The Jakarta Post, Indonedia
Aug 13 2008

Indonesia significant in Azerbaijan foreign policy – minister

[Interview by Veeramalla Anjaiah: "Indonesia ‘significant’ in
Azerbaijan foreign policy: Minister"]

Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation recently invited The Jakarta
Post’s Veeramalla Anjaiah to Baku to attend an International Forum on
the Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue. Azerbaijan Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to a written interview with the
Post. The following are excerpts.

[Veeramalla Anjaiah]: How does Indonesia figure in your country’s
foreign policy? The present bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and
Indonesia are at a nominal level. What measures do you think are
needed to upgrade these ties?

[Elmar Mammadyarov]: Indonesia, as the largest Muslim nation, a
leading ASEAN member and a responsible player in global and regional
affairs, occupies a significant place in Azerbaijan’s foreign
policy. In 2006, we opened our embassy in Jakarta.

Indonesia’s stance on Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan,
based on support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, is highly
valued. Indonesia’s efforts under the OIC (Organization of Islamic
Conferences) and other international organizations are also
appreciated. Politically, we have witnessed a very high level of
understanding and support.

But our economic relations do not match this level of political
cooperation, despite [there being] huge economic potential in both
countries. Indonesia is a huge country with a diversified economy and
a developed economic sector, while Azerbaijan has been the world’s
fastest growing economy for the last four years.

We should put more effort into balancing and further developing the
content of our bilateral economic relations.

[VA] Many people in Indonesia do not know much about your country. How
do you raise your country’s profile in Indonesia and Southeast Asia?

[EM] The first step towards improving the situation was opening the
embassy in Jakarta. Through our diplomatic mission we have been able
to spread the word about our country. We have also tried to develop
people-to-people relations. By organizing conferences and inviting our
Indonesian friends, we allow people to see what Azerbaijan really
stands for. And we have a lot to show: great architecture; a tolerant,
rich and all-inclusive culture; a booming economy, and much more.

[VA] What are your country’s plans to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

[EM] Azerbaijan’s position on the settlement of the conflict has
remained unchanged from the first day of talks.

We see no other option but the withdrawal of the armed forces of
Armenia from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and the
restoration of the sovereign rights of Azerbaijan in those
territories.

The legal and political grounds for the settlement of the conflict are
based on the norms and principles of international law as reflected in
the UN Charter, Helsinki Final Act, the United Nations (UN) Security
Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 (adopted in 1993) as well as
the appropriate documents and decisions of the OSCE (Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the European Council.

These documents affirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan.

[VA] Do you expect any assistance from Indonesia on this issue?

[EM] We highly appreciate Indonesia’s position in support of
Azerbaijan’s just cause and are confident in the continuation of this
position. At the same time, promotion of the whole notion, based on
primacy of the principle of territorial integrity should be amongst
the priority issues in our international efforts.