Politics

20 December 2006 [13:15]

President Aliyev visits Nakhchivan

President Ilham Aliyev is visiting Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ilham Aliyev is accompanied by the members of the Government.
20 December 2006 [11:39]

Nagorno Karabakh fails to make progress after 12 years

Though negotiations are wrapped in secrecy to hide 12 years of failure, the former Soviet Union's bloodiest conflict pitting Armenia against Azerbaijan may be edging closer to talks that could yield peace - or destroy current diplomatic efforts entirely. Earlier this year, a raft of new proposals for Nagorno Karabakh, a breakaway region in the oil-rich Caucasus republic of Azerbaijan, received rare positive assessments among international mediators in Moscow, Paris, Bucharest and Brussels.
20 December 2006 [11:16]

ANS prepares documents to participate in tender

ANS TV and ANS CM prepare documents to take part in tender for frequency announced by National Tele-Radio Council.
20 December 2006 [11:05]

Milli Majlis makes amendments to some legislation acts to prevent water, gas and electricity robbery

Milli Majlis continued the discussions concerning the amendments to some legislation acts.
20 December 2006 [11:04]

Lithuanian embassy to be established in Baku

Lithuanian embassy will be established in Baku, 2007.
20 December 2006 [11:03]

Miguel Angel Moratinos: "We'll back initiatives to settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict"

"We will back the initiatives to the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Osetin conflicts," stated Miguel Angel Moratinos, OSCE Chairman-in-office and Spanish Foreign Minister.
20 December 2006 [11:02]

Spanish embassy to be opened in Azerbaijan

Spanish embassy will be opened in Azerbaijan next year.
20 December 2006 [11:01]

Amendment concerning military draft of graduates and citizens having 3 children rejected

The proposals to Basis of military legislation have been amended.
20 December 2006 [10:57]

German Interior Ministry sends a gift to Azerbaijani Border Troops

German ambassador to Azerbaijan Per Kristofer Stankina presented the gift sent by German Interior Ministry to State Border Troops.
20 December 2006 [10:54]

U.S. Assistant Secretary meets with chiefs of Right's Defense Organizations

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Barry F. Lowenkron is in visit to Azerbaijan and he met with the chiefs of Rights' Defense organizations.
20 December 2006 [10:53]

OSCE works out a project for intensification of the dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

OSCE will implement a project for intensification of the dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia next year.
20 December 2006 [10:47]

Asadov meets Romanian president

Parliament's speaker Ogtay Asadov met with Romanian president Traian Basescu within his visit to the country.
20 December 2006 [00:16]

Armenia seeks international condemnation of alleged Azerbaijani destruction of monuments

The Armenian government has launched a traveling photo exhibition of what it claims is destruction of monuments at an ethnic Armenian cemetery in the Azerbaijani region of Nakhichevan.
20 December 2006 [00:07]

Top U.S. diplomat calls on Azerbaijan to protect press freedoms

A top U.S. diplomat on Tuesday warned Azerbaijan to do more to protect press freedoms following closures of a top independent TV station and the eviction of an opposition newspaper from its headquarters.
20 December 2006 [00:05]

Azerbaijan: Fragmented Opposition Ponders Options

Over the past 12 years, Azerbaijan's various fractious opposition parties have failed time and again to join forces to pose a strong, united, and cohesive alternative to the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party.
19 December 2006 [23:56]

Mammadyarov meets U.S. Assistant Secretary of State

Foreign Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov met with the delegation led by Barry Lowenkron, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
19 December 2006 [23:54]

Azerbaijan's delegation attends first session of Conference of Parties to UN Convention against Corruption

A delegation of Azerbaijan headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Rustam Usubov and comprising representatives of the country's parliament, the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and Embassy in Amman, Jordan were here from December 10 to 14 to participate in the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, press service of the Prosecutor General's Office has said.
19 December 2006 [23:40]

Oskanian: "Intensification of negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict to fall"

"Intensification of negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict may fall in connection with the parliamentary elections," Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told reporters.
19 December 2006 [23:38]

Karel De Gucht: "Agreement on Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be reached next year"

"The positions of the parties have come closer to the main principles in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict," OSCE chairman Karel De Gucht told Armenpress.
19 December 2006 [17:04]

OSCE/ODIHR Director to visit Azerbaijan

Director of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Christian Strohal begins his visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
19 December 2006 [17:01]

Spanish, Russian FMs discuss Karabakh

Spanish Foreign Minister, OSCE new chairman Miguel Angel Moratinos and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today discussed Nagorno Karabakh problem within the framework of discussions of GUAM frozen conflicts.
19 December 2006 [16:09]

Georgian president arrives in Turkey; gas talks high on agenda

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to begin three days of meetings expected to focus on the sharing of gas from a massive Caspian Sea field.
19 December 2006 [15:27]

Turkey to contribute to military industry formation in Azerbaijan

Turkish Roketsan and Aselsan, which are engaged in production of military equipment, intend to cooperate with Azeri Defense Industry Ministry in formation of the military industry, Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Turan Morali said.
19 December 2006 [15:26]

Mark N. Katz: "Isolated Armenia to realize that it would be better off coming to terms with Azerbaijan voluntarily"

"I think that the main cause of Russian-Georgian tension is that Russia cannot tolerate the idea of Georgia pursuing and independent foreign policy (especially in alliance with the West), and that Russia sees the world in zero-sum terms [i.e. if the West gains influence in Georgia, then Russia must necessarily lose it]," said Mark N. Katz, Professor of Government and Politics Department of Public and International Affairs Department of George Mason University.
19 December 2006 [15:22]

Bruno Pouezat appointed as UNDP resident representative in Azerbaijan

UNDP resident representative in Azerbaijan Marko Borsotti's tenure ends in January, 2007.
19 December 2006 [15:21]

Turkish Land Forces commander to visit Azerbaijan

Turkish Armed Forces Staff assistant chief, Land Forces commander Ilker Bashbugh will visit Azerbaijan next month, Turkish ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Turan Morali told reporters.
19 December 2006 [13:39]

Ziyafet Askerov: "Kazakhstan is a rapidly developing country"

As its earlier reported, Baku held a solemn reception devoted to the Kazakhstan's Independence anniversary, organized by the Kazakh Embassy to Azerbaijan.
19 December 2006 [13:36]

New Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan to come Jan 15

New Turkish ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, Huseyn Avni Karslioglu will come to Baku on Jan 15.
19 December 2006 [13:24]

Peter Semneby's visit to Nagorno Karabakh to be coordinated with Azerbaijan

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby is expected to visit the occupied Azerbaijani territories late January and early February next year, Peter Semneby told.
19 December 2006 [13:21]

Armenians violate ceasefire again

Armenian Armed Forces violated ceasefire again, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Press Service told.
19 December 2006 [11:21]

Iran calls for promotion of cooperation with Armenia

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed that Tehran and Yerevan should utilize their abundant potentials to increase mutual cooperation in all areas.
19 December 2006 [11:08]

Saakashvili visits Turkey

Georgian President Saakashvili will pay an official visit to Turkey on December 19-21 to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Ahmed Nejet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and other officials, the Georgian President's press office reported.
19 December 2006 [11:01]

Zamina Dunyamaliyeva: "There are some representatives of ANIP and APFP in Rasul Guliyev's new organization"

Except the members of ADP, also the members of APFP and ANIP join International Society for Democracy in Azerbaijan, the chief of the international society Azerbaijani office Zamine Dunyamaliyeva told.
19 December 2006 [10:57]

Parliament-approved CEC members take up

Central Election Commission members approved in the last session of Parliament have already taken up their assignment.
19 December 2006 [10:49]

Rallies to be held on occasion of 15th Anniversary of Invasion of Khankendi and World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day

Rallies will be held on the occasion of 15th anniversary of invasion of Khankendi and World Azerbaijanis Solidarity day in the initiative of Azerbaijani Road Political Movement on December 26-31.
19 December 2006 [10:45]

Vurgun Eyyub: "My marks concerning the situation in party discussed with Isa Gambar"

"Socio-political situation in the country and the party were discussed during the meeting with Isa Gambar. I had told the press about my marks related to the party and they were also discussed," Vurgun Eyyub, Divan member told.
19 December 2006 [00:37]

EU hopes for more progress on Karabakh

The European Union hopes that that Armenia and Azerbaijan will keep up the fresh "momentum" in their efforts to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict despite the upcoming Armenian parliamentary elections, a senior EU diplomat said late Sunday.
19 December 2006 [00:10]

Defense Ministry: "Vusal Garajayev will be returned to Azerbaijan"

"Vusal Magomed oglu Garajayev, captured on December 7, upon return to Azerbaijan will be sent to prison to spend a long time there," so-called "NKR President" Arkady Ghukasian said in Yerevan December 17.
18 December 2006 [23:48]

Barry Lowenkron calls for Azerbaijani government to bring Elmar Huseynov's murder to court

"I did not have chance to get acquainted with Elmar Huseynov. But as far as I know, he was a patriot, the journalist who knew how the freedom of speech was important, a principal person who tried to better the situation of the state," Barry F. Lowenkron, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor told the journalists.
18 December 2006 [23:40]

Ali Insanov exculpated from accusations on coup d'etat and mass riots

Criminal cases launched on former Health Minister Ali Insanov, Health Ministry Pharmacology and Medical Technique Department chief Akif Maharramov and head of International Relations Department Alexander Umnyashkin was merged into one case.
18 December 2006 [23:32]

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister satisfied with the negotiations in 2006

Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has declared he is satisfied with the results of the negotiation process in 2006.
18 December 2006 [16:59]

Maherram Aliyev: "Conspiracy against Heydar Aliyev was discovered by Baku Main Police Board"

"Zakir Nasirov's information about the disclosure of conspiracy against late President Heydar Aliyev in 1995 by Interior Ministry officers is completely false. Zakir Nasirov would be better apologize to people for his heavy crimes and dishonorable actions in stead of giving false information," Baku Main Police Board chief, lieutenant-general Maherram Aliyev said.
18 December 2006 [16:06]

Baku hosts VI meeting of Azerbaijan-Russia interparliamentary bilateral commission

VI meeting of Azerbaijan and Russia interparliamentary bilateral commission has started in Baku today.
18 December 2006 [14:45]

President receives U.S. Assistant Secretary of State

Today Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Barry F. Lowenkron, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
18 December 2006 [14:14]

Abkhazian refugees calls on Rustavi-2 to apologize to Azerbaijan

International Initiative Group Abkhazeti joining over 3 000 Abkhazian refugees condemned Rustavi-2 Television Company, sent a group of reporters and broadcasted a report on the referendum held in Nagorno Karabakh.
18 December 2006 [13:45]

Vahid Aliyev: "Azeri Armed Forces to be further improved next year"

Azerbaijan Armed Forces come inline with NATO standards step by step, said Azerbaijani President's adviser for military and security affairs Lieutenant-General Vahid Aliyev.
18 December 2006 [13:44]

Latvia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission's meeting rescheduled

The date of Latvia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission has been changed. Latvian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mihails Popkovs told APA that the meeting has been scheduled for the second half of January, 2007.
18 December 2006 [13:34]

IKRC ready to share experience with Azerbaijan

Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in Imam Khomeini Relief Committee Habibollah Askarowladi said that his Committee is ready to share experience with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
18 December 2006 [13:21]

New OSCE Chairman to discuss Nagorno Karabakh conflict during his visit to Russia

The visit of Spanish Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairman-in-office from 2007 Miugel Angel Moratinos to Russia has started today.
18 December 2006 [13:17]

Oskanian meets Iranian FM

Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki asserted that issuing any kind of resolution against Iran in addition to being futile was recognized as an hostile attempt against Iran.
18 December 2006 [13:10]

Mikhail Saakashvili: "Georgia-Azerbaijan border less dangerous"

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili participated in the opening ceremony of the new offices of Regional Border Protection Departments of Lagodex and Dedopliskaro bordering on Azerbaijan.
18 December 2006 [13:08]

Romanian official: "We consider Azerbaijan to be European country having great role in the security of region"

Romania President's last visit to Azerbaijan showed country's interest to the Black Sea region and also Azerbaijan's integration to the Euroatlantic structures, and political message has been sent on the partnership in Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions, said director of Strategic Researches Center on Defense and Security of I Karol National Defense University under Romania Defense Ministry, colonel Konstantin Moshtofley.
18 December 2006 [13:04]

Peter Semnebi to discuss referendum in Nagorno Karabakh during his visit to Armenia

Peter Semnebi, special representative of the EU for South Caucasus, will discuss the referendum in Nagorno Karabakh during his visit to Armenia.
18 December 2006 [13:03]

Armenians violate ceasefire in several directions

Armenian Armed Forces violated ceasefire in several directions.
18 December 2006 [13:01]

Vahid Aliyev: "Those who treat Azerbaijan's steps for release of lands as militarization are wrong"

"The formation of the professional army will be realized step-by-step. The work concerning it has already begun in the Border Troops and other units and in the Defense Ministry, as well," stated President's councillor on military and security affairs lieutenant-general Vahid Aliyev.
18 December 2006 [11:07]

Serj Sarkisian: "Georgia and Azerbaijan to be admitted to NATO"

Georgia and Azerbaijan will not be admitted to the NATO any time soon, Armenian Defence Minister Serj Sarkisyan said.
18 December 2006 [10:53]

President approves Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Commission Composition

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has approved the composition of Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Commission.
18 December 2006 [10:34]

Peter Semneby: "Parties couldn't seize chance in 2006 for Nagorno Karabakh conflict solution"

"There has been a great opportunity for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Unfortunately, the parties couldn’t seize this chance to reach agreement," said Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus.
18 December 2006 [10:07]

Milli Majlis to discuss Education Bill by late December

The Education Bill will be discussed in Milli Majlis by the end of December, Chairman of Parliament Commission for Education, Shamsaddin Hajiyev.
18 December 2006 [09:57]

Peter Semneby: "EU/Azerbaijan relations change into integration phase"

Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, gave a press conference on his visit to Azerbaijan.
16 December 2006 [12:51]

Khalaf Khalafov: "Principal issues should be solved before Caspian states' summit"

"Principal issues should be solved before the Caspian states' summit," Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov told journalists.
16 December 2006 [11:53]

New Norwegian ambassador to come to Azerbaijan, December 28

Newly-appointed Norwegian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Johan Ramberg will come to Baku on December 28, Norwegian Embassy in Azerbaijan informs.
16 December 2006 [11:49]

Speaker Ogtay Asadov to visit Romania

Speaker of Milli Majlis Ogtay Asadov will visit Romania on December 18-20.
16 December 2006 [11:31]

Vardan Oskanian: "Negotiations are not held on the principles of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan"

Armenian FM denied Official Baku's statement that the negotiations are held on the principles of territorial integrity in his interview to N2 TV channel.
16 December 2006 [11:18]

Baku hosts Russia-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary Friendship Group conference

Russian group members will pay a visit to Azerbaijan Dec 17 to participate in the next conference of Russia-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary Friendship Group, MP Michail Zabelin told.
15 December 2006 [23:53]

Vasili Istratov: "Points of negative attitude of Law on Migration to Azerbaijanis are false"

"Our position on the referendum held in Nagorno Karabakh is reflected in the statement signed by OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov," Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov told journalists.
15 December 2006 [23:16]

The conference of Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the PACE to be held Dec 18

The conference of Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the PACE will be held Dec 18 in Paris.
15 December 2006 [23:10]

New chief of OSCE Baku Office to be appointed in January

The chief of OSCE Baku Office will be appointed in 2007, OSCE Main Office in Vienna told.
15 December 2006 [15:40]

Ilham Aliyev received Peter Semnebi

President Ilham Aliyev received Peter Semnebi, special representative of the EU for South Caucasus.
15 December 2006 [15:26]

Parliament ratifies new candidates to CEC membership

New candidates to Central Election Commission (CEC) were ratified in today's sitting of the Parliament.
15 December 2006 [14:23]

Vusal Garajayev: "Allah helps, I will return"

Only one letter of his family was given to captive soldier Vusal Garajayev by the representatives of International Committee of Red Cross, Garajayev's mother Zeyneb Garajayeva told.
15 December 2006 [14:01]

Turkmenistan FM: "Azerbaijani and Turkmenistan presidents should negotiate on Caspian"

Turkmenistan Foreign Ministry calls Azerbaijan to carry on a dialogue for the solution to debatable problems and border problems of the Caspian.
15 December 2006 [13:45]

Summit of Caspian states' presidents to be held in Tehran

The summit of Caspian states' presidents will be held in the first term of the next year in Tehran.
15 December 2006 [13:43]

Samvel Babayan threatens Georgia with war

"We wish Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as Nakchivan and Javakhety problems to be settled. These regions, of great importance to Armenia, are in our focus," said Samvel Babayan, ex-commander of false Nagorno Karabagh Army.
15 December 2006 [13:05]

South Caucasus Parliament Initiative leadership to visit Azerbaijan

Milli Majlis delegation will be in an official visit in United Arabic Emirates to participate in the 6th plenum session of South Caucasus Parliament Initiative, Dec 15-19.