[Francesco Pagano]

DailyNews.Az, News from the Azerbaijani Republic

Azerbaijan declares independence
BAKU - Today, the Azerbaijani Republic announced its independence from New Roma. Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev declared that Azerbaijan would become a democratic country and would respect the rights of all its communities. It is expected that several countries, including the Roman provinces, the Federal Republic of Transvaal and most members of the United European States, will recognise its independence in the evening. The Roman province of Phoenicia decided to not comment. Approximately 10% of the population represents ethnic minorities, the majority is Azerbaijani.

The declaration was passed unanimously by the National Assembly, who subsequently signed it. President Aliyev told MPs that "We have waited for this day for a very long time", and that "the independence of Azerbaijan is a great step towards the international stage". He also said that Azerbaijan will elect it's first Prime Minister on Saturday. MPs have also selected a new flag and coat of arms

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 26 November 2008 - 11:28 AM

[Ranather]

"The Afrikareich recognizes the independence, sovereignty, and statehood of the Azerbaijani Republic."

[Francesco Pagano]

In the wake of elections, DailysNews.Az launches two new services
BAKU - In the wake of the upcoming elections, AzTV 1 and AzRadio 2, will bring in-depth and comprehensive coverage of the elections. The service, which currently has the AzTV1 "Voice of the People" show touring the 4 poltical parties of Azerbaijan, is also broadcasting two series explaining Azerbaijan's democracy and voting tradition. Over the next four days starting fromo today, AzRadio 2 discusses the elections, weaving in the electoral dynamics of Azerbaijan's democracy into his own busy political past. DailyNews.Az radio programme will be accompanied by a regular column on the website.

Also starting today, AzRadio 2 is across Azerbaijan exploring how democracy interplays with different aspects of life. In the 25 part series, AzTV 1 compares voting trends by caste, region and social groups. It discusses with politicians the key issues affecting Azerbaijan and speaks to young people, who make up more than half of the voting population, about their concerns and aspirations. AzTV 1 also explores how women vote and what their expectations are. AzTV 1 head says, "With our TV and online coverage we will ensure that Azerbaijani-speaking audiences globally are engaged with the election story as it unfolds. But more importantly, we will give visitors to our website the opportunity to put across their views and contribute to the debate on key issues affecting them in this vote.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Promised Land odfficially recognizes the Azerbaijani Republic as a sovereign nation.

[Margrave]

Camberlain recognizes the movements of men unto another shifting banner, but declines to extend official recognition at this time.

[Francesco Pagano]

The Ministry of Interior published the list of the political parties sucessfully registrated for the upcoming general elections and their respective candidates and goals

NAP - New Azerbaijan Party (Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası)

Candidate: Heydar Aliyev (President's Aliyev father)
Motto: Based on lasting values of state and human dignity, we rely on the past and strive for the future.
Ideology: Liberalism, State Capitalism

Objectives

- To give an opportunity to everyone who wants to work and is capable of working to bring his talents into play and get worthy pay for good work
- To immediately stop price rises; to implement the housing reform with the parallel reduction in tariffs for utility services
- To annul the payment of the rent by the pensioners, and to give free housing to young families.
- The notion of the National Assembly's members responsibility for idleness, inefficiency and neglect of direct contacts with the electorate should be introduced.
- The tax system must stimulate production in Azerbaijan, serve the domestic producer’s interests and help attract investments.
-The state must support scientific progress, the development of high technologies and research towns. The state must support the development of education and the right to receive free education, including higher education. Only those wanting to take a refresher course or get a second education must pay for it. Free medical care should be given to all those who need it.

CSP - Civic Solidarity Party (Vətəndaş Həmrəyliyi Partiyası)

Motto: For Motherland and Justice
Candidate: Sabir Rustamxanli
Ideology: National conservatism, Free Market

Objectives:

- Contribution towards realization of strategic tasks of country’s development – creation of an adequate level of life of citizens of Azerbaijani Republic and formation of a strong and effective state
- Contribution towards ensuring lawful rights and freedoms of citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution of Azerbaijani Republic and laws of Azerbaijani Republic.
-contribution towards formation of citizen society in Azerbaijan and interaction of institutes of citizen society with governmental body according to democratic principles
- Contribution towards creating the system of governmental power, which is able to guarantee protection of life, security, rights of citizens and execution of laws.

ANIP - Azerbaijan National Independence Party (Azərbaycan Milli İstiqlal Partiyası)

Candidate: Ehtibar Mammadov
Motto: Freedom. NAP. Law
Ideology: Conservatism, State Capitalism

Objectives

- The party’s strategic goal is "to raise people’s living standards."
- The ANIP undertakes the task to become a ruling party capable of ensuring support for the president’s initiatives, including that in crisis situations.
- The party's congress adopted a Manifesto which stated that the Azerbaijan National Independence Party had been set up to ensure “nationwide progress”. Being a party of not just the parliamentary, but also of the nationwide majority, to unite the country’s responsible political figures.

APFP - Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (Azərbaycan Xalq Cəbhəsi Partiyası)

Candidate: Ali Kerimli
Motto: Azerbaijan, Labor, People's Rule, Socialism
ideology: Marxism-Leninism, Soviet Economy

Objectives:

- People's rule, justice providing for a guaranteed right to labour and labour remuneration according to the final results of this labour;
- Free education and free health care, comfortable housing, rest and recreation, social security;
- Equality based on liberated labour, the elimination of exploitation of man by man and all types of social parasitism, and on the domination of public forms of ownership of the means of production;
- Ptriotism, equality of nations, people's friendship, and the unity of patriotic and internationalist principles;
- A citizen's responsibility to society and society's responsibility to the citizen, the unity of the individual's rights and duties;
- Socialism in its renovated forms formalised in the future constitution and matching the modern level of the productive forces, ecological security and the character of tasks facing mankind, and communism as the historical future of mankind.

[Francesco Pagano]

New stadium completed in Baku
BAKU - The stadium was built by the Azerbaijani firm, Baku Construction Company, and handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sport within the stipulated time. Frist Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport , Dr. Abdinov, said the stadium was completed at a cost of $110.000.

The Baku Construction Company will leave behind a skeleton staff to maintain the stadium and offer 6 months maintenance training to Azerbaijani to take over from them.

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 27 November 2008 - 07:09 AM

[JEDCJT]

President Aliyev, on Nov 27 2008, 05:09 AM, said:

New stadium completed in Baku
BAKU - The stadium was built by the Azerbaijani firm, Baku Construction Company, and handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sport within the stipulated time. Frist Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport , Dr. Abdinov, said the stadium was completed at a cost of $110.000.

The Baku Construction Company will leave behind a skeleton staff to maintain the stadium and offer 6 months maintenance training to Azerbaijani to take over from them.

Nova Roma congratulates the Azerbaijani Republic on this.

[Francesco Pagano]

Free transportation gets voters to the polls
BAKU - To ensure voters such as the elderly and disabled were able to get to the polls Friday, several organizations provided free transportation. For seniors like Aligulu, 83, a free ride made all the difference.

“I didn't want to miss out on voting and help make history, but I knew that my arthritis in my left leg would prevent me from walking four blocks to my polling place,” he said. “So I called the Ministry of Transport information center, and they came to the rescue. I was able to vote and I was able to get home safely without a lot of pain from walking.” he said.

[Subtleknifewielder]

President Aliyev, on Nov 27 2008, 05:09 AM, said:

New stadium completed in Baku
BAKU - The stadium was built by the Azerbaijani firm, Baku Construction Company, and handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sport within the stipulated time. Frist Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport , Dr. Abdinov, said the stadium was completed at a cost of $110.000.

The Baku Construction Company will leave behind a skeleton staff to maintain the stadium and offer 6 months maintenance training to Azerbaijani to take over from them.

President Aliyev, on Nov 28 2008, 02:42 PM, said:

Free transportation gets voters to the polls
BAKU - To ensure voters such as the elderly and disabled were able to get to the polls Friday, several organizations provided free transportation. For seniors like Aligulu, 83, a free ride made all the difference.

“I didn't want to miss out on voting and help make history, but I knew that my arthritis in my left leg would prevent me from walking four blocks to my polling place,” he said. “So I called the Ministry of Transport information center, and they came to the rescue. I was able to vote and I was able to get home safely without a lot of pain from walking.” he said.

Promised Land congratulates Azerbaijani on the new stadium, and commends those who help those who otherwsise would be unable to get to the polls.

[Francesco Pagano]

President Ilham Aliyev declares end of voting
BAKU - Ali Kerimli, Leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party has been elected to a six month term, according to early official returns released Sunday. Supporters of the first Prime Minister of the Azerbaijani Republic, celebrate anticipated end of voting on Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan. With 100 percent of precincts counted, Ali Kerimli won 55% percent of Thursday, Friday and Saturday's vote, Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panahov said.

Kerimlo, who has led the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, faced four opponents in last week's vote, one of whom was considered a true challenge. Kerimli's rivals rushed to congratulate him on the victory after the early returns were announced.

"These elections have opened a new stage in the country's development and open a new chapter in relations between the government and the opposition," said Heydar Alyev, leade of the New Azerbaijan Party, now the second force in Baku's Parliament. The mood in the capital was buoyant.

Hundreds of the Prime Minister's jubilant supporters streamed into the streets shortly after polls closed at 12 a.m. local time Sunday and celebrated his victory late into the afternoon. Caravans of cars flying Azeri flags and bearing portraits of the Prime Minister clogged traffic near the boardwalk along the Caspian Sea.

The general election was Azerbaijan's first since the Turkish, later known as Byzantine and "Roman" occupation, but many describe the country as being closer to a democracy than a monarchy. As the nation's energy wealth has filtered through the population, however, the opposition has seen its support dwindle. President Aliyev, who's father was running in the election, dismissed any possible suggestions of vote rigging: "When a country is new in its independence, it needs a strong leader and stability for the first 2 mandates. We have such a leader in Ali Kerimli."

Official results have been published by the Ministry of Interior

[Francesco Pagano]

The Azerbaijani Republic is one week old, celebrations in Baku
BAKU - On December 3rd, 2008, Azerbaijanis mark the one week of Azerbaijani Republic, celebrated officially as the Republic's Day. On November 25th, 2008, Azerbaijani National Assembly gathered in Baku proclaimed the Azerbaijani Republic as the first secular and democratic republic in the caucasus. In one week of existence, the Azerbaijani Republic succeeded in establishing democratic state institutions, including the Parliament and the representative multi-party government. Among other important achievements of the republic was the adoption of universal suffrage by the Parliament, granting women the right to vote, and the establishment of Baku Technology Industries, one of the major Technology exporters in the region. Azerbaijani Parliament also took credit for adopting the national symbols of independent Azerbaijan, including its modern tri-color flag, anthem and the coat of arms.

Opening the event, President Aliyev, founder of the Republic, talked about the importance of first democratic statehood in strengthening of Azerbaijani national identity. He also emphasized that modern Azerbaijan and its contemporary statehood are based upon the principles of secular democratic statehood set forth by the founding fathers of the republic. Speaking further, Prime Minister Ali Kerimli, indicated that during this short week, the Azerbaijani Republic has been recognized by many states, its delegation joined the international stages of politic, and, on November 26th 2008, the President joined the Communist Party of CyberNations, granting the country those foreign aids needed for prosperity and technology.



Celebrations in Baku

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 03 December 2008 - 06:34 AM

[Francesco Pagano]

Azerbaijan signs non-aggression pact with the Sarnian Empire
BAKU - The heads of state and government of the Azerbaijani Republic and the Sarnian Empire have signed a non-aggression pact at a summit in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

The meeting was attended by President Aliyev who is touring the country to promote security and encourage reconciliation. A statement after the meeting said the two countries wanted to revive the mutual cooperation. Under the Non Aggression Pact, the two countries say they will prevent their territories being used as a base for attacks on the others.

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 03 December 2008 - 07:09 AM

[Francesco Pagano]

Kerimli gives independence vision
BAKU - Mr Kerimli highlighted the positive relations the Armenian speaking Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region has with the Azerbaijani Republic. APFP leader and Prime Minister of the Azerbaijani Republic, Ali Kerimli, has laid out his vision of a new partnership with Azerbaijan if Nagorno-Karabakh gains independence. In a speech in Baku, he set out how an independent Nagorno-Karabakh would work with Baku, on similar lines to the United European States, a sort of "Commonwealth of Caucasian States", in the national territory of Azerbaijan. National conservative leader Sabir Rustamxanli said the country was at a "crossroads" and that independence was not the answer.

Mr Kerimli's speech highlighted the "positive and effective" relationship that the Nagorno-Karabach region has with the Azerbaijani Republic. He cited the Kalbajar rayon (rayon stands for "Province" in Azerbaijani launguage) Council, which brings together the adminstrations of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabach plus the devolved administrations, as an example of close working relationships. Mr Kerimli said 20,000 Armenian and 3000 Azerbaijani people currently live in Nagorno-Karabach. Mr Kerimli also pointed to the experience of Germany and Poland working together to promote common interests.



Nagorno-Karabach Autonomous Region boundaries

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 04 December 2008 - 04:59 PM

[Francesco Pagano]

Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabach sign trade agreement
BAKU - Ties between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabach are growing stronger. Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabach have signed a bilateral trade and economic accord, in the latest sign of strengthening ties between the two countries. The accords signed covered the coal mines in the Nagorno Karabach region, an enclave in Azerbaijan's national soil, as well as the supply of oil to Azerbaijan.

The latest agreements highlight the efforts by both countries to strengthen their economic ties, correspondents say. They add that renewed Azerbaijani interest in increasing co-operation with autonomous regions and republics in the region - including joint military exercises in the Caucasus region - also poses potential diplomatic challenges for both President Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister, Ali Kerimli.

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 07 December 2008 - 08:38 AM

[Francesco Pagano]

Azerdemiryolbank has opened at Jafar Jabbarli Street, in Baku.
BAKU - Three Azerbaijani bankers created the new bank to provide personal and business products and services. Principal shareholders are Donmaz Allahyarov, Fakhretdin Abdullayev and Gudrat Gevorgyan. Reports show the bank garnered $7,8 million in capital for its startup.

The bank's executive team is:

Samir Karapetyan, president and chief executive officer
Oktyabr Khachatryan, executive vice president and chief financial officer
Rashid Petrosyan, executive vice president and senior lending officer
Shaig Minasian, senior vice president and Bank Secrecy Act compliance officer
Sonmaz Zeytuntsyan, senior vice president and operations officer
Vugar Berberian, chairman

[Francesco Pagano]

The Sarnian Empire cancels Non Aggression Pact
BAKU - Merely 4 days after signing the Non Aggression Pact with Azerbaijan, the Sarnian Empire announced that it is revoking its signature, withdrawing from any obligations stipulated in that treaty, breaking the agreement reached by the two country only few days ago. Those points are contained in the note, made public today, along with comments emphasizing, "Due to the landslide victory of Ubersteinians and Neo Conservatives in Royal Sarnian Senate, the Senate easily passed referendums cancelling the following treaties: Azerbaijani Republic/Sarnian Empire NAP; Chola Empire/Sarnian Empire NAP "

The move signifies a slap to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Araz Azimov canceled a technology deal scheduled for the next week, and officially declared the end of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the north american nation.

[Francesco Pagano]

Azerbaijan formally recognizes Nagorno-Karabachk region’s autonomy in a move to assert regional influence.
BAKU – Azerbaijan formally recognized the independence of the Nagorno-Karabachk Republic today. The decrees signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev redraws the borders of the Nagorno-Karabachk region, a smaller enclave with armenian majority. By recognizing Nagorno-Karabachk as independent nation, Azerbaijan is trying to exert a level of regional influence. “This is not an easy choice, but it is the only opportunity to save people’s freedom,” Azerbaijani President Aliyev said on state television. He later said that Azerbaijan is not afraid to negotiate with the armenian minority in the south-west, and that it is up to them to decide whether to freeze ties with Baku.

“If they want to preserve good relations with Azerbaijan, they will understand the reason for our decision and the situation will be calm,” he said. While Azerbaijan called upon the rest of the world to recognize the Nagorno Karabach Republic, the reaction was a far cry from national conservatists. The Azerbajani National Indipendent Party condemned the decision. "The 1st Mechanized Division will remain in Nagorno-Karabachk to defend the territory and assist in the creation of the Nagorno-Karabachk defense force, so we will not leave the region until our job is done, it's a quite long process. We will guide the Nagorno-Karabachk Republic trought their steps across democracy" President Aliyev told DailyNews.Az

[Francesco Pagano]

Union of Transcaucasian Republics is launched
BAKU - President Ilham Aliyev said he wanted love, not rivality, around the Transcaucasus. Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Dagestan have launched a new regional body with 3 member nations aimed at cooperation and friendship between the Transcaucasian Republics. The Union of Transcaucasian Republics will tackle issues such as regional growth, economy, military cooperation and fight against organized crime. At the summit's opening in Baky, President Ilham Aliyev said its aim was to ensure the region's people could love each other instead of creating separated political units.

International leaders earlier expressed optimism about the new Union. Prime Minister Ali kerimli said the Republics have never been as close as they are now. He was speaking after talks with President Ilham Aliyev, who said all founders were serious and wanted to achieve a union.

This post has been edited by President Aliyev: 07 December 2008 - 07:40 PM

[Francesco Pagano]

Azerbaijan celebrates Republic Day, 2 weeks old
BAKU - Today the Azerbaijani Republic is 2 weeks old, and with a host of celebrations to commemorate the founding of the independent Republic, it is a day that travellers won't want to miss. In Baku, the spectacular celebrations include a marching of the armed forces and massive spectacular parades packed with dancing and folk music of cultures from all over Azerbaijan.

The tri-colour flag was unveiled by nationalists who pledged they would celebrate their independence. When Azerbaijan formed a constitution this holiday became part of it and subsequently it has become a crucial piece of Azerbaijani culture. Visitors travelling to the caucasian location can also expect to enjoy the exciting architecture with sites providing spectacular scenes.