N E W S L E T T E R
Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

4, Kensington Court, W8 5DL, London
tel: + 44(0) 207 938 3412       fax: + 44(0) 207 937 1783

Issue 6                                                                                                                        April 2009

On the occasion of the tragedy involving gunman shooting at the Azerbaijan Oil Academy on 30 April, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Fakhraddin Gurbanov and the Embassy staff offer their condolence regarding the tragedy and express sympathy to the relatives and family members of killed and pray for the wounded to get recovered shortly.

President Aliyev paid a working visit to Brussels

On 28 April President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Belgium and held a number of meetings with both EU and NATO high level officials.

In the course of the visit the President Aliyev was received by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of European Commission and by Jaap de Hoop de Scheffer, NATO secretary General.

The meetings focused on the improving relations between Azerbaijan and both of the Euro-Atlantic structures. It was reiterated that the visit will have an added contribution upon the partnership of Azerbaijan with NATO. NATO secretary general called Azerbaijan as an important partner in the South Caucasus and also mentioned the successful cooperation within the Partnership for Peace programme.

The talks with EU senior officials were over Azerbaijan’s ties with the EU and both sides explored the opportunities for taking those ties forward. European Commision President welcomed Azerbaijan’s determination to follow much broader relationship with the EU and also underlined the importance of the newly initiated Eastern Partnership which involves Azerbaijan alongside with other five former Soviet republics.

President Aliyev also met with Belgian Prime Minister and discussed the bilateral links between the two countries. At the end of his working visit the head of the state addressed the gathering of ambassadors of NATO member states to Brussels.

President of Ukraine visited Azerbaijan

In the course of the official visit of Ukrainian head of state Viktor Yuschenko was received his Azerbaijani counterpart President Aliyev. The meeting was focused upon the existing bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine and looked at the ways of how to further expand the ties.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the current ties between the two countries and underscored that the high level visits are playing a crucial role in further enhancing the links in all spheres.

On 9 April the Council of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Ukraine had its first meeting since its inception in 2008. The Council is the first of its kind established between the two countries in order to have a greater understanding and hold regular consultations embracing issues of mutual interest.

The President of Ukraine evaluated the bilateral relations between the two countries as strategic partnership and added that these relations play an exemplary role for the relations amongst countries.

Ambassador Gurbanov presented credentials to Danish Queen

On 17 April Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom Fakhraddin Gurbanov has presented his credentials to the Queen of Denmark Margarethe II on being appointed also to the Kingdom of Denmark as an Ambassador.

While presenting his credentials to the head of state of Denmark, Ambassador has talked about the developments underway in the country and the region and the reforms implemented. Ambassador also emphasized the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and the extent to which the conflict had caused damages to the overall development of the region.

In the course of the meeting among the discussed were also the existing ties between Azerbaijan and Denmark and the prospects of taking these ties forward. The need for enlarging the bilateral links was stressed. Both sides appreciated the increased interest of Danish companies in conducting business activities in Azerbaijan’s economy and added that there exist great opportunities for deepening economic ties.

Ambassador also met with senior officials at the Denmark’s Foreign Ministry and discussed numerous aspects of the matters of mutual interest and those relating to  bilateral relations between the two countries.

Azerbaijan mini books collection on display in London

On 30 April mini books exhibition called “Azerbaijan and Great Britain in mini books”was held in “Azerbaijan House” cultural center in London. The exhibition was jointly initiated and held by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan House.

The mini books museum in Baku which is unique in its kind all over the world was founded by Zarifa Salahova who is now also director of the Museum.

Among the assembled for the exhibition were Embassy staff, Azerbaijanis living in the UK and also people showing an interest in bibliography.

On display were famous works by Shakespeare, Byron and also renowned Azerbaijani writers and poets.

Welcoming the gathering to the exhibition Ambassador Gurbanov appreciated the idea of getting this unique collection to London which is making a huge contribution to raising the awareness of Azerbaijani culture and literature among the British public.

Young Azerbaijani violinist Nazrin Rashidova performed in London

On May 2 FeMusa, a newly established female string ensemble under the leadership of Nazrin Rashidova gave a concert at St George’s Bloomsbury, London.

Founded in June 2008 FeMusa is a group of talented international musicians who met at the Royal Academy of Music where they all study. The ensemble was inspired by Elgar’s Serenade for Strings they decided to form their own female ensemble under the leadership of Azerbaijani violinist Nazrin Rashidova.

The concert was held with a major support rendered by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan House in London and brought together peoples representing art of London and also Azerbaijanis living in London.

Divided into two parts the concert programme involved well known music pieces by Mozart, Bach, Benjamin Britten and Edward Elgar. The event was ended with “Path in Thunders” a popular piece by Kara Karayev,  renowned Azerbaijani composer.

The concert was followed by a short reception.

Azerbaijanand South Caucasus in the British Media

“Diplomat”magazine, May issue In his article titled“History of Democracy” and dedicated to the 91^st anniversary of the Republic on 28 May, Ambassador Fakhraddin Gurbanov takes a glance at the democratic achievements gained during the first republic of Azerbaijan in the whole Muslim East. Alongside with those, the article also focuses on current developments in the country, its increased role as a player in the region and Europe as an energy producer and transit country. The author also mentions the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as the major hurdle in the region peaceful solution of which would have an impetus to regional cooperation. The full version of the article may be found at www.diplomatmagazine.com

The Forthcoming events and visits

4-5 May 2009, The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan will be visiting the United States upon the invitation of the US Secretary of State and will hold meetings with the Secretary of State and a number of senior officials of the new US Administration.

7-8 May, 2009, President Aliyev will attend the summit organized by the European Union at which the Eastern Partnership will be officially launched.

8 May 2009, Embassy of Azerbaijan is organizing an event to mark the 86^th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev which will be held at the Embassy of Azerbaijan and is expected to bring together people from political and business circles as well as Azerbaijani organizations based in London.

8 May 2009, Ambassador Gurbanov will make a welcoming speech at a conference to be held at the Leicester University. The conference is dedicated to EU’s policy initiatives at the Black Sea region and will get together experts and researchers on the topic.

27 May 2009, Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom will celebrate the Republic Day through holding a reception at the Royal Garden Hotel in London.

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland © 2009

www.azembassy.org.uk

london@mission.mfa.gov.az