RF First Channel is puzzled at broadcasts to be stopped in Azerbaijan

"Interfax" reports that the Russian First Channel, according to its public relations directorate, expresses its perplexity in connection with the Baku decision to stop broadcasting its programs in Azerbaijan starting from July next year.

"The friendship of the Russian and Azeri nations, which has been strengthened all these years thanks to the broadcasting policy of the First Channel, should not be jeopardized as a result of someone's hasty decision," - declared Konstantin Ernst, director general of the First Channel.

For reference, on December 28, the National Council on TV and Radio Broadcasting (NCTR) of Azerbaijan adopted a decision at its sitting to stop broadcasting of Russian TV channels "First" and "Russia" and two Turkish channels, "STV" ("Samanyolu") and "D" on the republic's national frequencies.

The NCTR has informed "Interfax" that, starting from January 3, 2007, the broadcasting of the Turkish channel "D", and from July 1 - of the Russian TV channels and the "STV" ("Samanyolu") will be stopped.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported earlier that the agreements on suspension in Azerbaijan of broadcasting of the Russian channels RTR, "Planeta" and "1st Channel ", and the Turkish channels "Samanyolu" and "Channel-D", may, after all, be reconsidered.