Category: Azertag Eng

Brussels, April 7, AZERTAC

On April 6, President of the European Council Charles Michel was interviewed by journalists on the results of the trilateral meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

AZERTAC presents the interview.

Welcoming the journalists, President of the European Council Charles Michel said: The stability, security, prosperity in the South Caucasus are extremely important. That is why we are engaged in order to support the positive effects, in order to support also all the confidence–building measures and we made tonight a lot of progress. It means that we have decided altogether to launch concrete process for peace talks that to prepare possible peace treaty and to address all the necessary elements for such a treaty. We have also agreed on a working group, a joint committee in order to address the delimitation which is sensitive. And I am confident that in the following weeks we will maintain very strong channel of communication in order to be able to review the progress that will be made in the following weeks.

-Mr. President, how long can it take to sign a peace treaty?

-It is difficult to predict but I felt in December when we had first meeting in Brussels in person with both leaders that an interesting step was taken. It was a wise decision to listen to each other, to understand better what other concerns, what other priorities, what are also the sensitive topics on both sides. It was a first important element. In the meantime, I had on regular basis phone calls with both leaders. We prepared a lot this meeting that took place tonight. We took time you know that I had bilateral meetings in person with both of them before the dinner. And honestly I feel that we are working very hard, we are making progress. I do not underestimate the challenges, the difficulties on both sides but I feel there is a common will to make progress, there is a common will to cooperate, there is a common will to identify what are the priorities and what are the concrete steps that we will be able to make together.

Mr. President, could we say that we are getting closer to peace agreement?

-I am confident that tonight we took an important step in the right direction. It does not mean that everything is solved, of course. But it means that we made progress, because we understand better what are the possible elements in order to converge, in order to be able to reach, I hope as soon as possible, a sustainable agreement in order to guarantee peace, security and stability in all that region.

-Has the process started?

-The process has started tonight.

Baku, April 7, AZERTAC

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, hosted the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, for a continuation of their discussions on the situation in the South Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both countries.

President Michel reiterated the EU’s commitment to deepen its cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan to work closely in overcoming tensions and promote a South Caucasus that is secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous for the benefit of all people living in the region.

The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together with President Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on the implementation of undertaken commitments. They discussed the recent reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral statement. They welcomed the meeting of senior representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan on 30 March 2022 under EU auspices in Brussels and agreed on the necessity to continue this engagement to ensure adequate follow-up to agreements reached at leaders’ level.

President Michel emphasised the importance of humanitarian gestures by both sides to promote confidence and peaceful coexistence. He stressed the need for the full and speedy resolution of all outstanding humanitarian issues, including the release of remaining detainees and comprehensively addressing the issue of missing persons, and stated that the EU is ready to support this endeavour. The EU will likewise continue to support confidence building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as humanitarian de-mining efforts, including by continuing to provide expert advice and stepping up financial assistance, and assistance to conflict-affected populations, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

President Michel noted both President Aliyev’s and Prime Minister Pashinyan’s stated desire to move rapidly towards a peace agreement between their countries. To this end, it was agreed to instruct Ministers of Foreign Affairs to work on the preparation of a future peace treaty, which would address all necessary issues.

The delimitation and demarcation of their bilateral border will be essential; to this end, in line with the Sochi Statement of 26 November 2021, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border Commission by the end of April. The mandate of the Joint Border Commission will be to:

1. delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and

2. ensure a stable security situation along, and in the vicinity of, the borderline.

President Michel also stressed that ensuring the appropriate distancing of forces is an essential element of incident prevention and tensions reduction. President Michel reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to provide advice and support.

The leaders also discussed the restoration of communications/connectivity infrastructure between Armenia and Azerbaijan in particular and in the South Caucasus more broadly. President Michel welcomed the steps towards the restoration of railway lines, while encouraging Armenia and Azerbaijan to also find effective solutions for the restoration of road links. The EU is ready to support the development of connectivity links, including in line with its Economic and Investment Plan and by utilising the proposed economic advisory forum to identify common projects.

The leaders agreed to follow-up on outcomes of their meeting and to stay engaged.

Baku, April 7, AZERTAC

Turkiye found and safely disposed of a sea mine off the Black Sea coast, the National Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.

The area was secured immediately after the mine was spotted by patrol aircraft off Kocaeli, and underwater explosive ordnance disposal units successfully neutralized it, the ministry tweeted.

This is the third sea mine discovered by Turkish authorities since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia war, with the first detected off the northern coast of Igneada near the Bulgarian maritime border and the second spotted at the entrance to the Bosporus in March.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar earlier said that mine hunter vessels along with maritime patrol aircraft are constantly monitoring waterways near Turkish coasts in the Black Sea region to detect and neutralize drifting mines.

Baku, April 6, AZERTAC

Founder of the Karabakh Khanate Panah Ali Khan constructed the Shahbulag Castle complex near Shahbulaghi (the Shah’s Spring), 6 miles (10 kilometers) away from the city of Aghdam. The construction of the complex was finished in 1751-1752, and served as his rest area. Mosques, houses, public baths, and a market were constructed within the Shahbulag Castle complex, but only the castle and the mosque have survived. Restored in 1985, the castle is an example of the utilitarian military architecture of Azerbaijan Khanates.

Baku, April 6, AZERTAC

Pakhlava, perhaps the most famous of the national sweets. There are many variations of pakhlava in Azerbaijan – Baku, Guba, Shaki, Ganja, and each has its own characteristics.

For example, the most common, classical Baku pakhlava is in the form of diamonds, on the surface of each of which a nutlet is laid. Pakhlava can contain up to 10-12 layers of thin wheat dough filled with nuts, mixed with sugar and cardamom.

The Ganja pakhlava resembles a Baku pakhlava, however, pink infusion (gülab) is added to its dough during cooking, and the walnuts used for the filling are completely peeled, making the pakhlava light. From above, the Ganja pakhlava is smeared with tincture of saffron and sprinkled with poppy seed, which is also pre-scalded with boiling water and cleaned, therefore the poppies are white.

In turn, Shaki pakhlava (or halva) is made from rice flour, chopped nuts with spices, syrup or honey. Usually Shaki pakhlava is cut in the form of rectangles.

Guba pakhlava, is also prepared from rice flour, but it is cut into the usual rhombuses with a nut in the middle, like Baku pakhlava. At the same time the dough of this pakhlava is unusual, trellised like a thin mesh. Guba pakhlava can contain up to 50 layers of dough, layered with nuts. Its production (as well as Shaki pakhlava) is a labor-intensive process and it is performed mainly by men.

By the way, from the same rice dough in Guba they make another original sweetness – bukme. It consists of several layers of lattice rice dough, in which a filling of nuts and granulated sugar with spices is wrapped. You can try this product only in Guba.

Baku, April 6, AZERTAC

The first overseas delivery of Turkiye’s T129 ATAK, an advanced attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter, was made to the Philippine Air Force, according to Anadolu Agency.

With a ceremony on Wednesday in Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base located in the capital Manila, two ATAK helicopters and an Airbus C-295 tactical transport aircraft entered the air force’s inventory.

Helicopters were delivered to the Philippines on March 3.

Delfin Lorenzana, the Philippine secretary of national defense, said at the ceremony that it is a “wonderful day” for the Philippine Air Force.

The Philippines is restructuring fleets, and ATAK helicopter will support the country’s fight against terrorism, he said, adding.

“I am very happy that the dream of the Philippine Air Force has come true, but we still have a long way to go to fully equip our home.”

Ismail Demir, the head of Turkey’s Defense Industries Presidency (SSB), said with the defense industry cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the presidency and the Ministry of Defense of the Philippines, cooperation in this field has reached the interstate level.

The MoU was signed between the two countries in 2017 in Istanbul.

He noted: “We have created a framework to develop and strengthen defense industry cooperation on the basis of friendship and common interest.”

He stressed that Turkish defense industry companies become global players with their proven systems and products.

The Turkish defense industry has exported armored vehicles, ammo, pistol and night vision binocular so far.

The two countries have signed an agreement for six ATAK helicopters in 2020.

With the successful completion of the acceptance and testing activities, the first two helicopters entered the Philippine Air Force inventory.

As part of the second package of ATAK helicopters, a draft price offer was given to the Philippines and negotiations were started.

Developed with national capabilities for meeting the attack helicopter needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), ATAK stands out as the most effective attack helicopter in its class.

The T129 ATAK is a next-generation, tandem and two-seat, twin-engine helicopter specifically designed for attack and reconnaissance.

Since the first delivery of ATAK to the TAF in 2014, more than 70 units have been produced so far.

ATAK, which can fly for three hours and has a take-off weight of five tons, successfully performs tasks such as attack, precision engagement, armed reconnaissance, armed support, armed protection, destruction of air defense systems, and residential area combat.

Baku, April 6, AZERTAC

Sherbet, a symbol of celebration, is usually consumed at weddings, dinner parties and similar events. It is often served with plov.

Sherbet is made from fruits like pomegranate, apricot, quince, orange as well as rose petals (ovshala), milk, basil, mint, saffron, and sumakh.

Gandab, rose, apricot, rose and pomegranate, lemon, ovshala and milk sherbets are among the most popular ones. If you’re wishing to prepare this colorful fresh drink by yourself, here are some recipes.

You can try to make a fruit sherbet. Sugar is dissolved in boiled water, various fruits, berries, mint are added and served with ice cubes.

To make gandab sherbet, you need sugar, honey, herb syrup and water. Dissolve the sugar in hot water, add the honey and aromatic herbs syrup. In traditional medicine, this syrup is used to prevent general weakness, anemia and dizziness.

Rose sherbet is made of rose oil, sugar, basil or mint seeds. Boil the syrup at a temperature of 45-50 C and leave it for 3-4 hours.

Apricot sherbet is made of sugar, dried apricots, water and ice. It is served with swollen apricots on a separate plate. This kind of sherbet has a therapeutic and prophylactic effect and reduces high blood pressure.

To make rose and pomegranate sherbet, you need pomegranate juice, water, sugar, ice and rose water. Squeeze pomegranates and then mix the juice with sugar. Then, boil and cool the water, add 1-2 tablespoons of rose water and add pomegranate juice and sugar mixture, and pour into glasses with ice cubes.

Lemon sherbet is made of lemon, saffron, basil or coriander seeds, ice and water. When the drink is ready, add saffron tincture and ice. To prepare saffron tincture, soak the saffron in boiled and cooled water for 6-8 hours. Cardamom can be used instead of basil seeds. It gives more flavor and delicacy to the taste.

Shusha, April 6, AZERTAC

As part of “Year of Shusha”, paragliding jump has been carried out for the first time in the last 30 years in Shusha. Chairman of the Shusha City State Reserve Maftun Abbasov shared the video of jump on his Twitter account. The jump was carried out from the Gizil Gaya plateau, which is considered one of the highest points of the city (TV tower area) at an altitude of 1400 meters.

During the jump carried out by professional paragliding pilot Farid Mammadov, the Shusha sky was decorated with the flag of Azerbaijan, the symbol of the victory. In the world paragliding map Shusha is the only place in Karabakh for this kind of activity.

The jump landing took place in the direction of Dashalti village, which is supposed to become an eco-touristic destination.

Baku, April 6, AZERTAC

Azerbaijani oil price has decreased on the world markets.

The price of a barrel of Azeri Light crude oil fell $0,82 to trade at $111,62.