April 18
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today received the Latvian delegation led by Minister of Internal Affairs Linda Murniece .
An official welcoming ceremony was held for President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, who was on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Following the official welcoming ceremony, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Romanian President Traian Băsescu held a private meeting, the official website of the Azerbaijani President said.
Successful development of Azerbaijan-Romanian bilateral relations in various fields, including the political, economic, energy and humanitarian spheres and importance of high-level mutual visits were highlighted during the meeting. The Presidents expressed assurance in further development of relations between the two states.
Azerbaijan and Romania have signed several bilateral documents following an expanded format meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Romanian President Traian Basescu .
Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Traian Basescu of Romania signed a Joint Action Plan on implementation of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Romania.
Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Ismat Abbasov and Romanian Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment Ion Ariton signed an agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania.
Azerbaijani Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev and Romanian Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment Ion Ariton signed an agreement on cooperation between the ministries of Health of Azerbaijan and Romania in the healthcare sphere and medical sciences.
Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and State Secretary of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doru Costea signed a protocol on cooperation between the ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Romania.
Following the completion of a ceremony of signing Azerbaijani-Romanian documents on Monday, a ceremony was conducted to present the highest medals to the President of Romania Traian Basescu and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the official website of the Azerbaijani President reported.
On April 18, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the Order on awarding President of Romania Traian Basescu, who is on official visit to Azerbaijan, with the "Heydar Aliyev" Order.
President of Romania has been awarded with the highest Order of Azerbaijan "for special merits in development of relations of friendship and cooperation between Romania and the Azerbaijan Republic".
"Mr. President, You are awarded with the "Heydar Aliyev" Order, which is the highest award of the Azerbaijani State," President Ilham Aliyev said at the ceremony.
President Traian Basescu announced a decision taken to award the Head of the Azerbaijani State with the rank Grand Cross of the Romanian National Order for Loyal Service. He said that this is a high award. Traian Basescu said that President Ilham Aliyev became the second head of state to be awarded with such an award.
Romanian President Traian Basescu today has met with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade . The two exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today hosted an official dinner in honor of President of Romania Traian Basescu , who is on a visit to Baku, the official website of the Azerbaijani President reported.
Heads of State made speeches at the dinner.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an Executive Order on awarding Vitaly Ignatenko with the "Dostlug" (Friendship) Order, the official website of the Azerbaijani President reported.
The General Director of ITAR-TASS has been awarded with this high Order of Azerbaijan for special merits in strengthening of cooperation and mutual relations between the Azerbaijan Republic and the Russian Federation in the field of information.
April 19
As part of his official visit to Azerbaijan, Romanian President Traian Basescu has visited the Honorary Cemetery and revered the memory of Azerbaijani national leader, architect and creator of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at his grave.
The memory of the scholar-ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva was also revered and flowers were laid at her grave.
The Romanian President also visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. A guard of honor was lined up.
The Romanian President laid a wreath at the monument "Eternal Flame".
The orchestra of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has performed the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Romania.
The Romanian President also viewed Baku from the highest point.
Azerbaiajni President Ilham Aliyev has today received former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, CEO of VAE Controls Group Mirek Topolanek, the official website of the Azerbaijani President said.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today credentials of newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine Alexander Mishenko.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, General Erdal Ceylanoglu, Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
Azerbaijan 's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to award Nariman Hasanzadeh the Sharaf Order ("Honor") for his merits in the development of Azerbaijani culture.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory message to Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres as his country is celebrating its national holiday, the Independence Day.
"I hope development of friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Israel will always serve interests of our peoples".
President Ilham Aliyev wished Shimon Peres robust health and successes in his activity, and the friendly people of Israel peace and prosperity.
Azerbaijan 's President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on measures to accelerate the socio-economic development of Astara, Masalli and Salyan districts.
April 20
President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva held meetings and participated in the activities within the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Paris
"Contemporary works of the Land of Fires - Azerbaijan" opened in Paris on April 18. Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand in the Egvo hotel located on the historic Vendome square, where the exhibition was held.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited today Badamdar settlement of Sabail district over on-site inspection of what have been done thus far to implement instructions that the Head of State gave with respect to socio-economic development of suburban settlements of Azerbaijan's capital, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
Head of Baku City Executive Power Office Hajibala Abutalybov informed the Head of State about the work done.
The President was told that parks and circles in the district was overhauled and house of culture, kindergarten, policlinic № 15, school № 236 were reconstructed and a new building was built for electrical network. Inter-settlement roads in the district are being repaired. Some 18 thousand square meters of the roads got a new asphalt cover.
Then, President Ilham Aliyev met residents.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on measures to speed up the socio-economic development of the Badamdar settlement of Sabail district of Baku.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today Lithuanian delegation led by Interior Minister Raimundas Palaitis.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on Gubadali Rzayev's early release from his post of judge of the Imishli district court because of the repeated violation of legal requirements in proceedings.
The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to appoint Namik Aliyev the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Moldova.
Upon another Presidential order, Namik Aliyev was recalled from his post of the Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia.
Azerbaijani President has also signed an order to appoint Azer Huseynov the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Georgia.
Upon another Presidential order, Azer Huseynov was recalled from his post of the Azerbaijani ambassador to Japan.
Upon Presidential order, Isfandiyar Vahabzadeh was appointed the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Belarus.
Under another Presidential order, Isfandiyar Vahabzadeh was recalled from his post of the Azerbaijani ambassador to Moldova.
Azerbaijani President has also signed an order to recall Ali Nagiyev from his post of the Azerbaijani ambassador to Belarus and the country's plenipotentiary with the statutory and other bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on the preparation of draft Concept to refer the work at educational and health institutions, financed from the Public budget, to a special form of public service.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on the publication of the National Atlas of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
April 21
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to appoint Asif Mammadov the head of Shamakhi district executive power, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
Upon another Presidential order, Mammadov was released from his post of the head of Balaken district executive power.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has also signed an order to appoint Nazim Ismayilov the head of Sabirabad district executive power.
Upon another Presidential order, Ismayilov was released from his post of the head of Shamakhi district executive power.
Under another presidential order, Heydar Abbasov was released from his post of the head of Sabirabad district executive power.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has approved the Agreement on Development of Multimodal Transport TRACECA , signed June 16, 2009 in Cholpon-Ata.
In addition, President Ilham Aliyev approved the Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Latvia in preventing and eliminating emergencies and the joint declaration between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Latvia.
Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev has received a group of the youth and representatives of student youth organizations who succeeded in different areas.
April 22
President Ilham Aliyev received President of the EuroNest Assembly, member of the European Parliament, Kristian Vigenin.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev made Easter congratulations to the Orthodox Church community of Azerbaijan.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to render financial assistance to people who participated in eliminating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and who suffered as a result of the accident.
Political movements
April 18
The Azerbaijan National Independence Party ( ANIP ) has left the so-called Public Chamber. The decision was taken at a meeting of the ANIP political council.
In addition, the political council released a statement at the meeting.
The so-called Public Chamber has only been involved in the conduct of rallies and has not been pursuing goals it set up since it was established, the ANIP press service told Trend. As a result, no unity of a wide spectrum of the opposition occurred, the work of regional offices became a matter of second importance, and no proper work on involvement of nonpartisans was carried out, according to the statement.
"The aim was only to stage rallies in unsanctioned places", the statement reads.
Proceeding from the aforesaid, the ANIP Political Council claims the so-called Public Chamber failed to fulfill its task.
20 апреля
The opposition Citizens and Development Party (CDP) creates new organizations.
The importance of forming women's organization and council of elders in the party, as well as expansion of the youth organization's activity were needs emphasized at a new staff meeting of the party's political council, the Citizens and Development Party said.
At the meeting responsibilities were divided among the political council members to coordinate the activities of local organizations in Baku and in rural areas.
Foreign policy
April 19
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Arthur Rasizade is to represent Azerbaijan at the fundraising conference for Chernobyl projects and also at the summit on safe and innovative uses of nuclear energy. Both conferences will be held in Kiev on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Azerbaijani embassy in Ukraine told Trend.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has praised Azerbaijani Ambassador Ali Nagiyev's contribution to the development of the countries' mutual cooperation, BELTA informed.
"Your stay in Belarus as the Azerbaijani ambassador has been very productive in terms of establishing trade and economic relations, as well as creating joint ventures in Azerbaijan," Lukashenko at the meeting with Nagiyev.
Azerbaijani ambassador to the UK Fakhraddin Gurbanov met with entrepreneurs in London on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Central Asia and Southern Caucasus Association (CASCA) , the embassy said.
In his speech, Gurbanov gave detailed information on Azerbaijan's development and achievements after regaining independence, improving the business environment and the reforms that have great importance for the development of Azerbaijan's economic relations with the UK, as well as for prospects for further cooperation.
Azerbaijan is dissatisfied with the position of the European Union's (EU) officials, who clearly and openly do not support the country's territorial integrity, European Parliament members' illegal visits to Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied by Armenia, and lack of any official reaction by EU to these visits.
"Azerbaijan's ambassador to Poland, Hasan Hasanov voiced position of Baku during hearings of the Polish Seim's Standing Committee on the Eastern Partnership program", the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
Hasanov stressed Armenia's responsibility in the existence of about one million refugees and IDPs as a result of this country's aggressive policy toward Azerbaijan and its people's plight.
He said the Azerbaijani President will attend the next summit of the Eastern Partnership member countries, to be held in Warsaw in September. This visit will give impetus to Azerbaijan's integration into the EU and raise Azerbaijani-Polish relations to a higher level.
April 20
Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia signed a protocol on exchanging the ratification documents on the agreement "Protection and encouragement of investments" between the two countries.
The protocol was signed by deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov and ambassador of Saudi Arabia Fahd bin Ali al- Dusari, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said.
They also discussed bilateral relations, including economic ties between the two countries.
April 21
The U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza today concluded a two-day visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic that included meetings with officials, civil society representatives and a visit to Sadarak to see border-crossing improvements funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. "Nakhchivan plays an important role in modern Azerbaijan," said Ambassador Bryza, "and it was helpful to exchange views with Chairman Talibov, Nakhchivan State University Rector Habibbayli and civil society leaders and to gain a deeper understanding of the Autonomous Republic's ancient history.
We are collaborating with Nakhchivanis on a range of border security, democracy-strengthening, and education projects, including archaeology, and we seek to do more," said the Ambassador.
On his first official trip outside Baku in his current position, Ambassador Bryza sought to travel to Djulfa to investigate the cemetery where Armenian Khachkars were reportedly destroyed in 2005.
April 22
Azerbaijan calls upon all six member states to uphold Belarus' right for full participation in the EURONEST, Chairman of the Azeri parliamentary permanent committee for legal policy and nation-building, head of the Azeri parliamentary delegation to the EURONEST Ali Huseinov told media in Minsk on April 21.
Baku has today hosted a roundtable to mull joint activities of Azerbaijan and Turkey to expose the lies about "Armenian genocide". The political parties' leaders, Azerbaijani MPs, scientists, representatives of the diplomatic missions have attended the discussion.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari 's visit to Azerbaijan has been postponed, Iraqi Ambassador to Azerbaijan Haydar al-Barrak told Trend on Friday.
Azerbaijan 's Ambassador to Jordan Elman Arasly told Trend yesterday that Zebari was scheduled to visit Azerbaijan on April 28.
The visit should have taken place upon the invitation of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov.
The FMs planned to examine their ties during the visit.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
April 18
On April 17, the Armenian armed forces opened fire from the positions in the Paravakar village in the Idjevan region of Armenia at the Azerbaijani troops in the nameless heights in the Azerbaijani Agstafa region at 09:30-09:40, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions outside the Ashagi Seyidahmadli village in the Fuzuli region at 18.20-18.45 and 00.30-00.40 on April 18, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
On April 18, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from the positions in the nameless heights in the Goygol region at 18.51-19.05, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions outside the Chayli village in the Tartar region at 21.00- 21.15, from positions outside the Ashagi Veysalli village and nameless heights in the Fuzuli region at 21.20-21.30 and 21.30-21.40, from positions outside the Garagashli village in the Agdam region at 23.30-23.45, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
April 19
Azerbaijani servicemen were seriously wounded as a result of a ceasefire violation by the Armenian Armed Forces from positions outside the Kurapatkino village in the Khojavand region, Azerbaijani Deputy Defense Ministry Spokesman Teymur Abdullayev told Trend today.
Twenty-year-old Fazil Abdullayev and twenty-one-year-old Elshan Isfandiyar were injured as a result, Abdullayev said.
April 21
The U.S. and OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs attest that Azerbaijan does not intend to shoot down civilian aircrafts, the Voice of America quotes the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Philip Gordon , as saying.
"The U.S. previously voiced its clear position on this matter. Threats on destroying civilian aircrafts are unacceptable," Gordon said while commenting on Armenia's intentions to carry out flights to Azerbaijan's occupied territories.
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov said Azerbaijan will not use force against civilian targets.
Armenia has no right to operate the airport in Khankendi, built in the Azerbaijani occupied territories. This contradicts all international conventions and will not be allowed by any international organizations, including an influential organization such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), AZAL spokesman Maharram Safarli said earlier.
Azerbaijan has already informed the organization about the carrying out of inadmissible flights from this airport.
On April 21, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from the positions in the Gorgan, Garakhanbeyli and Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages in the Azerbaijani Fuzuli region at 01.00-01.10, 02.00-02.15 and 04.20-04.30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported .
On April 21, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from the positions outside Garakhanbeyli, Ashagi Abdulrahmanli and Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages in the Azerbaijani Fuzuli region at 11:50-11:55, 00:10-00:20 and 00:20-00:30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
April 22
Azerbaijani servicemen were seriously wounded as a result of a ceasefire violation by the Armenian Armed Forces from positions outside the Kurapatkino village in the Khojavand region, Azerbaijani Deputy Defense Ministry Spokesman Teymur Abdullayev told Trend today.
Twenty-year-old Fazil Abdullayev and twenty-one-year-old Elshan Isfandiyar were injured as a result, Abdullayev said.