Official chronicle
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Chairman of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic in Georgia Levan Varshalomidze on March 2, the Azertaj state news agency reported.
Varshalomidze said Batumi and Baku have historical ties. He expressed confidence that fruitful discussions will be held during his visit to enhance cooperation.
Aliyev said economic ties with Adjaria are important for expanding Azerbaijani-Georgian bilateral relations.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received today Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Ambassadors Matthew Bryza of the U.S., Bernard Fassier of France and Yury Merzlyakov of Russia - as well as Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk of Poland.
The meeting focused on current state and prospects of peace talks on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan and UNDP head Bruno Pueza on March 5, the AzerTaj news agency reported.
The president said cooperation with the UN is developing successfully. The head of state said he is hopeful that partnership relations will continue in the future.
Pueza said he welcomes the report that Azerbaijan introduced to the UNHCR and appreciated the document as the result of sustainable development. The Aliyev and Pueza exchanged their views on Azerbaijani-UN cooperation prospects.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Chzhan Khaychzhou upon the completion of his tenure in the country, the AzerTaj news agency reported.
Khaychzhou said it was honor to work in Azerbaijan. He noted that the relations between the two countries are developing successfully and expressed confidence that bilateral ties will further advance.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan-China relations strengthened during Khaychzhou's ambassadorship. He added that Azerbaijan and China maintain high-level political relations. Economic cooperation is also developing, Aliyev added. He said said Khaychzhou contributed to economic cooperation and wished him success in the future.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Barda region on March 2.
The President visited National Leader Heydar Aliyev's monument Barda. The President and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva laid flowers at the monument.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended opening of music school in Barda, AzerTaj State information agency reported.
The Head of State cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the School.
The four-storey school was constructed by President Ilham Aliyev`s instructions and with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The President and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva viewed a photo stand featuring national leader Heydar Aliyev's contribution towards developing the country's culture and art.
The Head of State toured the School's rooms which have been equipped with all necessary facilities. He also listened to "Heyrati" mugham in the assembly hall of the School.
President Ilham Aliyev wished successes to the staff and pupils of the school.
The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev participated in the ceremony of inauguration of treatment and diagnostics center in Azerbaijan's city of Barda..
The center's staff, employees of public health met the President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse with respect. The President cut the symbolic ribbon.
President Ilham Aliyev got familiarized with the hospital departments and wards situated at different floors and examined installed equipment. He highly appreciated conditions created in the center.
The President congratulated the center's staff, saying that all conditions meeting the highest standards were created for treatment and examining. The President stressed the modern outward appearance of the building and said that the building beautified the town.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived Monday in Yevlakh region of the country. Here, the Head of State and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Heydar Aliyev Park where they laid flowers at the national leader`s monument. Head of the Executive Power of Yevlakh region Elmar Valiyev briefed the President on the reconstruction work carried out in the Park.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev got familiarization with restoration work at the entrance to Yevlakh city on his way from Yevlakh for Mingachevir on March 3, AzerTag News Agency reported. The president was informed that the restoration was carried out at local funds. Width of a motorway was extended to 16 meters and fenced with stone. Thirty modern light posts and 10 projectors were installed.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Mingachevir on March 3 as part of a tour to the regions, the Azertaj news agency reported. The president and his spouse Mehriban visited the Heydar Aliyev Park and laid flowers at the national leader's monument.
Large-scale reconstruction work has been conducted in the city, which is primarily inhabited by power engineers. The park has a musical fountain and large grass plot with 10,000 types of trees and bushes.
The president and his spouse also inaugurated the Heydar Aliyev Museum in Mingachevir. Aliyev cut the red ribbon at the museum's grand opening. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev became acquainted with the construction of the Kur Olympic Training and Sports Center in Mingachevir, the Azertaj news agency reported.
Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov told Aliyev that the Serbian-Azerbaijani joint venture Serbaz lahiya Ve Tikinti is conducting the construction after an order from the ministry. A unique rowing facility for Europe and the CIS will be created.
The construction of the administration building is nearing completion. The construction of a hotel and swimming pool is still underway. The center is scheduled for commission by the end of 2009. The president has finished his visit to Mingachevir.
President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev has today attended opening of the State Frontier Service`s military unit. President became familiar with the shooting-ground and saw equipment and hardware here.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree to introduce the "single-window" principle to manage migration processes from July 1, 2009, the AzerTaj news agency reported.
Based on the decree, the State Migration Service will serve as an unified governmental body managing migration processes via the single-window principle.
The State Migration Service will be authorized to process the necessary documents for issuing temporary and permanent residence to foreigners and individuals without citizenship.
The service will receive documents and forward them to the Labor and Social Protection Ministry together with its conclusions on issuing the foreigners and individuals without citizenship permission to work in Azerbaijan.
The decree orders the service to consider petitions on issuing temporary residence to foreigners and individuals without citizenship within 20 days.
Foreigners and individuals without citizenship with temporary or permanent residence can leave Azerbaijan and return to the country with a valid passport and identification documents issued by the service.
The Foreign Ministry will register employees of diplomatic representative offices and consulates in Azerbaijan, representatives of international organizations and administrative and technical personnel and their family members.
The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to define labor migration quotas in all fields within one month based on domestic labor market conditions. The proposals will be submitted to the president, in addition to recommendations to annul visas for foreigners.
On March 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decreed to appoint Mikail Chingiz oglu Jabbarov head of the State Office of History and Architecture Reserve Old City under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev decreed on giving special Olympic stipend to the champion of XIII Beijing Summer Olympics Olokhan Musayev, AzerTaj State information agency reported.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree awarding Mammadov Jeyhun the Shohret Medal for achievements in Azerbaijani sport development and fruitful state service, Azer Taj state information agency reported.
Azerbaijani President also signed a decree awarding some individuals the Tereggi Medal and some sportsmen - Medal for Distinguished State Services.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree awarding Neymatova Meshadikhanum the Shohret Medal for special achievements in Azerbaijani epigraphy development,
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree approving the new staff of the Azerbaijani side of the inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Poland on March 6.
Upon the decree, Natig Aliyev, Minister of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been appointed co-chairman of the inter-governmental commission.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev offered national holiday congratulations to the President of Bulgaria, Georgy Pyrvanov.
In his congratulatory letter, the Head of State expressed satisfaction with the current level of Azerbaijani-Bulgarian relations and the expansion of the circle of relations between the two countries, and also expressed confidence that close co-operation in the sphere, which are of mutual interest, joint efforts within the regional structures and transnational projects, will be fruitfully continued.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of congratulation to President of Ghana John Evans Atta Mills on the country's Independence Day.
In his letter, the President expressed confidence relations between Azerbaijan and Ghana will continue developing "in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation".
The Azerbaijani leader wished Ghana's President "strong health and successes in your activities", and the people of his country "peace and prosperity".
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on March 5 to enforce the Azerbaijan Republic Law on Amendments and Changes to the Law on Immigration and the Law on State Duties
President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Azerbaijani women with International Women's Day. He also expressed confidence that in the year 2009 declared the Year of the Child, women of Azerbaijan will make every effort to foster a spirit of respect for his people and the national-cultural values and traditions. This information has spread out the state information agency AzerTaj.
"Despite the heavy burden, endured by women of Azerbaijan, it has always been the spiritual backbone of society - the congratulatory message, - active participation in science, education, health, culture and other fields demonstrates the potential of Azerbaijani women. Democratic atmosphere, established in country, creates favorable conditions for more of the talent and abilities of women. "
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an edict on awarding honorary titles of the group of Azerbaijani women.
By order of the President, the title of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan was awarded to Shyukurova Gülbahar Muzafar gizi, Tagiyeva Asia Sattar gizi, and Taptygova Shadnam Ilyas gizi. Dzhabbarova Elmira Aliaga gizi, Kerimova Nelyufar Ibad gizi, Mextieva Harima Sattar gizi were awarded as honorary teachers. An honorary doctor of Azerbaijan Republic award was given to Ibrahimova Samayya Nariman gizi and Solmaz Mamedova Abbasgulu gizi.
The president also signed a decree on awarding the "Glory" Order (Shohryat) to Sharifova Firyangiz Abbasmirza gizi, Babayeva Tarana Alipasha gizi, Djalilova Tunzala Ahmed gizi and Ibragimova Dilyara Yousif gizi the "Progress" medal.
Parliament
The Azerbaijani parliamentary commission rejected the Bill on Amnesty of an opposition deputy group member. "The Standing Parliamentary Commission on State Building and Legal Policy discussed the bill dedicated to the 90th anniversary of parliament," Musavat deputy group member Panah Husein told Trend . The bill will not be included into the agenda of the parliament. "I think this is an illegal decision. By the Law on Standing commissions, the standing commissions can only comment bills designed by deputies," Husein added. The reason for rejection was called inexpediency of frequent bills on Pardon. "The bill offers to change life imprisonment, who has already served ten years in prison, with twenty years in prison. I believe that this issue will be further determined," Husein said.
On March 6, the Azerbaijani parliament decided to form a working group on Azerbaijani-Irish interparliamentary relations. The group comprises 6 members of parliament, including Rafael Jabrayilov, Bakhtiyar Aliyevm Zhala Aliyeva, Dunyamin Khalilov, Ahmed Valiyev and Mikhail Zabelin. Jabrayilov was appointed the working group's chairman.
The parliament decided to exclude parliamentarian Lala Abbasova from the working group on Azerbaijani-Israeli interparliamentary relations. Member of parliament Asim Mollazade replaced her. In early February, Abbasova refused her membership in the working group to protest official Tel Aviv's policy against Palestinians.
Political movements
The Azerbaijani opposition agitation groups' referendum campaign is too weak. "Opposition leaders again imitate as if they organize people's struggle," Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) Member Gurban Mammadov told Trend on March 2. Mammadov said opposition leaders' struggle is imitation. "Opposition leaders avoids with different pretexts to pass a decision at a necessary time," the party's member said. The ADP's member believes opposition leaders break people's will in struggle with such actions. "Therefore, I think it is impossible to achieve anything with these opposition leaders," Mammadov said.
The Azerbaijani opposition National Independence Party (NIP) proposed launching a new format of opposition-government dialogue.
"The dialogue between the opposition and government, which vowed to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully to the Council of Europe, must take on a new format," NIP spokesman Ali Orujov told Trend .
Azerbaijan undertook the responsibility to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully before the Council of Europe when it joined the organization in 2001. The document was signed by the Popular Front Party, National Independence Party, Musavat and Democratic and Liberal parties.
Before the dialogue is reformatted, the NIP will address the opposition parties that signed the document, Orujov said. "Consultations on the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can contribute to a common cause," he said.
The cooperation prospect of post Soviet countries Green parties will be discussed at the third conference of European Greens Party in Brussels on Marc 23. The Green party of Azerbaijan is more interested in cooperation with like-minded former Soviet countries than from Europe. There is a certain similarity among the post-Soviet countries. The cooperation with the Greens of Europe is more difficult," Green Party of Azerbaijan (GPA) Chairman Mais Gulaliyev told Trend .
European Green parties are interested in the cooperation with post Soviet like-minded counterparts, Gulaliyev added. I Brussels conference Green parties of German, France, Italy and Sweden will hold bilateral meetings.
"The governing New Azerbaijan Party's (NAP) referendum initiative group will hold meetings in the regions. "The group has already held 370 meetings in different regions," NAP Deputy Executive Secretary Siyavush Novruzov told Trend .
Members of the NAP's group are reviewing the amendments to the Constitution with electorates. Approximately 200-1,500 electorates will attend the meetings, Novruzov said.
The Azerbaijani governing party supports opposition-government dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. "We support a dialogue with opposition not only on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but also on other issues," the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Deputy Executive Secretary Siyavush Novruzov told Trend on March 4.
The opposition Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP) proposed to hold a government-opposition dialogue at a new format. The organization supports to hold discussions between parties and government which undertook obligation on a peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict when joining the Council of Europe (CE).
To hold a dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is currently more topical, the governing party's member said. "At present the agitation campaign at its heights. I think this issue can be solved after the referendum," the deputy executive secretary said.
"As all Azerbaijani opposition parties, we support a dialogue with the government on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) Chairman Sardar Jalaloglu told Trend on March 4. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue may favor solidarity of the Azerbaijani people, Jalaloglu said. "We should put aside government-opposition polarization and assemble to resolve the national problem," the opposition party's chairman said. The ADP leader said opportunities to hold a dialogue with leading opposition parties to resolve the conflict depends on the authorities. "I think there are will be parties in the opposition camp which will be against this idea," Jalaloglu said.
An Azerbaijani pro-government party is campaigning with the governing party's referendum initiative group to support amendments to the Constitution. "We decided to support the governing New Azerbaijan Party's (NAP) campaign in Baku and the regions," Azerbaijan Democratic World Party (ADWP) Chairman Mammad Alizade told Trend on March 5.
Elections
On March 2, the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission decided to provide 500 polling stations with Web cams in referendum vote. There are 5,000 polling stations in Azerbaijan. About 10 percent of polling stations will be provided with Web cams. Web cams aim to ensure transparency in the vote, CEC secretary Natig Mammadov said.
CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov said Web cams will be installed at the same polling stations where they were installed for the presidential vote. "The Web cams will cover polling stations across the country. They will allow to watch the whole process of voting. The Web cams will be installed by the Communication and Information Technology Ministry," he said.
The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) will punish referendum campaign groups who will make major violations at tele-debates during a free airtime. "The referendum groups have been recommended to ask only referendum-related questions at tele-debates. If violations happen, the issue will be considered by the CEC and Media Group," CEC spokesperson Azer Sariyev told Trend .
Sariyev said representatives of some initiative groups try to advertise their parties. "They do not speak about amendments, but try to discuss different issues," he said. The CEC has received complaints about activities of illegal campaign groups, Sariyev said. "Only campaign groups registered with the Central Election Commission can stage referendum campaign. If constituencies complain of illegal campaign groups, we will examine them," Sariyev said.
Local executive authorities must create the necessary conditions to help citizens vote during the referendum, Presidential Administration Political and Public Affairs Department Chief Ali Hasanov said at an informational session on preventing intervention to the election process. The session was organized by the OSCE Baku Office, Presidential Executive Office and Central Election Commission (CEC).
Azerbaijan will hold a referendum on March 18 to amend 29 articles of the Constitution.
"Local executive authorities must create equal conditions for the referendum initiative groups," he added. A key task for the local executive authorities is to inform the population about the amendments, Hasanov said. "If local executive authorities allocate buses to help voters get to election centers, then this in no way contradicts the legislation," Hasanov said.
The Council of Europe has not urged Azerbaijan to suspend the referendum to amend the Constitution, Presidential Administration Political and Public Affairs Department Chief Ali Hasanov told journalists.
Azerbaijan cooperates with the Council of Europe Venice Commission and considers the commission's views on legal issues. "A referendum is a domestic issue and does not contradict European standards," Hasanov said. "A referendum is not an object for international monitoring. This is a domestic affair in every country," Hasanov said. The OSCE mission monitors parliamentary and presidential elections, he added. However, Azerbaijan invited representatives of authority European international organizations to monitor the referendum. "If other international organizations will apply to the government to monitor the referendum, then we will create all the necessary conditions for them," Hasanov said.
Number of local monitors on referendum hit 23,000 in Azerbaijan. "Some 1,395 monitors were registered in the country and 21,627 local monitors - on constituencies," Central Election Commission (CEC) Press Secretary Azar Sariyev said on March 5.
The OSCE is interested in a democratic conduct of the referendum in Azerbaijan to amend the Constitution, the OSCE Azerbaijan Office acting head Alexis Shahtantinski told reporters. Azerbaijan will hold referendum vote to amend the Constitution's 29 articles on March 18. The OSCE Baku Office is holding a number of events to educate citizens and eliminate interference of the local bodies with the referendum, Shahtantinski said. The OSCE organizes the events together with the Presidential Administration and the Central Election Commission. Information debate is underway in Ganja at the moment. Heads of 28 administrative bodies and chairmen of 42 constituencies are attending the debate. Azerbaijan must be interested in conducting referendum under international standards, Shahtantinski said earlier at the information session in Baku on March. "I am confident that Azerbaijan will achieve progress in the conduct of referendum," he said.
The Azerbaijani Constitution must be amended, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Law Enforcement Department head Fuad Alasgarov said at an international conference on "Legal and Political Principles of the Azerbaijani Referendum on March 18." "Society's needs or the country's international obligations can necessitate changing even the most progressive constitution," Alasgarov said. The Azerbaijani Constitution must be amended, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Law Enforcement Department head Fuad Alasgarov said at an international conference on "Legal and Political Principles of the Azerbaijani Referendum on March 18." "Society's needs or the country's international obligations can necessitate changing even the most progressive constitution," Alasgarov said.
"European countries amended their constitutions within the last 20 years," Alasgarov said. "This proves that even countries whose political, economic and legal systems are close to one another cannot have constitutions of the same or similar content." Any country can include articles of national interest into their constitution and specify a higher legal guarantee to implement them, he said. "The Azerbaijani people will express their position on the referendum issues by using their rights outlined in the Constitution," Alasgarov said.
Foreign policy
Georgians living in Azerbaijan feel at home, Georgian Diaspora Minister Iulon Gogashidze told reporters in Baku on March 5. "Azerbaijan is the friendliest country for Georgians living abroad. We have always been friends. Our presidents are friends. The friendship will last forever," Gogashidze said. Gogashidze arrived in Azerbaijan to get familiar with the living conditions and activities of the diaspora. He visited Azerbaijan upon the invitation of Azerbaijani State Diaspora Committee Chairman Nazim Ibrahimov. His visit will last until March 7. Gogashidze is expected to meet with the Azerbaijani culture, tourism and education ministers. Gogashidze will visit Georgian communities in Gakh, Balakan and Zagatala.
Latvian President Valdis Zatlers will discuss enhancing bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia in Baku, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Latvia Tofig Zulfugarov told Trend on March 2. A series of issues in the political, economic, energy and humanitarian sectors will be discussed during the visit, the ambassador said from Riga. Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will pay an earlier visit to Azerbaijan, he said.
"There is a tradition between Latvia and Azerbaijan - presidential visits are accompanied by business forums. We do not rule out that a Latvian economic delegation will accompany the president on the visit," Zulfugarov said. The date of the visits is being specified via diplomatic channels, he said. Both visits will take place during the first half of the year.
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine will present several joint projects at the GUAM meeting in Prague on May 5, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said at a briefing. The GUAM member-countries recently held a meeting in Kiev. Concrete projects were reviewed. "The EU is interested not only in cooperation with separate countries within the Eastern Partnership, but also in regional projects. We agreed to develop 6 projects with Azerbaijan to present at the GUAM meeting in Prague," the Georgian minister said. Vashadze touched upon the opening of the new GUAM headquarters in Kiev and his visit to Ukraine. Negotiations on the energy transport corridor are underway. "Ukraine supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Georgia," Vashadze added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Azerbaijan to discuss political, economy and energy issues, including the cultural cooperation, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasiliy Istratov said at the Italian style exhibition. "Lavrov will discuss the whole spectrum of relations," Istratov added. Italy intends to further work with Azerbaijan in energy sphere in order to promote Italian investments in Azerbaijan in future, Alfredo Manteca, Italian deputy foreign minister, said.
"Italy is the first commercial partner of Azerbaijan," Manteca told media at Italian Style exhibition on March 2. The delegation headed by Italian deputy foreign minister is on visit to Baku on March 2-3. Italy took an interest in gas purchasing cooperation, as well as the pipeline Baku-Erzerum, Manteca said. "Baku-Erzerum project is a very important project. Italy attaches great importance to this project. We expect this pipeline to be opened by 2015."
Manteca's visit to Azerbaijan aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Italy and Azerbaijan, as well discuss neighborhood policy, he said. Manteca also plans to discuss with the government the preparation of the President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano's visit to Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev invited Italian President to Azerbaijan during his last visit to Italy.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev is expected to pay an official visit to Baku this year, Azerbaijani Embassy in Kazakhstan official source told Trend . "At present, the embassy reviews the both president's working schedule to fix the exact date for the visit," the source said. It is time to re-consider the further cooperation between the two countries on the highest level. The next meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on trade and economy cooperation will take place in Baku shortly. "The previous meeting of the Commission was held in Astana in April," the source added. The sides will review many issues. A specific attention will be made on the cooperation in the sphere of education. "Azerbaijan has an ancient and privileged institute for training oil and gas sector personnel. Our experience in this sector will be beneficial for Kazakhstan," the source added.
The U.S. supports Azerbaijan's pro-Western platform, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse said. Azerbaijan can maintain sovereignty and security while integrating with the West, Derse said at a round-table discussion on economic cooperation between companies in the U.S., Caspian and Black seas regions and Baltic states. The meeting focused on the U.S. energy policy toward the Caspian region. Participants discussed regional opportunities for U.S. companies and conditions for Azerbaijani businesses entering the U.S. market.
The OSCE Permanent Council will review a recent incident on the contact line between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Vienna on March 5, OSCE Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov said. "The OSCE will consider the incident that occurred while monitoring the contact line. The co-chairs want our representatives to support the proposals of the current council chairman," Merzlyakov said at a news conference in Yerevan. He did not release any details about the proposals, the Novosti Armenia news agency reported. On Feb. 26, the OSCE mission planned to hold monitoring of the contact line between the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces near the Goradiz settlement in Fuzuli.
Human rights
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) Co-Rapporteurs will develop the next report on the implementation of commitments by Azerbaijan, Co-rapporteur Andrea Herkel told Trend over phone. The report will cover all aspects of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, Herkel added.
Co-Rapporteurs will visit Azerbaijan in April to see fulfillment of obligations in the sphere of democracy, freedom of speech and human. The previous report on Azerbaijan was prepared two years ago.
The new report will be worked out presumably by the autumn of this year and submitted to the PACE, said Herkel.
The Azerbaijani non-government organizations (NGO) on human rights will render free juridical aid to the convicted persons.Lawyers will give to the convicted persons necessary juridical recommendations on their problems, the Justice Ministry Public Committee Coordinator Civil Activist Sahib Mammadov told Trend on March 3. There are a lot of people needing this aid amongst the convicted persons, he said.
"There are some convicted people who desires to apply to international instances, receive preterm release, lodge a complaint with appeal instances or Supreme Court, as well as who cannot receive grant due to absence of documents. However, they apply to the relevant bodies at the wrong time due to juridical illiteracy. As the convicted persons' juridical knowledge is not enough, some of them missed terms to lodge a complaint against resolutions of the regional courts. Moreover, sometimes the prosecutor bodies interfere into preterm discharge matter groundlessly," the coordinator said.
The civil activist said that juridical aid will be rendered by lawyer-members of the public committee at the first stage. Famous lawyers will be drawn into the case at the next stages. The committee will pay fees to the involved lawyers.
The public committee was formed in 2006 to implement public control over the penitentiary institutions and provide the society's participation in correcting the convicted. NGO on human rights form the committee's staff through competition. Every new staff operates within a year. The committee's organizations implement projects to assist the convicted. The committee submits a report to the Justice Ministry on results of monitoring conducted by the committee at jails.
The "single-window" migration system will simplify life for foreigners and individuals without citizenship in Azerbaijan, Human Rights Parliamentary Commission Chairwoman and member of parliament Rabiyyat Aslanova told Trend . "The system will allow migration processes to be managed properly. The decree makes protecting the rights of foreigners and individuals without citizenship easier," Aslanova said.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree to introduce the single-window principle in migration processes from July 1, 2009. According to the decree, the State Migration Service will now be the single governmental body managing migration via the single-window principle. According to the NGOs, over 100,000 migrants from 70 countries live in Azerbaijan. Over 54,000 migrants have been registered with the Interior Ministry. The majority of the migrants are from Georgia, Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China and Nigeria.
The rights of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia must be recognized, member of Azerbaijani parliament Ganira Pashayeva said on March 6. Pashayeva said 60 years have passed since Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenian in 1948-53. "Azerbaijanis were deported from their own lands. The repatriation rights of nations deported during the Soviet period were recognized. So far, only the rights of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia have not been recognized. This is unfair," she said. Pashayeva said the issue must be included in the agenda of the next parliamentary meeting. "This must be in the agenda. The parliament can hold meetings with international organizations on the issue," she said.
Law enforcement agencies must be reformed, the Azerbaijani ombudsman said.
Last year, four police officers were brought to criminal responsibility for violating laws, 17 people were discharged from internal affairs agencies and 19 employees were dismissed from their posts, Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova said in her annual report in parliament on March 6. Suleymanova said serious administrative measures were taken against 154 employees on the basis of 113 cases in 2008. Preliminary investigations into three criminal cases against police officers were completed and sent to court, Suleymanova said.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Special Envoy to the OSCE Chairman Andzey Kasprzyk said the number of ceasefire violations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone has not increased. Kasprzyk recently visited Khankandi together with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. He did not agree with statements made by journalists that ceasefire violations have increased on the contact line in the recent past, ArmInfo reported. "Official statements regarding ceasefire violations were not made before," Kasprzyk said. As to withdrawing snipers from the contact line, Kasprzyk said the issue is under discussions.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan discussed resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Matthew Bryza (U.S.) and Bernard Fassier (France) and OSCE Chairman Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk on March 2.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan took part in the meeting, the Armenian presidential press service told the Novosti-Armenia news agency. "The officials touched upon the Zurich meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents and discussed issues related to negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the report said.
The Co-chairs briefed the president on the outcomes of their meetings in Baku and Khankandi.
Armenian soldiers who knowingly crossed the Azerbaijani border said while being questioned that soldiers are tortured in the Armenian army, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu told Trend .
Armenian soldiers crossed the border into Azerbaijan in Evciduzu in Agdam at noon on Feb. 28. They asked Khojali IDP Zumrud Aliyeva to give them food in Russian. Aliyeva heard them speaking Armenian and informed a nearby military unit.
The Armenian soldiers were later detained - Grant Markosyan, Artur Varteryan and Alik Tevosyan. The Armenian soldiers said the situation in the Armenian army is intolerable. The soldiers are not provided with clothing. The army lacks heating, and soldiers catch diseases due to the cold, Sabiroglu said. "Soldiers said they are not provided with food. There have pneumonia and other serious diseases. The army also has a shortage of medicine. The infectious diseases left many dead. The officers even misappropriate the money sent by parents to buy medicine," Sabiroglu said. Sabiroglu said the intolerable situation in the Armenian army forces soldiers to either desert the army or become volunteer hostages.
The OSCE Minsk Group (MG) Co-chairs on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement hope the Nagorno-Karabakh will join the negotiation process to resolve the conflict. "Early or late the Karabakh community will join the negotiation process. Of course, it will be better it to take place as soon as possible. I do not know when it will happen, because Karabakh's joining the negotiation process does not depend on co-chairs," Bernard Fassier said at a news conference in Yerevan on March 3, Novosti-Armenia reported.
The diplomat said the OSCE MG Co-chairs permanently visit the Nagorno-Karabakh during their mission. In the visit, they fully inform the Karabakh community about the negotiation process and listen to their opinion. It would be a better factor Karabakh directly to be represented in the negotiation process, Fassier said. Moreover, the French diplomat noted Karabakh took part in the negotiations earlier, but cancelling its representation did not take place upon the mediators' initiative. "The mediators did not pass such a decision and Karabakh's return to the negotiations does not depend on us," Fassier said.
"When the negotiations began under the current format, we felt the process is in the way of progress due high-level meetings. Karabakh's participating should be solved at another level which needs presidents' agreement," he said.
On March 2, Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from Khojavand region and Kuropatkino village at 12:30 - 12:35 and 08:20-08:30 and from nameless heights of Fuzuli region at 06:10 - 06:15. The shots were also fired from Kengerli village of Agdam region at 05:00-05:10.This was reported by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service. The response of fire shelling was suppressed, without any losses.
The European parliament commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Khojali Genocide on March 3 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Event participants attended a photo exhibition dedicated to the Khojali Genocide.
Head of the Azerbaijani Representation to the EU Ambassador Emin Eyyubov, member of the European parliament Gisela Kallenbach and Jamestown Foundation Senior Research Fellow Vladimir Sokor shared their thoughts about the genocide, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium said on March 4. Armenian troops committed genocide in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992. The tragedy began early morning.
Within hours, over 600 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. About 1,000 people were disabled by shots; 8 families were fully destroyed. A total of 25 children lost both of their parents and 130 children lost one of them. About 1,275 people were taken prisoner. Around 150 people went missing.
The participants were informed about the international agitation campaign "Justice for Khojali," which was announced by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum head General Coordinator Leyla Aliyeva.
Signatures have been gathered to support the campaign. Members of the European parliament, EU diplomats, journalists and NGO representatives in Brussels and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora attended the event.
On March 3, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops through submachine gun and machine gun at 10:10-10:35. The shots were fired from the Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand region, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
"During the meetings in Armenia, we stated that not Karabakh regime, but the population residing in Nagorno-Karabakh before the war must participate in the discussions regarding their future," Bernard Fassier, French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, said to press conference in Baku on March 3, answering the question of Trend correspondent. According to the diplomat, the representatives of both Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno-Karabakh must participate in the talks.
A meeting will take place between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia over the next two months, the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuri Merzylakov, said on March 3. According to the diplomat, both sides supported this idea. "The purpose of our visit to the region was organization of the next meeting of the Presidents and, basically, this goal is achieved," - Merzlyakov said, on behalf of the co-chairs welcoming the fact that both the president supported the idea. However, Merzylakov did not specify where and when the meeting will take place.
On March 4, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from Ashagi Veysalli village of Fuzuli region at 13:30-13:40 and Khojavand region at 23:05-23:15, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. The Azerbaijani army retaliated, no causalities reported.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijani Community will resume activity.
"Our new leader will expand the scope of our activity," Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijani Community Public Union Co-Founder and member of the parliament Havva Mammadova told Trend on March 5.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appointed Bayram Safarov as head of the Shusha Regional Administration last week. Safarov was also elected head of the Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijani Community.
Mammadova said the community will play an active role in peace negotiations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2009. "I think the new leader will actively participate in the process," she said. "We co-founders are ready to support him." The community must closely cooperate with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to succeed, Mammadova said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says the continuity in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution has been retained. "The continuity of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been retained, despite the political situation during the presidential elections in both Armenia and Azerbaijan," the Russian Foreign Ministry 2008- report, which was placed in Ministry's Web site, says. The repeated meetings of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev with the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have provided a leading role to Russia on the resolution of the conflict. A trilateral declaration aimed to reach a peaceful regulation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through political means has been achieved as a result of meetings with attendance of Russian president. This is the first document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that was signed by Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the reports says.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan forum titled 'Security: Challenges and Opportunities, Mechanisms to Build Trust' will be held in Vienna on March 24-27 with the mediation of International Alert Projects Manager Eurasia Programme Dessislava Roussanova told Trend via email. The forum will be held as a part of a long-term trust building process which began in 2003 with the efforts of the International Alert peacekeeping organization. International Alert is a Consortium Initiative partner. Forum participants include Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society leaders, experts and intellectuals from the conflicting sides.
On March 6, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops at 07:10-07:20. The shots were fired from the Mosesgah village Berd region at the nameless heights in Tovuz region, as well as from Kuropatkino and nameless heights in Khojavand region at 11.15-11.30 and 01.25-01.50, Ashagi Veysalli village and nameless heights in Fuzuli region at 06:00-06:15 and 11:30-11:45.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian soldiers fired at Azerbaijani troops from an area outside the Ashagi Abdulrahmanli village nameless heights in Fuzuli region at с 00.10-00.30 and 06.24-06.30.The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs hope to continue progress to narrow differences between sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the joint statement issued by Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yury Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Matthew Bryza (U.S.) said. The statement is posted on the OSCE Web site.
"The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their desire to continue meeting regularly. The Co-Chairs will therefore seek to organize a summit of the two Presidents in the coming months to discuss the key unresolved issues within the Basic Principles for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the statement said.
