News digest

Aliyev, Kocharian not to meet in BSECO summit

Azeri and Armenian Presidents are not expected to meet in the Summit of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSECO) member states in Istanbul, Turkey on June 25, Azeri Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev told journalists Tuesday.

He also denied reports on the second meeting of Azeri, Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Istanbul. The exact date and place of the next meeting was not defined in Reykjavik, he added.

Moderate quake hits Baku

An earthquake measuring 3-3.5 points hit Baku Sunday morning, as it was centered in the same place as on November 25, 2000, 60 kilometers southeast of Baku in the Caspian Sea, the National Seismic Service told AssA-Irada Monday. Another quake measuring 3.5 points stroke Sabirabad in central Azerbaijan Saturday, with an epicenter in Lake Saricu. The Seismic Service refused to forecast for possible temblors, saying that Azerbaijan is perched on the Alpine-Himalayas tectonic zone, where discharge of energy is unpredicted.

NATO to open info center

A Nato mission led by the organization's assistant general secretary on political issues Gunter Altenburg is expected to visit Baku in the first ten days of June. The Nato official will discuss prospects of cooperation with Azerbaijan. Nato is expected to open its information center in Baku during the visit, according to a diplomatic source.

Washington DC intends to work in Azerbaijan

Washington DC, a company having extensive experience in purification of polluted lands, application of alternative energy sources and construction of power facilities, intends to create a joint venture in Azerbaijan, its representative told the 6th "Energy, Economy, Ecology" congress in Baku Saturday. According to him, Washington DC has chosen Azerbaijan for its 'being economically stable and run properly'. The company is planning to launch purification of polluted lands and set up a team, which will also involve talented Azeri scholars. The joint venture's all incomes will be amassed in a special fund.

The new operation is expected to support the country with equipment, new technologies to process oil that has accumulated during land reclamation, distribution of discharges.