Official chronicle
Azerbnaijani President Ilham Aliyev returned to Baku after leave of short duration on 28 July.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev paid respects to the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan due to the terrorist acts committed in Istanbul result in human loss. "I was deeply saddened upon hearing the news about terrorist acts causing heavy human loss in Istanbul. We resolutely condemn terrorism, and express the necessity of joint efforts to combat these horrible deeds," Ilham Aliyev said.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev offered his condolences to the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko in connection with of high death toll caused by the natural calamity in the west of Ukraine. The Head of State presented his condolence to relatives of the dead and injured. The flood in the west of Ukraine claimed the lives of 26 people with five of them being children and tens of missing. About 15,000 people have been evacuated from the flooded regions of Ivano-Frankov, Lvov, Zakarpat, Ternopol and Chernovitsk provinces.
On 29 July, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received an OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) delegation led by Heikki Talvitie, Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. An exchange of views on the Azerbaijan-OSCE cooperation and prospects of its development was held during the meeting.
On 29 July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of congratulation to the King Mohammed VI of Morocco on country's national holiday - the Day of Throne. In his congratulation letter, President praised today's traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Morocco. He expressed his confidence in joint efforts for further enhancement of cooperation, both bilateral and within international organizations, which is dictated by the will of both nations.
On 29 July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decreed on improvement of personal presidential pension. According to the decree, the amount of personal pension stipulated in Item 2 of Azerbaijani President's Decree On Establishment of Personal Pension of the President of Azerbaijan Republic dated 11 June 2002 must be improved. Words 'seven hundred and fifty' in the item must be replaced with 'one thousand'. The decree will come into force since 1 August 2008.
On 29 July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decreed on improvement of salaries of civil employees and special rank employees of the State Special Courier Service attached to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. Monthly salaries of state special couriers, having a special rank, has been increased by average AZN 100 and the salaries of civil employees of the State Special Courier Service has been increased by average AZN 30. Monthly compensation given instead of food to the employees of State Special Courier Service, having a special rank, has been doubled. Cabinet has been charged with solving the issues emerging from the decree. The decree will come into force since 1 August 2008.
On 31 July, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation headed by EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has issued a decree to render financial support to Azerbaijani media. Under the decree, every newspaper and information agency will be granted AZN 5,000. The list includes eight information agencies and 30 newspapers. The Finance Ministry is trusted to grant the funds.
President Ilham Aliyev has approved the Conception of State Support to Development of Mass Media to secure the freedom of expression and pluralism in the country. In his decree, the Head of State instructed the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan to develop and submit proposals on the establishment of Media Development Fund in three months and exercise control over the fulfillment of items of the decree and report back to President regularly. The Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to solve all issues arising from the decree.
On 31 July, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev decreed to reward soloists of Children's Symphonic Orchestra at the State Children's Philharmonic and Chapel Choir of Children of Music School named after Bulbul with scholarship. According to the decree, the names of 17 soloists of Children's Symphonic Orchestra at the State Children's Philharmonic and Chapel Choir of Children of Music School named after Bulbul were included in the Gold Book of the talented young people and they were rewarded with the special monthly scholarship of the President.
On 31 July, the President of Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev decreed to reward Aladdin Sultanov, the judge of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan Shohrat (Fame) Order. He was conferred on this reward for his productive activities in the judicial authorities.
On 31 July, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated President of the Swiss Confederation Pascal Couchepin. The message sent on occasion of national holiday of this country - Day of Establishment of Confederation, expresses contentment with the dynamic development of relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland. The message also said that the efforts on the close cooperation of the two countries and within the international organizations will yield results in the future.
Azerbaijani President decreed on conferring honorary titles to cinema figures. Honorary title People's Actor of the Republic of Azerbaijan was conferred on Ramiz Azizbayli and Tofig Ismayilov for contributions in development of cinematography in Azerbaijan, Honoured Art Figure of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Abdullahad Mahmudov and Yavar Rzayev, Honoured Actor of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Sugra Bagirzade, Khalida Guliyeva and Eldaniz Rasulov, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Fikrat Alakbarov, Honoured Cultural Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 13 cinema figures. Azerbaijan marks the Day of National Cinema on 2 August.
Elections
The voting in presidential elections in Azerbaijan will begin at 8:00 a.m. on 15 October and will last until 7:00 p.m. on 29 July, the Central Election Commission approved the Timetable on Actions and Measures On Preparation and Conduct of Elections. The election campaign will start 75 days before voting. The candidates will be nominated for the presidential elections and their nomination will be registered till the end of August. According to timetable, the information about the process of voting and number of voters will be released 5 times during a day (at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m., 03:00 p.m., 05:00p.m. and 07:00p.m.) by the Elections Information Center at the CEC. The final protocols of the constituencies and district election about the outcome of voting will be posted on the website of the Election Information Center beginning from the day of voting. The preliminary results of elections will be published by CEC as a summary table and it will be posted on CEC website after protocols are submitted by the district election commissions. The outcome of the voting will be presented to the Constitutional Court by CEC within 10 days beginning from the day of voting. The timetable also includes other measures on voting. CEC will publish the list of the candidates at least 25 days in advance of the voting. According to timetable, the election canvassing will begin 28 before the voting. The canvassing will stop 24 hours before the voting. The relevant places to conduct canvassing will be determined 28 days before the elections. The timetable says that the places for the canvassing will be provided at least 20 days before the voting in the oil platforms in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea, in the ships which would be on sea on that day (with a staff of more than 50 people), in hospitals, sanatoriums and rest homes. Polling stations will be created for the voters abroad who are waiting to be registered as a consul at least 30 days before the elections. The polling stations will be established in the cities where diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan are located. The list of voters in the remote places, military units, penitentiaries and prisons will be developed at least 25 days before the voting.
The presidential elections in will be held on 15 October, Mazahir Panahov, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of said at the meeting of the commission on 28 July. According to Panahov, CEC has conducted the preparations for the presidential elections on the high level. "The voters' lists have been developed from January on the high level. Good work conditions have been provided for the district election commissions and majority of them have been provided with new premises," CEC chairman said. The chairman of the Musavat party Isa Gambar, chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloglu, chairman of the Green Party Mais Gulaliyev, chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Gudrat Hasanguliyev have been nominated for the presidential elections. The political expert Eldar Namazov has stated that he would run for presidency independently. Governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is going nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. The pro-government Social Welfare and Ana Vatan parties will support the current president Ilham Aliyev. The Azadlig bloc, which unites three opposition parties -Popular Front party, Citizen and Development party and Liberal party, will boycott the presidential elections. OSCE plans to send 30 long-term and 450 short-term observers to observe the upcoming presidential elections.
Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) called citizens to take an active participation in the upcoming presidential elections. "All the necessary conditions to hold democratic elections are created in the country and I call citizens to take active participation in the elections. We believe that population will be active in the elections," Mazahir Panahov, Chairman in EC, told Trend on 28 July. The decision to hold the presidential elections on 15 October was made in CEC today's meeting. CEC has approved the calendar plan of main arrangements to prepare and to hold the elections. CEC Chairman said that any interference into the election process will be removed. "We have good experience to hold the elections. However, nobody is insured from troubles and violations. Therefore, we will make all the best to promote democratic elections," Panahov said. According to the recent supplements and changes into the Election Code, free air time for candidates will be allocated in the public TV. Furthermore, the candidates' posters are not allowed to stick to dwellings and historical buildings.
Panahov stated that the conditions will be created for Azerbaijanis residing abroad to vote. "Election centres will be opened in the countries where Azerbaijan has its Embassy or Counsel," Panahov said.
Special arrangements were prepared in Azerbaijan for watchdogs. At the same time, special booklets will be developed for watchdogs,' Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, said in the news-conference on 28 July. The decision to hold the presidential elections on 15 October was made in CEC today's meeting. CEC has approved the calendar plan of main arrangements to prepare and to hold the elections. Panahov said that posters to show rights and duties of watchdogs were hanged out in every election centre. About 60,000 watchdogs attended at the latest elections in the country. The number of watchdogs is also expected to be so high in the upcoming elections. Azerbaijan takes leading to develop the list of electorates amongst the European countries. The names and surnames of about half million of people have been corrected so far. There is no ideal list of electorates in any country, Panahov said.
Nominating of presidential contenders will commence in Azerbaijan in two days. "Within two days the Azerbaijani press will publish the decision, which will come into juridical force, to hold the presidential elections on 15 October. That will be followed by nomination of presidential contenders," Chairman of Central Election Committee (CEC) of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov said at a press conference on 28 July. Panahov said the documents submitted by contenders would be considered within five days. "The decision on approval or non-approval of contenders will be taken then. Contenders will receive subscription lists. According to the new Election Code, contenders must collect 40,000 signatures," he said.
Chairman said the process regarding contenders will keep on going by the end of August.
The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) has developed set of standard acts on the upcoming presidential elections. The first volume of the book has already been published, CEC said to Trend . The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held on 15 October 2008. CEC is still focusing on improving the standard acts regarding presidential elections. CEC has developed and published new volume of the Election Code including new supplements and changes approved by the parliament on 2 June. According to CEC decision, 20 standard acts including direction, regulations and rules were made public by means of periodicals and official websites of CEC (www.msk.gov.az; www.cec.gov.az; infocenter.gov.az.). The next volume of standard acts is being developed by CEC at the moment.
The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) commenced the talks to purchase invisible ink to be used in the presidential elections. "We are negotiating with well-known foreign companies," head of CEC International Relations Department Rovzat Gasimov said to Trend on 31 July. Presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijani on 15 October. An article envisaging dipping of fingers into invisible ink was injected into the Law during adoption of supplements and changes to the Election Code by Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) on 2 June. In accordance with Article 102 of the Election Code, a voter's finger shall be dipped into ink when he/she receives a ballot on elections day. Ultraviolet lamp is used to determine whether voter's finger is dipped into ink or not. This method prevents a person from voting two times. Gasimov did not divulge the names of the companies with which they are negotiating. "Now I can say that these companies are specialized in production of invisible ink," Gasimov said, adding that this problem would be definitely solved by the elections day and polling stations would be supplied with invisible ink and ultraviolet lamps in necessary amount.
Azerbaijani prisoners lacking identity cards will temporarily receive documents to vote during presidential elections. Preparation for presidential elections was commenced in all prisons, Head of PR Department at the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijani Justice Ministry Mehman Sadikhov said to Trend on 1 August. Presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. There are about 19,000 prisoners in Azerbaijan, with minors and expats amongst them. Number of prisoners lacking identity cards will be specified by the day of elections. As to conditions for prisoners and convicts to enjoy the right to vote and freedom of choice, Sadikhov said each of them would vote at their imprisonment place. According to Sadikhov, in order to enable prisoners lacking identity cards to vote adequate documents will be developed for them for a time. As to specification of number of prisoners and convicts, Sadikhov said their number will change by the beginning of elections. "Several prisoners will be released and replaced by new prisoners and convicts by that time," said Sadikhov. According to Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC) Azar Sariyev, the prisoners lacking identity cards voted during prior election with Prisoner's Identity Card. "Obviously, this time prisoners lacking identity cards will again vote with this document," said Sariyev. "We receive information from the Penitentiary Service, Military Commissariat, Foreign Ministry regarding expiration of imprisonment period, exemption from military service, citizens who have returned from abroad. Lists of voters will be developed in conformity with this information," said Sariyev.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby believes Azerbaijani Government must pay attention to legislative issues, as well as to the issues regarding media and freedom of assembly, within preparation for presidential elections to take place in Azerbaijan on 15 October. "Presidential elections are very important in terms of further development of the relations between Azerbaijan and EU," Semneby said at a press conference on 1 August dedicated to the results of his visit to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Bloc Azadlig uniting three opposition parties (Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party) intends to boycott the elections. The Citizen Solidarity, Communist and Great Establishment parties will not nominate their candidates for the elections. The Umid party has nominated its candidate Igbal Agazade, Muasir Musavat nominated Hafiz Hajiyev and the Liberal and Democratic Party nominated Fuad Aliyev. Musavat and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party will announce their final decision regarding participation in the elections on 2 August. Governing New Azerbaijan Party will nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. Semneby said the key purpose of his visit to Azerbaijan was to discuss elections-related issues. According to him, elections are of great importance for every country, especially for such countries with young democracy as Azerbaijan. "At the meetings with Azerbaijani officials we discussed preparation for presidential elections, observation of the elections by international watchdogs, EU's role in the elections, freedom of assembly and the state of media," said Semneby. He did not estimate the pre-election situation in the country. He noted that is international watchdogs to give an estimate to the elections after studying of the situation. "European Union would like the estimate to be positive," he said.
The current head of state of Azerbaijan and chairman of New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Ilham Aliyev will be nominated as a presidential candidate in the fourth conference of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, the press service of the party said to Trend on 31 July. The conference which will be attended by about 650 representatives of the party will be held on 2 August in the Sport and Concert Complex named after Heydar Aliyev. The pro-government Social Welfare and Ana Vatan parties will support the current president Ilham Aliyev. The Azadlig bloc, which unites three opposition parties -Popular Front party, Citizen and Development party and Liberal party, will boycott the presidential elections. The Majlis (Assembly) of the bloc will adopt a final decision with this regard. NAP was established by the chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Heydar Aliyev in 1992. The current President Ilham Aliyev is the chairman of the Party which has been ruling for already 15 years.
Foreign policy
The Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Heikki Talvitie and Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov discussed in Baku on 29 July the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its settlement ways.
The U.S. Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) noted a minor progress in human rights in Azerbaijan after the parliamentary elections of 2005, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy & Human Rights, representative of Freedom House Chris Walker said in Washington during discussion at the Helsinki Commission of the situation in Azerbaijan on 29 July. Walker positively assessed participation of local NGOs in observations of upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 15 October. Helsinki Commission believes Azerbaijan has a chance to hold the elections in October in conformity with its engagements to OSCE. Walker focused on media situation and democratic reforms. He called on the authorities to soften their actions towards journalists, to pay attention to the calls of international organizations and to abolish the laws making journalists answerable for their professional activities. There are thee imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan - editor-in-chief of the Azadlig newspaper Ganimat Zahid , founder and editor-in-chief of the Gindalik Azerbaijan and Realny Azeraijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev and the contributor in the Azadlig newspaper Mirza Sakit . A range of press-related projects and appeals have been submitted to the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan. One of them regards pardon to journalists. "President will consider the issues in near future," Head of Socio-Political Department at the Executive Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov said to journalists. The key factor to determine justice of the entire election process and to provide boundless trust to legitimacy of results of the elections is to hold a serious local and international monitoring, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour David J. Kramer said. He criticized cancellation of registration by Azerbaijani courts of the largest independent Elections Monitoring Centre in Azerbaijan in spring. "We hope to see just, transparent and democratic elections in Azerbaijan," said Kramer. Azerbaijani authorities promise to hold just and democratic elections. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza and Azerbaijani Ambassador to U.S. Yashar Aliyev participated in the Helsinki Commission discussions.
Official Baku thinks the views voiced at yesterday's discussion at the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) are biased. "I think the views voiced by Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy & Human Rights, representative of Freedom House Chris Walker do not reflect the reality, are biased and provocative," Head of the Political Analysis & Information Department at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov said to Trend on 30 July. On 29 July, Washington hosted discussion at the Helsinki Commission of the situation in Azerbaijan, during which Mr. Walker and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer criticized the Azerbaijani authorities on the issues regarding human rights, media and democracy. "Azerbaijan is an area which chose democracy as the priority for its national development strategy. During recent years Azerbaijan has been an intensively modernizing area, which pursues independent economic and political strategy," said Aslanov. "Furthermore, there is a transparent atmosphere in the society, mass media and political organizations freely function, and religious tolerance is at high level in the country. That only briefly embodies the core of country's current development. Therefore, the views that the representative of Freedom House stated during the hearings, does not reflect reality and I think Freedom House needs a long term and serious familiarization with our country. They obviously lack this familiarization in order to draw such conclusions," Aslanov said. According to Aslanov, it is simply impossible not to see big efforts made in the country by the government to develop civil society institutions, to observe human rights, to develop press, etc. "However, some non-governmental organizations have monopolized the conception of freedom and democracy by taking advantage of them to get grants and financial aid. I understand them, because it is difficult to get new financial aid without critics, whom to criticize if not newly-independent states," he said. The statements made during the hearing that the rights of the citizens to change the power by peaceful means are restricted in Azerbaijan, do not conform to reality. "The upcoming presidential elections will be the sixth presidential elections in Azerbaijan, and the citizens have repeatedly exercised their rights to elect legislative and municipal powers. Azerbaijan has its own path leading to democracy which conforms to the level of development of state and society," he stated. According to Aslanov, the authorities are well-aware of the aim of the statements made prior to the elections "quite often by the so-called 'human right activists' who seal these terms". "I am sorry to disappoint those who cherish a hope for another scenario of the presidential elections, but the elections will be held under most democratic and transparent conditions. There are all grounds and conditions with this regard and the level preparation for the elections is a striking example to it," Aslanov said.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) stated that opinions, which were sounded at the US Congress Helsinki Commission, were biased. "We consider that the opinions concerning Azerbaijan's democratic development do not reflect the reality," MP Mubariz Gurbanli, the deputy executive chairman of the NAP, told Trend on 30 July. Azerbaijan's democratic situation was discussed at Helsinki Commission in Washington on 30 July. At the discussions it was claimed that democratic situation was worsened in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the Commission urged the presence of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and they expressed their worry about the freedom situation at the media. According to Gurbanli, opinions sounded at these discussions cannot be assessed as the US Congress's position. "These opinions do not express the Congress's will and position. They belong to representatives of separate public organizations, as well as, Freedom House," Gurbanli said and noted that some forces worried about Azerbaijan's development. These forces intend to form false opinions about Azerbaijan through some public organizations. "These generalized discussions are of recommendation character. Opinions sounded with respect to Azerbaijan's democratic development, are not true. Democracy exists and is developing in Azerbaijan. There are governmental bodies to protect and to ensure the democracy. Moreover, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev operates as a provider of democracy in Azerbaijan," the representative of the NAP said. Gurbanli said that opinions concerning the situation of media and the presence of political prisoners in Azerbaijan were incorrect: "There is not any political prisoner in Azerbaijan. The definition of a political prisoner is not expressed clearly in the documents, which were adopted by the Council of Europe (CE), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations (UN). Therefore, there are not political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Persons, who are engaged in political activities and charged with other crimes, cannot be considered as a political prisoner. As to the media situation, there is a media, whose criticism goes beyond the allowed frames and becomes insult, in Azerbaijan. Persons, who want to see the freedom of media in Azerbaijan, can buy newspapers from the news stands every day and hold a monitoring. Then they will be sure that the limit of media's freedom in Azerbaijan does not yield the limit existing in Europe. Heydar Aliyev, the chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakchivan, established the NAP in 1992. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is the current chairman of the ruling party, which has been in power for 15 years.
"Iran, Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan possess a considerable potential in the region and it is necessary to establish relations among them to improve the development of these countries," Manuchohr Mottaki, the Iranian Foreign Minister, stated at a meeting with Garib Janyan, the Armenian Foreign Minister, on 30 July, the Iranian agency IRNA reported. The Armenian Foreign Minister visited Tehran to participate in the 15th meeting of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) as an observer. During the meeting with Janyan Minister Mottaki voiced his satisfaction with Armenia's participation in this forum as an observer. He said that the slogan of the 15th meeting of the NAM is 'Unification for World and Justice' and it is valuable both for observers and member-countries of this Movement. According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, relations between Iran and Armenia are developing in a high level. He insisted to take steps for the further expansion of the relations between two countries. Janyan supported this statement of his counterpart. He noted that Armenia was fully prepared to hold meetings of joint economic commissions of two countries.
Turkish MPs suggested official marking in Turkey of Azerbaijan's Khojali tragedy. The suggestion was made at the Turkish Parliament during discussion of the Istanbul terrorism act on 30 July. MPs discussed the crimes committed in Azerbaijan by Armenians and suggested official marking of the Khojali tragedy in Turkey. Representative of the National Movement Party Reshat Dogru noted the need to inform the Turkish and international community of the Khojali massacre. "Turkey must even more seriously support Azerbaijan on this issue," said Dogru. A member of the Justice & Development Party, MP Aladdin Kaya backed his colleague's idea. He again informed the MPs of massacre of 613 innocent civilians in Khojali. According to Kaya, marking of the Khojali tragedy in Turkey will be a new fact demonstrating Turkey's friendship and solidarity with Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Embassy in Romania rendered aid to suffer as a result of the flood in the north region Suchava, Romania. Under the decree of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliev, Eldar Hasanov, Azerbaijani Ambassador in Romania together with Balan, Chairman of the friendship organization Romania-Azerbaijan, have visited the damaged region, the Embassy informed Trend . Four people died, two missed, 120,000 people were evacuated and 140 dwelling premises were flooded. Suchava and Maramuresh, located on the border with Ukraine, were damaged most. The Romania Government expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani President for moral and material support.
EU Special Representative say it would be expedient to continue the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of basic principles. EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby discussed in Baku on 31 July with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov the ways to settle Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "We discussed the upcoming meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers to take place in Moscow on 1 August and agreed that the negotiations must base on basic principles," Semneby said to journalists after the meeting. The work over settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, suggested by both countries' presidents in St. Petersburg in June, will be the basis for negotiations between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Moscow at the beginning of August. Negotiations on peace settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be based on Madrid proposals, French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier said to Trend previously.
Political movements
The oppositional Azerbaijani Communist Party (ACP) will not participate in the presidential elections with own candidate. "On 27 July the ACP's Central Plenum decided to support other candidate in the elections," Rauf Gurbanov, the chairman of the party, told Trend news on 28 July. Ramiz Ahmadov, former chairman of the ACP, died on 10 September in 2007. After his death disagreements aroused among deputy chairmen of the party. Members of this party divided into two groups, including supporters of Rauf Gurbanov and Rustam Shahsuvarov, as a result of this dispute. Earlier Gurbanov was the first deputy chairman of the ACP and an MP from 2000 to 2005. According to Gurbanov, a candidate, whom the ACP will support, is still unknown. "We will support a candidate, whose platform and program corresponds to general policy of the ACP. It is difficult to say anything without getting familiarization with candidates' platforms and programs, and demonstration of populist position is unsuitable. We will not put differences between the candidates from the authorities and opposition. It is important that a candidate's program should correspond to our political position," Gurbanov said.
The oppositional Azerbaijani Civil Solidarity Party (CSD) will not participate in the presidential elections. "We will not participate in the presidential elections with own candidate. It does not mean to boycott the elections, as we will simply not join the presidential elections with own candidate," Sabir Rustamkhanli, the chairman of the CSD, told Trend on 28 July. The presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for 15 October.
Rustamkhanli said that discussions on the presidential elections were held at the CSD's Supreme Majlis on 27 July. "We will not join the presidential elections with own candidate for several reasons. I participated in the last elections and gathered 55,000 signatures. Part of these signatures was not correctly calculated by the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and I had to deposit as a result of it. I also was not allowed to exceed a limit in the elections, as 55,000 signers stated that they would vote for me. However, after the publication of official results it was revealed that they did not correspond to the number of people, who supported, and the quantity of votes was reduced," Rustamkhanli said. The oppositional leader believes that the presidential elections will be held in a democratic way in the country. "We have our representation at the CEC. However, although we have seats at about 1,700 stations and more than 60 districts, we could not appoint our representatives at these places. So, it testifies for inanity of joining the presidential elections," Rustamkhanli said. The head of the CSP did not exclude reality of a support to a candidate of another political party. "We observe the developments and will state our position with respect to candidates. Perhaps, we will support one of them," Rustamkhanli said. The party's chairman does not believe in opposition's victory in the elections, considering that all material and other resources belong to the government and the oppositional candidates are considerably weaker as compared to the candidate from the authorities. The CSP was established by Sabir Rustamkhanli, one of leaders of the Azerbaijan National Liberation Movement, on 26 September in 1992. The party took part in the parliamentary elections of 1995, 2000, 2005, and presidential elections of 2003, municipal elections of 1999, 2004. Azerbaijani national poet, MP Sabir Rustamkhanli, was Azerbaijani Press and Information Minister from 1991 to 1995 and ran for presidency in 2003.
The opposition party of Azerbaijan has convincing reasons to delay its decision regarding the upcoming presidential elections. "It is not still available when the Central Election Commission (CEC) will give go-ahead to the elections, when start of the elections will be made public and it will take effect," Sardar Jalaloglu, chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) said on 28 July. The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held on 15 October 2008. The Supreme Majlis (Assembly) of DPA decided for party to take part in the elections on 16 February and nominated Sardar Jalaloglu for presidency. However, DPA decided to re-consider its decision to take part in the elections after amendments were made to the Election Code on 2 June since the party does not accept amendments. According to Jalaloglu, the party plans to adopt a final decision on 1 August at the meeting of the Supreme Assembly. "Earlier CEC stated that the official go-ahead to the elections will be given at the end of July. But there is some uncertainty now. CEC plans to give a go-ahead to the elections 75 in advance of the vote. But, there is a need only for three days to call the meeting of the Supreme Majlis," Jalaloglu said. He stated that he is aware what decision the oppositional Musavat will adopt on 2 August concerning the elections and he rejected the rumors that the meeting of the Supreme Majlis of his party would delayed because of Musavat's decision. '"DPA-Musavat cooperation will not influence DPA decision on elections. The government knows when it will adopt decision, but we do not. Therefore, there is uncertainty in the opposition. At present, the number of those who support and those who protest against taking part in the elections are almost equal," Jalaloglu said. The Right Wing DPA was founded in 1991 by Sardar Jalaloglu. The party was committed to the radical position until January 2007; however it decided to establish a dialogue with the Government in January 2007. As a protest, Rasul Guliyev, the former speaker of the parliament and his supporters turned down DPA and established the Open Society party.
The opposition Azerbaijani National Independent Party (ANIP) will not boycott the upcoming presidential elections. "We will participate in the elections as most members of the party vote for participation in the elections," Ali Orujov, Deputy Chairman of ANIP, told Trend on 28 July. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Musavat party has already nominated its Chairman Isa Gambar, Azerbaijan Democratic Party - Sardar Jalaloglu, the Greens Party nominated Mais Gulaliyev, the Popular Front Party of Unified Azerbaijan nominated Gudrat Hasanguliyev and Musair Musavat nominated Hafiz Hajiyev. The head of the public forum For Azerbaijan Eldar Namazov stands for presidency as an independent candidate. The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) will nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. Pro-governmental parties Ana Vatan and Social Prosperity Party intend to support Ilham Aliyev at the elections. Bloc Azadlig uniting three opposition parties (Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party) intends to boycott the elections. Orujov said that he did not satisfy with the election atmosphere in the coutry. However, Orujov will participate in the elections. "We have several varieties to participate in the elections. We may nominate candidature of Etibar Mammadov, Leader of ANIP, as well as another candidate. We may also support another candidate as well. In any case we oppose against boycott," Orujov said. The meeting of the ANIP Political Council will be held soon to make final decision. ANIP was the first party received registration in Azerbaijan in 1992. Etibar Mammadov had been the founder and chairman of the party by 2004. Presently, Mammadov is the deputy chairman of the International Democratic Alliance.
The first political party of Azerbaijanis, residing abroad was granted with the state registration. The Georgian Justice Ministry granted registration to the party of the former presidential candidate Fazil Aliyev For the name of Georgia, the chairman of the party told Trend via a telephone from Tbilisi. Party held a meeting in Tbilisi on 3 February. On 4 February, the documents were submitted to the Georgian Justice Ministry. Under the Georgian legislation, the registration issue is considered within a month. However, the process was delayed due to some shortcomings in the documents. Party failed to participate independently in the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 21 May due to shortcomings of registration. Party unites about 2,000 members including Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Russians and representatives of other nationalities residing in Georgia. Aliyev said that the party functions in the headquarters in Tbilisi temporarily. The organization is to open representatives in Georgian regions. Aliyev's candidature was nominated to the presidential post in Georgia by the National Assembly of Azerbaijanis in Georgia (NAAG) and International Council of Azerbaijanis in Georgia (ICAG) In December, Aliyev refused from participating in the presidential elections. Aliyev grounded this decision with the pressure imposed by Georgian state departments. As a result, Aliyev informed about establishment of a new constructive and opposition party.
Representatives of Azerbaijani opposition and political parties proposed to interrupt the upcoming presidential elections in the meeting with the Special Envoy of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Heikki Talvitie. This was told Trend by Avaz Tamirkhan, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Liberal. Azerbaijani Central Election Commission said that the presidential elections were scheduled for 15 October 2008. "OSCE Special Envoy was asked to promote to develop new democratic election code and to provide opposition's participation in the elections,' Tamirkhan said. Tamirkhan stated that the most opposition parties which participated in the meeting criticized the attitude of a range of other opposition parties including OSCE towards the democracy in Azerbaijan. "OSCE does not want to carry out its mission. Both the Government and international organizations including OSCE are responsible for the current situation in the country. OSCE Minsk Group was also criticized by the meeting participants. The issue regarding deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia was touched upon in the meeting. Chairman of the Liberal Party said that he was not satisfied with the results of the meeting. Despite the OSCE representative had a proposal, he did not propose it to Azerbaijani opposition representatives, Tamirkhan said. Sardar Jalaloglu, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, refused from informing Trend about the results of the meeting. OSCE representative asked the meeting participants to restrain from giving information about the meeting. The meeting was attended by Eldar Namazov - Head of the Public Forum For the name of Azerbaijan, Arif Hajili - Head of the Executive Department of Musavat party, Ali Karimli - Chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Avaz Tamirkhan - Chairman of Liberal party, Igbal Agazade - Chairman of Umid party, Gudrat Hasanguliyev -Chairman of Popular Front Party of Unified Azerbaijan, Asim Mollazade -Chairman of Democratic Reform Party and Mubariz Gurbanli - Deputy Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) has selected observers for the upcoming presidential elections. "Our observers will observe the voting all over the country," Mubariz Gurbanli, deputy executive secretary of NAP and MP said to Trend . The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held on 15 October 2008. The Azadlig bloc, which unites three opposition parties - Popular Front party, Citizen and Development party and Liberal party, will boycott the presidential elections. The Civil Solidarity Party, Communist Party and Great Establishment Party will not nominate their own candidates for the elections. Eldar Namazov, head of For Azerbaijan public forum, Igbal Agazade, chairman of Umid party, Hafiz Hajiyev, chairman of Modern Musavat party, Mais Gulaliyev, chairman of Green Party and Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan have been nominated for the presidential elections. Musavat and Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, who announced that they would take part in the elections in at the beginning of the year, will make public their final decision on 2 August. Governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is going nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. Gurbanli said that the observers of NAP, who will observe the elections, have already been selected. "They will observe voting in all district elections commissions and polling stations in line with a law," Gurbanli said, but he did not divulge the exact number of observers. "The number of the observers has been determined according to a law," he added. NAP was established by the chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Heydar Aliyev in 1992. The current President Ilham Aliyev is the chairman of the Party which has been ruling for already 15 years.
Opposition's Political Way of Azerbaijan Movement (PWAM) decided not to participate in the upcoming presidential elections to take place this year. PWAM believes the changes and supplements in the Election Code make doubtful the availability of democratic presidential elections, and the freedoms of speech and press stipulated in the Constitution extremely restrict the right for free assembly. "In such a situation, decision to join elections will rather promote cooperative interests than the national ones. Such steps are more of imitation character and cannot result in any success," the Coordinating Council of PWAM said to Trend on 31 July. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Musavat party has already nominated its Chairman Isa Gambar, Azerbaijan Democratic Party - Sardar Jalaloglu, the Greens Party nominated Mais Gulaliyev, the Popular Front Party of Unified Azerbaijan nominated Gudrat Hasanguliyev and Musair Musavat nominated Hafiz Hajiyev. The head of the public forum For Azerbaijan Eldar Namazov stands for presidency as an independent candidate. The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) will nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. Pro-governmental parties Ana Vatan and Social Prosperity Party intend to support Ilham Aliyev at the elections. Opposition parties Vahdat and Taraggi also stated they would support Ilham Aliyev. Bloc Azadlig uniting three opposition parties (Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party) stated its final decision is to boycott the elections. Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party will participate in the elections as observer. PWAM said it would not support any of the contenders during the elections: "The Cordinating Council has not seen any person worthy to be President amongst those who intend to participate in the elections. Therefore, the movement will not support any of them.". "In spite of abstension from the elctions, PWAM will continue its political activities in the civil struggle for protection of voters' rights and people's interests," movement reported. PWAM was established in 2004. Chairman of the movement is retired justice lieutenant-general of Russia Ilgar Gasimov.
The Azerbaijani opposition Musavat party was not allowed to hold a demonstration in front of the Baku City Administration on 1 August. "Without mentioning any cause, the Baku Administration negatively replied to our letter in which we requested to hold a demonstration and said the step is not advisable," Arif Hajili, the head of Musavat party's central administration said to Trend on 31 July. Musavat held two unauthorized demonstrations in front of the Baku City Administration within last two month. Thirteen activists of the party were arrested during Musavat's last demonstration on 11 July but released after warning. Hajili said Musavat would not postpone the demonstration. "We will hold a demonstration at 12.00pm on 1 August at the decision of the party's Demonstration Committee," Hajili said, adding that the Baku City Administration's impeding the demonstration is against the law. He said the demonstration would protest against the restriction of freedom of assembly by Baku Administration. Opposition Musavat party was established in 1992. Isa Gambar, the chairman of the party, was the speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament (1992-93) and a presidential candidate in 2003. Five MPs represent the party at the parliament.
Azerbaijani United Intelligentsia left its headquarters due to financial problems. "We will function without headquarters," Eldaniz Guliyev, Chairman of the organization, told Trend . Organization will temporarily function in the apartment of one of its members. "Intelligentsia will appeal to the State Committee on State Property Management and Baku City Administration to allocate area for headquarters," Guliyev stated. Guliyev was surprised of relation to Azerbaijani intelligentsia. "Up to now, the organization had been functioned as an independent organization and it will not appeal for financial aid. We hope that the issue with regard to headquarters will be solved soon,' Guliyev said. Azerbaijani Intelligentsia movement was established in 2003. In 2007, the organization was granted with state registration from the Justice Ministry.
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) has appealed to the government to provide conditions to hold conference of the party. "The local executive bodies top not allow regional organizations of the party hold meetings in order to prepare for the conference. We request respective bodies to adopt measures regarding the attitude of the local executive bodies toward the party," Hasan Karimov, deputy chairman of PFPA said to Trend . The conference of PFPA to be held in 2008 will focus on the organizational issues and social-political situation in the country. According to Karimov, the conference of the party is delayed, because the local executive bodies do not provide conditions for the party to hold meetings. "All regional organizations are fully ready to hold meetings. But there are no appropriate conditions. So far we have held meetings in only 19 regional organizations. If there are appropriate conditions, we will hold meeting in all the remaining regional organizations in a month," Karimov said. The conference of the party is expected to be held within a month "We will convene the conference of the party as soon as the regional meetings end," Karimov said. PFPA is the co-founder and member of political Azadlig bloc. The late Abulfaz Elchibay, the former president, was the founder and chairman of the party until 2000. Ali Karimli, the former secretary of state and former MP has been presiding over the party since then.
Mammad Alizade, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Democratic World Party, told Trend that a new bloc regarding the upcoming presidential elections was expected to be established in Azerbaijan. "The Reformist political parties bloc, that we have already strated forming, will announce its position and plans regrading the elections," Alizade said. Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. The Reformist political party bloc was established during the parliamentary elections 2005. "Now, we are to expand bloc's activity. The aim that the bloc's activity was restored is to support the candidature of the incimbent President Ilham Aliyev. At present, four parties are represneted in the bloc - Democratic World of Azerbaijan, Free Republicans, Republicans ans Democratic Enlightnment. The Great Nation party is also expected to join the bloc. Other parties also want to join the bloc. Reformist political party bloc is not an alternative of the Consulting Assembly, which unites pro-governmental parties. However, we do not oppose the political line of the Consulting Assembly," Alizade stated. Samir Adigozalli, Chairman of the Great Nation party, stated that his party would join the Reformist political party bloc. Party has already reached agreement on this issue with Alizade. "The Supreme Assembly of our party will nominate the candidature of the incumbent Prtesident Ilham Aliyev on 10 August. Reformist political party bloc's aim is to support Aliyev's candidature,' Adigozalli said.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) accepts the proposal of the opposition to begin dialogue on freedom of assembly. "If OSCE wants to conduct dialogue on this issue, we commend it. I think the representatives of both government and opposition can express their views and introduce their proposals about the bill in a round table and we accept this dialogue," Aydin Mirzazade, member of the Political Council of NAP and MP said on 1 August. The special envoy of OSCE chairman in-Office Heikki Talvitie said in a press conference in Baku that OSCE Baku Office will organize a dialogue between political parties and government on the freedom of assembly. Several opposition parties welcomed this proposal. Mirzazade said that supplements and changes were made to the Bill on Freedom of Assembly in May 2008 and international organizations assessed positively this bill. "The bill is in force now, but some political forces have their own opinions about its introduction. There are still some people who disagree with some provisions of the bill. Therefore, discussions on this issue are still going on," Mirzazade said and added that it is possible to hold a dialogue. According to Mirzazade, Bill of Freedom of Assembly is perfect. Simply, there are some issues on which the public can not adopt final decision as a result of discussions. If there is still dissent on some issues, these issues must be discussed. NAP was established by the chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Heydar Aliyev in 1992. The current President Ilham Aliyev is the chairman of the Party which has been ruling for already 15 years.
On 2 August, the supreme council of the Classic Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (CPFPA) decided not to participate in the presidential elections, Chairman of Party's Supreme Council Zalimkhan Mammadli said to Trend on 2 August. "Democratic conditions have not been provided for participation in the elections. At the meeting, majority voted for non-participation," he said. Presidential elections will take place in Azerbaijan on 15 October. Miralioglu, former Deputy Chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA's chairman was country's ex-President Abulfaz Elchibay), chaired PFPA of Classics after PFPA split in 2000. In March 2000, Miralioglu's party was renamed into CPFPA. In December, 2007, the Supreme Council of CPFPA decided to participate in the presidential elections. Officially nominated presidential candidates are the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ilham Aliyev, Muasir Musavat - Hafiz Hajiyev, Umid party - Igbal Agazade, Azerbaijan Liberal and Democratic Party - Fuad Aliyev and the Greens Party - Mais Gulaliyev. Azerbaijan Democratic Party decided not to participate in the elections.
The candidature of Ilham Aliyev, the current head of the state, was officially nominated for the presidency in Azerbaijan at the fourth congress of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on 2 August. "Should I am elected, I will defend national interests of Azerbaijan and work to strengthen the statehood," Ilham Aliyev The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. The Central Elections Commission (CEC) officially launched the elections campaign. So far, Ana Vatan and the Social Prosperity Party have nominated President Aliyev. Moreover, the Azerbaijani Trade Unions Confederation and the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society nominated Ilham Aliyev at their congresses. About 650 members of the NAP participated in the party's congress. The participants of the congress took the decision to nominate President Aliyev unanimously.
Mais Gulaliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Greens Party, was officially nominated for the presidency at the initiative of Greens Policy group. Gulaliyev will maximum benefit all forms of propaganda, specified by the legislation, in the pre-elections campaign. "The presidential candidate of the Greens Party will participate in the presidential elections till the end and will not recall his candidature in favor another candidate," Gulaliyev said. Gulaliyev's pre-elections platform will include the ways of solution to ecological problems and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "The party developed a document, which describes the ways to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and during pre-elections campaign, this document will be submitted to the public. The party supports only peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said. The Greens Party was established in 2007, but has not been registered at the Justice Ministry yet. The Supreme Assembly of the Azerbaijani Greens Party decided to participate in the presidential elections with own candidate in April. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. So far, the candidatures of Hafiz Hajiyev, the chairman of Muasir Musavat, Igbal Agazade, the chairman of the Umid party, Fuad Aliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Liberal Democratic Party, have been officially nominated.
The oppositional Musavat party decided to boycott the upcoming presidential elections. This decision was taken at a meeting of Musavat Majlis on 2 August. According to the party, they decided to boycott the elections as equitable conditions have not been provided to all candidates, freedom of assembly is restricted and the Election Code has been made more reactionary. Musavat party announced its participation in the elections at the end of 2007. However, doubts aroused at the leadership of Musavat on participation in the elections after injection of changes into the Elections Code and the Law on Freedom of Assembly at the end of May in 2008
Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenian armed forces broke ceasefire regime in various directions from 26 July to 2 August.
The National Army of Azerbaijan retaliated and no casualties were reported
OSCE hopes that the talks on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be intensified after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan in October. "We hope that the talks on the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be continued on the principles at the table after the presidential elections," Heikki Talvitie, the special envoy of OSCE Chairman in -Office said in the press conference on the results of his visit to Baku on 30 July. OSCE representative believes that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be solved by peaceful means and on the principles of determining of destiny and territorial integrity. "These principles do not contradict with each other. At present, OSCE is more interested in the talks on the resolution of the conflict. OSCE encourages Azerbaijan and Armenia to resolve the conflict peacefully. The peaceful way is the only way which will bring the parties to compromise," he said. Concerning the tomorrow's meeting between foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandyan, Talvitie said that OSCE is pleased with the continuation of dialogue between the parties.
The meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs on regulation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was strated in Moscow on 1 August. The talks were held between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandyan and co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group from Russia, US and France. Moscow talks between the foreign ministers will focus on the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which was earlier proposed by the presidents of the two states in June in St Petersburg.
Another meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministries within the framework of the peace settlement of the the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was strated in Moscow on 1 August. The meeing is being held in the residence of the Russian Foreign Minister. OSCE Minsk Group from Russia, US and France met with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandyan. "The Moscow talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are the basis for the new work requested by the presidents of both states in St Petersburg," Bernard Fasier, French co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group said to Trend earlier.
There is understanding between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but a break-through will not come soon, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at a briefing in Moscow on 1 August.
Mammadyarov and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan met in Moscow on 1 August to discuss basic principles of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict settlement." We discussed how to overpass the stumbling blocks in settlement of the conflict," said Mammadyarov. According to Azerbaijani Minister, negotiations were intensive and useful. The sides agreed to continue the talks. According to Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandyan, next meeting between the ministers may take place in New-York within the session of the UN General Assembly, or earlier. Nalbandyan said the negotiations were constructive. "We keep on discussing to bring together our positions. Understanding is the main thing between the sides. The more it is, the better," said Nalbandyan.
Exchange of territories is not on agenda of the peace negotiations on settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Exchange of territories is not on agenda at the moment," Azerbaijan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov said at a briefing in Moscow on 1 August, commenting on the consultations with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan. Exchange of territories between Azerbaijan and Armenia in order to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was again exaggerated by media in the region. Experts said exchange of territories would improve the trust and would promote achievement of stable peace between the countries. Exchange of territories was suggested for the first time by American analyst Paul Goble in mid 90s.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister believes imitation of negotiation process on peace settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is advantageous neither to the sides of negotiations, nor intermediaries. "Imitation of negotiations does not suit anybody - neither to participants, nor to intermediaries of the settlement," Azerbaijan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov said at a briefing in Moscow on 1 August, commenting on the consultations with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan. According to Mammadyarov, OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs, engaged in settlement, try to move as soon as possible the negotiation process from the dead point. Should the negotiations be imitation, the sides would not seek an opportunity to meet neither on the level of presidents nor at the level of foreign ministers, said Nalbandyan. "There is a need in the meetings. Armenia and Azerbaijan must solve the problem. I think the problems are solvable, should both sides show the political will," he said.
The Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations to regulate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are based on the long-term efforts of both sides rather than on the proposals made by the mediators in Madrid, Edward Nalbandyan, Armenian Foreign Minister, said. "The matter does not concern the Madrid proposals. If the matter concerned Madrid proposals we would not meet today," Nalbandyan said in the briefing answering to the questions of Trend and commenting the recent meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. The proposals made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs in Madrid in November 2007, lay on the negotiations table. The Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents proposed both foreign ministers to continue discussions within the framework of the proposals. "These proposals are the results of long-term efforts through co-chairs' assistance. We have been working over these proposals," the Armenian Minister said. The Madrid proposals, according to Mammadyarov, mean a complex of issues gathered in Prague several years ago. As a result of the Prague process we came to a conclusion to solve the issues stage by stage.
OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs believe negotiations on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Moscow on 1 August were constructive. "We go forward and do our utmost. Now I cannot say whether it is a progress or not, but the negotiations are constructive and it is a very important advancement," U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group said at a briefing on 1 August. "I can only cite the words of the foreign ministers. They said the meeting was constructive. We, co-chairs, think both ministers were satisfied with the results of the meeting," OSCE Minsk Group's Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan met in Moscow on 1 August to discuss basic principles of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict settlement. According to Merzlyakov, the press differently treats the Minsk Group. "One cannot say we are inactive, since that was the third meeting of the ministers within recent three months. The Presidents also met, we paid a visit to the region. One could not be more active," he said. "I think the quantity will be transformed into quality. That will happen. But it is most difficult to foretell the time, so we will not," said Merzlyakov. Minsk Group's French co-chair Bernard Fassier said intensity of the work is confirmed by the fact that ministers are holding the discussions on the basis of Minsk Group's last-year proposals made in Madrid. Matthew Bryza said the mood is constructive and that means the sides are approaching to peace. "A compromise is possible, should the sides show the political will. The two countries' ministers and Presidents normally treat each other and the negotiations are underway," he said.
The European Union positively estimate continuation of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on settling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and support them. "We are glad to see the negotiations going on after a break," EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said at a press conference on 1 August dedicated to the results of his visit to Azerbaijan.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and Nagorno-Karabakh's seven surrounding regions. 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 U.S.) are currently holding peaceful, but fruitless negotiations.
For peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1992 about 10 OSCE countries established Minsk Group. Since 1997, Minks Group includes co-chairmen from three countries - USA, Russia, France.
Semneby said he supports operation of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Special Representative said the sides try to achieve an agreement enabling continuation of negotiations and relevant steps. "Possibly, the agreement will not settle the conflict completely but will enable a step forward," said Semneby.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev believes Armenia cannot rival with Azerbaijan in no circumstances. "Azerbaijan's opportunities are improving as compared to Armenia's. The country cannot rival with Azerbaijan," President Ilham Aliyev said at the fourth convention of the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on 2 August.
According to President, Azerbaijan has strengthened economically and become an important member of the world since the ceasefire agreement was signed with Armenia. "No project can be implemented in the region without Azerbaijan's participation. There are issues of Azerbaijan's interest on the negotiation table. These issues include liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation and repatriation of Azerbaijani refugees," said Ilham Aliyev.
President said Armenia orally accepted these principles. Head of the state stressed that Azerbaijan would not give independence to Nagorno-Karabakh and the conflict can be solved only on the bases of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.