Weekly political digest (16.11- 21.11.2009)

Official chronicle

On Nov. 16, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev received EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby and his accompanying delegation.

The sides exchanged views on the current situation of Azerbaijan-EU relations, perspectives of cooperation within the Eastern Partnership program, Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and regional issues.

On Nov. 16, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev accepted credentials of newly-appointed ambassador of Kuwait Ghassan Abdulbari al-Zawawi.

During the conversation, the Head of State stressed that there is high-level relations between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev recalled his successful Kuwait trip and meeting with Emir of Kuwait Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, expressing hope for implementation of agreements reached during the visit.

Azerbaijani leader expressed confidence that friendly relations between the two nations would continue to develop and both countries would support each other within international organizations in the future.

Al-Zawawi conveyed sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah`s greetings to the Azerbaijani President. He expressed assurance that Kuwait-Azerbaijan relations would continue to strengthen. He expressed hope that Azerbaijani side would support him during his diplomatic mission.

The Head of State asked Kuwaiti ambassador to pass on his greetings to the Emir of Kuwait.

On Nov. 16, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev accepted credentials of Head of the European Commission's Office in Azerbaijan Republic, ambassador Roland Kobia.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around present state of and prospects for EU-Azerbaijan relations, cooperation in the energy field and other issues.

On Nov. 16, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on additional measures related to the introduction of alternative and renewable energy sources in the country.

Upon the order, to take necessary measures for the study and introduction of production capacity for wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy, the Reserve Fund of the President allocates 1 million manat to the Ministry of Industry and Energy. In addition, the Reserve Fund of the President allocates 1 million manat to Azerenergy JSC to carry out activities aimed at exploring the potential of wind energy and mountain rivers and widespread use of small hydropower stations.

On Nov. 16, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an order granting personal presidential pensions.

Azerbaijan marked National Revival Day on Nov. 17.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has attended inauguration of a 9-storey residential building for 369 internally displaced families in Binagadi district of Baku. Here, the President was warmly welcomed by builders and IDPs.

The Head of State became familiar with apartments of the building.
He was informed that the construction of the building started in 2008, and its total area is 27. 897 sq. meters.

To improve living conditions of IDPs, five nine-storey buildings with 63 apartments and one with 54 apartments as well as a school for 260 pupils were built here.

The area around the building was improved with the greening area expanded. The apartments were provided with public utilities.

President Ilham Aliyev made a speech in the event. He posed for photographs together with the IDPs. The Head of State also familiarized himself with the school.

On Nov. 17, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed an executive order establishing the State Flag Day.

Upon the order, taking into account that the first national flag of Azerbaijan was officially adopted on Nov. 9, 1918, 9 November will be celebrated as the Day of State Flag of Azerbaijan Republic.

The Cabinet of Ministers is in charge of addressing issues arising from this order Президент

On Nov.19, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended a ceremony of inauguration of a new power station in Sumgait city of Azerbaijan.

The city public, builders and engineers warmly cheered the Head of the Azerbaijani State.

Head of the Azerenergy OSC informed on the history of the 525Mw Station, construction of which started on 12 August 2005 in presence of the Azerbaijan President.

The President inspected the new station, congratulated the builders and gave certain recommendations.

Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation of MEDEF, Movement of the French Enterprises, Azertaj State News Agency reported.

The President informed the French entrepreneurs about ongoing economic development processes in Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev said the two countries enjoy good economic relations, praising activity of French companies in Azerbaijan as successful.

The President recalled his meetings with representatives of MEDEF in France, and described the talks as "effective".

The Azerbaijani leader said the country`s economy had been developing at a very rapid pace over the last few years.

"Azerbaijan has led the world in terms of the economic development rate. We have considerably diversified our economy in the last few years. Ensuring competitiveness of the economy is among key priorities for us."

"The World Economic Forum`s report ranked Azerbaijan 51st, which means first spot in the CIS. And this is the result of our economic policy, economic reforms, diversification and changes. Moreover our achievements with respect to transparency have been recognized by the Doing Business report. We also lead the world in the volume of per capita foreign investment. And, surely, all these factors create a favorable investment climate in the country."

The President said: "Currently the share of the Gross Domestic Product in the private sector is 85 percent. We've managed to have diversified our economy thanks to investments put in the non-energy sector and infrastructure."

President Ilham Aliyev also mentioned a recent fall in oil prices, saying it "did not seriously affect our economy".

"Azerbaijan enjoys an image of a country protecting foreign investments."

"French companies can be actively involved in different projects in our country. The laying of a foundation stone for a waste-to-energy plant is a vivid evidence to this. The facility will help improve the environmental situation in our capital."

The President said: "We welcome French investments, and not only in the energy sector. I`m very pleased that Total has recently started developing one of the promising fields."

"However I think the non-energy sector is also very attractive for investments, and the most promising sectors here can be agriculture and information technologies. We spend big funds on ICT, in addition, we place a particular importance to developing the space industry. We plan to launch our own satellite soon. I believe we`ll get it done in several years."

President Ilham Aliyev also praised the work of the Azerbaijan Investment Company, calling it "a success".

"There is a very big potential to build cooperation in this field."

The Azerbaijani leader expressed confidence the MEDEF delegation`s visit to Baku would be successful.

Mrs. Pascale Jeannin-Perez, head of the MEDEF delegation, said French companies were interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"Our countries` business circles enjoy strong relations. We`ve come here with a large delegation of businessmen from the fields of energy, transport, banking and legal expertise."

Jeannin-Perez said: "Some of these companies have already been operating in your country. The share of French companies in Azerbaijan`s market is growing yearly. France is the fourth largest investor in Azerbaijan."

She also expressed hope the MEDEF delegation`s visit would help "define general picture of our cooperation".

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on the introduction of the law 895-IIIQD dated October 20, 2009 on amendments and additions to the Law on Prosecutor's Office, on Service in Prosecutor Agencies and on Labor Pensions

On Nov. 19, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated Ujar-Yevlakh motor highway which is part of the Silk Road.

Deputy Transport Minister Musa Panahov told the President the 52.5km-long road was part of the Baku-Alat-Gazakh-Georgia state border highway.

The Deputy Minister said the construction work at the highway began in 2007 and was co-funded by Azerbaijan, OPEC Fund and Islamic Development Bank. According to Panahov, the highway features five bridges.

The President cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the highway, and then viewed its scheme.

President Ilham Aliyev chatted with constructors to praise their work.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has arrived in Goranboy region.

Goranboy`s economy has seen a considerable grow in the last few years, with the Gross Domestic Product making 112 million manats in the first nine months of 2009, an increase of 5.7 million manats against the same period a year earlier.
An average monthly wage grew to 185 manats in the region, while per capita incomes rose to 1,164 manats.

The region has also seen significant development of its healthcare and educational system, which featured large-scaled construction of medical facilities and schools.

President Ilham Aliyev started his visit by laying flowers at a monument to the national leader in Heydar Aliyev park in the city center. The Head of State toured the park where he also chatted with local residents and posed for photographs with them.

On Nov. 19, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree appointing Elkhan Gahramanov the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Arab Emirates.

Upon another decree, the President conferred Elkhan Gahramanov the diplomatic rank of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

On November 20, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev inspected the activity of the "Gilan and Knauf Gipso-Karton" Ltd, plasterboard producer.

The Head of State was told that the company is one of a kind in the Caucasus region. The construction of the enterprise started in 2006 with production beginning in 2008. The company provided with German company Knauf`s equipment employs over 900 people.

A training center to upgrade the skills of the company`s workers began to function in 2009.

President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a new calcium plant located in the area of the enterprise.

The Head of State pushed the button starting the plant.

President Ilham Aliyev viewed the products produced by the plant, wished every success to the plant`s team and gave recommendations and instructions.

On November President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Goranboy hotel.

The Head of State was told the construction of the complex started in June, 2008. The 3-storied hotel has 18 rooms, restaurants, a conference hall and sport and rest center. President Ilham Aliyev was informed the hotel`s area will have a park and sports ground in future. The President praised the hotel's look.

President Ilham Aliyev got acquainted with production activity of Goranboy branch of the Yevlakh Lala-Tekstil LTd.

As was informed, the branch with 3,5 ha total area, has been constructing since early this year. It will produce bedroom sets. The raw material will be provided by Turkey. Sewing machines are samples of update technology from Germany and Japan, The branch`s monthly production capacity totals 3000-3500 bed sets, and the daily output makes up 500-600 bedroom sets.
The branch venture employs some 200 people with monthly average wages 300 AZM.
In future, the enterprise is said to have new fields of production.

Today in the frame of his visit, President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a new IDPs settlement in country`s Goranboy region, near to the Veyisli village of the same region.

The internally displaced persons, public figures and men of art warmly cheered the Head of State. As provided, so far were built 63 settlements with total 18.716 apartments that housed 82 thousand refugees and IDPs. Thus, the refugee camps have been liquidated. The new settlement with 120 ha area will house 596 refugee and IDP families from Kalbajar region. T

he settlement contains all necessary facilities and infrastructures, including kindergarten, dispensary, a club, postal office and other administrative houses. The settlement has been equipped with independent power station and gas line.

President Aliyev viewed the houses, the newly built secondary school, after which met with the public of Kalbajar region.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was included in a book "500 most influential Muslims of the world".

The book, which lists the 500 most influential people in the Muslim world and was published under the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding of Georgetown University underscores that Aliyev is the leader of the country, whose population follows the basis of the moderate Islam and which is the active member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Caucasus Muslim Spiritual Leader, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh is another representative from Azerbaijan in this list.

The book also includes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's President Abudulla Gul, Saudi King Abdullah Ibn Saud, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Sultan of Oman Kabus ben Said, Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the spiritual leaders of Iran, the rulers of the Asian Muslim countries.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the constituent conference of the Public Union of Azerbaijani Students Youth Organizations "I congratulate you on carrying out of the first congress of the Public Union of Azerbaijani Students Youth Organizations, and I wish you health, successes in study and public activity.

The national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev considered the Azerbaijani youth as an inexhaustible source of national development, believed that in the modern world of the country which can effectively use creative force of young generation, will get strategic advantage and will successfully construct the economy based on knowledge. The great leader has done very important work on wide attraction of youth to the state building and ensuring of its political activity. Under his initiative, has been created the corresponding ministry, were planned the basic directions of the state youth policy, adopted laws and programs, and provided active participation of youth in the political life. Currently, our youth successfully works in the field of the state management, economy, culture, sports and other spheres, and adequately represents Azerbaijan on international arena.

You, the young men belonging to the generation, born in independent Azerbaijan, should be proud of that you have grown and were generated as free citizens of the free country, that you are contemporaries of the people who have brought contribution to gaining of independence. You have at the same time great problems that demands familiarization with the challenges of time through knowledge and abilities to multiply the might of our country, improvement of well-being of the people.

Realities of the globalized and promptly varying world dictate an urgency of comprehension of secrets of the latest technologies, their operative use. Azerbaijan undertaking successful steps on the way of construction of information society sees in you representatives of the generation who preserve our national-cultural values, the native language, customs and traditions, who are ready, having joined universal ideas, to contribute to the processes of integration in the advanced youth of the world. In our country, there are all conditions that you grew comprehensively harmonious persons.

Today, Azerbaijan is a powerful state. Its economy, culture, education dynamically develop. The future of Azerbaijan depends on the specialists, capable to accept relevant decisions, protect national interests and respond the time challenges. With a view of preparation of these personnel we not only raise educational level in the country, but also we realize a State Program that envisions higher education of youth abroad on the most important specialties.
I hope that the discussions held during the Congress, and the made decisions will render support to you in your further activity in this direction. Sure, the Union of Azerbaijani Students Youth Organizations will become an influential structure of civil society in our country."

Speaking at the recent meeting with representatives of the public of Goranboy region, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: "We should completely provide the country with basic food products. So, we should not be limited only with cultivation of products, but we should create and are already creating enterprises that Azerbaijan could provide its people, and also expand the export possibilities. Especially, if to consider that for us there are no problems in export. Our production is freely exported to neighboring countries".

"Certainly, for implementation of these complex measures very serious State Program should be realized. And we have such a program. We undertake such necessary measures as granting of credits and techniques for agriculture development, allocation of fertilizers and seed on favorable terms, etc. We see that we already provide ourselves with grain. Never, in none of the periods of Azerbaijan`s history we could provide ourselves with the basic food products. They were delivered from other places, and are delivered now, but at the same time, also grows our internal production," the Head of State emphasized.

"If in the forthcoming four years we shall solve all planned questions, then, long-term development of Azerbaijan will go very easy. I reiterate: for this purpose we have both will, and financial resources, and the program, and, the most important thing, support of the Azerbaijani people. We carry out all this work together", President Ilham Aliyev noted.

On Nov. 20, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of congratulation to Van Rompuy on his election as President of the European Union.

The letter said Azerbaijan-EU relations have developed successfully over recent years. Azerbaijan and the European Union have cooperated effectively within the framework of the New Neighborhood Policy. The memorandum of understanding on EU-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership in the field of energy provide new opportunities for joint activity.

"I think we will build our relations in line with our mutual interests and develop our constructive cooperation even more through joint efforts within the framework of the Eastern Partnership initiative," President said in the letter

Azerbaijani leader wished the EU President good health, happiness, and success in future activity

On Nov. 21, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev went on a working visit to Germany, AzerTAj state news agency reported.

The Head of State was accompanied to the international airport named after Heydar Aliyev by the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov.

Parliament

The Azerbaijani parliament plans to make amendments and additions to the law "On Political Parties."

"Additions and amendments to the law will be considered in the near future," Azerbaijani Parliamentary Vice Speaker Bahar Muradova told journalists.

The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry has registered 52 parties. The law on political parties was adopted in 1992. After the next round of amendments, parties will be financed by the state budget.

The parliament and public should discuss this issue, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department head Ali Hasanov said earlier. In his view, an appropriate solution will be found during parliamentary discussions.

Hasanov said the government will take into account political party activities and their financial state when considering funding from the state budget.

The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) also supports state financing for political parties participating in elections or represented in parliament. The opposition proposes allocating funding from the state budget to all parties who have been registered.

According to Muradova, the reason for delaying the introduction of amendments and additions to the law is not only related to party financing.

Issues such as freedom, party independence and party relations with the state and society must also be considered, she said.

The Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee has prepared a new bill on combating AIDS.

Given the changed attitude towards patients infected with AIDS in the world it is necessary to adopt a new law, deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on social policy Musa Guliyev told Trend on Oct.19.

Each year 5 million people, in other words, each day 14,000 people catches AIDS or immune deficiency virus, and more than 30 million have died from the disease. Although in the country this figure is not calculated in the millions, but 587 people is many for Azerbaijan. Prostitutes and drug addicts are in the risk group as always.

According to Guliyev, in 1996 the country adopted a law on prevention of AIDS and there was only 2 infection case. "The practice of therapeutic and preventive measures, ways of AIDS infecting, the status of patients in society and attitudes towards them has changed in the world. On the other hand, medical science is progressing so that AIDS is no longer considered a dangerous disease," Guliyev added.

According to him, in connection with the changes made to the model laws of the UN, World Health Organization on AIDS, it needs to make some changes to the legislation. "The new bill stipulates the humane treatment towards the carriers of the disease and patients in Azerbaijan, their provision with constitutional rights and prevention of any discriminatory action against the sick with the virus," Guliyev said.

Guliyev said that the bill will be considered at the committee meeting on Oct.22. "I believe we will consider and adopt this bill at the parliamentary autumn session," Guliyev added.

Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov reproached international organizations for voicing unfounded criticism of a court decision to send young Azerbaijani bloggers to prison.

"International organizations are interfering in Azerbaijan's domestic affairs, not knowing the very essence of the issue of these people's arrest," Asadov told journalists today.

The Baku Sabayel District Court sentenced Emin Milli to two years and six months in prison and Adnan Hajizadeh to two years in prison Nov. 11.

According to official data, Milli, Abdullayev and five other people got drunk at a Lebanese restaurant at 6:00 p.m. July 9 and clashed with Vusal Mammadov and Babak Huseynov.

Milli and Hajizade were accused of Article 221.2.1 (On Hooliganism) and Article 127 (On Intentional Infliction of Minor Severe Bodily Harm) of the Criminal Code.

Adoption of the draft law on alternative service depends on the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The bill on alternative service is ready and the Council of Europe experts positively commented on it, the head of the Azerbaijani Parliament's administration Safa Mirzayev briefed the media.

While joining the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan has undertaken a number of commitments. One of them is the adoption of the law on alternative service. Azerbaijan fulfilled other obligations, except this. The draft law on alternative service is ready, and the Council of Europe commented on it.

According to Mirzayev, next year, the bill will be reconsidered with the working group, after which it will be fully prepared for discussion. However, the adoption of the bill depends on the results of ongoing negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If the negotiations will not bring to any positive results, the draft will not be submitted for consideration, said Mirzayev.

According to Mirzayev, Azerbaijani military opposes against the adoption of the law. They think that the adoption of this law is premature in a country with war situation, he said.

At the 34th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which will be held in Moscow, the Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan will raise the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

It is expected that the speech of the Speaker at the meeting will touch upon the issues of contamination of rivers and damages inflicted to the environment in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the head of the Parliament's press service Akif Tevekkuloglu briefed the media on Nov. 21.

Led by Speaker Oktay Asadov, the delegation will leave for Moscow to participate at the plenary session of the BSEC PA on Nov. 22. According to Tevekkuloglu, the meeting will focus on the rational exploitation of natural resources, improvement of legislative base in this regard, the formation of ecological wisdom and other organizational issues.

Elections

Social and Political Issues Department head at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said the parliamentary elections will not be postponed.

"Ruling New Azerbaijan Party MP Aydin Hasanov's proposal to postpone the elections is not serious," he told journalists. "Parliament did not approve his proposal."

At a parliamentary meeting Nov. 13, the MP proposed postponing the elections due to the military conflict with Armenia and the global economic crisis.

The elections are scheduled for 2010.

Azerbaijan is a democratic country with a separation of powers, the Presidential Administration official said. All the republic's activities must be conducted according to schedule. He added that Azerbaijan has sufficient funds to hold the elections.

Azerbaijan will not postpone the elections, Hasanov said. It is out of the question.

Azerbaijan is constantly improving the electoral process and the upcoming municipal elections will be another example, Social and Political Issues Department head at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said today at an informational electoral session.

The session's primary aim is to identify basic international principles relating to elections and the implementation of these principles by individuals within their authority, Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Mazahir Panahov told journalists at the session.

According to the chairman, similar seminars will be organized in Shirvan Nov. 17 and Ganja Nov. 18 to cover all Azerbaijan's regions.

OSCE Baku Office head Ali Bilge Cankorel discussed complaints from some municipal election candidates about documentation delays and registration issues, as well as ways to resolve these and other problematic election issues.

"The process of holding elections in Azerbaijan has improved and a series of Web cameras at our polling stations is an example of our progress," he said.

The municipal elections will be held Dec. 23.

The OSCE Baku Office held similar sessions before the 2008 presidential elections and before a referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution last year.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan will consider only written complaints. "Complaints that are not proven through facts will not be considered by us," the CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov said on Nov. 16.

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan will be held on December 23. 15,682 members are supposed to be elected for 1,718 municipalities. Formerly, municipal elections were held twice - in 1999 and 2004.

According to Panahov, sometimes candidates for municipalities complain to the Commission regarding the pressure on them by the employees of different agencies through phone. "However, studying these complaints revealed a discrepancy of their validity. Therefore, the Commission will continue to consider only written complaints," said the Chairman of the CEC.

31,062 candidates have already been approved for municipalities in Azerbaijan, the press service of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan told Trend .

Of the candidates, 15,608 have higher education. 6,150 of the candidates are women.

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan will be held on December 23. During these elections, 15 682 members will be elected for 1,718 municipalities. Formerly elections were held twice - in 1999 and 2004.

Of the candidates, 10,960 people are independent, others represent 30 political parties. The registration of the candidates will end at 18:00 on Nov. 23.

The Secretariat of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of CIS is monitoring the election commissions in the regions of Azerbaijan.

"The employees of the Baku branch of the International Institute for Monitoring Development of Democracy, Parliamentary System and Electoral Rights of Citizens of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS are closely monitoring the activities of election commissions in the regions of Azerbaijan on the eve of municipal elections, the press service of the Baku branch of the Institute told Trend on Nov. 19.

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan will be held on December 23. 15,682 members are envisaged to be elected for 1,718 municipalities. Formerly the municipal elections were held twice - in 1999 and 2004.

As a result of observations carried out in the constituencies and polling stations, it became clear that the election commissions shall act in accordance with the schedule approved by the Central Election Commission. The Central Election Commission holds training sessions with the members of the constituencies, signature lists are given the candidates and they submit lists to the working groups that verify them. Serious breaks were not discovered in the election commissions, in which observations were carried out, the same source said.

31, 356 candidates have already been approved for municipalities in Azerbaijan, the press service of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan told Trend .

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan will be held on December 23. During these elections, 15 682 members will be elected for 1,718 municipalities. Formerly elections were held twice - in 1999 and 2004.

The CEC said that registration of the candidates for the municipal elections continues. So far, about 31,356 candidates have already been registered in municipalities. Of this number, 6,182 are women. 15,729 approved candidates for municipal elections have higher education.

Of the candidates, 11,113 people are independent, others represent 30 political parties. The constituencies have registered candidates from 18 parties. The registration ends on Nov.23 at 18:00.

The CEC placed wide information about candidates and their registration on its websites: www.msk.gov.az; www.cec.gov.az; www.infocenter.gov.az

Foreign policy

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby, the Foreign Ministry press service told Trend .

The meeting focused on the Azerbaijan-EU relations and prospects for their development. Semneby expressed EU's interest in establishing close relations with Azerbaijan, the prompt solution of conflicts and establishing peace in the region.

Elmar Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with the EU, especially under the Eastern Partnership.

FM rated the status-quo in the Karabakh conflict unacceptable to Azerbaijan and emphasized the possibility of resolving the conflict only within the international law and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Later, several issues of mutual interest were discussed.

On Nov. 16, the new Ambassador of Kuwait to Azerbaijan Rassan Abdulbari Al-Zavari handed his credentials on his appointment to the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, the Foreign Ministry's press center told Trend .

The Ambassador expressed his desire to serve the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait during the period of his activities in the country.

Highlighting the high level of co-operation between the two countries, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan congratulated the ambassador on his appointment. The meeting also focused on the processes in the south Caucasus and Middle East.

Conflicts addressed by the OSCE should be resolved in the previously agreed upon format, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in response to a question posed by Trend during a news conference in Moscow today.

"These conflicts, such as Nagorno-Karabakh, Transdniester and Kosovo should be resolved in the previously adopted format," he said. "Kazakhstan as the organization's chairman will take a responsible approach to this problem."

The Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov discussed the Azerbaijan energy policy with IEA Executive Committee Director Richard Johnson, the FM told Trend on Nov.17

The sides exchanged views on the global energy issues, on implementation of energy projects in the Caspian Sea and ensuring its safety, and on energy efficiency. The sides also discussed the Azerbaijan energy policy, the energy production and the transport projects, the Foreign Ministry said

The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) attempted to hold a rally to protest the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister's visit to Azerbaijan.

The police broke up the rally of the KLO which took place in front of the building that hosts the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), with the participation of Armenian Deputy Foreign Ministers.

The police arrested KLO Chairman Akif Nagi.

Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Turkey were represented by foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov, Rumiana Jeleva and Ahmet Davutoglu. During the meeting the Russian delegation will be headed by the first deputy foreign minister Andrey Denisov. Armenia, Greece, Georgia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine will be represented by deputy foreign ministers of these countries, Albania - by secretary general of the foreign ministry, Moldova - by state minister.

Not only Azerbaijan, but also the U.S. sees Section 907 as unjust, Foreign Relations Department head at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Novruz Mamedov said today at the international conference on "Obstacles to Security in the Caucasus: Realities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation." Section 907 prohibits the U.S. from assisting Azerbaijan.

In October 1992, U.S. Congress passed the "Freedom Support Act," regulating the provision of state aid to former Soviet republics.

Under Section 907 the U.S. prohibits public entities from providing assistance to Azerbaijan. The amendment has been suspended annually since 2002.

According to Mammadov, not only the economy has been hit with a crisis, but also diplomacy and foreign policy.

"In 1993, as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijani conflict, the U.S. Congress passed Section 907, restricting the provision of humanitarian assistance to Azerbaijan," Mamedov said. "The leading Western powers came to the conclusion at the time that Armenia needed assistance, although Azerbaijan actually had a greater need for the aid."

According to the official, despite Section 907, Azerbaijan is the only country in the post-Soviet space cooperating productively with the West.

"Azerbaijan is building a civil society. I recognize that we have domestic problems. Show me a country that does not have any problems!" he said. .

"They say, if Azerbaijan is fair, then Europe will support us. I do not agree," Mamedov added.

The official called on all participants in the talks to be more specific in their judgments

Political movements

The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said the first election campaign ended successfully.

"The NAP ended the first election campaign successfully," NAP Deputy Chairman Ali Ahmadov was quoted as saying today on the party's official Web site. "The Central Election Commission will make public information and results about municipal candidate registration. I want to note that the NAP nominated 15,637 candidates for the municipal elections. All have been registered and the NAP will probably be the only political organization participating in elections as a party."

Municipal elections will be held Dec. 23.

"We are sure party candidates will be elected to represent the NAP in municipalities, conducting a successful agitation campaign," he said. "After the 2004 municipal election results, the NAP had 60 percent of the municipality seats. As some municipal independents later joined our party, the number rose to 64 percent."

Ahmadov believes the NAP can repeat its previous successes in the upcoming elections.

"We believe our representation will not fall below current levels," the MP said. "There is firm ground for our reasoning. President Ilham Aliyev's social and economic development policy paves the way for the NAP's victory in these elections. On the other hand, the NAP's large resources, public support, authority in the political arena and the fact that our candidates are worthy citizens, will all contribute to our landslide victory in thee 2009 elections."

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

On Nov. 15, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the nameless heights in the Fizuli region and from areas and the positions near the Ashagi Vaysalli and Garakhanbayli villages at 13:10-13:20 and 19.00- 19.30, as well as at 21.05-21.25, 22.30-22.40 and 22.55-23.03, as well as from areas and the positions near the Marzili village in the Agdam region at 21:05 -21:25, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.