NEWS

Weather forecast for tomorrow in Azerbaijan has been announced.

Report informs citing the National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources that the weather will be changeable cloudy, mainly rainless in Baku and on the Absheron peninsula on November 30. Fog will be observed in some places at evening and in the morning. Mild south-west wind is expected to intensify in the daytime.

The temperature on the Absheron peninsula will be 6-9 C at night, 12-16 C in the daytime, in Baku 6-8 C at night,14-16 C in the daytime.

Atmospheric pressure will be 758 mm mercury column, relative humidity will be 70-80% at night, 50-55% in the daytime.

The weather will be dry in the regions of Azerbaijan, but rain is expected in some western regions in the evening. Fog will be observed in different places. West wind will blow and intensify occasionally in some places.

The temperature will be 2-6 C at night, 13-18 C in the daytime, in the mountains 1-6 C at night, 5-10 C in the daytime.

As for the medical-meteorological forecast, mild south wind is expected to prevail on the Absheron peninsula, which may cause anxiety in meteo-sensitive people.

Starting from December 23, 2019 low-cost airline Buta Airways will launch direct flights from Baku to Lviv, Report informs citing Buta Airways.

Thus, the number of the airline's destinations in Ukraine will reach four. Buta Airways already operates flights to Kiev, Kharkiv and Odessa.

Lviv is considered as the cultural capital of Ukraine and is a wonderfully harmonious European corner. People come here to take a walk in the center, go to museums, listen to numerous street musicians and get acquainted with the very rich culture of Western Ukraine.

Flights will be operated twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

The minimum fare as for other destinations of the Airline, is 29 euros (one way).

Air tickets can be purchased on the official website, as well as at sales offices.

Being a low-cost airline, minimum fare Budget of Buta Airways offers additional services such as carriage of baggage, hand luggage, hot onboard meals, check-in at the airport, as well as seat selection in the airplane on a paid basis.

"Super" fare includes a hand luggage (up to 10 kg), a baggage (up to 23 kg) and free check-in at the airport.

Online check-in on the website opens 24 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before departure. It is free in all fares.

Buta Airways is the first low-cost airline in Azerbaijan, a structural subdivision of the CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL). It was founded in December 2016. The first flight was carried out on September 1, 2017. The Airline’s fleet consists of modern Embraer aircrafts. The Airline is based in Baku, at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan would start from next year, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Ali Alizada has said during the meeting with President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervaizhich.

Report informs citing Pakistani media that Alizada said help to further strengthen the bilateral trade and economic relations as well as people to people contacts between the two countries.

The ambassador also stressed the opportunity to facilitate the visa regime for Pakistani businessmen in the future.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order regarding measures to construct Baku-Shamakhi-Yevlakh (115 km)-Gonagkand-Hamyali-Ikinji Chayli-Ikinji Jabani-Jabani highway in Shamakhi district.

Under the presidential Order, the Azerbaijan Highway State Agency is allocated 11.1 million manats for the construction of the road connecting five residential areas with a total population of 4,000 people.

Azerbaijan attaches a great importance to regional cooperation. Official Baku is expanding political, military, trade and economic cooperation with Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Kazakhstan, in other words maintaining good-neighbor relations with everyone, except for the occupant-country Armenia. A bright example of successful interaction is the trilateral formats of cooperation Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran, Azerbaijan-Turkey-Russia, Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia.

The strengthening and development of cooperation were in the spotlight during the official visit of first Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva to Russia. At the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and chairman of the Federation Council of Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko, and speaking at the 10th Azerbaijan-Russia interregional forum, the first Vice President of Azerbaijan stressed the importance of developing bilateral cooperation in political, trade and economic, tourism, social, humanitarian, cultural and many other spheres.

"Our humanitarian cooperation has intensified dramatically over the past years. I would like to especially stress cooperation in the sphere of education. The branches of the Moscow State University named after M.V.Lomonosov, the first Moscow State University after I.M.Sechenov are functioning successfully in Baku. The implementation of the joint program of dual Master's Diploma of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy and MGIMO has been launched this year. Studies in 338 schools of our country are carried in the Russian language. The pilot project of the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan 'Intensive teaching of the Russian language' is under implementation in 50 schools. 15 state universities have Russian-language divisions. More than 11,000 students from Azerbaijan study in Russia," Mehriban Aliyeva said.

The First Vice President's visit to the grave of an Unknown soldier near the Kremlin walls in Alexandrovski garden is among the main aspects of the visit. Mehriban Aliyeva laid a wreath to the Eternal flame and then the state anthem of Azerbaijan was sounded. It is all very symbolic and is a tribute of respect to common history. By doing so, Azerbaijan makes it clear that it did not forget the history and fight against fascists shoulder to shoulder with Russia within the Soviet Union.

Our country always showed sensitivity and admiration for the participants of the Great Patriotic War and their family members. May 9 - Victory Day is a nonworking day in Azerbaijan. Every year on this day the families of those who died at war and the heroes are provided with aid and presents. On May 9, 2019, Azerbaijan marked the 74th anniversary of victory over fascism. In connection with the Day of Victory, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order to issue one-time material assistance to the participants of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 in the amount of AZN 1,000, while their family members, as well as those awarded for self-sacrificied labor in rear received AZN 500. The order covered 9,300 people, including 400 war participants. AZN 5,000,000 was allocated from the state budget to this end.

It is possible to say that the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 affected almost every Azerbaijani family, and the Baku oil played an important role in ensuring victory over fascism. Every fifth citizen of Azerbaijan was on the front. In 1941, of 3,400,000 citizens of Azerbaijan, 681,000 people went to the front (including more than 10,000 women), 250,000 people died. Over 400,000 soldiers and officers were awarded with war orders and medals, 14 became the cavaliers of the order of 'Fame', 123 the Heroes of the Soviet Union. In the years of war, Azerbaijan was the main exporter of oil and oil products. Azerbaijan accounted for more than 70% of oil and oil products, produced in the USSR at that time. Baku manufactured 130 types of armament and ammunition.

In this connection, I would like to list some facts, confirming the self-sacrifice of Azerbaijani oilmen and people, participating in the war against fascism to some extent. Advancement of enemy's military units in late August of 1942 towards the North Caucasus and the occupation by fascists of the oil regions of Grozny increased the significance of the Baku oil during war. Azerbaijan ensured 90% of lubricant materials and 80% of entire gasoline in the Second World War and that gasoline was supplied all along the front line - from the Baltic to the Black Sea. By the instruction of Hitler, who was well aware of the decisive role of Baku oil, the German army was to invade Baku on September 25, 1942. When unleashing the offensive to the Caucasus, Hitler told field marshall Manstein: "We must invade Baku by all means, otherwise, we will lose the war."

Hitler ordered the launch of a large-scale offensive in the direction of Grozny-Makhachkala-Baku with the use of heavy artillery and landing operation. In late August 1942, the Nazis landed on the banks of the Terek River in the North Caucasus, but their advancement was thwarted. Nevertheless, by a special resolution of the USSR State Committee for Defense of September 16, 1942, martial law was declared in Azerbaijan on September 24, 1942. On September 26, 1942, an article was published in the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that described the fierce battles for oil Baku. "Fierce battles have been going in the south of our country for three months. Our country, and the whole world are closely following the events in the North Caucasus and in Stalingrad. The fate of the Fatherland, the freedom and life of millions of Soviet people are decided in these battles! This is comparable to the defense of Moscow in the fall of 1942 of the year."

The soldiers of Azerbaijan stood on the defense of Russia. On December 8, 1941, in the battles for the village of Pustinka in the Novgorod Region, a detachment of 20 soldiers under the command of Israfil Mammadov opposed the enemy troops of 400 for 9-10 hours, strengthening our positions. In this battle, Israfil Mammadov destroyed more than 70 fascists and on December 11 he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his heroism. Sent in November 1941 to defend Moscow, the Baku anti-aircraft artillery regiment destroyed more than half of the 40 enemy aircraft, and the rest returned home. More than 1,000 Azerbaijanis took part in the battles for Moscow, having received the medal "For the Defense of Moscow" for courage and bravery. Among them are tank regiment commander Hazi Aslanov, Colonel Yagub Guliyev, Major Mukhtar Suleymanov, Captain Israfil Ismayilov, Major Ahad Shamsizade, Lieutenant Museib Allahverdiyev, Lieutenant Mammadrasul Pashayev, Junior Lieutenant Parviz Tagizade, sergeant Jamal Sadraddinov, gunner Idris Valiyev, soldier Rahim Karimov, sniper Ziba Ganiyeva, nurse Aliya Rustambekova and many others.

As the year 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, Azerbaijan is planning large-scale events on this occasion. And it is no by accident. Azerbaijan sacrificed his sons and daughters and gave its oil and oil products for the sake of victory and today it is cherishing the memory of the great victory. Our country has been suffering from occupation for many years. The ancient Azerbaijani land - Nagorno Karabakh is held under Armenian occupation. In the years of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet people shared their bread, grief and joy. By helping with human resorces and natural wealth, Azerbaijan made the victory closer. But Armenians seem to have a bad memory, since they erected a monument to Nazi associate Garegin Nzhde right in the center of Yerevan. The Armenian Prime Minister does not hesitate to call Nzhde a hero of the Great Patriotic War. And in Krasnodar, there is a memorial board to Nzhde. We would like very much to believe that at least in anticipation of the Great Patriotic War, Russia will be able to  differentiate between an enemy and a friend. And getting ties closer between Azerbaijan and Russia will undoubtedly cause envy and outrage among Armenians.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the official visit of the first Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva to Russia proved again that the Azerbaijani side, which gives preference to regional cooperation, is interested in a comprehensive development of mutual relations with Russia. 

"We are very respectful of ourselves, our opponents and our fans. We want to play well and make people happy," Sevilla FC head coach, Julen Lopetegui said at a press conference before the match against Qarabag FC in the fifth round of the Europa League group stage. The 53-year-old specialist said that he had more or less decided that his team would play in the starting lineup. Lopetegui noted that a game plan with two forwards is possible: "I have such an idea, but the most important thing is to compete."

The head coach emphasized that they plan to attack a lot and defend well during the match against Qarabag.

Notably, the Sevilla - Qarabag match will take place on November 28 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium and the match starts at 24:00 Baku time.

As of Nov. 27, 2019, cotton receiving points throughout Azerbaijan received over 290,100 tons of cotton, which is 34.1 percent higher compared to the same period last year, Trend reports referring to the country's Agriculture Ministry.

For comparison, this figure was 216,400 tons in the same period of 2018.

In 2019, so far, Saatli (41,200 hectares), Barda (33,500 hectares), Aghjabadi (31,900 tons), Beylagan (29,800 tons) and Bilasuvar (29,300 tons) districts are leading by the amount of cotton harvested.

The main reason for the increase in productivity, as the ministry noted, is the proper observance of the rules of agrotechnical maintenance, the high level of fertilizer supply and the harvesting of products from the fields without any technical losses.

Cotton is one of the most rapidly growing sectors of agriculture in Azerbaijan.

In 2019, the number of cotton growers in 20 districts of Azerbaijan reached 18,000 people, which is 2,373 people more compared to 2018.

Cotton growing is considered one of the labor-intensive areas of agriculture.

There are 23 cotton processing plants, seven yarn factories and three cotton oil enterprises in the country.

In Azerbaijan, cotton production provides main income for over 200,000 people, including farmers, seasonal workers, and specialists working in the cotton fields such as agronomists, mechanics, drivers and others.

In this regard, cotton growing plays an important role in the development of agricultural employment of the country.

A new stage in the development of cotton growing began in the country in 2016, according to the state program aimed at the development of this sector.

In 2016, the sown area increased by 2.7 times compared to the preceding year and amounted to 51,400 hectares. Cotton production increased by 2.5 times and reached 89,400 tons.

In 2015, these indicators amounted to 18,700 hectares and 35,200 tons, respectively.

Record levels of cotton production in Azerbaijan during the period of the country’s independence were reached in 2018.

Last year, 230,400 tons of raw cotton was harvested, which is 6.5 times higher since 2015.

The amendments to the law "On Medical Insurance" in connection with the implementation of compulsory medical insurance in Azerbaijan were put up for discussion at the plenary meeting of the Azerbaijani parliament on Nov. 27, Trend reports referring to chairman of the parliamentary health committee Ahliman Amiraslanov.

“The relevant work has been carried out for a long time, pilot projects are being implemented, the countries’ best practice is being learnt in connection with use of compulsory medical insurance in Azerbaijan,” Amiraslanov added.

The chairman stressed that compulsory medical insurance is a very big social program.

In accordance with the amendments proposed as part of the discussion of the bill, the proposal was made to set insurance premiums for compulsory medical insurance in the following amount:

- one percent of the amount up to 8,000 manat ($4,715) from the wage fund (including 8,000 manat) in 2020, two percent from 2021 for the insurers not involved in the oil and gas sector and employed in the private sector by using a coefficient of 0.5 percent to a part exceeding 8,000 manat of an employee’s salary;

- one percent of the amount up to 8,000 manat of a salary (including 8,000 manat) in 2020, two percent from 2021 for the insured people not involved in the oil and gas sector and employed in the private sector by using a coefficient of 0.5 percent to a part exceeding 8,000 manat of an employee’s salary;

- two percent of the amount up to 8,000 manat from the wage fund for the insurers involved in the oil and gas sector and employed in the public sector by using a coefficient of 0.5 percent to a part exceeding 8,000 manat (including 8,000 manat);

- two percent of the amount up to 8,000 manat of the salary for the insured people involved in the oil and gas sector and employed in the public sector by using a coefficient of 0.5 percent to the part exceeding 8,000 manat of the employee’s salary.

In accordance with the relevant article of the law, premiums for policyholders envisaged by article 15-2.3. of this law may be set in the amount of 90 manat ($53) per person annually, and for the insured people envisaged by article 15-2.3.4 - four percent of the minimum monthly wage.

The premiums for the insured people may be set at two percent of the part of income up to 8,000 manat (including 8,000 manat) and one percent of the part of income exceeding 8,000 manat.

From 2023 the insurance premiums for the insured people may be set at 48 percent of the minimum wage.

On November 28-29, Nur Sultan will host an international conference on labor regulation in the CIS member States.

Report informs citing the BELTA that conference will be held in accordance with the plan of main activities for the implementation of the conceptual framework of cooperation of the CIS countries in the field of labor regulation for 2016-2020. Its purpose is to exchange experience in solving scientific and practical problems in the field of organization and regulation of labor, its methodology and practice, training, retraining and advanced training of specialists in this field.

Participants will discuss the organization of labor regulation in the CIS countries, improvement of the regulatory framework for labor, the formation of the qualification system, including the development of the national qualification system in the CIS countries (national and sectoral qualifications framework, professional standards).

Leading scientists, postgraduates and undergraduates, specialists in the field of labor organization and regulation, employers and social partners from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other countries are invited to the event. The conference will also be attended by representatives of the basic organizations of the CIS countries in the field of methodological and organizational and technical support of work in the field of labor regulation and in the field of training, retraining and advanced training of personnel in labor regulation.

Azerbaijan is rapidly developing relations with India, the 7th biggest economy in the world. Cooperation in tourism, if exactly, increasing the number of Indian citizens' visits to Azerbaijan plays a great role in economic convergence. These issues were the topic of the Azerbaijan-India business symposium held on November 21 in Baku.

More than 40,000 Indian tourists in a year

The event took place as part of the visit of representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to Azerbaijan. The goal was to inform Indian investors about the business environment in Azerbaijan, encourage them to invest in the country’s economy and develop economic ties in this way.

It was noted at the symposium that India has developed agricultural, chemical, defense and construction industry. Currently, Azerbaijan accounts for 5.5% of India’s export and ranks fourth in this sense. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and India during the nine months of 2019 rose by 13% settling at $929 million, with  $104 million in export, and $824 million in import.

However, the two countries are linked not only by trade links. More than 40,000 tourists traveled from India to Azerbaijan in 2018, up 2.7-fold compared with 2017. In January-October 2019, the number of Indian tourists grew by 66.5% to reach 51,000 people.

“Our customers are interested in Baku”

CEO at Indian VMS Travels Tours LTD Srini Rao, who attended the symposium, told Report that the purpose of visiting Azerbaijan is to study new opportunities for organization of tours between the two countries: "I’m happy with being included in the delegation visiting Azerbaijan. Our company can make a contribution to development of bilateral tourism links."

Srini Rao noted that meetings were held with Azerbaijani tour operators within the framework visit: "I hope we’ll have B2B partnership with them and tourism links will develop more. India is a big market for Azerbaijan. About 20 million Indians travel all over the world every year. Only 0.2% of these people, which is very low, visits Azerbaijan. It’s possible to increase this number. Currently, no direct flight is implemented between Azerbaijan and India. This is a big gap in tourism links. I hope there will be direct flights soon and serve development of the tourism between the two countries."

Rao also noted that clients of the company are interested in Azerbaijan, especially Baku: "Baku has recently become famous in India. I believe that the number of Indian tourists visiting your capital will increase. I hope Azerbaijan will take advantage of this opportunity and promote country’s tourism potential in India."

“It’s necessary to use Indian market effectively”

Advisor to the chairman of Azerbaijan Tourism Association (ATA) Muzaffar Bagirov believes that the Indian market is important for Azerbaijan: "The two countries have signed memorandums on tourism. But it’s not enough. Links must be established with Indian tourism companies, companies should be identified to work with them, direct flights must be carried out. It’s necessary to use Indian market effectively."

There is potential for cooperation in other fields too

However, Azerbaijan and India also have potential for cooperation in other fields of economy. For instance, the two countries might carry out infrastructure projects. Director General of India’s Kalpataru Power Transmission LTD Leena Joshi said that the company have carried out works for oil and gas and road infrastructure in more than 50 countries in thirty years and may include Azerbaijan in its list: "For example, we can construct railway lines for Azerbaijan Railways OJSC, electrify them, install signalization systems. We’ll meet with the representatives of the OJSC for this purpose."

Indian companies are also experienced in pharmacology and agriculture. It was proposed at the symposium to create joint ventures.

The sides also spoke about cooperation in information and communication technologies. India is famous for this field. Azerbaijan has always expressed its intention to use India’s experience in this field.

Acting President of AZPROMO Yusif Abdullayev said that two Indian companies intend to open offices in Baku.