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 8                                                                                                          October 2010

Talks on Nagorno Karabakh conflict held in Astrakhan, Russia

On 27 October Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia met to discuss the negotiated solution to the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh between the two states in Astrakhan, Russia. Mediated by President Medvedev of Russia the talks focused on the possibilities to reach agreement on the basic principles over the conflict resolution. The summit resulted in issuance of joint declaration by the Presidents over the exchange of prisoners of war and human remains.

The joint declaration is the second one reached with the involvement of Russia, co-chair of Minsk Group. The so-called Meindorf declaration agreed in November, 2008 called for the intensification of diplomatic efforts to agree on the peaceful resolution and stepping up measures for confidence building between the two sides to the conflict.

The Presidents also met with co-chairs of Minsk Group and personal representative of OSCE chairman-in-office following the trilateral summit of Presidents.

It is hoped that an agreement over the basic principles regarding the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict may be reached until the next OSCE summit which is due to start on December 1-2 in Astana.

The Times, Time magazine and Diplomat magazine publish reports on Azerbaijan

British media has increased its attention on Azerbaijan by producing three reports focused on increased economic and political role of Azerbaijan. Upon the request of The Times newspaper, Upper Reach independent media agency produced a special report which was distributed as The Times supplement on 25 October. The full report is available to download athttp://www.upper-reach.com/azerbaijan/.

On 18 October TIME magazine British Isles edition circulated a special supplement on Azerbaijan called “Model of Sustainability”. The report produced by Business Outlook independent media agency involves an in-depth analysis of Government’s economic and financial policies and measures taken to develop a sustainable economic growth model.  Business champions in non-oil sector are extensively covered with a special emphasis on the favorable conditions created to boost foreign direct investments into the economy. The report can be downloaded fromhttp://businessoutlook.co.uk/web/boreports/2010/azerbaijan.pdf.

UK-based Diplomat magazine’s November issue is dedicated to Azerbaijan. Produced in cooperation with The Embassy of Azerbaijan to the UK, special issue covers wide ranging areas such as UK-Azerbaijan relations, Azerbaijan foreign policy objectives and its increased regional role, economic success story with a special focus on the balance achieved between oil and non-oil sectors and the country’s culture.

The magazine highlights Azerbaijan’s increased diplomatic activity as it has recently raised the number of its diplomatic missions to 64 and the country is currently seeking election as non-permanent member of UN Security Council for 2012-2013. The peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan is emphasized as the main foreign policy task facing the country.

Limited copies of the magazine are available at The Embassy. To obtain hard copy of the magazine please email your full address details to london@mission.mfa.gov.az. For an overview of the report please go towww.diplomatmagazine.com

Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s anniversary marked in London

An event to mark 125^th anniversary of great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli was held at Azerbaijan House on 17 October 2010. The event featured short film, presentation, speeches and live performances of music pieces of Uzeyir Hajibeyli.

Among the attendees were members of British public and Azerbaijani community, The Embassy staff and friends of Azerbaijan House. In his opening remarks Ali Tekin Atalar stressed Hajibeyli’s enormous services to the development of Azerbaijani music in the last century. Also author of Azerbaijan’s national hymn, Hajibeyli’s contribution is recognized not only in his country but he is also very well-known in the region and in Europe.

Ambassador Fakhraddin Gurbanov said that as a great composer and great Azerbaijani Hajibeyli has laid the foundation of classical music in our country.

Following the speeches young Azerbaijani musicians Nazrin Rashidova and Ayan Salahova performed Asker’s aria from Hajibeyli’s comedy “Arshin Mal Alan” and Gara Garayev’s Adagio.

Past events:

25 October 2010 –Turkey’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ahmet Unal Chevikoz delivered a speech on Azerbaijani-Turkish relations at Institute of Directors in London. Organized by The European Azerbaijan Society as part of its public lecture series the event was attended by regional experts, representatives of international NGOs and friends of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Ambassador Chevikoz gave an overview of the current state of bilateral relations between the two states and noted that the two countries are determined to further intensify and develop the ties in all spheres in the years ahead.

Forthcoming events:

8-11 November 2010 –Azerbaijanwill take part at the traditional World Travel Market, one of the biggest international tourism and travel exhibitions in London. The delegation will involve travel companies, Azerbaijan Tourism Board and national dancing groups.

15 November 2010 –The opening ceremony of Azerbaijani Carpet exhibition “Azerbaijan: Flying Carpet to Fairytale” will be held in London. Jointly organized by The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, The Embassy of Azerbaijan to the UK and Baku magazine the exhibition will take place at One Marylebone Gallery. The exhibition will be open for the public for a week. Attendance is strictly by invitation only.

16 November 2010 –Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) will hold a seminar on “Investment opportunities in food processing sector in Azerbaijan” in cooperation with The Embassy and other partners in London. The seminar is designed to provide detailed information on investment opportunities at food processing sector of Azerbaijan alongside with the experiences of British companies operating in food sector in the country. For further details please go to the website of AZPROMOwww.azpromo.az

18 November 2010 –Gruntlers Arts group and Azerbaijan House in London with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan will hold an evening in Pushkin House on the life and poetry of Nasimi, great Azerbaijani poet. The evening will feature reading of Nasimi’s poetry in Azerbaijani, Russian and English and video presentation. Reception will follow the event.

9 December 2010– Private view of the exhibition Land of Fire, Impressions of Azerbaijan at Maverick Showroom by photographer Ben Illis. The exhibition is jointly organized by The Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom and The European Azerbaijan Society. Ben has also recently authored a Hedonist’s tourist guide to Baku (Hg2 Baku). The exhibition will be open for public view between 7 and 11 December.

For your feedback and questions please contact us on 020 7938 1783 or write to ps_mammadov@mfa.gov.az

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