Azerbaijani ambassador to Belgium: Resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict meets EU's interests

Day.Az: How do you assess level of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium?

Emin Eyubov: Belgium is a member of the UN, EU, NATO, OSCE and the Council of Europe since inception of these international organizations. Belgium hosts headquarters of the EU, NATO, World Customs Organization and the Energy Charter. Brussels is considered "capital of Europe". Brussels confidently takes second place in the world after Washington for number of journalists, lobbyists and non-governmental organizations.

Belgian representatives have twice held the post of the NATO Secretary General. Belgium performed the duties of the OSCE chairman in 2006. In August 2008, that is, during the crisis in Georgia, Belgium was chairing the UN Security Council. In the second half of 2010, Belgium will preside over the Council of the European Union.

The fact that Belgium Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was elected to the post of the EU Council president set up this year once again shows the high credibility the country enjoys in the international arena.

These facts indicate a need to set up constructive relations with Belgium. I am pleased to emphasize that the Azerbaijani-Belgian relations have been developing consistently and rapidly for the benefit of peoples of our two countries.

These relations are not confined to political and international issues. Belgium is a country with a developed economy with a diversified economy type. The country has great potential in industry, agriculture, high technology, scientific and technological research and higher and special education.

Belgium has traditionally been strong in research in the field of medicine, especially in regard to organ transplantation and other areas, extremely difficult and knowledge intensive.

All these areas are of special interest for Azerbaijan in terms of developing cooperation, exchanging experience and training future professionals.

We also try to develop ties in the humanitarian sphere. Exhibitions of Azerbaijani artists and craftsmen are regularly organized in Belgium. Concerts of Mugam performers and performances of dance ensembles are of great interest here. I note with great pleasure that leading representatives of a unique musical direction - Azerbaijani Mugam-Jazz  - have become the regular guests of Belgium.

Representatives of Azerbaijani art play an important role in promoting culture and history of Azerbaijan in Europe, in destroying many unfair stereotypes that were created by our opponents in the late 1980s and 1990s. Genuine talent, excellent skill of Azerbaijani musicians, dancers, painters, sculptors and other people in the arts help Europeans to see the truth.

Azerbaijan-Belgium business forum was held in Baku recently. Tell us more about purpose and outcomes of the event.

Historically, Belgium became the first country in continental Europe ( second only to Britain), which has successfully passed the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century. Belgium has advanced and highly diversified economy. It includes the traditionally strong steel industry, which produces the most diverse products, including weapons. Plants of the largest automobile corporations in the world are located in Belgium.

Belgians have made great advances in development of efficient agriculture while the country has no warm climate or excess land. Belgium also is a leader in areas such as nuclear energy, textiles, pharmaceuticals and jewelry. The Belgian city of Antwerp hosts the second sea port in Europe for its cargo turnover.

So, it is natural that Azerbaijan and Belgium are simply doomed to develop economic relations. The current level of trade turnover totals 60 million euros which does not reflect our joint potential. The business community in Azerbaijan and Belgium have a strong interest in accessing markets of both countries, which, in turn, requires establishment of business links between companies, the study of economic conditions and prospects for long-term investments and trade.

Azerbaijan, due to successful socio-economic policies carried out by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, is experiencing strong economic growth that opens opportunities for foreign partners. Belgian businessmen known for their pragmatism and business acumen are not going to miss a new, promising market for themselves. Their intentions are particularly relevant in light of the economic crisis that has engulfed the whole world.

In the context of development of economic ties with Belgium, one needs to take into account peculiarities of its federal structure. Many of the powers in sphere of economy, including implementation of foreign economic relations are delegated among the three regions of which Belgium actually consists - Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels. Therefore, development of direct contacts with these regions is more appropriate and effective.

In this connection, on Nov. 21-26, a delegation of businessmen, representing the business community in Flanders paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan-Belgian business forum organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Export Promotion Fund and Investment (AZPROMO) jointly with the Agency of Flanders Investment and Trade was held as part of the visit. The forum involved representatives of 15 Belgian and 40 Azerbaijani business structures. I am confident that practices to organize direct business meetings with support of public authorities will give a serious impetus to strengthening the Azerbaijani-Belgian economic relations.

Our future plans include development of economic ties with Flanders and other constituent regions of Belgium, including Wallonia and Brussels - Capital Region.

You represent Azerbaijan also in the European Union. What is Azerbaijan’s approach to the Eastern Partnership?

Continuing policy of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures is one of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy priorities. Azerbaijan has consistently called for deepening partnership with the European Union, promoting EU assistance for the reform process, development of cooperation in economy, trade and finance, facilitating visa regime and implementing a full dialogue on political and security issues. From this perspective, we always welcome initiatives of our European partners which are designed to promote closer relations between Azerbaijan and the EU.

The Eastern Partnership consists of two main components respectively envisaging cooperation in a bilateral format ( between the EU and partner country) and in a multilateral format (between the EU and all the six partner countries). As a sovereign state, Azerbaijan considers choice of formats of cooperation through prism of its national interests. Of course, no cooperation with Armenia is impossible as long as this country continues to keep Azerbaijani territory under military occupation and prevents return of the expelled Azerbaijani population to their homes. From this standpoint, Azerbaijan prefers cooperation with the EU, especially in the bilateral format. At the same time, we do not refuse from participation in the multilateral format of "Eastern Partnership", and official representatives of Azerbaijan took part in all meetings of platforms held in 2009

In September 2009, the foreign ministers of EU member states adopted a principal decision on the negotiations on conclusion of the Agreement on Association with Azerbaijan. This Agreement is intended to replace Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and the EU in 1996 and that entered into force in 1999, which is the cornerstone of our bilateral relations. Under instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission has already drafted a policy document to be submitted to the Council of the EU in near future. Council must approve the mandate on which representatives of the EU will begin negotiations with Azerbaijan on the draft of the new Agreement. The Association Agreement will reflect the new realities of our relations and give a powerful impetus to further development of a qualitatively different level.

EU, above all, is common standards and common rules and regulations in all sectors for the participants. Therefore, the main goal that Azerbaijan has set for itself in terms of development of bilateral relations with the EU, including the format of "Eastern Partnership", is an approximation to the standards adopted in the European Union and reflected in the so-called acquis communautaire - the collection of basic legal acts on which European integration is based. Gradual harmonization with EU standards is part of a modernization process carried out in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. This includes reforms in legislation, education, border, customs, phytosanitary and other controls and many other industries. The importance of this process is difficult to overstate. Suffice it to note that without a transition to the EU standards, it will be very difficult for Azerbaijan-produced products to enter common European market with has 500 million potential consumers.

What role the EU can play in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The EU's role in conflict resolution should primarily be supporting fundamental principles of the settlement, namely, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. These fundamentals of conflict resolution are based on the norms and principles of international law. They were also often reflected in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, documents of the OSCE and the CoE. Any other position would mean justifying the aggressive policy of Armenia and ongoing military occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

The EU is also able to provide necessary support for return of Azerbaijan lands, which should be liberated from Armenian occupation, mine clearance, rehabilitation of infrastructure and communications. Along with this, the EU can also assist in the reintegration of the Nagorno-Karabakh region to Azerbaijan and restoration of peaceful coexistence of the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

Resolving the conflict meets the EU interests because it would promote peace, stability and security, as well as process of regional cooperation and development of the South Caucasus and bring them closer to European standards.