Official chronicle
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev left for Belgium on April 27.
Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Presidential Administration Head Ramiz Mehdiyev and Baku City Administration Head Hajibala Abutalibov saw off the president at the Heydar Aliyev international airport.
Being on a working visit to Belgium, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a joint press conference as a result of his meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Touching upon the topic of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Aliyev said that Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands, and as a result, one million people became refugees and internally displaced persons. The President said that Armenia held a policy of ethnic cleansing in the territories of Azerbaijan. Aliyev added that Armenia still ignores the UN Security Council resolutions.
Later, Ilham Aliyev and Jose Manuel Barroso answered questions of media representatives.
"We appreciate the level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union, and the agenda of bilateral cooperation with this organization is wide," - said the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 29 in Brussels at a meeting with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.
The President stressed that the cooperation of Azerbaijan and the European Union include projects for regional development, economic cooperation, political reform, energy security and other spheres. "Azerbaijan is a reliable transit state and supplier, and this is mutually beneficial for the Azerbaijan-European relations," said the President.
Solana said that Azerbaijan is an important country for the European Union, and there is good cooperation between the sides. "This cooperation develops within the European Neighborhood Policy. We wish to expand bilateral cooperation," - said the High Representative.
Though NATO does not take direct part in the resolution of the [Armenian-Azerbaijani] Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the organization believes that the principle of territorial integrity must not be called into question while resolving the conflict, AzerTaj state news agency quoted NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop de Scheffer as saying during a joint statement for media together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels on April 29.
The NATO Secretary General said NATO considers Azerbaijan a country which plays an important role in the region. "Azerbaijan plays increased role in a period when energy security is of great significance. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be solved on the basis of territorial integrity principle," Scheffer said.
President Aliyev said Azerbaijan takes an active part in NATO events and programs. "Azerbaijan has participated in 200 events of the organization," the President said.
The President appreciated Azerbaijan-NATO partnership and added that Azerbaijan takes an active part in anti-terror operations. Azerbaijan has increased its military contingent in Afghanistan, the President said.
"We are thankful to NATO for its resolute position on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This position is based on principle of territorial integrity," the President said.
Azerbaijan-NATO relations are part of our country's integration to the Euro-Atlantic organizations, AzerTaj state news agency quoted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as saying at the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop de Scheffer in Brussels on April 29.
The President said the NATO-Azerbaijan relations are developing. Azerbaijan takes an active part in NATO programs and events.
President Aliyev added that Azerbaijan also participates in the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
Azerbaijani President said he was hopeful that the relations will further develop.
NATO Secretary General Scheffer said the cooperation with Azerbaijan develops successfully and NATO attaches great importance to this cooperation. "Azerbaijan plays a special role in the region. The NATO considers Azerbaijan as partner which plays an important role in the region. President Aliyev's visit will contribute to enhanced NATO-Azerbaijan ties," the NATO Secretary General said.
NATO Secretary General welcomed Azerbaijan's participation in anti-terror operations and said Azerbaijan takes an active part in the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
On April 29, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ended his working visit to Belgium and returned to Baku
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on extraordinary welfare to veterans of 1941-1945 war, widows of those who died during the war and persons who were awarded with honours and medals for selfless work in the rear, the Azertaj state information agency reported.
Under the decree, veterans of the Great Patriotic War will be given 150 manats, and widows of those who died during war and persons who were awarded with honours and medals for defense of Leningrad during the Second World War, as well as participants of the Leningrad blockade will be given 100 manats.
The President's reserve fund allocated a total of 5 million manats for this purpose. The Finance Ministry was instructed to provide the transfer of these funds to the account of the State Social Protection Fund.
On April 28, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres on the national holiday of the State of Israel - Independence Day.
In his congratulation letter, the Head of State expressed hope that the relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel will further develop in the interests of both peoples.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to families and relatives of the victims of shooting at Azerbaijani State Oil Academy on April 30, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
"We all share your grief in these tough days. Azerbaijani government will certainly take all measures on this incident," the president said in his letter of condolence.
President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev has sent a message of condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the tragedy at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, state television AzTV reported.
"I deeply shocked to hear about the tragedy that occurred on 30 April at Azerbaijani State Oil Academy in Baku. Our shared grief is that the victims of this heinous crime were students, young people, full of life plans. I ask you to convey my sincere condolences and words of support to relatives and friends of killed, wishes for a speedy recovery to all those affected," the message says.
In a telephone conversation the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili expressed his condolences to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the tragedy at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy.
Mikheil Saakashvili expressed his deep sorrow regarding the victims of the shooting at the Oil Academy.
Azerbaijani President expressed his gratitude to Saakashvili for condolences and attention.
On May 1, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko offered condolences to President Ilham Aliyev on tragic event that resulted in human loss in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
Belarus President said in his letter of condolence that the horrible news from Baku deeply saddened everybody in Belarus.
Lukashenko said he shares grief of relatives of the victims.
Prince Andrew expressed his condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the tragedy that occurred on 30 April at Azerbaijani State Oil Academy, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
Prince Andrew said that in these difficult days, he is together with Azerbaijan
In his telegram to the President of Azerbaijan, Turkish Prime Minister Rajap Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences over the tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which killed innocent people.
Erdogan expressed his deep condolences to the families of victims and to all Azeri people and wished speedy recovery of those wounded.
In his message to the President of Azerbaijan, the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul expressed his condolences over the tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which killed innocent people.
"On behalf of the Turkish people, we express our deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives in this terrible tragedy," said the message by the Turkish President.
Gul wished speedy recovery of those wounded in the tragedy.
The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers expressed his deep condolences to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev over the terrible tragedy at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which claimed the lives of innocent people.
The Latvian people share deep sorrow of Azerbaijanis, said in the condolences.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko expressed his deep condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev over the terrible tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which claimed the lives of innocent people.
"I share the grief of families who lost their relatives and friends," said the condolences by the President of Ukraine.
Ukrainian people expressed condolences and support to parents and families of the victims of this tragedy.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Kerimov expressed his deep condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev over the terrible tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which claimed the lives of innocent people.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an executive order to grant one off lump sum payment to the families of each of the dead and injured at the gunman attack at the Azerbaijan Oil Academy on April 30.
According to the Order, families of each dead will receive 30,000 manat and families of the injured - 15,000 manat.
On Saturday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski on the national holiday of the State of IPoland - Constitution Day.
In his congratulation letter, the Head of State expressed hope that the relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland will further develop in the interests of both peoples..
President of Azerbaijan awards L.E.Slutskiy, S.Y.Orlova and V.I.Yakunin Dostluq (Friendship) Medal for their special services in developing Azerbaijani-Russian mutual relations.
Parliament
A deputy of the Azerbaijani Parliament offered to nationalize schools which were founded by foreigners.
"In accordance with the Constitution of the Azerbaijani Republic and Law "On Education", the reception of pupils to schools through testing was prohibited. However, foreign schools receive new pupils through testing," Chairman of the People's Front Party of Azebaijan (PFPA) Deputy Gudrat Hasanguliyev said.
Under the Article 42 of the Constitution, every citizen has right for education and the state guarantees free secondary education.
There are over 4,000 secondary education schools in Azerbaijan.
"A lot of state and private universities in Azerbaijan still functioning I accordance with the Soviet education system," Chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party (DRP) Deputy Asim Mollzade said.
The Education Ministry must take control over the reforms in the secondary and high education institutions, he added.
Azerbaijani MPs say the security in all institutions of public importance must be upped.
"The tragic incident showed that security must be upped in higher schools," parliament's Standing Human Rights Commission chair Rabiyyat Aslanova said.
Aslanova said there is no need to amend any law to up security in higher schools.
"Higher schools have own regulations. The issue must be solved under the regulations," she said.
She said cameras must be installed at the entrance to universities.
"I hope we will not experience such tragedy any more. I think special security measures must be taken in crowded places such as shopping centers and underground stations," Aslanova said.
"Higher educational institutions must be provided with security workers," Great Establishment Party chairman and MP Fazil Mustafa said to Trend .
He said if security system is created, it will be difficult to bring arms to schools. "It is impossible to check everybody, but serious dangers can be prevented," he said.
Political movements
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Executive Secretary Ali Ahmadov is on a visit to Poland. Ahmadov will attend the meeting of the European People's Party (EPP). EPP is one of the largest political organizations of the contingent.
The congress will take place in Warsaw on April 28-30. The countries of the contingent, as well as other states will attend the conference, NAP press service said to Trend .
During the visit to Poland, Ahmadov will meet with General Secretary of EPP, member of the European Parliament Antonio Lopes Isturiz, EPP Secretary for Foreign Relations Kostas Sasmatzoglu, head of the EPP group to OSCE PA Valburg Gabsug Duglas, and other politicians.
The Irali public union has announced a Heydar Aliyev week May 2-10 on the occasion of 86th anniversary of Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
Irali will hold several arrangements within the week. The arrangements will be held under the slogan "National Leader's path". There will be organized workshops on the topics of "Heydar Aliyev - youth remembrance", "Unknown about Heydar Aliyev" and "Heydar Aliyev- the way from leadership to national leadership". The arrangements will be held in Sabail, Yasamal, Narimanov, Nizami, Nasimi, Binagadi, Khatai, Surakhani, Sabunchi, Garadag,Azizbeyov districts of Baku, as well as Sumgait, Lankaran, Guba and Goychay regions of the country.
A volleyball tournament in Goychay, a badminton championship in Garadag and knowledge competition will be held in the Azerbaijani Medical University.
Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev was born in Nakhchivan on May 10, 1923.
The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) will hold a conference on National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 86th anniversary on May 7.
The conference will focus on reports about "Heydar Aliyev's idea in 21st century: development way of Azerbaijan" dedicated to study and agitate Heydar Aliyev's heritage, the NAP told Trend on April 27.
The NAP was established by Nakhchivan Parliamentary Speaker Heydar Aliyev in 1992.
Azerbaijani opposition parties are discussing the joint participation in the upcoming municipal elections.
"The Musavat and Umid parties, which are represented in the Movement for Karabkh and Republic held succesful discussions. The parties will further review the cooperation," the Classic People's Front Party of Azerbaijan (CPFPA) Chairman Mirmahmud Miralioglu told Trend .
The People's Party Chairman Giyas Sadikhov and Deputy Panah Huseyin discussed opposition's participation in the municipal elections in a broader coalition. "We are standing for unification of political forces and joint participation in the municipal elections. If we manage to unit, it will be easy to participate in parliamentary elections in 2010," CPFPA chairman said.
Creation of any political bloc has not been included into the agenda. However, the unification of the movement and union is not rule out," Miralioglu said.
The Azerbaijani opposition parties' movement will not partake in the "Karabakh forum".
"The meeting of the Movement for Karabakh and Republic has not reached consensus to join the forum initiated by the Union for Democracy," Parliamentarian and Chairman of Umid Party Igbal Agazade told Trend on April 29.
In March, the Union for Democracy held discussions on designing of a new draft of the Constitution, creation of commissions on social and economy crisis, participation in municipal and parliamentary elections and initiated to hold a conference of opposition parties to make a political decision. The Union's one more proposal is to hold the "Karabakh forum" to discuss the current situation on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Agazade said, the movement's parties did not support the Union's proposals to hold a common opposition forum. "We think there is no necessity to hold such an event at the moment," the party's chairman said.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party will do its best to develop and strenghtn Azerbaijani-Polish relations.
Deputy chairman, executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmedov meeting with international relations department head of the Polish President's office, deputy secretary of state, minister Mariusz Handzlik said that President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to relations between Azerbaijan and Poland, Ne Azerbaijan Party told Trend on April 29.
Azerbaijani-Polish inter-state relations have strategic character, Handzlik said at the meeting. "Poland alsways suports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is the most important partner of Poland in the region.
Azerbaijan's Musavat and National Independence opposition parties discussed bloody incident at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy today.
"Musavat condemns this incident and urges to find and punish others who can be involved in the incident," the party said.
Azerbaijani National Independence Party said the party deplores the bloody incident which killed many people. "The ANIP is against any violence and brutality against humanity," the party said.
Musavat and ANIP offered condolence to the families of the victims.
An armed man attacked Building 2 of the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy at early morning today. According to preliminary reports, the armed man killed 12 and wounded 13. The joint statement by the Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office said the attack was committed by 29-year-old Georgian citizen Gadirov Farda Asad oglu by Makaron revolver.
Elections
A union of Azerbaijani opposition parties will participate in municipal elections as a political boc.
"There were various attitudes towards our proposal for joint participation in municipal elections. Therefore we made a decision to participate in the elections as a political bloc," the Great Azerbaijan Party (GAP) Chairman Elshad Musayev told Trend . GAP is represented in the Union for Democracy.
The municipal and parliamentary elections will be held in Azerbaijan in autumn 2009 and 2010 respectively. The municipal elections were held twice in 1999 and 2004.
Leaders of opposition parties, which are represented in the Union, will visit regions of Azerbaijan for preparations to municipal elections. "We face no problems in cooperation with political organizations in Baku. However, there is a necessity to combine our efforts in regions," Musayev said.
The opposition still has chances to unite in a broader coalition. "We are ready for cooperation with any party which wants to participate in the municipal elections as a political bloc," he added.
The Azerbaijani took place legally, although it was not so perfect, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Chairman Luis Maria de Puig said at a news conference as part of the spring session on April 27.
"The PACE always closely observes elections, as well as the OSCE and European Parliamentary monitoring missions' opinions and final reports. These results enable us to say the referendum was legal and met standards," Puig said.
Azerbaijan held referendum to amend 29 articles of the Constitution on March 18.
According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), 87-92 percent of voters supported the amendments.
The referendum proposes replacing the current version of the 5th paragraph of Article 101 of the Constitution, which states that "no person shall be elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for more than two consecutive terms," by an option to extend the incumbent president's term in the event of ongoing military operations. The presidential term is 5 years.
President Ilham Aliyev was elected to the post in 2003 and 2008.
There were some shortages in the elections, but it should be said that citizens' and electorates' choice was correct, Puig said.
The movement, which unites several opposition parties of Azerbaijan, will not participate in the municipal elections as a political bloc.
"At today's meeting the movement decided to choose a candidate for municipal elections till the end of Jun," Chairman of the Umid party, which is represented in the Movement for Karabakh and Republic, Deputy Igbal Agazade told Trend .
The municipal and parliamentary elections will be held in Azerbaijan in autumn 2009 and 2010 respectively. The municipal elections were held twice in 1999 and 2004.
Agazade said that the movement would participate in the elections as a separate bloc. "We did not accept the proposal of the Union for Democracy to unite during the municipal elections," he said.
Foreign policy
A document developed by Azerbaijani deputy Rafael Huseyinov was spread at the spring session of the PACE Parliamentary Assembly today. The document was called "Struggle against economy crimes during global financial crisis."
The Legal Committee has reportedly discussed the "measures to struggle against growing crimes during global financial crisis," Huseyinov told Trend .
"I represented that document to participants of the Legal Committee in Berlin in March. The document was signed by 26 deputies from Spain, Holland, France, Great Britain, Germany and other countries. The document was publicized and spread the same day. A special reporter will be appointed on the document after sessions of the PACE Bureau ," Huseyinov said.
The spring session of PACE started on April 27.
As part of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a paper proposed by the member of Azerbaijani delegation Rafael Huseynov - on the resolution entitled "The problem of political prisoners in Europe and the need for a special investigation of the political prisoners issue in Armenia", Huseynov briefed the media.
"Formerly the Council of Europe established an expert group consisting of Trehselya, Alkynes and Arabadzheiva. This group has put forward five principles that define the term of "political prisoner" in Europe. Research on these principles was held only in Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly raised the issue that these principles should be introduced in all European countries," said Azerbaijani MP.
Huseynov said that the NGOs' recognition of people arrested after the various elections in several European countries, especially in countries that have recently become independent, as political prisoners did not receive an appropriate evaluation of the EU. "Therefore, preparing a separate document, we roused this issue. This paper is based on proposals for various resolutions and recommendations prepared by the Council of Europe earlier. Specifically, the document reflected the requirement to raise the issue in other European countries, including Armenia.
Huseynova stated that the members of PACE are interested in the document and signed it. The document has already been submitted to the Secretariat of PACE. "I think that in the near future document will be discussed by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, as well Subcommittee on Human Rights. It is expected that this document will be reviewed by the Bureau of PACE as well," said Huseynov.
In addition, based on this document, it is expected that soon investigation of the issue of political prisoners will be raised in several Council of Europe member states and rapporteurs will be appointed on this issue.
The paper contains serious concerns over the arrests or prosecutions for political reasons in some Council of Europe member states. The thesis of "The existence of even one political prisoner in the Council of Europe countries" is the principled position of PACE, and there is a serious need to take concrete steps so that this entirely fair approach was not just a statement.
"In 2008, after presidential elections in Armenia, dozens of people were killed, many people were arrested. And today, there are hundreds of political prisoners in Armenia and the Armenian government, ignoring calls by NGOs, the Council of Europe and some other international organizations that defend human rights in the country, continues its illegal activities,"- says the paper.
A report which describes Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and Parliamentarian Rafael Huseynov's position on the March 18 referendum in the country was published as an addition to a final report of the organization's Bureau and Permanent Committee, Huseynov told journalists on April 29.
"Achievements which Azerbaijan has gained within a short period of time is a great success of the Council of Europe and this is an indicator of the organization's positive activity. Azerbaijan passed two serious examinations during 6 months. The presidential elections held on Oct. 15 in 2008 and the referendum which was held on March 18 in 2009 to amend the Constitution took place under transparent conditions and with high voter turnout," the document said.
The parliamentarian spoke about the Azerbaijani referendum and noted that this event testifies development of democracy.
The document describes Azerbaijan's new election culture as an expression of democratic values for which the CE has struggled for a long time. "This fact testifies that legal state establishment, activity of democratic institutions, people's high political activity, as well as providing freedoms of word and media and human rights passed the examination successfully," the document said.
Azerbaijan and Turkey cooperate closely to preserve cultures of both countries, Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilij said at international scientific conference "Common views for new mind in contemporary world" in Baku.
He said Turkey-Azerbaijan ties have developed on the intellectuals' level for many years. The cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish intellectuals began specifically after 19th century.
"It was clearly reflected in 1918 when Azerbaijan gained its first independence. Azerbaijani scholars played a great role in formation of the Republic of Turkey," the ambassador said.
The ambassador said Azerbaijan and Turkey maintained even closer ties after Heydar Aliyev came to power.
"Globalization of the 20th century leads to rapprochement of many cultures. We can see that the globalization has both positive and negative sides. For example "swine flu" outbreak that began in Mexico has engulfed the entire world. It is impossible to image any country isolated from others. Therefore countries must cooperate to preserve cultures," Turkish ambassador said.
Oil price cut on world markets, of course, can influence and is already influencing on Azerbaijan's economy, Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Head Ramiz Mehdiyev said at the international scientific conference on "Common views for new mind in contemporary world" in Baku on May 2.
"However, forecasting all of these, independence of the country's economy from oil sector and development of non-oil sector testifies that Azerbaijan is pursuing the correct preventive policy," Mehdiyev said.
The head of the Presidential Administration said the world processes once again showed necessity to pursue the correct economic policy.
All discussions on possible use of the Gabala radar station first of all must be coordinated with Baku, U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse said during a meeting with the students of the Baku Slavic University.
"The United States tried to establish a productive dialogue with Russia on deployment of missile defense system during President Bush's office. During the dialogue Russia offered Gabala radar station as part of missile defense system. We do not believe that Gabala radar station can replace all opportunities that we discuss with Czech Republic and Poland," ambassador said.
Derse said President Obama considers the issue of missile defense and the ways which can reduce nuclear threat are based on several factors including technical ones.
"The missile defense system is important and we, U.S., Europe, Azerbaijan and Russia, can prevent threat coming from the North Korea and Iran. We seek solution to the anti-missile defense," the ambassador said.
Prospects of Azerbaijan-Cuba economic cooperation will be discussed during Cuba's governmental delegation's visit to Azerbaijan in mid-May.
The second meeting of the intergovernmental trade and economic cooperation will take place in Baku as a part of the visit on May 16-20. The Cuban delegation will be led by the deputy foreign trade and investments minister, Cuban ambassador to Azerbaijan Marcelo Cabalero Torres told Trend .
The Cuban delegation has introduced proposals to the chairman of the commission from Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev, Torres said.
Ten documents which will be signed during the meeting have already been drafted. The agreements on culture, trade, sports, energy and ecology are expected to be signed during the meeting.
Giant countries' double standard policy toward the smalls will come back to themselves, Director of the Centre of Strategic Studies at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Elkhan Nuriyev said.
"A double standard policy must not be pursued in the 21st century, especially toward small states which strengthen their independence under very difficult conditions," Nuriyev told journalists on April 28.
Sincerity must be a prevailing factor when speaking about partnership, he said.
Azerbaijan pursues the policy which enables to maintain stability in the region, Nuriyev said. "While comparing Armenia and Georgia, Azerbaijan becomes an attractive country which can be a guarantor of stability and security in the region," the director of the Centre of Strategic Studies said.
The country would have much more opportunities, if not the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Nuriyev said. He said Azerbaijan's foreign policy has exceptionally peace character. "We do not have aggression, but pragmatism and we believe in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through a peace way," he said.
"Azerbaijan copes with all problems, it has a well-prepared leadership and decisions are passed at a high-professional level. Under all difficulties, we have pragmatism, but not emotionality. We do not need exceptionally pro-American or pro-Russian policy. We act in our own way," Nuriyev said.
Since 2003, the world is displaying a geopolitical respect to Azerbaijan and settles account with its national interests which is observed both by U.S. and Russia. "Our diplomacy will yield fruits. Multi-faceted diversification will enable us to maintain equilibrium between the U.S. and Russia, U.S. and Iran, and even between Turkey and Russia," Nuriyev said.
"Azerbaijan is one of the strategic countries in the region. Given neighborhood with Iran and common historical, public and cultural factors, Azerbaijan can play a decisive role in normalization of the Iran-U.S. ties," American-Iranian Council (AIC) chairman Houshang Amirahmadi told Trend .
Amirahmadi said during a visit to Azerbaijan he will hold official and unofficial meetings and will study possibility of enhancing relations among regional countries. "I will hold official and unofficial meetings with Iranian and U.S. ambassadors. I will deliver a speech at Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy and Presidential Administration's Strategic Research Center," Amirahmadi added.
"We will try to align our view with that of the Azerbaijanis and to learn our cooperation potential."
American-Iranian Council chairman said every step that can improve Iran-U.S. ties must be made. Azerbaijani government can also assist in this regard.
He said Iran-U.S. ties have been severed for already 30 years. They have become estranged and can not find common ground.
"Azerbaijan can make decisive steps. Iran's participation in Nabucco, close Azerbaijan-Iran ties, their being neighbor states and Azerbaijani government's constructive position are decisive factors," he said.
As Russia and the United States have been playing important roles supporting the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the OSCE Minsk Group, the normalization of their relations can accelerate the process of settlement, Europe Program Director of International Crisis GroupSabine Freizer believes.
"For a long time there has been the sense that Moscow and Washington are competing for influence in the South Caucasus and because of this neither was deeply committed to a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Freizer believes. "Now that relations between the US and the Russian Federation are beginning to improve, the two could cooperate better to facilitate conflict resolution."
When high level officials, such as the Russian President get directly involved in the negotiations chances for breakthroughs can increase, Freizer said.
Freizer said International Crisis Group has been advocating for the US, Russia and the EU, to raise the seniority and intensify the engagement of their representatives working on the conflict for many years. Freizer hoped that within the new Obama administration the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should rise up on the US foreign policy agenda.
Normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations can have a direct positive effect on regional stability and more specifically on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sabine Freizer, Director of European Program at International Crisis Group, said.
"Normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations and the opening of the Turkey-Armenian border would create a fundamental shift in the region," said Freizer.
"Armenians would begin to feel less security conscious and would become more willing to compromise, especially on withdrawal from occupied territory. Nationalist hardliners' influence would decrease," said Freizer.
There are only a few issues that the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia continue to disagree about in their negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group, Freizer noted, adding that they can agree on a compromise but the problem will then be to sell it to their people.
"For Armenia in particular, if President Sarkissian wants to convince his people about the importance of full withdrawal, he will be in a much better position to do so if normalization with Turkey has already begun," she said.
Iraqi embassy in Azerbaijan has offered condolence on the tragic event in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy.
"Iraqi embassy in Azerbaijan was very deeply saddened by the news of the murder of innocent teachers and students in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and condemns this act," the embassy said in the letter of condolence.
Iraqi embassy wished grace for the dead and speedy recovery for the wounded.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby has expressed condolences to Azerbaijani people, the Council of Europe's press release says.
Semneby was shocked with the tragic incident causing several deaths at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy on April 30.
Semneby expressed his deep sorrow regarding the victims of the shooting at the academy.
EU Special Representative also expressed solidarity to Azerbaijani government over the tragedy in Baku.
The Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic offered condolence on the tragic event in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy.
"The tragic loss of life and wounds of young people in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy deeply saddened me," letter of condolence by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.
Czech foreign minister offered deep condolence to the families of the tragic event victims, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
Embassy of Turkey in Azerbaijan expressed condolences for the bloody tragedy that took place in Baku.
"The Embassy of Turkey in Azerbaijan condemns the accident at the State Oil Academy and expresses condolences to Azeri people and the families of the victims," Ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilich said on May 1.
Ambassador stressed that Turkey will always support Azeri people in the difficult moments.
Human rights
Some 2,077 prisoners were released in accordance with the Amnesty Act launched at the initiative of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador to UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva, the Penal Service Public Relations Department reported to Trend .
The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the Amnesty Act in connection with the Novruz Holiday, which was presented to Parliament by Aliyeva.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed a report on "Woman-prisoners" in a spring session on April 29. Rapporteur of the PACE Commission on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE Gultakin Hajibayli made a speech during discussions of the report.
Hajibayli noted importance of this issue and stressed that it is necessary to take the relevant recommendations of the CE Anti-Torture Committee into account to more improve woman-prisoners' living standards.
Hajibayli focused attention on importance to improve woman-prisoners' living standards, especially pregnant women. She also said it is important to render a necessary medical aid to such women.
"So, we can contribute to future of these women and their children," Hajibayli said.
Armenians torture Azerbaijani soldier in captivity to get information about the Azerbaijani army, Defense Ministry spokesperson Eldar Sabiroglu said at a press conference on May 1.
Soldier of Azerbaijani army Hasanov Rafig Rahman oglu, 20, of Gazakh region, was taken captive by Armenian soldiers on contract line of troops on Oct. 8, 2008.
Armenian media reported that the soldier wants to refuse Azerbaijani citizenship and move to a third country.
State Commission on Hostages, POWs and Missing People secretary Shain Sailov told Trend earlier that international organizations must send official document to the commission about soldier's willingness to move to a third country.
Sailov said the commission has taken all necessary measures to return Hasanov to his country.
Soldier's father Rahman Hasanov said reports about his son's willingness to move to a third country are Armenian provocation.
Sabiroglu said though the captive was tortured, Armenians could not get what they wanted.
Unlike Armenians, Azerbaijan treats Armenian captives in a human way, he said.
"Two of the three Armenian captives in Azerbaijan were sick. We treated them," Sabiroglu said.
He said the talks to return the soldier have not yielded results yet.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be very conceptual and effective, OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair Bernard Fassier said.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will meet in Prague on May 7.
"Both presidents agreed the date that we have offered, i.e. in Prague on May 7," Fassier said at a press conference.
The sides are expected to review issues of Madrid principles which are on the negotiation table.
Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh accuses the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs of double-standards.
"The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs who deal with the resolution of the conflict have not held meetings with Azerbaijani community for a long time," member of Nagorno-Karabakh's Azerbaijani Community public union and member of parliament Elman Mammadov told Trend .
The OSCE Minsk Group hold meeting with the Armenian community in Khankandi while they hold no meeting with Azerbaijani community.
Mammadov said the co-chairs are holing one-sided consultation with a self-declared republic in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The countries which co-chairs represent say they recognize and respect Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and they do not recognize any other state in Azerbaijan's territory. But despite this co-chairs deny statements of their countries by their steps," he added.
He said the co-chairs' visiting Khankandi during a tour to the region and meeting with heads of the unrecognized separatist body is not a right approach.
"It is disrespect for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. If you do not recognize self-declared body, then why you meet with them? We will try to eliminate discrimination in their activities," Mammadov said.
He said the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh will make efforts so that the co-chairs will certainly meet and hold consultations with the Azerbaijani community during a visit to the region.
"The community will undergo serious organizational changes soon. We want to make it clear for the opposite side that the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh has enough authority and strength and wants its lands to be liberated," Mammadov said.
He said public union is holding consultations with head of the Azerbaijani community and Shush administrative body Bayram Safarov on this issue.
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia are preparing to serious constructive negotiations, OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair Matthew Bryza said.
"I feel more respect arrange between the two presidents after each meeting. A new stage is beginning in the negotiation process," Bryza told Trend over phone from Yerevan.
The meeting of EU head of states and partners will take place in early May. The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will meet to review the ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"The meeting between the two presidents will take place in Prague on May 7. This meeting will be very effective and constructive," Bryza said.
Bryza said that the U.S. is ready to render assistance to resolve the conflict.
"Our president Barack Obama said that the U.S. is ready to render assistance and contribute to the settlement of the conflict. We must use all opportunities," Bryza added.
On April 27, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in Gazakh and Tovuz region, Alibayli, Kokha Nabi and Agbulag villages of Tovuz region from Mosesgah and Chinari villages of Berd region of Armenia at 20:10-20:45, 21:00-21:40 and also from Vozashen village of Ijevan region.
The shots were also fired from Khojavand region at 17:40-18:20, on April 28 from Jojuqmarjanli village of Jabrail region at 06:00-06:15, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
No incident occurred during the OSCE monitoring held on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces near Kokha Nabi village of Tovuz region of Azerbaijan on April 29, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend .
The monitoring was held on the Azerbaijani side by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative field assistants Peter Ki and Irji Aberli.
The monitoring was held on the opposite side, which the international community recognizes as Azerbaijani territory, by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative field assistants Pieter Imre Palatinus and Zhaslan Nurtrazin.
On April 29, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the Gizilhajili village in the Gazakh region at 07:55-08:10. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the shots were fired from an area outside Armenia's Ijevan region.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
On April 29, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the Mehdili village of Jabrail region at 23:00-23:35.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
On April 29, a paper "Necessity to consider the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in the context of regional relations" was spread in PACE, which was submitted by the member of the Azerbaijani delegation Rafael Huseynov. The document was signed by the parliamentarians from Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Estonia, etc.
The MP said that this paper contains decisive position of Azerbaijan and says that the states already involved or wishing to participate in major regional projects in Azerbaijan must necessarily take into account the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and the factor of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia.
The paper states that to achieve real results of attempts for decent international cooperation, must be taken into account the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The document strongly suggests possible prospects of regional cooperation with the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the norms and principles of international law, relevant decisions and resolutions of the UN Security Council, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organizations.
On April 30, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the Tapgaragoyunlu village of Goranboy region at 18:20-18:40, and on May 1 from the positions of Yusifjanli village of Agdam region at 05:00-06:00 and from highlights of Fuzuli region. The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.