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FRENCH AMBASSADOR: 'THIS YEAR IS NOT LOST FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH RESOLUTION'
APA, Azerbaijan
July 15 2013
[ 15 July 2013 10:26 ]
'French Foreign Minister will meet with Mammedyarov in Paris in the
second half of July"
'Selection of TAP has been economic driven decision'
Baku. Victoria Dementieva - APA. APA interview with Ambassador of
France to Azerbaijan Pascal Meunier on occasion of the National
Holiday of France - Bastille Day
Mr. Ambassador, how do you estimate the current level of bilateral
relations between Azerbaijan and France? How successful has it
developed during the past 20 years since establishing diplomatic
relations between the countries?
France has been one of the first countries to recognize the
independence of Azerbaijan. It was second after Turkey. So it became a
tradition that the President of Azerbaijan makes his first trip abroad
to France after his election. It was the case for Heydar Aliyev and
again for incumbent president Ilham Aliyev. I think that there is a
long tradition of friendship between France and Azerbaijan.
France acknowledges that Azerbaijan plays a role of stability in the
region and appreciates its policy of tolerance between religions. And
this is also appreciated by different organizations, such as UNESCO,
ISESCO etc. For us, French people, it is something very important. We
have a Muslim community in France of almost 10% of our population and I
am willing to encourage the dialogue between our Muslim community and
Azerbaijan. The Rector of the mosque of Bordeaux Imam Tareq Oubrou
has paid two visits to Azerbaijan and has organized in Bordeaux a
seminar with the participation of Azerbaijan people who outlined what
Azerbaijan has achieved in terms of tolerance. And this is a positive
message of Azerbaijan to the world.
France considers itself as a friend of Azerbaijan, even if we are
separated by 4 000 kilometers and despite the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which has too often been identified by Azerbaijani as a
source of unfriendly feelings of French people towards Azerbaijan. But
I can say, this is not the case. France plays an active role in his
capacity of co-chair of Minsk Group in order to find a peaceful and
lasting solution to this pending and painful issue.
France enjoys good and constructive diplomatic relationships with
Azerbaijan both bilateral and as regards cooperation in the framework
of international organizations. We appreciate the support given
by your country in UN Security Council for resolutions on Syria,
Iran. We support a strong and independent Azerbaijan.
What are the developments in energy cooperation between Azerbaijan
and France?
French energy companies are widely present in Azerbaijan. In the
field of economy we have TOTAL. French energy companies are widely
present in Azerbaijan. In the field of economy we have TOTAL. TOTAL
which is present in Shah Deniz II as an investor has been chosen
by the Azerbaijani government to develop Absheron, as an operator,
which is significant responsibility.
Energy is a key field of activity in France and we have among the
best engineer schools in the world. By the way, recently the CEO the
Institute of French Petroleum - one of the best schools in Europe,
I think, to train engineers in the field of oil and gas, visited Baku
and signed a memorandum of understanding with Baku Higher Oil school.
I think France has an industry which can also serve the needs of
Azerbaijan in the field of diversification. We have good infrastructure
in the field of transportation and French companies are ready to
participate in relevant projects in Azerbaijan. France's industry is
present in the metro modernization project in all segments - civil
work, signaling and rolling-stock. We are facing strong international
competition, we have good skills and hope that French companies will
win. French industry is represented by engineering firm 'Systra',
which has been chosen by Azerbaijan, in a consortium with other
firms from Czech Republic and Korea, to assist the Baku metro in the
engineering work, the master plan of the expansion project and the
preparation of tender documents.
Also French companies are also interested in the modernization
process of the Azerbaijan state railways, namely, the modernization
of the signaling system in Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and of
locomotives complying with the most modern standards.
Beyond urban and railway transport, we also presented in air
transport. As you know, AZAL has recently purchased new long haul
Airbus A340. That for me is also a part of French interest present
in Azerbaijan.
There are some more projects we are working on in the field of
tourism, agriculture, civil works for hotels. France has good skills in
architecture, hotel building. So I would try to push French companies
to come here.
What is the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and France?
Our trade turnover is rather low. Last year we exported only 160 mln
euros of goods, which is well below our potential and way behind our
imports which totaled 1.7 billion euros. This year starts with more
promising results at 184 mln euros of sales for the 5 first months
which is more in line with my commitment towards my government to
attain 1.5 billion euros of exports of French product and services
in the three coming years.
It would be quite a big leap forward.
How could you comment the Shah Deniz consortium choice on the project
to deliver Azeri gas to Europe?
Yes, the choice has been made for TAP. And it was very important
decision and a major step in the implementation of the South corridor
project.
We think this decision was economically driven, not the least
because the shareholders are private companies. It was mainly, if
not completely, led by economics, so TAP was the best solution. I
think the French government has no reason to be disappointed. TOTAL
is one of the Shah Deniz II shareholders, and I heard that TAP has
offered the French company GDF-Suez, which is a major buyer of gas
and is present in Italy, to join the project in terms of partnership
in gas transportation.
TAP is a reliable transit way. So now we only have to wait for the
final investment decision of the shareholders for the development of
the second phase of the Shah Deniz project.
Azerbaijan launched its satellite into space in cooperation with a
French company. How else Azerbaijan and France can cooperate in the
space sphere? What are the perspectives?
It was very important event. For me it was a historical event, ranking
Azerbaijan among the select Club of space countries. Now Azerbaijan
has its own satellite. It was produced by an American manufacturer,
but was launched by a French company Arianespace and was successfully
put into orbit according to the plans.
Azerbaijan decided to launch a second communication satellite as well
as an observation satellite. So there will be a competition. France
has a long history in space. France has different companies in the
space industry, which are already world leaders, like Arianespace,
Thales Alenia Space and EADS-Astrium. They are competing everywhere
in the world markets. We have the technology to take part in
the competition here both for the observation satellite and the
communication satellite. Our competitors are mainly from the US,
Israel, South Korea, so it is a tough competition, but I do my best
in supporting them.
Any other new projects in education sphere planned? Could you tell
us about activity of French lyceum opened in Baku this year?
For me it is also a priority. Education is an investment in the
future. And you cannot have a strong economic cooperation if you
do not prepare also engineers, different managers to support such
cooperation. So we are active in the field of education in 3 different
ranges - pupils, students and vocational trainings.
In September this year the Baku French Lyceum is to be opened in the
Baku Talents Education Complex. It will be welcoming pupils from the
age of 3. We are opening 3 classrooms for the children from 3 to 5
with French teachers. And for upper grades (children from 6-17) we
will set up a remote tuition. French tutors will support the pupils
in their education programs which would be mainly led by The National
Centre for Remote Education (Centre national d'enseignement a distance,
Cned). This is worldwide and very efficient system. My children also
studied through these programs.
The tuition fee will be 5500 AZN per year for the classes with children
from 3 to 5, 6000 AZN - for elementary school and 7000 AZN - for high
school. So far we have received 40 enrollments.
Our Embassy also has organized in June the first forum of France-
Azerbaijan Universities. 12 Universities from France participated in
the forum, which has been attended by 170 students, from Aerbaijan.
Some agreements have been made, including Diplomatic Academy of
Azerbaijan and Sciences-Po Lille. The purpose of such forum is to
encourage studies in France, where we have remarkable universities
and foster the learning of French language which will help young
people secure jobs in French companies in Azerbaijan. This extremely
important because knowing the language of your potential employer
gives the students an additional advantage in their future employment.
And the third goal is to address to vocational trainings for middle
management, workers and employees.
What are the developments in cooperation in tourism sphere?
There is lot of potential here in the field of tourism and French
companies are interested to come, but there are three elements which
need to be improved.
As tourism operators say, if you want to attract more tourists and
develop the tourism field you have to be most competitive in terms
of visa application process, prices policy and quality of hotels and
services provided, and we have decided to co-operate with Azerbaijan
in the field of vocational training in order to improve the quality
of services offered to foreign tourists.
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, but a rather expensive destination.
So foreign tourists would expect to get the best quality. In addition,
some French companies are looking at investing in Azerbaijan in
eco-tourism. So the potential exist.
Previously you mentioned about the establishment of the Bureau of
Chamber of Commerce France-Azerbaijan in Baku. How is the work in
this direction going on?
It is still my aim. It has been more difficult than I thought for
many reasons. There is a Franco-Azerbaijan chamber of commerce in
Paris which was established in 1996 under the patronage of President
Heydar Aliyev and it has been operating since then.
Secondly, the legal issues are not easy in Azerbaijan. I underestimated
the legal issues and legal processes. I took the files myself and met
with minister of justice of Azerbaijan to register the NGO created
to promote business and cooperation. He promised to look at the file
quickly. So there we are.
But at the same time there is a lot of potential to develop the
cooperation and my ambition for 2013-2014 is to develop relationship
in consumer goods.
I have already interviewed a few people who could be joining the
Chamber of commerce. So in terms of preparation we are ready, because
we have people, financial support from different companies. So when
we have the green light from ministry of justice, I think we can set
up the Chamber very quickly.
And from the beginning we will invite big Azerbaijani companies to
join us. Hope it will be opened before the end of 2013.
How do you estimate the legal base between our countries? Are any
new agreements planning to be signed in near future?
There are a lot of issues being negotiated. A technical agreement in
the field of defense, and IT, protection of women rights agreements
are also to be signed.
Mrs Hijran Huseynova visited France in April. She was received by
France's minister for women's rights Mrs Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, who
promised to come to Azerbaijan when she would find the appropriate
time. I hope she will come before the end of the year and will sign
the agreement to promote a common position in the field of protection
women rights in different international fora, such as the Council of
Europe, UNESCO and the UN.
So we have a lot of documents ready, and now we only need to find
the right moment for ministers of both countries to meet somewhere
and to sign it.
New ideas proposed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and being
discussed with ministers designed to move forward Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution process. How do you see the prospects on the
conflict resolution at the moment?
So what can France do? I can tell you, the first Lady Mrs. Merhiban
Aliyeva went to Paris in her capacity of Chairman of the friendship
group of both parliaments. She has been received by the President of
the French National Assembly, Mr. Claude Bartolone and he offered
to organize in Paris a meeting between the two Franco-Armenian
and Franco-Azerbaijani friendship groups. And when PACE President
Jean-Claude Mignon visited Baku he said that he also would propose
such a meeting in Strasbourg.
There is a very important sentence in a recent statement issued by
presidents of OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs countries at G8 summit. "The
leaders should prepare people for peace, not war". The position of
the French government is to find a solution. We are very committed to
this and have organized many meetings in Paris. Our Foreign minister
will meet again with Mr. Mammadyarov in Paris in the near future. So
it is an issue that we discuss both with Armenia and Azerbaijan. We
want to organize in France, in Strasbourg and also in Paris, meetings
with Armenians and Azerbaijani people.
The time for reconciliation has come. It is also an approach supported
by the European Union, which also has proposed to organize contacts
between people. It is very important. You can not reconcile two
nations if they are told by governments that they are enemies. It
is something that has to be done. I think it is understood by both
sides of the conflict and we hope it will be reflected in actions.
And what was the reaction from both sides on the proposal to organize
such meeting?
We have not received any reaction yet
The co-chairs organize meetings with ministers in Paris quite often?
Does this mean that France is ready to play a more active role in
resolving the conflict?
There is not any rivalry between the three co-chairs, they work
together as a team. Paris sometimes happens to be a very convenient
place, because it is between the US and the Caucasus. But such
meetings also took place in Krakow. So Paris is very happy to help,
but it does not try to show-up.
All three co-chairs has role to play. Russia as a very important
actor in this region, geographically, economically, militarily and
in terms of population - a lot of Armenians and Azerbaijanis live
and work in Russia. The US being a world power is also an important
one. And France is very close to this region, not only because we
have half a million people of Armenian decent leaving among us but we
are also close to Azerbaijan and we don't like unresolved conflicts,
because we know from history how the population suffers from unresolved
conflicts. So we could be a good broker.
All three countries work as a team. Because I do not think that one
of them can solve the problem without its two partners.
Many observers are not expecting a breakthrough in negotiations this
year because of major elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. But it
does not mean that it will be a lost year. I think it is a year to
prepare new ideas and to discuss it with both sides. And, in itself,
is also a step forward.
http://en.apa.az/xeber_ambassador_____this_year_is_not_lost_for_n_1 96291.html
From: A. Papazian
APA, Azerbaijan
July 15 2013
[ 15 July 2013 10:26 ]
'French Foreign Minister will meet with Mammedyarov in Paris in the
second half of July"
'Selection of TAP has been economic driven decision'
Baku. Victoria Dementieva - APA. APA interview with Ambassador of
France to Azerbaijan Pascal Meunier on occasion of the National
Holiday of France - Bastille Day
Mr. Ambassador, how do you estimate the current level of bilateral
relations between Azerbaijan and France? How successful has it
developed during the past 20 years since establishing diplomatic
relations between the countries?
France has been one of the first countries to recognize the
independence of Azerbaijan. It was second after Turkey. So it became a
tradition that the President of Azerbaijan makes his first trip abroad
to France after his election. It was the case for Heydar Aliyev and
again for incumbent president Ilham Aliyev. I think that there is a
long tradition of friendship between France and Azerbaijan.
France acknowledges that Azerbaijan plays a role of stability in the
region and appreciates its policy of tolerance between religions. And
this is also appreciated by different organizations, such as UNESCO,
ISESCO etc. For us, French people, it is something very important. We
have a Muslim community in France of almost 10% of our population and I
am willing to encourage the dialogue between our Muslim community and
Azerbaijan. The Rector of the mosque of Bordeaux Imam Tareq Oubrou
has paid two visits to Azerbaijan and has organized in Bordeaux a
seminar with the participation of Azerbaijan people who outlined what
Azerbaijan has achieved in terms of tolerance. And this is a positive
message of Azerbaijan to the world.
France considers itself as a friend of Azerbaijan, even if we are
separated by 4 000 kilometers and despite the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which has too often been identified by Azerbaijani as a
source of unfriendly feelings of French people towards Azerbaijan. But
I can say, this is not the case. France plays an active role in his
capacity of co-chair of Minsk Group in order to find a peaceful and
lasting solution to this pending and painful issue.
France enjoys good and constructive diplomatic relationships with
Azerbaijan both bilateral and as regards cooperation in the framework
of international organizations. We appreciate the support given
by your country in UN Security Council for resolutions on Syria,
Iran. We support a strong and independent Azerbaijan.
What are the developments in energy cooperation between Azerbaijan
and France?
French energy companies are widely present in Azerbaijan. In the
field of economy we have TOTAL. French energy companies are widely
present in Azerbaijan. In the field of economy we have TOTAL. TOTAL
which is present in Shah Deniz II as an investor has been chosen
by the Azerbaijani government to develop Absheron, as an operator,
which is significant responsibility.
Energy is a key field of activity in France and we have among the
best engineer schools in the world. By the way, recently the CEO the
Institute of French Petroleum - one of the best schools in Europe,
I think, to train engineers in the field of oil and gas, visited Baku
and signed a memorandum of understanding with Baku Higher Oil school.
I think France has an industry which can also serve the needs of
Azerbaijan in the field of diversification. We have good infrastructure
in the field of transportation and French companies are ready to
participate in relevant projects in Azerbaijan. France's industry is
present in the metro modernization project in all segments - civil
work, signaling and rolling-stock. We are facing strong international
competition, we have good skills and hope that French companies will
win. French industry is represented by engineering firm 'Systra',
which has been chosen by Azerbaijan, in a consortium with other
firms from Czech Republic and Korea, to assist the Baku metro in the
engineering work, the master plan of the expansion project and the
preparation of tender documents.
Also French companies are also interested in the modernization
process of the Azerbaijan state railways, namely, the modernization
of the signaling system in Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and of
locomotives complying with the most modern standards.
Beyond urban and railway transport, we also presented in air
transport. As you know, AZAL has recently purchased new long haul
Airbus A340. That for me is also a part of French interest present
in Azerbaijan.
There are some more projects we are working on in the field of
tourism, agriculture, civil works for hotels. France has good skills in
architecture, hotel building. So I would try to push French companies
to come here.
What is the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and France?
Our trade turnover is rather low. Last year we exported only 160 mln
euros of goods, which is well below our potential and way behind our
imports which totaled 1.7 billion euros. This year starts with more
promising results at 184 mln euros of sales for the 5 first months
which is more in line with my commitment towards my government to
attain 1.5 billion euros of exports of French product and services
in the three coming years.
It would be quite a big leap forward.
How could you comment the Shah Deniz consortium choice on the project
to deliver Azeri gas to Europe?
Yes, the choice has been made for TAP. And it was very important
decision and a major step in the implementation of the South corridor
project.
We think this decision was economically driven, not the least
because the shareholders are private companies. It was mainly, if
not completely, led by economics, so TAP was the best solution. I
think the French government has no reason to be disappointed. TOTAL
is one of the Shah Deniz II shareholders, and I heard that TAP has
offered the French company GDF-Suez, which is a major buyer of gas
and is present in Italy, to join the project in terms of partnership
in gas transportation.
TAP is a reliable transit way. So now we only have to wait for the
final investment decision of the shareholders for the development of
the second phase of the Shah Deniz project.
Azerbaijan launched its satellite into space in cooperation with a
French company. How else Azerbaijan and France can cooperate in the
space sphere? What are the perspectives?
It was very important event. For me it was a historical event, ranking
Azerbaijan among the select Club of space countries. Now Azerbaijan
has its own satellite. It was produced by an American manufacturer,
but was launched by a French company Arianespace and was successfully
put into orbit according to the plans.
Azerbaijan decided to launch a second communication satellite as well
as an observation satellite. So there will be a competition. France
has a long history in space. France has different companies in the
space industry, which are already world leaders, like Arianespace,
Thales Alenia Space and EADS-Astrium. They are competing everywhere
in the world markets. We have the technology to take part in
the competition here both for the observation satellite and the
communication satellite. Our competitors are mainly from the US,
Israel, South Korea, so it is a tough competition, but I do my best
in supporting them.
Any other new projects in education sphere planned? Could you tell
us about activity of French lyceum opened in Baku this year?
For me it is also a priority. Education is an investment in the
future. And you cannot have a strong economic cooperation if you
do not prepare also engineers, different managers to support such
cooperation. So we are active in the field of education in 3 different
ranges - pupils, students and vocational trainings.
In September this year the Baku French Lyceum is to be opened in the
Baku Talents Education Complex. It will be welcoming pupils from the
age of 3. We are opening 3 classrooms for the children from 3 to 5
with French teachers. And for upper grades (children from 6-17) we
will set up a remote tuition. French tutors will support the pupils
in their education programs which would be mainly led by The National
Centre for Remote Education (Centre national d'enseignement a distance,
Cned). This is worldwide and very efficient system. My children also
studied through these programs.
The tuition fee will be 5500 AZN per year for the classes with children
from 3 to 5, 6000 AZN - for elementary school and 7000 AZN - for high
school. So far we have received 40 enrollments.
Our Embassy also has organized in June the first forum of France-
Azerbaijan Universities. 12 Universities from France participated in
the forum, which has been attended by 170 students, from Aerbaijan.
Some agreements have been made, including Diplomatic Academy of
Azerbaijan and Sciences-Po Lille. The purpose of such forum is to
encourage studies in France, where we have remarkable universities
and foster the learning of French language which will help young
people secure jobs in French companies in Azerbaijan. This extremely
important because knowing the language of your potential employer
gives the students an additional advantage in their future employment.
And the third goal is to address to vocational trainings for middle
management, workers and employees.
What are the developments in cooperation in tourism sphere?
There is lot of potential here in the field of tourism and French
companies are interested to come, but there are three elements which
need to be improved.
As tourism operators say, if you want to attract more tourists and
develop the tourism field you have to be most competitive in terms
of visa application process, prices policy and quality of hotels and
services provided, and we have decided to co-operate with Azerbaijan
in the field of vocational training in order to improve the quality
of services offered to foreign tourists.
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, but a rather expensive destination.
So foreign tourists would expect to get the best quality. In addition,
some French companies are looking at investing in Azerbaijan in
eco-tourism. So the potential exist.
Previously you mentioned about the establishment of the Bureau of
Chamber of Commerce France-Azerbaijan in Baku. How is the work in
this direction going on?
It is still my aim. It has been more difficult than I thought for
many reasons. There is a Franco-Azerbaijan chamber of commerce in
Paris which was established in 1996 under the patronage of President
Heydar Aliyev and it has been operating since then.
Secondly, the legal issues are not easy in Azerbaijan. I underestimated
the legal issues and legal processes. I took the files myself and met
with minister of justice of Azerbaijan to register the NGO created
to promote business and cooperation. He promised to look at the file
quickly. So there we are.
But at the same time there is a lot of potential to develop the
cooperation and my ambition for 2013-2014 is to develop relationship
in consumer goods.
I have already interviewed a few people who could be joining the
Chamber of commerce. So in terms of preparation we are ready, because
we have people, financial support from different companies. So when
we have the green light from ministry of justice, I think we can set
up the Chamber very quickly.
And from the beginning we will invite big Azerbaijani companies to
join us. Hope it will be opened before the end of 2013.
How do you estimate the legal base between our countries? Are any
new agreements planning to be signed in near future?
There are a lot of issues being negotiated. A technical agreement in
the field of defense, and IT, protection of women rights agreements
are also to be signed.
Mrs Hijran Huseynova visited France in April. She was received by
France's minister for women's rights Mrs Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, who
promised to come to Azerbaijan when she would find the appropriate
time. I hope she will come before the end of the year and will sign
the agreement to promote a common position in the field of protection
women rights in different international fora, such as the Council of
Europe, UNESCO and the UN.
So we have a lot of documents ready, and now we only need to find
the right moment for ministers of both countries to meet somewhere
and to sign it.
New ideas proposed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and being
discussed with ministers designed to move forward Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution process. How do you see the prospects on the
conflict resolution at the moment?
So what can France do? I can tell you, the first Lady Mrs. Merhiban
Aliyeva went to Paris in her capacity of Chairman of the friendship
group of both parliaments. She has been received by the President of
the French National Assembly, Mr. Claude Bartolone and he offered
to organize in Paris a meeting between the two Franco-Armenian
and Franco-Azerbaijani friendship groups. And when PACE President
Jean-Claude Mignon visited Baku he said that he also would propose
such a meeting in Strasbourg.
There is a very important sentence in a recent statement issued by
presidents of OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs countries at G8 summit. "The
leaders should prepare people for peace, not war". The position of
the French government is to find a solution. We are very committed to
this and have organized many meetings in Paris. Our Foreign minister
will meet again with Mr. Mammadyarov in Paris in the near future. So
it is an issue that we discuss both with Armenia and Azerbaijan. We
want to organize in France, in Strasbourg and also in Paris, meetings
with Armenians and Azerbaijani people.
The time for reconciliation has come. It is also an approach supported
by the European Union, which also has proposed to organize contacts
between people. It is very important. You can not reconcile two
nations if they are told by governments that they are enemies. It
is something that has to be done. I think it is understood by both
sides of the conflict and we hope it will be reflected in actions.
And what was the reaction from both sides on the proposal to organize
such meeting?
We have not received any reaction yet
The co-chairs organize meetings with ministers in Paris quite often?
Does this mean that France is ready to play a more active role in
resolving the conflict?
There is not any rivalry between the three co-chairs, they work
together as a team. Paris sometimes happens to be a very convenient
place, because it is between the US and the Caucasus. But such
meetings also took place in Krakow. So Paris is very happy to help,
but it does not try to show-up.
All three co-chairs has role to play. Russia as a very important
actor in this region, geographically, economically, militarily and
in terms of population - a lot of Armenians and Azerbaijanis live
and work in Russia. The US being a world power is also an important
one. And France is very close to this region, not only because we
have half a million people of Armenian decent leaving among us but we
are also close to Azerbaijan and we don't like unresolved conflicts,
because we know from history how the population suffers from unresolved
conflicts. So we could be a good broker.
All three countries work as a team. Because I do not think that one
of them can solve the problem without its two partners.
Many observers are not expecting a breakthrough in negotiations this
year because of major elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. But it
does not mean that it will be a lost year. I think it is a year to
prepare new ideas and to discuss it with both sides. And, in itself,
is also a step forward.
http://en.apa.az/xeber_ambassador_____this_year_is_not_lost_for_n_1 96291.html
From: A. Papazian