On the 26 th of February the Center for National and International Studies held its next conference in the series  of round tables dedicated to the 96th anniversary of  the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic ( 1918-1920). The conference “The West’s Energy Interests and Democracy Promotion : Will The Foreign Policy Dilemma Ever Be Solved?” was a continuation of the topic, discussed at the first conference and devoted to the politics in the energy rich states. On a very short notice, the CNIS was denied the venue previously agreed with the ISR Plaza hotel, so the conference took place...


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The EU policy in the region from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, from the Caspian to the Black Sea and the realities of the region was the topic of the workshop on “The EU approach towards the Caspian: soft power or realpolitik?”, held by the Center for National and International Studies at the Hyatt Regency on September 7, 2011. The objectives of the conference were to consider the EU's role within the Caspian region and get local feedback from those living and working in the region as to the state of play of subregional cooperation in Europe's outermost Sea. Local stakeholders and representatives...


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To this conclusion came the participants of the conference on  “The role of NATO for Azerbaijan: a reforms instrument or guarantor of security? Lessons learned on the example of the Turkish membership” held on February 25, 2011 and organized by the Center for National and International Studies . Dr. Zehra Odyakmaz of Turkey, a well-known expert on NATO and professor of the Gazi University, former dean of the faculty of law,  Rasim Musabeyov, a Member of Parliament, political scientis, Yashar Jafarli, a well-known military expert and Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli delivered speeches during the conference....


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Those who exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, should not be subjected to pressure...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms On August 16, new charges were brought against journalist Nargiz Absalamova, who was involved in the investigation of the "AbzasMedia case." This information was shared by the journalist's lawyer, Shahla Humbatova. "Nargiz Absalamova has been charged under several articles of the Criminal Code, including 192.3.2 (illegal entrepreneurship, especially when committed for substantial profit),...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Corruption remains a major challenge for firms operating in Azerbaijan and a small group of government-connected holding companies dominates the economy...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Former diplomat Emin Ibrahimov was reportedly tortured with an electric shock device while in detention at the police station. Ibrahimov was detained on the evening of July 22. His lawyer, Agil Layij, informed "Azadlıq Radiosu" that an unknown person attacked Ibrahimov near the Khalklar Dostlugu metro station. Subsequently, he was detained by plainclothes officers...


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