Emin Eyyubov: We keep on our efforts on getting more decisive statements by EU related to Nagorno Garabagh
The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of the representation of Azerbaijan Republic to the European Union Emin Eyyubov gives interview to APA correspondent.
13:10 / 01.04.2010 – How do you appraise the present level and perspectives of Azerbaijan – European Union (EU) relationships?
Presently, our relationships with EU are very high and they dynamically ramp up. As you know, we presently cooperate with the EU within “Eastern partnership initiative” program. The Eastern partnership initiative comprises of two formats: unilateral and multilateral formats. Within multilateral format four-platform works are under way. The first platform includes good governance and democracy-related issues, the second platform – economic cooperation and integration, the third platform – cooperation in the field of energy, and the fourth platform – intercourse amid ordinary people. Within these platforms the joint cooperation are carried out among 27 member states and 6 (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Byelorussia) partner states. Regarding the cooperation with Armenia, we consider it in the light of Armenia – Azerbaijan conflict. It means that we have very limited cooperation with Armenia within the multilateral format and platform. It’s quite natural that it’s going to last until conflict solution.
The cooperation with EU institutions will help Azerbaijan raise the national legislation, norms and regulations up to the EU standards. EU institutions consider Azerbaijan to be the leading country of the region. For these purposes, Neighborhood Policy Commissioner Štefan Füle and European Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger plan shortly to pay important visits to Azerbaijan.
– Within Eastern Partnership EU establishes “Euronest” institution. How do you see the perspectives of this institution and what Azerbaijan can expect from this?
The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is the parliamentary component of the proposed Eastern Partnership, and it’s targeted to regulation of the inter-parliamentary cooperation. Presently, this issue is in the progress of projection. The institution will have 120 members, sixty members will represent the 6 partner states and the rest of 60 members will be the members of the European Parliament. I believe, the first session will take place in the fall of the current year.
With regard to Euronest constituent instruments, procedures and regulations that will approve Euronest establishment, they were drawn up in the EP and sent to the member states, but each partner state submitted its proposals. Presently, the process of preparation of the common constituent instruments as well as offers generalization is under way, and Azerbaijan partakes in the process of preparation.
– EU holds meetings with Milli Meclis. What kind of issues do they mainly mull over?
- As I mentioned above, according to the provisions of the agreement on partnership and cooperation, since 2000 the EU – Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary committee has been operating, and the members of that committee are the members of both EP and Milli Mejlis. The committee has two co-chairs. Azerbaijani co-chair is represented by the deputy chairman of Milli Mejlis Valeh Alesgerov, the EP co-chair is Czech deputy Kabrnox Milan. As a result of new elections hosted in EP in 2009, the composition of EP has been renewed. EP has renewed the composition of the EP – Milli Mejlis inter-parliamentary committee as well. Renewed committee held its first meeting on December, 2009. The next meeting will be held in Baku on June, 2010. The committee discusses the cooperation in different spheres; for example I can note, conduction political and economic reforms, cooperation in the energy field, and Nagorno Garabagh conflict.
– EU attitude toward Southern Caucasian states is not equal, mainly in Daglig Garabagh-related issue. In comparison with other international organizations, EU as if evades of giving the objective appraisal. It’d be interesting to know your opinion about EU’s such treatment.
- As you know, international community recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. In Daglig Garabagh conflict the position is that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored and respected. UN’s 4 known resolutions and the documents of other international organizations affirm it. But I can’t say the same about EU, which as against the conflicts in Georgia and Moldova displaces the distinct attitude to the Daglig Garabagh conflict. Besides it, EU and its institutions evades expressing their open attitude related to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Their explanation is that the OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in conflict solution. That’s to say, it’s undesirable for them to express any attitude or to take any stand not to affect the ongoing negotiations. Of course, we totally disagree with this position. If the negotiations go on, it doesn’t mean that EU, some international organization or any other state are unable to express their attitude toward the principles of conflict solution. We keep on our meetings and our discussions on getting more decisive statements by EU institutions related to Nagorno Garabagh.
– Recently, EP has held hearings concerning the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan, and there have been a lot of criticisms. How do you appraise EU’s attitude?
Regretfully, within the parliament some political circuses initiated raising this question. Upon hearing this decision, we held numerous meetings with EU representatives and tried to explain them that it’s not logical to politicize some criminal case and discuss it on such high level. But unfortunately, our efforts were nullified because of double standards pursued by the Europe and its international organizations.
– Does Azerbaijan establish some lobby organizations under the EU? In general, how do you appraise Azerbaijan’s Diaspora activity both in Belgium and Europe as whole?
Armenians living in USA, Europe, Russia and other countries are the citizens of these countries and they are the Armenians of the seventh, eighth generation, they were born and got education in those countries, they think like other members of the society, they have the same way of life. At the same time they possess very effective means of the society where they live. They have organized Diaspora organizations, therefore Azerbaijani Diaspora can’t be compared with the Armenian Diaspora. It has objective reasons. Azerbaijanis started moving to the European countries and settling down in 1990s after Soviet Union collapse. Certainly, the present generation doesn’t have such powerful force. Their children and grandchildren, who will born and get education here, may turn into the powerful force in 20-40 years. But it doesn’t mean we should wait for that period. I’d like to note the following forum of Azerbaijani students and the European Young Professionals Organization. FASE (Forum of Azerbaijani Students in Europe) has very huge potential. FASE is the only Azerbaijani organization, which is registered as the EP lobby organization. FASE members have very huge potential, because they are young, they got education in Europe and they have the European experience. I believe that the outcome of their activity will help in brining the true to the Europeans and raise Azerbaijan’s prestige in Europe.
– Dear Mr. Ambassador, you are simultaneously the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of the representation of Azerbaijan Republic to the European Union. How do you appraise the current relationships between Azerbaijan and these countries?
With Belgium we have very good relationships in all spheres. We establish the relationships with Belgium both in political, economical, and humanitarian spheres. Our priority with Belgium is to strengthen the economic relationships. Last year we hosted in Baku Azerbaijan – Belgium business forum, that event resulted positively. The Belgian delegation consisting of the businessmen established the business relations with the Azerbaijani operating companies.
With regard to Luxembourg, I’d like to note that this country is very small but very prestigious in the EU. The importance of Luxembourg must be appraised appropriately because this country is considered to be the financial center of the Europe. Luxembourg’s financial and banking sector is incredibly developed. Besides other spheres, we’d like to use Luxembourg’s experience in banking and financial fields, which are the priority, in Azerbaijan. We try to organize our activity in this direction.
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