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Weekly political review

Politics Materials 19 December 2006 12:03 (UTC +04:00)

Official News

On December 15, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of congratulation to Ms. Ann Venemann, Executive Director of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Organization she heads.

The congratulation says that Azerbaijan perfectly remembers that UNICEF began its work in Azerbaijan as one the first international organizations in the country. Azerbaijanis will never forget the aid UNICEF rendered to Azerbaijanis, particularly to Azerbaijani children who turned to be refugees and IDPs as a result of the expatriation from their native lands carried out by Armenian Forces. We highly appreciate the work being carried by the Fund in resolving a number of difficult problems coming from the transition period, said the President.

In his message, the Azerbaijan President expresses his confidence that Azerbaijan together with UNICEF could successfully fulfill provisions of the UN Millennium Declaration. Mr. Aliyev also expresses a hope that UNICEF will continue its activity intended for the resolution of children problem in the country, as well as strengthen its efforts to improve the situation with children worldwide.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Special Representative of the European Union for South Caucasus, Peter Semneby on December 15 in Baku. The State Head of Azerbaijan said that the relations between Azerbaijan and European Union are developing successfully and the interactions are expanding for the realization of the initiatives of the European Neighborhood Policy, Trend reports.

The President said that his recent visit to Brussels plays a special role in the development of the co-operation between Azerbaijan and European Union. He voiced his hope for the future development of the relations.

In his turn, Semneby added that the relations between Azerbaijan and European Union are continuing successfully. Delivering the greetings of the EU High Commissioner for Foreign Relations, Javier Solana, the diplomat said that the negotiations in Brussels were successful.

On December 14, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credential of the Ambassador of Kuwait to Azerbaijan, Fahd Sad al-Meyin. The State Head said that the relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait are at the high level. He voiced his confidence that opening the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kuwait and Kuwait Embassy in Baku will open new prospects at bilateral level within the international organizations.

The Diplomat delivered the greetings of the Emir to Ilham Aliyev. He expressed his satisfaction that he begins his activities in Azerbaijan as the first Ambassador of Kuwait. Fahd Sad al-Meyin said that he will make all necessary efforts to develop the bilateral relations.

On December 13, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Minister of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia Iyad ibn Amin al-Medeni, Trend reports. The State Head expressed his satisfaction with the successful development of the bilateral relations. According to him, the present visit of the Culture and Information Minister will serve the development of the co-operation of the two countries with regards to the culture and information.

The Minister of Culture delivered the greetings of the King of Saudi Arabia to the Azerbaijani Presidents. Medeni voiced confidence for the development of the cultural co-operation of the two countries.

On December 12, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Dagestan Delegation. The mission included the Consultant of the President of Dagestan, Said Gurbanov, Head of Darband Region Administration, Gurban Gurbanov and the Head of the Dagestan Representation in Azerbaijan, Mohamed Gurbanov.

The representatives presented their condolences in relation with the anniversary of the death of ex-Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. Gurbanov spoke about his personal long friendship with Heydar Aliyev and shared his expressions. Mentioning invaluable service of Heydar Aliyev before the Azeri people, Mr. Gurbanov said that presently his ideas are being continued by Ilham Aliyev. Expressing his gratitude for the deep condolences, the Azerbaijan State Head said that he is well aware of the friendly relations of Heydar Aliyev and Said Gurbanov.

Ilham Aliyev, The President of Azerbaijan received the Chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee, member of PACE Political Committee, Eduardo Lintner on December 11 in Baku, Trend reports.
According to Lintner, a great interest is taken in holding the meeting of the Political Committee in Baku and it will bring together most of the members. Speaking about the recent visit of the PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs to Baku, Lintner expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani State Head for close co-operation. He said that he recently got familiarized with the project of the final report of the rapporteurs and is satisfied with good progresses.

Aliyev justified as important the conduct of the meeting of the PACE Political Committee, adding that it will provide a good opportunity to get familiarized with the processes taking place in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the great importance of conducting open discussions with the co-rapporteurs regarding the questions of mutual interest. The President voiced his confidence that the positive processes in all the spheres will continue in the future.

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Chairman of the Group of the European Popular Party of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Luk Van den Branden, Deputy Chairman of the Group of European Democrats, David Wilshire, and member of the Political Committee, Stef Goris, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani President expressed his satisfaction for next PACE Political Committee meeting in Baku. According to van den Branden, conducting the meeting of one of the important PACE Committees in Baku provided an opportunity for the participants to become familiar with the development processes taking place in Azerbaijan.

The meeting also focused on the democratic reforms held in Azerbaijan and its current relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Head of the Parliamentary Delegation of Georgia to the PACE, Gregory Bokeriani.

The meeting focused on the successful co-operation of the missions of Azerbaijan and Georgia to the PACE. The parties stressed that this success played a great role in expanding the co-operation of Azerbaijani and Georgian bilateral relations.

The President of Azerbaijan welcomed the Turkish Head of the Parliamentary delegation to the PACE, Murad Merjan.

The meeting also focused on the successful co-operation of Azerbaijan and Turkey to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Highlighting the high level of bilateral relations, Aliyev voiced his confidence that this co-operation would develop.

Merjan expressed his satisfaction of the successful co-operation of the delegations of the two countries in PACE. Mentioning the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, he voiced his confidence that realizing other regional projects will serve further development of the bilateral relations of the two countries.

On 12 December Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, paid tribute to the memorial of Ex-President Heydar Aliyev at the Cemetery of Honors. The President laid fresh wreaths at Heydar Aliyev's memorial and stand in memory of his monument.

Along with the President, all senior Government officials, Ministers, Ministerial employees, Chairmen of State Committees and MPs also visited the Heydar Aliyev's memorial site.

On December 11, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on presenting personal grants to a group of persons for their services in the field of social and cultural life.

According to the Presidential order, Gourban Hassan oghli Aliyev, Ahmad Mammad oghli Isayev, Rasmiyya Salim gizi Sadighova, Fuad Mammadamin oghli Salayev, and Zalimkhan Ussub oghli Yagublu have been awarded with personal Presidential grants.

Arif Zaheed oghli Mammadov has been appointed a Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe (CE). The corresponding order on his appointment to this post has been signed by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev today, on December 14.

By another Presidential order, Mr. Mammadov was withdrawn from the post of Azerbaijan Ambassador to Benelux countries and EU.

The Azerbaijani President also signed an order on conferring Emin Yagub oghli Eyyubov with the Rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan and appointing him as the Head of the Representative Office of Azerbaijan to EU.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on conferring high military ranks to military men of the Azerbaijan Emergency Situations Ministry.

By the Presidential order, Col. Ilham Abdullayev, Chief of the central Department of the Organization of Elimination of Emergency Situations and Etibar Husseynov, Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan Civil Defense Forces were conferred with the Rank of Colonel-General.

Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, approved new staff for the Azerbaijan-Pakistan intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, Trend reports.

Due to the resolution the First Deputy Premier, Yagub Eyyubov, has been appointed as the co-chairman of the commission, which includes the Deputy Minister for Defense Industry, Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy Minister for Communications and Information Technologies, Deputy Minister for Education, Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Deputy Minister for Health, Deputy Finances Minister, and Deputy Agriculture Ministry.

Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, adopted the Charter of the Diplomatic Academy of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan is committed to resolve all the issues due to decree.

The Diplomatic Academy was established at the decree of the President of Azerbaijan, dated
March 6, 2006.

Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict

Talks on Nagorno-Karabakh in 2006 were positive. He said that this fact was also confirmed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. We discussed many questions. One serious question remains, and if we find a solution to this matter, it will be a step forward. On the other hand, we want to believe that Armenia seriously approaches this question and does not try to use up time from the political point of view, said the Minister.

Touching on the increase or decrease of the probability of resolving the question through military way as
comprised to last year, Mammadyarov said that he supports peaceful negotiations. The military way may bring harm to the economy and development of Azerbaijan, including the whole region.

We do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state. We regret that a pro-independence constitutional referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh, said State Department Spokesman Edgar Vasquez.

As co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the U.S. works at the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement. Nagorno-Karabakh's future status is being discussed in the framework of the peaceful talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, he said.

In his opinion the referendum forestalls the process and that is why the U.S. doesn't recognize its outcomes, reports the Voice of America.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Rejects Outcomes of Referendum in Disputed Territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is mentioned in the statement that the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has expressed the OIC rejection the outcome of the recent referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh stating that the election was against International Law particularly the Geneva Convention.

Prof. Ihsanoglu in a statement today noted such referendum has not only created a new problem but also complicated the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He emphasized that the latest development will undermine the existing international efforts seeking to achieve a negotiated settlement of the dispute.

The Secretary General, while reiterating that lasting peace could only be reached through negotiations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenian side. He also restated the determination of the OIC to remain engaged in finding an acceptable solution to the territorial dispute.

The representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delivered the letter to the family of the Azerbaijan military man, Vugar Garajayev, who is presently detained in the line of contact of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports with reference to the Press-Service of the ICRC Baku Office.

The family of the Garajayev has written a response letter, which has already been delivered to Garajayev.

Due to the strong mist, Garajayev lost his way in the line of contact on December 8 and was detained by Armenian side. It is already the third visit of the ICRC representatives to Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is possible to understand that Nagorno-Karabakh is the only question that has not been agreed between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents during the Minsk meeting, the Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Executive Apparat of Azerbaijan President, Novruz Mammadov, briefed the media on December 12.

It is possible to understand that the Armenian side fluctuates in agreeing on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. As time goes by, this fluctuation becomes notable in the position of the Armenian side, he said.

According to him, Armenia supports the position of the world public, and on the other hand holds so-called constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh. It demonstrates their insincerity. In addition, irrespective of the statements of the international organizations and certain countries, they want to hold referendum to ensure the independence in Nagorno-Karabakh, and on the other hand, they conduct constructive negotiations, Mammadov said.

Denis Bribosia, the Council of Europe Secretary General's Special Representative, stated in talks with journalists that a referendum' held in Nagorno-Karabakh was a waste of time and energy.

He noted that a referendum cannot possibly help to resolve the conflict. This must be done within the framework of the OSCE Minks Group, he stated.

The international public assesses the so-called referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh as an unserious act, the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Turan Moranli, stated on 13 December.

He stressed that this action does not have any influence and Turkey supports the European Union on this issue.

The Ambassador added that it is renowned that Armenia is not a democratic Country and if democracy did exist, the opinion of the Armenian people would be taken into consideration.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and presently lies under the occupation of Armenia, the Head of the Turkish Delegation in PACE, Murat Merjan, stated, commenting on so-called referendum held in Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

Merjan said that the Council of Europe has expressed its attitude towards this issue. Hundreds of Azerbaijanis have been evicted from this territory and therefore, the referendum held there has no importance because the population presently residing there cannot represent Nagorno-Karabakh.

On December 11, Lord Russel Johnston, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh Chairman, said in Baku that a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh is not legal until the conflict is resolved, Trend reports.

Mr. Johnston was making a speech at a meting of the PACE Political Committee which started in Baku on December 11, with the participation of approximately 60 MPs and 20 experts. The agenda of the meeting includes issues of membership of the Montenegro at the CE, Kosovo state, Iran nuclear program, democracy and human rights in the CE member-countries, situation in Azerbaijan, Chechnya and Central Asian countries.

Last weekend [December 10, 2006] the separatist regime in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh held a referendum to adopt the Constitution.

Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister, stated to a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Political Committee in Baku on December 11, 2006 that it is too premature to speak if Armenia is ready to go forward in the issue on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

He said that the referendum' in Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrates that Armenia is not ready for talks. Perhaps, the participation in the talks is a step targeting to obtain the support of the West with respect to retain the power, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said. The fraud with referendum' will have negative outcomes.

Abdulkadir Atesh, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Political Committee Chairman, stated to a meeting of the PACE Political Committee in Baku on December 11, 2006 that the Council of Europe has been observing over the processes in the region since Azerbaijan entrance to the organization and is very much concerned on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.

Mr. Atesh said that in this respect the organization adopted a resolution in January 2005 and the document is a basis for approaching all developments around the conflict. Reminding of the functioning of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee led by Russel Johnston Mr. Atesh voiced his hope that the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan would be resumed.

He said that a decision has been made by the Armenian and Azerbaijani MPs to meet prior to a winter session of the PACE.

The member of the Azerbaijani Delegation to PACE, MP Rafael Huseynov, informed Trend that in the near future the Azerbaijani side will held an exhibition in Strasburg, dedicated to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that this measure is held as a response to the same measure of the Armenian side held in Strasburg. I spoke with the employees of the permanent Azerbaijani representation in PACE, Head of the Azerbaijani House, Mustafa Alinjov about taking concrete steps against the same measures of Armenia, said Rafael Huseynov.

The MP said that during his visit to Strasburg to participate in PACE winter session, he will take photos and documents reflecting the realities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as cultural heritages located and destroyed in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. He added that the Armenians have destroyed the cultural heritages located in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

In January, we will hold an exhibition in the municipal center of Strasburg, which will reflect the vandalism of the Armenians. We try to hold this exhibition on the eve of the winter session so that many politicians can see it, Huseynov said.

It should be mentioned that on December 6-9, Armenia organized an exhibition in the municipal center of Strasburg. During the exhibition, Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakchivan Autonomous Republic were demonstrated as Armenian territories.

During my speech in the PACE Committee for Culture, Education and Science, I expressed my protest against Armenia conducting exhibition, Huseynov said.

The exhibition demonstrated the claims of Armenia for the territories of Azerbaijan. The exhibition demonstrated the photos of the cultural monuments of Nakchivan. It was written on the pictures that these monuments are located on Armenian territory, Huseynov said.

Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, stated at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Political Committee in Baku on December 11, 2006 that GUAM [a regional organization among Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova] is a good area for work, Trend reports.

He said that the issue of separatism is active in the territory of 3 member-countries of GUAM. All GUAM member-states hold a unified position on the inclusion of the issue on lingering conflict to a session of the UN General Assembly.

MP Samad Seyidov, the head of the Azerbaijani Delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said on December 11, that Armenian MPs demonstrate different approaches on the talks on the level of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports. He was commenting the Armenian delegation refuse from the participation in PACE Political Committee Meeting in Baku on December 11, 2006 in Baku.

MP Seyidov said that the CE insisted on the participation of Armenia at a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Media in Baku and they refused. The same was repeated at this meeting and it actually testifies Armenian non-constructive position.

Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, said in talks with journalists that he met with the Spanish Foreign Minister Migel Anhel Martinos in Brussels within the framework of a meeting of the OSCE Council of Ministers and witnessed his interests in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He was commenting on the fact of chairmanship of Spain at the OSCE in January 2007.

Mr. Mammadyarov said that he conveyed to Mr. Martinos, that Azerbaijan wishes to see Spain, as an OSCE chairman-in-office in 2007 and would like Spain to take interest in the conflict and support any progress in the process of talks.

Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, said in talks with journalists during the last meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in Minsk, Belarus, that the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia were proposed to hold a next meeting at the end of January 2007.

He said that during the last meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenian in Minsk, Armenia asked for a timeout for analysis and discussions. A meeting with co-chairs in Minsk has been resolved and they are waiting for Armenia to reply, said the Foreign Minister.

Today the USA is a strong country of the world and the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as the country where Armenian lobby is very active. Therefore, Azerbaijan should strengthen its position by introducing its large cultural heritage to the USA, the MP of Azerbaijani, Ganira Pashayeva, said, commenting on the visit of the parliamentary delegation of Azerbaijan headed by the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Good-Will Ambassador of UNESCO, Mehriban Aliyeva.

According to Pashayeva, the knowledge of the large circles of the USA about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not at the necessary level. I consider that it is necessary to hold events dedicated to the culture of Nagorno-Karabakh during the anniversaries of the occupied Azerbaijani lands, which will provide information that Nagorno-Karabakh is the integral part of Azerbaijan, she said.

In addition, the MP said that it is necessary to publish these questions in the USA media, and Azerbaijani students and Diasporas may play a great role in this issue. She said that the students are very active in this process. During the visit of Arkadi Gukasyan to California, five Azerbaijani students made speeches at the meeting and openly expressed their protest against the false statements of Gukasyan, Pashayeva said.

Many talented people live in USA, who may increase the knowledge of the USA wide circles about Azerbaijan, culture of Azerbaijan, realities about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and they will be supported by Azerbaijan, Pashayeva said.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Yury Merzlyakov of Russia, and Matthew Bryza of the United States, have issued a statement regarding 10 December referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports with reference to the information of OSCE.

The statement says that the co-chairs do not believe that such a ''referendum'' will contribute to a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Any future legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be determined without the threat or use of force and only as the result of political negotiations between all parties in the framework of the Minsk process. Conducting such a referendum now, thus preempting the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh, rather than forging a compromise is particularly unhelpful at a moment when the OSCE Minsk group-mediated negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan appear to be on a constructive path. The co-chairs expect that the results of this referendum, which are not internationally recognized, will have no negative effect on continuing prospects for an agreement between the sides on basic principles for the settlement of the conflict,'' mentioned in the statement.

The European Union made a statement regarding the referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reports.

The European Union expressed its attitude towards the referendum held in Nagorno-Karabakh on 10 December. The EU recalls that it does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. It recognizes neither the "referendum" nor its outcome.

The EU reiterates its firm support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen, and their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The EU considers that conducting such a "referendum", thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, did not contribute to constructive efforts at peaceful conflict resolution. It calls on all parties to the conflict to intensify their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict, mentioned in EU statement.

Akif Nagi, the Chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO), informed Trend that Armenian separatists of Nagorno-Karabakh use whatever false means they can in which to bring the World's attention upon themselves, namely the so-called referendum'.

Mr. Nagi noted the so-called referendum' organized on 10 December by Armenian separatists was indeed a self- deception. The separatists announced a reportedly 90,000 electors had participated in the polls. In accordance with the statistics data provided by the separatist regime, 137,000 people reside in Nagorno-Karabakh. 90,000 of the 137,000 residents do not have the right to vote. This is an exaggerated figure and the Armenians actually confuse themselves by their conduct of each event and on the so-called referendum'. In addition, the statistical data provided by the Republic of Azerbaijan states that 70,000 Azerbaijanis were withdrawn from their native land. How can it be called a general poll if 70,000 local residents did not participate and their votes were not taken into consideration? All these facts demonstrate the existence of a separatist regime Nagorno-Karabakh, their actions and measures are false and not based upon the law, Mr. Nagi stressed.

The KLO Chairman added that through the conduct of such events the separatist regime actually targets to demonstrate its survival. The separatist regime stated that the Armenians who left Nagorno-Karabakh appealed to them to ensure their participation in the polls. Mr. Nagi noted that the Armenians ignored the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and continued their separatist activities in Nagorno-Karabakh. Therefore, the Government of Azerbaijan should take decisive steps. Azerbaijan should cease talks with Armenia. The international organizations and countries mediating in the resolution of the conflict also hold definite responsibility in this respect. On the one hand they mediate in the resolution of the problem and on the other they turn a blind eye to illegal acts by the belligerent country [Armenia], he emphasized

The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey, Zakir Hashimov, informed Trend that Turkey has announced that it does not recognize the results of the referendum held on December 10 in Nagorno-Karabakh, a province of Azerbaijan under Armenian occupation.

A statement by Turkish MFA indicated that "international laws were ignored" in the referendum held for adoption of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's Constitution".

"At the end of the referendum, the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was defined as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and as a sovereign, democratic, legitimate, social state," the statement noted. The statement also pointed out that Turkey considers this vote as "a proof of the Armenian occupation of the Azerbaijani territory which is against international laws."

In the statement, the MFA condemns this act which is a new violation of Azerbaijan's political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity by Armenia.

Noting that more than one million Azerbaijani have become refugees in their own country due to the invasion, the statement said, "it is obvious that this move to hold a `constitutional referendum` in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is one that ignores efforts to find a peaceful solution (to the problem)."

The Turkish MFA also called on the international community to condemn, and not to recognize the results of the so-called referendum.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini was commenting on a referendum held in the Azerbaijan breakaway region on December 10 approving a constitution which declared it an independent state, Trend reports quoting IRNA.

"While Iran respects territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it backs lasting and fair peace in the region," said the spokesman, adding that "Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to actively help the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks".

He expressed hope that talks would continue through democratic processes and lead to a sustainable peace in the region.

Anar Maharramov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Spain, exclusively informed Trend that within the framework of chairmanship at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Spain can come out with initiatives on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. He was commenting on a Madrid meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuriy Merzlyakov, Russia, Bernard Fassie, France, and Matthew Bryza, the United States, with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Migel Anghel Moratinos.

Mr. Maharramov said that a meeting was held at the initiative of the Spanish Foreign Ministry, which will chair OSCE the next year. The Spanish Foreign Ministry avoids making any announcement on the results of the meeting with respect to observe the confidentiality of talks, the diplomat said. The mediators informed the Spanish Foreign Minister about the negotiation process.

The diplomat did not exclude that under the chairmanship at the organization, Spain can come out with initiatives on the problem resolution.

Foreign Policy

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan briefed the media that Azerbaijan supports developing the relations with Turkmenistan, commenting on the issue of restarting the activities of the Turkmenistan Embassy in Baku.

Khalafov remembered that at former times, due to the financial problems, the Government of Turkmenistan stopped the activities of its Embassy in Azerbaijan. But despite this, the full activities of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkmenistan are still continuing. The Deputy Minister said that Azerbaijan not only supports maintaining the relations with Turkmenistan at the current level, but also wants to develop them and tries doing it.

This question is raised at all official meetings with Turkmenistan. I personally discussed this question with the Turkmenistan Foreign Minister. Azerbaijan has a wish to resolve this issue, and I consider that there are no problems between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. There are potentials to develop the relations. I think that these relations will develop at higher level in the near future, Khalafov said.

The Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalaf Khalafov, said that the meeting of the boundary delimitation and demarcation experts of Azerbaijan with Georgia and Russia will take place in February. The meeting will take place in Baku.

Touching on the question regarding the David Garaji Complex, which is located on the border of Azerbaijan with Georgia, Khalafov said that the topic of discussions is to determine the state borders, and this will be carried out on base of the legal norms. The borders will be defined in accordance with these norms, and the compromises, exchanges or other adding can not be the topic of the discussions, the Deputy Minister said.

Touching up on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, he said that Iran, as initiator of the summit, will organize the meeting in Tehran.

Two meetings have already been held for this purpose in October and December 2006. Work has been implemented over the project of the result document. Large part of the declaration project has been agreed. Several questions have remained, and therefore, meeting needs to be held, said the Deputy Minister.

Speaking about the visit of the Azerbaijani President to France scheduled for the end of January, the Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Executive Apparat of Azerbaijan President, Novruz Mammadov, briefed the media on December 12, that the President will go to France not on official, but the state visit. Once again I say that the President will go to France on the state visit. The state visit differs from official visit for its status. The difference includes the duration of the visit, events held within the visit, etc., Mammadov said.

The 7th session of the European Union- Azerbaijan Parliamentary Co-operation Committee will be held in Strasbourg from 13 to 14 December. The Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of Milli Majlis [Parliament], as well as the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Commission on Natural Resources, Energy & Ecology, Valeh Alasgarov, will be in attendance. The delegation includes the Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary Commissions, Rovshan Rzayev, Azer Amiraslanov, MPs Guler Ahmadova, Jale Aliyeva, Cingiz Asadullayev Rauf Aliyev, Ulvi Guliyev and Fuad Muradov.

The meeting will center on the partnership between the organization and Azerbaijan, as well as co-operation in the economic, social, agriculture and environmental protection sectors, the political situation, human rights, freedom of speech and the media in the Country, steps taken for democratic development and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani Deputy Speaker will deliver a report on the results of the organization held in 2005.

US Congressmen pointed out that Azerbaijan was a Country is an example of religious and ethnic toleration to the entire World, Ganira Pashayeva, a Member of the Azerbaijani parliament (Milli Majlis) has informed journalists today, Trend reports.

According to her, the American top political circles have very positively applauded the fact that that this Muslim country has managed to build such a modern State. For example, Evda Abramov, a Jew by origin was in our delegation to US. They are aware of the number of Jewish population in Azerbaijan, and were surprised by the fact that the representative of this nation was the Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Permanent Commission of the Azerbaijan Parliament. He perfectly explained his opinion concerning Armenians' actions toward Jews in Azerbaijan, she added.

She asked that during the meetings held in the US, Mehriban Aliyev, Azerbaijan's First Lady said that Azerbaijan was the first country in the Muslim East to discover Parliament and build a democratic society, where women won the right to elect and to be elected, and that the Azerbaijani people were created the first ballet and the first opera in the Muslim East.

MP Aydin Abbasov, Azerbaijani parliamentary representative to the PACE, exclusively informed Trend that an issue on fulfillment of Council of Europe (CE) commitments by Azerbaijan will be discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CE (PACE) Monitoring Committee. MP Abbasov will represent Azerbaijan in that meeting.

On December 13, Paris hosted a meeting of the PACE Monitoring Committee.

In his remarks Andreas Herkel, a PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, spoke about the ongoing development in the country, the situation in media and ANS television and radio broadcasting company, political prisoners, economic development and fulfillment of CE commitments by Azerbaijan. At the same time Herkel made critical notes on Azerbaijan. Another speaker, Andreas Gross, a former PACE co-rapporteur, criticized all spheres in Azerbaijan. I voiced my protest to both sides, he said.

During his address MP Abbasov noted that it is more expedient to hold discussions on Azerbaijan in a January meeting of the Monitoring Committee in the framework of the PACE winter session. Mr. Abbasov said that the head of the Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation, Samad Seyidov, and A PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Tony Lloyd, will be in attendance and that they did not participate in a Paris meeting.

A proposal by Abbasov was supported by the Monitoring Committee, which made a resolution to continue discussions at the January session.

The Advisor of the Polish Embassy in Azerbaijan, Voytsekh Guretski, informed Trend that the official visit of the Polish Foreign Minister, Anna Fotigi, to Azerbaijan has been scheduled for March-April of the next year.

Earlier, the visit had been planned to take place in October 2006, but due to the tension in the working schedule of the Minister, the visit was postponed till the next year. It will be the first visit of the Polish Foreign Minister to Azerbaijan. During the visit, it is planned to discuss the prospects of the bilateral relations.

Andreas Herkel, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur, informed Trend that a report on Azerbaijan by the PACE rapporteurs will make a major accent on traditional reforms, political prisoners and media. He noted that all part of the report is of great significance, because it is dedicated to the implementation of CE commitments and recommendations by Azerbaijan.

I welcome the rehabilitation of the ANS private TV and radio broadcasting channel, whereas the question linked with the eviction of editorial offices of newspapers remains an important problem which concerns us currently, Mr. Herkel said.

The co-rapporteur also mentioned that the report covers democratization of society in Azerbaijan.

On 13 December 2006 Paris will host a meeting of PACE Committee on Fulfillment of CE commitments and recommendations, which will focus on draft report by PACE Monitoring Committee Co-rapporteurs, Andreas Herkel and Tony Lloyd, who have recently visited Azerbaijan.

Yashar Aliyev, Azerbaijan Ambassador to US, has presented letters of credence to George W. Bush, US. President, the Press-Centre of the Azerbaijan Foreign Office informed Trend.

During the meeting, President Bush highly appreciated friendly relations between the two countries, and called Azerbaijan a reliable partner of US.

Presenting credentials to the American President, the Azerbaijan Ambassador said that Azerbaijan attached a great importance to its partnership with US, which has always backed Azerbaijan in the issue on founding and developing independent Azerbaijan. Mr. Aliyev said that U.S.A. as one of the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group for Resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would do all possible to fairly and peacefully settle this issue.

Nine other Ambassadors who have recently been appointed to represent their countries to U.S., as well as representatives of the protocol Department of the White House took part in the ceremony on presenting credentials.

A regular sitting of the Political Committee of PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe) has begun in Baku today. A topic connected with Azerbaijan is also expected to be discussed during the event, Trend reports.

Some 50 delegates and 20 experts of the Council of Europe have arrived in Baku to participate in the event. Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Ramil Ussubov, Azerbaijan's Interior Minister and Fikret Mammadov, Azerbaijan's Justice Minister participated in the opening of the arrangement.

Ogtay Asadov, Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament (Milli Majlis) and his Romanian counterpart Nikolae Vekeroyu are expected to discuss issues on coordination at a bilateral and international level between the two countries in Bucharest. Tural Rzayev, a Counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy to Romania, told Trend.

The negotiations are expected to be held on December 18-20 within the forthcoming official visit of the Azerbaijani Speaker to Romania to be held by the invitation of his Romanian counterpart.

Presently, the Azerbaijan Embassy is discussing a programme of the forthcoming visitand negotiations. The agenda of the visit includes Mr. Asadov meetings with the Romanian Speaker and Romanian MPs. The Azerbaijani Speaker intends to hold meetings in the Romanian Government and with the Romanian President.

Juras Pozelan, Head of the Youth Department of the Lithuanian Social Security and Labor Ministry arrived to Baku today, a source in the Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Ministry told Trend.

Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Minister has accepted the Lithuanian guests in the first day of their visit to Baku. The parties held opinion exchange on the current situation with the Azerbaijani-Lithuanian cooperation in the spheres of youth policy, as well as perspectives of this cooperation. Both parties attached high importance to the implementation of youth exchange programmes between the two countries.

Mr. Pozelan delivered an invitation of the Lithuanian Social Security and Labor Minister to Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister, Azad Rahimov to pay a visit to Lithuania.

Tahir Taghizadeh, Chief of the Press and Information Policy of the Azerbaijan Foreign Office informed Trend that Miguel Anhel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister will visit Azerbaijan.

According to Mr. Taghizadeh, the exact date of the forthcoming visit of the top Spaniard guest has not been determined yet. These issues will be considered within the coming month. He also reminded that in 2007, Mr. Moratinos would fulfill responsibilities of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

According to the information spread by the foreign media sources, the Spain Foreign Minister will tour South Caucasian countries.

None of the measures taken to establish order in trade in Russia is not intended against Azerbaijan or Azerbaijanis, Vasily Istratov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Azerbaijan, told journalists today, Trend reports.

If Azerbaijan citizens do not violate the Russian laws, they will have no problems, said the Russian Diplomat.

According to Mr. Istratov, problems in bazaars exist not only in Russia, but also in Azerbaijan. Otherwise, the country would not face the necessity to conduct fairs with the aim to improve the situation in bazaars.

Expressing his attitude towards holding the so-called referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Ambassador said that it would not improve the situation in the settlement of the conflict.

I do not think that the referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh will improve the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peaceful negotiations issue, he said.

Political Life

Within his visit to USA, Asim Mollazadeh, Chairman of the Democratic Reforms party of Azerbaijan, met Dan Freed, Deputy US State Secretary, the press-service of the Party told Trend.

During the meeting, relations between US and Azerbaijan, resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the situation in Azerbaijan and in the region was discussed.

At the White House, Mr. Mollazadeh met Matthew Palmer, Director of the Department for Issues with Europe of the US National Security Council. During the meeting, relations between US and Azerbaijan, resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the situation in the region were discussed.

Moreover, the Chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party gave a speech on the situation in Azerbaijan and South Caucasus in the Centre for Central Asian Research of the John Hopkins.

Representatives of Embassies to US, analytical research centers, and employees of different governmental organizations took part in the event. Mr. Mollazadeh had held meetings in the US Senate and the House of Representatives of the US Congress.

I do not await the strong formation of the opposition in Azerbaijan because the present opposition, party leaders, who began their political activities at the beginning of 1990, has factually monopolized the opposition, the Chairman of the pro-governmental Ana Veten Party, MP Fazil Agamali, informed Trend.

Recently a Co-ordination Council was created with the participation of all opposition parties. After this, the opposition heads came together for several times, held discussions and made a decision to continue these meetings. Agamali said that it is not for the first time that the opposition makes such initiative, and their joint activities will not yield effect. At various times, the opposition created unions. But later, each leader appeared with his/her own pretensions and their unions collapsed. I consider that their present efforts do not differ from others, he said. Agamali said it is impossible to create normal opposition camp with such opposition. Ana Veten Party, which supports the ruling New Azerbaijan Party and political course of the Government, is represented in the Parliament with 2 members.

The Leader of Musavat Party, Isa Gambar, informed Trend that the existence of various opinions at the meetings of the opposition is normal.

It should be mentioned that recently a Co-ordination Council was created with the participation of all opposition parties. The opposition leaders came together for several times, held discussions and decided to continue the meetings. Touching on the date of the next meeting of the Co-ordination Council, Gambarov said that they should make consultations for this question. He added that Musavat Party has made its proposals regarding the activities of the Co-ordination Council and these proposals will be discussed at the meeting held in full composition.

Fixing the date of the next meeting of the Co-ordination Council does not depend only on us because the Council brings together Unions of Editor-in-Chiefs, NGOs, MP's and other structures. The next meeting will take place at necessary time, said Isa Gambar. Touching on the difference among the political forces included in the Council, Gambar said that the Co-ordination Council is not only oppositional structure. He said that it is a structure that brings together the democratic society for the freedom of speech, and the existence of differences at the time of the discussions regarding any question is natural.

I do not see any problems here. Musavat Party has made its proposals regarding the activities of the Co-ordination Council and if necessary, we will come together and discuss them, Isa Gambar said.

He said that discussions are held in Musavat Party regarding the next rally.

Opposition Musavat Party was created in 1992. The leader of the Party, Isa Gambar, was Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament in 1992-1993, and in 2003 run as a candidate for the President post. The Party is represented in the Parliament by 5 members.

State Building

The Interior Minister and Commander of the Internal Troops of Russia are expected to make a visit to Azerbaijan on December 22, Trend reports with reference to the Head Department of the Internal Troops of the Azerbaijan Interior Ministry.

The visit was scheduled for December 13. Due to certain reasons, the Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev and Commander of the Internal Forces Nikolai Rogojkin did not visit Azerbaijan on that day. Within the visit, they will meet with the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Commander of the Internal Troops Zakir Hasanov. Guests will get familiarized with the activities of the military units of the Internal Troops.

On December 15-16, the Azerbaijan Minister of Emergency Situations visited the State Fire Service Departments of the Sabunchi, Khatai and Nizami districts.

The Minister reviewed the administrative buildings of the Fire Departments of the districts where overhaul was carried out.

Over the past period the Ministry of Emergency Situations has purchased 10 fire vehicles KAMAZ from Russia. Five of them were given to Khatai District Fire Department.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations, Kamaladdin Heydarov, visited the Agency for Production Security and Agency for Control on Mountainous Mines which function under the Emergency Ministry.

Heydarov visited the administrative buildings of the Agencies.

Visiting the Agency for Control on Mountainous Mines, the Minister stopped at the museum of the Agency, dedicated to the history of the oil production.

The Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev received the Commander of the Special Troops of Turkey, General Servet Yoruk on December 15, Trend reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. Abiyev said that the co-operation between Turkey and Azerbaijan is many-sided. The Minister said that the launching of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipe testify that the co-operation will be more successful in the future.

Yoruk expressed his satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan and is sure for the development of the Armed Forces.

Abiyev said that important work is carried out to provide the Armed Forces with techniques and as long as the economy of Azerbaijan develops, wide opportunities open for strengthening the Armed Forces exist.

The meeting also focused on training the Special Troops of the two countries.

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