Day: May 2, 2024

The tank units of the Azerbaijan Army are conducting combat training sessions as part of the 2024 training plan, the Ministry of Defense told AZERTAC. During the sessions held at the combined arms training range, tasks on overcoming natural and artificial obstacles, controlling combat vehicles, attacking an imaginary enemy by advancing from depth were accomplished. The assigned tasks on destroying detected targets from weapons mounted on armored vehicles inn motion and motionless states were also fulfilled. The tankmen demonstrate high professionalism in the sessions held to improve their combat capabilities. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, APA reports citing Foreign Ministry. Preparation works for the 29th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, conducted negotiations process, as well as cooperation issues have been discussed at the meeting. Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

TBILISI: COP29 places the Central Asian region at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Eugene Zhukov said, Trend reports. He made the remark during the panel discussion on "Financing Greener Value Chains in the CAREC Region (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program)". 'This topic is timely and important. Azerbaijan is hosting COP29, which puts the Central Asian region at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change,' he said. Zhukov noted that CAREC countries are very dependent on trade with hydrocarbons. 'CAREC can play an important role in facilitating the transition to clean technologies,' he added. Source: Trend News Agency

The 30-member team of international travelers from Norway's Vagaclub has completed their visit to Aghdam, APA's Garabagh bureau reports. The travelers visited the residential buildings, public facilities, and religious and cultural monuments that were destroyed by Armenia during the occupation period in Aghdam. It was reported that Aghdam, which was one of the most beautiful cities of Azerbaijan before the occupation of Armenia, now lies in ruins, plundered and turned into desolate wastelands. The travelers visited the Aghdam Mosque, the Bread Museum, and the site where the remnants of the Drama Theater are located. Then the travelers visited Aghdam's Alley of Martyrs. They were informed that the martyrs of the First Garabagh War, including some of the city residents who were killed in the Khojaly genocide, were buried here. The Armenian vandals, who destroyed everything in Aghdam, also desecrated the graves in the Alley of Martyrs by digging them up. With this, the travelers' visit to Aghdam ended. *** 17:37 The 30-member team of international travelers from Norway's Vagaclub traveled to Aghdam City within the framework of the visit to Garabagh and East Zangazur, APA's Garabagh bureau reports. Foreign travelers were informed of the atrocities committed by the Armenian armed forces in Aghdam, as well as the construction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state after the liberation of the city from occupation. The delegation first visited the Aghdam Juma mosque. Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

BAKU: Preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations is vital, Vice President of the Chamber of Italian Parliament Deputies Giorgio Mule said, Trend reports. He made the remark during a panel discussion on "The role and best practices of the legislature in the protection of cultural heritage" within the framework of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku. 'The role of society in the preservation of cultural heritage should also be highlighted. Italy has legislation on the protection of cultural heritage. Special attention is paid to the preservation of cultural heritage in Italy. Bodies supervising the implementation of legislation are also responsible, and monitoring the implementation of the law is an important factor. We must work to better preserve cultural heritage, reduce risks, and ensure that cultural heritage contributes to the economy," he added. To note, the second day of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is being held in Baku. A total of 700 gu ests from around the globe are convening for the forum centered on the theme "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity." Among the diverse participants hailing from over 100 nations, ministerial figures and representatives from the cultural ministries of 60 countries, along with 28 international organizations, will be in attendance. The agenda includes 10 panel discussions and four plenary sessions. This significant event, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, is a collaborative effort with esteemed international bodies such as the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), UNESCO, ICESCO, and the UN World Tourism Organization. Source: Trend News Agency

'During Azerbaijan's four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, and now during the "troika of chairmanship," the country came forward with many important initiatives focusing on important issues,' said Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as he received Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, APA reports. The head of state noted that during this period of time, the country came forward with many important initiatives focusing on important issues, particularly, neocolonialism. President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan organizes events, both within the country and abroad, on this topic and would continue to expose crimes and double standards committed by neocolonialists against other countries and peoples in the past and present. Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

TASHKENT: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed the practical aspects of the implementation of the projects on the construction of the Kambarata-1 HPP China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, Trend reports. The issue was reviewed at a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov, within the program of the Tashkent Investment Forum. Both parties also noted the implementation of the projects on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad. In addition, the sides discussed issues of further deepening Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations through comprehensive strategic partnerships, expanding cooperation in trade, industry, energy, transportation, and logistics, as well as intensifying interregional contacts and cultural and humanitarian exchange. The officials talked about the issues of forming a new agenda of multidimensional partnership in preparation for the upcoming summ it meetings. Meanwhile, trade turnover volume between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $158.2 million from January through March 2024. Source: Trend News Agency

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, APA reports. Konstantin Kosachev conveyed greetings from Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, to the head of state and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the greetings and asked Konstantin Kosachev to communicate his regards to Valentina Matviyenko and Vyacheslav Volodin. Konstantin Kosachev congratulated the head of state on the excellent organization of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue and highlighted the significant international interest in the event. Stressing the importance of President Ilham Aliyev' s insightful speech at the Forum, Konstantin Kosachev stated that the head of state's views on the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement, neo-colonialism, and other topics are highly relevant in modern conditions. Konstantin Kosachev underscored that Azerbaijan's significant international standing is a source of joy, and this, in turn, becomes one of the important factors in Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral ties. He noted that President Ilham Aliyev's recent visit to Moscow was very successful. Konstantin Kosachev said that Azerbaijan has achieved great success in economic, social, and other areas, and every time they visit Baku, they witness the significant development processes taking place in the capital. The head of state expressed satisfaction with Russia's high-level delegation's representation at the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which has become one of the important platforms in international dialogue. Touching upon his recent visit to Moscow, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the trip was very fruitful and demonstrated once again the strategic nature of the allied relationship between the two countries. The head of state highlighted a joint meeting in Moscow with railway veterans and workers, together with President Vladimir Putin, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the fact that National Leader Heydar Aliyev's exceptional role in the implementation of the Baikal-Amur Mainline during his tenure in the leadership of the USSR, despite various technical, bureaucratic, and natural obstacles, and even opposition from some groups during the Soviet era, was commended during the Moscow meeting. President Ilham Aliyev underlined that Azerbaijan and Russia, as neighboring nations, support and respect each other, working in a spirit of close cooperation to resolve both bilateral and multilateral issues. The President noted that Russia plays an important role in ensuring security, not o nly in the region but also on a broader scale. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that bilateral relations are steadily progressing, and considered this a significant factor in regional development in the South Caucasus and beyond. The head of state noted that during Azerbaijan's four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, and now during the "troika of chairmanship," the country came forward with many important initiatives focusing on important issues, particularly, neocolonialism. President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan organizes events, both within the country and abroad, on this topic and would continue to expose crimes and double standards committed by neocolonialists against other countries and peoples in the past and present. The meeting expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive development of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries. They emphasized the importance of the exhibition held in the Russian State Duma building last year, with the participation of Cha irman Vyacheslav Volodin, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The satisfaction was expressed with the growing tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, noting an increase in the number of Russian tourists visiting Azerbaijan. The increased frequency of flights between the cities of the two countries was seen as a positive factor. The President noted that the restoration of pre-COVID tourism numbers and indicators is becoming a reality. The conversation also touched on humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, emphasizing the support for the Russian language in Azerbaijan and its continued teaching in schools. The meeting also discussed the prospects for the development of the North-South Transport Corridor. ***12:26 Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Euras ian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, APA reports. Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

BAKU: A new flight route from Dushanbe to Baku will be launched in 2024, the Director of the Dourgard Adventures Tajikistan travel company Gulrukhsor Nurova told Trend. "A test flight has already taken place on the Dushanbe-Baku route. This year, the flight will become regular. This is a significant convenience for passengers, as now it's possible to fly directly to Baku. Moreover, the visa-free regime between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan is an extra advantage. Citizens of both countries can stay in each other's territory for up to 90 days without the need for a visa," she emphasized. To note, from January through March of the current year, Azerbaijan was visited by 36,154 tourists from Central Asian countries, which is 84 percent higher than the figure for the same period in 2023 (19,659 people). Additionally, from 2017 through 2023, Azerbaijan was visited by a total of 545,730 people from Central Asian countries (from Kazakhstan - 225,124, Turkmenistan - 145,216, Uzbekistan - 135,941, Kyrgyzstan - 21,296, Tajikistan - 18,153). Source: Trend News Agency