06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Azerbaijani- Another Armenian President received Armenia must put Pakistani reconnaissance- Igor Levitin an end to its documents were raiding group was provocative actions signed annihilated Page 2 Page 2 Page 4 Page 5

WEEKLY NEWS D IGEST

President met head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis 06.03.2015

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife have met head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis in the Vatican.

A welcoming ceremony was held for President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.

Azerbaijan-Vatican relations were praised at the meeting. The parties said these relations had good prospects. It was noted that the Vatican praised and attached great importance to its ties with Azerbaijan. The sides stressed that Azerbaijan`s placing significance on intercultural and interfaith ties played a profound role in the development of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The atmosphere of tolerance in Azerbaijan was hailed as exemplary, and it was emphasized that representatives of all religious confessions were living in the country in peace and stability.

The importance of culture projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of first lady Mehriban Aliyeva in the Vatican in the last few years was underlined at the meeting.

The parties exchanged presents.

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Azerbaijani armed forces annihilate another Armenian reconnaissance- raiding group

06.03.2015

The Azerbaijani armed forces have prevented an attempt by an Armenian reconnaissance-raiding group to attack the positions of Azerbaijan

“On March 6, the Armenian reconnaissance raiding group attempted to attack the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of Agdara- Tartar,” a statement released by the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said.

“The units of the Azerbaijani armed forces showed vigilance to uncover and prevent the sabotage.”

“After a heavy shootout the Armenian units were forced to retreat, suffering loses and leaving their weapons and ammunition,” said the Ministry.

“A serviceman of the Azerbaijani armed forces, Sergeant Zahidov Dayanat Mehman oglu received a minor injury in his right arm,” the Ministry added.

President Ilham Aliyev received aide to the Russian President, vice-president of the Olympic Committee Igor Levitin

09.03.2015

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received aide to the President of the Russian Federation, vice-president of the Olympic Committee of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin.

Igor Levitin presented a memorial album dedicated to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games to the head of state. Igor Levitin stressed that Russian sportsmen were seriously preparing for the first European Games to be held in , and said that nearly 300 athletes would represent Russia in the event. He expressed confidence that the first European Games

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

would be excellently organized, and wished Azerbaijan success in the preparation process.

The head of state expressed congratulations on Russia`s achievements in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. President Ilham Aliyev noted that despite a short period of time passed since the decision was made to organize the first European Games in Baku, a lot has been done on this front, and added that Azerbaijan would spare no efforts to ensure high-level organization of the Games. The head of state said the event was important not only for Azerbaijan, but also in terms of expanding international cooperation in the field of sport.

The sides stressed the overall successful development of the relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, and expressed confidence that these ties would continue expanding.

Batumi hosts Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum

09.03.2015

Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey and Georgian National Investments Agency “Invest in Georgia” have co-organized a Georgia- Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum in Batumi, Georgia.

The organization of the Georgia- Turkey-Azerbaijan business forum is an initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The forum brought together more than 350 representatives from 3 countries. Azerbaijan`s 100-man delegation included officials and businessmen.

Addressing the forum, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili stressed the importance of mutual relations and close cooperation between the three countries.

“Our countries are serious partners, and the implementation of huge regional infrastructure projects are vivid evidence of this,” he noted.

The Prime Minister said Georgia was open for foreign investors, and hailed the Azerbaijani and Turkish businessmen`s activity in the country. He expressed confidence the business forum would contribute to development of mutual relations.

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Speaking to the event, Azerbaijan`s Minister of Economy and Industry Shahin Mustafayev stressed the forum was a result of friendship and productive cooperation between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia.

Turkish Minister for Economic Affairs Nihat Zeybekci expressed confidence for further development of relations between the three countries, and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the businessmen. Mr. Zeybekci underlined an implementation of the large-scale regional projects increased the economic power of the three countries.

“But, the further expansion of regional cooperation could be possible only after the just solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and liberation of occupied territories of Azerbaijan,” he stressed.

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry: Armenia must put an end to its provocative actions and immediately guarantee release of hostages

11.03.2015

“Armenia must put an end to its provocative actions accompanied by blatant violation of international humanitarian law and immediately guarantee the release of the hostages,” said spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev in response to Armenian media allegations that so-called “court of appeal process” of Azerbaijani hostages Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who were taken hostage by the armed forces of Armenia, has been completed.

“The so-called “trial process” of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev does not have any legal basis and claimed “verdicts” shall have no legal effect whatsoever.

Armenia attempting to conceal its responsibility by this so-called “trial process”, has to understand that in accordance with the Geneva Conventions taking of hostages is and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever.

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Armenia has exposed Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to the most cruelest forms of physical tortures, and also exposes them to moral and psychological torture by this so- called “trial process”.

With such irresponsible behavior Armenia once again demonstrates her ignorance of its legal responsibilities under the international humanitarian law and the calls of the international community as well as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to release the hostages and the principles of humanism.

In order to achieve the release of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who were taken hostage by armed forces of Armenia contacts will be continued with the international community as well as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs,” Hajiyev added.

Azerbaijani-Pakistani documents were signed

11.03.2015

A ceremony of signing the Azerbaijani-Pakistani documents has been held after the meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain in an expanded format.

President Ilham Aliyev and President Mamnoon Hussain signed the “Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Dashgin Shikarov and Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan Khalid Usman Gaiser signed the Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Extradition of Prisoners.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Rector of ADA University Hafiz Pashayev and Special Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Amjad Hussain B. Sial signed “Cooperation Programme (2015-2017) between ADA University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Foreign Service Academy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Prosecution of Yegishe Gevorgyan in Armenia was expected

12.03.2015

Spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Hikmet Hajiyev made a statement on launching a criminal case against the family members of Yegishe Gevorgyan, who voluntarily crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and afterwards was handed over to this country, by National Security Service of Armenia, the press service of the Foreign Ministry said. Hajiyev said that a few years ago, Yegishe Gevorgyan with his family members voluntarily crossed to the territory of Azerbaijan to escape from the terrible situation and extreme poverty they face in Armenia: “Proceeding from the principles of humanism, the Azerbaijani side created normal condition for maintenance of Yegishe Gevorgyan and his family members. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has regularly visited the family”.

According to Hajiyev, Gevorgyan, who intended to migrate to a third country due to his criminal past, was not accepted by other states. Under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross, he was returned to Armenia on December 12, 2014: “However, Armenia took hostage Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev and brutally killed Hasan Hasanov who visited the graves of his parents in their native land. It held a so-called trial of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev. Under international humanitarian law, such behavior against civilians is unacceptable.

Armenian military dictatorship regime demonstrates such kind of inhuman behavior against its citizens as well. Yegishe Gevorgyan and his family members were forced to make public statements under the threats, inhuman, physical and psychological torture of Armenia intelligence agencies after being handed over to their country. The worst thing is that Armenia does not hesitate to use this family’s children in its vile propaganda.”

On December 15, 2014, the Foreign Ministry commented on this issue and stated that like other citizens of Armenia who were handed over to this country, the Gevorgyan family will also undergo tortures and be detained in prisons of the Armenian intelligence agencies for a long time. Therefore, taking into account the nature of Armenia's military dictatorship regime, prosecution of Yegishe Gevorgyan by the country’s intelligence agencies was expected”.

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06-13 MARCH 2015 THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

ARMENIAN AGRESSION AGAINST AZERBIAJAN

Armenians violated ceasefire with Azerbaijan 42 times throughout the day 11.03.2015

The situation on the contact line between Azerbaijan and Armenia has remained tense as the Armenian Armed Forces shattered ceasefire a total of 42 times throughout the day, Azerbaijan`s Defence Ministry said.

Armenian armed forces, located in Armenia’s Paravakar village of Ijevan region, nameless hills of Krasnoselsk village subjected to fire the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces located in Kohnagishlag village of Agstafa region, nameless hills of Gadabay region. The ceasefire was violated in Talish and Tap Garagoyunlu villages of Goranboy region, Goyarkh village of Tartar region, Yusifjanli, Shikhlar, Sarijali, Kangarli, Shuraabad, Bash Garvand, Javahirli and Marzali villages of Agdam region, Kuropatkino village of Khojavand region, Horadiz, Garakhanbayli, Ashagi Seyidahmadli, Ashagi Abdurrahmanli villages of Fuzuli region, Mehdili village of Jabrayil region, as well as nameless hills of Goygol, Goranboy, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil regions.

The Armenians were silenced with a retaliatory fire.

Briefly about Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict

The conflict between two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan territories since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the USA – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not implemented the UN Security Council`s resolutions (Resolution 822 - agreed on 30 April 1993, Resolution 853 - agreed on 29 July 1993, Resolution 874 - agreed on 14 October 1993, Resolution 884 - agreed on 12 November 1993) on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories. 7 | P a g e