Azernews.Az

A special edition of the London-based The Business Year magazine devoted to Azerbaijan was presented in Baku on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by government officials, parliament members and the public.

Betul Cakaloglu, the magazine`s executive, said in her remarks that the special edition is dedicated to the Eurovision song contest due in the Azerbaijani capital in late May. It includes interviews with 160 officials and businessmen, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.

Ali Hasanov, the Presidential Administration's head of social and political issues, said some media are trying to put pressure on the European Broadcasting Union to impede the conduct of the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku. Having embellished a handful of incidents, they are seeking to use them as a tool of pressure and damage Azerbaijan's image on the world stage, he said, adding that some news agencies and TV channels are trying to ``create an information monopoly in the world``.

Hasanov said the Eurovision contest is``not an opportunity, but a goal`` for Azerbaijan. ``The goal is for the world community to familiarize itself with Azerbaijani culture and tolerance. We will show to the rest of the world that we are able not only to conduct Eurovision, but also to organize it better. Those who come here will leave as Azerbaijan's friends. ``

The magazine also includes an interview with Fazil Abbasov, the founder of AzerNEWS newspaper, the media partner of The Business Year's special edition.

The Eurovision 2012 semi-finals will be held on May 22 and May 24 and the final on May 26.