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PRIME MINISTER IN NORWAY
An Azeri delegation led by premier Artur Rasizadeh left for Norway on an official visit Sunday. The delegation is expected to hold talks with state and government officials, representatives of Norwegian companies and businessmen to focus on prospects of economic cooperation.
Prior to the visit, the premier had told journalists that the delegation would become familiar with the oil refining industry in Stavanger. A two-year work plan for bilateral economic cooperation will be signed
during the visit.
AZERI, GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT
Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Menagarishvili at the Ministry Tuesday. After the meeting, the two signed a joint statement.
Addressing journalists after the signing ceremony, the Georgian diplomat said although the visit is traditional, it carries particular importance due to the situation in South Caucasus and in the region in general.
Congratulating Azerbaijan on being admitted to the COE, he said membership of the three South Caucasus nations in the organization is an important step toward integration with Europe.
Minister Menagarishvili said the parties had discussed both positive and negative aspects of bilateral and regional relations. Also in the focus was the issue of establishing a unified system of security and stability in South Caucasus. He indicated that the initiative had been made by Presidents Aliyev and Shevardnadze.
"We have agreed to work on the issue together", he said.
Also discussed was the issue of cooperation within GUUAM. The parties confirmed the progress of the Baku-Ceyhan project, saying the number of major companies interested in taking part in the project has increased.
The ministers also spoke of prospects of cultural cooperation and agreed to hold joint activities on the occasion of the 10th independence anniversaries of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
President Aliyev received the Georgian minister Tuesday night.
ISRAELI DIPLOMAT SATISFIED WITH BILATERAL RELATIONS
Israeli Charge D'affaires Shmuel Moyal is pleased with the current status of bilateral relations, he told a news conference Tuesday.
According to him, the turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel made up $150 million last year, much more then in previous years. He said Israeli companies are involved a major projects in oil and communication sectors of the Azerbaijan economy, while other leading agriculture and satellite communication firms are studying the domestic market of the country for further cooperation.
The diplomat underscored that a visit by President Aliyev to Israel could boost bilateral relations. He said the invitation of the Israeli government is still valid and the visit may be paid this year.
DUMA TO FOLLOW FRENCH SENATE SUIT
A member of the Russian State Duma from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Alexei Mitrofanov has prepared a draft resolution on "Armenian Genocide" of 1915-1917, Duma's press service said last Wednesday. The MP thinks that the State Duma, enforcing the UN Convention on prevention of genocide and punishment for it, and governed by principles of historical justice, must condemn the act of genocide by Ottoman Turkey.
Mr. Mitrofanov believes that Turkish leaders must openly admit the fact of "Armenian Genocide" in order to normalize relations with Armenia. He then proposed to set up an international commission to ascertain the volume of compensation to be paid to the victims.
It remains to be guessed whether this or another Russian MP will, in the same fashion, ever raise the issue of Jewish holocaust in the Czarist Russia.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS OF AZERI-BULGARIAN RELATIONS
Bulgarian Charge d'Affaires in Azerbaijan Yuksel Ahmed told Azeri defense minister Colonel-General Safar Abiyev Monday that there are tremendous opportunities to be explored in bilateral relations, according to the MOD.
Underscoring the importance of comprehensive cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, Min. Abiyev informed the diplomat of the political and military situation in South Caucasus. He emphasized that the aggressor state of Armenia has a lot of unregistered weapons, most of which are being stationed in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This, in turn, poses a great threat to the region, the minister said.
"It may undermine the already precarious situation at any time", he concluded.
RULING PARTY DESCRIBES HUNGER-STRIKE AS MISTAKE
The executive secretary of the governing "Yeni Azerbaijan Party" Ali Ahmadov thinks the Garabagh war handicapped have made a mistake by putting forward demands and conducting the hunger-strike.
"We think they mustn't be turned into a toy in the hands of political or Mafiosi people", he told journalists last Wednesday.
A. Ahmadov added that the government had done enough to address the social needs of the Garabagh handicapped and these measures would be taken in the future too.
However, no one must be allowed to pressurize and threaten the state, he said.
Asked whether the YAP leaders were going to visit the disabled while their action was sill in progress, A. Ahmadov said the party was meeting with them from time to time and trying to resolve their problems.
DRAFT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM READY
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Population, in cooperation with relevant entities and trade unions, has prepared a draft employment program, says head of the employment and demographic policy department under the Ministry Vahab Mammadov.
According to him, the program is intended to increase the employment rate on national and regional levels. It has been prepared in keeping with the investment, foreign political, economic, migration, educational and health needs.
700 AZERIS KILLED IN RUSSIA IN 3 YEARS
Chairman of the "Yurddash" party MP Mais Safarli told a Milli Mejlis session Tuesday that around 700 Azeris have been killed in Russia in the last three years. Some 50 youngsters have reportedly assaulted an Azeri-run commercial kiosk in St. Petersburg lately. The MP said the government should take urgent measures.
Mr. Safarli stated that the government should also help Azeris living in Turkey to extend their visas.
According to him, if Azeris working outside Azerbaijan return home, this may seriously inflame social tensions in the country. That is why, the government must take care of them, he said.
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT INACCESSIBLE FOR THE RANK-AND-FILE
According to the Azerbaijan Constitution, citizens of Azerbaijan cannot directly apply to the Constitutional Court, as only 6 government agencies are authorized to do so.
One of the commitments Azerbaijan has undertaken in the Council of Europe was to make it possible for rank-and-file citizens of the republic to apply the CC.
Head of the International Law department of the Constitutional Court Shahin Rustamov told Azernews last Wednesday that he thinks it wrong to limit people's rights. He added that the issue of direct application to the Constitutional Court would soon be resolved.
The Azerbaijan Constitution can only be amended through a nationwide referendum. The need for changes has repeatedly been underscored by the Parliament.
ID CARDS TO BE ISSUED SINCE APRIL
The process of installation of equipment necessary for identification cards of the Azerbaijan citizens is drawing to a close. The work is being carried out by "Canadian Banknote", minister for trade Hussein Bagirov told Azernews Monday.
According to him, such equipment is being mounted in 74 Azeri provinces. 7 million of the ordered 13 million cards have already arrived.
The issue of ID cards is expected to commence in April and complete in June. The fee is to be AZM5,500 and free for the under-age.
AZERI, SAUDI RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES STEPPING UP TIES
Leaders of Azeri and Saudi Arabian Red Crescent Societies held talks in Baku on invigorating contacts between the two organizations.
During the talks, chairman of the Saudi RCS Dr. Abdul Rahman ben Abdel Aziz emphasized the aspiration of his organization to expand contacts with Azerbaijan and pledged, as a member of the permanent commission of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, to support the Azerbaijan society internationally. He also stressed the importance of assisting Azeri refugees and IDPs, including those from Chechnya and Ingushetiya settled in Azerbaijan.
Dr. Abdul Rahman and chairman of the youth committee of the World Islamic Youth Assembly Sheikh Muhammad Salim al Hamida visited Chechen refugees dwelling in the Darnagul residential area of Baku and the republican clinical hospital, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent society told Azernews Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Arabian Charge D'affaires in Baku Mr. Zuheir Suleihim.
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© 1998-2003 Azernews. All Rights Reserved.
Issue No.7 (189), 2001
President to visit TurkeyPA CE to consider azeri genocide issueFrench scholars defy "Armenian genocide"Deadly protest action terminatedChevron officially agrees to join BTC sponsorsNews digestNationParliament newsOpposition newsNews in briefBusinessOil & gas news
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