Official chronicle
Azerbaijan's oil production will total around 45 million tons and gas production 27 billion cubic meters, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated in his opening remarks to the annual 16th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, Incorporating Refining and Petrochemicals on June 2.
"Part of this gas will be injected to layers to maintain pressure," Aliyev said.
He said Azerbaijan possesses gas reserves of 2 trillion cubic meters at least and 5 trillion cubic meters on average.
"Azerbaijan will act as reliable energy partner in the coming years. The country will also be producer and transit country for hydrocarbons. This is thanks to favorable geographical location of the country and presence of modern infrastructure," President Aliyev said.
He said relations in energy sector are built among producer, transit country and consumer. "These relations must be transparent. They must be on the level of market relations in robust competition," the president said.
He said fair price must be offered while sale of energy sources is considered. With regard to transit of energy resources, these relations must be based on international experience.
The president said Azerbaijan has met all energy tasks set for the country.
"Now the country exports gas to neighbor countries. The exports will increase in future. We could completely address the issue of diversification," the president said.
"Oil factor is not our goal, this is simply a way [to achieve goal]," the president said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation headed by Secretary of State, Deputy Oil and Energy Minister of Norway Robin Martin Kaas, Azertag state information agency reported.
There was stressed the importance of the International Exhibition and Conference "Oil and Gas, Caspian Oil and Gas' not only for Azerbaijan but also in terms of developing the energy sector throughout the world.
The confidence in further expansion of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Norway in the energy sector was discussed at the meeting.
Heads of States and senior officials continue to send congratulations to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the Republic Day.
On June 2, Ilham Aliyev was congratulated by the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński, the member of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the chairman of the society "Dutch friends of Azerbaijan" René Van der Linden
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received on Tuesday the Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
During the meeting, they stressed relations between Azerbaijan and Great Britain were developing successfully in economic and energy fields.
They expressed confidence the 16th Oil and Gas exhibition and conference would contribute to expanding international energy cooperation.
On May 2, President Ilham Aliyev inspected new Daewoo buses delivered to Azerbaijan as part of measures to improve the road and transport infrastructure in the capital.
The new buses are set to improve the quality of services and reduce traffic congestion in the capital.
President Ilham Aliyev tried one of the buses.
On June 3, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by the Syrian Foreign Minister Waled al-Muallem.
Azerbaijani president said opening of Azerbaijani embassy in Syria is an important factor for further development of bilateral relations.
The Syrian Foreign Minister said he first visited Azerbaijan in 2006 and Azerbaijan has made great achievements since then.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev offered his condolences to Presidents of France and Brazil Nikola Sarkozy and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva due to crash of a passenger aircraft Air France, which led to numerous human losses.
The president expressed his condolences to relatives and families of victims and the peoples of France and Brazil.
The President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev due to the Republic Day.
"On behalf of the Tatar people and on my own behalf, I wish healthy to the citizens, wellbeing and prosperity and progress of the Azerbaijan Republic. There are sincere and friendly, fraternal relations, which have long roots, between Tatarstan and Azerbaijan. The strong bilateral relations between Tatarstan and Azerbaijan will remain an integral part of strategic Russian-Azerbaijani relations," the message of the President of Tatarstan says.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev left for Russia with a business visit.
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Head of the Baku City Administration Hajibala Abutalibov saw off the head of state at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the national poet Vagif Samedoglu on the 70th anniversary.
The President wished the poet health, long life and new creative successes.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on the application of the 14 April 2009 Law on Special Economic Zones.
The Cabinet of Ministers is in charge of resolving the issues arising from this decree, and within three months, submitting to the President of Azerbaijan the proposals related to the decree.
The Cabinet of Ministers and the relevant bodies of executive power are also in charge of bringing the existing legal acts into conformity with the law and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan is in charge of approving a report on the goods imported, manufactured, processed, bought and sold by residents carrying out operations in special economic zones, coordinating it with the Ministry of Economic Development.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on the 8 May 2009 law on amending and supplementing the Law on Insurance of Deposits, AzerTaj state news agency reported.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan is in charge of resolving questions arising from this order and within a month submitting to the President of Azerbaijan the proposals related to the decree. The Cabinet of Ministers and the relevant bodies of executive power are also in charge of bringing the existing legal acts into conformity with the law and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia Ilham Aliyev and Serz Sargsyan started in St. Petersburg today.
The meeting brought together foreign ministers of the two countries, as well as the OSCE Minsk Group Russian, U.S. and French co-chairs, Mediamax special correspondent in St.Petersburg reported.
No "breakthrough" or "significant progress" were reached during the talks of the Presidents of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenia Serj Sarkisyan held in St. Petersburg on June 4, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said as a result of the meeting of the Presidents of the two countries, which lasted two and a half hours, Mediamax reported. "Despite that today we can not speak about the breakthrough or significant progress, the sides are moving forward and agreed to continue negotiations," said Nalbandyan. He noted that the Presidents charged the foreign ministers to, together with the mediators, continue to work to bring the positions of the sides closer and the new meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov also noted that "there was no breakthrough, but there is movement". He said that the sides approach each other's positions with great understanding. "The most important thing is that the sides have agreed upon the necessity to move forward," said Mammadyarov.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ended Friday his working visit to Russia and returned home.
At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Head of State was welcomed by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Chief of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalybov.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf on the national holiday - the Day of the Swedish Flag.
The President wished the people of the Swedish peace and prosperity and expressed hope that friendly relations between the two nations will develop in future.
Parliament
The Azerbaijani parliamentarians offer to discuss the Bill on Defamation under definite conditions.
"The bill must include the experience of the democratic countries, as this is innovation for Azerbaijan," Member of the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Political Council and Parliamentarian Aydin Mirzazade told Trend on June 2.
The Bill on Defamation was prepared with the support of OSCE and by MPs Ganira Pashayeva, Azay Guliyev, representatives of journalist organizations and lawyers in 2005.
International organizations say the articles 147 (slander) and 148 (insult) envisaging criminal responsibility must be withdrawn from the Penal Code.
Over 3,300 media outlets are registered in Azerbaijan. Only 600 of them are operating currently. There are nearly 400 newspaper and magazines and 20 television channels. There are about 50 electronic media outlets and 20 news agencies. The remaining are internet resources.
Mirzazade said the bill must not comprise the opinions of separate groups or individuals as a common will. "To prevent this, the bill must be comprehensively studied and all parties' opinion must be made public after discussions," the member of the governing party said.
The NAP was established by Nakhchivan Parliamentary Speaker Heydar Aliyev in 1992.
President Ilham Aliyev is the party's chairman. The party has ruled the country for 16 years.
"Definite steps must be taken to prevent journalists' involvement into responsibility due to insignificant cases in Azerbaijan," Chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party and Parliamentarian Sabir Rustamkhanli told Trend on June 2.
Rustamkhanli said if the Bill on Defamation comprises these issues, it will be necessary to discuss this. "On the contrary, I am against of adopting bills that restrict journalists' rights and make them unprotected," Rustamkhanli said.
Member of the Parliament of Azerbaijan will leave for Albania in the composition of the pre-election mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"The members of the observation mission, which includes Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva, will meet with the Chairman of the Parliament of Albania, the Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of the Republic," the press service of the Azerbaijani Parliament told Trend .
The mission of PACE plans to meet with the representatives of the Central Election Commission, the leaders of the parliamentary parties and the head of the local office of the Council of Europe, as well as get acquainted with the preparation for the upcoming June 28 prliamentary elections, said the press service.
The mission is expected to meet with the election observers from local NGOs, media representatives, the OSCE and the European Commission in Albania and with the head of the National Broadcasting Council.
Activities of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic Speaking Countries will have a positive impact on joint action by Turkic nations.
"Assembly's activities marks new epoch in history of Turkic nations," head of administration of the Azerbaijani parliament Safa Mirzayev said at a meeting of the heads of parliamentary administrations of the Turkic Speaking Countries PA in Baku.
Heads of parliamentary administrations of the Turkic Speaking Countries PA decided to hold Turkic Speaking Countries PA next summit in Baku on Sept. 28-29 in Baku.
The meeting in the Azerbaijani parliament was attended by representatives from Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Uzbek and Turkmen representatives did not participate.
Head of the Azerbaijani parliament administration Safa Mirzayev proposed the PA General Secretariat to locate in Baku. The proposal was welcomed.
Heads of the parliament administrations of the member states of the Turkic Speaking Countries' decided to establish Parliamentary Assembly at a conference in Istanbul in 2008. The PA includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.
Mirzayev said the assembly will contribute to joint resolution of problems of the Turkic countrie
Heads of the parliament administrations of the member states of the Turkic Speaking Countries' Parliamentary Assembly visited Baku on June 4.
Representatives from Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are discussing preparations for the second summit of the Turkic speaking countries' PA to be held in Baku in Sept.
The representatives visited grave of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev in the Honorary Cemetery and Martyr's Lane.
Heads of the parliament administrations of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan did not visit Baku.
Heads of the parliament administrations of the member states of the Turkic Speaking Countries' decided to establish Parliamentary Assembly at a conference in Istanbul in 2008. The PA includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.
The parliamentary assembly is expected to convene in Baku in Sept. 2009.
There is no need to keep current restrictions for appointment of a prosecutor general, head of Azerbaijani parliament's committee said.
"Eliminating restrictions for appointment of a prosecutor general will not harm democracy. The candidates will be presented to the parliament and one of them will be approved," parliament's Law Policy and State-Building Committee Chairman Ali Huseynov said.
Earlier last week, Azerbaijani parliament abolished restrictions preventing ombudsman to be elected more than once.
The Law on Prosecutor includes restrictions for prosecutor general, military prosecutor and prosecutor of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. One and the same person can be appointed prosecutor twice with a term of five years each.
Huseynov said the main point is not a person, but to eliminate formality.
The committee has been submitted a bill which calls for eliminating appointment of the prosecutor general.
"If schedule of the spring session permits, the bill will be examined before the session ends," Huseynov said.
Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan considers it possible to discuss the bill on not making journalists criminally responsible.
"It will be possible to whenever present the bill on defamation to discussions, but I do not think that this will happen soon," Bahar Muradova, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, told Trend .
Some time ago, the Press Council and some journalist organizations appealed to the leadership of the Parliament for presenting Law on Defamation to discussions and adopt it.
The draft law on defamation was prepared with the support of the OSCE Baku office in 2005. The preparation of the bill was attended by MPs Ganira Pashayeva, Azay Guliyev, the journalist organizations and lawyers.
Foreign policy
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallim will visit Baku on June 2-4. The visit will focus on perspectives to expand bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Syria, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend on June 1.
The visit has an official character. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has invited his Syrian counterpart to visit the country during the 36th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (Damascus, May 23-25).
The sides will discuss the issues of regional and international cooperation during the visit.
Syria advocates equitable settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which will meet interests of the both sides, Syrian Foreign Minister Valid Al Muallim said in Baku.
"Our position is to find a political solution to the problem through a direct dialogue. Prior to my visit to Baku, I went to Armenia. I saw that the sides have the desire to sign a peace agreement, and everything must be done to the conflict to be resolved in the near future," Al Muallim said.
The sides have to show courage and political will to reach equitable settlement of the conflict. "Syria supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," he added.
Syrian Foreign Minister is on a state visit to Baku. He have discussed the preparations to the first visit of Syrian President Bashar Assad to Azerbaijan that to be made in early June.
Azerbaijani delegation consisting of eight people has made a visit to Iran. The delegation comprised intelligentsia, journalists and members of the Science Academy, Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan spokesperson Abbas Iskandarli told Trend .
The delegation will partake at the 20th anniversary of death of Imam Khomeini. The delegation will also visit the holy places Gum and Meshed.
In 1979, Khomeini led a revolutionary movement and succeeded in overthrowing the Shah regime in Iran. In a ceremony to be held June 4, 2009 in connection with the 20th anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini, will be attended by approximately 900 guests from 47 countries
"Your country has emerged as an important and reliable supplier of energy to world markets. Azerbaijan is an example of how developing energy resources with the involvement of international companies can result in rapid progress and access to the best technology. Your success is exemplified in Azerbaijan's invitation to international investors in the mid-1990s to develop its oil and gas fields, and the realization of the East-West Energy Corridor, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline," .S. President Barak Obama said in his letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the opening remarks to the annual 16th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, Incorporating Refining and Petrochemicals on June 2.
These projects spanning hundreds of miles over three countries and involving a number of international energy companies, epitomized what can be achieved with dedication and cooperation, Obama said. "The United States was proud to be a partner of Azerbaijan and all the actors who realized these important projects," Obama said.
"In your drive to continue developing your energy resources, Azerbaijan will find a strong friend and partner in the United States," Obama said.
Azerbaijan is interested in supplies of additional energy resources to Europe, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar.
Morningstar noted the importance and potential energy projects in the region to ensure global energy security.
The parties also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, global energy issues and the situation in the region.
United States Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar is on a visit to Baku on May 30. Morningstar partook in the 16th International exhibition "Oil and gas, Caspian Oil and Gas".
Prospects of Azerbaijan's further integration with European and Euro-Atlantic area was discussed at scientific and practical conference "Azerbaijan's European and Euro-Atlantic Integration - Trend and Future Prospects" in Brussels.
The conference dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijani diplomatic service was organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies with the assistance of the Mission of Azerbaijan to the European Union and the Mission of Azerbaijan to NATO, Embassy of Azerbaijan to Belgium told Trend .
During the first part of the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov, European Union Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby, a member of the Cabinet of EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Emma Udvin and a leading researcher of the European Policy Center Amanda Akcakoca delivered a speech.
The speakers stressed the importance of the position of Azerbaijan in the current geopolitical context, efforts of the Azerbaijani leadership to conduct a series of policy reforms to modernize sphere of life, constructive contribution of Azerbaijan to the European energy security and regional cooperation and development through implementation of international projects as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum, as well as the railway route Baku-Tbilisi-Kars.
In the second part of the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov, Assistant Secretary General of NATO Jean-Francois Bureau, and Permanent Representative of Romania to NATO Sorin Ducaru and Deputy Director of the International Military Staff of NATO Maj. Gen. Georges Lebel addressed the conference.
Discussion at the conference focused on prospects of further integration of Azerbaijan with European and Euro-Atlantic area, deepening practical cooperation with the European Union and NATO, especially in priority areas of mutual interest, including resolving conflicts, enhancing security and stability, development economy, trade, transport and energy.
The conference was attended by senior representatives from the EU and NATO, experts from leading research institutions in Brussels and representatives of the diplomatic corps and media.
Iran's statement on necessity to close the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan causes surprise, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on June 3.
"Iran receives Armenian officials at the highest level and Azerbaijan does not discuss these issues," Mammadyarov said.
Official Tehran stated that Ashgabat and Baku must close the Israeli embassies in their countries and Israeli President Shimon Peres's scheduled visit to Baku is disrespect for the Islamic world.
The Israeli president will visit Azerbaijan in late June.
Azerbaijan and its president Heydar Aliyev have special place in the new book Keys to Caspian shelf, author of the book, famous Kazakh oil industry worker Baltabek Kuandikov said at the presentation of the book on June 3.
"There is a whole chapter and photo dedicated to Heydar Aliyev in my book. I met him four times. During meetings we discussed many issues, especially delimitation of borders in the Caspian Sea," Kuandikov said.
Experience of Azerbaijan was useful for Kazakh oil industry workers by launching developing of the Caspian Sea. Kazakh oil industry workers repeatedly arrived in Baku to get this experience. Meetings with leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev was very important for them, author of the book said.
"Heydar Aliyev was person with big heart. He supported me and wished success in my operations in the Caspian Sea," oil industry worker said.
Baltabek Kuandikov was one of founders of the company Kazakhstan Caspian shelf. His research served as basis for creation of the national company KazMunayGaz in the Republic. Author tells about the first Caspian project by drawing foreign investors implemented under leadership of the Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev, as well as launching operations in the Caspian Sea. These operations led the country to unique discoveries.
International organizations do not demonstrate determination demanding payment of compensations by Armenia to Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs, Azerbaijani Ombudswoman Elmira Suleymanova said at a meeting of the Public Union "Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh" on June 5.
"Ombudswoman always touches upon the issue at meetings with representatives of international organizations and foreign officials. They see the demand towards Armenia equitable, but do not demonstrate determination on the matter," Suleymanova said.
The Azerbaijani government is taking measures to improve living conditions of refugees and IDPs. "However, there are problems which to be removed shortly," she said.
"The international right on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is on the side of Azerbaijan." Azerbaijan's economic development and authority will allow the country to remove the conflict," Suleymanova added.
Political movements
Creation of bloc by Azerbaijani opposition parties can be announced in August on the threshold of municipal elections.
"Up to now we have submitted our proposals to nine parties. We will submit our proposals to other two parties during a week and discuss creation of a new bloc," Azerbaijani Liberal-Democratic party chairman Fad Aliyev told Trend on June 1.
Liberal-Democratic party has recently addressed with a proposal about creation of election bloc Azad Azan (Free word) of liberal parties on the threshold of municipal elections.
Municipal elections are scheduled for autumn 2009 in Azerbaijan. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for autumn 2010. Elections for local administration were held twice in 1999 and 2004.
Nobody denied the proposal about creation of the bloc, Aliyev said. "Several of nine parties replied positively for the proposal. I think that parties we apply will support our initiative," chairman said.
Process of block creation to participate jointly in municipal elections must be completed till August, opposition party head said. "If we do not get any positive reply by the term, we will make a decision about independent participation in elections," Aliyev said.
The People and Social Party of Azerbaijan (PSPA) has launched preparations to the municipal elections.
Under the decision of the party's Central Council, PSPA will participate in the elections with its own candidate and observers.
Municipal elections will be held in Azerbaijan in December. PSPA was established in October 2008.
Five activists of PSPA included into the organization committee to hold the republic Forum of left forces in Azerbaijan. The Forum will be held in autumn.
The Forum represents the People and Social Party, Communistic Party and Democratic Left Party of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani National Independence Party considers that opposition parties will fail to achieve success at municipal elections independently.
"Opposition parties have no sufficient resources to achieve success independently. It is necessary for opposition parties to participate in elections in organized form," the party's secretary on press and propaganda Ali Orujev told Trend on June 3.
Municipal elections are scheduled for December 2009 in Azerbaijan. Presently, roughly 2,757 municipalities operate in the country. Their number is expected to reduce to 1,766 after merging of several municipalities.
It is necessary to conduct forum of opposition on the threshold of municipal elections, Orujev said. "Opposition parties have common interests. There will not be fervent attitude towards holding of forum. Confrontation before municipal elections between two opposition unions concerning forum will lead to negative results. We call for ceasing mutual accusations in opposition," the party's member said.
Organization of opposition at municipal elections can be beginning to preparation for Parliamentary elections, he said.
As concerns talks on municipal elections held by the party with several parties, Orujev said that discussions were suspended. "Parties showing interest in talks did not make final decisions concerning municipal elections. Talks will resume before elections," he said.
The Green Party of Azerbaijan will address to political parties on the threshold of the municipal elections.
"The party will address both to ruling and opposition parties to hold negotiations on participation in the municipal elections jointly or within a bloc. The Green party is a new party, and therefore it is unable to nominate its own candidate. The lack of state registration make it impossible the party to participate in the elections independently," Chairman of the Green party Mais Gulaliyev told Trend .
The municipal elections will be held in Azerbaijan in December 2009. There are 2,757 municipalities in the country. There number will be reduced to 1,766 after the elections.
The Green Party stands for combining of efforts with other political parties to hold democratic, transparent and fair municipal elections.
"We are unaware of the respond to appeals that we have made to twenty political parties. Green Party has its own patterns and appeal to political parties is not abasement for us," he said.
The Green Party of Azerbaijan was established in December 2006. The party has not been registered in the Justice Ministry so far.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The two Armenian soldiers were voluntarily captured near Gulustan village of Goranboy region on May 31. They are 18-year old Ohan Harutunyan Vadinagiyevich and 18-year old Gevorq Tomosyan Serzhikovich. An investigation is underway on this issue.
State Commission on Hostages, POWs and Missing People is aware of capture of two Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani army.
Though the commission is aware of capture of Armenian military men, identity and the conditions in which the soldiers were captures remains unknown yet, commission's Head Shain Sailov said. He said an investigation is underway on this issue.
Sailov said Armenia does not officially confirm capture of its soldiers. According to unofficial reports, Armenian soldiers were voluntarily captured near Gulustan village of Goranboy region on Mat 31.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on June 1 that an official statement on this issue will be made public today.
Three more Armenian soldiers, Qrant Markosyan, Arthur Vartevyan and Alik Tevosyan were voluntarily captured by Azerbaijani army in Agjaduz area of Agdam region in late Feb.
Azerbaijan has two hostages in Armenia currently.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
On May 31, the Armenian Armed Forces burned areas near Chayli village of Terter region on May 31 at 12:30 and near Ashagi Abdurrahmanli village of Fuzuli region at 19:20. The Armenia troops also opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from positions near Gulustan village of Goranboy region at 18:50-19:05.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
The two Armenian soldiers were captured by Azerbaijani army as protest to unbearable situation in Armenian army.
The Armenian soldiers were drafted for military service from Yerevan and they served in the Armenian army only for ten days, Trend correspondent quoted well-informed source as saying.
On June 1, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the Gushchu Ayrim village of Gazakh region at 17:50-18:10. The shots were also fired from positions located near Tapqaraqoyunlu village of Goranboy region at 20:10-20:30, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No casualties were reported.
On June 2, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the Gushchu Ayrim and Bala Jafarli villages of the Gazakh region at 21:45-22:05 and 22:35-22:45. The shots were fired from an area outside the Vozashen village in Armenia's Noembryan region.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian soldiers fired at Azerbaijani troops from an area outside the Ashagi Abdulrahmanli village in the Fuzuli region at 09:25-09:30 and near the Kuropatkino village in the Khojavand region at 16:30-16:55.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
On June 3, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the nameless heights of the Gazakh region at 21:50-22:05. The shots were fired from the nameless heights in Armenia's Ijevan region.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian soldiers fired at Azerbaijani troops from an area outside the Gulustan village in the Goranboy region at 17:30-18:10 and on June 4, from an area outside the Marzili village in the Agdam region at 01:10-01:25.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
On June 4, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from nameless heights of the Kuropatkino village in the Khojavand region at 09:45-09:52 and 18:20-18:25 and from Chayli and Gorax villages of the Terter region at 21:05-21:15 and 22:05-22:15.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.