3.02.2010 GREECE UNVEILS AUSTERITY PROGRAMME TO CUT DEFICITGreek Prime Minister George Papandreou has announced tough austerity measures aimed at cutting his country`s soaring public debt. Mr. Papandreou said a public sector pay freeze and fuel duty increases were essential because the economic crisis was propelling Greece towards a cliff. He said the EU was pressuring him to curb the budget deficit, which is four times higher than the 3% permitted. The European Commission will meet later on Wednesday to consider his measures.
31.01.2010 4 AFGHAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN JOINT FORCE AIR STRIKEAfghan and NATO officials say a coalition air strike has "likely killed" four Afghan soldiers, VOA reports. Military officials say joint force of Afghan and coalition soldiers came under fire early Saturday morning and called in the air strike. NATO and Afghan officials say their initial investigation after the air strike indicates the small arms fire originated from an Afghan National Army outpost.
29.01.2010 AFGHANISTAN SUMMIT KICKS OFF IN LONDON A summit on the future of Afghanistan has today started in London, bringing together foreign ministries from 70 countries, including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said mid-2011 should be the deadline for "turning the tide" in the fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. Speaking at a 70-nation London summit on the future of Afghanistan, he said the nations faced “a decisive time”.
19.01.2010 VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH WINS FIRST ROUND OF ELECTIONWith three quarters of votes counted, the current president had won only about 5%. Former PM Viktor Yanukovych led current PM Yulia Tymoshenko by some 36% to 25%. A total of 18 candidates took part in the election. A run-off will be held on 7 February after no candidate won 50% of the vote.
15.01.2010 NEW OSCE CHAIRPERSON TO OUTLINE PRIORITIES FOR 2010The new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan`s Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, will outline Kazakhstan`s priorities for the Organization in 2010 in a speech to be delivered on Thursday in Vienna, according to the OSCE`s website. Saudabayev will speak at a session of the Permanent Council, one of the Organization`s main regular decision-making bodies.
13.01.2010 HAITI EARTHQUAKE FEARED TO HAVE KILLED HUNDREDSA 7.0-magnitude quake which hit south of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince is feared to have killed hundreds of people across the Caribbean country, BBC reports. In the space of a minute, Haiti`s worst quake in two centuries wrecked the HQ of the UN mission, the presidential palace and numerous other buildings. A "large number" of UN personnel were reported missing by the organization.
12.01.2010 SOCIAL DEMOCRAT IVO JOSIPOVIC ELECTED CROATIA PRESIDENT The opposition Social Democrat, Ivo Josipovic, has won Croatia`s presidential election by a wide margin. Mr Josipovic won 60.3% of the vote in the second round run-off, beating the mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic. Correspondents say the result was expected, but the margin of victory even larger than polls had predicted. Mr Josipovic has pledged to lead an “uncompromising fight against corruption” and to help the government complete EU membership talks this year.
On February 4th, Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a joint press conference at the Chancellor`s residence. Mrs. Merkel said she was pleased to once again welcome the President of Azerbaijan to Germany. The Chancellor praised the two countries` economic relations, stressing the importance of using “our big potential” to boost the bilateral cooperation.
On February 5th, president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met here members of the Germany-Azerbaijan forum. They stressed the importance of the events held by the Forum to contribute to developing political, economic and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Germany. It was noted the Forum intends to carry out new projects in a variety of fields, and President Ilham Aliyev`s ideas on this issue arouse interest.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met here Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the 5th of February. During the meeting, they praised the level of political relations between the two countries. They discussed a number of questions, including Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and regional issues.
Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev delivered remarks at Panel Discussion “Resource Security and Shifting Global Power” as part of the Munich Security Conference. Over the past decades the Munich Security Conference has become the major security policy conference worldwide. Each year it brings together senior figures from around the world, including state and government officials, parliamentarians,
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is on a working visit to Germany, met US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg. They discussed settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US-Azerbaijan relations and regional issues. AzerTAc
On Wednesday representatives of Kuwait`s LoYAC - Lothan Youth Achievement Center visited Azerbaijan Parliament, Milli Majlis where they met head of the Azerbaijan-Kuwait inter-parliamentary friendship group Akram Abdullayev. Abdullayev said the relations between the two countries were developing “at a very rapid pace”. He noted Kuwait was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan`s independence. Touching upon the inter-parliamentary ties, he said reciprocal visits by the two countries` MPs contribute to deepening them.
On February 2nd, Foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met visiting Omanese counterpart Yusuf Bin Alawai bin Abdullah. Mammadyarov said there were great opportunities to develop relationship between Azerbaijan and Oman. He noted the two countries share the same position on several international issues.
Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov met Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and Consular Issues Hassan Gashgavi. Asadov praised the bilateral relations, saying “there are huge possibilities to further develop cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields.” The Speaker stressed the importance of using all opportunities to further deepen economic and social relations. He said reciprocal visits by presidents stimulate the bilateral ties and play “special” role in strengthening the legal base of cooperation.
Oman is keen to expand trade and economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman`s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, told Azeri Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh. The two stressed the importance of expanding the legal base for bilateral cooperation, and emphasized the necessity of soonest ratification of documents regulating mutual business activities. Yousef bin Abdullah praised an agreement between the two countries on air communication. Rasizade thanked the Omani government for supporting Azerbaijan`s stance concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the international level.
The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed an agreement with RiskMetrics Solutions İnc. on 29th of January, 2010. The company is the winner of an open tender for provision of İT solution for Risk Measurement System, which was held in compliance with the requirements of Law of the Republic Azerbaijan on Public Procurement. The Risk Measurement System agreement’s value is USD 160,000 per annum. İnitial term of the agreement is 5 years. The implementation of the system is expected to be completed within 6 months. RiskMetrics Solutions İnc. is one of the leading global providers of risk measurement, corporate management and financial analysis solutions.
Azersun Holding company has sent a humanitarian aid to Haiti through the UNDP to contribute to relief efforts after a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti on Tuesday and left millions of residents scrambling in the aftermath. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is calling for US$35.6 million for immediate recovery assistance in Haiti. Immediate responses will include the clearing of rubble and rehabilitating essential social infrastructures, such as street repairs and electricity, to facilitate urgently needed assistance. UNDP will also carry out cash-for-work programmes to jump-start the local economy.
A driver has been killed in a collision involving a car and a lorry in Lankaran. Rafig Karimov died when his VAZ-2106 collided with a KamAZ traveling in the opposite direction. Karimov was taken to a nearby hospital, but later died from his injures, police sources said. The driver of the lorry is questioned by local police officers. AzerTAc
Days of Azerbaijan Culture will take place in Qatar, in May, Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in his interview to “Al-Raya” newspaper. Uzeir Hajibayov`s opera “Leyli and Machun” will be shown as well as numerous events, including exhibitions and concerts organized. AzerTAc
Notable Azerbaijani theater director Jannat Salimova has won the prize of the 27th International Fajr Festival in the nomination “For the best direction”. The Festival took place in Tehran, Iran, on January 21-25. Azerbaijan State Theater of Musical Comedy has performed at the festival “O olmasin, bu olsun” (If not this, then the other”) musical comedy directed by Jannat Salimova.
A faculty of Azerbaijan literature was opened in Ataturk-Alatoo University in the Kirghiz capital of Bishkek. Teacher of the faculty, PhD in philology Ramiz Mashadhasanli said students could familiarize themselves with founders of Azerbaijani literature and writers of Iran Azeris.
Azerbaijan National Academy of Science`s Institute of Radiation Problems has signed a protocol of intent on cooperation with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. The document was signed during the Institute`s director Adil Garibov to the Korean Republic. The protocol envisages carrying out joint researches and projects. As part of the trip, the Azerbaijani scientists also visited Korea`s atomic power stations.
Doctors in Azerbaijan saved the life of a Pakistani boy whose parents asked pilots of the plane they were on board to make an emergency landing in Baku after their baby went into convulsions and became short of breath. The craft, on route from Pakistan to the UK, landed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, at around 16.00. Alisa Khaleed, 3, was immediately taken to a hospital with his whole body convulsed and dehydrated. Doctors spent two hours to rescue the child whose condition was believed to be “extremely severe”.
H1N1 swine flu vaccines produced by GlaxoSmithKlein Company were delivered to Azerbaijan. The at-risk groups will first get immunised against H1N1 swine flu. The flu hit 14 cases in Azerbaijan in 2009.
As earlier informed, UNESCO`s Committee on Protection of Nonmaterial Cultural Heritage has included Azerbaijan`s art of ashug in UNESCO`s world non-material cultural heritage list. Thanks to efforts of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva the ashug art has been approved as a phenomenon of Oriental culture and songs on international level.
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration`s Political Analysis and Public Relations Department Chief Elnur Aslanov spoke in an interview with Day.Az.
Day.Az: Recently, Russia`s president Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting on the Caspian cooperation in Astrakhan. How do you comment on the fact that Moscow insists on the ban on deployment of military forces in the Caspian Sea by non-regional countries while the U.S. is actively cooperating with Azerbaijan as a part of the program “The Caspian Guard”? Elnur Aslanov: Azerbaijan is an active supporter of peace in the region. We cooperate with the United States in a number of issues, as well as with Russia.
National news
7.02.2010 ECO HEALTH MINISTERS VISIT HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION Participants of the first meeting of ECO health ministers visited here the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on Friday. They were briefed on the Foundation`s objectives, and items taken from the national leader`s personal archive. As stated, the main goal of the Foundation is to study and popularize Heydar Aliyev`s rich heritage, give an idea to future generations and foreign visitors about his large-scale activity to achieve Azerbaijan`s socio-economic, cultural progress, and assist projects that popularize the history and culture of Azerbaijan.
3.02.2010 OMANI FM`S AZERBAIJAN VISIT COMMENCES Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman started his visit to Azerbaijan by paying respect to national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the Alley of Honors and Azerbaijani shahids at the Martyrs` Alley “The aim of our visit is to develop our relations with brotherly Azerbaijan even more. Our relationship is very strong and our countries are implementing a number projects. We will consider new opportunities for cooperation,” the Minister was quoted as saying.
3.02.2010 RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS AZERTAC Russian Ambassador Vladimir Dorokhin visited Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency (AzerTAc) where he met its Director General Aslan Aslanov. Aslanov briefed the Ambassador on the history of the agency which was founded by the Government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1920. He also spoke of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s contribution to Azerbaijan`s development, saying his policy “is today successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev”.
3.02.2010 DELEGATION OF KYRGYZSTAN MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOR AND MIGRATION VISITS HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION On February 2nd, a delegation of Kyrgyzstan`s Ministry of Employment, Labor and Migration visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. They were briefed on the Foundation`s goals and activity. They got familiar with the items taken from the national leader Heydar Aliyev`s personal archive. The visitors were informed that the main goal of the Foundation is to study and popularize Heydar Aliyev`s rich heritage, give an idea to the future generations about his large-scale activity to achieve Azerbaijan`s socio-economic,
3.02.2010 TOP OFFICERS OF DASHKESAN MILITARY UNIT BROUGHT TO JUSTICEDissemination of reports aiming to cause confusion in the public is inadmissible and bears responsibility “Top officers of the Dashkesan military unit N have been brought to justice”, Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Republic Zakir Garalov told the AzerTAc correspondent. The Prosecutor General, in particular, said: “A fatal criminal case resulted with the death of soldiers and officers took place in the military unit N in the country`s Dashkesan region on January 28, 2010.
Sport
3.02.2010 BAKU TO HOST PARALYMPIC PHOTO EXHIBITIONA photo exhibition featuring best moments of Paralympic tournaments will take place in Azerbaijan`s capital next Tuesday. The event, called Paralympic Moments, will mark the 14th anniversary of Azerbaijan`s National Paralympic Committee. The aim of the exhibition is to inform the public about successes of Azerbaijan`s paralympians on the European and world arena. Ilgar Jafarov, a photographer at Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency, AzerTAc, will present more than 100 photos he took during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
2.02.2010 AZERI WRESTLERS WIN 6 MEDALS IN TURKEYAzerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers have brought home a clutch of 6 medals, including 3 golds from an international Vehbi Emre tournament in Istanbul, Turkey. Gold medals came from Hasan Aliyev weighing in at 60 kg, Elchin Aliyev at 55 kg and Shalva Gadabadze at 84kg. Vitaly Rahimov and Rafik Huseynov grabbed silver medals in the 60 kg and 74 kg divisions respectively, while Gadir Suleymanov weighing in at 55 kg won bronze.
31.01.2010 AZERI JUDO FIGHTER WINS WORLD SILVERAzerbaijani judo fighter Samir Dadashzadeh weighing in at 66 kg has claimed silver medal in the world cup in Tbilisi, Georgia, after losing to Georgian Shalva Kardava in final. On his way to final, the Azeri fighter beat Geogian Nestor Khergiani, Armenian Ambartsum Tonoian and Ukrainian Sergei Piliyev.
World news
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration`s Political Analysis and Public Relations Department Chief Elnur Aslanov spoke in an interview with Day.Az. 
