Azerbaijan 2002

In 2002, Azerbaijan was a newly independent country located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It had a population of around 8 million people and a diverse economy that was largely driven by its oil and gas reserves. According to computerannals, there were still economic challenges such as high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people and those living in rural areas. In addition, there were concerns over rising levels of poverty and inequality within the country. Politically, Azerbaijan was a stable democracy with strong government institutions which enabled it to address pressing issues such as crime and corruption. Furthermore, Azerbaijan also enjoyed close diplomatic ties with other countries in the region which enabled it to remain an important player in international affairs. In terms of development, the government began to focus on improving infrastructure and providing basic services such as healthcare and education which provided a glimmer of hope for a better future for Azerbaijanis. Additionally, efforts have been made by both local and international organizations to strengthen democratic institutions within the country in order to promote stability within Azerbaijan.

Yearbook 2002

Azerbaijan. By New Year, police arrested six people accused of conspiring with a banned militant Islamic group. According to the authorities, the arrested had prepared attacks on, among other things. US Embassy in the capital of Azerbaijan Baku. A few weeks later, President George W. Bush announced that the United States would lift its sanctions on Azerbaijan. The measure was justified by the US-led fight against terrorism, which was supported by Azerbaijan President Gejdar Alijev. US sanctions against Azerbaijan had been in force for ten years because of Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia over the Armenian breaker climax Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to Countryaah website, national day of Azerbaijan is every October 18. President Aliyev visited Moscow in January, which led to a softening of strained relations with Russia as well. Among other things, Azerbaijan agreed that the Russian military leases a radar station in northern Azerbaijan for another ten years. The settlement was condemned by Azerbaijan’s ally Turkey, who feared a rapprochement between Azerbaijan and Russia.

Azerbaijan Border Countries Map

In May, Pope John Paul II visited Muslim Azerbaijan and then called for an end to all religious wars.

In August, a referendum was held on a draft constitutional amendment. According to critics, the proposal would pave the way for President Aliyev’s son to succeed his father and, moreover, make the election system more favorable to the regime. The authorities claimed that 97% voted in favor of the proposals, but opposition leaders reported widespread electoral fraud.

Government critics were arrested by police on several occasions during the year, including after demonstrations in the city of Nardaran that were designated as a haven for Islamic radicalism. However, the residents of Nardaran said they protested against high unemployment and poor living conditions.

In October, members of the opposition party Musavat were arrested and the Democratic Party headquarters were stormed by police. The intensified conflict with Aliyev’s regime appeared to be one of the previously divided opposition, which demanded the resignation of the president during large demonstrations. Alijev was criticized, among other things. for their attempts to resolve the negotiations around Nagorno-Karabakh with negotiations. Several opposition politicians advocated a new war against Armenia.

During the autumn, work started on a more than 175 km long oil pipeline, which will go from Baku through Georgia and Turkey to the port city of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean. At the same time, Azerbaijan and Russia agreed on the delicate border crossing of the oil-rich Caspian Sea.

November

Fleeing Armenians burn the houses

November 14

Following the recent war in Nagorno-Karabakh, tens of thousands of Armenians are now leaving places they were encouraged to move into in the 1990s, when Armenian forces occupied the territories. Armenia and the ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh must relinquish control of Azerbaijan over Ağdam, Kalbajar and the Latin Corridor by 1 December. The three districts and another four that have now been recaptured by Azeri forces have, among other things, formed a buffer zone around the enclave.. The Latin Corridor, which forms the physical link between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, will be monitored by Russian troops on November 9, according to the agreement. Ağdam, which in Soviet times had about 40,000 inhabitants, has been almost a ghost town since the 1990s. Kalbajar, which Azeris were forced to leave in the 1990s, will now be evacuated by Armenian civilians and soldiers. In Kalbajar, house fires are seen that are built so that moving or relocating azeris do not enjoy the buildings.

Ceasefire with Armenian losses

November 9

Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Russia as intermediary, sign a ceasefire agreement after six weeks of fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, the breakaway enclave in Azerbaijan with an Armenian population. Azerbaijan retains all the land taken and the Armenians promise to withdraw from some nearby areas as well. Nearly 2,000 Russian soldiers will be deployed to guard front sections and prisoners of war will be exchanged. According to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Turkey will also have a peacekeeping role. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the deal as “incredibly painful”. In the enclavesays leaders of the ethnic Armenians that the capital Stepanakert was about to fall, and that continued war would have worsened the situation for them. But outraged protesters in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, are reacting by storming parliament, beating the president and looting the prime minister’s office.

Exposed location for disputed city

November 8

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announces in a televised speech that Azerbaijani forces have occupied an important city in the Nagorno-Karabakh separatist clave: Şuşa in Azeri (belonging to the Turkish language family), Shushi or Shushi in Armenian. The city is located along a road that connects the enclave with Armenia, but also near the enclave’s capital Stepanakert. The situation is strategic: it facilitates an attack on Stepanakert for Azerbaijan’s forces.

Azerbaijan Country Overview

Visas
Finnish citizens need a visa when traveling to Azerbaijan. The visa application is successful electronically and the e-visa is valid for 30 days. It is advisable to take about 3 weeks to apply for a visa. An e-visa application requires a completed e-visa application, a photo, a passport copy, a copy of the flight tickets and a hotel invitation letter with an official signature. NOTE. The passport must be valid for 6 months from arrival in the country.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
Please check your destination for yellow fever vaccination requirements well in advance of your trip, for example here. An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required when traveling to some countries. Please also note that in some countries a vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is considered to occur. This is important to consider especially when traveling across multiple states. We recommend that you keep a vaccination card with you when traveling far away.

Currency: Azerbaijani Currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN, ₼). Manat is divided into 100 qapik.

Mobile phones
Check with your operator for the coverage of your mobile phone. The area code for Azerbaijan is +994.

Electric current
The electric current is 220 V (50Hz). An adapter is not required for Finnish devices.

Food & beverage
Local delicacies include fresh fruit, dates, breads and savory pastries. As drinking water, it is recommended to drink bottled water.

Climate
The southern and eastern parts of the country have a subtropical climate. The northern and western mountain areas have a similar climate to the Alps. Despite its small size, the country has a wide range of climatic and vegetation zones.
The hottest season is from July to August, when the average temperature is 25 degrees. The coldest time is from November to February when the average temperature is 5 degrees.

Prepare carefully and pack lightly
Each pound of less luggage reduces the fuel consumption of the vehicle. For more passengers, this can have a significant impact. For personal hygiene, you should pack travel sizes or sample packs that not only save space but also weight. For these, however, it is a good idea to consider the potential amount of waste generated. Depending on the destination, it is also important to take into account the local water situation – if necessary, it is advisable to favor, for example, hair products that do not require rinsing.

Travel documents and electronic reading save space and weight. For charging electronic devices, backup power sources based on a solar cell, for example, are available. For example, footwear often takes up a lot of space in a suitcase and easily accumulates the weight of the bag. Think about what equipment you really need for the trip and leave the extra items at home.