Official News
On 5 February 2007 the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received outstanding physicist, member of Academy of Sciences of former USSR, Roald Zinnurovich Sagdev, Trend reports.
The State Head of Azerbaijan voiced his confidence that the present visit of the outstanding scientist will serve the expansion of the international scientific-social relations of Azerbaijan.
Scott Carson, the President and Executive Director of Boeing, said during the meeting with Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev that Azerbaijan will become the first country in the region which will receive airplanes Boeing-787, Trend reports.
Having marked the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Company for the last six years, the Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed his confidence that the present visit of the Head of the Company to Azerbaijan would open new possibilities for further cooperation. The Azerbaijan President marked Azerbaijan position in the region and emphasized that the country would need new airplanes to fully ensure its economic potential. Mr. Carson was greatly surprised with Azerbaijan successful economic development, and said that he was satisfied with cooperation between Boeing and Azerbaijan. According to him, airplanes marked Boeing-787 are expected to be delivered to Azerbaijan first in the region.
On February 5, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to appoint the members of the National TV and Radio Council.
According to the Presidential order, Gafar Jafaroghlu Jabiyev and Alvan Hassanoghlu Aghayev were appointed as the members of the National TV and Radio Council for the term of 6 years.
On February 5, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on awarding Sudaba Hasanova, the Judge of Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan Republic with the Shohrat Order, for her useful activity and services in the judicial-court bodies.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev issued an order on the perpetuation of the memory of Anatoly Andreyevich Banishevsky, the prominent Azerbaijan football player. According to the Presidential order, the Baku Executive Power was commissioned to install a memory desk on the building, where the prominent football player lived.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order on application of law on theatre and theatre activities, Trend reports.
With his order, the State Head of Azerbaijan requested the Cabinet Minister of Azerbaijan to prepare and present to the President proposals on unification of active legislative acts with the law within a month.
In addition, the Cabinet Minister was requested to prepare proposals on rules of giving the statuses of academic and national demand.
A memorial plaque of the ex-President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, was opened on the right bank of the Mtkvari in Tbilisi on February 7th. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, representatives of the community and Azerbaijani citizens of Georgia, a Trend Special Correspondent in Tbilisi reports
The monument, four meters in height, was prepared by Oscine Company. The monument describes that the distance from the monument to Baku is 556 km and to Ankara 1 441 km. 28,000 lari (nearly $16,000) has been spent on the monument. Part of the right bank has also been named after Heydar Aliyev. The remaining part of the bank has been named after the first President of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
The Governor of Kvemo region, Zurab Melikishvili, informed Trend that the public expressed a wish to participate in this significant event. The Azerbaijanis state that the opening of the memorial plaque and the friendship between the Presidents of the two countries, assist in strengthening bilateral relations and fraternity between the people of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The Presidents of Georgia and Azerbaijan also visited a renovated station of Tbilisi Metro and the construction of Central University Clinic.
On February 7th the Presidents of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili and Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, visited Central University Clinic, constructed in Vaja-Pshavela Avenue in Tbilisi. The construction of the institution will be completed in 2007, a Trend Special Correspondent in Tbilisi reports.
The President of Azerbaijan was satisfied with the construction and expressed his admiration. It is a beautiful medical center and I congratulate you on this success, Aliyev said. He viewed the center of emergency aid and innovative medical equipment. The provision emergency assistance was demonstrated as in place.
Saakashvili introduced several physicians, who have returned from leading clinics of the world to work in Georgia, to his Azerbaijani colleague.
The signing of documents on railway construction -Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars has been held in Tbilisi today, on February 7, Trend Correspondent to Georgia reports.
The agreement on the new railway -Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars was signed between the Transport Ministries of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Ziya Mammadov and Binali Yildirim correspondingly, as well as Georgi Arveladze, Georgia Economic Development Minister. The Azerbaijan Transport Minister and the Georgian Economic Development Minister signed an intergovernmental agreement on railway construction -Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars in the section вЂ" Marabda (a Georgian railway station bordering with Turkey) вЂ" Kartsakhi.
Another document вЂ" a credit agreement on the construction, rehabilitation, and financing the section Marabda вЂ" Kartsakhi was signed today. It was signed among Ramaz Georgadze, the Director of the railway Section Marabda вЂ" Kartsakhi, Jahangir Hajiyev, the President of IBA, and Samir Aliyev, the President of IBA-Georgia. The signing ceremony took place in the Georgian Parliament. Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev, Georgian President, Mikhail Saakashvili, and Turkish Prime-Minister, Receb Tayyib Erdogan participated in the event.
Georgian President Mikhael Saakashvili said on 7 February 2007 that the project on construction of a new railway route Baku-Tbilisi-Kars is the first grandiose project, which assumes great importance and will benefit all three countries, Trend Correspondent reports. He was addressing a ceremony of signing of a package of documents on cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
We had several projects in the region and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main oil export pipeline is the biggest. However, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project makes the geopolitical turnover in our region and opens a new strategic route connecting not only the three counties of the region, but also the countries of Asia and Europe with each other and will become a firm base for the development of our regional cooperation, he said. The Georgian President said that the project is of particular importance for Georgia, because after the blockade by Russia the Georgian railway reached a dead end. Now we will obtain a direct route to Europe, and Asian markets. This is the modification of the ancient Great Silk Route, he said. Today [7 February] we are signing the Tbilisi Declaration and also an agreement on construction of a new railway route Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and it is the prospective project which lays the foundation of future success. It is a serious security for long-term development of each of us and every country will benefit it, President Saakashvili said. This is the project which envisages investments worth several million dollars, which will further bring profits in hundred billion dollars, he noted.
Rejeb Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Premier, said in Tbilisi that Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan demonstrated to the world a model of cooperation, beginning from the new project on construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, Trend Correspondent in Tbilisi reports. He was addressing the signing ceremony of package of documents on cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Three countries have gathered here and we should demonstrate the world the way of regional cooption. Now we are establishing a firm basis for it. We should consolidate the cooperation and this is the model for peaceable development, the Turkish Premier said. Erdogan voiced his confidence that other projects will follow it. Our regional cooperation will develop on this basis. The three countries should become a bright example of peace and solidarity. This is the message that we send the world, Mr. Erdogan said. He paid special attention to the cooperation of three countries in the energy sector. Energy is one of important issues for us and it is on agenda of our countries. There are definite difficulties in all three countries. It is necessary to regulate them Thanks to solidarity our countries will be able to regulate these problems and the establishment of sympathetic relationships is of extreme importance, he said.
Turkish Premier said that the first step of the cooperation was the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline project. The second stage was the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline for gas transportation from the Shah Deniz field of the Caspian Sea. Now we are here to put a foundation of the third project вЂ" the railway project, the Turkish Premier said.
On February 8, Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, has received Goran Lenmarker, the Chairman of PA OSCE, a source in the Azerbaijan Presidential Administration told Trend.
Events happening in the region, economic situation, and large-scale projects being implemented were discussed during the meeting. The Head of the Azerbaijani State noted that there had been positive changes in the region; however the existing conflicts impeded the general development. Mr. Aliyev noted that he had visited Georgia due to the launch of the implementation of the project on building railway Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku, and said that this project was an extremely important one. The President noted that due to the Armenian aggression, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has been broken. He added that despite of some obstacles and barriers, Azerbaijan's economy was dynamically developing and the country had turned to be a reliable energy carriers supplier.
Mr. Lenmarker noted that he had become a eyewitness of Azerbaijan's high economic development. At the same time, he marked it as a very important factor that the population of the country was mainly optimistic. He stressed that Azerbaijan developed not only economically, but also in many other spheres.
Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev has sent a welcome letter to the participants of the international conference on the fight with pirated and false medicines today, on February 8, Trend reports.
The letter says that the issue connected with pirated and false medicals has turned to a serious threat to human's health at the existing level, and different countries face different global threats due to this problem. The turnover of pirated and false medicines, which represents a serious threat to the economic interests of different states and threatens the health not only a separate human but also health of the next generations necessitates consolidation of efforts to be taken by all countries against these threats, says the letter.
The Azerbaijani President also noted that ensuring economic security, the fight with pirated and false production, including with pirated medicines were apprehended as key national tasks.
Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, 8has received an Italian delegation headed by Senator Milos Budi, the Deputy Italian Foreign Trade Minister today, on February 8, Trend reports.
The Head of the Azerbaijani State noted that the Azerbaijani economy was one of the most dynamically-developing economies in the World. He added that Azerbaijan kept on establishing successful cooperation with Italian companies.
Senator Milos Budi said that Italian-Azerbaijani relations were rapidly developing. He stressed that Azerbaijan's role increased both regionally and internationally, and that increased the interest of Italian companies and businessmen to Azerbaijan. The Italian guest expressed a hope that relations between Italy and Azerbaijan would be further reinforced within the stability and peace in Europe.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Special Representative of the President of Iran for Caspian Affairs and Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Mehti Safari, Trend reports.
The meeting highlighted the successful development of the relations between the two countries in various spheres. Safari delivered to the State Head of Azerbaijan the greetings of the President of Iran Mahmud Ahmadnejat.
According to the information provided by the Embassy of Iran, in addition, Safari met with his Azerbaijan colleague, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, within one-day visit. The sides held bilateral consultations on defining the legal status of Caspian Sea.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order announcing 2007 as a Year of Youth in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
Announcing 2007 as Year of Youth was caused by the active participation of the youth of Azerbaijan in the social-political, economical and cultural life of the country, in resolving social problems and ensuring protection of the human rights, effectively implementing the State program on youth policy, raising the attention of the State to young talents and assessing the services of youth in the sphere of science, education, economy, culture, state management.
The State Head of Azerbaijan confirmed the plan of measurers for Year of Youths. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan was charged to resolve all questions arising from the document.
Foreign Policy
The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Colin Graphy is in Khachmaz district of Azerbaijan, Trend reports with reference to the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. The Head of the Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, Jonathan Henick informed Trend that Graphy will stay in Azerbaijan till February 7, 2007.
On the first day of the visit, Graphy visited Khachmaz district to sign an agreement with the Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism. Thereafter, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State plans to hold meetings at the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, and representatives of NGOs.
Vasiliy Tarlev, Moldova's Prime Minister, is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan around February 22-23.
Trend was informed by the Moldovan Prime Minister's Press Service that currently the program and agenda for the visit is under coordination. Talks with the Azerbaijani leadership are expected to focus on further development of cooperation in different spheres, particularly, the economic sector.
Aerire, the Ambassador of Moldavia to Azerbaijan, Ion Robu, informed Trend that preparations are underway for the official visit of the Prime Minister of Moldavia, Vasili Tarlev, to Azerbaijan.
Robu said that next week the date for the visit will be confirmed. Initially it was scheduled for the middle of February.
According to the Ambassador, there are a number of proposals regarding the bilateral agreement which have been agreed for a long time.
The Head of the Social-Political Department of the Executive Apparat of the Azerbaijani President, Ali Hasanov, exclusively informed Trend that towards the end of February, the Government of Azerbaijan will express its opinions towards the report that will be discussed at the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The report, which will be prepared by PACE co-rapporteurs, Tony Lloyd and Andreas Herkel, will reflect Azerbaijan's fulfillment of obligations undertaken before the Council of Europe.
Ali Hasanov said that this question was also discussed at the meeting of the Head of the Executive Apparat of the Azerbaijani President, Ramiz Meydiyev, with the Council of Europe's Director General for Political Affairs, Jean-Louis Laurens, who was in Azerbaijan last weak.
The military-political consultations between Azerbaijan and Italy will begin in Roma on February 5, 2007. The delegation of the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry has already arrived in Roma, Trend reports quoting the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy.
The delegation is headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Araz Azimov. The consultations will take place at the Foreign Ministry of Italy. In addition, the delegation of Azerbaijan will hold meeting at the Parliament of Italy, especially negotiations with heads of the parliamentary commissions on foreign relations and defense, representatives of the international organizations and talks on co-operation with the European Union. Within the visit it is planned to participate in the event organized by the Department for Formation of International Opinion.
The Economic Advisor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Sabir Rzayev, exclusively informed Trend that during the present meeting of the Azerbaijani-Pakistani Intergovernmental Economic Co-operation Commission, the Pakistani side presented to Azerbaijan a number of proposals on development of economic co-operation. According to him, the agenda included co-operation in regards to investments and small and medium enterprises. The Pakistani side made a series of proposals to create a Business Council and the project of Memorandum of Understanding was presented.
In addition, the sides held consultations on IT, particularly discussed the question of decreasing tariffs for international telephone conversations. Debates were organized on co-operation in areas such as agriculture and the banking sector and the Pakistani side offered to organize courses in raising the qualifications of the banking sector, Rzayev said.
The meeting of the Commission with the participation of co-chairs, First Vice Primer of the Government of Azerbaijan, Yagub Eyyubov and Minister of Oil and Natural Resources of Pakistan, Amanulla Khan Jadun, will take place on February 7th. In addition, there are plans to hold meetings with various ministers included in the Commission from both countries.
The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Indonesia, Ibrahim Hajiyev, presented a copy of his credentials on his appointment to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Philippines, Erlinde Basilio, Trend reports referring to the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.
During the meeting the Ambassador mentioned the importance of making mutual visits to develop the bilateral co-operation and the large potential of the countries to allocate mutually beneficial investments. In addition, Hajiyev presented his credentials to the President of Philippines, Glory Makaragal.
The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, stated at the meeting with the Director of the European Bureau of the Foreign Ministry of Japan, Chikakhiro Kharada, that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the co-operation of Japan and is interested in studying its experience in the economic sphere.
The Minister highlighted the high level of political relations of the two countries, saying that the positions of the two countries are same in many questions. Mammadyarov called on the business people of Japan to establish co-operation with Azerbaijan, saying that favorable conditions have been created in the country for this purpose.
Mentioning that Japan selected new directions in foreign policy, Kharada said that the Government of Japan will strengthen support for countries fighting for democracy and market economy. According to him, a list of these countries also includes Azerbaijan
Daniel Sullivan, the Assistant the U. S. State Secretary for Economic Relations, said during the meeting with Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister, that Azerbaijan is a U. S. strategic partner both regionally and within the bilateral cooperation, Trend reports referring to the Press-Service of the Azerbaijan Foreign Office.
During the meeting, issues on cooperation between the two countries in the fields of security, energy, economy, policy were discussed. In addition, the parties exchanged opinions on issues connected with Azerbaijan joining WTO. Having marked the successful cooperation between the two countries in different regional and international projects, the parties expressed their intentions to continue this cooperation in the future.
Matthew Bryza, the OSCE American Chairman, took part in the meeting as well. The Azerbaijan Foreign Minister brought to the attention of the guests the fact that the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was a serious source of threat in the whole region, and that Armenia holds non-constructive position in this issue.
Azerbaijan and Italy, are key countries in Caspian and Mediterranean regions, may play a significant role in the international co-operation. Such position of Azerbaijan was voiced by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov, during the consultations on multilateral political questions and co-operation in the sphere of security between Azerbaijan and Italy, which completed on February 7 in Roma,, the Second Secretary of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Italy, Mammad Ahmadzade, exclusively informed Trend.
According to him, the negotiation went on in three directions. Within the first direction, Araz Azimov met with the members of the Government of Italy, especially with Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Famino Kruchianelli. The sides discussed prospects of development of political and economical relations. The next meeting of the Azerbaijan delegation in the Department for Multilateral Policy and Human Rights of the Italian Foreign Ministry focused on the questions of co-operation within international organizations, and possibilities of co-operation within UNO were considered, especially support during elections to the bodies of the organization, assistance of Italy in integration of Azerbaijan into EU and NATO, ways of settlement of conflicts in GUAM territory, especially Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, interaction in fighting with international terrorism, organized criminality, role of Azerbaijan in dialogue between civilizations and religions.
In addition, during the consultations, the focus of attention was the questions such as defense of pipelines, security of the state borders of Azerbaijan and energy security. For this purpose, meetings were held with the Deputy Minister of Defense of Italy, Jovani Lorenzo and Head of Forces of Karabiners of the Defense Ministry of Italy. In addition, Azimov met with Deputy Minister on European Policy and International Trade, Milos Budin and discussed the role of Italy in co-operation of Azerbaijan with EU within New Neighborhood Policy.
The second direction of the meetings was with members of the Italian Parliament, representatives of Parliamentary Commissions, as well as chairmen of the Italian parliamentary delegations to NATO, Council of Europe, West-European Union. During the meetings, Azimov spoke about the priorities of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan and integration into European organizations. The Parliamentarians highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan for Italy in energy.
The third direction of the meetings was at the Institute for International Affairs of Italy with the members of the Committees of the Institute and researchers and experts for Caspian and South Caucasus region. Azimov informed the guests on foreign policy of Azerbaijan, strategy of security and prospects of development of Azerbaijan-Italian relations.
The Economic Advisor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Sabir Rzayev, exclusively informed Trend that during the present meeting of the Azerbaijani-Pakistani Intergovernmental Economic Co-operation Commission, the Pakistani side presented to Azerbaijan a number of proposals on development of economic co-operation. According to him, the agenda included co-operation in regards to investments and small and medium enterprises. The Pakistani side made a series of proposals to create a Business Council and the project of Memorandum of Understanding was presented.
In addition, the sides held consultations on IT, particularly discussed the question of decreasing tariffs for international telephone conversations. Debates were organized on co-operation in areas such as agriculture and the banking sector and the Pakistani side offered to organize courses in raising the qualifications of the banking sector, Rzayev said.
The meeting of the Commission with the participation of co-chairs, First Vice Primer of the Government of Azerbaijan, Yagub Eyyubov and Minister of Oil and Natural Resources of Pakistan, Amanulla Khan Jadun, will take place on February 7th. In addition, there are plans to hold meetings with various ministers included in the Commission from both countries.
The Azerbaijan Ambassador to Turkey, Zakir Hashimov, exclusively informed Trend that Turkish Prime Minister Rejeb Tayyib Erdogan will pay a visit to Azerbaijan. He plans to participate in the first Forum of Diasporas of Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Azerbaijan Diaspora in Turkey informed that the forum will be approximately held this March. The delegation will include the representatives of Government, Parliament and public of Turkey. The forum will determine the common principles and major direction of joint activities of the Diaspora organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as issue on joint declaration. Last year Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev initiated the conduct of a Forum in Baku.
Etibar Khalilov, the Chief of the Consulate Department of the Azerbaijan Embassy to Russia informed Trend Correspondent to Moscow that the Consulate Service presented 3,000 documents to our compatriots living and working on the territory of Russia. In 2006, the Department presented 21,620 certificates for the returnees to Azerbaijan. Foreign citizens received 368 visas to visit our country. 2,500 inquiries were sent to the Azerbaijan Interior Ministry. 1,500 letters were sent to different offices and agencies of Russia.
According to the Azerbaijan diplomat, every day the Consulate receives 100-120 Azerbaijan citizens on average. They receive all necessary documents every day. The people mainly appeal to the Consulate to receive a certificate for return, reference on previous convictions, and citizenship holding. Mr. Khalilov said that there had been delays, since documents require time on the person who want to obtain this or that document.
However, the negotiations on loosing this procedure are currently holding with the corresponding offices and agencies in Baku, he said. Commenting the question of whether the number of our compatriots, who appeal to the Consulate due to the introduction of the new migration rules decreased, Mr. Khalilov said that their number had not reduced, since there had been a need in obtaining different references to legalize and employ our citizens in Russia. Everybody has expected that the outflow of our compatriots will be significant, but many of them have turned to become legal in Russia. The mater is that many citizens have lived without corresponding documents for a long time, and it has been quite possible. Today, the new migration rule has been put into practice. It tightens the responsibility for breaching these rules. Due to that, the outflow of our citizens who need different references is set up to decrease, since everybody has to put all their documents into order, said Mr. Khalilov.
The Director of the Human Rights Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Rovshan Mustafayev, exclusively informed Trend that Azerbaijan needs to pay more attention to the study of the parliamentarism policy in the world.
According to the politician, as the position of Azerbaijan strengthens in the international arena, so-called Armenian genocide, which did not take place, is remembered and efforts are made to raise this question at the level of the U.S. Parliament.
Mustafayev said that unfortunately for long years, Azerbaijan has not paid necessary attention to study the situation with the parliamentarism in the world and has not seriously approached this question.
Despite this Azerbaijan transforms from a country receiving challenges of growth to a donor-country implementing new policy and choosing new partners. The politician considers that it is possible to wait that a relevant reassessment of the systematic understanding will take place due to the strengthening position of Azerbaijan, including on Nagorno-Karabakh, in the international arena.
Husseyn Agha Sadikhov, the former Azerbaijan Ambassador to Germany, has been awarded with the supreme state award of Germany вЂ" the Cross Order for the Great Service, for making invaluable contribution to the development of German-Azerbaijani relations, a source in the Azerbaijani Embassy to Germany informed Trend.
The Cross Order is the supreme state award of the Federative Republic of Germany. It will be Per Stankina, Germany Ambassador to Azerbaijan who will present it to Mr. Sadikhov. The ceremony of presentation is expected to be held on February 9, 2007.
Mr. Sadikhov headed the Azerbaijan diplomatic mission in Germany since 1992 to 2005.
Nagorno-Karabakh
Goran Lenmarker, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE Minsk Group, informed journalists in Yerevan today that the format of the Minks Group for the Karabakh Issue should not be changed.
The peaceful negotiations are being held within the OSCE Minsk Group, and this format should not be changed, since any changing may slow down the resolution of the conflict, he said. Mr. Lenmarker did not agree with those statements that there is an increase of tensions in the region of the conflict, Trend reports referring to ARKA. He said that people are killed and refugees from Armenia and Azerbaijan suffer on the contact line every year.
An agreement is needed. It is extremely important that Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan could live peacefully and that will be a pledge for prosperity in the whole region, said Mr. Lenmarker.
Nidjad Sadikhov, Azerbaijan Consul to Spain, has exclusively informed Trend that the Azerbaijan Embassy to Spain has taken serious measures toward illegal actions taken by an Armenian tourist company, Amistad-Tour. Within the participation on the International Tourist Exhibition in Madrid, the Armenian tourist company distributed booklets on organizing tourist tours and trips in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani Embassy has sent a note of protest to the International Tourism Organization (ITO) with a demand to take measures toward the illegal actions taken by the Armenian tourist company. Employees of the Azerbaijan Embassy to Spain also met organizers of the exhibition, who were informed about the actions taken by Armistad-Tour, which were contrary to the international norms and regulations. As a result of operative measures taken, the organizers could manage to stop the distribution of the booklets. In the booklets, Amistad-Tour printed the map of Nagorno-Larabakh as an independent republic.
The Consular General of Azerbaijan to Kars province of Turkey, Hasan Zeynalov, informed Trend that the anniversary of the Khojali genocide will be marked in Kars.
According to him, the anniversary of the Khojali genocide has been marked in Kars annually since the Consulate General opened. Photo exhibitions are organized, videos are played and materials are distributed in the media. This year the event will be held at the bust of ex-President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. The event is expected to be attended by nearly 300-500 people.
In addition, Zeynalov said that this year on the eve of the Khojali genocide anniversary an international conference will be held in The Hague on February 25th, dedicated to this tragic date.
On the night of 25 to 26 February 1992 the Azerbaijani settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh, Khojali Avenue was occupied by Armenian separatists, with active participation of the military personnel and the battle technique of the 366th regiment of the Russian army. For several hours, more than 600 unarmed people of Azerbaijan, including 106 women and 83 children, were killed cruelly and wildly. The annihilation of the peaceful people continued for several days during which the Armenian plunderers executed and killed the prisoners, committed violence against women and children, cut off their heads and hung up military prisoners of Azerbaijan. 487 people, including 76 underage people, were physically disabled and 1275 people were taken prisoners. However, the return most of prisoners was achieved and the fate of 150 people is still unknown.
Armenian armed forces continued armistice breaches in the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontline.
I think issues like the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict do not have obvious solutions as in chess games. Someone is led to a dead end and even a chess master cannot find a way out. Roald Sagdiyev, a world renowned scientist and Academician of US Maryland University, stated in talks with journalists in Baku.
The scientists said that the resolution of the conflict is very important for the establishment of a multilateral format with the participation of the United States, European Union, member-countries, Russia, Kazakhstan and others. It is possible to put pressure on the resolution of the conflict only in this, he stressed.
US Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair, said in talks with journalists on February 7th that a scenario of the Kosovo conflict will not be a precedent for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.
Every conflict in the world has a unique character and no parallel should be carried out between the methods of resolution. Speaking of chances of settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict this year, the diplomat noted that the situation was complicated due to parliamentary elections in Armenia and in this situation when attempts are taken to promote the negotiation process it is necessary to act carefully. At the same time he voiced his optimism with respect to a resolution of the conflict and stressed the necessity for strong will of the Presidents of the two countries.
Mr. Bryza said that common approaches have been found in major elements of the agreement and technical parameters are currently under consideration. He found difficulty in announcing the date of the next round of talks between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Head of the Azerbaijan Society of Red Crescent, MP Novruz Aslanov, briefed the media that long-term detention of the Azerbaijan soldiers in Armenia breaks the Geneva Convention, Trend reports.
According to him, the health of the Azerbaijan soldier, Samir Mammadov, who is being presently kept in Armenia, is normal.
I don't know if the information that Mammadov does not want to return to Azerbaijan is real. We try to understand this issue, said Mammadov. He added that according to certain rules, the process of delivering the prisoners is realized by International Committee of the Red Cross.
Samir Mammadov has been kept in Armenian captivity for 50 days.
Goran Lenmarker, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE, Rapporteur of the Organization for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, informed journalists that he hopes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved till the end of the year, Trend reports. He said that it was necessary to achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the immediate future.
I think that the peace between the two conflict parties may be attained after the parliamentary elections in Armenia. We do not want even one person die because of the conflict, said the Chairman of PA OSCE. According to him, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries should solve issues over the people joint dwelling in Nagorno-Karabakh.
It should be taken into consideration that Azerbaijan and Armenia are neighboring countries. I think that both parties will realize the importance of reaching an agreement, said Mr. Lenmarker.
Within his visit to Azerbaijan, the Chairman of PA OSCE visited and laid flowers on the grave of the Ex-President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor. Then he visited and laid flowers on the Martyrs' Alley.
Mr. Lenmarker met members of the Azerbaijan delegation to PA OSCE. He held a meeting with Ogtay Asadov, Azerbaijan Speaker. Their meeting is currently going on.
Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OCSE Russian Co-Chairman, has exclusively told Trend that the next meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia is likely not to take place until the parliamentary elections are held in Armenia. The Russian diplomat made this statement expressing his opinion to the recently-spread statements that the Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful negotiations could real be speed up only after Armenian holds its parliamentary elections.
I think that these statements are most likely connected with the fact that the next meeting between the two Presidents could not be organized until the parliamentary elections are held in Armenia. You know that no agreements can be reached without the participation of the Presidents. As for the meeting between the two Presidents, I think that it is likely not to be held until Armenia holds its elections. That is all, said Mr. Merzlyakov.
The Russian diplomat disagree with the opinion of his American colleague on the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza concerning the fact that the key elements on the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution had been agreed less technical details. I can call them technical ones. They are not only technical ones, said Mr. Merzlyakov. According to him, the previous commentary of Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister is more correct. Notably, Mr. Mammadyarov has stated that there had been 1-2 substantial left to be finally agreed.
The OSCE Russian Co-Chairman said that the OSCE Minsk Group's Co-Chairs wanted to organize a next meeting between the Foreign Minister of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the beginning of March, 2007. We are occupied with this issue. However, there has not been a final agreement yet. We want it take place not later than March, 2007, said Mr. Merzlyakov. At the same time, he considers that the next consultations of all the three Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group to be held in Paris the next week is likely not take place. Speaking about the fact that the OSCE American Co-Chairman, also occupied with oil and gas issues in the Caspian region, would participate in the Paris energy conference, Mr. Merzlyakov did not rule out that Mr. Bryza would met his French colleague on the OSCE Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier.
Outstanding Georgian scientist and politician and Chairman of the International Political Union We ourselves, Paata Davitaia, exclusively informed Trend that the position of Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and exactly the legal approach to the conflict is accurate because it does not need to hold talks with, but to persecute the offenders.
He said that a criminal case has been filed on Khojali genocide and on crimes committed by the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and there is an international sanction on arrest of the offenders.
Those who try to show it as fight for independence are offenders, the politician said. The separatism is the highest form of the organized criminality and one needs to speak to them only on the legal base, he said.
Those events that took place in Georgia, especially on the Abkhazia conflict can not be comprised with Nagorno-Karabakh conflict because after the interference of the international forces in the conflict, the separatists in Georgia are aside.
As a result of the legal approach of the Government of Azerbaijan to the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, such problem did not emerge in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the politician said. As a result of such policy of Azerbaijan, presently the separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh could not find access to the international arena, he said.
The Outstanding Georgian scientist, who made his contribution in studying the history of Caucasus and discovered the Armenian separatism and terrorism, was conferred the rank of Professor of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.
Goran Lenmarker, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE, said today during his address to students of the Baku State University that OSCE has been occupied with the Karabakh issue for a long time, and therefore one cannot say that the Minsk Group has done nothing.
We are doing our best to resolve this issue; we help and promote the peaceful negotiations, but however the key job is the job of the Foreign Ministers of the conflict parties. I am an optimist and I believe that we can resolve this conflict. Every year young people are killed on the contact line, somebody is killed from a bullet, someone вЂ" from a mine, other вЂ" become disabled for all, said Mr. Lenmarker, Trend reports.
According to him, 100,000 refugees still remain, and it once more shows that the conflict should be resolved urgently and in the immediate future.
I think that 2007 will put an end to this conflict. We shall find a decision convenient to the both parties, said the President of PA OSCE.
Novruz Mammadov, the Chief of the External Affairs of the Azerbaijan Presidential Administration has exclusively informed Trend that he wishes for an end for the issue of the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I can't help saying my decisive position in this respect, as the Armenian authorities begin using this factor for their own interests and purposes; thereby their political dissimulation is unveiled, he said.
Explaining the differences in the opinions of the OSCE Russian and American Co-Chairmen concerning the fact that main principles of the resolution of the conflict were agreed and that only some technical moments are remained to be settled, he said that each OSCE Chairman has his own opinion on the issue and that they see things differently.
Commenting the statement of the Chairmen concerning the necessity on the two Presidents prepare their nations to a compromise, Mr. Mammadov said that one can speak about compromises only when any advances occur. The Chief of the External Affairs of the Azerbaijan Presidential Administration said that the conflict should be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and that refugees and IDP should be returned to their permanent residence places, and the highest status of autonomy will be granted to Nagorno-Karabakh region.
It is a great compromise for Armenians. They will live within Azerbaijan, use successes of the country and it will be greatest compromise. If they accept these conditions, their life condition will be much better, said Mr. Mammadov.
Shahin Sayilov, the Secretary of the State Committee for Affairs with Prisoners of War, Missing Persons, and Hostages informed Trend that the Committee has not yet received any official request from an Azerbaijan prisoner of war, Sergeant Samir Mammadov, who allegedly, as some Azerbaijan media sources reports, insists on handing him over to a third party.
Samir Mammadov passed his military service in a Military Unit in Gazakh District of Azerbaijan bordering with Armenia. He was captured by Armenians from the distance of 15 km from his Military Unit on the territory where the Gazakh District of Azerbaijan borders with Idjevan District of Armenia on December 23, 2006. Neither weapons nor ammunition was with him. Up to now, the Azerbaijan soldier has been kept in Yerevan.
Armenians had not incited the Azerbaijani soldier until some Azerbaijan media sources began spreading pieces of information that Samir Mammadov would be arrested as soon as he returns to the motherland. However, no accusations have been initiated toward our soldier, said Mr. Sayilov.
The last letter written by the Azerbaijan soldier was sent on February 6. As Mr. Sayilov said, our soldier had not mentioned anything about possible handing him over to a third party.
Political Movements
Bloc Bizim Azerbaycan (Our Azerbaijan), consisting of opposition parties, spread a statement where it calls up the Azerbaijan opposition to stop its political activity and leave the political arena, Trend reports referring to a source in the political bloc.
The statement made by the bloc says that the opposition, which is an only hope of the citizens of the country, instead of fulfilling the obligations it ought to fulfill in the existing situation, to hold joint actions of protest, once more shows its inertia and inactivity, loyal to its tradition and is occupied with semblance.
Bloc Bizim Azerbaycan came to the conclusion that the opposition, which could only make semblance up to date, has not justified the expectations of the people. It has turned to be an adjunct of the present authorities and should withdraw from the political arena, since the political force, which has had a wrong strategy and tactics for a long time have nothing but to leave it, the message says.
The Bloc also noted that the political arena needed new opposition forces. They added that it was necessary to organize a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. Bloc Bizim Azerbaycan was founded in 2003 to support the candidacy of Isa Gambar, the Chairman of an opposition party, Musavat during the presidential elections. Musavat and other opposition parties left the bloc. Today, 10 parties are in the above-mentioned political bloc.
Azerbaijan ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has sent a letter to the Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has taken the role of mediator in the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The letter is a sign of protest against the erection of a monument dedicated to the so-called 15th anniversary of the liberation of the ancient Azerbaijani Town of Shusha, which was occupied by Armenians in 1992, in the Centre of Yerevan, said a source in the Press-Service of the ruling party.
The letter says that unfortunately, Aggressive Armenia, which occupied 20% of the Azerbaijan territories, keeps on violating the norms and principles of the international law, and is continuing committing provocations aimed at Azerbaijan.
The decision on the erection of the above-mentioned monument in the Armenian capital, which was made by the Armenian Government just in the beginning of 2007, can be considered as the next blow of the Armenian Government on the peaceful negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group. On one hand, Armenians erect the monument connected with the 15th anniversary of the occupation of Azerbaijan ancient political and cultural centre, proves the direct participation of this country in the occupation. On the other hand it demonstrates that Armenia is taking a destructive and insincere position in the peaceful negotiations within OSCE Minsk Group. The Armenian's raising the monument to the fact of occupation cannot be explained either by any international or any ethical and human norms, the letter said.
The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) decisively and unanimously blames these actions taken by the aggressive Armenia, and once more emphasizes that such actions do not serve to the peaceful negotiations, and urges the Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group to prevent the next Armenian provocation.
В"The Chairman of Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP), Ayaz Rustamov, informed Trend that on 16 February 2007 the party will hold an action in front of the Embassy of Iran in Baku.
On February 7, a letter on action was sent to the Executive Power of Baku City. The action is held to support the national movement in South Azerbaijan and protest against repressing the participants of the national movement. The Chairman of opposition ANIP, Etibar Mammadov, is the Co-chair of International Democracy Union.
The Deputy Chairman of Umid Party for Press Affairs, Anvar Agayev, informed Trend that Igbal Agazade will only be a candidate for the position of chairman of the party during the 3rd congress of the party scheduled for March 2007. He said that elections will be held for the posts of chairman of the party, high bodies of the party, as well as deputy chairs which will be appointed during congress. A number of changes will be made to the structure of the party and the number of deputy chairs will be increased.
The present chairman of the party, Igbal Agazade, will again put his candidature forward for this post. Presently there are no other claims for the post of chairman. The main attention at congress will be paid to the presidential elections in 2008. A decision will be made to put the candidature of the Chairman of Umid Party, Igbal Agazade, forward for the presidential elections. In 2002 the Civil Unity Party headed by Igbal Agazade combined with opposition Umid Party. Igbal Agazade is a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament.
The Youth Organization of Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (DRP) held a round table on Freedom and responsibility, which is one of the key ideological slogans of the party. The event was attended by the representatives of youths representing various organizations.
Lawyer-Expert, Erkin Gadirli, made a report on the topic. He said that the individual freedom is higher as comprised with other freedoms and that freedom and responsibility are equal. According to the reporter, the freedom ignores the care and accepts respect.
The conference participants exchanged view on the topic. Majority of the participants supported the opinion that a great importance needs to be attached to the individual freedom. Decision to continue such discussions were made.
Javad Derekhti, the Chairman of the World Congress of Azerbaijanis, informed Trend that the Organization is expected to organize and hold an action devoted to the 15th anniversary of the Khodjali Genocide in the Swedish Capital of Stockholm since 15:00 p. m. till 17:00 p. m. on February 24, 2007.
The action to be held in the square of Sergels Torg in Stockholm will be a sign of protest against Armenia aggressive policy. We shall do our best to make the forthcoming action sanctioned and authorized, said Mr. Derekhtii.
The major organizers of the forthcoming action are the Congress of South Azerbaijan and World Congress of Azerbaijanis.
The Head of the Press Service of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP), Nureddin Ismaylov, informed Trend that ADP members do not accept or trust the order of ADP's Chairman, Rasul Guliyev, to dismiss ADP First Deputy Chairman, Sardar Jalaoglu, from his position.
He said that Guliyev has signed an order dismissing Jalaloglu from his position. However, according to him, this order is unfounded and has no legal force. Because according to the requirements of ADP regulation, from January 27th all ADP electoral bodies have ceased, due to the fact that congress was held and the authorities of the ADP Chairman and all high bodies were transferred to the Organizational Committee for Preparation to Congress. Therefore, Guliyev's order is contrary to ADP regulations and presently he has no such authority. Simply those who demonstrate themselves as supporting Guliyev want to stay in the political stage and engage in cult of personality. They inaccurately informed Guliyev and he made such an order, Ismaylov said.
He added that the Organizational Committee will decline Guliyev's order and the Chairman of ADP High Assembly, Akif Shahbazov, will consider the accountability of the party.
Guliyev had expressed his distrust of the ADP decision on political talks between ADP High Assembly and power, which had been made on January 27th. Ismaylov said that this decision had been signed by 60 out of 80 members of High Assembly.
The Chairman of the Executive Apparat of Musavat Party, Arif Hajili informed Trend that Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) fights not with the power, but with Musavat Party.
He said that Musavat Party discussed and condemned the position of the ADP to change the political course. Musavat Party put a point in the question regarding ADP. After this, we will not make response to the accusations of the ADP, Hajili said.
He said that presently the co-operation between Musavat Party and ADP as well as Azadlyg Block which includes ADP is impossible.
Opposition Musavat Party together with Azerbaijan Democratic Party entered into Azadlyg Block last year. The Chairman of Musavat Party, Isa Gambar, is ex-speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament and candidate in 2003 presidential elections in Azerbaijan.
The Head of the Central Executive Apparat of Musavat Party, Arif Hajili, informed Trend that the party will hold its next rally in March. He said that presently the party is completing the preparation work for the rally scheduled for February 18, 2007. This rally of Musavat is expected to be attended by 10,000 people. Musavat Party called on other opposition parties to join the rally on February 18.
Hajili said that Musavat will hold its third mass action in 2007 before or after Novruz Holiday (National Holiday of Azerbaijan). Opposition Musavat Party was created in 1992.
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has circulated an official statement on membership of South Azerbaijan to the organization. The official statement says that the people of South Azerbaijan residing in the north of Iran fight for the right to appoint their destiny, Trend reports.
The new Executive Board of the organization confirmed the membership of 6 nations to UNPO, including Hmong ChaoFa, Inner Mongolia, Iranian Kurdistan, Rehoboth Basters, Southern Azerbaijan and Tsimshian, the statement says.
National Renascence Movement of South Azerbaijan, which functions to improve the conditions of all national minorities residing in Iran, represent Azerbaijani Turks living in north-west Iran and at present peacefully fight to ensure their right to appoint their density, mentioned the statement.