Official news
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Slovenia for an official visit on August 27
Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and other government officials welcomed President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva at Ljubljanas airport.
President Ilham Aliyev headed from the airport to his temporary residence.
On August 24, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by the chairman of Igdir municipality of Turkey Nurettin Aras. Aliyev highly assessed the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Trend reports. Remembering his recent visit to Turkey within the opening ceremony of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the head of Azerbaijan underlined that this project will have further impact on the strengthening of the cooperation between the two countries. Aliyev conferred Aras order of Progress for his activity in the solidarity of world Azerbaijanis.
Aras expressed his gratitude to the president Aliyev and desire for the future development of Azerbaijan. He stressed that Turkish businessmen have allocated large investments to Azerbaijan, and available conditions have been created for their activities.
On August 24, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the delegation chaired by the president of the company Global Steel Holdings Ltd. Pramod Mitall.
Mitall expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan and added that this visit gives a good opportunity to get acquainted with the economical development process in the country, Trend reports.
Aliyev informed the guest about the successes obtained by Azerbaijan in economical and other spheres.
On august 21, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the chairman of the foreign relations committee of the U.S. Senate Richard Lugar.
Speaking about Azerbaijani-American relations the state head noted that they are based on the principles of friendship and mutual support. According to Aliyev, the relations between the two countries are successfully developing in various spheres. Touching on the visit of Lugar, Aliyev stressed that it is a indicator of the mutual and strategic relations.
The senator expressed his satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations. He mentioned the rapid growth rate of Azerbaijan economy
Receiving King of Jordan Abdallah II in Baku, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reportedly said on August 23 that political relations between Jordan and Azerbaijan are at a high level.
The President said economic relations between the Countries have great potential as well. He expressed his confidence in further development ties between the Countries following this visit.
The King of Jordan expressed satisfaction with his stay in Baku and his Countrys interest in the versatile development of relations with Azerbaijan.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King of Jordan Abdallah II have made a statement on the result of their talks in Baku. Trend reports that leaders of the two Countries said they had lead discussions regarding the development of mutual relations, regional and international issues, in particular Nagorno-Karabakh and the Middle East. They also expressed the mutual intention to develop relations between Azerbaijan and Jordan.
President of Azerbaijan said one of the aspects of co-operation between the Countries pertains to economic and trade fields. He also said at the moment trade relations between the Countries had been low key. The current official visit of King of Jordan promotes positive changes, said Aliyev, adding that they will also be boosted by the recent opening of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Amman. Underlining his personal friendly relations with the King of Jordan, Aliyev said it will also serve the basis for stronger relations between Azerbaijan and Jordan.
In turn, the King of Jordan specially underlined his warm relations with the President of Azerbaijan, saying this will make the ties between the Countries strong. Abdallah II added that both the Countries face certain challenges in both political and economical spheres. We should join efforts in this respect, he concluded.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the director of the Center of Copenhagen Consensus (CCC) Byorn Lomborg. During the meeting, Lomborg informed the head of Azerbaijan about the activity of the Center and told that the primary purpose of the organization is to investigate the development of the economic processes all over the world. The guest expressed the interest of the Center towards economical successes of Azerbaijan.
Ilham Aliyev stressed that the activity of the Center is interesting for Azerbaijan. The state head spoke about the economical achievements of the country and purposeful use of the oil revenues.
Aliyev voiced his desire that the cooperation between CCC and relevant bodies of Azerbaijan will continue in the future.
In the near future, gas export will start from Azerbaijani field Shahdeniz, the President of BP Azerbaijan David Woodward told on August 22 in Baku during his meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Woodward stressed that oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan is developing successfully. He pointed out that he got familiar with the works in Sangachal terminal where the project measures are being carried out urgently.
The state head mentioned the great importance of Shahdeniz project for Azerbaijan and region generally. He voiced his confidence that in the near future Azerbaijan will turn into a significant gas producer and exporter.
On August 24 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dispatched a telegram of condolences to President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Trend reports that the message brings deep condolence in respect to yesterdays crash of airline TU-154 flying from Anapa to St Petersburg and the death of crew and passengers. В"This news brought a deep sorrow in my heart. On behalf of the Azerbaijan nation and myself, I bring to you, relatives and friends of all the dead, as well as to all people of Russia, my deepest condolencesВ", the message said.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has issued the order regarding additional measures for acceleration of social and economic development in areas of Agsu, Ujar and Zardab.
The document says that В"State Program for Social and Economic Development of RegionsВ" to have been approved on 11 February, 2004, is implemented successfully in all the areas of the country, including the aforesaid. Nevertheless, some problems still exist in these three areas. During the Presidents trip to these areas on June 29 these problems have been discussed and related measures identified, the document says.
In order to further accelerate social and economic development in these areas, it was decided to approve the related Action Plan. The Cabinet of Ministers was assigned to solve issues arising in this respect and to regularly inform the President of the work being done.
The President of Azerbaijan issued an order confirming the composition (Azerbaijani side) of Joint Azerbaijani-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation.
The commission will be headed by the first vise-primer of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov. The composition of the commission included the minister of industry and energy Natik Aliyev, minister of defense industry Yaver Jamalov, the head of the State Commission for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad Nazim Ibrahimov, deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov, president of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Azerbaijan Suleyman Tatliyev, first deputy minister of emergency situations Rafail Mirzayev, deputy minister of economic development Mikail Jabbarov, deputy minister of transport Musa Panahov, deputy minister of agriculture Bahram Aliyev, deputy minister of culture and tourism Teymur Mehdiyev and Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu. The commission also included the head of Azerenerji JSC Etibar Pirverdiyev, vise-president of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Elshad Nasirov and the head of the regional economic relations department of the Cabinet of Ministers Kamal Ismailzade (responsible secretary).
Foreign policy
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was invited to Istanbul to take part in the ceremony of the Opening the Headquarters of Youth Forum with Islamic Conference for Dialog and Co-operation to be held on 3 September, 2006, Trend reports quoting Altay Akhmedov, Secretary of the Forum.
Turkish Prime Minister Rajab Tayyib Erdogan has dispatched an invitation to the President of Azerbaijan to jointly lead the ceremony of the Opening the Forums permanent headquarters. Expected to attend this ceremony is Secretary General and representatives of governments of countries within Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), UN, CE, Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (IOESC) etc. During the event it is planned to sign co-operation agreements between the management of the Forum and the President of Islamic Chamber of Trade and Industry Sheik Salekh Kamil and the Director of Youth Directorate with the CE Ralph-Rene Weingertner. The Forum is also leading the presentation of Youth for Civilizations Alliance initiative together with CE, UN and UNESCO.
On August 21 Ion Rabu, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Azerbaijan, handed the copies of his credentials to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov, Trend reports quoting Petr Timush, first secretary of the embassy.
Timush said at the meeting the parties had discussed the prospects of bilateral political, economical and cultural relations between the two countries. In particular, officials exchanged opinions on public and political situation in Moldova and Azerbaijan, discussed settlement of frozen conflicts in both the countries. They also talked of cooperation in energy sphere. In a day or two the ambassador should hand is credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.
In his exclusive interview with Trend Artur Lenk, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, said that the two countries are good partners and we hope we can strengthen it. With respect to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict he said that Azerbaijan has selected the way of conversations to solve this problem. OSCE, supported by Minsk Group, is seeking for agreement with Armenia. Israel and its people uphold the efforts President Ilham Aliyev makes to resolve the conflict peacefully. We suggest this agreement will match the interest of Azerbaijan and all the nations residing in South Caucasus region.
Leo Platvoet, PACE reporter for captured and missing persons in South Caucasian countries, is planning a visit to the region in September, Mr Platvoet told Trend in an exclusive interview.
В"I visited the three capitals (Baku, Yerevan and Tbilisi) in June, where I spoke with politicians, state commissions, families of the missing, the International Red Cross and others. I now plan to make another visit in September to Abkhazia and Nagorno KarabakhВ", said Mr Platvoet, adding that the precise route and schedule is not yet confirmed.
Answering the question whether the parties agreed to co-operate in searching for captured and missing persons in the region the reporter said: В"Until now it seems that all the parties agree that it is necessary to co-operate in implementing the mechanism of the International Red Cross to search for the missing, to collect data with assistance from the families, to identify burial places and human remains, to offer assistance to the families etc. The families have a right to know what happened to their beloved ones and the authorities and politicians are obliged to fulfill this right and they are aware of thisВ".
During his interview with Trend, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Austria Fuad Ismaylov didnt exclude that if during the Conference the sides voice their desire, a meeting may be held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and active chairman of OSCE Karl de Guht where it is possible to hold discussions on the fires in Azerbaijans occupied territories.
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov has been awarded with the Order of Grand Duke Yaroslav the Wise of V Degree. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov has been awarded with the Order For Service of III Degree.
Trends Special Correspondent reports that the order of Ukrainian President В"Awarding foreign citizens on the occasion of 15th Anniversary of Independence of UkraineВ" says these citizens have been awarded for В"considerable contribution to the development of international co-operation, strengthening of authority and the image of Ukraine worldwideВ".
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
At 550PM to 605PM, August 20, Armenian forces deployed in southern part of occupied village Shikhlar of Agdam area fired from machine-guns on positions of Azerbaijani forces, Trend reports with reference to the press service of Azeri Defense Ministry.
Armenian Forces once more broke the ceasefire on the frontline. Officials of the Press Service of the Ministry of Defense told Trend on 24 August that Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijan military points near Mount Gamish in the Khanlar area. They were firing from Tommy and machine guns between 7.50 and 8.15 p.m. Azerbaijani Forces retaliated and no casualties are reported.
On August 25, the ceasefire was broken on Azeri-Armenian frontline, Trend reports with reference to press service of the Ministry of Defense
Armenian forces located 1km southwest of Seysulan village of occupied Terter area fired on Azerbaijani positions between 800 and 815PM and one more time between 0140 and 0200AM.
The response fire was opened. No casualties are reported.
Dennis Bribosia, CE Secretary Generals Special Envoy, considers the monitoring of fires along Azeri-Armenian frontline very important, Trend reports quoting Mr Bribosia himself.
В"I am really disappointed and shocked by this news about firesВ", said Mr Bribosia, underlining the necessity in participation of international organizations and the council of Europe in the monitoring.
He said this problem would be solved positively to satisfaction of all the parties.
Official Baku gave its consent to the next meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in September, Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists on August 23.
According to the minister, the next round of the consultations of the conflict sides with the participation of the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group has been scheduled for September. Mammadyarov stressed that he has discussed this issue with French co-chair Bernar Face who offered one-two variants of the meeting where the date and place were suggested. We have already given our consent, the minister added.
Political life
From August 22, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) will start training in relation with repeat, additional and new municipal elections in several municipalities, Trend has been told by CEC.
The training is aimed at educating the members of the sub-commissions and raising their professionalism. The training will last until September 9 and is expected to bring together 4,684 members of sub-commissions over 82 election districts.
More than 1200 local observers have been registered to observe repeat, additional and new municipal elections scheduled for October 6, the chairman of Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) Mazahir Panahov told journalists, Trend reports.
Panahov stressed that the number of observers will increase until the elections day. 465 out of the registered observers are independent and 739 members of political parties.
Besides, Panahov pointed out that 4613 candidates will participate in the elections.
On August 24, the ambassador of Belarus to Azerbaijan Nikolay Patskevich met with the chairman of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) Mazahir Panahov, Trend reports quoting CEC.
The chairman of CEC congratulated the guest on this appointment to the position of ambassador and wished him successes in his activity. Panahov stressed that Belarus and Azerbaijan closely cooperate in the sphere of elections. He emphasized there are close relation between the Central Election Commission of Belarus and Azerbaijan CEC, and hopes that the cooperation will be developed in the future.
The ambassador underlined that he fully agrees with Panahov and noted that the observers play a great role in receiving accurate information about the elections. Patskevich said that Azerbaijan has obtained successes in formation of democratic society. The ambassador desired Azerbaijan more democratic development and economical prosperity.
Transparent inks for marking the fingers of the voters in the upcoming municipal elections have delivered from Denmark and USA to Azerbaijan, Rovzat Gasimov, chief of the international relations department of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC), told Trend.
He noted that the ink balloons with inks are ready for the use in the municipal elections. If the ink bottles are not enough, CEC will make order to foreign countries.
Besides, Gasimov said that CEC has forwarded invitations to the international organizations and Central Election Commissions of several countries that foreign observers hold monitoring in the municipal elections. We have sent invitations to the Congress of Local and Regional Powers of the Council of Europe, Association of Official Representatives of Elections of Central and Eastern Asia, Washington Office of International Fund for Elections Systems, as well as CEC of partner-countries. Yet there is no response. We consider that in September they will start to send us responses, Gasimov emphasized.
The next meeting of Board of ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Trend has been told in NAP.
During the meeting the report on the half-year activity of NAP was heard and discussed. It was stated that for the reported period, the activity of the party included the repeat parliamentary elections. The candidates of NAP gained the victory over 5 out of 10 election districts.
Over the first half-year of 2006, works were carried out to expand the international relations of NAP. The delegation of NAP mate visit to Turkey and Egypt. The delegation of Romanian Social Democratic Party visited Azerbaijan with invitation of NAP. For the reported period, the youth organization of NAP paid mutual visits with youth organizations of Turkish ruling party and Ukrainian Party of Regions. During the half-year, NAP participated in the social-political life of the country, held several conferences and round tables on actual topics. The representatives of NAP visited front line, met with soldiers and provided material aid to army.
During the meeting of then Board of NAP, it was mentioned that for the reported period the number of the members of party has increased by 16677. Within the year, the ruling party brings together 393746 people, with 167216 (42.4%) women and 150524 (38,2%) youths. The number of students in the ranks of the party has importantly increased and reached 39203. During the meeting, half year financial account of NAP was confirmed. Over the period of January-July 2006, NAP received 527958 manats at the expense of membership fees. 453986 have been spent on the payment of salaries of the employees working in central and local organizations of party, conducting of measures and expenditures of economical character.
The Board confirmed action plan of NAP for July-December 2006.
State building
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijan Parliament) Ogtay Asadov met with the ambassador of the Russians Federation to the country Vasily Istratov, 23 August.
Chairman of Parliament congratulated the ambassador on the beginning of activity in Azerbaijan and expressed hope that this appointment would bring contribution to development of relations between two states. There are greater opportunities for expansion of cooperation of two countries in economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres
Vasily Istratov said that he as a newly appointed ambassador of Russia in Azerbaijan would make all efforts for development of interstate links. As he said, for development of the Russian-Azerbaijani relations, there is good basis.
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijan Parliament) Ogtay Asadov met with the chairman of the foreign relations committee of the U.S. Senate Richard Lugar on 21 August.