News digest

NO TERRITORIAL EXCHANGE TO BE DISCUSSED IN GENEVA

H. Aliyev and R. Kocharian will not discuss the issue of territorial exchange in their next meeting in Geneva, says Azeri Foreign Minister Guliyev.

Asked what Azerbaijan expects from the Geneva talks, the minister said Azerbaijan has demands to put forward and "we are going to Geneva to defend them", he said.

DEFENSE MINISTRY DELEGATION IN PAKISTAN

A Defense Ministry delegation led by Colonel-General Safar Abiyev is paying a familiarization visit to Pakistan on the invitation of the country's government. The visit agenda includes meetings with the head of the executive power committee of Pakistani General Pervez Musharraf, ministers of defense, foreign affairs, internal affairs, oil and natural resources. The visit is scheduled to last till May 25.

OIL AND GAS SUMMIT DUE IN ASTRAKHAN

An international oil and gas summit "Caspian XXI: from politics to business" is due in Astrakhan, Russia, on May 24, as SOCAR president Natig Aliyev is expected to make a presentation on Azerbaijan's experience. Reports on political aspects of cooperation in the Caspian basin will be delivered by diplomats from five littoral countries.

Discussions will also center on Caspian legal status, investment climate, exploration and production, marketing, export routes, environmental issues, etc. The summit is co-sponsored by SOCAR.

TENDER FOR SUPPLY OF GAS-METERING STATIONS DUE IN JUNE

A tender for the supply of gas-metering stations will be held in June, according to the "AzeriGas" joint stock company. One of the two gas metering stations to be purchased will be installed on the gas pipeline on the border with Russia and the other - with Georgia. The currently used stations have become obsolete and need to be replaced.

The European Commission has allocated Euro2 million for the purchase of the stations, therefore, tender results will have to be approved by the EC.

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