"Unfortunately, the press continues dirty campaign against our country in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest. We know perfectly what forces are behind this campaign," said Ilham Aliyev the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan presiding over a Cabinet’s meeting to discuss results of the socio-economic development in the first quarter 2012, APA reports.

The issue on early recess in Baku secondary schools due to Eurovision-2012 Song Contest was on agenda, Education Minister Misir Mardanov told journalists, APA reports. Minister said that this decision is not expected to be made: “I think we will not need such decision. This contest will be held in certain parts of Baku. During the contest, our classes will be at the stage of completion.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov has left for a working visit to Australia. The visit will last until April 22, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told reporters on Monday. He said during the visit the sides will discuss prospects of cooperation in various spheres. Khalafov will also hold meetings in various ministries of the country.

Additions and amendments made to the law 'On political parties' in Azerbaijan, will contribute to the further development of democracy, OSCE Baku Office head Koray Targay told journalists on Monday. According to Targay, the OSCE Baku office is always open to organise a dialogue between political parties and is ready to cooperate if it receives proposals from them.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has been invited to a meeting of foreign ministers of the countries contributing to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to be held in Brussels April 19, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev told Trend on Monday. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is the NATO-led international military contingent. It has been operating in Afghanistan since 2001.

“We could see significant changes in the development of relations between the OSCE and Azerbaijan in the 20 years,” Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, Koray Targay told journalists, APA reports. According to the ambassador, this progress concerns mostly Azerbaijan. “In comparison to 1992 we could witness significant development in Azerbaijan. Significant progress is observed in the development of bilateral relations between the OSCE and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan gives a significant contribution to the OSCE activity.

Azerbaijani parliament will adopt a law on evaluation policy. According to APA, the draft law was sent to the parliament’s committee on economic policy. The new law will regulate the issues related to fixing prices of movable and immovable properties.  It will also assist to solve the disputes over purchasing of land plots from population for the state needs.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued warning on the visits to the Georgian territories that are out of control of its government, APA reports quoting the website of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The Ministry calls on the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan to refrain themselves from traveling to those territories of Georgia, which are not controlled by its Government, without permission of the relevant Georgian authorities.

“The recent developments in Armenia are provocative rather than political. For example, ban of films, airport under construction in Khankendi, non-attendance at the meeting of the committee established by the Council of Europe, withdrawal from Eurovision song contest in Baku,” chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament’s committee on international and interparliamentary relations Samad Seyidov told journalists, APA reports.

National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is doing water measurements in Giragkesemen section of the Kur River, senior hydrologist of the National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Asif Verdiyev told APA. He said the sharp increase of the water level in Georgia section of the Kur River caused increase of water level in Giragkesemen section in Azerbaijan’s territory.