The 30th OANA Executive Board meeting “News for Everybody in the Globalizing World” has started Tuesday in Baku.

The meeting is attended by heads and top representatives of national news agencies from 21 countries, including presidents of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies and European Alliance of News Agencies.

The meeting was opened by Aslan Aslanov, Director General of Azerbaijan`s State Telegraph Agency AZERTAC, who said the holding of such an important event in Baku “is another evidence of enhancing international prestige of Azerbaijan as well as of the fact that the agency has joined the global information network.”

He informed the meeting`s participants about AZERTAC`s history and current activities.

On the topic the Baku meeting of the OANA Executive Board focuses on, Aslan Aslanov said it is very important.

“Access to news for everybody has become a necessity in the contemporary world of globalization and integration. Today, when humanity faces such threats like terrorism, separatism, religious extremism and transnational crime people need unbiased information the most”

“This will allow them to be properly aware of latest developments not only in their own country, but also far beyond its borders. I believe this serves to bring various countries and peoples closer to each other.”

Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev`s letter of greetings to the meeting`s participants was read out.

Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf, President of OANA, Chief Executive Officer of the Indonesian Antara News Agency, briefed the participants on what has been done since his agency took over the OANA presidency last December.

He spoke of the organization`s website, saying the number of visitors to it increased from 200,000 to over 625,000, most of them citizens of countries beyond the Asian-Pacific region.

Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf described AZERTAC as one of the most active contributors of news to the website.

Wolfgang Vyslozil, President of EANA, Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian APA agency, expressed gratitude to AZERTAC for the well-organized meeting.

He called the “subject” of the event “a very well chosen indeed”.

According to Wolfgang Vyslozil this subject could mean two things.

“News for all citizens in a global world as a part of building democratic societies for the future; and news for all types of media in a world that is developing at an impressive speed thanks to the very rapid innovations in Information Technology and where news agencies are especially well suited to be providers of news.”

“News agencies working in accordance with the principles of press freedom and unbiased news are of major importance to the democratic society. To secure economic and legal environment for news agencies operating in accordance with these rules is therefore one of EANA´s major concerns” the EANA President noted.

“There is for sure both a need and a market for independent and unbiased news that citizens can rely on to keep them informed in all areas from politics to sports.”

He also informed the participants of the Alliance`s activities saying it “serves as a pan-European forum for cooperation and exchange of experiences and know-how between member agencies.”

Elnur Aslanov, Head of Political Analysis and Information Provision Department of the Azerbaijani President`s Administration, said “information penetrates instantly all boundaries and starts to form a new understanding of the realities by creating preconditions for new global discussion.”

“It is quite obvious that world integration has become a part of our lives as development factor and symbol of a new epoch. Without global solidarity, it is hard to imagine effective, stable and increasing development“

He said “important and crucial aspect of contemporary mass media is openness and absence of biased position.”

He also touched upon Azerbaijan`s Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia.

“Twenty percent of Azerbaijani territories are occupied by neighboring Armenia. Furthermore, Armenia runs hard line policy of confrontation and radicalization of the situation by taking a non-constructive standpoint during negotiations.”

“Around one million of people have been deprived from their native homes and lands in the aftermath of the conflict. In this case, it is important to present honestly and fairly such information that will become as a kind of pressure on aggressor and enable the fair resolution of the conflict.” said Elnur Aslanov.

Mikhail Gusman, First deputy Director General of the Russian ITAR-TASS agency, highly praised AZERTAC`s activities, saying the agency is committed to producing unbiased and true information.

Masaru Sawanishi-Imai, Head of International Department of the Japanese Kyodo News agency, said he believes the Baku meeting of the OANA Executive Board will contribute to strengthening relations between the member agencies.

Hilmi Bengi, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Anadolu Agency, said he is pleased “to be in the beautiful capital of Azerbaijan - the city of Baku once again”

“During latest period of time, AZERTAC has gained very significant achievements… and this event organized in Baku is one of them,” said Hilmi Bengi.

“It is known that Asian and Pacific region has been developing very dynamically in recent times. Experts say that the sphere of influence of Asian and Pacific countries will be broadened in the future, and these countries will play a decisive role in the world policy.”

“Therefore, in order to be in line with this speedy development, we have to mobilize our forces. In this light, OANA is a very crucial platform. We are gathered here to use maximally this platform”

Following the meeting, the participants were received by President Ilham Aliyev.

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