Official news
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev received EUs trio. The head of state emphasized importance of the Troika visit to the Caucasus region, it has a special importance for Azerbaijan in its development of relations with EU.
The delegation head, Austrian foreign minister, Hans Winkler, noted that their visit to Baku has an aim of strengthen relations with Azerbaijan. He stressed, that EU considers relations with the South Caucasus as one its high priorities.
On April 21 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Steven Mann, American cochairman of OSCEs Minsk Group, Trend reports.
The sides exchanged opinions on the current state of conversation process on peaceful resolution of Armenian-Azeri conflict.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev accepted the American ambassador, Reno Harnish, who has terminated his service in the country, on April 21, Trend reports.
Harnish emphasized that relations between the 2 countries are developing successfully. The diplomat expressed his gratitude for attention he received while serving in Azerbaijan.
President thanked ambassador for his contribution in the development of bilateral relations and wished him successes in his future career.
Aliyev assured that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and US will continue to develop and that his future visit to Washington will make a valuable contribution in Azerbaijani- American relations.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Pope of Rome Benedictus XVI to congratulate him and all Catholic believers on the anniversary of enthronization.
I am sure that we will hence put every effort for the development of the Azerbaijani-Vatican relationships, further expansion of friendship and cooperation, the Azerbaijani president underlined in his letter.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today has issued an Easter message to the orthodox community of Azerbaijan.
The message, in particular, says: Members of the Christian community of our country demonstrate a stance of genuine citizens and great willingness to contribute to the process of strengthening independence of Azerbaijan, and building legal and democratic state. I am hopeful that all the citizens of our Republic, regardless of their language, religion and ethnic belonging, will continue to do worthily their duties to the Motherland, and not spare themselves for the sake of progress and happy future of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev gave interview to the chairman of the international TV-Radio company Mir, Viktor Senin.
President answered a number of questions on social, political and economic matters in the country.
A phone conversation between the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev and the Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko took place on April 20 at Ukraines initiative.
Ukrainian president informed his counterpart about the results of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
Aliyev in his turn congratulated his colleague with the successful termination of the elections, which were held in the democratic form.
Both presidents expressed satisfaction in the development of bilateral relations emphasizing the necessity to expand cooperation in the energy sector.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev accepted a delegation with the minister of defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mustafa Mohammed Najar on April 20.
Cooperation between the 2 countries is developing in political, economic, energetic and other areas and newly signed bilateral agreements are raising these relations at the new level, the president said.
Aliyev reminded about his meeting with the Iranian president, and noted that the 2 heads of states will have a chance to meet again in May at the meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member- states in Baku.
Iranian minister in his turn expressed gratitude of the Iranian president for inviting him to the ECO meeting.
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received on 19 April His Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Trend reports.
Prince El Hassan bin Talal said it was his second visit to Azerbaijan. The first visit was paid to Azerbaijan five years ago to familiarize with plight of refugees and IDPs. And during the visit, he was honored to meet with President Heydar Aliyev.
The Azerbaijani President noted with regret that the refugee problem is still one of the painful problems of Azerbaijan, noting the government has build new settlements for them. From this standpoint, the upcoming conference is of great importance, the President underlined.
Prince of Jordan informed that he would attend as the first Asian chairman of Rome club the conference to be held in Turkey on 1 May at the invitation of Turkish FM Abdullah Gul. He is going to hold discussions connected to importance of region.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 19 April received at President Office the delegation headed by Abdulkadir Aksu, Interior Minister of Turkey.
Expressing pleasure with visit of the fraternal countrys delegation, President Aliyev said he is aware of their programs and meetings. The President expressed satisfaction with the visits of top officials of Turkey to Azerbaijan and bilateral negotiations.
In his turn Aksu said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are fraternal countries and Turkey is always with Azerbaijan and this will continue. In the frame of common ties, we should continue our cooperation in combat against terrorism and organized crime, as well as trafficking.
Regarding settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Minister said Turkey would and henceforth support fair position of Azerbaijan and territorial integrity of country.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 19 April received delegation of the Academy of Latin Culture participating at the 13th international conference Azerbaijan: Dialogue among Civilizations of the Past and Present, April 19.
Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed pleasure to meet the guest, thanked for conducting the Conference in Baku. The Conference will open new opportunities to familiarize each other and your ideas will be well propagandized in region, President Aliyev said. Numerous peoples and believers of numerous faiths have been lived here in peace and friendship for centuries. And we are well aware of the topic of Conference. It is because Azerbaijan is one of the unique places where exist mutual respect and understanding. There is understanding among all the faiths.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev has been interviewed by the Turkish magazine, Ecovitrine, Trend reports.
The head of the state told about the high development rates of the Azerbaijani economy, implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi- Erzerum gas pipelines, attraction of the foreign investments into the economy and other important matters.
The Ecovitrine correspondents, Kamran Abajioglu and Sheref Ozag said that by the decision of the magazine` s jury, the president is awarded Eurasian Man of the year title. It is expected that the given award will be handed over to the president this May.
The Azerbaijani president has signed a decree appointing, Samir Sharifov as an Azerbaijani Finances Minister. With another decree he was relieved from the position of the State Oil Foundation head.
The current Finance minister, Avaz Alekrepov has been relieved from the position by the presidential decree.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev awarded Salman Jafarov, the senior state officer, former head of state control division at the Presidents Apparat, the Order of Fame, on 18 April, Trend reports.
The head of state expressed his gratitude to fruitful work in the government for many years.
In his turn Jafarov thanked the President for appreciation of his merits and recalled his activities under the leadership of former late President Heydar Aliyev.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree appointing Hajibali Sadigov as the chairman of the judicial commission of the Supreme Criminal court, Trend reports.
Another presidential decree appointed Ramzan Burjayev as the chairman of the judicial commission of the Supreme Martial Court.
And yet another decree appointed Hikmet Mirzayev as the chairman of the judicial commission of the Supreme Economic court.
Besides, Shalala Mamedova has been appointed as the chairman of the judicial commission of the Supreme Civil court.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev adopted Rules on State Marine Administration at the Cabinet of Ministers, Trend reports
The decree targeting provision of activities of the marine administration, charges the Cabinet of Ministers to adopt in 10 days the staff of the State Marine Administration and resolve all financial question this year, to draft and submit in a month to the President rules on bringing the existing standards acts in line with the exiting decree, resolve all issues coming out of the decree.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev has defined the composition of the Azerbaijani team for Azerbaijani- Polish commission on economic cooperation, Trend reports.
The economic development minister, Heydar Babayev has been appointed as the commission `s chairman. The vice ministers of foreign affairs, finances, culture and tourism, healthcare, agriculture, employees of the National Bank and representatives from Energy and industry ministry have been included in the commission.
Commission has been created to expand the economic ties between Poland and Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on structure and staff of the Emergency ministry, Trend reports.
Exact composition of staff and the ministries apparatus structure will be reflected in the decree. Its work will be financed by the state budget.
Salaries and other financial provision of the ministry` s staff; both military and civilians (including those with special titles) are equaled to those of staff of the Defense ministry.
The ministers cabinet is ordered to prepare and present to the president proposals on legal acts and other matters in connection with the presidential decree.
The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev has adopted a state program on strengthening social protection of the elderly people. The cabinet was ordered to review the relevant to the given program matters, Trend reports.
With another decree the head of state has defined the State program (for 2066-2010) on development of the creative potential of the gifted children. Education ministry has been chosen as the program` s coordinator.
Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, has signed the order on approval of regulations and structure of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and limitation of its staff number. Trend reports as per the order the limitation for this ministry is 110 established posts. Cabinet of Ministers is assigned to work out and submit proposals on bringing acting regulatory in line with the given order to President within one-month period of time.
President of Azerbaijan signed another order to approve the status and structure of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and setting limitation of its staff. The limitation for this ministry is 160 established posts. Cabinet of Ministers is assigned to work out and submit proposals on bringing acting regulatory in line with the given order to President within one-month period of time.
President also approved the regulation of the Ministry of Justice. Cabinet of Ministers is assigned to work out and submit proposals on bringing acting regulatory in line with the given order to President within one-month period of time.
Foreign policy
Preparations for the forthcoming visit of the Polish Foreign Minister, Stephan Meller, are underway, Voyzekh Guretskiy, an adviser of the Polish embassy in Azerbaijan told Trend.
Poland has informed Azerbaijan a concrete date of the visit, which is scheduled for the second week of June. We are waiting for a reply of the Azerbaijani side, the diplomat underscored.
During the visit it is planned to discuss the perspectives of the upgrade of bilateral political, economic and cultural relationships between the two countries, as well as conduct the consultations. The diplomat said that no document was scheduled for signing during the visit.
The diplomats of the two countries will set up development of a program and agenda of talks shortly.
The official visit of the Lithuanian president, Valdas Adamkus to Azerbaijan will take place in June, the vice press-service head of the Lithuanian president, Lina Gorbacioviene told Trend.
Initially, the visit had to happen on April 18-19, but it was postponed due to the political situation in Lithuania, she said. Adamkus is also expected to visit Armenia on April 25-26, she added.
Iran is a regional country, regional leader and we suppose that the resolution of the issue on Iran through diplomatic way has not exhausted yet, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, has recently told journalists in Moscow. Any country has a right for peaceable development of nuclear energy under the control of MAGATE, the minister underlined.
Concerning the possible discussion of the issue on Iran during the Azerbaijani President official visit to the United States, Mammadyarov said that it can be sounded in the context of regional policy. We do not have problem with the neighboring Iran. We have common border and we use it as an only route for cargo delivery to Nakhchican [Azerbaijans enclave], which was isolated from Azerbaijan as a result of a conflict with Armenia. Iran is our nearest neighbor and many economic and cultural ties, history and religion, and many Azerbaijanis reside there, he underscored.
I hope during the talks Washington Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will be able to explain the American on the necessity of thinking of the position in respect to Iran, the Iranian Defense Minister, Mostafa Muhammad Najjar, stated after the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku on 20 April.
Iran has never sought mediators in the relationships with the United States. The Azerbaijani President will touch upon large scope of issues, including these of regional character. However, so far we [Iran] has never sought mediation services, Najjar underlined.
Washington has been making pressures on Tehran for 27 years, whilst the statements by US officials do not frighten Iran. We are ready to defeat any threat, the Iranian Defense Minister underscored.
Azerbaijan is Irans friendly neighbor and Tehran is interested in the development relationship with Baku, the Iranian Ministers stressed.
There does not exist any problem between Iran and Azerbaijan, excluding some technical gaps which will be removed as far possible, the Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Afshar Suleymani, told journalists in Baku on 20 April.
Tehran and Baku are working in the direction of search of new opportunities for expansion of cooperation in many spheres, including in the defense sector.
We try to remove the brakes on the way of implementation of the agreements, including the agreement on the Iran-Azerbaijan military cooperation signed a year ago, the Iranian diplomat added.
My visit to Azerbaijan is targeting at extension of Iranian-Azeri cooperation in defense sphere, reportedly said Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, Iranian Minister of Defense upon his arrival in Baku on April 19.
The minister said the visit was arranged by official invitation from Azeri Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev.
В"Azerbaijan and Iran are two brotherly countries, and our relationships are progressing in all spheres including defenseВ",- Najjar said.
He said the sides would discuss the issues relatively to mutual agreement on military and technical cooperation signed a year ago. One of key objectives is to extend cooperation, and the sides are planning to examine the current situation and future actions, as well as speak of the further steps and solve all possible problems in relationship.
Najjar also stated the possibility of signing a new agreement including the issues not covered by previous document.
Azeri Minister of Exterior Elmar Mamedyarov met with Al-Hasan ben Talal, Prince of Jordan Hashemite Kingdom.
Trend reports with reference to press center of the Ministry of exterior, in the course of the conversation the Minister stated the soon opening of Azeri Embassy to Jordan.
The Minister expressed his confidence in representation of Jordan by the highest-level delegation at forthcoming 33rd Conference of ministers of Exterior of member-countries of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be held in Baku.
Having informed the guest of economic development and macroeconomic indices of Azerbaijan, Mamedyarov outlined the leading role the republic plays in the projects executed in the region. Al-Hasan ben Talal stressed the necessity in parallel development of economic branches and shared his opinion on forthcoming 33rd Conference of ministers of Exterior of member-countries of Organization of Islamic Conference. The guest also spoke of the significance of development of civil society and private sector in Moslem countries and touched the importance of OICs position strengthening.
Having agreed with the guest, Mamedyarov outlined extension of OICs activity and promotion of Islamic states position. At the meeting it was noted that through centuries Moslem, Christian and Jewish communities have been coexisting peacefully in our country.
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al Feysal will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in June 2006, Trend reports citing the Saudi Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ali Hassan Jaffar.
According to the Ambassador, the Saudi FM will visit Azerbaijan to participate in a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member-states due in Baku. At present the preparations for the visit are underway. The Minister also intends to hold bilateral meting with the Azerbaijan officials.
The diplomat said that on 5-6 May a delegation of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will pay a visit to Jeddah to attend a meeting of experts of the OIC member-countries targeting preparation for a forthcoming gathering of the Foreign Ministers of the organization.
New special representative to EC Secretary General for Azerbaijan is to be appointed in the closest time, officials of ECs Baku office told Trend.
В"This matter is within the competence of Terry Davis, Secretary General. We are waiting the soonest appointmentВ", the office employees said.
Matts Lindberg, former special representative to EC Secretary General, confirmed the information on appointment of new representative during the conversation with Trends correspondent in Strasburg. However, he said, new representatives name is not disclosed yet.
PACEs readers of supplementary reports for Azerbaijan are going to visit Baku following the reelections to Milli Medjlis (parliament) of the country, Estonian speaker Andres Herkel told Trend.
В"Me and Andreas Gross (PACEs speaker from Switzerland - Trend) will come to Bank as speakers following the reelectionsВ", - Herkel said, adding that this matter had already been coordinated.
As to involvement of speakers in PACEs monitoring mission, Herkel said this matter is linked to reduction of number of observers from 40 to 20. В"Nevertheless, we stay in Azerbaijan till the end of MayВ", - he concluded.
Namik Aliyev, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Georgia, took his office on 17 April, Elkhan Polukhov, the spokesman for the Azerbaijani embassy in Tbilisi told Trend.
In compliance with the protocol, in the beginning the copies of credentials will be presented to the Georgia Foreign Minister and then will be admitted by the President of this country. Polukhov did not rule out that within a week the Ambassador will meet with the Georgian Foreign Minister, Gela Bezhuashvili.
A decree on the appointment of Aliyev the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Georgia was issued on 29 March 2006.
Ukrainian President Victor Yushenko may visit Azerbaijan just after the government there ha bee formed, Trend reports with reference to Sabuhi Temirov, advisor of Azerbaijans Embassy to Ukraine.
Mr Temirov said the government should be formed to arrange documents to be signed in the course of forthcoming visit, as well as preparation of the visit itself.
Prior to the presidents visit, Mr Temirov said, intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation shall consider the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Azeri official said the cochairman of the commission has already been appointed from Ukrainian side but his work is temporary as following the new government formation the members of the commission will he replaced.
Preparation to the meeting of GUA national coordinators (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) is going on, Trend reports with reference to Sabuhi Temirov, Azerbaijans permanent representative to GUAM.
In the course of he meeting held on the eve of late-May GUAM summit in Kiev it is scheduled to discuss the agenda of the meeting of heads of states, which will be adjusted by national coordinators and submitted to ministries of Exterior, which, in turn, should approve it for the further consideration at the summit itself, Mr Temirov said.
Ukrainian Ministry of exterior, he continued, had already established a summit committee that already started arrangement operations. Ukrainian side has offered the concrete dates of the summit to be held May 22 to 23, and this date is still being considered.
At the summit it is expected to approve some regulations to transform GUAM into an international organization. In this connection, prior to the summit the member-countries representatives shall meet to finally agree on the agenda and documents to be signed
A meeting of the Azerbaijani-Georgian state commission on demarcation and delimitation started in Tbilisi on 17 April, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.
Khalaf Khalafov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, also the co-chair of the state commission, will lead the Azerbaijani delegation in the talks.
Issues of cooperation between Vatican and Azerbaijan were discussed on April 17 meeting of Azerbaijani foreign minister, Elmar Mammedyarov and the Vatican ambassador to Azerbaijan, Claudio Guggeretti, the ministry press-service told Trend.
Guggeretti announced the intensions of Vatican to expand the bilateral relations and develop cultural cooperation with Azerbaijan.
The Minister informed his guest about the progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation stressing the importance of solving the conflict on the basis of international principles and norms.
The Iranian President Mahmud Ahmedinejdet will participate in the ECO meeting due in Baku on 4-5 May. He will hold bilateral meetings with the heads of OEC countries.
A Kazakh delegation headed by the PM, Daniel Akhmedov will take part in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit on May 4-5 in Baku, the Kazakh embassy` s in Baku advisor, Erjan Mukash told Trend.
The Kazakh PM is planning to meet his Azerbaijani counterpart and the head of the state.
Heads of the Kazakh state bodies and their deputies will be among the delegation. Current bilateral relations will be discussed at the meeting, he said.
Kazakhstan also has plans to join the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Mukash added. Talks in that area are now underway.
Three year that I have spend in Azerbaijan have been very beneficial for the development of ties between Washington and Baku, the American ambassador, Reno Harnish told at his press-conference on April 21, dedicated to the termination of his diplomatic service in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
I believe that connections between Azerbaijan and US became closer in the last years. The joint struggle with terrorism a sheer example of that, he said, noting that another important field for cooperation is development of democratic institutions in the country.
US were supporting and will support Azerbaijan positions in different areas, including the matter of entering the World Trade Organization, Harnish assured.
Ambassador also focused on the future visit of the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev to Washington, expressing confidence those 3 days that the head of state will spend in US will make our countries even closer allies.
The given visit is not dedicated to some particular problem, like Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or regional matters, rather it will cover a wide specter of issues, Harnish informed, emphasizing that bilateral relations will continue to develop on mutual trust and respect principles.
Jason Highland has been appointed the US charge daffaires in Azerbaijan, Jonathan Henick, the spokesman for the US embassy in Azerbaijan, told Trend.
US Ambassador Reno Hanirsh, who is accomplishing his tenure in Baku, will leave Azerbaijan on 24 April. Highland, assistant to the Ambassador, will head the diplomatic mission in Baku during his absence.
Henick noted that date of arrival of the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan was still to be defined. Last week the US president nominated the candidacy of Anne Derse to the post of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
The issue will be considered and adopted at the US Congress and Senate in coming weeks. After, the date of arrival of new US Ambassador to Azerbaijan will be defined.
A Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reporter on women rights in the South Caucasus, Vera Oskina held meetings in the Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis on April 21, Trend reports citing Space channel.
Issues of women rights protection in Azerbaijan and their role in social and political life of the country have been discussed. Oskina called the gender equality situation in the country as satisfactory.
Treatment of women in Azerbaijan is in positive sense different from that in some other CE countries. Respect to mothers is one of the reasons keeping the abortion rates low, she stated.
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
European Union (EU) is interested in cooperating with Azerbaijan, which is clearly seen in its new plan of action within the frames of the
EU New Neighborhood policy, and we hope that the given plan will be adopted before the start of Finlands chairmanship in EU, the Austrian state foreign secretary, Hans Winkler told at his press-conference in Baku on April 22, Trend reports.
Perspectives of expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan have been discussed at the current talks. EU is interested in Azerbaijani energy resources as we are diversifying our energy supplies, Winkler said.
Speaking about Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said that realizes that this problem has brought a lot of grief to Azerbaijani people, EU is interested in solving this conflict on the international law principles and for a long period.
EU will make all possible to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said, and therefore, it has extended the special mandate of its representative at the South Caucasus, Peter Semnebi.
Today the total amount of EU aid to Azerbaijan is 20 million EURO and in general EU allocated more than 400 million EURO for the past years.
EU commission has also noted about the EU position on implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi- Akhalkali railroad project. The given project was not our priority. Though, if the 3 states have reached such agreement we can not deny, they concluded.
There is some animation felt in the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution problem after the talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Rambui (France). Both sides have to reach a joint agreement and only after that Brussels will be ready to help, the EU special envoy to South Caucasus, Peter Semnebi told at the press-conference in Baku on April 22, Trend reports.
EU will take the significant part in the conflict resolution issues, he assured.
EU has necessary levers to render assistance, Semnebi said, adding that EU potential of developing closer ties with the South Caucasian states is not fully used exactly due to such conflicts.
He reminded that in comparison to his predecessor, Heikki Talvitie, his mandate has been expanded in order to sustain the peaceful resolution of the conflict. This again proves how interested EU is in peaceful resolution, he concluded.
Elmar Mammadyariv, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, intends to hold consultations in Moscow on 21 April with Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.
The consultations will be held as part of one day stay of Mammadyarov in Moscow with respect to attend a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers. They will discuss actual aspects pf the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The American co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk group, Steven Mann met the Azerbaijani foreign minister, Elmar Mammedyarov on April 22 in Baku.
Issues of the current state of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation have been discussed at the meeting.
New proposals are unlikely to sound during Washingtons conversations on resolution of Armenian-Azeri conflict, Trend reports quoting Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov, who was speaking in Moscow commenting the forthcoming official visit of Azeri President to the USA.
В"Positions Azerbaijan was standing on last 15 years remain the same. We always stated and keep stating that the problem shall be resolved in compliance with international legislation and resolutions issued by UN Security Council and OSCE. There is no doubt that if we want to resolve the conflict once and for all, the resolution shall be based on legislation alone. Arbitrators are trying to find contact points to get us closerВ", - minister said.
Attempts to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict militarily will negatively affect the whole region and official Washington is against such policy, the American ambassador, Reno Harnish told at his press-conference on April 21, dedicated to the termination of his diplomatic service in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
I never considered this conflict as a frozen one and as an American representative I announce that Washington is ready to render any possible assistance in peaceful resolution of the problem, the ambassador said.
Speaking about the military trainings at the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the American diplomat told that any initiatives or attempts to escalate the situation in the region should be prevented as they may lead to resumption of the conflict, Harnish said.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have reached some headway in the talks in the frames of the negotiating process. US will continue to support the long term resolution of the conflict, the ambassador said.
Nagorno-Karabakh issue may be discussed at summer session of PACE, Trend reports quoting MP Eldar Ibrahimov, member of Azeri delegation to PACE.
PACEs summer session will be held in Brussels on July 3 through 7.
The deputy said the delegation aims at putting on agenda the issue on recognition of Armenia as an occupier country by OSCE. В"Still, we dont have an idea on issues to be discussed at summer sessionВ", - Ibrahimov said. Representatives of parliaments of 2-3 states shall sign up to put this issue on agenda of summer session of PACE.
Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Central Asian countries are going to support Azerbaijans cause. В"Last year we tried to raise Nagorno-Karabakh issue at last years session in Washington, but failed. Goran Lenmarker, PACEs speaker on Nagorno-Karabakh, was also unwilling to raise this issue. This time will must succeedВ", - Ibrahimov said.
Last statements from Armenian Foreign Minister V. Oskanyan are constructive and show the commitment to the peaceful conversation process, Trend reports quoting Tair Tagizadeh, head of information and press, Azeri Foreign Ministry.
On April Oskanyan reportedly said В"f Azerbaijan recognizes Nagorno-Karabakhs peoples right for independent identification of their future status, Armenia is ready to make serious conversations on resolution of war consequencesВ". And two days back he said the following: В"In case Azerbaijan agrees that Nagorno-Karabakhs people have the right for self-determination that may be embodied not today, but in the future, Armenian side is ready to discuss the most important war issues today grounds, refugees and so onВ".
В"This statement witnesses Armenians intention to actively participate in peace conversations on resolution of Armenian-Azeri conflict, - said Tagizadeh, - This statement is de facto the evidence of commitment to stage-by-stage resolution. It is known that stage-by-stage process stipulates Armenian forces withdrawal from grounds surrounding Nagorno Karabakh. It also includes a mass of accompanying elements like mine clearing, communications recovery, return of forced migrants and ensuring their safety. And second issue is definition of Nagorno Karabakhs statusВ".
We highly appreciate the Big Eight attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the vice foreign minister, Araz Azimov told journalist, commenting the fact that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict might be included on the Big Eight meeting agenda, that is due to take place in Saint-Petersburg, Trend reports.
The fact that the conflict issue might be raised at the meeting, may have a huge political influence on the resolution of conflict, he said. Besides, from the economic point of view the Big Eight` s assistance in the infrastructure reconstruction on the occupied territories may prove vital, the vice minister said.
However, if the Armenian leadership won` t show any comprehension, the Big Eight just as any other structure would barely be able to affect the outcome, the diplomat concluded.
US Ambassador Steven Mann, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, held consultations at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 19 April, a group on Nagorno-Karabakh at the Russian Foreign Ministry told Trend.
The consultations were held with the participation of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin and the Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OSCE Minsk Group. The talks focused on coordination of actions in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, the United States and France) and further steps on moving ahead the resolution process.
Similar consultations were held in Moscow on 14 April as a result of the visit of French Ambassador Bernard Fassie, OSCE Minsk Group co-chair.
Azerbaijan has not officially received from Washington proposals on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports citing Araz Asimov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, as saying to journalists.
No document, or a project in form of new proposals, has been presented to Azerbaijan. They have only proposed concrete ideas on the establishment of normal relationships with Armenia on the completion of the military conflict, he stressed.
The Deputy FM noted that the liberation of the Azerbaijani territory will become the first step in the resolution of the conflict. Azerbaijan does not support war. We are interested in continuing peace talks on the resolution of the problems, the diplomat underlined.
Discussion of a document on the 1-year imprisonment of the citizens nor recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide at the French parliament will lead to violation of rights of thousands of people residing in the territory of this country, MP Asim Mollazade, the chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party.
The document was submitted to the consideration of the French parliament on 21 April.
Legalizing the issue which has not serious historic grounds, the French parliament pursues the objective of one small ethnic group. I think is greatly damages the French-Turkish relationships and at the same time contradicts the European values, Mollazade underlined.
It is necessary to conduct concrete work to tackle it. The Azerbaijani-French interparliamentary group should maintain the issue on agenda. I hope relevant work will be done jointly with the Turkish parliamentarians in this direction. The document not only violated the rights of people residing in France, but also contradicts the countrys interests, Mollazade underlined.
Concerning the representation of France in the OSCE Minsk Group Mollazade said that the composition of the co-chairs was shaped in a wrong way and this organization cannot be successful.
Political life
The number of candidates to run for re-run parliamentary elections scheduled for 13 May 2006 reached 137, the Central Elections Commission told Trend .
On 21 April Khoshgadam Bashaliyeva recalled his candidature.
Along with the editor-in-chief of Uch Nogte newspaper, Bakhshaliyeva, asif Marzali the editor-in-chief of Tazadlar newsapper also recalled his candudacy
Central Election Commission (CEC) registered 315 observers to control parliamentary reelections, Trend reports quoting Mazahir Panakhov, CEC chairman.
Panakhov said CEC-authorized observers might control each of 10 districts where reelections are taking place. Besides, there are more than 600 observers registered by district election commissions. They may control just over the area of these districts.
Containers with transparent inks for re-run parliamentary elections brought to the country on April 20, the head of the international affairs department of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Rovzat Gasimov told Trend.
Inks were brought from USA. The operation has been financed by IFES- International Fund for Electoral System. Inks are needed to mark the fingers of voters as it has been done during the previous parliamentary elections held in 10 districts of the country. The given procedure is applied in order to prevent voters from giving their votes twice. 900 small ink containers have been ordered by CEC in the United States.
Azeri representation of International Republican Institute already hired 220 people to perform an exit poll at parliamentary reelections on May 13. Trend reports non-party men adhering to neutral policy were selected to perform the job.
However, in order to verify the interrogators affiliation their lists will be delivered to political parties.
Apart from International Republican Institute, no organization yet stated the future performance of exit poll
Dallas Frochribe, program manager with International Republican Institute (IRI) led the workshop for referents of Milli Medjlis on April 22, Trend reports with reference to IRI officials.
In the workshop were partaking deputies referents from New Azerbaijan Party, Peoples Front of Azerbaijan and Yurddash party, as well as 11 assistants to 10 independent candidates running for parliament at reelections of May 13.
Frochribe performed lectures on democracy, powers division, sources of power, as well as on roles and work of referents. Each lecture was followed with discussions.
Tthe workshop was organized within the program for joint work of parliament and IRI.
Advisory medjlis (council) organized a scientific-practical conference В"Heydar Aliyev and todays AzerbaijanВ", Trend reports with reference to chairman of Advisory medjlis Mamed Alizadeh.
Alizadeh said also due to the forthcoming birthday of ex-president Heydar Aliyev on May 10, a number of actions would be arranged on April 18 through May 7. В"First action started today from visiting Heydar Aliyevs grave in the Honorary Burial Alley After visiting the grave, we led a scientific-practical conference in Baku Management and Technology CollegeВ", - he said.
Chairman of Advisory medjlis said the conference was matched with speeches that described attention and care Heydar Aliyev displayed for youth of Azerbaijan. In the conference were partaking the representatives of executive power of Narimanov district, officials of ruling New Azerbaijan Party and other political parties.
Another nominee from the second Nizami (Ganja) electoral district has called back her candidature. The nominee Arifa Abbasova retrieved her candidature on April 12, the electoral district told Trend.
She has called back her candidature in favor of Asaf Hadjiyev, district` s chairman, Ibrahim Jafarov told Trend. Her application has been accepted.
13 candidates are now competing for mandates from the second Nizami (Ganja) electoral district # 38. Besides, 110 observers have been registered in the district and their registration still goes on.
New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) arranged a conference entitled Azerbaijans development: subtotals and prospects in Park Inn. Trend reports on the conference were partaking NAPs executives, deputies, heads of parties and rectors of higher education institutions.
Opening the conference, deputy chairman of NP Ali Ahmedov said of Azerbaijans economic development. He stressed that the president-chosen course resulted in good results for various sectors of Azerbaijans economy.
Further, Academician Ziya Samedzadeh, chairman of permanent parliamentary group for economic policy, spoke on В"Thoughts about Azerbaijans economy development model in XXI centuryВ". Besides, Rasim Nabiyev was speaking on В"Features and prospects of transition period economyВ", Mushvig Atakishiyev spoke on В"Azerbaijans oil strategy and its social and political subtotalsВ" and Rasul Balayev spoke on В"Information aspects of dynamical progressingВ". In their speeches economists analyzed Azerbaijan dynamical development.
The next meeting of Milli Mejlis took place on April 21. 10 issues were on the agenda, Trend reports.
The first project under discussion was draft law on population register introduced by the chairman of the permanent commission on human rights in parliament, Rabiyat Aslanova. The given project has been supplemented and amended by the MPs in the second reading, she said. The document was adopted after the voting.
The second issue was a protocol on tax evasion and double taxation of the property and revenues between Azerbaijan and Iceland, it was introduced by the permanent chairman of the economic policy commission, Ziyad Samadzadeh. He said that adoption of the document will boost the cooperation in economic area between the 2 countries. The document was adopted after the voting.
The third issue was on partial change of the administrative borders of Evlax, Terter, Beylagan and Agjabedi districts was presented by the chairman of the regional matters commission, Arif Rahimzadeh. The document provided 112 hectares of Terter district to Evlax and 500 hectares from Agjabedi to Beylagan. The document was adopted after the voting.
The fourth issue- on the medal for excellent service in the interior services was presented by the chairman of the permanent commission on legal policy and state building, Ali Huseynov. He said that interior body employees serving for 10-20 years will be awarded the medals. Three types of the medal are defined: the first degree medal for 20 years of service, second degree for 15 years and third for 10 years in service.
Discussions were held to clarify all these issues. MP, Aydin Mirzazadeh, suggested changes into the name of the medal and into its decoration as well. Other MPs came up with different proposals. The document was adopted after the voting.
The Musavat party chairman, Isa Gambar met the US National Democratic Institute director in Azerbaijan, Amy Shultz on April 17 in the party head- quarters, Musavat told Trend.
Situation on the eve of re-run parliamentary elections, preparations to elections and perspectives of bilateral relations have been discussed at the meeting.
Chairman` s deputies, Arif Hadjili and Sulhaddin Akbar took part at the meeting.
Political coordination center of opposition (PCCO) has led a round table Influence of new regional situation on Azerbaijan, expected changes in Karabakh problem on April 17. Trend reports that state deputies and representative of Azadlyg political block were partaking at the session.
The session was opened up by Faradj Guliyev PCCO cofounder and leader of National Renascence Movement. He spoke on influence of the current regional situation in Karabakh problem. To speed up the resolution of the problem, Azerbaijan should change the course it adheres to now.
Speaking after him, deputies Nasib Nasibli and Fazil Gazanfarogli said of tension between the USA and IRI and importance of such situation for Azerbaijan. In case this conflict turns into a war Azerbaijan will be in a great danger.
The word then was given to Sardar Djalalogli, first deputy chairman of Democratic party, but Mr Djalalogli denied. В"I havent prepared to speak on this issue in publicВ", - Mr Djalalogli explained.
At the session the politicians demanded the state inform the public on the process of conversations on resolution of Karabakh problem.
Unud party has led an all-republican session. Trend reports that the main purpose of the session was making discussions on resolution of political conflicts in Azerbaijan.
Speaking at the session, Umuds chairman and parliament deputy Igbal Agazadeh said of the concern caused by statements sounded last time by international organizations that the4 year 2006 is the year of Karabakh conflict resolution. In his speech Mr Agazadeh said of rising tension between the USA and Iran, influence of regional situation on Azerbaijan and the possibility of using this situation in favor of our republic.
Speaking at the session, deputy chairman Nasimi Mamedli has instructed leaders of aerial sections on some organizational issues.
At the congress of Liberal Party of Azerbaijan (LPA) to take place this year, a new action program will be approved, Trend reports quoting Avaz Temirkhan, acting head of LPA.
Temirkhan said of revisions to be made in LPAs Code. Also, members of the party will elect a chairman and discuss organization issues.
A number of structural changes is expected in LPA. For example, Executive Committee may be dismissed due to restoration of chairmans position.
Temirkhan said also the date and agenda of the congress will be defined at the session of LPAs Political Council.
A meeting of the Political Board of the Democratic Reforms Party was held on 19 April 2006. The gathering focused on public and political situation in the country, problems linked with re-run parliamentary elections.
Members of the Political Board also had an exchange of opinions in connection with the new possible variants of resolution and proposals on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
Moreover, the Political Board also discussed the establishment of new regional branches
The natural wealth and unique forests in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan are exploited by Armenians, MP Asim Mollazade, the chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party (DRP) told Trend.
He noted that unique forests in the occupied districts of Azerbaijan Zangelan and Kelbajar, while gold mines are being developed in Kelbajar. Mollazade announced that one company is involved in the development of gold mines through violating the international rule of law.
Mollazade informed some international organizations on the illegal and aggressive actions by separatists
During stay in Strasbourg and meeting with representatives of some liberal parties of Europe, the European Parliament and Council of Europe I informed about it. The damage made by Armenians on the natural wealth and flora of Azerbaijan in its Armenian-occupied territory must be investigated and necessary measures should be taken, MP stressed.
The Democratic Reforms party (DRP) chairman, Asim Mollahzadeh met the program director of the International Institute of Republicans, Dallas Frohrib on April 20, DRP press-service told Trend.
Social and political situation in the country, re-run parliamentary elections and perspectives of cooperation between the two structures have been discussed at the meeting.
Forhrib informed Mollazadeh about the exit-poll, which the International Institute of Republicans will hold in 10 electoral districts on the day of re-run parliamentary elections. Whereas, Mollazadeh explained about the preparations for elections and organizational works within the party.
Attempts to gain more popularity and stay on the front pages using Ramil Safarov` s factor are inappropriate, the Ana Veten party (AVP) chairman, MP, Fazil Agamali told Trend.
He noted that the case of the convicted Azerbaijani officer should be decided within the legal area and his defense should focus around the single center.
There should not be divided efforts. On the other hand I am against using this situation in order to gain more political popularity and staying on the political agenda, as this case is a matter of honor. We have a common enemy and therefore we should stop all the recriminations.
He argued that if the given matter will be raised in parliament it should not spill out of accepted norms. However, it would be appreciated if MPs will come out with exact proposals and only on the base of these proposals parliament should make its decisions.
The next meeting of the People` s Front party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) will be held this year, the first depute chairman of the party, Fuad Mustafayev told Trend. Preparations for the meeting already started and first stage of the process is underway, he said.
All PFPA leadership will be present at the meeting, Mustafayev assured. Future work of the party and development plans will be under discussion.
Organizational committee to prepare for the meeting has been created and discussions for questions to the regional organizations on organizational matters are now held, he concluded the statement.
It is not necessary to replace the staff of Central Election Commission (CEC) today, Trend reports quoting MP Sabir Gadjiyev, head of Civil Unity Party (CUP)
Opposition and head of OSCEs Baku office Maurizio Pavesi suggested reformation of CEC.
Head of CUP said no document had been submitted to the parliament to date regarding reformation of CEC, and it is untimely to speak of it. В"Each regulation, including Election Code, may be revised, but not todayВ", - Gadjiyev said. CECs staff change is not so a principal matter, he added.
Gadjiyev said also it is incorrect to treat this matter in a view of commission members affiliation.
The second conference of the National Survival Movement of South Azerbaijan will be held in Germany in May 2006, Trend reports.
The major theme of discussions will be the strengthening of our compatriots residing in Iran. The forum will also focus on introduction of changes to the steering bodies of the Movement. After the conference the chairman f the movement, Mahmudali Chohraganli will pay a visit to Azerbaijan.
MP Igbal Agazadeh, head of Umud party, met with Lora Shiby, Political Advisor to US Ambassador, Trend reports with reference to Umuds officials.
On the meeting the sides spoke of political situation, reelections in Azerbaijan and US-Azeri relationships.
The sides exchanged opinions on relationships between the USA and Iran that still grow tense, and on protection of rights of our compatriots residing in South Azerbaijan.
By invitation of Irans Parliament, heads of Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA) and Vahdat Party were partaking in the conference dedicated to protection of rights of people of Guds and Palestine, Trend reports quoting to Gadjiaga Nuri, head of IPA.
Nuri said representatives of 50 states were partaking in the conference: В"Prior to the conference we met with Irans President and Parliament speaker, and after the conference with chief religious officials of the country, - he added.
Nuri also stressed at these meetings Irans authorities had spoken with them in Turkish and asked of social and political situation in Azerbaijan. Azeri delegation, in turn, spoke of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia invasion policy.
Nuri said upon the meeting with chief religious authority of Iran the latter invited his to make a pilgrimage to Meshhed. В"I and Vahdats president Tahir Kerimli visited MeshhedВ".
The chief of the party said also of conversations on Nagorno-Karabakh performed with heads of Moslem states during the conference.
State building
The Azerbaijan parliament speaker, Oktay Asadov met with Iranian defense minister, Mustafa Mohammed Najar, Trend reports.
Asadov mentioned that Azerbaijani- Iranian cooperation is developing in all sectors and indicated that the inter-parliamentary commission is reviewing the possibility of expanding the trade ties with Iran.
Najar in his turn expressed gratitude for the humanitarian aid Azerbaijan dispatched to the earthquake affected regions of Iran.
He confirmed that Iran has always been supporting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and it will continue to do so.
The Azerbaijani defense minister, general colonel, Safar Abiyev met with the Defense minister of the Islamic republic of Iran, Mustafa Mohammed Najjar, who has arrived with the official visit to Azerbaijan. No documents have been signed at the meeting, Trend reports.
Abiyev reminded his guest about the official visit of the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev to the Islamic Republic of Iran on January, 2005. This visit served as an impetus for broader cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan in all areas including military one, Abiyev said.
He also mentioned about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict stressing that Azerbaijan prefers peaceful resolution. However, if negotiations won` t yield fruits, Azerbaijan will use other methods, he said.
Iranian minister expressed hope that his visit will assist to the increase of bilateral cooperation.
The Azerbaijani Defense minister, general colonel, Safar Abiyev has accepted the extreme and plenipotentiary US ambassador, Reno Harnish on April 17. The reason for meeting was an end of Harnish` s diplomatic service in the country, the ministry press-service told Trend.
The minister emphasized the development of bilateral ties during the ambassador `s service, including development of the military connections. Speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict he noted that US have to make more efforts towards its peaceful resolution within the international law frames and territorial integrity of the state. I believe that the visit of the American co-chairman, Mann will positively affect the regulation process, Abiyev said.
Harnish confirmed that relations between the two countries are strategic ones. And the visit of the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev to US will give an impetus to the development of cooperation between our countries, he said.
Perspectives of future cooperation between the 2 states have been discussed at the meeting. Abiyev thanked Harnish for his diplomatic service and wished him the best in his future career.
Azerbaijan and Turkey decided to implement a joint anti-terrorism concept. Interior ministers from the two countries have discussed this matter at the meeting in Baku on April 19, Trend reports.
Azerbaijan Interior minister, Ramil Usubov and Turkish interior minister, Abdulcadir Aksu have discussed security and crime prevention measures. Usubov has reminded that relations between the 2 countries have started since 1991.
The Azerbaijani interior ministry is constantly studying the experience of its Turkish counterpart. More than 200 interior troops employees have received education in Turkey. During the last 9 years, more than 100 interior staff participated at seminars, round tables, trainings conducted in Turkey. We always receive aid from Turkey, he said.
He said that the criminal situation in the country is fully controlled by the government and crime levels have decreased for the past 10 years.
His Turkish counterpart in his turn has expressed concern that in recent years Azerbaijan just as Turkey is actively used as a transit point for drug trafficking and other crimes. In order to stop that law enforcers in both countries should cooperate with each other.
Both ministers agreed to have the similar problem of terrorism struggle, creating the serious instability in the world and in the region, threatening the sovereignty and territorial safety of countries, illegal drug and arms trafficking and other criminal activities.
Ministers expressed confidence that achievement of success in the terrorism struggle only possible via international cooperation and deceded to implement a concept of joint struggle including the information exchange in the area.
Lieutenant General Eldar Mahmudov, the Azerbaijani National Security minister, received the Turkish Interior Minister, Abdulkadir Aksu, on Wednesday evening, Trend reports. The Minister informed about the work done for ensuring security, protection of stability and crime enforcement in the country.
Mahmudov spoke about the measures taken for neutralization of organized transnational criminal groups having close contacts with the international terror groups, as well as Azerbaijans sequential role in anti-terror coalition as an active participant.
The Minister informed the guest about the criminal situation the region, factors affecting it, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and negative outcomes of the non-control areas.
The Turkish Interior Minister announced that such meetings assumed special importance in the definition of perspectives of development of cooperation between the relevant bodies of the two countries in fighting traditional crime, including international terror.
A list of organizations that will compose the structure, central apparatus of the emergency ministry has been published, Trend reports.
They include: state fire prevention service, state fire control service, civil defense troops, material reserves agency, and state agency on building safety control, industrial and mining safety control agency, state inspection for small vessels, state marine rescue service.
Some other agencies have also been included into the new ministry: military guards service, Caspian rescue and accident control service, Izotop special workshop, operative- investigational service, central laboratory, building service, educational service, medical service and sport- recreational club, and regional centers and organizations with appropriate accreditation.
Azerbaijan has drawn an exact strategy of fighting Armenians misappropriation of its cultural values, Trend reports quoting Azeri Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev that spoke April 21 at the round table dedicated to International Day of Book and Authors rights.
Through the years neighbor country has misappropriated Azerbaijans history, music, national cuisine, historical monuments and so; the government may not leave this mater without attention, minister said claiming Azerbaijans intelligentsia, as well as world-famous actors and art workers shall help the government to relieve this matter. Different public and governmental structures should work in this direction, address various intentional agencies, demanding stop this aggression, Garayev said.