Caucaz
europenews

01/30/2005 23:36 Tbilisi

Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Abkhazia : the workings of the European
policy on South Caucasus [EU – CONFLICTS – DOV LYNCH]

By François GREMY and Célia CHAUFFOUR in Paris
On 28/11/2004

Light on the workings of the European policy on South Caucasus. How should
we understand the common point of view of the member States at the European
Institutional level? Interview with Dov Lynch, researcher at the European
Union Institute for Security Studies (EU-ISS), specialist of the EU-Russia
relations and the security issues in Russia and in the ex-USSR.

We know that the Europeans thinktanks are at least present, if not influent
in the European structures. Do they mention the possibility to intervene in
Abkhazia in a more committed way ? Is it feared that the Abkhazian crisis
might lead to a domino effect in South-Caucasus ?

There are several thinktanks, notably the Center for European Policy Studies
(CEPS), and the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EU-ISS) where
I work, as well as the Free University of Brussels for which Bruno
Coppieters collaborates. But, there is no organization that is taking an
official stance in favor of a more committed European intervention in
Abkhazia.

One month before Heikki Talvitie was appointed in July 2003, EU-ISS
organized an International conference about South-Caucasus and the European
Union. This conference gave me the opportunity to write an article and to
raise the question of the commitment of EU in the Region. If EU was to get
committed, by which conflict would it first deal with ? Even if this article
was debated at the official level, it was not accepted.

As regards Nagorno-Karabakh, EU offered its participation but only at the
post-conflict level : proof that Brussels does not plan on intervening about
the issues of conflict-solving and negotiations. It is known as the
checkbook effect: you have at your disposal a checkbook and in case your
interlocutor is ready, you agree to offer quickly your help by way of
considerable financial means in order to consolidate Peace. But you do this
only after making sure that the fondations of Peace have been laid down.

Generally speaking, EU has decided to not intervene directly in the
negotiation mechanism of the conflict so as to leave this to UN and OSCE.
Its role which is limited for the previously mentionned reason, will be
played after an agreement is reached in one of those regions of conflict. It
will result in financings, local reconstructions, etc.

But, the last events demonstrated that EU could change its stance. The
South-Ossetian crisis was the proof of it. The special representative Heikki
Talvitie wants to play a more direct role in the conflict opposing
Saakashvili to Kokoïti. He recently organized a meeting about this, and
during the crisis this summer he has regularly gone here and there in South
Caucasus. His task to make things easier might even grow more important in
the future.

Regarding Abkhazia, it was decided that the Council did not have to
intervene directly. But under the aegis of the Commission, Europe wants to
take part in helping in the reconstruction. Hence the new program which was
announced over last summer : it supports the reconstruction and transition
to democracy in Western Georgia, notably in Zougdidi, but also in some
Abkhazian regions. We integrated programs that were put aside a few years
ago.

When you talk about EU, what do you mean exactly by the Commission or other
structures ?

I mean the Council. The Parliament has very little influence over the EU
political issues. The Commission is very influent – let’s not forget that it
has at its disposal considerable financial means. But, as regards the
political line for the conflicts and EU’s involvement in the negotiations,
it is relevant of the Council of member States.

What credit do you give to the delegation of the European Parliament which
heads the three Parliamentary Commissions EU-Armenia, EU-Azerbaijan,
EU-Georgia ?

As always, the Parliament acts as an idea catalyst. The Parliament managed
to schedule and put on the agenda, some ideas which are for most of them
much too ambitious, or considered unrealistic. Those ideas are not
systematically integrated, but it is the role of the Parliament to support
and defend concepts so as to EU does not lose sight of this region.

With avant-gardist propositions ?

Yes, but with a result finally not so influent. For many issues, and since
1999, the Parliament advocates a common strategy for South-Caucasus. It is
important that the Parliament asserts this, and that the local élite see one
of the EU’s actors makes such a stance public, since it fosters a certain
solidarity and an attentive behavior.

Is there countercurrents among the Commission and the European Parliament
about a stronger EU’s commitment in South-Caucasus, if not even an active
policy to encourage those countries to apply for membership?

It seems to me that the Parliament encourages membership since 1999. But the
Council, the Commission and the Parliament concurr in admitting that the
Parternship and Co-operation Agreements (PCA) which constitute the framework
for the EU-South Caucasus relations are not sufficient to reach the goals
announced in the PCA -political stability, conflict-solving and durable
development.

The Commission, the Council and the Parliament are aware of it. Since 1999,
an internal debate is going on between those three main actors so as to find
a solution. Everyone knows that the objectives of durable development and
political stability cannot be considered without solving the conflicts. EU
is in a difficult position : it is not ready to intervene, but its
objectives cannot be fulfilled without a regional openness which requires to
settle the tensions between Armenia and Turkey, notably the embargo, etc. A
region has to be created.

The European Parliament has been hoping for years for a common and more
committed policy. As for the Commission, it maintains its position.
But, the debate is before all taking place between the member States. Some
States are in favour of a much more committed polciy, notably Germany and
some Nordic countries. Other member States already committed in the region
are not sure about the necessity of adopting a strategy at the regional
level. They question the added value that EU might bring.

Do you think that the interests of the countries which are the most influent
in this zone may be incompatible with the ones of EU ?

It is more a matter of added value than a matter of incompatibility. Some
member States have adopted for ten years a national policy of intervention
in this region. France co-presides the Minsk Group. Germans are very implied
in solving the conflict in Abkhazia. The English also appointed Brian Fall
as the special representative firstly for Georgia on October 1st 2002, and
then for South-Caucasus. Brian Fall is an experienced diplomat and a former
ambassador in Moscow. He knows this region very well.

In 2002, those countries started to realize that a European policy might
succeed where national policies had reached their limits. Those debates
ended up by the appointment of Heikki Talvitie. The mandate of this new
special representative is innovative, as the Council points out. But we coud
also see there a compromise : Talvitie does not have an office in Brusells ;
he has at his disposal a reduced budget and little technical support.
Besides his post is mainly financed by Finland.

A lack of means coupled to too much bureaucracy?

Heikki Talvitie is very careful. He is very well aware of the limited weight
of EU in the region, but also aware of the presence of other countries and
organizations which already have a clear influence in the region. He was
ambassador in Moscow and he knows very well Russia. Hence, he knows the
constraints he has to deal with. The objective his first year of mandate is
to meet the decision-makers. Russians were rather anxious as for the
creation of this European representation, but he managed to « reassure »
Moscow.

Do you think that Heikki Talvitie will present at half-mandate a report
about the regional situation or else a concrete action-plan ?

I do not think so. I believe that he has to hand back a general report,
every six or twelve months. Those are short documents where a certain number
of ideas are highlighted. Those ideas may appear too timid, but his freedom
of action is limited.

I do not think that he can establish an action plan. An action plan has a
specific connotation. UE implements action plans for Moldavia, Ukrain,
Israël or in the framework of the new neighborhood policy.

So it is not realistic to consider a definite regional policy by the next
3-4 years ?

Indeed. On the other hand, an action plan not at the regional level but at
the national level might be considered – and, firstly for Georgia in case it
carries on its transition. But, those action plans will be passed only after
the first wave of action plans set up for the new neighbors and which will
be ratified next month. Almost one year will have been necessary to
negotiate an action plan with Ukrainians and Moldavians. This one comprises
4-5 chapters about policy, economy and conflict-solving.

For the time being, the South-Caucasus countries are not ready. Their being
included in the new neighborhood policy last June is decisive at
medium-term, but not immediatly. Everything is possible, but EU’s strategy
for the next 3-4 years basically depends on the current events. The
topicality may open up options more quickly than forecasted, as well as
close them.

Translated by Marie Anderson.

San Francisco Chronicle

SINGLE-MINDED

Contrasexuals don’t have to fake it

Jane Ganahl

Sunday, January 30, 2005

It’s St. Sargis Day — are you ready to meet your future husband in your
dreams? If so, break out the salty bread!

In many countries in the world (especially in Armenia and also the Middle
East), the day that falls 63 days before Easter is celebrated as St. Sargis
Day. Unmarried women fast during the day and then eat salty bread before
retiring. The man who brings them water in their dreams will be their
husband someday.

If only it were so easy, eh, ladies? That would put all those dating Web
sites out of business.

In Assyria, a variation of St. Sargis Day is celebrated in which the dreams
of single women are said to be prophetic. In the morning, unmarried girls
share their dreams with their mothers and grandmothers, thus upholding a
lovely cultural tradition and aiding in family unity. Much better than
watching “The Simpsons” on a Sunday night.

I don’t make this stuff up; I bring it to your attention because single
women around the world are like one sorority, and we ought to embrace one
another’s traditions, salty bread included.

And from England, that bastion of alleged stodginess, comes a new term for a
certain kind of single dame: “contrasexuals.” The term was coined by
researchers at the Centre for Future Studies after a study on young British
women in their 20 whose aspirations run counter-traditional. Career takes a
much higher priority than family. They want to succeed in spades, make a lot
of money — and then perhaps think about the rest.

They are not interested in marriage or children — at least not until their
mid-30s. Sex and dating are not all-important — though note that they are
not against (or contra) sex. In fact they are happy to have it, no strings
attached.

Apparently, in Britain these days, a burgeoning generation of Samanthas is
on the loose. And despite the semi-manufactured nature of this study, it has
lent itself to verbal fisticuffs in the media. “The contrasexual is the
embodiment of a monstrously selfish and arrogant age. She wants it all, but
on her terms, at her leisure, and only when she’s rich enough,” snarled the
Sunday Times.

If indeed this is a real syndrome in this country too — and you know some
Madison Avenue firms are burning the midnight oil trying to figure it out —
I’m not sure it’s a bad thing. These young women are not out to get a free
ride from society; they want to work hard and succeed big. Sure, they might
not care about marriage, and they may sleep around. But they’ll earn big
bucks and pay enough taxes to keep the Washington morals police off their
well- toned backs. Maybe.

Those damn career/single women are causing a fuss in South Korea as well.
According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, three out of
10 single women in Korea emphasize career over marriage. This is a huge
affront in a country where women are expected to marry (and not work) early
in life.

Asked why they don’t want to marry, 24.4 percent of unmarried women replied
that they “don’t feel it is necessary.” And 20.1 percent of them cited “lack
of financial stability,” followed by “husband’s preference for wife to stay
home” with 9.8 percent and “responsibilities of married life” with 9.3
percent. And 4.4 percent of them said marriage is a disadvantage to women.

“It is noteworthy that women are more critical of marriage than men,” said
Lee Sam-shik, the researcher in charge of the study. Noteworthy, perhaps,
but not surprising.

And for the sex news: In a report also from the United Kingdom (oh those
Brits!), a survey of 1,800 TV watchers showed that one in five men
occasionally fake an orgasm.

The revelations came from a morning TV show that quizzed approximately 1,
800 viewers about their sex lives as part of a weeklong series. Nineteen
percent of men say they do fake it sometimes. And among young men —
supposed to be the most excitable demographic — the number is much higher:
42 percent of men ages 18-34 confessed to faking it.

Women also do, in numbers higher than you might imagine: 58 percent say they
feign a climax sometimes — although 1 in 5 say they regularly use a sex toy
to reach orgasm. In the same survey, adults polled said the best sex is in
your 30s or 40s — not in your 20s — because you are more experienced.

This story — about men faking orgasm — has been manna from heaven for
tabloids over there, but I don’t get what the big deal is. Everyone’s been
in the position before where something that needs to happen is just not
happening, and everyone is getting tired. I say it’s gentlemanly to feign
ecstasy and let everyone get some sleep.

And in our final news report from foreign lands: Being married can make you
sick — especially if you’re a woman older than 60.

Yes, a story out of New Zealand’s University of Queensland shows that
divorced, widowed and unmarried women are healthier in their later years
than their married counterparts. The results of the study, of 2,300 New
Zealanders older than 60, are a surprise considering the long-held belief
that married people tend to be healthier.

Men’s health, however, does not hinge on their marital status. Hmm, what’s
it all mean?

“Maybe married women are worn out from looking after their husbands,”
university researcher Belinda Hewitt postulated, risking the wrath of the
enlightened male contingent.

She added that it was widely accepted that married people had better social
lives but that the study showed that single ladies of a certain age were
every bit as likely to lead active, involved lives.

But we knew this, didn’t we?

E-mail Jane Ganahl at [email protected].

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russian foreign minister to discuss Karabakh conflict in Azerbaijan

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
30 Jan 05

MOSCOW

The problems of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict will be one of
the main topics of discussion during Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov’s official visit to Baku on 1-2 February.

According to official Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr
Yakovenko, “Russia welcomes the continuation of the dialogue between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on various different levels and first and
foremost between the presidents of the two countries.” Moscow believes
that “the participants in the conflict must themselves find a mutually
acceptable solution to the conflict”. “Russia is ready to offer them
its most active assistance in this matter, both on a bilateral basis
and in its role as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and to act as a
guarantor for the agreement that is reached,” the diplomat said.

During the talks in Baku particular attention will be paid “to
agreeing future steps for increasing the effectiveness of cooperation
in combating terrorism”. The main item on the agenda will be
“increasing the level of economic cooperation in the fuel and energy
sector”. The ministers will touch upon the problems of the Caspian Sea
and exchange opinions on “the potential for holding a second Caspian
summit”.

Also under discussion will be “issues linked to the development of the
regional and international situation, strengthening the central role
played by the UN, increasing cooperation within the CIS and ways to
increase cooperation between the Russian and Azeri foreign ministries
in the Caucasus and on the world stage and the coordination of their
activities within international organizations”.

“In recent years relations with Azerbaijan have taken on the
characteristics of a strategic partnership and have shown positive
trends,” Yakovenko said. “It is symbolic,” he noted, “that Sergey
Lavrov’s first official visit to Baku is taking place at the start of
2005, which has been declared the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia.”

CIS REPRESENTATIVES WILL HOLD COLLECTIVE DISCUSSION OF REFORMS IN
ORGANIZATION

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29. ARMINFO. The first collective discussion of
possible parameters of reforming the CIS will be held on Jan 31 in
Moscow. Press Secretary of Byelorussian Foreign Ministry Andrey
Savinikh said at a briefing in Moscow, Russian Mass Media
reports. Savinikh says that discussion will be held at a multilateral
meeting of deputy ministers of the Commonwealth. The stages of
elaboration of proposals on the reforms are supposed to ne determine
at experts’ level. After the work is completed, projects of relevant
documents will be submitted for consideration of the Council of
Foreign Minister at March 18 session in Minsk.

In particular, the meeting-participants will discuss formation of
permanently operating Coordination Conference of the Heads of CIS Law
Enforcement Departments attached to the Council of CIS Leaders as part
of the Coordination Council of Prosecutor Generals, the Council of
Interior Ministers, the Council of the Head of Security Bodies and
Special Services, the Council of Frontier troop Commanders, the
Coordination Council of Taxation Services, the Council of Customs
Services. To increase the counter-terrorist and anti-drug potential of
CIS signatories, coordination and complementarity of measures taken by
anti-terrorist structures of CIS with other regional organizations. A
proposal on establishment on an Information Forecasting Center on the
basis of International Statistical Committee will be considered.

The meeting-participants are supposed to consider inventory of CIS
branch cooperation bodies (over 80) as well as CIS contractual basis
to cancel the agreements and treaties which are no longer urgent. They
will exchange opinions on possibilities of activation of CIS
cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, in particular, though signing
of versatile agreement on establishment of a single humanitarian
space. In this aspect, proposals on establishment of a Council for
Humanitarian Cooperation through amalgamation of the existing Council
on Culture, Science, Education, Public Health etc.., as well as
proposal on foundation of the Forum of Creative Intelligence.

TURKISH GENERAL’S WORDS PROVE TURKEY’S BELLIGERENT STANCE

Azg/arm
29 Jan 05

Turkish Genera’s statement that Turkish troops in Cyprus will not be
withdrawn until a final settlement is found to the island’s division
has caused another setback to any peace effort this year.

Land Forces commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, the No 2 in Turkey’s
military powerful Genera! Staff, made the remarks during a meeting
with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

“Without a definite and permanent agreement, not a single soldier will
leave from here Buyukanit said. Denktash expressed full satisfaction
with the General’s stand.

As Reuter points out, pulling back some of the 35.000 troops Turkey
keeps in the northern third of Cyprus is seen as a goodwill gesture to
revive a UN peace process to reunite the island before Turkey begins
European Union accession talks in October.

The Associated Press notes that Turkey is under increasing pressure to
end the island’s partition as it advances its own bid to loin the EU.

The Turkish military commander added during a troop inspection “We
desired that a lasting peace should be achieved, but what Kind of
permanency is also very important. What looks permanent today could
change tomorrow”.

The Cyprus government reacted immediately. Spokesman Kypros
Chrysostomides said the views expressed by the top Turkish General
confirmed, once again Ankara’s intransigent stand, and its Insistence
on occupying illegal part of Cyprus, now European territory.

“The General’s statement is a provocative answer to all those who have
suggested, either in private or publicly, that Turkey should make
goodwill gestures in order to promote the search for a Cyprus
settlement. These suggestions usually referred to the withdrawal of
troops, something that would facilitate a Cyprus settlement”, the
spokesman said.

The statement showed how wrong ware all those who believed that there
has been a change in Turkish policy, he noted.

Defense minister Koulis Mawomcolas said Buyukanit’s remarks showed
Turkey’s real intensions, He said Turkey’s military establishment
remained defiant of political moves to put the country in the EU and
handled matters concerning neighboring countries in an absurd,
third-world manner that did not promotegood neighborly relations.

Chrysostomides said the Cyprus government had taken “a series of
practical moves” to help the creation of a good climate of
understanding and cooperation leading to the resumption of peace
talks.

These Included the agreement to grant EU funds to the Turkish
Cypriots, the green line trade regulations and, perhaps more
importantly, President Papadopoulos’ decision not to veto the opening
of accession talks between the BU and Turkey.

Some reports from Ankara suggest that General Buyukanit’s statement
reflected a sharp divergence of views between the military
establishment and Prime minister Tayyip Erdogan. Some hard-line
Turkish diplomats also side with the military,

Erdogan and his team are keen to undertake a new diplomatic campaign
in order to promote a Cyprus settlement, anxious, to avoid a possible
Cyprus veto to the start of EU accession negotiations.

The same reports say the Greek Cypriot side will insist on a Turkish
troop pullout, before agreeing to a new round of peace talks.

The EU agreed in December to start entry talks with Turkey on October
3, but Greek Cypriots have the right to veto such negotiations if no
settlement is reached.

Brussels expects Turkey to expand its protocol on customs union with
the EU to include the ten new members, thus giving tacit recognition
to Cyprus. Erdogan’s pro-EU government has promised to work for a
settlement this year, but no concrete steps have been taken and Ankara
still refuses to recognize the Cyprus Republic.

DELEGATION HEADED BY AGHVAN VARDANIAN VISITS “ALIK” ESTABLISHMENT OF
TEHRAN

YEREVAN, January 27 (Noyan Tapan). The tax bodies provided tax
revenues of 142 bln drams (about 2 bln, 858 mln dollars) instead of
expected 138.4 bln drams. According to the press service of the State
Tax Service attached to the RA government, 9.4 bln drams have already
been collected out of expected 10.7 bln drams as of January 26. It was
mentioned that the planned index will be completely fulfilled till the
end of the year. In 2005, the State Tax Service should provide tax
revenues of 167 bln drams, and it is expected they will be provided
due to the toughening of the administration and the reduction of the
shadow sector of the economy.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 28 2005

PACE to mull execution of its resolution on Garabagh

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Political
Committee will mull the mechanism for executing its January 25
resolution on Upper Garabagh on Friday.
The PACE rapporteur on the Garabagh conflict David Atkinson says the
Committee should request Azerbaijan to start negotiating with the
communities of Upper Garabagh. He said that since the PACE resolution
was passed, Baku will now intensify its relations with these
communities and that relevant meetings may be held in Strasbourg.
The rapporteur said he was not aware of any dates of such meetings
but pointed out that the dialogue should begin with no
pre-conditions.*

OSCE MISSION TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN TODAY

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29. ARMINFO. The OSCE mission for investigating into
the facts of territorial settlement are arriving in Yerevan today.

The Finnish, Italian, Swedish and German experts led by German FM
official Emilia Margaret Haber are to visit 7 districts around Nagorny
Karabakh. No Azeris will accompany the mission during their 8-10 day
trip. The experts are to make a report and to present it to the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs. If need be the latter will make a statement on
the facts revealed. Sunday the mission are going to Stepanakert to
start their trip therefrom.

Karabakh leader backs package option for conflict settlement

Arminfo
28 Jan 05

YEREVAN

No issue can be resolved without the people and authorities of
Nagornyy Karabakh, the president of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic,
Arkadiy Gukasyan, has told journalists in Yerevan.

Asked about different options for the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, the president recalled that the NKR authorities have
repeatedly made statements that the stage-by-stage approach is
illogical since “it is not clear what awaits us in the future”. “We
have always supported the package option, although we do not rule out
that some issues can be resolved stage by stage – but only some
issues,” the president pointed out.

As for the initiative on “the stage-by-stage package”, Gukasyan
stressed that this is a very abstract idea and “it is at the
negotiating table that we must find out what it means”. “We should not
rule anything out beforehand, but we must understand that if there are
decisions that contradict our interests, they will be unacceptable to
us,” the president pointed out.

Asked whether it is possible that this initiative implies first of all
the clarification of Nagornyy Karabakh’s status, the president pointed
out that this would be the most logical approach.

Gukasyan stressed that it is necessary to start from the causes, not
the consequences of the conflict, since the conflict occurred when
there were neither refugees, nor “occupied territories”, he
recalled. “Having solved the issue of the status, we will have
simplified the settlement of the remaining issues”, the president
pointed out.

The president also pointed out that Azerbaijan’s position has lately
become tougher and more illogical. The reason is that the new
Azerbaijani leader probably thinks that one can get everything with
smaller concessions or without any concessions at all, the president
pointed out. This is Azerbaijan’s approach – to get everything without
ceding anything, Gukasyan pointed out.

As for the reports of the Azerbaijani side about shootouts, the
president said that unfortunately, the shootouts are frequent
enough. “As a rule, it is the Azerbaijani side that violates the
cease-fire agreement. But the talk is about local shootouts. There are
no active hostilities, no heavy artillery is being used and nothing
serious is happening on the border,” Gukasyan stressed.

Azerbaijan to adhere to independent policy if USA attacks Iran – aide

Ekspress, Baku
29 Jan 05

Azerbaijan will adhere to its independent policy if the USA invades
Iran, Azerbaijani presidential aide Novruz Mammadov has said. In his
interview with Ekspress newspaper, Mammadov said that Azerbaijan gives
priority to neighbourly relations with Iran. Azerbaijan and Iran have
historic religious and cultural relations, Iran supports Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and economic cooperation with Iran is of benefit
to Azerbaijan, he said. Given the situation of the Azerbaijani exclave
of Naxcivan, cooperation with Iran is very important to us, Mammadov
added, praising the Azerbaijani president’s recent visit to Tehran.
The following is an excerpt from Alakbar Raufoglu’s report by
Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on 29 January headlined “If the USA
invades Iran” and subheaded “Novruz Mammadov: ‘Azerbaijan will give
priority to neighbourly relations'”. Subheadings have been inserted
editorially:

“If the USA takes action against Iran, Azerbaijan will adhere to its
independent policy,” the head of the foreign relations department of
the Azerbaijani Presidential Executive Staff, Novruz Mammadov, told
Ekspress newspaper yesterday. Baku’s approach to relations with Tehran
is based only on neighbourliness, and any ideological or other
elements are ruled out, he said.

Relations with Iran beneficial

Mammadov A number of factors determine the high-level development of
Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran. First, there are ancient historical,
religious, cultural and other links between our states and peoples.
Second, Iran has always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,
demonstrating its unequivocal position on the Karabakh conflict.
Third, our relations are beneficial economically, i.e. Iran and
Azerbaijan are close to each other and there is no need to bring
equipment from afar or engage in any other activities. In addition,
given the situation of the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic Azerbaijani
exclave , Iranian aid is very important for us.

Finally, we maintain relations with Iran simply as two states because
we are their neighbours, have a very long border and there are no
ideological or other elements in our relations. At the same time, we
have to use Iran’s opportunities for Azerbaijan’s state and national
interests in a positive sense. From this viewpoint, one can speak
highly about the Azerbaijani president’s recent visit to Iran. The
main issue that characterizes our relations is that documents which we
have signed are implemented in a short time. The attitude to the
Azerbaijani president both in Tehran and Tabriz demonstrates that this
country is very interested in expanding and intensifying its relations
with us, and we realize this. In addition, we have an interest of this
kind, too.

Visa regime

Correspondent Tehran proposes repealing the visa regime between the
two countries. How is this issue being resolved?

Mammadov All issues are first examined by experts to learn their
positive and negative sides both for Iran and Azerbaijan. The visa
regime is about to be examined now. We have to bear in mind that
Azerbaijan is a young state and its geopolitical and geographic
situation is complicated. Our decisions have to be appropriate to
this. Speaking about the complicated situation, I mean the border
because at different times there have been various circles that used
Azerbaijan as a transit route. Given this, the aforesaid issue should
be thoroughly examined to make a correct decision.

A simplified visa regime between the countries is currently operating
within 45 km on both sides of the border and this is normal because
Azerbaijan’s territory is not very large. Those who want to travel
beyond these 45 km can apply for a visa and there are no restrictions
in this regard. Our general consulate has already opened in Tabriz and
it is not very difficult to get a visa.

Defence minister’s visit linked to border problems

Correspondent During his recent visit to Baku, Iranian Minister of
Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Ali Shamkhani invited Azerbaijani
Defence Minister Safar Abiyev to Tehran. Is any agreement expected
between Iran and Azerbaijan in this strategic sphere in the near
future?

Mammadov In fact, visits of this kind are mainly connected with
security issues between the two countries, i.e. guaranteeing the
security of our borders means guaranteeing the security of our
country. The issues discussed in the talks with Shamkhani are mostly
of this nature.

Correspondent The US leadership announced again its plans with regard
to Tehran in the run-up to the Azerbaijani president’s visit to
Iran. Some people describe this as Washington’s specific attitude to
Baku-Tehran relations.

Mammadov This is not a correct position. In any case, the US
president, the Department of State and the National Security Council
are very well aware of Azerbaijan’s location and its neighbours. The
establishment of good relations with the neighbouring states is a
priority in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Second, if this is viewed as
a message, in the run-up to the Azerbaijani president’s visit to Iran,
President Bush sent a message on the occasion of Id al-Adha and
stressed his interest in developing friendly relations with
Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a member of the anti-terror coalition

Correspondent Generally speaking, has Azerbaijan signed any agreement
on the use of Azerbaijan’s air space, territorial waters and territory
within the framework of the anti-terror coalition?

Mammadov There is no such official agreement even between the USA and
Britain. We are simply a member of the anti-terror coalition and have
declared this ourselves. We had a verbal agreement on the Afghanistan
issue.

Passage omitted: about Azerbaijan’s involvement in the fight on terror
in Afghanistan

Correspondent In any case, there was a verbal agreement. If the USA
starts military operations against Iran, which it has described as
part of the “axis of evil”, what position will Azerbaijan take?

Mammadov First, no US invasion of Iran, as was the case with Iraq, is
on the agenda at the moment. For our part, we give priority to
neighbourly relations in such cases, i.e. we adhere to our independent
policy during operations of this kind.

Passage omitted: about Iran’s policy on Armenia; talks on the Karabakh
conflict