AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO BELGIUM: RESOLVING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT MEETS EU’S INTERESTS
Today
Dec 29 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az: How do you assess level of bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Belgium?
Emin Eyubov: Belgium is a member of the UN, EU, NATO, OSCE and
the Council of Europe since inception of these international
organizations. Belgium hosts headquarters of the EU, NATO, World
Customs Organization and the Energy Charter. Brussels is considered
"capital of Europe". Brussels confidently takes second place in
the world after Washington for number of journalists, lobbyists and
non-governmental organizations.
Belgian representatives have twice held the post of the NATO Secretary
General. Belgium performed the duties of the OSCE chairman in
2006. In August 2008, that is, during the crisis in Georgia, Belgium
was chairing the UN Security Council. In the second half of 2010,
Belgium will preside over the Council of the European Union.
The fact that Belgium Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was elected to
the post of the EU Council president set up this year once again shows
the high credibility the country enjoys in the international arena.
These facts indicate a need to set up constructive relations with
Belgium. I am pleased to emphasize that the Azerbaijani-Belgian
relations have been developing consistently and rapidly for the
benefit of peoples of our two countries.
These relations are not confined to political and international
issues. Belgium is a country with a developed economy with a
diversified economy type. The country has great potential in industry,
agriculture, high technology, scientific and technological research
and higher and special education.
Belgium has traditionally been strong in research in the field of
medicine, especially in regard to organ transplantation and other
areas, extremely difficult and knowledge intensive.
All these areas are of special interest for Azerbaijan in terms of
developing cooperation, exchanging experience and training future
professionals.
We also try to develop ties in the humanitarian sphere. Exhibitions of
Azerbaijani artists and craftsmen are regularly organized in Belgium.
Concerts of Mugam performers and performances of dance ensembles
are of great interest here. I note with great pleasure that leading
representatives of a unique musical direction – Azerbaijani Mugam-Jazz
– have become the regular guests of Belgium.
Representatives of Azerbaijani art play an important role in promoting
culture and history of Azerbaijan in Europe, in destroying many unfair
stereotypes that were created by our opponents in the late 1980s and
1990s. Genuine talent, excellent skill of Azerbaijani musicians,
dancers, painters, sculptors and other people in the arts help
Europeans to see the truth.
Azerbaijan-Belgium business forum was held in Baku recently. Tell us
more about purpose and outcomes of the event.
Historically, Belgium became the first country in continental Europe (
second only to Britain), which has successfully passed the Industrial
Revolution in the early 19th century. Belgium has advanced and highly
diversified economy. It includes the traditionally strong steel
industry, which produces the most diverse products, including weapons.
Plants of the largest automobile corporations in the world are located
in Belgium.
Belgians have made great advances in development of efficient
agriculture while the country has no warm climate or excess land.
Belgium also is a leader in areas such as nuclear energy, textiles,
pharmaceuticals and jewelry. The Belgian city of Antwerp hosts the
second sea port in Europe for its cargo turnover.
So, it is natural that Azerbaijan and Belgium are simply doomed to
develop economic relations. The current level of trade turnover totals
60 million euros which does not reflect our joint potential. The
business community in Azerbaijan and Belgium have a strong interest
in accessing markets of both countries, which, in turn, requires
establishment of business links between companies, the study of
economic conditions and prospects for long-term investments and trade.
Azerbaijan, due to successful socio-economic policies carried out by
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, is experiencing strong economic
growth that opens opportunities for foreign partners. Belgian
businessmen known for their pragmatism and business acumen are not
going to miss a new, promising market for themselves. Their intentions
are particularly relevant in light of the economic crisis that has
engulfed the whole world.
In the context of development of economic ties with Belgium, one needs
to take into account peculiarities of its federal structure. Many of
the powers in sphere of economy, including implementation of foreign
economic relations are delegated among the three regions of which
Belgium actually consists – Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels.
Therefore, development of direct contacts with these regions is more
appropriate and effective.
In this connection, on Nov. 21-26, a delegation of businessmen,
representing the business community in Flanders paid an official visit
to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan-Belgian business forum organized by the
Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Export
Promotion Fund and Investment (AZPROMO) jointly with the Agency of
Flanders Investment and Trade was held as part of the visit. The forum
involved representatives of 15 Belgian and 40 Azerbaijani business
structures. I am confident that practices to organize direct business
meetings with support of public authorities will give a serious
impetus to strengthening the Azerbaijani-Belgian economic relations.
Our future plans include development of economic ties with Flanders
and other constituent regions of Belgium, including Wallonia and
Brussels – Capital Region.
You represent Azerbaijan also in the European Union. What is
Azerbaijan’s approach to the Eastern Partnership?
Continuing policy of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic
structures is one of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy priorities.
Azerbaijan has consistently called for deepening partnership with
the European Union, promoting EU assistance for the reform process,
development of cooperation in economy, trade and finance, facilitating
visa regime and implementing a full dialogue on political and security
issues. From this perspective, we always welcome initiatives of our
European partners which are designed to promote closer relations
between Azerbaijan and the EU.
The Eastern Partnership consists of two main components respectively
envisaging cooperation in a bilateral format ( between the EU and
partner country) and in a multilateral format (between the EU and all
the six partner countries). As a sovereign state, Azerbaijan considers
choice of formats of cooperation through prism of its national
interests. Of course, no cooperation with Armenia is impossible as long
as this country continues to keep Azerbaijani territory under military
occupation and prevents return of the expelled Azerbaijani population
to their homes. From this standpoint, Azerbaijan prefers cooperation
with the EU, especially in the bilateral format. At the same time,
we do not refuse from participation in the multilateral format of
"Eastern Partnership", and official representatives of Azerbaijan
took part in all meetings of platforms held in 2009
In September 2009, the foreign ministers of EU member states adopted a
principal decision on the negotiations on conclusion of the Agreement
on Association with Azerbaijan. This Agreement is intended to replace
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between Azerbaijan
and the EU in 1996 and that entered into force in 1999, which is
the cornerstone of our bilateral relations. Under instructions of
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission has already
drafted a policy document to be submitted to the Council of the EU in
near future. Council must approve the mandate on which representatives
of the EU will begin negotiations with Azerbaijan on the draft of
the new Agreement. The Association Agreement will reflect the new
realities of our relations and give a powerful impetus to further
development of a qualitatively different level.
EU, above all, is common standards and common rules and regulations
in all sectors for the participants. Therefore, the main goal that
Azerbaijan has set for itself in terms of development of bilateral
relations with the EU, including the format of "Eastern Partnership",
is an approximation to the standards adopted in the European Union
and reflected in the so-called acquis communautaire – the collection
of basic legal acts on which European integration is based. Gradual
harmonization with EU standards is part of a modernization process
carried out in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham
Aliyev. This includes reforms in legislation, education, border,
customs, phytosanitary and other controls and many other industries.
The importance of this process is difficult to overstate. Suffice
it to note that without a transition to the EU standards, it will
be very difficult for Azerbaijan-produced products to enter common
European market with has 500 million potential consumers.
What role the EU can play in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
The EU’s role in conflict resolution should primarily be supporting
fundamental principles of the settlement, namely, respect for
sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally
recognized borders of Azerbaijan. These fundamentals of conflict
resolution are based on the norms and principles of international
law. They were also often reflected in the relevant UN Security
Council resolutions, documents of the OSCE and the CoE. Any other
position would mean justifying the aggressive policy of Armenia and
ongoing military occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
The EU is also able to provide necessary support for return of
Azerbaijan lands, which should be liberated from Armenian occupation,
mine clearance, rehabilitation of infrastructure and communications.
Along with this, the EU can also assist in the reintegration
of the Nagorno-Karabakh region to Azerbaijan and restoration of
peaceful coexistence of the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
Resolving the conflict meets the EU interests because it would
promote peace, stability and security, as well as process of regional
cooperation and development of the South Caucasus and bring them
closer to European standards.