Author: Vardanian Garo

AZERBAIJANI GOVERNMENT HAS PAID CONGRESSMAN DAN BARTON FOR HIS
ANTI-ARMENIAN STATEMENT

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23. ARMINFO. Azerbaijani government has paid the
congressman an Barton for his anti-Armenian statement. A
representative of Armenia’s Embassy in the USA stated in the interview
to Radio Liberty.

To remind, representative of Indiana state to the U.S. Congress,
member of the Committee for international relations, Congressman Dan
Barton recently called on the Congress to recognize so-called “Khojali
genocide”. In the congressman’s opinion, “recognizing the Khojali
genocide, the U,S, Congress break the silence of the international
community concerning this issue”.

As the representative of Armenian embassy mentioned, Barton is only
one of the 435 members of the Congress and the fact he make such a
statement, also depends on the following circumstance: two weeks ago
the government of Azerbaijan hired a lobby organization of the former
congressman Livingston, famous for its pro-Turkish views. The
organization was hired just for conducting pro-Azerbaijani lobby in
the Congress. At the same time, he reminded the group of support to
Armenia comprised of 140 members. “They are conducting Armenian lobby
not for money, but because they are really friends of Armenia”, the
representative of the embassy mentioned.

The Daily Record (Baltimore, MD)
February 18, 2005 Friday

Aris Mardirossian: Maryland’s modern-day Edison

Jen DeGregorio

Aris Mardirossian relies on divine inspiration to rouse him from his
nightly sleep and provide answers to the world’s many problems.

>From counter everything from cell-phone theft to hijacked planes to
landmine explosions that kill innocents, Mardirossian has invented
devices — usually at 2 a.m. — that might put an end to it all. When
he is not managing his family’s real estate business or contributing
to various community organizations, the 54-year-old engineer from
Montgomery County markets his late-night inventions as president of
Technology Patent LLC in Gaithersburg, a business founded on his
innovations.

“One wonderful thing about the system is if you categorize something
as a problem, that problem always has a solution,” Mardirossian said.
“The only question is to come up with that solution. It’s that
simple.”

Mardirossian holds about 30 patents, all of which are solutions to
problems he has encountered on his daily adventures as a businessman
and community activist, which put him in contact with people from a
gamut of professions with a gamut of problems.

Some of his patents include technologies for an electronic traffic
monitoring and ticketing system, a white blood-cell sized chip that
can be inserted into the body to monitor vital signs, and an
alternative fuel-cell system for use in emergency power outages.

The federal government is researching his patent for landmines, which
would enable the military to switch them on and off from a remote
location, a control that would end injury caused by landmines left in
battlefields after war.

Boeing is researching his antiterrorism device that would send
airplanes into automatic-landing mode if they flew too near “danger
zones” marked on a computer map.

“He’s got a driving force behind him to realize what might be
possible,” said Bill Fourney, chairman of the aeronautical
engineering department of the University of Maryland, College Park
and Mardirossian’s former professor. “Many of us sit around and think
about what would be good to do, but he’s taken the chance of putting
his ideas down on paper and submitting them and getting the patents.”

Fourney attributes Mardirossian’s success to the same perseverance
and hard work he showed as an engineering student at the University
of Maryland, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
1974 and 1975, respectively.

But Mardirossian says his victories in the patent world have all been
due to “luck.”

“I don’t think about this problem or how I’m going to solve it,” said
Mardirossian, who immigrated to the United States from Armenia in
1964. “It goes in my head and stays there for a couple of months, and
one day I’ll wake up at 2 in the morning ” get up, go downstairs and
start writing. By the morning it’s all finished.”

That inspiration, and what Mardirossian refers to as “easy” problem
solving, also cleared the path to his successful business career.

While managing a family real-estate venture during the early 1980s,
Mardirossian was frazzled when a 7-Eleven convenience store backed
out of its agreement to move into his building in Gaithersburg.
Instead of searching for another store to fill the hole, Mardirossian
simply invented his own — the 6-Twelve Convenient Mart, which drew a
copyright-infringement lawsuit from 7-Eleven that lost on antitrust
grounds.

Mardirossian was president of 6-Twelve from 1984 to 1991, when he
realized that he “was not cut out for management” and turned the
business over to family members.

In 1988, Mardirossian noticed another problem: radon gas. At that
time, people in the Washington area were concerned about radon leaks.
Mardirossian responded by starting a business providing radon testing
to local schools and homes.

Again, Mardirossian served as president of the company until 1996,
when he “got bored,” sold it and moved to his latest venture —
patents.

“I have a very short attention span,” Mardirossian said.

Those who know him, though, would disagree, professing their
admiration for Mardirossian’s careful attention to his various
philanthropic projects.

“He’s a product of the American dream and because of that he wants to
give back to the community,” said Brian Gragnolati, president and
chief executive of Suburban Hospital Healthcare System in Bethesda,
where Mardirossian serves as a volunteer board member.

“As a board member he always seems to ask the right question and cut
to the chase,” Gragnolati said. “He constantly reminds us about our
purpose, which is to care for patients.”

Mardirossian also started a scholarship endowment program for
financially challenged mechanical engineering students at the
University of Maryland, and he is active in politics, supporting
candidates whose ideals are similar to his own.

“He’s very bipartisan,” said Sen. Patrick J. Hogan, D-Montgomery
County. “He gets involved in politics and backs people he thinks are
doing the right thing, Democrats, Republicans.”

“He’s been active in so many fronts,” Hogan said. “We’re very lucky
to have him in Montgomery.”

Talks with Georgia must begin with economic not political issues – Abkhaz leader

RIA news agency, Moscow
19 Feb 05

Sukhumi, 19 February: The head of the unrecognized republic of
Abkhazia, Sergey Bagapsh, believes that negotiations with Georgia
must be based on the Sochi agreements [on cooperation between Russia,
Georgia and Abkhazia on energy, railway communications and the return
of refugees], he told a news conference in Sukhumi today.

“Our side has several initiatives that I think will be agreed upon with
our friends. It would be good if they could also be understood by the
Georgian side. The most important thing is that we have announced that
we are ready to hold talks. The Sochi agreements, including those
on the issue of refugees, must be taken as the basis for these,”
Bagapsh said.

According to him, if the negotiation process is restarted the economy,
energy and rail links must be prioritized. “Railways are not just a
priority for Abkhazia alone. As well as economic growth, they provide
links and contacts between people who work in this area. This is
beneficial both economically and politically for Georgia, Armenia
and Abkhazia,” Bagapsh said. “If we start the negotiation process
with political issues, we will never achieve anything,” the Abkhaz
president added.

In his opinion, the Georgian side was responsible for breaking off
the negotiation process.

Earlier today Bagapsh met with Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister
Valeriy Loshchinin, who expressed the hope that the meeting would
encourage new possibilities to open up for continuing the dialogue
and restarting the negotiation process.

AGREEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION OF THERMOELECTRIC POWER PLANT WITH USE OF BIOGAS TO BE SIGNED IN YEREVAN BY THE END OF 2005

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 : ARMINFO

YEREVAN, 22.01.05. A Japanese company Shimizu will sign an agreement
on construction of a 1.5 megawatt thermoelectric power plant with use
of biogas in Yerevan by the end of 2005,> Nature Protection Minister
of Armenia Vardan Ayvazyan told ARMINFO, Friday.

He said that TPP would be built in the territory of Nubarashen dump on
the funds of the Japanese party. The project will cost $4.5 mln. The
Japanese State New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization
will finance the construction of bio-TPP. Tariff for the electricity
received due to use of biogas (marsh-gas) is established at 8 cents
for 1 kW/h by the Commission for Regulation of Public Services Sphere.

The minister thinks that besides production of electricity, the
construction of the plant will contribute to solution to ecological
problems in the capital. This project is favorable for Armenia and
the given technologies have already been successfully used in Japan,
the minister says.

Nubarashen dump in the outskirts of Yerevan started forming in 60s and
some 800-900 cubic meters of garbage are daily accumulated there. The
dump occupies some 60 ha.

Turkey tells Azeris no plan to open Armenia border

Reuters
02/10/05 17:11 ET

ANKARA, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Turkey reassured its ally Azerbaijan
on Thursday it had no plans to open its border with Armenia while
Armenian forces occupied part of Azeri territory. Turkey shut its
border in 1993 to show solidarity with oil-rich, Turkic-speaking
Azerbaijan in its long and bitter dispute with Armenia over the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Despite Armenia’s continued occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is
inside Azerbaijan’s borders, some Turkish businessmen and media have
called for an opening of Turkey’s border and a resumption of trade.

“The continued occupation (by Armenia) and the fact that nearly a
million of our Azeri brothers are refugees remain an obstacle (to
opening the border),” Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said
after talks with his Azeri counterpart.

“From this point of view I hope talks towards a peace settlement
will be productive … and that the occupation will come to an end.
Then all relations can be normalised,” Gul told reporters.

Azerbaijan suffered a humiliating defeat in a 1988-94 war with Armenia
over Nagorno-Karabakh after the region’s mainly Armenian population
tried to break
away from Azeri rule.

An estimated 35,000 people were killed and one million refugees fled
to Azerbaijan, where they remain. At the same time, thousands of
ethnic Armenian refugees fled to Armenia.

A ceasefire ended the conflict but the dispute persists despite
international efforts to broker a deal.

Turkey’s relations with Armenia are also clouded by Armenian claims
that Ottoman Turkish troops committed genocide against its people
between 1915 and 1923. Turkey denies the claims.

Turkey is due to begin entry talks with the European Union. Some
in the EU, especially in France, home to Europe’s biggest Armenian
diaspora, say Turkey must open its border with Armenia and recognise
the “genocide” before it can join the bloc.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Feb 11 2005

Green Lane agricultural NGO founded in Armenia

Military statements necessary to Azerbaijan to support fighting
efficiency of the army – S.Sargsian

*********************************************************************

GREEN LANE AGRICULTURAL NGO FOUNDED IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, January 10. /ARKA/. USDA MAP Director Jeffrey Engels
participated in the opening of the office space of the new
Agricultural Assistance NGO, Green Lane, on February 8. Green Lane
was established in December 2004. It involves more than 50 members of
MAP-supported farmer groups and cooperatives and will operate in the
field of organic agriculture. According to Nune Sarukhanyan, the
Chairperson of the new NGO, these farmer groups left behind a long
transition period to organic agriculture. Green Lane, inspired and
funded by USDA MAP, now belongs to these farmer groups: Farmer Field
Schools, Local Extension Research Groups, and cooperatives. Mr.
Engels warmly welcomed and congratulated the members of the NGO and
valued their future contribution in the development of organic and
general agriculture in the country. He expressed his willingness to
further provide support to Green Lane. Ms. Sarukhanyan cordially
thanked Jeffrey Engels, Dave Slusser and other MAP consultants for
the moral and financial support in this starting period. The main
goal of Green Lane is to assist farmers in establishment and
sustainable development of farmer groups and cooperatives to produce
high quality and competitive products, thereby increasing incomes of
member-farmers and cooperators. Nune said Green Lane, with its
research potential, funds and close collaboration contacts in the
regions of Armenia, is ready to start its activity. In the first
month of its existence, Green Lane has sufficient investments from
individuals and organizations. The number of the NGO members is
growing each day. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

MILITARY STATEMENTS NECESSARY TO AZERBAIJAN TO SUPPORT FIGHTING
EFFICIENCY OF THE ARMY – S.SARGSIAN

YEREVAN, February 11. /ARKA/. Military statements are necessary to
Azerbaijan to support fighting efficiency of the army, RA Minister of
Defense Serge Sargsian stated in the interview to Yerkir Newspaper.
According to him, Azeri military men need to “prove” that they can
settle issues by force. “If they admit that cannot take the lost
lands by force, then their opponents will surely interested in the
reason of that and the administration of defense department will have
no answer”, Sargsian said. He also said that similar statements in
negotiating process are means of pressure not only on Armenian party,
but on mediators as well. “It is not perspective style of work”, he
resumed. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

–Boundary_(ID_lATu6if1kpPk63gSw0c+iQ)–

htm#44061

IRAN DAILY
Wed, Feb 09, 2005
BAHMAN 21 1383
Zihajeh 29, 1425

Khatami Receives Armenia’s Top Security Official

President Mohammad Khatami (r) in talks with the secretary of the
Armenian National Security Council, Serzh Sarkisian, in Tehran on
Tuesday. (IRNA Photo)

TEHRAN, Feb. 8–President Mohammad Khatami said here Tuesday that
Tehran-Yerevan cooperation will help promote mutual interest and
regional security and stability.

In a meeting with the secretary of the Armenian National Security
Council, Serzh Sarkisian he said presidents of the two countries have
opened a new chapter in developing economic cooperation and efforts
should be made for speedy implementation of mutual accords.

Khatami stressed that Iran supports Armenia, in light of the fact that
mutual cooperation can help development and security in the Caucasus.

The president pointed to the role of transit and transportation in
boosting relations among regional states and reiterated the need for
connecting regional rail and roadways.

Sarkisian for his part hoped for further expansion of bilateral
relations. He said promotion of cooperation in the fields of culture,
education and economy is in the interest of regional security.

Linking the railways of the two neighboring countries would be
effective in establishing the North-South Corridor, the senior Armenian
official noted.

National Council of Churches ends middle east visit, issues sobering statement

Arabic News
Feb 9 2005

Palestine-USA, Politics, 2/8/2005

“God’s children are called to seek justice, to break down the walls
that separate them, and to live side by side in peace,” declares the
National Council of Churches USA’s delegation in its statement issued
at the close of its Jan. 21-Feb. 4 visit to the Middle East.

The 11-member delegation asked those with whom it met: “Is there a
new window of opportunity for peace?” In the statement “Barriers Do
Not Bring Freedom,” the delegation concludes, “A sliver of hope for
peace does exist, but we feel strongly the moment must be seized now
or the future will remain dim.”

The council said in a statement: As a delegation of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, we traveled across the
Middle East from Beirut to Cairo to Bethlehem to Jerusalem over the
past two weeks, from January 21-February 4, 2005 on a mission of
peace. Our journey coincided with the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity. The Middle East Council of Churches and individual partner
churches have graciously hosted our delegation. We are grateful to
God for the witness to Christ made by the living churches of the
Middle East from which we descend. We affirm the whole earth is God’s
holy land, though of course the land of Israel and Palestine holds
particular importance for us, for it is the land of the Prophets and
Our Savior. We also affirm that God’s children are called to seek
justice, to break down the walls that separate them, and to live side
by side in peace.

Especially for the sake of the children, we have hope that peace
remains possible and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
can be reached. But for many of us this was our saddest journey to
the Holy Land. Facts on the ground make time of the utmost essence.
We posed a question to those with whom we met: “Is there a new window
of opportunity for peace?” Our conclusion is that a sliver of hope
for peace does exist, but we feel strongly the moment must be seized
now or the future will remain dim. As American church leaders, we
urge our government to take balanced, strategic action now.

Our word is one of alarm and worry. Current policies promise more
war, death, and destruction. We are deeply concerned for all people
in the region whether they be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or of other
faiths. There are far too many disturbing realities to give us
confidence. Not only should people everywhere insist on and act for
peace in the Middle East, they must also pray fervently for the peace
of Jerusalem.

We believe that American Christians must see themselves as
bridge-builders for peace and must not abandon or forget all GodÕs
children of the Middle East. We heard many pleas from our Christian
sisters and brothers to raise our voices and work for a just,
enduring, and comprehensive peace. The rapid disappearance of the
Christian presence in the Holy Land and, indeed, the entire region
due to emigration is alarming and can only be reversed if conditions
are changed for all the peoples of the Middle East. The Christian
community in the Middle East is a living church, not simply the
custodian of sacred places for others to visit. We pledged to them we
will redouble our efforts for an end of the Israeli Occupation of the
West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and for an end of the
U.S. occupation of Iraq.

We met with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders as well as with a
wide variety of missionaries, intellectuals, and political officials
including those of Israel, Palestine, and the United States. Dialogue
and understanding between all faith communities is not an academic
exercise in the Middle East; it is absolutely necessary for survival.
We must all work for a change of heart and a change of mind that
leads toward reconciliation and harmony. We confess that the life of
every human being is sacred and that the violent death of anyone is
tragic.

Our delegation was in the region at a momentous time: the beginning
of President Bush’s second term in office; the election of a new
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and his moves to demilitarize
the militants; Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s opening move to
disengage from Gaza; the continued building of Israel’s Separation
Barrier; the killing of a 10-year-old Palestinian girl in the Gaza;
the exposure of Israel’s decision to invoke the Absentee Law which
has the effect of confiscating Palestinian land in East Jerusalem;
elections in Iraq; and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz.

We reaffirm our strong support for Israel and for its right to live
in peace and security. Israel has suffered from a long series of
suicide bombings, which we find reprehensible. Our support of Israel
goes back many years, as does our support for justice for the
Palestinian people. Our itinerary included a visit to Yad Vashem,
where we honored the victims of Auschwitz and other victims of the
Holocaust. We met with victims of terror and other representatives of
a wide spectrum of the Jewish community.

We understand that the Separation Barrier is being built as a
deterrent against attacks on Israel. However, we learned 85 percent
of Israel’s Separation Barrier is being built on Palestinian land.
Much of this is to include West Bank settlements within the Barrier.
Quite simply, these settlements should never have been built and must
be removed. Like any other nation, Israel has the right to build a
Barrier; however one people’s barrier should not be built on the land
of another people. We call for the removal of the Separation Barrier
from Palestinian territory.

We personally witnessed the devastating effects of the Barrier.
Because it is being built not on the 1967 Green Line but primarily on
Palestinian land, parents are separated from children, husbands from
wives, farmers from their land, patients from hospitals, workers from
employers, and local Christians from the holy sites. Palestinian
leaders long ago accepted a two-state solution giving Palestine 22
percent of the territory that once comprised Israel, the West Bank,
and the Gaza Strip. Now, the 22 percent has shrunk considerably due
to the so-called “natural growth” of Israeli settlements and a vast
strategic network of roads, highways and tunnels open only to Israeli
settlers, police, and the military. Palestinians, like people
everywhere, must have freedom of movement. Palestinian land is
increasingly being chopped into tiny cantons making the possibility
of a sustainable Palestinian state unachievable.

Israel has established hundreds upon hundreds of checkpoints,
roadblocks, and gates across the Occupied Territories making daily
life and travel extremely difficult for ordinary Palestinians.
Palestinians and Israelis are trapped in a cycle of violence. The
crushing burden of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory
contributes to deep anger and violent resistance, which contributes
to fear throughout Israeli society. Israelis told us of a hardening
of the Israeli soul against Palestinians, and Palestinians told us of
the desperation they feel under Israel’s collective punishment.
Normal life has ceased. At least half of the Palestinian people live
in poverty. We were distressed to learn too many Israelis have little
or no knowledge of the human rights abuses experienced by
Palestinians.

Our delegation witnessed several of the many instances of harassment
and humiliation visited daily upon Palestinian people. Stereotypes of
all Palestinians as terrorists must be broken, and Palestinians must
understand that many Israelis also want a just peace. Presently, a
“lethal dialogue” is underway between extremists on all sides. This
must be transformed into a peaceful dialogue. While every leader we
met – Christian, Jewish, Muslim – condemned violence, it is clear the
overriding problem is Israel’s continuing occupation of Palestinian
territory.

We are authentic friends of Israel and we have a vision of peace and
security. We are not blind in our support and reserve the right to
question the actions even of our friends. We believe genuine
negotiations and not unilateral action can avoid unimaginable
violence in the future.

We urge President Bush to send a credible special envoy to assist in
negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Strong, genuinely
constructive US action can hasten peace. We ask Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice upon her visit to Israel this weekend to touch the
wall and feel the pain it causes.

We ask the international community to invest in Palestinian projects
and businesses. We learned of the pressing need for aid to flow to
Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem, in addition to other
occupied territories.

We will invite Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas, at the time
of their next visits to the United States, to meet with ecumenical
leaders as partners in peacemaking.

We call on American Christians to contact the President of the United
States and their Members of Congress to insist U.S. policy be
balanced toward both Israel and Palestine.

Middle East churches have a vital role to play as bridge builders and
peacemakers. We pledge our solidarity with them as part of the One
Body of Christ and we will look for ways to lift up their presence
and needs within our churches.

We affirm and endorse the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical
Accompaniment Program which assists Palestinians and Israelis in
their everyday lives and urge our member communions to support and
participate in this program. We urge people of faith and others in
the U.S. and from around the world to visit the Middle East and
better understand the situation for themselves.

As people of faith, we affirm life. When ancient olive trees are
uprooted from the soil in which they were planted, when access to
water is denied, when children’s futures are threatened, this does
not lead to life in this world as intended by God. Join us in prayer
for the peace of Jerusalem and in seeking justice for all people of
the Middle East.

The National Council of Churches is composed of 36 member national
denominations, which collectively represent 45 million people in
130,000 congregations. Members of the delegation are:

*Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Christian Methodist Episcopal Church,
President of the NCCCUSA;
*Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the NCCCUSA;
*Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Armenian Orthodox Church of America,
Secretary of the NCCCUSA;
*Dr. Sylvia Campbell, Alliance of Baptists, NCCCUSA Justice and
Advocacy Commission;
*Rev. Dr. Thelma Chambers-Young, Progressive National Baptist
Convention, Vice-President of the NCCCUSA;
*Rev. SeungKoo Choi, General Secretary, Korean Presbyterian Church in
America;
*Bishop C. Christopher Epting, Episcopal Church;
*Ms. Ann E. Hafften, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
*Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, Disciples of Christ, NCCCUSA Justice and
Advocacy Commission Chair;
*Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Greek Orthodox Church, Associate General
Secretary of the NCCCUSA;
*Mr. Jim Winkler, General Secretary, United Methodist General Board
of Church and Society.

–Boundary_(ID_1IHZbizCdiV4ALCoSfDUXw)–

Turkish Press, Turkey
Feb 8 2005

ARINC VISITS AZERBAIJAN

Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc who is currently visiting Azerbaijan,
yesterday met with his Azeri counterpart Murtuz Aleskerov as well as
President Ilham Aliyev. During their talks, Arinc lamented that 20%
of Azeri territory is under Armenian occupation. Noting how the
United Nations had officially called on Armenia to end this illegal
land seizure, Arinc said, “However, Armenian officials have
stubbornly resisted these calls.” /Turkiye/

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Feb 7 2005

SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT MEETS HEADS OF AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT
[February 07, 2005, 16:10:20]

On February 7, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
Bulent Arinc and the accompanied delegation has been in the Milli
Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic.

Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov, first deputy
speaker Arif Rahimzade and head of the Parliament Administration Safa
Mirzayev and other officials welcomed the guests.

Heads of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan and Turkey had a one-on-one
meeting.

Then, Mr. Bulent Arinc and the Turkish delegation familiarized with
the Milli Majlis museum.

The delegation of Turkey and Azerbaijan parliamentarians held a
meeting in large. Speaker Murtuz Alaskarov thanked Mr. Bulent Arinc
for visit to Azerbaijan, wished it to be useful, stating the
relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, basing on common historical,
cultural, religious and moral roots, develops in the spirit of
friendship and fraternity. After gaining sovereignty, in
strengthening of friendship and fraternity an exclusive role belongs
to the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, he said. Thanks
to regular visits of the officials of two countries, the relations
have acquired higher level. The documents signed during the first
visit of President Ilham Aliyev have founded legislative basis for
long-term cooperation. As a result, the economic links of two
countries are developing. Over thousand Turkish businessmen have
invested in numerous fields of Azerbaijan’s economy. Realization of
the BTC oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline will play
important role in development of Azerbaijani and Turkey, as well as
in establishment of stability in the region.

The parliamentary links of two countries also develop. Our
legislators cooperate within the international organizations. The
Council of Europe has adopted a resolution in connection to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where calls Armenia as
an aggressor state, and the regime in the Nagorno Karabakh region as
a separatist. In discussion of the document, the Turkish deputies
have actively taken part.

Mr. Alaskarov updated the guests on the document, expressed gratitude
to the Turkish state and government for support of Azerbaijan’s
position.

Chairman of the Milli Majlis reminded his visit to France last year,
the insidious wishes of the Armenians related to recognition of the
so-called “Armenian genocide” that he condemned during his visit.
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament also reminded the Khojali massacre
the Armenians have committed in February 26 in 1992 and expressed
hope that the Turkish Parliament would regard this question.

Expressing gratitude for cordial reception and provided information,
Mr. Bulent Arinc said he was pleased to visit the fraternal country.
He reminded huge contributions of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev in development and strengthening of the relations
between two countries.

Mr. Bulent Arinc expressed consent with inter-parliamentary links,
noting that on 23 April, Turkey would mark the 85th anniversary of
establishment of the Grand National Assembly and wished to see the
Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation in the festivities. “Turkey
always and constantly supports Azerbaijan position in settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and it will remain unchangeable”, he
stated.

Mr. Bulent Arinc said on February 26 the Turkish parliamentarians are
going to hold discussions related to the Khojali genocide.

Speaker of the Turkish Parliament gave high assessment to activity of
the Turkish businessmen in Azerbaijan, noting that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil-gas pipelines would
strengthen the two countries economically and play important role in
integration to Europe.

At the meeting, also were exchanged views on a number of other issues
of mutual interest.