Another courageous Palestinian in Gaza speaking her mind.
Many actual Palestinians on the ground in Gaza BLAME HAMAS for dragging them into the war. https://t.co/OOumAl0uL5
— John Aziz (@aziz0nomics) December 8, 2023
Day: December 8, 2023
Member of the House of Representatives Frank Pallone calls for US security assistance to Armenia.
“Glad to see that Armenia and Azerbaijan were able to come to an agreement to release 32 Armenian prisoners,” he said in a post on X.
“This is an important step forward, but the US must provide Armenia with security assistance to ensure a lasting peace in the Caucasus,” he added.
Glad to see that Armenia and Azerbaijan were able to come to an agreement to release 32 Armenian prisoners. This is an important step forward, but the U.S. must provide Armenia with security assistance to ensure a lasting peace in the Caucasus. https://t.co/wISEZmx64Z
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) December 7, 2023
In a joint statement the two countries reconfirmed their intention to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen. In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Armenia releases 2 Azerbaijani military servicemen.
In a recent statement, Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani controversial and youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner and education activist, has faced criticism for her choice of words when addressing the tragic incidents involving children in Afghanistan and Palestine.
Her critics see a clear difference between her approach and the cause that she is working for.
While she condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, her critics argue that she has been more cautious in her language when discussing similar situations involving the Taliban about girls’ education.
Sidra Khan a student from Pakistan said: “Malala is using those words that her master approved her to speak. She never used the Israeli War Crimes, Genocides of Palestinians and other Zionists War Crimes.”
Yousafzai, known for her advocacy for girls’ education and women’s rights, has often been accused of aligning her agenda with Western interests.
Critics argue that her recent statements have further fueled these suspicions, pointing to a perceived disparity in her responses to incidents involving the Taliban and those involving Israeli actions in Palestine.
The controversy arose when Yousafzai, in a delayed response, condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that led to the deaths of Palestinain children.
Social media users quickly highlighted the timing of her statement, prompting questions about her commitment to addressing the issue promptly.
In contrast, when it comes to condemning the Taliban’s actions in Afghanistan, Yousafzai’s critics claim that she has been more strong in her language to highlight these issues. Some argue that her reluctance to use stronger condemnatory language against Israeli context raises concerns about her selectivity and whether her statements are influenced by political considerations.
Yousafzai has long been a lightning rod for criticism in her home country, Pakistan, where some view her as a mouthpiece for Western agendas. Her recent statements have reignited debates about her positioning and the consistency of her advocacy for children’s rights, irrespective of the geographical or political context.
As the controversy surrounding Malala Yousafzai’s statements continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how she will navigate the delicate balance between advocating for human rights and avoiding perceptions of bias in her choice of words.
On December 2, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan approved a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the energy field between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China. The document, which was signed by the representatives of the two countries on October 17, outlines the commitment of both countries to cooperate in the development of energy projects, including the exploration and development of offshore wind energy resources. This agreement is expected to help promote the use of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan, as well as support the participation of the private sector in this area to improve financial sustainability and efficiency of the energy sector.
This comes amidst the renewed efforts by the two countries to deepen their cooperation in various spheres of mutual interest, particularly in connectivity, energy, and trade. The trade volume between the two nations skyrocketed by more than 21 percent last year, reaching approximately 2.2 billion US dollars. Notably, Azerbaijan has solidified its position as China’s largest trade partner in the South Caucasus, a testament to the robust economic collaboration.
According to Azerbaijan’s ambassador to China, the energy sector is a top priority in the bilateral relations. China’s advanced expertise in alternative energy is a factor that aligns seamlessly with Azerbaijan’s ambitions to diversify its economy and reduce dependency on hydrocarbon resources. In the course of the visit of Azerbaijan’s energy minister to China, within the framework of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum on October 17, negotiations were held concerning the participation of Dongfang in the construction of Garadagh SPP with a capacity of 230 MW, cooperation with China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment on renewable energy projects with a capacity of 2 GW in Azerbaijan.
The aforementioned memorandum of understanding, which was signed during this visit, paves the way for expanded cooperation in electricity, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and renewable energy. It encompasses the introduction of new technologies, infrastructure renewal, mutual investment promotion, and knowledge exchange through conferences and forums.
The two countries share interest also in the realm of connectivity where Azerbaijan has strategically positioned itself as a key player in the transportation between Europe and Asia via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. The Baku International Sea Trade Port, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, and other infrastructural projects form a comprehensive network that offers efficient routes for transporting goods between the two edges of Eurasia. The Middle Corridor is gaining traction, attracting interest from Chinese transit operators and logistics companies. Cooperation in block trains, logistics information exchange, and cargo placement underscores the commitment to optimizing transportation routes.
The resumption of cargo transportation by trains from China to Azerbaijan in early December marks a historic moment. The first cargo, comprising 110 TEU of electric cargo, construction materials, and industrial products, arrived in Baku port, symbolizing the tangible results of collaborative efforts. The strategic positioning of the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, is gaining prominence in the broader context of the EU–China transportation route, particularly against the backdrop of the disruptions on the trans-Russia passage. The European Union’s new strategy on connecting Europe and Asia aligns with the regional countries’ goal of becoming a connectivity hub between the two continents.
That said, the burgeoning China-Azerbaijan partnership encapsulates a compelling narrative of collaboration, mutual benefit, and shared aspirations. From robust trade relations to groundbreaking energy projects and strategic connectivity initiatives, the two nations are shaping a resilient alliance that extends beyond economic realms. As the Silk Road echoes in contemporary endeavors, and the South Caucasus eyes its role as a pivotal hub, the China-Azerbaijan partnership exemplifies a dynamic synergy that holds significant promise for the future.
https://news.az/news/china-and-azerbaijan-revive-their-partnership-in-multiple-spheres
A Turkish company has laid the foundation of the first pharmaceutical production facility to be established in Azerbaijan Thursday, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Daily Sabah.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Gen Pharma Caucasus Manufacturing Operations, a pharmaceutical production facility in Pirallahi Industrial Park, near Baku, was attended by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikail Jabbarov, Turkish Ambassador to Baku Cahit Bağcı, and other guests.
Minister Jabbarov said at the ceremony that Azerbaijan is carrying out policies to develop the non-oil sector, and that “pharmacy, pharmaceutical production is of particular importance for every state.
“Every resource can be exhausted. These limits can only be expanded based on human capital. This initiative is a step forward in the development of the sector.”
For his part, Bağcı emphasized the importance of the enterprise’s establishment as a result of cooperation with the Azerbaijan Investment Company.
“We are organizing joint meetings of Azerbaijan Investment Company and Turkish investors. We recommend representatives of the companies to invest with the Azerbaijan Investment Company.”
Abidin Gülmüş, chairperson of the board of directors of GEN Pharma, said a 15% decrease in drug prices is expected in Azerbaijan with the start of production.
Emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s first pharmaceutical production facility will be built by applying Türkiye’s advanced technologies, he said: ” Some 42 high-quality medical products in various dosages and packages will be produced.”
“The investment cost of the facility will be 59.3 million manat ($34.9 million), and permanent job opportunities will be provided for 165 people,” he added.
The post Turkish firm lays foundations for Azerbaijan’s 1st pharmaceutical plant appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
On Thursday, Azerbaijan and Armenia said they had agreed to take new steps toward normalizing relations and to exchange prisoners of war, as part of a series of mutual goodwill gestures intended to promote reconciliation between the estranged South Caucasus neighbors, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Daily Sabah.
A joint statement by the countries also said Armenia agreed to lift its objections to Azerbaijan hosting next year’s international conference on climate change, the COP29.
The move could not only resolve a problem hanging over the COP28 forum underway in Dubai but also point to greater trust between Baku and Yerevan.
Countries had been unable to agree on an eastern European host for the 2024 climate talks, with Russia vetoeing EU countries. A decision on the meeting’s location and presidency is due within the next week.
The South Caucasus neighbors have been locked in a decadeslong conflict over the control of the Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan reclaimed after a lightning operation against illegal separatists in September.
Azerbaijan liberated most of the Karabakh region from Armenian occupation during 44 days of clashes in the fall of 2020, which ended with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, opening the door to normalization.
Azerbaijan sent troops to Karabakh on Sept. 19, and after just one day of fighting, Armenian separatist forces aided down arms and agreed to reintegrate with Baku.
Both countries have said a peace agreement could be signed by the end of the year, but peace talks – mediated separately by the European Union, the United States and Russia – have seen little progress.
On Thursday, the two sides agreed “to take tangible steps aimed at confidence-building” and reaffirmed their “intention to normalize ties and sign a peace agreement,” the statement said.
Azerbaijan will release 32 captured Armenian service members and Armenia will free two Azerbaijani soldiers, “as driven by values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill,” the statement noted.
“The two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach a peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.
European Council President Charles Michel praised the agreement as a major breakthrough, saying on social media platform X that he particularly welcomes the deal to release detainees and make an “unprecedented opening in political dialogue.”
Michel called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalize a peace deal as soon as possible.
The two countries said they “will continue discussing additional confidence-building measures which will be taken in the nearest future and call on the international community to support their efforts.”
The agreements were reached during talks between the administration of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the office of Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan share the view that there is a historic chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region,” the joint statement said.
Azerbaijan, which had on Wednesday received U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien, said it was prepared to accept an offer by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to host talks between the countries’ foreign ministers in Washington.
Armenia’s foreign ministry said Yerevan had also responded positively to the offer.
The post Azerbaijan, Armenia agree new steps to normalize ties, build trust appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.