Category: Key Issues

Baku: Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kenya Sultan Hajiyev has met with Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of the country Martha K. Koome. Underlining the importance of establishment of the Azerbaijani embassy in Kenya in 2023, the Chief Justice wished the diplomat success in his activity. Ambassador Sultan Hajiyev highlighted the history of Azerbaijani statehood, the country's achievements during the period of independence, and the restoration of territorial integrity as a result of the glorious Victory in 2020. The diplomat also informed the Chief Justice about Azerbaijan's large-scale restoration and reconstruction works, as well as mine clearance carried out in the liberated territories in the post-conflict period. Noting that Azerbaijan will play host to a number of prestigious international events, the ambassador emphasized that the country would be hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year, and the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in 2026. The diplomat also mentioned Azerbaijan's contributions to the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) together with other member states during its chairmanship of the organization. Sultan Hajiyev underscored that the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year would be conducive to strengthening dynamically developing relations, and this, along with other domains, could provide an opportunity to establish fruitful cooperation between the two countries' courts. Emphasizing the importance of implementing various joint initiatives, including reciprocal visits, Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome expressed her country's interest in sharing experience with Azerbaijan in the judicial and legal domains, especially in learning Azerbaijan's experience in digitalization of judicial operations. She also provided insight into the foreign relations of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Source: Azerba ijan State News Agency

BAKU: Ahead of the upcoming extraordinary presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024, the distribution of ballot papers to district election commissions has commenced at the Milli Majlis (Parliament) printing house, Media and Communications Department of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretariat told Trend. The process involves members of the CEC, and secretariat staff, along with the chairmen and secretaries of respective district election commissions. "The process has been executed in an open and transparent manner, ensuring that all conditions are in place for international organizations, election observation missions, media representatives, and election stakeholders to closely monitor the proceedings," said the statement of the department. "On the initial day, January 30, ballots will be transported to a total of 36 electoral districts. This includes electoral districts in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, polling stations in the territories liberated from Armenia n occupation, as well as electoral districts encompassing remote areas of the republic. Over the following two days, the distribution will extend to all other electoral districts throughout the country, bringing the process to its full completion," the statement reads. "Following the distribution of ballot papers produced under high-security conditions to the district election commissions, the subsequent processes of transportation, storage, and allocation to the precinct election commissions are safeguarded by the relevant bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs," the department added. "During the event, media representatives were briefed on the requirements of the Electoral Code and the organization of the process of the preparation and secure delivery of ballot papers. Additionally, answers were provided to questions of interest to journalists," the Media and Communications Department of the CEC Secretariat said. Upon the approval of the requirements for the text, form, number, and production order o f ballot papers by CEC within the stipulated legal terms for the presidential election, the printing process commenced on January 24, 2024. In accordance with the Commission's decision, a total of 6,524,203 ballot papers were printed. After the distribution of ballot papers to the district election commissions in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Electoral Code, they will be transferred from the district election commissions to the precinct election commissions no later than three days before the beginning of voting. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on December 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered 7 candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential electio n. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: A group of international observers from the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), invited by the Azerbaijani Parliament Chairperson Sahiba Gafarova, is taking part in the observation of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports via the Secretariat of the IPA CIS Council. The group includes accredited MPs and senators from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament Zhakip Asanov was appointed as the coordinator of the observer group from the IPA CIS. Besides, the group includes officials from the assembly led by the Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitry Kobitsky. The observers will begin short-term monitoring in Azerbaijan on February 4. Meetings with candidates' election headquarters, the leadership of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the Prosecutor General's Office, the Constitutional Court, and the Parliament of Azer baijan are scheduled for February 4-6. On February 7, international observers from the IPA CIS will visit polling stations in Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan. Monitoring will also be organized at foreign polling stations. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. On December 19, the CEC of Azerbaijan approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov has visited Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The two-day visit will focus on issues of cooperation across emergency bodies. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) representatives observing the upcoming election in Azerbaijan has quadrupled compared to the previous presidential election, My Voice Election Monitoring Coalition told "Election 2024,' Independent Media Center, Trend reports. According to My Voice's interim report, Azerbaijan's civil society participation in monitoring the upcoming election scheduled for February 7 is notably greater than in the presidential elections of 2013 and 2018. A record-breaking 78 non-governmental organizations are set to participate in the observation process. "A total of 6,045 individuals, representing NGOs, civil society institutions, and public associations operating in the country, will participate as observers during the upcoming presidential election," the report said. As outlined in the report, the coalition representatives held discussions with members of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission in Azerbaij an, as well as the heads of the European Union office in Azerbaijan. The sides exchanged views on the ongoing election process. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. On December 19, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. "Election 2024' Independent Media Center was launched by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The destruction of Hamas in Gaza is impossible, Rufiz Hafizoglu, deputy director of Trend Agency, head of the Turkic World media platform, and political commentator, told local media, Trend reports. "Hamas controls the whole Gaza Strip, and UN personnel there are frequently in regular communication with Hamas. The organization known as Hamas currently has political and military offshoots in addition to Hamas itself. The situation in the region is severe. The confrontation, which began on October 7, last year, has already moved into a new phase. Over 26,000 civilians have died as a result of these operations," he noted. Rufiz Hafizoglu emphasized that the destruction of Hamas in Gaza is impossible. "When Israel started the war, their government stated that it would end Hamas in a week, but later it said that the war would last. Meanwhile, Israeli officials are openly saying that some form of agreement to the terms put forward by Hamas is needed," he added. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: Azerbaijanis residing in various countries around the world express their support for the candidacy of the architect of Azerbaijan's prosperous future Ilham Aliyev, as the extraordinary presidential election in the country, scheduled for February 7, 2024, is approaching, Trend reports. The compatriots, through their Facebook platform 'BIZ - Zafar Yoluna Davam' [WE - Continue the Victory Path], called on Azerbaijanis worldwide to demonstrate national unity and actively participate in the election. The Chairman of the Maarif [Enlightenment] organization operating in Georgia, Chief Editor of the Maarif magazine-newspaper Aladdin Garabaghli issued a statement calling on compatriots residing in different countries to actively support the Leader who ensured the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and engraved the name of the nation in the list of victorious nations: "We are confident that our people will elect the Victorious Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev," the statement reads. The Head of the Azerbaijan Cultural House Kharibulbul in Berlin Sevda Bedeliyori hailed the exceptional achievements under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in economic development and the promotion of social and cultural initiatives in the country. "We invite Azerbaijanis worldwide to actively participate in the upcoming election and support the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev," she noted. The President of the Azerbaijani Association of Turkic Culture in Slovenia Taleh Gurbanov pointed out that citizens of Azerbaijan residing in Slovenia will joyfully and proudly participate in the extraordinary presidential election on February 7, 2024, and will take pride in expressing their support for the President Ilham Aliyev who inscribed victory in the history of Azerbaijan. The Head of the Azerbaijan Society at the UK University of Warwick Rafiq Niftaliyev in his appeal to the President Ilham Aliyev also emphasized support to his candidacy. "We believe that you are unwavering guarantor of Azerbaijan's independence and the s ecure future of their people," Niftaliyev said. The Chairperson of the Center for the Culture of Azerbaijani Schoolchildren and Youth Residing in Georgia Jeyran Gurbanova expressed unwavering support for the Supreme Commander who brought victory joy to the Azerbaijani people. "We invite all compatriots residing in different countries to be active in supporting our Leader, who marked the name of our nation with golden letters in the list of victorious nations and ensured the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are confident that our people will choose the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev," she noted. An activist of the diaspora living in the UK, the author of the Azerbaijani language book 'Bulbul' [Nightingale] Emilia Jabrayilova said that the full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty is evidence of President Ilham Aliyev's strategic vision and unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare of Azerbaijan. 'Azerbaijan needs experienced leadership to ensure p rosperity and stability. We believe that under the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will continue to strengthen and play a key role in shaping a prosperous future,' Gurbanova added. The head of the department of the Insurance Association of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain, a doctor Ellada Abdullayeva expressed wholehearted support from Bahrain's Azerbaijani community to President Ilham Aliyev under the motto 'Continue the Victory Path!' "The Azerbaijani people love their President and are proud that he is the Leader of our strong, powerful state, our proud and invincible people. We call on every citizen of Azerbaijan who has the right to vote to be active in supporting our Victorious Leader. We are confident that the choice of our people will be behind the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev!" she pointed out. The Azerbaijan-California Friendship Association also voiced its position regarding the upcoming election. 'We, the Azerbaijani diaspora, believe in the victory of P resident Ilham Aliyev in the upcoming early presidential election. We are confident that we will witness further successes of the Azerbaijani state and people under his wise leadership,' the association's chairperson Elnura Hashimova said. The CEO of the GANUN [Law] legal aid center (Georgia) Ali Badirov emphasized that Ilham Aliyev's candidacy in the extraordinary presidential election is supported with slogans like "Victorious leader of victorious people" and "Leader of Azerbaijanis worldwide". "You can be sure that citizens of Azerbaijan residing in Georgia will support you. We are always ready to be active in support of the Leader who has inscribed the name of our nation in the list of victorious nations and ensured the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are confident that the people's choice will be the Victorious Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev," Badirov said. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential electi on in the country on February 7, 2024. On December 19, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The distribution of printed ballot papers for the extraordinary presidential election scheduled for February 7 to electoral districts in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation has started, Trend reports, referring to the "Election 2024' Independent Media Center. According to the information, over the following two days, the distribution will extend to all other electoral districts throughout the country, bringing the process to its full completion. After the distribution of ballot papers to the district election commissions in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Electoral Code, they will be transferred from the district election commissions to the precinct election commissions no later than three days before the beginning of voting. Upon the approval of the requirements for the text, form, number, and production order of ballot papers by CEC within the stipulated legal terms for the presidential election, the printing process commenced on January 24, 2024. In accord ance with the Commission's decision, a total of 6,524,203 ballot papers were printed. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on December 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered 7 candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. "Election 2024' Independent Media Center was launched by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: Ahead of the upcoming extraordinary presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024, the distribution of ballot papers to district election commissions has commenced at the Milli Majlis (Parliament) printing house, Trend reports, referring to the "Election 2024' Independent Media Center. The process involves members of the CEC, and secretariat staff, along with the chairmen and secretaries of respective district election commissions. According to the information, the process was carried out in an open and transparent manner. All the necessary conditions have been created to facilitate close monitoring of the process by international organizations, election observation missions, media representatives, and election stakeholders. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on December 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered 7 candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. "Election 2024' Independent Media Center was launched by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Source: Trend News Agency