AZERBAIJAN HOSPITALITY -Part II

Azerbaijan hospitality can not to be reduced to only good gestures shown to foreigners or limited to having to be entertained by the assorted varieties of cuisines the Azerbaijanis has to offer (read Azerbaijan Hospitality – Part I); the Azerbaijan hospitality encompasses and embraces a people total way of living, it’s specificity is in the area of its acceptability of people from diverse cultural, religious beliefs and origins.

The Azerbaijan nation in whole, apart from the major Azerbaijanis from the Turks origin, it consists of other ethnic minorities, like the Talish, Tatars, Lezghins, Jews, Tats, Avars, Kurds, Ukrainians, Russians, Armenians, Tsakhurs, Udis, Georgians, Ghyryzs, Mountain Jews, Polish, and the Buduqs. The point is this, any person who has passed through Azerbaijan will hardly notice these differences, these ethnic groups have simple chosen to be identified as Azeris and this has helped unite the country. There is no element of disparity in existence between these ethnic groups and this co-existence has significantly rubbed into the relationship between the Azerbaijanis and foreigners.

Visitors to Azerbaijan while walking the streets of the capital -Baku, even as a relatively small country, will notice an array of different national restaurants. A few of the prominent are the, Chinese, Hong Kong, Arabians, India and Pakistan, Iranian and not forgetting the Turkish restaurants. All these are patronized by both the Azerbaijanis and foreigners who are familiar with these varieties. However, without mincing words, very many persons will agree with me that the Azerbaijan cuisine has its own blends to match up or equal with these international meals that have a global imprints.

The simple fact that all these different international restaurants exist is because there can be found people from all part of the world in Azerbaijan. After the boom in the Azerbaijan economy with the exploration of the Caspian oil by international oil conglomerates, there has been a large influx of foreigners into this part of the world. Some many years ago, prior to the independence of Azerbaijan from the Soviet Union, visitors to Azerbaijan was limited to only people who came to for educational purposes; for example, before my departure from Nigeria to Azerbaijan, I had come in contact with a young lady who is about Nineteen years old, her father is a Nigerian while her mother is an Azeri. This only proves that even as far back as twenty years ago, Nigerians have been coming to Azerbaijan to have education here. One of the main destinations of foreign students is always the Azerbaijan Oil Academy that is one of the best universities of its kind globally.

Some phases in a country development are just inevitable. That at this time in history Azerbaijan is witnessing a great number of foreigners coming in as sojourners or tourist is an event that is certain to occur. The Azerbaijan nation is experiencing a peace that was not a picture many observers would have predicted during the turbulent years of 1992 – 1995. The entrance of Heydar Aliyev into the political scene of Azerbaijan was the factor that can be linked to the national peace. This is the reason why the entire Azerbaijani population references Heydar Aliyev despite many years after his death. Just to add also to his, H. Aliyev’s credit, he orchestrated the entrance of the big oil companies into the Caspian waters, an agreement that is referred to as “contract of the century”.

With the finance from the sale of it oil, Azerbaijan government is beautifying its capital city of Baku. In almost every corner of the street a park can be found, there is the renovated Boulevard- National Park , museums are found in all cities of the country even in the hinterlands, rising buildings erected, etc. All these are signs of a prosperous nation with a great potential to achieve more greatness.

There are various ways in which the Azerbaijan hospitality is expressed. For instance, during ceremonies such as wedding; I have attended several wedding ceremonies in Azerbaijan and it really was a delight to behold. The wedding is characterized by lots of merriment, arrays of meals, and then the series of dances. At a particular wedding ceremony, I was fascinated to learn the Azeri dance step that looks almost similar like the American tap dance. It didn’t take me much to learn because everyone was ready to tutor me through the skills of the dance. Immediately I caught the rhythm, I joined in the euphoria that accompanies these moments.

Other areas where you can feel the Azerbaijan hospitality is in the area of expressing simple courtesies like greeting. With no regards to gender, nationality, or color, at first meeting, exchanging pleasantries is most often done with a cheek kiss. This is a custom that has longed being practiced and it has remained with generations after generations.

In as much there exist elements of dissatisfaction experienced by some foreigners with a few miscreants in Azerbaijan, however the positive sides of the Azerbaijan hospitality is highly commendable and obviously eclipses this dissatisfaction. On a general postulation, the Azerbaijan nation has not seen the last of its sojourners. Basing on the practice of its unequaled hospitality, if well harnessed, it is true to state that the Azerbaijan country is indeed heading towards prosperous times.

LAST WEEK IN AZERBAIAN -WEEK 29

Azerbaijan’s Governing Party Completes Preparation for Congress Trendaz.com
Azerbaijan Social-Democratic Party planning to hold plenum to define candidate for presidency Today.Az
Leader of Azerbaijan's Exclave Starts Visit to Iran iStockAnalyst
EU to support Azerbaijan on justice in 2008 and on agriculture in 2009 within ENP Abc.az
Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan oil & gas conference to be held in Baku on September 9-11 Abc.az
Azerbaijan’s Justice Ministry Approves Changes in Press Council’s Charter; Press Council of Azerbaijan Develops New Document on Presidential Elections Trendaz.com
Gazprom and Azerbaijan to start talks on gas sales RIA Novosti
Iran President Praises Ties With Azerbaijan iStockAnalyst
For last 10 years Azerbaijan demined 314,000 mines Abc.az

The New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is in top gear preparation for it fourth congress. The local units of the party have held various conferences at it chapter outlet in readiness for the national congress. The NAP is presently the governing party in the republic of Azerbaijan.

The congress is in preparation for the upcoming presidential election in the Azerbaijan republic to be held on the 15th of October, 2008. it is anticipated to unveil the party presidential candidate, the incumbent president Ilham Aliyev, who is also the NAP Chairman. Interstingly, Iham Aliyev has been the chairman of the NAP for 14 years after it was established by the late Heydar Aliyev.

On the other hand, the opposition party of Social-Democratic Party is planning to hold its own plenum later at the end of July. However the party has had series of in house issues to put in place in other to give a deserving challenge to the ruling party which already enjoys a broad base.

Opposition parties in Azerbaijan still need a lot of catching up to do in other to be worthy challengers to the NAP who has a large number of supports. Although many opposition parties have stated that their inability to compete is due to government systematic effort to suppress the activities of oppositions.

According to IRNA report from Iran, the Azerbaijan officials from the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic visited Iran on the 13th of July. The Supreme council representative of the enclave, Vasif Talibov was received at the Jolfa border by the Jolfa governor.

The Azerbaijan representative was visiting Iran based on the invitation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The Azerbaijan Supreme council representative will also meet with the governor-general of East Azarbayjan Province in Tabriz, senior officials in Tehran and discuss ways of expanding bilateral relations.

Tabriz is an Eastern Province in the Iran with predominantly Azerbaijanis. The province was originally an Azerbaijan territory but was ceded to Iran based on a joint agreement between Iran and Russia after the end of the war that involved both state.

The Naxcivan Autonomous Republic comprises in its population about 96 percent of Azerbaijanis, the rest are Russians and Tatars and 1.1 per cent of its population are of Kurdish origin. The roads and railways of this republic had been closed by the Republic of Armenia following the war between the Azerbaijani Republic and Armenia over Nagornyy Karabakh.

The Minster of Economic Development in Azerbaijan, Heydar Babayev in conjunction with Kaido Sirel, the Director of the EuroAID Directorate General in Azerbaijan has revealed during a recent briefing on the implementation of the National Action Plan within the European Neighborhood Program (ENP) for 2007-10, that the budget assigned to energy sector for 2007 will be channeled to Justice and Agriculture for 2008 and 2009 respectively.

The Program budget for 2007 is EUR19 million, including EUR13 million for budget support (to be directed to energy sector), EUR1 million for technical assistance of budget support, and EUR5 million for twinning program of Azerbaijan departments.

Budget support includes three tranches (EUR3 million, EUR5 million and EUR5 million) within three years. By the end of the year the first tranche can be given. It will be directed to develop renewable energy, including appropriate technical, institutional, and legislative measures.

The European Commission and the Azerbaijani government have determined themselves with the priorities of European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) 2007-10 within the framework of National Action Plan 2007-13. ENP with total budget of EUR 92 million stipulates by EUR30 million for democracy and economic reforms in private sector. Another EUR32 million will be directed for infrastructure (transport, environment protection, etc). In 2007 ENP financing will amount EUR19 million, in 2008 – EUR22 million and will grow year-by-year.

The Azerbaijan Justice Ministry has rectified and approved the improved Charter of the Azerbaijan Press Council. This was revealed to the media by the Chairman of the Press Council, Aflatun Amashov.

The changes in the new Charter include four years tenure for executive members; formally it was two years. Also, the bound preventing Press Council member from taking the same position in central structures more than two times was removed.

The Azerbaijan Press Council was established in March 15th, 2003 and since then Aflatun Amashov has been the Council Chairman. Just recently, he was elected for a new tenure as chairman; in the same election, Umud Mirzayev, Chairman of International Eurasia Press Fund and Mushfig, chairman of Journalist Union were elected as Deputies.
In a separate release by the Press Council, there is effort to involve all political parties and press bodies in agreeing for a code of conducts and ethics towards a smooth conduct of the upcoming elections. The Press Council has express satisfaction with this approach in the 2003 elections and has hope to get better satisfaction this time around.

The National Mine Clearing Agency (ANAMA) has marked its 10-year activity anniversary.
ANAMA has reported that up to date it has cleared 70.5 million sq m of territory from mines. It has demined 314,140 mines and other explosive devices.

The National Mine Clearing Agency (ANAMA) was established in 1998 in compliance with a relevant presidential decree। Since 1999 ANAMA jointly with UN Development Programme has been implementing Mine Danger Liquidating Programme. Up today it was cleared 43 million sq m of the territories from mines.

Last year 6,000 people suffered from mines in the world। Every year within the framework of implemented programs it is cleared more than 100 sq m of the lands. Mine danger exists at least in 68 countries.

The ANAMA carries out its function on about 18-20 million sq m annually in Fizuli, Terter, Tovuz, Agdam Geranboy, Khojavend, Agjabedi, Agstafa and other regions of Azerbaijan.

LAST WEEK IN AZERBAIJAN -WEEK 28

Azerbaijan President visits Kazakhstan; takes part in 10th Anniversary celebration. Today.az
Azerbaijan is to be considered in top ten countries Economy for doing prospective Business. Today.az
Weir is moving into Azerbaijan. Scoutman United Kingdom
Imminent trial for a Baptist Pastor. Forum 18 News
Iham Aliyev receives the Hungarian prime Minister. Various
Azerbaijan strengthen military co-operation with Pakistan. Trendaz.com
Chairman of Press Council –“Journalist should be considered first in the granting of Social Mortgage. Trendaz.com
OSCE makes pre-election Assessment Azerbaijan. Various
1st Azerbaijan International Insurance Forum Concludes in Baku. Trendaz.com
President of Azerbaijan passes decree to create Azerbaijan Ethnography Museum.Today.az

The president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev was in Astana, the capital of Kazahstan to join them in the celebration of her 10th Anniversary. Kazakhstan is similar to Azerbaijan in that both countries were formally a republic of the old Soviet. Moreover both countries are recently benefiting from its oil exploitation.

During the visit the President Ilham took out time to have separate meetings with the King of Jordan, Abdullah the second. The agenda of their meeting was to strengthen ties between both nations. Also in similar manner, President Ilham had a brief discussion with his Turkey counterpart.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan borders each other. The visit of the Iham Aliyev to Astana was a day visit.

The World Bank Business report will include Azerbaijan in its list of countries with good prospects for doing business in 2009 as stated by the office of the Economic Development Ministry of Azerbaijan. The report will be made officially public by October of this year.

The news is a tremendous improvement because previous report had placed Azerbaijan 96th position out of a total 178 countries. With the change in Government policies, coupled with the serene environment, Azerbaijan has convinced prospective business persons to come invest.

It is note worth to state that the government of the republic is focusing a good percentage of its resources towards the sustainability of the economical growth; however many more factors still negate these efforts.

In the same line, the WEIR group PLC, a Glasgow multi-company is moving into the Caspian waters for the first time after acquiring a majority stake in Standard Oilfield Services.

The acquisition will join to the WEIR oil and gas divisions; WEIR also operates in other divisions such as Minerals and Power and Industrials. The entrance of WEIR into the Azerbaijan oil sector will certainly swell the buoyant sector of the national Economy. Other prominent big oil firms doing business in Azerbaijan include BP, Exxon Mobil, Shell, Gazprom, Agip, Elf, et al.

A Baptist Pastor by the name Hamid Shabanov who hails from the village of Aliabad has been transferred from investigation prisons in the city of Ganja to Zakatala. His trial is due soon as stated by his lawyer Mirman Aliev. If convicted on the charges of illegal arm possession, the 51 years old husband and father faces up to three years imprisonment.

Ilya Zenchenko, a member of the Baptist Union is of the opinion that the case was a government plot against Baptist and religious communities across Azerbaijan. According to him, Hamid is innocent of the charges against him and based on Hamid’s words, the said weapon was planted by the security officials. Not until the Evangelical Alliance in Baku had a press conference on the issue, Hamid had been held since 20th of June, longer than required by law without any clearly outlined charges. Ilya is of the conclusion that the gun plot was conceived in order to have a reason to continue persecuting Hamid.

Aliev, Hamid’s lawyer considers the case religiously motivated because the motives of the police indicate so. His client has been asked series of questions such as “why he leads a Christian community, why some 50 people around him have adopted to Christianity”.

It is hoped that Hamid receives a fair trial and be discharged. Azerbaijan remains a beacon of hope for good religion tolerance in the sense that despite its population is predominantly Islam, with its state religion as Islam, the law of the republic has allowed for freedom of religion. Presently in Azerbaijan there are Christians who practice their faith without molestation; however, cases such as Hamid Shabanov could put at risk its religious serenity.

The Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyucsany visited Azerbaijan. The visit was in reciprocal of similar visit by the Azerbaijan president to Hungary early 2008.

Both leaders has stated on the need for increase bilateral cooperation between both countries; over the years, Azerbaijan and Hungary have developed links for possible future relations in various spheres that can be beneficial to her economies.

Azerbaijan is hoping to benefit from the vast military experience of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This was stated by Ziyafat Askerov, the 1st V-Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament and the chairman of standing committee on Security Affairs and Defense during a meeting with the chairman of the foreign Affairs committee of Pakistan. Already there is an agreement on bilateral co-operation between the ministries of defense of both countries.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan collaborates in military technical areas particularly in the fight against terrorism. Azerbaijan has a unit of soldiers in Afghanistan in the NATO fight with the Talibans which is also led by the Pakistani military.

Pakistan is one of the first nations to identify Azerbaijan independence; the Pakistan delegate leader Mushahid Hussein did not fail to point out this fact while also comparing the Azerbaijan nation with Pakistan in the area of problem faced by neighboring nations over Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir respectively.

The chairman of Azerbaijan Press Council –Aflatun Amashov has asked that journalists be considered first in priority for Social Mortgages. The Press council intends to make this appeal to the state Head.

Whereas the average salary of journalist is about AZN 200, affording the mortgage credits that was introduced since 2005 is very impossible.
The Press council has mandated itself to take adequate steps towards the uplifting of the journalist social problems. However the state of journalists in Azerbaijan reflects a general system where salaries of professional remain appalling. An urgent review has to be carried on all aspects of professional jobs particularly in academics and health care sectors.

OSCE has appraised the preparation for the upcoming presidential Election in Azerbaijan. The election is due to be held in October 2008.

The election which has candidates such as Isa Gambar –Musavat party, Sardar Jalalogu –Azerbaijan Democratic Party, Mais Gulaliyev –Green party, Eldar Namazov –Public Forum; a;; contesting against the incumbent Ilham Aliyev –Yeni Azerbaijan Party. Although some other candidates has stated a boycott of the election while some have appointed the president Ilham Aliyev as it candidate.

The recent statement from the OSCE is not “an all-clear stamp”; the election still remains months ahead and unlike in the past, elections in Azerbaijan have never been a purely fair contest.

The Azerbaijan Insurers Association organized the Azerbaijan 1st International forum. The forum was focused on tendencies of development of the insurance market; impact of the experience of the insurance markets of the European countries on the development of insurance in Azerbaijan; development of life insurance; analysis into the insurance market of Azerbaijan; finance system and corporate management in the field of insurance.

Among the attendees at the forum include: the Azerbaijan’s Minister of Finance -Samir Sharifov, Minister of Economic Development -Heydar Babayev, Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament’s Committee on Economic Policy -Ziyad Samedzade and Head of Finance Ministry’s Insurance Control Department -Namik Khalilov.

From the private sectors the roll call includes, the President of the Society of Re-insurance of Poland -Marek Jzerski, Director of AON Ruk Company -Andreas Frolikh, Director General of SFS Company -Erdjan Turfan, Deputy Director General of Insurance Society “Russia” -Igor Fatian, Director of Moscow Representation of Cologne reinsurance joint-stock company -Capitolina Turbine, Chairman of Board, Director General of Allianz Company -Michael Khergezell, Deputy Director-General of ROSNO insurance company -Alexander Gulchenko, and others.

Members of the Insurers Association sponsored the event. They are: Standard Insurance, Baki Sigorta, ATA Sigorta , AzerSigorta, Atesgah, AZ Sigorta, Beynelxalq Sigorta Sirketi, AzRE tekrarsigorta, MBASK and Insurance Association RUSSIA (official sponsors), as well as Audatex, FADATA, A Group, Alfa Insurance, Polish Reinsurance Company, DINII, Thames Insurance Group, UnityRe, SFS, Ingosstrakh, Qarant Sigorta.

President Ilham Aliyev has passed a decree on the creation of the Azerbaijan Ethnography Museum. The museum will be an open air museum located in the Baku city.

The president has directed the National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were instructed to present proposals regarding the activity of the Ethnography museum in line with modern requirements within four months. Also, the State Committee for State Property Management and the State Committee for Land and Cartography were instructed to present to President of Azerbaijan proposals on allocation of the due site for organization of the said museum.

Azerbaijan has a large number of Museums in its capital city Baku and scattered all over its region. The president who has hoped to harness the country tourism potential is vigorously pursuing these objectives. This is eminent in the large developmental projects going on in the capital Baku. However, to some persons, these should not be a main priority but instead good governmental resources should be channeled towards the betterment of spheres that can directly better the lives of the common masses.

AZERBAIJAN HOSPITALITY –Part I.

I have not lived all my life in Azerbaijan, but I have lived long enough to be a witness of the Azerbaijan hospitality. One thing the Azerbaijanis are very sure of is that they are one of the most hospitably people in the world. Although this has remained their own judgment of themselves, I will not fail to say how correct they have been to adjudge themselves so.

Azerbaijan is very strategic in its location in that it is bridge between Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan is surrounded by so much Orientals like the Persians, the Turks and the influence of Arab due to its religion as Islam. The nation Azerbaijan has been able to blend all these Orients from it neighbor to create its own identity. No wonder Azerbaijan offers it own blend of unique cuisines, arts and culture, etc.

Coming into Azerbaijan, with a very minute pre-knowledge of what the society will be like, I had held my own little fears. Fears of what the world has actually installed into all individuals due to divides brought about by religion stereotypes. As a fact, there is always a skepticism that exists in minds of any travels where his religion is in minority. This is also a true case of a country like Nigeria where religion has unconsciously divided its boundary with Muslims in the north and Christians in the south; even traveling across Nigeria is not always an easy adventure for Nigerians. Therefore I can be very justified to say I had my own little doubts coming into Azerbaijan.

My first good encounter with the Azerbaijan hospitality was the celebration of the Novruz Bayram holiday. I had read about the Novruz celebration which was a celebration of springs, the presumed New Year for the Ancient Azerbaijanis and this celebration has been preserved and passed on from generations. Another country apart from Azerbaijan where the Navruz Bayram is also celebrated is the Republic of Iran which of course has a vast population of Azerbaijanis living in the northern part of the country. Also, some part of Turkey celebrates the Novruz Bayram and a minute population of the Iraqis.

In celebrating the Novruz Bayram, one of the very conspicuous activities is the burning of fire and jumping over fire as a sign for purification. To some historians, this event was a characteristic of the Zorastrism, the worship of fire, a practice that was common among the ancient Albanians. Based on the understanding of Zorastrism, the Novruz Bayram can be classified as a pagan holiday.

As a sojourner in Azerbaijan, I had never wished I could have an opportunity to feel at home in a strange land. As a Nigerian, I have grown up celebrating religious events like the Christmas and Easter with sufficient knowledge of the Islamic holidays. During these times what characterize these celebrations are merriment, serving and sharing of delicacies irrespective of religion perspectives. Although in various other parts of Nigeria we have other celebrations associated with paganism but with the continuous influence of religion these practices are gradually loosing significance.

Nonetheless, Novruz Bayram remains unique to me mainly because of great deal of hospitality that comes with it. I was elated by the treatment I got from friends, and neighbors. Neighbors offered me the National bakeries called Paklava and Shakabura. Some gave me nuts of all species, I even had Plov (Azeri national meal cooked with Rice) brought to me from people I have never expected such gestures.

It didn’t stop there; I was hosted to a Nobruz Bayram party wherein I and other foreigners were fed with various Azeri delicacies like the dolma, dovgha, not to forget the Kabbabs.

A typical Azeri is always willing to welcome foreigners into his home unlike other natives of other countries I have visited and have knowledge of. For instance, in the West, visitors are entertained quit rightly, but the service remains a very light one similar to what friends can easily get from any restaurant on the street. On the contrary, this is not the case with the Azerbaijanis; such visit is always accompanied with the service of different meals with the drinks running non-stop. I have been to homes of some friends on just casual calls in Baku, but I was perplexed to see that what was to be a casual visit has turned out to be a mini buffet party with no real agenda on celebration.

Just to go back into history; the Azerbaijani has always practiced hospitality in this magnitude. It was the Azerbaijan hospitality that had made them dwell in good harmony with its neighbors. Azerbaijan still holds it’s hospitably character as a vital part of its existence. This character has significantly rub into the practice of it religion because as at present Azerbaijan to me remains the most tolerate environment where different faiths can co-habit without fear of extreme persecution, violation of right to practice ones own belief freely. Hospitality goes hand in hand with tolerance and that the Azerbaijanis have got in immeasurable size.

The Azerbaijan government has made tourism one of its points in development. As a foreigner, the choice of developing tourism is a worthy venture. The world over, no national tourism develops without the impact of the citizens. The hospitably character of the Azerbaijan people has ruled out any fear of hostility form locals irrespective of any part of the nation a tourist has decided to visit. The hospitality of the Azerbaijan nation no wonder, has caused a great influx of foreigners into this relatively small nation.

With the rate of development in the country, the migration of foreigners into Azerbaijan will continue to increase. On the positive side, for every nation that has experienced a large inflow of foreigners like Azerbaijan is experiencing, that nation also experiences a corresponding growth in all aspects of its economy. Therefore, with blend of the Azeri hospitality, the future indeed is very promising for the Azerbaijan Republic.