Vasif Talibov
Vasif Talibov (also Talybov; azerb.: Talıbov Vasif Yusif oğlu, born 14 January 1960, Aralig, Nakhchivan ASSR, Azerbaijan SSR) is the current chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan, and regarded by some as the de facto ruler[1] of the Nakhichivan Autonomous Republic,[2][3] an autonomous exclave of Azerbaijan. He is related by marriage to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.[1]
Early life and career
He graduated at the faculty of history at Nakhchivan State Pedagogical University (currently Nakhchivan State University) in 1981 and the faculty of law at Baku State University in 1998. He knows Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish and some English.
Firstly, he worked as a teacher in 1981 in the Damirchi village of Sharur Rayon. Starting from 1982, he worked as the instructor on personnel and then as the head of the special department in the knitted-goods factory of Nakhchivan.
Politics
From September 1991 to April 1994 he worked as chief assistant of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan AR, from April 1994 to December 1995 the first deputy of the Prime Minister of the Nakhchivan AR on foreign economic relations.
He supported Heydar Aliyev after his return from Moscow to Nakhchivan to seize power and participated in the establishment of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) founded by Haydar Aliyev. He is a member of the Political Council and Presidium of the NAP. He is the Head of Nakhchivan AR Organization of the NAP since April 8, 1995.
Vasif Talibov has been elected as deputy of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on November 12, 1995, on November 5, 2000, on November 6, 2005, and on November 7, 2010. He has also been elected as Chairman of the Supreme Assembly and Head of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on December 16, 1995, on December 7, 2000, on November 28, 2005 and December 3, 2010 during the primary sessions respectively.[2]
He was elected as a member to Coordination Council in the first (2001), second (2006) and third (2011) congresses of the World Azerbaijanis.[4]
Talibov promoted Nakhchivan's relations to its neighbours Turkey and Iran an also to the Azerbaijanis living in Northern Iran. He also initiated regularly contacts to the highly developed Austrian region of "Styria" exchanging experience in trade, tourism and environment protection.[5]
Criticism
Despite his merits in economics, cultural development, and foreign relations, Talibov's governorship is controversial both within Nakchivan and abroad. Critics allege that the autonomous Azerbaijani region has fostered a culture of impunity among its security forces, which have been known to use excessive force against opponents of the ruling regime.[6] He is often seen as a member of the ruling oligarchy centred around the Aliyev family and, according to Freedom House, is said to run the region as his "personal fiefdom".[1]
During his rule, thousands of citizens have left the region for work abroad and seeking better conditions of life.[7]
Awards
He was awarded the "Medal of Glory" in 2010 by President Aliyev.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Azerbaijan - Freedom House. Accessed 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b Biography of Vasif Talibov on the Portal of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. Access date: 18 October 2012.
- ^ Hans-Joachim Hoppe: Nachitschewan – Vorposten Aserbaidschans (Nakhchivan – outpost of Azerbaijan), in "Eurasisches Magazin" (in German), August 2, 2011
- ^ Nakhchivan-Portal, Link to detailed official biography on Vasif Talibov (in Azerbaijani, Englisch and Russian)
- ^ Delegation from Styria visits Nakhchivan and Baku in April 2009.
- ^ "Nakhchivan activists attacked". Norwegian Helsinki Committee. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ Thomas de Waal. Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War. New York: New York University Press, pp. 271. ISBN 0-8147-1945-7
- ^ Azerbaijani President awards Vasif Talibov with medal of Glory - Azerbaijan Press Agency. Published: 13 January 2010. Accessed: 18 October 2012