A dialogue conference themed 'COP29 and the Aftermath: Peace, Security, and Climate Change' conference held in the city of Bonn, German, which welcomed leading representatives of civil society and think tanks active in the area of climate in Europe, wrapped up on Monday. The conference revolved around discussions on measures against water resource depletion, strengthening food security, supporting the population suffering from the dual effects of climate change and landmines, which are specific clusters of peace, security and climate change challenges. Elshad Iskandarov, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, who made a final report at the conference as a representative of the COP29 presidency, highlighted that issues related to global climate change and international peace are closely interlinked and have an impact on each other. "More and more evidence shows that wars and conflicts, as well as their consequences - the destruction of biodiversity, the emission of harmful su bstances, the pollution of mines, not only pollute the environment, but also bring humanity closer to the irreversible red line of climate change," said Iskandarov. He described the COP29 scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan this year as a potential opportunity to discuss ongoing threats and concrete solutions. The ambassador emphasized that the unanimous selection of Azerbaijan as the host country for COP29 is an indicator of great trust and its ability to contribute to addressing global challenges, taking into account the interests of all. Azerbaijan is committed to creating opportunities for broad discussion of the complex of "Peace, security and climate change" issues with the participation of civil society representatives and experts, and is open to concrete proposals in this realm. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Azerbaijan, Iraq explore prospects for bilateral relations
Nasir Mammadov, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Iraq, met with the country's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani asked the ambassador to convey his greetings to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and wished continuous development and prosperity to the state and people of Azerbaijan. The Iraqi PM emphasized the significance of taking advantage of the existing potential to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation with friendly Azerbaijan in the domains of energy, economy, investment, tourism, education and infrastructure. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani underscored that the relations between the two countries have been developing steadily over the past two years, mentioning the official visit of Iraq's President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid to Azerbaijan on November 20-21 last year, which contributed to the cooperation between the two countries. He also noted that high-level reciprocal visits gave a substantial impetus to the development of relations. The PM described the discussions held during the visits of Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan's Digital Development and Transport Minister to Iraq in last December, and Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov to Iraq this March as fruitful in terms of determining the potential of cooperation between the two countries in various realms. Ambassador Nasir Mammadov expressed his gratitude for the reception, and conveyed the greetings of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the Prime Minister of Iraq. Highlighting the close cooperation within the international organizations, the diplomat said that the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iraq are developing steadily in many areas. He pointed out the vast potential for strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Emphasizing Azerbaijan's preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November this year, the ambassador expressed confidence that the delegation representing Iraq would contribut e to the work of the session. Underlining the necessity of COP29 amid the climate changes such as global warming, desertification and drought, which most countries of the world face, and its environmental effects, the Prime Minister said that the Iraqi side would be represented at the event by a large delegation. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Azerbaijan and Morocco abolish visa regime
During his working visit to Gambia, Jeyhun Bayramov, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, and Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, signed an agreement to mutually eliminate visa requirements for holders of regular international passports between Azerbaijan and Morocco. The meeting saw discussions on various aspects of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Morocco. Highlighting the current cooperation agenda, Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the extensive potential for development in trade, energy, education, and other domains, as well as inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and Morocco. The FM also underscored the importance of contacts and mutual support within multilateral platforms such as the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in advancing bilateral ties. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Trkiye releases official results for local elections
The Supreme Election Council (YSK) of Trkiye on Monday announced the formal results of the March 31 municipal elections, Daily Sabah reports. Board chair Ahmet Yener also declared the date for constituencies where elections were annulled and would be held again. The elections were the first time in years where the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) took the lead in constituencies it consecutively failed to win in over two decades. Yener said that the council approved complaints over election results in several districts and decided that re-election will be held on June 2 in the towns and districts of Aksaray, Kayseri, Sanliurfa, Sivas, Tunceli and Kirklareli. He stressed that elections were conducted in a peaceful environment except for a few isolated incidents. According to the official results, voter turnout was 80.09% for votes for municipal assembly members. For mayoral elections, turnout was slightly above 78%. Out of 30 metropolitan municipalities, the Justice and Development Party (A K Party) won 12 municipalities, while CHP won 14 seats. New Welfare Party (YRP) won one metropolitan municipality seat while the pro-PKK Green Left Party (YSP), informally known as the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), a successor of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), won three metropolitan municipality seats. Out of 51 mayoral seats, AK Party won 12 seats, while CHP won 21 seats. Apart from losses for the AK Party, the highlight of this election is lower voter turnout compared to the 2019 municipal election. As some political pundits claimed, it is uncertain whether voter apathy linked to the same parties winning always played a role in low turnout. It might be associated with the election being held during Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting, in which the faithful abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until more than one hour after the polls close. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Turkish National Defense University delegation visits Azerbaijan
First Deputy Minister of Defense - Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev met on Monday with a delegation of the National Defense University of Trkiye led by Professor Talat Canbolat and Lieutenant General Yasar Kadioglu, the Ministry of Defense told AZERTAC. Within the framework of Foreign Study Trip, the guests visited the graves of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor, as well as the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) and Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery. The guests laid wreaths and flowers and paid tribute to their bright memory. Colonel General K.Valiyev welcomed the guests at the meeting held at General Staff of Azerbaijan Army and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Chief of General Staff noted that bilateral military cooperation with Trkiye is based on friendship and fraternity. The importance of further expansion of cooperation in the field of mil itary education between Azerbaijan and Trkiye was highlighted. The Turkish delegation expressed gratitude for the hospitality and noted the high level of cooperation aimed at expanding experience in military education. Then the guests met with Advisor to the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay and First Deputy Commander of the Air Force - Chief of Staff Colonel Mazahir Rustamov. The meetings discussed reforms carried out in the Azerbaijan Army, and expressed importance of further development of joint cooperation in military education and the exchange of mutual experience. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Azerbaijan’s Shusha and Lachin to host 7th Kharibulbul International Music Festival
The 7th edition of the 'Kharibulbul" International Music Festival will be held in Shusha and Lachin cities on May 11-13. The festival jointly organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture, will feature concert programs and various presentations. The city of Shusha was declared 'the Cultural capital of the Islamic world for 2024'. The next "Kharibulbul" International Music Festival will bring together ICESCO member states and their on-stage performance groups. The official opening of Shusha - the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024 and the 7th edition of the 'Kharibulbul" International Music Festival will be held on May 11 on the Jidir Duzu plain. The "Kharibulbul" music festival, which bears the name of flower symbolizing Shusha, was first organized on the mysterious Jidir Duzu plain of Shusha in May 1989. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
People in Trkiye celebrate spring festival
People in Trkiye are welcoming the arrival of summer with a traditional festival known as Hidrellez, according to Anadolu Agency. Hidrellez, added to the UNESCO list of "intangible cultural heritage" in 2017 through a joint work of Trkiye and Macedonia, is one of the seasonal festivals of the Turkic world. The celebrations start on the night of May 5, and continue the following day. The festival is celebrated in several Turkish provinces, including Isparta, Edirne, Konya, Nigde, Corum, Canakkale, Balikesir and Bilecik. 'People prepare beforehand for Hidrellez celebrations in villages and small towns, although rather less now in the big cities. These preparations concern house-cleaning, clean clothing, and food and drink. Before Hidrellez Day, houses are cleaned from top to bottom, since people think that Hizir will not visit houses that are not clean. New clothes and shoes are purchased to wear on Hidrellez Day,' according to the Turkish Culture Ministry. Rituals that have been passed down from generatio n to generation for centuries include jumping over a fire, making wishes and attaching a rag to a tree, drawing wishes under a rose tree, boiling various flowers and drinking it, as well as young girls keeping their belongings - such as earrings and rings - locked in a pot during the day for fortune. It is believed that Hizir and Ilyas meet every year under a rose tree at night, connecting May 5 to May 6. According to the belief, they meet only once a year. It is also believed that they symbolize abundance, so everywhere they step their feet turn green, and everything they touch gets fruitful and healed. Meanwhile, Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan issued a congratulatory message on the Hidrellez festival. 'May spring, which brings fertility to the soil and abundance to the seed, fill households with peace and hearts with healing. Happy Hidrellez!,' she said on X. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
Azerbaijan highlights tourism opportunities at ATM Dubai 2024 exhibition
Azerbaijan is currently showcasing its tourism potential at the "ATM Dubai 2024" (Arabian Travel Market 2024) exhibition in Dubai. The country is represented by approximately 34 local partners, including the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, "Azerbaijan Airlines" CJSC, and the "Shahdag" Tourism Center. Visitors to Azerbaijan`s pavilion can explore traditional tourism products, experience nature tourism opportunities through virtual reality (VR), and sample national sweets. Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board, also addressed panel meetings during the "Phocuswright WiT" Middle East conference in Dubai, discussing global tourism development, innovative approaches, and opportunities. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency
‘Jabbar Hashimov’ tanker commissioned after overhaul
Tanker 'Jabbar Hashimov' operated by Transport Fleet of 'Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company' CJSC (ASCO) underwent overhaul. According to ASCO, high quality repair works were carried out at the 'Zigh' ship repair and construction yard. Underwater and submersible parts, main deck and the bridge passage of the tanker were fully cleaned and painted. Main and auxiliary engines as well as the pumps of the vessel were also overhauled. Control system of this floating vehicle has been adjusted. Piping systems were repaired in the engine room and on the main deck, with the replacement of defective parts. Besides, electrical works were also carried out. Tanker is equipped with 1 (one) set of new electronic charts (ECDIS), 1 (one) set of magnetic compass and printer for echo sounder. Communication device and navigation equipment have been repaired. Along with this, crew cabins, lavatories and canteens have been renewed. Upon overhaul completion, tanker has successfully passed sea trials and was commissioned. Th e length of the vessel 'Jabbar Hashimov' is 150 meters, width 17.3 meters, safe load capacity is 12 thousand tons. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency