AMBASSADOR OF BELGIUM TO AZERBAIJAN: WE WANT THE RESPECT FOR THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN IN FRAMES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

Ambassador of Kingdom of Belgium to Azerbaijan Frank Geerkens’s
interview to the APA

-How do see the relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium in political,
social and economic spheres?

– The opening of an embassy which we are doing now I think is very
important moment in the relations between our countries. Of course
we established the diplomatic relations since 1991 after Azerbaijan
becoming independent. But opening the embassy now is an important
issue now. I think there is more to do, to accomplish. I think
the embassy here will be an effect of getting more cooperation,
more exchanges. Everyone is praising the economic development of
Azerbaijan, and economic and trade cooperation is also the thing we
would like to do, but it goes further than only business. I think
Belgium is the country central of EU – we have the host of EU, NATO,
other organizations. I think Azerbaijan is also a focus in that part
of Eurasia, of the region. When it comes to political contacts –
I think it already happened – the president Aliyev was in Belgium
last year. In 2006 Belgium chaired the OSCE, and in that capacity
the MFA of Belgium visited Baku and the region for several times.

– Which spheres are the most possible to cooperate for our countries?

-Azerbaijan has signed the ENP action plan with the European Union. I
think Belgium, as well as the entire EU; can help Azerbaijan with the
implementation, democratization, local government works. We can help
in practical steps. I think we should also develop the contacts in
non-governmental spheres. In terms of education – between universities,
also with the NGOs, also culture, human, student exchanges, etc.

Belgium is also as a part of EU is interested in Azerbaijani energy
resources. EU wants to diversify its energy recourses supplies, and
in that terms of view the Caspian region is very important. There are
also business opportunities to cooperate in IT, technical, financial
and construction services. We don’t have big projects or contracts –
but we are looking for partners. Certainly Im also discussing mow
an idea of having a business forum between our countries with my
colleague – the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belgium.

-Will Belgium be sending a delegation on the presidential elections
in 2008 to Azerbaijan? Do you believe Azerbaijan can have free and
fair ones?

-We don’t send special delegations, but our representatives will come
in the framework of ODIHR OCSE.

Azerbaijan is improving. It already implemented some of the
commitments. We are looking forward for the next election process. As
for the press issues about Azebaijan – we refer to the EU statement
made a few days ago and to the action plan too. And we hope the
opposition representatives will also not be silent.

The last elections were better than the previous ones. They could
have been better in terms of free and fair. We look forward for
the Azerbaijani election process to take place in frame of the
recommendations, and if Azerbaijan needs help – it will get it.

– What is Belgium’s opinion on Nagorno-Karabakh problem?

-When we were chairing OSCE in 2006 we got a very close understanding
for the conflict, and also for the opinions of both sides involved.

We want the respect for the territorial integrity in frames of
international law. I also think the conflict must be resolved
peacefully. It is a difficult situation, and it is not so easy to
solve it. We in Belgium know how difficult it is for two different
communities to live together. In Belgium we have the Flemish, the
German and the French speaking communities. So we can understand that.

– Some experts say the MG OCSE doesn’t work pretty well, and it might
be more active if change one of the co-chairs. Would Belgium want to
become one?

-The Mink Group, the co-chairs and the OSCE itself is there to help
the parties involved to negotiate, to work on that process. That
would be very unrealistic to think that it is very easy to solve this
problem. The conflict has to be solves by the sides themselves, so
they don’t have to blame the mediators. It all depends on Azerbaijan
and Armenia.