Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The first meeting of the autumn session of the Azerbaijani Parliament was held on September 30.

The parliamentarians discussed topical issues, including the recently held constitutional referendum, the issue of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Parliament, as well as considered changes to bill “On Tourism”.

Speaker Ogtay Asadov, addressing the session, stated that the referendum demonstrated strong support of the Azerbaijani people to the far-sighted policy of President Ilham Aliyev.

Asadov further noted that the referendum on amendments to Azerbaijan’s Constitution was held democratically and transparently.

The referendum to make amendments to Azerbaijan’s Constitution was held on September 26. The voter turnout throughout the country stood at 69.7 percent, or 3,671,707 people. Final results of the nationwide vote will be announced until October 21.

Concerning relations between Azerbaijan and the EP, Asadov reminded that for a biased resolution adopted by the EP in respect of Azerbaijan in 2015, the Parliament came to a relevant decision, and has suspended its participation in the Organization of the EU Parliamentary Cooperation and the Parliamentary Assembly "Euronest" since then.

“Throughout this year, we did not participate in any of their activities. During this time, the Parliament of Azerbaijan has repeatedly received appeals, they paid personal visits and attempted to remedy the situation,” he said.

He further mentioned the recent visit of the EU- Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee to Baku.

“On September 19-20, at the initiative of the EP a delegation of 15 people arrived in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev received the delegation, and the head of the state voiced his notes and attitude on, in which direction the relations maybe continued in case the ties are restored,” Asadov said.

Another issue discussed in the Parliament was the bill “On Tourism”. The changes in the draft law provide new requirements for the drivers of vehicles transporting tourists and participants of excursions.

Knowledge of drivers, guides and sightseers will be certified by the supervisory authority under the changes.

Drivers of tourist vehicles will have to undergo training under a special program, approved by the relevant executive authority. In particular they will have to possess legal knowledge in the field of passenger transport, and in particular the transport of tourists and sightseers.

According to the draft, drivers will have to be accredited.

The MPs also ratified the MoU between the governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey on TANAP gas pipeline.

Valeh Alasgarov, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament noted that Turkey has already implemented all necessary state procedures on this document.

The deputy speaker stressed that the approval of the Memorandum, signed on May 26, 2014, will be a very valuable support for TANAP from the Azerbaijani side.

TANAP project, worth $9.3 billion, envisages transportation of gas of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field from Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey. The gas will be delivered to Turkey in 2018, and after completion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline’s (TAP) construction, the gas will be delivered to Europe in early 2020.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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