Public administration, reforming process, economic relations, democracy and civil society cooperation, conflict, issues of transit, transport links and energy security - these are the themes of the international conference "Strategic Bridge East-West security for the development and integration of the BSEC" which opened today in Baku.
The forum will be attended by representatives of 20 analytical centers from 11 countries of the BSEC.
According to Elnur Aslanov, the head of the information and political analysis department of the presidential administration, the Black Sea is a bridge between China and the West. Azerbaijan is one of the major states in the region, so without his knowledge, it would be impossible to implement an international project, said Aslanov. For the greater development of the region it is necessary to resolve existing conflicts.
"If Armenia does not return the occupied territories, Azerbaijan will liberate its territory by measures permissible under international law," said Aslanov, adding that Azerbaijan's military budget exceeds the state budget of Armenia.
The head of the Centre for Strategic Studies, Farhad Mammadov, said that today 20% of the total turnover of Azerbaijan falls on the BSEC. In the next 10 years, Azerbaijan's non-oil trade area with the Black Sea countries will reach 10 billion dollars.
Oleg Frunze, the Doctor of the Public Administration Academy under the President of Moldova, noted that pension and legal systems remaining since Soviet-era do not allow the development of business. To resolve the many problems it is necessary to build a new system of governance and institutional reforms.
Director of the International Black Sea Research Center, Zefi Dimadama (Hungary), spoke of democratic reforms in countries of the region, on corruption and weakness of the government agencies, and weak civilian government. According to her, there is a regress since 2009 in the countries of this region. "We need to explain to the government the importance of civil society in the fight against corruption, educating the public and other problems," she said.
The forum will discuss the role of the media, the development of the non-oil sector, the relationship between the Black and Caspian seas, the Black Sea policy of the USA and NATO security and the role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of the region. -03C04-
Politics
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A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
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On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
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Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
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On January 15, the Yasamal District Court rejected the motion to change the detention measure for Azer Gasymly, the director of the Institute of Political Management, his lawyer, Agyl Laidj, to Turan. "Azer Gasymly stated during the trial that the charges against him were fabricated and related to his socio-political activities," the lawyer said. An appeal will be filed against the court's decision.
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