The next visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region may give impetus to the resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Parliament's Vice-Speaker Bahar Muradova believes.
"The co-chairs' visit to the region can be regarded as another stage in the negotiations. However, I believe that this visit may give some impetus to further negotiation process between the parties," Muradova said.
Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Robert Bradtke of the United States, Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, and Jacques Faure of France are expected to visit the region next week.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

The United Nations will "continue to support Azerbaijan's efforts to build a prosperous and democratic future for the whole population of the country," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said. Addressing an official reception on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the country's accession to the UN in New York on Thursday, Secretary General congratulated the Azerbaijani government and people on this date, as well as with the beginning of the country's presidency in the Security Council, ITAR-TASS reported.

The dissemination of anti-Azerbaijani publications in the German press is carried out by the Armenian lobby, Azerbaijani Parliamentary Vice Speaker Bahar Muradova believes.
"Unfortunately, articles are published in Germany and in general in the Western press in recent years, authors of which do not wish to notice Azerbaijan's achievements. These articles are published with the help of circles who do not like Azerbaijan, namely, with the help of the Armenian lobby and the community that serve its interests," Muradova told journalists on Thursday.

Prospects for the development of Azerbaijan's economy in the short term are generally favourable, the deputy director of the IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD), Nadeem Ilahi, said at a press conference in Baku on Wednesday.
"In 2011, the main indicator of economic development of the country namely the non-oil GDP grew by 9.9 per cent. This is a very good indicator. This year, we expect non-oil GDP growth at six per cent. The volume of hydrocarbon production is unlikely to increase," Ilahi said.

“The Azerbaijani side is fully committed to all its obligations as a full member of the Council of Europe”

The traffic police have strengthened traffic safety due to snowfall in Azerbaijan, department chief of the State Traffic Police Office Kamran Aliyev told.

In its decision in the case of "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia" the European Court of Human Rights, sitting as a Grand Chamber, has by a majority declared the application admissible.

Law on Defamation may be adopted this year.

The State Migration Service (SMS) received 48 250 applications from the foreigners and stateless persons during 11 months of this year.

Draft agenda of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly drawn up by the Bureau of the Assembly on 12 December 2011.

Report on the children's rights situation, developed by the government of Azerbaijan, will be discussed at a session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on January 16 - 18, 2012.

The Azerbaijani parliament is discussing the draft law on “Military job and military service”.

“We expect Azerbaijan’s President to sign a pardon decree on the eve of the New Year,” Human Rights Commissioner Elmira Suleymanova.

Eight years pass since the late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev died.

“The Azerbaijani government is efficiently cooperating with all international organizations, including Transparency International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House.”