Nation

EU UPHOLDS INVIOLABILITY OF BORDERS

The Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Committee between Azerbaijan and the European Union in its third meeting in Brussels last week reaffirmed inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as principles for the solution to the Garabagh conflict.

The parties adopted a document "Final resolution and recommendations", backing the development of bilateral cooperation in all spheres and the integration of Azerbaijan into European entities.

The document's section on the Garabagh dispute says that the unresolved dispute handicaps economic promotion and security in the region. The document regrets the fruitless talks, noting that only a negotiated solution is possible. Participants in the meeting voiced hope that the OSCE Minsk Group would move proposals that will help resolve the conflict based on the principles of international law, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity.

The section on political reforms, democratization and human rights hails Azerbaijan's admission to the Council of Europe and fulfillment of the commitments taken, hoping for further cooperation in conformity with CE standards, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday.

JOURNALIST PRESENTS NEW DRAFT

Chairman of the Union of Journalists "Yeni Nasil" Arif Aliyev held a news conference at the Press Club of Baku Tuesday. He presented a new draft on setting up a press council, which is expected to include work plans and their implementation terms.

According to him, 23,000 journalists are working in Azerbaijan, while only 3,000 are attending to their profession. The council will open up new opportunities of supervision over publications, which fail to meet the present day demands, he added. Mr. Aliyev said the first forum of journalists is planned to be held by the end of this year and it would be reasonable to set up the council by then.

FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR CHANGING STANCES

Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev has said it is too premature to predict and expect much success from negotiations of Azeri and Armenian experts on resolution of the Garabagh conflict.

The solution depends on the Presidents of the two countries, while experts can help them, Mr. Guliyev told journalists. "The parties will have to make certain compromises to achieve fruits in the talks", he stressed. "Azerbaijan is set to change its position and even make concessions provided that Armenia must alter its stance", the minister said.

ILHAM ALIYEV AWARDED GOLD MEDAL

An MP, first Vice-President of SOCAR Ilham Aliyev was awarded a gold medal "Tree of friendship" Tuesday in the 19th plenary session of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly, underway in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Assembly and the "Mir" intergovernmental TV and radio company honored Mr. Aliyev for his contributions to formation of integration space for CIS countries. Presenting the medal was chairman of the Assembly's Board Sergey Mironov.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGE APPROVED

The Parliament approved another judge of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, Isa Najafov, who had been nominated by the President, in its session Friday.

Under the Law "On the Constitutional Court", the court should comprise 9 judges aged over 30, having higher education in law and 5-year work experience. The court consists of chairman and 6 judges at the moment.

MPs debated budget system legislation developed by permanent parliamentary commissions with specialists from the ministries of finance, taxes, justice and the State Customs Committee in the first reading Friday. Chairman of the PFPA reformer wing, MP Ali Karimov said the Oil Fund shouldn't be isolated from the state budget and should be under the parliament's grip.