Andreas Herkel's notes from Azerbaijan

Do you know which Muslim country was the first to become a democratic republic? The answer is - Azerbaijan. The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was officially proclaimed in May 1918. The next year the country officially granted women political rights. The means that Azerbaijan was the first Muslim country in which women were allowed to vote. In addition to this, Azerbaijan was the first Eastern country to establish a system of women's education. The first school for women was opened here in 1901.

Do you know which country is the homeland of the oil industry? It's Azerbaijan again. Oil production was started here in the 1870s by the Nobel brothers. The first records of Azerbaijani oil come from the
13th century, when Marco Polo visited the country.

Such interesting facts these can be found in Andreas Herkel's recently published book in Estonia named "Azerbaidzaani kirjad" ("Notes from Azerbaijan"). The author is a member of the Estonian Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and served as a PACE monitor in Azerbaijan.

Mr. Herkel admits that he knew almost nothing about Azerbaijan before he came to the country. Still, he has found out that Azerbaijan is a country with a rich and interesting history.

Olga Olo, Tallinn