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Martinez steps down as Belgium manager after WC exit

Roberto Martinez is leaving as coach of Belgium’s national team following Thursday’s World Cup exit, according to the AP.

 

“That was my last game for the national team,” the Spaniard said after a 0-0 draw with Croatia led to the team’s elimination from the tournament in Qatar.

 

Martinez coached Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. He was in charge of the team for six years.

 

Martinez said he made the decision to leave “before the World Cup.”

 

“I always work in the long term. I believe in the long term,” he said, fighting off tears. “Since 2018, I had many opportunities to leave and take jobs at the club level. But I wanted to stay loyal.

 

“I am not resigning,” Martinez added. “I’ve reached the end of my contract.”

 

Martinez’s exit coincides with the likely breakup of Belgium’s “Golden Generation,” an era featuring standout attacking players like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens.

 

The team was ranked No. 1 by FIFA for four years during Martinez’s tenure but never won a major tournament.

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

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Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry: We express regret for the disdainful attitude of the Russian Federation’s peacekeeping contingent towards our appeals

“We express regret for the disdainful attitude of the Russian Federation’s peacekeeping contingent towards our appeals,” says a statement by Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry.

 

“We reiterate that the mention of settlements’ names in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan by fictitious Armenian toponyms, including the usage of the “Nagorno-Karabakh territory” expression, is INADMISSIBLE.

 

We call on the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation not to use inaccurate expressions when mentioning the names of Azerbaijani territories in official information.

 

We remind that in the official information of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation dated 01.12.2022, published on the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the territory referred to as the “Nagorno-Karabakh territory” is the Karabakh economic region, and the official names of Azerbaijani settlements mentioned as “Mardakert”, “Martuni”, “Madagiz” and “Getavan” are AGHDARA, KHOJAVAND, SUGOVUSHAN, and GOZLUKORPU, respectively,” the ministry emphasizes.

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

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FM Bayramov: Armenia should seize historic window of opportunity to normalize its relations with Azerbaijan

“At a time, when both sides have a real chance to finally move towards sustainable peace, it is essential for the international community, including the OSCE, to persuade Armenia to abandon its attempts to undermine the normalization process. Armenia should reciprocate on the constructive offer of Azerbaijan and seize the historic window of opportunity to normalize its relations with Azerbaijan and other neighboring countries. This will pave the way towards peace, security and cooperation in the region, said Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as he addressed the 29th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Lodz, Poland.

 

“Armenia has yet to fully withdraw its illegal armed formations from the territories of Azerbaijan. In a similar vein, Armenia artificially delays the restoration of transport links, including by rejecting to provide unimpeded access between mainland Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Instead, Armenia launched a smear campaign against Azerbaijan to hijack the normalization agenda and distract the attention from non-fulfillment of its commitments.

 

The role of certain third parties to embolden Armenia’s revanchist behavior is also cause for serious concern, as it tempts Armenia to resort to increased military provocations and warmongering rhetoric,” FM Bayramov added.

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

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To His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates

Your Highness,

 

I cordially congratulate and convey my best wishes to you and through you, your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your country’s National Holiday – the Independence Day.

 

We attach a particular importance to our friendly relations with the United Arab Emirates based on mutual trust and support. During last thirty years period, the ties between our countries united by the religious and cultural bonds, have strengthened while our collaboration in various areas of mutual interest have evolved in dynamic and sustainable manner.

 

I believe that we will continue to put our joint efforts to develop further our interstate relations and broaden our bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

 

On this pleasant day, I wish you sound health, happiness, success in your activities, and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of the United Arab Emirates.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ilham Aliyev

 

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

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FM: For years Azerbaijan suffered from the misuse of consensus within OSCE

“The principle of consensus-based decision-making is clearly reflected in all major OSCE decisions. For years, Azerbaijan suffered from the misuse of consensus within the Organization. Nevertheless, we always advocated for strict adherence to the letter and spirit of cooperative security, firmly underpinning the OSCE and its conflict cycle toolbox,” said Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as he addressed the 29th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Lodz, Poland.

 

“In this regard, sending a so-called “needs assessment mission” to Armenia without consensus is a blatant violation of mandates adopted by collective will of all participating States. All OSCE institutions, including the Chairmanship and Secretariat, are established as common assets for all participating States. Failure to act accordingly undermines confidence. Azerbaijan calls upon these institutions to rectify their gross violation of their mandates,” FM Bayramov noted.

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

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Azerbaijani FM: Armenia tries to avoid implementing obligations it has undertaken

“At meetings held this year in Brussels, Prague and Sochi at the highest level both sides confirmed their mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. I met Foreign Minister of Armenia three times to discuss the preparation of a bilateral treaty on the inter-state relations. At our latest meeting in Washington D.C. on 7 November 2022 we agreed to expedite negotiations to that end. With this in mind, Azerbaijan has already submitted to Armenia a set of comments on the draft agreement,” said Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as he addressed the 29th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Lodz, Poland.

 

“Azerbaijan’s approach is clear, consistent, and is based on international law. After almost thirty years of no formal relations, the urgent necessity for the sides is to agree on a legally binding document setting the foundation for their inter-state relations. This document shall guarantee their rights as two equal sovereign states and provide a basis for addressing all issues of common interest or concern falling into the realm of inter-state relations.

 

Despite increased dynamism in bilateral negotiations, the progress remains rather limited in three major tracks of Armenia-Azerbaijan inter-state normalization process, namely, signing a peace treaty, delimitation of borders and opening of regional communications.

 

In all three dimensions, Armenia sticks to past practice of imitation rather than engaging genuinely into the process. Despite verbal commitments to the peace agenda, Armenia tries to avoid implementing the obligations it has undertaken,” FM Bayramov added.

 

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency