Politics

19 October 2006 [21:20]

Oskanian demands free elections in Armenia

Armenia can no longer afford to hold elections falling short of democratic standards and must therefore "draw the line" under its post-Soviet history of electoral fraud, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday.
19 October 2006 [21:11]

President Aliyev meets Mexican Health Minister

On 19 October, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed to the Presidential Palace Mexican Health Minister Julio Frenk.
19 October 2006 [21:00]

Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents' meeting depends on Foreign ministers' talks

Azerbaijani Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian's next talks in the frame of Prague Process will be held on October 24, said Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk group and coordinator on Karabakh conflict.
19 October 2006 [20:46]

President Aliyev meets ambassadors of Muslim countries to Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev received the ambassadors of Muslim countries to Azerbaijan.
19 October 2006 [16:02]

Azerbaijani and Turkish Communities held protest action outside France Embassy in Bucharest

Protest action took place outside of France embassy in Bucharest.
19 October 2006 [15:35]

Vartan Oskanian to resign

Armenia Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said that he will resign before presidential elections in 2008.
19 October 2006 [14:35]

French films lose airtime in Turkey for 'genocide' bill

Turkey's state broadcasting watchdog has recommended a boycott of French-made programmes and films in protest at the French parliament's support for a bill that would make it a crime to deny the Armenian "genocide".
19 October 2006 [13:57]

New Turkish Ambassador appointed to Azerbaijan

Turkey President Ahmed Necdet Sezer issued a decree on appointing new ambassador to Azerbaijan.
19 October 2006 [13:37]

Maqhmudali Chohraganli resigned from SANAM

The leader of South Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM) Mahmudali Chohraganli has resigned, Agri Garadaghli, chief of the press service of SANAM office in Baku, stated.
19 October 2006 [13:29]

Russian FM Information and Press Department Chief to visit Baku

The delegation headed by Mikhail Kaminin, the chief of Russia Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department will visit Baku tomorrow, Tahir Taghizadeh, the chief of Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department informs.
18 October 2006 [23:41]

Kofi Annan appoints Envera Selimovic as the Representative of the Department of Public Information in the UN Office in Baku

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is pleased to announce the appointment of Envera Selimovic as the Representative of the Department of Public Information in the United Nations Office in Baku, Azerbaijan.
18 October 2006 [21:52]

Israeli Prime Minister urges Russia to act against Iran

Israel's Prime Minister has urged Russia to join ranks against Iran's nuclear program.
18 October 2006 [21:47]

U.S. Congress approves sale of F-16s to Turkey

The U.S. Congress has approved the sale of 30 new F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
18 October 2006 [21:40]

OSCE Representative urges French Senate to reject criminalization of 'Armenian genocide' denial

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mikl?s Haraszti, expressed his concern on Tuesday about the French National Assembly's adoption in a first reading of an amendment that aims to criminalize the denial that the 1915 killings of Armenians in Turkey was genocide.
18 October 2006 [21:38]

German Deputy Minister says Turkey's EU bid 'slackening'

German Deputy Foreign Minister Guenter Gloser criticized Turkey for slowing efforts to become eligible for European Union membership, saying the mostly Muslim nation must strengthen its democracy and end a trade embargo on Cyprus.
18 October 2006 [21:35]

Iran warns that U.N. sanctions resolution will wreck any chance for compromise in nuclear standoff

Iran warned on Wednesday that a likely U.N. Security Council resolution for imposing sanctions against Tehran would wreck any possibility for a compromise to resolve the standoff over the country's nuclear program.
18 October 2006 [21:29]

U.S. envoy dismayed by Kocharian snub

The U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expressed on Wednesday dismay at President Robert Kocharian's refusal to meet her on her first-ever visit to Armenia that focused on democratization and other political reforms.
18 October 2006 [21:25]

Armenian official expresses frustration with Russian blockade of Georgia

In comments during a Yerevan press conference, Armenian parliament speaker Tigran Torosian and his deputy Vahan Hovannisian complained on October 17 that Russia's decision to impose a transport blockade of Georgia has caused considerable economic harm to Armenia and criticized Moscow for failing to take Armenian interests into account.
18 October 2006 [16:12]

Azerbaijan does not intend to seek expelling France from OSCE Minsk Group

"I have not heard of any official announcements that Azerbaijan is seeking expulsion of France from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs," Head of Press and Information Policy Department at the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Tahir Tagizadeh is quoted as saying to Day.Az, while commenting on calls for it after the lower house of France's parliament passed a law that envisages criminal punishment for denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide."
18 October 2006 [12:21]

Azerbaijan to counter Armenian diaspora

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev announced Tuesday a campaign to counter the influence of the Armenian diaspora, a major backer of ethnic-Armenian separatists in the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region.
18 October 2006 [12:14]

Gul hails EU meeting as positive

Turkey and the EU met for the first time just like two partners who attribute importance to one another, Turkey's Foreign Minister Gul says.
18 October 2006 [12:03]

US Senator McConnell leans on Armenian lobby to bulk up GOP war chest

One of Sen. Mitch McConnell's "best friends and buddies" - his words - is Albert Boyajian, a rich Los Angeles bakery magnate who is a leader in the Armenian-American community.
18 October 2006 [11:45]

Azerbaijan marking 15th anniversary of state independence

Republic of Azerbaijan marks the 15th anniversary since the proclamation of independence Wednesday.
18 October 2006 [09:31]

Azerbaijani and EU delegations to meet Oct. 26

Azerbaijani and European Union delegations will meet in Brussels October 26.
18 October 2006 [09:28]

Azerbaijani new council to Istanbul to take over his assignment this weekend

Azerbaijani new council to Istanbul Sayyad Aran will take over his assignment at the weekend.
17 October 2006 [20:50]

Vahid Erdem:"UN and NATO peacekeepers can be placed in the conflict zone"

Vahid Erdem, head of delegation of NATO Parliament Assembly Future Defense Planning Subcommittee held a press conference on the results of his visit.
17 October 2006 [20:18]

Agreements and contracts signed between Azerbaijan and Belarus

Azerbaijani and Belarusian presidents signed intergovernmental agreement on socio-economical cooperation for ten years in Minsk.
17 October 2006 [19:00]

President Aliyev meets President Lukashenko

Belarus is ready to provide the infrastructure needed to pump Caspian oil via pipelines to the Baltic states and Poland, President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday before the launch of talks with officials from oil-rich Azerbaijan.
17 October 2006 [18:03]

Turk PM in hospital after fainting during Ramadan

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was taken to hospital on Tuesday after fainting while keeping the Muslim fast of Ramadan, but doctors said there was no need for concern.
17 October 2006 [17:57]

Azeri Armed Forces Main Inspection Office to be established

Azeri Armed Forces Main Inspection Office will be established at Supreme Commander-in-chief.
17 October 2006 [17:56]

Reporters Without Borders: "Threat to retransmission of BBC, Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe"

Reporters Without Borders today called on the Azeri government not to implement a 13 October decision by the National Council for Television and Radio to stop local radio stations Antenn and ANS and the Azeri state radio from retransmitting BBC, Voice of America and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe programmes from 1 January. The ban also affects Voice of America TV programmes.
17 October 2006 [16:56]

Venice Commission delegation to visit Azerbaijan on the amendments in law of freedom of assembly

Legal document was adopted about Azerbaijan at the plenary meeting of Council of Europe Venice Commission.
17 October 2006 [15:51]

Important changes to American visa application process

The American Embassy announces two important and fundamental changes to the visa application process, which are intended to take advantage of digital technology available to ease the application process and reduce the application time.
17 October 2006 [15:37]

President Aliyev ratifies visa-free travel law with Belarus

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev ratified a law on visa-free travel between Azerbaijan and Belarus.
17 October 2006 [13:34]

Khojali tragedy to be discussed by Turkish Parliament

"Khojali tragedy will be discussed in Turkey Parliament," Turkey PM Selaheddin Beyribey told to Hasan Zeynalov, Azerbaijani consul to Kars.
17 October 2006 [13:28]

Armenia Armed Forces fires on Azerbaijani positions

Armenian Armed Forces continue to violate the ceasefire, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service informs.
17 October 2006 [13:04]

Azerbaijan to spend US $900m on defence

The defence expenditure of the Azerbaijan's State Budget was planned at AZN 796.8412m (approximately US $900m).
17 October 2006 [13:02]

President Aliyev visits Belarus

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev starts two-day visit to Belarus.
17 October 2006 [09:21]

10 accords to be signed during Azerbaijan leader's visit to Belarus

Up to ten bilateral documents are expected to be signed during the official visit to Belarus by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, which begins on Tuesday.
17 October 2006 [08:58]

Akif Muradverdiyev's trial starts

The criminal case of former chief of Administrative Department of the President's Office Akif Muradverdiyev was separated from the case of other former officials and sent to the court.
17 October 2006 [08:56]

Oskanian visited occupied Azerbaijani regions

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian visited occupied Azerbaijan regions on October 15.
17 October 2006 [08:54]

OSCE to train Azerbaijani police

OSCE Office in Baku holds workshop for the officers of law enforcement bodies to raise awareness of police during mass riots.
17 October 2006 [08:53]

Ali Ahmadov: "Opposition parties use dialogue problem to get political dividend"

"YAP always supported the dialogue and we declare again the dialogue is more useful than standoff. Unfortunately, while speaking of dialogue, the members of some opposition parties try to use it to get political dividend," Ali Ahmadov, the YAP deputy chief and Secretary General told journalists.
16 October 2006 [20:47]

NATO PA delegation meets Ziyafet Askarov and Samad Seyidov

Ziyafet Askarov, first deputy Milli Majlis chairman, head of the delegation of Azerbaijan in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly met with the NATO delegation led by Vahit Erdem, Chairman, NATO PA Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defense Capabilities.
16 October 2006 [20:39]

Defense Minister meets NATO PA delegation

Minister of Defense, Col. Gen. Safar Abiyev met with the delegation led by Vahit Erdem, NATO PA Chairman of Sub-committee on Future Security and Defense Capabilities.
16 October 2006 [19:53]

Vatican officially confirms Pope trip to Turkey

The Vatican on Monday officially confirmed that Pope Benedict will visit Turkey at the end of November, a trip that had been put into doubt by Muslim anger over controversial comments he made about Islam.
16 October 2006 [19:26]

President Aliyev receives US rep at WTO

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 16 received Ambassador Peter Allgeier, US Representative at World Trade Organization (WTO).
16 October 2006 [19:15]

NATO PA delegation visits Azerbaijan

As was earlier reported, a delegation led by Vahit Erdem, NATO PA Chairman of Sub-committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities is on official visit in Azerbaijan.
16 October 2006 [19:00]

Agshin Mehdiyev appointed permanent representative to UN

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on calling back Azerbaijan permanent representative to COE Agshin Mehdiyev.
16 October 2006 [18:53]

Rafael Huseynov: "I told Edward O'Hara that there was not Armenian crosses in Nakhchivan"

"The delegation organized by COE General Secretary Terry Davis is more reliable, because it includes different experts from different fields. They will investigate cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia," Rafael Huseynov, the member of Azerbaijani delegation to COE told journalists.
16 October 2006 [16:01]

Israeli president urged to quit over sex scandal

President Moshe Katsav faced mounting pressure on Monday to quit after police recommended he be charged with rape in a sex scandal tarnishing a public office Israelis cherish as being above their rough-and-tumble politics.
16 October 2006 [14:49]

GUAM Parliamentary Assembly signed communique on settlement principles of "frozen" conflicts

GUAM Parliamentary Assembly signed communique on activating the settlement of "frozen" conflicts in its third meeting in Chisinau.
16 October 2006 [13:20]

Azeri and Turkish Diaspora protest outside France Embassy in Prague

The participants, who tied their mouth with ribbon symbolically, hit hands together for 15 minutes.
16 October 2006 [13:16]

Azerbaijani Diaspora argues in Canada

Canada-Azerbaijan Circles Federation held meeting in Toronto on October 15, Azerbaijan Educational and Cultural Center press service in Canada informs.
16 October 2006 [12:42]

Oskanian says he aims to normalize relations with Turkey

The Armenian foreign minister describes the Turkish government's offer to set up a joint commission of historians to examine the killings as 'dishonest.'
16 October 2006 [11:43]

Armenian Armed Forces fired on Azerbaijani positions

Armenian Armed Forces violated ceasefire for 20 minutes beginning from 16.50, October 15.
15 October 2006 [23:08]

Burdzhanadze seeks GUAM support in opposition with Moscow

Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burdzhanadze urged Georgia's GUAM partners (Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) to give active support to Tbilisi in the confrontation with Moscow.
15 October 2006 [19:53]

GUAM likely to ask for mandate to conduct peacekeeping operations

The GUAM committee for political issues launched an initiative to this effect within the third meeting of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly, held in Chisinau, Moldova, on Sunday.
15 October 2006 [18:38]

"Armenian Genocide" monument stolen in France

A bronze monument erected in 2002 in the village of Chaville near Paris commemorating the "Armenian genocide" was stolen.
15 October 2006 [18:36]

Chirac says sorry to Turkey for bill

French leader Jacques Chirac has told Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan he is sorry French lawmakers approved a bill making it a crime to deny Armenians were victims of "genocide" at the hands of Ottoman Turks.
15 October 2006 [18:24]

Azeri envoy meets Jordanian Islamic Affairs Minister

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdul Fatah Salah met on Sudany Azeri Ambassador Elman Arasli in Amman.
15 October 2006 [15:07]

U.N. sanctions North Korea

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test in a resolution that Pyongyang's envoy swiftly rejected as "gangster-like".
15 October 2006 [14:50]

Chief of Azerbaijan Community of Nagorno Karabakh appealed to world Azerbaijanis

Nizami Bahmanov, the chief of Azerbaijan Community of Nagorno Karabakh and head of Shusha Executive Power held a press conference.
15 October 2006 [14:43]

Nizami Bahmanov: "The number of Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh is not more than 80.000"

Russia as OSCE Minsk Group co-chair has pro Armenian position from the first day if its activity and showed its interest to place military units in Azerbaijan, Nizami Bahmanov, the chief of Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno Karabakh, head of Shusha Executive Power told at the press conference.
14 October 2006 [16:47]

Mammadyarov not going to be "too optimistic" in Karabakh issue

Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov expects that during a meeting with Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian the parties will have an opportunity to find common points in most complicated matters of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
14 October 2006 [16:22]

Novruz Mammadov: "France should try not to put its activity in OSCE MG under suspicion"

"We should be patient with the measures against France Parliament’s decision. There is no need to hurry," Novruz Mammadov, the President's Office International Relations Department chief told journalists.
14 October 2006 [13:23]

KLO denounced law enforcement bodies for preventing their protest actions outside French Embassy

Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) made a statement on denouncing Azerbaijan law enforcement bodies which prevented the protest action of the organization outside France embassy for French Parliament's decision.
14 October 2006 [12:33]

EU slams French bill on Armenian deaths

The European Union on Friday condemned a French bill making it a crime to deny that the World War I-era killing of Armenians in Turkey was genocide, calling it unhelpful at a critical stage in the Muslim country's EU entry talks.
14 October 2006 [11:26]

Malaysian envoy says U.S.-based Muslim diplomats should dispel misperceptions of Islam

Malaysia Diplomats from Muslim nations who are based in the United States should create a grouping to help correct misperceptions about Islam and curb anti-Muslim sentiment, Malaysia's ambassador said.
14 October 2006 [11:22]

Azeri, Chinese lawmakers vow to enhance cooperation

Azerbaijan's top lawmaker held talks with visiting senior Chinese lawmaker Xu Jialu here on Friday and both sides expressed the hope to enhance cooperation between their parliaments.
14 October 2006 [10:46]

Natig Aliyev receives Belarusian ambassador

Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev has today received Nikolay Pastkevich, Belarusian ambassador to Azerbaijan.
14 October 2006 [01:41]

General Assembly appoints Ban Ki-moon as next U.N. secretary-general

The 192-member General Assembly appointed South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next U.N. secretary-general by acclamation on Friday and the veteran diplomat who grew up during a war that divided his country pledged to "dispel the disillusionment" about the United Nations.
14 October 2006 [01:01]

Turkey studying measures against France

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday Turkey was studying retaliatory measures against France following the approval of a law making it a crime to deny Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks.
14 October 2006 [00:57]

Turkish army accuses Armenia, tensions rise

Turkey's military said on Friday Armenian soldiers fired into its territory two days ago amid an escalation in tensions after France's passage of a law making it a crime to deny Armenians suffered "genocide" by Ottoman Turks.