Non-Aligned Movement lines up with Baku

Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively to VK

The complete document adopted at the session of foreign ministries of the member-states of the Non-Aligned Movement was considered by Baku as a great achievement. Last May, Azerbaijan became a member of the movement. The document supports a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with respect of internationally recognized borders. The 382 points of the document – a result of the meeting of ministries of the Coordinating Bureau of the movement – are very important for Baku. The fact that a second international organization after the UN has recognized the occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia is the result of Azerbaijani diplomats’ efforts.

Moreover, for the first time 120 countries directly stated that the conflict exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but not inside of Azerbaijan, as many representatives of the Armenian side want to present it. It is not the first document that judges Azerbaijani territory to be occupied. The UN Charter, the OSCE Final Act adopted in Helsinki and the document adopted at the Bandung Conference reflect the basic principles of the Non-Aligned Movement and speak of the inadmissibility of aggression against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of countries. Azerbaijani diplomats are trying to include the principle into the documents of international organizations.

The foreign minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mamedyarov, stated that support of the Non-Aligned Movement “proves that the international community won’t accept Armenia’s aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.” Commenting on Mamedyarov’s statement, the foreign minister of Armenia, Edvard Nalbandyan, said that it was propaganda. Armenia, which has observer status in the NAM, tried to prevent adoption of the document. According to the official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, Elman Abdullayev, “Armenia tried to replace the phrase “the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan” by “the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” and tried to eliminate the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and the inviolability of the borders recognized by the international community.” However, the item initiated by Azerbaijan was adopted without any changes.

When Azerbaijan stated its decision to join the NAM a year ago, many observers were surprised, but it appears to be a smart step by the Baku authorities. Participation in the movement played its role in the election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Azerbaijan's participation in the NAM shows the world that the country’s position is friendly neutrality and unwillingness to join any blocs. Baku doesn’t intend to “make friends against anybody.” Azerbaijan exists at a crossroads of geopolitical interests of world and regional powers and builds a multi-vector policy and balance in foreign policy. At the same time, membership in the movement doesn’t prevent integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which is still Baku’s target. However, at the moment Azerbaijan is not aiming to join NATO or any other military bloc, because integration doesn’t mean membership.