March 31 – the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis

Kuwait`s “Al-Nahar” newspaper has published an article by Ambassador Elkhan Gahraman on March 31 – the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis.The ambassador, in his article, highlights relations between the two countries. “Kuwait is a friendly and a significant partner for Azerbaijan. Both countries support each other within the international organizations,” the article narrates.In his article, the author says Armenia has pursued an aggressive policy against Azerbaijani people. “After the Republic of Azerbaijan regained its independence, it has become possible to renew the objective picture of the past history of Azerbaijani people. Thanks to the political will of national leader Heydar Aliyev March 31 is marked as the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis,” according to the article.

Conducts master class for UNEC students

A graduate of the Universities of Harvard and Duke, the US, a senior teacher, expert in strategic communication, public speech, and ethical behavior William Beaman has conducted a master class on “Business Ethics” for students of Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC).The American instructor revealed a key factor in any code of ethics in the course of business relations within the lesson attended by the undergraduate and graduate students of all the faculties of UNEC. He drew attention to the factors which are considered unethical in business. Making a speech on real cases, strategic communications expert noted the secrets of higher ethical rules in business environment and different situations. Beaman who represented some ethic moral dilemma cases before the audience, heard UNEC students’ views on how to deal in existing situation. He praised UNEC students’ behavior and skills to discuss.

Russia at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv

Broadcaster Channel One confirmed that Julia Samoylova will represent Russia at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine with the song Flame is Burning.According to Eurovision.tv, Julia was selected to represent Russia internally. Yuri Aksyuta, Head of the Russian Delegation at Eurovision, said; "Julia is unlike any other singer, she is a charming young lady and a seasoned contestant."Julia was born April, 7 1989 in Ukhta, Russia. She is a singer, composer and music writer. She is also the winner of various music contests in Russia and abroad. In 2013 she was a finalist of The X Factor in Russia. The young singer also won Alla Pugacheva’s Golden Star Award. In 2014 Julia performed the song Together at the Opening Ceremony of Winter Paralympics 2014 in Sochi.Flame Is Burning was made a co-production with Leonid Gutkin, a Eurovision veteran who was in Russia's Eurovision team in 2013 with Dina Garipova and in 2015 with Polina Gagarina.Last year, Russia finished third with You're The Only One, performed by Sergey Lazarev.Julia will compete in the second Semi-Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

According to Eurovision.tv…

After months of intensive work, Bulgaria's national broadcaster BNT has revealed that Kristian Kostov will represent the country in 2017 with Beautiful Mess. Kristian follows in the footsteps of Poli Genova who represented the country with If Love Was A Crime, achieving Bulgaria's best ever placing in the Eurovision Song Contest.According to Eurovision.tv, when asked about his song, Beautiful Mess, Kristian gave an interesting explanation as to why he and his songwriting team chose this title. "Beautiful Mess is authentic, interesting and transmits the sentiment and the main idea of the song. I like the song, because it’s what I am. Last November, I started working with Bobby [the composer Borislav Milanov] with the idea to submit a song for Eurovision either for this year or next. As a performer, now I’m trying to find myself and actually Beautiful Mess is my first song that has a deeper meaning. I like it a lot. My vision for the future is actually to do projects that make sense, so that’s a step in the right direction for me. Besides this, my fans will see me in a different light than in my past projects, so I am really curious to find out what their reaction will be".Born in Moscow on 15 March 2000, Kristian is the youngest performer in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The selection of Kristian follows the theme of the contest this year, Celebrate Diversity, since his father is Bulgarian and his mother is from Kazakhstan. In 2014 he was one of the finalists of The Voice Kids in Russia where he reached the final. Eurovision winner Dima Bilan was his mentor in the show.

BP announced today the appointment of Gary Jones as the new Regional President

BP announced today the appointment of Gary Jones as the new Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey (AGT), with effect from 2 April 2017. Gary will be based in Baku, Azerbaijan.Gary is currently BP’s global head of drilling, completions and wells.Gary will succeed Gordon Birrell, who has successfully led BP’s regional business since November 2012. Gordon’s new role will be BP’s Chief Operating Officer, Production, Transformation and Carbon based in BP’s headquarters in London.Bob Dudley, BP’s Group Chief Executive, said: “Gary is an experienced global oilman, a mature business leader, and as someone who has led BP’s global wells function for many years he brings a deep technical understanding of our operations in the Caspian. Gary has managed some of BP’s most important assets such as Rumaila and the fields in the North Sea. As BP celebrates its 25th anniversary in Azerbaijan it is our firm intention to continue the success of our business in the region through even closer cooperation with all our stakeholders. As BP’s new Regional President Gary will continue our successful partnership here building on the great achievements in all of BP-operated projects.”“Taking this opportunity I would like to thank Gordon for his leadership and commitment to BP’s success in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. He has led our business in the region for more than four years and has achieved numerous successes and milestones based on an excellent relationship and cooperation with the Government, SOCAR and our partners.”

75 percent of the work on the “TANAP” project…

Over 75 percent of the work on the “TANAP” project for the delivery of Azerbaijani natural gas to Turkey has been completed, TANAP Director General Saltuk Düzyol said. At his words, TANAP pipeline is being constructed in two phases. Phase-0 is of 56 inches diameter and 1 334 km long. Construction works in this phase are being carried out on the route starting from Turkish-Georgian border stretching to Eskişehir. “We plan to complete works on this phase till late June 2018 and deliver gas to "BOTAŞ" and Turkey. 2 bln cubic meters of gas will be transported to Turkey during the first year. Gas transport will rise to annual 6 bln cubic meters in 3 years. "Phase-1" consists of the pipeline with a diameter of 48 inches, two metering stations and two pipelines of 36 inches passing through Dardanelles Strait”, Saltuk Düzyol added.TANAP Director General stated that a special vessel will be brought to the area in summer 2017 for the submerged part. According to him, Dardanelles Strait part is planned to be completed by the end of summer this year through this vessel: “According to our estimates, gas transport to Europe will launch in 2020 in accordance with implementation of TAP project. We plan to end the works in our side earlier and make ready for delivery of gas to Europe in mid-2019. However, we think that construction of TAP, which is the European part of the Southern Gas Corridor, will not be completed to this date".

The price of a barrel of Azeri Light

The price of oil changed in the world markets.On NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) cost of the US light crude oil increased $0.01 to stand at $48.41. Price of the Brent crude oil at the London ICE (Intercontinental Exchange Futures) rose $0.04 to trade at $51.39.The price of a barrel of Azeri Light crude oil decreased $0.43 to stand at $52.55 on the world markets.

Have signed a memorandum of cooperation

Azerbaijan Technical University and the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) have signed a memorandum of cooperation.The document was signed by acting rector of Azerbaijan Technical University Khalig Yahudov and chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley Nicholas Dirks.The memorandum gives Azerbaijani teachers and students the opportunity to study and conduct researches at UCB in 2017-2020 academic year.

On the world markets…

Oil prices continue to rise on the world markets.On NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) cost of the US Light crude oil increased $0.48 to stand at $54.07. Price of the Brent crude oil at the London ICE (Intercontinental Exchange Futures) rose $0.47 to trade at $56.31.The price of a barrel of Azeri Light crude oil decreased $1.23 to stand at $57.16 on the world markets.

“TAP project of great importance for Italy”…

The “Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project is of great importance for Italy”, said Italian Minister of Economic Development Carlo Calenda in Azerbaijan-Italy business-forum held in Baku.At the business-forum, attended by representatives of 20 Azerbaijani and 20 Italian companies, Deputy Minister of Economy, Niyazi Safarov spoke of his meeting with Carlo Calenda.“Italy is an important country for Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan is very important for Italy. We are partners and both Azerbaijan and Italy are interested in developing bilateral relations”, N. Safarov said.Stressing the real opportunities for expansion of ties in the field of industry, agriculture, pharmacology, the Deputy Minister said that there is a favorable environment for business development in Azerbaijan.İn turn, Carlo Calenda stated that Italy is one of the main partners of Azerbaijan in the field of energy. According to him, TAP implementation in Italy continues: “This project is priority for us”, he underlined.