BRIDGE BETWEEN ASIA AND EUROPE

Korea Times
May 27, 2009 Wednesday
South Korea

The Republic of Azerbaijan is well placed on the southeastern border of
Europe on the shores of the hydrocarbon resources-rich Caspian Sea. It
has direct access to the extensive and speedily emerging markets of the
Central Asian states, the South Caucasus as well as the Middle East.

Azerbaijan has declared a policy of openness for international
business. It has an excellent record of cooperation with private
international businesses, in particular, with oil and gas firms.

The country by now is well integrated in the international cooperation
system through participation in various international organizations
such as the Council of Europe, OSCE, Commonwealth of Independent
States, GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova alliance),
Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Organization of Islamic Conference as
well as a system of multilateral and bilateral treaties on security
and economic affairs.

Azerbaijan has stakes in, and is actively engaged in the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank,
World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank,
and the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, all of which have
running project portfolios in the country.

The country lives a dynamic political life. A number of parties and
politicians compete for the presidency, parliament constituencies
and municipalities.

A well-developed electronic and paper media community exists in
the country.

The foreign policy of Azerbaijan is complimentary and is directed
at the establishment of peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation
with all international partners.

One of the major foreign priorities of the republic is integration
into the common European space. Relations with the CIS countries
are also important, first of all due to the vitality of economic
cooperation with them and the need for traditional trade relations.

The population of Azerbaijan is evenly distributed between urban and
rural areas, with 51.5 percent residing in towns and cities.

Some 35 percent of the estimated three million workforce are engaged
in agriculture and related activities, with 26 percent working in
industry and construction.

Azerbaijan is an extremely positive model for a peaceful co-existence
of religious communities.

The predominantly Muslim populated country traditionally served as
a safe haven for adepts of various cults, religions and cultural
traditions.

Large communities of Christians and Jews have traditionally lived here.

Secularism and non-involvement of the state in religious affairs are
strong local traditions supported by law.

The country is the largest and the fastest growing economy in the
South Caucasus.

It is the best transport link that connects South Eastern Europe
with the vast regions of growing importance which are Central Asia
and the Caspian Sea. An increasing number of professional shipping
companies have engaged in the transportation of goods by this link
over the last decade.

The economic rise has led to a cultural revival.

The traditional Islamic and Oriental cultural stratum has been enriched
by the ever-growing European and Russian influence.

The 19th and 20th centuries were a period of major advancements in
Azerbaijani social life.

The first opera in the East, newspapers and a national dramatic
theatre, discussion on the adoption of a "modern" Latin alphabet,
secular universities, and a school for Muslim girls were the
cornerstones of further development.

The consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union were
complicated by the ongoing aggression by Armenia.

Armenian nationalists backed by the late Soviet administration launched
a separatist movement in Western Azerbaijan (Nagorno-Karabakh).

A long lasting and bloody military conflict started in 1988. The
conflict was further complicated by civil confrontation within
Azerbaijan.

Several political groups were competing for the power in the
country. However, a succession of weak, largely incapable governments
ended in 1993 when a veteran politician and popular leader Heydar
Aliyev was elected president of Azerbaijan.

A decade of rehabilitation and growth started. Heydar Aliyev
re-established peace and stability in the country, and reinforced
the state infrastructure and civil justice.

He also launched an active foreign policy campaign aimed at the
political integration of Azerbaijan internationally.

In 1994, major oil and gas contracts with a consortia of oil giants
such as BP, Amoco, Total and others were signed.

>From circa 1997 onwards, major political reforms aimed at bringing
Azerbaijan to international standards in the areas of rule of law,
democracy, human rights and freedoms were also started.