Official News
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited Sumgayit City today, on December 29, Trend reports. First the Head of the Azerbaijani State visited the monument of All-National leader Heydar Aliyev recently put in the centre of the City and laid flowers on it.
Mr. Aliyev also visited Tube-Rolling Plant AzKomposit which was put into commission on December 29. The President got acquainted with shops of the facility. The head of the State said that Azerbaijan began producing pipes, and the Country would not buy them abroad any more. The Plant may export them in the future.
Azerbaijan President got acquainted with the recently-repaired highway вЂ" Sumgayit-Novkhani. The length of the road is 9,7 km. It is very convenient for the traffic in the direction of the Capital, and will allow eliminating the traffic jams. Mr. Aliyev got acquainted with the quality of the highway. He said that there was a need in accomplishing the coastal zone, as well as constructing modern resort centers.
The President visited the Sumgayit Boulevard and got acquainted with work being carried out there. In addition, the Head of the Azerbaijani State met people walking across the Boulevard and congratulated them with the coming holidays вЂ" Eid-al-Adha, the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, and the New Year.
The President also visited the Food Industry Facility Bismark which was recently put into commission.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a congratulation to the people on the occasion of the December 31 Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, Trend reports. The congratulation of the State Head says that this holiday is traditionally widely held in Azerbaijan. Mentioning the dear memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the President wishes patience to their families.
The sovereign Azerbaijan Republic has already entered into the stage of all-sided development. The main goals are the national and cultural rise of the people and successive political and economical progress of the state, Aliyev wrote. The Muslim Festival of Sacrifice is the holiday of goodwill, sympathy and charity. I congratulate each of you and Azerbaijanis residing in various countries around the world and I wish you and your families happiness and prosperity, said the President of Azerbaijan.
On December 28, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has visited the Intellectual School Named after Tofig Ismayilov with the aim to get acquainted with the repair works carried out there.
The Head of the Azerbaijani State also took participation in the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Museum at the School. The visit of President Ilham Aliyev to the educational institute where he obtained general education certificate has caused the great gladness of the teaching staff of the School.
Mr. Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the repair works carried out at the School
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed his speech to the Azerbaijan people on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis.
In his speech the President congratulated the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year, wished them strong health, prosperity, happiness and success in the common business.
The President said that the holiday initiated by All-National leader Heydar Aliyev is celebrated by all the World Azerbaijanis.
Our people mark this holiday as the day of solidarity and national unity. It embodies the propaganda of the national and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, their ties with their historical motherland, as well as strengthening the ideas of unity and organization with the compatriots, said the President.
The Head of the Azerbaijani State said that for recent years, our compatriots have done a significant work on organizing and expanding the activity of Azerbaijani communities and Diasporas in different countries, as well as strengthened their ties with the motherland. The first and the second congresses of the World Azerbaijanis gave an intense impetus to uniting our compatriots around their independent state вЂ" Azerbaijan Republic, and the process on distributing the idea of Azerbaijanhood, has determined forthcoming tasks. Azerbaijanis are strengthening their ties and links with their motherland. Their participation in the development of the economic and social and cultural life of Azerbaijan is only expanding. Azerbaijani communities and Diasporas in different countries are uniting around united centres and gradually playing their active role in bringing the truth about Azerbaijan to the international community, propaganda about the rich national culture, and unmasking provocations of Armenian nationalists
said the President.
The Azerbaijani President also said that influential steps should be taken on those issues which were of common importance to all Azerbaijanis. Touching upon Azerbaijan economic development, President Aliyev said that the influence of our state was set to increase both regionally and internationally, as well as the force in the issue of the just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
On December 27, in the Sate Art Museum, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has met known painters on the occasion of 65th anniversary of the Painters' Union of Azerbaijan, Trend reports
Prior to meet with the painters, the head of the Azerbaijani State looked over observed the pictures dedicated to All-National leader Heydar Aliyev, which were made by modern Azerbaijani painters. Then he observed the monument dedicated to prominent ophthalmologist Academician Zarifa Aliyeva
A retro-exposition of masterpieces of late painters was organized on the occasion of 65th anniversary of the Painters' Union in the Museum. The Azerbaijani President got known with it.
Farhad Khalilov, the Chairman of the Painter's Union, the People Painter, expressed his gratitude to the Head of the State for his visit, and said that the fulfillment of the decision on the foundation of the Museum of Modern Art would play the key role in the modern art.
He added that on occasion of 80th jubilee of Heydar Aliyev, an exposition-contest вЂ" The Independence of Azerbaijan and Heydar Aliyevwas held. Painters from 27 countries took part in this event.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan, Turan Morali, who completes his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan.
Highlighting the successful development of the bilateral relations between the two countries, the State Head of Azerbaijan assessed the service of the Ambassador.
The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the President for creating conditions for his successful activities. The diplomat voiced his confidence for the future development of the co-operation between the two countries.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev participated in the award ceremony of the sportspersons, coaches, and sport specialists who distinguished themselves in 2006.
President Aliyev remembered that since 2000, Azerbaijan has begun to put modern sport complexes into operation in all its regions and 10 others were under construction. He said that the known Mingachavir Boat-Racing Base would be reconstructed in 2007 to meet the international standards. The Head of the Azerbaijan State emphasized that Azerbaijan was paying much attention both to Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
On December 25, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Nogaideli.
During the meeting, the sides highlighted the successful development of the bilateral co-operation, including the economical relations, and voiced their confidence for the development of the co-operation in the future.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev received Viktor Yanukovich, Ukraine Prime-Minister today, on December 26. The head of the Azerbaijan State marked that Azerbaijan-Ukrainian relations were successfully developing in all spheres, and that there is a great potential in developing economic and trade relations between the two countries, Trend reports referring to National AzTV Channel.
For his part, the Ukrainian Prime-Minister said that he had widely discussed issues on developing economic relations between the two countries with representatives of the Azerbaijani Government, and that he was quite satisfied with it. According to Mr. Yanukovich, Ukraine is happy that Azerbaijan economic growth has reached 36%. He also said that the Ukraine was particularly interested in the development of economic cooperation between the two countries.
On December 25, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on presenting the personal Presidential grant to seven persons for their services in the development of Azerbaijani sports.
By his other order, the Azerbaijani President, a group of sportspersons were conferred with the Honourary Title вЂ" Honoured Figure of Physical Training and Sports. A number of employees of the Central Oilmen Hospital were awarded with the order вЂ" Tarragi (Progress) by another Presidential order.
Moreover, President Ilham Aliyev conferred Fahraddin Gulmirza oghli Javadov with the Honourary Title Honoured Physician for his great services in the development of the Azerbaijani medicine.
On December 26, Azerbaijan President signed an order on awarding two employees of the State Pedagogical University with the order вЂ" Shohrat (Fame) and other 16 вЂ" with the order вЂ" Taragi (Progress), Trend reports.
By another order, President Ilham Aliyev conferred two employees of the State pedagogical University with the Honorary Title вЂ" Honored Figure of Science and other 19 ones - with the Title вЂ" Honored Teacher.
The Azerbaijani President sent a letter of congratulation to Professor Adilya Namazova, the Acting Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan on occasion of her 80th jubilee
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered his condolences to U.S. President George W. Bush in connection with the death of former U.S. President Gerald Ford.
The head of state offered his condolences to the people of the United States, family and relatives of the 38th U.S. President.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to award Sunduz Babayeva an Order of Shohret (Fame).
Ms. Babayeva was conferred the highest decoration for her state services, the announcement reads.
On December 17, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree on making amendments to the Presidential decree of February 7, 2005 вЂ" On Changing the Face Value of Banknotes and Scale of Prices in Azerbaijan.
The document was signed with the aim to guarantee conveniences to the population in exchanging old banknotes.
According to the document signed by the President, the following words must be added after the words- the National Bank of Azerbaijan and his offices in Item 2 of Decree of February 7,. 2005: as well as other banks, their offices and departments operating in Azerbaijan.
On December 28, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Yuriy Grigorovich, the prominent choreographer and ballet-master, the People Artist of USSR on the occasion of his 80th jubilee, Trend reports.
In his congratulation, the Head of the Azerbaijan State said that the ballet-master staffing a ballet of Arif Malikov вЂ" Love Legend (the libretto of Nazim Hikmat) has entered into the depositary of the World Art. Mr. Aliyev wished Mr. Grigorovich health and further successes in his creativity.
On December 28, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on approving the Actions Plan on Human Rights Protection in the country.
The documents said that Azerbaijan is attached to international conventions and documents in the field of human rights protection, which have been signed by the country. The order also envisages corresponding commissions and recommendations to the corresponding offices on human rights protection of the country.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, confirmed the new composition of the Azerbaijani-Chinese Economic Co-operation Commission.
According to the order of the State Head of Azerbaijan, the Vice Primer of Azerbaijan, Abid Sharifov, was appointed as Azerbaijan Co-chair of the Commission. The Commission also included the Deputy Minister of Defense Industry, Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Deputy Education Minister, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Deputy Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and other ministers and state bodies.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order for the preparation and submission of the third periodical report regarding the fulfillment of obligations of the U.N. Convention Against torture and other cruel, inhuman and humble dignity treatments and other kinds of punishment, Trend reports.
According to the order of the State Head, a working group will be created to implement the measures envisaged in the report. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, was appointed as Head of the working group. The group also included Deputy Minister of Defense Industry, Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Deputy Education Minister, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Deputy Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and other ministers and state bodies. The working group is to prepare and submit the report to the Anti-Torture Committee of the United Nations.
On December 29, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on marking 125th Anniversary of Ulukhanli School of Iravan Okrug.
The document says that the Ulukhanli School of Irevan Okrug, established in 1881, has played an important role in the issue on distributing the enlightenment ideas in Irevan Okrug where Azerbaijanis comprised the majority of the population then. Azerbaijan great writer and thinker Jalil Mamadguluzadeh began his first teaching experience in this school. Due to the writer initiative, this school turned to be one of the most progressive centers of education and culture in the East. However, despite the fact that in the beginning of 20 century, as a result of the complicated geopolitical processes, Irevan Town (the present-day Yerevan City, the Capital of Armenia) as well as other Azerbaijani land around it were include to the Armenian state, the Ulukhanli School continued its work in the direction to keep the Azerbaijan language and culture, as well as Azerbaijan national traditions. As a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the policy of ethnic cleaning carried out against Azerbaijan
is by Armenia, the activity of the school was suspended.
Due to the holding of 125th Anniversary of Ulukhanli School, the Head of the Azerbaijan State gave commission to organize a plan of actions. The Cabinet of Ministers was commissioned to solve issues coming from the Presidential order.
On December 29, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on making alterations to his order # 1661 of September, 12, 2006 вЂ" On Presenting Presidential Grants to Students who Entered Institutes of Higher Education of Azerbaijan in 2006/2007 Academic Year.
The document says that it is necessary to add Muhammad Sabir oghli Husseynov and Elgun Husseyn oghli Shakaralisoy to the Item 2 of the Presidential order of September, 12 вЂ" On Presenting Presidential Grant to Students who Entered Institutes of Higher Education of Azerbaijan in 2006/2007 Academic Year.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Country has been commissioned to solve issues coming from the above-mentioned Presidential order.
On December 29, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on conferring painters with honorary titles, Trend reports.
The document says that for the great services in the development of the Azerbaijani Fine Arts, seven painters were conferred with the Honorary Title вЂ" People's Painter, twenty five with the Title вЂ" Honored Painter, and four вЂ" Honored Art Figure.
The President also signed a Decree to nominate a Presidential stipend to Nariman Bahram Ahmad oghli and Shamilov Chingiz Gasim oghli due to the sport development in the country.
By another Decree, Kamran Sultan oghli Imanov was appointed as the Head of the State History and Architect Department of Ichari-Shakhar under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Country.
On December 29, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree on Foundation of the Heydar Aliyev Centre.
The document says that taking into consideration the great services of Heydar Aliyev in the history of the Azerbaijan, including known oil contracts, reconstruction of the Great Silk Way, uniting Azerbaijanis from all over the World, it is intended to study the heritage of Heydar Aliyev deeper. The decision on founding the Centre has been made.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order on measures for improving the activities of the Ministry of Economic Development. State Anti-Monopoly Service and State Service for Control on Consumer Market will be created under the Ministry, Trend reports. The State Head confirmed the structure and Regulation of the Ministry of Economic Development, Regulation of National Fund for Entrepreneurship Development, State Anti-Monopoly Service, State Service for Control on Consumer Market and rules of using the finances of the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Development.
According to the order, Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Institute of Scientific-Technical Information and Technical Researches and Center of Economical Reforms of the Ministry have been liquidated, and Scientific-Research Institute of Economical Reforms will be created on the base of them. The functions and authorities of the liquidated institute and center will be transferred to Scientific-Research Institute of Economical Reforms.
The number of the employees of the central administration of the Ministry of Economic Development has been defined in 220 staff units, regional departments вЂ" 70, National Fund for Entrepreneurship Development вЂ" 50, State Anti-Monopoly Service вЂ" 45 and State Service for Control on Consumer Market вЂ" 70.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree on Founding the Department of the State Civil Aviation, Trend reports. The document says that the Department has been founded with the aim to ensure the control and the state regulation of the activity of the civil aviation in the country.
The Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry was commissioned to inform the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other international organizations about the state policy in the field of civil aviation being pursued by Azerbaijan, including cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICAO, fulfillment of obligations on foundation of the State Civil Aviation Department taken upon the country according to the international convention.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Country was commissioned to prepare and submit a Draft-Provision and Structure of the forthcoming Department, as well as its budget of expenditure, and the number of employees to the President of the Country.
Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict
Fuad Akhundov, the Section Head at the Public and Political Department of the President Administration, said in an interview with Trend that statements by the Armenian officials, frequently contradict each other, and are simply amusing.
From the very beginning Armenian side represent itself out of the legal frames, but still attempts to give legal status to its position in different ways. The last know-how' by Armenian side was the statement urging that the world gradually understands that Nagorno-Karabakh has never been a part of Azerbaijan., said the senior state official.
What is that law, or rule, which the world could not understand, but starts realizing only in the 19th year of the conflict? Where have the Armenian politicians been over the past 18 years? Where do they want to lead Armenia and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh? Perhaps, into the kingdom of distorting mirrors, said Mr. Akhundov.
He said a reply by the world community to the so-called referendum' in Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrated the woe the politicians', because no changes have occurred in the world's understanding around the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: All countries and international organizations have stated that they recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and are not willing to recognize the separatist regime. However, Armenian politicians continue misleading their public, said Mr. Akhundov.
Bahar Muradova, the Vice-Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament, informed journalists that the date when Goran Lenmarker, the OSCE Rapporteur on Nagorno-Karabakh, is to visit the region is expected to be determined in January, 2007.
She said that Mr. Lenmarker informed that he is about to pay a visit to the region in a new status. Touching upon the date when the report prepared by Mr. Lenmarker to be put forward for consideration, Ms. Muradova said that if the OSCE Rapporteur on Nagorno-Karabakh had been appointed, and a work on the document was carried out, then the report would be put forward for further consideration taking into account the role that OSCE played in the resolution of this conflict. According to the Azerbaijani Vice-Speaker, the introduction of the report for further discussion to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will depend on the level of the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I do not expect that the Organization, which is engaged in the mediation activity in the conflict, will hold discussions for the sake of discussions, said the vice-speaker.
Former Head of the Executive Power of Khojali District of Azerbaijan, MP Elman Mammadov briefed the media that a monumental document regarding Khojali genocide will be prepared.
He said that works is being carried out in the law-enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan to document the Khojali tragedy committed by the Armenians on February 26, 1992. It is expected to hold a court process as a result of the works. A monumental official document regarding Khojali genocide will be prepared. If we want to unmask the crimes of the Armenians in the international court, a legal document of the Supreme Court and state bodies of Azerbaijan should exist. The Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security and Republic Prosecutor Office have been holding investigations for more than two years, he said, adding that during the meetings of the Parliament, he will make a proposal regarding Khojali genocide.
Bahar Muradova, the Vice-Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament, informed journalists that the Azerbaijan delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE will introduce the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict issue to the agenda of the winter session of the Organization.
Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Committee is held prior to the session of PA OSCE. During the meeting of the Permanent Commission, reports are prepared by the Special Representatives of the President of PA OSCE on different issues. During the meeting of the Permanent Commission, the participants are told about the importance and meaning of the mediation efforts taken to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, said Mr. Muradova.
As to the issues to be discussed during the winter session of PACE, Ms. Muradova said that they have not been determined yet.
Preparatory work for the session to be held in the next year, issues to be discussed, as well as OSCE missions to member-states of the Organizations are usually considered and discussed during the winter session , said Ms. Muradova.
Afshar Suleimani, Iran Ambassador to Iran, informed journalists that the regional conflicts including the one in Nagorno-Karabakh should be settled with the participation of the countries from the region, otherwise the resolution of these conflicts might be delayed for many years.
The Iranian Ambassador claimed that Iran supports Azerbaijan position in the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and advocates for the resolution of the conflict within the international principles. However, according to him, the settlement of such conflicts might be only under the close participation of countries of the region. According to the Iranian diplomat, no country of the region except Russia is the member of OSCE Minsk Group, which, for its part, borders only with one of the conflict party, when Iran, being the closest neighbor of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, has more possibilities to settle the conflict.
The Iranian Ambassador considers that the stability and security in the region might be restored only this way.
Foreign Policy
В"Talat Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine, exclusively informed Trend that Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, will visit Ukraine. In compliance with an inquiry held by the international organization National Program on Man of the Year, the Azerbaijani President was awarded in the category Political and State Figure 2006 and prize awarding ceremony will be held on 17 March 2007.
The Ambassador said that the organization annually holds events and names outstanding figures in the political, science and culture sectors worldwide. Attending the event were prominent political, state, cultural figures and scientists of Europe.
During the Azerbaijani President visit to Kiev it is planned to open the Azerbaijan culture days in Ukraine, as well as a gala festival of Azerbaijan cuisine. A special magazine will be issued in Ukrainian language in this respect.
Mr. Aliyev said that the festival will demonstrate Azerbaijan cuisine in Ukraine and the meals assimilated by Armenians in fact are the value of the Azerbaijani people.
In 2006 the activities of the foreign-policy activities of Azerbaijan for strengthening its international influence and leader position in the region was active, the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan as a result of 2006 reads..
Within the year, the activities of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry were established based on the national interests of the country by taking into consideration the current geopolitical situation, challenges and threats. The productive international activities are especially noted in the sphere of political, military-political and humanitarian co-operation, intensification of the international economical integration processes, contributions in ensuring the global and European energy security, as well as development of the transport links of the region.
In addition, settling the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on base of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the Azerbaijani borders recognized at the international level was the priority activity direction of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
During the negotiations held within the Prague process at the level if Foreign Ministers and Presidents over the past year, Azerbaijan clearly demonstrated a constructive approach to the regulation of the conflict and maximally used the existing opportunities to achieve progress.
Azerbaijan presented to the attention of the international community the facts of fires committed by the Armenians in the occupied Azerbaijani lands. Taking into consideration the situation existing in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the 60th session of the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution regarding the above-mentioned problem. The document says that the fires in occupied Azerbaijani lands are of great concern and highlights the importance of carrying out ecological operation to liquidate results of the fires.
International community condemning the constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh once again testified the lack of prospects of the efforts of the Armenian side. The referendum was recognized as illegal by the European Union, Council of Europe, OSCE, GUAM, leading countries of the world, including special statement of the OSCE Minsk Group.
An Action Plan within European Neighborhood Policy was adopted to strengthen the co-operation with the European Union. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between Azerbaijan and European Union within the visit of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, to Brussels to ensure the energy security of Europe, as well as development of the energy infrastructure of Azerbaijan became the direct results of the foreign-policy activities.
The visit of the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev, to Headquarter of NATO became an important event of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan.
In addition, attention was paid to the activities of Azerbaijan in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). During the 33rd session of the Foreign Ministers of OIC held on July 19-21 in Baku, Azerbaijan was elected as chairman of the organization. The documents adopted at the OIC conference condemned the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and called on the Armenian side to fully release the occupied Azerbaijani lands.
In addition, intentions of Azerbaijan to enter into the International Trade Organization were the focus of attention. In this plan, the documents signed by the Azerbaijan President to bring the legislation into conformity with the WTO standards were significant events.
As a result of Azerbaijan activities to improve the living standards of refugees and internally displaced persons of Azerbaijan, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Program and Executive Director of the U.N. Fund for Development of Woman Interests visited Azerbaijan.
The co-operation amongst the GUAM countries was developed. The organization was transformed into an international organization Organization for Democracy and Development - GUAM. The statement of GUAM regarding frozen conflicts was included in the U.N. General Assembly.
One of the important events of the last year was the achievement of the agreement with Kazakhstan on transportation of Kazakh oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The project of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipe project was completed. The concluding stage of the construction of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway commenced.
Last year was remembered with the numerous visits of the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev to the USA, Japan, and European countries. Diplomatic representation of Azerbaijan was opened in Belarus, Morocco and Korea. The order of the Azerbaijan President on creation of the Diplomatic Academy commenced to be implemented.
Akif Ali, the Chief of the Press-Service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan informed Trend that Arthur Rasizadeh, Azerbaijan Prime-Minister and his Georgian counterpart Zurab Nogaideli have discussed perspectives of trade and economic relations between the two countries in Baku today.
According to him, the Heads of the two Governments held a joint meeting. Then the negotiations were continued in an extended team with the participation of the Vice-Premiers of Economic Development, Transport, Industry and Energy and other Ministers of the two Countries.
The parties discussed issues on cooperation between the two countries in the energy, transport, and trade spheres, as well as viewed the results of the negotiations held within the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation and Possibilities on Expanding Trade Relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
MP Gultakin Hajiyeva, Azerbaijan Parliamentary delegate at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), informed Trend that issues to be discussed at the PACE winter session have been clarified.
The PACE winter session will discuss progress in the monitoring, implemented in countries which have recently obtained membership at the organization, appeals to CE Secretary General to PACE members. The agenda of the winter session includes the estimation of the fulfillment of CE obligations by Albania and Armenia, said Hajiyeva.
The agenda includes issues on unavailability of the use of energy sources in political purposes, children's rights. MP Hajiyeva said that PACE winter session will not discuss Azerbaijan obligations. It will be discussed at the PACE spring session scheduled for April, she said.
MP Hajiyeva said that Azerbaijan parliamentary representatives will actively participate in the discussions. She is going to touch upon Armenia obligations in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Touching upon the implementation of CE obligations by Armenia Ms. Hajiyeva said that except the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict PACE did not have any serious problems with respect to Armenia
Department Head of Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry, Farhad Mollazade, informed Trend that Azerbaijan acquired new premise for the diplomatic representation in Hungary. He said that the Azerbaijan Embassy in Hungary will move into the new building at the beginning of 2007. He said that presently negotiations are being held to acquire own premises for the embassies in Poland, Latvia, Moldova, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan.
The Deputy Head of the OSCE Baku Office, Robin Sivord, briefed the media that the new Head of the OSCE Baku Office will arrive in Azerbaijan at the beginning of February. He stated that he had received the information of the appointment two days prior, but he was not informed of the successor's name.
The previous OSCE Ambassador to Azerbaijan was Maurisio Pavesi, who was appointed to this post in July 2004 and is the diplomat of the Foreign Ministry of Italy.
Head of the People's Socialist Arab Jamahiriya of Libya. Muammer Qaddafi, has been invited to Azerbaijan.
The Secretary of Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Muhammad Shelgem, met on Tuesday (26 December) with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, who handed to him a letter to the leader of the People's Socialist Arab Jamahiriya of Libya inviting him to visit Azerbaijan, the Libyan embassy in Baku informed Trend. The two sides discussed the mutual cooperation between the two countries. They also studied the possible ways to set up a committee for political dialogue between them.
During the visit, the Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister had talks with heads of different state bodies of Libya to discuss the opportunities for expansion of the trade and economic relationships, the same source added.
The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kuwait, Shahin Abdullayev, exclusively informed Trend that the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, plans to make an official visit to Kuwait in the second half of January.
During the visit, Mammadyarov will discuss the prospects of the bilateral co-operation in many spheres. The sides will consider the perspective spheres such as energy, economy, culture and humanitarian sphere.
The Ambassador said that the concrete date of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic canals.
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Indonesia, Ibrahim Hajiyev, exclusively informed Trend that the Embassy has no information about the Azerbaijani citizens affected by the flood in Indonesia.
According to the Ambassador, the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan attentively follows the information in the local press regarding this natural calamity. By present, the Embassy has received no information on the damaged Azerbaijanis in this region.
It should be mentioned that the officially confirmed number of victims reached 87, and tens of people are considered missing. According to the unofficial information disseminated by the local media, the victims may be more than 110. More than 100,000 people have left their homes. Marauding cases take place in the deserted villages.
Dr. Carolyn Browne has been appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan. She will succeed Dr. Laurie Bristow who will be transferring to another Diplomatic appointment. Dr Browne will take up her new appointment in early July 2007, Trend reports citing the British Foreign Ministry.
Ms. Browne was born on 19 October 1958. From 1986 to 1987 she worked at the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Ireland as Desk Officer, from 1988 to 19910 - Second Secretary, later First Secretary, in Moscow, from 1991 to 1993 - European Union Department, from 1993 to 1997 - UK Mission to the UN, New York, from 1999 вЂ" 2002 - Deputy Head Southern European Department at the Foreign Ministry, from 2002 - 2004 - UK Representative head in Brussels, from 2005 to 2006 - Adviser to Director, International Security.
The Consular of Azerbaijan to Spain, Nijat Sadigov, exclusively informed Trend that Spain will open its Embassy in Azerbaijan by the Autumn of 2007. According to him, the Head of Spain has already made a political decision on opening the Embassy in Azerbaijan and had it agreed with Azerbaijan.
Recently the Department Head of the Spanish Foreign Ministry arrived in Baku and discussed the situation with the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. According to the diplomat, as yet the Foreign Ministry of Spain has not presented the candidature of the future ambassador to the Azerbaijani side, but intends to do it in the near future.
Tofig Zulfugarov, Azerbaijan Ambassador to Latvia, exclusively informed Trend that the next meeting of the Azerbaijan-Latvian Intergovernmental Commission will be held in Baku, in January-February, 2007.
He said that the Azerbaijan party has put forward its proposals concerning holding the meeting of the Commission to the official Riga and expects its reply. Touching upon the agenda of the forthcoming meeting, the Azerbaijan Ambassador said that business-forums had been held within the visit of Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to Azerbaijan, as well as the visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to Latvia. During those forums, both parties put forward different issues. These issues are aimed at strengthening the economic relations between the two countries, as well as using the transport capabilities of Azerbaijan and Latvia, that will be included to the agenda, said the Azerbaijani diplomat.
Within the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Latvia paid in the beginning of October, 2006, the first meeting of the Azerbaijani-Latvian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation was held. Heydar Babayev, Azerbaijan Economic Development Minister headed the Commission from the Azerbaijan party. Aygars Shtokenbergs, Latvia Economy Minister, was the Co-Chairman from the Latvian party.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Latvia, Tofik Zulfugarov, informed Trend that the Speaker of the Latvian Seym, Indulis Emsisi and the Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks, will visit Azerbaijan in the beginning of 2007.
He said that Latvian Foreign Minister visit to Azerbaijan has been coordinated and talks on the exact date of the visit are in progress.
The Latvian Speaker forthcoming visit to Azerbaijan is also being coordinated. The Ambassador said that Latvia Ex Speaker was planning to pay a visit to Azerbaijan, but he was not re-elected. Presently arrangements for the newly elected Speaker visit to Azerbaijan are underway.
The Ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan, Afshar Suleymani, said on December 29 at the press-conference that in 2007 the President of Iran Mahmud Ahmedi Nejat will make an official visit to Azerbaijan.
The Ambassador said that over the past two years, the Iranian President has made two working visits to Azerbaijan вЂ" for the opening of the gas-turbine station in Nakchivan Autonomous Republic and the Summit of ECO. The President of Azerbaijan has invited his Iranian colleague to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan. Next year the visit will be realized, the Ambassador said.
According to the Ambassador, next year, a number of high-ranking officials of Iran, particularly Speaker of the Parliament, Minister of Transport, Education, etc., are expected to visit Azerbaijan. And from Azerbaijan, the Foreign Minister and Ministry of Health will visit Iran next year.
Political Parties
The Chairman of the opposition Great Establishment Party of Azerbaijan, MP Fazil Gazanfaroglu, informed Trend that the process of forming the head of the Party has not been complete yet. He said that some time ago, he appointed two deputy chairmen. But it is not the end.
However, the process of forming the Political Council is not complete. Several places here still remain vacant, he said, adding that this question will be discussed at the meeting of the High Assembly of the party in January 2007.
The opposition Great Establishment Party was created in 2003.
My visit to the USA was very important. During all my official and unofficial meetings in the USA, my negotiators were unanimous with me, and our co-operation will expand, the Chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party, MP Asim Mollazade, informed Trend.
The working visit of Mollazade to the USA gave him an opportunity to hold discussions in the executive and legislative bodies of this country. According to him, all meetings covered broad spectrums of the questions. Firstly debates were organized on security in the South Caucasus region, settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, development of the region, realization of the economic projects, development prospects of GUAM, development of the democracy in Azerbaijan and integration into Euro-Atlantic space, including reforms necessary in this respect, Mollazade said.
In addition to official meeting, Mollazade held meetings in several democratic institutions of the USA and research centers. Mollazade made speeches at two meeting held in two large institutes of the USA. In addition, he met with the heads and representatives of the large organizations of the Azerbaijani and European communities in the USA.
Mollazade also visited California State, where the Armenian Diaspora forms majority. He said that California adopted documents against Azerbaijan, with help of the Armenian lobby. Mollazade met with the Head and members of the City Council of Los Angles, as well as with the heads of the parties forming majority in the State. Further, Mollazade got familiarized with the activities of the Azerbaijanis residing in California.
During the meetings held in the USA, I presented to the attention of the Americans that Azerbaijan possesses large democratic potential, and is the most faithful partner of the USA in our region. At all meetings, I mentioned the importance of forming democratic systems, together with the economic development of out region, said Mollazade.
The Chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (Classics) (APFP), Mirmahmud Miralioglu, informed Trend that the Regulation was adopted with regards to head structure of the party вЂ" Executive Board, Administration of the Chairman and Central Control and Inspection Commission.
The next session of the Supreme Assembly of the party took place on December 24. The meeting focused on the social-political situation in the country and organizational questions of the party. Miralioglu's report regarding social-political situation was heard. Regulation was adopted with regards to head structure of the party. In addition, the 2007 action plan of the party was adopted.
Three members were elected to the Executive Board. In addition, during the meting, party discussed the issue of erecting the monument of founder of the Popular Front Party, ex-President of Azerbaijan, Abulfaz Elchibay, and in relation with this, an appeal was adopted to the State Head of Azerbaijan.
State building
The last meeting of the autumn session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) has been held today, on December 29. Ogtay Asadov, Azerbaijan Speaker, said that in 2006, the Azerbaijan Parliament had held 34 meetings, passed 154 bills (two out of them вЂ" are the laws to the Constitution). The Azerbaijan Parliament made 21 decisions in 2006.
The Parliament fulfilled all its authorities pointed out in the Constitution, and President Ilham Aliyev has done his best to pursue his political and social and economic strategy, said the Speaker.
He said that the MPs had carried out active work in international organizations. The Azerbaijan Speaker also said that a number of international organizations had held their meetings in Azerbaijan in 2006. Our MPs have visited many countries. Members and top officials of the parliaments of a number of countries have visited our country this year, said Mr. Asadov.
On December 29, Milli Majlis [Azerbaijani Parliament] passed an appeal to the Azerbaijanis on the occasion of the Solidarity Day of the World Azerbaijanis вЂ" December 31. The appeal says that the Azerbaijanis have been celebrating the Solidarity Day as a bright holiday for already 15 years.
Initiated by the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, 15 years ago the creation of the unity of Azeri people was supported. The beginning of this process coincides with the period of concrete changes in the historical destiny of Azeri people.
In addition, the appeal says that under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has turned into leader-state in South Caucasus and holds pride place of the World Azerbaijanis.
Azerbaijanis who are spread out at various places in the world well understand the necessity of achieving national unity and solidarity. They understand that strong and big Azerbaijan should be established on base of national and moral unity.