Baku hosts ICAPP General Assembly

Baku is hosting the 7th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) of over 300 political parties with about 200 delegates from 35 states attending to discuss security, peace and cooperation.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted the economic and social advance of Azerbaijan marking its 21st anniversary of independence.. He expressed concerns with poverty, instability, ethnic and religious conflicts, terrorism, separatism. He urged ICAPP members to cope with the challenges.

Aliyev became the ICAPP chairman. Cambodian vice premier passed chairmanship to Aliyev's representative Ramiz Mekhtiyev.

Ali Ahmedov, Executive Secretary of Yeni Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairman, noted the controbition of the Asian organization to peace. He reminded that Azerbaijani economy had grown 3-fold in 21 years. Ahmedov emphasized that Nagorno-Karabakh (20% of Azerbaijani territory) was occupied by Armenia.

The official proposed formation of a youth forum and a women's organization of political parties within the framework of ICAPP.

Jose de Venecia, former Speaker of the Parliament of Philippines, called Azerbaijan a successful and democratic state and noted that Ilham Aliyev was a good follower of Heydar Aliyev. Poverty in Azerbaijan had dropped by 5-6%, he reminded.