News digest

US MILITARY TO VISIT BAKU

A delegation of the US Defense Department is expected to pay a working visit to Baku Wednesday. The purpose of the visit by American members of the US-Azeri Consultation Group is to discuss prospects of bilateral military cooperation following the repeal of Section 907 to the Freedom Support Act, the US embassy in Azerbaijan said Monday.

The US military are led by Mira Ricardel, US spokesperson in Eurasian nations for Deputy Defese Secretary for international security policy. The visitors will hold bilateral consultations in the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Wednesday and Thursday, signing a joint statement.

GREEK ENERGY MINISTER EXPECTED

A delegation led by Greek energy minister Akis Tsokhadzopolos is expected to arrive in Baku on a working visit on April 22-23 to discuss the tariffs of gas transportation from the Shahdaniz field with the Azerbaijan government, a diplomatic source reported Monday.

The Greek delegation is also planning to hold meetings in SOCAR and the Ministry of Fuel and Energy. Akis Tsokhadzopolos has recently been approved to the post. Before the appointment, he acted as Greek defense minister and paid an official visit to Baku in 1997, the source reported.

FIRST INT'L TOURISM SHOW IN BAKU

Baku is expected to organize the first international exhibition on tourism in May. The show aims to lure investments in the tourism business in Azerbaijan, minister for youth, sports and tourism Abulfaz Garayev has told journalists.

Attending the exhibition under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization will be close to 100 tourism companies from the US, Great Britain, Austria, Spain, France and other countries.