Sept. 18
President Aliyev attends Political Declaration for UN Reform High Level Event in New York
Political Declaration for UN Reform High Level Event has been held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.
US President Donald Trump addressed the high-level event.
Sept. 19
WB allocations to support IDPs in Azerbaijan reach $170M
The World Bank (WB) has allocated up to $170 million for projects related to IDPs and refugees in Azerbaijan since the beginning of cooperation with country, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov said.
Hasanov, who also chairs the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, was addressing an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the WB.
Azerbaijan has benefited from cooperation with the World Bank, he said, adding the WB was also able to use the management system and mechanisms, created by national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, in improving the socio-economic situation of IDPs and refugees.
Hasanov added that subsequently, the World Bank managed to use these mechanisms in other countries.
Azerbaijan joined the WB Group in 1992.
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan strengthening interparliamentary ties
The Turkmen parliament hosted a meeting with Azerbaijani delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, the Turkmen government said.
During the meeting, the sides noted that the centuries-old traditions of good neighborliness, common history and spiritual values of the two fraternal peoples and the rapidly developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan contribute to enhancing mutually beneficial interparliamentary relations.
They pointed out the importance of the meeting of Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the Azerbaijani parliament speaker, held in August during the Turkmen president’s official visit to Baku.
During the visit, Berdimuhamedov drew attention to the important role of both countries’ MPs in the development of full-scale interstate dialogue.
“In this regard, participants of the current meeting discussed priority areas and prospects of interparliamentary cooperation,” said the Turkmen government's message.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, neighboring on the Caspian Sea, are both interested in using alternative routes to deliver their energy resources to Europe.
Turkmenistan is one of the key players on the energy market of the Caspian region and Central Asia.
Hydrocarbon resources of Turkmenistan can be sent in the western direction if a pipeline is constructed across the Caspian Sea to the shores of Azerbaijan, from where the hydrocarbon resources can be sent to Turkey and further to Europe.
Continuous transportation of Turkmen oil through Azerbaijan in recent years is an illustrative example of the mutually beneficial cooperation.
Azerbaijan, Malaysia aim to eliminate double taxation
Azerbaijan and Malaysia will sign a memorandum of understanding on elimination of double taxation, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Malaysia told Trend.
Currently, Malaysia and Azerbaijan are working on a draft memorandum which has been mainly agreed upon.
Both countries are interested in bilateral economic cooperation, which is testified by the preparation of the memorandum.
Representatives of Azerbaijan and Malaysia have been holding negotiations on a memorandum on avoidance of double taxation for several years.
The memorandum will promote the development of friendly relations and the establishment of trade contacts.
The first round of talks on the memorandum was held in Baku in 2015. Then the talks continued in Malaysia.
According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Malaysia amounted to $19.51 million in January-August 2017, down 69.3 percent compared to the same period in 2016.
IBA may be declared open for privatization in early 2018
Ministry of Finance plans to start preparation of a strategy for privatization of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), Finance Minister Samir Sharifov has told reporters in Baku.
Consultants with international reputation will be involved in this process, according to him.
“As you know, we have already completed restructuring the bank’s external liabilities. We think it is already possible to take pre-privatization steps.”
“This was also discussed at a meeting with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti, and the EBRD expressed a desire to participate in IBA’s privatization,” Sharifov said.
He noted that the strategy for IBA’s privatization must be approved by the government.
“After approval, the bank will be declared open for privatization. This will probably happen in early 2018,” Sharifov added.
On July 15, 2015, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on rehabilitation measures related to preparations for privatizing the state-owned shares of the International Bank of Azerbaijan OJSC.
In order to restore the bank’s financial position, its distressed assets were transferred to Aqrarkredit CJSC, a state-owned non-bank credit organization. Aqrarkredit CJSC provides the IBA with liquid assets in exchange for distressed assets.
Restructuring of IBA’s foreign liabilities has been completed recently.
Azerbaijan has been a member of EBRD since 1992. Since then, the bank has invested about $2.8 billion in 161 projects in Azerbaijan’s financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors.
Ilham Aliyev with spouse attend reception hosted by US President Donald Trump and his wife
US President Donald Trump and his wife have hosted a reception in connection with the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event.
President Ilham Aliyev attends state banquet at UN headquarters
A state banquet has been held at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.
President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse attend opening of General Debate at UN General Assembly in New York
General Debate of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations has opened in New York.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva attended the event.
General Debate was opened by Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.
President of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák, President of Brazil Michel Temer, President of the United States of America Donald Trump addressed General Debate.
Sept. 20
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan plays important role on global energy market
Azerbaijan plays an important role on the global energy market, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said addressing the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, held in New York.
“Being a reliable supplier of oil and gas to international markets, Azerbaijan is providing energy security to many countries of the world. Today, Azerbaijan together with its international partners, is very close to the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor project. This project of $40 billion worth of investment, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world,” he said.
The president further said that another important priority is transportation.
“Situated between Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is wisely using its geographical location to become one of the leading transportation hubs in Eurasia. Relatively recently, Azerbaijan built six international airports, 11,000 kilometers of modern highways and roads,” he said.
“Azerbaijan has the biggest trade fleet in the Caspian sea, with 270 vessels. Modern shipbuilding yard of Azerbaijan is capable to build all types and sizes of ships,” he said.
President Aliyev also said Azerbaijan is modernizing its railroad infrastructure.
“Absolute majority of our territory is covered by railroads. Next year we will inaugurate the international trade sea port which will be the biggest in the Caspian region,” he said.
Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan is largely investing in East-West and North-South transport corridors.
“Both routes crossing our country will be the shortest routes from East to West and from North to South,” he said.
Azerbaijan begins to exchange tax data upon new standards
Azerbaijan will begin to exchange tax data with 54 countries upon the "Common Reporting Standard" in 2017, Zaur Fatizade, director general of the Department for International Cooperation and Tax Monitoring at Financial Institutions of the Azerbaijani Taxes Ministry, told Trend.
"Common Reporting Standard" (CRS), developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2014, will be applied at the global level.
To date, over 100 countries have already started to implement these standards. The purpose of CRS is to prevent tax evasion.
Fatizade added that Azerbaijan has been already implementing CRS since July 1, 2017. However, the first reporting based on these standards will be delivered in September.
"We will begin to exchange tax data in 2018 with all countries that have started implementing CRS as tax administrations of several countries said that they are not ready to implement these standards yet," he added.
Fatizade also added that to date, all Azerbaijani financial institutions have started applying CRS.
Sept. 21
President Ilham Aliyev met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
Sept. 23
Azerbaijan, Palestine mull prospects of bilateral relations
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Riyad Al-Maliki, foreign minister of Palestine, on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.
At the meeting the sides had broad exchange of views on further development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Palestine.
Azerbaijan’s attention to the Palestinian issue and humanitarian support, as well as the events hosted by Azerbaijan on Palestinian issue under the auspices of international organizations was highly commended.
The ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the issues related to the agenda of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly.
Azerbaijan, Vanuatu sign communique to establish diplomatic relations
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of the Republic of Vanuatu Bruno Leingkone on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.
During the meeting, the ministers signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Vanuatu. Bruno Leingkone mentioned that Azerbaijan is the 104th country that signed communique with Vanuatu on establishment of diplomatic relations.
The sides also touched upon the issues of cooperation on the bilateral track and within the framework of international organizations.
At the meeting, the sides also discussed topical issues on the agenda of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Sept. 24
Azerbaijani president attends opening of Neftchala Industrial District
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of Neftchala Industrial District.
Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the president about the work done here.
Seven industrial areas, a two-storey administrative building, technical and auxiliary buildings were built in the industrial district. 45.3 million manats were invested in the construction of production areas in the industrial district. The industrial district created 474 permanent jobs.
President Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the industrial district.
The president viewed the production blocks and enterprises here.
One of the largest enterprises in the district is the Azermash OJSC - Iran Khodro joint car plant. The annual production capacity of the plant will be 10,000 cars. The facility will create 300 jobs. The plant is expected to be commissioned in December 2017.
President Aliyev also familiarized himself with the activity of Neftchala fish meal production enterprise. The annual production capacity of the facility is 25,000 tons. Neftchala fish meal production enterprise will create 26 jobs.
The president launched the facility.
Metak LLC, which has been operating for two decades, also established its own enterprise in Neftchala Industrial District. 1.35 million manats were invested in the enterprise.
President Aliyev launched the facility.
The president also toured Gilan PIVOT LLC. The annual production capacity of the enterprise will be 60-80 irrigation systems. The enterprise will create 15 jobs. The enterprise will start operating in November 2017.
The Azerbaijani president visited the workshop in the Neftchala Industrial District. All conditions have been created here for small entrepreneurs. The facility will create 10 permanent jobs.
President Aliyev also visited the enterprise of Togrul-2008 LLC, Providence Limited LLC, Azproduct LLC and Sun Rise Production LLC.
President Aliyev also toured the administrative building of the industrial district. The building has a meeting room, modern offices, an exhibition and sales center, a medical point, a post office and a canteen.
The president then met with representatives of local public.
Azerbaijani president arrives in Neftchala district for visit
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Neftchala district for a visit.
The president first visited a statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of the city of Neftchala.
Head of Neftchala District Executive Authority Ismayil Valiyev informed President Aliyev about the landscaping work carried out around the statue.
President Aliyev attends opening of Chukhanli-Ganjali-Piratman-Parcha Khalaj-Seyidan highway of Salyan district
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of Chukhanli-Ganjali-Piratman-Parcha Khalaj-Seyidan highway of Salyan district.
Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state about the technical indicators of the road.
The total length of the highway is more than 30 km. Chukhanli-Ganjali-Piratman-Parcha Khalaj-Seyidan highway links 5 residential areas with the total population of 5,000 people.
The head of state met with representatives of local public.
President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the road.
President Aliyev arrives in Salyan district for visit
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Salyan district for a visit.
The president laid flowers at a statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of the city of Salyan.
Head of Salyan District Executive Authority Sevindik Hatamov informed President Aliyev about the work carried out and projects implemented in the district in recent years.
President Ilham Aliyev attends inauguration of Flag Museum in Salyan
As part of his visit to Salyan district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Flag Museum.
President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the museum.
The head of state was informed about the works done here.
All necessary conditions were created in the museum to showcase a large number of exhibits. The Flag Museum highlights different periods of Azerbaijan`s history, the flags of the states which existed in the territory of the country, maps, constitutions, orders and medals as well as national symbols.
President Aliyev visits cotton plantation in Neftchala district
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited farmer Alihuseyn Hajiyev`s cotton plantation in Neftchala district.
The president spoke with cotton growers.
President Aliyev attends ceremony to supply water to cultivated lands of Neftchala district
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended a ceremony to supply water to cultivated lands of Neftchala district from Kur river via Neftchala main canal.
Chairman of Azerbaijan Melioration and Water Management Open Joint Stock Company Ahmad Ahmadzade informed the president about the work done here.
President Aliyev pressed a button to start supply of water to the cultivated lands.
Then a photo was taken.
President Ilham Aliyev visits seawater desalination complex in Salyan
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the activity of the seawater desalination complex in Khidirli village of Salyan district.
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyngulu Baghirov informed the head of state about the complex.
The seawater desalination complex was commissioned in 2013. The second line was installed in the complex in 2016 without any additional construction work. Each line has a production capacity of 1000 cubic metres.
President Ilham Aliyev also viewed sapling fields in territory of “Azerbaijan Greening and Landscape Structure” Open Joint Stock Company complex of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
Azerbaijani president attends opening of Garagashli substation in Salyan
As part of his visit to Salyan district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the 110/35/10 kV Garagashli substation.
Chairman of Azerishig OJSC Baba Rzayev informed the president about the new substation.
President Aliyev launched the substation.
Then a photo was taken.
Azerbaijani president launches Neftchala substation
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the 110/35/6 kV Neftchala substation.
Chairman of Azerishig OJSC Baba Rzayev informed the president about the work done here.
Two transformers with a capacity of 40 MVA were installed in the substation. Large landscaping work was carried out in the territory of the Neftchala substation.
President Aliyev launched the substation.
The 35/6 kV “Shahar” substation was constructed in Neftchala district in 2015-2017. A new administrative building of Neftchala Electric Network was also built.