Ali Huseynli: "There is a leading state in the South Caucasus today"

A few days ago, the chairman of the Committee on Legal Policy and State Construction of the Azerbaijani parliament, Ali Huseynli, discussed the constitutional referendum that will be held in Azerbaijan on September 26 at the Law Faculty of Moscow State University. He answered Vestnik Kavkaza's questions regarding the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations on the sidelines of the event.

- How do you assess today's cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia?

- Overall relations between our countries, including between our parliaments, have always been at a good level, but they have moved to a new level over the past few years. It didn't happen because our countries or leaders previously did not want something or could not achieve it – the fact is that over the past year, the role of Russia in the international arena and in the maintenance of peace and the fight against terrorism has increased, especially after the events in the Middle East. Just as the role of Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus has changed: today its economic success and political stability are very different from the neighboring republics. The last meeting between the Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran in Baku has clearly demonstrated that there is a leading country in the South Caucasus today. The growth of importance of the two countries has ensured the transition of our countries to a new level. Today it is impossible to resolve the problems of the region without Russia and Azerbaijan.

- How popular is Azerbaijan among Russians today?

- In recent years, Russian citizens have been travelling to Azerbaijan more and more often. We are really glad. We know how the Russians are pleasantly surprised, that they feel in Baku like at home.

- What should the parliamentarians of the two countries do to maintain these relations?

- We have to support these relations publicly, politically, ideologically. It is a very important task, and a lot must be done: all the problematic issues should be openly discussed during the parliamentary debates. This requires regular meetings and contacts, discussions on key issues of the bilateral agenda. I assure you as chairman of the 'Azerbaijan-Russia' friendship group that we have a great foundation, through which we develop inter-parliamentary, public and political ties, trying to make them correspond to the desires of our nations. I'm sure that Russia and Azerbaijan will always have friendly relations.

- Could you tell us about the observer mission during the last elections to the Russian State Duma?

- As always, Azerbaijan actively participates in the electoral processes of Russia, whether it is presidential or parliamentary elections – and Russia does the same in return. This time our observer delegation was pretty good, I was in the Tver region. I believe that the elections were held in a very relaxed environment. The turnout was not so high, but people came and could express their will freely. In general, I can describe the parliamentary elections in Russia as free and democratic, held in a competitive environment.

- What can you say about the new electoral system?

- As a lawyer and chairman of the Law Committee of Azerbaijan I was very interested in the new changes to the Electoral Code, which returned Russia to a mixed proportional-majoritarian electoral system. In particular, the debates organized by the parties were pretty interesting. They gave them an opportunity to choose the best candidate: not just nominated by a party, but chosen after a study of public opinion. It was a very interesting experience. I think that the people of Russia can be congratulated, and I hope that the voters will be satisfied, and those who were elected by them will properly represent Russia.