News digest

VISIT OF MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS EXPECTED

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are expected to pay a visit to Baku shortly, French ambassador to Baku Chantal Poiret told a news conference Wednesday.

Asked whether France will move new initiatives on the settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict, the envoy said her country had made one and it was still under consideration.

"France wants the conflict to be resolved within the framework of the Minsk Group, she said.

GAS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY TO BE SET UP

A marketing company will be set up to distribute gas, according to chief of the SOCAR foreign investments department Valeh Asgarov. The joint venture will be owned by SOCAR, Statoil, bp, LukAgip, TPAO, NIKO, and TFE, V. Asgarov said, declining to unveil an exact date for the establishment.

The company is necessitated by the Shahdaniz contracts signed on February 21.

FRENCH BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT BAKU

A broad group of businessmen representing nearly 40 French companies and enterprises are expected to arrive in Baku soon, French ambassador to Azerbaijan Chantal Poiret has told a news conference.

According to her, they intend to study the possibilities of cooperation in textile, mechanical engineering and agriculture.

French businessmen working in Turkey are scheduled to come to Baku in May, the diplomat added. The visit program and date are being considered.

GERMAN COMPANY INTERESTED IN ENERGY PROJECT

German KAB, specialized in building small and medium capacity power stations, is much interested in a project to complete the construction of the 9th block in the Azerbaijan Regional Power Station.

The company has been operating in Azerbaijan for two and a half years and its specialists have got detailed information on the power plant. KAB is currently laying groundwork for participation in a tender by AzerEnergy joint-stock company in May, the JSC said Monday.

KAB general director Hans Yurgen Tom is expected to visit Baku one of these days. He will hold talks at the ministries of economic development and fuel and energy and AzerEnergy, as well as leave for Mingachevir to become familiarized with the possible work volume there.

GALA-CONCERT OF MOSCOW BALLET THEATER

A gala-concert of the Moscow State Theater of Ballet led by Liliya Sabitova is due at the Opera and Ballet Theater on March 7. Scenes from "Don Kikhot" by Minkus, "Traviata" and "Women with Camellia" by J. Verdi, "Carmen" by Bizet and various choreographic dances will be shown at the concert dedicated to the International Women's Day.

The Moscow company will perform for the first time in Baku.