Official chronicle
On May 4, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Surakhani district of Baku city.
The Head of State got familiarized with the new building of Surakhani Executive Power and Center of Culture named after national leader Heydar Aliyev.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva participated on May 4 in the opening ceremony of Psycho-Neurological Children's Home after reconstruction in Narimanov district of the capital Baku.
The Head of State and First Lady cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Children's Home and familiarized themselves with it.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received new head of OSCE Office in Baku Bilge Cankorel.
They discussed current state of and prospects for relations between Azerbaijan and OSCE.
The sides also exchanged views on the activity of the OSCE office in Baku on various directions of cooperation.
The Head of State congratulated Bilge Cankorel for his appointment as new head of OSCE Office in Baku and wished successes in his activity.
Cankorel noted he would spare no efforts to contribute to developing Azerbaijan-OSCE bilateral ties.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree approving a law on "National Strategy for the development of science in 2009-2015" and on the "State program of fulfillment of the national strategy for development of science in 2009-2015".
According to the decree, the Azerbaijani National Academy of Science was instructed to implement the national strategic program and state program.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presented condolences to Uzbek President Islam Karimov due to traffic accident in the Kashkadir province.
Aliyev expressed his deep sorrow regarding the victims of the incident.
On May 5, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to Turkish President Abdullah Gul on large human loss during a tragic event in Mardin province, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
President said in the letter that he was deeply saddened at the news of human loss during the tragic event. Azerbaijani President offered his heart-felt condolence to families and relatives of victims and fraternal Turkish people on behalf of himself and Azerbaijani people.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree awarding honorary ranks for services in the development of culture.
The title of "Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Republic" was conferred upon Abbaszade Melek, Jabrailov Elshan, Alizade Akper, Hamidov Elchin, Huseynov Fizuli, Huseynov Tofig, Gasimov Mammadsafa, Gahramanov Abbas, Sharovskaya Natalia, Yagubova Ella.
The title of "Honored Artist" was conferred upon Askerov Asker and Hacibeyov Nazim.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the appointment of honorary presidential scholarships.
Upon to the decree, for their services in the development of Azerbaijani culture, honorary fellowship was presented to Boyukkishiev Nazim, Dadashov Fakhraddin, Muslimovu Mehlet, Pashayev Agaverdi and Safarov Muzafar.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received delegation led by the U.S. Defense Secretary deputy assistant for European and NATO policy Mary Warlick on May 5, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
Mrs. Warlick conveyed U.S. President Barack Obama's condolence on human loss caused by the tragic event at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy. She said she has paid a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the conference "NATO-Azerbaijan: Glance at Future Appreciating Past" on 15th anniversary of Azerbaijan's joining Partnership for Peace Program. Mrs. Warlick thanked on behalf of the U.S. for Azerbaijan's contribution to peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Azerbaijani President thanked for the condolence. President Aliyev said Azerbaijan-U.S. ties are developing successfully. President said he is satisfied with expansion of Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva participated in opening of Baku's Tennis Academy.
The President and his spouse met with foreign guests and representatives of sport.
President of Baku's Tennis Academy Oqtay Asadov introduced president of Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpishev, famous Georgian tennis player Leyla Meshini and representatives from Croatia to Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to the participants of the 12th Eurasian Economic Summit.
The meeting, held in Turkey every year by Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, is a good tradition, the letter says. These meetings provide a great impetus to the development of regional relations, strengthen friendship and cultural ties between the countries.
Azerbaijan creates best conditions to use its economic potential and geopolitical opportunities to strengthen regional ties and economic and social development in partner countries, the letter by the President of Azerbaijan says.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev makes a visit to Czechia on May 6.
At the Heydar Aliyev Airport Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ramiz Mehdiyev and Mayor Hajibala Abutllibov saw off the President at the airport.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Czechia.
High-ranking representatives of the state and Czech government met the President at the Ruzne airport.
On May 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with the Czech President Vaclav Klaus. The meeting took place within Azerbaijan President's visit to this country.
The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic in the economic and political sphere, the prospects for their development, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, energy issues.
Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region, said the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus on May 6, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
During the meeting, the Head of State also noted that relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union were successfully expanding.
He added Azerbaijan was closely participating in ensuring Europe's energy security.
In his turn, Klaus noted ongoing political and economic processes in Azerbaijan and the region were in the focus of attention in the Czech Republic.
"This meeting creates good opportunities for exchanging views on the current state of and prospects for bilateral relations," he said.
Vaclav Klaus also said his country plans to open an embassy in Azerbaijan, adding it will contribute to boosting bilateral relationship even more.
Being on a working visit to Prague, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Vice Prime Minister of Israel, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
During the meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as exchanged views on international politics.
Visit of the President of Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic continues.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan are discussing the current situation and prospects of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Prague.
The meeting between Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia is held with participation of foreign ministers of the two countries and OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has met on Thursday in Prague British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband.
Miliband pointed out the cooperation between the two countries develops in various fields, particularly in political and economic ones.
He, on behalf of the British Prime Minister, invited the Azerbaijani leader to pay a visit to the country.
President Ilham Aliyev accepted the invitation.
The Azerbaijani leader and British Secretary of State discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, regional and international developments and energy matters.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Thursday in Prague.
Both the Azerbaijani leader and French Premier expressed satisfaction at the level of the two countries` relationship.
They discussed a range of issues, including Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks and regional matters.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul today in Prague.
They discussed Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, relations between Turkey and Armenia and energy issues.
The meeting took place in "Four Seasons Hotel", where Turkish President stays, Cihan reported.
The meeting lasted 45 minutes, CNN Turk reported.
On May 7, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev met with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
The Dutch Premier praised Azerbaijan's geopolitical importance, and said the country also has big economic potential, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
He said the Netherlands is keen to expand the bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan.
President Ilham Aliyev echoed the Dutch Premier's words, saying Azerbaijan is also interested in developing overall relations with the Netherlands, particularly economic ones.
The President vowed the Azerbaijani government would render every assistance to Dutch companies wishing to start a business in the country.
On May 7, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered condolence to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on a tragic event caused by an explosion in Dnepropetrovsk.
"I was deeply grieved at the news of explosion in Dnepropetrovsk. I offer my deep condolence to you, families and relatives of victims and wish speedy recovery to the injured," the letter of condolence said.
U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy on April 30.
"Please accept my condolences on the death and injury of your citizens at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy on April 30. We, as a friend and partner of Azerbaijan, offer our prayers to the victims of the incident and share their grief with their families" the message reads.
The President of Poland Lech Kaczynski has expressed condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijani State Oil Academy on April 30.
"I accepted with deep regret the news on the tragedy that occurred as a result of attack by mentally unbalanced person on one of the higher schools in Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, which claimed the lives of many young people," the message says.
The death of innocent people shocked everyone, Kaczynski said.
"On behalf of the Polish people and myself, I offer condolences to the families of victims and wish speedy recovery of wounded," the message says.
President of the Republic of Dagestan Mukhu Aliyev expressed his condolences to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev over the tragedy that occurred at Azerbaijani State Oil Academy on April 30.
"The news about tragedy was accepted in Dagestan with great sorrow," the letter of condolences says.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the U.S. special representative for Eurasian energy issues Richard Morningstar held a meeting on Friday.
At the meeting there was stressed the role of the summit "Southern Corridor - New Silk Road" in the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in the field of energy, as well as expansion of cooperation at the regional level.
There was expressed confidence in further expansion of the relationships between Azerbaijan and the United States.
The visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the Czech Republic ended on Friday. At the Airport "Ruzyně" in Prague President Ilham Aliyev was accompanied with high-ranking officials of Czech Republic.
The same evening the head of state arrived in Baku.
At the international airport named after Heydar Aliyev he was met with Prime Minister Arthur Rasizade, head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Chief Executive of Baku city Hadjibala Abutalibov.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today attended a solemn ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of the victory over fascism in World War II, the Azertaj state news agency reported.
The Head of State laid a wreath at the Monument to twice hero of the Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Thalassemia Center in Baku on May 9.
On May 10, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inspected capital repairs and reconstruction work in Sahil Park in Baku downtown.
The President was informed about reconstruction and repairs in the park in detail. The park was repaired on high level is short period of time. The lawn and illumination system have been fully upgraded.
On May 10, a solemn Holiday of Flowers is being celebrated in front of the Palace named after Heydar Aliyev, national leader of Azerbaijani people and well-known political figure all over the world.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse, Heydar Aliyev Foundation President, UNESCO and ISESCO Good-Will Ambassador and member of Azerbaijani parliament Mehriban Aliyeva, daughters Leyla and Arzu participated in the Holiday of Flowers.
The President and his family members walked along the park and posed for photographs with children.
On May 10, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev paid a tribute at the memorial of great Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev at the Cemetery of Honors.
May 10 sees the 86th birthday of Heydar Aliyev. The national leader's anniversary is being marked on the state level.
Historical destiny of Azerbaijan, covering the period of over the thirty latest years, was inseparably linked with the name of Heydar Aliyev. Revival of the people during these years in all spheres of its socio-political, economic and cultural life is connected just with his name. Being an outstanding politician and statesmen, indisputable leader of the nation, he was a live legend, and therefore the Heydar Aliyev phenomena always attracted attention, the admiration rising political activity of this nationwide leader of the Azerbaijanis of world was widely covered both in the Republican and world press.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has today inspected the newly reconstructed Mushfig park.
The President toured the park together with his spouse Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.
The Head of State was given a detailed description of the construction works carried out in the park whose total area is 2,100 square meters.
The President praised the new look of the park.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has today inspected Izmir park after reconstruction.
The President toured the park together with his spouse Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and daughters.
A big fountain and nearly hundred benches were installed in the park. The green area of the park was expanded, with a large number of shrubs and trees installed. The park also got a German-made lighting system.
Parliament
Members of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan will not raise again the issue of providing them with gun for their security.
"There is a reliable security system in the Parliament, and therefore no serious danger is expected," chairman of the Ana Vatan party deputy Fazail Agamali said.
"We are living in a stable country. Law enforcement bodies provide us with reliable security," he added.
"The issue to provide gun to deputies was reportedly raised in the Parliament, but rejected. There is no need to raise this issue once again," chairman of the Great Establishment Party Deputy Fazil Mustafa told Trend .
The security of the population is more relevant than that of deputies, he added.
Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee believes that the powers of the Caucasus Muslims Office should be expanded.
"The Caucasus Muslims Office is a religious community. After registration, the Caucasus Muslims Office faced the challenge of monitoring the activities of other communities. The Caucasus Muslims Office should be given special powers to deal with problems with the registration, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights Rabiyyat Aslanova said during the discussion of amendments and changes to the law on "Freedom of Religion."
A new draft has been developed on the amendments and changes to the Azerbaijani law on "Freedom of Religion."
"After the adoption of the law, some 8 changes and amendments were made to the law. There is a need to introduce new additions and changes because of some uncertainties in the law," she said. "It is necessary to make additions and changes in the relationship between state and religion, as well as society and religion," Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Organizations Hidayat Orujov said.
The Azerbaijani parliamentarians protested against the US president's statement on the World Press Freedom Day.
"President Barack Obama's partial attitude is not even comparable with the reports of international organizations, biased against Azerbaijan," Azerbaijani Parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva said.
On May 1, US President Barack Obama spread an official statement on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.
As to Azerbaijan, Obama said there are journalists who are in prison or actively undergo pressure in all parts of the world.
Pashayeva said the country's Foreign Ministry must demand from the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan to clarify this issue.
"State of press in Azerbaijan is the same as in Europe and the United States, even at higher level," Parliamentarian and the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Deputy Executive Secretary Siyavush Novruzov said.
Novruzov said such an attitude of the president of the country which is Azerbaijan's strategic ally is inadmissible.
"A total of 56 people were arrested after the presidential elections in Armenia. Eve Internet activity was suspended. But the White House's statement did not comprise this fact," the parliamentarian said.
"We work badly. I have to say it once more," Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov said.
The speaker said the parliamentarians' activities to publicize Azerbaijani realities to the world community are too weak.
"We must work in an organized way both abroad and in the country. We must work, but not criticize anybody," he said.
Obama's statement will damage the Azerbaijani-US relations, Asadov said.
Azerbaijan Parliament adopted amendments to the Criminal Code, Code of Administrative Violations and Criminal Procedural Code.
"Additions and amendments made to the codes are necessary in connection with additions and amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion," said the chairman of the standing committee on legal policy and state establishment Ali Huseynov.
On Friday, at the plenary session the Parliament of Azerbaijan adopted amendments to the Law On deposit insurance. The paper envisages an increase the maximum insurance limit of bank deposits through the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund (ADIF) to five times.
Introducing amendments to the Law, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy Ziyad Samadzade said that the aim of establishing a system of deposit insurance was to prevent the possible loss of individuals' funds in banks, stability and development of financial and banking sector.
"This will allow to attract funds, which are in circulation outside of banks, it is considered an important tool for economic development at the expense of internal funds," Samadzade said.
"The possibilities of Azerbaijani banks were limited on traction of financial resources from abroad due to deepening of global financial crisis. The rate of compensation will be increased to 30,000 manats in order to increase the potential to attract domestic investments," Samadzade added.
Political movements
On the eve of the referendum, several parties represented in the movement can join the newly formed coalition of Azerbaijani opposition.
"But our main purpose is to unite the opposition in a broader composition on the basis of this movement," - head of the central executive body of Musavat Party Arif Hajiyev, represented in the Movement for Karabakh and Republic, told Trend on May 5.
At the last meeting of Musavat Party, held last week, it was decided to increase the opportunities for creating a broad coalition consisting of a real opposition parties within the Movement for Karabakh and Republic." Formerly, the Opposition discussed cooperation in a broader composition in connection with municipal elections.
Hajili said that Musavat Party has no intention to create a coalition of parties not represented in the Movement. "Saying a broad coalition, we mean the creation of a structure with the consent of all the opposition forces," he added.
"Subsequently, the entrance of any party to our movement will be impossible," Avaz Temirkhan, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Liberal Party, represented in the Movement for Karabakh and Republic, told Trend .
He said that during the establishment of the movement, the parties represented in the Union for Democracy repeatedly received invitations to join the organization, but they refused. "The Union and Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP) did not accept the proposal to prolong the ether time for the agitation campaign during the elections. They refused to hold joint actions, propaganda, joint missions," Temirkhan said.
Temirkhan said that the entrance of any party to the Movement shall be decided by consensus. "Several times we discussed this problem, but we were not allowed to act together with the parties of the Union for Democracy and NIPA," he added.
According to him, the entrance of other political forces to the Movement is unreal. "The decision made by Musavat Party is normal. It is impossible to accept any party as the member of the Movement. The parties represented in the Union for Democracy later understood the need to unite the opposition," said Temirkhan.
Ruling New Azerbaijan Party says progress has been achieved in the launch of the government-opposition dialogue.
"I think the dialogue initiative is moving forward as parties represented in the parliament and the NAP which hold majority of seats have held joint events. I believe these events mark beginning of government-opposition dialogue," NAP Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary Ali Ahmadov told Trend .
NAP deputy executive secretary and member of parliament Siyavush Novruzov told Trend earlier that the party is ready to launch dialogue with opposition without any precondition.
Ahmadov said he believes continuation of dialogue initiatives and joint discussions on Azerbaijan's interests will lead to parties' coming closer. Joint events promote dialogue, he said.
Elections
Azerbaijan's pro-government party has instructed all regional offices to determine candidates for municipal elections until end of the May.
"The list of the candidates will be submitted to the Central Administration of the Party after it is designed," Ana Vatan party chairman Fazail Agamali told Trend .
Azerbaijan will hold municipal elections in December 2009.
Previous municipal elections were held in 1999 and 2004.
Agamali said the party will carefully choose candidates for municipal elections. "We want candidates to have more chances to win," he said.
The full list of candidates will be approved at a meeting of party's Supreme Majlis to take place in September, Agamali said.
Foreign policy
Azerbaijan's NATO membership is an additional way to ensure country's full admission to the Euro-Atlantic area, Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov said at a conference "NATO-Azerbaijan: Glance at Future Appreciating Past" dedicated to 15th anniversary of cooperation with the alliance.
Azimov said NATO membership is not considered "panacea from all evils," "Country's geographic location, crisis and others factors are taken into consideration while granting NATO membership," Azimov said.
Success has been achieved in border control, energy security and anti-terror operations due to cooperation with the NATO, deputy minister said.
He said efforts are made to enhance Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation.
Proper stability in the [Caucasus] region is impossible until the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Georgian-Ossetin conflicts, Turkish former foreign minister Hikmet Chetin said in a conference dedicated to the 15th anniversary of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO on May 5.
"All challenges in the Caucasus should be regarded as opportunities. We should not divide the challenges into local, regional, or international ones. All problems in the region are directly related to us and solution to them is necessary for regional and international cooperation," Chetin said.
NATO remains a bulwark of stability. "NATO mission, however, will change in future. Cold war period has ended and along with ensuring security NATO needs to get more coordinated," former minister said.
Cooperation with NATO assisted Azerbaijan to adjust its political, public, economic and cultural system to the international standards. "Mechanism of cooperation with NATO provides basis for dialogue. Turkey would like to see Caucasus nations to be integrated into NATO. Turkey proceeds work over supporting Azerbaijan in its integration into the alliance," Chetin added.
Azerbaijan-Turkey relations were discussed during Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov's visit to Turkey.
"The meeting with the foreign minister and deputy foreign minister focused on Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, regional problems and security," Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told reporters.
Azimov said such meetings with Turkey are held regularly.
Azimov paid a visit to Turkey on May 4. Azimov met with newly-appointed Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad Davudoglu.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey share common interests in the region. Armenia must recognize territorial integrity of all neighbor countries and withdraw forces from occupied lands," Azimov said.
He said some issues between Azerbaijan and Turkey must be clarified.
Azerbaijan intensively integrates into Euro-Atlantic space, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Political Analyses and Dataware Department Head Elnur Aslanov said at Spring debates, which was organized by the public union Ireli. The debates were dedicated to the Day of Europe - May 5.
"Azerbaijan is intending to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic space and organizations. This is Azerbaijan's prior object," Aslanov said.
Aslanov said that he did not want to contrast Europe with Azerbaijan. "Europe experienced renascence within five centuries, while Azerbaijan experienced this epoch in 1870-1920," he said.
Aslanov said that he want to see Azerbaijani citizens as east with west pragmatism.
The conference "Azerbaijan and West: Strategic partnership on crossroad of Eurasia" will be held through support of the Jamestown Foundation in Washington on May 14.
Senior Research Assistant of the Jamestown Foundation Vladimir Sokor, Prof. of the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy, as well as tutor in Haifa University Brenda Shaffer and Vice President of Cohen Group Daniel P.Fata will attend the conference.
Rapporteur of PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population, British MP John Greenway, who is on visit to the South Caucasus region, arrived in Baku. Greenway will stay in Baku by May 8 and later, will leave for Tbilisi.
Greenway refused to comment on his visit.
During his visit, Greenway will hold meetings with the representatives of political leadership, government agencies responsible for work with refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as meet with representatives of NGOs, refugees and internally displaced persons.
The results of the visit will be discussed at the May 27 meeting of PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population in Paris.
Azerbaijan's geo-strategic role and energy security will be debated during events to be held in New York, Washington and California.
The head of Azerbaijan's Center for Strategic Research (CSR) Elkhan Nuriyev will speak at the first session of an international forum titled 'Preventing and Managing Conflict Situations in the Investment Relations in the Sphere of Energy and Other Natural Resources' to be held on May 12-13 at the Center of Energy Policy and Public Relations at Columbia University New York, the CSR said.
On May 15, Nuriyev will deliver a speech at the American Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, where a round table on Contemporary Geopolitics of Azerbaijan: Energy Security and Foreign Policy Strategy will take place.
Nuriyev will also participate in another round table on 'Azerbaijan's Strategic choice: a Course on Modernization and Pragmatic Foreign Policy' which will be held at the U.S. Brookings Institute on May 18.
At the end of his visit to the U.S. Nuriyev will speak at the forum Azerbaijan's Geo-Strategic Role in the South Caucasus and the Caspian Basin to be held at Stanford University in California.
Broad exchange of views on the contemporary geopolitical role of Azerbaijan in regional and international policies in the field of energy security, including an analysis of regional and international issues of mutual interest will be held during the meeting.
The meetings with the leaders of the U.S. think tanks will focus on projects of regional significance, relating to research cooperation between analytic institutes of both countries.
The fact that Azerbaijan celebrates the Victory is a manifestation of historical memory of the civilized state, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin said at wreath-laying ceremony for a mass grave of soldiers.
"It is my honor to welcome you first time on the anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Azerbaijan. May 9 is a truly holy feast. Neither years nor state borders, which appeared in the territory of the powers, which defeated fascism, could minimize its significance. Your feat of arms, patriotism and enduring strength of mind will remain forever in the memory of people who are living with fruits of the Great Victory," the Ambassador said.
The war did not divide victims or heroes in nationalities. "The contribution of the Azerbaijanis in the defeat of fascism is an example of selfless service to their civic duty. The fact that Azerbaijan celebrates the Victory is a manifestation of historical memory of the civilized state," Dorokhin said.
"A kowtow and eternal glory of warriors and winners who upheld the life and dignity of our peoples. I warmly wish you health, happiness and well-being," the Ambassador said.
Human rights
A report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) co-rapporteurs to Azerbaijan will be discussed on June 5, Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE, organization's Vice President and Parliamentarian Samad Seyidov told journalists on May 6.
The PACE Monitoring committee will discuss the report at its next meeting in Paris on June 5, Seyidov said.
"The report by the PACE Co-Rapporteurs Andres Herkel and Eugenia Zhivkova will be prepared by late 2009 or 2010," he said.
During the PACE spring session, the Azerbaijani delegation did not meet with the newly appointed PACE Special Envoy on Azerbaijani political prisoners, Seyidov said.
"Azerbaijan believes appointment of such a rapporteur is not correct and does not meet unbiased criterion," he said.
The Azerbaijani Ombudsman urged the world community to involve Armenian terrorists and their supporters who participated in occupation of Shusha into criminal responsibility.
"International organizations' efforts which were directed to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem must be carried out without using double standards, with full correspondence to international legal norms and principles. Armenia must refuse from aggressive policy, ethnic cleansing, territorial claims and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be fully restored," Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova said in her statement which was directed to international organizations due to the Day of Shusha's occupation on May 7.
The statement demands international organizations to put an end to long-lasting Armenian aggressive policy, terrorism against Azerbaijan, mass violations of human rights, support resolution of this conflict via peace way and negotiations, return the occupied lands, as well as refugees and IDPs to their home and restore their rights.
The statement was sent to the UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, OSCE, Council of Europe, Institute of International and European Ombudsmen and other organizations.
Armenian forces occupied Shusha city on May 8 in 1992. At that time, about 24,900 people lived in Shusha whose area was 289 square meters. A total of 193 people became victims of the war and 102 - disabled during the occupation.
The fact that houses are granted to refugees and IDPs does not mean that they must not repatriate to their native houses, Rapporteur of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population John Greenway said at a news conference in Baku on May 8.
"While talking with refugees, we understood that they want to repatriate. Adult people amongst refugees want to return to their native lands. We will give a new impetus to solve this issue," the rapporteur said.
Greenway said if people return to their native lands, serious expenses will be necessary to restore infrastructure, open schools, hospitals, as well as clean the territory from mines.
"The state migration department is important, because there are a lot of refugees from Chechenya, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries in Azerbaijan. They do not have a legal status. They should be granted definite guarantees. Our next visit will be dedicated to this issue," the rapporteur said.
During the visit, the PACE rapporteur met with representatives of the authorities and NGOs. "We met with representatives of different humanitarian organizations, including the International Red Cross Committee and officials of the NGO. Then, at the meeting with the governmental officials, we discussed the issues which we knew from representatives of humanitarian organizations. The meeting with Head of the Migration Service Rahimov was also fruitful," he said.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Turkey's Former Foreign Minister says the recently intensified efforts by Russia, Turkey and U.S. will have a positive impact on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"I have noticed interest in the resolution of the problem recently. The problem will be solved with the mediation of the U.S., Russia and Turkey and international organizations," former Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Chetin told reporters.
Chetin said the Minsk Group has not made an important step towards the resolution of the conflict yet. "I think this problem can be solved via Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue."
"Azerbaijani President will meet with the Armenian President in Prague. Foreign ministers will meet in Washington. I believe these meetings will impact resolution of the conflict," he added.
He said non-resolution of the conflict has affected Armenia most of all thus far.
"Armenia is left aside of some economic projects in the region. Resolution of this problem is very important for entire region and specifically Armenia. Armenian officials must realize it," he said.
Chetin said Russia's mediation is also needed to solve the problem. "I see positive changes in Russia's foreign policy regarding resolution of the conflict. I think Russia will take a positive step to resolve the conflict," former foreign minister added.
Chetin said Turkey will never adopt a decision contradicting Azerbaijan's interests. "There was some misunderstanding on this issue. We assure our Azerbaijan brothers that Turkey will never take a step to detriment of Azerbaijan's interests."
On May 4, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops located in the Alibayli village of Tovuz region from Voskepar and Mosesgah villages of Berd region at 19:00-19:10 and 21:05-21:10. The shots were also fired from the Khojavand region at 14:10-14:20, 15:20-15:30 and 22:15-22:20 and from Kangarli village of Agdam region at 21:00-21:20, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
The role of the U.S. mediation in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be successful for Azerbaijan, as well as Washington is less biased to the parties than any other active mediator, but it will not be decisive.
"The US differs from Russia as a mediator in that it is not a neighbouring state, Russia has a long history in the region," British Expert on Caucasus Ziba Norman believes. "Caucasus's entrenched interests there are at the heart of Russia's geopolitical strategy and he US is more detached from the situation."
"The meetings of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and of Armenia with the United States Administration should be seen as part of a broad effort by the international community to sustain the current moment in the Nagorno Karabakh peace negotiations," expert on South Caucasus Licinia Simao said. The U.S. plays a crucial role as one of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, she said.
Simao said the new Obama Administration has shown how far it is willing to go in supporting local developments in the Caucasus (for instance by refraining to openly recognise the Armenian genocide, in order to support Turkish-Armenian dialogue).
"U.S. supports Russia's efforts to bring the Azerbaijani and the Armenian Presidents to an agreement that can allow substantive progress in the future," University of Coimbra fellow Simao wrote to Trend via email.
"U.S. can help compensate each side for the concessions that both will need to make, American expert on South Caucasus Mark Katz said.
He said the main advantage of Washington is that the U.S. has (especially compared to Russia) is that the U.S. is friends with both Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"Russia is much, much closer to Armenia than to Azerbaijan. Indeed, I believe that Russia does not want the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be resolved," professor at George Mason University Katz told Trend via email.
Katz said if it happens, Armenia and Azerbaijan will normalize ties and pipelines will run from Azerbaijan through Armenia to Turkey skirting Russia.
"If the conflict is solved, both Armenia and Azerbaijan would become more integrated into the West, and both would have much less need of Russia," Katz said.
Simao said both Armenia and Azerbaijan have close relations with the U.S. and both can influence and be influenced by its policy choice. "It is therefore central to have the US engaged in the peace process," she said.
According to Azerbaijani political scientist Tofik Abbasov, the U.S's role in settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must appear in support of Russia's efforts.
On May 5, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops fired at Azerbaijani positions in Tapgaragoyunlu village of Goranboy region at 17:15-17:45, Yusifjanli village of Agdam region at 19:09-19:15 and 19:20-19:25, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
Tuesday in Washington there was held meeting between Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov and US State Secretary Hilary Clinton. According to the information provided by the site of US Department of State, Hilary Clinton welcomed Elmar Mamedyarov in the Administation, and noted that "Azerbaijan has a very strategic location that is one that is important regionally and globally ".
"We have a very close relationship on many important issues. Today, we're going to discuss how we can expand and deepen that relationship", - she said.
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan in his turn noted, that he is sure about this meeting to move forward the strategic partnership which exists between Azerbaijan and United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is encouraging Armenia and Azerbaijan to solve a territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, AP reported. On Tuesday, she held separate meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian also to move the two countries toward a solution.
"The United States is committed to doing everything possible within the framework of the OSCE's Minsk Group to secure a breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process," according to the statement of the US Department of State.
On May 6, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops located in the Kokha Nabi village of Tovuz region from Chinari village of Berd region of Armenia at 20:30-20:45 and 20:55-21:15.
The shots were fired from Horadiz village of Fuzuli region at 01:15-01:50, from Jojuqmerjanli village of Jabrail region at 01:20-01:50 and from near Gizil Oba village of Terter region from 03:20 to 03:30, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
Russia does not plan to recognize independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent region, OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-Chair Yuriy Merzlyakov said after the meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Prague on May 7.
"It is not excluded that the presidents of mediator-countries will participate in the next round of peace negotiations," Merzlyakov said.
The Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents who were invited the EU "Eastern Partnership" summit in Prague on May 7 met at the US Embassy and discussed settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed on basic principles of resolving of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair Mettew Bryza said to journalists in Prague on May 7.
He said that the next meeting was expected to take place in St. Petersburg in coming weeks.
The agreements carry preliminary character, and therefore Co-chairs refrained from making the details public, Trend correspondent said from Prague
Presidents do agree on the basic approach. It's now up to us, the co-chairs to actively work through the details and finalize these concepts, as requested by the ministers. We plan in coming weeks to work together with the ministers, Bryza
Bryza said he did not feel today's discussion was overshadowed by the parallel discussion of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations.
Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandyan refused from making comments to journalists on the results of the meeting.
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Ambassador Yury Merzlyakov of Russia, Ambassador Bernard Fassier of France, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza of the United States - issued the joint statement on the organization's official Web site on May 7.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs organized a meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, with their Foreign Ministers, on 7 May at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Prague. This meeting of the two Presidents is the fourth in less than a year, the statement said.
The Co-Chairs are of the opinion that each of these meetings has brought the sides closer to a breakthrough. Today's meeting marks significant progress in that regard, the statement said.
The Presidents welcomed the Co-Chairs' plan to intensify further their shuttle diplomacy to assemble all the elements required for a breakthrough. The Co-Chairs look forward to their next trip to the region and to prepare a further summit, as proposed to the Presidents, in St. Petersburg in early June. The Co-Chairs expect that these coming meetings will allow for the concrete realization of a breakthrough on the Basic Principles by the end of the year.
The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia Ilham Aliyev and Serj Sargsyan are expected to discuss prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement during a meeting in St. Petersburg, Interfax reported.
"They will have another opportunity to meet on the fields of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum", - said on Friday Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Washington Carnegie Center.
According to him, Moscow is looking at the process of settling the Nagorno Karabakh problem with the hope.
"We are rather optimistic about the prospects for settlement," - he said.
The next meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Petersburg in June can be a turning point in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair Matthew Bryza believes.
Bryza spoke about the Prague meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents and said that there was not any turning point at the meeting, but its basis had been laid.
"I hope such a turning point will be possible in a month when they [presidents] meet in Petersburg," Bryza said in his interview with "Ekho Moskvi" radio station.