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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE
Embassy of Azerbaijan |
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Issue # 2 |
February 21, 2008 |
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President Aliyev Meets U.S. Senator Brownback
 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received this week a delegation led by U.S. Senator Sam Brownback in Baku.During their discussions, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan-U.S. relations are successfully developing in all fields, and stressed the importance of the two countries' energy cooperation as an important element in their bilateral relations. Senator Brownback also praised recent developments in Azerbaijan and said the country has made great progress over the last few years. Brownback, of Kansas, is a strong proponent of the repeal of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Section 907 prohibits direct government-to-government assistance from the U.S. to Azerbaijan. This section has been waived annually since 2001 by presidential order, although Azerbaijan is awaiting its full repeal once and for all. Brownback also supports Azerbaijan’s economy and democracy by advocating for the lifting of the Jackson-Vanik sanctions in the Trade Act of 1974. Azerbaijan Airlines to Receive First Boeing
Dreamliner in 2009
 National flag carrier Azerbaijan Airlines (AzAl) has announced it will phase out the use of Russian-made aircraft for civilian flights by 2010.As part of this plan, AzAl will receive its first Boeing-737-900 in February 2009, and its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner two to three months later that same year. AzAl has ordered two Boeing-787s and two Boeing 737-900s in a contract totaling $401 million. All four aircraft are to be delivered to Baku by the end of 2009. Company vice-president Sabir Ilyasov also said that French-made ATR-42-500 and ATR-72-500 aircraft would also be delivered to Baku for regional destinations. In total, AzAl has ordered six of the aircraft at a cost of $97.2 million. AzAl is planning on adding a second weekly flight from Baku to Minsk, Ilyasov said. Meanwhile, plans for the opening of a direct Baku-Munich flight have been delayed over concerns of the route’s economic viability, he said. The company also has a contract with France's ATR for the delivery of six aircraft - two 42-500s and four 72-500s. The contract for the purchase comes to $97.2 million. As part of this agreement, Azerbaijan has already received two aircraft. U.S. Sees Azerbaijan as Partner in Fighting Terrorism
 Frank Urbancic, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism of the U.S. Department of State, met this week with Azerbaijan’s Minister of National Security, Lieutenant General Eldar Mahmudov.Minister Mahmudov provided an overview of developments in region and existing threats within its geopolitically strategic space. Mahmudov also discussed Azerbaijan’s measures to address international terrorism and transnational crimes. He noted the importance of uniting international efforts to combat terrorism and other crimes, and expressed gratitude to anti-terror coalition member-states for support rendered to Azerbaijan. Urbancic stressed that the United States greatly values Azerbaijan’s efforts in combating terrorism to ensure international security. He said such cooperation has yielded results in addressing terrorism and stressed the need for further expanding such collaboration. The ambassador of the United States to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, also took part in the meeting. Azerbaijan to Open Military Plants in Regions in 2008
 The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Industry has announced it is planning to produce flak jackets, helmets and other individual safety equipment, Minister of Defense Industry Yavar Camalov has said in an exclusive interview with APA last week.
Talks are under way to that end with a number of major companies, including Israeli firms, Camalov said. The minister did not rule out that Azerbaijan might soon start producing various military equipment as well. Camalov said that the aircraft repair plant in the settlement of Haci Zeynalabdin Tagiyev in Baku would be reopened and noted that the plant was currently the property of the Defense Ministry. "We could discuss the organization of the production of joint aeronautical equipment at the plant as part of our cooperation with foreign countries in the future," he said. The minister said that a number of new enterprises producing military products would be set up in the provinces this year. New plants are expected to be built in Ali Bayramli and Xacmaz, Camalov said. |