Official News
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said on January 22 in Baku at the meeting attended by the members of the Government that since Armenia has occupied the Azerbaijan lands, all transport arteries will pass away from it, Trend reports quoting AzTV.
According to the President, several forces came against Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku rail link by saying that it does not pass via Armenia, but they could not achieve anything. The President said that serious work is being carried out over the project of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku rail link. The construction of the rail link will be realized at the earliest date possible.
On January 22, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, gave an interview to the correspondent of the French Newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique, Sebastian Bottari, Trend reports. The State Head replied to the questions regarding the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and France, role of the ex-President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev in creating independent Azerbaijan State, regional questions, working conditions for the international businessmen, including French businessmen, economical relations of Azerbaijan, and the successes in this sphere.
22.01.2007 A section in the Right Embankment of Tbilisi City has been named after the Azerbaijan National Leader, Heydar Aliyev. Trend Correspondent to Georgia reports, that this decision has been made during the today meeting of Tbilisi Sakrebulo (Executive Power). The section of the Tbilisi Right Embankment from the Marshal Gelovani Avenue till the Heroes Square will be named after Heydar Aliyev
22.01.2007 Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has received credentials being presented by the new Ambassadors of Turkey, South Korea, and Norway to Azerbaijan today, on January 22.
During the conversation with the new Turkish Ambassador, Hussein Avni Karslioghlu, President Ilham Aliyev noted that political, economic, and cultural relations between the two friendly sister nations were successfully developing, and that many new projects would be implemented in the future.
The new South Korean and Norwegian Ambassadors, Lung Wan Chool and Jonn Ramberg expressed the interest of their countries in the development of relations with Azerbaijan.
22.01.2007 Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan's President has signed an order on increase in the minimal wage, average wage, indexation of pension capital that is accumulated in a part of personal insurance, taking additional measures to strengthen social protection of the population, increasing the wages of those who are engaged in the field of sports, youth and culture, scientific and research institutes, and the sphere of social insurance.
23.01.2007 On January 23, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, gave an interview to the correspondent of the French Newspaper Le Figaro, Pier Rushelin, Trend reports. The State Head replied to the questions regarding Azerbaijan-French bilateral relations, regional problems, the conditions in Azerbaijan for the foreign business people, economical relations, great economical successes reached by Azerbaijan.
23.01.2007 On January 23, Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev, has received an American business delegation headed by Mogens Bay, the President of Walmont, Trend reports.
The head of the Azerbaijani State expressed his satisfaction with the activity of businessmen and different companies representing USA in the country. He said that the programmes being implemented by Walmont, which cooperated with Azerbaijan private agricultural firms would be only a success.
The President of the American Company expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijan President for his supporting the activity of the Walmont in the country, and provided him with the information about concrete projects being implemented by the Company in Azerbaijan.
President Aliyev added that the Azerbaijani state would do all possible to render thorough assistance to the Company.
23.01.2007 Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to increase wages in a number of spheres today, on January 23. According to the Presidential order, starting from February 1, 2007, the wages of the employees and workers of the scientific and research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan is to increase by 50%, the wages of the employees and officers of the entities of the Azerbaijan Emergency Satiations Ministry, employees of points of reserve enterprises and storehouses of mobilization reserves subjected to the Executive Bodies of the towns and districts of the country, as well as employees working in the field of ecology, hydrometeoroly, forestry, fishery, melioration, and water industry вЂ" by 25%.
The President also signed an order on State Support of Agricultural Producers. In accordance with the document, 50% out of the value of fuel, motor oils, and mineral fertilizers used by the producers will be paid by the state. 80 mln. AZN are expected to be allocated from the State Budget for these purpose. Alterations were moved to some Presidential orders on support of agricultural producers signed in 2004-2005.
24.01.2007 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received on 24 January the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Matthew Bryza (USA) and Bernard Fassier, Trend reports.
During the meeting the sides exchanged opinions on the current state and perspective of talks targeting the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
After the one day visit the mediators will leave for Armenia later on in the day.
24.01.2007 The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed a decree on the improvement of the system of issuing mortgages, Trend reports.
Changes will be implemented to some laws, including the laws on Land Reforms, Land Market, Execution of Sentences, the Land Code and the Code of Administrative Violations.
At the ruling of the Azerbaijani President, the Cabinet Minister is committed to develop and present proposals on injecting changes and supplements to the legislative acts in connection with the application of the Law on Mortgage. Thus, the Law on Security becomes ineffective due to the application of the Law on Mortgage.
Azerbaijani Present Ilham Aliyev issued a decree injecting changes and supplements to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Violations, Trend reports.
The decree stipulates injecting changes and supplements to the Laws on Adoption, Enactment and Legal Regulation of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, as well as on Adoption, Enactment and Legal Regulation of the Code of Administrative Violations of Azerbaijan Republic
24.01.2007 On January 24, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on organizing the 100-year jubilee of Prof. Seyyid Rustamov, the known Azerbaijani composer, People's Artist, laureate of the State Award, head conductor and art director of the Orchestra of National Musical Instruments.
The Azerbaijan Culture and Tourism Ministry has been commissioned to organize and hold the forthcoming event.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed a decree on conducting 100th jubilee of the popular artist, outstanding compositor, author of the 1st national ballet, Afrasiyab Badelbeyli in April 2007.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Union of Compositors have been charged to organize and hold the event.
24.01.2007 On January 24, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on conferring the Rank of Lieutenant-General of the State Customs Service to Asgar Abdullayev, the Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Trend reports.
Some other employees and officers of the State Committee were conferred with the rank of Mayor-General.
By another order, the President of the Country awarded 26 employees and officers of the State Customs Committee with the medal For Distinguished Services in State Service for their services in the fulfillment of their service duties, as well as ensuring the economic interests and security of the country.
25.01.2007 The President of Azerbaijan signed an order to apply the law on making amendments and annexes to the law on prophylaxis of homelessness and violation of underage people rights.
The Cabinet of Ministers was charged to prepare and present proposals in 1 month on amendments and annexes to the legislative acts due to the application of the law, Trend reports.
In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers was charged to resolve the questions arising from the law within its authorities.
25.01.2007 On January 25, Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of congratulation to John Winston, Australia's Prime-Minister on the occasion of the Day of the Country, Trend reports.
The President's letter expresses the confidence that friendly relations between the two countries will be constantly developed that make its contribution to the prosperity of the two nations.
The President also sent congratulations letters to Avul Pakir Jainulabdin Abdul Kalam, India's President, and Manmohan Sing, the Prime-Minister of that country on the occasion with the National Holiday - the Day of Republic.
25.01.2007 On January 25, Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev has held a number of meetings within the participation in the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Mountainous Town of Davos.
The head of the Azerbaijani State met Klaus Schvab, the Chairman of the Davos World Economic Durum. During the meeting, Mr. Aliyev noted that the Forum, which played an important role in the issue on reinforcing relations between different countries, was holding very successfully. Mr Schvab expressed his satisfaction with Azerbaijan's economic achievements, and marked its role in the issue on ensuring energy security.
President Aliyev also met the leadership of Shall of the Netherlands and discussed perspectives of further cooperation between Azerbaijan and this oil giant. The Azerbaijani President also met Iran's Ex-President, Muhammad Khatami.
26.01.07. The Chairman of the Executive Board of the world-famous Company Intel, Kreyk Barret, said at the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, within participation in World Economic Forum that the Company intends to invest in creating economic-technical zone in Azerbaijan. According to him, the Company specialized in producing notebooks, computers and other electronic equipments intends to assist in transforming Azerbaijan into producer of the electronic equipments. The Head of the Company expressed his satisfaction with the co-operation with Azerbaijan in computerizing secondary schools. Barret invited the President of Azerbaijan to the forum that will take place at the end of February in he USA and will be dedicated to the economic policy.
26.01.07. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met with the Vice Primer of the Government of Israel and Foreign Minister, Sipi Livni, Trend reports. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the present situation and the prospects of the political and economical relations between the two countries. The sides highlighted the importance of taking certain measures and making mutual visits to strengthen the co-operation of the two countries
26.01.07. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met with the President of Microsoft Company, Bill Gaits, within the participation in the World Economic Forum, Trend reports.
Informing Gaits on the directions of the economic policy of Azerbaijan, Aliyev said that the primary goal is to effectively use the oil revenues in creating a new economy. According to the State Head of Azerbaijan, creating high technology sectors is the key goal of the State. The President said that favorable conditions have been created in Azerbaijan for the activities of the foreign investors in high technology sector, adding that the primary goal is to equalize the revenues from this sphere with the revenues from oil. Supporting Aliyev, Gaits expressed his interest in the economy of Azerbaijan. The Head of the Microsoft Company expressed readiness to invest and closely co-operate in the sphere of information technologies.
We can be partner number one for Azerbaijan, he said and expressed his wish to visit Azerbaijan.
26.01.07. Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, met with the Ukrainian Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich, while at the Davos Forum in Switzerland.
They stressed the successful growth of bilateral relationships between Azerbaijan and the Ukraine in different areas, as well as the progress of bilateral co-operation in political, economic and others sectors. The sides also emphasized the consolidation of interaction between the two countries within the framework of international organizations and on a regional level; they also voiced their confidence in the future co-operation.
26.01.07. Cisco, the US Company is eager to expand co-operation with Azerbaijan. John Chambers, the Chairman of Cisco Managing Board, stated during a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in Davos.
The meeting centered on the development of information technology in Azerbaijan, and Cisco's participation in the establishment of special economic zones in the country. Mr. Chambers stressed that the policy held in Azerbaijan in the past in the direction of development of information technology in some sectors of economy, have benefited by considerable support. Particularly, the establishment of new styles of information technology, special economic zones, investments in this sector and other issues.
In turn the Executive Director of the Dutch Company Shell, Jerun van der Vir, stated to a meeting with President Aliyev that his Company is interested in co-operation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector. President Aliyev appraised such intention and promised to give relevant instructions as soon as he returns to Azerbaijan.
26.01.07. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, had a meeting with the President of the George Soros foundation during the Davos Forum, Trend reports.
Mr. Soros shared opinions on ongoing developments in Azerbaijan, prospects for the country's further development, and voiced his satisfaction with these processes. At the same time he took an interest in the President's opinion regarding this and asked for an agenda for implementation. President Aliyev in his turn informed of further directions of developments in Azerbaijan.
The talks focused on the direction of Azerbaijan's foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia and mulled over regional issues. Mr. Soros voiced his approval of initiatives carried out in Azerbaijan; including the extractive industry transparency initiative implemented in participation with the Oil Fund and noted that it will serve as a model for many world countries.
President Aliyev spoke about measures taken in Azerbaijan in the area of education and poverty reduction. Appraising the continuation of activities in this direction Mr. Soros voiced his wish to co-operate with the Azerbaijan Government.
27.01.07. The Presidents of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and Switzerland, Michelin Kalmi-Rey discussed the prospects of the bilateral co-operation between the two countries.
The heads of the two countries discussed the questions of investing in the economy of Azerbaijan, exchanged views on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Highlighting the important role of Azerbaijan in ensuring the energy security of Europe, the President of Switzerland said that Azerbaijan transforms into a significant country.
27.01.07. Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Great Britain are of a strategic nature and it is necessary to further develop them. This thought sounded during the meeting between Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev and Alistair Darling, the Trade and Industry Minister of Great Britain, Trend reports.
During the meeting, the parties marked the high level of bilateral relation between the two countries in political, economic, and energy spheres. The Great Britain's Trade and Industry Minister highly evaluated Azerbaijan's active participation in EITI (Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative).
Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict
Armenian armed forces continue armistice breaches in the frontline
The Armenian Armed Forces located at the occupied Azerbaijani Village Bash Garvand of the Agdam District, shot at the Azerbaijani National Army for an hour beginning at 23:00 on January 24th, a Trend Regional Correspondent reports.
The Azerbaijani National Army retaliated. No injuries were reported.
The divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces once again broke the ceasefire regime on the frontline, Trend Regional Correspondent reports. On January 27 at 00:40, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces, located in occupied Yusifjanli village of Agdam district of Azerbaijan, fired at the opposite position of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, with submachine guns. The
enemy was fired against and there is no lost
23.01.2007 An appeal submitted by a Member of the Milli Majlis, Ganira Pashayeva, to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CE) has been distributed among delegates of the winter session of PACE. The document was linked with the steps taken by the Armenian Authorities, which strike a blow to the peaceful negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
She said that the document covers the so-called referendum Armenians wanted to organize in Nagorno-Karabakh. It also said that such actions will certainly have a negative effect on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue peacefully. Today, the document on the so-called Referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh in English have been distributed among all delegates of PACE, said Mrs. Pashayeva.
She also said that meetings of the PACE Committees were being held within the PACE session, and representatives of the Azerbaijan delegation participated in all these discussions. They are also holding private meetings with separate figures and officials of the Council of Europe.
23.01.2007 The Director of the Russian and Asian Programs of the World Security Institute (USA), Nikolai Zlobin stated on January 23rd at a press-conference Actual problems of former Soviet countries: Approach from Washington and Baku that the forthcoming elections in the USA will not affect the position of Washington on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.
According to him, unlike Abkhazian, South Ossetin and Pridnestrov conflicts, Washington and Moscow have no confrontation of the State interests in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Therefore, these countries have an opportunity to come to a common view point. Despite differences and various approaches, the USA and Russia have a common position on this problem.
The political elite have not been formed in the former Soviet territory. Commenting on the situation in the former Soviet countries, he said that the representatives of power came to power due to certain conditions. He considers that they have not passed through a political way and think not of the interests of the country, but forthcoming elections.
The conference participants, Assistant of Head of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Elnur Aslanov and Director of the Political Security Center of the Human Rights Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Rashad Rzagluiyev, also mentioned the inefficiency of the CIS, but speak on the reconstruction of this organization.
25.01.2007 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) expresses its regret for the delay of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stated a paper of the PACE Resolution on Armenia fulfilling its obligations undertaken before the Council of Europe, which has been presented to ARKA news agency by the Information Office of the Council of Europe.
The Assembly expresses regret that irrespective of three meetings between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2006 and great efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, at present it is noted serious progresses have not been achieved in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, mentioned in the Resolution.
The Assembly considers it necessary to remember that the rapid settlement of the conflict arises in the interests of the two countries, cited the document.
In addition, PACE does not exclude the possibility of applying force to resolve the conflict in accordance with the obligations undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan while entering the Council of Europe, Trend reports.
The final settlement of the conflict has not been achieved yet and the prospects of the stability and prosperity of the region remain groundless, the document states. In addition, the resolution says that the Council of Europe stands ready to provide assistance in forming a favorable atmosphere in negotiations and strengthening the dialogue at the level of Parliament and between the peoples of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, by not interfering in the negotiation process.
25.01.2007 Member of the Azerbaijan delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Aydin Mirzazade, informed Trend that the Council of Europe accepts the reality about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan side is glad to see it.
The attitude of the Council of Europe towards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unanimous and fair. Firstly it is the result of the successful foreign policy of the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan is known in Europe as democratic and legal state. Of course, the Azerbaijan delegation to the PACE also has its role in this respect, Mirzazade said. He said that Ilham Aliyev activities in the Council of Europe at former times and his successful foreign policy caused a great influence in Europe.
26.01.2007 Parliamentary delegations from Armenia and Azerbaijan, meeting on the fringe of a plenary session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), have decided to begin regular face-to-face talks on issues surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with the support of the Assembly's rapporteurs, Trend reports citing CoE's website.
They agreed in principle to make a joint visit to the region in the near future, accompanied by members of the Assembly, during which they would also meet with the displaced population. They also agreed on the need to prepare their societies for any possible solution to the conflict.
The meeting вЂ" taking place on the sixth anniversary of the two countries' joint accession to the Council of Europe вЂ" is the first time both national delegations will meet face-to-face within the Organisation to discuss issues surrounding the conflict.
The heads of the two delegations, Tigran Torosyan (Armenia) and Samad Seyidov (Azerbaijan), said that вЂ" while the OSCE Minsk Group should play the lead role in finding any solution to the conflict вЂ" the Council of Europe had a vital supportive role to play in improving the atmosphere and dispelling misunderstandings.
They agreed to hold future meetings to try and implement the Assembly's Resolution 1416 (2005)
Robert Kocharyan, Armenian President, met the Co-Chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group for the Resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict - Yiriy Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), Matthew Bryza (USA) in Yerevan today. The three Co-Chairmen have been accompanied by Andjey Kaspshik, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
During the meeting, its participants discussed the existing stage of the negotiations on the Karabakh issue, as well as exchanged opinions around perspectives of the peaceful resolution.
Notably, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen arrived in Yerevan within the regional visit from Nagorno-Karabakh yesterday.
Foreign Policy
22.01.2007 The Advisor to the Embassy of Poland in Azerbaijan, Voytsekh Guretski, exclusively informed Trend that preparations for the forthcoming visit of the Foreign Minister of Poland, Anna Fotigi, were being discussed during the present visit of the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Pawel Kowal, to Baku.
Kowal's visit commenced on January 22nd. At present, the diplomat has met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Oktay Asadov and the Chief of the Foreign Relations Department of the Executive Apparat of the President, Novruz Mammadov.
In addition, Kowal will meet with the Prime Minister, Artur Rasizade and Minister of Economic Development, Heydar Babayev.
22.01.2007 The senior officials of Kuwait said at the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, during his official visit to Kuwait that Kuwait is interested in expanding the bilateral co-operation with Azerbaijan, Trend reports with reference to the Press-Center of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, Mammadyarov held a number of meetings with the Emir of Kuwait, Prime Minister, Vice Primer, Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Parliament and Chairman of Kuwaiti Fund for Development of Arabic Economy. The sides widely discussed the future development of the bilateral, regional and international co-operation and mentioned the importance of developing the co-operation in the spheres such as tourism, energy, economy, etc. Azerbaijan Foreign Minister voiced his confidence that the visit of Azerbaijan President to Kuwait will open new opportunities for developing the bilateral co-operation of the two countries. Expressing the position of the State towards Nagorno-Karabakh, the Emir of Kuwait said that Kuwait will support the position of Azerbaijan in all organizations.
Primer Minister of Kuwait said at the meeting with the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister that Kuwait will continue providing assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people of Azerbaijan, who have been expelled from their Native lands in result of the Armenian aggression.
22.01.2007 The signing of three projects has been held in Baku today, on December 22. The projects are to be implemented in Azerbaijan at the expense of the Japanese Government, Trend reports.
The agreements were signed with NGOs operating in Azerbaijan on the following projects: the construction of a school in the Village of Kotuklu of Gabala District of Azerbaijan, construction of medical care point in the Village of Duz-Rasullu of Gedabay District of Azerbaijan, and providing the Baku Musical Academy with musical instruments. All the projects will be implemented within the grant programme of the Japanese Government - Human Safety and Grassroots. The total value of the projects is $269,622. Program Human Safety and Grassroots has been implemented in Azerbaijan since 2000, said the Japanese Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Tadahiro Abe, delivering his welcome speech during the signing ceremony. Within the programme, 85 projects have been implemented. Their total budget is $5 mln. The project has been considered for the development of social spheres in the country, particularly in education, health care, and infrastructure. Since the period when Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence up to date, Azerbaijan has received the Japanese aid at an amount of $709 mln. Ten Azerbaijan youths are expected to visit Japan within the implementation of the Japan-Caucasus Youth Friendship Programme since January 24 to February 15, 3007, said the Japanese diplomat.
The programme is financed by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and intended for getting acquitted the youths of developing countries with state-of-the-art Japanese technology, as well as developing relations between representatives of youth of these countries. Within the forthcoming trip, representatives of Azerbaijani youth will visit remote regions of Japan, meet representatives of Japanese youth, and live in Japanese families.
Representatives of Georgian youth are expected to visit Japan with the Azerbaijan youths too.
23.01.2007 Documentation of Azerbaijani citizens began in the Consular Service of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia to receive citizenship passports, the Head of this process in the Embassy and representative of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry to Russia, Vagif Sharifov, informed a Trend special correspondent in Moscow.
He stated that the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan has set up a service in the Embassy to assist in legalizing documents to receive passports. These measures are carried out from the order of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, on providing assistance to Azerbaijanis residing and working in the territory of Russia. Representatives of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry have been sent to Moscow and St Petersburg to receive and send documents of Azerbaijani citizens to the Interior Ministry of the Republic. Then, the completed foreign passports will be delivered to the citizens. This process is under the direct control of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, Ramil Usubov, Sharifov said.
According to him, you need to submit the following documents to receive a foreign passport: identity card (original or copy), receipt of payment of state duty, military card for men under age of 35 and photo. The documents will legalized within a month and will be sent from Baku to Azerbaijani citizens in Russia.
23.01.2007 Commenting the Azerbaijan-Georgian negotiations on framework agreement on construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars rail link, the Head of the Public Relations Department of the Azerbaijan President Executive Apparat, Novruz Mammadov, exclusively informed Trend that Azerbaijan intends to become an initiator of new regional projects in the future.
He said that over the period of its independence, Azerbaijan has fulfilled very large projects in South Caucasus. These projects are important not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the whole region and Eurasia. I think that under the President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will successfully continue this mission. Last year the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project was realized.
This year Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipe will be implemented. In addition, we will do all the best to realize Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project. There are no problems in this respect and Azerbaijan may carry out several large projects by its own resources, Mammadov said.
24.01.2007 The Consular of Azerbaijan to Spain, Nijat Sadikov, exclusively informed Trend that by September, the Embassy of Spain will begin to function in Azerbaijan. According to him, the Head of Spain has already made a political decision on opening the Embassy and agreed it with the Azerbaijan side. Recently the Department Chief of the Spanish Foreign Ministry arrived in Baku and discussed the issue at the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan. The diplomat said that presently it needs to resolve the technical side of the question.
Sadikov said that presently the candidature of the Ambassador is being considered. After this, the Foreign Ministry of Spain will present him/her to the Azerbaijani side.
The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Spain was opened in 2006.
25.01.2007 I do not believe that in the near future the Senate of France may consider the draft law of penalizing the denial of so-called Armenian genocide, which has been offered by the National Assembly of France, said Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, Bernard dyu Shafo, on January 25th at press conference.
According to him, at present the question has not been included in the agenda of the Senate. Taking into consideration that the pre-election period has begun, it would be inaccurate to await the discussion and adoption of this draft law. In addition, the Ambassador stressed that as time goes by; the chances of adopting this draft law are decreasing.
25.01.2007 Stanislav Belkovskiy, the Director of the Institute for National Strategy of Russian Federation, said during the today press-conference in Moscow that Azerbaijan completely fell out of the Russian influence in 2006, Trend Correspondent to Moscow reports.
He said that last October, the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev categorically repudiated to support the Russian blockade against Georgia, then, in December, 2006, Azerbaijan virtually refused to buy Russian gas, claiming that it intended to use mazut to cover the fuel deficit. Mr. Belkovskiy also said that Azerbaijan announced holding up the export of Azerbaijan oil via the Russian Black Sea Port of Novorossiysk starting from January 8, 2007, and moreover, the Azerbaijan Authorities made a decision to stop broadcast of Russian TV Channels on the territory of the country starting from July 1, 2007.
In 2006 Russia lost instruments of its influence on Azerbaijan and Georgia. That means a critical factor of the threat to Russia last conventional ally in the region - Armenia, as in addition to all, the gas blackmail was proved to be inefficient. In addition, according to the political analysts, the BTC Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan), which was put into commission in July, 2006, will significantly reduce the importance of the Russian route in carrying Central Asian oil in a short-term outlook. As a result of putting BTC into commission, Russia will face the increasing risk that Turkey would rapidly restrict the shipping in the Straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles.
Moreover, the Director of the Russian Institute said that in 2006, Byelorussian President, Alexander Lukashenko, took an attempt to establish particular relations with some countries вЂ" consumers of the Russian energy resources, and claimed that the Byelorussian-Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Transit Countries Cartel might be found. The political analyst said that all those issues had been discussed during the visit of the Azerbaijan President to Minsk on November 17-18, 2006. During the meeting with Ukrainian journalists held on November 23, 2006, the Byelorussian President claimed that Belarus wanted to receive Caspian oil via Ukraine to refine it at its own refineries.
26.01.2007 A conference dedicated to Azerbaijan unique role in the Caucasus and Central Asia, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and energy projects of the country has been held in Los-Angeles. The event was initiated and organized by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan to Los-Angeles and oil giant BP, Trend reports. Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan Consul General to Los-Angeles, provided participants of the event with the information about the BTC Project (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan), the improvement of the investment climate in the country, democratic reforms carried out in the country. The conference paid much attention to the frozen Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is to be resolved.
Political Life
22.01.2007 Arif Hajili, the head of the Central Executive Body of opposition party, Musavat, informed Trend that the negotiations on the opposition joint massive protest actions, brought no results.
He said that non-official negotiations on holding massive protest actions due to the recent rise in prices on energy carriers and public utilities in the country had been held with some opposition parties. However, the discussions brought no results. According to Mr. Hajili, despite of this fact, the opposition organizing and holding joint arrangements is possible from the theoretical point of view. I have held negotiations with a representative of bloc, AZadlig, Sardar Jaliloghlu and other parties. These discussions are still going on. Party Musavat is seriously preparing for a rally fixed to be held in the Ukraine Square on January 28, 2007. Activists of the party were commissioned to take part in the rally to be held by bloc Azadlig on January 26, 2007 as well, he said.
According to him, about 10,000 people are expected to take part in the rally to be held by Musavat Party. Opposition party Musavat was established in 1992. Isa Gambar, the Chairman of the Party was the Speaker of the Milli Majlis in 1992-1993, and a candidate in the last presidential elections of 2003.
24.01.2007 The statements made by the Azerbaijan and Armenian Foreign Minister, Elmar Mamadyarov, and Vardan Oskanyan made after their meeting held in Moscow once more prove that all the discussions are of an imitation nature. The trips of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen to the region pursue the same purposes, said the statement being spread by the Organization for Karabakh Liberation (OKL).
РћKL considers that holding unsuccessful discussions meet Armenian interests, and the country-aggressor has not sought any concrete consensuses and agreements for the last two years. Therefore Armenia is simulating the visibility of negotiations under the direct participation of the Co-Chairs and the events go in accordance with the scenario which is advantageous to Armenians. Today, the Co-Chairmen have put forward first of all the interests of the Armenian Government due to the forthcoming parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia. OKL is inclined to evaluate such an approach taken by the Co-Chairmen as unjust, and pro-Armenian position, and demands to break the negotiations held in this platitude, as well as put an end to the tourist voyages to the region, said the statement.
24.01.2007 The Executive Power of Baku City did not confirm the rally of Musavat Party scheduled for 28 January, Trend reports with reference to the party. The Head of Baku City considers it necessary that Musavat Party begins its rally from metro station Hazi Aslanov to Ukrainian square from 16:00 to 18:00.
Opposition Musavat Party holds the rally to protest against the price increase in Azerbaijan.
On January 26, the Chairman of Musavat, Isa Gambar, held a press-conference on the rally scheduled for January 28, Trend reports. Gambar spoke about the reasons of the rally which will take place on January 28 from metro station Hazi Aslanov to Ukrainian square. He said that the price increase for the energy carriers and communal services in Azerbaijan adversely affected the living standards of population. Gambar underlined that it is inaccurate decision and called on everybody to participate in the action to protest against this decision.
In addition, Gambar called on all opposition parties to take part in this action. After the short break, it is the first mass measure in Azerbaijan. Participation of all parties in this action may become the beginning of a new movement, Gambar said.
26.01.2007 The Chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party of Azerbaijan (CSP), Sabir Rustamkhanli, informed Trend that the separate actions of the protest rallies by the opposition will have no positive results.
The opposition Azadlyg Block planned to hold protest action on January 26th and the Musavat Party on January 28th.
The Head of the CSP stated that his party will not be joining the rally. However, the party's members can individually participate in the actions. Rustamkhanli considers that if all opposition parties form a joint action against the price increases, it would be possible to change the situation.
The opposition will not be able to achieve anything under the circumstances. After the price increases, opposition parties had to make a joint statement. However, the opposition could not come to a common conclusion by holding separate actions, Rustamkhanli said.