FIRST DIGITAL LIBRARY OF AZERBAIJAN’S HISTORY CREATED

The first digital library of Azerbaijan’s history -www.history.az - consisting of electronic versions of history books, documents and other sources and information on Azerbaijan, has been launched by “Ireli” Public Association in Azerbaijan.

The trilingual library (Azerbaijani, English and Russian) contains digital versions of books and articles written by Azerbaijani and foreign scholars, historical documents, as well as maps, photo databases of historical and cultural monuments, carpets, archaeological excavations, and numismatic materials. The portal provides extensive information about all periods of Azerbaijan’s history.

 

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US UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: AZERBAIJAN IS A VITAL PARTNER

Last week, Michele Flournoy, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, paid a visit to Azerbaijan, and met with President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.

Current state of bilateral relations, regional security issues, resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and military cooperation were the major topics of discussions.

At the end of the visit, Under Secretary Flournoy released a statement in which she expressed appreciation for “Azerbaijan's critical contributions to the international effort in Afghanistan, to countering violent extremism, and to regional and global security.” “Azerbaijan's strategic location at the crossroads of Eurasia has made it a vital partner of the United States,” Under Secretary said. Calling Azerbaijan a key node in the global air and ground network that resupplies International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan security personnel, Under Secretary also mentioned Azerbaijan’s military personnel standing “shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States, our Allies, and other partners to establish and maintain the security necessary for stabilization and reconstruction.”

"The Government of Azerbaijan has been a stalwart ally in our efforts to counter violent extremism. Over the past several years, Azerbaijani authorities have helped to thwart attacks against U.S. and other foreign interests and disrupted countless plots,” Under Secretary said.

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CSIS EXPERT: AZERBAIJAN’S ACHIEVEMENTS ARE SIGNIFICANT

Edward Chow, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and one of the leading US energy experts, addressing audience at the George Washington University, said that “the achievements that have been made in Azerbaijan over the past 17-18 years are to be properly valued.” Recalling his trips to the region in the early 1990s, Mr. Chow emphasized Azerbaijan’s ability to quickly develop the energy contracts with foreign companies into serious endeavor. Expert believes that the government anchored the balance between the interests of private companies and national interests to provide for sustainable foreign direct investments in Azerbaijan’s economy.

He said that oil and gas production is not the only economic sector responsible for the development in Azerbaijan. “Well managed oil and gas revenues have been invested into non-oil sector in a prudent way.”

The discussion, organized by the newly established Washington Center for Azerbaijani Studies on “Geopolitics of Caspian Energy: Perspectives and Challenges” at the Elliott School of International

Touching upon the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement Mr. Chow said that without a clear path to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the prospects are lingering for Turkey-Armenia border opening. Mr. Chow called for more senior visits by Obama Administration’s officials to Azerbaijan.

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BACKING THE FUTURE

Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) has recently launched a program of support for Azerbaijani PhD holders/students.

The purpose of the program is to enhance support for talented young Azerbaijanis who are pursuing or have recently completed their PhD studies abroad, and to attract them back to Azerbaijan.

The program will be conducted primarily through research fellowships. ADA will also organize workshops in North America and Europe bringing together both Azerbaijani and foreign PhD holders/students. A concluding conference for 2010 workshops will be held in Baku on 20-21 December.

A workshop in Washington, D.C. to be held on 4-5 June is designed for Azerbaijani PhD holders/students who did/do their studies in North America.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and ADA Rector Hafiz Pashayev stressed the importance of the program saying that “it will also create a network of Azerbaijanis studying abroad, increase awareness of the international academic community about Azerbaijan, and turn ADA into a platform for academic debates.”

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AZERBAIJAN TO ATTEND WORLD EXPO 2010

Azerbaijan will participate at the World Expo 2010 to be held on May 1-October 31 in Shanghai, China, under the theme "Better City, Better Life".

The national pavilion of Azerbaijan will demonstrate Azerbaijan's achievements in various industries, including the ICT, Azerbaijan’s Communications and IT Ministry said.

A transnational project initiated by Azerbaijan and approved unanimously by the UN General Assembly on the construction of Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway, which is designed to connect a total of 20 countries and play the role as locomotive for the development of the region, will also be presented at the Expo.

Over 190 countries and 50 international organizations have registered to participate at the Expo. Almost 100 foreign leaders and millions of people from across the world are expected to visit the Expo.

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