Oct. 2
Ilham Aliyev launches water supply project in Shamakhi
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended a ceremony to launch a drinking water supply and sewage system project in the city of Shamakhi.
Chairman of Azersu Open Joint Stock Company Gorkhmaz Huseynov informed the head of state of the “Reconstruction of the drinking water supply and sewage systems in the city of Shamakhi” project.
The project was implemented under “National Water Supply and Sanitation Project” co-funded by the government of Azerbaijan and the World Bank.
President Ilham Aliyev pressed a button to launch the drinking water supply system.
President Aliyev views Az-Granata vineyards in Shamakhi
As part of his visit to Shamakhi district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed Az-Granata LLC’s vineyards.
The head of state was informed of the work done in the vineyards.
Grape seedlings planted here are the best species brought from France, Turkey and Georgia.
250 people are employed in the vineyards, including 200 women.
President Aliyev attends opening of Shamakhi-Chol Goylar-Padar highway
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Shamakhi-Chol Goylar-Padar highway.
Chairman of Azeravtoyol Open Joint Stock Company Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state of the work done under the project.
Construction of the road, which connects 18 residential areas with a total population of 35,800 people, started in 2011. The road is 53 km in length and 7 meters in width.
The head of state was also informed of construction of the Goylar-Gushchu road in Shamakhi district. The 11-km road connects four villages with a total population of 14,000 people.
Ilham Aliyev inaugurates Takla-Sundu-Khilmilli highway after major overhaul
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Takla-Sundu-Khillmilli highway in Gobustan district after major overhaul.
Chairman of Azeravtoyol Open Joint Stock Company Saleh Mammadov told the head of state that Takla-Sundu-Khilmilli highway connects six villages with a total population of 15,000 people.
The total length of the highway is 17.2 km, while its width is six meters. Takla-Sundu-Khilmilli highway has two lanes.
Under the project, nine bus stops were set up along the road.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of Takla-Sundu-Khilmilli highway.
Azerbaijan joins Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties
Azerbaijan has joined the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
This issue was discussed at a plenary session of the Azerbaijani parliament.
Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legal policy and state building Ali Huseynli spoke about the importance of Azerbaijan’s joining this agreement in terms of signing international treaties.
President Aliyev with spouse attend opening of Pirgulu-Damirchi highway in Shamakhi
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of Pirgulu-Damirchi highway after major overhaul.
Chairman of Azeravtoyol Open Joint Stock Company Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state of the technical indicators of Pirgulu-Damirchi highway.
The 8km-long road has two lanes and is 3.5-4 meters in width. Three bus stations were installed along the road.
The renovated highway connects five villages with a total population of 1,600 people.
President Ilham Aliyev cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the road.
Australia’s Perth hosts business meeting with Azerbaijani consul
Azerbaijan’s Honorary Consul to Australia Aydan Rzayeva had a meeting with Australian businessmen in Perth.
Rzayeva said that the meeting was organized by the Honorary Consulate of Azerbaijan to Australia in anticipation of the Azerbaijani-Australian business forum.
The first Azerbaijani-Australian business forum will take place in Baku in October. Dozens of entrepreneurs from Australia are expected to take part in the forum.
Participants of the meeting in Perth received information on Azerbaijan’s economic and investment opportunities, and projects implemented in various sectors of the country’s economy.
Following the meeting, many businessmen expressed their intention to participate in the business forum in Baku.
Azerbaijani business to use online bots
Azerbaijani BotBox Digital company will launch targeted products - bots for its partners, working in the country’s insurance sector and financial market from mid. October, Elmir Aliyev, head of the company, told Trend.
“The project, which was planned to be launched October 1, was postponed to the middle of the month for certain technical reasons,” Aliyev added.
"As this is a relatively new product for our market and it has not been used in practice, the process of attracting partners isn't quick," he added.
"It is necessary to explain the essence of BotBox's work to many people. Nevertheless, we plan to launch targeted products with three our partners by the middle of the month. The issue is a product adapted to the requirements of the banking and insurance sectors.”
President Aliyev, his spouse view work done in Shamakhi’s Damirchi village
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed work done in Damirchi village, Shamakhi district.
Damirchi is one of the most ancient villages in Shamakhi and its history dates back to the 15th century.
Renovation of the village saw reconstruction of a village mosque among other works.
The head of state viewed Damirchi mosque, which was built in 755. The president was presented with a Holy Quran.
The village also features a number of amusement and recreation sites and projects for tourists. One of them is tandoor, which is installed in several places in the village.
President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva tasted hot tandoor bread. The head of state and first lady then were invited to tea in Damirchi village.
President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva familiarized themselves with a blacksmith’s shop and workshop.
President Ilham Aliyev also viewed a project of Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Blacksmith, which will be built in the village.
Azerbaijani president, first lady view Safari Park Shamakhi
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed newly-created Safari Park Shamakhi.
The head of state and the first lady were informed of the activity of AzerEkov Ltd., which specializes in the creation of hunting environment, maintenance of wild ungulates and their adaptation to Azerbaijani nature. Founded in 2014, AzerEkov Ltd. joined the International Deer and wild Ungulate Breeders Association (IDUBA). AzerEkov Ltd. was created with 420 genetically valuable wild ungulates in several European countries.
Nowadays, the Safari Park Shamakhi occupies 600 hectares (including 400 hectares of fenced territory). Deer breeding is a type of farming with very good perspectives in this area.
The Safari Park Shamakhi nowadays features a total of 790 heads of ungulates, including 260 heads of red deer, 250 heads of mouflon, and 280 heads of fallow deer.
Oct. 3
Azerbaijan among Top 5 destinations for health tourism
Azerbaijan has recently been named among Top five countries in category of "Wellness Holiday", according to results of the Internet voting of National Geographic Traveler Awards 2017.
The TourStat Analytic Agency, which published the results of the voting, reported that "Chenot Palace hotel in Gabala region of Azerbaijan is in Top 5 in the nomination "Best Resort Hotel".
Israel is the leader in this category, followed by Germany, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Some countries are leading in the following categories Greece - beach holiday, Cyprus – family vacation, Italy – excursion tour, Austria – ski tour, Argentina - adventure tour, Japan – exotic tourism, Georgia - gastronomy and agro tourism, and China - "discovery of the year".
Altai Krai is ahead of other regions of Russia on wellness holiday. Kamchatka is the leader for adventure recreation, Khakassia for eco-tour, and Leningrad oblast for excursion tour.
Association for co-op of Azerbaijan, Arab countries ready to support Arab companies' activity
The Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries Public Association is ready to support the development of activities of companies with Arab capital, said Association’s Chairman Elshan Rahimov in an interview with Trend.
According to him, Azerbaijan is frequently visited by business tourists from the Arab world, and they come to Baku and decide to register here the representative offices of their companies.
"Representatives of these companies sometimes have problems while operating in Azerbaijan. Difficulties can be connected both with local legislation, and with the search for partners or other issues," said Rahimov. "We, for our part, are trying to help these companies solve the emerging problems."
The Ministry of Economy significantly supports the Association, he noted.
The Association is not a commercial organization, therefore, it can not provide paid services, said the chairman adding that in such cases, the Association advises trusted consulting firms to companies.
"Our task is to establish close ties between Arab investors and local entrepreneurs, and from this point of view, it is very important to help foreign entrepreneurs in solving their problems," added Rahimov.
According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, trade turnover with Arab countries amounted to about $280 million in January-August 2017, including $240 million accounted for the export to Arab countries.
Islamic finance experts can be attracted to Azerbaijan
The Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries Public Association will help attract Islamic finance experts into the country, Elshan Rahimov, chairman of the association, said in an interview with Trend.
The association signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), a part of the Islamic Development Bank Group, in summer 2017.
Rahimov added that the relevant work will be carried out within this memorandum.
"The memorandum envisages our cooperation in various fields, including Islamic banking,” he added. “In early 2017, the Azerbaijani government and the Islamic Development Bank signed an agreement on implementing Islamic financial legislation in our country. We will support this work and conduct research, reveal shortcomings in the legislation, attract specialists, etc.”
The current norms of the Azerbaijani legislation in banking greatly limit the possibilities of using Islamic banking products. In particular, this is connected with the unresolved issues related to the double taxation, as well as restrictions (related to interest rates, prohibitions on carrying out operations in certain areas, etc.).
In January 2017, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) signed an agreement on implementing Islamic financing in the country. The IDB allocated $200,000 to prepare the legal framework for Islamic financing.
The Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries Public Association has been operating since 2017.
Oct. 4
President Aliyev: Democracy, all freedoms ensured in Azerbaijan
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union, including the EU's accredited ambassadors based in Brussels.
Ilham Aliyev receives Italian Leonardo’s CEO
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Chief Executive Officer of the Italian company Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo.
Profumo said this is his first visit to Baku, noting that he is deeply impressed by the beauty of Azerbaijan’s capital.
Profumo said he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo this May, stressing that he makes his first foreign visit to Azerbaijan. He said that Azerbaijan is of great importance to both Italy and Leonardo.
Alessandro Profumo noted that Leonardo is engaged in multi-faceted activities, and informed the head of state of the meetings he will have in Azerbaijan.
President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Alessandro Profumo on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo. The head of state recalled his meeting with previous Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo, Mauro Moretti, earlier this year.
President Aliyev described the fact that Alessandro Profumo pays his first foreign visit to Azerbaijan as a good indicator of interest in the country.
Touching upon relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, President Ilham Aliyev said the agenda of bilateral cooperation is very extensive, and noted the two countries’ cooperation in many areas, including politics, economy, energy, industry and trade.
They exchanged views on the development of relations between Leonardo and Azerbaijani agencies, including Defense Ministry, Ministry of Emergency Situations, State Border Service, SOCAR and Silkway. They also discussed prospects in the field of cybersecurity and underlined good potential of cooperation.
Azerbaijan keen to strengthen ties with Arab countries in education field
New student exchange programs with Arab countries may be created in Azerbaijan, Chairman of the “Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Arab Countries” Public Association Elshan Rahimov said in an interview with Trend.
According to Rahimov, for this purpose, members of the association plan to visit Qatar, where the educational summit – The World Innovation Summit for Education – will be held in November.
“This is a very big event, where the leading educational organizations from America, Europe, Middle East and Asia are gathered,” said the chairman.
He noted that during the summit, the Azerbaijani delegation intends to establish cultural relations with various international organizations in the field of education in order to involve them in cooperation with specialized institutions in Azerbaijan.
Oct. 5
Azerbaijani envoy presents credentials to Bolivian president
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Argentina Rashad Aslanov presented his credentials to President of Bolivia Evo Morales, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said.
During the ceremony of presenting credentials, the envoy extended Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s greetings to Evo Morales. The Bolivian president, for his part, asked to convey his greetings and best wishes to Ilham Aliyev.
During the meeting, Aslanov gave President Morales information about Azerbaijan. They also exchanged views on the prospects of Azerbaijan-Bolivia cooperation in various spheres.
Evo Morales wished the Azerbaijani envoy success in his diplomatic activities.
Expanded plenary meeting of CIS security agencies, special services underway in Baku
Security agencies and special services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are holding an expanded plenary meeting of Scientific and Advisory Council under the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center in Baku, Trend’s correspondent reported form the event.
The 7th regional expert meeting of representatives of units for combating terrorism and other violent manifestations of extremism is also taking place in Baku.
The purpose of holding the meeting is to further strengthen cooperation between CIS special services, exchange experience and create effective technologies to combat extremism and terrorism.
At the event, Ismayil Bagirov, deputy chief of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, conveyed greetings of Lieutenant-General Madat Guliyev, head of the State Security Service, to the participants of the meeting.
In turn, Marat Abdyraev, deputy director of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center, noted that the ways to combat remote influence used by international terrorist organizations for recruiting supporters among citizens of the CIS countries are being discussed.
He added that the meetings are held annually.
“This meeting is being held in Baku for the first time, and we express our gratitude to the leadership of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan for the conditions created,” Abdyraev said.
Mehriban Aliyeva views new building of Gubadli district Khanlig village school
First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva viewed conditions created at a new building of Gubadli district Khanlig village secondary school in Ramana settlement, Sabunchu district, Baku.
Head of Gubadli District Executive Authority Malik Isagov informed Mehriban Aliyeva about the conditions created at the building.
The school was commissioned in the 2017-2018 academic year. The construction of the building started this year and ended in four months. The 196-seat school is designed for children from Gubadli IDP families and residents of surrounding areas.
Mehriban Aliyeva spoke with first-grade pupils of the school. The building was supplied with state-of-the-art equipment. All conditions have been created here.
The first vice-president viewed an informatics room. Mehriban Aliyeva viewed photos of Gubadli district’s pupils who entered the universities with high scores.
Mehriban Aliyeva also viewed a photo stand reflecting President Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with athletes from Gubadli district. The first vice-president then watched a training session of athletes from Gubadli district.
Mehriban Aliyeva met with the school’s staff and congratulated them on World Teachers’ Day.
Khazar Ibrahim appointed Azerbaijan’s envoy to Turkey
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today signed an order appointing Khazar Ibrahim as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Turkey.
First VP Mehriban Aliyeva views new building for IDP families in Baku
First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva today viewed a new building for IDP families in Ramana settlement, Sabunchu district, Baku.
Deputy prime minister, chairman of the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs, Ali Hasanov, informed First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva about the building.
The building was constructed as part of the project aimed at providing IDP families temporarily settled in buildings in emergency state with new apartments. The construction work started in March 2017.
The five-story building has five one-room, 20 two-room, 20 three-room, and five four-room apartments.
Mehriban Aliyeva praised the conditions created at the building. The first vice-president was informed that 50 IDP families living in buildings in emergency state in Khatai district and Sarigaya residential area will be resettled here.
Baku hosts ICAO EUR Regional Expert Safety Team meeting
Baku is hosting the 10th meeting of the European Regional Expert Safety Team of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The event is organized with the support of the State Civil Aviation Administration of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), Interstate Council on Aviation and Airspace Use and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), the press service of the Administration said in a message.
Sixty-five experts from 15 countries, five international and regional organizations (ICAO, IAC, EASA, IATA, Eurocontrol), as well as representatives of big aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, are participating in the event.
According to the results of the conference’s first days, the results of the group’s work were approved and further ways of implementing safety initiatives at the regional level are planned.
Representatives of the Azerbaijani aviation administration, ICAO, IATA, IAC, Eurocontrol and other officials presented reports.
The ICAO EUR Regional Expert Safety Team (IE-REST) was created in 2013. Its main goal is to develop and support initiatives and activities to improve the flight safety level. Currently, such activities are implemented through joint efforts of regional and international organizations, regulatory bodies, airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
Oct. 6
“Declaring 2018 as year of rapid growth in Azerbaijan is positive signal for investors”
Declaring 2018 as a year of rapid economic growth in Azerbaijan is a positive signal for investors, said Vusal Gasimli, executive director of Azerbaijan's Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications.
Addressing the 5th Investors’ Fair, titled “Future of Micro-finance in Azerbaijan: Difficulties and Opportunities” in Baku, Gasimli noted that during last month, three important events took place in Azerbaijan: the signing of a new contract of the century, the decisive speech by the Azerbaijani president at the United Nations on the territorial integrity of the country and improvement of the position of Azerbaijan in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Ranking, up to 35th position.
According to the executive director, all these events are closely interrelated and show political and economic power of Azerbaijan, and are also the result of social and economic policy of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
“Delivering a speech in Gobustan, the head of state noted that 2018 will be a year of rapid economic growth in Azerbaijan, I think that this is a message and a signal for investors. Having started open discussions of strategic road maps, and announced the plans in the sphere of oil production until 2050, we showed to everyone that our policy is transparent and open,” added Gasimli.
He emphasized that foreign investors should bring their investment plans in line with strategic roadmaps.
Ali Hasanov: Globalization process didn’t bypass sphere of state language use
The globalization process did not bypass the sphere of the use of state language of Azerbaijan, said Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani president’s aide for public and political affairs.
He made the remarks at a conference, titled “The Role of Media in the Preservation and Development of the Azerbaijani literary language” in Baku.
The conference is held with support of Azerbaijan’s National Television and Radio Council.
Council’s Chairperson Nushiravan Maharramli, Executive Director State Fund for Support to Development of Mass Media under the President of Azerbaijan Vugar Safarli, members of the Azerbaijani parliament and others are taking part in the event.
Touching upon the main points of the policy of President Ilham Aliyev for the preservation and development of the Azerbaijani language, Ali Hasanov said that providing special care to preserve the purity, development and enrichment of the state language is of great importance.
Oct. 7
JICA eyes to improve water supply system in 5 Azerbaijani cities until 2021
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expects to implement the Provincial Cities Water Supply and Sewerage Project in Azerbaijan by late 2020, JICA has told Trend.
The contract for the project implementation was signed in May 2009. The project cost is $291 million.
The project’s goal is to improve sanitation and the sustainable living environment in Azerbaijani cities, further contributing to the geographically balanced social and economic development in the entire country of Azerbaijan, according to JICA.
The Agency noted that the cities to receive the improvements are Gobustan, Khachmaz, Khizi, Naftalan and Gusar.
JICA launched its activity in Azerbaijan in 1993.
Azerbaijan’s culture, national cuisine presented in Kiev
The official opening ceremony of "Outlook World Culture Festival" organized by the Kiev City State Administration has been held, the Azerbaijani embassy in Ukraine said in a message.
According to the message, Azerbaijan’s culture and national cuisine were presented at the international festival. At the event, along with the stands of 40 countries, the visitors could also see Azerbaijan’s stand.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine Azer Khudiyev updated the guests about Azerbaijan’s culture, history, national cuisine.
During the event, residents and guests of Kiev, as well as the representatives of the embassy, tasted national sweets.
This is the fourth festival, which is held annually. The event is aimed at promoting the world culture and history.