Official Chronicle
"No country in the world is so close from ethnical and political aspect as Azerbaijan and Turkey. Diaspora organizations have much to do in this respect," he said.. Diaspora organizations have much to do in this respect," he said.The president spoke about Azerbaijan's economic achievements and its role in the region and stressed that it is a great support to Turkish-speaking countries. 's economic achievements and its role in the region and stressed that it is a great support to Turkish-speaking countries. "This forum shows our unity. We deserve it," the president said."This forum shows our unity. We deserve it," the president said.Speaking about great economic projects implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkey the president underlined Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway projects. He said that these projects are sometimes treated unfairly. the president underlined Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway projects. He said that these projects are sometimes treated unfairly."But we do not pay attention to it. The relations between the two countries are already the leading factor of international policy. Both countries are tolerant," the president said. "But we do not pay attention to it. The relations between the two countries are already the leading factor of international policy. Both countries are tolerant," the president said. Mentioning that the Congress of World Azerbaijanis was held in Baku in 2001 and 2006 the head of state underlined its positive influence on the formation of Azerbaijani Diaspora. in 2001 and 2006 the head of state underlined its positive influence on the formation of Azerbaijani Diaspora. "International community lacks information about us. Strong Armenian lobby is against us. The representatives of Diaspora organizations should be active in socio-political processes in the countries they function and try to be represented in the legislative bodies. Turkish Diaspora organizations achieved progress in this sphere. They should increase these achievements. We are ready to support them," the president said.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Prime Minister of Turkey, Rejeb Teyyub Erdogan in Baku. The sides discussed the issues of development of bilateral co-operation in various sectors.
In addition, the meeting focused on international issues, realization of regional projects and their impact on the development and stability in the region.
Aliyev and Erdogan mentioned the high importance of conducting the first Forum of Azerbaijani-Turkish diasporas in Baku
On 9 March the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Turkey, Rajab Teyyub Erdogan, participated in opening ceremony of the new building of Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan. Making a speech in the ceremony, the President of Azerbaijan said that over the recent 15 years the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey have further strengthened. He said that now the joint initiatives of Azerbaijan and Turkey unify all Turkic nations.
In his turn, the Primer Minister of Turkey mentioned the importance of the activities of the Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan for the development of the co-operation between the two countries.
On 9 March, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Leader of North Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat. The meeting focused on the role of the leaders of the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas in strengthening the relations between Azerbaijan and generally Turkic nations.
Nagorno-Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh
The Armenian Armed divisions continued armistice breaches in the Azerbaijani-Armenian frontline.
De-mining has been carried out in an area of 2,074,785 m2 in Azerbaijan during February 2007. During this period, 33,365 mines and unexploded ammunition (PHS) have been unearthed and rendered harmless, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mina Action (ANAMA) informed.
Since it first started, 22 dogs, 138 workers, 15 PHS operators, 8 first aid doctors and nearly 100 auxiliary employees have been involved in the clean-up programme. During this period, an area of 45,346,980 m2 has been cleared in Azerbaijan. Approximately 139,212 mines and PHS has been discovered.
Since September 2001, 51 people have died and 121 people received injuries as a result of 81 mine explosions. .
Very likely the rests of the wastes of atomic electric station "Mestamor", which functions in Armenia, are buried in occupied Armenian territories. The Director of the Geo-Ecological Monitoring Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Ali Aliyev, said in an exclusive interview with Trend that "Mestamor" is the realest source of danger in South Caucasus. According to him, "Mestamor" des not meet contemporary standards from the technical point pf view.
In addition, the natural calamities (earthquakes and seismological processes), which take place in the region, may lead to the catastrophe. "Mestamor" creates serious dangers for ecology and human life. The main fact is that "Mestamor" does not meet with the normative of seismological sustainability of the construction and generally place of "Mestamor" has been selected inaccurately due to the geological-tectonic structure of the region.
According to the seismic-statistic analyses, destructive and catastrophic earthquakes have taken place in the territory of Armenia, which caused full destroy of cities and settlements. Aliyev considers that the activities of "Mestamor", which does not meet the contemporary conditions, are inadmissible in this region differing with its seismicity. Razdan region that has been assessed as 7-forece zone should be assessed as 9-force region.
The new seismic map prepared by the Armenian specialists after the earthquake in Spitak, "Mestamor" was assessed for 8-9 force. And during the construction of "Mestamor", this region was intended for 7-8-force earthquake. According to Aliyev, one of the more significant problems is the abolition are not made harmless seriously. It is very possible that the burial of the wastes in occupied Azerbaijani lands brings catastrophic harms to the ecological situation of the region because the conditions of the burial technologies. In addition, "Metsamor" brings harms to the underground and overground waters, as well as Caspian basin and it imposes danger for each countries of the region, Aliyev said.
He said that "Metsamor" is the source of danger not only for the near territories, but also for each Caspian littoral countries, including Georgia and Turkey.
Contrary to his Russian counterpart Yuriy Merzlyakov, the French Ambassador Bernard Fassier, an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair who is currently visiting Baku, stated at a news conference on 8 March that the Kosovo situation cannot be used as an example for Nagorno-Karabakh.
He did not comment on Merzlyakov's statement but said that each conflict has its own peculiarity. "I will repeat my statement made in Khankendi and that is the situation with Kosovo differs from the conflicts existing in the post-Soviet area."
Commenting on the necessity for the European Union's attraction to the OSCE Minsk Group, Fassier stressed that the EU could contribute towards the resolution of the conflict, as it is presently doing. However, the OSCE Minsk Group is directly involved in peace negotiations.
According to the co-chair, the Great 8, as well as the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, backs the OSCE Minsk Group's activities and this is regarded as political support.
Fassier noted that the EU could play a considerable role in the formation and development of public opinion and the rehabilitation of relationships between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vardan Oskanyan, stated on 9 March in Yerevan that if there is not unexpectedness from the Azerbaijani side, the results of the upcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers of the two countries in Geneva next week will be positive.
Answering the question of Mediamax, Oskanyan stressed that the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva is very attentively prepared by the mediators. This fact is testified by the issue that the French Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier visited Yerevan this week and presently is in Baku and on 12 March will again return to the capital of Armenia.
According to Oskanyan, one of the explanations of the activities is the efforts of the mediators to hold the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia after the parliamentary elections in Armenia.
The Minister said that the mediators try to resolve as much as possible disagreed issues at the next meeting of the state heads.
He called as inappropriate the statement of the Azerbaijani side that Armenia made a step back in the negotiation process.
According to the Armenian Foreign Minister, if the recent statement of Azerbaijan does not envisage denying the achieved successes and accusing the Armenian side of failure, it is possible to hope that the meeting in Geneva will yield positive results.
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's (PACE) Secretary General, Terry Davis, stated in an exclusive interview with Trend that the Council of Europe recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and stands ready to provide each kinds of support in regulating the conflict between the two Council of Europe participating countries.
According to him, naturally the existence of the conflict between the two Council of Europe participating countries is not admissible. "We want Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be resolved soon and support accelerating the negotiations," he said.
Speaking about the issue that 8 March International Women's Holiday is marked by the Azerbaijani women in hard condition as a result of Nagorno-Karabakh, Davis said that the existence of the problem is a poignant fact. "Always the biggest difficulties in the countries affected by wars fall on share of women. It is possible to see such facts not only in Azerbaijan, but also in many countries. Naturally peaceful negotiations should exist between the sides for the settlement of such problems," Davis said.
Davis stressed that the Council of Europe supports and attaches special importance to the development of the relations with Azerbaijan.
Foreign Policy
Discussing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at UNO level is the first step towards Azerbaijan's influence in the international arena.
The First Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament and also a member of the Political Council of ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Ziyafet Askerov, said that in addition it means that GUAM strengthens as an international organization. "UNO should seriously approach the settlement of frozen conflicts. Settling these conflicts cannot last for many years. How long is it possible to endure the issue that 20% of Azerbaijani land has been occupied and more than one million inhabitants have been expelled from their native land?
Prolonging the conflict also damages the prestige of the UNO. Despite the fact that 14 years have past since the adoption of 4 Resolutions by the UN Security Council, a small Country like Armenia does not attach importance to these documents. Discussing the issue offered by GUAM in UNO may be a great importance from the point of view of protection of UNO's prestige," Askerov said.
Askerov described it as absurd the statements of the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vardan Oskanyan and the Russian Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov that discussing the issue in UNO may be a step back in regulating the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him, the initiatives of other international organizations are in favor of settling the conflict.
Major moves have been made to bring the Azerbaijani military in accordance with NATO standards and Azerbaijan has successfully succeeded.
Ziyafat Askarov, the Chief Deputy Speaker of the Milli Mejlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament) and the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PA of NATO, stated that officially Baku is still loyal to its responsibilities.
"The current level of relations is rather satisfactory for our country. Azerbaijan co-operated with NATO in several directions, with the Organization within the framework of the Partnership for Peace Programme in 1994 as well as within the framework of the Individual Partnership Programme. A number of other documents have been signed between NATO and Azerbaijan, which are successfully implemented," Askarov said.
Recently an Estimating Mission of NATO visited Azerbaijan. The Mission estimated the correspondence of the Azerbaijani Military to NATO standards.
"The Mission left feeling satisfied this time as well. The foreign experts also admit that Baku successfully officially performs its responsibilities. To my mind, future the relations with NATO will develop as well," Askarov said.
The Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Executive Apparat of Azerbaijan President, Novruz Mammadov, briefed the media on 5 March that at present Azerbaijan is not considering the possibility of installing an anti-missile system with the USA.
Mammadov did not comment on how this issue will meet the national interests of Azerbaijan. In his turn, the Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan, Vasiliy Istratov, said that as yet it is difficult to comment on the possibility of installing an American anti-missile system as there is no definite decision made as to which country this system will be installed in. "We think that this system will not be installed in relation with Russia and we hope for it," Russian diplomat said.
According to the Ambassador, the new system will be directed to other countries, but Russia will follow it attentively.
Vasiliy Istratov, the Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stated at a briefing on 6 March that Russia does not posses information on the installation of the US Anti-missile Defense in the South Caucasus.
At present, Russia does not have any information on talks regarding the installation of Anti-Missile Defense in one of 3 South Caucasus countries, whilst Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia deny reports on the conduct of talks with the United States. However, the issue concerns only these 3 South Caucasus countries. "We are mainly interested in the direction of the Anti-Missile Defense, should they be installed," the diplomat emphasized.
At present the situation with the lease of Gabala Radio Radar Station satisfies both Russia and Azerbaijan. The Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Vasiliy Istratov, briefed the media that should any party be dissatisfied with the terms of the bilateral agreement, this issue will be considered.
Commenting on the information on the possibility of Russia constructing a more contemporary radio radar station in North Caucasus, the Ambassador said that the agreement with Azerbaijan has been signed until 2012 and until the end of this period, the issue of the new station will be considered.
The Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan, Vasily Istratov, reported that the Russian Minister of Science Azerbaijan stated that Russia is serious in its approach regarding the establishment of branches of Russian higher educational institutions in Azerbaijan to ensure the quality of education in these institutions. The diplomat believes that if quality education cannot be guaranteed within these branches, then of course they should not exist.
According to the Ambassador, during negotiations with Azerbaijan, the subject was raised to open branches of prestigious higher educational institutions from Russia in Azerbaijan and vice versa. The opening of a branch of the International State University named after M.Lomonosov in Baku is on the agenda. The Rector of the International State University plans to visit Baku to discuss the opening of the branch. In addition, the Ambassador said that there are plans to strengthen the agreement legally between the two countries with regards to education.
The Government of Russia also has taken a number of measures within the Year of the Russian language in Azerbaijan, the Ambassador said. According to him, 310 titled books with a total weight of 36 tons have already been delivered to Baku and will be presented to the educational institutions and libraries in the country.
The Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov stated that each country in the world has the right to consider its security in an independent way, so Russia does.
"We cannot really understand what the enlargement of NATO is linked with, and what kind of danger faces the countries joining the alliance," he said.
According to the Ambassador, taken into consideration the current situation Russia by no means is to join NATO, as the Organization provides security blanket to all the member-states and the borders of the Russian Federation are too long for NATO to undertake the responsibility for their security.
"Anyway, NATO does not have such opportunities. They are rather limited for the time being," he stressed.
The Azerbaijani authorities estimate some milestones in the report developed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteurs, Tony Lloyd and Andreas Herkel, with respect to fulfillment of Council of Europe obligations by the country as subjective.
According to Ali Hassanov, the Head of the Public and Political Department of the President's Executive Power, the Government has voiced its disagreement in connection with the report, which will be discussed at PACE spring session in April. It particularly concerns the sections on political prisoners and elections. Moreover, the report classified some problems peculiar to many CE member-countries as specific for Azerbaijan.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, said that Iran apologized for violating the air borders of Azerbaijan with the civil helicopters of the President of Iran, Mahmud Ahmadnejat, at the end of last month, ATV Channel reports.
He stated that it was not intentional. Khalafov expressed Azerbaijan's dissatisfaction in Tehran during his recent visit to Iran. Iran expressed its regret for the incident saying that it was a random error.
On 7 March the Joint Azerbaijani-Georgian Commission on Delimitation and Demarcation of Borders agreed up on one out of 13 remaining sections. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, said that the section is located in the territory of Agstafa district of Azerbaijan. A protocol was signed as a result. Khalafov stressed that up to now, nearly 65% of the borders have been agreed between the two countries. "Today, a small, but very significant section was agreed on," Khalafov said.
As a result of today's meeting, a decision was made to continue the work at the level of experts. Until June, expert negotiations will be held over the remaining sections and thereafter, the next meeting will take place in Tbilisi. Touching up on the territory of David Garedji Complex, the Deputy Foreign Minister said that is needs to once again send the experts to this territory.
According to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Georgi Manjgaldze, today's negotiations were constructive and the future co-operation steps were defined.
Pope Benedict XVI plans to pay an official visit in Azerbaijan.
Elchin Amirbayov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Vatican, stated that prior to the Pontiff's visit to Azerbaijan, several high ranking officials from the Vatican will visit Azerbaijan this year, namely the State Secretary of the Vatican, Cardinal Tarchizio Bertone and the Foreign Minister, Dominik Mamberti.
The arrangements for the visit have been discussed frequently with officials of the Vatican and were included in the business scheduled for the head of the Government and the Foreign Minister. Both visits will take place this year. "As Ambassador to the Vatican, I am interested in the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican and the mutual visits could play an important role in this issue," he stated. and the mutual visits could play an important role in this issue," he stated.
Initiated by Azerbaijan, a meeting took place at the level of ambassadors of Group of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) with the participation of the UN Secretary General Pan Gi Muna. The Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UNO, Agshin Mehdiyev, said that Muna mentioned the participation of the OIC member-countries in the peacemaking operations and expressed gratitude for supporting him. During the meeting, reports were made by the representatives of Malaysia, Sudan, Mauritania, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia and Mali to the UNO.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and also Rector of Diplomacy Academy of Azerbaijan, Hafiz Pashayev, said that the that United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) may finance the project of conceptual base of the Academy. The project has already been submitted to the Agency for consideration. It envisages three stages: organizing improvement courses for the employees of the Ministries and bodies of Azerbaijan working with international organizations and countries; realizing program on magistracy covering such spheres as business, ecology, diplomacy, international journalism, energy and security; and bachelor decree.
According to Pashayev, together with the local specialists, outstanding worldwide scientists and specialists will also be involved in the training process. He said that he plans to Academic camp where a science centre will function in addition to the buildings of the Academy. The territory for the construction of such camp is planned to be selected in the city. According to Pashayev, it should be a brain centre, which brings together politicians, journalists and specialists of various spheres to organize various debates and listen to the lectures of outstanding politicians.
Political movements
Rasul Guliyev, the leader of the Azerbaijan Democratic party, is answerable for the split in the party. Panah Huseyn, an MP elected from Azadlyg, which also includes ADP, stated that split in the party was a result of policy that Rasul Guliyev pursued before and after the 2006 parliamentary elections.
Though the developments in ADP were caused by Guliyev's harmful policy MP Huseyn avoided favoring Sardar Jalalogly, the ADP Deputy Chairman. "I am too angry with Jalaloglu. His proposal on dialogue seems too dangerous. It actually hurts the political dialogue," he stressed.
A while ago oppositional ADP was split into two parts one led by Chairman Rasul Guliyev and another led by First Deputy Secretary Sardar Jalaloglu.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) and the Musavat Party cannot enter an alliance together. Talet Aliyev, a member of the conference organizing committee of the Party, informed that the parties do not hold any discussions on the matter.
"I do not exclude the possibility of the alliance but for the time being it is not an actual step. The alliance cannot become politically important. Moreover, the ADP pursues absolutely different policy," Aliyev said.
After the exclusion of the ADP from the Azadlig bloc, a largest opposition alliance, the ADP and Musavat Party were expected to set up closer cooperation.
On 7 March the Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP) held an unofficial demonstration in front of the Iranian Embassy in Baku. As it was not sanctioned by the Baku City Executive Power, the demonstration, involving approximately 30 protestors was dispersed by police. Several demonstrators, including the ANIP Press Secretary, Ali Orujov together with several Party members were taken into custody.
Azer Isgandarov, an ANIP member, delivered a petition at the rally. The protestors demanded the Iranian authorities put an end to violence, repression, persecution and pressure on Azerbaijanis residing in South Azerbaijan [north of Iran]. They called on the international community and organizations to approach carefully the developments ongoing in South Azerbaijan and to release the political movement activists, in particular Abbas Lisani.
Isgandarov said that ANIP will continue conducting demonstrations directed towards protecting Azerbaijanis residing in South Azerbaijan.
Previously ANIP held several rallies in front of the Iranian Embassy.
ANIP was officially registered in 1992. Etibar Amadv is the founder and chairman of the party, which represents the opposition.
"The Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) and the Musavat Party cannot enter an alliance together. Talet Aliyev, a member of the conference organizing committee of the Party, informed that the parties do not hold any discussions on the matter.
"I do not exclude the possibility of the alliance but for the time being it is not an actual step. The alliance cannot become politically important. Moreover, the ADP pursues absolutely different policy," Aliyev said.
After the exclusion of the ADP from the Azadlig bloc, a largest opposition alliance, the ADP and Musavat Party were expected to set up closer cooperation.
On 9 March the Chairman of Musavat Party of Azerbaijan, Isa Gambar, met with the Ambassador of Sweden to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, Hans Gunnar Adeni, the Party's Press-Service informed.
The meeting focused on the political situation in the country, regional problems, the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, development of relations between Azerbaijan and Europe.