News digest

NATO BELIEVES IN PUTIN CONTRIBUTION TO GARABAGH SETTLEMENT

The NATO Secretary General George Robertson told a news briefing in Baku following a meeting with President Aliyev last week, when asked of his attitude toward Russian President Putin's suggestion concerning Russia's brokering mission in the Garabagh settlement, that the statement illustrates Moscow's determination to contribute to the solution of the protracted conflict.

Mr. Robertson underscored the importance of a fair settlement.

Asked whether the Nato enlargement could lead to a stand-off with Russia, Lord Robertson answered that Russia cannot oppose the acceptance of sovereign countries to Nato.

In response to the question whether Russo-Azeri military cooperation could affect Azerbaijan's relations with Nato, Mr. Robertson replied, "I see no conflict of interests here".

Regarding the possibility of Nato's participation in front-line monitoring, Mr. Robertson said, "Nato forces can take part in this only on the initiative of the OSCE".

NATO CONFERENCE EXPECTED IN BAKU

Baku is expected to host a conference on initial planning of multi-national command training "Cooperative Determination-2000" on January 23-26, as part of the Nato "Partnership for Peace" program.

The conference will be attended by Nato member and partner nations, MOD told Azernews Monday.

BSEC PROCEDURES TO BE SIMPLIFIED

Issues concerning simplification of inter-governmental legal and normative procedures enabling to expand economic cooperation within the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization will be discussed by foreign ministers of member-states in Athens in February, according to a diplomatic source.

Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev is expected to take part in the meeting.

TENDER WINNER TO BE DETERMINED IN MARCH

Tender bids for construction of a fishery in Neftchala will be unsealed on March 15, 2001.

Among contenders are Azeri-German joint ventures EMF and GABEG, French-Turkish Sorev Ravagnan and ENKA Pro Agna.

Construction of the fishery is intended to start in June 2001 and to complete in early 2003. The project is valued at a total of $9.1 million.

AZERI-BULGARIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION TO BE SET UP

A Bulgarian delegation comprising businessmen is expected to arrive in Baku Wednesday. On the first stage, the business people will meet with government and entrepreneurs.

Deputy minister for economics O. Hagverdiyev has told Azernews that the parties will sign an agreement on establishing a bilateral economic commission, which will attend to all matters pertaining to industrial, transport and communication contacts.

IBA CAN PLACE MEANS IN VARIOUS FUNDS

Consultations between the independent British investment company Forsyte Partners and the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) on cooperation in attracting means to offshore funds are ongoing. For this purpose, the head of the British company Paul Forsyte is currently in Baku.

The company provides consultative services on a rational placement of funds by offering diversification of the investment portfolio on three currency types - Euro, Dollar and Pound Sterling. For its services, Forsyte Partners changes 5% of the initial investment amount.

Azernews

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