Month: June 2009

ISRAEL REARMS AZERBAIJANI ARMY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.06.2009 14:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Israeli defense company Elta Systems
Ltd will cooperate with Azerbaijan in the field of satellite
systems. Recently, the company announced about creatoin of the TecSAR
satellite. Such radar can operate in a very broad waveband, as well as
an interferometer, which, in turn, enables to determine the quality
of the Earth’s surface with high precision. According to them, the
total weight of the satellite will reach 300 kilograms, including a
weight of a block SAR which will reach approximately 100 kilograms.

The equipment can operate in several modes. In a "band mode" an
electron beam of the apparatus will go "in a straight line" on the
surface of the Earth, in "a spot mode", respectively, it will focus on
a predetermined point, finally, in a "mosaic mode" SAR explores space,
"photographing" squares.

After the launch TecSAR can go over certain points on the Earth every
90 minutes, but its effectiveness will be higher than that of other
systems – due to peculiarities of the SAR technology, it will not
depend on weather conditions and day time.

According to Azerbaijani military experts, this is an indispensable
system for military operations in a mountainous terrain. Given the
landscape of Nagorno Karabakh, the system is simply indispensable.

Israel and Azerbaijan negotiate on the production of BMP. The cost of
a fully equipped modern BMP "Namer" is estimated at $ 2 million. Namer
is equipped with a new armored set, including armored door, as well as
armored roof welded to the body of the car. The lower part of the BMP
is also enhanced with armor that can increase the level of protection
against land mines. Special folding seats are design for the troops,
which reduces the possibility of destruction by personal mines.

As in the Merkava tank, the engine is installed in front of
BMP Namer. This provides additional protection against antitank
weapons. The car can carry 12 people, including a commander, gunner
and driver. BMP is equipped with 12.7-mm machine gun, 7.62-mm machine
gun or 40-mm MK19 automatic grenade launcher.

Israel and Azerbaijan plan to cooperate in other areas of defense
industry, in particular, an agreement is reached over the construction
of the factory of intelligence and combat drones.

GAZ DE FRANCE TO TAKE PART IN THE ELABORATION OF ABCHERON GAS PROJECT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.06.2009 14:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Gaz de France SUEZ (GDF/SUEZ) French company received
20% of shares of Abcheron gas exploration and elaboration project in
the Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea.

GDF/SUEZ joined the project through acquiring 20% of shares from
French Total, another project participant, which earlier possessed 60%
of shares in the contract.

Within three years, it is planned to dig an exploratory hole costing
USD 100 million. The projected depth of the hole is 6500 m. During
the next three-year period, two more exploratory holes may be
dug. Abcheron bloc is situated at a distance of 10 km. from Baku,
Trend agency reports.

EC WELCOMES INDUSTRY’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE A COMMON CHARGER FOR MOBILE PHONES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.06.2009 15:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones
is a major inconvenience for users and also leads to unnecessary
waste. Therefore, the Commission has requested industry to come forward
with a voluntary commitment to solve this problem so as to avoid
legislation. As a result major producers of mobile phones have agreed
to harmonise chargers in the EU. In a Memorandum of Understanding
("MoU"), which was submitted to the Commission today, the industry
commits to provide chargers compatibility on the basis of the Micro-USB
connector. In addition new EU standards to ensure continued safe
charger use will be developed to facilitate the implementation of
the MoU. The first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones
should reach the EU market from 2010 onwards.

Vice-President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and
industrial policy, said: "I am very pleased that industry has
found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers
. They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new
common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste,
because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying
new phones. I am also very pleased that this solution was found on
the basis of self-regulation. As a result, the Commission does not
consider it necessary to introduce legislation."

Today there is a plethora of chargers for mobile phones in the EU. Many
of them can only charge a particular mobile phone. Almost every
household has a collection of chargers that have become superfluous
over time. Old chargers currently generate several thousands of tons
of waste a year.

In intensive and constructive negotiations with the European
Commission, the producers of mobile phones have agreed to settle
the problem. In a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") handed over
to the Commission, industry takes a self-commitment to ensure the
compatibility of new data-enabled mobile phones on the basis of the
Micro-USB connector as the interface to provide charging support. It
is expected to enable good charging capability. In the future: Users
will enjoy an easier life with their mobiles.

The number of chargers will be reduced There will be a positive
environmental impact.

The MoU will be accompanied by a new EU standard. With the new
standard, safe use of new mobile phones as well as avoidance of radio
interference problems will be guaranteed. The European Commission
continues to work closely with industry to ensure that the MoU will
be operational quickly. It expects that the first generation of new
inter-chargeable mobile phones will reach the EU market from 2010
onwards. The following companies have signed the MoU: Apple, LG,
Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion (RIM), Samsung,
Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments.

The Commission welcomes that the MoU will not preclude innovation in
the fast moving mobile phone market by fixing a certain technology
forever. Therefore, when the time has come, the MoU will adapt to
future charging technologies, EC website reported.

SPEAKER: AZERBAIJAN WILL EXPRESS ITS POSITION ON US AID TO NAGORNO KARABAKH

APA
30 Jun 2009 14:35

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev – APA. Parliamentarians made a number of
proposals during the next sitting of the extraordinary session of
Azerbaijani parliament, APA reports. MP Nasib Nasibli offered to adopt
a national program on the Karabakh problem, increase the role of the
parliament in the settlement of the problem. He said the parliament
should discuss the issue and pass a decision.

"I have worked out a project and will present it to the parliament,"
he said.

MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev touched on the reports in Iranian mass media
about Israeli President Shimon Peres’ visit to Azerbaijan.

"They write that Azerbaijanis protested against this visit, Iran
recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan. Iran’s approach is a hostile
approach. The whole country wants Azerbaijani embassy to be opened
in Israel. Reports spread that official Tehran wants to send back
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Iran. We should react to these issues,"
he said.

Siyavush Novruzov said 20,000 pupils failed to get certificate of
secondary education in Azerbaijan.

"We understand the Ministry of Education, this is a right attitude. But
this step can not be taken all of a sudden. The process should be
realized in stages. Secondary schools are not ready for this process
yet. The failed pupils should be reexamined. We can appeal to president
if necessary," he said.

Igbal Agazadeh underlined the importance of solving the problem of
certificate of secondary education.

NEXT ROUND OF AZERBAIJANI-ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS’ GARABAGH TALKS TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW THIS JULY

Azerbaijan Business Center
30.06.2009 12:57

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The French Embassy in Azerbaijan has disseminated
the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European issues
of its country following the Paris meeting (June 26) of Azerbaijani
and Armenian foreign affairs ministers within the process of peaceful
settlement of Nagorno Garabagh conflict.

The statement says that in early July the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
are to make a trip to Baku, Yerevan and Nagorno Garabagh for
organization of the next round of negotiations between Azerbaijani
and Armenian leaders in Moscow in mid-July.

The statement also says that the Paris meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian FMs, Elmar Mammadyarov and Edvard Nalbandyan respectively,
took place on the MG co-chairs’ initiative.

"For the purpose to study opportunities of continuation of the quite
positive St.Petersburg meeting in early June between president Ilham
Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan both FMs with constructive mood met first
each separately with the mediators and then held a meeting between
each other with co-chairs’ involvement. These negotiations allowed
strengthening achieved progress and define new areas of possible
advances. The co-chairs made new compromise proposals on these areas,"
the statement says.

Yesterday following Baku talk with his Russian counterpart Dmitry
Medvedev the Azerbaijani leader claimed that the St.Petersburg meeting
with participation of the Russian president between him and President
Sargsyan created a favorable atmosphere for further negotiations.

"In the future we also hope for active participation of Russia as
mediator and neighbour of Azerbaijan in settlement of this difficult
question. Today the negotiation process enters, I would say, in
final stage.

Today we emphasized that the round of negotiations in St.Petersburg
was sufficiently effective this month. We managed to take some more
steps ahead. Of course, there are great expectations in Azerbaijan as
well as maybe in Armenia and in the world that the conflict would be
settled as faster as possible, but we are moving forward. It raises
optimism and strengthens the negotiation process.

Despite the fact that since 1994 when a ceasefire decision was made
the conflict has not been settled, nevertheless, today there are
more hopes for conflict settlement than several years ago. That is
why in the spirit of constructive co-operation and in the spirit
of understanding of priorities and interests of all the parties, I
think that we are going to achieve the settlement. We wish that, we
strive to that and do our best to obtain that as faster as possible,"
President Aliyev said.

In his turn, Medvedev stated that Russia was ready to help in the
settlement process further and was ready to ensure its mediator
services to promote the process to approach to the successful end.

He also stated of grounds for a hope that this difficult and quite
long conflict had chances to be settled.

"In the opinion of the Russian Federation the participants of
negotiations (I mean Azerbaijan and Armenia) are ready to solve
gradually the disagreements existing in their positions on separate
issues and move forward. This conflict has all chances to be settled
in quite close historical prospect. And Russia together with other
countries will do its best to obtain settlement of the conflict in
a maximum effective way," President Medvedev said.

EXISTING PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH DIALOGUE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.06.2009 23:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President Serzh Sargsyan met Apostolic Nuncio
to Armenia, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.

Serzh Sargsyan emphasized significant contribution to development of
relations between Armenia and Vatican Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti made
while a representative of Holy See in RA.

RA President stressed that stability in the region, as well as
solution of existing problems should be achieved through dialogue
and non-use of force. Armenia, being interested in preserving peace,
conducts its policy based on this conviction.

Vatican representative gave kind wishes of Roman Pope Benedict XVI
to RA President. The parties discussed relations between Armenia and
Vatican, emphasizing the necessity of their further development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POLITICAL SCIENTIST: MOSCOW NOT READY TO BRING INNOVATIONS TO RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today.Az
30 June 2009 [15:48]

"Though Nagorno Karabakh conflict took a definite place in talks,
held by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to Baku, nothing proves that
Moscow is ready to bring something new, in the sense of his mediation
efforts, to the resolution of this conflict", said political scientist
Rasim Aghayev, commenting on the visit of Russian President Dmitri
Medvedev to Azerbaijan.

"Russia is mediating the Karabakh conflict resolution, it was at
the origin of arguments aroung Karabakh, it is connected with the
conflict. But now Russia seems not to have definite proposals in
promoting the resolution issue. Russia’s position is unfortunately
firm. Moscow agrees on the proposal which would be appropriate for both
sides of the conflict. But the long-term experience of the conflict
proves the opposite, – that there is no such proposal that could be
appropriate both for Azerbaijan and Armenia", said he.

"I would like to note that Medvedev’s visit to Azerbaijan came
right after the speech of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in
connection with the celebration of the day of armed forces in which
he said Azerbaijan does not rule out possible forced solution to the
conflict. But if today the mediators are against the forced resolution
of the conflict, why they did not do anything to avert Armenia’s
aggression against Azerbaijan and the forced occupation of our
lands? The principle of non-application of force can be considered only
when peaceful efforts promote the conflict resolution", said Aghayev.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS ALL CHANCES TO BE SETTLED – MEDVEDEV

ITAR-TASS
29.06.2009, 18.25

BAKU, June 29 (Itar-Tass) — Russia will do its best to continue
progress in the Nagorny Karabakh peace settlement, Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday.

He recalled that the latest round of direct talks of the countries
had been recently held in St. Petersburg and showed that the parties
to the conflict are ready to consider the disputable issues under
the international law and the principles of mutual respect. "This
gives hope that the conflict has some chances to be settled," the
Russian leader said, adding, "The negotiators are ready to settle
disagreements in positions gradually and to move forward."

"This conflict has all chances to be settled in a quite near future,
and Russia will do its best to settle this conflict," Medvedev
pointed out.

Azerbaijan is ready to make headway in the settlement of the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict. "I think that we will find a solution to the
conflict," The Azerbaijani president said, adding, "We are seeking
for this and are doing our best for this to happen quicker."

Aliyev described as successful the latest talks with Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian in St. Petersburg in June 2009. "We managed to make a
few steps forward," he said. Meanwhile, Aliyev noted that the world
has great expectations from similar meetings. "But we are moving
forward that makes the peace process stronger," he said. "Today we
pin more hopes than it was a few years ago," Aliyev added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRANCE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORTS FOR FAIR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: FM

Today.Az
30 June 2009 [11:09]

France as the OSCE Minsk Group country will make every efforts for
fair and sequential settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
the French Foreign Ministry reported.

Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and
Edvard Nalbandyan held the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement
in Paris on June 26.

The two countries’ foreign ministers thoroughly talked to study
opportunities of a new meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents in a constructive condition, the French Foreign Ministry
reported.

These negotiations favored strengthening of advances gained at the
presidents’ last meeting in St. Petersburg, and defining new possible
advances that can be achieved and the co-chairs have put forward new
compromise proposal, the French Foreign Ministry reported.

In this regard, the mediators will visit the region in early July to
organize a new meeting of the two countries’ leaders in Moscow in July,
the ministry reported.

SUPERJET 100 TO BE TESTED IN ARMENIAN HIGHLANDS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.06.2009 15:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armavia national carrier will buy Superjet 100 and
test it in highlands and elevated temperatures.

Russia presented its new Superjet 100 passenger airliner at Le Bourget
2009 air show, which was held on June 15-21, which marks 100 years
of technological innovation in aeronautics and space conquest, will
be the first chance for most aviation enthusiasts to get a look at
the new plane.

Superjet 100 was the only really new aircraft displayed at the
show. It is a family of medium-haul passenger aircraft developed by
Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company in cooperation with U.S. and
European aviation corporations, including Boeing, Snecma, Thales,
Messier Dowty, Liebherr Aerospace and Honeywell.

The first Superjet 100 aircraft has already made several long-distance
and 40 short-distance test flights, clocking over 100 flight hours. A
total of four planes will take part in the Russian certification
program, which should be completed in the third quarter of 2009.

International certification is expected by mid-2010.

Sukhoi, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), plans to
manufacture at least 700 Superjet 100s, and intends to sell 35% of
them to North America, 25% to Europe, 10% to Latin America, and 7%
to Russia and China.

The company earlier said it had about 100 solid orders for the Superjet
100 so far and planned to sign a new deal during the Le Bourget air
show for 20 additional planes, worth an estimated $600 million.