Azerbaijan is committed to peace

Victoria Panfilov, a columnist of the political department of the near abroad, Nezavisimaya Gazeta

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov recently visited Moscow. During the visit, which was full of intense talks, the Foreign Minister took time to meet with the press. In an exclusive interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta to correspondent Victoria Panfilova, Elmar Mammadyarov talked about Russian-Azerbaijani relations, problems of Baku, about the policy of the Azerbaijani state as a whole, as well as on how the country is preparing to hold the first-ever European Games.

- Recently, there was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in most of the post-Soviet space. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was in Moscow on May 9. What does the Day of Victory mean for Azerbaijan?

- In Azerbaijan Victory Day is an official state holiday. On this day, our Head of State meets with veterans and celebrations are held. In Azerbaijan, the attitude to veterans is very warm. This year the project to ensure that all veterans have cars will be completed. They are also periodically allocated with apartments, areas for recreation, remuneration. We honor the memory of the victims and believe that the names of the people who risked their lives for the victory over fascism should not be forgotten. About 700 thousand representatives of Azerbaijan were in the Soviet army. More than 350,000 died. 123 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. We hold sacred the memory of the heroes of Azerbaijan, such as Hero of the Soviet Union Major-General Azi Aslanov, the lieutenant who escaped from captivity and fought together with the Yugoslav partisans, scout Mehdi Huseyn-zade, Academician Ziya Bunyadov, Lieutenant Israfil Mamedov, Mirza Jabiyev was the youngest Azerbaijani who received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. When being awarded he was only 20 years old.

I would also like to remind about the indispensable role of Baku oil in the victorious outcome of the war. 75-80% of oil and oil products provision to the USSR during the war was accounted for by Baku oil. In comparison, out of 100 Soviet tanks, 75 used Baku oil. Thanks to the courage of the Baku oilmen, the front was provided uninterruptedly with oil. Azerbaijan assisted the front with food, weapons, ammunition. In our country we treated more than 400 thousand wounded soldiers. Tens of thousands of Soviet citizens who were internally displaced persons found shelter with ordinary Azeri families. Therefore, we are proud to consider this victory as our victory. By the way, my father was also a war veteran, a participant in the famous tank battle in the village of Prokhorovka, where he was seriously wounded and then discharged.

- What are the basic principles and priorities of Azerbaijani foreign policy, and how would you describe the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia?

- We follow a principled and consistent implementation of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. It is known that foreign policy should proceed from the national interests of the state. In accordance with this strategic approach, we strive to carry out to the international arena an independent, active and flexible foreign policy. In this we are helped by the progress made by Azerbaijan in the last 10 years in the political, economic and social spheres. Azerbaijan carries out its foreign policy on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, the UN Charter. In international relations, Azerbaijan constantly upholds the principle of the rule of law and compliance of states with their obligations. As a result, Azerbaijan is perceived in the world as a reliable partner, with which more and more states are willing to cooperate closely. Confirmation of my words is the support provided to Azerbaijan for the election to the UN Security Council in 2011, when two other member-states of the European Union also claimed one seat from the Eastern European group.

The main important task currently facing Azerbaijan's foreign policy is the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and a stop to the occupation by Armenia of about 20% of Azerbaijani territory, ensuring the sovereignty of the territories of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders.

The priority of our foreign policy is an expansion and deepening of cooperation with friendly countries, promoting our economic interests, energy and transport policies, bringing to the world community the truth about our country, the development of cultural and humanitarian diplomacy, protection of the rights of citizens of Azerbaijan abroad, and ties with the Azerbaijani Diaspora. Azerbaijan seeks to build relations based on the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in each other's affairs, equality, mutual respect and fruitful cooperation.

Within the framework of bilateral relations, cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia is developing dynamically, and this makes us happy. Today, when many partnerships with Russia are tested for strength, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are developing rapidly, covering all areas. Our relations are based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. Russia is one of the main tradiny partners of Azerbaijan. We get food, agricultural commodities, metals, wood, equipment, vehicles, pulp and paper products. Azerbaijani exports to Russia ate dominated by minerals, textiles, cotton, agricultural products. Azerbaijan has 500 registered Russian companies, of which 200 are with 100 percent Russian capital and 300 are in the format of a joint venture. The Russian companies Gazprom, LUKOIL, KamAZ and VTB are among the major manufacturers.

Joint cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in the fight against terrorism and organized crime is an important contribution to stability and security in the region.

In tourism, there are good prospects for development. Each year, there is an increasing number of tourists from Russia. We have good conditions for the rest of Russians – proximity and the absence of a language barrier. I would especially like to mention the sphere of culture and education. 13,000 Azerbaijani students are studying in Russian universities. Almost every week in Baku well-known Russian bands successfully tour. We are pleased with the intensity of mutual visits, the promotion of Azerbaijani culture and cuisine, the exchange of students between the two countries. I note that there are 120,000-people in the Russian community in Azerbaijan – the biggest in the South Caucasus. They are worthy citizens of Azerbaijan, who are making a great contribution to the development of our country.

- Mr. Minister, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is more than 20 years now. I would like to know, is there any progress in resolving this issue?

- Armenia, in flagrant violation of the norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter, has carried out military aggression against Azerbaijan. As a result, as I said earlier, about 20% of Azerbaijani territory is under occupation, more than one million Azerbaijanis have been subjected to brutal and bloody ethnic cleansing.

Moreover, in violation of all existing legal norms, the Armenian armed forces conduct military exercises, which are attended by high executives from Yerevan. Persistent attempts to settle refugees from the occupied lands of Syria and Lebanon also continue. These short-sighted steps and negative elements can impede the progress of negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

As was stated by the OSCE Minsk Group at the level of heads of state, the status quo, which was created as a result of occupation and aggression, is unacceptable and intolerable. Armenia must first withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The political and legal bases of our position are in the rules and principles of international law, the UN Charter, the four UN Security Council resolutions and other international instruments. The four UN resolutions are demanding "the immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories." Unfortunately, these requirements have not been met for more than 20 years. Armenia ignores them.

Last year was quite intense on the part of the negotiating process at the level of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Also, the member-states of the OSCE Minsk Group on behalf of the leaders of these countries are actively involved in this process. Last year, in August, President Putin held a meeting with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Sochi in September, Secretary of State Kerry met with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the end of October, French President Hollande also invited the presidents to meet in Paris, where they held bilateral and trilateral discussions.

Despite persistent calls by the OSCE Minsk Group to begin work on a large peace agreement, the matter cannot get the ball rolling, as Armenia has ignored calls. Azerbaijan has repeatedly expressed its readiness to begin work on the big peace agreement. We believe that to achieve progress in the settlement of this conflict, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, in their peacekeeping mission, must take measures to enforce peace on Armenia. To date, there are numerous examples of this approach to zealous violators of the international order.

- In Russia last year the Winter Olympics were held, Azerbaijan is host to the European Games this year. How are you preparing for this event?

- Firstly, I would like to congratulate the Russians on the success of the Olympic Games in Sochi. It was a great, great event. We are very happy for the successes of Russia, the victory of the Russian athletes. Now we are almost close to the start of the European Games. This event will be held for the first time. We strive to hold them at the highest level. According to the Olympic Charter, Azerbaijan, which is organizing the European Games, based on its rich experience, contributes to peace, stability, prosperity, friendship, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, not only in Europe, but also far beyond its borders. These games are quite ambitious. We expect to welcome more than 6000 athletes who will compete in 20 sporting events. They will be accompanied by more than 3 thousand people. I would like to point out that we expect the arrival of 150 media representatives from Russia, and not only from Moscow, but also from the regions, and will be very glad to see  Russian journalists, athletes and fans in Baku.