Tm 17 07

Culture | Public Affairs | Business

Photo: Aynur Badalova

FORMULA 1 ROARS TOWARDS CONTROVERSY IN BAKU Also in this issue: Armenian killing of an Azerbaijani two-year-old and her grandmother near the ‘contact line’ provokes worldwide outrage and condemnation The role of Azerbaijani women celebrated in the British Parliament Azerbaijani IDPs highlighted in events across Europe The poetry of Vagif Samedoglu comes to Paris $5bn invested in the Azerbaijani economy in six months

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Enter the TEAS competition and win £100 of Amazon vouchers

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Welcome to the TEAS Magazine The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) is a UK-registered pan-European foundation dedicated to raising awareness of Azerbaijan and fostering closer economic, political and cultural links between that country and the nations of Europe.

As well as promoting the positive aspects of Azerbaijan, TEAS also highlights the plight of the 875,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country. These people are unable to return to their homes and lands because of the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts by Armenia’s armed forces – in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions.

TEAS has three main facets to its operations: • Culture – TEAS raises awareness of Azerbaijan’s rich and vibrant culture to a worldwide audience by organising cultural events and operating as a networking centre.

• Business – TEAS supports its membership of European and Azerbaijani businesses. It provides a platform for organisations to establish links and strengthen their existing business relationships via a programme of networking opportunities across the regions.

• Public Affairs – TEAS works to increase awareness about Azerbaijan amongst key opinionformers, key decision-makers and other political, academic and civil society stakeholders.

In pursuit of its objectives TEAS: • Organises meetings with interested parties, opinion-formers and decision-makers • Arranges roundtables, seminars, lectures and conferences • Publishes pamphlets, reports, bulletins, books and produces films • Facilitates fact-finding trips by politicians and business people.

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The TEAS Facebook page is your chance to learn about the latest news, events, campaigns and other Azerbaijan-related items. Visit and ‘like’ our page at: http://bit.ly/TEASFB.

Membership and Sponsorship TEAS offers a range of corporate and individual membership packages, providing such benefits as advertising, trade missions, networking, business sector advice and hotel discounts.

TEAS also offers numerous sponsorship opportunities throughout the year for its events and conferences. To find out more, e-mail: membership@ teas.eu.

Win £100 of Amazon vouchers!

To stand a chance of winning £100 of Amazon vouchers, simply answer the following ten questions, the answers to which will be found in this issue of the magazine. In the case of a tie, a draw will be made. Previous winners are ineligible to enter, as are TEAS employees and their families. Please send all entries to editor@teas.eu by 17.00hrs (GMT) on 7 August. We congratulate Dan Smit, Royal Dutch Shell: UK Office, winner of the June 2017 competition: 1. Can you name one of the Azerbaijani female entrepreneurs cited by Ulviyye Taghizade in her parliamentary speech on Women Entrepreneurs and the Media?

2. What is the projected Azerbaijani population figure for 2030?

3. Who is the new Azerbaijani Ambassador to France?

4. Who is the author of The Concise History of Azerbaijani Oil? 5. Which European capital city is hosting the second International Association for Energy Economics Conference (IAEE)?

6. Which composition by contemporary jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab was performed following the recital of poems by Vagif Samedoglu at the Cultural Service of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France?

7. Which American photojournalist captured vignettes from the lives of Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees for the exhibition Unresolved Dreams: Azerbaijan’s Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, recently hosted in Brussels?

8. Which short film by Thomas Goltz on the Qarabag FK football team was screened during the UN World Refugee Day debate in the French Senate?

9. At which football ground was Thomas Goltz’ film On Aggregate screened?

10. In how many days can an Azerbaijani visa be obtained using the ASAN Visa system?

From the TEAS Director

F1 returned to the streets of Baku in an incident-packed race that saw Sebastian Vettel triumph over Lewis Hamilton. As was the case with the inaugural race last year, the magnificent architecture of Baku – medieval, first oil boom, Soviet era and independence era – were showcased to great effect. Events such as this have helped to fuel a tourism boom over the last few years, enhanced by an easier visa regime.

This triumph was unfortunately eclipsed by a tragedy in the far west of the country. Armenian forces illegally occupying the Azerbaijani district of Fuzuli fired across the ‘contact line,’ targeting the civilian population of the village of Alkhanly, killing two-year-old Zahra Guliyeva and her grandma. The international

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community expressed its outrage at this war crime, and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in London placed dolls soaked in fake blood on the steps of the Armenian Embassy. The Armenian government is being urged to identify and prosecute the offenders.

TEAS organised a series of events to commemorate UN World Refugee Day. These included a photographic exhibition in Brussels by world-renowned photographer Ed Kashi, the screening of a film by Thomas Goltz, entitled On Aggregate, at Stamford Bridge about the Azerbaijani IDP football club Qarabag FK, and a conference and debate in the French Senate.

Other stories featured in this issue include

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS

the Azerbaijan Teacher Development Centre (ATDC), a TEAS initiative aimed at supporting principals and school mentors as they implement changes in their schools, and the new Azerbaijanis in the World concept for expat professionals, skilled workers and students.

Lionel Zetter Director, TEAS

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Politics and News

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The demonstration outside of the Armenian Embassy in London was vocal and vituperative

Child murder in Karabakh – an alarming development

According to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Armenian forces killed an Azerbaijani woman and child and wounded another civilian near the ‘contact line’ between Azerbaijan and the Armenianoccupied territories.

Vagif Dergakhly, Spokesman, Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, delivered the tragic news: “On 4 July, two residents of the village of Alkhanly in the Fuzuli region, including a two-year-old girl, were killed, and one was wounded as a result of the Armenian forces using 82mm and 120mm mortars and grenade launchers.” During the following week, shocking images showing the bloodied corpse of twoyear-old Zahra Guliyeva surfaced on the internet, alongside that of her 50-year-old grandmother Sahiba Guliyeva. A further family member, Servinaz Guliyeva (52), was injured and taken to hospital.

The response to the killings was uniformly condemnatory of Armenian policy, including statements from politicians in the UK, France, Germany, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and international organisations, including the UN, OSCE and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The killings were in direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and other international agreements, which defend the rights of civil society and forbid the targeting of civilians.

Following the deaths, the Azerbaijani armed forces retaliated by inflicting strategically-aimed, precisely-aimed blows against the Armenian armed forces, thereby preventing another planned provocation and destroying some major defence infrastructure. An Azerbaijani spokesman reiterated that the Azerbaijani armed forces were combat-ready to counteract another provocation.

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, said: “The killing of a two-year-old girl and her grandmother takes the level of barbarism exhibited by the occupying Armenian armed

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forces to a new level. Armenia should withdraw its troops from the occupied regions and give peace talks a chance.”

Bob Blackman MP, Chairman of the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group, said: “Any casualties are regrettable, but the deliberate targeting of civilians resulting in the death of two-year-old Zahra Guliyeva and her grandmother Sahiba Guliyeva is a despicable act. Armenian armed forces should cease firing across the ‘contact line’ and at least give peace talks a chance of success.”

Lord Kilclooney commented that: “Every casualty on the ‘contact line’ is regrettable, but the killing of a two-year-old girl and her grandmother by Armenian armed forces is an appalling act.”

Baroness Manzoor stressed: “The death of Zahra’s grandmother is no less painful.

These horrific incidents will continue until we can convince the Armenians to undertake genuine negotiations regarding the return of the occupied territories.

We call on all parties to deescalate the situation.”

Mark Menzies MP said that the vast majority of people in the region want a peaceful solution, giving a portentous verdict: “The killing of a two-year-old girl and her grandmother is the type of action guaranteed to derail peace talks.”

As part of TEAS’ mission to raise awareness of this inhumane act, Mr Zetter wrote several letters to some of the leading English-language current affairs publications, including The Times, The Economist, International New York Times and The Guardian. Each letter was tailored to meet the interests of the readership, whether business, human rights or legallyfocussed, but all included the clause: “The perpetrators of this atrocity should be prosecuted, either by the Armenian authorities or by the International Criminal Court. It is now 25 years since NagornoKarabakh and the seven surrounding

regions were occupied by Armenia, and it is time for them to obey the four outstanding UN Security Council resolutions and withdraw their troops.”

The letter to The Economist particularly drew attention to the detrimental impact of the conflict on the Armenian economy, saying: “The Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory has served to destroy the Armenian economy. With no natural resources of its own, it could have benefited from the BP-led Azerbaijani hydrocarbons boom, which has resulted in the country becoming the leading economy in the CIS. However, due to the conflict with Azerbaijan, all pipelines have been forced to detour to avoid Armenian territory and the country remains reliant on the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. This uses a Soviet-era design without a containment vessel that is identical to that at Chernobyl.

Furthermore, borders are closed with two of Armenia’s neighbours – Azerbaijan and Turkey – leaving it totally reliant on Russia.

It continues to host Russian military bases on its territory.

“International institutions should call for the peaceful settlement of the conflict. They should not ignore the fact that Armenia killed members of the Azerbaijani civilian population – children, women and the elderly – and should pressurise Armenia to end its illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territory.”

Speaking to Trend News, the OIC General Secretariat commented: “We reiterate our longstanding position on Armenian aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan.” It stressed that the OIC General Secretariat condemned any use of force and “therefore condemns the shelling of the Azerbaijani village in the Fuzuli region by the Armenian Armed Forces that resulted in the killing of innocent civilians.”

It continues: “The OIC General Secretariat believes that resolution of the issue is only possible via full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,

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Politics and News

resulting in the withdrawal of all Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijan territories.”

French Senator Nathalie Goulet, ViceChair, Foreign Affairs Committee, French Senate, called for a new direction in negotiations, stating: “We have to implement the process of sanctions, if we cannot bring Armenia to reason. We also have to ask international forces to maintain security and the ceasefire on the ‘contact line’. It’s time to act.”

Meanwhile, 18 French parliamentarians, including Rachida Dati, Former Minister and MEP; Senator André Reichardt, VicePresident, European Affairs Commission and President of the France–Caucasus Friendship Group in the French Senate; Senator Nathalie Goulet, Vice-President, Foreign Affairs Commission for Defence and Armed Forces and Vice-President of the France–Caucasus Friendship Group addressed an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to intervene and place pressure on Armenia to comply with the four outstanding UN Security Council resolutions.

The letter begins: “Over 25 years of Armenian occupation, Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions have permanently violated international law, resulting in tears for myriad families of victims, both civilian and military, who have been impacted forever by this ongoing war that has been ignored by the world.”

It then makes reference to the killing of Zahra and Sahiba – who were just two of the IDPs – explaining how they were hunted from their lands and became victims of the Armenian policy of ethnic cleansing. It goes on to express concern that, if a negotiated and lasting peace is not found in the near future, any return to conflict could potentially inflame the entire region. The letter concludes by calling on President Macron to “redouble efforts and take every initiative to reclaim peace in the Caucasus”, pledging to support every effort to this effect.

Senator André Reichardt issued a stronglyworded statement reading: “I am deeply saddened by the death of innocent civilians who have nothing to do with this conflict, and especially over the death of this child, which makes me particularly sad. I offer my deepest condolences to the families and to the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

“This dramatic event illustrates the extent to which the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

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is not ‘frozen’. In addition to the frequent military casualties, we have witnessed an increase in military clashes in recent weeks, and today there are unacceptable civilian casualties, just over a year since the so-called ‘Four Day War’ in April 2016. This absolutely demonstrates that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved in a peaceful and equitable manner without delay.

“I said this recently at a conference organised by TEAS in Paris on the subject of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan – it is imperative that President Emmanuel Macron exercises leverage over the matter and France takes the initiative to accelerate peaceful resolution of the conflict, in collaboration with Russia and the US, the other OSCE Minsk Group CoChair countries.”

Jean-François Mancel, President, Association des Amis de l’Azerbaïdjan, stated: “The Association expresses its grief over the death of civilians due to Armenia’s provocation, stemming from its illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories.” He added that the Association offers condolences to the bereaved families, and expresses its solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan.

Mr Mancel continued by calling on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to ensure implementation of the four UN Security Council resolutions.

Similar sentiments were expressed in Berlin by Olav Gutting, Bundestag Member, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who wrote: “I ask for the immediate suspension of attacks that target the civilian population, and for the ceasefire agreement to be upheld. I furthermore ask both parties to seek a peaceful solution at the negotiation table. Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions are and will remain an integral part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan…only the immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops can lead to a sustainable, long-term solution of the conflict and avoid further innocent civilian victims.”

Marco Wanderwitz, his fellow CDU Bundestag member, stated: “This week, innocent civilians have sadly become – yet again – victims of the ongoing conflict about Nagorno-Karabakh…we are very worried by this news about a further escalation of the conflict.

“Only negotiations can lead to a longterm solution, and attacks on the civilian population have to end immediately. The

The small, flower-laden grave of two-year-old Zahra Guliyeva, a victim of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict before her life truly began

The plaintive memorial at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow

current status quo, whereby NagornoKarabakh and the seven surrounding regions have remained occupied by Armenia for over 20 years, resulting in devastating consequences for the IDPs and refugees, is no longer bearable.”

Katrin Albsteiger, Bundestag Member, Christian Social Union, stated: “It is obvious that these resolutions have to be complied with, and therefore the withdrawal of Armenian forces is necessary.” She concluded: “The IDPs have a right to return. Only by restoring the sovereignty of Azerbaijan and ensuring the inviolability of its territory can they return to their homeland.

“Germany condemns the violent encounters over Nagorno-Karabakh, and demands an immediate end to the clashes and the observance of the ceasefire agreement.

The civilian population must not be made the main victim of violent confrontations.”

H.E. Robert Cekuta, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, commented that the civilian deaths served to reiterate the need for the peace talks between the sides to advance.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “You have seen the statements made by ourselves, the US State Department, the OSCE Minsk Group and other governments regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. I would like to stress the importance of moving towards the negotiated settlement.

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Politics and News

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Norica Nicolai, Romanian MEP and European Parliament rapporteur for Azerbaijan, harshly criticised Armenia for causing civilian deaths. She was at pains to explain that the latest incident did not occur in Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but in an adjacent area, which is home to the peaceful Azerbaijani population. Petras Austrevicius, Lithuanian MEP, stressed that further escalation of the conflict was possible in the light of such actions.

Zeljana Zovko, Croatian MEP, explained that only a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible. She stated that such tensions inevitably lead to civilian deaths. Several other MEPs also addressed the meeting, expressing their concerns about the incidents taking place on the ‘contact line’.

Demonstrations by members of the Azerbaijani diaspora took place across the world. One of the most noisy and heartfelt took place outside of the Armenian Embassy in London on 9 July.

Carrying such signs as ‘Baby Killers’, ‘International Community should stop Armenian aggression’ and ‘Sargsyan – War Criminal’ and shouting slogans like ‘Armenian government – child killers’, ‘Justice for Zahra’ and ‘We want justice – we want it now’, the protest attracted a great deal of interest from passing Londoners and ended on an emotional note with the playing of the Azerbaijani national anthem.

In an emotive reconstruction, the also brought directly to the steps London. In memory of Zahra, five dismembered dolls were strewn on

The simple, yet effective symbolic protest of bloody dolls, placed on the steps of the Armenian Embassy in London

“One thing that we have to remember is there is no military solution to this problem. The solution has to be found in terms of parties coming together to negotiate and work to achieve a settlement.”

Meanwhile, the attack was resoundingly condemned in the European Parliament. Nicole Manescu MEP told Trend News: “I strongly condemn the recent attack by the Armenian armed forces using mortars and heavy grenade launchers. This attack is completely against the multiple UN and European Parliament resolutions that call for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories.”

Mrs Manescu went on to express particular concern that the killings took place in internationally-recognised Azerbaijani territory. She remarked: “It is inadmissible, under any international or national legislation, for the peaceful citizens of one country to be killed in their own homeland by the armed forces of another country. It is a direct attack on the sovereignty of the state.” The MEP noted that the conflict has caused great instability across the entire Caucasus region, and that the killing of civilians in unoccupied territories constituted a new and terrible development. She acknowledged: “Its extension to new and hitherto uncontaminated areas is too much.”

According to the Azerbaijani Delegation to the Euronest PA, the incident was subsequently discussed at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). Addressing the meeting, Ivo Vajgl MEP (Slovenia) pointed out the realities of the occupation. He explained that everyone knows which side is interested in the conflict, and stressed the need for serious efforts to resolve the conflict in this particular region, which is key to the future of EU energy security.

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carnage of the tragedy was of the Armenian Embassy in battered, bruised and bloody the Embassy steps.

Meanwhile, HE Polad Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia, recalled during a mourning reception: “This is not the first time when civilians, including children, die. There were cases when booby-trapped toys were deliberately thrown into the river, and mines have killed several Azerbaijani children. To our regret, we did not hear any words of condemnation from the international community at this time.

“Two-year-old Zahra gave her life so that the world would understand that this conflict should be stopped, in accordance with international law. Civilians are dying, children are dying, and civil infrastructure is being destroyed. But the world is indifferent and we remember every martyr who gave his life for the freedom of his homeland. But it’s one thing when they kill soldiers, and another thing when they kill civilians. It’s even more tragic when they kill small children.”

The killings were also condemned by Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson, Russian Foreign Ministry, who said: “We express condolences to the relatives of those who died, consider further bloodshed to be unacceptable, and call upon the parties to take the necessary action to stabilise the situation.”

Subsequently, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs – Ambassador Igor Popov (Russian Federation), Ambassador Stephane Visconti (France) and Ambassador Richard Hoagland (USA) met Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and Edward Nalbandian, his Armenian counterpart, in Brussels on 11 July, to discuss the future direction of work, aimed at resolving the conflict. The meeting was also attended by Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

The Ministers agreed to pass to their Presidents the Co-Chairs’ proposal for a high-level meeting later this year, and pledged to meet again in New York in September on the margins of the UN General Assembly session.

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Politics and News

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and arch rival Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) took their feud to the asphalted streets of Baku

Azerbaijan Grand Prix sees F1 full of incident The second Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 25 June on the Baku City Circuit saw the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) pip Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) to fourth place, extending his championship lead to 14 points. However, the battle on this occasion became acrimonious – and solely due to the actions of Sebastian Vettel.

The race provided numerous talking points for F1 pundits, but the biggest was undeniably the clash between the Ferrari driver and Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel slammed his car into the back of Hamilton as they prepared for one of three restarts, damaging his front wing and the floor of the Mercedes. Then Vettel pulled his Ferrari alongside Hamilton, gesticulated and swerved at him, banging wheels. This was a shocking moment, as this was one driver making a conscious angry decision to turn his steering wheel to collide with another.

Speaking during a press conference, Vettel

provided some insubstantial excuses: “F1 is for grown-ups. I drove alongside and we had a small amount of contact. I wasn’t happy with the ‘brake-testing’. I drove alongside him and raised my hand to say that is not the way to do it.”

The technique of ‘brake-testing’ is when the driver in front deliberately slows down to cause problems for the car following behind. It is a risky tactic, because contact in such an incident can damage either or both cars.

Hamilton was livid, replying: “If he wants to prove he’s a man, we should do it out of the car face-to-face.” He added that he felt the German had “disgraced himself”, and continued: “I don’t fancy seeing him.

It might turn into something else.”

It was already developing into a thrilling season, with two greats of the sport locked in combat in evenly-matched cars, set to duel it out through a marathon 20-race

season. However, this action added an extra dimension to the battle, which Vettel now leads by 14 points after finishing a place ahead of his rival in fourth.

Following the race, Vettel explained that he would seek out Hamilton once they had left Baku to talk the incident through.

He continued: “It is still respectful. I don’t have a problem with him – it is just one action today that was wrong. I am willing to sort it out with him. I don’t think there is much to sort out. I will talk to him when you (the media) are not there and then we move on.”

Speaking to Channel 4, Hamilton was resolute about carrying on the struggle. He predicted: “I am going to keep going. We had the upper hand this weekend. We can continue to move forwards in the future.

Through difficult times, true colours show, so it is a good day for me.” Go to http://bit. ly/azgrandprix2017 to see highlights from this exciting race.

Educational development in the spotlight The 11th Azerbaijan International Education Exhibition, the only education sector event in the country organised with the support and active participation of the Azerbaijani Education Ministry, will run from 6–8 October at the Baku Expo Centre.

Exhibitors will include universities, colleges and other educational institutions from Azerbaijan, Belgium, Hungary, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Singapore, and Slovakia, amongst others. In particular, the Polish Foundation for the Development of Educational Systems will provide information on opportunities for the education of Azerbaijani students abroad.

During the exhibition, visitors will be presented with bachelors, masters and postgraduate programmes, including secondary higher education and MBA courses, foreign language for business courses, internships and training sessions. Exhibition visitors will also have the opportunity to speak to representatives from leading higher educational institutions directly.

Local exhibitors will include the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry; Azerbaijan Technical University, Sumgait State University, Azerbaijan University of Technology (Ganja), National Aviation Academy, and Western University.

For the first time, the exhibition will also host B2B meetings between foreign universities, local education centres and parents who are interested in overseas education for their children. Visit www.eduexpo.az to find out more.

The exhibition will also include laboratory equipment, interactive whiteboards, computers for secondary and higher education institutions, and hardware and software for language and multimedia laboratories.

Zetter brings the pain of Khojaly to Central London Superfit Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, participated in the Virgin British 10k race, finishing the course in an enviable one hour and ten minutes. After catching his breath in the sweltering heat, Lionel commented: “It was great to able to run around the many magnificent sights of Westminster, and to raise funds for the charity Operation Smile, which assists those born with

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cleft palates around the world.” As with his Brighton Marathon run, Lionel wore a black armband commemorating the 613 civilians killed by Armenian forces during the Khojaly Massacre 25 years ago, being the worst single incident of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict. Go to www. operationsmile.org.uk to contribute to the invaluable work of Operation Smile.

Lionel Zetter ran to raise funds for Operation Smile – focusing on cleft palates – but also to raise awareness of the Khojaly Massacre victims

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Politics and News

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The realities of Azerbaijani womanhood voiced in Parliament Ulviyye Taghizade, Representative of Azerbaijani Women Entrepreneurs; founder of the Azerbaijani Ladies in the UK organisation and Honorary Member of the European Women’s Energy Club (EWEC), has given a landmark speech in the Palace of Westminster. Participating in a debate entitled Women Entrepreneurs and the Media, she spoke alongside a range of other speakers, including HRH Katarina Karadjordjevic of Yugoslavia.

The event was organised by Pro Art & Co and supported by the UK Parliament Outreach and Engagement Team.

After explaining the history of women’s rights in Azerbaijan – including the granting of women’s suffrage to all women over the age of 18 in 1918 under the short-lived government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, in advance of the US and most European countries – she outlined the lives and careers of seven inspirational Azerbaijani women living in the UK. These were Mila Askarova, founder of the Gazelli Art House; Gyunel Rustamova, founder of the Gyunel Fashion Brand; Sabina Metcalf, translator and fashion blogger; Simuzar Balaoghlanova, founder of the

Energy economics in the spotlight

The second International Association for Energy Economics Conference (IAEE), will be held in Zagreb, Croatia from 12– 14 October, for which TEAS is a media sponsor. Topics will include Geopolitical Impacts on the Energy Sector in Eurasia, Economics of Oil and Gas and Renewables in Eurasia, and site visits will include the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant and the Okoli Underground Gas Storage facility. Visit www. eurasianconference.org to find out more.

Ulviyye Taghizade – dressed in a creation

by Gyunel Rustamova – sits alongside other panellists

business development and educational company Caspian-Khazri; violinists Nazrin Rashidova and Sabina Rakcheyeva; and Jamila Askarova, Founder, Gazelli Skincare.

Steady population growth continues in Azerbaijan

The ongoing Azerbaijan population boom has continued this year, having increased by 33,050 people or 0.3 per cent since early 2017. According to the Azerbaijan State Statistics Committee, on 1 June the Azerbaijani population reached the level of 9,843,031 people. This saw population density reach 114 people per km 2, of which 53 per cent of the total population was urban, and 49.9 per cent were male. Currently, there are 1,006 women for every 1,000 men.

The Azerbaijani population will reach 10.68m people by 2030 and 11.03m people by 2050, according to a new UN report by the Azerbaijani Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. This report also predicts that life expectancy at birth will increase in Azerbaijan from 72.1 years at the present time to 75.7 years by 2045 and 82.6 years by 2095.

RIBA International Prize: call for entries The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the second edition of its RIBA International Prize, the highly prestigious award for the world’s best new building. The Heydar Aliyev Centre by Zaha Hadid was shortlisted for the inaugural award in 2016, where it achieved the Award for International Excellence.

The winner will be announced during the inaugural RIBA International Week (3–7 July 2017). The 2018 RIBA International Prize will be awarded to a building that exemplifies design excellence, architectural ambition and delivers a meaningful

New Ambassador for France Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to appoint H.E. Rahman Mustafayev as the new Azerbaijani Ambassador to France and the Principality of Monaco. He was previously the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Greece and Albania. The outgoing Ambassador, H.E. Elchin Amirbayov, has been appointed as an advisor to Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Mustafayev began his diplomatic career 30 years ago, and his positions have included Head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the State Property Committee and Counsellor to the Russian Federation. He began his tenure in Athens in 2009.

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social impact. The prize is open to any qualified architect in the world, for a building of any size, type or budget. Entries close on 17 October 2017.

The Grand Jury will be led by Elizabeth Diller, partner of acclaimed US firm, Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, and the panel will include Joshua Bolchover, Co-founder of Hong Kong-based research and design collaborative Rural Urban Framework, and acclaimed British choreographer Wayne McGregor CBE. The winning building will be announced in November 2018. Go to http://bit.ly/ribaintprize2018 for more information.

Azerbaijani oil history summed up

The Concise History of Azerbaijani Oil is a publication by Professor Mir-Yusif MirBabayev, Azerbaijan Technical University, that chronicles various milestones from the Baku oil industry, ranging from the sinking of the first mechanical oil well in the world in 1846 to the current status of the region as the main source for Caspian oil.

By 1899, Baku was responsible for producing 50 per cent of the oil in the world, making it the No.1 producing country, surpassing the 40m barrels of oil per day (BOPD) output of the US. In 1949, Baku oilmen constructed Oil Rocks, the first offshore oil platform in the world, which has produced more than 170m tonnes of oil, to date, and 15bn m 3 (bcm) of gas.

The first volume was published in 2008, and the second volume brings the story up to the current time, using thousands of hours of research and hundreds of references, making the volumes essential reference books for any oil scholar’s library. Each volume is $20 (£15.35) each, plus postage and packing, and can be ordered from mirbm0@bp.com.

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Politics and News

Azerbaijanis in the World – a network for like-minded expatriates: professionals, skilled workers and students

by Aygun Ismayilova

You probably have already noticed the buzz about brand name Azerbaijanis in the World. The name is often popping-up in social networks recently, despite only being launched in April 2017.

The first question that comes to mind about this organisation is how this initiative differs from existing networks? As the network’s initiators state, this is a project focusing on human interaction and has a very clear target audience – Azerbaijani expatriates: professionals, skilled workers and students abroad.

Indeed, there are many networks of Azerbaijani expats, but this one has a different mission – to reach out Azerbaijani professionals, stimulate interactions between them, find points of interest, strengthen ties, and help build personal and professional contacts on different levels. Who can be a better advisor and supporter for you in a new country than an experienced compatriot?

As the network has expanded, it has transpired that there are many interesting and successful Azerbaijanis in the World, many of whom are unaware of each other, even though they have been living in the same cities for years. As a network of Azerbaijani professionals has been absent hitherto, Azerbaijanis in the World is plugging this gap.

The network revolves around three main activities: 1.Story-telling People’s stories and openness to tell their own stories is important.

It encourages communication and interaction between like-minded actors. They realise that they are not alone on this path, and have people around upon whom they can count. Within this project, people connect, both due to their similar origin and common points of interest, which can be much stronger than other factors.

A few of the influential Azerbaijani rolemodels showcased on the Azerbaijanis in the World portal

2.Sharing ideas and experience We all have great ideas, but often struggle to implement them in a familiar environment, not to mention in a foreign country. The experience and success of others encourages people and proves there is no limit to our dreams.

3.Organising meet-ups and business events Group members communicate via social media tools every day, but meeting in person is crucial for building trust. Each meeting attracts new members, and there will be further expansion of this network as people feel confident in recommending it to others. There have already been successful meet-ups in Brussels and Amsterdam. Italy, France and Germany are the next destinations.

New destinations are not the sole target, as we are seeking to enhance interaction between Azerbaijanis themselves, as well as with local professional communities in each country.

Azerbaijanis in the World is open to all Azerbaijani expats who want to benefit from a common network and is open to input towards further development of the group. For more info, go to www.aziwnetwork.com, where there are also links to the Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter sites.

Raising educational standards Azerbaijan is in the process of overhauling the foundations of its education system with the help of international educators.

The country is committed towards offering training for local teachers in modern educational methods, effectively leapfrogging a development process that has prevailed since the Soviet era.

Bill Martin, a leading US educator and coauthor of a new book entitled Schools that Deliver, which will be published in Azerbaijani later this year by TEAS Press, commented: “Azerbaijan is bringing about rapid change in education. Teachers are the most valuable resource for the development of nations, and Azerbaijan takes this seriously.”

Mr Martin ranks amongst the key international educators participating in the Principal’s Leadership Institute, a year-long programme organised by the Azerbaijan Teacher Development Centre (ATDC), that provides critical mentoring and support for principals and school directors as they seek to implement changes in their schools.

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He outlined: “The Institute will focus on contextual relevance and richness, blending the best of Azerbaijani practical competence with a richly researched international repertoire. It will be an Azerbaijani institute for Azerbaijanis.”

Founded by TEAS, the ATDC provides ongoing professional development for teachers, implementing strategies made in the wake of the latest research on child-learning research. The ATDC in Baku, which was opened in November 2016, has already trained more than 1000 teachers from nine Azerbaijani regions, which effectively means that more than 30,000 students are now benefitting from the changes and enhanced teaching quality.

Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS, said: “We have implemented an innovative, novel approach, aimed at developing the skills of our teachers by integrating international best practice, thereby bringing the best of education to Azerbaijan.”

Graeme Pollock, a New Zealander who is Director of the ATDC, stressed the importance of delivering programmes to support English-language teaching in schools. He said: “In today’s connected, globalised world, English has become a prerequisite. In Baku alone, we have established four English Conversation Clubs that focus specifically on topics related to education, such as assessment, engaging learning or lesson-planning to incorporate learning objectives and success criteria.”

The centre is expected to train about 3000 educators a year, directly impacting close to 100,000 students, and has implemented the International Teachers Certificate programme in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). Mr Martin acknowledged: “Azerbaijan is not only willing to change – it is actively implementing an educational transformation that will have a lasting and positive impact on the country.” Visit www. azteachers.az for further information.

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Culture

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The soul, music and poetry of Vagif Samedoglu comes to Paris

On 6 June, the Maison d’Azerbaïjan (MDA; Azerbaijani House in Paris) and the Samad Vurgun Museum in Baku, with the assistance of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, organised a recital of works by the great Azerbaijani poet Vagif Samedoglu (1939–2015). The evening marked the launch of a French translation of his works entitled Un jour j’ai été le sourire (One day when I smiled), and culminated in a classical piano recital by Vurgun Vekilov, greatgrandson of fellow poet Samad Vurgun. The evening was hosted at the Cultural Service of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

The evening was compered by Nathanaël Becker, member of l’Association des Amis de l’Azerbaïjan (AAA, Azerbaijan Friends Association), and began with a presentation by Mirvari Fataliyeva, President, MDA and Secretary-General, AAA, who introduced the work of Vagif Samedoglu, one of the major exponents of contemporary Azerbaijani poetry, whose verses continue to speak to the younger generation.

H.E. Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France, stressed the courage of this poet, who continued to pursue his art, despite Soviet censorship and being unable to be published until Azerbaijani independence was regained. He recalled that Mr Samedoglu often stated that he was born in 1939, yet was imprisoned in 1937, the most terrible year in Stalin’s oppression of artists and intellectuals.

The evening continued with comments by Aliya Samedova, French translator of the new book and Anne-Marie Pauleau, editor, who exchanged perspectives on the poetry and the role of the publication in enabling expatriate Azerbaijanis in France to rediscover this great poet and to explain the magnificence of the imagery in his verses to French speakers.

Speakers, attendees, reciters and representatives of the Samad Vurgun Museum stand alongside outgoing H.E. Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France, following the reverential tribute to Vagif Samedoglu

Mrs Pauleau made some French literary comparisons: “He has the simplicity of a (Jacques) Prévert, yet accompanied by a chiseled approach, akin to that of Apollinaire”, bearing testament to the ingenuity and uniqueness of this master of verse, who also presented jazz programmes on Azerbaijani television.

Mrs Nushabe Vekilova, Director, Samad Vurgun Museum and widow of Mr Samedoglu, went on to explain how he dreamed of Azerbaijani independence and was forced to surmount numerous obstacles in his career. She stated that he had a free spirit and great will. Mrs Vekilova commented that since becoming director of the museum in 2015, she had worked to honour the memory of her husband, who belongs to modern folklore as a prime exemplar of Azerbaijani poetry.

Jean-Pierre Allali, writer, journalist and AAA member and Pascal Payen-Appenzeller, poet-historian, concluded the debate by explaining that his work needs to be known by all and that his homeland is the birthplace of many poets who have been published across the world. Following the readings, the piano recital, which included jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab’s Letter to my Father, provided space for reflection and contemplation.

Leading Azerbaijani poet pens sensitive new verse dedicated to Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees

Nigar Hasan-Zadeh is one of the leading living Azerbaijani poets.

She is currently Director of the Soz Literary Project, run by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is a member of the Azerbaijani Writers’ Union and a member of Pen International, which has promoted freedom of expression through literature since 1939.

The world of torrents of tears, The world of veins like lightning

On the occasion of UN World Refugee Day on 20 June, Nigar applied her poetic talent to highlighting the plight of the Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees who are the ongoing victims of the Armenian– Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The world has become tight, has become maddeningly small, for life in it, for those whom the world would not hear.

The poem – translated by Christopher Arkell, former editor of The London Magazine, the oldest British literary periodical and Editorin-Chief of The London Miscellany – is equally relevant to all refugees in the world, as for specifically the Azerbaijani situation: This is the world where millions of shattered souls are moaning, This is the world of bloodied unshaven faces, Of birds that are mute, This is the world of blind executioners, who are above the world, This is the world of hacking swords.

The blind trader, Without reflections and mirrors.

This is the world of the rats, to whom all the others are mere mice, The ships sink without oceans, Countries are wiped out from the map.

In the deserts there are wandering prayers, delivered in a colourless voice, and the faith is fading in greyness, Saliva is full of dust, This is the world where men, women are all on their own!

The world is a refugee, A stranger in a house which brings no comfort to the dweller, Where the refugee world is begging for bread and water, This is the world of destitution!

This is the world of weeping candles, of sleepless nights Of cemeteries missing putrid graves, The world of lost hopes, of lost garments of countless motherless children, children, children, This is the world of ruling ignoramuses,

But you! You exist in this world, you are alive and spared among the millions of the dead bodies, you exist!

My world of the worldly revenge, of my goodness, of the last light in which the dawn is waiting to touch leads that are too heavy,

The world of cindered hearths and walls!

Yes! You exist, my world, my human.

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Focus: World Refugee Day Stark reminders of Azerbaijan’s IDP plight come to Brussels, Paris and London

American photojournalist Ed Kashi recalled that many of the IDPs residing in camps across Azerbaijan had comfortable lives before the Armenian invasion (Photos: Bruno Mariani)

Designated as World Refugee Day in 2000 by the UN to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passing of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 20 June is acknowledged across the world as the day to remember the dispossessed; those unfortunate victims of conflict and war across the world. At present, refugees from such conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, and the subsequent pan-European migration crisis, have come into stark focus. However, one casualty is that the hierarchy of news importance often results in longstanding tragedies being overlooked, particularly if they were inadequately reported at the time.

One example of this was the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. This resulted in the illegal Armenian occupation of approximately 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory, leading an estimated one million Azerbaijanis to become refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). This equates to 10 per

cent of the population, representing one of the highest levels of displacement per capita in the world.

Initially living in extremely challenging conditions, the Azerbaijani government has done much to rehouse the affected populations so they have access to the basics of life – clean water, sanitation, adequate food and educational facilities are now available to the two generations of children who have never seen their homeland.

However, all maintain a fervent desire to return to their native lands.

On and around 20 June, TEAS organised events in Brussels, Paris and London to highlight the oft-forgotten plight of Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees. The first of these was hosted at the Press Club Brussels Europe, located in the heart of the diplomatic quarter and in the shadow of the European Parliament, before an audience of pan-European journalists. It was organised by TEAS Benelux and supported by the VII Photo Agency.

Ed stands alongside one his poignant vignettes from Azerbaijani IDP life

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Focus: World Refugee Day

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The speakers at the French Senate debate demonstrated unique insight (from left) André Reichardt, Senator for the Bas-Rhin region and President of the France-Caucasus Friendship Group in the French Senate; Yamina Benguigui, Former French Minister, President, IRSE; Edouard Detaille, President, IHEDN; and Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France (Photo: Stylin’Co)

This unresolved humanitarian crisis led American photographer Ed Kashi, whose work has been published by Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, Time and the National Geographic, to turn his socially-aware lens to the IDP camps. Recognising that it was impossible to capture the full enormity of the crisis, he decided to just focus on a few vignettes of everyday life in the camps in western Azerbaijan. These include children playing football, wearing replica shirts emblazoned with the names of their Manchester United heroes; a father and daughter – both of whom lost loved ones in the war – cooking together; and a mother holding the photo of her dead child, killed by an Armenian sniper’s bullet along the ‘contact line’ between Azerbaijan and the Armenian-occupied territories. All photographs in this exhibition entitled Unresolved Dreams: Azerbaijan’s Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons emphasised the common humanity that we all share, regardless of culture or religion.

Speaking against a backdrop of photos and footage taken during the shoot, edited by Julie Winokur, Ed explained: “My family fled Iraq during the 1940s, so we know the tragedy of displacement.

Unfortunately, the refugee/IDP issue has affected a seemingly endless number of countries, but the reasons for these issues are often underreported. The populations involved often feel lost and hopeless. They all want to return home.

“My intention in taking these photos was to help viewers see behind the statistics and realise that the issue needs to be resolved. Many of the people in the photos are suffering health problems due to

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their conditions. They were affluent back in Nagorno-Karabakh, and their lives have been impacted severely.”

Marc Verwilghen, Director, TEAS Benelux, commented: “According to the most recent statistics from the UNHCR, the number of refugees and IDPs worldwide is constantly increasing, now equating to almost 66m people.

“We cannot consider this problem as a ‘far from our bed show’… even in our Belgian history, we remember the phenomenon of the refugees during both World Wars. Today, TEAS Benelux is bringing to your attention the fate of the almost one million Azerbaijanis, who fled their homes and lands due to the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Despite the passing of four UN Security Council resolutions, one UN General Assembly resolution and rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) condemning Armenia, nothing has changed for over 20 years. Armenia continues to resist accepting responsibility for its actions over Nagorno-Karabakh.

As a former Minister of Justice, I acknowledge that Azerbaijan is on the correct side of international law. Azerbaijan is a direct neighbour to the EU, and it needs to play its part in resolving this issue.”

H.E. Fuad Isgandarov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, commented: “Refugees are all around

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Focus: World Refugee Day Legendary US journalist Thomas Goltz presented his remarkable documentary On Aggregate, charting the trials and tribulations of the Qarabag FK football club – the team that ‘always plays away from home’ (Photos: Andrew Wiard)

us – even in the streets of Brussels – and the concept of the refugee is very familiar. These are exceptional photographs, and I personally knew many of the people photographed by Ed Kashi in the camps before I entered the diplomatic service. It must be remembered these Azerbaijani IDPs are representatives of European civilisation, and that the conflict that caused them to become IDPs happened over 25 years ago. Many of them became IDPs when they were very young, but they still want to return home. Azerbaijanis – as a nation – have a very strong attachment to their homeland.

“My hope is that events such as today will enhance understanding of the issues, and that a swift solution to the conflict, and the plight of these people, needs to be found.”

Amanda Paul, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre (EPC), stated: “This is a sad and sensitive topic. Azerbaijan is home to the second largest IDP population per capita in the world. My second family – from Azerbaijan – is from Kalbajar – and they were forced to flee during the war. Every day, their thoughts are focused on Kalbajar, including that of the matriarch of the family, who will probably never return.

“The victims are just ordinary people, like you and me.

Displacement is the great problem of our age, but the South Caucasus – including Georgia – has a disproportionately large number. I would like to remind you of the case of Chiragov and others vs. Armenia, where the ECHR resoundingly condemned Armenia. Furthermore, the occupying Armenians have deliberately destroyed houses and infrastructure.

“We need a new format for the peace process, and need to make serious steps towards this, beginning with the return with some of the occupied territories.”

The presentation ended with a lively and informed question-andanswer session covering such areas as the impact of assimilation on IDP children who have never seen their homeland; new strategies for diplomatic conflict resolution; and Ed Kashi’s journalistic reasons for focusing on IDP children and youths in the exhibition.

The following day, TEAS France organised a landmark conference entitled The Consequences of a Forgotten Conflict for France: The Current Situation and Prospects for Refugees and IDPs in the

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long-term – Azerbaijan as a case study, hosted in the Palais du Luxembourg, home of the French Senate. The event was organised in conjunction with the Robert Schumann Institute for Europe (IRSE) and the Paris-based regional association of the Higher Institute for Defence Studies (IHEDN). It took place under the patronage of André Reichardt, Senator for the Bas-Rhin region and President of the France-Caucasus Friendship Group in the French Senate, and was attended by over 50 people, including diplomats, senators, athletes, UNESCO representatives and civil society.

Senator Reichardt opened by saying: “It is very significant that today’s event is being hosted in the Senate. In Azerbaijan, many thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict, but the vast majority are IDPs. Despite the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group has been working to achieve a negotiated peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia for over 20 years, the situation needs to be addressed by the international community. All IDPs and refugees still harbour one wish – to return home – even though the Azerbaijani government has done much to improve their living conditions.

“A new ‘contact line’ was drawn after the ‘Four Day War’ of 2016, and there were many calls within Azerbaijan to liberate the territories. But Azerbaijan has always said it supports peaceful conflict resolution. The OSCE Minsk Group has not achieved its objective, to date, and we need to adopt new strategies. A just, negotiated solution is imperative. The new concept for civil society contacts between the sides fills me with hope.”

Yamina Benguigui, Former French Minister, President, IRSE, reflected: “The objective of IRSE is to create solidarity between peoples. Due to the current migration crisis, the issues of IDPs and refugees are receiving greater attention in Western Europe.

There are around a million IDPs and refugees in Azerbaijan, and new civil society initiatives are very valuable. This presents an opportunity for dialogue, and both Azerbaijan and France have a responsible role to play in facilitating this.

“We fully support the return of foreign populations to their homeland, and this is one of the basic rights of mankind. We need to open the doors of hope.”

In her introduction, Marie-Laetitia Gourdin, Director, TEAS France, commented: “The Armenian occupation has been

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Focus: World Refugee Day

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internationally condemned many times, including resolutions by the UN Security Council and the European Parliament, amongst others. The purpose of today’s conference is, on one side, to enhance understanding of the refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan – by presenting the geopolitical context and their own testimony. On the other side, we will look towards the potential for a just, peaceful resolution to the conflict, both from the diplomatic perspective and through the actions of civil society.”

Fuad Husyenov, Vice-President, Azerbaijani State Committee for IDPs and Refugees, commented: “This issue is the No.1 problem for Azerbaijan. There has been excellent Franco– Azerbaijani relations for 25 years. This issue has continued throughout that time. Currently, one-tenth of the population is displaced, and this has had a tremendous economic impact on Azerbaijan. However, the issue continues, due to the nonconstructive stance of the Armenian authorities.

Edouard Detaille, President, IHEDN, explained: “We always consider national defence and look for the intersections and intercultural dialogue to alleviate issues. We must understand the underlying problems that lead people to become refugees and IDPs.”

“There are two main objectives of the State Committee: firstly, to improve social conditions; and secondly, a strategy for returning populations to their lands, following conflict resolution. Even though the EU is afflicted by migration, the specific nature of the Azerbaijani problem is not widely understood. Much has been done to improve the living conditions of IDPs and refugees, and 250,000 people have been rehoused, but still over 400,000 live in very difficult conditions.

H.E. Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France, speaking against the backdrop of a map demonstrating the extent of Armenian aggression, said: “Resolving the IDP issue in the South Caucasus is in the interests of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

This has been a forgotten conflict that developed during the fall of the Soviet Union. Each week, soldiers are killed on the ‘contact line’. Armenia undertook ethnic cleansing against the Azerbaijani civilian population.

“There were parallels between the Khojaly Massacre, perpetrated by the Armenians, and the massacre of the population of Oradoursur-Glane by the Nazis in 1944 during World War II. The Armenian occupation has been condemned in four UN Security Council resolutions. We need to achieve rapprochement between the countries, and this would be a major step towards resolution.

However, this has been impacted by the non-constructive attitude of the Armenian government and the ineffectiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group.

“The Azerbaijani government has done much to alleviate the conditions faced by IDPs and refugees. However, all the regions remain under occupation. The impact of the ‘Four Day War’ demonstrated the importance of this issue to the Azerbaijani population. Armenia provoked Azerbaijan into retaliation in 2016, but it now needs to come to the negotiating table. There are IDPs and refugees in 60 districts of Azerbaijan and they need to return home. This is an intolerable situation for Azerbaijan.

“I am hopeful that the new French Administration under Emmanuel Macron will expand French efforts towards achieving an expeditious conclusion to this occupation.”

After screening a short film, directed by Thomas Goltz, entitled Offside, about the Qarabag FK football club – the team that always plays ‘away’ from home since its Aghdam-based stadium was occupied by Armenian forces in 1993 – French taekwondo master Pascal Gentil spoke about the power of sport. He referred to his recent engagement in a taekwondo competition for refugees that took place in Paris a few days ago, and explained how participation in sport can impart a sense of solidarity. He also commented on the potential for Azerbaijan to play a role in the Peace and Sport initiative, which operates under H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Pascal Gentil being himself a Champion for Peace under this organisation.

Samuel Carcanague, Researcher, Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), explained: “This impasse has continued for 24 years, violating international law, and that is due to Armenian intransigence. The ‘Four Day War’ demonstrated the enthusiasm of Azerbaijanis to return home, but there is a need for peaceful resolution. New dialogue between the sides is essential to achieve this.”

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“Only one element of the Great Return Programme has been implemented so far – to Jojug Marjanli – the town liberated during the ‘Four Day War ’. We guarantee that, when the conflict ends, there will be equal rights for the Armenian and Azerbaijani populations.”

Rovshan Rzayev, Azerbaijani Parliamentary Deputy and Co-founder, Armenian–Azerbaijani Peace Platform, a new initiative aimed at bringing the sides together through the actions of civil society, explained: “The Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh support dialogue with their Armenian counterparts, and seeks peaceful resolution.

“New dialogue must happen, yet the Armenian side is absent.

Not a single positive response has been received from official Armenia towards the Peace Platform. Meanwhile, young men are killed on the ‘contact line’ every day. We aim to transmit a message of peace.”

H.E. Bernard Fassier, Ambassador and Former French CoChair representative, OSCE Minsk Group, commented: “The OSCE Minsk Group has been spearheading the dialogue for over 20 years. It needs a new force to fuel the negotiations. The Madrid Principles were placed on the table in 2009, and were agreed by Baku, but not Yerevan. Armenia constantly calls for the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh to be recognised, but this is occupied territory.

“We must avoid a second war. The international community must not indefinitely accept the status quo. There must be a new air of compromise between the Presidents and a new culture of negotiation.”

T h e q u e s t i o n - a n d - a n s w e r s e s s i o n c o v e r e d v a ri e d to p i cs, i n c l u d i n g i n c r e a s i n g t h e r o l e o f G e r m a n y i n t h e OSC E M i n sk G r o u p p r o c e s s ; t h e r o l e o f A r m e n i a n P r e s i d e n t S a r g sya n i n t h e K h o j a l y M a s s a c r e ; t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n R u ssi a a n d A r m e n i a ; t h e i n t r a n s i g e n c e a n d a g g r e s s i o n o f t h e Ar m e n i a n d i a s p o r a i n F r a n c e ; a n d t h e r o l e o f a r t i n sti m u l a ti n g dialogue.

The third event took place on 22 June at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC ‘The Blues’. Generally, football and sports are great levellers. Regardless of ethnicity, religious confession, nationality or culture, the rules of sports are understood across the world. However, sometimes sports can be a casualty of conflict, and that was the case with Qarabag

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Focus: World Refugee Day

(from left) Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS; Thomas Goltz and Jack Pegoraro, Director, TEAS London reflect on the significance of On Aggregate

FK. Located in Aghdam, its home ground came under fire from Armenian invading forces in 1993 as they occupied NagornoKarabakh and the seven surrounding regions. Chief coach Allahverdi Bagirov was blown up by a landmine, and the whole team eventually decamped to the Azerbaijani national stadium, named after Tofig Bahramov, the so-called ‘Russian linesman’, whose decision to award a contentious goal to the England team during the 1966 World Cup Final cemented the historic win over West Germany.

Affectionately named ‘The Horsemen’ after the eponymouslynamed Karabakh Horse – a small, sturdy, golden-haired beast frequently used in the Azerbaijani game of chovgan, an antecedent of polo – the Qarabag FK team have gone from strength-to-strength in footballing terms, and in 2014 reached the dizzying heights of the Group stage in the Europa League.

This amazing story led American journalist and writer Thomas Goltz, who was present at the rebirth of independent Azerbaijan in 1991, which he chronicled in his book Azerbaijan Diary, to make the documentary On Aggregate about the trials and tribulations of the team.

Prefacing the film before its European premiere, Jack Pegoraro, Director, TEAS London, provided some context: “Unfortunately, the name of UN World Refugee Day does not currently reflect the challenges faced by IDPs, which is extraordinary as there are now more IDPs in the world than refugees. Over 25 years ago, Armenia started a war that resulted in the occupation of the Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions. Nearly

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one million people became IDPs and refugees, and despite the passing of four UN Security Council resolutions condemning Armenia, none of the displaced has been able to return home.

“This has given rise to the situation in this film, where Qarabag FK has been unable to play ‘at home’ for 26 years.”

During the film, it became evident that political significance of the team has helped it garner widespread support across Azerbaijan, particularly when participating in the Europa League.

As one banner, proudly hoisted aloft by fans during the match against the mighty Inter Milan, read: “Qarabag – More than a Team”.

The lively and informed audience of both football fans and friends of Azerbaijan confronted Thomas with a wide range of questions, including the submission of the film to film festival competitions; Azerbaijani players’ pay; Thomas’ own discovery of the ‘beautiful game’, as an American raised on a diet of baseball and American football; his approach to football filmmaking as someone with limited referential knowledge of the game; and suggestions for raising the quality of the Azerbaijani national team.

When asked about the possibility of visiting Aghdam, Thomas replied: “Aghdam, as with all of Nagorno-Karabakh, remains strictly off-limits. The town has been completely razed to the ground. As one enters the town, there is a wall of car license plates from Azerbaijani vehicles seized by the Armenians when they invaded the town in 1993. All have the prefix ‘02’– signifying the vehicles were registered in Aghdam.”

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Business News

15

Mard: EU–Azerbaijan talks – not rapid, but good result

Speaking in Baku, Malena Mard, Head, EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, commented that a good, rather than rapid, result is more important in the negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on a new strategic partnership agreement. She continued: “This is an important time in EU– Azerbaijani relations. As you know, we are negotiating a new framework agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan. Very intensive negotiations are ongoing.”

Mrs Mard explained that both the EU and Azerbaijan are ambitious about moving forward in an expedient manner, and explained: “We want to have an agreement that is important both for the EU and Azerbaijan. Working in parallel, we are looking at partnership priorities between the EU and Azerbaijan for the years to come that will guide our concrete co-operation.

At the end of the day, this is about bringing the EU and Azerbaijan closer together.”

The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and Federica

Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016 on behalf of the EU and its member states.

The new agreement should replace the 1996 Partnership and Co-operation Agreement and more effectively take account of the shared objectives and challenges faced jointly by the EU and Azerbaijan.

The agreement will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighbourhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial co-operation between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The new agreement envisages that Azerbaijani legislation and procedures will become commensurate with the norms and standards of the EU, which should enhance the access of Azerbaijani goods to EU markets.

Malena Mard, Head, EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, gave a cautious, yet positive, assessment of the developments in EU–Azerbaijani negotiations

Azerbaijan’s big step in e-visa issuance

Dentons alert on Secured Transactions with Moveable Property Law

During a meeting in Tehran with Zahra Ahmadipour, Iranian Vice-President and Head of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organisation, Abulfaz Garayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism, explained how implementation of the ASAN Visa system in Azerbaijan is improving, making it possible to gain an e-visa to the country in three hours or less. He explained that the ASAN Visa system would be implemented both at airports and customs checkpoints.

International legal firm Dentons – a TEAS member company – has published a Client Alert relating to the new Law on Secured Transactions with Moveable Property, passed in May 2017. This is based on the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Secured Transactions.

Azerbaijan introduced the ASAN Visa system on 10 January 2017, and currently foreigners and stateless persons may obtain an e-visa to Azerbaijan through a single online portal within three days by visiting http://bit. ly/azevisa for a cost of $20 (£15.35).

The new law applies to any existing or future moveable property, and related rights and claims, except for moveable property that is registered in an official registry and securities that are subject to state registration.

A security interest created in relation to moveable property under the new law will apply to fixtures, proceeds (whether in cash or in kind), any compensation received by the security provider from the forced sale, requisition or nationalisation of the collateral, as well as to any insurance proceeds in relation to this. Go to http://bit.ly/dentonssecuredtransactions to read the full alert.

$5bn invested in Azerbaijan’s economy this year Speaking to a meeting of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev commented: “In order to achieve the requisite success, we must achieve strong economic potential. I am satisfied with indicators of the past six months, during which the economy expanded by 1.7 per cent. This is a good indicator, and development is largely attributable to the non-oil sector. Currently, the indicators of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are mainly related to oil production and oil price, but this fact is changing.”

President Aliyev stressed that the increase in the non-oil sector was due to economic

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reforms. He explained: “I think this is a very significant indicator. The non-oil industry increased by 4.4 per cent, and I consider this to be indicative that reforms and our policies yield results.”

environment and Azerbaijan remains a stable country. The number of genuinely stable countries has decreased in recent times. I am certain that more investors will choose Azerbaijan in the future.”

He went on to reveal that $5bn ($3.8bn) had been invested in the economy during the previous six months, commenting: “Today, investment is declining in almost all countries, due to financial problems.

However, investments are being made in Azerbaijan, the majority of which are from overseas. This is because Azerbaijan is a very attractive county for foreign investors.

Why? Because we have a good investment

The President noted that 122,000 jobs had been created since the beginning of this year, 101,000 of which are permanent. He commented: “I acknowledge that 24,000 jobs have been cut due to increased efficiencies, and this is an endemic process. However, when we compare the levels of redundancy and job creation, we can see that unemployment in Azerbaijan remains at a low level.”

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