Official chronicle
Hungary recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and supports the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the international law standards and UN resolutions. This statement was made during the joint declaration signed between the Azerbaijani and Hungarian Presidents during the Azerbaijani President's visit to Budapest. The document stated that the sides had stressed the importance of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the UN Security Council's resolutions and the three principals developed by the OSCE Lisbon Summit. They also supported the intermediary mission of the OSCE Minsk Group's Co-chairs. The declaration reported on their united fight against terrorism in which world terrorism was condemned and the parties confirmed their adherence to fighting against it. In addition, through the declaration the Presidents consolidated their positions regarding the European energy security. The declaration noted the increased role of hydrocarbons in the Caspian Sea region in providing European countries with fuel. In this context both parties emphasized the significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, as well as the importance of the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline.
Azerbaijan considers Hungary to be its strategic partner, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a press conference in Budapest on 18 February. At a joint briefing with the Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, President Aliyev voiced his satisfaction with the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Azerbaijani President noted that Budapest had assisted Azerbaijan in the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy. Aliyev signified the great potential for bilateral relations in the field of economy and energy. The Azerbaijani President invited his Hungarian counterpart to pay an official visit to Baku. The Azerbaijani President is paying a 2-day official visit to Hungary. As a result of the negotiations, 4 documents were signed between the two countries. Aliyev's itinerary also includes visiting the Budapest University Korvinus, where he will receive the title of Honorary Doctor. On the second day of the visit President Aliyev will participate in the Azerbaijani-Hungarian business forum, will meet with the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament and the Hungarian Prime Minister and will attend the opening ceremony of the new building of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Hungary.
On 19 February, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the Hungarian Parliament as part of his Budapest itinerary. In front of the Parliament building, the Azerbaijani leader and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva were warmly welcomed by the Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and his wife Klara Dobrev. Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with Ferenc Gyurcsany who stressed the importance of the meeting in terms of defining and developing bilateral economic relations. Ferenc Gyurcsany recalled last months meeting with the Azerbaijani leader during the World Economic Forum in Davos. He said Hungary is interested in cooperating with Azerbaijan in power, non-oil, scientific, educational and cultural fields. The Hungarian Premier stressed his country views Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in the region. President Ilham Aliyev said there are good prospects for enhancing economic relations between the two countries, and noted the importance of an Azerbaijan-Hungary business forum. The Azerbaijani leader also touched upon opportunities for making reciprocal investments. He spoke of ongoing economic development processes in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani President said his country today plays the role of bridge between Asia and Europe which he added is also important from a regional point of view. Both Ilham Aliyev and Ferenc Gyurcsany expressed confidence that scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary will further enhance both in a bilateral format and within European structures.
On 19 February, the President Ilham Aliyev visited the new office building for Azerbaijan's embassy in Budapest. In front of the building, the Azerbaijani President and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva were warmly welcomed by Ambassador Hasan Hasanov and employees of the embassy. The embassy is located on the same street as those of Spain, Turkey, Austria, the Czech Republic and Russia. The building occupies a total area of more than 1,000 square meters. President Ilham Aliyev viewed the embassy's exhibition hall, as well as the national leader Heydar Aliyev`s bust. The President congratulated Azerbaijani diplomats on the opening of the new office building and wished them success in their further activities.
From a political point of view, the positions of Azerbaijan and Hungary are very close and there are huge opportunities for economic cooperation, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan said on 19 February during the Azerbaijani-Hungarian business-forum in Budapest. The Azerbaijani President said that there are good prospects for the economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. The President of Hungary Laszlo Solyom said that his country is interested in developing economic cooperation with Azerbaijan. " Azerbaijan possesses great opportunities in energy and we are interested in the economic cooperation," Solyom said.
The Azerbaijan President Ilham Ailyev and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferentz Dyurchan discussed interstate cooperation in Budapest on 19 February. The prime minister said that Aliyev's state visit to Hungary will be an important stage in the development of bilateral relations in different spheres, in particular in the economic sector. Dyurchan noted Hungary's interests in the development of relations with Azerbaijan in the energy sector. With respect to this the two sides stressed the importance of upgrading partnerships between the business-circles of the two countries and results of a business forum held in Budapest on 19 February. The Azerbaijani President voiced his country's interests in strengthening the economic partnership with Hungary. Aliyev called on Hungarian entrepreneurs to take an active part in infrastructure projects financed out of the Azerbaijani public budget.
On 20 Feb, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received US Senator Sam Brownback and his delegation. The Azerbaijani leader said the relations between Azerbaijan and US are successfully developing in all the fields. President Aliyev stressed the two countries` energy cooperation, launched in 1990s, as an important element in their bilateral relations. Senator Brownback welcomed the ongoing development processes in Azerbaijan, which According to him has shown a tremendous amount of progress over the last few years.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received General Vladimir Pronichev- the First Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Security Service and the head of the Russian Border Service. Head of the Azerbaijan State noted the successful development of Azerbaijani-Russian relations in all the fields, including the field of border service. The contacts among separate structures of both the countries are at high level and the current visit of the Russian guest will promote the strengthening of cooperation in the border service, the President emphasized. General Pronichev expressed pleasure with his next visit to Azerbaijan, noting close cooperation between the relevant structures of the two countries, and also stated the importance of his current visit in the expansion of further relations.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met Thursday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin said there is considerable progress in economic cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan. "We express satisfaction with Russian investors` making more and more investments in Azerbaijan's economy. We are grateful to you for the conditions your country`s government is creating for our companies", the Russian leader said. President Ilham Aliyev said "I fully agree with you that there are no problems in our relations". "We are moving forward in all directions - in terms of political, economic and humanitarian cooperation", he noted. The Azerbaijani leader stressed the two countries are very effectively cooperating, and that their relations are strengthening.
President Ilham Aliyev said he welcomes the increase in amount of Russian companies` investments in Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijani companies are also operating on the Russian market and enjoy all rights", he noted. "I am satisfied with how our relations are developing. I hope, during today`s meeting, we will also discuss bilateral issues and issues of regional cooperation, in particular, processes which are taking place in the world and need to be discussed", said President Ilham Aliyev.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was given the title of Honorary Professor of the Moscow State University (MSU) at a ceremony held at this world-famous higher education institution on Thursday. In his welcome speech, Rector of the University Viktor Sadovnichiy spoke about the main phases of life and political activities of the Azerbaijani President, including his accomplishments in the international arena. He also shared remembrances of his meetings with national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, stressing the care the outstanding political figure had taken of the Moscow State University. The Rector read out the University Academic Council's decision to give the title of Honorary Professor of the Moscow State University to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his outstanding contribution to strengthening ties between Russia and Azerbaijan, development of education and science for the welfare of the two countries, and fruitful cooperation between Azerbaijan and MSU. President Ilham Aliyev called Azerbaijan-Russia relationships many-sided, adding both countries` leaders regard them as a guarantee of peace, security and sustainable development in the region. He said since 2000, the bilateral relations have entered a new stage - the stage of strategic partnership. The Azerbaijani leader also dwelt on humanitarian cooperation issues, pointing out the fact that Slavic University as well as Russian schools are functioning in Azerbaijan, and that newspapers in Russian language are published in the country. President Ilham Aliyev said the Azerbaijani society has strong traditions of internationalism and tolerance. He noted that opening of Moscow State University`s branch in Baku will be another step towards making the two countries` people closer. According to the President, education is second, after defense, priority in Azerbaijan`s state budget. The country has adopted the State program for education of Azerbaijani students abroad in 2007-2015. Over the last few years, 1,200 schools have been built and equipped with modern computers in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev expressed wish to intensify cooperation between scientific and educational circles of Azerbaijan and Russia.
Parliament
A draft law on voluntary employment of Azerbaijani citizens in public work without payment has been developed. "The draft law will determine the legal basis of voluntary activities," MP Hadi Rajabli, the chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on social policy, told Trend on 20 February. According to Rajabli, the bill will also strengthen the legal basis giving impetus to the development of civil society and democratic processes. The draft law specifies types of voluntary activities, tasks, participants' rights, international relations and spheres of activities. The volunteers involved in a solution to useful public problems, can act within civil society, as well as establish a new organization jointly. Rajabli said that the development and adoption of the document is also based on the representation of Azerbaijan in international organizations. There are plans to put the draft law forward for discussion in the first reading at the spring session of Parliament.
Azerbaijan gets prepared to join additional protocol of the European Convention on Prevention of Terrorism. The bill on the Approval of the Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Prevention of Terrorism was discussed in the meeting of the permanent commission of Azerbaijani parliament on security and defense issues on 15 February. According to the document, the crimes of terrorism are committed because of political reasons. Those engaged in terrorism can be extradited on the condition that they will be convicted in their country and the Council of Europe will be informed about what will happen later. Ziyafet Asgarov, the first vice speaker of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) and the chairman of the commission on security and defense of the parliament said that Azerbaijan has joined the Convention on Prevention of Terrorism passed on 27 January in 1997 and the demands proceeding from the document are being implemented. A number of documents took effect after the adoption of the Convention which necessitated the additional protocol, Asgarov said. " Azerbaijan will join the document on a condition that the country will not guarantee the implementation of the clauses of the addition protocol in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan until they are liberated, Asgarov said. The protocol was ratified by 27 member states of the Council of Europe. The MPs decided to revise the document in the plenary meeting of the parliament.
The Azerbaijani Parlaiment has passed the draft law which regulates the use of flags of foreign countries. The flags of foreign countries dispersed on the buildings of different organizations, companies, shops and restaurants would be taken off as soon as the draft law comes to force. The passing of this draft law is quite necessary and relevant in Azerbaijan. Day by day, the number of foreign organizations has been increasing in the country. Therefore, their numbers must be decreased and regulated by the law, MP Samad Seid, chairman of the permanent Parliamentary Commission on International Relations and Inter-parliamentary Ties, stated on 22 February. The bill, on issue of the flags of foreign countries and international organizations in Azerbaijan, was discussed in the Parlaiment. Under the state legislation, the draft law was submitted to the Parliament by President Ilham Aliyev. The draft law stated that the flags of foreign countries must be displayed only in the embassies, counsels and diplomatic buildings of the respective countries functioning in Azerbaijan, as well as in the offices of diplomatic representatives and on the vehicles of Heads of the foreign countries. The draft law stipulates respect to the foreign countries and international organization flags, by the Azerbaijani citizens as well as the foreigners. Some organizations in order to demonstrate that they work with the foreigners, hang the flags of different countries in their respective offices. "The people hang the Azerbaijani flags badly, or rather does not hang it at all," MP Samad Seidov stated Parliament passed the draft law after discussions in the first reading.
The Parliament of Azerbaijan returned the law draft envisaging Azerbaijan's recognizing Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist organization. "There are neither legal nor political grounds to adopt a special Law on Azerbaijan's recognizing Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist organization," said the Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament's Permanent Commission for Legal Policy and State Establishment, Ali Huseynov, at the meeting of the Parliament on 22 February. MPs' group of Musavat, which represents opposition in the Parliament, devised a law draft envisaging Azerbaijan's recognizing Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist organization. The law draft envisages that the persons, who are the member of PKK, finance or propagate them and in general have any relations with them, should be instituted to the responsibility according to the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. The Chairman of the Commission said that Azerbaijan joined Convention on International Terrorism. Therefore, there is not a necessity to adopt a special law on PKK. The Deputy Executive Secretary of ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Siyavush Novruzov, said that the MPs and parties representing opposition use the issue of PKK to gain political dividends. He considers that it does not need to adopt a law on PKK. "The Parliament of Turkey also has not adopted a law recognizing PKK as a terrorist organization," Novruzov said. The Deputy Chairman of pro-governmental Ana Veten Party, Zahid Oruj, also supported this position.
The Azerbaijani MPs have demanded the release of the detained journalists. "The detained journalists must be released immediately," MP Panah Husein, the member of the Parliamentary MP group of opposition Musavat party, stated on 22 February. Presently, three journalists have been imprisoned in Azerbaijan. They are Ganimat Zahid, chief editor of Azadlig newspaper, Mirza Sakit, journalist of Azadlig newspaper and Zahid's brother, and Eynulla Fatullayev, chief editor of Gundalik Azerbaijan and Realni Azerbaijan newspapers journalist. Huseinov said that the demand by the Prosecutor to imprison Zahid for five years would damage Azerbaijan's image. MP Jamil Hasanli noted that he attended Zahid's court. "Zahid's court case was prepared against him which dishonored Azerbaijan. The two detained journalists are members of one family. The journalists should be immediately released," MP said.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) require political organizations functioning in the Country to undergo State re-registration. "Establishing a party in Azerbaijan has transformed into speculation in which someone sells a party and another buys it. A new law draft on political parties should be adopted to put an end to this issue," said the Deputy Executive Secretary of the NAP, MP Siyavush Novruzov, at the meeting of Azerbaijan Parliament on 22 February. The Law on Political Parties was adopted in Azerbaijan in 1992. According to Novruzov, the law should be attached items corresponding to contemporary demands. "After the parties have undergone State re-registration, they are permitted to nominate their candidates for presidency. Several politicians have highlighted the establishment of a bloc comprised of 20 parties to participate in the elections. However only the chairmen are represented in these parties," he added.
Foreign policy
Washington made a statement to determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh after the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo on 17 February. Over 20 countries including the US recognized the independence of Kosovo. "The further status of Karabakh should be determined through international negotiations," the US Embassy press-release to Azerbaijan reported. The situation in Kosovo is a special case and does not set a precedent for other regions, including Nagorno-Karabakh. In the wake of these latest developments in Kosovo, we call on all members of the international community to avoid any public statements that could undermine the chances for a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Any attempt to resolve the conflict through military force or any means other than a negotiated compromise risks undermining peace and stability throughout the Caucasus.
Two more US congressmen, Stephen Cohen and Howard Coble, were included in the working group on Azerbaijan. The report of the press service of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said on 19 February. The number of members of the Congress working group on Azerbaijan reached 34. Three congressmen were included in the group recently, Henry Brown, Mike Connolly and Randy Kukl.
Iran is ready to play an active role in the projects on development in Azerbaijan, the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at a meeting with the Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev on 19 February. The meeting took place during the Azerbaijani Defence Minister's official visit to Teheran, IRNA reported. " Iran fraternally treats Azerbaijanis and regards progress in Azerbaijan as its own," Mottaki stressed. As for the both people's historical and cultural commonalities, Mottaki said that the two sides officials are determined to bolster and broaden all-out political and economic cooperation. Mottaki voiced Iran's readiness to attend the upcoming conference on 'Security of the Caspian Sea' in Baku. The Azerbaijani Defence Minister said Baku hopes the current level of relations between the two countries would be further developed and bolstered.
During the winter session of the OSCE, Azerbaijan did not support one-sided declaration of Kosovo's independence and described this decision of the self-declared bodies as contrasting with the international law. "Azerbaijan Republic is not capable to recognize legal the situation created through one-sided activities, which bring to break up of the national unity and territorial integrity of any country," the Vice Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, Bahar Muradova, said while making a speech at the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, on 22 February. Calling Kosovo problem as a unique case, Muradova said that the UN Security Council's resolution 1244 clearly describes the frameworks and future steps to determine the closing status of Kosovo, and does not present the grounds for actions breaking the national unity and territorial integrity of Serbia. "Discrepancies in UN Security Council's resolution 1244 and absence of progresses in the political talks between the interested sides can not be justified through one-sided actions, especially, while the territorial integrity was accepted as key principle of the international law," Muradova said.
The work directed for the establishment of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic speaking countries, has been launched. "The first meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Council of Turkic speaking countries, which will be held in Turkey, is a start of actions directed on establishment of the Assembly," MP Nizami Jafarov, the chairman of then Task group of Azerbaijani Parliament on relations with turkey, stated to Trend . The first meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Council of Turkic speaking countries will be held in Anatolia, Turkey. The presidium of the Council, its composition, membership conditions, working languages and many other issues will be discussed during the meeting. The target of the meeting is to achieve one mechanism among Turkic speaking countries. The meeting will be attended by the Azerbaijani delegation headed by Ziyafat Askarov- the first Vice-Speaker. The delegation includes MPs Rafael Jabrailov, Ahmad Valiyev and Said Alaskarov-the chief secretariat of the Parliament. Establishment of the Assembly is the positive result of many year intensive efforts, Jafarov said. There are 6 independent and over 20 Turkic speaking countries. The independent countries are Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Political movements
Our Azerbaijan opposition bloc made a decision to participate in the upcoming presidential elections during its Supreme Assembly on 18 February. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October 2008. The bloc will participate in the elections using its own candidate, the name of which will be specified during the meeting scheduled for May. A proposal was made to nominate the candidature of Zakir Tagiyev, the chairman of the economic Commission of the bloc. Tagiyev, as well as Hasan Hasanov, chairman of the Assembly and others, participated in the presidential elections in 1993. Our Azerbaijan unites eight opposition parties.
According to the chair of the opposition Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) Sardar Jalaloglu, his party's decision to nominate a unified candidate with the Musavat party for the presidential elections will be contingent on the processes. "ADP decided to nominate a unified candidate for the presidential elections. Depending on the situation, we may change that decision if necessary. Now, there is no need," Jalaloglu said to Trend on 19 February. On 16 February, the ADP administration meeting decided to nominate Jalaloglu for the elections. Two days later, an ADP member Gurban Mammadov said to Trend that the ADP may launch discussions with the Musavat regarding nominating a unified candidate. The head of the Musavat Executive Administration Arif Hajili said to Trend the party is ready for discussions. Musavat nominated its chairman Isa Gambar. In the 2003 presidential elections ADP supported Gambar. According to Jalaloglu, Musavat and ADP divulged their intention to nominate a unified candidate. But both parties should forget about their individual and group interests for the sake of the national ones.
The ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) (New Azerbaijan) have published details of its proposals, amendments and changes to the Election Code of Azerbaijan. The YAP package of changes includes an increase in funds allocated for the election campaign, Siyavush Novruzov, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the party said. The talks between Azerbaijan and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe on changes and amendments to the Election Code have ended. The proposals of the political parties of Azerbaijan have been considered as well. The changes and amendments to the Election Code are expected to be discussed in the spring session of the Azerbaijani Parliament. Novruzon said that some AZN60,000 is usually allocated for candidates in parliamentary elections, however it is not sufficient to hold an election campaign. According to Novruzov, therefore the candidates employ illegal methods during the election campaign. "Usually those nominated by their political parties can use the potential of the party. However, candidates which do not belong to any party have to hire employees themselves," Novruzov said. The proposals of the members of the ruling party say that the canvassing of the candidates should be considered once again. Canvassing is held on the basis of Law on TV and Radio Advertising. I think that political and social advertising should cost less than commercial ones, he said. According to Novruzov, criminal responsibility is also included in the proposals of YAP. "The state budget allocates $15,000 for presidential candidates and AZN200 for those running for MP. The candidates have the right to use the services of state-owned publishing houses on an equal basis. He said that candidates who do not spend over the three-per-cent barrier and refuse to pay back government funds should be held criminally responsible.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is sure that its candidate will win in the presidential elections, with majority votes. "As a result of the initial inquiry in Azerbaijan, it was clear that the candidate from the party, Ilham Aliyev, will attain the victory with 97% of the votes," MP Siyavush Novruzov, the deputy executive secretary of the NAP, said while appealing the assembly of the Yasamal District Organization of the NAP on 20 February. On 15 Oct 2008, the presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan. The NAP stated that during the elections- it will nominate the chairman of the party Ilham Aliyev. Ten opposition parties will participate in the elections with their own candidates. The Popular Front of Azerbaijan Party, Liberal Party, Party of Citizens and Development, representing Azadlyg bloc, stated the boycott of the elections, until and unless the election commissions are formed on parity basis. According to Novruzov, the Azerbaijan Government is interested in holding democratic elections in the country. Some foreign countries, unwilling to see the development of Azerbaijan, would wish to provoke the disagreement in the country, in the eve of the elections. However, he did not name the countries.
The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) has demanded the Azerbaijanis to refuse from the trip to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Akif Nagi, KLO chairman, reported to Trend. According to the information by Arzu Abdullayeva, chairman of Azerbaijani National Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly, to Trend , the delegation from 7 or 10 people will pay a visit to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in March. The delegation including the experts on Karabakh, NGO representatives, as well as the journalists will participate in the conference 'Prospects of settlement of conflicts within framework of integration to Europe', in Yerevan. Later, the Azerbaijani delegation will go to Karabakh. KLO informed that the organization will impact pressure on the people, if their names are announced before their visit to Armenia. "If the delegation will pay a secret visit to Armenia, then they will be pressured after returning back," Nagi said. Nagi believes that the visit of Azerbaijani delegation to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh would seriously damage the national interests of the country. Nagi stated that new types of pressure would be imposed on the people who would pay a visit to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
The 'green' approach will also join the competing ideologies in the presidential election campaigns in Azerbaijan this year. "The "Green" political force will also take part in the presidential elections," the Co-chair of the Green Party of Azerbaijan, Mais Gulaliyev, reported to Trend. The presidential elections will take place in Azerbaijan in October 2008. The Green Party of Azerbaijan will participate in the presidential elections for the first time. Gulaliyev said that during a meeting of its High Assembly in March, the party will make the decision on participation in the presidential elections. According to him, the party is expected to nominate its candidate. "Our principles and political way neither coincide with the political way of the government or the opposition. We do not agree with the political way of any candidates and therefore, we think there needs to be another approach to policy in Azerbaijan," Gulaliyev said. According to him, reflecting on green policy, the electoral platform of the party will touch on every question of internal and foreign policy from an ecological security point of view. In addition, the green candidate considers it important to ensure access for all citizens to the oil revenues, raising women's role in society at State level, and resolve problems without force. According to Gulaliyev, the position of the Green Party of Azerbaijan sharply differs from the position of power and opposition regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, NATO's arrival in the South Caucasus Region, management of oil revenues, US policy, European structures on Azerbaijan, as well as the Kosovo issue. "We consider that NATO should not place its forces in South Caucasus countries because there are no military threats in these states. The US imperialist policy, Azerbaijan's attitude towards other states - Armenia, Iran, Russia, and Turkmenistan - should be condemned. Along with non-recognition of Kosovo's independence, Azerbaijan should highlight the names of key offenders deepening this problem - the USA and NATO," Gulaliyev said. He added that he will himself run for the post of president. The Green Party of Azerbaijan was established at the end of 2006.
The Popular Front of Unified Azerbaijani Party (PFUAP) have refused to participate in the primary elections together with some other parties. "I cannot imagine supporting the candidature of Rasul Guliyev or Etibar Mammadov. Therefore, we will not participate in the primary elections together with their parties," MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the PFUAP chairman stated. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan in October 2008. In December 2007, over 18 opposition parties of Azerbaijan signed an agreement on cooperation. The parties are Communist Popular Front, Social-Democratic, Civil Solidarity, Great Establishment, Azadlig, National Democracy, Adalat, Umid, and political movement Way of Azerbaijan, as well as eight parties joined in the Our Azerbaijan bloc. The organization made the decision to establish the Centre of Democratic Elections on 30 January. The candidates, represented in the Democratic Elections Centre, and running for the presidential post, proposed to hold primary elections and specify a candidate who has the most chance. Hasanguliyev said that in spite of PFUAP supporting the holding of primary elections in the opposition camp, they refer to some parties within the centre negatively and cannot participate in the primaries together with these parties. "All parties, joined in the primary elections, must support the candidate that will win. However, PFUAP does not support Rasul Guliyev, leader of the Open Society Party, and Etibar Mammadov, chairman of the Azerbaijani National Independent Party, but carries out anti agitation campaigns against these parties," Hasanguliyev stated. PFUAP is prepared to participate in the primary elections together with Mirmahmud Miralioglu, Chairman of Classic Popular Front Party, as well as Iskandar Hamidov, chairman of the National-Democratic Party, and Fazil Gazanfaroglu, leader of the Great establishment Party.
The opposition political movement Way of Azerbaijan supports the reinforcement of punishment against members of the Central Election Commission (CEC), who violate the rules during the election process, Shamsaddin Rahimli, the deputy chairman of the movement, stated to Trend . Rahimli stated that the proposals to inject changes in the Election Code were developed by 18 Azerbaijani opposition parties. MP Fazail Gazanfaroglu, chairman of Great establishment party, was commissioned to submit these proposals to the OSCE and other international organizations," Rahimli said. The proposals into the Election Code are also concern the composition of CEC. The movement proposes that CEC members should be elected by Parliament. Furthermore, the movement opposes the pre-election campaign in military units, penalty services and public transport. The Way of Azerbaijan movement has not considered joining any election blocs. "The possibility of cooperation with other opposition parties will be discussed depending on the political situation in the country on the threshold of the presidential elections," deputy chairman said. Way of Azerbaijan was founded in 2006. Ilgar Gasimov is the leader of the movement and will participate in the upcoming presidential elections with its own candidate.
Azerbaijan's Open Society Party will participate in the presidential elections only with its own candidate. "We are not going to support any other candidate," Yagub Abbasov, the Deputy Chair of the party said to Trend . The Open Society Party will nominate its leader Rasul Guliyev. Before the presidential elections of 2003, Guliyev was registered as a candidate. However, shortly before the elections, he withdrew his candidature in favour of the head of the Musavat party Isa Gambar. "Guliyev is not going to withdraw his candidacy in favour of any other opposition candidate. We neither support any other party, nor any other candidate," Abbasov said. According to the Deputy Chair, the members of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP), with whom he used to be the co-member, are neither opponents nor supporters of Guliyev. "We will not support the ADP candidate. The elections will show whether the ADP is an opposition party or not," he said.
By naming the opposition who were excluded from the ruling party several years ago, the opposition is trying to form false and vague opinions in public about the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) (New Azerbaijan Party), YAP said. "There is strong unanimity within YAP. The opposition is attempting to spread false information to the press about the confrontations within YAP and the names of those excluded from the party in order to hide their own weakness," Mubariz Gurbanli, the deputy executive secretary of YAP said to Trend on 22 February. Ariz Abdullayev and Asadulla Gurbanov, who were excluded from the party some time ago, plan to take the matter to court. According to Gurbanli, the former members of the party who were excluded from the party are not supported in YAP. "They have a right to appeal to court, but their return to the party is impossible," he said. There are no confrontations and contradictions in YAP, he said.
Nagorno-Karabakh
The Armenian Armed Forces have violated the ceasefire agreement by firing at the Azerbaijani National Army from their positions located in Azerbaijan's district of Fizuli and near Azerbaijan's village of Ashagi Abdurahmanli from 20:30pm to 20:40pm and from 23:20pm to 00:10pm on 15 February, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported. The National Army of Azerbaijan retaliated and no casualties were reported.
The Armenian Prime Minister Serj Sarkisian, and Chair of the 'Republic' party, will definitely win the presidential elections, and that will not affect negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the political scientist Zardusht Alizade said to journalists in Baku on 19 February. Today Armenia is holding its presidential elections. Nine candidates are running for presidency. "When the separatist movement was expanding in Nagorno-Karabakh, Sarkisian was one of its leaders. Those who came to power from this movement can be called the Party of 'Commanders of Karabakh' (PKK). Karabakh is their main capital. The members of the movement stick to an irreconcilable position on Nagorno-Karabakh. They believe that they have already won and all that remains is to document the victory," Alizade said. According to the political scientist, in such countries as Armenia, where persons use governmental positions as a source of enrichment, and where civil society has no control over corruption, the people will never be allowed to oust such people.
Turkey supports the liberation of Azerbaijani occupied territories by the Armenian Armed Forces and believes it to be necessary for the immediate implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, Ali Babajan, the Turkish Foreign Minister, stated to Trend during a press conference on the results of his visit to the Russian Federation. The Turkish Minister said that Turkey supports the Minsk Group process to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. "Our country demonstrates its concrete position in connection with the settlement of the so-called frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus. The Nagorno-Karabakh problem is also a frozen conflict," Babajan stated. The Minister noted that Turkey describes relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey as two amicable and brotherly countries with ties between both countries being on a very high level.
The Public Council on the regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is concerned about the fact that Kosovo will affect the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. According to Trend, this comment was made during the meeting of the Public Council. Rasim Musabayov, a member of the council and political scientist, said that though the independence of Kosovo will have some impact on talks regarding Karabakh, it will not cause any changes in the solution to the conflict. "During the next five years Serbia will admit the independence of Kosovo within the framework of the European Union. However, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem did not find its solution even without Kosovo. The difference is that Kosovo can be seen on the world map, but Nagorno-Karabakh does not. Everything depends on the regional balance in this issue," Musabayov said. According to the political scientist, there is not so much deference in the positions of US and Russia regarding Kosovo. He said that the US, by over-stressing ethnic problems, tries to put pressure on its allies, but Russia does not want the conflict to be solved and wants everything to remain as it was and the conflict to be protracted. The European Union tries to solve all problems. "It is wrong to forget that the Azerbaijani land was occupied on a sheet of paper, not on some principles, but by the Russian arms. Therefore it is not right to oppose the Russian position, this is not in Azerbaijan's favour," Musabayov said. Political scientist Zardusht Alizade said that Armenia will take advantage of the Kosovo problem. "We have a legal basis and the world is familiar with Azerbaijan through its Karabakh problem. NATO killed the Serbs and now says that it has killed the Albanians and states that it is impossible to live together. The key The Public Council on the regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is concerned about the fact that Kosovo will affect the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. According to Trend, this comment was made during the meeting of the Public Council.
Rasim Musabayov, a member of the council and political scientist, said that though the independence of Kosovo will have some impact on talks regarding Karabakh, it will not cause any changes in the solution to the conflict. "During the next five years Serbia will admit the independence of Kosovo within the framework of the European Union. However, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem did not find its solution even without Kosovo. The difference is that Kosovo can be seen on the world map, but Nagorno-Karabakh does not. Everything depends on the regional balance in this issue," Musabayov said.
According to the political scientist, there is not so much deference in the positions of US and Russia regarding Kosovo. He said that the US, by over-stressing ethnic problems, tries to put pressure on its allies, but Russia does not want the conflict to be solved and wants everything to remain as it was and the conflict to be protracted. The European Union tries to solve all problems. "It is wrong to forget that the Azerbaijani land was occupied on a sheet of paper, not on some principles, but by the Russian arms. Therefore it is not right to oppose the Russian position, this is not in Azerbaijan's favour," Musabayov said. Political scientist Zardusht Alizade said that Armenia will take advantage of the Kosovo problem. "We have a legal basis and the world is familiar with Azerbaijan through its Karabakh problem. NATO killed the Serbs and now says that it has killed the Albanians and states that it is impossible to live together. The key goal of US is to prevent its allies from developing. America does not have permanent friends, but permanent interests. Albanians are like Armenians in Karabakh. Therefore it is important to carry out propaganda, then Karabakh can be recovered from theoretical point if view. However, if we follow the plan developed by America we will lose," Alizade said. At the meeting it was decided to send a statement on behalf of the Karabakh Council to international organizations to express Azerbaijan's concern of the threat to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. oal of US is to prevent its allies from developing. America does not have permanent friends, but permanent interests. Albanians are like Armenians in Karabakh. Therefore it is important to carry out propaganda, then Karabakh can be recovered from theoretical point if view. However, if we follow the plan developed by America we will lose," Alizade said. At the meeting it was decided to send a statement on behalf of the Karabakh Council to international organizations to express Azerbaijan's concern of the threat to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
The expected visit of Azerbaijani NGO representatives to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh will be executed by the Holland Government. The participants will only pay for traveling expenses. Arzu Abdullayeva, the chairman of the Azerbaijani National Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly, stated. NGO representatives and human right activists from Azerbaijan will attend the conference 'Prospects of settlement of conflicts within framework of integration to Europe' in Armenia in March. Later, the participants will visit Karabakh. The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) distributed information in which they blamed those planning to visit Armenia with betrayal and cooperating with the Armenians in their own political interest. Abdullayeva stated that the central office of the International Helsinki Civil Assembly is situated in Holland. " Holland has no interest in the Karabakh issue and the primary target of this country is a peaceful settlement of the conflict. From this point of view we cannot signify our visit to Armenia any differently," Abdullayeva said.
Baku has taken political and diplomatic measures to prevent the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from participating in the hearings on frozen conflicts in the Russian State Duma (Parliament). "The Embassies of Azerbaijan and Russia will deal with these issues," Araz Azimov, the deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan said to journalists on 21 February. The delegation of Karabakh separatists have been invited to the hearings on conflicts in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent Countries) to be held in the Russian parliament in March, Konstantin Zatulin, the deputy chairman of the Committee of State Duma on Commonwealth and Work with Compatriots said to journalists. The deputy minister said that if necessary, Azerbaijan will appeal to the Russian parliament.
Azerbaijan is not ready to meet with the new President of Armenia to hold negotiations on THE regulation of THE Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Time is needed to prepare for the meeting. The initiative of OSCE Minsk Group is necessary in order to hold negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Araz Azimov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, stated to journalists. The presidential elections were held in Armenia on 19 February. According to the latest information by Armenian Central Election Commission, Serj Sarkisan, Prime Minister, collected about 52.86% of votes and won the elections. Armenian opposition does not agree with the results. Azimov said that the new initiatives would define the next steps which Azerbaijan will take. The date for the co-chairmen' visit to the region has not yet been announced.
The election of a new president in Armenia will not affect the negotiations to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a member of the election watchdog delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Bjorn Jacobsen said to Trend in a telephone conversation from Strasburg. " Armenia should tackle the issue," he said. Regarding the protest by the Armenian opposition, Jacobsen said those who were dissatisfied with the results of the elections should have taken proper steps before the elections in order to receive more votes. "But it is the choice of the opposition to hold a protest action," he said. It is the second day that the Ter-Petrossian's supporters are holding demonstrations in Yerevan in which they are urging for the results of the elections to be re-considered. Some 20 tents were set up in the Freedom Square in the centre of Yerevan in which Ter-Petrossian's supporters spent the night. According to Jacobsen, the elections in Armenia were held in compliance with the country's international obligations. However, further progress is required to solve the remaining problems. "Further improvements and political will is necessary to remove the public's distrust for the elections," Jacobsen said.