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EMIN EYYUBOV: "EU SHOULD DEMONSTRATE PRINCIPLED POSITION ON SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT" - EXCLUSIVE
Azeri Press Agency
April 22 2008
Azerbaijan
Baku. Ulviyya Aliyeva -APA. Emin Eyyubov, Azerbaijani Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium and Luxembourg, to EU
gave an interview to APA
-How do you estimate current prospects of Azerbaijan-Belgium relations?
Diplomatic relations was established between Azerbaijan and Belgium
on June 17, 1992. One of the Azerbaijani embassies was opened in
Brussels in 1995, because Brussels is a political center of Europe
and several European organizations are located there. Belgium Embassy
in Azerbaijan was opened in 2007. It proves that Azerbaijan is a
political and economic center of South Caucasus regions. Heydar
Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev were in Brussels to participate in NATO
and EU events and met with leaders of the country and discussed
development of bilateral relations. We can observe the development
of our relations year after year. The two countries are interested
in development of political dialogue at a high level and expansion
of cooperation between legislative and executive bodies and take
measures in this direction. Azerbaijani and Belgian Parliaments
have established relations and mutual friendship groups are
functioning. Group members have visited Baku and Brussels and
exchange of experience has been carried out on legislation. As
regards to culture, education and science, Azerbaijani art figures
have performed concerts in Belgium many times and exhibitions have
been held as well. It is a demonstration of Azerbaijani culture in
the world. Belgium is one the countries, where Azerbaijani students
study in. Students visit Belgium individually and study there. We
support this tendency. The Embassy takes measures in establishment
of permanent relations between Azerbaijani and Belgian Universities
and exchange of students and scholars.
- What about economic relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium?
Legal framework for economic cooperation has been established
between the two countries. "Agreement on air-delivered supply
between Azerbaijan and Belgium", "Agreement on protection of
investments", "Convention on elimination of double taxation",
"bilateral agreement on administrative aid for customs" include into
the legal framework. Proper measures are taken to sign agreements for
further development of economic cooperation. "We conduct negotiations
on "Agreement on trade and economic cooperation". Delegation led by
heads of Executive Powers of several regions and cities of Azerbaijan
visited Brussels, Tournai and Namur cities in April, 2007.
As a result of this visit it was agreed to make Lankaran and Tournai
twin towns and appropriate document will be signed soon. Generally
trade turnover rate is increased between the two countries every
year. Volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belgium amounted
to 39 million and 439 thousand US dollars in 2006 and 51 million and
467 thousand dollars in 2007. Of course, large economic opportunities
of both countries enable them to deepen relations. Our embassy aims
to attract Belgian investors to the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.
- Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium was also accredited in the European
Union. How do you evaluate relationship between Azerbaijan and EU? How
can EU assist the solution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
- Azerbaijan, as a developing part of Europe under the conditions of
democracy and free market economy, determined the integration into
Europe as a strategic goal for itself. For that relations with EU are
important for Azerbaijan and strengthening of these relations is one
of the priorities of the Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Azerbaijan-EU
cooperation has commenced since 1992 and is successfully continued to
date. Azerbaijan-EU agreement for Partnership and Cooperation signed
1996 and came into force in 1999 laid down the legal and practical
basis for the relations. Azerbaijan as an active economic partner
of EU is developing its relationship with the organization from the
plane of unilateral assistance toward the full partnership. EU has
recognized Azerbaijan as an important country for the development of
South Caucasus, maintenance of energy security as a special actual
issue for Europe and diversification of energy sources. Azerbaijan
is the EU main trade partner in the South Caucasus now. EU-Azerbaijan
Action Plan, Memorandum of Understanding on the strategic cooperation
in the energy sphere and opening of plenipotentiary representation of
the European Commission in Azerbaijan show that the relationship turned
into the partnership and reached the new plane in order of merit.
Regarding the EU role in the solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,
we consider that this organization has to demonstrate principal
position on this issue based on the principals and norms of the
international law. In its approach to the regional conflicts, EU
emphasizes the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty
of the countries, including Georgia and Moldova. Such approach is
important for all similar conflicts, as well as for Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict. EU can assist and support the restoration and reconstruction
works in the conflict zone after establishing of mutual trust
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh,
reintegration of Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan and signing of peace
agreement between the conflict parties.
-Are the EU and Belgian officials expected to visit Azerbaijan in
the near future? Is any meeting related to Azerbaijan planned in the
European Union?
-EU troika headed by Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel and
included European Commissioner for Foreign Relations and European
Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU representative on the
South Caucasus Peter Semneby and other officials visited Azerbaijan
in February. EU special representative on the Central Asia Pierre
Morel was on a visit to Baku in March.
The next meetings of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation committee and
EU-Azerbaijan cooperation council will be held in June and December
this year. As I have already mentioned various delegations from Belgium
visit Azerbaijan. Belgian delegation composed of members of Belgian
Senate Alen Desteks, Poll Vil and former parliamentarian Stef Goris
attended the conference "Protection of political rights in Azerbaijan -
new criteria" in Baku in April. Various delegations from Belgium will
participate in the conference on the 85th anniversary of National
Leader Heydar Aliyev "For democracy and stability: new prospects of
cooperation" in May, international conference to be organized by Heydar
Aliyev Foundation in June "Women's role in intercultural dialogue"
and events on the 90th anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
- Are you satisfied with the activity of Azerbaijani Diaspora in
Belgium? Does the embassy support them?
-Like in other counties Azerbaijani Diaspora is young in Belgium,
I would say it is being formed. Diaspora is not established
artificially, this process requires many years. But there are some
Diaspora organizations in Belgium. Of course, we would like these
organizations to justify themselves fully and contribute to the
solution of Azerbaijan's fateful problems. As regards the support
for Diaspora organizations, you know that this issue is in the
focus of Azerbaijani Government's attention. You are aware of its
reasons. Diaspora organizations may play important role in ending the
policy and propaganda carried out by our malevolent neighbors against
our people, informing the world community of Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In this respect there is broad cooperation
between the Diaspora organizations and the Embassy.
Azeri Press Agency
April 22 2008
Azerbaijan
Baku. Ulviyya Aliyeva -APA. Emin Eyyubov, Azerbaijani Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium and Luxembourg, to EU
gave an interview to APA
-How do you estimate current prospects of Azerbaijan-Belgium relations?
Diplomatic relations was established between Azerbaijan and Belgium
on June 17, 1992. One of the Azerbaijani embassies was opened in
Brussels in 1995, because Brussels is a political center of Europe
and several European organizations are located there. Belgium Embassy
in Azerbaijan was opened in 2007. It proves that Azerbaijan is a
political and economic center of South Caucasus regions. Heydar
Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev were in Brussels to participate in NATO
and EU events and met with leaders of the country and discussed
development of bilateral relations. We can observe the development
of our relations year after year. The two countries are interested
in development of political dialogue at a high level and expansion
of cooperation between legislative and executive bodies and take
measures in this direction. Azerbaijani and Belgian Parliaments
have established relations and mutual friendship groups are
functioning. Group members have visited Baku and Brussels and
exchange of experience has been carried out on legislation. As
regards to culture, education and science, Azerbaijani art figures
have performed concerts in Belgium many times and exhibitions have
been held as well. It is a demonstration of Azerbaijani culture in
the world. Belgium is one the countries, where Azerbaijani students
study in. Students visit Belgium individually and study there. We
support this tendency. The Embassy takes measures in establishment
of permanent relations between Azerbaijani and Belgian Universities
and exchange of students and scholars.
- What about economic relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium?
Legal framework for economic cooperation has been established
between the two countries. "Agreement on air-delivered supply
between Azerbaijan and Belgium", "Agreement on protection of
investments", "Convention on elimination of double taxation",
"bilateral agreement on administrative aid for customs" include into
the legal framework. Proper measures are taken to sign agreements for
further development of economic cooperation. "We conduct negotiations
on "Agreement on trade and economic cooperation". Delegation led by
heads of Executive Powers of several regions and cities of Azerbaijan
visited Brussels, Tournai and Namur cities in April, 2007.
As a result of this visit it was agreed to make Lankaran and Tournai
twin towns and appropriate document will be signed soon. Generally
trade turnover rate is increased between the two countries every
year. Volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belgium amounted
to 39 million and 439 thousand US dollars in 2006 and 51 million and
467 thousand dollars in 2007. Of course, large economic opportunities
of both countries enable them to deepen relations. Our embassy aims
to attract Belgian investors to the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.
- Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium was also accredited in the European
Union. How do you evaluate relationship between Azerbaijan and EU? How
can EU assist the solution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
- Azerbaijan, as a developing part of Europe under the conditions of
democracy and free market economy, determined the integration into
Europe as a strategic goal for itself. For that relations with EU are
important for Azerbaijan and strengthening of these relations is one
of the priorities of the Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Azerbaijan-EU
cooperation has commenced since 1992 and is successfully continued to
date. Azerbaijan-EU agreement for Partnership and Cooperation signed
1996 and came into force in 1999 laid down the legal and practical
basis for the relations. Azerbaijan as an active economic partner
of EU is developing its relationship with the organization from the
plane of unilateral assistance toward the full partnership. EU has
recognized Azerbaijan as an important country for the development of
South Caucasus, maintenance of energy security as a special actual
issue for Europe and diversification of energy sources. Azerbaijan
is the EU main trade partner in the South Caucasus now. EU-Azerbaijan
Action Plan, Memorandum of Understanding on the strategic cooperation
in the energy sphere and opening of plenipotentiary representation of
the European Commission in Azerbaijan show that the relationship turned
into the partnership and reached the new plane in order of merit.
Regarding the EU role in the solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,
we consider that this organization has to demonstrate principal
position on this issue based on the principals and norms of the
international law. In its approach to the regional conflicts, EU
emphasizes the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty
of the countries, including Georgia and Moldova. Such approach is
important for all similar conflicts, as well as for Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict. EU can assist and support the restoration and reconstruction
works in the conflict zone after establishing of mutual trust
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh,
reintegration of Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan and signing of peace
agreement between the conflict parties.
-Are the EU and Belgian officials expected to visit Azerbaijan in
the near future? Is any meeting related to Azerbaijan planned in the
European Union?
-EU troika headed by Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel and
included European Commissioner for Foreign Relations and European
Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU representative on the
South Caucasus Peter Semneby and other officials visited Azerbaijan
in February. EU special representative on the Central Asia Pierre
Morel was on a visit to Baku in March.
The next meetings of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation committee and
EU-Azerbaijan cooperation council will be held in June and December
this year. As I have already mentioned various delegations from Belgium
visit Azerbaijan. Belgian delegation composed of members of Belgian
Senate Alen Desteks, Poll Vil and former parliamentarian Stef Goris
attended the conference "Protection of political rights in Azerbaijan -
new criteria" in Baku in April. Various delegations from Belgium will
participate in the conference on the 85th anniversary of National
Leader Heydar Aliyev "For democracy and stability: new prospects of
cooperation" in May, international conference to be organized by Heydar
Aliyev Foundation in June "Women's role in intercultural dialogue"
and events on the 90th anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
- Are you satisfied with the activity of Azerbaijani Diaspora in
Belgium? Does the embassy support them?
-Like in other counties Azerbaijani Diaspora is young in Belgium,
I would say it is being formed. Diaspora is not established
artificially, this process requires many years. But there are some
Diaspora organizations in Belgium. Of course, we would like these
organizations to justify themselves fully and contribute to the
solution of Azerbaijan's fateful problems. As regards the support
for Diaspora organizations, you know that this issue is in the
focus of Azerbaijani Government's attention. You are aware of its
reasons. Diaspora organizations may play important role in ending the
policy and propaganda carried out by our malevolent neighbors against
our people, informing the world community of Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In this respect there is broad cooperation
between the Diaspora organizations and the Embassy.