By Ayya Lmahamad

Azernews Weekly Review of Major Releases: July 4-10

Azernews has launched a new project designed for a weekly roundup of its own major coverage of events.

STRONG POINTS

Baku hosts international conference on Caspian Sea level fluctuations

TAP CEO optimistic about Azerbaijani gas export to Europe and potential expansion of SGC

Azerbaijan and Europe to sign energy memorandum

Azerbaijani Energy Minister attends opening ceremony of Greece-Bulgaria interconnection

Silk Road: Unmissable Music Festival for a Cultural Travel Experience

The Ministry of Culture examines archival documents

Ramin Kuliev’s new album is out

Azerbaijan launches Armenian vandalism website

Death of OSCE MG – Baku and Moscow agree despite Yerevan’s efforts to keep him alive

Regears from the Caspian region: No conflict but residual sticking points

Azerbaijan’s wise strategy, driven by establishing cordial ties with key regional and global players

NATION

Baku hosted an international conference to discuss Caspian Sea level fluctuations. Experts from the Caspian countries, representatives of international organizations and foreign experts participated in the conference. Issues of strengthening collaboration to define national and regional adaptation strategies were discussed at the conference, taking into account current and projected changes in the level of the Caspian Sea, as well as climate and level projections.

It’s time to seize new opportunities for peace

The post-conflict period opens up new opportunities for Azerbaijan and for the whole region, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the opening ceremony of the diplomacy week “Peace and creative efforts of Azerbaijan in the post-conflict phase” at ADA University. According to the minister, Azerbaijan presented a post-conflict peace program and offered Armenia to work on a peace treaty.

New website

A website heritage.gov.az has been created on historical and cultural monuments of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The website was developed by the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in order to inform the general public about Armenian vandalism.

End of unsuccessful mediation mission

The OSCE Minsk Group, created to mediate a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh-era conflict in the South Caucasus between Yerevan and Baku and on which great hopes were pinned, has completely lost its importance and its mandate is naturally became disabled after the victory in 2020 of the Azerbaijan army.

As Azerbaijan rebrands itself internationally, the world is now experiencing a renewed era. Not only has the world community begun to perceive the winning state differently, but this is also reflected in the country’s stronger and more trusting relations with other states. The ongoing relationship between President Ilham Aliyev and Joe Biden of the United States testifies to this. President Aliyev’s congratulatory letter to the US leader on July 4 Independence Day was reciprocal to Biden’s two congratulatory letters to Aliyev.

NAM Azerbaijan’s new window to the world

The increasingly important role of Azerbaijan within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) constitutes one of the most critical dimensions. Membership in NAM, in addition to allowing it to project greater power beyond the limits of its presumed reach and to propose global initiatives, allows the largest nation in the South Caucasus to obtain the tangible political support of member states. Baku has also taken a proactive role in the institutionalization of the MNA.

Ashgabat Summit of the Caspian Sea Rim States

The circumstances characterizing relations between the five Caspian littoral states, namely Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, since 1991 have always involved a palpable degree of complexity as to the enormous potential of deep cooperation torn by indisputable sticking points engendered by the specific interests of the respective nations. The sixth summit of Heads of State of the Caspian littoral states, light years of monumental significance from the previous convening in Aktau in 2018 where the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was was signed, was nevertheless an important occasion.

Azernews’ Orkhan Amashov against the famous Paul Goble

In an exclusive interview with Azernews, Paul Goble, former adviser to the US Secretary of State, shared his perspective on the current situation in Ukraine, its geopolitical implications, and gave a detailed and informed articulation of his views on the myriad elements of the contemporary Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process.

Another call to Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Zangazur Corridor between Azerbaijan and Armenia should be implemented. He stressed that Turkey supports the restoration of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and that the comprehensive peace agreement offered by Azerbaijan to Armenia must be signed as soon as possible because the region needs peace.

Head of Azerbaijani diplomacy in Tehran

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran increased by 18% in the first half of 2022, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a meeting in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during of his official visit to the country. Bayramov said trade turnover between the two countries increased by 30% in the previous year and by 18% in the first half of 2022, adding that there was still room for growth in this area.

Azernews Ayya Lmahamad interviews TAP boss

Azernews featured an exclusive interview with Luca Schieppati, Managing Director of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), on the role of Azerbaijan and the Southern Gas Corridor in diversifying gas supply to Europe, export of Azerbaijani gas, the potential expansion of SGC and the possibility of supplying hydrogen.

Europe places its gas hopes in Azerbaijan

The European Union is preparing to sign a major energy memorandum with Azerbaijan on 18 July. The memorandum is expected to be signed during EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson’s visit to Baku.

Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov attended the opening ceremony of the strategically important Greece-Bulgaria interconnector in Komotini on July 8. He said the implementation of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) is the start of an important step in the development of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and an indicator of the diversification of the southern gas corridor.

Sacred history must be protected

Azerbaijan and Iran have agreed on the acceleration of activities on the hydroelectric junctions of Khudafarin and Giz Galasi. The discussion on the topic took place during the meeting between Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Mehrabian.

After the state visit, Baku and Tashkent are in action

The Azerbaijani National Oil Company (SOCAR) and Uzbekneftegaz have signed a roadmap to expand cooperation. The document envisages the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas sector and cooperation in trade, oil refining, petrochemicals, exchange of experience and other important directions.

CULTURE

Shaki, a magnificent city, which has a long history with a splendid cultural heritage. There’s no better way to experience the city with its interesting culture and natural wonders than at the Silk Road Music Festival 2022. Every summer, the music festival brings top local and international musicians to Sheki.

Street food is undoubtedly an essential part of catering in many countries. On the streets of Baku you can find a wide range of appetizing fried dishes that are worth trying. Since 2017, the capital has brought together foodies who enjoy street food with great enthusiasm.

The list of historical Azerbaijani cultural and religious sites damaged or destroyed as a result of the Armenian occupation can be continued indefinitely. Azerbaijan has launched a major reconstruction plan for its lands liberated from three decades of Armenian occupation after the Second Karabakh War in 2020. At the same time, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Anar Karimov announced that the ministry plans to examine archival materials in neighboring countries for an in-depth study of historical and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan.

Sometimes silence can say a lot without ever saying a word. The noise of the vanity of the city prevents us from living a life full of beautiful moments. However, time spent in nature can completely change our view of the world. Ramin Kuliev is one of those people who look for beauty in the little things. The composer, who loves silence and the beauty of nature, expressed a wide range of feelings through his new musical album “The Yellow man”.

A magnificent Lampa rug was presented at the National Carpet Museum. The carpet was donated to the Shusha branch of the museum by the vice-president of the Council of Elders, recipient of the personal presidential scholarship, and the first ombudsman, Professor Elmira Suleymanova.

WORLD

World-renowned boy group BTS has been confirmed as official ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo. 21st century K-pop icons will hold a concert to aid South Korea’s bid to host the Expo universe of 2030.

SPORTS

World Sports Journalists Day is observed around the world on July 2 to recognize the outstanding contribution of journalists who focus on promoting sport and a healthy lifestyle. The Federation of Sports Journalists of Azerbaijan (AIJF) aims to develop a network of journalists throughout the country.

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