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THE ECONOMY OF TURKEY IS PROGRESSING

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The real rates of the economic growth will exceed rates provided by the government, the Minister of Economy of Turkey Mr. Ali Babajan has declared. The correspondent of Media-Press has informed about this in Istanbul with a reference to the local press.
By the words of the Minister, the analysis of the statistic data shows clearly that in the first quarter of this year the economy of the country is developed more dynamically than it was expected. Particularly, the GDP has grown by 12.4% while the growth by 8.4% was predicted. These figures are "pleasant" and we may say surely that totally this tendency will be kept up to the end of the year, although it is not excluded that rates of the economic growth may become slower.
As the Minister of Economy of Turkey Mr. Ali Babajan has said, such growth was provided first of all in account of investments to the private sector and it is very important that it was achieved "in account of extraordinary efficiency growth".
The expert Mr. Hakan Aklar has noted in his interview to the newspaper "The Turkish Daily News" commenting the declaration of the Minister that the registered economic growth was not smooth: it made 10.3% in the production sphere and 16.3 - in the trade. As to he agriculture reduction by 7.5% has been registered. At the same time the analyst has signed that at the present time inflation falls at the same time with rapid growth of the GDP and the growth in the labor efficiency is a base of the economic growth.


EUROPE DOES NOT OPPOSE TO JOINING OF TURKEY TO THE EU, HOWEVER IT CRITICIZES BUSH FOR PRESSING ON THE UNION

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: During a number of speeches on the summit of of the NATO, which was over in Istanbul, the President of the USA Mr. J. Bush has promised to make all possible for joining of Turkey to the European Union.
At the same time the President of France Mr. Jack Shirac has thought that his American colleague "has gone too far", when published his support to plans of Turkey to become a competent member of the EU. Just the European countries take such decisions, but not the USA, Mr. Shirak has said and noted that for example Europe does not teaches America, how it would construct its relations with Mexico.
BBC publishes commentaries of the leading European periodicals on this situation. Under a title "Bush Pushes Turkey into Europe" the Paris "Figaro" writes that the President of the US "continues pressing on the Europeans for joining of Turkey to their circle".
"Reception of Turkey to the EU will prove that the EU is not an exclusive club of single region and the theory of conflict of civilizations is only dieing historical myth", - the periodical publishes the words of the American President, which were said at one of the meetings within frameworks of the summit of the NATO in Istanbul. "The American President seems to take into account the note of Mr. Jack Shirac that the negotiations between the EU and Ankara are not related to Washington", - "Figaro" notes.
The Austrian "Press" is agreed with the position of the French President who has expressed his dissatisfaction to J. Bush for pressing on the EU for calling concrete date of joining of Turkey to the EU. "And Mr. Shirak is right", - the periodical writes and considers that Washington "pokes its nose in its own deals".
"Presse" supposes that Shirak has dared to withstand to Bush, as France already is not a single member of the NATO, which intends to keep itself as far as possible from the USA. "The independent international political initiatives of the present American administration resulted to that France is further supported in issues related to criticizing the USA", the periodical resumes.
However the German "Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung" notes that in spite of the resistance to the USA, the President Shirac has expressed his extremely positive opinion on perspectives of joining of Turkey to the EU.
On the eve Mr. Jack Shirac has declared that the process of joining of Turkey to the EU is irreversible and the chancellor of Germany Mr. Gerhard Shreder has expressed his sureness that the report of the European Commission on Turkey, which will have been published on October will positive. "On the background of such unity of opinions we would be able to turn out with all this comedy with issuing of the special report", - the German periodical thinks.
"In condition that the religion of the majority of population and authorities of Turkey does not disagree with progress and strengthening of the legal state", Turkey would possibly become and example for entire region", - the Spanish newspaper "Vanguardia" considers.
And though the President Bush has caught it from his French colleague for "promoting to the issue, which is not within of its competence", - the periodical continues, "nevertheless, he is right when says that the membership of Turkey in the EU would the significant role in removal of the myth on conflict of civilizations", - the Spanish issue notes.


ARMENIA HAS APPEARED OUTSIDE OF THE PROCESS OF ENLARGING OF THE NATO IN DIRECTION OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS, THE ARMENIAN OPPOSITIONER THINKS

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Armenia has appeared outside of the processes of enlarging of the NATO in direction of the South Caucasus. The Chief of the Liberal-Progressive Party of America Oganes Oganesyan has expressed such opinion. By his belief, absence of the President Robert Kocharyan at the summit of the NATO in Istanbul has resulted to delay of Armenia in integrating to security system of the NATO.
O. Oganesyan has noted that Georgia and Azerbaijan have joined to the further projects of the NATO and in 5 years they may become members of this organization, however this process passes by Armenia.
The leader of the oppositionist party considers this tendency very dangerous from the point of view of the national safety. He believes that the cause of such trend of events is that the head of the country does not imagine, where it leads the country, to which security system. From one hand, by his words, the country joins to the system of the collective security of the OCSA (Organization of the Collective Security Agreement) and from the other plans individual program of the cooperation with the NATO.
As it is known, the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan has refused of participation into the summit of the NATO held on June 28 - 29 in Istanbul and explained this by the absence of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. We shall remind that the absence of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not prevented Erevan to deliver its officers to the NATO maneuvers in Azerbaijan. Moreover Armenia has got this persistently in spite of protests in Azerbaijan.


SINCE 1997 THE AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL OPERATING COMPANY HAS EXPORTED 43 MM TONS OF OIL

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) operating on the block of the Caspian fields "Azeri-Chiraq-Guneshli" (ACG) has exported 43 MM tons of oil since 1997. The pipeline Baku - Supsa has transported 29.1 MM tons of this volume. The profitable oil of the AIOC made 24.4 MM tons of this volume and the profitable oil from Azerbaijan makes 4.7 MM tons.
13.9 MM tons of oil were pumped b the northern route Baku-Novorossiisk. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic has exported 9.9 MM tons of oil via it and the AIOC - 4 MM tons.
The pipeline Baku - Supsa by a length of 830 km has been laid from the Sangachal terminal up to the Georgian port Supsa. Three pumping stations, two stations of pressure reduction in Georgia, check up and management points - by 24 ones in Azerbaijan an Georgia, control valves - three in Azerbaijan and four in Georgia, check systems and radio stations operate on its route. There are four reservoirs by volume of 250 000 bbl of each one on the terminal in Supsa. By means of offshore oil-bulk platform the terminal may serve tankers with deadweight of up to 150 thou tons. To date up to 145 thou bbl of oil per diem are transported through it.
The pipeline Baku - Novorossiisk was put into operation on October 25, 1997. Annually the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic exports 2.7 MM tons of oil by it. Tariff of pumping by this route makes $15.67 per ton. (For comparison: tariff for the transit of the Azerbaijan oil by the pipeline Baku - Supsa makes $2.7 per ton).


AZERBAIJAN HAS EARNED ADDITIONAL $50 IN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH IN PRICES FOR OIL

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Azerbaijan earned additionally $50 (above 250 bn manats) in account of the growth in the world prices for oil by July 1. Only by the beginning of the year 126 bn manats were accumulated on the special account of Treasury. By preliminary data, the incomes from the growth prices for oil by results of the first half a year are to make 125 - 130 bn manats. The Minister of Finances of Azerbaijan Mr. Avaz Alekperov has called these data in the interview to jourjalists. By his words, these means are not included to the state budget and may be used in a case of falling of prices for oil lower than ones established in the state budget.
The situation of prices of oil affects as well on other economic rates. So, by the opinion of the experts of the International Currency Fund, reduction of rates of growth of the GDP in Azerbaijan, which were predicted by them, will not so significant. The officials of the IMF thought that after 11% growth of the GDP in Azerbaijan in 2003 his rate will make 8% this year and in 2005 it will make 7.5%. However the growth of prices for oil allows supposing that delay of rates of the growth of the GDP will be less significant.


AFTER SHORT-LIVED REDUCTION OF PRICES FOR OIL THEY HAVE STARTED GROW UP AGAIN

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Prices for oil of the next month of deliveries increased by results of trades of July 1. On the International Petroleum Exchange (London) the price of futures of oil mark Bren made $36.07 (+$1.57) per barrel. On the New York Merchantville Exchange (NY) the price for deliveries of oil of the mark Light Sweet Crude made $38.74 (+$1.69) per barrel.
The experts see this in the declaration of the Minister of Oil of the Saudi Arabia Mr Ali an-Nuaymi in Er-Riyad on this that to date just prices for oil have been established. "I think that the present prices are just so there are not bases for taking measures on neither increasing nor reducing of oil production", - he has said to the journalists.
In the beginning of June the prices have achieved the record level in $42.45 and treat to break stability of the economic growth of number of states. The USA and other developed countries have called the OPEC to increase the oil export to fall prices down. The countries of the cartel, in the first turn Saudi Arabia have received this request. Owing to this a cost of oil has reduced by approximately $5.
Nevertheless the declaration made by the Saudi Minister has made the strong psychological effect on traders. Washington also has noticed these words. Thus the Minister of Energy of the USA Mr. Spenser Abraham has declared on a necessity of that the countries of the OPEC keep their obligation on increasing of oil production by 500 thou bbl per diem approximately since August 1."It is certainly obviously that oil demand had not reduced, - he has said to he correspondent of Reuters. - In comparison with the last year today more oil is produced. However, and markets demand more oil".
By predictions of the International Energy Agency, rates of oil consumption growth in the world will achieve 2.9% in 2004. This the highest value for last 23 years.


"VEDOMOSTI": LUKOIL WILL ABLE TO RESELL PROFITABLY THE SHARE IN LUKAGIP

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Russian oil company LUKoil has announced about the purchasing of 50% share in LUKAgip, the joint venture with the Italian ENI. The company does not publish details of the deal and experts estimate its total by $100 - 200 MM. This has especial significance for Azerbaijan, in the oil and gas sector of which two companies are represented.
The JC LUKAgip was founded in 1996 and founders have received equal shares in it. 10% share in "Shakh-Deniz", the gas project on the Caspian shelf, which is estimated in 1 trln cub meters of gas and 300MM tons of condensate is the main asset of the company. The cost of the first stage of its development makes $2.3 bn. The industrial production should start in 2006. Gas should be delivered to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and further to the European countries.
LUKAgip also shares 8% in the Azerbaijan Gas Supply Company, which is engaged in the gas marketing from "Shakh-Deniz" and 10% in the South Caucasus Pipeline Company, which will construct gas pipeline from the field to Turkey.
As well LUKAgip works in Egypt, besides Azerbaijan, where companies share 24% in the project of the development of the field Meleya with proved supplies of about 5 MM tons of oil. In 2003 the share production of the Russian-Italian JC made 85 000.
As the Russian newspaper "Vedomosti" reminds that yet in 2003 LUKAgip has been informed about the wish of Agip to sell its 50%. And in the spring of this year the tender was conducted and as the officials of "LUKoil" have declared, the question was about the selling of the company to the third side entirely. Then the French Total, German BASF, the Turkish TPAO have showed the interest to the tender. However on June 30 "LUKoil" has announced that it itself purchase the share of ENI (the owner of Agip) in LUKAgip and the sides have signed the agreement having obligatory force. The press release publishes that the deal will be completed if certain conditions are executed" in the III quarter of 2004. Officials of ENI keep silence also. The official of the company has said only to "Vedomosti" that the share of the JC "is sold within program of the rationalization of the production assets". And by the data of Dow Jones, the Italian concern intends to reorient investment for more attractive projects particularly to the Kazakhstan Kashagan.
"This new is neutral for the market, as it is unknown, how many "LUKoil" will pay out for the Italian share", - the analyst of "Troyka Dialog" Mr. Valeri Nesterov has said. He estimates this share in $100 - 200 MM. Mr. Nesterov notes that if the project is successfully developed, cost of assets of LUKAgip will grow up to $800 - 900% nd "LUKoil" will be able to profitably resell this share, furthermore Azerbaijan has the similar experience.
And Mr. Sergey Suverov from the bank "Zenit" estimates the total of the deal concluded between "LUKoil" and ENI in $100 - 120 MM. He says that the share in "Shakh-Deniz" will significantly grow up in cost as "a serious increasing of supplies is expected". Mr. Suverov believes that "LUKoil" will sell this share as it has declared repeatedly that it will leave from the projects where it has not the status of the operator.
LUKoil is the largest Russian oil company, which produced 81.5 MM tons of oil and 5.5 bn cubic meters of gas in 2003. The company earned $22.3 bn in 2003 and the pure profit made $3.7 bn.


HAS THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE MR. LEONID KUCHMA APPROVED THE REVERSE "ODESSA - BRODI"?

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: By the initiative and direct pressure from the side of the President Leonid Kuchma the government of Ukraine has approved the reverse of the oil pipeline Odessa - Brodi on June 29. The Ukainian Internet-portal Ukoil.com has informed about this with a reference to well informed sources.
As the Ukrainian site informs, this decision was taken in a way of introduction of changes into the decree of the Cabinet dated from February 4, 2004, which has determined the European direction of the operation of the oil pipeline. The project of this document should be considered in the end of the past week at the sitting of the government committee. And only after this it should be submitted for approval of the government.
As the source confirms, the acceleration of events has appeared due to interfering of the President Kuchma after his meeting with the Russia colleague Mr. Vladimir Putin in maneuvers "Druzba-2004". Before this event, the source confirms, Mr. Kuchma has called privately a whole number of ministers and ordered them to sign the reverse project prepared by the company "Naftogaz Ukraini".
Kuchma has carried out the completed pressing stage from Istanbul after the summit of the NATO. Just from here Mr. Kuchma gave an order to the Premier V. Yanukovich to approve the reverse decree at the next meeting of the government; that means on Tuesday without the preliminary approval on the governmental committee on Fuel Economic Complex. This decision should be taken post date.
MEDIA-PRESS: So it seems that the next "turn of subject" appears in destiny of the pipeline Odessa - Brodi. This pipe laid stays idle still up to date by the paradoxical cause - the projectors have not thought timely, where they will take oil for the route Odessa - Brodi. Neither Azerbaijan nor Kazakhstan, for which Ukraine has accounted and negotiated are not able now to allocate required oil volumes for this route though officials of Kiev repeatedly declared that already on May of this year the pipeline will be put into operation and the Caspian oil will be delivered by it.
Nevertheless, the route Odessa - Brodi by which it would be possible to pump up to14 MM tons of oil per annum and receive up to $100 MM of profits stays idle still. Else in the beginning of February the Ukrainian government has decided to use it for oil deliveries to Europe. Moreover, idea of foundation of the international consortium with sharing of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Poland, which would be engaged in completion of the pipeline up to Poland and oil deliveries to Europe was talked about. Simultaneously then Kev has refused categorically mainly under pressure of the USA and EU in response to numerous offers of the Russian companies to fill up the pipeline Odessa - Brodi by their oil. Now the situation seems to be determined and the official Kiev has agreed with persuasions of Moscow.
Moreover, still on May of this year Mr. Leonid Kuchma recognized to journalists that Ukraine has not managed to sign contracts on oil transportation by the route Odessa - Brodi with neither sellers nor purchasers. As to the Ukrainian-Russian oil cooperation, Mr. Leonid Kuchma has noted that economic purposefulness but not politic causes lead him. "If we turn our nose from, they will go roundabout us and this pipes will become scrap", - the President has said.


THE ARABIAN FINANCE FUND ARE READY FOR OPENING OF CREDIT LINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY OBJECTS IN AZERBAIJAN

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Consortium of the Arabian finance funds has confirmed the intension for opening of the credit line for the JC "Azerenerji". As the press service of "Azerenerji" informs, the Ministry of Finances of Azerbaijan has received a letter on this issue and it contains conditions of conclusion of the credit agreement.
We shall remind that in 2003 in Baku during "the round table" with the officials of the Arabian finance structures, which include the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund of the Development of the Arabian economy, the Fund of the OPEC, the Saudi Development Bank and the Development Fund of Abu-Dabi, the sides have taken the decision on crediting of the construction of the system forming 330 kVt electric substation in the Khachmaz region of Azerbaijan.
The EPTL Derbent-Yashma will supply the substation and provide the northern regions of the country by the electric energy. This will allow improving maneuverability and safety of the energy system and electric power distribution in the given region, reducing losses during the transportation. The fact that in prospect the second turn of the EPTL Derbend - Yashma, which provides energy exchange with Russia, is planned for the construction is not of small importance. The cost of the project makes $14 MM.
Just then in Baku the agreement on rendering of technical aid to the JC "Azerenerji" y the Arabian funds at preparation of else four projects by a total cost of $55 MM. There are project of rehabilitation of energy transmissin infrastructure of the Absheron Peninsula, the construction of the substation of 220 kV and two EPTL by 110 kV in Sheki, the construction of the EPTL Alibiramli SREPS - Salyan and construction of the second EPTL Derbend - Yashma among them.


AZERBAIJAN HAS EXPRESSED ITS TROUBLES ON ALLOCATION OF $5 MM TO NAGORNI KARABAKH BY THE USA WITHIN AID PROGRAM

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The MFA of Azerbaijan has expressed "troubles on the decision of the Congress of the USA to allocate $5 MM to Nagorni Karabakh in the 2005 budget year within frameworks of the aid program. The information of the Ministry tells about this.
The MFA does not excludes that the allocated means may be transferred to the construction of dwelling houses on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. "The Azerbaijan side is interested, how will the USA provide using allocated means just for humanitarian purposes and in accordance with principles and international laws.
The authorized officials of Baku think that the resolution of the American Congress may negatively affect on adjustment of the Nagorni Karabakh conlict.


THE CONSULATE OF AZERBAIJAN WLL BE OPENED IN ST. PETERSBURG

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In St. Petersburg the General Consulate of Azerbaijan will operate soon. The Governor of St. Petersburg Mrs. Valentina Matvienko and the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Mr. Polad Bul-Bul ogli has negotiated this during the meeting in Smolni.
Mr. V. Matvienko has said that exchange of business delegations between Petersburg and Azerbaijan for strengthening of economic relations between city on Neva and Azerbaijan. As it is expected, the officials of the business circles of Petersburg will go to Baku in autumn of this year.
Mr. Polad Bul-Bul ogli has reminded that the next year will be a year of Azerbaijan in Russia and 2006 will be a Year of Russia in Azerbaijan. He has told about the program of ceremonial measures, which are prepared by his ministry.
Mrs. Valentina Matvienko has expressed her gratefulness for great contribution of Azerbaijan into preparation for 300th anniversary of the city. In the past year the monument to the great Azerbaijan poet and philosopher Nizami Gyanjevi was installed here for this anniversary.
Within frameworks of the visit of the Azerbaijan delegation to St. Petersburg memorial plate in honor of the Azerbaijanis died in the Great Patriotic War during defense of Leningrad, was opened on the Piskarev Cemetery. Mrs. Valentina has emphasized, "citizens of St. Petersburg honor the Azerbaijan soldiers who assisted to defend the city in the battle against fascism and the citizens will never forget their heroic deed".


THIS YEAR A RECORD NUMBER OF ABITURIENTS WILL ENTER TO HIGH EDUCATION SCHOOLS OF AZERBAIJAN

BAKU.02.07.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: This year above 87 thou applications were submitted to the high education schools of the country. 84 660 applications from this number were processed by computers. Moreover else 4 897 pretenders have applied for taking special examinations for revealing of capabilities and talents besides of test ones to the Baku Musical Academy, Azerbaijan Institute of Architecture and Construction, the Azerbaijan Institute of Arts, the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport. The Chief of the State Commission of Azerbaijan on reception of students Mrs. Maleyka Abbaszade has informed about this.
By her words, 26 state HES, 16 private, two specialized, one high military school and one military school will carry out the reception.
Mr. M. Abbaszade has emphasized as well that this year for entering to the HES the most number of applications were submitted - 92 thou. The former record was got in 2001. Then 81 thou persons became pretenders. By her opinion, a growth in a number of pretenders is associated with consideration of new law on education in the parliament. "The population is afraid that test system will be removed and this year will be the last one when pretenders are able to enter the HES by their own forces", - Mrs Abbaszade has declared. He also has told that annually 10 - 15 thou pretenders submitted repeatedly. This year their number exceeded 22 thou. The oldest applier has been born in 1954 and the youngest is only 15 years old.
As to questions included to the test examinations, Mrs. Abbaszade has told that 96 772 questions have been gathered in the bank. 70 thou of them were published. "In all countries applying such test systems questions are not published and hidden", - she has noted. The Azerbaijan delegation was asked on this issue on the conference held recently in the USA. "The publication of the test questions creates more transparency and a possibility of public checking the process of reception of students to the Azerbaijan HES, - the member of the Azerbaijan delegation have noted. After this applying of such system was recommended toall countries of the CIS and Asia", - Mr.s M. Abbaszade has noted.

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