Official news
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on June 30 received the Duke of York Prince Andrew. During the meeting, Andrew expressed the desire of his country to develop cooperation with Azerbaijan. The guest mentioned the importance of dispatch of the first tanker with Caspian oil from the Ceyhan port, noting that the primary goal of his visit is to get familiar with the plans of future development of the country.
Aliyev satisfactorily remembered the last year visit of York duke to Baku. Azeri head stressed that the country has entered into a new stage of development, mentioning the successful realization of energy projects.
On June 30, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Duke of York, Prince Andrew have visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The esteemed guest was informed on the lifetime activities of the nationwide leader, whom belongs exclusive merits in the modern history of country.
President Ilham Aliyev spoke of the activities of Foundation, the huge works aimed at propaganda of the heritage of the great politician, the projects the Foundation carries out.
On 30 June Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on increase of salaries of the military and civil employees of the Interior Forces, financed by public budget (except the military on service) by 100% from 1 July 2006) with respect to improve social terms of employees of Interior Forces of the Interior Forces of Azerbaijan.
All financial expenses, specified by the decree, are covered at the expense of funds allocated out of 2006 public budget for maintenance of the Interior Forces of Azerbaijani Interior Minister.
The Cabinet of Ministers is committed to adopt the new salaries of people specified by the decree, as well as resolve other issues set by the document.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 30 issued a degree conferring officers of the Azeri Interior Ministry high ranks, Trend reports.
In particular, according to the decree, the rank of Police Lieutenant-General was issued to the Azeri deputy interior minister Vilayat Eyvazov and interior minister of Nakchivan Autonomous Republic Ahmad Ahmadov.
Besides, the rank of Police Major-General was issued to the chief of the Head Department for Fight with Drugs of Azeri Interior Ministry Hazi Aslanov and chief of the Head Criminal Investigation Department of the Interior Ministry Emin Shakinski.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree June 30 for raising the salaries of employees of law-enforcement authorities of Azerbaijan that possess special knowledge, as well as that of civil employees of these authorities, Trend reports.
The document says in order to raise the welfare and improve social security of these persons, starting July 1, 2006 monthly wage for position and tariff salary of the category mentioned in Appendix 1 of said decree, is raised by 50 %..
Alongside, monthly wage of persons stipulated in Appendix 2 of said decree is raised by 100% .
The salary for special positions of employees of the Ministry of Interior is raised by 100% starting August 1, 2006
On June 30, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree for awarding a number of employees of law-enforcement authorities of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
The decree signed on the occasion of The Police Day, states that for distinguished service in prevention and investigation of crimes, protection of public order and courage and bravery shown while defending the countrys territorial integrity, 21 employees of police (17 of them post-mortem) are awarded with medals В"MotherlandВ". Other 57 employees have been awarded with medals В"For braveryВ".
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 30 signed an order conferring the chairman of the Sport Society of the Azeri Interior Ministry police-colonel Rafig Hajiyev a title of Honoured worker of sport and physical training, Trend reports.
It is stated in the document that the desicion was made takning into consideration the service of Hajiyev in the development of physical and combat training of the personnel of the Azeri Interior Ministry.
According to other order of the president, the deputy chief of the Police Academy police-colonel Nazim Jafarli was conferred a title of Honoured teacher for his proper service in the sphere of staff training for internal bodies of Azerbaijan.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 29 received the chief of Headquarter of Armed Forces of Turkish Republic army-general Hilmi Ozkek, Trend reports.
According to Aliyev, at present, the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey is at a very high level and is strengthening. Joint activities are realized on various international questions and very serious international projects are carried out. In Aliyevs opinion, in this context, the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is of great importance.
Since the restoration its independence, Azerbaijan has always felt the support from Turkey which plays a great role in the formation of professional army, told Aliyev.
Aliyev highly assessed the role of Hilmi in this process. Taking into consideration the service of chief of headquarter of Turkish armed forces, Aliyev awarded him order Honour.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev started a two-day visit to Ujar and Zardab, central Azerbaijan, on 29 June with respect to get familiar with the implementation of the state program on socio-economic development of regions
The official visit of Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to Ujar district on June 29 started from the opening ceremony of Heydar Aliyev monument and museum named after Heydar Aliyev.
Delivering a report before the community of Ujar district, Aliyev noted that the primary goal of his visit was to get familiar with the process of realization of programs for the development of the regions, as well as take additional measures.
Azeri economy is developing and Azerbaijan takes the first place in the world for the growth rate. Within 2,5 years, around 400 thousand new work places have been opened in the country, but during the presidential election I promised to open 600 thousand work places. We will be able to implement this plan, told Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, the level of the poverty in the country has been decreased by 20% within a year.
Azerbaijan turns into an important supplier in production and export of oil. Due to the realization of oil strategy, Azerbaijan will gain opportunities for the implementation of favorable programs. If Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline wasnt realized, the economic development wouldnt be optimistic, Aliyev added.
Aliyev told that the economy of Azerbaijan is stronger than Armenian economy by five times and due to the continuation such rate of growth of Azeri economy, our economy will be stronger than Armenian economy by 10-20 times.
Azerbaijan will never support the peaceful solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which doesnt correspond to the national interests, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev made such a statement on June 29 while delivering a report before the community of Ujar district.
According to Aliyev, the hugest problem of Azerbaijan is the results of aggression from Armenian sides, and despite that the peaceful talks have been continuing for more than 10 years, the conflict hasnt been settled yet.
The talks give no results. We dont want war, but at the same time, we will never agree that Nagorno-Karabakh is parted from Azerbaijan. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan isnt the topic of talks. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized by the whole world, Aliyev added.
According to Aliyev, UNO admitted Azerbaijan into its membership together with Nagorno-Karabakh and it creates a very good legal base. We will not go away from this position, Aliyev added.
Within the visit to Ujar district, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening ceremony of the reconstructed bus station. The repair works took about six months, Mubariz Abbasov, the head of the bus station, told, Trend reports.
The bus station may serve 100-180 auto-transport means and 700-800 passengers a day. The station will be used mainly for the transit transportations through Ujar, as well as passages to other regions of the country. The head of the station appealed to the Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan for opening of a passage to Moscow.
The opening ceremony was the first part of the visit of president to Ujar district. The goal of the visit is to get familiar with the realization of state programs on social-economic development of regions of Azerbaijan. Besides, the president will visit Gazi-Gumlag avenue where a hospital will be opened named after Zarifa Aliyeva and repaired school.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline is very important for the region and will affect on the processes developing worldwide, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated in his address to public in Zardab District of Azerbaijan on 30 June 2006, Trend reports.
The head of state said that over the past 2.5 years around 400,000 new jobs have been created in the country, while Azerbaijan ranks the top place for growth pace of the GDP.
Aliyev noted that the countrys leadership continued adhering a constant policy set up by the former President Heydar Aliyev, who is the author of the national oil strategy. But we have a number of tasks to fulfill and we should ensure economic and energy security, the President added.
Aliyev reminded that over 4,500 schools function in Azerbaijan, of which 60-70% are in need of renovation. Last year 300 new schools were built in the country and this year it is planned to build schools in the name number.
The head of state participated in opening of the monument and museum of Heydar Aliyev, a ceremony of commissioning of 32-flat building for the Karabakh war disabled, as well as opening of a secondary school and local branch of Bank of Azerbaijan.
The President ended his tour of the central regions of Azerbaijan Ujar and Zardab.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on 29 June to award the chief of the General Headquarters of the Turkish Armed Forces., Army General Hilmi Ozkok, Order of Fame, Trend reports.
The decree notes that Ozkek was awarded for his great contribution in the development of friendly relationships and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 29 received in Baku the head of Cisco Systems Company John Chembers.
Speaking about the economic development in the country, Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan takes leading place in the world in connection with the growth of gross demotic product (GDP). According to Aliyev, the increase of interest of foreign companies including Cisco Systems towards Azerbaijan is the indicator of successful development of the country. Aliyev informed about the demand of the country for new technologies and from this point of view he expressed his hope that the activity of the company will be successful.
Head of the Cisco Systems Company ruled out that his visit will help closely get familiar with the country and developing economy. He expressed his confidence about further expansion of relations with Azerbaijan.
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev on 28 June handed over the highest award of the Republic, Istiglal order, to Artur Rasizade, the Prime Minster of Republic and to Jafar Veliyev, who has worked for long time in numerous state posts.
President Aliyev congratulated Artur Rasizade and Jafar Veliyev, highly estimated their activity, aimed at strengthening of the independent Azerbaijan state. The head of state wished them successes.
Premier Artur Rasizade thanked the President of Azerbaijan for high estimation of his labor. He remembered the grandiose creative work launched by the nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev
Jafar Veliyev, with deep sense of gratitude noted that he had been working for long years with the nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev
On June 28, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met at the Presidential Palace with a group of men of literature - Chingiz Abdullayev, Gulhuseyn Abdullayev (Huseynoglu), Nariman Hasanzade, Sabir Rustamkhanly and Zalimkhan Yagub who earned the Peoples Writer and Peoples Poet honorary titles.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree to dismiss Nizami Khudiyev, the chairman of Azerbaijan TV and Radio Broadcasts CSC.
In accordance with another decree of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Rafig Aliyev, the head of State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations, was dismissed from his position.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 27 received the delegation headed by the chairman of European Congress of Local and Regional Powers (consultative organ of the Council of Europe) Haldvand Skard.
The meeting covered several issues of cooperation of European Congress of Local and Regional Powers with relevant organs of Azerbaijan.
Aliyev noted that the conducting of the jazz festival in Azerbaijan and participation of Hancoock in the festival is a great event in the cultural life of Azerbaijan. According to Aliyev, Azeri culture possesses rich traditions, and the development of this sphere is always paid a special attention.
Hancoock noted that it is his first visit to Azerbaijan. He mentioned the good organization of the jazz festival and that the state support to the development of Azeri culture made a fine impression on him.
On June 27, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev visited the library under the department of affairs of president.
The library was opened in 2003, with the initiative of ex-Azeri president Heydar Aliyev, Trend reports. It was created in base of former library named after V.I.Lenin and former political enlightenment library.
Aliyev got familiar with the readers of bibliographic hall and was interested in the electronic publications of the library.
Aliyev recommended that the book fund of the library be enriched and its material-technical base be upgraded.
On June 27, MP Mehriban Aliyeva, president of Heydar Aliyev Fund and also good-will ambassador of UNESCO in Azerbaijan, participated at the first meeting of the General Assembly of courtiers ratifying the convention on protection of non-material heritage in Paris.
The director general of UNESCO Kaitira Matsura mentioned the important role of Mehriban Aliyeva in the protection of music and non-material cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. Besides, she noted that at present, convention was ratified by 45 countries and 7 countries have joined the convention.
In her speech, Aliyeva congratulated the participants on the occasion of convictions entering into force. She noted that the genetic base of all world nations is non-material heritage and peoples played an important role in the formation of this factor. Therefore the protection of non-material heritage is of great importance in the modern .world. She presented information about the non-material cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. Particularly she noted that mugam (national Azeri music) has become one of the masterpieces and non-material heritage of Azerbaijan.
Aliyeva presented to the attention of the participants that at the moment there are conflicts, and wars in world which destroy cultural heritage. In result of Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenians have destroyed hundreds of architectural and cultural monuments and cities in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan. Aliyeva stressed that it needs to increase the attention of international organizations and the world public towards this issue.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received today Vural Chingiz, President of US Turkish Associations Assembly, Trend reports.
In the course of the meeting, Mr Chingiz provided details on the meetings he had held in Baku, saying relations between Azeri and Turkish communities of the USA are quite well.
In turn, head of state underlined his satisfaction with increase of cooperation between Azeri and Turkish diasporas in the United States. He said these relations serve dissemination of true information on Azerbaijan worldwide.
On June 27, a telephone conversation was held between Azeri president Ilham Aliyev and Georgian president Mikhayil Saakashvili.
The presidents mentioned the successful development of bilateral relations in political, economical and other spheres. Besides, Georgian president said the active participation of Georgia in global energy projects serves the further strengthening of the regional cooperation.
Besides, the presidents exchanged view on various questions. The conversation was held with the initiative of the Georgian president.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 27 received the assistant of Georgian president on national security, secretary of the national security council of Georgia Constantine Kemulari and members of his delegation.
During the meeting, Aliyev ruled out that Azerbaijani-Georgian relations successfully develop in all directions. According to Aliyev, close cooperation of the two countries make a contribution to the expansion of the regional cooperation. Aliyev stressed that the present visit of Kemulari to Baku serves the strengthening of the cooperation of organs of national security of the two countries.
In his turn, Kemulari delivered the greetings of the Georgian president Mikhayil Saakashvili to Ilham Aliyev, mentioning the successful development of bilateral cooperation.
On June 27, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev received the executive secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Ocean Kim Hack-Su, Trend reports.
Kim-Hack-Su he arrived in Baku to participate at the conference organized by UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Ocean. He congratulated Azeri president on big economic successes.
Aliyev called important for Azerbaijan the question discussed at the conference. He told that these and other sectors of Azeri economy achieved big successes in the sphere of energy, and attaches a great importance to the oil sphere and development of infrastructure.
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev on June 27 received German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Detlef Lingeman, in connection with the completion of his mission in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
Aliyev mentioned the service of the ambassador, noting the successful development of bilateral relations.
Remembering the official visit of Aliyev to German in 2004, the ambassador stressed that the visit was of great importance from the point of view of development of bilateral relations. Lingeman expressed the desire of German government, noting that Aliyev is expected to pay a new visit.
The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev adopted an action plan on the development of a system on state reiteration of property, Trend reports. In accordance with the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers is committed to take measures on financing the implementation of the plan.
The action plan includes the formation of a unified system of cadastre and registration of real estate, organization of regional departments of State Register of Real Estate Service, establishment of a unified electron communications connecting them, including the establishment of archive meeting the advanced requirements, study and application of international experience in this direction.
Foreign policy
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is going to make a visit to Slovenia, Trend reports quoting Borut Megusar, Slovenias consul to Azerbaijan.
Consul said Caspian Sea-2008 forum will be held in Slovenia August 27. It will be devoted to power resources supply to Western Europe from Azerbaijan. Heads of states and governments and politicians are invited to the said forum.
Diplomat said Azerbaijans President already confirmed his participation in this event.
Aliyevs participation in the forum is planned alongside his official visit to Slovenia supposed yet to take place in April but postponed due to health problems of Slovenian president.
The forthcoming visit will be devoted to discussion of development of cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Slovenia shall progress their cooperation in many fields, diplomat said. Slovenia already suggested signing a number of mutual agreements in such fields as health protection, economy and so.
Megusar said Slovenia opened a consulate in Azerbaijan a year ago, and opening embassy is on agenda.
Consul also said Azeri Embassy to Austria will be accredited in Slovenia in short. В"Absence of embassies is not the problem for development of mutual relations, as the intention is the main pointВ", Megusar said.
Andreas Gross refused from the post of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MP Gultakin Hajiyeva, the deputy head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE, told.
Gross made the statement on refusal at a meeting of the PACE Monitoring Committee. Hence British MP Tonny Lloyd will take this pos. Lloyd is the head of the British parliamentary delegation at the PACE. Gross has been appointed the rapporteur on Serbia.
Newly appointed PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly, head of the British parliamentary delegation at the PACE. Tony Lloyd, was born 25 February 1950, Trend reports.
Lloyd has been member of the Assembly since 2000 and represents the Labor Party of the UK. He is a member of the group of socialists at the PACE, Vice-President of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly, member of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights.
He is also a member of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights, member of the Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities, member of the sub-committee on Human Rights and alternates Robert Walter in the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development.
In accordance with the resolution of the PACE Monitoring Committee, dated 29 June, Tony Lloyd, has been appointed the co-chair on Azerbaijan, he replaced Andreas Gross, a Swiss MP, in this post.
British MP Tony Lloyd, new PACE co-rapporteur for Azerbaijan, is visiting Baku in September-October 2006.
Mr Lloyd told Trends special correspondent in Strasburg the big work is on his shoulders В"Upon visiting Azerbaijan and familiarizing with the situation on place, I will share my ideas and opinionsВ", he said, adding there will be many meetings in the course of such visit.
В"The top priority issues for me are human right protection and election system reformingВ", he said.
As to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mr Lloyd, avoiding the exact reply, said in common that this problem settlement is very important for South Caucasus.
FM of Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov met assistant to the President of Georgia on national security, Secretary of the Council of National Security of Georgia Konstantin Kemulari, 28 June.
Kemulari expressed gratitude for hospitality, reminding existence of historical friendly and cultural ties between two countries.
Touching upon the frozen conflicts in region, the guest said these conflicts are serious obstacles for development and realization of large-scale regional and international projects. Speaking of the negotiations on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Kemulari said this problem should be solved only in the frame of international principles and on the base of Azerbaijans Constitution.
Minister Mammadyarov noted that use of the occupied areas, as the instrument of pressure is inadmissible. Armenia should withdraw its armed forces from the occupied territories and the IDPs return to their homelands.
Kemulari expressed support for Azerbaijans position in fair settlement of the conflict. Armenias suggestions on the status of Nagorno Karabakh before withdrawal of its troops from the occupied areas do not go in line with the principles of international law.
В"Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will pay a working visit to Azerbaijan on July 4. One of the key issues during the visit will be dedicated to talks on additional volume of gas from the Shah-Deniz field for Georgia.
According to Nogaideli, the experts from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey have completed the work on Georgias receiving additional gas from the project of Baku-Tbilisi-Arzurum gas pipe, special correspondent of Trend in Tbilisi reports. On June 16-17, the experts discussed in Tbilisi the proposals of Georgian side which touches on Georgias purchase of at least 1,5 billion cubic meters of natural gas at a reduced price from 2007 from South Caucasus gas pipe.
After the visit to Azerbaijan, the Georgian prime minister will leave for Turkey where he will hold analogical talks. Georgia hopes that it will be able to increase its share at the expense of Turkey.
Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov is soon making an official visit to Kuwait, Trend reports quoting Shahin Abullayev, Azeri Ambassador to Kuwait.
He said this visit should have taken place earlier but was postponed due to the death of Kuwait emir. The exact date of the visit is being coordinated today.
Abdullayev said Azeri Prime Minister has been invited to Kuwait as well. The visit of Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to Kuwait is also planned, he added.
The Ambassador said Kuwait government is interested in development of relations with Azerbaijan and decided to open its embassy in Baku.
Azerbaijan and Kuwait are developing draft agreement in the sphere of struggle with the international terror, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kuwait, Shahin Abdullayev, told Trend.
According to Abdullayev, the two sides design approximately 10 documents for signing, which are mainly focused on economic sphere. The documents concern evasion from dual taxation, protection and enhancing of investments, formation of intergovernmental economic commission. Besides, the draft agreements on cooperation in the sphere of tourism, education and culture are under development.
The documents will be signed during the forthcoming visits of senior ranking delegations. The documents can be signed during the Azerbaijani Present Ilham Aliyevs official visit to Kuwait either this year, or early next year.
Relations of Azerbaijan with Israel shouldnt irritate Islamic countries, Vagif Sadigov, Azeri deputy foreign minister, told, Trend reports.
Azerbaijan carries out policy of establishing normal good neighboring relations with all states, and Israel isnt excluded in this plan, told Sadigov. Most of Arabic countries have good relations with Israel.
Diplomatic relations dont mean close relations, Sadigov added.
The EU is waiting for Azerbaijans response regarding Action Plan under the European Neighborhood Program (ENP), Trend reports quoting Arif Mamedov, Azeri Ambassador to Benilux and the EU.
The document draft was first time discussed in Baku in December 2005, then in Brussels March 7. The next round of consultations was supposed to pass May 15 in Baku but postponed. At the moment this document is passing coordination procedure with relevant ministries and authorities
The EU mission at these conversations will be headed by Hugh Mingarelli, General Director for relations with Central and Eastern Europe. Azerbaijan is represented by Mahmud Mamedkuliyev, deputy Foreign Minister.
Indonesia opens embassy in Azerbaijan, Trend reports quoting the Azeri Foreign Ministry.
This desire of Indonesian government was delivered by the Indonesian foreign minister Hasan Vizadiyad at the meeting with Azeri foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov within the participation of the session of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
At the moment, the diplomatic relations between the two countries was regulated by the Indonesian embassy in Turkey.
Switzerland is opening its embassy in Azerbaijan. Officials of Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told Trend this issue was discussed at the meeting between deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mamedkuliyev and State Secretary of Swiss Federal Department M. Ambule during his visit to Geneva.
At the meeting, the parties talked of mutual relation development, trade and economic cooperation prospects and interaction in international organizations. Hey will also speak of security and Switzerlands help to Azerbaijan in joining WTO.
While in Geneva, Azeri official talked to chief representative of Switzerland to WTO, general Director of Development and Cooperation Agency and other officials of this country.
Matthew Bryza, Assistant to Us Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair, said US President George W Bush stated US closing to the positions of president Ilham Aliyev, which will positively influence the progress of democratic reforms in the republic.
Trend reports referring to Azadlyg radio, Mr Bryza said US interests on Caucasus relate to three spheres: energy, security and democratic reforms.
В"Indeed, we have some energy interests, and we do not restrain from statements about them. The United States also have traditional interests in a security sphere. Firstly, this concerns fighting terrorism, prevention of nuclear weapon distribution, reduction of conflicts and preservation of territorial integrity of countries in the regionВ"
Mr Bryza said also all the conflicts in the region shall be settled with account for territorial integrity of countries.
В"Stating Georgias example, one may see that conflicts in this country shall be settled with account for its territorial integrity. As to Nagorno-Karabakh, US position is well-known. We support Azerbaijans territorial integrityВ", Bryza said.
American diplomat said US maintain economic and democratic reforms in the countries of the region. He said security is based on legitimacy that calls for both democracy and economic welfare.
Mr Bryza stated White Houses serious interest in democratic reforms in Azerbaijan. В"We feel positive changes in the republic ion this respect, he added.
n 29 June the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, paid an official visit to Finland.
he program of the visit envisages meetings with the Finnish President Taria Khalonen, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Maori Pekkarinen, the Foreign Minister Erki Tuomioa, the State Secretary of the Foreign Minister, Perti Torstila, Deputy Secretary of State Markus Pelira, head adviser of Nokia corporation, Miko Khaikonen.
he key objective of the visit to last by 1 July is to discuss the existing level of interaction between Azerbaijan and Finland, interaction of Azerbaijan with the European and Euro-Atlantic bodies, including the program on European Neighborhood Program and under the NATOs Partnership for Peace.
On July 4, 2006 Azeri Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov is heading with official visit to Germany, Trend reports with reference to Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.
The visit program includes meetings at federal ministries, Bundestag and other authorities, Azeri officials said.
The visit aims at discussion of current level of interaction between Azerbaijan and Germany, Azerbaijan and European and Euro-Atlantic structures, including those under European Neighborhood and Partnership in the name of peace programs.
On June 30, consultations started in Baku between foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Egypt, Trend reports.
The consultations are held between delegations of foreign ministries of the two countries. The Azeri delegation is headed by the deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov and Egyptian delegation by deputy foreign minister on European countries g-joy Fatm al Zahr Etman.
The agenda of the consultations includes wide range of cooperation issues from political and economical cooperation to humanitarian issues. The consultation is the continuation of the bilateral talks held in Egypt in July of last year.
Egypt is interested in all-round development of relations with Azerbaijan, Egyptian deputy foreign minister told journalists in Baku. We support to resolve Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict [within international principles, told Egyptian representative. Besides, Etman noted that she is going to deliver the letter sent by Egyptian foreign minister to Azeri foreign minister.
Besides, the visit program of Egyptian deputy foreign minister includes meetings with Azeri economic development minister Haydar Babayev and education minister Misir Mardanov.
Armenian Azerbaijani conflict
The issue on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be put for the discussions of a meeting of G8 in St.-Petersburg, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign Relationships Department of the Presidents Apparat, told Trend in an exclusive interview. There is no doubt that the United State and Russia would like to put the issue to the consideration of the heads of states of G8, he added.
Touching upon further steps in the negotiation processes Mammadov noted that the absence of information. Now it is summer and representatives of many international organizations and bodies go on for holiday. So, the schedule of meetings and visit is unknown.
Mammadov voiced his opinion in respect to last statement by the US Ambassador Matthew Bryza, OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. He has recently stated that the mediators held the peace dialogue to a definite stage, and now the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia are to take resolution. The co-chairs speak of it to shape a public opinion and boost the Presidents responsibility for taking necessary steps. It all right only by 50%, as the co-chairs making statement sin this respect unfortunately equal Azerbaijan and Armenia. Azerbaijan is a country imposed to occupation, while Armenia is an occupant country, so if they were just they should say that Armenia must take right resolution and undertake the responsibility. In exchange to these crimes and the occupation of the Azerbaijani territory Armenia should take a right position and withdraw the army from these occupied territories. There is no other way, he underlined.
The course of conversations on settlement the Nagorno-Karabakh problem does not satisfy Azerbaijan but it is going to do its best to settle Azeri-Armenian conflict with account for the countrys national interest, Trend reports quoting Vagif Sadikhov, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan.
В"None of the issues on the conversation agenda ha not been agreed upon. Intensive conversations are held and it is untimely to say the referendum will be led in some region of AzerbaijanВ", official said, adding as soon as the parties come to some decision the public in both the countries will be informed at once.
Alongside, Sadikhov stated the necessity in revival of international organizations activity in order to have them accomplish their mediatory mission.
The majority of last loud statements on Nagorno-Karabakh do not reflect the reality, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign Relationships Department of the Presidents Apparat, told Trend in an exclusive interview.
Speaking on the last statements by the US Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Mammadov said that he is the newly appointed diplomat who held a very important in the parliament and very closely familiar with the region. Appointing him as the co-chair the United States wish to be more active and do much in the negotiation process.
At the same time Bryza wants to state that he is well familiar with the negotiation process and wants its progress. Therefore, he submitted different ideas for discussion, which do not reflect either Azerbaijan, or Armenia. They might be Bryzas private position and even the stance by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Therefore, there is necessity to comment on them, Mammadov underscored. The negotiations are held behind the closed doors, he reminded.
The senior ranking official assured that the President of Foreign Minister of Armenia today are very much imposed to pressures by public and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as well as position and rating of Azerbaijan worldwide. Therefore, they are very upset today and reached the deadlock, Mammadov emphasized. The conflict should be resolved, the occupied lands must be liberated, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored, as the United States and all countries urge.
Now the key task of Baku is not to respond speculative statements by the Armenian leadership, but continue peaceable negations this year. The Armenians fear that unless they come to an agreement with Azerbaijan, the developments in other way will result their catastrophe.
Within the summer session of PACE held on June 29 in Strasburg, discussions were held on Nagorno-Karabakh.
The event called Stability Pact in South Caucasus brought together Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations in PACE, as well as European parliamentarians.
The ways of solving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed. Yet there is no statement as a result of the session.
An incident happened between Azerbaijani and Armenian deputies during the discussions of prevention of forest fires in Europe at the session of PACE on June 30. The issue that during PACE summer session the Azeri delegation raised the question of Armenians burning the forests in occupied territories of Azerbaijan dissatisfied Armenian delegation, the special correspondent of Trend in Strasburg reports.
Therefore, at the beginning of the discussions, Armenian representatives Tigron Torosyan and Germini Nagdalyan declared that Azeri delegation speculate with this question.
Then, the members of the Azeri delegation Gultakin Hajiyeva and Ganira Pashayeva stated in their appearances that Armenians try to hide the facts of vandalism.
Pashayeva stressed that Armenia is eager to intensify the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to Pashayeva, Armenian president Robert Kocharyan on May 8 of each year sends a congratulation letter to regime of separatists on the occasion of occupation day of Shusha. Besides, Armenian prime-minister Andanik Margaryan and defense minister Serj Sarkisyan come and deliver a report before separatists, Pashayeva added.
Then, the discussions continued with bilateral accusations.
The Co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group have led the peaceful dialogue to a certain stage after which the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia should make a decision, Mathew Bryza, the USA state secretary advisor on Europe and Eurasia, co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, told in his interview with Radio Liberty, Trend reports.
My words may urge people to create a condition for healthy debates in the region, told Brysa.
I am surprised not at the debates, but at the issue that several persons who are not familiar with the recent statement of co-chairs of Minsk group in Vienna gave a rapid reaction to the meeting. In the statement of co-chair, everything was stated obviously, but my statement was shorter and common, Bryza added.
Samed Seyidov, the Azerbaijani parliamentary representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, submitted to the CE Committee of Ministers recommendations titled Massive fires in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan committed by Armenia and Mountainous Karabakh separatists during the last 20 days, Trend reports
Recommendation 10992 was undersigned by 11 parliamentarians, including PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Andreas Herkel.
After the occupation of the Mountainous Karabakh and seven other regions of Azerbaijan and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis therein followed by seizure and misappropriation of Azerbaijani cultural heritage as well as Armenian forces have recently launched another unprecedented horrible crime against humanity. At the beginning of June 2006, the Armenian occupational forces and the Mountainous Karabakh separatist forces controlled by them initiated the massive burning in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The fires were extensively spread particularly in the occupied villages of Aghdam, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Tartar and Khojavand regions. The massive fires covered thousands of hectares of territories as well as causing severe damage to the environment and nature, stretching over the lands being under the control of Azerbaijan.
On the 132.2 sq. kms area a number of towns, villages, agricultural lands, cultural and historical monuments, existing flora and fauna, living dwellings have been destroyed or burnt by the fire. According to the calculations, as a result of only recent fires, the environmental damage amount is estimated at millions of US dollars.
In consequence of recent fires, a number of ancient historical monuments of Azerbaijan have been destroyed. Ancient cultural monument on the territory of Khojavand region, the Avshars cemetery, Nargiz tapa which is rich in monuments referring to the second millennium at the beginning of our era and is considered as the reserve area, have been completely ruined and have become worthless.
Tigran Torosyan, chairman of Armenian parliament and head of Armenias delegation o PACE, confirmed arsons at occupied Azeri grounds, Trend reports quoting MP Samed Seyidov, had of Azeri delegation to PACE.
Discussions on this matter were held at the session of PACEs liberal-democratic group. Head of Azeri delegation raised the question in regard to barbaric acts and arsons Armenians commit at occupied grounds. He had said head of Armenian delegation shall officially speak on this matter.
Although Armenian official initially wanted to decline these acts, then he confirmed said arsons, though said they dont know who committed it. He promised to order investigation of this matter.
Two documents regarding the occupation policy of Armenia was disseminated by the Azeri delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rafael Huseynov, the member of Azeri delegation in PACE, told Trend.
He noted that in the document Crimes of Armenia against humanity, there were used different facts of bloody Armenian terror against Azerbaijan during XX century. We raised a question before the Council of Ministers that the document should be presented to a separate discussion and gave recommendations for the consideration of the facts in the European Court on Human Rights, told Huseyinov.
Besides, he stressed that the second document was named Ethic cleansing held by Armenian against Azerbaijan. It was stated in the document that Armenia and Armenian lobby jeopardize not only Azerbaijanis, but also several countries around the world. They implements secret and clear separatism policy in the territories densely populated by Armenians. It is described in the document that Armenians is continuing its separatism policy against Azerbaijan, Huseynov stressed.
Statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry dated June 26, 2006 is yet another testament to the regretfully unchanging non-constructive position of the Armenian side on the conflict resolution, Trend cites a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and, notably, the US Co-Chair Matthew Bryza have indicated only the general outline of the individual principles of stage-by-stage peaceful settlement, currently under discussion, which can not be taken out of general context of the proposed document. This creates prerequisites for lack of understanding or overlapping notions, as well as for speculations such as the ones reflected in the statement by the MFA of Armenia. Definition of status is impossible under the conditions of continuing occupation and ethnic cleansing and, accordingly, envisages liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and demilitarization of the whole conflict zone, which, provided that appropriate international security guarantees are in place, will create conditions for return of the forcibly displaced population of Azerbaijan to their homes. This is acknowledged by the Armenian leadership as well, the document underlines.
The Azerbaijan side once again re-affirms being prepared to grant Nagorno Karabakh highest status of self-rule within the framework of the internationally-recognized territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and based on the current Constitution of Azerbaijan. Such an approach, based on the norms and principles of international law and constitutional, is the only possibility to reach durable solution. With the aim of establishing inter-communal peace and harmony, as well as creating objective conditions for defining the region's status, and also taking into consideration the perspective of the region's further development, Azerbaijan will be prepared to review, in conformity with the precedents as existing in the international practice, implementation of a complex of economic and other incentives for the population of Nagorno Karabakh after the restoration of its ethnic composition as of the pre-conflict period.
Recommendations for working out the draft of PACE resolution on illegal settlement on Azerbaijans occupied lands signed by 40 members of Assembly have been submitted to authorities of PACE, Trend reports quoting Ganira Pashayeva, member of Azeri delegation to PACE.
В"In the closest days PACE will unambiguously state its position on this matter. The most important is how Assemblys position will be statedВ", - Azeri MP said, underlining that members of Azeri delegation provided authorities of PACE with full; information on this matter.
В"We have enough facts and documents to reveal Armenias illegal policy on modifying the map of AzerbaijanВ", Pshayeva said, stating he satisfaction with support of Azerbaijans position in PACE.
I hope that the Armenian government will analyze the results of the talks at high level in Rambue and Bucharest, and review its position in the direction of constructivism, Araz Azimov, the Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister, made such a statement in his interview to journalists on June 9, Trend reports.
According to Azimov, day-by-day Armenia becomes alone in its position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict because today there is no support for the position of an aggressor-country. In no country of the world, Yerevan cannot receive any support in its occupation of Azerbaijani lands. Several countries have already expressed their unwillingness to establish normal relations with Armenia. Yerevan understands that its current position will not bring desirable results, told Azimov. Azimov stressed his confidence that the position of Armenia would further weaken day-by-day.
Half of the Armenian people have leaved the country. Therefore, the current position should be looked through, added Azimov.
Touching on the upcoming meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Azimov ruled out that the meeting would focus on the process of negotiations, in particular the issues that what steps can be taken as a result of the meeting of presidents in Bucharest. We have to find an answer to the question: in what direction does it need to continue the peace talks to regulate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
Besides, Azimov expressed his attitude towards the rotation of co-chairs of OSCE Minsk group. I dont think that the diplomat who will substitute Steven Mann will be less experienced in the process of Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict. To my knowledge, the diplomat is also experienced and principal, told Azimov.
Furthermore, Azimov spoke about the positive activity of Steven Mann in the co-chair position. From the conceptual point of view and position of the talks process, Mann brought important advancement to the dialogue process on the solution of Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict, considers Azimov.
Chances for settlement of Azeri-Armenian conflict in 2006 exist and are quite high, but these opportunities shall be used wisely, Trend reports quoting Araz Azimov, deputy Foreign minister of Azerbaijan.
В"The party not using such a chance will be lostВ", - Azimov said, stressing that В"if Azerbaijan waited to date, it can wait a bit more as well. In case we further move in direction we suggest we may achieve some resultsВ", - Azimov said.
He said also Azerbaijans position was sounded not once. В"It should be clear that the countrys areas shall be released from occupation and refugees returned to their homesВ", - he continued.
Alongside, Azimov said official Bakus position does not only include grounds release from occupation. В"Azeri government is looking forward to ensure peaceful coexistence of Azeri and Armenian communities of Nagorno-KarabakhВ", Azimov concluded.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs is going to take diplomatic demarche steps in respect to Lebanon, Tahir Tagizade, the head of the Press and Information Department of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, told Trend. He was commenting on the news article placed the website of the President of Lebanon on 6 June.
President Lahoud is reported to have a meeting with a delegation of the Armenian Tashnak Party headed by its secretary general Hovik Makhtarian.
The meeting was also attended by a delegation of the Armenian Nagorno Karabakh region chaired by Georgi Pedrossian, former minister Sebouh Hofnanian, Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Serge Amerkhanian, and Benjamin Butchakajian.
Tagizade said that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will take relevant steps.
The United States remains committed to helping secure a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Matthew Bryza, the US Assistant Secretary of State, told Trend in exclusive interview.
The Presidents met in Bucharest last weekend for intensive, detailed negotiations. Obviously, no breakthrough was reached, but we continue to believe that 2006 represents a window of opportunity if the Presidents can make difficult, courageous decisions to move forward with a settlement, he underlined.
Bryza also underlined that the United States is interested in broadening our cooperation with Azerbaijan in all spheres. We already enjoy excellent cooperation on military and security matters, energy issues, and democratic and economic reform. President Aliyev's visit to Washington was very successful in advancing this cooperation and we hope to deepen our cooperation still further in the weeks and months to come, he stressed,
We support Azerbaijan in its fair aspiration to liberate its lands which are under [Armenian] occupation, Ekmaleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Organization (OIC), as stating to a news conference in Moscow on 7 June in reply to question to Trend special correspondent.
We support any peace talks between the sides. We support Azerbaijan and call on Armenia to cooperation in international arena with all who endeavor to the resolution of the conflict, no matter whether within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, European Union, UN and other international organizations, he underlined.
It is impossible to state on the achievement of a tremendous progress in a meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Bucharest and at present there is necessity for coordinating the positions of both conflict sides, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, told journalists on 6 June.
On 6-7 June the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will hold additional meeting in Bucharest, which will define the necessity for next round of talks of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents.
There is still hope for the peaceable resolution of the conflict and we are eager to continue efforts in this direction, Mammadyarov underscored. Work for bringing closer the positions of the conflict is continuing. The issue on the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan and repatriation of refugees is under consideration, the Azerbaijani FM stressed.
Moreover, Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan does not rule out possible application of Triest model in the issue on economic autonomy.
However, the issue on autonomy concerns not only the Armenia. But also the Azerbaijani communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh, said the Azerbaijani Minister, noting that the issue on referendum found its exact implication in the Constitution of Azerbaijan
With respect to rotation of the US Ambassador Steven Mann, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Mammadyarov noted that the new diplomat was still to be renamed and the issue will be resolved in the nearest two months. I can only state that the United States is really keen on rapid resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov underlined.
Peaceable talks on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh does not satisfy Azerbaijan, Ali Hasanov, the head of the Public and Political Department of the Azerbaijani Presidents Apparat, told Trend. He was commenting on the last meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in Bucharest.
He noted that the Azerbaijani government still observes absence of a sense of demonstration of healthy thinking and understating on impossibility of maintenance of another countrys territory under occupation.
Touching upon the continuation of the meeting of the heads of Azerbaijan and Armenia he noted that the Presidents themselves will define whether what to do. If President Ilham Aliyev considers the talks as non-perspective, then Azerbaijan will mull other adequate measures, Hasanov assured.
The Minsk Group has new proposals on the resolution of the conflict. However, they are not made public, but analyzed by the sides in working order. The ongoing talks do not satisfy Azerbaijan, as Armenia does not step away from non-constructive position. The international organizations, as well as the Minsk Group have no intention to pressure on it. It does not suit us at all, he underlined.
Political life
A delegation headed by deputy chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, also Executive Secretary of the party, MP Ali Ahmadov, met with the chairman of the National Assembly of Egypt, Fathi Shurur. The talks centered on perspectives of development of interparliamentary relationships, Trend reports.
During the meeting the sides touched upon the activities of the Azerbaijan-Egypt interparliamentary friendship group and the establishment of similar group at the Egyptian parliament.
The Azerbaijani delegation also met with Shiekh of the religious center Al Azhar Muhammad Tantavi. Ahmadov stressed the importance of development of the relationships in all spheres between the two countries, problems linked with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, damage made on Azerbaijan, plight of refugees and internally displaced people. The talks also focused on the 33rd session of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), held recently in Baku.
Tantavi estimated the Armenian barbarism in the Azerbaijani lands and the ethnic conflict against the mankind as an aggression and voiced his disappointment that the international organizations yet have not given right and fair assessment in this respect. Egypt has always supported Azerbaijans right position in the conflict, he stressed.
We dont support to boycott the elections, Ilyas Ismayilov, the chairman of Adalat party, told Trend, expressing his attitude towards the upcoming municipal elections.
He noted that his party will participate in the municipal elections in October. Besides, Ismayilov mentioned that Adalat party is going to be represented in election commissions. According to him, this question will be made clear at the fall session of Azeri parliament in September. We want the Central Election Commission (CEC) to present us a place. If CEC offers us a place, we will send our representative to the commission. Because we dont boycott the elections and will not boycott the representation in CEC, Ilyasov added.
Expressing attitude towards the issue that Musavat party doesnt send its representative to CEC, Ismayilov noted that he respectfully approaches the decision of each party and doesnt intervene in the internal affairs of other parties.
State building
The Defense Minister, Safar Abiyev, on 29 June received Hilmi Oskek, the chief of general Headquarters of the Turkish Armed Forces
Abiyev said that Ozkoks visit will give impetus to the development of cooperation between the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Azerbaijan attaches great importance to large-scale cooperation with Turkey in all spheres, including the military sector, the minister noted. You have great services in the proximity of the two fraternal countries and therefore, the President appreciated it and awarded you high decoration Order of Fame.
The minister underlined his satisfaction with Turkeys position on the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.
The ceremony of issuing English language certificates in accordance with Level 2 of STANAE 6001 to military officers was held June 30 in the Training center of Azeri Ministry of Defense. Trend reports participation of General-Colonel Safar Abiyev, Azeri Minister of Defense, at the ceremony.
Ramiz Najaforv, chief of Board for international cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration, told the ceremony participant that 32 out of 83 officers managed to pass the tests.
In his speech, Minister of Defense said Peace-making center of English language at Defense Ministry was established in 1999. В"Azerbaijan pays big attention to mutual cooperation with UK and participation in NATOs Partnership in the name of peace program. 40 employees of the Ministry of Defense have pursued training in UK to date. We highly appraise British support of Azerbaijans territorial integrityВ", minister said.
Then Andrew William, Duke of York, congratulated the officers received the certificates.
