TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 28 2006
No Grounds to Remove France from OSCE Minsk Group, French Ambassador
Assures
Source: Trend
Author: A.Ismayilova
28.10.2006
Trend’s exclusive interview with the Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, Bernard due
Chaffout
Question: in the beginning of 2007 the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
France will pay mutual visits. What are your expectations from the
French President’s First Visit to Baku? What major issues will be
discussed during the visit?
Answer: For the time being it is too premature to speak about the
topics of mutual visits, which will be paid in January 2007, or more
probably in March. Taking into consideration that the heads of the
states themselves will select the topics for discussion, including
the actual issues of the world policy, it would be a bit incorrect to
answer this question on their behalf.
Nevertheless, I am sure that along with the bilateral
relationships, it will be very interesting for French President
Jacques Chirac to know President Ilham Aiyev’s ideas on the issues of
the world’s concern. Undoubtedly, the French President’s first visit
to Azerbaijan will give impetus to the bilateral cooperation and
friendship.
Question: France holds one of the leading positions in terms of
investments into Azerbaijan. Are you satisfied with the current
economic relationships between the two countries?
Answer: Indeed, economic relations between the two countries are on
an excellent level and in 2005 the turnover of goods reached EUR
500mln. There is still potential for further development of
relationships in some sphere, including food industry, production of
drinkable water, public services (automobile roads, parking, and
water), and electricity distribution network. French companies lead
worldwide and can share with Azerbaijan experience and knowledge.
Question: A French company, Total, came out with an initiative on the
construction of a new terminal in the Azerbaijani section of the
Caspian for the oil admission through the Baku-Ceyhan. Is the idea
still actual?
Answer: An idea by Total on the constriction of a new terminal in the
Azerbaijani section of the Caspian for the oil admission through the
Baku-Ceyhan is still actual.
Question: The adoption of a legislation penalizing for denial from
the so-called `Armenian genocide’ at the French Parliament caused
resonance worldwide, including Azerbaijan. They frequently sound
statements on the toughening of bilateral relationships, as well as
removal of France from the co-chairmanship at the OSCE Minsk Group.
What are your views on outlet from the situation?
Answer: The adoption of a legislation penalizing denial of the
`Armenian genocide’ at the French Parliament, does not mean that the
law will enact into law even today. The legislation should pass long
and by-stage procedure: first the Senate should include it into the
agenda, then the Senate is to adopt the law on identical text
(content), submitted by the Assembly.
Taking into consideration the friendly attitude of the Senate
Chairman, Christian Ponsle, towards Azerbaijan, I would doubt it. In
case there is any difference between the contents, which would be
voted at the National Assembly and the Senate, there will be hearings
to achieve a common text (content) and the law will have to get an
approval of the President, who can return the document to the
parliament for re-consideration. Unless the document passes the
barriers until April 2007, the proposal will be regarded as
inefficient. Moreover, the legislation will be considered at the
Constitution Board, which can regard the document as contradictory to
the principles of freedom of idea and speech specified by the
Constitution of France.
In any case it is not dealt with the government which comes out
against the law and considers the document to be inconsiderable and
inappropriate. It is dealt with the forwarding a proposal on the bill
at the parliament.
The government and the President are involved in the foreign policy
of France. The co-chairmanship of France at the OSCE Minsk Group is
not under disposal of the parliament, but the government, in
particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, there is no ground
to remove France from the composition of the Minsk Group, where for
many years it has taken neutral and objective position on the
peaceable resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. There is no
ground to discuss the co-chairmanship of France at the Minsk Group.
With respect to the bilateral relationships between two countries
I’d say that in this stage there is no ground to affect on the
approval of a bill at the National assembly on the first reading. The
Azerbaijani Minister for culture and Tourism has recently paid a very
successful visit to France on the occasion of the Azerbaijani Week,
held within the framework of the 60th anniversary of UNESCO. On the
other hand, we are establishing very fruitful and reliable
cooperation with the Ministry of Emergencies in the sphere of civil
defense.
Question: How could France, as a member of the European Union, assist
in Azerbaijan’s integration onto the region?
Answer: France as a member of the European Union can take an active
part in Azerbaijan’s further integration into the organization and is
prepared to do so, if Azerbaijan desires it. France can concretely
prepare Azerbaijan within specific cooperation frameworks in the
political, social and economic sectors, in the form of technical
assistance mission, training, exchange of experience and information
for upgrade of the state of Azerbaijan and bringing Baku closer to
the European experience, as well as future integration of the country
in to the European Union.
For instance, I guess France could be useful for Azerbaijan in
reforming the health system, upgrade of civil defense system,
management over crisis and natural calamities, organization of rules
for public tender markets, organization of public expenses training
of , high ranking state officers, protection of rights of women and
children, social protection system, etc. Thus, France’s experience
could bring real benefit in every sector of Azerbaijan