June was rich with the political developments.
The opposition and pro-governmental parties met in a roundtable meeting at the headquarters of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (reformers) on June 1.
Attending the meeting were Mauricio Pavesi, the OSCE representative in Azerbaijan, Mubariz Gurbanly, the vice chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Fazail Agamali, the chairman of Ana Veten Party, Khanhusseyn Kazimli, the chairman of the Socal Welfare Party, Fuad Mustafayev, the first vice-chairman of the PFAP (reformers), Burgun Eyyub, the first vice chairman of the Musavat Party, Sabir Rustamkhanly, the chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party, Ali Aliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP), Akif Shahbazov, the vice chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party.
The opposition members were dissatisfied with the result of the meeting, while the representative of the authorities stressed the necessity of continuing the talks in this format. Ali Ahmadov, the Executive Secretary of the ruling NAP, meanwhile told Tend that he was going to attend the next round dialogue which will be organized in the headquarters of Musavat. After the gathering the opposition parties decided to rally on 4 June.
The next important of the week was the issue of a presidential decree on 2 June on the establishment of a state commission for Azerbaijan's integration into Europe. The goal of the commission is to coordinate efforts to improve relationships between Azerbaijan and European Union and to prepare and carry into life the plan of European Union's activities in Azerbaijan.
Vice-Premier Abid Sharifov has been appointed head of state commission, Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov and Minister of Economic Development Farhad Aliyev will be his deputies.
The commission is also comprised of actually all members of the Cabinet and heads of defense ministries.
The State Commission has been instructed to prepare within a month period the proposals on creation of working groups on cooperation with European Union in various fields. Foreign Ministry will be in charge of coordination of the state commission's activities and appropriate subdivision will be established.
The 12th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference Incorporating Refining and Petrochemicals вЂ" 2005 opened at the Sports and Exhibition complex of Baku named after Heydar Aliyev in Baku on 7 June. 331 companies from 30 countries participated in the event.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev left for Croatia on Friday with a two-day official visit. The Azerbaijani President held one-to-one with his Croatian counterpart Stip Mesich, and then a meeting in large, as well as different political leadership of the country.
The heads of state voiced their interests in unifying the efforts in fighting the global threats, as well cooperation under different initiatives, achievement of a new level in economic-trade relationships. They also stressed the necessity of stretching the efforts of the Council of Europe and the European Union in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The next issue is inked with the changes to the Elections Code. Thus, on 11 June the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission hosted hearings on the changes to the Elections Code of Azerbaijan. The final recommendations by the CE Venice Commission were sent to the Azerbaijani government. The proposals are expected to be discussed in the parliament next week.
The Azerbaijani government and Venetian commission of the Council of Europe discussed the changes to the Elections Code in the Strasbourg on 31 May. The head of administration of MM Safa Mirzayev and the head of department of president administration on legislation and issues of legal expertise Shahin Aliyev represented the Azerbaijan government.
During the discussions the governmental officials did not accept a format of parity in the composition of the elections commission (50% - authorities and 50% - opposition), proposed to the opposition parties. Mirzayev grounded such a position with the limited period of time. It is impossible to reform the elections commissions when only 4 months are left till the elections and it might result in the violation of the elections process. Besides, no one can guarantee that the opposition will not lay a veto if the authorities turn out successful. To be more exact it might end with re-elections or the repetition of 15-16 October 2003 events that Azerbaijan witnessed after the presidential elections.
Azerbaijani delegation could convince the experts of the CE Venetian commission on possibility of holding transparency and democratic elections in the countries on the base of existing legislation. It is still questionable whether the opposition parties will go to the parliamentary elections with the �old’’ Elections Code.
On 14 June Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev paid a visit to St.-Petersburg to attend the 9th international business-forum. Under the forum there was a roundtable dedicated to prospects of Azerbaijani-Russian economic relationships, as well as exhibition reflecting economic potential of the country. Azerbaijani President held a meeting with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to carry out exchange of opinion on regional issues.
Peaceable resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was anew discussed in Paris by the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanian, on 17 June in the base of a meeting of a meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in Warsaw. Azerbaijan was satisfied with the result of talks.
President Aliyev participated in the economic forum in Kiev on 16 June at the invitation of Ukrainian President Victor Yuschenko. The Azerbaijani and Ukrainian Presidets held talks to mull cooperation in the sphere of energy, discussed the ways for peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, security in the region, as well as integration in the Euro-Atlantic area
Azerbaijani President held one-to-one with the Presidents of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Estonia. During stay in Kiev Azerbaijani President Aliyev participated in the work of the first broad meeting of the international investment forum �Irregular roundtable dedicated to Ukraine’ on Thursday. The event held at the Ukrainian President’s initiative under aegis of the World Economic Forum (Davos) and under the motto �Open Ukraine’ brought together around 250 representatives from 26 countries, including the head of states and business leaders.
Janny Bukikkio, the secretary of the CE Venice Commission. On 17 June he met with Azerbaijani President Aliyev. He said he witnessed the improvement of the living condition of people in Azerbaijan. Bukikkio voiced his hope that the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be democratic, transparent and fair, while the opposition will take a constructive standpoint in the political fight. He also marked the positive aspects in the draft law, which was submitted to the parliament at the initiative of the head of state for injecting changes and supplements to the Elections Code.
On 18 June Azadlyg bloc held a rally in Galaba square in Baku. The protestors wore orange caps, T-shirts and shirts and held orange flags. Musavat leader did not participate in the action, as he was out, while Arif Hajiyev, the vice chairman of the party, represented Musavat. Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan Party (PFAP) and the leadership of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) were in presence.
The most attractive event of the week dates to 19 June when illegal parliamentary elections held in the so-called �Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’. 120 foreign observers were reported to observe the elections. On 17 June the Azerbaijani parliament discussed the issue and made an appeal to the PACE. The appeal noted that �parliamentary elections’ held in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic impedes the peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They also protested to the participation of international observers in the elections. Besides, some of them represented the CE member countries. Their participation is disrespect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, a member of the CE. The parliament condemns the political action, - the so-called �parliamentary elections’ held as a result of violation of right of over 50,000 citizens of Azerbaijan. The parliament calls on intensifying the efforts for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a peaceable way,Meanwhile PACE summer session starte
d in Strasbourg on 20 June. Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation headed by Samad Seyidov attended the session.
on 22 June two documents on Azerbaijan were put discussions at the PACE summer session held in Strasbourg while considering the implementation of the CE obligations by Azerbaijan. Co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Group, Andreas Gross, a Swiss parliamentarian, and Andreas Herkel, an Eston parliamentarian, made a speech on the Activities of Democratic Institutes in Azerbaijan, while Malcolm Bruce, a British parliamentarian, delivered remarks on Execution of Resolution N 1359 on political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Gross noted the positive processes observed in Azerbaijan over the past 3-4 months amid the importance of the forthcoming parliamentary elections. He spoke about the opposition rallies held without any pressures, as well as commencement of a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. Andreas Herkel, the CE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, noted Azerbaijani government’s efforts directed at maintaining the right of free assembly. MP supported the sanctioning of the opposition rallies and hailed the commencement of the opposition-authorities dialogue.
Taking the flow Malcolm Brice, the CE co-rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan, marked the progress in the resolution of the problem, but claimed on its existence. He spoke about people condemned for being relatives of the opposition leaders. “We hail all presidential decree on pardon. If they were issued before, then no problem of political prisoners would exist in Azerbaijan,” he said.
On 23 the head of state received John Colston, NATO Deputy General Secretary on Defense Planning. The President noted the successful development of cooperation with Azerbaijan and NATO and said that introduction of an Action Plan on Individual Partnership raises Azerbaijan to a qualitatively new stage. He reminded of active participation of the Azerbaijani military in the peacekeeping operation in different world countries, adding that Azerbaijan was the reliable partner of NATO. Colston voiced his hope in further development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO. The same day Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev received Colston.
On 23 June President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received Minister of Finance of Georgia Valeri Chechelashvili.
Having described the Azerbaijan-Georgia relationship as steadily developing and expanding in various spheres, the Head of State recalled his recent meeting in Kiev with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, and particularly underlined the two countries] cooperation in such large-scale energy projects as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines construction.
Georgian Finance Minister Valeri Chechelashvili agreed that the Azerbaijan-Georgia cooperation was considerably enhanced, and described the realization of the global energy projects as a graphic evidence of that. He noted the cooperation was of great importance not only for the two countries but also for the whole region.
On 23 June PACE summer session hosted the first meeting of the PACE sub-committee on Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The meeting took a paper by Rassel Johnston. It was resolved to organize the next meeting in Paris on 12 September.
On 25 the opposition comprised of the National Democratic Party, Vahdat, Liberal-Democratic Party, Great Establishment Party, and the Turkish National Party, hold a rally from �20 January’ subway station to Galaba square. The action was supported by some non-governmental and youth organizations. The protestors voiced strict notes on the establishment of terms for holding free and fair democratic parliamentary elections. The notes also concerned the parties represented in Azadlyg party.
On 26 June Azerbaijan celebrated the establishment of the National Army. The current parameters of the Azerbaijani Army meets the international standards. The Azerbaijani military today successfully participates in peacemaking operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
A solemn ceremony was held at the Gulustan Palace of Baku on June 25 in connection with 87th anniversary of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. In his remarks Defense Minister Abiyev said that the Azerbaijani Army get more and more strengthened day by day and is ready to liberate the occupied lands thanks to care and attention attached by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Ilham Aliyev.
The same President Aliyev participated in a ceremony dedicated to graduation of High Military School. In he speech the President said that the government will always attach great importance and care of the armed forces. In 2003 the defense expenses comprised $135m, while in 2005 - $300m. The President promised the policy to continue in future. The head of state said that the Azerbaijani army is the most improved one throughout the South Caucasus. В"The enemy must know the Azerbaijani army is in condition to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan any time,” the commander-in-chief underlined.
On 26 June Azerbaijan celebrated the establishment of the National Army. The current parameters of the Azerbaijani Army meets the international standards. The Azerbaijani military today successfully participates in peacemaking operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
A solemn ceremony was held at the Gulustan Palace of Baku on June 25 in connection with 87th anniversary of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. In his remarks Defense Minister Abiyev said that the Azerbaijani Army get more and more strengthened day by day and is ready to liberate the occupied lands thanks to care and attention attached by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Ilham Aliyev.
The same President Aliyev participated in a ceremony dedicated to graduation of High Military School. In he speech the President said that the government will always attach great importance and care of the armed forces. In 2003 the defense expenses comprised $135m, while in 2005 - $300m. The President promised the policy to continue in future. The head of state said that the Azerbaijani army is the most improved one throughout the South Caucasus. В"The enemy must know the Azerbaijani army is in condition to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan any time,” the commander-in-chief underlined.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Tayyub Erdogan met on 30 June. An official welcoming ceremony was held in front of the President’s Administration, the state anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkey were played.
After the one-to-one there will be held talks in large with the participation of governmental delegations. As of totals of talks it is planned to hold a ceremony of signing of bilateral documents, as well as joint briefing of Aliyev and Erdogan.
Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Eyyub Erdogan visited Heydar Aliyev Park and put fresh wreathes to his monument. Hajibala Abutalibov, the Mayor of Baku, accompanied the Turkish PM in his visit.
During the tribute Erdogan was informed on architectural changes in the view of Baku. Taking questions from Erdogan the Baku Mayor in particular noted that the construction of dwelling complexes in Baku with consideration of seismic state of landscape.
In his remarks after the signing of the ceremony Aliyev stated that Erdogan’s visit to Azerbaijan would play considerable role in the development of bilateral relationships. The Azerbaijani leader appreciated the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey as a positive factor, benefiting not only the two states, but the entire region. He marked the implementation of big projects, as well as the role of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum oil and gas pipelines.
Erdogan in his turn assured that Turkey was always with Azerbaijan ad this policy will continue. Four agreements were signed in Baku on Thursday under the official visit of Rejep Tayyib Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, to Baku. These were a protocol on technical cooperation, an agreement on cooperation in the veterinary sphere, an agreement on copyright, as well as a joint communiquГ©. The last document was by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Erdogan.
The week was remembered with the boosting image of Asim Mollazada, a former vice chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (reformers), following the establishment of the Democratic Reforms Party (DRP). Though the Constituent Assembly of the Party was scheduled for 4 July the founders met with representatives of several international institutions in Baku. The course of developments show that the DRP will become a real political center in Azerbaijan soon. Mollazada and his team are eager to lead Azerbaijan ahead basing on fir intention and professionalism. This is the major peculiarity distinguishing the DRP.