PRESENT GEOPOLITICS IS GEOECONOMICS: ELNUR ASLANOV
Trend News Agency
03.07.09 12:42
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Department for political
analysis and information provision Head Elnur Aslanov gave an interview
to RIA Novosti correspondent Geray Dadashev Q: What is your estimation
of results of Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev’s working visit to
Baku on June 29?
A: The visit was short, but of very positive character. Large specter
of issues has been discussed and cooperation in the gas field will
be launched as a result. As the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan
stated, our countries have an experience of interaction in oil
field. Now we will develop interaction in the gas field. Taking
it into consideration, goods turnover will increase obviously and
economic component of bilateral relations will improve. It all is a
positive factor.
Several documents, including those covering diplomatic field and
border delimitation between the two countries, were signed during
President Medvedev’s visit It enables us to make an essential step
forward to develop relations between the two equal-right partners,
countries which have a Treaty on friendship and strategic partnership
signed in 2008. This visit is a logic end of this treaty.
Q: Could agreement achieved during the Russian president’s visit to
Baku affect the regional policy?
A: Presently Azerbaijan is unambiguous leader in the South Caucasus
region both in term of economic development and political interaction
with countries of the region and global world.
It’s not secret that not only the possession of hydrocarbons, but also
balanced policy of Azerbaijan enables to state that the country acts
as a conductor of many interests in the South Caucasus. Obviously,
many countries understand that complex interaction with the South
Caucasus region is possible through interaction with Azerbaijan and
relations formed through equal and proper cooperation.
I’d never say that interaction between Russia and Azerbaijan can change
any balance in the region. Presidents Aliyev and Medvedev said that
there should not be room for speculations.
Presently, geopolitics is substantially geo-economics and economic
interests, in particular, definite national interests of every nation,
predefine the position the country acts from.
While making any decision Azerbaijan comes out from its own national
interests, economic component and profitability of any proposal.
In term of cooperation in oil and gas field Russia and Azerbaijan
obviously proceed from existing projects and ways, absence of
difficulties in agreements with any transit country. Furthermore, there
are routes and communications which should be activated and realized.
Q: Nevertheless, political component of gas issues are exactly
observed. Could an agreement on Azerbaijani gas supply to Russia
complicate relations Baku’s relations with the West?
A: I don’t think. A range of issues which can be of interests
of any side, are still to be realized. Some issues are on agenda
yet. They are discussed and unfortunately, are waiting for their final
realization. Every country should come from its national strategy. To
wait for anyone to persuade someone and take relevant decision in terms
of global financial crisis does not meet the countries’ interests.
I’d repeat that present geopolitics is geo-economics. It is necessary
to proceed from economic realities and to demonstrate mobile policy
in any issue. The winner is who acts quickly, actively and with
understanding of realities of the day.
Q: Don’t you mean it’s better to proceed with the established relations
rather hypothetic options?
A: We don’t speak about hypothetic options, but options that can be
realized though mobile and active policy.
It is necessary to come from understanding of economic priorities and
profitability. If there is a project, discussion and its realization,
and it is on the agenda and table, why not to implement it, waiting
for years to realize another project?
If any project should be realized, it must be discussed today. Should
it is adjourned, and then its approval is postponed, it is better
to seek other ways. In particular, the ways of diversifying energy
resources, as President Aliyev said.
Q: There are ideas that developing close ties with Russia, Azerbaijan
restricts flexibility straightening its relation with the West. How
could you comment it?
A: I don’t agree with you absolutely. I cannot share the position
when the Azerbaijani president’s every visit to Russia or vice versa,
and European countries are unilaterally explained as Azerbaijan’s
redirection of its policy to the west, to the north, etc.
Azerbaijan pursues its private foreign policy, which is multivector
and targets establishing equal-right relations with the countries of
the world. The country backs the vector of mutual relations enabling
to speak about of political and economic profitability.
Azerbaijan develops its multivector policy with consideration of
its national interests. Indeed, we understand it might evolve some
question, but they are groundless. Our overall policy over a decade
has been based on these aspects. It was so during President Heydar
Aliyev’s presidency and remains the same presently.
We have close relations with the OIC, but it does not mean Azerbaijan
is redirected at the Islamic world. We have close relations with the
European Union and realize the EU Eastern Partnership program. But
it does not mean we are unilaterally directed at Europe. We are
for integration into the European world, we are active in European
military political and economic institutes, but we maintain very
close historical and traditional relations with the Russian Federation.
This is preservation and expansion of the mutual relations that we
developed with Russia for years. This is one of priorities of our
foreign policy.
Q: To what extent could President Dmitriy Medevedev’s visit impact
on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is on
agenda of the Azerbaijani president’s all meetings – not only with
the Russian president, but almost heads of all countries and different
international organizations.
The conflict should be solved on the basis of principles of
the international law, in particular, a principle of territorial
integrity. Azerbaijan will never step back from this principle. The
question which are on agenda, the dynamic which exists yield their
results and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will find its solution on
condition of constructive position that Armenian leadership should
demonstrate.
We regret that Armenia takes enough irrational position. Consequently,
it delays settlement of the conflict. Armenia should demonstrate
wise approaches and deeper understanding to that fact the country
is out of global and regional projects due to unsettlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Presently, Yerevan isolates itself, withdraws itself from participating
in any economic and political projects. The country is almost isolated
in the South Caucasus region. The Armenian government should understand
that it is necessary to live with will and aspirations of ordinary
citizens of the country.
Q: What is your estimation of domestic political situation in
Azerbaijan in the context of activation of pro-Islamic forces on
the country?
A: I think this question lacks ground at present. It needless to
speak about any Islamist forces in Azerbaijan. I understand that
you mean some facts when some groups, nurtured in an absolutely
strange environment for Azerbaijan, tried to instigate here their
plans. Generally, activation of Islamist groups is not observed in
the country.
Indeed, it is possible to speak about religious renaissance
worldwide, but the process does not deprive Azerbaijan from its
secularity. Azerbaijan, as a nation with dominantly Muslim population,
preserves open democratic face.
Islam is a religion, which the most population of the country
worships. This is a fact. At the same time, Jews, Christians and
representatives of other untraditional religions and sects work and
live should to shoulder with Muslim Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijan remains
to be the most tolerant country in the world and it was reiterated
in a number of reports of the influential international organizations.
Q: Israeli President Shimon Peres has paid an official visit to
Azerbaijan (June 28-29). What is your estimation of it results from
aspect of developing bilateral relations?
A: Israeli President Shimon Peres’s visit to Azerbaijan was of historic
character. It defines future of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations.
Furthermore, I’d say, it was of historic character in the context
of forming new relations between Azerbaijan, an Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) member-country, and Israel. This is a new
page in formation of Israel’s policy in the South Caucasus.
The visit was noticeable. It became crucial in the development of
relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. We sincerely hope that the
relations between the two nations will further upgrade rapidly and
serve interests and favor of both nations.
A great number of Jews reside in Azerbaijan and a great number of
former citizens of Azerbaijan reside in Israel. This is a large lobby,
as President Aliyev said, and we are very interested to develop
efficiently our relations with Israel.
Q: Is it possible to put straighten an Azerbaijan-Turkey-Israel
configuration in the regional policy?
A: The agenda does not include this item, though such issues frequently
are put forward by expert communities of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Israel
and made a platform for discussions. In this term, such ‘triangles’ are
indeed interesting, whilst in a context of realizing state interests
they do not meet either multivector, or balanced character of the
Azerbaijani foreign policy pursued for years.
Q: Media reports urge that Tehran recalled Iranian ambassador in
Azerbaijan for consultations in connection with the Israeli president’s
visit to Baku. The reports are still to have official confirmation,
but they are spread. What is on the backdrop?
A: I would not like to make this question a topic for political
speculations media.
Every country realized a policy specified by its foreign
policy priorities. Iran is our neighbor, a country which we have
traditionally close mutual relations. So, I would not hurry to make
hasty statements. I think we have an area to discuss these issues.