Nation

China backs Azerbaijan's territorial integrity

Azeri Defense Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev received Chinese ambassador to Azerbaijan Tzan Siyun Wednesday.

The Azeri minister congratulated the ambassador on the appointment and spoke of the establishment of Azeri-Chinese relations and military cooperation. He said Azeri servicemen are currently studying in Beijing's War Academy and expressed aspiration for expanding military cooperation. T. Siyun conveyed the regards of his country's defense minister Chi Khaotuan to Mr. Abiyev and said bilateral relations were on a good level. The minister said that the two nation's national interests coincide in the issue of territorial integrity and Azerbaijan has always supported the integral China. Elaborating on the country' s major problem, the Garabagh conflict, S. Abiyev said that the occupation couldn't last long and hoped for China's backing for Azerbaijan. Amb. Siyun voiced desire for healthy relations with Azerbaijan and said Chinese companies are aspiring to join oil projects in the Caucasus nation. Thanking Azerbaijan for the support, he said that China also backs Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. He wished the settlement of the Garabagh conflict to bring peace and stability in the South Caucasus and said China would do its best to help resolve the dispute.

Slovenia keen on economic co-op with Azerbaijan

By Azernews Staff

The visiting Slovenian foreign minister Dimitri Rupel voiced his country's interest in developing economic relations with Azerbaijan in a meeting with his Azeri counterpart in Baku last week.

Azeri foreign minister on his part stated that Azerbaijan is also unhappy with the level of bilateral relations.

The Slovenian minister arrived in Baku Friday from Yerevan, Armenia, to talk over prospects of bilateral cooperation with Azeri leaders. His three-day official visit, which was part of the South Caucasus tour, culminated with the signing of a protocol on cooperation between the foreign ministers of the two nations.

During the visit to Baku, which he started with paying tribute to the Cemetery of Martyrs, Rupel held talks with his Azeri counterpart V. Guliyev, Speaker Alasgarov, Premier A. Rasizadeh and President Aliyev.

Receiving the Slovenian official, the Azeri foreign minister voiced hope that the visit would help to get overall information about Azerbaijan. He pointed out that both nations have a common history, as they both had to struggle for independence being a part of the former socialist camp. At the same time, he noted that Slovenia could get out of the political turmoil without significant losses, while Azerbaijan has become a battlefield.

The visit of the foreign minister of Slovenia, a country to chair the OSCE next year, was aimed at studying the situation in the South Caucasus.

Rupel left the Azeri capital Saturday evening.

“Group-1 Security” branching out

The recent terror attacks, especially that in the US, are necessitating to better heed security issues worldwide. In many nations, security conceptions of companies have been revolutionized since then.

It is commendable that Azerbaijan seen new security companies emerging, including Group-1 Security, which was set up earlier this year.

Its executive director Rafig Abbasov had the following to tell an Azernews correspondent:

"Group-1 Security was registered at the Ministry of Justice on February 8, 2002 as a company providing security services. The operational area of the group includes static guarding, emergency response and electronic security systems.

Groups 1 employees shine with high professionalism. We pay special attention to their intellectual and professional level and physical training. Working in out company are former employees of the Interior Ministry, Garabagh war veterans, world, European and national champions, who speak several foreign languages and have higher education and work experience in foreign companies.

Though Group-1 is comparatively young, it has already occupied a special place in the security market, providing security services for companies included in oil consortia and other world known firms.

The September 11 has made people think of their security, while Group-1 gives the world a sense of security. We are ready to cooperate to give high quality services and lower prices.

Journalists awarded Ombudsman deeds

Chairman of the Society of Young Lawyers Nadir Adilov and chairman of the American Bar Association in Azerbaijan (ABACELLI) John Porter held a news conference at the editorial office of the "Zerkalo" newspaper Friday.

An "Ombudsman and legal education" program and brochures "Who is Ombudsman" issued in Russian and Azeri with financial support from ABACELLI and USAID were also presented. Media representatives who were regularly issued enlightenment reports in studying the Ombudsman, including director of the AssA-Irada news agency and editor-in-chief of the Azernews newspaper Fazil Abbasov, were awarded deeds.

Clergymen to pass attestation

Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Entities Rafig Aliyev believes it is necessary to conduct attestations of to determine the knowledge of mullas. A special commission comprising religious figures and Islam scholars will be set up for this purpose. Those who fail, won't get special certificates from the Caucasus Clerical Board.

The attestation will get underway after chief of the Board Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazadeh returns from Germany where he is currently undergoing treatment.

bp workers get int'l certificate

Two of the bp employees, Rafael Suleymanov and Elnur Amikishiyev are the Azeri nationals to have successfully completed the qualification of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The two are graduates from the Azerbaijan State Economic University.

In a ceremony held in the bp office Friday, where CIMA certificates were officially presented, bp President David Woodward congratulated the two Azeris on the international recognition. "bp strives to promote the training and advancement of all Azeri employees", he said.

CIMA's scope extends far beyond pure accountancy and is regarded as a complete education for business in the 21st century. It is internationally recognized as offering the financial qualification for business.

Punishment for opponents of Azerbaijani, Latin script

The Azeri Parliament debated supplements to the Code of Azerbaijan on administrative punishments in its session Friday. The supplements were related to the use of Azerbaijani. MPs considered the secret or clear propaganda against the state language, resistance to its use and development, and attempts to limit the rights for Azerbaijani violation of the Code.

Obstacles created for the use of Latin script will also be viewed as administrative transgressions. Physical and legal entities infringing on these requirements will be fined.

The Parliament approved the supplements.