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WEEKLY POLITICAL REVIEW

Politics Materials 11 July 2006 12:03 (UTC +04:00)

Official news

The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on July 5 received the Georgian prime minister Zurab Nogaideli. The guest mentioned the successful development of then bilateral relations in different spheres, Trend reports.

The Georgian prime minister who noted that the economical relations of the two countries reflect potential not only for development of oil sector, but also other sphere voiced his confidence that the economic cooperation of Azerbaijan and Georgia will develop in the future.

President Aliyev who mentioned the development of economic relations with Georgia pointed out that his visit to the country created opportunity for discussion of various economic projects. Aliyev ruled out that the cooperation of the two countries in the realization of energy projects serve the strengthening of economic relations.

On July 6, the president of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev conferred compositor, peoples artist Vasif Adgozalov order Istiglal (Independence). Aliyev noted that he has conferred Adgozalov order almost a year ago and now wants to present it, Trend reports.

Expressing his gratitude to Aliyev, Adgozalov noted that he is only compositor who has been conferred both Shohrat and Istiglal orders.

In his turn, Aliyev stressed that Adgozalovs activity is highly assessed by both Azerbaijan people and state.

Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev issued an order on increasing the monthly salaries for servicemen and civil workers of the State Border Service, Trend reports.

According to the order, the monthly salaries of servicemen and civil workers of the State Border Service (except people passing service) were increased by 100% from July 1, 2006.

It was stated in the order that the finance will be provided at the expense of the state budget finance allocated for State Border Service.

Azerbaijan president issued an order confirming the new composition (Azerbaijani side) of the joint Georgian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental economic cooperation commission, Trend reports.

The commission was headed by the Azerbaijani prime minister Artur Rasizade. The composition of the commission included the finance minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov, economic development minister Heydar Babayev, minister of industry and energy Natig Aliyev, transport minister Ziya Mammadov, minister of ecology and natural resources Huseyngulu Bagirov, minister of culture and tourism Abulfaz Garayev, education minister Misir Mardanov, deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia Namik Aliyev, head of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev, head of the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad Nazim Ibrahimov, head of State Border Service Elchin Guliyev, president of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Azerbaijan Suleyman Tatliyev, and the head of the regional economic relation department of the Cabinet of Minister of Azerbaijan Kamal Ismailzade.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting on 3 July on the improvement of the ecological situation in the country, Trend reports.

The head of state announced that a while ago he instructed the Minister for Ecology and Natural Resources to investigate and analyze the insufficiencies in this sphere. He noted the necessity for complex approach towards the resolution of problems. Aliyev underlined that his particular concerns on the state in Absheron peninsular, ecological status of Baku and Sumgayit, the problems linked with pollution of areas in the Baku buoy.

Afterwards the heads of the relevant bodies informed about the existing problems and the head of state gave relevant instructions to improve the situation.

Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on July 3 received the deputy secretary general of NATO Jean Fournet, Trend reports.

During the meeting, it was mentioned the successful development of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO.

Besides, the sides exchanged views on the issues reflecting mutual interest.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the US President George W Bush on 3 July in connection with the National Independence Day, Trend Day

The efforts taken by the United States for provision of peace, stability and security excite approval worldwide. The United States decisive role in the international fighting with global dangers and challenges is met with satisfaction, the letter reads.

Such partnership between our countries, which strategic partners, is developing successfully, in the sphere of fighting with international terror and provision of energy security. The U.S. support in the development of oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian, as well as establishment of transnational transport infrastructure is great importance for Azerbaijan. We also appreciate the US attention and support on democratization of society.

The successive efforts by the United States as a Minsk Group co-chair, in the sphere of peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, directly indicate for Washingtons goodwill. In this context we pin great hope on rapid progress under the resolution process.

Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on July 3 received the credential of the new U.S. embassy to Baku Anne Derse, Trend reports with reference to the press-service of the Azeri presidents office. During the ceremony, the sides mentioned the importance of the future expansion of the bilateral relations.

On April 30, the U.S. president George Bush proposed the candidature of Anne Derse for the ambassador position in Azerbaijan. The U.S. Congress considered and confirmed this proposal. Anne Derse was the director on bio-defense in the Defense Council of the White House. Up that period, she held the position of the chief adviser on economical relations in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. She has the bachelor degree of the Macalester College and masters degree of the John Hopkins University.

Anne Derse on July 8 will participate in the reception on the occasion of the U.S. Independence Day. In late July early August, she will go on holiday and leave for the U.S.

Natik Mammadov, the head of the Shamakha Executive Power, has been dismissed from his post. The Azerbaijani Present, Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant decree on 6 June, Trend reports.

The decree does not indicate the reasons for dismissal.

According to the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated July 7, 2006, Nazim Mehti oglu Ismaylov was appointed the head of executive power of Shamakha area of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Earlier, Ismaylov worked as a head of executive power of Goychay area of Azerbaijan.

By another decree, head of state appointed Mubariz Ali oglu Agayev the head of Goychay area executive power.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev voiced his condolences to the Russan Presnet Vladimir in connection with the recent crash of a Russian airliner in Irkutsk, Trend reports.

"I am very deeply disappointed with the jet crash which resulted in death of many people, the letter says.

President Aliyev voiced his condolences to relatives of all those who died and the people of Russia.

Several foreigners, including several citizens, were on board of A-310 airliner. One of them is in hospital.

The Azerbaijani preset, Ilham Aliyev, went on holiday on 9 July.

Foreign policy

Azerbaijan is one of the important friends of the United States, Anne Derse, the U.S. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stated on 8 July in a ceremony to mark the National Independence Day of the United States, Trend reports.

According to Derse, the two countries are important partners in the political, economic and security spheres. Azerbaijan wants to achieve advanced democracy and free market economy and the U.S. fully supports this purpose, she underlined.

The Ambassador also highly estimated the joint cooperation of the two countries in the sphere of fighting with terror, voiced his gratitude for participation of the Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.

As an oil and gas producer and transit country Azerbaijan plays an important role in U.S. global energy security. The United States hopes for cooperation with you for the upgrade of Azerbaijans potential, Derse underlined.

In his turn Yagub Eyyubov, the Azerbaijani First Vice Prime Minister, expressed his satisfaction with current state of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the energy security. He emphasized the important role of the United States in the implementation of big regional projects, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline. Eyyubov said that Azerbaijan wishes increase of the U.S. role as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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On July 7, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with the newly appointed Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Republic Vasili Istratov. The Russian foreign minister presented the new ambassador the credential on departure to Azerbaijan which will be presented to the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, special correspondent of Trend in Moscow reports.

Polad Bulbul oglu, Azerbaijani ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Russian Federation, was also invited to the event.

During the meeting of the Russian foreign minister and the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Russia, Sergey Lavrov noted that the Russian-Azerbaijani relations are at the high level and the new ambassador will make contribution to the strengthening of these relations. He noted that the trade turnover between the two countries is raising and it is a good indicator. Besides, Lavrov highly assessed the previous activity of Istratov, caaling him a high-level professional. His diplomatic experience will help the strengthening of the partner relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, told Russian foreign minister.

In his turn, the ambassador Polad Bulbul oglu pointed out that the appointment of the new Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan will allow to work with doubled energy, and the closely interaction of the ambassadors of the two countries will permit to more effectively fulfill the tasks of presidents and foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan.

On July 7, the Russian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov announced after the meeting with the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov that he will go to Azerbaijan with serious intentions to do everything what depends on him to further develop the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, special correspondent of Trend in Moscow reports.

I am sure that there is a great potential for the future development of the relations which have already reached a high level, Istratov noted.

According to the Russian ambassador, after arriving in Azerbaijan, he will present the credential to Azerbaijani president, and then, meet with Azerbaijanis and Russian compatriots living in Azerbaijan and actively assist in developing the relations in all directions. Besides, he expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbul oglu for familiarizing him with the life of Azerbaijanis in Moscow.

Polad Bulbul oglu ruled out that he has already discussed with the new Russian ambassador several problems facing them. Undoubtedly, when two embassies and ambassador closely cooperate, it will accelerate the solution of many questions, Bulgul oglu told.

He wished great successes to Istratov in his hew position, noting that his diplomatic experience will allow to raise the level of bilateral relations.

Vasili Istratov has graduated from the historical department of Moscow State University named after Lomonosov in 1977. Up to 1991, he taught the British history in the historical department of Moscow State University. Then, in 1991 he came to the Foreign Ministry. In 1996, he became the director of the North-American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Russian-Azeri relations are quite OK, Trend reports quoting Artur Rasizadeh, Azeri Prime Minister, receiving Valentin Buravlev, deputy Governor of Chelyabinsk Region, the Russian Federation, in Baku.

Azeri Prime Minister said Azeri-Russian relations are successfully progressing both at federal and regional level. Rasizadeh informed the guest of Azeri-Armenian conflict , refugees sate and Bakus peaceful efforts.

In turn, Buravlev informed Prime Minister of meetings held with heads of various governmental authorities of Azerbaijan and documents signed. He stated his confidence in the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and Chelyabinsk Region.

On July 5, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov, who is in Germany at the invitation of his German peer Frank-Walter Steinmeier, led a number of bilateral meetings with German authorities.

Azeri Minister, in particular, met with Mr Steinmeier, chairman of Bundestag Norbert Lammert, Federal Chancellor Advisor Christof Heusgen, as well as ministers of defense and development Christian Schmidt and Karin Kortmann.

At the meeting, the parties discussed dynamical development of the current cooperation in political, economic and cultural spheres. The parties agreed to keep the practice of leading business-forums in two countries. The themes of discussion also were political and economic progress of Azerbaijan, democratic processes, regional energy and transport projects Azerbaijan is involved in, integration with Euro-Atlantic space, cooperation in NATO and the EU programs.

During the meeting with German Foreign Minister F. Steinmeier, Mamedyarov passed him the greetings from Azerbaijans President to German Chancellor.

Azeri Minister also took part at the events at Friedrich Ebert Fund and Azeri Embassy to Germany. The event hosted representatives of Germanys political and economic circles, public figures and so on.

Within the limits of his visit to Germany, Azeri Foreign Minister gave an interview to leading mass media of the country.

The official visit of Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov to Germany is on. Head of press and information policy with Foreign Ministry Tahir Tagizadeh told Trend on the second day of the visit Mamedyarov took part in the meeting arranged by Marshall Fund.

At the meeting were also taking part representatives of Germany government, NGOs, research institutes, as well as ambassadors of foreign countries, mass media representatives and so. Speaking at the meeting, Azeri minister provided detail on the current economical and political development of Azerbaijan, implemented economic projects, including oil and gas pipelines Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, planned railroad Baku-Tbilisi-Ahalkalaki-Kars, the countrys integration with Euro-Atlantic space and its participation in the EU and so.

The most of his speech Azeri diplomat devoted to Azerbaijans most complicated problem peaceful settlement of Azeri-Armenian conflict. Stating the tragic consequence of Armenian aggression, minister said the conflict prevents ensuring peace and security in the region. He also said Armenians adhere to illegal settling and ethnic cleansing policy on Azerbaijans occupied grounds, Azerbaijans culture and historical monuments in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh are demolished and set on fire.

On the same day, Mamedyarov met with members of German-Caucasian friendship group with Bundestag of Germany. The group chairman Stefan Reichel informed the minister of enlarging the group, estimating this as an increase of interest in Azerbaijan. In turn, Azeri Minister stated his satisfaction with dynamic development of mutual relations between Germany and Azerbaijan, underlined the necessity in further collaboration.

Within the visit, Minister attended the new building of Azeri Embassy to Germany. The same day, at the invitation of Prime Minister of Baden-WГјrttemberg Federal Land Mamedyarov visited the reception at the Lands representation in Berlin.

Azerbaijan as an exporter of energy resources, as well as a country which carries transit deliveries of energy products, greatly contributes in the energy security of Europe. Therefore, Baku is an important and reliable partner of Europe, said Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, to a news conference in Berlin.

He noted that during the meeting they discussed bilateral cooperation, in particular, the development of bilateral economic relationships and integration of Azerbaijan in to the EU and NATO. The sides also touched upon the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Steinmeier stressed the intensive development of the bilateral relationships.

The German FM also voiced his hope in the soonest achievement of an agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union under the New Neighborhood Program. Mammadyarov noted that work in this direction will be continued.

Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that the unsettlement of the problems complicates the integration of the region into the EU. The German Foreign Minister called on the sides to compromises, needed for political resolution of the conflict.

In his turn the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister noted that over the past few weeks the goods turnover between the two countries has doubled. Mammadyarov said that Germany is the biggest economic partner of Azerbaijan in the West Europe.

In the end Mammadyarov announced that he will stay in Germany till end of the week to watch the final round of the World Cup championship.

Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Tayyub Erdogan received on 5 July the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey, Zakir Hashimov, Trend reports.

The meeting was held at a residence of the Prime Minister in Ankara behind the closed doors.

No statement was made in the end of the meeting.

The visit of Lord Russell Johnson, chairman of Subcommittee for Nagorno-Karabakh and Tony Lloyd, new co-rapporteur of PACE for Azerbaijan, to the region is expected, Trend reports quoting MP Aydin Mirzazadeh, member of Azeri delegation to PACE and authority of New Azerbaijan Party.

He also said PACE now is on vacation and no political activity is expected till September. В"But Azeri delegation offered to lead the next session of Political Committee in Baku. This proposal will be examinedВ". Mirzazadeh said it is a honor to the country to host PACE committees sessions.

MP added that due to Azerbaijans high authority in PACE the next session of Committee in Baku is quite likely.

On July 12, the AGO monitoring group of the Committee of Ministers (CM) of the Council of Europe will present a report as result of the recent visit to the South Caucasus countries. The report will be included in the agenda of the next meeting of CM CE at level of permanent ministers, Agshin Mehdiyev, the permanent representative of Azerbaijan in CE, exclusively told Trend.

The AGO group was established for the monitoring of the implementation of the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan and other South Caucasus countries before CE, and I think that the document will reflect both negative and positive moments. It is normal process, told Mehdiyev.

Earlier the head of the AGO group German diplomat Ronald Vegener has already delivered a short oral report on this topic.

Azerbaijan has always considered and is considering Georgia its most important strategic partner in the region and on world scale, Artur Rasizade, the prime minister of Azerbaijan, made such a statement at the meeting with his Georgian colleague Zurab Nogaideli, Trend reports.

According to Rasizade, the sides closely cooperate with in GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) and other international organizations. Azerbaijan has achieved high indicators in the economic development, The gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in 2006 has increased by 40%, and in 2005 the growth was 26 %, Rasizade told.

Rasizade told that by the end of the year, all districts in Azerbaijan will be provided with gas. Over the past two and a half year, 400 thousand work places have been opened and this corresponds to the social policy of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan attaches a great importance to the military creation because the country is in the war situation with Armenia, Rasizade stressed.

According to prime minister of Azerbaijan, the military budget of the country has grown by 2,3 times as comprised to 2006. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the biggest problem for Azerbaijan and the country tries to settle the problem peacefully, Rasizade mentioned.

Rasizade pointed out that Azerbaijan supports the territorial integrity of Georgia and expresses its gratitude to Georgian side for supporting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Georgian prime minister told that the trade turnover between the two countries in 2005 was 72% and it will continue. The construction of SCP is the new phase in the energy cooperation between the two countries. Kazakhstans joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is also stabilization fact in relation with oil prices, he emphasized.

Azerbaijan attaches an importance to the development of the cooperation with NATO, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azeri foreign minister, made such a statement on July 3 during the meeting with the deputy secretary general of NATO on social diplomacy Jane Furne.

The guest informed about the close cooperation of NATO social diplomacy department with Azerbaijan, the conducting of NATO week in Baku and opening of Euro-Atlantic information center.

Mammadyarov expressed his satisfaction with the high level of cooperation with NATO social diplomacy department. According to Mammadyarov, the development of the relations with Euro-Atlantic structures takes a priority in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. It was stated that the main conditions for this are the stability in South Caucasus region, as well as implementation of global energy projects.

During the meeting it was highly assessed the creation of diplomatic academy under Azeri Foreign Ministry.

Ensuring the energy security is on the focus of attention of NATO, and in the near future it is expected to hold one more session of Alliance on this topic, the deputy secretary general of NATO Jane Furje told while answering the questions of correspondent of Trend.

According to him, the energy security, especially security of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, were on the focus of attention of several measures of NATO. There will be held discussions on what contributions the North-Atlantic Alliance may make to the provision of security of energy lines, told Furje.

Besides, Furje expressed his satisfaction with the policy of official Baku within the action plan of Individual partnership program of NATO and Azerbaijan.

Deputy secretary general of NATO noted that Azerbaijans entrance to the alliance is not on the agenda. This question should be addressed to the head of Azerbaijan, told Furje, adding that NATO is interested in development of the relations with each countries of South Caucasus.

Touching on Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Furje noted that Alliance is not going to substitute the OSCE Minsk Group in the negotiations, but supports the rapid settlement of the conflict

Bakus policy in the action plan under the NATO-Azerbaijan Individual Partnership Program excites approval, Jean Furne, the Deputy Secretary General, stated in Baku on 3 July, Trend reports.

According to Furne, it concerns both political and economic sphere of cooperation. I cant reveal the details of the work under the program, while Id note that Azerbaijan is on the right way, NATO Secretary General. Furne called on the Azerbaijani authorities to continue the successful work in this direction.

Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh the NATO Secretary General said that the alliance was attentively observing over the situation in the world crisis regions. However, NATO does not take a direct part in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Other organizations are also involved in the issue, Furje concluded.

The United States highly estimates the level of cooperation with Azerbaijan in the sphere of fighting with trafficking and we are glad that the U.S. Department of State report on the state of human trafficking in world countries included Azerbaijan in the second category of countries, Jonathan Henick, head of the Public Affairs Department of the U.S. embassy in Baku, told a news conference on the results of training of specialists on hotline and a special shelters for victims of trafficking in Azerbaijan.

In 2005 a total of 231 cases of victims of trafficking were officially registered in Azerbaijan. However, the figure hardly reflects the reality. Many victims of trafficking simply do not make appeals, which make impossible their inclusion in the official lists.

Three major directions of trafficking have been defined in Azerbaijan: prostitution, work by force and military hiring, he underlined.

According to Henick, the U.S. government allotted $350,000 for support to work carried out by Azerbaijan. In particular, special significance is attached to legislative in this sphere, as well as implementation of state action plan on fighting with human trafficking.

Armenian Azerbaijani conflict

The youth movement Irali of Azerbaijan protested against the countries receiving invitation for participating in Armenian youth flight Base (Falcon) scheduled for 26 July August 1 in Nagorno-Karabakh, Farhad Mammadov, the co-founder of the youth movement Irali, told Trend.

This event is planned within the framework of the second Pan-Armenian festival One nation, one culture. Within the 7-day event, it is planned to hold about 40 meetings in regions of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Javakhka.

The youth flight will bring together more than 2000 people from Russia, Italy, USA, Austria, Australia, Turkey, Britain, France, Iran and Syria.

Mammadov stressed that in connection with this event, the movement Irali is planning to send appeals to the embassies of the countries recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and receiving invitation to the Armenian event. It will be stated in the appeal that each illegal activity in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan will be condemned. Besides, the visit of citizens of these countries to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh unless the war is finished will be assessed as disrespect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Mammadov told.

According to Mammadov the financing of such events by the Armenian president and the conducting of them in Nagorno-Karabakh negatively effect the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

В"The statements by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in a meeting of the OSCE permanent committee, who stated that they cant do anything more in the definition of peaceable principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict do not mean a deadlock, U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair told Azerbaijani Service of BBC.

The statement means the creative opportunities of mediators have exhausted and therefore, there is necessity for initiatives in decision making by leaders of the confect countries. It is not a deadlock. It is the moment in the negotiation process when the co-chairs say the leaders can take a resolution that they want, Bryza underscored.

Both leaders possess political will, wish cooperation, but we still do not know whether they are ready to take final and difficult steps to summarize the major principles of frame agreement, he said. В"Now it is high time when the leaders should explain their nations the benefit of the peace plan, show the way for progress with the help of compromises. This is the way of diplomacy, the mediator emphasized.

Bryza underlined that thee are fair and encouraging principles. These are the best of all proposals put so far. Id say that we are too far to peace as never. But I cant guarantee that the Presidents using their sovereign rights will accept these proposals or inject changes, which would satisfy both sides, he stressed.

According to the co-chair, the statement by the United States on support to territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and a principle on self-determination do not contradict each other. If you pay attention to the statements by the co-chairs, they refer to both principles. The most important is to find the contacts between these principles at the table of talks.

There is no frame agreement on the table of talks, which could be submitted to the signing, Trend reports quoting Araz Azimov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, also special representative of the Azerbaijani president on Nahoeno-Karabkh conflict , as stating on 3 July.

We should first of all design a draft document, he underlined.

Commenting on the last statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that the responsibility for rehabilitation of armed actions is still laid on the sides, Azimov stated so far Azerbaijan has repeatedly come out with calls to armed actions. Azerbaijan does not support war, while the territorial integrity can be restored at any way, the diplomat underscored.

Many statements of the Armenian side, as well as regarding the referendum, status of Kalbajar and Lachin take speculative and pseudo character, Araz Azimov, the deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan, told journalists on July 3, Trend reports.

According to Azimov, the Azeri side has repeatedly stated that only national referendums may be held in the territory of Azerbaijan and this position has been exactly defined in the Constitution of Azerbaijan. Azeri government is not going to stand beyond this position and all speculations in this direction are lie, told Azimov.

He remembered that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh didnt live alone, but together with the Azerbaijanis, and if we speak about the democracy, then the demography of the region should be restored and Azerbaijanis should return to Nagorno-Karabakh. For this it is important to ensure the relevant peaceful conditions and release of Azerbaijans occupied territories. It a normal logical process, Azimov added. The settlement of political questions appointment of the status of both peoples joint living should be made democratically, within Law, Azimov told.

It is necessary to have the specific approved and coordinated document prior to speaking of some В"framework agreementВ", though there is no such, said Araz Azimov, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, speaking July 3 with journalists on lat statements made by Matthew Bryza, US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group.

В"It is incorrect to make statements half-way the peaceful dialog as confusion may take place as a result. As seen, the opposite side tried to use such statementsВ", said Azimov, underlining that Azerbaijan will be ready to normal relations with Armenia only if it releases all occupied grounds and have all refugees and IDPs return home. В"Namely these frames constitute Azerbaijans position within Prague process. There could be no other frames or conditionsВ", added Azimov.

Alongside, Azeri official called the opposite side to yield its extreme position as no one will get all he desires. В"We heard Yerevans speculations many times. They do not make any senseВ", Azimov added.

All nations living in Azerbaijan, including Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh, may use their right for self-determination within the countrys territorial integrity. In particular, Armenians may use some local governing mechanisms in their enclaves, Trend reports quoting Araz Azimov, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan.

В"There are many models in global practice. We are ready to discuss a new model at a certain stage to be based on the realities of this regionВ", Azeri official said, outlining that first it is necessary to release all grounds of Azerbaijan from Armenian occupation.

В"Both the parties admitted that solving the status question at this stage is not possible. It is necessary to create certain conditions to achieve the agreement on this matterВ", said Azimov.

Azeri official also said first the conditions for peaceful coexistence of two communities in Nagorno-Karabakh shall be established. This requires for safety to all Azerbaijanis to get back home. Besides, Armenian forces in and around Nagorno-Karabakh shall be withdrawn from there.

The Co-Chairs continue to believe that the proposals developed through the past two years of negotiations hold the best potential for achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict, Trend reports with reference to the July 3 statement of the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group on regulation of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Co-chairs confirmed that it is time for Azerbaijani and Armenians Presidents to make initiative for reaching a comprehensive agreement in the process of regulation, and the co-chairs are ready to make contribution to the sides to conclude the agreement if the Presidents indicate they are prepared to do so. Although no additional meetings between the sides under the auspices of the co-chairs are planned for the immediate future, they will be ready to reengage if the parties decide to pursue the talks with the political will that has thus far been lacking.

It was stated in the statement that the proposals presented to the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents may lead to a long-term settlement of the conflict. The principles are based on the redeployment of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with special modalities for Kelbajar and Lachin districts (including a corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh), demilitarization of those territories, and a referendum or population vote -- at a date and in a manner to be decided through further negotiations -- to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Then, deployment of an international peacekeeping force and a joint commission for implementation of the agreement would be established, and international assistance would be made available for demining, reconstruction, and resettlement of internally displaced persons in the formerly occupied territories and the war-affected regions of Nagorno-Karabakh

The base of the talks process on Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the consultations between the foreign ministers of the two countries, but not presidents, Tahir Tagizade, the head of the press and information policy department of Azeri Foreign Ministry, told Trend.

He expressed his surprise at the final statement of co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group where it was stated the necessity of meeting of the presidents so that they take the initiatives into their hands. But it is clear that the base of the talks process is the contacts and negotiations between foreign ministers. They should discuss all aspects of issues, work out a base for possible future meetings and discussions of the presidents, Tagizade told.

Besides, he mentioned the equality of the approaches stated in the statement of co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group and official Baku calling for partly settlement of the conflict. The partly solution in the release of Azerbaijans all occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, withdrawal of Armenian armed forces, implementation of mine, returning of internally displaced persons and provision of their security, restoration of communications, etc. Then, after the restoration of the pre-war composition of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Republic, their security will be ensured. Within democratic and legal process, Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, it is possible to define the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Besides, Tagizade expressed his surprise at the final statement of Armenian foreign minister V.Oskanyan. According to the statement, it is clear that Armenian side offers to look for a new base for the discussions, told Tagizade.

The member of the conservative fraction the chairman of the political committee Goran Lennmarker gained the victory among five candidates for the president post of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE.

Lennmarker is the reporter of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

The Swedish diplomat Lennmarker was appointed the special envoy of the PA OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh in July 2002. Lennmarker paid his final visit to the region in May 2006. During his meeting with the speaker of Azerbaijani parliament Oktay Asadov, Lennmarker noted that the process of talks on settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reflects optimism. Lennmarker announced the final report on Nagorno-Karabakh under title Invaluable opportunity Several considerations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on July 1, 2005 at the plenary session of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Washington. Besides, at the beginning of June 2004, Lennmarker visited Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh which has been occupied by Armenians.

Political life

78 persons taking part in 6 October municipal elections have been registered, Trend reports quoting Mazahir Panakhov, presiding commissioner of Central Election Commission (CEC).

In general, nomination of 1,017 persons has bee approved. 968 of these persons took subscription list from district election commissions. 110 persons finished collecting signatures and submitted the lists.

The most persons partaking in elections are independent. Others are members of parties of New Azerbaijan, PFPA, Mussavat, Social Welfare, Civil Solidarity, Democratic party of Azerbaijan, Peoples Front Party of United Azerbaijan, Adalat, Democratic Reforms, Democratic World of Azerbaijan, National Congress, Civil Unity and Party of National Independence of Azerbaijan.

New Azerbaijan Party is preparing to the 6 October repeat municipal elections, Trend reports quoting MP Siyavush Novruzov, deputy Executive Secretary, NAP.

He said the candidates nomination process already started. В"Our party is nominating candidates in all constituencies. After that, regional organizations with NAP will start selecting observers in these constituencies and collecting signatures in favor of our candidatesВ", MP said.

Novruzov said upon candidates registration their agitation will be launched. He added that as usual these elections will be normally and fairly.

The Advisory Medjlis of governmental parties decided to participate in the 6 October municipal elections, Trend reports quoting Mamed Alizadeh, chairman of Advisory Medjlis and leader of Azerbaijans Democratic World Party.

Alizadeh said the consultations have been led with chairmen of parties within Advisory Council. В"We decided to put our candidates forward in all constituencies where the elections will take place. The most successful candidates will be determined among the parties in shortВ".

Chairman of Advisory Medjlis also said in the other constituencies they are going to support candidates from ruling New Azerbaijan Party.

In the near future, the first session of the Central Council will be held after the final congress of Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP), Trend reports quoting ANIP.

During the session of the Central council, Ayaz Rustamov will appoint the secretary general of ANIP. After the election of the secretary general, he/she will appoint the secretary of ANIP. Besides, during the session, there will be elected the chairman of the Central Council, its deputies and the members of the Political Council of ANIP.

During the session held last month in the ANIP Central council, there were made staff changes and created the post of deputy chairman. Besides, the secretariat on election issues was liquidated and in exchange, a secretariat was created on work with municipalities. This secretariat was founded to establish relations with the representatives of the municipalities who are the members of ANIP. And the authorities of the election secretariat were transferred to the organizational secretariat.

Besides, in the near future, there will be held the annual meeting of the Central discipline commission of the new council. The meeting will elect the chairman of the commission and its deputies.

The Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPF) bringing together four parties made a decision to boycott the municipal elections scheduled for October of this year.

The head of the press-service of UPF Akif Heydarli noted that the union decided to boycott the municipal elections due to the law breaks during the parliamentary elections. About 50 candidates of UPF member-parties participated in the parliamentary elections, but couldnt get any seat. As a protest, they refused to participate in the repeat parliamentary elections.

Besides, Heydarli stressed that in relation with the summer seasons coming, UPF will not hold session. The session will be held only if the agenda includes important social-political issues. The intensive activity of the organization will start in September. The Political Council of UPF considers the issue of Vahdat party. This party announced to leave UPF. However, according to Heydarli, UPF hasnt received such request yet.

There is one vacant place left in the Medjlis of Citizens and Development Party, Trend reports quoting Ali Aliyev, chairman of the party.

The party chairman said at the first session of Medjlis its chairman had been elected Rashid Abbasov. В"9 out of 10 members of Medjlis have been elected. One place I left vacant myselfВ". The chairman said also his assistants have been approved at the said session.

Aliyev said on June 14 the congress documents had been submitted to the Ministry of Justice with the purpose of the party registration. He outlined that there is still no response from the ministry and they are going to address it again in a month.

Due to participation in repeat municipal elections, Umid party executives assigned heads of regional sections to select candidates, Trend reports quoting Rafael Tagizadeh, chairman of Supreme Medjlis of Umid party.

Tagizadeh said the party led an all-republican session in a view of said elections. В"We gave heads of regional organizations time to find candidates. We aim at being represented in all constituencies where elections take place. The party will take part individually, not with Political Center for Coordination of OppositionВ", he said.

Tagizadeh also said the party is preparing to the next congress to take place in September. В"We will make some revisions to the charter and some structural changes in the party organizationВ", he added.

If the composition of the election commissions is formed again, the Azadlig (Freedom) block will participate in the elections, Ali Karimli, the leader of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), told journalists, Trend reports.

He noted that there are several reasons for not participating in municipal elections. Indeed, we want to participate in the elections. However, unfortunately, the composition of the elections commissions hasnt been formed on a parity base to date. And we need to boycott the elections, Karimov stressed.

Besides, Karimli pointed out that if the composition of the election commissions is formed again, then they will participate in the elections.

He touched upon the changes to the Electoral Code. Karimli expressed that Azerbaijan government promised, together with Venetian Commission to make changes, to the Electoral Code.

During the congress of Civil Unity Party (CUP) scheduled for September of this year, Sabir Rutsamkhanli will again put forward his candidature for the chairmanship, Sabir Rustamkhani, the chairman of CUP, told Trend.

He noted that the conference of regional departments will be held in connection with the congress. According to Rustamkhanli, there are proposal on making additions and changes to the Regulation and activity program of the party. He stressed that the proposals will be taken into consideration. Rustamkhanli emphasized that during the congress, the election of chairmen to the ruling structures of CUP. Yet I dont think to leave the chairmanship. Therefore, I, as the founder of the party, will again put forward my candidature for the chairmanship during the conference. We will try to create a democratic situation so that desiring persons can pit forward their candidature, Rustamkhanli added.

It is not excluded that we will participate in 2008 presidential elections in form of block, Mirmahmud Miralioglu, the leader of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (Classics) (APFP), said.

He noted that the party will put forward its candidate for the presidential elections. But at the moment it is difficult to say who the candidate will be. We will put forward a single candidate, told Miralioglu.

Answering the question Have you thought about your own candidature? he noted that it will be clear in the future. It is not excluded that I will participate in the elections as a candidate.

Besides, he noted that to participate in the presidential elections will have a great effect. We have thought about this. It is not excluded that the Movement of socialists-democrats where I am also presented will turn into a block in the elections. We will present our candidate although we function in form of block or party, the party leader added.

Azeri opposition decision on elections boycotting does not make any sense, Trend reports quoting Araz Alizadeh, co-chairman of Social-Democratic Party, stating his opinion on opposition parties non-participation in 6 October municipal elections.

Co-chairman of Social-Democratic Party said В"this position interests neither the government nor international organizationsВ".

Alizadeh said also his party will take part in 6 October municipal elections. В"he partys regional organizations are selecting candidates. After that, candidates will be approved in our Central CommitteeВ".

State building

The member of the conservative fraction the chairman of the political committee Goran Lennmarker gained the victory among five candidates for the president post of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE.

Lennmarker is the reporter of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

The Swedish diplomat Lennmarker was appointed the special envoy of the PA OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh in July 2002. Lennmarker paid his final visit to the region in May 2006. During his meeting with the speaker of Azerbaijani parliament Oktay Asadov, Lennmarker noted that the process of talks on settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reflects optimism. Lennmarker announced the final report on Nagorno-Karabakh under title Invaluable opportunity Several considerations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on July 1, 2005 at the plenary session of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Washington. Besides, at the beginning of June 2004, Lennmarker visited Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh which has been occupied by Armenians.

Azerbaijans Prosecutor general Zakir Garalov took part in a two-day conference of prosecutor generals of 46 member-countries of the CE in Moscow on 5-6 July.

The main theme of the conference was role of prosecutors offices in protection of personality, including victims and witnesses, as well as teenagers and convicts. The CE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammerberg took part in the conference.

The conference is ended July 6. The same day, first session of Consultation Council of said prosecutor generals will take place at the Cabinet of Ministers of the CE.

On July 6, the meeting of the Election commission established under the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan was held with the participation of the justice minister Fikrat Mammadov, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Justice.

For the purpose to transfer the cooperation of the non-governmental organizations with the Ministry of Justice to a new form, Collegium has developed and confirmed The right to realize a public control on the activity of correctional facilities and participation of public in correction of prisoners.

According to the document, an Election commission was created for the formation of the Public committee for the realization of public control and conducting of consultations with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Delivering a report at the first meeting of the election commission, Mammadov spoke about the responsibilities of the Commission, provision of the transparency in the activity of the penal system and the importance of creating Public committee.

Delivering a report at the meeting, Rovshan Mustafayev, the director of the Human Rights Institution of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Haji Salman, deputy chairman of the Caucasus Moslem Department, Shafiyat Hasanova, the member of the collegium of advocates, Dilara Valiyeva, department chief of Ombudsman office, assessed the reforms held in the penal system and the importance of the Public committee.

Besides, discussions were held on the proposals and programs of several law-protectors and non-governmental organizations trying to participate in the activity of the Public commission.

On July 7, the two-day international seminar of NATO Implementation of Partner Action Plan against terrorism (PAP-T): participation and contribution of partner-countries to operations of NATO against terrorism was completed in Baku. The meeting brought together 50 representatives from 32 countries around the world, Trend reports with reference to the public relations center of the National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan.

The minister of national security of Azerbaijan lieutenant-general Eldar Mahmudov delivered a speech at the conference, noting that the effective cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan has been continuing for more than 12 years. Besides, he pointed out that the appearance of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev at the final session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the indicator of the strengthening and expansion of the cooperation of sides.

Mahmudov highly assessed the Individual Cooperation Action Plan of Azerbaijan and NATO, which was confirmed according to the order of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev dated August 3, 2005. Irrespective of the continuation of the aggression by Armenian side against Azerbaijan, social-economic development allows to strengthen the role of official Baku in the regional and international arena. All these permitted to strengthen the position of Baku in the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia should understand the real situation, told Mahmudov.

The deputy prime minister of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov greeted the participants of the seminar on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Republic.

The representatives of NATO highly assessed the efforts of Azerbaijan in organizing the seminar. It was stated that Azerbaijan is an active participant of the antiterrorism coalition, and the position of official Baku in this process was highly assessed.

On the second day of the seminar, a video-conference with Headquarter of the North-Atlantic Alliance was held. During the video-conference, the NATO secretary general assistant on defense planning John Chalstone expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for highly conducting the seminar.

Azerbaijani defense minister Safar Abiyev on July 7 received the new USA ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Darse. During the meeting of the familiarization character, Abiyev congratulated American diplomat on her new position, wishing her successes in her future activity, Trend reports.

In her turn, Anne Darse expressed her gratitude to Abiyev for a frank reception, noting that she will do her best to develop American-Azerbaijan relations.

The sides discussed the wide spectrum of the development of the bilateral cooperation in the defense sphere.

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