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MAGAZINE News • Views • Interviews

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Culture • Business • Politics Ph ot o: Pe t e r Wal l ace

SING A SONG OF NOVRUZ Also in this issue: Bryza looks to the future Baroness Goudie in Baku Horror over nine-year-old victim’s death in Nagorno-Karabakh Lord Laird: EU to replace France in the OSCE Minsk Group?

Mir-Babayev – oil history evaluated Special deal on Culture Smart! Azerbaijan – the new guidebook

April 2011

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TEAS EVENT 12–13 May 2011 TEAS Inaugural Business Forum: highlighting Azerbaijan’s investment potential IET London, 2, Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL As part of its mission to serve as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform, TEAS is launching an annual flagship Business Forum. This will focus on business network creation, investment possibilities and strategic commercial alignments. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/teasbusform.

This joyous celebration was enjoyed by all The accompanying art exhibition demonstrated the rich imagination of Azerbaijani artists

decades, in addition to Azerbaijani–Israeli bilateral co-operation. He also discussed the contribution of the Azerbaijani Jewish community to the country’s development and the methods used by the Azerbaijani government to protect their cultural identity.

Suleymanov recognised that: “Muslims and Jews, who believe in one God, have much in common. This has been made evident by the friendly relations between religious communities in Azerbaijan, which are built on the firm foundations of mutual respect. Radicalism, stereotyping and discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds are totally unacceptable in the 21st century.” He went on to express the desire of Azerbaijan to strengthen its strategic position by assisting the US with implementation of its policy towards the Eurasian region.

Rabbi Morley Feinstein expressed his thanks to the Azerbaijani government for turning their attention to the Jewish community. He also spoke about the rich history of Azerbaijani Jews and the country’s geopolitical importance.

Power and passion were combined to dramatic effect in Tunzale Agayeva’s performance

On 16 March, TEAS and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UK jointly organised a celebration of the ancient festival of Novruz. Held in the City at London amidst the Victorian splendour of Gibson Hall, the event attracted around 300 Azerbaijanis and friends of the country.

H.E. Fakhraddin Gurbanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UK, commented: “The word ‘Novruz’ literally means ‘New Day’, and is the most important holiday in Turkic-speaking countries. It dates back 3000 years, having been established during the Zoroastrianist period, and the main part of the holiday is celebrated on the night of 23 March, commemorating the first day of Spring.

“Last year, 21 March was recognised by the United Nations at the first ever International Day of Novruz. In Azerbaijan, we celebrate the festival with the traditional symbols of eggs and wheatgrass, representing new life and new beginnings.”

Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS, explained: “In Azerbaijan, Novruz is

Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS recalled the significance of Novruz, which is rooted in antiquity

also celebrated with bonfires, representing the destruction of evil and the beginning of a bright new future. It is excellent that we are celebrating the holiday together, and I hope the tradition will continue for future generations to enjoy.”

All those in attendance enjoyed an array of Azerbaijani traditional food. The celebration also included an exhibition of Azerbaijani art and a performance by the renowned singer Tunzale Agayeva, both of which were warmly received by all those present.

Azerbaijani diplomat expresses tolerance in US synagogue

During a synagogue service in Los Angeles, Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijani ConsulGeneral, spoke about multiculturalism and the long tradition of tolerance in his homeland. He outlined the excellent relations that have existed between the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples for many

President Aliyev deposits a time capsule in the foundations

A groundbreaking development

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new terminal at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Jahangir Askerov, President, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) informed the President that the new terminal would cover 58,000m2, incorporating the latest technology. Designed by Arup, it is anticipated that the new terminal will accommodate 3m passengers per annum and withstand seismic forces.

The new terminal is aesthetically designed to create spaces that are a pleasure to use and serve to enhance relaxation.

This will be achieved using naturallylit areas featuring extensive internal and external views. The building will feature an undulating façade that enables light to enter the space, continuing across the existing international terminal. During his visit, the President buried a time capsule in the terminal foundations.

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Politics & News

New life and new beginnings

with Russian and Kazakh peacekeepers.

He went on to reiterate the necessity of Armenian withdrawal from the occupied territories to achieve regional security.

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Politics & News

Elkhan Polukhov, Spokesman, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, concluded: “Azerbaijan excludes any illegal actions, such as terrorist attacks, firing on aircraft and on civilians. Baku is now relying on all possible diplomatic steps to prevent the resumption of flights between Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabakh.”

US Ambassador Matthew Bryza and Zeyno Baran-Bryza, his wife (left), celebrated International Women’s Day in Baku on 7 March

Bryza gets into his stride

Matthew Bryza, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, has indicated the enthusiasm of his country over co-operation with Azerbaijan on energy and other strategic issues. He commented: “A corridor was initially constructed to export oil from the Azeri–Chirag–Guneshli (ACG) block via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

A new generation of investors are currently helping Europe diversify gas supplies.

The US believes it now has a greater scope to develop its strategic interests by collaborating with friends from Azerbaijan regarding security, energy and internal reform.”

Bryza stressed the necessity of addressing energy transportation and gas sales issues, together with implementing the Turkish–Azerbaijani gas transit agreement, concluded last year. He explained: “This year, we anticipate that agreements will be finalised with those companies and countries developing the Southern Corridor, enabling investors in Azerbaijan to commit up to $20bn (£12.3bn) towards facilitating the next stage in natural gas development.”

The Southern Corridor project aims to transport energy resources from the Caspian region to the EU. This necessitates the construction of several pipelines, including Nabucco, the Interconnection Turkey–Greece–Italy (ITGI), White Stream and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline.

Bryza stated: “When they come together, these projects will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s strategic connections to Europe. In turn, European consumers will increase the diversification of their natural gas supplies.”

The diplomat thereafter focused on the process of inaugurating direct flights between the US and Azerbaijan. He explained that he had already undertaken

consultations with the relevant Azerbaijani authorities and Jahangir Askerov, President, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL). Bryza revealed that the US is providing technical support to Azerbaijan regarding these issues.

In the near future, AZAL will take delivery of a new passenger aircraft fleet under a contract with Boeing, including two Boeing 787 Dreamliner aeroplanes, which are particularly suited to long-haul travel.

He concluded: “With regard to security, no issue is more important than helping the parties achieve peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

Flights over Armenianoccupied territories pose threat

Elman Abdullayev, Spokesman, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, has voiced his opinion regarding the proposed recommencement of flights from Khankandi, the largest city in the Armenian-occupied region of NagornoKarabakh. He explained: “The Azerbaijani side has informed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in addition to other global organisations, about the risk of making civilian flights over the Armenian-occupied territories and the possibility of provocative actions in the area. This is a zone of military conflict and is temporarily beyond the control of the Azerbaijani authorities.”

He continued: “Azerbaijan has repeatedly specified the inadmissibility of making flights over the occupied territories of Azerbaijan without permission from the Azerbaijani state authorities.” Abdullayev recalled several past incidents, including the shooting down of a helicopter in 1991 over the Khojavend district, which claimed the lives of Azerbaijani ministers, together

Baroness Goudie acknowledged the strong links between the UK and Azerbaijan

Baroness Goudie outlines friendship ties

During her visit to Baku, Baroness Mary Goudie, a visiting member of the House of Lords and member of the Azerbaijan AllParty Parliamentary Group, met Rabiyyat Aslanova, Chair, Committee for Human Rights, Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) and Samed Seyidov, Chairman, Committee for International and Interparliamentary Relations, Milli Majlis.

Aslanova commented on the steady development of UK–Azerbaijani bilateral relations. She also briefed the Baroness on the evolution of the country during the 20 years that have elapsed since regaining its independence.

Aslanova underlined that Azerbaijan was the fastest-developing country in the Caucasus, despite the continuing NagornoKarabakh situation.

Baroness Goudie revealed: “The UK and Azerbaijan maintain close and deep relations, and the co-operation between the two parliaments can be cited as an example. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke up Azerbaijani territory, and represents a big problem for economic development, investments, and the evolution of tourism in these lands. The UK is amongst the countries that are really eager to find a solution to the problem.”

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the potential for joint co-operation regarding developments in the educational system and achievement of gender equality.

Politics & News

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After nearly a century of suppression, TEAS is behind the republication of Ordubadi’s essential text in Russian and English translations

Conflict beginnings are remembered

TEAS has reissued Mammad Said Ordubadi’s seminal 1908 work entitled Years of Blood: A History of the Armenian–Muslim Clashes in the Caucasus 1905–06 in both Russian and English translations. This outlines the early twentieth century struggles for land and identity in the South Caucasus, having been suppressed for decades by the Soviet authorities. The English-language version has been published by the Ithaca Press, which specialises in academic books devoted to middle-eastern studies. This inaugural translation is a valuable contribution towards understanding the realities of this period, especially for western academics.

The book opens with an address by Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS, in which he explains that the work should be regarded as a substantiated historical and geographical chronicle of these conflicts, based on a broad range of sources and appropriate research. He claims that objectivity and academic procedures were consistently implemented whilst collating the facts and drafting conclusions.

Ordubadi particularly analyses the contrasting contemporary reports of the clashes in the foreign media, commenting: “Along with the Russian and Caucasian press, European and American publications speak heatedly and exhibit the closest interest in these events and their causes. We should also be aware that the articles published in the foreign press are full of contradictions and differences.”

His research is then harnessed to disprove many of the unsubstantiated myths. Heydarov concludes that the book is essential reading for those who aim to understand the historical roots of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the validity of the Azerbaijani position. The

Former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s protestations brought 12,000 opposition supporters to the streets of Yerevan

English translation is available from W.H. Smith at http://bit.ly/teasbookwhsmith and Amazon at http://amzn.to/teasbookamazon, with the Kindle version being downloaded from http://amzn.to/teasbookkindle.

Uprisings in Armenia

On 17 March, according to AFP, 12,000 Armenian opposition supporters staged a rally in central Yerevan and went on to occupy Freedom Square, forcing riot police to withdraw. In 2008, the Square had been the scene of mass protests that culminated in violence and left 10 people dead.

Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, leader of the oppositional Armenian National Congress, expostulated: “It’s time for radical change in Armenia. There is no point in pinning any hope on this government, as it does not intend to give up a policy that robs our nation. It is also unable to push the economy forward.”

Khachatur Sagomonian, a pensioner, gave his view: “If Egyptians managed to get rid of their tyrant, we can do the same and get rid of Serzh Sargsyan and his régime.”

Raffi Hovhannisian, US-born leader of the moderate Heritage party, had staged a hunger strike in the square for two days.

He announced: “The symbolic return of the people to the Square shows the incumbent president and the opposition that Armenia’s future is in the balance. All of us must be guarantors for a peaceful transfer of power to the people.”

Award for City University society

City University in London held its Student Societies Awards Night on 23 March, for which over 50 societies and clubs were nominated. The evening saw the City

University Azerbaijan Society receive the accolade of Best New Society 2010–11.

This acknowledged the wide range of events organised by the society since its establishment in December 2010. Rob Scully, Vice-President: Activities and Development, City University Students’ Union, commented on the activities of the Society and on the diverse nature of its events. He also commended its contribution towards Students’ Union activities and the image of the university.

NEWS IN BRIEF $101m to be invested in education during 2011 According to Misir Mardanov, Azerbaijani Education Minister, AZN33m (£25.6m) has been allocated by the Azerbaijani government for the construction of new schools during 2011. A further AZN50m (£38.7m) will be set aside for school repairs and construction work. Since 2004, more than 2000 new schools have been built in Azerbaijan.

Japan thanks Azerbaijan for £1m donation According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the Japanese government has expressed its thanks to the Azerbaijani government for a $1m (£623,127) humanitarian donation. The money was received by the Japanese Red Cross in the wake of the devastation caused by the Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake.

Azerbaijani FM meets MEPs Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, met two MEPs – Ivo Vaigl of Slovenia and Pino Arlacchi of Italy. They emphasised the importance of EU–Azerbaijani co-operation under the Eastern Partnership Programme.

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Culture This tender, emotional ballad from Eldar and Nigar is designed to bring Eurovision to Baku

Running scared, yet destined for success

A jury of acknowledged experts has selected the Azerbaijani entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, the final of which takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany on 14 May. Running Scared, to be performed by the duo of Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal, was selected from 70 submitted songs. It was composed by the Swedish songwriting partnership of Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman and Iain Farguhanson, who penned Drip Drop, which achieved fifth position in the 2010 final, as performed by Safura Alizadeh. Running Scared may be seen at http://bit.ly/azeurovision

Culture Smart! Azerbaijan, launched at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UK on 7 April. The author is Nikki Kazimova, a Bakuvian freelance writer who divides her time between Azerbaijan and the US, and has thus developed an outsider’s perspective on her homeland.

In the US, Kazimova has studied and worked in journalism and for media development organisations, including CNN International. She has also been employed by ExxonMobil in Azerbaijan and was a regional correspondent for Bloomberg News and the International Journalists’ Network, in addition to acting as a consultant to several non-profit-making organisations in Baku and Washington.

This affordable book is an ideal introduction to the country, successfully disproving any misheld preconceptions and enlightening the traveller. It is available online from Kuperard, the publisher, for the bargain price of £5 (normally £6.95) plus £2.50 UK post and packaging (£1.50 for additional copies). Simply cite code CSAZ2011 when ordering from http://bit.ly/cultsmart before 1 August.

Violinist Nazrin Rashidova and pianist Ayyan Salahova brought the vibrancy of Azerbaijani music to the World Bank HQ

Rashidova captivates London and Washington’s musos

The new guide is accessible and inspiring

Smart deal on new guidebook

The Culture Smart! series of nearly 100 guidebooks is aimed at assisting travellers in unfamiliar surroundings whilst overseas.

Covering history, customs, traditions, friendships and relationships, family life, food, transportation, and business issues, the books provide a palatable overview of the nation in the spotlight.

The most recent addition to the series is

The supremely talented, London-based, classical violinist Nazrin Rashidova delighted classical music aficionados in the UK capital with her performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.5 in A Major on 7 April. Playing amidst the historic surroundings of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Rashidova approached the varied moods of Mozart’s greatest violin concerto with passion and sensitivity. The expansive Adagio in the second movement was supremely expressive and lyrical. The final movement, marked Tempo di menuetto, incorporated some rousing and vibrant Turkish themes, culminating in a cadenza and a romantic conclusion.

Preceding this, on 15–16 March, Rashidova duetted with pianist Ayyan Salahova, her regular partner, as part of the Days of Azerbaijan event at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C. The

programme included works by Zeynalli, Karayev, Amirov, Mirzoev, Melikov and some Gershwin. The event also comprised an exhibition of photos showing the flora and fauna of the country, national dress, the schools of carpet-weaving, cuisine and featured other musical performances.

Günay Mirzayeva’s new work received rapturous applause, following its première

Mirzayeva’s melodies heard at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall

The famous Berlin Philharmonic Hall has resounded to a composition by the 25-year-old Azerbaijani composer Günay Mirzayeva. Performed by the BerlinClassicPlayers under the baton of Ulrich Riehl, the Subh (Dawn) concerto was based on a text by the Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli (c. 1483–1556). It was founded on the sur mugham, featuring solos for trumpet, balaban and mugham singer, evoking the sunrise to the harmonies and chords of mugham.

Throughout, Mirzayeva sought to emphasise that the timbre of the balaban is akin to that of the male voice, and the intonations of mugham singer and the instrument are complementary. Fuzuli’s text emphasised the importance of love, which he considered to be the meaning of life in the world.

Reduced Badalbeyli tickets

London’s classical music aficionados will be in for a treat on 24 May when Farhad Badalbeyli, Azerbaijan’s pre-eminent composer, conductor and pianist, will visit Cadogan Hall to perform Gershwin’s powerful jazz-tinged Piano Concerto in F Major with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dmitry Yablonsky, with whom he co-directs the Gabala Music Festival. The programme will also include Bernstein’s Candide Overture and Copland’s Billy the Kid Suite.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has kindly reduced the price of tickets for friends of Azerbaijan by £5, which normally range in price from £12.50–37.50. To claim your reduction, quote ‘The European Azerbaijan Society’ when booking on 020 7730 4500.

For more information, go to http://bit.ly/ rpoac.

Down and dirty

The Gazelli Art House is a new commercial organisation in London’s contemporary art world, curated by Azerbaijani Mila Askarova.

In February, around 1000 people viewed Fired Up, its inaugural exhibition, and this was followed by Down to Earth on 1–21 April.

The private view of this exhibition took place on 31 March at The Studio in Central London, a recently-constructed, unused office building covering 13,000ft2 (1208m2), which saw this raw space filled with around 350 members of the UK contemporary art cognoscenti.

Each Gazelli exhibition will focus on one of the five classical elements, and all works in Down to Earth were selected to explore the terrestrial weight of this sensual element and its inevitable association with both life and death.

This inspirational showcase included works by the Azerbaijani naïve artist Niyaz Najafov, who follows in the brushstrokes of such selftaught artists as Bacon and Gauguin, having rapidly developed a distinctive and individual voice as an artist since his first experiments with oil painting. He has already participated in numerous acclaimed public exhibitions in Azerbaijan, Germany and France, and is currently resident in Paris, where he is undertaking an Artist’s Residency programme at the Brissot Gallery.

On the other hand, Saad Qureshi’s work represented a dialogue on communication, culture and displacement. His 9m-long broken and smoke-blackened minaret was a response to the conflict in the middle-east, acting as a counterpoint to the sanitised media images of conflict. In an emotional gesture, the core of the work was animated with a human heartbeat.

Jane McAdam Freud took the earthlike media of clay, stone and bronze, to create stark, erotic, psychologically-charged images. She also captured the struggle between mortality and existence, as her figures descended to the underworld. However, video artists Aziz and Cucher produced a four-channel installation entitled Synaptic Bliss: Villette whereby electronic tools were subverted to enhance imperfections and emphasise the ugly and diseased aspects of life. In contrast, photographer Mark Prothero specialised in gigantic photographs of natural landscapes that were deliberately distorted to create a constructed reality.

This remarkably diverse collection demonstrated how diverse elements of the contemporary art world successfully coalesce to create a homogeneous exhibition that is creative, stimulating, emotional and vital.

To find out more, visit http://gazelliarthouse. com.

Emin hits the big time

London’s commuters have recently become aware of Emin Agalarov, the 31-year-old Bakuvian crooner, whose new CD, entitled Wonder, is being heavily publicised on the walls of the tube system. Furthermore, the record has now entered the playlist of BBC Radio 2, the UK’s most popular station, which attracts 14m listeners on a weekly basis.

Despite being his fifth album, Wonder is the first of Emin’s recordings to become popular in the UK. Now resident in London, he has attracted plaudits from music journalist Mike Diver, Editor, BBC Music Online, who wrote that the singer: “is here taking his first steps towards international recognition. He is quite clearly a better bet for longevity than most

new pop sorts on the top 40 block. And he’s quite unafraid to play with different styles – anyone expecting 12 tracks in the mould of breakthrough single Obvious might be disappointed.”

Diver particularly notes the range of styles embraced by Emin, such as western swing in Tell Me You’ll Be Mine and Hold You In My Arms, electro-pop in Falling, and the frenetic rhythms of One Last Dance. To find out more, go to www.emin-music.com.

Hidden meanings revealed

Following its recent celebration of Eastern, Russian and English literature at the Poetry Place in Covent Garden, London, Gruntlers’ Arts Group launched a new project at Azerbaijan House on 11 March. On this occasion, the performance centred on experimental, character-driven Symbolist theatre, presented in the manner of an English miracle play. David Parry, Founder, Gruntlers’ Arts Group, was typecast as a pagan preacher who led the evening from a lectern, chanting sections from Our Saxon Quest, his forthcoming novel.

Thereafter, he asked fellow performers to come and offer personal witness in the name of Art. The eventual performance was not a play in the familiar sense, but a series of loosely-combined recitation pieces, resulting in a free-form plot with more than one voice. Andrew Rea, a Core Gruntler, intoned Cabalistic poetry, whilst Belarusian performance poet Vitaly Bet sang from his Slavic heart in the role of a troubadour.

Further Occult Theatre performances are planned this year, particularly around the time of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. There is also talk of forming an all-male Azerbaijani chorus to accompany future performances. To find our more, contact David Parry on 0778 9062519, or find Gruntlers’ Arts Group on Facebook.

Culture

P h ot o: E u g e n e E l c h an i n ov

Ph ot o: S am D r ak e

The universe represented in Niyaz Najafov’s work, such as Leeches, is dark and unsettling

Emin recently performed before screaming fans at Moscow’s Elysium Theatre on International Women’s Day

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Personalities

OIL WELLS THAT END WELL – MIR-BABAYEV LIFTS THE LID ON OIL HISTORY

Professor Mir-Babayev is an acknowledged expert on Azerbaijani oil history

Professor Mir-Yusif Mir-Babayev undeniably ranks amongst the foremost specialists in the oil chemistry and ecology field. Currently working as a professor at the Azerbaijan Technical University, he graduated from the chemical technology faculty of the Meshadi Azizbekov Oil and Chemistry Institute in 1975. He gained his Doctorate of Chemical Science in 1994, following submission of a thesis entitled Oil Chemistry. To date, Professor Mir-Babayev has written more than 90 scientific papers, published internationally.

Following this, he became fascinated with the technological developments that led to the evolution of the Azerbaijani oil industry. He began researching the history of Azerbaijani oil in 1992, and

A letter of appreciation from BP, dated 1912

is currently working as oil historian at Baku Oil Museum; he also sits on the editorial board for Azerbaijan Oil Industry magazine. In 2008, Professor Mir-Babayev’s authoritative work, entitled A Concise History of Azerbaijani Oil, was published by the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), being the first comprehensive research study of its type.

TEAS met Professor Mir-Babayev during his visit to London to present the Nobels and Baku Oil exhibition at Sotheby’s, and was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss this publication.

An early well constructed on the Absheron Peninsula

What stimulated your original interest in the history of the oil industry?

If we go back through history, early Azerbaijanis noted the resources on the Absheron Peninsula, now located in Baku, which emitted inflammable gases.

The followers of Zoroaster, known as Zoroastrians, made these the focal point of their religious worship. In the sixth century BC, fire-worshipping temples were located on the Absheron Peninsula at the locations where sacred inextinguishable flames burst from the ground. During the same period, the army of Cyrus the Great (Curush II), the first tsar of the Achaemenid Empire (present-day Iran), utilised Absheron oil in the weapons of fire used during the invasion of castles and cities.

What were your objectives in writing the book? Were any chronologies already in existence?

My purpose was to accurately chart the origin, formation and inception of the oil business in Azerbaijan. I focused on the extensive use of archival materials that predated the Soviet period. The Soviet authorities deliberately disregarded the majority of this information, as they found

marine industrial oil.

1924: a single-stage turbodrill with reduction gear, developed by Matvey Kapelyushnikov, is used to drill a 600m-deep well at the Surakhani oilfield, near Baku.

By 1898, the innovations of the Nobels and Rothschilds led Russia to become the foremost international oil producer, with 95 per cent of production being supplied from Azerbaijani oil fields. From 1899–1901, Baku took the top international ranking as an oil producer, supplying 11.5m tonnes of oil per year, whereas the US supplied 9.1 million tonnes.

Built in 1877, the Zoroaster was the world’s first steam-powered oil tanker

it to be uninteresting or unsuitable for use during this period. For example, the books ignored the Russian Nobel Prizes awarded in St. Petersburg in March 1889 and in Baku in November 1904. The innovations of the Nobels and Rothschilds were inaccurately reported in the books of the Soviet period, where they were depicted as exploiters of the proletariat. Many famous and outstanding scientists, mining engineers and oilmen who were active before 1920 were deliberately ‘forgotten’.

Throughout the book, the research is evidently very thorough. How and where was this undertaken?

The authenticity of the sources is evident from the vast reference listing and reading list printed after the main text of the book.

Balakhani, Bibi-Heybat, Surakhani and Binagadi.

How was oil initially extracted and transported? What were the major technical developments in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

Baku became central to the development of new techniques for oil extraction, transportation and refining. Notable achievements included:

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When was oil first discovered in Azerbaijan? How was black and white oil used?

By the fourth century BC, the soldiers of Alexander the Great used oil from the Absheron Peninsula for lighting purposes.

At the time, this was transported in wineskins or earthenware crockery, and was described by Greek historian Plutarch (50–120 AD). The existence of both black (crude) and white (light) oil resources on the Absheron Peninsula was established in the tenth century AD.

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In 1273, Marco Polo confirmed that oil was being exported from Baku to the countries of the Near East, and in 1723 Peter I of Russia annexed Baku to gain control of its oil resources. It is noteworthy that Jonas Hanway, Director, English–Russian Trading Company, wrote in 1754 that white oil from Surakhani, near Baku, was a very rare discovery, subsequently being exported to various countries for medicinal use.

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Where were the first Azerbaijani oil fields located?

These were initially situated on the Absheron Peninsula in the settlements of

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1803: the world’s first offshore oil field is established on Bibi-Heybat bay, being extracted from two wells.

1837: establishment of the world’s first oil refinery in Balakhani on the Absheron Peninsula.

1846: the world’s first oil well was bored to a depth of 21m in BibiHeybat bay.

1875: the world’s first lubricants factory was opened by Victor Ragozin, an oil industrialist.

1877: the world’s first steam-powered oil tanker, named Zoroaster, was constructed under the orders of Ludwig Nobel, being capable of transporting 246 tonnes of oil in 19 reservoirs.

1878: construction of the first oil pipeline, running from Baku– Balakhani–Chorny gorod.

1886: the Svet tanker transported Baku paraffin from the Georgian port of Batum to London.

1891: Vladimir Shukov and Sergey Gavrilov developed and introduced the first continuous thermal cracking system for petrochemicals production.

1897–1907: construction of the world’s longest paraffin pipeline at the time, running 887km from Baku to Batum.

1914: Mihail Tikhvinsky develops the pressurised gas (gas-lifting) technique for extracting oil from wells.

1924: the world’s first timber pilesupported well is constructed in the Bay of Ilich, near Baku, to produce

What role did such British organisations as the English-Russian Trading Company and Shell Transport and Trading Company play in the evolution of the Azerbaijani oil industry?

The involvement of the UK dates back to the 18th century. In 1741, Jonas Hanway, Director, English–Russian Trading Company, visited Baku, where he noted that the residents used gas for boiling water, cooking and lime burning. Oil was also used as a water repellent on roofs.

However, it was not until 1897 when British entrepreneurs purchased some oil fields for R5m. These proved extremely lucrative and generated over R7.5m in net profits after two-and-a-half years.

By 1904, 47 per cent of UK kerosene requirements were supplied from Baku.

From 1892, the largest UK oil firm was Shell, which owned over 340 oil terminals from Baku to Shanghai and 30 tankers, thus distributing Baku oil internationally.

At this time, the UK controlled 11 per cent of all Baku oil fields. In 1907, there was a merger between British Shell and Royal Dutch Shell. By 1917, R111m of foreign investment had been directed towards the Baku oil business, with 60 per cent of oil extraction and 75 per cent of oil product sales being in foreign hands.

The book focuses on the developments of the 19th and 20th centuries. Are Azerbaijanis still involved in technological developments with regard to oil extraction and transportation?

Through SOCAR, Azerbaijan is now involved in further technological evolutions regarding to oil and gas extraction and transportation. This work has been spearheaded by Rovnag Abdullayev, President, SOCAR, together with his collaborators.

The third edition of A Concise History of Azerbaijani Oil by Professor MirYusif Mir-Babayev is available for free download from http://bit.ly/mmazoil

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Personalities

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Personalities

GÜNAY MIRZAYEVA – EMBRACING TRADITION TO FOLLOW A NEW PATH

Currently resident in Stuttgart, pianist and composer Günay Mirzayeva is successfully synthesising mugham and western classical music

Born in 1985, Günay Mirzayeva grew up in a musical family in Baku, Azerbaijan. She began her pianistic studies at the age of six years, going on to study musical theory at Baku Music College, whilst simultaneously studying composition at the Baku Music Academy under Professor Khayyam Mirzazadeh. During this period, she wrote for a range of musical permutations, including variations, romances, sonatas, and string quartets. Having won a scholarship under the Presidential State Programme for Azerbaijani Youth Studies, Günay is now studying composition at the State Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany, under Professor Caspar Johannes Walter.

A large proportion of Günay’s work embodies echoes of her homeland, and her recent composition, a concerto entitled Sübh (Dawn), was based on a text by the Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli (c.1483–1556), receiving its première at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall.

The instrumentation includes a trumpet, mugham vocalist and balaban (traditional wind instrument.) TEAS spoke to Günay at home in Stuttgart to find out more.

You were born in Baku. Were your parents musical? What was the earliest music that you heard?

I was born into a musical family in Baku, and immersed in music from an early

age. Musa Mirzayev, my grandfather, is a renowned Azerbaijani composer, having been acknowledged as a People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and receiving an Azerbaijani Order of Glory. My father, Ilyas Mirzayev, is a composer and jazz pianist, and my mother, Shahla Alakbarova, is the Artistic Director and Conductor for Azerbaijani television and radio. I grew up in an area where there is high concentration of composers, including Khayyam Mirzazadeh, Arif Melikov, and Tofik Kuliyev. My parents recall that I began to sing at the age of 18 months, before I could even speak, accompanied by my father on piano.

My parents realised that I had the potential to become a musician. When I was a child, my mother always sang lullabies before I slept, and this was the first music of which I was aware. My mother recalls that when she sang in the Segah Azerbaijani mugham, I was so moved that tears came down my cheeks.

You began playing the piano at the age of six years. What types of music were you playing at this age? How was your talent recognised?

At the age of six years, I was accepted to study piano at the Bül-bül School of Music for talented children. Following this, I continued my studies at the Mstislav and Leopold Rostropovich Music School. At this

time, I focused on classical compositions by international composers that had been specifically written for children.

Following this, you studied both piano and theory and composition at the Baku Music College. Why did you decide to concentrate on the latter?

I studied musical theory and piano at Baku Music College, and wrote my first small works at the age of 15 years. I consulted Professor Khayyam Mirzazadeh of Baku Music Academy to ask his opinion on my music, and he recognised that I had developed my own style, allowing me to attend his composition lessons. Following my graduation, I studied composition with Ismayil Hacibeyov at the Academy, and these continued under Aydin Azimov.

By this time, Azerbaijan had obtained its independence. Did the focus remain on Russian classical music, or did you also learn about Azerbaijani classical music, and the mugham and ashiq forms?

Despite Azerbaijan spending so long in the Soviet Union, I studied both Azerbaijani and world music. My parents always listened to traditional ashiq and mugham music in the house.

During your time at the Baku Music Academy, you composed préludes, variations, romances, sonatas, string quartets and a symphony. What were the

Personalities

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Mirzayeva’s new work, Sübh, has just been premièred by the BerlinClassicPlayers in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Ulrich Riehl

inspirations behind these works? How were they performed?

During my studies in Baku, I became aware of world music literature, and listened and watched performances of works by many different composers. Of course, I was always inspired by Azerbaijani music, and incorporated their themes into my compositions, including my quartets and symphony.

These pieces were mostly performed at the students’ concerts at the Baku Music Academy. When I went to study in Germany, I sensed that I was far from my country, and became increasingly aware of the importance of Azerbaijani mugham in my music and life.

How did you win the scholarship to study in Stuttgart at the University of Music and Performing Arts?

In 2008, I discovered that a scholarship competition was being arranged by the Ministry of Education in Baku to find candidates for a Presidential State Programme on the Study of Azerbaijani Youth in Foreign Countries in 2007–15, arranged in conjunction with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). I undertook an interview with the President of DAAD, who posed important questions concerning my field of study and future plans, and went on to award the scholarship.

There are two strands to your work – music for standard classical instrumentation and those incorporating the instruments of mugham. How do you integrate mugham modes and harmonies into your work?

As I have studied both classical and folk music since childhood, it is impossible to separate one from the other. The soul and mind are inextricably interwoven and serve to create compositions independently of myself.

In 2009, you composed a vocal piece incorporating the kamancha and a mugham singer. How did your composition reflect the text? Where was the piece performed, and what reception did it receive?

That year, I participated in a project entitled Liedprojekt at the Theaterhaus in Stuttgart. I also composed a piece entitled Etiraf (Confession) for mezzo-soprano, flute, kamancha and cello, which is the setting of a text by Rustam Mirzayev, my brother, who is a Doctor of Philosophy and Jurisprudence. This project was supported by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Germany, the Azerbaijani–German Forum, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Youth and Sport.

into melodies over time. This piece incorporates elements of mugham, applying various techniques, together with contrapuntal dynamics and rhythms.

My objective was to generate a ‘jazzy’ theme, encapsulating the temperament and emotions of the person represented by the music.

Your latest work, the concerto for orchestra named Sübh, has just been premièred by the BerlinClassicPlayers in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Please tell me more about this work.

Sübh is my second orchestral work for the BerlinClassicPlayers, featuring solo passages for the trumpet, balaban and mugham singer. It was written in the Sur mugham mode, and depicts the awakening of dawn in the orient, accompanied by the harmonies and chords of mugham. The timbre of the balaban is similar to that of the male mugham singer, and the notes are often identical. The Fuzuli text aims to demonstrate that Sübh represents love, which is the meaning of life in the world.

The text contains many philosophical statements about life, and these are reflected by the music. This piece constitutes the inception of my personal compositional style, and it is entirely composed in the Cahargah mugham mode. The performance of Etiraf attracted much applause and received many critical plaudits.

Have any CDs of your work been released?

In December, I signed a contract with the Italian Sconfinarte music publisher, headquartered in Milan. This company has shown an interest in publishing my compositions and releasing CDs. Furthermore, they will organise concerts of my works in many countries.

Please explain more about Within a Pulse and the effect you were aiming to achieve.

The polyrhythmic composition entitled Within a Pulse is based on brief phrases in various configurations that metamorphose

How do you see your music developing?

In future, I plan to compose an opera, ballet, and oratorio, all of which will reflect Azerbaijani history and literature, using mugham and traditional instruments.

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Nagorno-Karabakh Kristiina Ojuland reminded the European Parliament of the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

MEP Ojuland reminds European Parliament of the facts

Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE) MEP, Former Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke during the European Parliament debate on the European Neighbourhood Policy on 6 April regarding the ‘frozen’ Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reminding the Parliament and President that the region is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan.

Ojuland went on to underline that: ”Whenever discussing the European Neighbourhood Policy or other policies involving the South Caucasus, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Georgia should always be kept in mind.” Ojuland asked the European Parliament to respect the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh is universally recognised as being Azerbaijani sovereign territory. She commented: “Only when the territorial integrities recognised by the international community are kept in mind can we can move forward and achieve peace and stability in the South Caucasus”.

is that all of the three OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries have large Armenian diasporas. This renders them susceptible to their lobbying and skews their impartiality.

“For example, Russia is an unashamed ally of Armenia, to which it offered active support during the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

This makes it more difficult for balanced negotiations to evolve. I would like to see more active involvement from UK mediators. Perhaps the most effective method would be for them to work within an EU team that could replace France as one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

This would give a more balanced platform for talks on a negotiated settlement.”

He continued: “I think the EU should also offer to supply peacekeepers to help implement and monitor any peace deal, thus giving Armenia space for its withdrawal from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. There is never any justification for the invasion and occupation of another country’s sovereign territory, nor for ethnic cleansing. The most terrible evidence is the massacre of Azerbaijani citizens in the town of Khojaly.”

Lord Laird recommends Prisoner swap begins in EU as OSCE Minsk earnest Group Co-Chair The Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities Lord Laird, member of the Ulster Unionist Party and Chairman, TEAS Advisory Board, has made some radical suggestions regarding potential resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh situation.

have exchanged prisoners-of-war (POWs) from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, under the terms of the Sochi summit. The move saw an Armenian civilian exchanged for an Azerbaijani soldier.

He outlined: “It is clear that, during the past 17 years, the OSCE Minsk Group has failed to achieved the level of progress we would have liked to have seen. It thus seems necessary to re-evaluate the formula. It is apparent that one of the flaws in the process

According to Shahin Sayilov, Secretary, Azerbaijani State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, three Armenian soldiers named Grant Markosyan, Rafik Tevonyan and Vartan Sargsyan, who voluntarily crossed the

By acknowledging the pro-Armenian bias of the OSCE Minsk Group CoChairs, Lord Laird has recognised its inherent failing

border to Azerbaijan, were recently sent to an undisclosed third country via UN mediation. The three soldiers entered Azerbaijan in February 2009, declaring that they did not wish to be repatriated to Armenia.

ASA proposes reduction in direct US assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh

According to the US Congress Press Service, the Azerbaijani Society of America (ASA) has submitted a statement for consideration during discussions on The State Foreign Operations and Related Programmes Appropriations Bill for 2012.

Javid Huseynov, Chief Executive, ASA, wrote that the US Congress has allocated funds to address the humanitarian plight of the victims from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, since 2005, these have solely been provided to the Armenian community in the occupied territories, whereas none have been directed towards the 592,000 Azerbaijani internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were expelled from their homes.

ASA noted that US aid to NagornoKarabakh has risen from $3m (£1.9m) to $8m (£4.9m), whereas the actual needs on the ground have never exceeded $2m (£1.2m).

According to ASA, as the US is an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, the US Congress should consider cutting the direct budget assistance to the Armenian-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region to a level commensurate with the inhabitants’ requirements. It is also suggested that funds should be directed towards the Azerbaijani IDPs from the region, most of whom reside in temporary camps across the country.

ICG declares NagornoKarabakh as priority

The ICG went on to explain that it is issuing three reports during the course of 2011. The first of these, entitled Armenia and Azerbaijan: Preventing War (TEAS Magazine, March 2011, p.12), was issued on 8 February. This pessimistic review focused on such topics as the arms race and the upsurge in ceasefire violations.

The second report will propose methods for decreasing tension and moving the negotiations process forward via incremental steps. The final briefing will assess the political, economic and social conditions of the 870,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on their attitudes towards resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Fallout from child’s death gains momentum

The international community recently recoiled in horror over the tragic coldblooded shooting of Fariz Badalov, a nine-year-old Azerbaijani boy, in the village of Orta Garvand in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan. The Armenian sniper opened fire on 8 March near the ‘contact line’ between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Fariz was shot in the head, and tragically passed away whilst being transported to Agdam District Central Hospital, thereby disproving the view that the conflict is ‘frozen’. International condemnation was swift and unequivocal. During his visit to the region to assess civilian security, Tabib Huseynov, Caucasus Analyst, ICG, met the Badalov family. He was amazed by the close proximity between the village and enemy units.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN, expressed his dismay in a letter to Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General.

He wrote: “By the intentional killing of an Azerbaijani child and the shameless denial of its responsibility for this odious crime, the Armenian side has demonstrated, once

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Nagorno-Karabakh

The International Crisis Group’s (ICG) Annual Report 2011 has stated: “Despite increased international interest, including the personal involvement of Russian President Medvedev, the prospects of a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict now seem at their lowest point for years. The failure to secure a ‘Basic Principles’ agreement before the OSCE Summit in Astana in December 2010 – the first in a decade – was deeply troubling. The political deadlock was accompanied by an increase in violence over the Summer and Fall.”

The digivan, displaying a stark school photograph of the young victim, was parked outside the Armenian Embassy in London

again, that it feels no remorse regarding the senseless loss of life of a nine-year-old boy, and that moral and ethical principles of humanity are alien to it. I have also been instructed to call upon the UN member states to condemn Armenia for systematic violations of the ceasefire régime and deliberate attacks on Azerbaijani civilians.”

Matthew Bryza, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, voiced his outrage, commenting: “The death of any person, especially of a child, is a tragedy. I am deeply saddened by this incident.”

In London, a digivan was hired to display a school photo of Fariz outside the plush Armenian Embassy in Kensington. The photo – one of the few existing images of the young victim – was captioned with a direct question to Armenian President Sargsyan, a former military commander.

It asked: “President Sargsyan – why did your snipers shoot me dead?” A few days later, this was followed by a demonstration outside the Embassy by several members of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

The Hour newspaper in the Latvian capital, Riga, published an article about regional tensions following the killing. It contained comments by Swiss President Michelle Calmi-Ray, who recently visited Baku.

During a news conference, she commented that Armenia must behave constructively and observe the resolutions of international organisations related to withdrawal of troops from the occupied territories.

Protests also took place in various other European countries, including France, where the House of Azerbaijan group organised a protest in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg. A statement and photo of Fariz were sent to Mevlüt

Çavuşoğlu, President, Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe (PACE), amongst others. A similar demonstration was held in Brussels.

In Berlin, the Azerbaijani diaspora in Germany protested in front of the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin. This was organised by the Co-ordination Centre for Azerbaijanis in Germany (KAD) and House of Azerbaijan, being attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani, Turkish and Jewish communities, amongst others.

A statement was subsequently sent to the Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance.

NEWS IN BRIEF Azerbaijani soldier slaughtered According to the AFP agency, Samir Agayev, a 24-year-old Azerbaijani soldier, was killed by Armenian forces near the ‘contact line’ on 22 March. He was shot near the border between the two countries, close to the village of Ashagi Abdulrahmanli in the Fizuli region.

Agayev, who was drafted from the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan, was buried in Yukhari Oysuzlu, his native village.

Nagorno-Karabakh remains a key issue An event entitled Turkish-American National Leadership Conference: Empowering Turkish Americans has taken place in Washington D.C. The speakers included Egemen Bagis, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs; and Bruce Fein, Turkish-American Legal Defence Fund.

They unanimously agreed that Turkish– Armenian bilateral relations would have developed if the Nagorno-Karabakh situation had been resolved.

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ADB predicts non-oil sector growth for Azerbaijan

Business News

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released its Asian Development Outlook 2011 report. This states that the Azerbaijani non-oil sector has performed well, increasing by 7.9 per cent whilst recovering from the ‘headwinds of the global recession’. Such ‘robust growth’ during 2010 was attributable to public investment, predominantly in infrastructure projects, resulting in a 20.3 per cent expansion in construction activity, thereby indicating a high level of growth since 2009.

Other non-oil sectors analysed in the report include manufacturing, which the ADB estimates to have developed by approximately 6.8 per cent, bolstered by the emergence of numerous public and private industrial plants and the decision by the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to move into the non-oil manufacturing sphere. The services industry is reported to be robust, indicating 7.2 per cent growth, with the key driver being listed as the generally strong expansion of the non-oil economy, together with improvements in gas transport services and the implementation of next-generation mobile and internet access technologies.

The only sector that indicated reduced performance was agriculture, which contracted by 2.2 per cent in 2010, having achieved considerable gains during 2009.

This was mainly affected by the sharp drop in grain production, caused by flooding, which impacted yields. The report stated that production rose in other agricultural spheres, including cotton and tobacco. It predicted that agriculture would maintain steady growth throughout 2011, assuming the continuity of good weather and state support.

The ADB report also focused on elements of the financial industry, noting the recovery in credit facilities for the private sector and recognising a 9.7 per cent rise in credit lines with a 24 per cent expansion in the broad money supply in the country.

The bank noted greater confidence in the country’s banking system, represented by the ratio of broad money to GDP, which increased from 23.8 to 25.3 per cent from 2009–10.

The government’s Azerpost project, which offers such services as microcredits, money transfers and pension distribution, was praised for advancing financial services into rural areas. Several of the non-oil exports also experienced slight gains, despite the contraction of the agricultural sector.

The historic Azerbaijani–Greek Business Forum culminated in a meeting between Greek President Papoulias (left) and Azerbaijani President Aliyev

The ADB forecast that oil prices would rise in 2011 and remain at an elevated level during the following year. This will facilitate a continued rise in social expenditure and infrastructure investment, which is envisaged to stimulate private activity, thereby improving the overall investment climate.

Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector is forecast to continue its expansion, primarily stimulated by public sector investment.

The ADB pointed out that the government intends to invest $4.2bn (£2.6bn) this year, which will act as an impetus for an expedited expansion in construction, resulting in positive ripples across the wider economy. Overall, the ADB forecast 8 per cent growth in the non-oil sector throughout 2011–12.

Greece to get Azerbaijani gas

Greece is set to become the first European country to receive direct gas imports from Azerbaijan, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SOCAR and the Greek National Gas Company (DEPA).

Greece has imported gas from Azerbaijan since 2007, hitherto supplied via BOTAŞ, the Turkish state pipeline company, and the deal enables Turkish intermediaries to be bypassed. Although exact volumes remain unspecified, in February SOCAR announced that it intended to supply Greece with 700 million m3 of gas, equating to the same level purchased from

Turkey since Q4 2008, in accordance with the agreed re-export scheme.

According to the Reuters news agency, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met Greek President Karolos Papoulias at the fourth Azerbaijani–Greek Business Forum in Baku. President Aliyev commented: “Azerbaijan is interested in boosting gas supplies to Greece and wishes to utilise its transit possibilities in the future.”

President Aliyev highlighted the importance of the agreement: “This document will be a serious incentive towards Azerbaijan’s cooperation with other European countries.

Azerbaijan will be doing its best to maintain energy security across Europe.”

He went on to invite Greek companies to open Azerbaijani branches, stating that: “All conditions will be created so that Greek companies may work in Azerbaijan.”

He stipulated that Azerbaijan was keen to develop ‘multi-façeted’ economic ties with Greece.

NEWS IN BRIEF Azerbaijan to become major regional ship producer A new shipyard is being constructed in Alyat, Azerbaijan in order to meet the local demand for vessels. Rovnag Abdullayev, President, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), announced that the new plant, which is to open in 2013, will produce ships for customers from Azerbaijan and other countries with Caspian interests.

AIOC ramps up ACG project investment to $2bn

Concrete – the most versatile construction material – is playing an integral role in the transformation of the country

Firm foundation for success

The Azerbaijani consortium Norm and Chinese company China Triumph International Engineering Company (CTIE) have agreed to construct a major cement plant, Gizildash Cement, in the Garadagh region of Azerbaijan by the end of Q4 2013. The plant, the largest in the Caucasus region, will have an annual capacity of 2m tonnes of cement and 5,000 tonnes of clinker.

The cement plant will be situated on a 10,000ha site in the Garadagh region.

In April 2010, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources approved a feasibility study assessing the environmental and social impact on the area. Norm intends to invest $400m (£245.8m) in the project, equating to 60 per cent of its total costs. Mamed Abbasov, Deputy Head, Norm, commented: “We are completing negotiations on loans from some Islamic banks.” He also announced that approximately $100m (£61.4m) would be required for infrastructural development.

The project is valued at $350m (£215m), making it one of the largest non-oil sector projects in the country. The plant will create approximately 500 direct jobs, with an additional 2,500 positions emanating from associated industries.

Murad Sadykhov, Senior Offical, Norm, stated: “In addition to meeting the increased requirement for cementitious materials in Azerbaijan, we plan to export cement to other countries, including the southern regions of Russia, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.”

Azerbaijan already has a cement plant in the Garadagh region, constructed in 1999 and currently operated by Swissbased company Holcim. It has an annual capacity of 1.5m tonnes. Azerbaijan’s annual cement consumption stands at 4m

The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) consortium, operating the Azeri–Chirag–Guneshli (ACG) fields, comprises nine petroleum companies – BP, Chevron, SOCAR, INPEX, Statoil, ExxonMobil, TPAO, ITOCHU and Hess.

Speaking to Interfax, they also announced that, during 2010, investment levels had risen by 21.3 per cent to reach $2.1bn (£1.3bn).

The company confirmed that this amount included $426m (£261.7m) in operating costs and $1.6bn (£1bn) in capital expenditure. AIOC also advised that oil production from the fields had risen by 0.7 per cent to reach 40.6m tonnes. Average daily output stood at 823,000 barrels, with the Chirag platform producing 93,200 barrels; Central Azeri, 205,300 barrels; Western Azeri, 248,200 barrels; Eastern Azeri, 140,700 barrels; and Guneshli deepwater rig with 135,600 barrels. In 2010, AIOC supplied SOCAR with 3.4bn m3 (bcm) of associated gas, exceeding the expected level by 1.9bcm.

SOCAR Trading appoints new Singapore office head

Geneva-based SOCAR Trading, the international marketing and development arm of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), has appointed Anthony Poon as Managing Director of its Singapore office.

Poon’s appointment follows the departure of Victor Lim, who left the company for personal reasons, according to a company statement. He joins SOCAR Trading Singapore from New York-listed InterOil Corp., where he held the position of General Manager of Supply Trading and Risk Management. Prior to this, he was Head of the International Crude Trading Department at Caltex Singapore, where he spent 30 years.

Established in 2009, SOCAR Trading Singapore employs 12 members of staff, with plans to add a further eight by the close of 2011. A spokesperson commented: “We are hiring new crude, fuel oil, gas oil and naphtha traders, together with operations staff.”

Valery Golovushkin, President and Chief

Executive, SOCAR Trading, informed the Reuters news agency that the company intends to triple oil and product volume sales over the next five years. It is currently exploring the possibility of purchasing downstream assets in order to place SOCAR Trading on parity with the top global players.

Microsoft Azerbaijan adds Office Language Interface Pack

Microsoft Azerbaijan has augmented its corporate internet resource with the Microsoft Office Language Interface Pack 2010, according to the company.

This includes localisation packs for the Microsoft Office software suite, such as Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word 2010.

The company recently announced the completion of full localisation for the Windows 7 operating system in the country.

Microsoft initially demonstrated the software at BakuTel 2010, and the project was undertaken by foreign contractors.

Prior to completion of the project, full localisation was completed on Windows XP and Windows Vista OS, in addition to Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007. This was undertaken by Azerbaijani companies, with that for Windows XP and Microsoft 2003 being carried out by AZEL, whereas SINAM worked on Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.

NEWS IN BRIEF AZEL to target local insurance and leasing markets Azerbaijan Electronics (AZEL) is to enter the local insurance and leasing services market. The move, announced by Rasim Ibrahimov, Chairman, AZEL, will see the company develop and market specialist software solutions to Azerbaijan-based corporations operating in the financial sector.

Ibrahimov explained: “We intend to expand the penetration level of our software in the Azerbaijani market by offering solutions specifically designed for the financial sector.” Proqress, the company’s new software, supplies a wide range of packages for its users, facilitating increased competition in the retail banking and risk management spheres.

Established in 1991, AZEL is Azerbaijan’s leading computer, office equipment and consumer electronics provider.

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Business News

tonnes, with estimates suggesting that the figure will rise to 6–7m tonnes by 2015.

inner back page AZERBAIJAN: QUICK FACTS Official name: The Republic of Azerbaijan Capital: Baku Area: 86,600km2 Population: 9,000,000 Density: 104 inhab./km2 Urban population: 51.8 per cent Population of main cities excluding suburbs: Baku (2,500,000); Gandja (300,000); Sumgait (270,000); Mingacevir (95,000) Religions: Shiite Muslims (65 per cent), Sunni Muslims (28 per cent), Orthodox Christians (5 per cent), Others (2 per cent) Principal exports: Oil, gas, aluminium, carpets Official language: Azerbaijani Business languages: English and Russian

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Exchange rates as of 13.4.11: AZN1=$1.26; US$1=£0.79; AZN1=£0.78; £1=AZN1.28; AZN1=€0.87; €1=AZN1.15

BUSINESS

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The European Azerbaijan Society

BUSINESS FORUM

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s Investment Potential

12–13 May 2011, IET London, 2, Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL The European Azerbaijan Society, as part of its mission to serve as a networking and knowledgesharing platform, is launching an annual flagship Business Forum, to be held in the heart of London.

This essential two-day event will focus on creating new networks, promote investment generation and facilitate strategic commercial decisions and agreements.

Its main objectives are to: • outline the recent and potential trends and opportunities within the Azerbaijani economy • provide the latest and projected data on Azerbaijan’s investment climate • showcase the policies being adopted to ensure a stable climate for inward investment • demonstrate those elements that make Azerbaijan most appealing to investors • help identify the growth sectors in the country.

So – don’t delay. This is your chance to find out how you can harness the might of the vibrant Azerbaijani economy.

To find out more, please contact Vanessa Raine on +44 (0)207 104 2225; e-mail: events@teas.eu; website: www.teas.eu