THE PACKAGE VARIANT OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE NAGORNI KARABAKH CONFLICT IS IMPOSSIBLE, THE FORMER CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE MG OF THE OSCE BELIEVES
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The package variant of the adjustment of the Karabakh conflict is impossible. The former co-chairman of the Minsk Group of the OSCE from Russia Mr. Vladimir Kazimirov believes. By his words, Armenia not only demands "to solve all problems once", but also insists on either independence of Nagorni Karabakh or joining to Armenia in this package.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
"The German "Suedeutche Zeitung" publishes the article of the British Premier Mr. Toni Blare, where he expresses his mentions about "strategic, political and economic significance" of extension of the EU and tells about a necessity of joining of Turkey to the EU.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In Tehran the concerts of the Azerbaijan troupe of public musical instruments under a head of Mr. Avtandil Israfiliv has started. The performances are held in the Central Concert Hall of the Iranian capital - the Cultural complex "Azadi", the agency IRNA informs.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In the beginning of June the Commission led by the Vice-Premier of Azerbaijan Mr. Abid Sharifov will go to Turkey for plan checking of course of the construction of the Turkish piece of the Main Exporting Pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan (MEP BTC).
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The Japanese Consulting Company TEPCO (Tokyo Electric power Company) has completed the researches of the real state of the Azerbaijan energy system.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The Russian oil supplies may appear higher much than it was supposed earlier, the periodical "The Financial Times" writes with a reference to opinion of some analysts. In accordance with results of audit, by the end of 2003 supplies of the company "Yukos" grew up to 13 bn bbl of oil equivalent from 11.2 bn bbl of oil equivalent.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In perspective Iran will be able to increase the export oil volumes from the Caspian countries by replacement scheme up to 1 MM bbl. At the present time within framework of this project, which has received the name CROSS, Iran imports daily 150 thou bbl of oil from Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The countries-exporters receive oil on the island Khark in the Persian Gulf approximately in the same volume but proportionally to cost of its own and the Iranian oils.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In Moscow officials of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran will conduct negotiations on issues of forming the transport corridor "North - South". The Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan Mr. Ziya Mamedov has informed about this.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In accordance with the data of the Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan, on April 377.1 bn manats (4918 manats/$1) were transferred to the state through this ministry. Forecasted rates were exceeded by 8.9%.
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The World Bank and Government of Azerbaijan have completed the preparation of the new joint project "The Development of the Market Services".
BAKU.03.05.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The International Conference "The Development of Leasing in Azerbaijan" will be held in Baku on May 6 - 7. The Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan, the International Finance Corporation, The State Secretariat of Switzerland on Economic Issues, the OSCE and the Azerbaijan Fund of Investment Encouragement and Consultations are its organizers.
However, by the opinion of Mr. V. Kazimirov, whoever is a head of Azerbaijan, will not sign such document. "The package solution" will only freeze the situation and bring the adjustment to cul-de-sac, Mr. V. Kazimirov believes.
At the same time, by the opinion of the former co-chairman of the MG of the OSCE, the stage-by-stage version protected by Azerbaijan suggests initially liberating all occupied territories and then solve the problem of status of Nagorni Karabakh. He has noted as well that in a case of exchange by territories a place of Nagorni Karabakh is incomprehensible an added that the version offered by the American policy expert, former official of the US State Department Mr. Paul Goble in 1992 is not acceptable for the Armenian side as in this case Armenia will have not both frontiers with Iran.
"The adjustment should promote to "adjustment" of disputable issues in succession. So it should be necessary to agree positions on small items", - Mr. V. Kazakimirov has emphasized. By his opinion, this will allow to start from the dead point. In addition, the former co-chairman of the MG OSCE has noted, Nagorni Karabakh cannot be object of pretensions of whosever. "Its participation in negotiations is necessary certainly for the soonest political decision of the conflict", - he is sure.
At the same time, by the opinion of the co-chairman of the MG, after the meeting of Mr. I. Aliyev and R. Kocharyan in Warsaw Azerbaijan and Armenia "though will hold more flexible positions". "Now it is extremely important for one of the sides refuses of threats of force revenge or return to negotiations from the point where the sides have stopped under authorities of Heydar Aliyev and the other side should refuse of the idea of the package adjustment", - Mr. V. Kazimirov has emphasized. He has added also that frameworks of summit meetings should not limit the negotiations, but "also regular negotiations of responsible plenipotentiary delegations would be required".
We shall remind that the next meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia was planned for May 12 in Strasbourg. The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mamedyarov has informed about this By his words, the meeting will be held within frameworks of the sitting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the countries-members of Council of Europe. The main subject of these negotiations is a number of ideas, which are in the discussion stage. One of the ideas is a subject of liberation of 7 occupied regions around Nagorni Karabakh in exchange of restoration of transport communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Mr. E. Mamedyarov has positively estimated the last meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Strasburg. "I think that useful exchange of opinions between the presidents has taken place", - he has added.
We shall note that and the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanyan has pronounced similar words: "The meeting has been constructive and very fruitful", - he has noted.
"The past meeting of the Presidents of both the states will become a serious stimulus for solving the problem of Nagorni Karabakh, - the Foreign Minister of Armenia has said and added: "In Strasbourg we shall continue the dialogue started by two Presidents".
MR. T. BLARE: TURKEY IS THE BRIDGE TO THE ISLAMIC WORLD
Mr. Toni Blare affirms that the EU cannot be "an oasis of stability, democracy and prosperity if regions lacking in such blessings" and shows at Turkey as a country, which "will bring new aspects to the EU". If we join Turkey we will build a bridge to the Islamic world and such ones are important as whenever", - the British Premier shows.
IN TEHRAN PERFORMANCES OF THE AZERBAIJAN ARTISTS ARE HELD
In the concert program devoted to the week of the Birthday Anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, which is celebrated this year on May 7 - 8 as well two Baku troups will perform - the Troup of the Baku University of Arts under a head of Mr. Vamek Mamedaliyev and vocal-instrumental troup "Ashig Shargiya".
The cultural center of Azerbaijanis of Iran and the Fund of Rudaki has prepared the program.
The original musical art of Azerbaijan have been famous since long time ago in many countries owing to melodic diversity of musical tones laid in its base. Meanwhile the European music has two tones in its base - major and minor (and their different modifications), there are seven main and some additional tones and this is creates uncompleted diversity of musical whole. Moreover, the Azerbaijan public music always has known complex musical forms - mugams - classic products of big form close to suite and requiring high improvisation skills of performers. Mugam includes all unrepeated charm and fascination of the national melodic picture, which is developing and varies constantly and so it is so attractive for hearer, it is emphasized in the information of IRNA.
ON JUNE THE PLAN CHECKING OF COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION OF THEE TURKISH SECTION OF THE PIPELINE BAKU - TBILISI - CEYHAN
In accordance with the Turkish side, both officials of Azerbaijan and general contractor of the construction - the Turkish company BOTAS conduct the similar checks monthly in the Turkish section of BTC.
Talking about delays in the construction of the Turkish section of BTC, Mr. A. Sharifov has signed that in any even small project ten problems emerge. "And BTC is very scaled project and naturally construction of the pipeline by a cost of about $3 bn can not be conducted without problems. They are available, however solved operatively in the territory of both Georgia and Turkey", - Mr. A. Sharifov has said.
We shall remind that on the Turkish and Georgian pieces of construction of the MEP Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan for removal of delay in schedule else two construction areas will be opened and additional technical and human resources will be attracted.
Delays have emerged for intensive snowfalls in the southeast of Turkey and near the Georgian frontier. Then the analogous situation was as well in construction of four pumping stations in the Turkish pipeline section. In connection with this a decision on block mounting of stations out of the construction areas was accepted. Since weather normalized, the ready block of stations has been mounted directly in the construction areas.
The length of oil pipeline BTC makes 1762 km and 443 km of them lay in Azerbaijan, 249 - in Georgia and 1070 km in Turkey. A capacity of the pipeline makes 50 MM tons of oil per annum. It is planned to complete the construction of pipeline in the end of 2004.
The Greek company Contractors International Company is the contractor of construction works in the Azerbaijan pipeline section, the French-American Alliance Spie Capag/Petrofag, which is as well the contractor of construction of pumping stations in Azerbaijan and Georgia, is the contractor of the Georgian section. The Turkish company BOTAS is the contractor of the Turkish segment of the pipeline.
THE JAPANESE COMPANY TEPCO HAS COMPLETED THE RESEARCHES OF THE REAL STATE OF THE AZERBAIJAN ENERGY SYSTEM
As press-service of the JC "Azenerji" informs, warding off real conditions in the field - from the energy production up to its delivery to a concrete consumer, determination of rates of reforming the field, revealing of sectors, which need in urgent investing. Documentation and annual rates, forecasts and analyses on the field were studied in details during the work, meetings with experts of different institutions and energy distribution companies Barmek Azerbaijan and Bayva were held.
The collected data will be analyzed more in details in the Office of the company and after this interim report will be considered jointly with the Azerbaijan colleagues in Baku on June of 2004 during the next mission of TEPCO.
The given work has been conducted by order of the Japanese Bank of the International Cooperation (JBIC), which had allocated means for this. On a base of data received the JBIC plans to construct further policy in the electric power sector of Azerbaijan.
We shall remind that earlier the JBIC allocated the credit for the construction of the steaming gas installation at the Baku SREPS "Severnaya" for period of 40 years under rate of interest by 0.75% per annum. The Japanese Company Mitsui has built it. The capacity of the new block made 400 MWt. Besides, JBIC has allocated a credit for the construction of the gas pipeline Garadag - Digyakh - SREPS "Severnaya". A total of credits of the bank has made about $340 MM.
THE FINANCIAL TIMES: REAL OIL SUPPLIES OF RUSSIA INCREASE
The other company - TNK-BP has declared that its supplies, which make 6.1 bn bbl of oil equivalent may increase up to 9 bn in the next time and up to 30 bn bbl of oil equivalent in the long-term perspective.
As RIA "Novosti" informs with a reference to the official information of else one large Russian company "LUKoil", in accordance with audit conducted by the company Miller and Lents (the USA), by January 1, 2004 real hydrocarbon supplies of LUKoil made 20.056 bn bbl of oil equivalent including 15.977 bn barrels of oil. In comparison with January 2003, the supplies of the hydrocarbons have grown up by 4%: 4.7% - oil and 1.3% - gas.
As The Financial Times notes, by the opinion of analysts, oil supplies in Russia taking into account announcements of the companies may appear higher in three times than it was supposed and this makes Russia one of the most attractive source of energy resources in the world. However for the Russian companies use entirely their potentials, finally more modern technologies improved managing wells as well enlarging scales of exploration drilling and researches are required, the issue notes.
IRAN CONSIDERS A POSSIBILITY FOR IMPORT OF 1 MM BBL OF OIL DAILY FROM THE COUNTRIES OF THE CASPIAN REGION
The oil terminal in the Iranian port Neka serves for storing and pumping of the Caspian oil. The capacity of the first turn put into operation on the past week makes 170 thou bbl of oil per a day. Totally a capacity of tanks of the terminal, which will include two turns, will reach 1.5 MM bbl of oil. By estimations, an annual earning of Iran from operation of only the first stage of the project will make $90 MM.
The next stage of the realization of the project CROSS provides the import of 500 thou bbl of oil per diem. In this case as the Minister of Oil of Iran Mr. Bijan Zangane has noted, oil processing plant in Arak will be used for processing the Caspian oil besides of the Tehran and Tebriz OPP. As well the Isfahan OPP will be used at further growing up import oil volumes.
The further development of the project will require the construction of new pipelines, oil pumping stations, foundation of the high deadweight tanker fleet in the Caspian Sea and construction of new deep water pierces for improvement of capacity of oil terminal in the port Neka.
By opinion of the specialists, for solving of these objectives Iran would require tankers with deadweight of no less than 63 thou tons. In connection with, the past year the Iranian National Tanker Company (INTC) has ordered 6 such ships by a total of $240 MM at sharing of foreign investors.
Simultaneously the project of the oil pipeline, which should connect the port Neka with the oil pipeline systems of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, the Iran news informs.
The countries, which operate in this project as well, intend to enlarge swap operations with Iran. So, the Ambassador of Russia in Tehran Mr. Alexander Maryasov has declared that oil deliveries from the Caspian states through Iran to open waters of the World Ocean are of great importance for Russia and it supports this project. He has noted that one of the largest oil companies LUKoil shares in the project and as probably similar cooperation will correspond to interests of all Caspian states.
ON MAY 22 - 25 IN MOSCOW THE OFFICIALS OF AZERBAIJAN, RUSSIA AND IRAN WILL DISCUSS ISSUES OF FOUNDATION OF THE TRANSPORT CORRIDOR "NORTH-SOUTH"
By his words, the construction of the railway Astara (Azerbaijan) - Astara (Iran) within the project "North - South" costs $12 MM by estimations. The given project supposes the construction of the railway branch and number of bridges as well as special transmission way for wagons for incongruity of railways in Azerbaijan and Iran.
Mr. Z. Mamedov has informed that a number of countries including Russia express the readiness for crediting of this project.
ON APRIL THE MINISTRY OF TAXES OF AZERBAIJAN HAS EARNE 377.1 BN FOR THE STATE BUDGET
As Media-Press has been informed in the Ministry of Taxes, since the beginning of the year 1.399 trln manats were transferred to the state budget of the country and this is by 5.3% more than it was planned. As compared to the analogous rate of the past year a growth made 226.6 bn manats or 19.3%.
AZERBAIJAN AND WB HAVE COMPLETED THE WORKING OUT OF THE PROJECT OF MARKET SERVICES DEVELOPMENT
As Media-Press has been informed in the Baku Office of the WB, in the second decade of May the Mission of Bank will visit to Baku for conduction of final negotiations on this project and its presentation for consideration of the Board of the Directors of the WB on June of this year already.
As Media-Press has been informed in the Baku WB Office, the project consists of three components. The first one provides the improvement of finance services in the countryside. Mainly the Amalgamation "Azerpochta" gives pensions and other maintenances in villages, as not everywhere banks branches are available. The given component of the project provides the improvement of infrastructure of "Azerpochta" in way of creation of communication between 1200 post offices. Besides, 70 offices will be communicated between each other and by the means of fibro optic cable.
The second component of the project will be carry out in the bank sphere and directed for creation of the modern payment system. An at last the third component is aimed to provide the laboratory of the Committee of Standardization, Metrology and patents by the modern equipment. This allows improving checking of quality of produced production taking local and international standards into account and gives and opportunity of export to local producers.
We shall remind that this year the development of else two projects joint with the WB will be completed. - "Pensions and social protection of the population of Azerbaijan" and "Investments to village communities". The Board of the Directors of the WB will consider both the projects. It is supposed to allocate a credit by $10 MM by the first project and $15 MM - by the second one.
ON MAY 6 - 7 THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEASING IN AZERBAIJAN" WILL BE HELD IN BAKU
As Media-Press has been informed in the Ministry of the Economic Development, the stimulating of the leasing market in Azerbaijan as well as attraction of local and foreign investments to this sector. Issues of regulations, leasing operations and their taxation will be considered on it.
The participants of the conference will receive the information about changes in the law of the country for the last time and their affection on leasing development in the country.
