http://www.today.az Covering Azerbaijan inside and outside http://www.today.az/images/logo_small.gif http://www.today.az http://www.today.az/news/society/102201.html Society Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:09:00 +0400 Strong winds and snow captured Baku this morning.  As the National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry reported, the weather re-intensified in Baku and Absheron peninsula. The weather will worsen during the day and the temperature will be -3- -5 C. On Feb. 9, the snowfall will gradually stop, north-west wind will become weaker, the temperature will be -5- -10 C at night, 0-  -3 C in the daytime. /Today.Az/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102197.html Society Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:02:00 +0400 According to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's order, the funds envisaged for internally displaced people doubled this year, deputy prime minister, head of the State Committee of Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov told media on Tuesday.The construction work envisaged for the internally displaced persons will be carried out in nine regions of Azerbaijan this year. As a result, about 17,000 IDPs will be placed in the houses consisting of nearly 3,610 apartments till the end of this year.The settlement, consisting of 423 houses, is under construction in Shaki," he said. "The construction of ten nine-storey residential buildings for 502 apartments is underway in Mingachevir. Belarusian engineers are building a small settlement with 45 apartments in Ismayilli region."The construction of five-storey buildings will begin on the territory of Masazir this year, he added. There will be the settlement consisting of 320 private houses in Beylagan region and 350 houses in Imishli region. Two five-storey buildings for 155 apartments in Gabala region will be designed./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102189.html Society Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:53:00 +0400 Azerbaijan will attend international tourism exhibition “EMIT” to be held in Istanbul on February 9-12. Azerbaijan will present its tourism potential in a stand of 60 square meters. The country’s sightseeing will be promoted by the cultural-historical monuments, hotels and tourism facilities through special advertising printed materials./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102198.html Business Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:38:00 +0400 About $ 120 billion have been invested in the Azerbaijani economy, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev's article, published in the official press on Tuesday, said today."The investments in the economy hit about $ 120 billion today due to a favorable investment and business sphere in Azerbaijan," Mustafayev said. He said that investments worth $ 20 billion were made in Azerbaijani economy in 2011, of which 7 billion fell to foreign, 13 billion - domestic."About $15.7 billion fell to the investments in non-oil sector, $4.3 billion - the oil sector," he said. The investments worth 5.9 billion manat were made at the expense of state funds to develop various sectors of the economy last year."He said that more than 59 percent of these investments, or 3.5 billion manat were directed at infrastructure projects, including 1.9 billion - for the projects in the transport sector, more than 900 million manat - in communal infrastructure, about 200 million manat - for irrigation and water resource projects."About 28.8 percent of state investments made last year, or 1.7 billion manat were directed to social projects, including 220 million manat - to repair and build schools and professional lyceums, 90 million manat - to repair and construct universities and research institutions, more than 128 million manat - to repair, construct and equip health facilities, more than 1 billion manat - to restore, reconstruct and construct cultural facilities, more than 42 million - to build housing for disabled and families of martyrs," Mustafayev said./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102184.html Politics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:29:00 +0400 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday received a delegation led by Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Necdet Ozel. Chief of the General Staff Necdet Ozel conveyed Turkish President Abdullah Gul`s and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s greetings to the Head of State. During the meeting, they underlined friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey were developing successfully in all fields, including military one. It was noted that Necdet Ozel`s visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to expanding the two countries` military cooperation even more. The Azerbaijani leader asked the Chief of the General Staff to deliver his greetings to the Turkish President and Prime Minister. *****President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday received EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Philippe Lefort. They exchanged views on the negotiations to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict./AzerTAc/Azerbaijani President receives Chief of General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces Azerbaijani President receives EU Special Representative for South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia   http://www.today.az/news/politics/102183.html Politics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:17:00 +0400 President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday accepted credentials of new ambassador of Albania Altin Kodra. The Ambassador passed along a ceremonial guard of honor.  President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with the ambassador. The Head of State underlined the existence of good prospects for boosting the Azerbaijani-Albanian relations in various fields, including political, economic and energy ones. President Ilham Aliyev recalled his meetings with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha in different international forums. President Ilham Aliyev wished the diplomat every success in his further activity. Ambassador Kodra expressed hope that relations between Azerbaijan and Albania would further expand in different spheres, in particular in economic and political ones, saying he would spare no efforts to contribute to this.*****President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday accepted credentials of newly-appointed Indonesian ambassador Raden Prayono Atiyanto. The Ambassador passed along a guard of honor. President Ilham Aliyev and the Indonesian ambassador had a conversation. The Head of State said political relations between Azerbaijan and Indonesia were successfully developing. The Azerbaijani leader stressed the importance of the two countries` mutual support within international organizations. President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan`s embassy opened in Indonesia several years ago, noting the opening of Indonesia`s embassy in the country would serve to expand bilateral cooperation even more. The President said the two countries enjoy good opportunities for developing their relations in the fields of economy, investment and trade. President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of Prayono Atiyanto`s appointment as the first ambassador of Indonesia in Azerbaijan, wishing him successes in his future activity. The diplomat conveyed greetings of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the Azerbaijani leader. Ambassador Atiyanto said Indonesia was interested in expanding friendly and cooperative relations with Azerbaijan. The ambassador hailed political relationship between the two countries. He noted he received special instructions from the Indonesian President with respect to development of economic cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev asked the diplomat to deliver his greetings to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.*****Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev yesterday accepted credentials of newly-appointed ambassador of China Hong Jiuyin. The Ambassador reviewed a ceremonial guard of honor. President Ilham Aliyev and the Chinese ambassador then had a meeting. The Head of State underlined the Azerbaijani-Chinese relations were based on friendship and partnership principles. The Azerbaijani leader praised intergovernmental relations. President Ilham Aliyev said the two countries have big opportunities to expand cooperation in the fields of economy and investment even more. The Head of State expressed hope that as friendly and partner countries Azerbaijan and China would continue to cooperate in regional issues as well as in strengthening peace and security in the world. President Ilham Aliyev wished Hong Jiuyin successes in his activities. The diplomat conveyed greetings of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the Azerbaijani leader. Hong Jiuyin said he had eye-witnessed big development in Azerbaijan since his last visit to the country 3 years ago. The ambassador said China hailed Azerbaijan`s achievements in establishing stability within the society and ensuring rapid economic development under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev recalled his visit to China in 2008 and meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The Head of State added Azerbaijan was happy for China`s rapid development and achievements. President Ilham Aliyev asked the diplomat to convey his greetings to the Chinese leader./AzerTAc/President Ilham Aliyev receives credentials of incoming Albanian ambassador President Ilham Aliyev receives credentials of incoming Indonesian ambassador Azerbaijani President receives credentials of incoming Chinese ambassador http://www.today.az/news/politics/102186.html Politics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:02:00 +0400 Azerbaijan`s defense minister, colonel-general Safar Abiyev yesterday met Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Necdet Ozel. Abiyev briefed the Turkish Chief of the General Staff on the military and political situation in the region and the problems caused by the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.The Azerbaijani minister reiterated Baku`s position, saying “as the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the conflict have not produced concrete results, Azerbaijan is forced to take back its occupied territories by other means and is, therefore, strengthening its armed forces”.Abiyev and Ozel discussed the Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation, stressing the importance of deepening it even more. They also emphasized the importance of the two countries` military cooperation within NATO./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102182.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0400 Families of Iranian opposition leaders Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi appealed to the Iranian people to speed the word for the world on how the politicians are being treated, opposition websites Sahamnews and Kalame reported.In their statements, the families also urged for all political prisoners in Iran to be released. The statements are timed to Feb. 14 - anniversary of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.Karroubi and Mousavi had called for a rally to support the popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia in 2011. The authorities of Iran refused permission, calling it a political move.After the protesters took it to the streets of Iranian cities, local police interfered and restored order, as a result of which 2 people were killed.Karroubi andMousavi have later been taken under house arrest since February 14, 2011. They are prohibited from contacting the outside world, except for their families.Iran's tenth presidential election was held on June 12, 2009 with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running against three other candidates. The next morning IRNA announced Ahmadinejad's decisive victory in the elections with two-thirds, or 62 percent, of the votes.A while after, Mousavi and Karoubi issued a statement and called their supporters to protest the decision./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102181.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:43:00 +0400 Eight Azerbaijani citizens have been rescued from a cargo ship which crashed in the Sea of Azov.Avak 1 ship sent out a distress signal in the Sea of ??Azov today. A helicopter of Ukraine`s Ministry of Emergency Situations rescued 12 crew members of the ship, including 8 Azerbaijanis, 3 Ukrainians and 1 Turk. The rescued Azeri crew members were taken to Simferopol./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102171.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:00 +0400 Chairman of the Jordanian Senate (upper house of parliament) Taher Masri is planning to visit Azerbaijan in April, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Jordan Elman Arasli said following the meeting with Mr Masri, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Jordan reported on Tuesday.During the conversation, an official invitation from the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov was handed over to Mr Masri.At the meeting both sides exchanged views on the development of inter-parliamentary Azerbaijan-Jordan cooperation, arranging exchange of visits of the representatives of legislative bodies and intensifying activity of the friendship group between the two parliaments.In conclusion, Mr Arasli presented a book about Azerbaijan published in Jordan to the Senate chairman./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102174.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0400 Today, more than 100 policemen have protested in front of the parliament in Tehran, the Pana news agency reports. Roughly 1,000 policemen paid more than $10 million to get land plots in 2003. About 480 policemen received their money back as the land plots were not provided, but 520 are still waiting for their money. They stressed that their rights were violated and want their money back./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102168.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:57:00 +0400 Azerbaijan has recently invested $6 billion in foreign countries, Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev said in an interview with official press today."The accelerated rate of Azerbaijan's economic development has enhanced its financial potential and created favorable conditions for investment in foreign countries," the minister said. "Azerbaijan has become a country exporting investment."Visits to the Balkans and North Caucasus were organized to examine investment opportunities in 2011, Mustafayev said. Ties were established during the visits to enhance domestic companies' opportunities to expand their activities./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102176.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:40:00 +0400 An official of Azerbaijan`s Justice Ministry Mehman Sadigov attended the open-ended intergovernmental expert group meeting on crime prevention and criminal justice with coordination of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the Austrian capital Vienna. Mr. Sadigov updated the participants on legal reforms being implemented in the country`s justice structures and penitentiary system. /Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102172.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0400 Iran's Majlis has announced its readiness to approve a bill aimed at terminating oil exports to certain member states of the European Union (EU) in response to their bid to embargo Iran's oil.Iranian lawmakers keep a watchful eye on a number of important issues including a ban on Iran's oil exports to European countries, said Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Tuesday.He added that the Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy has been discussing the issue. It is necessary to give a proper response to European countries’ irrational attitude, he emphasized. /PressTV/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102178.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:06:00 +0400 A bill ‘On ensuring the rights and freedoms of detainees’ was discussed at a meeting of the Azerbaijani Legal Policy and State Building Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday.The bill was submitted to parliament in the second reading. The document defines the legal status of prisoners and the regime of places of detention.The bill states that the garrison guardhouse of armed units and detention centers is considered to be detention facilities. The bill also defines the conditions and limits of physical force at places of detention./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102180.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:53:00 +0400 The Azerbaijani side opposes imitation of the negotiations on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict while the Armenian side avoids war, Mubariz Ahmedoglu, political scientist, director of the Center for Political Innovations and Technologies, said at a briefing on Tuesday."That's why in current situation start of real, practical settlement - is "panacea" for all conflicts and uncertainties," he said. He noted official Yerevan started to act to underestimate the importance of the Russian active position in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.The Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian distorted paragraphs of the agreement signed on the initiative of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Ahmedoglu said."In order to cast a shade on the Sochi statement and strengthening position of Russia, official Yerevan uses such expressions as "only by peaceful means", "sniper should retreat" which were in previous documents. There are no such expressions in the Sochi statement," he said./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102177.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:42:00 +0400 Kulevi Oil Terminal of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is constructing the second main railway line between Chaladidi and Kolkheti railway stations (Georgia), the terminal said on Tuesday.According to the report, almost 50 percent of work has been completed within construction of a 5.6 km long second main railway line. At present the construction of a railway crossing at Chaladidi railway station is also underway."All this construction work will enable the terminal to operate more efficiently and a lot faster since so far the receipt of the freight has been carried out at the Chaladidi railway station which is 20 km away from the terminal whereas very soon it will be done at the Parto Tskali railway station that is 1.5 km away from it," the report says.This project is very vital as far as the environmental and ecological issues are concerned.The electrification of the railway approach line till Parto Tskali railway station will essentially affect the minimization of the environmental pollution. Owing to this improvement, diesel locomotives passage through the sensitive territories like Kolkheti National park will be eliminated, which also will contribute to the elimination of combustion gases emission to the atmosphere. On the other hand, the usage of electric locomotives, which produce much lower noise than diesel locomotives, will sufficiently minimize the noise emissions in important environmentally sensitive areas."Overall the successful realization of the whole project will irreversibly lead to the reduction of the expenses and the increase in the throughput capacity creating much more favorable conditions for the Terminal customers," the report says.In 2008 Black Sea Terminal LLC signed a contract with the Georgian Railway LLC according to which the terminal committed itself to the development, construction and reconstruction of some parts of Georgian railway system. This big project consisted of the construction of the new railway facilities, reconstruction of the existing ones, installation of contact networks and connection to the all-electric interlocking.Kulevi terminal was put into operation in summer 2008. Its total capacity is 10 million tons of oil per year, including 3 million tons of oil, 3 million tons of diesel fuel, and 4 million tons of fuel oil.The terminal can accommodate up to 168 tank cars. The tank farm's total volume is 320,000 cubic meters with the possibility of increasing to 380,000 cubic meters. The port has two berths to load petroleum products in tankers of up to 100,000 tons.Loading productivity ranges from 1,000 to 8,000 cubic meters per hour. The railway station, which can simultaneously accommodate up to 180 carriage awaiting discharge of cargo, serves to the port. The railway trestle can simultaneously unload 168 carriages./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102175.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:32:00 +0400 According to the Azerbaijani Central Bank, the exchange rate of manat compared to the world currencies and precious metals on Tuesday. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"??????? ???????"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Currencies and precious metals   Feb.07, 2012 Feb.06,2012 1 U.S. dollar 1 USD 0.7863 0.7863 1 euro 1 EUR 1.0303 1.0291 1 Australian dollar 1 AUD 0.8477 1.0291 1 Argentinian Peso 1 ARS 0.1814 0.1816 100 Belarusian Rubles 100 BYR 0.0094 0.0093 1 Brazilian Real 1 BRL 0.4554 0.4582 1 UAE dirham 1 AED 0.2141 0.2141 1 South African Rand 1 ZAR 0.1039 0.104 100 South Korean Won 100 KRW 0.0701 0.0701 1 Czech koruna 1 CZK 0.0413 0.0412 1 Chinese Yuan 1 CNY 0.1247 0.1246 1 Danish krone 1 DKK 0.1386 0.1384 1 Georgian lari 1 GEL 0.4709 0.4708 1 Hong Kong Dollar 1 HKD 0.1014 0.1014 1 Indian Rupee 1 INR 0.0161 0.0161 1 British pound sterling 1 GBP 1.2429 1.2403 100 Indonesian rupiah 100 IDR 0.0087 0.0087 100 Iranian rials 100 IRR 0.0069 0.0069 1 Swedish Krona 1 SEK 0.1168 0.1171 1 Swiss franc 1 CHF 0.854 0.853 1 Israeli Shekel 1 ILS 0.2117 0.2121 1 Canadian Dollar 1 CAD 0.7889 0.7901 1 Kuwaiti Dinar 1 KWD 2.8324 2.8315 1 Kazakhstan Tenge 1 KZT 0.0053 0.0053 1 Kyrgyz Som 1 KGS 0.0168 0.0168 1 Latvian lat 1 LVL 1.4723 1.4705 1 Lithuanian Litas 1 LTL 0.2986 0.2996 100 Lebanese pounds 100 LBP 0.0522 0.0522 1 Mexican Peso 1 MXP 0.0621 0.062 1 Moldovan Leu 1 MDL 0.0655 0.066 1 Egyptian Pound 1 EGP 0.1303 0.1303 1 Norwegian krone 1 NOK 0.135 0.1353 100 Uzbek soums 100 UZS 0.0434 0.0434 1 Polish Zloty 1 PLN 0.2466 0.2459 1 Russian ruble 1 RUR 0.0261 0.0261 1 Singapore Dollar 1 SGD 0.6304 0.6316 1 Saudi Riyal 1 SAR 0.2097 0.2097 1 SDR (IMF Special Drawing Rights) 1 SDR 1.215 1.2195 1 Turkish lira 1 TRY 0.447 0.4469 1 Tajik Somoni 1 TJS 0.1653 0.1653 1 New Turkmen manat 1 TMM 0.2774 0.2774 1 Ukrainian hryvnia 1 UAH 0.0979 0.0978 100 Japanese yen 100 JPY 1.025 1.0238 1 New Zealand dollar 1 NZD 0.656 0.6535 Gold (1 ounce) 1 XAU 1351.6497 1383.4949 Silver (1 ounce) 1 XAG 26.3568 26.6792 Platinum (1 ounce) 1 XPT 1265.1567 1281.669 Palladium (1 ounce) 1 XPD 547.2648 559.0593 /Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102162.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:23:00 +0400 A list of questions from the Iranian parliament members was handed over to the Board of members of the parliament, Fars news reported quoting Parliamentary Vice-Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar.On Oct. 31,2011 some 74 members of the Iranian Parliament signed a petition to summon President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the parliament to respond to their questions. The petition was later approved.Article 90 of the Iranian Constitution and the Parliament's Charter specify that signatures of a quarter of the MPs' total number (73) are needed to summon the country's executive chief to the parliament where he must adequately answer all questions.So far, members of the Parliament have made four appeals, complaining of Ahmadinejad's abuse of power. The first appeal was based on the tardy introduction of a nominee for the sports and youth minister. The second appeal complains of the misuse of different state bodies.The third appeal was made due to delay in following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's direction to reinstate Heydar Moslehi as the intelligence minister.The forth appeal complains of Ahmadinejad's decision to reduce in number of ministries and to merge some of them without the Guardian Council's approval./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102179.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0400 Some centers, operating in support of the Armenian lobby, want to create a confrontation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Chief Ali Hasanov said."There are some centers, operating with the Armenian lobby's support, which want to create a confrontation, to destroy the brotherly and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey," Hasanov told Trend today.Some media outlets, seeking to destroy the friendship between Azerbaijan and Turkey, used all their imagination, Hasanov said. These are similar media outlets in Turkey, Azerbaijan and other countries, he added.Earlier, some Turkish media outlets reported that Azerbaijan did not support Turkey in connection with the adoption of the law in the French Senate, which envisages the criminal prosecution of individuals denying the fictional "Armenian genocide".He added that Azerbaijan was and will always be close to Turkey since the issue of adopting the law criminalizing the denial of so-called "Armenian genocide" has been initiated.Turkey's official circles appreciate the brotherly and friendly relations with Azerbaijan and its support, Hasanov said.He also touched on France's withdrawal from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship."Turkey is a member of the Minsk Group," he said. "It took the initiative to withdraw France from the Group. In any case, Turkey will raise this issue to be considered at a regular meeting of the Minsk Group. Azerbaijan's official circles discuss the measures that can be taken from a legal point of view."After an eight-hour debate, the French Senate adopted the bill. Some 127 senators voted in favour, while 86 senators voted against on Jan.23./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102160.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 +0400 Construction of Azerbaijan-Russia Friendship Bridge started in Astrakhan. The customer of the project is All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress`s office in Astrakhan. The construction of the bridge, which is to connect the Heydar Aliyev Park with Peter I square, will end late 2012./AzerTAc/  http://www.today.az/news/business/102137.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:52:00 +0400 Bishkek plans to buy petroleum oil and lubricants (POL) from an oil refinery of State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), construction of which is planned in Kyrgyzstan, the head of the Oil Traders Association of Kyrgyzstan Jumakadyr Akeneev told Trend on Monday.The agreement on the construction of refineries was reached on January 19 at a meeting of the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev and SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev. The refinery is scheduled for commissioning in the end of 2013."Unfortunately, the price for Azerbaijani POL, transported directly from the country is not acceptable for Kyrgyzstan," Akeneev said. "But if the SOCAR refinery is constructed and Azerbaijan's oil is refined in Kyrgyzstan, the price will become acceptable and Bishkek will buy Azerbaijan's POL."Now POL's export price in Azerbaijan is $800 per ton, while the expenditure for their transportation from Azerbaijan to Kyrgyzstan is $200 per ton, Akeneev said.Kyrgyzstan buys POL from Russia and other countries for $750 per ton including transportation expenditures, he added."So, the price for POL, which is directly transported from Azerbaijan to Kyrgyzstan is 46 soms per liter, while POL's retail price in Kyrgyzstan is 38 soms per liter," Akeneev said.Working group from Azerbaijan will visit Kyrgyzstan in the framework of the construction at the end of the February. The group together with experts from Kyrgyzstan would consider the region in which a new venture can be constructed.The refinery with the capacity of 2 million tons is expected to refine Azerbaijani oil in the future. The construction of the plant is part of the SOCAR policy to increase geographical coverage. The minimum cost of the refinery, which the SOCAR is planning to build in Kyrgyzstan, is $100 million./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/sports/102149.html Sports Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:43:00 +0400 A San Francisco-based Azeri FC Men's Over 40 soccer team became a winner of the 2012 Annual "Soccer in Sun" King Cup tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 14-16, 2012.This year, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) sponsored the Azeri FC participation in the tournament, where 164 football teams from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. compete for titles in various categories, AAC reported.Azeri FC soccer team was established nearly a decade ago by a group of Azerbaijani-Americans in San Francisco Bay area. The club is led by a  professional footballer and the member of AAC Board of Directors, Samir Lutvaliyev. Azeri FC had also won the King Cup tournament in 2008./Today.Az/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102173.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:31:00 +0400 Political analyst Zardusht Alizade said not the people, but the oligarchy, the military and other mafia groups decide on the fate of the president post in Armenia. He commented on Armenian experts’ opinions that former President Robert Kocharian will soon return to power. "In my opinion, they will gather together and put forward a single candidate in the elections. Given present President Serzh Sargsyan’s authority in the military elite, Kocharian ‘will be recommended’ not to run for presidency. Maybe this recommendation will be given in a sharp form. Kocharian has already grabbed, and now it’s Sargsyan’s turn to rob their own people,” Alizade said. As for the Armenian Diaspora, they decide only donor matters in the country's economy. Recently, the Diaspora’s assistance to Armenia has decreased, the expert noted.  "Who will hold the president post in Armenia, largely depends on the position of their masters abroad, he said./Day.Az/  http://www.today.az/news/interesting/102155.html Weird / Interesting Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:20:00 +0400 Ninjutsu is considered to be one of the deadliest forms of martial arts in the world. But this doesn’t deter the 3,500  Iranian women who are currently receiving official training in the sport.The Ninjustu school in Iran was started in 1989 by Sensei Akbar Faraji. This was the first time the martial art was introduced to the country. While the club now has over 24,000 members, the number of female participants is slowly on the rise. According to Faraji, in Ninjutsu, men are called ninjas, while women are addressed as kunoichi.The club’s female instructor, Fatima Muamer, says that the sport appeals to women as it helps in maintaining a balance between body and mind. She also points out that the most important lessons in Ninjutsu are respect and humility. “They learn to respect themselves – first to respect their existence and then the art that they are mastering.” Students at the school are also taught to use dangerous weapons – including bows, swords, nunchucks and shurikens – small traditional Japanese implements known as ‘swords in the hand’./odditycentral.com/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102167.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0400 In Azerbaijan tax revenues provided by the non-oil sector increased by 40 percent in January, Deputy Minister of Taxes Sahib Alekperov told media on Tuesday."Last year, the ministry has provided the state budget with $ 5.5 billion manat. This surpasses the 2010 result by 27.5 percent," he said.Income from non-oil sector increased by 22 percent in the past year, and this growth trend will be maintained in the future.State budget revenues for 2012 are projected at 16.438 billion manat level, where the share of revenues from the oil sector accounts for 12 billion manat , and from non-oil for 4.4 billion manat. The share of revenue from non-oil sector is projected at 26.8 percent.Revenues from the Ministry of Taxes are estimated at 5 311.6 million manats, including payments for income tax from contracting companies, that work within the frames of the oil and gas agreements, such as the PSA - 810 million manat, consolidated taxes and other charges (excluding income tax) under the SOCAR - 1 321.6 million manat, tax and nontax payments from non-oil sector - 3 180 million manat./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102147.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0400 Oil prices have changed in the world markets, with a barrel of Azeri Light crude trading for $119.52. On the New York Mercantile Exchange NYMEX cost of the US Light crude oil has decreased 93 cent to stand at $96.91. Price of British Brent crude oil at the London ICE (InterContinental Exchange Futures) has decreased $1.35 to trade at $115.93./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102169.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0400 E-taxpayer registration in Azerbaijan will have a positive impact on the fight against corruption, Azerbaijani Deputy Tax Minister Sahib Alakbarov said at a presentation on the "state e-registration of legal entities" today."Online registration for physical entities has been available since July, as well as e-registration for legal entities since early 2012. This saves time and money," he said. "It also plays a significant role in the implementation of policy to combat corruption in the country."He said about 10,075 people were registered with the tax bodies in July-December, or 34.5 percent of the total taxpayers. "One-third of the taxpayers registered online are in Baku, and the rest are in the regions," he said.Head of the Tax Ministry's Economic Analysis Division Natiq Shirinov said the share of taxpayers registered online since early 2012 has hit 49.6 percent./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102170.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0400 The Moscow-based Bulletin of the Caucasus press center hosted the first round table from a series of expert meetings on the theme of "The tragic pages of post-Soviet history. The meeting was held on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the tragic events in the Azerbaijan’s town Khojaly.Editor in chief of news agency Bulletin of the Caucasus Alexei Vlasov speaking at the meeting said that “20 years have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, they did not contribute to a better understanding of the historical events that preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union and the prerequisites for the bloody events of the late 1980s - early 1990s. Hot spots in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and other regions led to the deaths and mass forced relocations. Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and other hot spots remains serious problem, and if the experts don’t examine the conditions of bloody conflicts that accompanied the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there will be more victims.”Vlasov emphasized that the 1992 Khojaly massacre is one of the most tragic events in post-Soviet history. "This tragedy has not been objectively studied by historians, sociologists and political scientists. The problem is that during a study of such events, scientific approach often gives way to the clichés and political propaganda,” he said.The participants of the meeting underlined that lack of books and materials often results in escalation of conflicts./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102166.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:27:00 +0400 It will snow, north-west wind will become strong on Feb. 7 and the weather will sharply deteriorate, it will snow, strong north-west wind will blow on Feb.8.  The National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry reported that as snowstorm is expected in Baku. The temperature will be -6- -10 on the night of Feb. 7-8 and the night of Feb. 8-9 C. The roads will freeze.  The weather will worsen during the day and the temperature will be -3- -5 C. On Feb. 9, the snowfall will gradually stop, north-west wind will become weaker, the temperature will be -5- -10 C at night, 0-  -3 C in the daytime. It is expected to snow in Azerbaijani regions on Feb.8 and Feb.9. North-west wind will blow. The temperature will be -4- -8 C at night, 0- -4 C in the daytime. The roads will freeze. On Feb. 9, the temperature will be -4-  -8 C at night, 0- -3 C in the daytime./Trend/  http://www.today.az/news/business/102158.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:17:00 +0400 On-line payment of taxes and state fees has started in Azerbaijan today, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Taxes Sahib Alakbarov said at a press-conference today."According to the Minister of Taxes, Fazil Mammadov's order of on-line payment of taxes and state fees has begun today," he said. "It will also be possible to make payments via mobile phones in the future." He said that taxpayers can get all the necessary information on the ministerial website./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102159.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:08:00 +0400 Azerbaijan has suspended gas supply to Turkey via the South Caucasus gas pipelinedue to technical problems on the Shah Deniz platform, a source in oil and gas market told Trend on Tuesday.Reserves of Shah Deniz field are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas. The contract to develop the offshore Shah Deniz field was signed June 4, 1996. Participants to the agreement are: BP (operator) - 25.5 percent, Statoil - 25.5 percent, NICO - 10 percent, Total - 10 percent, LukAgip - 10 percent, TPAO - 9 percent, SOCAR-10 percent./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102161.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:57:00 +0400 Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will attend a conference of the European People's Party (EPP), scheduled for Feb.8-9 in Brussels, the Foreign Ministry's Twitter page reports.Mammadyarov will deliver a report at the conference and hold bilateral meetings with heads of delegations. The European People's Party (EPP) is pro-European centre-right European political party.The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is one of the largest parties in Europe, represented in all political institutions of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The party includes 73 collective members and national parties from 39 countries./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/102163.html Arts & Entertainment Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:46:00 +0400 Eurovision 2011 song contest winners Eldar and Nigar have today been presented with the 'Person of the Year' award by the ANS Group of Companies.Eldar and Nigar were awarded for their victory at the Eurovision last year and the promotion of Azerbaijan at a high level, the official Eurovision 2012 site said.Azerbaijan won the right to host the prestigious European song contest after the victory of Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal (Ell / Nikki) at Eurovision 2011 in Dusseldorf, Germany last May./Trend/ Photo by Milli.Az http://www.today.az/news/regions/102164.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:36:00 +0400 Thousands of people killed in Syria are Muslims, and for this reason the world keeps silent on violence in this country, and even supports it, TRT Haber TV channel quotes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as saying on Tuesday.Syria is a brotherly country for Turkey, and therefore, Ankara will be close to the Syrians and support their demands, Erdogan said "Those who allow continuing murders in Syria are as guilty as the country's authorities," he said./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/interesting/102156.html Weird / Interesting Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:27:00 +0400 Researchers found the Armed Forces could harness the rapid advance of neuroscience to improve the training of soldiers, pilots and other personnel. A study, from the Royal Society, Britain’s national academy of science, showed the possible benefits of neuroscience to military and law enforcement.  It predicted new designer drugs that boost performance, make enemy troops fall asleep and ensure captives become more talkative. But among the more remarkable scenarios suggested in the report involved the use of devices called brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to connect soldiers' brains directly to military technology such as drones and weapons. The study, published on Tuesday, stated that the work built on previous research that has enabled people to control cursors and artificial limbs through BMIs that read their brain signals. In their report, one of a series from the Royal Society looking at the field of neuroscience, the experts call on the UK Government to be as "transparent as possible" about research into military and law enforcement applications. "Since the human brain can process images, such as targets, much faster than the subject is consciously aware of, a neurally interfaced weapons system could provide significant advantages over other system control methods in terms of speed and accuracy," the report states. The report also showed how neuroscientists employed so-called “transcranial direct current stimulation” (tDCS) to improve soldiers' awareness while in hostile environments. It showed how soldiers’ ability to spot roadside bombs, snipers and other hidden threats were improved in a virtual reality training program used by US troops bound for the Middle East But the report’s authors argued that while hostile uses of neuroscience and related technologies were now more likely, scientists were oblivious to its potentials. While the benefits to society were obvious, through improved treatments for brain disease and mental illness, there were serious security implications to consider. "Neuroscience will have more of an impact in the future," said Prof Rod Flower, chair of the report's working group.  "People can see a lot of possibilities, but so far very few have made their way through to actual use. All leaps forward start out this way.” Prof Flower, from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and the London Hospital added: “You have a groundswell of ideas and suddenly you get a step change." "If you are controlling a drone and you shoot the wrong target or bomb a wedding party, who is responsible for that action? Is it you or the BMI. “There's a blurring of the line between individual responsibility and the functioning of the machine. Where do you stop and the machine begin?" Vince Clark, a cognitive neuroscientist and lead author on the study at the University of New Mexico, admitted he was uncomfortable in knowing neuroscience could be used by the military. "As a scientist I dislike that someone might be hurt by my work,” he said. “I want to reduce suffering, to make the world a better place, but there are people in the world with different intentions, and I don't know how to deal with that. "If I stop my work, the people who might be helped won't be helped. Almost any technology has a defence application."  /telegraph.co/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102157.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0400 The book "Azerbaijan - a country striving for Europe" has been published in the famous French typography L'Harmattan under cooperation between the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SAM) and a number of French research centers.A book about the history and current relations between Azerbaijan and Europe is the result of important studies of Azerbaijani and French researchers, the SAM reported on Tuesday.The book pays much attention to the history of Azerbaijan's relations with Europe and to the development of political and economic ties with European countries and people. The process of European integration of Azerbaijan is also analyzed.The book also focuses on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, its history, the evolution of interethnic relations, and real causes of the conflict./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102144.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:05:00 +0400 Secretary of State, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin received U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul at his request on Feb.6, the Ministry's website reported.During the meeting the sides discussed issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the report said.Michael McFaul, newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Russia, assumed his office in January.The U.S. and Russia are co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group on resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102165.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0400 The Azerbaijani flag was hoisted on the highest point in Africa in late January. Baku-born Jamil Khairulin, who currently resides in San Francisco, celebrated his 50th anniversary in such a way.  As part of an international group of climbers, Khairulin conquered Africa’s highest ponit- the Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo (5,895 meters)./Day.Az/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102145.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:44:00 +0400 FINCA Azerbaijan Credit Organization was awarded an "Organization Which Have An Exemplary Managing System for Client Complaints" Reward, which compiling by Azerbaijan Micro-Finance Association (AMFA), on Jan. 27, 2011, FINCA Azerbaijan press release says on Tuesday.The organization uses a few tools for collecting clients' complaints. One of them is hotline. Hotline, with the phone number (+994 55) 455 25 25, serves clients from 9:00 to 18:00 in the work days, and the e-mail, qaynarxett@fincaazerbaijan.com, always is in clients' employ.Another tool for collecting complaints is "Complaints and Proposal Box", which placed in every branch, where clients can see easily. Clients and also employees can write their complaints or proposals and put them into these boxes."Complaints and Proposals Book", which put in every branch, is another tool. These books are put in the places, where clients can see easily, as "Complaints and Proposals Boxes". Complaints and proposals, written in these books, constantly are sent to the Head Office for considering.Besides tools, mentioned above, clients can send their complaints as a letter or they can come to the offices and lay a complaint directly.Clients are informed about whole complaint procedure while contracting with them and special form, which contains information about complaints system of the organization, is added to the contracts.FINCA is one of the credit organizations joined to the Smart Campaign. The organization always tries to manage best the principle about considering complaints as other principles of the campaign./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/sports/102146.html Sports Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:35:00 +0400 Bulgarian footballer Radomir Todorov, who played for Khazar Lankaran in 2007-2010 years, returned to the team. After continued negotiations principal agreement on his move has been reached. The left-back is the most capped foreign player in Khazar Lankaran history. 31 years old Todorov played in 125 games and scored one goal in Khazar Lankaran jersey. Last year he played in Baki and Bulgarian Spartak Varna./lankaranfc/   http://www.today.az/news/society/102148.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:23:00 +0400 The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan and bp signed Monday a Mutual Action Plan on prevention of emergency situations and elimination of their consequences. Prior to the signing of the document Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan Kamaladdin Heydarov had conversation with Rashid Javanshir, bp`s regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.Heydarov praised the cooperation between the Ministry and bp on prevention of emergency situations and elimination of their consequences. The Minister underlined the necessity of holding meetings and trainings.For his part, Javanshir said bp is interested in cooperation with Ministry of Emergency Situations. He expressed hope that such meetings would open wide opportunities for expansion of cooperation./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/business/102142.html Business Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:12:00 +0400 Bad weather conditions do not cause any problem in conducting oil and gas operations in Azerbaijan, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) told Trend on Tuesday. According to the report, the work is carried out both on onshore and offshore oil and gas fields in normal mode.Also, all processing and production units of oil and gas industry operate in normal mode. "Bad weather has not affected the oil and gas sector. Extraction, drilling, production and export operations are carried out in normal mode," SOCAR said./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102141.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:02:00 +0400 In accordance with the mandate of special envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the OSCE mission will hold a monitoring on troops contact line in the north-east of Horadiz village of Fizuli region on February 8.According to Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry, the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Antal Herdic and William Praroy.From the opposite area the monitoring will be conducted by field assistants of Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Hristo Hristov and Marius Puodziunas./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/politics/102152.html Politics Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:53:00 +0400 Subunits of the Armenian Armed Forces from posts located at Chilaburt village of Tartar region and Ashagi Seyidahmadli village of Fuzuli region subjected to machine gunfire the opposite positions of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan at different hours on February 6, press service of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan said. The enemy was silenced with a retail fire. No casualties reported./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102143.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +0400 Regarding its nuclear program, Iran is ready for expansion with other friendly countries, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said live at the press conference this morning in Tehran, IRINN TV channel reported."We believe it is our right to develop the peaceful program, which falls under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Mehmanparast added. "Countries that wish to work with Iran can always depend on strong co-operation".Speaking about the sanctions imposed on the country, Mehmanparast repeated the words of Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, saying that the sanctions make Iran move forward.Touching upon the Iranian pilgrims kidnapped in Syria, Mehmanparast noted that this gesture is definitely a provocation, to boost the uprising in the country. He added, that everything is being done for quickest release of those remaining in captivity.Yesterday Today's Zaman reported that Syria's Free Syrian Army (FSA) has said Turkey mediated the release of 11 kidnapped Iranians, expressing gratitude to Turkey for its help and support for the rebel army.Gunmen kidnapped 11 Iranian pilgrims heading to the Syrian capital by road from Turkey last Wednesday. The group of 35 pilgrims were on a bus outside the central city of Hama when armed men ambushed it.Five Iranian technicians were also kidnapped in the Syrian city of Homs in December and Tehran demanded their immediate release./Trend/ http://www.today.az/news/regions/102154.html From the Region Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0400 Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis has declared a Swiss probe into his denial of Armenian genocide claims to be "null and void" for him.   "I know of no power that could arrest a Turkish minister," Bagis said. "If need be, I'll go back to Davos and say it again."  Bagis had previously refused to comment on the matter but nevertheless answered reporters’ questions at the airport ahead of a scheduled visit to Belgium. "Obviously this is at the initial probe stage right now. There isn't any official documentation on it that has reached me yet. We have fought for the freedom of speech, we are fighting for it, and we will fight for it," Bagis said."I hear they're trying to confirm whether or not I said those words," Bagis said. "Let them waste no time. I said it, and I repeat it today. I will repeat it again when I'm asked in future visits to Switzerland." /Hurriyet Daily News/ http://www.today.az/news/sports/102122.html Sports Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:20:00 +0400 European Beach Soccer Cup final match will be played in Moscow, Russia on 17-19 February. FIFA Referee  Afgan Hamzayev received an appointment to this competition. Afgan Hamzayev also participates in another international tournament – FIFA World Grand-Prix holding in Sankt-Petersburg, Russia on 23-27 February. A.Hamzayev will be a referee of this tournament./AFFA/ http://www.today.az/news/sports/102136.html Sports Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:11:00 +0400 Azeri junior female wrestlers grabbed seven medals at the international tournament held in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. Azerbaijan was represented by 10 wrestlers. Gold medal came from Sahila Alakbarova weighing in at 40 kg.Hanna Pavliv at 44 kg, Alyona Kolesnik at 56 kg and Darya Korin at 70 kg snatched silver medals.Arzu Aliyeva at 46 kg, Almaz Ismayilova at 52 kg and Ragnetta Gurbanzade at 65 kg were satisfied with a bronze one./AzerTAc/ http://www.today.az/news/society/102150.html Society Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:59:00 +0400 The roads in Azerbaijan’s Guba region ‘lost’ under the snow. Milli.Az reader Hikmet Musayev reports that all roads in the region are covered with black-ice. Drivers take great care moving on these roads.  /Milli.Az/