The military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey…

“The military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is based on friendly and fraternal ties, and these relations are steadily developing,” said Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov as he met with Turkish Minister of National Defense Ismet Yilmaz. Ismet Yilmaz hailed the role and importance of such meetings in strengthening mutual relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The two ministers also exchanged views over other issues of regional and mutual cooperation. Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ismail Alper Coskun was also present at the meeting.

Ukraine’s Jamala has won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, held in Stockholm, Sweden

The country scored 534 points with its song 1944. In second place was the favourite of the juries Australia with 511 points, Dami Im's Sound Of Silence, and Russia came third with 491 points, You Are The Only One sung by Sergey Lazarev. The new voting system brought one of the most thrilling finishes to the contest, as Australia had stormed into the lead with the jury votes, but the public televoting overturned that and edged Ukraine into a 23 point lead, and not even the televoting favourite Russia could overtake either of them. Azerbaijan ranked 17th with 117 points. The show was broadcast to some 50 countries around the world, including the USA and China.

A trilateral meeting of defense Ministers started…

A trilateral meeting of defense ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey has today started in the city of Gabala. Defense ministers Zakir Hasanov of Azerbaijan, Tinatin Khidasheli of Georgia and Ismet Yilmaz of Turkey first visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s territorial integrity. The ministers laid flowers at the Eternal Flame Memorial Complex here. They also put flowers at a monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev. The event features discussions in bilateral and trilateral formats. After the meeting, the ministers will hold a joint press conference.

On the world markets…

The price of oil has continued to fall in the world markets. On the New York Stock Exchange NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) cost of the US Light crude oil decreased $1.17 to stand at $43.75. Price of the Brent crude oil at the London ICE (InterContinental Exchange Futures) fell $1.05 to trade at $45.02. The price of a barrel of Azeri Light crude oil decreased $2.23 to stand at $45.81 on the world markets.  

Heydar Aliyev’s 93rd

A postal stamp commemorating Azerbaijan`s national leader Heydar Aliyev’s 93rd birthday anniversary has been issued in Switzerland. According to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Switzerland, the stamp was issued on the agreement between the Embassy and “Schweizerische Post“ Joint-Stock Company. The postal stamps were issued in a non-commercial purpose and will be used by the Embassy. They will also send to the UN Office of Azerbaijan in Geneva, permanent representation in other international organizations, SOCAR representation in Switzerland and other interested sides. Negotiations are underway with the “Schweizerische Post“ Joint-Stock Company on the sale of postal stamps in Swiss post offices.

Iran supports territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan

“Iran recognizes and respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan”, Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayin told in an interview with the local press. He emphasized that Iran stands for a solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the territorial integrity. “Iran is ready to help solution of the conflict, if the two sides apply. Official Tehran is interested in peace and mutual cooperation in the region”, Mohsen Pak Ayin underlined.  

In view of the operational situation…

Armenian armed units violated ceasefire using 60mm mortars with Azerbaijan 120 times on various parts of the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops throughout the day, Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry said. Armenian armed forces, located in Armenia's Paravakar, Berkaber villages and nameless hills of Ijevan region, Mosesgekh, Chinari villages of Berd region and nameless hills Krasnoselsk region subjected to fire the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces located in Kohnagishlag village of Agstafa region, Gizilhajili village and nameless hills of Gazakh region, Alibayli and Kokhanabi villages in Tovuz region and nameless hills of Gadabay region. Another ceasefire violation came from the positions located in Goyarkh, Yarimja, Chilaburt villages in Tartar region, Shikhlar, Bash Garvand, Javahirli, Sarijali, Kangarli, Novruzlu, Shuraabad, Namirli, Yusifjanli villages in Aghdam region, Kuropatkino village in Khojavand region, Garakhanbayli, Horadiz, Gorgan, Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages in Fuzuli region, Mehdili village of Jabrayil region, as well as nameless hills in Goygol, Goranboy, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil regions. In view of the operational situation, Azerbaijani armed forces carried out 121 strikes on enemy positions.

“Ganja European Youth Capital 2016 project”…

The “Ganja European Youth Capital” project was launched at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Ganja city of Azerbaijan. The event participants include the Azerbaijani President`s Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, heads of central executive bodies, representatives of the European Youth Forum, members of the Network of European Youth Capitals, as well as the representatives of international organizations. Prior to the opening ceremony, the event participants paid tribute to national leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at his monument. Head of Ganja Executive Power Elmar Veliyev declared the event open. The European Youth Capitals project was launched by the European Youth Forum in 2009. The project aims to develop international cooperation of the local and foreign youth organizations, and also exchange of experience among national youth organizations of the countries whose cities were elected the European Youth Capitals. The European Youth Capital is a title awarded to a European city for the period of one year, during which it is given the chance to showcase, through a multi-faceted program, its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life and development. The initiative encourages cities to both continue and expand the implementation of new ideas and the innovative projects with regard to the active participation of young people in society, and seeks to present a role model for further development of youth policies in other European municipalities.  

The line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops

Over 20 houses, one administrative building and more than 20 graves were damaged in the Azerbaijani district of Terter as a result of the Armenian strikes starting from April 26, Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People said. Also, private farming lands, and the districts electricity and gas received significant damage. According to numerous pieces of information, the State Commission received from relevant bodies and citizens, the Armenian army, using large-caliber weapons and heavy artillery pieces, caused considerable damage to civilian facilities, especially houses in the Terter district on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops. Considering the aforementioned, the State Commission has informed the ICRC of these acts being contrary to the norms of international law and rules of war, calling on the Armenian side to avoid doing such acts.  

7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations…

“The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations entitled “Living Together In Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal” was attended by over 1500 foreign delegates, including heads of state and government, deputy premiers, and heads of international organizations from 147 countries,” Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev has told a press conference. He said the Forum featured 45 panels as well as 86 cultural events, which were addressed by 167 speakers. Minister Garayev said about 120 media outlets were accredited for the Forum. UNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser thanked the government of Azerbaijan for hosting the Forum. He hailed the importance of the event: “…Many participants, ranging from heads of state to youth and civil society, who have contributed to the Forum on its theme of “Living Together in Inclusive Society: A Challenge and A Goal.” They entered into a true dialogue on issues of timely importance, and joined forces to foster feasible solutions to address the root causes of marginalization, polarization, and violent extremism.” “We have formed new friendships and partnerships that must now be nurtured over long distances. However, I am certain that in our digital and globalized world, these partnerships will continue to thrive. “The Forum took place in the context of two recent UN milestones that are in accord with UNAOC objectives and activities. The issuance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for the promotion of inclusive societies in its Sustainable Development Goal 16, and the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.” “At a plenary, and in various breakout sessions during the Forum, we examined the dimensions and causes of violent extremism, and ways to prevent violent extremism in the future,” Mr Al-Nasser added.