Politics

24 December 2005 [09:18]

Speaker of Iranian Parliament is due to visit Baku in early months next year

Speaker of Iranian Islamic Council of Assembly Gulamali Haddad Adel is expected to visit Baku in early months next year.
24 December 2005 [09:17]

First group of pilgrims to go on Hadj on 25 December

The first group of pilgrims from Azerbaijan will go on Hadj on 25 December 2005.
20 December 2005 [10:59]

Congress of Musavat Party to be held after re-elections

Although the arrangement of date of the regular congress of Musavat party was intended at the gathering of the party held last week, such a decision was not made at the gathering.
20 December 2005 [10:56]

?raz Azimov: “Opportunities for settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2006 exist and sides are to make use of them”

The official Baku considers seriously the issue of holding the meeting of presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in late January-early February 2006 in the previously selected place, the deputy Foreign Minister (FM) head of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov said in a statement on 19 December 2005 at the briefing in Baku.
20 December 2005 [10:53]

“Azadliq” bloc to take Baku Mayor’s Office to court

Opposition parties will arrange the date of the next rally-meeting in near days.
20 December 2005 [10:28]

Ilham Aliyev: “We will establish potential of strong Azerbaijani Army”

We are to establish the potential of the strong army to be able to liberate the areas under the Armenian occupation at any moment, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a statement on 19 December 2005 addressing the cadets of the Heydar Aliyev Military Lyceum of the Nakhchevan Autonomous Republic (NAR).
20 December 2005 [10:12]

New Chinese Ambassador arrives in Azerbaijan

“Chjan Khaychjou, the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Chinese People’s Republic to Azerbaijan, will arrive in Baku on Tuesday.”
20 December 2005 [10:06]

KLO demands to stop OSCE Minsk group activities

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen do not wish to undertake moves towards removal of the consequences of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, the statement made by the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) spread on19 December 2005.
20 December 2005 [09:55]

Araz Azimov: “Azerbaijani side advocates meeting not for the sake of meeting but for achieving a result”

Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov held a press conference on the conclusions of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ visit to the region.
19 December 2005 [18:21]

Azimov agrees with Merzlyakov: Karabakh conflict settlement process is moving forward

The OSCE leadership is interested that the organizational issues related to the Armenian –Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh were not behind the negotiation process. In this regard, the OSCE high planning group comprising 9 members has been sent to Azerbaijan, said deputy Foreign Minister (FM) of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov on December 19, 2005.
19 December 2005 [17:27]

Government officials and NGO representatives held a round table in Baku

Prosecutor General Office and nongovernmental organizations of Azerbaijan held today a roundtable at the International Press Center where they discussed corruption situation in the country and punishment measures for those responsible for it.
19 December 2005 [17:14]

Herkel proposes to invite 5 opposition leaders to a sitting of PACE'S temporary monitoring committee

Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan Andreas Gross, Andres Herkel and the head of European Council Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections Leo Platvoet have not completed the report on their visit to Baku on December 1-3.
19 December 2005 [10:57]

To be a deputy or not to be? That is the question troubling Azeri opposition deputies nowadays

The question of whether the elected oppositionists should participate in the work of the Parliament has broken Azerbaijani opposition in half. Representatives of the Azadliq oppositional bloc accuse of vendibility other oppositional deputies that voiced readiness to participate in the work of the parliament.
19 December 2005 [10:28]

Maharram Aliyev: Baku police always tries to solve everything peacefully and calmly

Yesterday evening, the head of the Baku City Main Police Department Maharram Aliyev made a statement commenting the December 18 Azadlig bloc’s unauthorized rally.
18 December 2005 [17:39]

Opposition holds an unsanctioned rally

Oppositional bloc "Azadliq", "National Unity Movement" and "National Independence Party of Azerbaijan" held today an unsanctioned protest rally.
17 December 2005 [17:16]

Azerbaijan is going to send customs attaches to its embassies in some countries

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on the appointment of representatives of the State Customs Committee of the country (customs attaches)in foreign countries and ensuring their activities.
17 December 2005 [17:06]

PACE plans to intensify settlement process of Karabakh conflict

A meeting of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee will meet in Paris on January 9, 2006, CE Secretariat told Trend. The gathering with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will focus on the application of the 5th paragraph of CE Resolution 1416 on Nagorno-Karabakh.
17 December 2005 [16:51]

Steven Mann: "Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be settled during one year or during one hundred years"

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs held today a press conference commenting the process of Karabakh conflict settlement.
17 December 2005 [16:23]

"Azadliq" opposition bloc and Baku police prepare for a rally tomorrow

Yesterday Baku Mayor's Office answered the request of "Azadliq" bloc denying the opposition to hold on December 18 a protest rally at Gelebe square. Opposition answered, that in that case the rally will be placed at one of three squares: "Fuzuli", "28 May" or the square in front of Nariman Narimanov cinema.
17 December 2005 [15:52]

Chief of Baku police warns "Azadliq" bloc leaders

"On Saturday Maharram Aliyev, the chief of the Baku Central Police Department, met with the organizers of the unsanctioned rally scheduled for Sunday," announced today Yashar Aliyev, the deputy head of the department.
17 December 2005 [15:07]

ATIS project of Ministry of Taxes is going to unite all Baku tax institutions in corporate network

The Ministry of Taxes and territorial tax organs situated in Baku will be connected with each-other in a corporate network.
17 December 2005 [11:57]

Azerbaijani officials and 14 EU experts work on the first stage of negotiations on the European New Neighborhood Policy

Tahir Tagizade, head of Press and Information Policy Department of the Foreign Ministry told journalists that negotiations between Azerbaijan and European Union have been initiated in the Foreign Ministry yesterday.
17 December 2005 [11:47]

Azerbaijan with NATO assistance works on its military doctrine

Parliament of Azerbaijan is expected to start discussion on the state military doctrine during its spring session in 2006, said Ziyafat Asgarov, the chairman of standing commission on defense and security issues of the Milli Majlis [Parliament].
17 December 2005 [11:05]

CEC is waiting for someone to take a responsibility of conducting exit-poll during May 13 re-elections

The CEC is waiting for someone to conduct an exit-poll during May 13 re-elections to the Parliament.
17 December 2005 [10:57]

Some KLO members are arrested but the organization does not give up on its crusade against OSCE Minsk Group

A group of Karabakh Liberation Organization members held yesterday a picket outside of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan protesting against the visit of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to Azerbaijan.
17 December 2005 [10:39]

KLO member manages to enter to press-conference of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs but is taken out by security service

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Steven Mann (USA), Bernar Fasie (France) and Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) made a joint statement after meetings held with the president Ilham Aliyev, minister of foreign affairs Elmar Mammadyarov and head of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorni Garabagh Nizami Bahmanov in the framework of their visit to Baku yesterday.
17 December 2005 [10:37]

Chairman of Court of Economy is dismissed from his position

Yesterday the president Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dismissing the chairman of the Court of Economy Jafar Valiyev from his post at his own request.
16 December 2005 [21:57]

President establishes Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan Republic

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed today a decree on establishing of a new ministry. Newly formed Ministry of Defense Industry of the Azerbaijan Republic will be formed on the basis of the State Committee on special machine-building and conversion.
16 December 2005 [19:40]

Ilham Aliyev is going to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is going to meet on December 22 with the President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at an official ceremony of commencement of the Iranian gas delivery to Nakhchivan.
16 December 2005 [19:19]

Interview with Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Artur Lenk

Israeli Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Artur Lenk in the interview told Trend about his country’s intentions and position on major directions of bilateral relationship with Azerbaijan.
16 December 2005 [19:13]

IFES and Azerbaijani CEC prolong term of cooperation memorandum

Michael Svetlik, the Regional Director of International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES) on Europe and Asia, and Daniel Blessington, head of the Baku Office, met on Friday with Mazahir Panahov, the chairman of the Central Elections Commission.
16 December 2005 [18:34]

Ilham Aliyev signs approval of agreement between EBRD and Azerbaijan on Baku-Samur project

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree adopting an agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) under the Baku-Samur, inked on September 29, 2005.
16 December 2005 [18:22]

DPA will not participate in May 13 re-elections

While "Musavat" party and the rest of "Azadliq" bloc is still thinking whether to participate in the re-elections or not, the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan already made a decision. "Members of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan participating in re-elections will be expelled from the party," stated Akif Shahbazov, head of the DPA Supreme Council.
16 December 2005 [11:11]

British ambassador meets with Ali Kerimli

The chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA, reformists), Ali Kerimli met yesterday with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan Lowrence Bristow.
16 December 2005 [11:00]

Herkel proposes to leave Azerbaijani delegation to PACE without mandate

"The PACE Monitoring Committee will continue the discussions on Azerbaijan within the winter session of the organization in January," said Asim Mollazade, an Azerbaijani delegate at PACE, who participated in the meeting of the Monitoring Committee on the results of the 6 November Parliamentary elections in Paris on Thursday.
16 December 2005 [10:40]

Akif Maharramov still waits for medical examination results

"Former head of Pharmacy and Medical Technical Supply Department of the Health Ministry Akif Maharramov who is in jail of the Ministry of National Security felt worse. Suffering from diabetes mellitus, the former department director needs to be treated immediately," stated Kamandar Nasibov, lawyer of A.Maharramov.
15 December 2005 [19:39]

Kaspershik admitted that number of cease-fire violations noticeably increased in 2005

Exchange of fire in the zone of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in 2005 grew considerably, which causes alarm and regret, the OSCE acting chairman personal envoy Anzhei Kaspershik said on his arrival in Baku.
15 December 2005 [19:17]

Representatives of South Caucasus local & regional self-governance bodies gathered in Strasburg

The representatives of the South Caucasus local and regional self-governance bodies met in Strasburg on Thursday. "Azerbaijan was represented at the event by members of the European Congress of the Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA)," said Ilgar Ibrahimov, the head of the CE Information Office in Baku.
15 December 2005 [18:57]

CEC composition will stay untouched untill re-elections take place in May 2006

The existing staff of Central Election Commission (CEC) may remain unchanged till re-elections that will be held in 10 constituencies.
15 December 2005 [18:20]

Opposition will hold unsanctioned rally in case Baku Mayor Office proposes them "Motodrom" instead of Gelebe square

The leaders of "Azadlig" bloc, National Union Movement and National Independence Party held a sitting in the headquarters of Musavat Party yesterday.
15 December 2005 [11:21]

Ilham Aliyev dismisses Azeri ambassador to Georgia

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dismissed Ramiz Ayvaz oglu Hasanov from the post of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Georgia.
15 December 2005 [11:01]

NIPA's chairman promises tho punish party's council members if they continue to contradict his decision

National Independence Party of Azerbaijan stays devided by a crisis caused by its chairman Ali Aliyev dismissing Arzukhan Alizade from the post of the Secretary General of the party. Party members accused Aliyev of violation of the party's code of conduct.
15 December 2005 [10:40]

OSCE Baku Office hosted discussion on changes in pre-trial procedures in Azerbaijan

Thee second meeting of an expert group, formed on initiative of the Azerbaijani government to implement recommendations of Report from the Trial Monitoring Project was held yesterday in the OSCE Office in Baku.
15 December 2005 [10:18]

Baku Mayor Office will answer Azadliq's rally request on December 18

The Mayor’s Office of Baku will answer to "Azadliq" bloc requesting a permission to hold a rally on December 18.
14 December 2005 [16:40]

Iran takes initiative and proposes for countries of Caspian sea to meet in Tehran

Iran proposes to host Summit of Caspian Littoral Countries.
14 December 2005 [16:30]

UN General Committee rejected GUAM's request to include question of conflicts in the Black Sea-South Caucasus region on agenda of 60 session

The General Committee, responsible for organization of the work of UN General Assembly, rejected a request by member-states of GUAM, a regional organization uniting Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, on bringing on agenda of 60th session a new item on interference-fit conflict in the Black Sea-South Caucasus region and their outcomes for the international world, security and development.
14 December 2005 [16:26]

Ilham Aliyev signs a law on preparations for mobilization

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on ensuring the implementation of the law "On preparations for mobilization and mobilization of the Azerbaijan Republic".
14 December 2005 [16:20]

Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan will invite international observers to parliamentary re-elections

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will invite observers for monitoring the repeated parliamentary elections scheduled for May 13, 2006, Rovzat Gasimov, the head of the Foreign Relationships Department of the Central Elections Commission, told Trend.
14 December 2005 [11:01]

Azerbaijan and NATO will sign 6-month co-operation plan in March, 2006

The mini-plan on cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO covering the 6-month period will be adopted in March, the Azerbaijan’s deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told journalists.
14 December 2005 [10:54]

PACE discussions on Azerbaijan promise to be very tense

"Discussions of the parliamentary elections at the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be very tense," stated a member of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Gyultekin Hadjiyeva.
14 December 2005 [10:49]

Ilham Aliyev appoints head of Saatli district

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on December 13, 2005 signed a decree appointing a head of Executive Power of the Saatli district .
14 December 2005 [10:45]

KLO activists are getting ready to "greet" OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen arriving in Baku soon

The activists of the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) preparing to meet the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen with protest.
14 December 2005 [10:41]

Azadliq plans to rally near Gelebe on December 17

"Azadliq" bloc appealed to the Executive Power of Baku on holding a rally on December 17.
14 December 2005 [10:24]

Mammadyarov meets Javier Solana in Brussels

Elmar Mammadyarov visiting Brussels held his first meeting with Heike Talvitie, special representative of European Union to the Southern Caucasian countries.
14 December 2005 [10:11]

Gross and Herkel are going to present their report on Azerbaijan to PACE on December 15

A sitting of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be held on December 15 in Paris.
13 December 2005 [20:01]

Sweden and Azerbaijan discuss migration problems

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan hosted consultations between the Azerbaijani Vice Premier, the chairman of the State Committee on Refugees, Ali Hassanov, and the Swedish Minister for Migration and Sheltering, Barbiew Holmberg. They discussed co-operation possibilities between the Azerbaijani and Swedish state bodies, involved in the migration policy.
13 December 2005 [19:50]

Deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan agrees with OSCE that 2006 can be decisive for Karabakh conflict

Specific moves need to be taken in 2006 for the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov said in a statement during the briefing on 13 December.
13 December 2005 [19:39]

Candidates participating in re-elections will not have free broadcasting time

"Candidates that will participate in the re-elections will not have a free airtime," said Vidadi Mahmoudlu, secretary of Central Election Commission (CEC) told APA
13 December 2005 [19:06]

Musavat Party hesitates to give an answer on participation in re-elections

"The Musavat Party holds discussions on whether to participate in the repeated elections or not," said the deputy chairman of the Musavat Party Arif Hajili.
13 December 2005 [18:18]

Azersu Joint Stock Company has a new president now

Ilham Aliyev on December 13 signed a decree appointing new president of Azersu Joint Stock Company.
13 December 2005 [15:16]

Parliament amends Constitituion of Azerbaijan Republic

Few hours ago Milli Majlis reviewed legislative initiatives of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and voted for amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic.
13 December 2005 [11:03]

Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development will travel to Egypt to broaden co-operation and understanding between Baku and Cairo

Second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Egypt intergovernmental commission will be held in Cairo on December 25-26.
13 December 2005 [10:56]

"Azadliq" prepares final report on November 6 elections

The Central Election Headquarters of the "Azadliq" bloc prepares a final statement on the November 6 parliamentary elections.
13 December 2005 [10:40]

Azerbaijan is certain in his wish to enter WTO

Azerbaijan continues its efforts on admission of the country to the World Trade Organization.
13 December 2005 [10:23]

Azerbaijan continues active participation in NATO's events

Training course "Evaluation of operation opportunities and opinion program" is held in Gotzendorf (Austria) on 12-16 December in the framework of the NATO "Partnership for Peace" Program, initial planning conference of "Cooperative Mako-2006" will be held in Neapol (Italy) on 13-14 December.
13 December 2005 [10:12]

Azerbaijan and EU start dialogue on New Neighborhood program

Yesterday, building of the Foreign Affairs Ministry hosted the first stage of EU - Azerbaijan dialogue on European Policy of New Neighborhood program.
12 December 2005 [18:55]

Recently appointed minister Natik Aliyev announces that he will do some changes in the ministry

"Some changes will be applied in the Ministry of Industry and Energy and its Board," said Natik Aliyev, the Minister for Industry and Energy.
12 December 2005 [18:45]

Babayev prepares new changes in the Ministry of Economic Development

Minister for Economic Development, Heydar Babayev continues reforms in the ministry planning some deep structural reforms.
12 December 2005 [11:44]

Mammadyarov left for Brussels to start consultations with EU Council

The Council of EU and Azerbaijan cooperation will meet in Brussels on 13-14 December, the Foreign Ministry told Trend.
12 December 2005 [11:28]

EU and Azerbaijan start talks on European Neighborhood Policy today

Azerbaijan and the European Commission start discussions under the EU’s European Neighborhood Policy in Baku today.
12 December 2005 [10:51]

In the nearest future "Azadliq" may face a single oppositional party constituted out of those who did not join the bloc

"Azadliq [Freedom] election bloc did not accept the initiative of the National Survival Movement on consolidation of the opposition in a single center neither before nor after the elections," said Faraj Guliyev, the leader of NSM.
12 December 2005 [10:42]

Civil Solidarity Party decided to unite Azeri youth in "Democratic Revival" movement

On Friday, December 10 the Civil Solidarity Party announced creation of "Democratic Revival" youth movement.
10 December 2005 [19:48]

EU plans to exert pressure on Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia to improve human rights situation in the region

Human Rights Watch calls European Union to exert pressure on Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan for them to improve protection of human rights and condition of freedoms.
10 December 2005 [19:32]

"Azadliq" plans to take Baku Executive Power to court

"Azadliq" bloc decided to take Baku Executive Power to Court since it did not authorize the opposition's rally on December 3 and 10 that was planned to be held on the "Gelebe" square.
10 December 2005 [18:58]

President of Azerbaijan sets date for re-elections in constituencies where results were previously abolished

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on conduct of repeated parliamentary elections in some constituencies.