NEWTIMES

On 10-11 September 2017, in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hold its first science and technology summit at the level of head of state and government. Astana Summit witnessed a historic milestone as it evolved a unified collective position at the highest levels of decision-making in OIC Member States with a view to advancing the different fields of science, technology and innovation, while emphasizing the Muslim world's resolve to promote scientific and technical development. The Summit was important as it underscored the Member States' support for scientific fields by demonstrating the Muslim world's knowledge contributions away from the negative stereotypes that have become widespread recently.

The problems faced by the European Union in the past few years encouraged the emergence of several scenarios for the bloc`s future. Experts give different forecasts, with many of them being pessimistic. Leaders of the 27 states who gathered in Rome to celebrate the European Union`s 60th anniversary signed the Rome Declaration. The document features a number of interesting points relating to the future of the organization. A deeper look at the declaration reveals that the EU is, in fact, on the verge of new transformations. But the main point here is that there is considerable uncertainty about the essence of these changes. The reason is that the European Union is now facing serious problems.

The problems faced by the European Union in the past few years encouraged the emergence of several scenarios for the bloc`s future. Experts give different forecasts, with many of them being pessimistic. Leaders of the 27 states who gathered in Rome to celebrate the European Union`s 60th anniversary signed the Rome Declaration. The document features a number of interesting points relating to the future of the organization. A deeper look at the declaration reveals that the EU is, in fact, on the verge of new transformations. But the main point here is that there is considerable uncertainty about the essence of these changes. The reason is that the European Union is now facing serious problems.

The fates of Georgia and Azerbaijan have been closely linked for most of their histories, and now this is true more than ever. The past twenty-five years have demonstrated that without their close strategic partnership, neither country would be able to sustain its independence or achieve greater economic prosperity.

The Globalization and transformations on the international scene as well as within the societies in individual countries, provoked by such processes, are most certainly among the major challenges of our times. Ultimately, the globalization is about universal values, multicultural environment, tolerance towards the differences and astronomic speed of the processes and developments. Therefore, those aspects cannot but be reflected in the new world order.

There are mutual Islamic inheritor and full cooperation and coordination between two countries to serve the interests of two governments, which means a source of pride for all of us. And all of these thanks to the full attention and care of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

25 years of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan as independent states is quiet a short historical period, but still it is marked by rich and fruitful experience.

According to media reports, the U.S. Congress has passed the budget bill for 2017. The document contains reference to Ukraine and Georgia and reiterates the America's support of their territorial integrity. To that end, certain objectives have been set before the appropriate government agencies and funds have been earmarked. Any country that aims to undermine Georgia and Ukraine's territorial integrity would be deprived of the U.S. assistance. Everything is totally understandable and there is nothing extraordinary about it. Yet, the very document contains no reference to Azerbaijan's sovereignty or support of its territorial integrity. There is an abstract regarding the allocation of $100 million to defend the post-Soviet countries from "Russian aggression". However, the document fails to mention specifically the occupation force – the aggressor Armenia. What is the reason? If Russia is classified as an "aggressor", then what category its closest ally Armenia that for 20 years has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory falls in?

Military clashes in Syria and Iraq have become more intensive lately with one of the key features being the air bombardments against the civilians. Such attacks had claimed hundreds of lives and caused displacement of thousands more. The situation in Mosul is dramatic to the extent that the government forces have halted the operations. Elsewhere in Syria, the geopolitical tensions around Manbij and Afrin have spiraled. Washington and Moscow have started to back PYD there openly. If Americans are eyeing Raqqa, Russians are making sure that their people are on the ground in Afrin to secure their interests. Ankara's response was an anticipated one as it said the Operation Euphrates Shield would continue. Thus, the outlines of an apparent new triangle of tensions – standoff between US, Russia and Turkey – is starting to emerge.

The capital of Pakistan hosted the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization. The event had drawn great deal of attention. According to the experts, that gathering had a certain impact on many of the issues of global geopolitical relevance. Performance of the ECO member states with respect to prospects of regional cooperation in the South Asia is especially important. The large countries that are represented within the ECO can also influence the dynamics of the processes in the Middle East. Moreover, the ECO is actively involved in such areas as transportation, trade, economy, security and energy. Azerbaijan's energetic performance within the organization is well-acknowledged. President Ilham Aliyev's profoundly substantiated speech at the Islamabad Summit garnered attention in light of the aforementioned aspects.