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Weekly political digest (11.05- 16.05.2009)

Analysis Materials 20 May 2009 12:05 (UTC +04:00)

Official chronicle

On May 10, the Buta Palace hosted a solemn ceremony dedicated to Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 86th anniversary and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's 5th anniversary.

The Head of State together with his wife Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the ceremony.

The governmental officials and foreign guests attended the event.

Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva made speech at the event and said that Heydar Aliyev's leadership in Azerbaijan relied, first, on patriotism and endless love toward the Motherland.

"Independent Azerbaijan is the result of Heydar Aliyev's victory," Mehriban Aliyeva said.

The First Lady also summed up the five-year activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Aliyeva said that giant projects were implemented and great attention was paid to the development of fields which concerns society during this period.

President Ilham Aliyev also made speech at the ceremony. The Azerbaijani president stressed the fact that Heydar Aliyev always could eliminate any difficult situation with honor. The head of state added that the National Leader's policy and his ideas are successfully being implemented at the moment.

"We are Heydar Aliyev's successors and will continue to pursue his policy and will lead Azerbaijan forward on his way," the president said.

Ilham Aliyev appreciated a five-year activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and emphasized that the foundation always was close to anyone who needed help and provided them with necessary assistance.

The Heydar Aliyev prize-giving ceremony took place, as well. Sculptor and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Omar Eldarov and Composer and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Arif Malikov were awarded for their special merits. The Heydar Aliyev Premium was conferred on President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for her efficient activity in the socio-political and cultural life of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of a new administrative building of the Supreme Court on May 12.

The arrangement was attended by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Parliamentary Speaker Oktai Asadov, President Administration Head-of-Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev, Vice Prime Minister and Justice Minister of Slovakia, chairmen of Supreme Courts of Georgia and Turkey and representatives of diplomatic corps in Baku.

Justice should dominate in all fields in Azerbaijan, especially in judicial system, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the opening ceremony of a new administrative building of the Supreme Court on May 12.

"The decisions which will be adopted in Azerbaijani Supreme Court's new building must be fair. Justice is one of the important factors for the development of society," the president said.

The President said justice is a particularly significant factor in judicial system. "Decisions adopted in courts influence peoples fate. No crime can go unpunished. Innocent people must not be punished," the president said.

The Supreme Court's new administrative building meets modern European standards. The foundation of the new building was laid in 2006.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received President and CEO of TeliaSonera Lars Nyberg on May 12.

President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon achievements in the information and communications technologies sector, saying developing the ICT sector is one of the key priorities for Azerbaijan.

On May 12 the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received chairman of the Georgian Supreme Court Konstantine Kublashvili.

During the meeting, they stressed relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia were developing successfully in various fields.

They also praised the level of bilateral judicial cooperation, and expressed confidence it would continue to expand.

On May 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Chairman of the Supreme Court of Turkey Hasan Gercheker.

Hassan Gercheker noted that the friendly and fraternal Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are developing successfully in all spheres, including in the judiciary. He expressed satisfaction with their participation in the opening of the new building of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting Ilham Aliyev described the opening of the new building of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan as a significant event, and noted that the democratic and legal reforms in the country are successfully implemented.

On May 12, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice of Slovakia Shtefan Harabi.

During the meeting was mentioned the existence of extensive legal base for the development of the justice systems within successfully developing co-operation between the two countries. 

On May 12 the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received members of the US Council on Foreign Relations.

The President said the current visit is a very good opportunity for the US delegation to closer familiarize themselves with development processes in Azerbaijan in order to make realities of the country known to the international community.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope the visit would also be a contribution to the Azerbaijan-US cooperation.

On May 12 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma on his election to this post.

Aliyev expressed hope that the relations between Azerbaijan and the Republic of South Africa will develop in a spirit of friendship and cooperation in the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

The Head of Azerbaijan wished his South African counterpart happiness, health and success in his work for the good of the people of his country.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met face to face in Baku on May 13.

The meeting focused on the current situation of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey in political, economic and other fields. The sides discussed the regional and international issues.

The Turkish prime minister arrived in Baku in the evening on May 12. Erdogan arrived in Baku in the accompany of his wife Amina Erdogan, State Minister Zefer Chaglayan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertogrul Gunay, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Transport Minister Binali Yildirim.

Erdogan will make a speech at the Azerbaijani parliament during his official visit.

Turkish PM visited the grave of Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Cemetery of Honors on May 13.

Azerbaijan has close ties with Russia and there is no need to take additional steps given temporarily uncertain situation, CNN TURK television channel quoted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as saying at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 13.

"Azerbaijan is for establishing friendly relations with all countries. The Azerbaijan-Russia relations have a long history and these relations are important for both sides. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid one of his first foreign visits to Azerbaijan last year. Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on friendship and strategic partnership during the visit. This agreement is of great political significance," the Azerbaijani president said.

The President said Azerbaijan seeks close ties with all countries. "Azerbaijan has build relations with neighbor countries on the basis of respect, trust and non-interference into each-other's affairs," the president said.

The issue of opening borders with Armenia was put an end after Turkish senior officials' unequivocal statements. I think it is already a history and we must not return to it, CNN TURK television channel quoted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as saying at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 13.

"The Armenian media has reported on opening of borders since early February. Inappropriate interpretation of these reports caused suspicions in Azerbaijani society. Senior officials from various countries assessed nominalization of Turkey-Armenia relations as an achieved fact. Of course, Azerbaijan had suspicions in this case. These suspicions were put an end in mid-April," Aliyev said.

Azerbaijani President said Turkey and Azerbaijan make joint efforts to ensure peace in the region.

"Turkey-Azerbaijan ties are multi-faceted. These relations have a long history. Our nations lived and created together. As an independent state, we take advantage of our opportunities to develop bilateral relations and make joint efforts to ensure peace in the region," the Azerbaijan president said.

President Aliyev said Turkey and Azerbaijan demonstrate unified position on many international issues.

"As we live in the region, we want a peace to be established in the region and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity to be restored as soon as possible so that the region could develop within cooperation. I am satisfied with talks we held and conversations we had. I believe sincere conversations clarified some issues as they did usually. The most important is that it provided a very good ground for future joint action and cooperation," President Aliyev added.

The contract on sale of the Azerbaijani gas produced in the Shah Deniz field envisages re-consideration of its cost, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan aired lively via the CNN Turk TV channel.

"Under the contract, prices for the Azerbaijani gas depend on world oil prices. It would be incorrect to connect the issue [re-consideration of the gas prices for Turkey] with the situation that may occur, is occurring or will not occur in the region," Ilham Aliyev said.

The Turkish prime minister said at the news conference that price for the Azerbaijani gas will be re-considered during the negotiations between the two countries' energy agencies.

Turkey buys Azerbaijani gas at $120 for 1,000 cubic meters. The contract also stipulates that the gas price can be considered a year after the supplies is launched. So, new prices (which the sides are negotiating) will be applied beginning from April 15, 2008.

Under the contract, 6.6 billion cubic meters of gas will be transported to Turkey via Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum per year as part of the Shah Deniz-1.

Shah Deniz partners plan to achieve this volume in 2009.

On behalf of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a dinner was given in honor of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Baku on May 13.

"Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be solved based on the international law norms," said the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev while receiving the members of the US Council on Foreign Relations. 

"As to Armenia's attempts to put forward an argument on self-determination, I want to say that Armenians exercised this right when Armenian state was established. With this logic, there must be many Armenian states in the world. It is a wrong approach," Aliyev said.

"During talks, we always try to draw Armenian side's attention to the Helsinki Final Act. The articles about territorial integrity and self-determination are clearly set forth in the final act: self-determination may not contradict the principle of internationally recognized territorial integrity of states. Therefore, resolution of the conflict must be, first of all, based on the international law norms, which will allow us to restore our territorial integrity and Azerbaijani population to return their homes to live in peace," Aliyev said.

The Head of State said that in the light of processes concerning integration and opening of borders in Europe, no country must build its future in isolation. "Today, the situation Armenia got into was created by them through pursuing an aggressive policy".

"The United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied lands. The world community recognized the fact of occupation of our lands. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was recognized and supported internationally. Minsk Group co-chairs made statements a few times supporting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. When Azerbaijan joined the UN, it recognized the country's territorial integrity," Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijan said.

"As to the progress in negotiations, I assess it as the positive process and progress in some points of the agreement, which was impossible a few years ago, has been achieved. However, this progress is not enough to solve the problem and secure the agreement. It is 17 years since Minsk Group has been established and notwithstanding the progress there is no any result. The situation remains unchanged. Our lands are under occupation. Seven regions located outside Nagorno-Karabakh border were occupied by Armenians," the State Head said. 

On May 15, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received President of European Fair Play Movement Carlos Goncalves and his accompanying delegation.

The Head of State spoke of comprehensive development of sports and Olympic Movement in Azerbaijan, the country's hosting world and European competitions and modern sports infrastructure created in the country.

According to the President, the delegation's current visit will contribute to expanding bilateral cooperation even more.

Carlos Goncalves praised the Azerbaijani leader`s great contribution to development of sports in the country.

He noted sports infrastructure created in Azerbaijan and achievements gained by the country's sportsmen in international competitions were the fruits of President Ilham Aliyev's everyday care for sports.

Carlos Goncalves presented a Badge of Honor of European Fair Play Movement to President Ilham Aliyev.

Vice-President of European Fair Play Movement Erdogan Arpinar hailed the Azerbaijani President's contribution to development of sports in the country, as well.

The Azerbaijani leader expressed his gratitude for the European Fair Play Movement`s Badge of Honor he was awarded.

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev issued on May 15 several decrees to apply the laws. They are as follows:

1. Law on changes and amendments to the Labor Code of Azerbaijan Republic, dated Feb. 24, 2009

2. Law on changes and amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations, dated April 28, 2009

3. Law on changes and amendments to the law on state service , dated April 28, 2009

4. Law on changes and amendments to the law on essentials of city building

5. Law on changing name of Shatrovka village in Salyan district

6. Law on changes to name of Dilenchiler village in Barda district

7. Law on partial changes to administrative-territorial division of Goranboy district and Naftalan city.

The Azerbaijani president signed decree to apply the following laws:

1.      Law on injecting changes to Civil Code of Azerbaijan, dated April 3,

2.      Law on changes and amendments to law on trade marks and geographical indicators

The head of state made a decree on additional measures to improve computerized management system Safe City.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the King of Norway on the national holiday - Constitution Day.

On his own behalf and on behalf of the entire Azeri people, President Ilham Aliyev wished success and peace to the King of Norway and all the Norwegian people.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree approving the Law on Establishment of Commemorative Medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the 90th anniversary of the Border Service," official press reported.

According to the decree, within a month, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan is in charge of developing and submit to the President of Azerbaijan the proposals on bringing existing legislation into conformity with the approved law.

The Cabinet of Ministers is also in charge of resolving all issues arising from the decree within its competence.

Parliament

No one has a right to make Azerbaijan-Turkey relations matter of dispute, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during his speech at the Azerbaijani parliament.

"Unfortunately, we saw those who wanted to undermine Turkey-Azerbaijan fraternal relations. Armenian media reported that Turkey will establish ties with out any precondition. This is slander and a lie. Whom to believe, Armenian media or prime minister and president of a country? I have stated on numerous occasions that Turkey will never compromise in the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh," Erdogan said.

Foreign policy

The Azerbaijani Embassy in the UK held an event on the Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 86th anniversary, the embassy released.

The event was attended by the British public officials and the Azerbaijanis living in this country.

The event was opened by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Fakhraddin Gurbanov, describing the political activities of the national leader. He noted that it was possible to strengthen the Azerbaijani statehoods thanks to Heydar Aliyev and his far-sighted policy.

Famous British Researcher Tamara Gragadze who participated in the event shared her personal memories about Heydar Aliyev's deeply thought-out steps made in 1990s to strengthen and stabilize Azerbaijan.

Iran's newly-appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan is dissatisfied with the cooperation between the two countries and he has prepared programs to enhance relations.

"I am not satisfied with the current relations. There is a good potential to develop ties. I hope the programs I have designed will contribute to improvement envisaged by the presidents of the two countries," Iran's newly-appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan Muhammad Bagir Bahrami said in an interview with the Trend Persian Desk.  

The ambassador assumed office on May 11.

Ambassador said the embassy is responsible for maintaining and developing the ties.

"The fact that Iranian and Azerbaijani people share much in common and countries' strong will to cooperate can determine the two countries' power to impact international's community's current and future plight. I will do utmost to establish closer ties," Iranian diplomat added.

The ambassador did not comment on details of the programs.

Azerbaijan's strategic location may be beneficial for NATO in case of joining the alliance, Romanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolai Ureki said at the conference "European security and NATO," on Tuesday.

"One of the advantages is the country's strategic location on the South Caucasus, as an important transit route," Ureki said.

Azerbaijan has a geo-strategic position, and can become an important transit point for shipments of non-military goods of NATO in Afghanistan to conduct terrorist operations of the alliance.

In addition, the country is of interest to NATO on energy security in Europe, said Ureki. Azerbaijan is one of the largest oil and gas producers, and has the potential to become a transit country, particularly in transportation of energy resources from Central Asia to Europe.

The main advantage of Azerbaijan to NATO will be national security, which the alliance offers to all its members.

However, any country must meet three basic criteria in order to acquire a membership in the allince:

- Military criterion - country must have armed forces, which meet relevant standards;

- Political criteria - country must meet all necessary requirements of democracy;

- Economic criteria - existence of a free market.

NATO-Azerbaijan ties were established in 1992 after Azerbaijan's accession of to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (renamed into Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council - EAPC in 1997).

Ruling New Azerbaijan Party and Communist Party of China seek to enhance relations between the two countries.

NAP Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary Ali Ahmadov met with the newly-appointed Chinese ambassador to Azerbaijan Chzhan Yannyan.

The ambassador said Azerbaijan and China maintain high level relations adding that President Ilham Aliyev's visit to China helped to deepen and develop relations. The ambassador said he is confident that the ties will further develop dynamically, the NAP press service said.

Ahmadov high level ties between Azerbaijani and Chinese ruling parties has a good impact on relations between the two countries. He said the proposals and initiatives providing for enhanced relations between the two countries will be further welcomed and implemented.

Political movements


A Political Council of the Unanimity party headed by former chairman of the Supreme Court Tair Karimli, which supports pro-governmental course, made a decision to participate in the municipal elections independently.  

"The decision will be discussed at party's meeting. Local organizations will be instructed to define candidates to municipalities," Karimli told Trend .

The municipal elections will be held in Azerbaijan in the end of 2009 and parliamentary elections - in autumn 2010. The municipal elections were held twice in Azerbaijan - in 1999 and 2004.

The party is not intending to join political blocs for participation in the municipal elections. "We are not intending to offer cooperation to political parties for participation in the elections. But if any party will ofer us any proposal, then we are ready to consider its," he added.

"During this election we will see the capacity of local organizations. I think that the municipal elections will be a good preparation for upcoming parliamentary elections," Karimli said.

The Unanimity party is holding to pro-governmental political course.

The "Karabakh Forum" will not make a serious contribution to unification of opposition, the Azerbaijani opposition Azadlig (Freedom) Party believes.

"The "Karabakh Forum" can hardly unify opposition. Some part of opposition said they do not intent to participate in the forum," Chairman of the Azadlig Party Ahmad Oruj told Trend on May 13. The Azadlig Party is represented in the Union for Democracy which the organizer of the forum.

The Union will hold the Karabakh Forum on May 14 to discuss the current situation in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Union comprises the Classic Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, National Democratic, Great Azerbaijan, People's Party.

Parties which are represented at the Movement for Karabakh and Republic, including of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party, Democratic Party, Musavat Party, Umid Party and several public organizations have refused to participate in the Karabakh forum.

Oruj said the parties which refused to participate in the Karabakh forum are recognized as Azerbaijani opposition in the West. "They fulfill their leaders' orders by not participating in the forum," chairman of the party said.

The initiative of the "Karabakh Forum" was sent to all the opposition political forces around national problems of Azerbaijan, he said. "The fact that this attempt failed, is not the fault of the organizers," Oruj said.

The party's chairman said the Forum will not be different from previous ones. "The forum will focus on analysis of the government's policy on the Nagorno-Karabakh and proposals will be put forward, as well. Then an address is expected to be adopted," Oruj said.

Azerbaijani National Independence Party (ANIP) is facing disagreements over the municipal elections.

"Certain part of the party support party's participation in the municipal elections individually and other part supports participation in a union. Party's supreme body will decide form of the participation in the elections given pre-election conditions," ANIP spokesperson Ali Orujov told Trend .

Azerbaijan will hold municipal election in late 2009.

Orujov said he supports ANIP's participation in municipal elections as a bloc. "The municipal elections are quite different from other elections both by character and local importance. There are informal talks about a merger to take part in the elections. There are political forces with which we can find a common ground. We are ready to cooperate with political forces that prioritize national values and give an impetus to the democratization process and try to up the political activity in the society," he said.

He said political parties need to unite in the bloc based on ideological grounds. "Liberal, right and ideological principles of the parties represented in the bloc Azadlig are unknown. It is better to establish unions with ideological foundations rather such as amorphous associations. The strategic objectives of the bloc parties must be clear and they must be sincere. Ambitions of these forces should be brought into line with their capabilities," Orujov said.

He said still union of opposition parties, unfortunately, did not have success. "They blame each other for these failures. And even forces which were former allies insult to each other. This is the reason for the decline of the credibility of the opposition and cold relations among the opposition parties," Orujov said.

Chairman of the Union of Intellectuals of Azerbaijan (UIA) Eldaniz Guliyev said that he shares the view of ex-President Ayaz Mutallibov regarding weakening in the authority of the opposition.

"For 17 years, opposition parties have missed great opportunities. They have not been able to organize people and raise them to struggle. They have undermined people's faith in the struggle and hope for it, and in most cases this occurred because of personal ambitions and claims of leaders of opposition parties," Guliyev told Trend .

Commenting on the political situation in the country, the ex-President of Azerbaijan Ayaz Mutallibov said that the opposition has lost its authority. He said that the whole opposition has already understood that in order to solve problems, it needs to push aside personal ambitions.

Mutallibov was elected Azerbaijan's first president shortly after the country gained independence in 1992. Later a lawsuit was filed against him. Mutallibov is accused of attempted coup d'etat, creation of illegal armed groups, taking power by force, and other serious crimes. He has lived in Russia since 1992.

Guliyev said that he puts part of the blame for unsuccessful activity of the opposition on the intellectuals. "Over these years, the majority of intellectuals spent their strength in the party. They could see during this period that the political leaders used them in their own purposes in order to ensure their big claims," said Guliyev.

Intellectuals should understand that their main purpose and core mission is to be an arbiter of processes to guide them, he said. Naturally, the main blame falls on political parties. The political opposition has been unable to make the democratic camp in a democratic force," said Guliyev.

The Azerbaijani opposition party has prepared a draft perspective plan for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"The plan envisages the conflict settlement process in three phases," the press service of the Liberal Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (LDPA) told Trend on May 15.

According to the draft, in the first phase all occupied lands, with the exception of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and Lachin region should be freed, the Azerbaijanis should to return to their homes, international peacekeeping contingent should be placed in the region. "These forces will be subordinated to the authorized representative of Nagorno-Karabakh appointed by the UNO," the report says.

The draft says that the peacekeeping forces, which are located in the region, should be presented by Turkey, the United States, Russia and Germany in equal numbers.

According to the authors of the project, the next step is to determine the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. "At this stage, the status of autonomous republic shall be presented to Nagorno-Karabakh within the territory of Azerbaijan and the territory shall be declared a demilitarized zone. After this phase is completed, corridors also can be shared. Azerbaijan provides Lachin corridor to Armenia for 99 years, and Armenia provides Megrin corridor to Azerbaijan for the same period. Before this, Azerbaijan and Armenia recognize each other through diplomatic channels and establish diplomatic relations," says the paper.

According to the project of the opposition party, at the third phase elections must be held for local authorities of autonomous republic with the participation of representatives from both communities. "The question of Speaker of the Parliament of the Autonomous Republic should be decided on a rotational basis. At the end of this phase, through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Azerbaijan and Armenia should sign another Inter-State agreement on recognition of territorial integrity and inviolability of both sides," the report says.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

On May 12, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from near Seysulan village of Terter region at 04:30-04:45 and from near Tagibayli village of Agdam region at 05:10-05:20, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.

In the morning of May 11, the Azerbaijani Army's soldier was taken prisoner by the Armenian Armed Forces on the front lines in the Fizuli region.

According to sources, resident of the Goranboy Region Anar Hajiyev crossed the contact line in the Alkhanbayli village of the Fuzuli region under unknown conditions and came across the territory controlled by the Armenian Armed Forces.

Anar Hajiyev was called to an active military service by the Goranboy Region Military Commissariat in 2008.

State Commission on Hostages, POWs and Missing People confirmed reports about Azerbaijan's army soldiers being taken hostage by the Armenian army.

The commission's secretary Shain Sailov told Trend on May 11 that the commission will take necessary measures to return Anar Hajiyev who was taken hostage by Armenian army.

Hostage's mother Naila Hajiyeva said to Trend that her son did not complain of any problems in the military unit he served.

"Anar was going to complete military service in six months. A week ago he said during a telephone conversation that he will come for a holiday after 10 days," she said.

Hajiyeva said he last met his son prior to the Novruz holiday.

She said Anar lived in Russia for the last three years. "He joined Azerbaijani army voluntarily when he turned 18."

On May 12, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from near Seysulan village of Terter region at 04:30-04:45 and from near Tagibayli village of Agdam region at 05:10-05:20, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.

On May 12, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops at 18:30-18:40 and 19:40-19:50. The shots were fired from the nameless heights in Azerbaijan's Goranboy region, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.

Monitoring was held on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces on May 13 after a mandate by the special envoy of the OSCE chairman.

The monitoring in 4 kilometers west of the Tapgaragoyunlu village of Azerbaijan's Goranboy region proceeded without incident on May 13, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The monitoring will be held on the Azerbaijani side by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative field assistants Pieter Ki and Irji Aberli.

The monitoring will be held on the opposite side, which the international community recognizes as Azerbaijani territory, by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk's field assistants Imre Palatinus, Vladimir Chountulov and Jaslan Nurtazin.

The OSCE regularly holds monitoring on troop's contact line to secure ceasefire.

On May 13, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the Alibayli village of Tovuz region from Mosesgeh village of Berd region at 20:50-21:05. The shots were also fired from near Chayli village of Terter region at 10:30-10:55, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.

On May 15, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from near Khojavand region at 01:40-01:50, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.

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