Official chronicle
The 85th jubilee of Acad. Zarifa Aliyeva, an outstanding ophthalmologist, is being marked on 28 April in Azerbaijan. Tremendous interests towards the scientific researches of Aliyeva, who graduated the faculty of medical prophylactics from the Azerbaijani Medical Institute in 1947 and later did an improvement course from the Moscow Central Institute, led her to the Azerbaijani Scientific Research Institute of Ophthalmology. The first stage of Aliyeva's 18-year long medical activities, covering the period from 1949 to 1967, coincided with the period when Azerbaijan suffered from the widely spread contagious disease Trachoma. Skilful organization of work in fighting this disease damaging eyes and in most of the cases leading to complicated results, even the loss of eyesight, became the most important problem in the country. Aliyeva took an active part in the organization and accomplishment of medical treatment and prophylactic measures against the disease, regularly traveled the regions where the trachoma was spread widely, gave lectures for ophthalmologists, and held talks with the local residents. In 1960, Aliyeva successfully concluded her Ph.D. thesis "Other connections of synthomycin therapy methods in treatment of trachoma" and in 1963 the Supreme Attestation Commission of the USSR conferred her title of 'Senior scientific specialist on ophthalmology'. Results of many-year observations, clinical researches and experiments provided the basis of Aliyeva's Ph.D. thesis. She defended the work on 'Status of eyesight organs of employees involved in Azerbaijani chemical enterprises' in one of the world influential ophthalmologic centers - the Gelmgoltz Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Eye Diseases. The Azerbaijani scientist's work was appraised by ophthalmologists, and was first in that sphere. In 1977 Aliyeva received her PhD. in medical sciences. In 1981, the Azerbaijani scientist was awarded the Acad.Averbakh prize of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, for her great contribution in the development of ophthalmology, particularly scientific researches in the sphere of professional pathology of eyesight organs. After the election of Aliyeva as the head of the Ophthalmology Chair of the Azerbaijani State Institute of Doctors Improvement in 1983, this organization's activities got expanded. Acad. Aliyeva, an honored scientific worker of Azerbaijan, Laureate of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, was recognized as an authoritative scientist by the renowned medical luminaries. Approximately, 150,000 scientific works, 12 monographic works were published and 12 rationalization proposals were put forward in the scientific field where she was involved. In 1983, she was elected as the Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR for great services and many-year scientific research activities. The Academician, who was involved in scaly public work for all her life, was a member of the Presidium of the All-Union Society of Ophthalmologists, the Presidium of the Azerbaijani Ophthalmology Society, as well as editorial staff of Moscow-based Vestink Oftalmologii magazine.
On 28 April Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the Slovakian Foreign Minister, the Chairman of the Council of Europe (CE) Committee of Ministers Jan Kubis and his delegation. President Aliyev stated that the visit by Kubis is very important in terms of discussions to develop bilateral relations, Azerbaijan`s cooperation within the international organizations and the country`s European integration. Kubis agreed by stating that his visit to Baku would be an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
On 28 April, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Secondary School named after Acad. Zarifa Aliyeva, a famous ophthalmologist, in Yasamal District of Baku. At the beginning Aliyev participated in the unveiling of a bust of Azad, Aliyeva. After the opening of the new school the head of state became familiar him with a photo exposition describing the life and activities of Heydar and Zarifa Aliyev. Misir Mardanov, the Azerbaijani Education Minister, informed the President of the facilities offered at the school built through the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, in accordance with the advanced standards and was put into exploitation shortly. The school which accommodates 840 children, was provided with advanced equipment and computers with internet connections. The President also became familiar with the laboratory, computer center, library, sports hall, English study. The head of state visited Zarifa Aliyeva's room, which depicted different photographs reflecting the prominent scientist's life and activities. The school which specializes in English, Math and computer studies is allocated for pupils of 9-11 classes.
Heydar Aliyev has established an ideology of tolerance in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan is an example of tolerance all over the world due to his policy," Ramiz Mehdiyev, the head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan said on 29 April. Today the representatives of various faiths co-exist in Azerbaijan due to the services of Heydar Aliyev," said Mehdiyev during his speech in the presentation of the book Heydar Aliyev and National-Spiritual Values devoted to Heydar Aliyev's 85th anniversary. The book by Adel al-Falah, the deputy minister of Aqwaf and Islamic Affairs of Kuwait is dedicated to the many-sided political, social and diplomatic activities of former president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. The book is published in Arabic, Azerbaijani and Russian languages. Sheik-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the head of the Caucasus Muslims Clerical Board, Hidayat Orujov, the chairman of Committee for Religious Associations of Azerbaijan, and heads of different faiths and social and religious leaders took part in the presentation ceremony.
On 29 April, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Stoere and his accompanying delegation. President Aliyev said that he is quite confident that the Norwegian Foreign Minister would hold effective meetings here. The Head of State stressed that this visit would be important for the development of bilateral relations in the future. Stoere conveyed to Mr. Aliyev the greetings from King Harald V of Norway and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. According to Stoere, his meeting with Azerbaijani counterparts was very fruitful. President Ilham Aliyev also asked the ambassador to extend his best wishes and greetings to the Norwegian King and Prime Minister.
On 29 April, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on the country's Day of Queen. President Aliyev expressed his confidence that friendship and cooperation, multilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Netherlands will further contribute in welfare of both the nations.
On 30 April President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the Presidential Palace received credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of a number of foreign countries to Azerbaijan, including Ambassador of Portugal (Jose Manuel de Carvalho Lameiras), Ambassador of Bangladesh (Mohammed Ishtiaq), Ambassador of Afghanistan (Muhammad Yahya Marufi), Ambassador of Denmark (Jesper Vahr), Ambassador of Australia (Peter Doyle) and Ambassador of Indonesia (Ivan Veiranata Etmaja).
On 1 May, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Commander of the Turkish Air Force Aydogan Babaoglu. During the conversation, they stressed that friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are successfully developing in all the spheres. Both Ilham Aliyev and Aydogan Babaoglu expressed their confidence that the Turkish Air Force Commander's visit will contribute in boosting the bilateral military cooperation between the two countries.
On 1 May, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, signed an order on preparation of a State Program on Reliable Food Supply to Population. Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers is in-charge of devising the project of the State Program within three months for submission to the President. The representatives of the relevant Governmental organizations as well as independent experts will be involved in devising the project of the State Program. The order takes effect from the day of signing.
On 1 May the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a message of greetings to participants in the Eleventh Eurasian Economic Summit. The message says that the Summit meetings annually held under the aegis of the Turkish Government play an important role in the development of economic, political and cultural relations between states and peoples. Attendance of high-ranking delegates from Europe, Asia and Africa and representatives of international organizations has a positive impact on building friendly and cooperative relations in the region. The message contains a confidence that the Summit will be useful for the regional and international
On 1 May, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued an order appointing Jahangir Askerov as the President of Azerbaijan Air Lines CSC.
On 2 May the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Chairman of the European Court on Human Rights, Jan-Pol Kost. During the meeting, an exchange of views was held on the current situation as well as prospects of co-operation between Azerbaijan and European Court.
On 2 May, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a congratulation message to President of Poland Lech Kaczynski on the eve of Country's national holiday- Constitution Day. "Today, Azerbaijan and Poland have developed successfully, and have been upgraded to the level of strategic partnership. The cooperation between our friendly countries is expanding on a bilateral basis and within the framework of regional organizations and projects I am sure that our efforts to develop relationships and carry out joint work will be constantly continued," message says. President Aliyev extended his best wishes for success of Polish counterpart and for the stability and progress of the Poland people.
On 2 May a multimedia disk 'Heydar Aliyev', which was prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and ruling New Azerbaijan Party, was presented in the Yacht Club. The disk reflects Heydar Aliyev's political activities after he came to power in 1969. The multimedia disk is comprised of eight sections being dedicated to Heydar Aliyev's activities with regards to economy, culture, army establishment, foreign policy, etc. During the event, speeches were made by the Deputy Chairman, Executive Secretary of New Azerbaijan Party, Ali Ahmadov and Deputy Prime Minister, Ali Hasanov. In addition, prepared by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies, post stamps dedicated to the 85th anniversary of ex-President of Azerbaijan were presented during the event.
On the eve of elections
The recommendations made by international organizations and the Ago group should be implemented on the threshold of presidential elections in Azerbaijan, Yan Kubis, the Chairman of Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe stated to journalists. "The candidates for the presidential post should have access to the media and air time in order to make known their programs," Kubis said. According to Kubis, the media should be involved actively in preparations for the elections. "I have called upon the Azerbaijani officials to focus on what can they do within this short period of time to hold democratic elections," Kubis stated.
Ramiz Mehdiyev, Head-of-Staff of Azerbaijani Executive Presidential Administration, believes that the purpose of the demonstrations which the country's opposition intends to hold is obscure. "It is difficult to understand the core of the opposition demonstrations. It is unclear why opposition wants to impede silent life of the population," Mehdiyev said to journalists on 29 April. Mehdiyev said that the statements on prohibition of demonstrations and rallies in Azerbaijan are groundless and if opposition wants to hold a demonstration nobody will stop them "If they have a will and if they manage to assemble the supporters, they may hold demonstrations," he said. According to Mehdiyev, boycott of the upcoming presidential elections is a domestic affair of the opposition parties. "Elections in Azerbaijan will be held democratically, transparently and openly. Anyone willing may take part and those who do not want may abstain," he said. Mehdiyev said that the conditions for supervision over the presidential elections by representatives of the international organizations will be provided. "We do not hide anything. Present atmosphere and the social and political situation show that Azerbaijan will hold really good and exemplary elections," Mehdiyev said.
The chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB) stated that during the upcoming presidential elections the believers of Azerbaijan will vote for the candidate from the state authorities, the current President Ilham Aliyev. "The believers have made their decision. They will vote for the real democratic policy - Ilham Aliyev," Sheik-ul-Islam Allashukur Pashazade said in a conference on 'Heydar Aliyev - national and moral values' on 29 April.
The representatives of OSCE, Council of Europe and European Commission in Azerbaijan has published support program in connection with the presidential elections in to be held in 2008. "We assess the election process as a key priority of the activities of the international organizations in Azerbaijan," said the joint statement by Denis Bribosia, the head of the Council of Europe Office, Hose Luis Herrera, the head of the OSCE Baku Office and Alan Adams, the head of the European Commission Representation in Azerbaijan published on 30 April. The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held on 15 October. The ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party has announced that it will nominate the current President Ilham Aliyev for the elections. The Deputy executive secretary of the Party Siyavush Novruzov said to media earlier that the candidate from the ruling party will gain 97% of the votes. Isa Gambar, the chairman of Musavat Party who is considered to be the key opposition, said in early April during his meeting with the youth of the party that the candidates gaining less than 25% of the votes should think of quitting policy. The other opposition parties, Democratic Party Great Establishment, Umud, and Green Party of Azerbaijan will also nominate their candidates for the presidential elections. The joint declaration by the international organizations in Baku said that it is not yet late to take relevant measures for a conduct of elections in line with international standards and all people involved in the election process should make serious efforts for this purpose. The support program by the international organizations stated that it is important to strengthen the experience and independence of executive bodies involved in the election process, to make contribution to media which will insure broadcast of election campaign of all candidates, to advocate freedom of assembly and to increase the interest of the public to the election process. Denis Bribosia, the head of the Council of Europe Office in Baku, said during the press conference in Baku on 30 April that there will be TV debates, election-related training in the regions and assistance for the domestic observers prior to the elections. Bribosia believes that the unnecessary restrictions on the rallies by the law-enforcement agencies should be banned.
The American Administration has allocated $3mln to hold the democratic presidential elections in Azerbaijan. The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan in October 2008. "The funds have been allocated not for any political parties or organizations, but to improve the situation in the sphere of freedom of speech and the election situation in the country," Anne E. Derse, US Ambassador in Azerbaijan stated in Baku on 1 May. The American diplomat called upon all political parties in Azerbaijan to participate in the upcoming presidential elections. Derse stated that the approaching elections would be most democratic which has ever been held in the country. Derse hoped that the issue regarding amendments into the Election Code would be solved before the elections. The Popular Front, Liberal and Citizen and Development parties, united in the Azadlig bloc, stated that they would boycott the elections should the election commission not be formed on a parity basis.
The resources allocated by the Election Fund will be increased after changes are made to the Election Code, Safa Mirzayev, Head of the Administration of the Azerbaijani parliament said to Trend . The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held on 15 October 2008. Changes have been made to the Election Code as a result of discussions between the Venice Commission and Azerbaijani government in order to improve the election process. According to Item #191 of the election code of Azerbaijan, the state budget allocates resources for the election campaign of the presidential candidates and its amount should not exceed one million divisible and conventional financial units (AZN1.1) (AZN100,000 (US$83,200)). The candidates polling less than 3% of the votes are required to return the amount to the state budget.
A group of investigative experts will be established to eliminate the problems which may take place during the Presidential elections in Azerbaijan, the Head of Administration of Azerbaijan Parliament, Safa Mirzayev, reported to Trend . This issue will be presented for discussion in Parliament in the near future. According to Mirzayev, the investigative experts will consider the complaints received before and after the elections. According to Mirzayev, in addition, it needs to seriously study the issue to reduce the electoral campaign in Azerbaijan. The period of the election campaign is four months in the Electoral Code. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party considers that the period of the election campaign in Azerbaijan should be shortened from four months to two months in line with international standards. Mirzayev said that should the period of the election campaign be reduced, a necessity will arise to make changes to the legislation. Therefore, he said that this issue should be carefully studied.
Parliament
Currently 50,000 Armenians live in Azerbaijan and they do not face religious or ethnic intolerance. "No one can blame us in this connection," Ziyafat Askarov, First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament, said at the meeting with the Bavarian parliamentary delegation on 2 May. According to Askarov, Armenia committed ethnic cleansing and 250,000 Azerbaijanis living in that country were evicted from their homes. "The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which arose from Armenia's aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan impedes the development of the country. Aggression is still commonplace," he said. The Bavarian parliamentary delegation headed by Manfred Ach arrived in Azerbaijan on 1 May. Bavarian MPs will hold a range of meetings at the Parliament, Foreign Ministry and Economic Development Ministry of Azerbaijan.
The MPs presenting opposition in the Azerbaijani parliament will set up a Study Group to study where the resources allocated from the state budget are spent. "The resources allocated by the state budget are not spent in a right way and they are misappropriated," Panah Huseyin, the member of the opposition group of Musavat party said. The increase in state budget for 2008 was also discussed during the meeting. According to Huseyin, the state budget is formed from the oil incomes and then it is misappropriated. "The state budget for 2008 envisages rise in the resources allocated for repair and construction works by AZN1.6bln, but is does not indicate on what these resources are spent," he said. Ziyafat Asgarov, the vice-speaker of the parliament regarded Huseynov's speech to be groundless.
Foreign policy
Official Baku has protested to the US State Department due to the fact that on 2 May an event named 'The 20th Anniversary of Artsakh' will be held in The Wilshire Ebell theatre in Los Angeles, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said to journalists in Baku on 29 April. According to Azimov, official Baku also expressed its objection to the US Embassy in Azerbaijan. The Armenians have declared that the historical name of the Nagorno-Karabakh region is Artsakh. " Washington's position on Nagorno-Karabakh was expressed in the official statement of the State Department," Jonathan Henik, head of PR Department at the US Embassy in Azerbaijan, said to Trend . "The US State Department again stated that it does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state, but will continue its activities intended for the peaceful settlement of the conflict," Henik said. He added that the theatre holding the event is a non-state. Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Los Angeles sent a protest letter to Philip Miller, chief manager of The Wilshire Ebell, in connection with the event.
The Iraqi Embassy in Azerbaijan is investigating the fact that how a group of Azerbaijanis could manage to visit the holy places in Iraq without any visas. "I never issued any visas to the Azerbaijani citizens who wanted to visit the holy places in Iraq," Arshad Omar Ismayil, Iraqi Ambassador in Azerbaijan, stated to journalists on 29 April. About 100-150 Azerbaijani citizens visited the holy places in Kerbala, Najaf and Samira cities in Iraq. The Ambassador stated that the passports of Azerbaijani citizen did not have any visas from Iraq to Baku. "I have appealed the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry of Iraq to investigate into the matter," the Ambassador stated. The Ambassador stated that each foreign citizen willing to visit Iraq, should first of all receive the permission from the Interior Ministry of the country. As for the issue of visas to Azerbaijani citizens by the Iraqi Embassy in Iran, the Ambassador stated that the Iraqi Embassy in Iran could only issue the visas for Iranian citizens, but not for the Azerbaijanis.
On 30 April, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Adrian Severin, the Romanian member of the European Parliament, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported. The European MP noted the importance of Azerbaijan's special position in the European Neighbouring Policy to establish strategic cooperation between the organization and the country and said that Azerbaijan has the potential. He added that not only is the oil and gas policy of Azerbaijan important for the European Union, but its geopolitical situation as well, dynamic development of economy and the contribution which Azerbaijan can make in cooperating between EU and Middle Asia. Mammadyarov informed Severin that the first report on the fulfilment of Azerbaijan's Action Plan on EU Neighbouring Policy had already been developed and that integration with Europe resulted in progress in a range of fields in the country. He suggested researching the opportunities to establish the GUAM Friendship Group at the European Parliament. Regarding the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov and Severin condemned the occupation of Azerbaijan's territory and said ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia on the principle of 'determination of its future' are intolerable. The Romanian representative said not national minorities but nations may 'determine its future' and the Armenians have already determined themselves within Armenia. They noted the necessity to improve the knowledge about Azerbaijan at the European Parliament, to organize visits of MPs to Azerbaijan and also discussed lobby activities.
On 1 May, the Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan talks on status of the Caspian Sea began in Ashgabat. "The delegation of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry headed by Khalaf Khalafov, the deputy foreign minister, has paid an official visit to Turkmen capital city in order to hold talks in this regard," the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan said on 1 May. Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan do not have claims to each-other concerning the division of Caspian's bottom. Both bilateral and three-sided agreements on this issue have been signed amongst these three states. The parties have also reached a consensus on determination of the co-ordinates of the medium division line. However, Turkmenistan and Iran abstain from determining the co-ordinate of the medium division line. It hinders the determining status of the Caspian sea. The basic disagreement between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan is over the Kapaz field, which Turkmenistan considers to be its own field with a name of Sardar. According to the seismological prospecting, the field is supposed to have some 150mln barrels of oil and gas-condensate reserves.
The prospects to develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran will be discussed between the two countries on a government level within the next few days in Baku. The talks will be held during the visit of the Iranian first deputy foreign minister Sheik Attar to Baku. The first deputy minister of Iran Sheik Attar and the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Tehran Abbasali Hasanov have discussed in Tehran details of the forthcoming visit including the next meeting of the joint economic cooperation commission, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran said to Trend on 2 May. Steps to hasten the realization of economic projects, which is important for both countries, is expected to be discussed during the next meeting of the joint commission. The intensification of work to develop the North-South transport corridor, in which Azerbaijan plays a big part, will have special emphasis during the Azerbaijan-Iran talks.
Political movements
The opposition MP group of Azerbaijan has called upon all the political parties to participate in the upcoming presidential elections. "The key opposition forces should participate in the elections to create democratic conditions," MP Panah Huseyn, a member of Musavat MP group, stated to Trend . The presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be held in October 2008. The Azadlig bloc, which unites three opposition parties, is expected to boycott the elections if the framework of election commissions is not re-formed. However, the Musavat, Umid, Democratic, Great Establishment and Green party of Azerbaijan will participate in the presidential elections. According to Huseyn, participation in elections is most optimal way to fight against the Authorities. MP does not agree with the statement that participation in the elections will give the Authorities a chance to create visible democratic environment in the country. The International community is informed about the situation in Azerbaijan, MP stated. Huseyn considers the activity and struggle of the public significant for the development of democracy in the country. Participation of opposition in the elections might accelerate the public participation.
A group of Unified Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (UPFPA) members in organization of the party in Narimanov district of Baku have put forward their resignation, Trend said on 28 April. The authors of the declaration attributed their resignation to the fact that in spite of the forthcoming presidential elections, the Party is not active enough and it has not yet expressed its position in this regard. A total of 17 members of the Narimanov organization of the Party have decided to continue their activities with the opposition Road of Azerbaijan Political Movement (RAPM). Shamsaddin Rahimli, the deputy chairman of RAPM for organizational issues said to Trend that a group of members of the Narimanov district organization had presented their declarations and it is being considered at the moment. Rafi Mahmudov, the chairman of Narimanov district organization of UPFPA also confirmed the resignation of 17 members of the party. Two of the resigning members are deputy chairmen of district organization. A group of members of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) headed by Gudrat Hasanguliyev broke away from the party in 2002 and held its united meeting. It was known as the uniting wing of PFPA until 2004. The wing was renamed into the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan in 2004. In 2005, PFPA was registered by the government. The Party considers itself to be a constructive opposition toward the government. Hasanguliyev is the MP of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani parliament).
Yan Kubish, the chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and foreign minister of Slovakia met with the leaders of Azerbaijani opposition parties within his official visit to Baku on 28 April. According to Trend , Eldar Namazov, the head of For Azerbaijan public forum, Avaz Temirhan, the acting chairman of Liberal Party of Azerbaijan, Igbal Agazade, the chairman of Umid (Hope) Party, Asim Mollazade, the chairman of the Democratic Reform Party of Azerbaijan, Ali Karimli, the chairman of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and Arif Hajili, the activist of Musavat (Equality) Party attended the meeting. According to Karimli, the opposition leaders said during the meeting that the country has not been close to European standards during the last 8 years since its entrance to the Council of Europe. "We were informed that Azerbaijan has turned into a non- independent country during this period as the freedom of assembly was banned, the political parties have been deprived of their premises, there is no any political activity in the regions and the problem of political prisoners has not been solved yet. There can be no free elections under such conditions," Karimli said. According to Karimli, the opposition members stressed that Azerbaijani authorities do not fulfill the recommendations of the Council of Europe and it undermines the confidence in Azerbaijan.
The ruling New Azerbaijan party (NAP) called unfair the annual report of the International human right activist organization 'Freedom House' on the state of press in Azerbaijan. "The report shows double standards towards the country by demonstrating the state of press in Azerbaijan worse than that of Armenia," Ali Ahmadov, NAP Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary, stated to journalists. Freedom House has released its annual report in 195 countries on the state of press. As per the research, freedom of press is observed in 72 countries, but no freedom of press is observed in 64 countries and is partially free in 59 other countries. The report said that the freedom of opinion has undergone pressure in the Asian countries and in the post-Soviet areas. No positive promotion was observed in the sphere of press in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, according to the report, has no freedom of press and takes 168th place in the list developed by Freedom of House. Three journalists have been sentenced to different terms of imprisonment. International human rights organizations constantly demand the release of these journalists. Another South Caucasus - Armenia is also included in the list with limited freedom of press countries. Armenia takes 144th places and Russia - 170. Georgia has partial freedom of press. According to Ahmadov, the fact that the state of freedom of press in Armenia is worse than in Azerbaijan shows unfairness of the report.
Nagorno-Karabakh
On 28 April, the Armenian Armed Forces violated the ceasefire agreement from the positions located on the territory of Noyemberansk and Ijevan regions of Armenia. They fired at Azerbaijan positions located in Gazakh region, as well as near the Merzili and Yusifjanli villages of Agdam region. On 29 April, Armenian Armed Forces fired at the Azerbaijani Armed forces from Khojavan, Gedabay, Fuzuli regions, as well as from Gizil Oba and Geyarkh villages of Tartar region, a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported. The National Army of Azerbaijan retaliated, and no casualties have been reported so far.
Norway is prepared to assist Azerbaijan to restore its occupied territories after the conflict is solved. "We are concerned about the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and describe it as a tragedy," Jonas Gahr Store, Norwegian Foreign Minister, stated in the meeting with Azerbaijani students in Baku. The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan." Norway supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and stands for the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh," the Norwegian Minister stated. Store will meet with Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 29 April.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that four Armenian citizens.were detained in the Azerbaijani state border in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for attempting to cause provocation in the Azerbaijani territory. Last week the Azerbaijani military detained the Armenian citizens, namely Vanik Zmboyan, Artem Zograbian, Karen Torosian and Agasi Enokian. Eldar Sabiroglu, the spokesman for the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, said that the detained were serving in the special formation of the Armenian Armed Forces. An investigation has been launched into the case. The Armenian Defense Ministry refuted the reports on the arrest of the Armenian diversification group by the Azerbaijani armed forces. "The Armenian citizens traveled to the military town located in Khachik village to meet their military friends, but lost their the way back and to all appearance passed the territory of Nakhchivan, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian, the spokesman for the Armenian Defense Ministry, said. He said that these people were detained by the special service organizations of Azerbaijan and their health condition is quite normal, as per Armenia's data. Shahsuvarian said that Armenia had appealed to the office of the International Red Cross Committee with a request to organize, jointly with the Baku office, the extradition of the Armenian citizens, Novosti Armenia reported.
A monitoring was held by the personal representative of Chairman-in-office of OSCE in the border regions located near the Alibayli village of Tovuz region on 29 April, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported to Trend . In 1994, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire agreement and peace negotiations are currently ongoing between the countries. From the Azerbaijani side the monitoring was held by Pieter Ki and Antal Herdich, Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office. From the Armenian side the monitoring was held by Imre Palatinus, Irji Aberli and Jaslan Nurtazin, the Field Assistant to Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
On 29 April, the presentation ceremony of book 'War Against Azerbaijan. Targeting Cultural Heritage' about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict took place in Radisson SAS Hotel in Vienna. The book published by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, informed about the history of Nagorno-Karabakh region which sustained Armenian aggression, as well as of many other facts confirming distortion of Azerbaijani history in the region. The event was opened by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Austria Fuad Ismayilov and the book was presented by Foreign Ministry official Kamala Imranli. Austrian Ambassador to South Caucasus Marius Calligaris, ex-Speaker of European Parliament Peter Schieder and representatives of Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas were in attendance. At the end of the event, the attendees watched a documentary about Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The foreign minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan stated that Armenia is ready to continue talks on the basis of the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. Accordingtmo Mediamaks, Azerbaijan should also be ready to continue talks for the productive peace process, the minister said during his interview with the media in the National Assembly of Armenia. Edward Nalbandyan added that he considers it to be right for the parliament to make a statement on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict this week as 'the last statement and move of Azerbaiajn should cause a revelant response'. The Armenian foreign minister said that the resolution on Karabakh problem adopeted in UN General Assembly became an obstacle for peace process.
Vusal Eybatov, 19, an Azerbaijani servicemean previously detained in Nagorno-Karabakh has been handed over to the Azerbaijani authorities under the auspices of the International Commiteee of the Read Cross (ICRC). The Handover operation took place on 3 May in Agdam district of the Republic of Azerbaijan. ICRC delegates had visited the serviceman on several occasions in order to assess his conditions of detention and treatment. The organization had also exchanged family news between the detainee and his relatives. Eybatov was detained by the Armenian Armed Forces on 11 April.