Official news
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev left today for three-day official visit to Greece.
Prime Minister Arthur Rasizade and other officials followed him in the airport.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved, if Armenia will respect the principle of territorial integrity, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said after the meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.
"The principle of territorial integrity secured in international law must be observed so that to resolve the conflict. I think that if Armenia is to respect this principle, the issue would be resolved," ITAR-TASS quoted Aliyev as saying.
Azerbaijan is taking all efforts to strengthen the energy security of Europe and expects to export gas to Europe via Greece, the RIA News quoted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as saying.
"For more than a year the Azerbaijani natural gas is delivered to the Greek market, and then goes to Europe. There is no doubt that more can be done in this direction," Aliyev said after the meeting with Greek President Karolos Papulyas.
The energy safety is the priority issue for the international community, President Aliyev said.
"Energy issues, investment, commerce, cultural and educational cooperation are priorities for both countries," Greek President said.
The Presidents also discussed the situation in the Caucasus, Middle East and Balkans.
The Presidents reviewed the Cyprus problem at the initiative of the Greek side and touched upon the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the initiative of Azerbaijan.
Aliyev invited his Greek counterpart to visit Baku, the invitation was accepted.
Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev has met today with speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Dimitris Sioufas.
They expressed satisfaction at the progress made in bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Greece. The parliamentary cooperation was also discussed and both the Azerbaijani President and Greek Speaker said it contributes to overall development of the bilateral relations.
Dimitris Sioufas presented President Ilham Aliyev with the gold medal of the Hellenic Parliament, AzTV reported.
On Feb, 17, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his Gambian counterpart Yahya Jammeh on Independence Day.
In the congratulation letter, President expressed confidence that relations between Azerbaijan and Gambia would always have a firm basis for development of mutual friendship and cooperation.
President Aliyev wished Gambian people peace and prosperity.
Azerbaijan will fight the global financial crisis and continue sustainable development, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a ceremony proclaiming Baku the "Islamic Cultural Capital 2009."
"A strong will and thoughtful policies are key routes out of the crisis. One can see all these factors in Azerbaijan. Leading international financial organizations said Azerbaijan is ready for the crisis. The country is ready to fight the crisis with its policies. We will not cut funds allocated for humanitarian and cultural sectors," the president said.
He said the crisis has engulfed the entire world.
Developed countries have strongly suffered from the crisis.
The crisis causes economic difficulties that cannot be avoided, Aliyev said.
Although Azerbaijan is a young independent state, the country contributes to strengthening solidarity and unity among Islamic countries, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a ceremony proclaiming Baku the "Islamic Cultural Capital 2009."
"With its policies and activities, Azerbaijan is bringing together Islamic countries," Aliyev said.
Islamic states should support each other. Their solidarity in the international arena is necessary to ensure peace and security in the world, he said.
"As a result of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan, historical monuments, mosques and museums are being destroyed in the occupied territories. Azerbaijan cannot protect the historical and cultural monuments in the occupied territories. International observers admit the destruction. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan will rebuild the historical and cultural monuments after the liberation of these lands. But this requires resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Aliyev said.
Islam is a religion of brotherhood and tolerance and should be represented in the world along these lines, Aliyev said.
"The Islamic world has a rich cultural heritage," he added.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Organization of Islamic Conference Deputy Secretary General Atta Al Mannan, the Azertaj state information agency reported.
Aliyev and Al Mannan stressed the significance of naming Baku the capital of Islamic Culture for 2009. Azerbaijan appreciated the award as step toward expanding cooperation with Islamic countries.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received ISESCO General Director Abdulaziz Bin Osman Al Twaijri on Feb. 18, the Azertaj state news agency reported.
Al Twaijri thanked Aliyev for organizing an event proclaiming Baku the "Islamic Cultural Capital 2009." He stressed with pleasure that representatives of many countries attended the ceremony. Aliyev said selecting Baku as an Islamic cultural capital will enable the international community, including Islamic nations, to learn more about ongoing processes in Azerbaijan.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on approval of "Plan of measures on declaring 2009 as Year of Children", AzerTaj state news agency reported.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, co-chairman of the Azerbaijani-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission Manuchehr Mottaki, the Azertaj state information agency reported.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the development of relations between the two countries in various spheres. The importance of minister's visit to Azerbaijan for further expansion of ties was mentioned. The bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iran will continue to develop.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to award several individuals on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of Lachin on Feb. 19, the AzerTag news agency reported.
Under the decree, Roza Jabrayilova was named an "Honored Teacher of the Azerbaijan Republic," Shakir Isayev and Avaz Zeynalov - "Honored Doctor of the Azerbaijan Republic," Elmira Abbasova and Solmaz Maharramova - "Honored Art Figure of the Azerbaijan Republic" and Agakhan Nazarov - "Honored Agricultural Employee of the Azerbaijan Republic."
Under another decree, Roza Jabrayilova was named an "Honored Teacher of the Azerbaijan Republic," Shakir Isayev and Avaz Zeynalov - "Honored Doctor of the Azerbaijan Republic," Elmira Abbasova and Solmaz Maharramova - "Honored Art Figure of the Azerbaijan Republic" and Agakhan Nazarov - "Honored Agricultural Employee of the Azerbaijan Republic."
On Feb. 20, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order assigning Presidential grant for Bilalov Shaig for his services in the development of road-transport infrastructure, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
Upon the order, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan is in charge of solving the questions arising from the order. The order comes into force from the day of signing.
On Feb. 21 the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on national holiday - National Day, AzerTaj State news agency reported.
In his letter, the President of Azerbaijan expressed confidence that the friendship and co-operation relations between Azerbaijan and Brunei Darussalam will develop and strengthen in the interests of both peoples.
On February 21 Dmitry Medvedyev, President of the Russian Federation, made a phone call to the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. During their conversations both presidents have been content of their mutual cooperation in different fields. State based AzerTag news agency reported.
The president chewed over the issues concerning upon the regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict. The telephone conversation has included also the global financial crisis.
The presidents expressed their hopes for further cooperation between two countries. The presidents' phone talks touched upon other issues.
Political movements
An Azerbaijani opposition party has developed proposals to amend the Election Code.
"Some parts of the proposals can be submitted to the Council of Europe Venice Commission. But we think the commission should publicize its position not on the basis of the proposals from the government and opposition, but rather in line with universal principles," Musavat party Central Executive head Arif Hajili told Trend on Feb. 16.
Hajili said the Venice Commission operates slowly on this matter.
"But regardless, we are ready to cooperate with the organization to amend and change the Election Code," the Musavat member said.
The Musavat party was founded in Baku in 1911. The party's was relaunched on Nov. 7, 1992. Isa Gambar was elected chief of the party. Gambar was parliamentary speaker in 1992-1993. He ran in the 2003 presidential elections. The party has four members in the parliament.
"Before last year's presidential elections, the Azadlig bloc and opposition submitted proposals to the Venice Commission to amend and change the Election Code," National Front Party of Azerbaijan (NFPA) Deputy Chairman Hasan Karimov told Trend on Feb. 16.
The commission's representatives repeatedly said the opposition's proposals will be taken into account while discussing the Election Code with governmental bodies, he said.
"Unfortunately, our proposals were not taken into consideration while amending the legislation," the NFPA official said.
"We believe the Venice Commission will take our proposals into account at this time," he added.
The Azerbaijani left-wing People's Socialist, Progressive Socialist and Left Democrat parties launched the Coordination Council on Feb. 17.
Progressive Socialist Party Chairman Rustam Shahsuvarov said the council is against pursuing policies through violence and prefers to wage an ideological struggle.
Shahsuvarov said the council will develop a proposal package to minimize the influence of the global financial crisis on Azerbaijan. The package will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers and parliament.
The parties said prices for energy resources should be cut.
Elshan Manafov was the deputy chairman for ideological issues of the Social and Democrat Party and a member of the Central Committee Bureau.
In early September 2008, Manafov was dismissed from the party after accusing fellow Chairmab Araz Alizade of incompetency. Manafov then established a new left-wing party with his supporters.
An Azerbaijan pro-opposition party decided to hold mass actions on referendum.
"We aim to prevent steps of radical opposition which damages the country's international image," the Muasir Musavat Party (MMP) told Trend on Feb. 17.
The referendum campaign will begin Feb. 18 and end March 16 at midnight.
The Azerbaijani Constitution was adopted in 1995. Amendments and additions were made in 2002.
The MMP's board and regional organizations discussed actions of the Movement For Garabag and Republic and Republicans opposition agitation groups. "It is necessary to prevent radical opposition's unifying with other forces and acting against our statehood. We will hold demonstrations simultaneously with them at the same territory," the party said.
A committee on demonstrations was formed to organize mass actions.
Hajiyev was the head of Azerbalig State Concern from 1992 to 1993. Earlier he was a member of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party and Musavat party. Hajiyev established Muasir Musavat party in 2000 and the party was officially registered in 2002.
Muasir Musavat considers itself as a constructive opposition against the authorities.
Musavat group of MPs representing opposition in the Parliament of Azerbaijan will submit a number of new bills to the Administration of the Parliament.
"One of the bills envisages making changes to the Law on Status of Municipalities," member of Musavat group of MPs Panah Huseyn told Trend on Feb. 20.
Huseyn said that the project envisages electing the chairmen of municipalities through voting. "Until now, the chairmen of the municipalities have been elected by the members of the local self-government organs. We consider that for strengthening the activity of municipalities, it is very important that the chairmen would be elected by voters," said the member of the group of MPs.
During this session, the group will also submit a project, connected with making additions and changes to the Law on Freedom of Assembly," the MP said. "Personally I prepared a bill on State aid to mothers and children. Currently this aid is regulated by Law on Social Pensions", in many countries special laws have been adopted in this regard," said Huseyn.
According to the MP, in the end of spring session they will also submit to the Parliament the bill on making additions and changes to Law on Political Parties, and also to the Constitution.
Moreover, projects have been devised, which envisage making changes and additions to the Law on Attorneys" and the Labor Code, said Huseyn. "At this session we will raise the question of holding a special meeting of the Parliament with the participation of the government agencies, including political parties, public organizations in connection with the global financial crisis, and also situation with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement," said Huseyn.
Elections
The OSCE Baku Office will launch public discussions about the Constitutional amendments in Azerbaijan.
The OSCE Baku Office will support public forums in four Azerbaijani cities to promote public discussions on the amendments, the OSCE Baku office said.
The forums will be held in Ganja on March 5, Lankaran on March 7, Shaki on March 11 and Baku on March 14.
The forums are organized by the Caucasus Studies Center.
The OSCE Baku Office and Caucasus Studies Center will invite representatives of the local civil society, independent law experts and members of the parliament to participate in the forums.
About 40-100 individuals are expected to attend each forum.
The referendum campaign will begin Feb. 18 and end March 16 at midnight.
The Law and Democracy, City, Progress, Civil Society and For Sustainable Development campaign groups have been selected as members by the advisory vote of the commission.
Each referendum initiative group will be allocated 23,000 manat in Azerbaijan, the Central Election Commission Chairman (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said.
"But legislation allows campaign groups to raise funds up to four million manat," Panahov said.
On Feb. 18, Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) cast lots to distribute free airtime for referendum.
Referendum campaign groups will be allotted free airtime on the Public Television and Public Radio Station once a week.
The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) said sufficient free airtime will be granted to referendum initiative groups.
"Referendum initiative groups that want more airtime can receive it on a paid basis. The media is prepared to broadcast their opinions," CEC Secretary Natiq Mammadov told journalists on Feb. 19.
The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) will insist on installing Web cameras at polling stations on referendum day.
"The CEC is interested in election transparency issues. Transparency is a serious factor for assessing the election process. Web cameras must be used as a means to ensure transparency," CEC Secretary Natiq Mammadov told journalists on Feb. 19.
On Feb. 19, referendum training began for the members of Azerbaijani constituencies.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) organized the training with the International Fund for Election Systems (IFES). The training will last from Feb. 19-23.
The CEC training group will conduct a practical study on voting procedures and polling processes.
CEC Secretary Natiq Mammadov said the members of the constituencies must take the training seriously.
"A qualitative approach is important," Mammadov said.
Foreign policy
Azerbaijan and Iran have agreed to keep working on 7 documents on economic cooperation, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told reporters at the end of the seventh meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran Economic Cooperation Commission in Baku.
The commission will cooperate in the energy, communications and transport, economic, trade, banking, agricultural, cultural, tourism and judicial sectors, Mammadyarov said.
The eighth meeting will be held in Tehran. The date has not yet been set, he said.
The Iran-Azerbaijan Economic Cooperation Commission is led by Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki. .
The improvement in the Armenian-Turkish relations is possible only through the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, taking into consideration territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, experts considers.
"Turkish officials have underscored the seriousness of the process of normalization of relations with Armenia, but Turkey has also been careful to keep Azerbaijani officials informed of its priorities as well as to sustain efforts aimed at solving the Karabakh conflict," Licinia Simao, expert on South Caucasus, said.
The position of Turkey and Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged, the Ihlas news agency quoted Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying at a press conference on Feb. 18.
"We are continuing the process with Azerbaijan in the same direction," Erdogan said.
Turkey has demands without which it is impossible to establish relations with Armenia and settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict basing on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is one them, Turkish Expert to Caucasus Kamer Kasim said.
"If the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not settled in line with Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Ankara will not establish relations with Armenia, because borders were closed due to Armenia's occupying the Azerbaijani territories," Usak International Strategic Research Centre Expert Kasim told Trend in a telephone conversation from Ankara.
Baku and Ankara have a clear agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and Turkey will never establish relations with Armenia unilaterally if Yerevan does not follow the agreement. "Turkey will never establish relations with Armenia in prejudice of Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan is a key figure to settle the conflict," Kasim said.
"The Turkish government stated that Turkey will not establish relations with Armenia without the Armenian troop's withdrawal from the Azerbaijani occupied lands," Azerbaijani Parliamentary Member Asim Mollazade told Trend .
"I have recently been in Ankara where officials of the Turkish governing party stated at the highest level that Turkey supports Azerbaijan as usual," Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party Chairman Mollazade said.
Baku should rely on the Turkish government's promise that Ankara is seeking to assist in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as usual, he said. "Serious breakthrough in the conflict settlement will not occur without the Armenian troop's withdrawal from the occupied territories," Mollazade said.
For Armenia the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan carries a great deal of hardships and Yerevan would be happy to resolve the situation, Simao said.
"This is more so, as the current status quo in Karabakh is seen in Yerevan as equivalent to a de facto autonomy from Azerbaijan," University of Coimbra Fellow Simao wrote to Trend in an email.
The international community should take this context into account and make all efforts and preparations to assist in the implementation of a settlement agreement, Simao said.
If turkey has diplomatic relations with Armenia it can only improve the resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Director of Inside Europe, an Armenian think-tank in Brussels Nicolas Tavitian said
"Right now Turkey has no means to help in resolution of this conflict, but if it talks to Armenia it will have means of persuading Armenia," Tavitian said.
GUAM (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Moldova) will expand cooperation with Japan in energy, trade and transport fields.
National coordinators of Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia and GUAM Secretary General Valeriy Chechelashvili attended the fourth GUAM+Japan meeting on Feb. 19, Advisor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Japan Gursel Ismayilzade told Trend in a telephone conversation from Tokyo on Feb. 19.. The meeting focused on relations between Japan and the GUAM countries.
The GUAM national coordinators met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone as part of the GUAM+Japan format.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki spoke with Trend Persian Desk in an exclusive interview on Feb. 20.
Trend : How can you assess the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations at the moment?
Manouchehr Mottaki: Iran's relations with Azerbaijan are close, serious and developing. These relations were built on a political will of both countries' heads. Necessity of economic cooperation between the countries reflects interests of both nations and stated.
Economic relations of two countries in trade, energy, industry and transit supplement each other. Azerbaijan's economic projects are developing swiftly and seriously. At present goods turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan amounts to $700 million and will be upped to $1.5 million. The Iranian entrepreneurs are received in Azerbaijan at a high level. We thank senior official for such an attitude.
Iran is proud of Azerbaijan's development, power and security. There is a great potential for development of the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations in economic field in future. Both countries' cultural relations are conditioned by closeness of history and faith from ancient times. Closeness of two cultures forms a base to expand economic and political relations. Iran's relations with Azerbaijan are multilateral.
We hope these relations will develop and expand in future, as well. We will cooperate in energy and oil and gas field, as well as in offshore and onshore while providing both countries' interests. We need joint investment in energy field. Iran supports investing in development of Shah Deniz field.
Q: The Russian Foreign Ministry's official noted that Moscow considers possible to form Kasfor efficient security forces organization without regional countries' navies and to conduct work in this direction. What does Iran think of this proposal?
A: Of course, every country can fulfill its ideas. We believe that countries with access to the Caspian Sea should prefer joint action. We discussed economic and ecological situation of the Caspian Sea, combating smuggling and security in the region the Caspian littoral states' Tehran summit. We decided to hold a meeting in Azerbaijan and Russia to discuss economic and security issues concerning the Caspian Sea.
Q: What is the current state of discussions on canceling visa regime between Azerbaijan and Iran?
A: Chairman of the National Assembly [parliament] of Nakhchivan Vasif Talibov paid a visit to Tehran. He raised the question of canceling visa regime between the two countries as Azerbaijani pilgrims head for Iran in large numbers. In an official response, I said that we are prepared to cancel visa regime with Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
I raised this issue at a meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and said that we are prepared to cancel visa regime. Iran has canceled visa regime with Turkey and the countries freely exchange dozen of thousands of visitors every year. We are ready to cancel it with Azerbaijan as well. We will fully cancel visa regime if our Azerbaijani friends wish us to do so. If not, we will cancel it for people who use air transport. I described Iran's position to Mr. Mammadyarov.
The Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy was presented in the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow. The presentation was held by Aygun Hajiyeva Deputy Director of the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy's foreign policy program.
Five meetings were organized and held to present magistrate program of the Academy in Russia, including in Russia's Diplomatic Academy and Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Russian Federation's Foreign Ministry on Feb. 19-20, she said.
Presenting program on foreign policy, Hajiyeva said that it is implemented at three levels: for diplomats entering the diplomatic service lately, for those who have been working in the Foreign Ministry for 5-10 years and for more experienced managing staff. Approximately 25 students are planned to enter the Academy in September 2009. Foreigners total about 25-30 percent, she said.
Human rights
New prisons are being built in Azerbaijani regions.
"The new prisons will allow prisoners to serve their sentences near their homes. They will meet European standards," Justice Ministry Inspection for Execution of Punishments head Malik Alakbarov told Trend .
New information technologies will be introduced in the courts of Azerbaijan. Trainings were held for judges of Court Legal Council and state prosecutors to get familiarized with the experience and establishment and introduction of alternative electronic version of criminal cases investigated by the Ministry of Justice.
As a result of introduction of this innovation, conditions will be created for the sides of court proceeding to get familiarized with the materials of the case electronically at any time, but falsification of investigation and court documents are excluded, reliable maintenance of criminal case is ensured.
In addition, envisaged by the European Convention on Human Rights, the right is widely ensured to have enough time to prepare protection of accused, possibilities of protection are increased.
The trainings were held within measures on implementation of State Justice Development Program in Azerbaijan in 2009-2013.
Baku is hosting a workshop to develop cooperation between the Azerbaijani military and social organizations to implement democratic control over the armed forces, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said.
The OSCE Baku Office organized a workshop to facilitate cooperation with NGOs engaged in human rights and social activities in the military sector.
"The civil society and military must work together to ensure democratic control over the armed forces," OSCE Baku Office Military and Political Officer John Macgregor said.
The number of Chinese migrant workers in Azerbaijan has increased due to the global financial crisis, expert at Public Union on Protection of Migrants and IDPS' Rights Dayanat Musayev said.
The financial crisis has left 20 million people jobless in China. The move by the Russia's Federal Migration Service to cut migrant workers' quota by 50 percent also impacted flow of Chinese migrants to Azerbaijan.
Musayev said there are over 100,000 migrants from 70 countries in Azerbaijan. According to official statistics, over 54,000 migrants have been registered with the Interior Ministry. About 3,786 of them are permanent migrants; 1,954 of the lack citizenship. Migrants are mainly from Georgia, Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China and Nigeria.
Expert said migrants are divided into three categories: migrant workers, migrants who aim to get refugee status and those who use Azerbaijan as a transit country.
Musayev said majority of migrants are workers. According to unofficial statistics, only 6,000 of 60,000 migrant workers have been registered with the governmental agencies.
Public Union head Nadir Abdullayev said there are shortcomings in migrants' social protection, prevention of illegal migration, registration of migrants, human trafficking and payment of dues.
Azerbaijan said the Council of Europe should not be concerned with the proposed Constitutional amendments on journalistic activity.
"In March 2008, the Venice Commission said the amendments meet European standards," Azerbaijani parliament's Legislation Department head and Azerbaijani representative to the Venice Commission Latif Huseynov said at a meeting on the National Action Plan on Human Rights in Azerbaijan on Feb. 20.
Huseynov said the amendments to the Constitution do not contradict European standards.
"Exceptions also exist. Therefore there is no need for concern. Azerbaijan will be guided by international standards if amendments are made to the Constitution. This is a key principle of our legislation," Huseynov said.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Washington may support Turkey's initiative, which has all chances to reach success, as an important regional player, to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"Washington is more comfortable with Ankara taking the lead on this issue," American expert for the U.S. policy Brian Genchur said.
In recent years Ankara has stepped up efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. President of Turkey Abdullah Gul said this during the meeting with President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on Feb.13.
Presently, Turkey takes main initiative to resolve the Karabakh conflict. "The U.S. does not oppose Turkey's initiative and supports it," Turkish expert Sedat Lachiner said to Trend over phone.
The Novaya Gazeta military observer Pavel Felgengauer believes that Turkey, as a significant regional player, has all chance to reach success in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
"Turkey plays a relevant role in the region," Felgengauer told Trend .
Turkey will play a key role and is interested in better relations with Armenia, German international relations expert Stefan Meister said. "We should pay attention on Ankara's role that has interest in resolving the conflict," Meister said. There is the Minsk Group, and the United States is the co-chair of this group in order to have leverage on Armenia, he said.
However, Turkey's support could create problems for Obama administration within the country.
Even if the new American administration will support Turkey's initiative, there is a question whether the Armenian lobby wants it, said Lachiner.
"It is not easy for Obama administration to establish policy on the Caucasus , because a large Armenian Diaspora seats in Congress, and this factor has an impact on government policy in this matter," Lachiner said. Many experts have a common view that the key to the Karabakh issue is Russia.
The Greek OSCE chairman considers resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict a priority.
Greece fully supports the Minsk Group's efforts to resolve the conflict, Greek Prime Minister and OSCE Chairman Kostas Karamanlis said in an interview with Trend on Feb. 17.
"The organization's framework is indispensable," he said.
Greece supports the Minstk Group's efforts to resolve the conflict on the basis of the Madrid Document.
The Minsk Group's proposals were formally submitted to the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers at the Madrid OSCE summit in November 2007 and serve as the basis for negotiations.
"A priority of the Greek chairmanship is to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts," Karamanlis said.
Greece received the OSCE chairmanship from Finland on Jan. 1.
Greece is committed to working as a broker with all sides in the spirit of openness, the Greek PM said.
"The Greek chairmanship will work to ensure that regional peoples enjoy the fruits of a negotiated, peaceful settlement this year," Karamanlis said.
On Feb. 17, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops located in Tovuz region from 18:00 to 18:10, the shots were fired from Mosesgah village of Berd region.
The Armenian armed forces were also firing from nameless heights of Fuzuli region from 10:00 to 10:15 and Yusifjanli village of Agdam region from 23:15 to 23:17. On Feb. 17, the shots were also fired from Kurpatkino village of Khojavand region from 00:25 to 00:26.
This was reported by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service.
Baku told Yerevan to be clear about which country poses a threat to regional stability.
"Recently Armenian officials made statements calling Azerbaijan a threat to regional security," Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim told Trend .
Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian blamed Azerbaijan for ignoring agreements, initiating an arms race and violating weapons quotas and the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
"Azerbaijan's bellicose statements and arms race pose a danger to regional security," Nalbandian said at a meeting with teaching staff and students at Warsaw University.
Ibrahim said Nalbandian's latest statement blaming Azerbaijan for regional conflicts is not an exception.
"When we review the minister's statements, we have a good grasp of present-day Armenia," Ibrahim said.
"First, Armenia is the country number-one when it comes to violating the CFE Treaty - both on its own territory and occupied Azerbaijani territories. Second, Armenia spends large amounts on weapons and armed forces," he added.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three South Caucasus countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - were given an arms quota based on the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
Each country was to have no more than 220 tanks, 220 armored combat vehicles, 285 artillery systems, 100 aircrafts and 50 helicopters.
Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of exceeding the limit on conventional weapons after receiving information that Armenia deployed 300 armored vehicles to occupied Azerbaijani territories.
Armenia is an aggressor and occupant that threatens regional security, Ibrahim said.
On Feb. 17, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from nameless heights in the Fuzuli region at 13:00-13:15, from an area outside the Chayli village in the Tartar region at 15:00-15:35 and from nameless heights in the Khojavand region at 15:55-16:40, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
The position of Turkey and Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged, the Ihlas news agency quoted Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying at a press conference on Feb. 18.
Erdogan said reports claiming that Turkey has changed its position on the conflict are untrue.
The Azerbaijani opposition has disseminated the news for political purposes, independent experts say.
"We are continuing the process with Azerbaijan in the same direction," Erdogan said.
The ISESCO condemns Armenian's destruction of historical monuments in Azerbaijani occupied territories, ISESCO Secretary General Abdulaziz Bin Osman Al Twaijri told journalists in Baku on Feb. 19.
As a result of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani historical and cultural monuments have been destroyed, including 464 historical monuments, over 40,000 artworks and 4.6 million books. "I call on immediately liberating Azerbaijani occupied territories," Al Twaijri said.
On Feb. 18, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from 20:15 to 20:30. On Feb. 19, the Armenian troops also fired from Yusifjanli village of Agdam region from 01:00 to 01:10. This was reported by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service.
The response of fire shelling was suppressed, without any losses.
Almost 50 Azerbaijani diplomatic offices in foreign countries will mark the 17th anniversary of Khojali genocide under the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's support.
Commemoration ceremonies on Khojali genocide will take place in Washington, New York, Warsaw, London, Hague, Dubai, Kiev, Moscow, Berlin, Strasbourg, Brussels, Bucharest, Geneva, Ankara, Istanbul Prague, Paris and Tbilisi, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation told Trend on Feb. 19.
The Khojali genocide film shot by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and photos of the Armenian barbarism will be demonstrated during the commemoration ceremonies. Moreover, works selected from the painting competition Khojali genocide from children's viewpoint among secondary schools and kindergartens announced by the foundation will be exhibited in the commemoration ceremonies.
The Co-Chairs further underscore the non-use of force as a core element of any just and lasting settlement of the conflict.
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group say there is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Yury Merzlyakov of Russia, and Matthew Bryza of the United States said in a statement.
The Minsk Group's Co-Chairs will visit the region before the end of February to help the parties to accelerate their efforts to finalize the Basic Principles..
The Minsk Group Co-Chairs will not allow the peace process to be subverted by legalistic or historical discussions, though they will remain sensitive to historical concerns expressed by the parties to the conflict, all of which must be addressed in due course.
The U.S. regrets the deaths of Azerbaijani civilians in Khojali and said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved peacefully.
"The U.S. condemns all attacks on civilians and regrets the terrible loss of humanity during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, specifically in Khojali," U.S. Embassy Public Relations Office head Terry Davidson told Trend on Feb. 20. Davidson said the conflict must be resolved peacefully to prevent new civilian deaths.
An Azerbaijani soldier was killed after Armenian armed forced violated the ceasefire.
Soldier Suleymanov Javid Eynulla oglu was killed in the Fuzuli region.
Suleymanov began his service in January 2008. He was from Oguz.
A mine blast killed soldiers Asgar Mardanov and Tural Hajiyev in the Horadiz settlement on Feb. 19. Asgar Mardanov, 23, was called for military service from Ganja and Tural Hajiyev, 21, from Shamkir
According to the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action statistics, mine blasts have killed 61 and injured 143 since Sept. 2001.
Baku asked Yerevan to stop making statements which prevent resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Earlier Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview that he wants to create a "Great Armenia." Sargsyan stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be returned to Azerbaijan.
"The OSCE Minsk Group must explain to Armenia that if finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict is the only way, then Armenia must accept its position and stop making such statements," Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim told journalists on Feb. 20.
"Armenia made such statements before. We believe such statements hinder finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict," Ibrahim added.
Azerbaijan relies on international legal norms to resolve the Nargno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Khazar Ibrahim told journalists on Feb. 20.
"This was reflected in the UN General Assembly's documents and regulations," Ibrahim said.
Two reports were submitted to the UN General Assembly in 2008 upon the ministry's initiative. They were titled "Report on Juridical Consequences of Armenian Armed Aggression Against Azerbaijan" and "Report on Basic Territorial Integrity Norms of States and Rights to Self-Determination in Light of Armenian Revisionist Claims."
The first report examined two issues - whether Armenia committed a military attack against Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding areas and Azerbaijan's right to self-defense based on UN Regulations. The second report examined the countries' territorial integrity.
Azerbaijan supports resolving the conflict on the basis of international norms, the Foreign Ministry said.
"As to the issue that the conflict cannot be solved militarily, we should note that Armenia wanted to resolve the conflict using force in the past and currently seeks to do so as well," Ibrahim said.
Azerbaijani soldier Orkhan Akhundov was wounded as a result of ceasefire breaking by Armenian Armed Forces on Saturday. Armenian Armed Forces fired Terter region of Azerbaijan.
Akhundov, 20, was drafted to the military service from Shamkir region. The solder was placed to a military hospital.