Georgia, Tomas Golz, an American conflict scientist, said to journalists in Baku on 18 December.
Wolfgang Ishinger, a representative of the European Union (EU) for the negotiations on the Kosovo status, recently stated that the West does not rule out that the region, which was a subject for a fierce military conflict between the Serbs and the ethnic Albans in 1998-1999, may be divided into at least the two administrative and territorial regions. "Presently, the US media often reports that the Kosovo variant may be acceptable for the settlement of other conflicts. I consider such an approach to be dangerous and unacceptable," Golz said.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighbouring districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement which ended time the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding the peaceful negotiations.
Today one of the urgent problems for GUAM countries is the 'frozen conflicts' which exist in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to London, Fakhraddin Gurbanov, reported to Trend Special Correspondent in London after the event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the establishment of GUAM.
"The issue that the resolution on 'frozen conflicts' in GUAM countries found its understanding in the UNO is a large diplomatic success," Gurbanov said.
Co-devised by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, the project of the resolution prepared for the UN General Assembly seems to be as "Frozen conflicts in GUAM territory and their impacts on the international peace, security and development".
The resolution calls on to promptly resolve this conflicts on the bases of the sovereignty principles and territorial integrity which will significantly strengthen the international peace, security and stability.
The event which took place in Royal Garden Hotel in London was attended by the ambassadors of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Lithuania, as well as representatives of the British Foreign Ministry and other State bodies of Great Britain, Republic of Czech.
During the event Azerbaijan's Ambassador to London spoke of the activities of GUAM over the past period, successes achieved during period and problems. Gurbanov informed of Azerbaijan's policy to diversify energy transportations, co-operation in this regard with GUAM partners, neighboring countries and international organizations. Gurbanov expressed his concerns on the conflicts with exist in GUAM countries, illegal turnover of drugs resulted from the non-settlement of the conflicts.
Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, established the GUAM format in 1997 during a summit of presidents of European Union countries in StrasburgIn 2006, at the first summit of the organization in Kiev a decision was made to announce GUAM as an international organization with a new name; Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM.
"The relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are assessed by the Heads of the two countries as strategic. It means that we are co-operating practically in all spheres of our activities," the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, briefed the media in Moscow.
The Foundation's President stated that relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are developing with regards to the policy, economy and culture. "2005 was the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia and 2006 - the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan. Many cultural events, including concerts and exhibitions, were held within this cultural exchange both in Moscow and in Baku. Our countries are connected by long years good neighborly friendship and I am very glad that today these traditions are continuing," Aliyeva said.
Commenting on the tourism prospects of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva said that Azerbaijan is in the possession of unique nature and nine of the eleven climate zones are in existence in Azerbaijan. "There are sea and mountains in Azerbaijan. Baku is one of the capitals located on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Of course, it provides good opportunities for the development of the tourism. Currently the tourism sphere is actively developing in Azerbaijan, hotels are being constructed, tourism facilities are being opened and I think that this sphere has a large future. I believe that Azerbaijan will transfer into a large tourism industry and it will find its reflection in Baku magazine," Azerbaijan's First Lady said.
Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the presentation ceremony of the first edition of the Baku magazine, of which Editor-in-Chief is Leyla Aliyeva, the Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation's Representation in Russia, in Moscow. According to Azerbaijan's First Lady, the magazine will play a significant role in the cultural dialogue between the two countries. "Today Azerbaijan is very dynamically developing, takes a leading position in the region for the rates of economic growth, as well as a leading position in the world. In order to become sure of all these processes, it needs to arrive in Baku and see all these with own eyes. Currently large-scale construction works are being carried out, new bridges and schools are being constructed and all historical monuments are being re-established in Baku," Mehriban Aliyeva said.
The bridge in the Samtatskaro village which connects Georgia with Azerbaijan was opened. The Centre on Human Rights reported to the Trend agency referring to local ingiloids the governor of tKakhetia region Giya Natsvlishvili ordered to open the bridge which connect two countries as a result of protest action held on 19 December.
The bridge was closed by the Georgian Authorities on 31 December 2005. Fore recent two years residents of Samtackaro village demanded explanation the reason for closing the bridge. A range of protest actions were staged due to the issue.
In April 2007 ingiloids appealed with assistance of lawyers of the Centre on Human Rights appealed to the Administrative Body of Tbilisi demanding opening of the bridge. Nine months passed since then and no resolution has been taken by court on the issue yet.
"On 19 December ingiloids staged a rally which was dispersed by police," a source stated in the Centre on Human Rights.
Residents of Samtackaro village can visit their relatives in the Saingilo village on the territory of Azerbaijan after opening of the bridge.
Ingiloids planned to boycott the upcoming presidential election if their demand not to be implemented.
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
The Azerbaijani opposition Open Society Party (OSP) and its leader Rasul Guliyev will not support candidature of another candidate during the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan, stated OSP's chairman Akif Shahbazov said.
Guliyev will not make concessions of weaker candidate during the presidential election, Shahbazov added.
Guliyev's candidature was registered during the latest presidential elections in 2003. However, on the threshold of the election Guliyev supported the candidature of the head of the Musavat party Isa Gambar.
Taking into consideration the previous years experience OSP would not support candidacy from other parties from opposition during the elections in 2008
OSP was founded in April 2007. Guliyev is the leader of the party. For more than ten years, Guliyev has been living as an emigrant in the United States.
Today the action 'Let's go forward with Ilham' began in Azerbaijan. Initiated by the Republic Youth Movement "Ireli" ('Forward'), the action envisages holding several events under slogan "Let's go forward with love".
On 23 December Azerbaijani flags will be hung on the balconies of several buildings in Azerbaijan Avenue and the rally of a small group of "Ireli" will commence at 16:00 a.m. from National Park and Avenue of Honorable Burial to the Baku Sport Complex. At the end of the day, a cultural event will be held at the Baku Sport Complex under slogan "Let's go forward with love". During the presentation of the action 'Let's go forward with Ilham', a web-site under the same name was presented.
Some public organizations of Azerbaijan will appeal to the European Court against the Baku Executive Power, stated the president of the Public Forum For Azerbaijan Eldar Namazov to the Trend agency on 21 December.
The Baku Executive Power did not sanction rallies planned by six public organizations to stage on the Ukraine square on 8 and 22 December. The Power proposed to stage rallies in the Bibi Eybat settlement. Namazov stated that the Executive Power violates rules and human rights by such an action.
"Baku Executive Power cannot change the data and place of rally scheduled by parties. Rally organizers themselves may take such a decision. We asked the Baku Executive Power to sanction the meeting with public," Namazov added.
An appeal will be submitted to the European Court against the Baku Executive Power after the case to be considered by local courts.
NAGORNO-KARABAKH
The Armenian armed forces fired at the Azerbaijan National Army troops, from Kuropatkino village in the Azerbaijani Khojavand region from 1.15pm to 12.40am on 16-17 December; from the Javahirli village in the Agdam region of the Azerbaijan from 5.50pm to 1.00am on 16-17 December; and from Gapanli village in the Terter region of Azerbaijan from 12.05am to 12.30am on 17 December, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported. The Azerbaijan army retaliated, but no casualties had been reported so far.
The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) demand to make answerable a group of NGOs and journalists of Azerbaijan as they visited Armenia which on 17 December, a source stated from KLO.
Ganja and Agstafa-Gazakh representatives of the Azerbaijani Committee of Helsinki Civil Assemblyand director of the Centre of Human Being in Mingachevir region Jiansh Omar, journalist Seymur Baycan, head of the agency The third view Rauf Rajabov and head of the Consensus NGO Afat Sariyeva paid a visit to Yerevan in order to attend at the event called Days of Azerbaijan in Yerevan which will last from 17 to 23 December.
KLO considers the visit by Azerbaijanis to Yerevan will cause damage on national interests of Azerbaijan. The latest thirteen years Armenia attempt world community to forget occupation fact by using different forms of popular diplomacy. The event is also directed to insult Azerbaijani population.
Armenia was recognized as an aggressor and enemy country in the National Conception of Azerbaijan. The people which paid a visit to Armenia violated the conception and they must be answerable.
"Law enforcement bodies should carry out immediate measures in connection with the visit to Armenia. Otherwise, we will take measures to prevent such a betrayal within the framework of our opportunities.
The representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim stated that the visit by Azerbaijanis to Armenia may inform Armenians about Azerbaijani realities.
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.
KLO was established in Baku on 28 January 2000, with the objective of a public struggle for the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh. KLO unites representatives of intelligentsia, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), old and young people as well as former military soldiers.
Armenian armed forces fired at Azerbaijani National Army troops located in Gizil Hajili village in the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan from Berkaber village in the Armenian Ijevan region from 8.20am to 8.30am and from 10.35am to 10.45am on 17 December. Armenian armed forces fired at the opposite positions of Azerbaijani National Army troops from Kuropatkino village in the Azerbaijani Khojavand from 9.40am to 4.30am on 17-18 December; from Javahirli village in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan from 12.10am to 12.25am and from 4.15am to 4.30am on 18 December, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani army retaliated, and no casualties were reported.
The Azerbaijan youth are ready to join the dialogue with the youth of Armenia within the framework of the people's diplomacy, as this initiative may promote the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov stated to Trend on 18 December.
According to the Minister, the trust is being actively established between the Azerbaijani and the Armenian people within the framework of people's diplomacy. A group of the art figures from both the countries recently visited Azerbaijan and Armenia in order to reveal whether there is a common ground for the position. "I think the Azerbaijani youth will also support the initiatives and will join the process if necessary," Rahimov said.
A dialogue between the youth of both the countries took place during the international conferences in San-Francisco and Brussels. One more meeting will be held in the Paris in the near future, he said.
Firudin Sadigov, the head of the Azerbaijani working group on POWs, hostages and the missing persons, accuses Armenia of exerting the pressure upon the Azerbaijani hostages and the prisoners of the war.
"Many of the Azerbaijanis who were released from the Armenian imprisonment, proved this fact," Sadigov said. He cited as an example, the lingering in releasing the Azerbaijani POW Samir Mammadov, who was captured by Armenians on 24 Dec 2006. "His so-called refusal to write letters to his parents is a proof of the fact that the Armenians exert pressure upon him". According to Sadigov, Azerbaijan is working with the international organizations for the release Mammadov.
The Armenian armed forces fired at the Azerbaijan National Army troops from their positions located near Kuropatkino village in the Armenian Khojavand region from 1.35pm to 1.50am and from 4.50pm to 4.55pm on 18 December; from Jafarli village in the Azerbaijani Gazakh region from 7.00pm to 7.15pm; from Javahirli and Marzili village in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan from 8.25pm to 8.35pm on 18 December and from 2.10am to 2.40am on 19 December; and from Chilaburt village in the Terter region of Azerbaijan from 12.01am to 12.15am on 19 December, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani army retaliated, but no casualties were reported.
The commencement of the Azerbaijani week in Armenia is a hasty and premature step, Abulfas Garayev, the Azerbaijani Minister for Culture and Tourism, stated. The Armenia has kept under it's the control, the Azerbaijani territory, and the bilateral relations with the occupant country in the culture sector is not possible. "However, it does not mean that we do not hold the exchange of the opinions with the Armenian Minister, in the meetings with the Armenian culture minister during the international events. We talk and it is obvious, because we are the members of an international family," Garayev said.
The minister said that the key objective of Armenians in holding the Azerbaijani Week is to demonstrate the imaginary peaceable ness. The commencement of such events in Armenia and the participation of Azerbaijanis there, is not right, Garayev said.