News Digest

Defense ministers to sign co-op documents
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov is expected to travel to Azerbaijan over February 25-26. During the visit, two new documents on military-technical cooperation between the two countries will be signed. According to the Russian embassy in Baku, an interaction plan and a treaty on military-technical cooperation between the defense ministries of the two nations for 2003 will be concluded as a result of the visit.  Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev and his Russian counterpart Sergey Ivanov will discuss  prospects for cooperation, personnel training and regional security.

No request for air support from US
In answer to a question from journalists on whether the US has requested Azerbaijan to deploy its air force over Azerbaijan's territory, in the event of action against Iraq, head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev said: "America has not applied to us in this regard and there is no reason to speak about it."

Russian Gazexport opens office in Baku
Alexey Miller, the board chairman of Russia's largest open-type joint-stock society Gazprom, which has recently marked its tenth jubilee, said in Baku on February 18 that he had signed documents setting up the Baku office of its export arm, Gazexport LLC.

Pensioner falls to his death from Maiden Tower
The Baku police department informed AssA-Irada that an old man fell from the top of the famous Maiden Tower of Baku on Friday. He is a Baku pensioner, 76. Investigation is ongoing to find out the reason for the accident.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased person committed suicide, as onlookers were trying prevent him from throwing himself to the ground from the top of the building.

French musicians play to the regions
A French music evening on March 3 is due to be held at the Rasid Behbudov Songs Theater. Musical group, Kaliz, from France, will perform at the concert. Representatives of the French embassy in Baku are also expected to attend the event, where musical parts by famous French composers will be played. The French musicians are planning to give concerts in various regions of Azerbaijan as well.

Azeri-Afghan tourism?
The Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism of Afghanistan, Mirvais Sadig, has paid a visit to Azerbaijan.
On Monday evening he met with the Azerbaijani Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Abulfaz Qarayev. During the meeting, the Azeri minister updated his Afghan counterpart on developments in the tourism sector of Azerbaijan. The ministers highlighted the important role that Baku-Kabul flights could significantly contribute to tourism progress in both countries. A tourism cooperation agreement will be concluded shortly between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.  The visitor was invited by Abulfaz Qarayev to attend an international tourism exhibition to be held in Azerbaijan in April.

English journalist's book on Qarabag
English journalist Thomas de Val has written a book on Qarabag. The journalist, who have traveled to Baku several times, has comprehensive information on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag. Tomas de Vaal has worked as a correspondent for the BBC. The book called Black Garden follows developments in Azerbaijan. The book, published by a London publishing house, is to be released in London late in March. The author is expected to visit to Azerbaijan shortly. The new book will also be released in Azerbaijan.