Author: interviewed by Sergey Rekeda, exclusively for VK
Gyunel Guliyeva, deputy head of the fund-raising section of the Azerbaijani Association for Youth Integration in Europe, has told VK about Azerbaijani youth integration in Europe and inter-ethnic relations.
- Gyunel, as a representative of the youth association, what prospects do you see for Azerbaijani integration in Europe?
Our non-governmental youth organization is working on the right integration in Europe, and not only Europe, but the whole world. But because Europe is the main concentration of people’s rights and laws, we take it as a basis, not in terms of geography, but as a democratic model, where all international laws are respected at a high level. Integration of Azerbaijani youth in Europe is an old process and we would want to rid it of all wrong, or maybe bad moments, to warn youth about possible threats. We must preserve our national values and customs that pass from age to age and that way integrate in Europe, refer to it for new knowledge, modern, high achievements we have not yet achieved in certain spheres. But being ourselves, we may be of interest to others and bring benefit to the world society. This is why our organization is holding so many trainings in Europe, Azerbaijan, we form mutual integration. In Europe, we mainly bring the truth about modern Azerbaijani youth through trainings and common projects. In Azerbaijan, we work on inviting resources, inviting guests from Europe so that they could see Azerbaijan and make a good image of our country. That way we realize real intercultural integration and initiate a dialogue between youth, which will eventually bring a positive result.
- Does the European aspect of integration violate the partnership of Russia and Azerbaijan?
Of course, it does not, because Azerbaijan is not developing unilaterally, we do not choose Europe, the US or Russia only. We have old ties with Russia, we are neighbors. We will always respect each other and we will doubtlessly coordinate our social and political projects with Russia both on the governmental and non-governmental levels. Azerbaijan is a corridor between Asia and Europe, so integration in Europe is inevitable for us as well. Having built the proper youth policy and strategy, we want to become a world nation, at least I feel it.
- How would you describe inter-ethnic relations in Azerbaijan?
They are sustainable. I am always proud to say that we are a tolerant state. If there was certain cold attitude towards our CIS partners in the last 20 years, then in Azerbaijan itself, ethnic minorities have been living in peace and friendship for long. In other words, we have inner integration and we would want to help other states with our positive experience. For example, there are some inter-ethnic problems in Russia and we would want peace and consent to be there. Firstly, we need to carry out inner integration of ethnic minorities in all partner states, then the process could become easier on the international level. We formed the Coordination Council of Ethnic Minorities in Azerbaijan, we carry out numerous joint projects with active youth leaders of ethnic minorities: different festivals, holidays. It could be anyone we are friends with – Russians, Jews, Tatars, Ukrainians. Those Russians who live here and those who live there are a single nation and if we reached consent there it will be here as well.
