Ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin tallies up 2010 .
- How do you characterize 2010 in terms of the development of relations between Baku and Moscow? What niche is occupied by Azerbaijan in Russian foreign policy?
- The niche of Azerbaijan in Russian foreign policy is determined, firstly, by their geographical proximity, and, secondly, by geopolitical developments the Caspian and Caucasus regions( which are very important for Russia) and, thirdly, by Russia's and Azerbaijan's CIS membership, remains a priority for us. Moreover, the type of the historical past of our relations is unique. Russia and Azerbaijan have chosen a course of relations we name strategic partnership. It is based on balance of mutual interests and unconditional mutual respect for sovereignty and discretion. Time shows that we on the right track.
2010 was emblematic in this respect. We managed to agree on a difficult and delicate question, that is delimitation of border between Russia and Azerbaijan. The two countries were going towards this agreement for 15 years, and, at last, have reached the unique compromise. The border line is linked to shared use of Samur river water resources. The result has turned out to be unique too – the border doesn't separate us, it links us even more closely. Russian-Azerbaijani relations have reached a high level of maturity and mutual trust. They develop in all spheres actively. We have the good basis for further positive development.
- What is your opinion of Russia's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement?
- It is somehow inconvenient to estimate one's own country's role. Let's leave it for others. Russia and other OSCE Minsk group co-chairs do everything possible to achieve a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia also uses its connections with Azerbaijan and Armenia at the highest level (in the literal sense of the word) We will continue to do everything possible.
- What is your opinion of the level of Russian-Azerbaijan trade and economic relations and cooperation in energy sector in 2010?
Russia is a major trade and economic partner of Azerbaijan in the oil sector. Over 90 percent of Russian deliveries to Azerbaijan are made up by the machine-building, automobile and chemical industry production, metal ware, timber, building materials, food goods and agricultural raw materials. The major part of all exported Azerbaijani production(except for the energy ones) is selled off in Russia. About 1.5-2 million Azerbaijanis work in Russia.This speaks volumes of enormous importance of Russian-Azerbaijan relations. Fortunately, the dynamics are positive. We gradually reach the pre-crisis level and work over new projects.
Until recently communications between Russia and Azerbaijan in the energy sector included just the exploitation tens of filling stations in Azerbaijan and held a 10 percent share in the "Shakh-deniz" gas project. In 2010 deliveries of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Russia were started. In 2011 their volumes will increase twofold, reaching 2 billion cubic meter.
Taking into account the two countries' energy potential, the deal will probably go far beyond the existing level. During the visit of president Dmitry Medvedev to Azerbaijan it was decided that special Russian-Azerbaijan summit on energy will be held. Nowadays, harmonization of strategic plans in the world markets on the basis of reciprocity and balance of interests is a major issue. The summit is currently under preparation.
- What do you think of the level of cultural cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of education, science, youth policy and popularization of Russian language in Azerbaijan? What efforts are undertaken by embassies of Russia in Azerbaijan in promotion of Russian in Azerbaijan?
- When speaking about cooperation, plans, programs, ministerial projects are also implied. However, that's not the point of our cultural connections. It is not due to the ministries' special decision that cultural exchange happens. They are just needed in the two countries. Being an integral part of Muslim and Turkic cultural area, Azerbaijan is uniquely involved in Russian cultural area. As an ambassador I am proud that in 2010 such major events in cultural life of Azerbaijan as Mstislav Rostropovich festival, Chekhov Drama festival and some other events are somehow linked to Russia and its culture.
About 6,000 of citizens of Azerbaijan currently attend universities and institutes in Russia. I hardly know whether there scholarship holders from Azerbaijan are as numerous as in Russia. It should be also noticed that 800-900 people study in Russia within the framework of government programs. Others have chosen Russian educational establishments without any propaganda, of their own accord and pay for their education. This is one more example of irreplaceable naturalness I've mentioned above.
Russian is so popular in Azerbaijan due to the the continuing public demand for it. Azrbaijani authorities provide all necessary conditions for meeting this demand. This is the most harmonious basis imaginable, it is impossible ti invent something like this.
Once Russian textbooks and other literature were brought from Moscow, but now these days are gone. Now Russian sector of high and higher education has solid material and pedagogical basis in Azerbaijan. The embassy focuses on providing methodical assistance to teachers of Russian based on the advanced Russian experience and promotion of maintenance of contacts between Azerbaijani and Russian linguists studuing Russian. The demand for it is huge. We hope we'll manage to meet the demand as fully as possible.
What would you wish the two countries in the New year? What changes and innovations you consider desirable for relations of the two countries in 2011?
I'd like to wish everybody good luck and happiness. In terms of professional sphere, there is no good wishing anything - it's just a question of work. We should seek for achieving positive effect of successful development of relations between the two countries appreciable for even more Azerbaijanis and Russians.
