AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 28 2005
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF
KAZAKHSTAN RASHID TUSUPBEKOV
[February 28, 2005, 18:10:55]
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev on February 29 at
the Presidential Palace received Prosecutor General of the Republic
of Kazakhstan Rashid Tusupbekov.
Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed satisfaction with the existing
relations between two countries, including the development of
strategic cooperation in the political, economic, humanitarian and
others spheres. President Ilham Aliyev noted that after Azerbaijan
has gained state independence, the kind friendly links between the
nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and President of
Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev have played exclusive role in
foundation of intensive relations in the current phase. And
participation of the Kazakh President at the funerals of the
Azerbaijani nationwide leader was highly appreciated by the People of
Azerbaijan, Mr. Aliyev underlined.
And currently, warm relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan
and Kazakhstan give strong pulse to expansion of bilateral
cooperation, head of the Azerbaijan State said. Reminding his
successful visit to Kazakhstan last year, President Ilham Aliyev said
the signed documents have brought closer the two countries.
Noting that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan play significant role in the
political processes in the region, in realization of global economic
projects, President Ilham Aliyev underscored that the two states
constantly support each other in the global questions either. From
this standpoint, Kazakhstan, basing on the international legal
principles, always backed fair position of Azerbaijan in settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which is highly
appreciated by the people of Azerbaijan.
President Ilham Aliyev has evaluated as a good example of cooperation
the signing of document on division of Caspian seabed and
transportation of hydrocarbon reserves. Underlining his consent with
the high level of cooperation between the numerous state and
law-enforcement bodies, including prosecutor service bodies,
President Ilham Aliyev said the prosecutor bodies play great role in
strengthening of sovereignty and ensuring stability. Head of the
Azerbaijan State expressed confidence for further development of
cooperation between the prosecutor bodies of two states.
Prosecutor General of Kazakhstan Rashid Tusupbekov conveyed greetings
and high considerations of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, saying Mr. Nazarbayev attaches
great importance to the relations with Azerbaijan. The friendly ties
between the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev have set solid ground
for the fraternal relations between the two peoples, Mr. Tusupbekov
emphasized.
Noting that presence of socio-political stability in Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan has prompted high development of economic sphere in both
countries, Rashid Tusupbekov said he was eyewitness of notable
economic development during his visit to Azerbaijan, stressing that
he was deeply impressed by scale of the works at the Sangachal
terminal and quick development in the construction field in Baku.
Dwelling on successful cooperation of the prosecutor bodies of both
countries, the guest said that the agreement on rendering legal
assistance signed during his visit in Baku was a good example of
these links. These relations will play important role in expansion of
cooperation between the prosecutor bodies, as well as promote
settlement of global issues, effective combat against extremism and
terrorism, he stressed.
Feb 28 2005
German Christian Democrats Abuses the Armenian Issue to Prevent
Turkey’s EU Bid
Christian Democrats Submits ‘Armenian Motion’ to Parliament
Jan Soykok (JTW), 28 February 2005 – Germany’s Christian Democrats
(CDU) who oppose Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership have once
again brought the so-called Armenian ‘genocide’ allegation to the top
of the agenda in Germany.
CDU presented a parliamentary motion, which demands a review of
Turkey’s role in the killing of Armenians about 100 years ago though
there was no state called ‘Turkey’ in these years.
The German government pressure to increase freedom of expression
regarding the so-called Armenian ‘genocide’is expected to be included
in the motion.
Experts noted that the Christian Democrats Party, which is against
Turkey’s full membership to EU, aims to impede Turkey’s bid.
Spokesman for the party’s foreign relations, Friedbert Pflueger
claimed that the word “genocide” is not used intentionally and that
they aim to make Turkey face up to its past.
Members of the CDU who stand affirmation on Turkey’s privileged
membership claim they have aimed to return to normal diplomatic
relations between Turkey and Armenia.
“FUL OF PREJUDICES”
Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik said that the
motion is full of “prejudices, mistakes, serious misinformation, and
one-sided expectations”. The European Court of Justice had recently
overruled a similar initiative. An Armenian foundation in Europe
began a legal action claiming “Turkey’s membership is contradicting
EU Laws while refusing acceptance of the genocide.” However the Court
had responded as “The genocide claim is political, it is not legally
binding” and had awarded the expenses of the trial to the plaintiffs,
the Armenian foundation and the two French citizens. The court
remarked during its overruling of the case, that the matter is a
political issue and consequently not legally binding and it stands as
a precedent for any future legal action.
CDU strongly opposes Turkey’s EU bid while the government parties
support Turkey’s membership. The CDU makes co-operation with all
anti-Turkish groups in Europe including the radical Armenian lobbying
groups. The CDU’s anti-Turkish stance disturbs the Turkish community
in Germany because the racist attacks against the Turkish and Muslims
communities in the country have risen. Many CDU politicians claimed
that Europe was a Christian civilasation and there was no room for
Turkey in Europe.
The discriminative policies in germany had caused racist massacres
and genocide in 1940s Germany and it is feared that the CDU policies
could nourish the racist movements in the country. Davut Sahiner,
Turkish expert on diasporas in Germany says “the CDU plays with fire.
They abuse all the problems which can prevent Turkey’s membership.
However they are not sincere. They now use the Armenian issue.
However it will help neither Armenians nor the Germans. Anti-Turkish
CDU policies will undermine the social balances in Germany and will
encourage the racist movements. Similarly the problems between
Turkish and Armenian states will be deepened and the isolation of
Armenia will be worsened. No side will benefit but the selfish
politicians.”