Aug. 21
Global Young Leaders Forum kicks off in Baku
The Global Young Leaders Forum, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center with support of the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with the Diaspora, kicked off in Baku.
The forum will continue its work until Aug. 24.
Former Serbian President Boris Tadic, former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zlatko Lagumdzija, former President of Israel Dalia Itzik and former Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin are also participating in the forum.
Other authoritative public figures as well as about 20 distinguished guests from among the heads of big companies have been invited to participate in the forum. About 80 young leaders and researchers, representatives of prestigious higher educational institutions as well as a number of young businessmen are taking part in the event. During panel meetings and group discussions to be held within the forum, young leaders will exchange views on various topics with former heads of state.
Ilham Aliyev meets delegation of Nizami Ganjavi International Center
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center led by co-chair of the Center Ismail Serageldin and including former President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, former presidents of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliyev and Petar Stoyanov, former President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, former President of Israel Dalia Itzik, former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zlatko Lagumdzija, and former Foreign Minister of Turkey Hikmet Cetin, who attend the Global Young Leaders Forum in Baku.
Yenikand substation launched in Samukh
The 110/35/10 kV Yenikand substation was launched as part of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Samukh.
Two transformers with a capacity of 16 MVA were installed in the fully renovated Yenikand substation. The old 110 kV facility was replaced with a modern one. The 35 kV four-cable line, 150km in length, was built here.
The 35/10 kV Garayeri substation was also reconstructed in Samukh district. Transformers with a capacity of 4 MVA were installed in the substation.
Aug. 22
Azerbaijan, Italy name priorities of co-op
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan Auqusto Massari, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend
Ambassador presented a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Minister Mammadyarov congratulated Ambassador Auqusto Massari on his appointment and wished him success in his future activities.
Ambassador Auqusto Massari stated that he will spare no efforts for further development of relations between the two countries. He also briefed Minister Mammadyarov about the ongoing construction works of TAP project in Italy.
At the meeting, the sides noted the successful development of bilateral relations in various areas between Azerbaijan and Italy and the level of cooperation, particularly in political, economic and energy fields.
They also mentioned favorable opportunities for the cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, tourism, transportation, agriculture, pharmaceutics and medicine.
The parties also exchanged views on the issues of mutual interest.
Azerbaijan, Poland to mull further co-op
Azerbaijan and Poland will discuss further cooperation during the upcoming visit of Polish Foreign Minister Witold Jan Waszczykowski to Baku.
The visit of the Polish foreign minister is tentatively scheduled for November, according to the source.
During the visit, the Polish foreign minister will discuss with the Azerbaijani officials prospects for the development of bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, regional and international agenda, as well as cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership program.
Poland is one of the important partners of Azerbaijan, and there are ample opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of economy, investment, transport, energy, etc.
According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between the country and Poland in January-July 2017 amounted to $37 million, and almost all volume of the trade turnover accounts for imports of Polish products.
Aug. 23
Ilham Aliyev views conditions at new block of secondary school in Baku
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created at a new block of secondary school No 257 in Khatai district, Baku.
Head of Baku City Executive Authority Hajibala Abutalibov informed the head of state of the work done at the new block of the school. The 1,176-seat main block of the school has 38 classrooms, three computer rooms, three laboratories, a gym, a conference hall. It was overhauled under the order of President Ilham Aliyev signed in 2011.
The new three-storey 672-seat block was built in accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 2014.
Photo stands reflecting national leader Heydar Aliyev's, President Ilham Aliyev's and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva's attention to education were installed in the foyer of the school.
The block houses 24 classrooms, a computer room, and physics, chemistry and biology laboratories.
Video surveillance and fire alarm systems were installed in the building. The new block is supplied with Internet access, furniture, and other necessary equipment. The landscaping work was done, green areas were created, lightning system was installed in the yard of the school.
Aug. 24
Ilham Aliyev receives credentials of new Italian ambassador
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy Augusto Massari.
Ambassador Augusto Massari reviewed a guard of honor.
Augusto Massari presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.
President Ilham Aliyev then spoke with the ambassador.
The head of state hailed successful development of Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral relations, underlining the two countries’ partnership in a number of areas, including in political, economic and energy ones.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between the two countries adopted in Rome in 2014 reflects the level of bilateral relations, describing this as indicative of the excellent level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy.
The head of state also hailed a large number of opportunities for expanding Azerbaijan-Italy partnership in various fields.
Describing the political relations between the two countries as excellent, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the work on the Southern Gas Corridor project successfully continues.
The head of state noted the importance of diversifying economic cooperation in order to keep balance in bilateral cooperation and increase trade. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the significance of achieving this not only by increasing oil supplies, but also by further developing trade relations.
Saying a large number of Italian companies are operating in a variety of areas in Azerbaijan, the head of state hailed good opportunities for increasing the number of investment companies in the country, which would contribute to increasing the volume of export products in both directions.
President Ilham Aliyev wished the ambassador success during his diplomatic tenure in Azerbaijan.
Describing Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral relations as excellent, Ambassador Massari noted that he felt this within a few days of his visit to Azerbaijan where he saw a great number of Italians and Italian brands. Augusto Massari noted that stability, religious tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan create good opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
The Italian ambassador said that development of relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between the two countries adopted in Rome in 2014 is of pivotal importance to the Italian government. He emphasized that he will spare no efforts to further strengthen Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas.
They underlined the importance of the Italian side’s support for the negotiations on the Partnership Agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union.
The sides also hailed high potential for developing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, space industry, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, education, culture and healthcare.
New head of EU Delegation to Azerbaijan appointed
Kestutis Jankauskas has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, said the message posted on the website of the EU External Action Service.
Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, has announced the appointment.
Jankauskas replaced Malena Mard on this post.
He is currently serving as Head of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia.
Currently, over 1,300 European companies operate in Azerbaijan.
To date, Azerbaijan has signed double taxation avoidance agreements with 23 EU countries and agreements on the promotion and protection of investments with 17 EU countries. Moreover, Azerbaijan has intergovernmental commissions with 13 countries and has signed strategic partnership agreements with seven EU countries.
Greece names new envoy to Azerbaijan
Nicolaos D. Kanellos has been appointed the new Greek ambassador to Azerbaijan.
In this position he succeeds Dimitrios Tsoungas, who completed his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan in July.
Prior to the new appointment, Kanellos headed the diplomatic mission of Greece in Vietnam.
Ilham Aliyev views newly-built Tufan type border guard ship
President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev viewed a newly-built Tufan type border guard ship at the Shipyard of the Coast Guard of the State Border Service, and laid the foundations of another Tufan type border guard ship.
Chief of Azerbaijan’s State Border Service, Commander of Border Troops Elchin Guliyev informed the head of state of the works carried out at the Shipyard of the Coast Guard of the State Border Service. He said that six Shahdagh and four Tufan type border guard ships have been built by the shipyard so far.
The head of state laid the foundations of another Tufan type border guard ship.
The president was informed of the State Border Service’s new special military hardware, weapons and ammunition.
The head of state viewed the Tufan type border guard ship.
Azerbaijan, Austria working on proposals for economic co-op
The governments of Azerbaijan and Austria are working on a package of concrete proposals for economic cooperation, to be submitted for consideration to the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.
Submission of proposals will take place in early October in Vienna.
During the Vienna visit, Azerbaijani government delegation will be accompanied by business community representatives, who are expected to meet with their counterparts as part of a business forum.
Currently, Austrian companies may be interested in investing in Azerbaijan’s transport sector, in particular the Baku International Sea Trade Port, to be included in the free trade zone. There are also ample opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector that includes production, processing and packaging of finished products.
To date, the two countries have signed about 40 bilateral documents in economy, education, culture, science, agriculture, etc.
According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, the trade turnover with Austria in January-July 2017 amounted to $126.3 million.
Aug. 25
Azerbaijan, Macedonia to mull trade, economic co-op
Nikola Dimitrov, foreign minister of Macedonia, will discuss the development of cooperation in the trade and economic sphere during his forthcoming visit to Baku, a diplomatic source told Trend Aug. 25.
The main attention at the negotiations in Baku will be paid to issues of improving the legal framework, expanding economic cooperation, attracting investments, organizing high-level visits, cultural exchange and holding political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
The exact time of the visit will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
It should be noted that issues of the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Macedonia were discussed in early August 2017 at the meeting between Nikola Dimitrov and Faig Bagirov, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Macedonia, resident in Ankara.
At the meeting, Dimitrov stressed the need to boost Azerbaijani-Macedonian economic cooperation. Having noted good political ties between the two countries, the minister stressed the need to bring economic cooperation to the same high level, the Macedonian Foreign Ministry said earlier.
Aug. 26
Bankers of CIS, Europe to meet in Baku
Baku will host a meeting of the International Coordination Council of Banking Associations of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central and Eastern Europe on Oct. 26.
According to the source, activity of financial ombudsman institution is the main issue to be discussed by the participants of the event.
“Representatives of banking sectors of the CIS, as well as Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and other countries plan to exchange experience in the field of financial ombudsman institution’s activity, as well as to discuss other topical issues, currently existing in the financial sphere,” the source said.
The International Coordination Council of Banking Associations of CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, which is also called the International Banking Council, includes banking associations of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Montenegro, as well as the Banking Association of Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE), the CIS Financial and Banking Council, as well as the Financial and Banking Association of Euro-Asian Cooperation.
Mehriban Aliyeva’s intelligence, humanity, solicitude towards her people - asset for Azerbaijan: Rachida Dati
The exceptional role of Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva ensured the holding of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku at the highest level, Rachida Dati, French politician and Member of the European Parliament, told Trend Aug.26.
“The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games were a real success and a record in the history of these Games. Three thousand athletes from 54 countries, 24 disciplines, 1,600 medals, and more than a billion spectators ... the figures speak for themselves. These Games were organized at the highest level, thanks to the relentless efforts and the exceptional vision of Mehriban Aliyeva as Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku”, she said.
Holding of this rare and exceptional event with the organizational activity of Mehriban Aliyeva is of great importance, noted Dati.
The fact that all the Muslim countries have responded positively to the invitation to participate in the Games demonstrates the indispensable role and leadership of Azerbaijan among all Muslim countries, as well as Mehriban Aliyeva’s role, said Dati, adding that these facts should not be overlooked.
She pointed out that these Games, based on four core values - unity, peace, respect and excellence - have enabled Azerbaijan to send a clear signal of solidarity to everyone and bring together, through sports, Muslim countries.
These Games became the largest gathering of athletes from Muslims countries of the world, men and women, in a perfect and spectacular harmony, she said, adding that these Games have had a worldwide impact.
In Muslim countries, it was a moment, remembering that Islam is a religion, a culture, a way of life, of peace, communion, solidarity and fraternity, according to Dati.
She pointed out that this success is not accidental, as it is the result of the constant commitment of Mehriban Aliyeva to her work.
She has undertaken many actions upstream of these Games, especially for the event to be highly secured, for the participants and accredited media to be well received in Baku, said Dati.
The environment of tolerance and multiculturalism specific to Azerbaijan has allowed a friendly atmosphere during these Games, she added.
“Already in 2015, during the First European Games in Baku, the preparatory work and the important projects implemented in the Azerbaijani capital by Mehriban Aliyeva, then Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, had been welcomed and recognized all over the world,” said Dati. “These major sports events, as well as other other international forums on humanitarian and intercultural dialogue, demonstrate the geopolitical role of Azerbaijan. It also shows the willingness of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for Azerbaijan to always be a country of tolerance and openness.”
She noted that in Azerbaijan, a Muslim country, the way of life, the values and the culture are based on the respect for others, the protection of people, tolerance and the European Festival of Tolerance, to be held in Baku on October 12, is the best example.
Further, Dati mentioned the tremendous work carried out by Mehriban Aliyeva as head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Mehriban Aliyeva’s international authority is recognized around the world, said Dati.
“I have seen many times the dedicated commitment of Mehriban Aliyeva for her people and for promoting the cultural wealth of her country all over the world. Her intelligence, her humanity and her solicitude towards her people are a real asset for this great country,” she added.
Dati noted that through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the largest non-governmental organization in the South Caucasus, Mehriban Aliyeva is a tremendous support to culture, science, education and health.
“She has undertaken the restoration of many monuments such as the catacombs of Saints Marcellinus and Peter in Rome, numerous French churches and cathedrals, including the one of Strasbourg, and “Trapezitsa” Architectural Museum Complex in the city of Veliko Tyrnovo, Bulgaria. Mehriban Aliyeva has always been committed to protect the historical heritage in all areas: religious, historical, cultural, social,” Dati added.
Dati recalled that recently, the Foundation organized the 9th Gabala International Music Festival, which was a great success.
The activities of the Foundation, both in Azerbaijan and beyond, demonstrate the significant contribution of Azerbaijan to dialogues among civilizations, religions and cultures, she said.
“As a pillar of stability and development of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan can and must be a platform for the world in the future in terms of relations between religions and ethnic groups. Azerbaijan is one of the few countries in the world where many minorities have lived there for centuries in peace and protected,” added Dati.
She said the French authorities, through the French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Aurelia Bouchez, support these actions and contribute strongly to the strengthening of the bilateral relations between France and Azerbaijan - the year 2017 being marked by the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The success of the cooperation between the regions and cities of France and Azerbaijan is due in particular to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which, as part of the project "Cultural values of the pearl of the Caucasus - Azerbaijan", organized numerous exhibitions and concerts in 25 cities of France, according to Dati.
More than fifteen partnership agreements have been signed, in particular with the cities of Chablis, Champagne, Bordeaux and Cognac, she said, adding that these partnerships have made possible the organization of the first Wine Festival in Azerbaijan, which is a major international event.
Furthermore, she pointed out that economic cooperation between France and Azerbaijan is developing rapidly.
More than 50 French companies are present in Azerbaijan and numerous large-scale cooperation projects in the fields of energy, aviation, space industry, transport, environment, urbanization, agriculture are implemented, added Dati.
Customs laboratory opened in Azerbaijan’s Zagatala district
Official opening ceremony of customs laboratory of the Central Customs Examination Department took place in Zagatala district of Azerbaijan.
The press service of Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee told Trend Aug. 26 that the ceremony was attended by the Committee’s Chairman Aydin Aliyev, officials, entrepreneurs of the district and others.
Addressing the event, Mehriban Alizade, head of the Central Customs Examination Department of the State Customs Committee, said that the purpose of creating the laboratory is to increase the export potential of hazelnut and hazelnut products produced in the country, improve the business environment and facilitate the work of entrepreneurs.
An accurate laboratory analysis of the product, being grown in Azerbaijan, should be conducted in order to improve the export of high-quality hazelnut products.
It should be noted that hazelnut became the most exported agricultural product in 2016. Hazelnut products worth 105 million manats were exported last year.