ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: BUCHAREST SUPPORTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH UN RESOLUTIONS AND OSCE DECISIONS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 27 2007

Romania’s Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu’s, interview to APA’s
Eastern Europe bureau

– How do you appreciate relations between Azerbaijan and Romania?

– Romania is the second country after Turkey to recognize
Azerbaijan’s independence. We have recently marked the 15th
anniversary of Romania-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations. Bilateral
cooperation between our countries has always developed. High-level
contacts and continuation of political dialogue on different levels
proves it. High-level visits formed the basis for the bilateral
relations. President Ilham Aliyev paid a successful visit to Bucharest
three years ago. 11 agreements improving legal basis of our bilateral
relations were signed during the visit. These documents created firm
basis for the bilateral relations and are of great importance for their
development. President Traian Basescu’s visit to Baku in October, 2006
created conditions for signing new agreements giving impetus to the
expansion of relations. The presidents’ talks proved that we share
the same opinion regarding bilateral, regional and international
problems. The presidents also exchanged views on stimulation of
bilateral cooperation in energy sphere, so that the international
community is paying more attention to the energy security on global
level. The two presidents confirmed that the number of provision
sources and transport communications for ensuring energy security
is very important. President Traian Basescu’s visit to Baku not only
proved Romania-Azerbaijan relations but also gave impulse to bilateral,
especially commercial and economic relations.

Economic agents of the two countries should deal with these
relations. Romanian president, Mr. Traian Basescu’s recent visit
to Baku on occasion of the second summit of GUAM – organization for
democracy and economic development (June 19, 2007) created conditions
for the high-level dialogue with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev.

The meeting again proved that the bilateral relations are of great
importance and develop. Romania that left behind the transition period
with complications and difficulties is ready to share its experience
with friendly countries. We attach special importance to the bilateral
relations with Azerbaijan and partnership relations on the level of
Black Sea cooperation.

– What stage is the Paneurope project on? What are Romania’s plans
and expectations concerning Constance-Trieste pipeline?

– Romania actively supports PEOP (Pan European Oil Pipeline) that will
sort Europe’s energy import. It is known that Europe has increasing
need for oil and European Union needs securing this strategic
provision. So, PEOP is the appropriate, effective alternative way of
solution that will help increase energy security of Europe. At the
same time, PEOP ensures direct access of the Caspian oil to Western
Europe. This oil pipeline is also important in terms of growing
industry as it offers new contacts to oil companies between the
Caspian resources and oil refineries in Europe. We are pleased that
European commission is getting more active. This simplified signing
the agreement between the direct partners.

The representatives of participant states together with European Energy
Commissioner inked Declaration of Ministers on Constanza-Trieste
oil pipeline project in Zagreb. This is an important step in the
development of the project. It is hoped the procedure of building a
company for the project will end by the end of the year by the support
of European Commission and Secretariat of the European Charter. In this
respect, Azerbaijan can be an important supplier of this pipeline, and
its involvement would ease successful implementation of the project.

– In what fields may Azerbaijan be interesting for Romania except
for energy sphere?

– Romania regards Azerbaijan as a reliable partner to ensure security
and stability in Black sea region. Speaking of Romanian-Azerbaijani
economic relations, the potential proposed by the both of these
markets has not yet been estimated. The level does not satisfy us
despite the fact that trade turnover has risen recently. Romanian
economy develops very fast and may offer Azerbaijan more that
furniture. Azerbaijani econmy is attractive for foreign economic
agents. I belive that Romanian economic operators would look forward
to accessing to other markets.

– What position does Azerbaijan rank in Black sea initiative supported
by South Caucasus and Budapest?

– Black Sea Forum on dialogue and Partnership is a large regional
platform among littoral states. Azerbaijan completes the line of
Black Sea states. Development of democratic values, human rights,
sustainable or market economy is a basis of partnership affecting
various levels of national and regional societies in Black sea region.

– What is Budapest’s position concerning Transnistria conflict and
other frozen conflicts in Post-Soviet states?

– Romania supports the solution of Transnistria conflict within the
framework of Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Romania
wants the Nagorno Karabakh conflict be solved by means of talks.

Under the principles of international law, Romania supports peaceful
solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in accordance with the
corresponding UN Resolutions and OSCE decisions. Taking into account
OSCE efforts and Minsk Group’s activity towards the peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Romania is optimistic that progress
of further important and decisive steps in this field.

– Azerbaijan and Romania are cooperating in military sphere. Does
Bucharest, as NATO Alliance member intent to deepen this cooperation?

– Romania backs the stability, democratic development in Azerbaijan
and its position to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Azerbaijan is active partner of the Alliance and Romania taking
into account its positive dynamic role in partnership mechanisms,
particularly, its serious insolvent in the operations in Kosovo and
Afghanistan. We appraise Azerbaijan’s successes within the framework
of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with the Alliance
in 2006. We think successful implementation of IPAP’a goals create a
large ground for deepening of Azerbaijan-NATO relations. We welcome
that Azerbaijan will have more enlarged, new IPAP that will bear more
commitments by the end of 2007. As NATO member, Romania is pleased with
Azerbaijan’s progress in application of military reforms. We approve
the cooperation in military and military-political spheres regulated
with the agreements concluded between Bucharest and Baku in 1999,
2000 and 2006 and hope the bilateral political dialogue in the issues
of common interest such as stability and security in the Black Sea
region will be enlarged. We regard Azerbaijan as a player which has a
strong role in defining of regional security atmosphere. This profile
should be completed with the interest towards domestic development
because this is the very factor which guarantees sustainable and
expected targets of foreign policy. We hope NATO summit in Bucharest
scheduled for April, 2008 will achieve significant progress in the
implementation of the projects and brave initiatives made during
Riga summit, including cooperation within EAPC and relations with
the partners in enlarged Black Sea region.

– Romania shows interest in GUAM. What plans does Bucharest have
regarding this organization?

– Romania’s interest in the developments ongoing in its eastern
neighborhood is a natural case for any member of Euro-Atlantic
community dealing with enlargement of stability, security and welfare
area beyond NATO and EU borders. Stable, democratic and prosperous
enlarged Black Sea region, its close integration into Europe and
Euro-Atlantic structures is Romania’s fundamental strategic interest.

In this context, our country is pursuing an active policy on
regional cooperation in both south-Eastern Europe and Enlarged
Black Sea region. Romania is making regular efforts for making Black
Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership institution. The initiative
calls for maintenance of democracy and economic development, energy
security, raising of confidence, strengthening of stability, peace
and security. Moreover, our country is active part of European
Commission’s Black Sea Sinergy Declaration. Romania is planning to
have close cooperation with the Black Sea littoral states as well as
other nearby countries, including Azerbaijan in order to implement
these initiatives. Taking into account strategic importance of
the Black Sea region we are following with great interest the steps
taken by all cooperation mechanisms and structures in this region. In
this context, Romania has welcomed GUAM turning to an international
organization and the member states’ finding ways to reach long-term
solution of the challenges that the region face. As the member of
the European Union and NATO, Romania is not considering ODED-GUAM
membership but as Romanian President Mr. Trian Basescu confirmed in
his speech made in Baku summit of ODED-GUAM summit (June 19, 2007)
Romania welcomes positive steps taken by GUAM states and is interested
in having dynamic political and economic relations in energy security
with these states. Romanian president’s presence in GUAM summits
as guest (April 22, 2005, Chisinau; June 19, 2007, Baku) as well as
Romanian Foreign Minister’s attending the summit of ODED-GUAM in Kyiv
(May 22-23, 2006) show that Romania shows a special approach to the
initiatives of regional cooperation and backs their full development.

– What is your assessment of the prospect of Azerbaijan’s access to
the European Union?

– European Union’s including the South Caucasus countries to the
European Neighborhood Policy is a decision on establishing close
relations with them. Romania did a lot for taking such step and
accelerating implementation of this decision. EU-Azerbaijan action
plan concluded in 2006 is a proof of expanding relations between the
Union and your country. We welcome the decision which is of political
nearing character and gives Azerbaijan chance to join to EU PESC
declaration. Azerbaijan is a member of European Neighborhood Policy.

Azerbaijan is the member of European Neighborhood Policy program
encouraging civil society cross border cooperation through European
Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Cross Border Cooperation
Sea Basin Program. We should understand the efficiency and character
of new tools and funds and appraise it maximally for the benefit of
the region and our domestic development. Moreover, EU has carried
out approach towards the Black Sea region through initiative of
Black Sea Synergy this year which Romania took an active part in its
preparation. We rely on participation of Azerbaijan in the realization
of new regional cooperation initiatives. We positively assess your
country’s participation in Black Sea cross border cooperation program
under European Neighborhood Policy.

– What is your assessment on prospects of SOCAR’s activity in Romania?

– Romania is interesting in having various ways of ensuring its
energy resources and playing active role in ensuring Europe’s energy
security. As a member of EU, Romania supports the Union’s preparing
only policy in energy sector. Following this, we also want to discuss
finding corresponding form for signing bilateral agreement between
Romania and Azerbaijan on cooperation in energy sector. We welcome
SOCAR’s opening a branch establishment in Romania. This company’s
functioning in Romanian market shows that Romanian-Azerbaijan
relations is in the stage of maturity. We examine it as bilateral
prospects, prism of common Euroatlantic security interests. SOCAR
can enter European market using Romania as a transit gate through its
Bucharest representation. Romania can be a passage for the transition
of Azerbaijan’s resources to Central and Western Europe with its
strategic position. Moreover, SOCAR has experienced companies for
being reliable partners.

Our country has great oil refinery enterprises in European standards,
complicated energy transport infrastructure, great internal
distribution net and these are privileges for the development of
efficient cooperation between SOCAR and Romania. On the other hand,
Azerbaijan’s participation in our market coincides with the interests
of Romania and it increases competition.

– How can Romania and Azerbaijan cooperate in the framework of
Nabucco project?

– Nabucco project will have a great share in ensure of energy security
of Europe. Its efficiency has been recognized in EU level by inclusion
into the list of infrastructural projects which is priority for
Europe in the framework of European Commission’s Action Plan on
European Energy Policy adopted by Council of Europe on March 8-9,
2007. Development of Nabucco project and development of relations with
Caspian countries is priority of Romania. Taking into consideration
the energy resources Azerbaijan is of great importance as a potential
supplier.

As a sign of assessing Azerbaijan’s important role in ensure of
energy security of the region and Europe as well both sides plan
establishing energy partnership and development of the cooperation
within the framework of Nabucco project.