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AZERBAIJAN'S ENTRY IN NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT WAS FAR-SIGHTED POLITICAL MOVE
Trend
May 11 2012
Azerbaijan
Trend Agency commentator Elmira Tariverdiyeva
It is possible to speak a lot about the success of Azerbaijan reached
in the diplomatic arena in recent years. One of the last was the final
document adopted by the meeting of foreign ministers of countries
who are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
In this document, the Non-Aligned Movement which Azerbaijan has been
a member since May last year advocated a peaceful settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in compliance
with the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
The fact that the largest international organisation after the UN
adopted a document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and in fact
recognised the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia,
stating the importance of resolving the conflict on the basis of a
return to the pre-war status quo, is the result of the efforts of
Azerbaijani diplomacy.
Many observers were surprised when Azerbaijan announced its decision
to join the Non-Aligned Movement a year ago, but in reality it was
the right and far-sighted political move.
NAM was established in 1955 as an 'anti-domination' of world powers
and manifestations of colonialism. The five main principles of the
movement are: mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
of each other, non-aggression against each other and non-interference
in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and a life in peace.
Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan are the only former Soviet
republics who have joined this organisation. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Ukraine and Armenia are observers to NAM.
Participation in the Non-Aligned Movement of course played a role
in the election of Azerbaijan as non-permanent member of UN Security
Council. The candidacy of Azerbaijan was supported by many countries
of NAM.
Azerbaijani participation in the Non-Aligned Movement proves to the
world that the position of our country is one of friendly neutrality
and an unwillingness to enter into any blocks. Azerbaijan does not
want or intends to "make friends against someone".
Azerbaijan, which appears at the intersection of geopolitical interests
of world and regional powers, has been building a multi-vectored policy
for many years, while maintaining a balance in foreign policy. It is
the only country which was able to take the position of a strategic
partner of both the United States and Russia after coming out of the
Soviet Union, maintaining at the same time excellent relations with
Iran and Israel, the European Union and Turkey. The proximity to Iran
makes Baku a desirable ally for the West and Islamic roots are the
reason of the friendship and alliance with Turkey and Iran.
However, Baku preferred a different scheme. The country has
built balanced and smooth friendly relations with all countries,
including Russia, the Asian region and Europe throughout its years
of independence. Of course, there are the most warm and fraternal
relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey today. However, it does not
affect the foreign policy of the country and an example of this is
a constructive partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel.
At the same time participation in the Non-Aligned Movement does
not limit the efforts of the country to integrate into European and
Euro-Atlantic structures which are still the objective of the country.
However currently, Azerbaijan does not set goals to join NATO or
any other military alliance because the integration does not mean
membership.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in an interview
with a special issue of the journal The Business Year, dedicated to
Azerbaijan that Baku is considering participation in the Non-Aligned
Movement and the relationship with NATO taken separately.
The minister said that participation in the Non-Aligned Movement
gives Azerbaijan an opportunity to cooperate with member countries of
the organisation in various fields and promote the constructive role
of NAM in international relations in order to achieve a more just,
equitable and respectful law of world order.
"As to our cooperation with NATO, it should be noted that the
integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures remains a
strategic goal for Azerbaijan" Mammadyarov said.
Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to join the NATO programme
Partnership for Peace in May 1994 and to the Action Plan Individual
Partnership (IPAP) after 10 years.
"IPAP was an effective mechanism to facilitate a real political
dialogue and intensive practical reforms," Mammadyarov said.
However, unlike a number of post-Soviet countries which connect their
future with the West's foreign policy, Azerbaijan has always tried
to balance its interests between NATO, Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Baku has repeatedly proved its reliability as a partner of the West
in the fight against terrorism and as a strategic ally required to
ensure the security of the supply of Caspian energy resources.
In addition, Azerbaijan is the main player in the Caspian region in
the energy market due to large natural gas reserves and can help in
ensuring Europe's energy security.
Thus, the accession of Azerbaijan to the Non-Aligned Movement was
the right decision indeed which secured the country's image of the
state and conducting a balanced multi-vectored policy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Trend
May 11 2012
Azerbaijan
Trend Agency commentator Elmira Tariverdiyeva
It is possible to speak a lot about the success of Azerbaijan reached
in the diplomatic arena in recent years. One of the last was the final
document adopted by the meeting of foreign ministers of countries
who are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
In this document, the Non-Aligned Movement which Azerbaijan has been
a member since May last year advocated a peaceful settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in compliance
with the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
The fact that the largest international organisation after the UN
adopted a document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and in fact
recognised the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia,
stating the importance of resolving the conflict on the basis of a
return to the pre-war status quo, is the result of the efforts of
Azerbaijani diplomacy.
Many observers were surprised when Azerbaijan announced its decision
to join the Non-Aligned Movement a year ago, but in reality it was
the right and far-sighted political move.
NAM was established in 1955 as an 'anti-domination' of world powers
and manifestations of colonialism. The five main principles of the
movement are: mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
of each other, non-aggression against each other and non-interference
in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and a life in peace.
Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan are the only former Soviet
republics who have joined this organisation. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Ukraine and Armenia are observers to NAM.
Participation in the Non-Aligned Movement of course played a role
in the election of Azerbaijan as non-permanent member of UN Security
Council. The candidacy of Azerbaijan was supported by many countries
of NAM.
Azerbaijani participation in the Non-Aligned Movement proves to the
world that the position of our country is one of friendly neutrality
and an unwillingness to enter into any blocks. Azerbaijan does not
want or intends to "make friends against someone".
Azerbaijan, which appears at the intersection of geopolitical interests
of world and regional powers, has been building a multi-vectored policy
for many years, while maintaining a balance in foreign policy. It is
the only country which was able to take the position of a strategic
partner of both the United States and Russia after coming out of the
Soviet Union, maintaining at the same time excellent relations with
Iran and Israel, the European Union and Turkey. The proximity to Iran
makes Baku a desirable ally for the West and Islamic roots are the
reason of the friendship and alliance with Turkey and Iran.
However, Baku preferred a different scheme. The country has
built balanced and smooth friendly relations with all countries,
including Russia, the Asian region and Europe throughout its years
of independence. Of course, there are the most warm and fraternal
relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey today. However, it does not
affect the foreign policy of the country and an example of this is
a constructive partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel.
At the same time participation in the Non-Aligned Movement does
not limit the efforts of the country to integrate into European and
Euro-Atlantic structures which are still the objective of the country.
However currently, Azerbaijan does not set goals to join NATO or
any other military alliance because the integration does not mean
membership.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in an interview
with a special issue of the journal The Business Year, dedicated to
Azerbaijan that Baku is considering participation in the Non-Aligned
Movement and the relationship with NATO taken separately.
The minister said that participation in the Non-Aligned Movement
gives Azerbaijan an opportunity to cooperate with member countries of
the organisation in various fields and promote the constructive role
of NAM in international relations in order to achieve a more just,
equitable and respectful law of world order.
"As to our cooperation with NATO, it should be noted that the
integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures remains a
strategic goal for Azerbaijan" Mammadyarov said.
Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to join the NATO programme
Partnership for Peace in May 1994 and to the Action Plan Individual
Partnership (IPAP) after 10 years.
"IPAP was an effective mechanism to facilitate a real political
dialogue and intensive practical reforms," Mammadyarov said.
However, unlike a number of post-Soviet countries which connect their
future with the West's foreign policy, Azerbaijan has always tried
to balance its interests between NATO, Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Baku has repeatedly proved its reliability as a partner of the West
in the fight against terrorism and as a strategic ally required to
ensure the security of the supply of Caspian energy resources.
In addition, Azerbaijan is the main player in the Caspian region in
the energy market due to large natural gas reserves and can help in
ensuring Europe's energy security.
Thus, the accession of Azerbaijan to the Non-Aligned Movement was
the right decision indeed which secured the country's image of the
state and conducting a balanced multi-vectored policy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress