Official news
Head of the Azerbaijani President`s Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev has met chief of the Russian Federation`s Presidential Administration Sergey Naryshkin.
They discussed relations between Azerbaijan and Russia since the conduct of a Humanitarian Forum in Baku this January on the initiative of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev. They also discussed several organizational issues with an aim to intensify the process of making the event an International Humanitarian Forum.
They decided to hold the event every September in the Azerbaijani capital under the name Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which will bring together outstanding figures from the fields of science, education, culture, art, education as well as social-political area.
Mehdiyev and Naryshkin also discussed the bilateral and multilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, in particular in the socio-political, economic, cultural and information sectors.
Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergey Naryshkin has today visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of Azerbaijan`s national leader Heydar Aliyev.
Naryshkin also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.
Naryshkin has also today visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity.
He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument here.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari over the loss of many human lives caused by floods.
The letter says "the news of a human loss as the result of the floods in your country was a source of great sorrow to me. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I offer sincere condolences to you, families and relatives of the dead and wish the soonest elimination of the consequences of the natural disaster".
A delegation of Russia`s Astrakhan province led by deputy Chairperson of the Government Tatiana Yusupova has met today the Russian ambassador Vladimir Dorokhin.
Yusupova briefed the ambassador on the meetings she held in Baku during the visit.
She praised the hospitality shown to them in Azerbaijan.
Yusupova said a lot of work had been done to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries` peoples.
She also noted presidents Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev attach special importance to the relations between "our peoples".
The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's official website President.az launched a special application for I-Phone users.
After downloading the free application, users will get instant access to the President's speeches, interviews, publications on the activities with his participation, as well as photographic materials.
To download an application, you must use your user account in the Apple Applications Store.
It's enough to enter the link .
The Presidential Administration explained creation of the application with the increased attention to public relations, including with the use of the newest forms of communications.
It should be noted that a month ago, President.az website has been updated, its official channel on Youtube was also launched, and the Azerbaijani President's special account on the network of Twitter microblogs in Azerbaijani and Russian languages was launched.
The Azerbaijani President's website is the only Internet resource, which has similar applications in the post-Soviet space.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed an Executive Order allocating 10 million manat ($12.5m) for completion of the construction work at the National Flag Square in Baku.
In accordance with the Presidential Order, the funds will be allocated from the President's Reserve Fund to Baku Mayor's Office.
August 6, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an executive order on establishment of modern multi-field clinic - the Health Ministry's Baku Health Center.
Under the presidential order, AZN 5 million will be allocated from the President`s reserve fund to the Health Ministry for construction of the Center.
Elections
Today's meeting of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan has addressed the issue of re-formation of the commission on delimitation of constituencies.
According to the law, the commission should be reorganized, and the chairman of the commission should become the new deputy chairman of the CEC, said CEC Secretary Natig Mammadov. The commission will include representatives of the State Committee for Land and Cartography, the Executive Power of Baku City, the Centre for work with municipalities of the Ministry of Justice, the organization department of the CEC and the "Elections" information center.
At the meeting, changes were made to the composition of several district election commissions.
The parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for Nov. 7, 2010. Previous parliamentary elections were held in November 2005. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are conducted by the majority system in 125 constituencies.
According to Mammadov, the mostly the procedure for nomination of candidates for parliamentary elections to be held this year were simplified. All documents for registration of candidates after the nomination of their candidates were prepared, said the official representative of the CEC.
Foreign policy
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received copies of credentials of Moldovan new ambassador to Azerbaijan Igor Bodyu, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
Handing over a copy of his credentials to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, new ambassador noted the great potential for cooperation between the two countries in many spheres.
Bodyu expressed willingness to exert all efforts for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador with his appointment and wished him success in his activity.
Switzerland will always support all the important efforts aimed at the sustainable development of Azerbaijan, Swiss ambassador to Azerbaijan Alan Gidetti said at a ceremony celebrating the Independence Day of the Swiss Confederation in Baku on August 2.
"Over 19 years of diplomatic relations, strong friendships has been established between our two countries and political, economic and cultural ties have been strengthened to a large extent," said Gidetti.
According to him, the energy sector is the most perspective for the development of cooperation between the two countries. Switzerland supports the delivery of Azerbaijani gas across Europe, and particularly supports the Trans-Adriatic pipeline project. The project envisages the delivery of Azerbaijani gas at favorable conditions, both economically and technically.
In addition, the Swiss Holcim Company is the first foreign investor in non-energy sector of Azerbaijan, the ambassador said.
In his turn, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Garayev conveyed to ambassador the personal congratulations of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, noting that in recent years, the relations between the two countries have entered a new stage of development. Switzerland is also actively involved in tourism development in Azerbaijan.
The problem with getting visas for Azerbaijanis to visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been completely solved, Azerbaijani ambassador to United Arab Emirates Elkhan Gahramanov told Trend.
The Azerbaijani Embassy in United Arab Emirates (UAE) delivered a note to the Foreign Ministry of this country in connection with the failure to provide Azerbaijani men, wishing to visit the UAE, with visas, ambassador told Trend over phone from Abu Dhabi.
The male population of Azerbaijan aged 18-60 during the last few days fail to get a visa to visit Dubai (UAE). The UAE authorities refuse from giving visas to Azerbaijani travel agencies, working in this area of the world, without any explanation, some Azerbaijani tour agencies told Trend.
The reason was some technical problems that have already been solved, Gahramanov said.
From today, all citizens of Azerbaijan can freely apply for visas at travel agencies, diplomat said.
The government of the United Arab Emirates plans to introduce a new simplified system for foreigners to get visas in 2011, head of the first Dubai International Airport terminal Waled Ahmed said at a press conference.
"Thanks to a new Mobile visa system, foreigners will be able to make a request for a visa through the Internet without applying to the tour operators", Ahmed said.
Visiting the official website of the government of Dubai and filling in the electronic form, a person will receive an electronic version of the visa via an e-mail or a mobile phone. Upon arrival at Dubai airport, an electronic version will be submitted to immigration authorities, who will give the original visa after confirmation, official said.
Dubai intends to carry out the procedure to scan retina - one of the main requirements for entry into the territory of the emirate and the procedure for obtaining a visa in the same institution. It will shorten the time for issuing permits for entry, he said.
Dubai's immigration office created a special e-mail address given the increasing number of invalid visas. Using this e-mail everyone can verify the legitimacy of visas or temporary residence permit. Special section on verification of legitimacy of visas has been created on the website www.amer.ae, he said.
Dubai is interested in increasing the flow of immigrants from all countries, including Azerbaijan, so that all issues relating to obtaining visas, are considered carefully. Some people failed to get visas. It was connected with the fact that some travel agencies provide incomplete information to Dubai Immigration Service, which is thoroughly checked in security purposes, " he said.
Azerbaijani Consul General in Tabriz, Ali Alizade has today met with the head of Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Ahmed Alirza Beygi and handed his credentials, the FARS agency reported.
During the meeting Beygi said that East Azarbaijan Province and Azerbaijan have common language and religion, and this community creates the basis for the further development of relations between the two countries.
He stressed that cancellation of visa regime for Iranian nationals by the Azerbaijani side is very important to facilitate citizens' travel from one country to another. "This issue is very important for us. The Azerbaijani citizens come to Iran without a visa, these conditions must be created also for Iranian citizens," Beygi said.
He invited the Azerbaijani investors to invest in Tabriz. "Very good conditions for business have been created in Tehran, we provide benefits to investors, and invite the Azerbaijani investors to invest in this city," Beygi said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order appointing Ali Alizadeh the consul general of Azerbaijan in Tabriz city of Iran July 6. He replaced on this post Aykhan Suleymanov.
Alizade said at the meeting that Consulate General will expand its activity in Tabriz and provide consular services to Iranian citizens at high level. "We will provide high quality consular services to Tabriz's population, in general Iranian citizens," he said.
He also invited Iran's East Azerbaijan Province head to visit Baku and Nakhchivan.
Foreign ministers of Turkic-speaking countries came together in a meeting which took place in Bodrum town of the western Turkish province of Mugla on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who held a joint press conference with foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan - Elmar Mammadyarov, Kanat Saudabayev and Ruslan Kazakbayev, said that the cooperation among countries of Turkish world would be institutionalized.
He expressed hope that a permanent Turkish World Council Secretariat would be shaped in Istanbul during this year's Turkic-speaking countries summit.
Davutoglu noted that the Turkish world countries would be in solidarity thanks to the secretariat.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told a press conference that he discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with his Turkish counterpart, Turk.net reported.
"Turkey is highly respected in the international arena, and therefore I believe that Ahmet bey will take very useful initiatives in the Karabakh settlement", Mammadyarov said.
Azerbaijan actively opposed terrorist organizations, the U.S. State Department's report "Country reports on terrorism 2009" prepared by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism under the U.S. State Department said.
Europe and Eurasia Overview chapter says that European countries continued to enhance their abilities to combat the threat from terrorism by strengthening counterterrorism legislation, improving multilateral cooperation, and prosecuting and jailing terrorist suspects, said in the U.S. State Department's report.
The part of the report describing situation in Azerbaijan says: "Azerbaijan actively opposed terrorist organizations seeking to move people, money, and material through the Caucasus. The country stepped up efforts and has had some success in reducing the presence of terrorist facilitators and hampering their activities. At the end of 2009, Azerbaijan demonstrated an increasing level of seriousness and urgency in taking steps to combat terrorist financing, and is proceeding with efforts to implement its law on anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing (AML/CTF) and to establish a Financial Investigative Unit (FIU).
"Azerbaijan has granted blanket overflight clearance, engaged in information sharing and law-enforcement cooperation, and has approved numerous landings and refueling operations at Baku's civilian airport in support of U.S. and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) military operations in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan maintained 90 soldiers in Afghanistan and cooperated with ISAF in medical and social services and civilian capacity-building," the report says.
Political movements
In Azerbaijan, the opposition Union for Democracy refuses to hold rallies.
The issue of rallies remained open at a regular meeting of the Council of Chairmen of the Union for Democracy, the chairman of the opposition Azadlyg Party and the electoral headquarters of the Union, Ahmed Oruj told Trend on August 2.
"There is no need to repeat actions, which do not give effects," said Oruj.
Recently the Azerbaijani opposition parties have attempted to hold unsanctioned actions. The Baku City Executive Power defined several places for holding mass actions. The available places are stadium at Sahil avenue of Garadagh district, stadium in front of Trust "Azneftgeofizika" in Sabunchi district, the stadium named after Tofig Ismayilov in Surakhani district and stadium of 3155th quarter in Yasamal district, as well as Turkani settlement of Azizbeyov region, the area opposite the cinema "Tabriz" in the Nizami district and opposite the Ulduz metro station in the Narimanov district.
According to party chairman, the meeting of the Council of Chairmen also covered possible formats for the participation of the opposition in the upcoming parliamentary elections, the public-political situation in the country and the challenges ahead.
The parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for Nov. 7, 2010. Previous parliamentary elections were held in November 2005. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are held by the majority system in 125 constituencies
If Azerbaijan Classic Popular Front Party (ACPFP) gains a small number of seats at the parliament, it will not refuse the mandate, ACPFP chairman Mirmahmud Miralioghlu told Trend.
"It is wrong to repeat this practice. Even let this step not give the desired effect. As a man experiencing it, I think that it is not necessary to repeat it," said Miralioghlu.
After the 2000 parliamentary elections, gaining a small number of seats, the opposition withdrew from its mandate, Miralioghlu said. A similar step was taken in the 2005 parliamentary elections by head of the Azerbaijan Liberal Party, Lale Shovket.
According Miralioghlu, at this stage to take such a step would be wrong.
"I do not believe that this could repeat after the current parliamentary elections. Each time brings its own rules and requirements. In these elections we will not give up the mandate. Let the step taken in 2000 turn for us as a great harm. I think that there is no need to repeat it," said the ACPFP chairman.
Azerbaijani opposition Civil Solidarity Party (CSP) will be presented by young people in the parliamentary elections, head of the CSP organizational department Samir Asadli told Trend.
"The number of candidates has been defined. CSP will nominate candidates from 72 constituencies in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The candidates from 50 constituencies have already been clarified. Basically they are representatives of youth," said Asadli.
According to the CSP representative, the party also intends to cooperate with other opposition forces in the country on the eve of the elections.
"Negotiations are conducted with other opposition parties. Perhaps the candidates support center will be organized on the eve of elections," said Asadli.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party is the most powerful party in the parliamentary elections scheduled for autumn, Fazil Gazanfaroglu, chairman of Great Establishment Party told Trend.
"Now in Azerbaijan the most powerful party is the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, so we [Great Establishment Party], Unified Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and the Adalet party consider the ruling party as the main competitor of the bloc created by us. The other parties are not competitors for us," Gazanfaroglu said.
The party's chairman spoke about a block, which will be created soon.
"Preparatory works are underway to establish the bloc. All the documents have been already prepared. At present, coordination of candidates on electoral districts is considered. After the agreement reached on this issue the public will be informed about the establishment of the block in the near future " Gazanfaroglu said.
A chairman may be re-elected at the next congress of Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, Azerbaijan Popular Front Party deputy chairman Nureddin Mammadli told Trend.
"It is difficult to make predictions about whether Ali Kerimli will be re-elected. Azerbaijan Popular Front Party is the democratic organization. Any member of the party is entitled to nominate his candidacy and act for his claim to be considered. A new chairman may be chosen. It will be clarified during the Congress, " Mammadli said.
Mammadli touched on other issues to be discussed at the congress.
"New structures will be formed at the congress. Representatives of the Supreme Council of the party elected by the Congress will be approved. Decisions will be made related to the socio-political situation in the country, etc.", Mammadli said.
Azerbaijan Popular Front Party deputy chairman clarified the issue of unification with the Musavat Party.
"If the idea of creating a single party with Musavat is realized, then we will make a decision to merge the party. If the question is not resolved, we will have to postpone discussion of this issue at the next meeting, Mammadli said.
Head of the Musavat Party Isa Gambar voiced the initiative of uniting with the Popular Front Party July 15 at the event on the 21-st anniversary of the Popular Front Party. The two organizations are negotiating on this issue.
Unification of Azerbaijani opposition at this stage is impossible, chairman of the opposition Umid Party Igbal Aghazadeh told Trend on August 6.
"At this stage, the difference in opinions prevents the unification of the opposition. Political organizations that have single opinion can unite. Meanwhile, the opposition parties in Azerbaijan do not think similar. The politicians have brought their personal relationships to the political processes. As a result, they can not unite," said Aghazadeh.
Unification is possible only after the parliamentary elections, Aghazadeh said.
"Different or the expected unification of the opposition parties in Azerbaijan will be possible only after the elections. After the parliamentary elections, a new period will begin for the Azerbaijani opposition. The opposition parties will understand what the real struggle means and understand the philosophy to struggle," said Aghazadeh.
According to Aghazadeh, the problem of unification is not priority for the Umid Party.
"Negotiations are conducted with a number of opposition parties, but the issue is not priority for Umid Party in advance of the parliamentary elections. The priority is party's independent participation in the elections," said Aghazadeh.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Aug.1, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the Alibeyli village in the Tovuz region from positions outside the Mosegerkh village in the Armenian Berd region at 21:45-21:55 Aug.1;
from positions in the Berkaber village in the Idjevan region of Armenia to Azerbaijani troops in the Gizil Hajili village in the Gazakh region at 23:20-23:30;
from positions outside Ashagi Abdulrahmanli village in the Fuzuli region at 17:40-17:45;
from positions in the nameless heights in the Dashkesan region at 18:30-19:20;
from positions in the nameless heights outside the Kuropatkino village in the Khojavend region at 10:00-10:15, 21:50-22:00, 22:00-22:15 and 23:30-00:00;
Aug.2, from positions outside the Saridjali village in Agdam region at 00:50-01:00; from positions outside the Goyarkh village in the Tartar region at 03:15-03:25, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
Azerbaijan fails to join the UN Cluster Munitions Convention now, the Foreign Ministry arms control department specialist Elchin Huseynli said during a round-table-meeting organized by the public association "Azerbaijani campaign against mines".
"Azerbaijani territories - Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions are under occupation. Therefore, Azerbaijan can not join the UN Cluster Munitions Convention now. Azerbaijan supports the convention. But the country has to avoid joining this convention till its territory is under occupation. At the same time, Azerbaijan welcomes the initiatives in this direction, " Huseynli said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the complete elimination of cluster munitions is one of the biggest challenges of the world community in XXI century. He said that since 2007 Azerbaijan has been participating as an observer in all conferences within the Oslo process.
"Azerbaijan takes the humanitarian principles of disarmament as a basis. Our country has joined the Nuclear Weapons Convention and other similar documents", Huseynli said.
The UN Cluster Munitions Convention entered into force August 1, this year, chairman of the public association "Azerbaijani campaign against landmines" Hafiz Safihanov said.
Safihanov said that cluster weapons were created and used during the Korean War. A coalition was formed against cluster weapons in 2003. The international community has begun to work to ban such weapons at the initiative of the Norwegian government.
Cluster munitions were banned at the talks in Oslo, Norway in 2007.
Earlier, Commissioner of the European Council for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, has called for Azerbaijan's and Armenia's joining the convention banning cluster munitions.
Monitoring on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops took place without incident.
Monitoring was held on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces outside the Borsunlu village in the Goranboy region of Azerbaijan Aug.3., the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
The monitoring was held on the Azerbaijani side by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative field assistants Antal Herdich and William Pryor.
The monitoring was held on the opposite side, which the international community recognizes as Azerbaijani territory, by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk's field assistants Imre Palatinus and Christo Christov.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence considers distribution of dead soldier of the national army Mubariz Ibrahimov's photos by the Armenian side as a violation of the international law. It call this fact the next demonstration of the Armenians' duplicity, deputy head of the press-service for the Azerbaijani defense ministry, Teymur Abdullayev told Trend.
As a result of skirmish provoked by Armenian armed forces June 18, four Armenian servicemen were killed and four wounded. A soldier of Azerbaijani National Army Mubariz Ibrahimov was killed. His body was in a neutral territory.
"The international organizations are likely to take control of the issue with photos and intensify the investigation," Abdullayev said.
He said that the Azerbaijani side will continue to make efforts to return Ibrahimov's body and mobilize all efforts.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent an appeal to the Armenian government demanding to return soldier Mubariz Ibrahimov's body. But Yerevan officially stated that the body of the killed soldier was not in the territory of the country.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to confer posthumous title of "National Hero" upon Ibrahimov July 22.
Aug.2, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from positions outside Sarijali and Shikhlar villages in the Agdam region at 23:20-23:40, from positions in the nameless heights and outside the Ashagi Abdulrakhmanli, Gorgan villages in the Agdam region at 22:50-22:55 and 04:50-05:20 Aug.3, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
Aug.3, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from positions in the nameless heights in the Khojavend region at 19.30-19.50 and 20.00-20.20, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
About 3,035,564 square meters of Azerbaijani territory was cleared from mines and unexploded ammunition last month, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) told Trend.
As a result of operations about 3,887 mines and unexploded ammunition were found and neutralized. In July, about 22 anti-tank and four anti-personnel mines were found.
About 425 experts participated and 115 assistants, as well as the six mechanical demining machines and 30 mine-detection dogs participated in the operations.
The agency cleared 138,462,505 square meters of land, found and neutralized 621,964 mines and unexploded ammunition.
ANAMA operates in Agdam, Agstafa, Beylagan, Gadabay, Goranboy, Gay-Gel, Tartar, Fuzuli and Karadag regions of Baku.
According to the Beylagan district executive power, operations are held to clean the territory of a plant. Operations are conducted by ANAMA immediate response group according to international standards for mine clearance.
As a result of blast in dumps, located on the territory of a juice plant in 1994, the factory building was destroyed, and numerous mines and ammunition remained under the rubble.
Landmine explosion was not registered in the country in July.
On August 5, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the positions in the Paravakar village of Armenian Izhevan region in Kehne Kishlak village of Agstafa region at 00:40-00:55.
The shots were fired from the positions near the village Kuropatkino in the territory of Hojavand region at 11:20-11:25 August 4; near the villages Garakhanbayli and Ashagi Abdulrahmanli in Fizuli region at 14:30-14:40 and 21:30-21:40; near the villages Garagashli and Sarijali in Agdam region at 22:55-23:05 and 22:50-23:15; near the villages Geyarh, Chayli and Seysulan in Terter region at 22:35-22:55 and 23:45-00:05, August 5 at 00:20-01:10, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
Azerbaijan National Independence Party (NIPA) has sent an appeal to the International Democratic Union (IDU), which unites more than 80 center-right parties from 65 countries, regarding returning the dead body of the Azerbaijani National Hero Mubariz Ibrahimov, the press service of the party told Trend.
The ANIP appeal requests the governments represented amongst the members of the IDU to prevent the actions of Armenia in violation of principles of international law and exert influence on it in order to return the dead body of serviceman of the national army of Azerbaijan Mubariz Ibrahimov.
Azerbaijani Armed Forces ensign Ibrahimov Mubariz showed heroism in an armed incident at the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops June 18, killing four and wounding four Armenian servicemen.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to confer posthumous title of "National Hero" upon Ibrahimov July 22.
Aug.6, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from positions in the nameless heights in the Fizuli region at 14:30-15:05 and 00:35-01:40 Aug.7, from positions near the Ashagi Abdulrahmanli and Gorgan villages, from positions outside the Chayli village in the Tartar region at 01:20-01:35, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.