February 17, 2010 – Los Angeles, California

Aliyev Speaks at Davos and Munich

On January 27-29, President Ilham Aliyev joined other global leaders at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking at the “Global Energy Outlook” panel, Mr. Aliyev described Azerbaijan’s vision for energy security and stressed the importance of diversification of energy transport routes for both producers and consumers.

On February 6, Mr. Aliyev spoke of the need for greater international engagement in advancing the Caspian energy projects at the "Resource Security and Shifting Global Power" panel of the Munich Security Conference. He also underscored the urgency of putting an end to the prolonged illegal occupation of the Azerbaijani territories by Armenia’s military. In Munich, President Aliyev met with US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, among others. Mr. Aliyev traveled to Munich after discussing bilateral and regional issues with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

Israeli Foreign Minister in Azerbaijan

On February 8-10, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman visited Azerbaijan to discuss regional affairs and expanding bilateral relations. Mr. Lieberman met with President Aliyev, FM Mammadyarov and other high-ranking officials as well with members of Azerbaijan’s vibrant Jewish community. He described Azerbaijan as “a model for stability and tolerance, combining tradition, history, openness, and the universal values of the modern world."

In related news, Israel’s former PM Ehud Olmert also visited Azerbaijan on February 15 and was received by President Aliyev.


January 20, 1990: Two Decades Later

This year, the people of Azerbaijan observed the 20 year anniversary of the tragic events of January 1990, when the Soviet Army attacked the capital city of Baku, killing and injuring hundred of unarmed civilians overnight. This was the bloodiest and most brutal of the several military attacks on civilians ordered by the Communist leadership throughout the Soviet Union in the last years of USSR’s existence. Contrary to the agonizing regime’s expectations, these crimes by the Soviet Army only strengthened the resolve of Azerbaijan’s citizens to build an independent and sovereign nation.

Consul General Suleymanov talked at a UCLA seminar and wrote an article on the events of 1990 for the Huffington Post. It is available at www.azconsualtela.org

In other news:

*Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. This is the highest decoration of France.

*CG Suleymanov and Consul Abdullayev visited the Bay Area, where they met with San Jose mayor Chuck Reed and spoke at San Francisco and San Jose State Universities. Mr. Suleymanov also gave a talk at the Commonwealth Club of California and met with members of the American Jewish Community.

*The Consulate General and the Bay area Azerbaijani community honored the virtuoso pianist Chingiz Sadykhov, who turned 80, at the San Francisco Conservatory on January 8.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Azerbaijani Perspective is compiled from various news sources and is edited by
the Consulate General of Azerbaijan