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SERBIAN AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN: "ARMENIAN TROOPS MUST BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN"
APA
Oct 3 2011
Azerbaijan
"Azerbaijan and Serbia value their independences"
Baku. Victoria Dementieva - APA. Interview with Serbian Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Zoran Vajovic
- Mr. Ambassador, Serbian embassy has been opened in Azerbaijan
recently. Did you visit Azerbaijan befor?
- The Serbian embassy was opened in Azerbaijan in March. I arrived in
Baku in May and submitted my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. I
am happy that our embassy is located in the center of Icherisheher
(Old City of Baku), which was included in the UNESCO's list. I like
this place. There was no official opening ceremony and we are expected
to hold the ceremony next year. But the embassy is working and we are
planning to open the consular office as well. I visited Baku several
times before. I was working in the Serbian embassy in Turkey, which
was also responsible for the relations with Azerbaijan. I was very
happy while hearing about my appointment to Azerbaijan. I have not
been in the region of Azerbaijan yet, but I believe that your country
achieved fantastic results during 20 years of independence. We can
see these results everywhere - new roads are constructed, large-scale
infrastructure projects are realized, much attention is given to
the construction of social facilities, new oil and gas fields are
discovered, the country increases its currency resources every year
and all of these show how big potential Azerbaijan has.
- How do you value the development of bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Serbia?
- The bilateral relations between our countries are developing and
our partnership reaches new strategic level. Serbia and Azerbaijan
have no discords in any issue. There is a mutual understanding in the
level of both bilateral and international cooperation. I am very happy
that I am working in the country, which has good political relations
with Serbia. Our countries defend each other in the international
arena and within all international organizations.
- Which spheres is Serbia interested to develop cooperation with
Azerbaijan in?
- Our political relations are in highest level. A number of mutual
visits were realized in the past year. Serbian President Boris Tadic
visited Azerbaijan in May, 2010 and President Ilham Aliyev visited
Serbia in June, 2011. The meetings between foreign ministers Vuc
Jeremic and Elmar Mammadyarov have regular and intensive character.
Serbia is very interested in the development of economic relations
and economic and trade relations. Unfortunately the level of economic
relations is at odd with the level of political relations.
- Serbia-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission is expected to hold
first meeting in Belgrade this autumn. Are the date and agenda of
the meeting scheduled?
- The commission's first meeting will be held on November 3-4, 2011
in Belgrade. It was agreed during the two-day visit of Vuc Jeremic,
who is co-chair of the commission, to Azerbaijan on August 31,
2011. The first business forum will also be held in the framework of
the meeting. We are hopeful that the agreement on economic cooperation
and some agreements between the business people will be signed during
this forum. Serbia is interested in involving Azerbaijani investment
in its economy. Azerbaijan is also interested in participation in the
infrastructure projects in Serbia, including the construction of roads
and ports. I consider that the first meeting of the intergovernmental
commission will be an important step toward strengthening the economic
cooperation between the countries.
-Serbia-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce is functioning in Belgrade.
Some Azerbaijani construction and foreign trade companies have already
opened their offices in Belgrade. Some Serbian construction companies
also have offices in Baku.
-Is Serbia interested in improving energy cooperation with Azerbaijan?
-Serbia is interested in participating in any energy project that
can pass through its territory. Any pipeline that will pass through
the territory of Serbia may be profitable for our country.
-What steps is your embassy going to take in order to develop
scientific and cultural relations between our countries?
-This issue was also discussed during the visit of Serbian Foreign
Minister Vuk JeremiÄ~G to Baku. We are planning to exchange students
and teachers, organize various exhibitions. I would like to arrange
the visit of the Belgrade Philharmonic to Azerbaijan to participate
in Gabala festival. Serbian representatives will also attend the World
Youth Forum that will be held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary
of Azerbaijan's independence.
-How is visa for your country granted?
-Serbia's visa policy is liberal enough. Serbia cancelled visa regime
with Turkey, offered to cancel visa regime with Azerbaijan last year.
It would allow the citizens of both countries to travel free and to
develop the bilateral relations in tourism. But visa travel exists
between our countries. By the end of the year we are planning to open
a consular department and issue visas to the Azerbaijani citizens
that will visit Serbia.
-How much is trade turnover between our countries?
-Unfortunately, the volume of trade turnover is not so big, it
does not coincide with the level of political relations between
our countries. The trade turnover was $ 10 million last year. Trade
turnover is based on agriculture, import of food products. We would
like Serbia to join energy projects. Oil and gas account for the main
part of Azerbaijan's export, we would like to increase our share of
participation in this field. I am sure that the first meeting of the
intergovernmental commission will give an impetus to the development
of trade turnover between our countries. We are interested in
extending energy cooperation, increase foreign trade deals and export
agricultural products to Azerbaijan. Work continues on the accumulator
plant project of Serbian companies in Azerbaijan. Enhancement of
economic relations is the top priority of the development of bilateral
relations and the embassy is playing an active role in this process
by establishing contacts with the private sector.
-What is Serbia's position in Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
-Serbia's position has not changed. Serbia supports Azerbaijan's
territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. The conflict
must be solved peacefully. Armenian troops must be withdrawn from
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, because all international
organizations, including the four resolutions of the UN confirm the
occupation of Azerbaijan's territories. Serbia strongly supports
Azerbaijan concerning this issue in the international arena.
We are small countries valuing our independence and object to the
double standard policy in the international relations of the 21st
century. Sometimes, these double standards are also felt in the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Even with the participation of
the world's leading political players Azerbaijan can not still achieve
the victory of justice, return of the territories and internally
displaced persons. Azerbaijan also supports Serbia in the Kosovo
problem. The southern part of Serbia, Autonomous Province of Kosovo
and Metohija unilaterally declared their independence, Serbia does
not accept it.
APA
Oct 3 2011
Azerbaijan
"Azerbaijan and Serbia value their independences"
Baku. Victoria Dementieva - APA. Interview with Serbian Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Zoran Vajovic
- Mr. Ambassador, Serbian embassy has been opened in Azerbaijan
recently. Did you visit Azerbaijan befor?
- The Serbian embassy was opened in Azerbaijan in March. I arrived in
Baku in May and submitted my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. I
am happy that our embassy is located in the center of Icherisheher
(Old City of Baku), which was included in the UNESCO's list. I like
this place. There was no official opening ceremony and we are expected
to hold the ceremony next year. But the embassy is working and we are
planning to open the consular office as well. I visited Baku several
times before. I was working in the Serbian embassy in Turkey, which
was also responsible for the relations with Azerbaijan. I was very
happy while hearing about my appointment to Azerbaijan. I have not
been in the region of Azerbaijan yet, but I believe that your country
achieved fantastic results during 20 years of independence. We can
see these results everywhere - new roads are constructed, large-scale
infrastructure projects are realized, much attention is given to
the construction of social facilities, new oil and gas fields are
discovered, the country increases its currency resources every year
and all of these show how big potential Azerbaijan has.
- How do you value the development of bilateral relations between
Azerbaijan and Serbia?
- The bilateral relations between our countries are developing and
our partnership reaches new strategic level. Serbia and Azerbaijan
have no discords in any issue. There is a mutual understanding in the
level of both bilateral and international cooperation. I am very happy
that I am working in the country, which has good political relations
with Serbia. Our countries defend each other in the international
arena and within all international organizations.
- Which spheres is Serbia interested to develop cooperation with
Azerbaijan in?
- Our political relations are in highest level. A number of mutual
visits were realized in the past year. Serbian President Boris Tadic
visited Azerbaijan in May, 2010 and President Ilham Aliyev visited
Serbia in June, 2011. The meetings between foreign ministers Vuc
Jeremic and Elmar Mammadyarov have regular and intensive character.
Serbia is very interested in the development of economic relations
and economic and trade relations. Unfortunately the level of economic
relations is at odd with the level of political relations.
- Serbia-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission is expected to hold
first meeting in Belgrade this autumn. Are the date and agenda of
the meeting scheduled?
- The commission's first meeting will be held on November 3-4, 2011
in Belgrade. It was agreed during the two-day visit of Vuc Jeremic,
who is co-chair of the commission, to Azerbaijan on August 31,
2011. The first business forum will also be held in the framework of
the meeting. We are hopeful that the agreement on economic cooperation
and some agreements between the business people will be signed during
this forum. Serbia is interested in involving Azerbaijani investment
in its economy. Azerbaijan is also interested in participation in the
infrastructure projects in Serbia, including the construction of roads
and ports. I consider that the first meeting of the intergovernmental
commission will be an important step toward strengthening the economic
cooperation between the countries.
-Serbia-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce is functioning in Belgrade.
Some Azerbaijani construction and foreign trade companies have already
opened their offices in Belgrade. Some Serbian construction companies
also have offices in Baku.
-Is Serbia interested in improving energy cooperation with Azerbaijan?
-Serbia is interested in participating in any energy project that
can pass through its territory. Any pipeline that will pass through
the territory of Serbia may be profitable for our country.
-What steps is your embassy going to take in order to develop
scientific and cultural relations between our countries?
-This issue was also discussed during the visit of Serbian Foreign
Minister Vuk JeremiÄ~G to Baku. We are planning to exchange students
and teachers, organize various exhibitions. I would like to arrange
the visit of the Belgrade Philharmonic to Azerbaijan to participate
in Gabala festival. Serbian representatives will also attend the World
Youth Forum that will be held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary
of Azerbaijan's independence.
-How is visa for your country granted?
-Serbia's visa policy is liberal enough. Serbia cancelled visa regime
with Turkey, offered to cancel visa regime with Azerbaijan last year.
It would allow the citizens of both countries to travel free and to
develop the bilateral relations in tourism. But visa travel exists
between our countries. By the end of the year we are planning to open
a consular department and issue visas to the Azerbaijani citizens
that will visit Serbia.
-How much is trade turnover between our countries?
-Unfortunately, the volume of trade turnover is not so big, it
does not coincide with the level of political relations between
our countries. The trade turnover was $ 10 million last year. Trade
turnover is based on agriculture, import of food products. We would
like Serbia to join energy projects. Oil and gas account for the main
part of Azerbaijan's export, we would like to increase our share of
participation in this field. I am sure that the first meeting of the
intergovernmental commission will give an impetus to the development
of trade turnover between our countries. We are interested in
extending energy cooperation, increase foreign trade deals and export
agricultural products to Azerbaijan. Work continues on the accumulator
plant project of Serbian companies in Azerbaijan. Enhancement of
economic relations is the top priority of the development of bilateral
relations and the embassy is playing an active role in this process
by establishing contacts with the private sector.
-What is Serbia's position in Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
-Serbia's position has not changed. Serbia supports Azerbaijan's
territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. The conflict
must be solved peacefully. Armenian troops must be withdrawn from
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, because all international
organizations, including the four resolutions of the UN confirm the
occupation of Azerbaijan's territories. Serbia strongly supports
Azerbaijan concerning this issue in the international arena.
We are small countries valuing our independence and object to the
double standard policy in the international relations of the 21st
century. Sometimes, these double standards are also felt in the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Even with the participation of
the world's leading political players Azerbaijan can not still achieve
the victory of justice, return of the territories and internally
displaced persons. Azerbaijan also supports Serbia in the Kosovo
problem. The southern part of Serbia, Autonomous Province of Kosovo
and Metohija unilaterally declared their independence, Serbia does
not accept it.