Official chronicle
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Latvian President Valdis Zatlers held one-to-one meeting in Baku on Aug. 10.
The Latvian president paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on August 9.
Both Presidents expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations in political, economic and other spheres. The Presidents said that the top-level mutual visits greatly contribute in expanding relations. The sides stressed great potential for more intensification of relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia. The Presidents also expressed confidence in strengthening of relations in future.
The sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional and international issues at the meeting.
Azerbaijan is grateful to Latvia for the support in cooperation with NATO and EU, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in Baku on August 10.
Azerbaijan also participates in the Eastern Partnership Program of the European Union, and cooperation of countries within these organizations will help develop relations between countries in different spheres," the President of Azerbaijan said to a joint press conference after talks with his Latvian counterpart Valdis Zatlers within his first official visit to Azerbaijan.
Relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia in many spheres are at high level, said the President. "A fruitful political dialogue exists between the countries. I believe that the bilateral documents signed today will strengthen the legal foundation for bilateral relations. The relations are developing very successfully and they have a good future," said President Ilham Aliyev.
Upon completion of the meeting in the presence of delegations, a ceremony of signing bilateral documents between Azerbaijan and Latvia took place with the attendance of Presidents of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and Latvia, Valdis Zatlers on August 10.
Agreements were signed with regards to metrology and standardization, youth and sports, tourism. Presidents of Azerbaijan and Latvia signed a joint statement.
After signing documents, the ceremony of awarding Presidents of Azerbaijan and Latvia the highest orders took place.
After the ceremony of awarding, President Ilham Aliyev and Valdis Zatlers made statements to the press.
President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and his spouse Lilita Zatlers have visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
They were welcomed here by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva.
President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva briefed them on the aims of the Foundation which was established in memory of Azerbaijan`s national leader Heydar Aliyev.
The Latvian leader and his spouse were told the Foundation carries out large-scale projects in all spheres.
They familiarized themselves with the documents concerning national leader Heydar Aliyev`s activity, keepsakes presented by famous politicians, books dedicated to the national leader, and opinions of scientists and people of art about founder of Azerbaijani state.
They signed the guest book. President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva gave a keepsake to the Latvian President.
The Presidents and their spouses watched a film about the Foundation`s activity.
An official banquet in honor of the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and his spouse Lilith Zatleren was given on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva in Baku at Gulustan Palace on August 10.
The Heads of State made speeches.
Although the amount of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latvia is not too high, progresses are achieved in this regard, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said making a speech at Azerbaijan-Latvia business forum on August 11.
The President said that there are good prospects for economic co-operation between the two countries and significant achievements have been made in this regard.
"Existence of good political relations gives an opportunity to business people of the two countries to effectively co-operate in many spheres," Aliyev said.
Aliyev said that Azerbaijan-Latvia relations successfully develop and Latvian President Valdis Zatlers's visit to Azerbaijan opens a new stage in relations between the two countries.
Aliyev said that signing a number of bilateral agreements on August 10, Azerbaijan and Latvia strengthened legal foundation of the relations.
The President expressed confidence that the meeting of business people of the two countries will make a contribution to the development of relations.
"I believe that the role of the inter-governmental joint economic commission is significant, since it will help business people establish relations, coordinate various projects and invest in more attractive sectors. After yesterday's discussions, we came to a conclusion that our economies are not in competition with each other. We do not compete for market. Our economies can successfully support each other," Aliyev said.
The Latvian President Valdis Zatlers said that roughly 29 joint Azerbaijani-Latvian enterprises operate in Latvia. The Latvian President expressed hope that this number will significantly increase in the nearest few years.
Zatlers said that world financial crisis did not impact trade turnover between two countries. He said that export from Latvia to Azerbaijan increased twice in 2008 but import from Azerbaijan to Latvia increased 30 percent. Trade turnover between Latvia and Azerbaijan continued increasing in the first quarter of 2009, Zatlers said.
"Azerbaijan is very important and prospective partner for Latvia," Valdis Zatlers said.
He said that Latvia can be not only trade partner for Azerbaijan.
"We can also be strategic bridge to operate in other European countries," the Latvian President said.
He invited Azerbaijani participants of the forum to go through Riga airport while going to Scandinavia and Central Europe.
The Latvian President said that both countries try to take adequate measures connected with energy security.
"Latvia considers Azerbaijan as major country of the Black Sea-Caspian region to provide Europe with energy resources," he said.
He expressed hope that Azerbaijani natural gas will be supplied to Europe via Nabucco gas pipeline in future.
It is also reported that the Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and his spouse Lilita Zatlers visited Zagatala, Sheki and Gabala regions of Azerbaijan.
On August 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received U.S. co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza.
During the meeting the sides exchanged views over issues concerning the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, cooperation in the energy sector, as well as regional and international issues.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the delegation headed by prime-minister of Baden-Württemberg of Germany, Günther Oettinger, on Aug.12.
The Head of State highlighted the high level of Germany-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction with the successful development of relations in political and economic spheres. Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit of German delegation headed by the Prime Minister of Baden- Württemberg, to Azerbaijan will be useful and contribute to strengthening bilateral relations.
Oettinger wished Azerbaijan successful development in future.
On decree of the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers was awarded Heydar Aliyev Order, the highest state order of Azerbaijan, for special merits in development of friendly and cooperation ties between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to approve a new staff of Azerbaijan inter-governmental mixed commission for economic, agricultural, industrial, technical and scientific cooperation between the Azerbaijani Republic and the Austrian Republic.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to approve a new staff of Azerbaijani inter-governmental joint commission for economic, technical and scientific cooperation between the Azerbaijani Republic and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
On August 14, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order conferring military rank of General-Major upon military people of the State Border Service, Colonel Ismail Akberov, Asker Khalilov and Araz Mammadov.
Another order by the Head of State awarded military orders and medals to the military people of the State Service in connection with the professional holiday of the staff of the State Service and the progress made in service.
On August 14, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to perpetuate the memory of the singer and composer, the USSR People's Artist Muslim Magomayev.
Upon the order, the Executive Power of Baku is in charge of establishing a commemorative plaque on the building, where Muslim Magomayev (Fikret Amirov Str., 1) lived, the Cabinet of Ministers must name one of Baku Music School after Muslim Magomayev.
On August 14, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order conferring rank of General Major upon the military man of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Rahman Guliyev.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences to the President of Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic.
"I am very sorry by the news on a large number of deaths as a result of explosion at the Gandlova mine. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Azeri people, I express condolences to You, friends and relatives of the victims and the entire Slovak nation," says the message by the Head of State.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and the Pakistani people on the national holiday - Independence Day.
In his congratulatory letter, the President expressed confidence on further joint efforts towards the preservation of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and expanding cooperation in all spheres.
On August 14, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory message to his Indian counterpart Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the country's Independence Day.
"I hope that friendly and cooperative relationship between Azerbaijan and India will continue to develop serving interests of our peoples," the letter says.
The Head of State wished the Indian leader robust health, successes in her activities and the people of India - peace and prosperity.
Political movements
Trend conducted poll to determine level of international cooperation of Azerbaijani opposition parties. According to poll, level of international cooperation of opposition parties differs.
Azerbaijani Democratic Party does not deal with international cooperation.
"We do not cooperate with political parties of any foreign country constantly. Despite our attempts to establish cooperation with political parties of some European countries, no result was achieved," chairman of Azerbaijani Democratic Party, Sardar Jalaloglu, told Trend on August 10.
Musavat party cooperates with some political parties from Europe, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia. "The party is a member of Liberal-Democratic Union. This union is famous in Europe and has authoritative representatives in several European countries or those in power taking the third place in the European Parliament. We cooperate with more than EU 30 parties - EU members. Moreover, we have close relations with some political parties of Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia," head of the central executive agency of Musavat party, Arif Hajili, told Trend on August 10.
Hajili said that the level of international co-operation of Musavat leaves much to be desired. "We fail to participate in several meetings of the Union due to problems with finance. We also can not invite our supporters from Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine to Azerbaijan due to the same reason. But we periodically hold meetings to preserve inter-relations," Hajili said.
International cooperation of the Azerbaijani Social-Democratic party is at high level.
"We are members of Socialist International organization. Political parties of many world countries are represented in this organization. Our cooperation is rather strong," co-chairman of Azerbaijani Social-Democratic party, Araz Alizadeh, told Trend on August 10.
Azerbaijani National Independence Party considers that the party is a political organization in the country with the highest level of political cooperation.
"The party is a member of the International Democratic Union since 1997. Roughly 80 parties from 63 world countries are represented in this uniuon. The party closely cooperates with the Swedish Moderate ruling party, the European People's Party, Republican Party (USA), the South Azerbaijani Independence Party operating in Canada," Secretary on press and propaganda of Azerbaijani National Independence Party, Ali Orujev, told Trend on August 10.
Orujev said that current level of international cooperation of the party can be described as satisfactory. "We are trying to further expand our international cooperation", he said.
Trend conducted poll to find out opinion of opposition political parties due to amendments and changes to the law Political parties. According to the poll, several opposition parties will have proposals concerning the bill.
The Azerbaijani Social-Democratic party considers preparation of new bill political parties as meaningless.
"There are principles of recognized political parties' existence. If a party operates, participates in elections and is famous in the country, it must be considered as registered," co-chairman of the Azerbaijani Social-Democratic party, Araz Alizade, told Trend on August 11.
Regarding with financing of parties placed in agenda now, Alizade said that there are also world-adopted principles due to this problem. "The state allocates funds with balance corresponding to number of voters to parties represented in the parliament. There is no principle of financing of all parties by the state in the world," co-chairman of the Azerbaijani Social-Democratic party said.
Regarding with re-registration of parties having registration, Alizade said that it is wrong. "Even people do not get birth certificates after certain time," he said.
Alizade said that they have no intention to prepare proposals to the bill. "Nobody pays attention to statements of parties not represented in the Parliament," he said.
The Civil Solidarity Party will have proposals towards new bill Political parties. "In the Milli Majlis we stood for financing of parties by the state, creation of equal terms for all parties. We will have proposals during next discussions too," chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party, MP, Sabir Rustamkhanli, told Trend on August 11.
Though the Azerbaijani Democratic Party has proposals concerning the bill, representatives of the party did not want to speak about them in details. "The law must serve to development of society. From this point of view, our proposals will concern development of political parties, relations of political parties and the state, participation in social and state life," chairman of the Azerbaijani Democratic Party, Sardar Jalaloglu, told trend News on August 11.
Regarding with re-registration of parties, Jalaloglu said that any law can regulate situation occurred after its approval. "It is impossible to regulate political relations of 10-20 years' prescription by taking laws daily.
Musavat party considers the existing law Political parties as rather democratic. "It played an important role in formation of a multiparty system in Azerbaijan. But, gaps will sure to be in this law, as in other laws. For example, it would be nice if the law reflects such issues as financing of political parties from state budget, creation of normal conditions for their work, protection of their leaders and offices, etc. I think that other clauses of the law are rather democratic," head of the Central Executive Office of Musavat party, Arif Hajili, told Trend on August 11.
The Azerbaijani National Independence Party considers amendments and changes to the law Political parties as necessary. "The law must be brought in accordance with modern requirements."The party had proposals concerning amendments and changes to the law that were submitted before and after the referendum to the Milli Majlis and the presidential administration," secretary on the press and propaganda of the Azerbaijani National Independence Party, Ali Orujev, told Trend on August 11.
He said that proposals will be presented to the corresponding state agencies on the eve of discussion of the bill at the autumn session of the Milli Majlis, in case of necessity. "Criteria for financing of parties by the state were indicated among proposals of the parties. We think that such factors as participation of the party in elections, international cooperation, impact on publicity of the country, local structure of the party, representation in municipalities and the Parliament must be taken into account concerning financing," Orujev said.
The new bill Political parties will be submitted to the Milli Majlis at the autumn session. It is envisaged that the new law will reflect issues on registration, financing, activity, participation in elections, role in society, international cooperation of political parties and other issues.
Azerbaijani Dalga youth movement will resume full activity after the meeting.
"The meeting is scheduled for October-November, 2009. Organizational committee was established to prepare for the meeting. At present, youth movement Dalga mobilized all efforts to achieve release of young active members - Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli. The organization also deals with solving of technical problems and problems with the office," the first chairman of youth movement, active member of the organization, Ramin Hajili, told trend News on August 11.
"Problems with the office, as well as technical problems will be solved soon," Ramin Hajili said.
He said that there are people willing to be chairman of the movement. "There are many young people in the movement that can be chairman of Dalga. Candidatures for chairman will be nominated a month before the meeting. I think that elections of new chairman of Dalga movement will be held in tensely," Hajili said.
Hajili does not intend to nominate his candidature for chairman.
Foreign policy
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received copies of credentials of new Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan, Michael Lavon-Lotemi, the press service of the Foreign Ministry told Trend on August 11.
New Israeli Ambassador expressed his country's interest in developing relations with Azerbaijan, noting that would make every effort in this direction.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister noted the good opportunities for cooperation in political, economic, energy, tourism and cultural spheres.
Although the U.S. President Barack Obama has not yet formally nominated Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza as the new U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, it is assumed that the nomination will proceed shortly, American political scientist Richard Giragosian said. For Azerbaijan, the possible appointment is significance for several reasons, the expert said.
"This reflects not only Azerbaijan's strategic significance for the U.S., but is also tied to the recent warming of relations between Baku and Moscow, Giragosian told via e-mail. - Thus, Bryza offers Washington a chance have a high-profile diplomat, with extensive experience, to fill this sensitive post."
The expert said that in fact, since the move was first disclosed in the June 2009 issue of the Foreign Policy Magazine, there has been heated interest and even hotter debate in the region over Bryza's future.
Bryza, who has already made it clear that he will be assuming a new post soon, has recently visited the region in what appeared to be a "farewell" series of meetings as the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Giragosian said.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (the Parliament) said that the international community considers that it is time to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"It is impossible not to appreciate intensity of talks held to solve the conflict. Several international organizations consider it is time to solve the conflict. It is a good tendency," Azerbaijani deputy speaker, MP, Bahar Muradova, said in the interview with official website of New Azerbaijan ruling party on August 10.
Acceleration of OSCE efforts can be considered as positive factor, Muradova said. "It is necessary to use these opportunities with maximal benefit. Only Azerbaijan has rates of economic development among Caucasian countries. It is connected with right policy. We want three countries of the region to develop simultaneously and inter-relations to be at hing-level between them," deputy speaker said.
If there is no peace, it will be impossible to use benefit of projects in the region, Muradova said. "The international community and different countries will fail to realize projects in the region completely without peace. The international community must join peace process for the sake of these interests. We wish these efforts to bring results and it will be possible to persuade Armenia to refuse from non-constructive position. Otherwise, other means can be used to protect Azerbaijani territory as the Azerbaijani President said," deputy speaker said.
The Russian-Turkish proximity will contribute in solution of the [Armenian-Azerbaijani] Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu told Turkish TV channel KANAL 7, Anadolu news agency said.
The Russian-Turkish proximity will undoubtedly contribute in the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict without any doubt, Davudoglu said.
Recently Russia has taken positive steps for the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Davudoglu added.
On August 9, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops. The shots were fired from the Garakhanbayli village of the Fizuli region at 15.10 to 15.20, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved peacefully within the international law and principles, President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers said on August 10in Baku, AzTV state television reported.
Zatlers said that it is impossible to be hurry in this issue, the OSCE Minsk Group deals with the solution of the conflict and takes some steps to resolve the conflict. "We must be careful and cautious. We would not like to see talks ending without results," the President of Latvia said to a joint press conference after talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev during his first official visit to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Public Union for Introducing National Heroes developed a package of proposals on the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the union said at a news conference ay Trend Company on Aug.12.
The political researches center of the union determined the possible solutions to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in its Chess package, Deputy Chairman of the union, Abdul Safabayli said.
The union avoids publicizing the proposals, considering that only president should be informed about them.
About 90 percent of proposals on solution of the conflict are secret and only president should be informed about them. The proposals developed by the union will benefit Armenia, Iran, Russia, U.S. and Turkey, as well, Safabayli added.
The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry registered the Azerbaijani Public Union for Introducing National Heroes in February, 2001.
Uzbekistan stands for peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Uzbek extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ismetulla Irgashev, said on August 12.
"We stand for solving of this conflict peacefully and returning Azerbaijani lands," Irgashev said.
He said that the last variant is stage-by-stage solving of this problem.
Irgashev said that bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have strategic character and give good results, especially in political sphere.
"Positions of both countries on many regional, especially, global processes, are very close," Irgashev said.
Diplomat Tina Kaidanov will replace Matthew Bryza on the posit of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, but not on the post of co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the press service of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan told Trend on August 12.
Being in Tbilisi, Matthew Bryza said that Tina Kaidanov will replace him on the post of OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Trend reported according to Freedom radio earlier. Mrs Kaidanov was appointed U.S ambassador to Kosovo in 2008. The USA was one of the countries first recognizing independence of Kosovo declared in February 2008.
Before, Kaidanov held position of U.S special representative in Pristina (the capital of Kosovo). In her turn, Kaidanov arrived in Kosovo from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). She held position of deputy head of U.S special mission within three years. Kaidanov was active participant of U.S policy in the Balkans.
Replacement of two co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group mediating the process of peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, can indirectly but slightly affect the negotiation process, experts said.
"It is difficult to solve the Nagorno Karabakh problem by the only acceptable peaceful way because time for new co-chairs to get familiarize with the situation and go into action would slightly affect the peace agreement. It will unlikely to be noticed in the negotiation process," Russian expert on the CIS countries, Vladimir Zharihin, said.
Russian and U.S co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will be changed in 2009, Russian co-chairman Yuri Merzlyakov told Trend .
"U.S co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza, will pay his last visit to the region as U.S co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group," Merzlyakov said over phone from Moscow. He said that, he will also leave the post of co-chair this year.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza arrived in Baku on August 11. This is a farewell visit of Bryza to the region as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.
President Obama shares my opinion that Armenia should return the occupied lands to Azerbaijan, as Sarkozy and Medvedev reflected in the general statement in July, said Bryza.
"The United States fully supports the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the Madrid principles, Bryza told journalists. - We have finalized some of the Madrid principles and discussed them at a meeting in Cracow."
He said that the Russian side also fruitfully and constructively worked with them to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"Our work in the Minsk Group has always been fair and constructive, he said. - The Minsk Group has helped the two Presidents bring closer the positions on the issues that will help resolve this conflict."
In his opinion, the Presidents are close to sign a framework agreement.
The European Union (EU) recognized the need to respect the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and we want to resolve the conflict peacefully, International European Movement (IEM) secretary general Diego Pinto told journalists in Baku on Aug.14
"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very delicate issue and I don't want the relations to be strengthened. I want the conflict to be resolved," Pinto said at a news conference in the Trend Company.
Deputy executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), MP Mubariz Gurbanli considers that replacing the U.S co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group does not mean change in Washington's attitude towards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"New U.S. diplomat will need certain time to study the conflict. However, there is an inherit principle in the diplomacy. Replacing the U.S. co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group does not mean that Washington's attitude towards the Armenian- Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will change. The main factor in diplomacy is State interests," Gurbanli told NAP website.