Polad Bulbul oghlu: "We do not consider CIS to be a useless organization but prefer bilateral relations"

- Azerbaijan and Russia maintain long-standing and close cooperation. How can you assess the current state of bilateral relations?

- Yes, we have a long-standing history, which covers not only the Soviet period, but also the times of Tsarist Russia and certainly the years of our coexistence within a single country.

Now, when the states have become independent, everyone mainly bases on his national interests. The most important is that Azerbaijan and Russia have mutual understanding, maintain partner dialogue on the highest level, that is on the level of Presidents and governments. Emerging problems can always be settled in the process of a dialogue. Problems emerge even between members of one family. Naturally, they can also emerge between the states, this should be greeted with understanding.

We were glad that Dmitri Medvedev has accepted Ilham Aliyev's invitation and is ready to visit Baku. This is one of the first his foreign visits as a President.

Medvedev has recently visited Kazakhstan, China, Germany and now intends to visit Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. We think it is right that the Russian President sees the CIS countries as a priority of his activity.

I would like to note that Azerbaijan highly appreciates the activity of former Russian president Vladimir Putin. He was the one who paid the first state visit to Baku in 2001 in our recent history, in period of national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, who always had a great respect towards Russia. Heydar Aliyev worked much in Moscow, he was first deputy chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, member of the political bureau and a member of the senior leadership of the Soviet Union. He always treated Russia with great attention and respect.

Putin's visit was a kind of a turning point. After that the relations between our countries started to improve. In this connection, the visit of the new Russian President to Baku seems important, we approve it and will greet  him with great hospitality on our land.

- Heydar Aliyev's 85th jubilee has recently been marked with a special cordiality in Moscow...

- Right. The hall was filled, the memorial party was attended by new head of the Russian presidential administration Mr. Narishkin.

Prominent figures of Russian academy of sciences, director of the Tretyakov gallery delivered speech, the event was also attended by deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov. The night was conducted by first deputy Moscow mayor Lubov Schvedova. The concern involved the artists, who knew Heydar Aliyev personally... The press also well highlighted the event and it is evident that Moscow and the whole Russia remember him. People do not forget anything-either good or bad. Therefore, it is important to do goof.

- What can be called a priority for Azerbaijan: bilateral relations with Russia or development of multilateral relations in the framework of the CIS?

- Certainly, bilateral relations with Russia. CIS is a good format for talks, meetings, exchange of views. But, frankly speaking, all former USSR states fear  any supranational formations. After gaining independence, no one wants violation of their sovereignty. No one wants to give up even small powers. Therefore, it is not easy to risk construction of the Allied Russian-Belarus state. There are many other examples. If such associations as EES, GUAM, OTCS, this means that CIS is regarded as a format for talks. Meanwhile, it is good when presidents meet, community, prime ministers and foreign ministers also regularly meet. We do not consider CIS to be a useless organization but we give priority to bilateral relations.

Certainly, there are good moments in the CIS too-for example, railroads, energy, combat with crime and drug trafficking. Most sphere council are functions. By the way, while being the Cultural Minister of Azerbaijan, I have been heading the CIS Council for Culture for several years. As is known, the Council for humanitarian cooperation, where I am the official representative of Azerbaijan, has been created. The first session of CIS intellectuals was held in Moscow, then in Astana and the next one is scheduled to be held in Tajikistan. There is a move forward here.

- Were you appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Russia two years ago by your own wish or the decision of the senior leadership of your country? And how do you feel here, living in Russia, being an ambassador?

- I feel well in your country. Russia is not an alian country for me. I have toured it all along, visited different countries. People of my age are now leading most Russian regions, they know me well and it is easy for me to work. Thus, perhaps it is a little bit immodest but I want to say: I think, our respected President has made the right choice.

I knew the administrative work well, before that I have been the Culture Minister of Azerbaijan for 18 years, I have been appointed for this post in the Soviet times. And in the mid 1990s I had to establish culture bridges with UNESCO, Council of Europe  and CIS.

All culture figures are ambassadors of peace. I have not graduated from any special diplomatic schools but I did not have any problems with the position. Both musicians and diplomats "write notes" and I have no problems with it.

I am grateful to our President for appointing me the ambassador to such a country as Russia, as it plays an important role in the post-Soviet area. Russia also plays a serious role in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and I am from Shusha, my parents are from Karabakh therefore, I know this problem from inside, which is critical.

- Do you think there are some problems in the Russian-Azerbaijani relations, which require urgent resolution?

- I have taken part in the congress of Russian-speaking press, which was also attended by Mr.Medvedev. Journalists asked him too many questions including about xenophobia and racial intolerance. It is no secret that we are concerned about this issue very much. Many Azerbaijanis reside in Russia, work with the diaspora is a part of the embassy's work and we often face complaints about opression.

I was pleased to hear the speech of Dmitri Medvedev who said it is the work of Russian law enforcement bodies to resist this evil and it is necessary to bring violators to responsibility. He added that the atmosphere of intolerance towards such events should be created in press, electronic mass medias, television and the whole Russian society.

I think such position is extremely important for our country, as the North Caucasus is also Russia and most Caucasians are Russian citizens. You know, my friend, great singer and national artist Zaur Tutov was almost maimed in the street just because he did not look like others, while he is a Russian citizen and he has always lived in Moscow.

I am sure that such racial intolerance is inadmissible in such highly-civilized country as Russia.

The Russian President was right to say that to date when new states emerged, new, not always comfortable economic conditions were created- all negative events in the society seem sharper. He correctly defined the reason of the negative, but I would like to note that Russian statehood should resist this evil  and this is not only my opinion but also the opinion of other ambassadors of the CIS states.

At the previous informal summit in Moscow, some CIS presidents, including Ilham Aliyev, raised this issue. At that time Vladimir Putin said Russian side will intensify its fight with any demonstrations of nationalism. I am glad that new Russian President Dmitri Medvedev also displays concern about this problem and voices readiness to resist it.

RIA Novosti