Official chronicle
May 23
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today Kazakhstan's permanent delegate to UNESCO, poet and writer Oljas Suleimenov, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
The Head of State congratulated Suleimenov on his 75th birthday and wished him successes and robust health.
According to the President, Suleimenov is popular in Azerbaijan and his activity is highly appreciated in the country.
President Ilham Aliyev presented the "Dostluq" (Friendship) order to Suleimenov for his contributions to popularize the Azerbaijani culture in the world.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on some measures in the sphere of provision of e-services by state agencies.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to appoint Elkhan Usubov the head of Sheki city executive power, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
Upon another Presidential order, Usubov was dismissed from his post of head of Agstafa district executive power.
Under another Presidential order, Murad Jabbarli was dismissed from his post of head of Sheki city executive power.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today Iranian deputy foreign minister Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheybani.
May 24
During a meeting at the Mayor's Office of Baku dedicated to socioeconomic development of suburban settlements of the capital, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan had issued instructions concerning landscaping and improvement work in villages and settlements. In order to examine progress in the implementation of the said instructions on the ground, the head of state has visited different settlements. President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the work under way in the Shuvalan and Sabunchu suburban settlements of the capital on 24 May
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Argentine Republic Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the occasion of the country's national holiday.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein on the occasion of the country's Independence Day.
May 25
President Ilham Aliyev received World Bank's Regional Director for the South Caucasus Asad Alam .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of congratulation to the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili .
"On my behalf and on behalf of the Azerbaijani people, I congratulate you and all your people on the national holiday of your country - the Day of restoration of the state independence.
Aliyev wished Saakashvili good health, happiness and success in his activities, and the friendly people of Georgia - peace and prosperity.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on additional measures to improve road and transport infrastructure of the Sabirabad district, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
May 26
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has inaugurated a Ziver bey Ahmedbeyov park today here.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to appoint Galib Israfilov the permanent representative of Azerbaijan to the Vienna office of UN, OSCE, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, IAEA and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to pardon a number of imprisoned persons, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
The order pardoned 70 people sentenced to imprisonment, 10 people sentenced to limitation of freedom, two people sentenced to the punishment as correctional work, six people sentenced to punishment in form of fine.
Upon the Presidential order, the period of limitation of freedom of two people sentenced to limitation of freedom has reduced by half.
Those pardoned also include the former editor-in-chief of "Real Azerbaijan" and "Günd ə lik Az ə rbaycan" newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today a British delegation led by Mark Field, chairman of the UK-Azerbaijan parliamentary group, member of the Conservative Party and Intelligence and Security Committee from the Cities of London and Westminster.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to recall Azerbaijan's ambassador to Tajikistan Maharram Aliyev.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received today credentials of newly appointed Ambassador of Serbia to Azerbaijan Zoran Vayovich.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev receives congratulations from world leaders on Azerbaijan's national holiday - Republic Day, the Azerbaijani President's official website reported.
"With feelings of great satisfaction, I convey to Your Excellency and the Azerbaijani people congratulations on your country's national holiday - the Republic Day and wish the further strengthening of friendly ties between our peoples for more prosperous future," says the message by the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Elizabeth II.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany Christian Wulff said in his congratulatory message that his country will continue to make efforts to strengthen friendly ties and expand cooperation with Azerbaijan.
"Along with economic interests, primarily in the energy sector, we intend to continue our political dialogue on values and rights. These topics cover the negotiations on the Association Agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan within the Eastern Partnership, in which Germany takes an active part. I wish you successes, the Azerbaijani people - peace, stability and prosperity," says the message by Christian Wulff.
On behalf of the people and Government of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud conveyed to Ilham Aliyev the most sincere congratulations, wished health and happiness and to brotherly people of Azerbaijan - progress and prosperity.
"At a time when the Republic of Azerbaijan celebrates national holiday, I am pleased to convey to Your Excellency my sincere wishes to your Republic and the Azerbaijani people. Yes, God will appreciate the efforts of everyone who is competently and generously trying in the common interests to ensuring peace and stability in your country. God bless Your Excellency, the population of your country, its political leaders, as well as all citizens," says the message by Pope Benedict XVI.
"On behalf of the people of India, I am pleased to congratulate you and the Azerbaijani people on the national holiday of your country on May 28 - Republic Day. Our relations are based on close historical and cultural ties, as well as mutual aspiration for peace and development. I hope for further development covering various spheres of bilateral relations for the welfare of our peoples. I wish you good health and prosperity, the Azerbaijani people - happiness and prosperity. Your Excellency, I express you the highest respect," says the message by the President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
The Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed Ilham Aliyev the most cordial congratulations. "On this glad day, we cordially share the feelings of pride, happiness and gladness that the Azerbaijani people rightfully feel. Based on the unbreakable foundations, the ancient and eternal relations between the two countries are rapidly developing by drawing strength in the historic love of our peoples. The indestructible Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are developing with joint efforts and serve as a model in our Eurasian geography. We are developing bilateral cooperation and strong solidarity based on the mutual interests so that they contribute to peace and stability in our region. I am confident that this example of cooperation will prevail throughout the Caucasus region and our efforts will surely give positive results. Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health and happiness, and convey the best wishes of welfare and stability to the fraternal Azerbaijani people," says the message by the Prime Minister of Turkey.
The Federal President of Austria Heinz Fischer conveyed Ilham Aliyev the best wishes of personal well-being, the Azerbaijani people - a happy future.
King of the Belgians Albert II and President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic conveyed the President and people of Azerbaijan cordial congratulations and wished prosperity and welfare.
Serbian President Boris Tadic expressed confidence that the Azerbaijani president's upcoming official visit to the Republic of Serbia will create a good opportunity to continue dialogue, contribute to intensifying multilateral relations between the two countries based on friendship between states and peoples.
The President of Azerbaijan also received congratulations from the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Yong Nam, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Secretary General of CIS Council of Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Mikhail Krotov, President of the Republic of Hungary Pal Schmitt, President of Ireland Mary McAleese, King Harald V of Norway, Supreme Head of Malaysia Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, President of the Republic of Portugal Anibal Cavaco Silva, President of the Algerian People's Democratic Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the United Mexican States Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel Suleiman, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva, Chairman of the Interstate Aviation Committee Tatyana Anodina and others.
May 27
President Ilham Aliyev visited the monument raised as a tribute to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on Istiglaliyyat Street of Baku on the Republic Day.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received Deputy Chairman of the Russian Fedration`s Government, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on organizing the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Azerbaijan.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on the measures to construct Olympic sport complexes in Absheron and Agjabadi districts.
U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the Republic Day.
Parliament
May 23
Development of inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and the UK are discussed in Baku.
A delegation led by Mark Field , head of UK-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani parliament's spokesman Akif Tavakkuloglu told Trend on Thursday.
During the visit the British delegation will discuss bilateral relations, in particular the development of interparliamentary relations between the two countries.
May 26
The term of the Azerbaijani parliamentary spring session-2011 has been extended, the Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Oktay Asadov said at a meeting.
He said that according to the rules, the last meeting of the spring session was to be held on May 11. But the meeting will be held in June as there are some issues.
May 27
Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Oktay Asadov congratulated MPs and the Azerbaijani people on Republic Day at a parliamentary meeting.
Azerbaijan will strengthen national independence under the leadership of Aliyev. The social welfare of people will improve, Asadov said.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights Rabiyyat Aslanova presented "Agreement on Legal Status of Catholic Church in Azerbaijan between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See" to MPs.
The term of the Azerbaijani parliamentary spring session-2011 has been extended, the Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Oktay Asadov said at a meeting.
He said that according to the rules, the last meeting of the spring session was to be held on May 11. But the meeting will be held in June as there are some issues.
Foreign policy
May 23
Iranian President's Special Envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister for Middle East affairs Mohammad Reza Sheibani is on visit to Baku, Spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan Abbas Isgandari told Trend.
Sheibani plans to discuss issues of bilateral and international cooperation with the Azerbaijani side during his two-day visit, Isgandari said.
May 24
Azerbaijan and Iran will establish a committee on political affairs, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Sheibani Rauf told IRNA.
The committee will be headed by Sheibani from the Iranian side and Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov from the Azerbaijani side.
All the issues in the political sphere between the two countries will be considered and resolved within the activity of the committee, Sheibani said.
Sheibani discussed the issue of establishing the committee with his Azerbaijani counterpart Khalaf Khalafov during the visit to Baku.
The parties also discussed the issue of simplifying the visa regime between Azerbaijan and Iran.
The issue of establishing joint committees in the field of customs and consular issues were discussed at the meeting.
May 25
An Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov paid a visit to Ashgabat, the Turkmen embassy in Azerbaijan reported with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. During the visit, the sides held the Turkmen-Azerbaijani consultations on the Caspian Sea.
The sides noted that issues related to the Caspian Sea are always in the focus of the two friendly countries' leaders.
The sides discussed the current state and prospects of further expansion of the Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
May 26
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister drew attention of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to the importance of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of international legal norms, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said this at the 16th Ministerial Conference of NAM in Bali (Indonesia). The Bali Declaration is expected to be adopted as a result of the conference. It will also reflect the importance of resolving the conflicts peacefully, the foreign ministry said.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings within the participation in the conference.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
May 23
The participation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian community in negotiations can only be ensured after Armenian armed forces leave Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani political scientist, MP Rasim Musabeyov has said today commenting on the statement made by the head of the self-proclaimed "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" Bako Saakian to the Echo of Moscow radio station about the willingness of the Armenian community to participate in the negotiation process.
The Armenian armed forces opened fire from positions outside Ashagi Abdulrahmanli and Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages in the Fuzuli region at 12:55-13:00 and 22:50-22:55 on May 22, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions in the nameless heights in the Goygol region at 21:00- 21:35, from positions outside the Yusifjanli and Javahirli villages in the Agdam region at 21:05-21:15 and 00:10-00:20 on May 23, from positions outside the Giziloba village in the Tartar region at 01:15-01:25, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire.
A soldier of the Azerbaijani National Army Farajov Farid died as a result of violating the ceasefire regime by Armenian armed forces in the direction of the Tartar region.
Armenian snipers opened fire. As a result, the soldier was shot through the neck, Deputy Head of Press- Service of the Defense Ministry Teymur Abdullayev said.
The European Union is concerned on the recent fatal incidents in Nagorno-Karabakh region, the EU said in its official press statement.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton made this statement following the discussions in the EU Council for Foreign Affairs on Monday. The situation in South Caucasus was one of the topics under discussion.
Two Azerbaijani soldiers were killed on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in Nagorno-Karabakh region last weekend. The incident occurred as a result of ceasefire violation by Armenian armed forces.
Fatal incidents periodically take place on the contact line of troops.
The Armenian armed forces opened fire from positions in the nameless heights in the Armenian Krasnoselsk region at the Azerbaijani troops in the nameless heights in the Gadabay region at 13.20-13.40 on May 23, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions in the nameless heights in the Fuzuli region at 18.40-18.50, from positions outside the Chayli village in the Tartar region at 19.45-19.50 and 21.50-22.20 on May 23, from positions outside the Giziloba village in the Tartar region at 01:15-01:25, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire.
May 24
The Armenian armed forces opened fire from positions in the Baremakavan village in the Armenian Noenberyan region at the Azerbaijani troops in the Gaymagli village in the Gazakh region at 17.20-17.38 on May 24, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions outside the Javahirli and Yusifjanli villages in the Agdam region at 23.40-23.50 and 23.50-00.00, from positions outside the Gorgan village in the Fuzuli region at 00.25-00.30, from positions outside the Namirli village in the Tartar region at 00.30-01.20, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire.
May 25
The U.S., Russian and French presidents will make a statement on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the G8 summit in Deauville.
The summit's international agenda includes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.
A joint tripartite declaration is being prepared for the summit, Russian Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko said, RIA Novosti reported.
The European Union is ready to enhance its involvement in solving protracted conflicts, a report titled "A new response to a changing Neighbourhood" presented on May 25 says.
The EU would be ready to step up its involvement in formats where it is not yet represented, e.g. the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the report says.
The EU intends to enhance its support for confidencebuilding and will also continue to oppose border changes brought about through use of military force.
The EU is also ready to develop, together with the relevant international organisations and key partners, post-conflict reconstruction scenarios, the report says.
The Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions outside the Mehdili village in the Jabrayil region at 10.10-10.25 and the nameless heights in the Gadabay region at 12.25-13.20 on May 25, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
Further, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions in the nameless heights, outside the Gorgan and Ashagi Abdulrahmanli villages in the Fuzuli region at 15.10-15.15, 22.20-22.40, 22.40-23.00 and 22.40-22.45, the ministry said.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire.
May 26
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev , U.S President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders to demonstrate the political will and to finalize the work over the basic principles of [the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict] during the upcoming Armenian-Azerbaijani summit in June.
"The further delay will only put the commitment of the parties to reach the agreements under a question," a joint statement of the three presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries said.
"When the agreement is reached, we are ready to witness the formal adoption of these principles, to assist in the development of the peace agreement and to support its implementation with our international partners," a statement said.
The Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani troops from positions outside the Yusifjanli village in the Agdam region at 19.30-19.35 on May 26, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.
The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire.
May 27
Following the Deauville statement of the presidents of the OSCE MinskGroup co-chairing countries, Armenia must begin withdrawing its forcesfrom Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
It is necessary to make this action to open up the opportunities for internally displaced people to return to their houses, the communications to be restored in the region and more predictability to be created in the region.
"The presidents of three countries refer on the documents and principles. They have been repeatedly discussed. The necessity of withdrawing the Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territories is raised in all of them. Consequently, the Armenian side must understand that the world community does not accept the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said .
"Azerbaijan's position remains unchanged," the ministry said. "Withdrawing the Armenian armed forces and returning the internally displaced people to their houses will allow us to move to the next step to create favorable conditions for the coexistence of Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno-Karabakh."
The Foreign Ministry regrets that having a clear position of the international community regarding the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territories, Armenia still delays the process and prevents the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Replacing the French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group with the representative of the entire EU can give new breath to the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, said Borut Grgic, specialist on conflicts, Director and Founder of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Slovenia.
"The EU should become one of the permanent co-chairs in the Minsk Group. Nothing else makes sense, he told Trend. - If this means that we get rid of the French seat, so be it."
He said France is not an active player in ensuring security and promoting stability in the South Caucasus. Far more involved are the eastern EU member states. Therefore, an EU seat on the Minsk Group would ensure that interests and responsibilities are better aligned, said Grgic, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Centre in the U.S.