Official news
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev participated in an informal summit of CIS head of states in Moscow on 21-22 July.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to the King and Prime Minister of Belgium on 20 July on the occasion of national holiday Vow Day of King.
In his letter to King Albert II the head of state voiced his confidence that the development of the Azerbaijan-Belgium relationships, friendship and cooperation will serve to interests of the two nations.
In his letter to Prime Minister Gee Verkhovstadt Aliyev voiced his hope that the friendly relationships between the two countries will be expanded both on bilateral platform and at the international organizations.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev send his condolence to President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Judhojono due to numerous casualties of tsunami to have hit Indonesian island of Java, Trend reports.
Head of Azeri state brought his condolence to authorities of the country and victims friends and relative, wishing soonest cure to wounded.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulation message to President of Columbia Alvar Uribe Veles on the occasion of national holiday, Day of Independence.
В"I hope ties developed between Azerbaijan and Columbia will always progress based on friendship and collaborationВ", the message says.
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will shortly appeal to the OSCE for development of an action plan on extinguishing fires in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands, Tahir Tagizade the head of Press and Information Department of the Ministry told Trend.
The Ministry has studied a report by Andjey Casprzyk, the special envoy of the OSCE chairman-in-office and it confirms the fact of firing in the occupied lands. The conclusion is that the conflict sides do not have technical opportunities (equipment, water) to fight with fire and international aid is offered in this respect. We hail such approach and taking into consideration the possible catastrophic ecological results of fire for the region Azerbaijan on the face of the Foreign Ministry, which keeps under control this issue, will appeal to the OSCE leadership with respect develop a concrete action plan, the diplomat underlined.
Tagizade added that several variants were indicated as reasons for firing. As to question how much the report satisfied Azerbaijan, Tagizade said that, We regard the fires as real problem of Azerbaijan and the region in whole. It is necessary to remove its outcomes. So, the notion line satisfied, or dissatisfied is inappropriate.
The problem of fires in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan will be one of the key topics of the discussions in Yerevan, Peter Semneby, special envoy of European Union for South Caucasian countries, told on July 21 at the press-conference held as a result of his visit to Azerbaijan.
According to Semneby, this question was discussed during the negotiations in Baku. But it may be possible after the completion of the visit to the region to speak about what measures need to be taken for liquidating or preventing such cases, he told.
Semneby once again confirmed the position of European Union in relation with Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which intends the peaceful solution of the problem. According to Semneby, European Union doesnt directly participate in the negotiations for the settlement of the conflict, but is ready to provide any support and contribution in this direction to the conflict sides.
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh intend to carry out next round of consultations in Paris early August, Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair told Trend in an exclusive interview.
The objective of the meeting is to hold consultations on the results of a tour of the region of the U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. Merzlyakov said for the time being it is unknown what resolution can be taken and whether there will be discussed on the organization of the next round of meetings between the conflict sides.
We will resolve this issue as soon as we meet. I dont know the estimation that the U.S. Ambassador is going to make. By that time he will have last contacts, he will talks to the Presidents and will more probably make estimation, the Russian diplomat underlined.
Yet there is not any positive step from the sides of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to meet with each other, Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, exclusively, told Trend.
Touching on the disappointment of several politicians for not-invitation of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents by the leaders of G8 to the recent summit in Saint-Petersburg, he noted that he didnt consider sensible the invitation of presidents to the summit. According to him, to support the sides, it needs to reach an agreement. It didnt need to consider this question at G8, he added. We tried to come to an agreement during last two meetings, but we couldnt achieve this, Merzlyakov said.
Yet there is not any positive step from the sides of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to meet with each other, Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, exclusively, told Trend.
Touching on the disappointment of several politicians for not-invitation of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents by the leaders of G8 to the recent summit in Saint-Petersburg, he noted that he didnt consider sensible the invitation of presidents to the summit. According to him, to support the sides, it needs to reach an agreement. It didnt need to consider this question at G8, he added. We tried to come to an agreement during last two meetings, but we couldnt achieve this, Merzlyakov said.
He emphasized that G8 called for Azerbaijan and Armenia to demonstrate the political will and prepare their peoples to peace, but not war.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly should take a resolution on recognition of as an Aggressor country, Nizami Bahmanov, the head of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, told Trend. He was commenting on the report designed by special representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, in connection with the firing in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territory.
A report by Casprsyk was submitted to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The document was forwarded to the OSCE chairman-in-office, the Belgium Foreign Minister. At present the Ministry is getting familiar with the document.
Bahmanov noted that the acts of the Armenian vandalism in Azerbaijan occur on the eyes of OSCE. The pressures should be made only on the Armenian government. All crimes are committed by the belligerent Armenia. Unfortunately, in his issue the international organizations demonstrate dual standards, he stated.
The deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan, special representative of Azerbaijani president for the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Araz Azimov considers positive moment the appointment of Mathew Bryza to the position of American co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. Azimov said it will give impetus to the negotiations process.
We repeatedly expressed that we approve the involvement of Bryza in this process. He is a professional and clever diplomat and we hope that he will play a positive role in this process, Azimov added.
Azerbaijan has always possess a political will for the resolution of the Armenian -Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Presidents Apparat, told Trend.
Such political will is demonstrated in the will of continuing peaceable talks. Mammadov said that Baku would like the conflict sides not only to be called to have political will, but also voice their position on the problem within the frames of norms and principles of international law during the G8 summit. G8 includes the countries which form major world processes, international relationships and unfortunately now the G8 countries put their interest prior above global interests, he stressed. В"At any case, it seems so. So, such neutral position is put forward. It does not suit us for the time being, he underscored.
Touching upon the calls by G8 countries to prepare their nations to peace, but no war, Mammadov underlined that the key task of the Azerbaijani President is ensure the development of the country in conditions of peace, democracy and security, for which all opportunities will be utilized. He added that the people of Azerbaijan are ready to all variants of resolution of the conflict and fist of all, the peaceable version.
Foreign policy
The foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov received the Pakistani ambassador to Azerbaijan Muhammad Hafizi on occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry.
The expressed his gratitude to Mammadyarov for support during his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan. Remembering the mutual visits of the presidents of the two countries, the diplomat said that these visit will serve further development of the relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Besides, Hafizi expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan government for assistance in liquidating the results of earthquake in Pakistan.
Mentioning the successful development of the bilateral relations, Mammadyarov highly assessed the support of Pakistan in Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to Mammadyarov, Pakistan is one of the first countries recognizing the independence of Azerbaijan and providing support within international organizations. Mammadyarov wished the ambassador successes in his future career.
The talks between the EU and Azerbaijan on Action Plan with European Neighborhood Program are about to complete, Trend reports quoting Peter Semneby, EU special representative in South Caucasus countries.
Semneby said during his two-day visit in Baku he had talked to foreign minister, ministers of defense, justice, as well as human rights watchers, head of Azeri community of Nagorno-Karabakh, at Baku office of UNHCR and so. The main question to have been discussed was Nagorno-Karabakh problem, democratic institutions development, election processes, human rights, law domination, regional cooperation development. Mr Semneby said almost all items of the Action Plan had been approved, apart from some technical issues.
Semneby said the Action Plan approval plays a considerable role in Azerbaijans integration with the EU. Azerbaijan is the country of special significance for the EU, but Azerbaijans interests also include developing strategic partnership with the Union, he underlined, mentioning significance of democratic institutions and human rights development.
Semneby also said he hoped for EU-Azeri Action Plan approval by mid-fall.
Several bilateral documents are expected to be signed between Azerbaijan and Poland, Trend reports with reference to a government source.
The documents will cover trade-economical sphere. The documents are expected to be signed during I meeting of interstate commission for economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland scheduled for September 11-12 in Warsaw.
At the moment, the sides prepare the agenda of the upcoming consultations. The key attention will be paid to the trade-economic cooperation between the two countries.
The intestate commission was established due to the agreement reached during Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyevs official visit to Poland. From Azerbaijani side, the co-chairman of the commission is Azerbaijani economic development minister Heydar Babayev and from Polish sides minister of economy Peter Wazniak.
Next meeting of the Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation will be held this autumn, the Azerbaijani government told Trend.
By the end summer the two sides will launch the development of an agenda of the meeting and documents to be signed at the meeting.
It will come as the third meeting of the intergovernmental commission. Azerbaijan has developed and submitted to the Saudi government its proposals, which it intends to include in the agenda of the next gathering meeting. They are currently under the Saudi governments consideration. The proposals concern the bilateral trade-economic and scientific-technical relationships.
The co-chairs of the commission are Yagub Eyyubov, the Azerbaijani First Vice Premier, and Hashim Abdullah Yemeni, the Saudi Minister for Industry and Trade.
Indonesia is interested in thorough development of trade and economic relations with Azerbaijan. The prospects of mutual relations have been spoken of at the meeting between Ibrahim Hajiyev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Indonesia, and Ms Rini Suvandi, Minister of Trade of Indonesia, Trend reports quoting Hajiyev himself.
The parties exchanged opinions on possible prospects of the two countries relations development. Indonesian minister stated her interest in Azerbaijan and its potential. At the moment, she said, relations between the two countries are limited, Indonesia exports cotton to Azerbaijan and imports rubber tires, textile and furniture. Goods turnover between the countries during 2005 amounted only $2mln. Azeri ambassador said Indonesia is interested in purchasing oil products from Azerbaijan.
Diplomat said at the meetings he had passed Indonesian minister the draft of Agreement В"Cooperation in Trade and Economic SphereВ".
19 agreement projects have been prepared for the development of the bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Indonesia, Ibrahim Hajiyev, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Indonesia, told Trend.
According to Hajiyev, the documents cover all spheres of the bilateral cooperation including political, economical, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The projects have already been presented to the Indonesian government for consideration and we expect a response, Hajiyev ruled out.
Hajiyev stressed that the sides have a political disposal for the all-rounded development of relations and this will be realized.
On July 18, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne E. Derse presented certificates of appreciation to Azerbaijani peacekeepers returning from Iraq, Trend reports with reference to the press-release of the USA Embassy in Baku.
At the ceremony held at the Peacekeeping Brigade Headquarters, Ambassador Derse noted that she too was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I appreciate your dedication and the sacrifices that you have made in completing your service in Iraq, she told.
She stressed the importance of Azerbaijan's role in peacekeeping and advancing democracy worldwide. Several peacekeepers commented on the excellent cooperation between U.S. troops and Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The mission of Mustafa Evran, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) representative to Azerbaijan, is complete July 31..
Mr Evran also said he had worked the republics representative to Azerbaijan since August 1, 2001. В"We usually work four years. However, my mission duration was increased by one year due to relations strengthening between TRNC and Azerbaijan. According to the law, we cannot work more than five yearsВ", said Evran.
Evran said he is going home August 1. According to the republics legislation, he shall work in Cyprus Foreign Ministry for two years. В"After that, I may go to another country or head some department with the MinistryВ", he added.
Seven citizens of Azerbaijan have been evacuated from Lebanon, which imposed to bombing by Israel, the honorary consul of Azerbaijan in Lebanon, Nazih Gassub, told Trend.
Gassub said that the Consulate succeeded to contact with approximately 30 citizens of Azerbaijan, while the exact number of Azerbaijanis residing in Lebanon is still unknown.
6 of 7 people evacuated were sent to Dubai, while one to Damask, Syria.
Moreover, one Azerbaijani women appealed to the Consulate, who has no passport. She will be more probably forwarded to Syria, the consul added.
Gassub underlined that the process of clarification of the list of Azerbaijanis in Lebanon and establishment of contacts with them is underway. The diplomat added that continuing bombing and blast of communications, including the telephones, complicated the process.
At the same time the Honorary Consul said that the mission works 24 hours a day and is ready to reply to any appeal and assist in the evacuation of Azerbaijanis from Lebanon.
So far, approximately 350 citizens of Italy, 850 citizens of Sweden, 250 citizens of Norway, 700 citizens of Denmark, 200 citizens of Germany, as well as citizens of other countries, including Russia, Armenia and Kazakhstan, have been evacuated from Lebanon by land and sea transport.
An Action Plan under the European Unions New Neighborhood Policy can be regarded as accorded, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, said in a meeting with the Deputy General Director of the foreign relationships Directorate of the European Commission, Fokion Fotiadis.
Fotiadis appreciated Azerbaijans policy on integration in to the EU, noting that the successes achieved serves to interests of both sides. The talks on focused on exchange of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU.
The Azerbaijani FM noted that Azerbaijans integration into Europe was the major priority of the countrys foreign policy. He also noted the significance of intensifying the EUs efforts in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
I regard the talks held on 17 July over the Action Plan under the European Policy on New Neighborhood of the European Union (EU) as effective, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahmud Mammadguliyev, told Trend in an exclusive interview. He was commenting on the results of next round of consultations between Azerbaijan and the EU.
According to Mammadguliyev, under the Action Plan with the EU three category of questions are discussed. These are political dialogue, issues linked with the economy and those linked with different sector of economy, including energy. The talks on political issues held on 17 July were very successful, the diplomat underlined. The sides concluded discussions on this category and all proposals put forward by Azerbaijan were adopted by the counterparts in EU, he stressed.
As to the economic bloc and the so-called sectorial bloc, the two sides will continue the consultations, he underlined. The work in this direction will continue on the level of the diplomatic channels. If there is necessity for a new meeting, then the EU will have to take a decision, Mammadguliyev underscored.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Action Plan can be adopted by the end of the year.
The third round of talks between the EU and Azerbaijan on Action Program of the European Neighborhood Policy was held in Baku on 17 July. The Deputy General Director of the foreign relationships Directorate of the European Commission, Fokion Fotiadis, led the EU mission in the talks, while Azerbaijani delegation was led by Mammadguliyev.
Political life
On July 18, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) held a seminar-meeting in Cultural House of Seamen for the members of district and divisional election commissions of Baku and near regions, Trend reports quoting CEC.
The event brought together the representatives and members of Garadakh election district No. 11, Garadakh-Binagadi-Yasamal district No. 1, First Azizbayov district No.13, Second Azizbayov district No.14, Second Sabunchu district No. 27, Third Sabunchu No.28, Sumgait-Apsheron No.44 and Absheron No.45.
Delivering a report at the event, the member of CEC Tamam Jafarova spoke about the goals of the seminar. Then, the reports of chairmen of district election commissions were heard and the questions of the participants were answered.
It was stated that for conducting democratic and transparent, all measures have been carried out in 8 district and 47 divisional election commissions.
The Secretary of CEC Natig Mammadov spoke about the tasks related to the preparation for elections, filling of applications and signature lists, creation of expert group, preparation and accurate definition of the list of voters in accordance with the Electoral Code.
On July 22 the 131st anniversary of Azerbaijans national press is celebrated. Trend reports, representatives of journalists organizations came to the grave of Gasan bek Zardabi in Honorary Funeral Alley.
In this event were partaking heads of Azerbaijan Press Council, other journalists associations, editors and other related persons that brought flowers to Zardabis grave.
Journalists also came to the graves of N.Najafov and E.Huseynov.
On July 19, the executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov received the director of USA Institute of Republicans on Azerbaijan Dallas Froribe, Trend reports quoting the press-service of NAP.
The meeting focused on the relations between the Institute and New Azerbaijan Party and other questions.
On July 15, the youth organization with New Azerbaijan Party organized training in Khachmaz area, Trend reports quoting Ramil Hasanov, chairman of youth organization with NAP.
Hasanov said the forum featured discussion of a number of issues with participation of nearly 400 members of regional youth organizations with NAP, adding that a number of proposals sounded at the forum. В"One of them was creation of Youth House in regions. Youth representatives said such houses are necessary for reasonable rest, formation of youngsters views, as well as arrangement of political discussions. We will bring this issue ton attention of the Ministry of Youth and SportsВ".
Hasanov also said the forum was discussing organization of Regional Coordination Center for northern region. В"Mubariz Abbasov, chairman of NAPs youth organization of Guba area, was elected head of NAPs Regional Coordination Center. The center office will be located in Guba areaВ".
The regional forum aimed at regulation and systematization of NAPs youth activity in regions, as well as familiarization and solution of their problems.
New Azerbaijan Party jointly with International Republicans Institute (IRI) is arranging Young Leaders Course training starting August, Trend reports quoting R.Hasanov, chairman of NAPs Youth Organization.
Hasanov said the projects had been drawn by NAP. Training instructors will be invited from the USA through IRI. В"We planned to arrange the trainings by the end of this year. The project aims at leading trainings on human rights, education system, democracy, young leaders forming and soВ". He added that the trainings will take place in regions as well.
Two cooperation protocols will be signed between the youth organizations of New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) and Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party, Ramil Hasanov, the chairman of the youth organization of NAP, told Trend.
He noted that the documents will be discussed in the supreme organs of the two parties. After the confirmation of the documents, they will be signed by the sides. It is possible that the delegation of NAP will pay a visit to Turkey in August-September in relation with this issue. Because, the Turkish ruling party will hold its next congress in October. As the party is preparing for the congress at the moment, the protocols are expected to be signed until or after the congress, he told.
Hasanov noted that the protocols reflect the program of exchange, exchange of various aspects of the political strategy of the two parties, as well as participation in the courses for getting familiar with this strategy. The Turkish ruling party has Academy of Political Sciences. In the future, it is implied that youths of our party will participate in the seminars held by this academy, Hasanov added.
Besides, Hasanov pointed out that the protocols envisage developing the organizations of the youth unions of the two parties in the regions.
The chairman of Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade met with the Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Artur Lenk.
The meeting focused on the social-political situation in Azerbaijan, the situation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, relations of Azerbaijan and Israel, integration of Azerbaijan into Euro-Atlantic territory and ensuring the security in the region in context of beginning of the activity of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the recent events in the Near East, Trend reports with reference to the same party.
Mollazade informed Lenk about the activity of the party. Besides, he noted that he supports to resolve the process in Near East through peaceful means and negotiations.
The chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (DRP) Asim Mollazade met with the members of Baku Public Union of Invalids and Veterans. The meeting focused on the problems of veterans and invalids of Karabakh war and the situation around Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Trend reports with reference to the press-service of DRP.
Mollazade told that at the moment the economic situation of Azerbaijan allow to raise the quality of life of citizens. We want an important part of the state budget to be directed toward needs of martyrs families, invalids and veterans of war, he added. According to Mollazade, martyrs families, invalids and veterans should use free medical service and social commensurations.
During the meeting, the veterans and invalids complained about the attitude of officials. They expressed that they stay in turn in front of the doors of official to resolve their problems.
Besides, Mollazade answered the questions of the members of the union about the situation abound Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (Classics) (APFP) is preparing a project consisting of statements and appeals in relation with the events taken place in South Azerbaijan, the chairman of the party Mirmahmud Miralioglu told Trend.
He noted the project is implied to be signed by the political parties and public organizations of Azerbaijan and then forwarded to the international organizations. The project will reflect requirements for the protection of the rights of numerous Azerbaijanis living in Iran and prevention of the pressure on them.
Miralioglu noted that his party will try to ensure that the political parties and public organizations of Azerbaijan act from a united position in relation with the events happening in South Azerbaijan, and deliver it to the international organizations. In connection with this, we hold meetings with the party leaders to exchange views and hold discussions on events in South Azerbaijan, as well as the signing of the statement, he told.
We try to draw up a united document and I hope that the persons who support Azerbaijanis living in Iran will join us. In case of failure to do so, the party will individually prepare the document and send it to UNO, PACE and other international organizations.
From 20 to 26 July, the delegation of Azerbaijan youth movement Irali will pay a visit to Russia, Farhad Mammadov, co-founder of Irali, told Trend.
Besides, Mammadov stressed that the invitation was received from the largest Russian youth movement Nashi. This event will be attended only by Azerbaijani delegation from the foreign country. The delegation will be headed by the other co-founder of Irali Elnur Mammadov and they will participate in Russian youth camp that is held annually, Mammadov emphasized.
Besides, he pointed put then the camp will be located in Seliger lake in Tverski region. This year the event is expected to bring together around 5000 people. The popular Russian politicians, public figures and the representatives of Russian presidents office will deliver lectures before the participants of the event, Mammadov added.
On July 18, PM Sabir Rustamkhanli, the chairman of Civil Solidarity Party (CSP), met with the director of National Democracy Institution (NDI) on Azerbaijan Emi Shults, Trend reports with reference to the press-service of CSP.
During the meeting, Rustamkhanli presented extensive information about CSP in Azerbaijan Parliament and discussions were held on political processes in the country and region and the influence of the USA on the policy in region.
Rustamkhanli noted that on the eve of development and globalization of democratic values, it is important to protect the national belongings, national self-consciousness and mental qualities. He noted that Armenians have violated the sovereign right of Azerbaijan and occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands. He pointed out that this fact has a very negative impact on Azerbaijans integration into Europe, conducting of free and fair elections and the development of democracy and economy.
Shults touched on the problems of the development of party, absence of youths in social-political life of the country and other questions. The sides exchanged views on objective and subjective reasons of these problems. Then, discussions were held on raise of war threat in Near East, Iraqi policy of the USA and violation of rights of Azerbaijanis living in Iran
The chairman of Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP) Ayaz Rustamov on July 18 met with the director of the National Democracy Institute (NDI) on Azerbaijan Emi Shults, Trebd reports with reference to ANIP.
The meeting focused on the social-political situation in the country and the present situation in relations between government and opposition.
Rustamov answered the questions of Shults about the activity of party after the 9th congress, tasks, priorities, goals and principles of party.
Rustamov pointed out that the primary goal of the party is the fair settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, creation of strong and united Azerbaijan, acceleration of the economic development of the country, creation of wide opportunities for the activity of democratic institutions, establishment of democratic society and legal state.
Shults approved that activity of ANIP in this direction. She informed about the future plans and projects of NDI. Besides, she stressed that NDI plans to hold seminars and trainings in August for the political organizations functioning in the region.
On July 19, the executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov received the director of USA Institute of Republicans on Azerbaijan Dallas Froribe, Trend reports quoting the press-service of NAP.
The meeting focused on the relations between the Institute and New Azerbaijan Party and other questions.
On July 19, the executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov received the director of USA Institute of Republicans on Azerbaijan Dallas Froribe, Trend reports quoting the press-service of NAP.
The meeting focused on the relations between the Institute and New Azerbaijan Party and other questions.
Unless the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is released and the occupied territories are released, the Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPF) will not stop its activity, G.Nuri, the chairman of Azerbaijan Islamic Party and also the co-founder of UPF, told Trend.
Nuri noted that after the 2005 parliamentary elections, UPF hasnt held any meeting. I hope that we will hold a meeting in August, he added.
Besides, Nuri added that there is a need for UPF because it was created on base of Azerbaijani ideology. As long as the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan isnt restored, UPF will continue its activity. The dissidence of UPF cannot be a topic. Just against, we have decided to further strengthen the activity of UPF, he emphasized.
State building
Azerbaijan and the United States are close friends and partner-countries, Fikret Mammadov, the Azerbaijani Justice Minister, stated while receiving the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, on 17 July.
The minister informed about the situation in the sphere of democratic processes in the country, civil society building, human rights protection, and provision of freedom of word and press. He noted that the importance of upgrade of the bilateral relationships in the legal platform.
Derse announced that over the period of stay in the country she witnessed positive results of progressive reforms. The Untied States attaches great importance to the cooperation with Azerbaijan, which is a reliable partner. Derse assured that she would take every effort for more progress of the bilateral relationships.
On July 21, the special envoy of European Union for South Caucasian countries Peter Semneby met with the minister of Justice of Azerbaijan Fukrat Mammadov, Trend reports quoting the press-service of the same ministry.
During the meeting, Mammadov informed the guest about the measures taken for upgrading the court system in Azerbaijan. In his turn, Semneby told that EU gives preference to the all-rounded cooperation with Azerbaijan. He added that EU is always ready to make contribution for the upgrade of the court system in Azerbaijan.