PROXIMITY IN POSITIONS OF AZERBAIJAN AND BELGIUM IS BASE FOR PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE – ARIF MAMMADOV
Author: E.Huseynov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 28 2006

Interview of Trend with Arif Mammadov, the Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan in the Benelux countries
and the European Union

Question: How do you estimate the current level and perspectives for
the development of relationships between Azerbaijan and Belgium?

Answer: The relationships between Azerbaijan and Belgium differ for
their friendly character, there are broad opportunities, particularly,
economic capacities for further development of bilateral relationships
and we try to utilize every opportunity for consolidation of the
relationships. The establishment of diplomatic bonds between the two
countries dates to 17 June 1992, while the diplomatic representation
of Azerbaijan in Belgium has been functioning since 1995.

Despite comparably short period of establishment of diplomatic
relationships, it was possible through joint efforts to familiarize an
ordinary citizen of Belgium with Azerbaijan, its ancient history, rich
culture, huge economic potential. Today one can listen to Azerbaijani
music on Belgium Radio in the performance of our [Azerbaijani]
composers, read familiarity articles about Azerbaijan in the magazines,
while some Azerbaijani musical instruments, including tar and saz,
are displayed in the Royal Museum of musical instruments, the biggest
in Europe. Moreover, a monument dedicated Dada Gorgud epos was erected
in the Center of Brussels.

The top-level political contacts are developed intensively. During
the last visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Belgium
in May 2004 the two sides signed bilateral documents promoting the
development of economic relationships. The parliamentary bonds continue
successfully. Last year the chairman of the Chamber of Representatives
of Belgium paid an official visit to Baku.

This year the chairman of the Senate of Belgium is expected to pay
an official visit to Azerbaijan. Next year it is planned to open
an embassy of Belgium in Baku, which will undoubtedly intensify the
bilateral relationships. Our plans also include the establishment of
the Belgium-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, which would play a major
coordinating role for Belgium entrepreneurs in the search of partners
in Azerbaijan. Active cooperation is carried out in the sphere of
military cooperation. There was reached an agreement on signing of
a Memorandum on mutual understanding in the military sphere and the
sides had exchange of texts of the draft Memorandums.

Proximity in the relationships between Azerbaijan and Belgium are real
base for broad and productive dialogue in all levels. It is necessary
to note that in connection with chairmanship at the OSCE this year,
Belgium’s interests in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict have increased. The Foreign Minister of Belgium paid one of
his first visits to Baku as an OSCE chair and mulled both multilateral
and bilateral issues.

Question: What efforts are taken in the issue of development of
interstate relationships with Luxemburg?

Answer: On 15 March 2005 I presented my credentials to Great Herzog.

Though Luxembourg is a small country, the amount of per capita
incomes is higher than the EU. The banking system is very much
developed in Luxembourg. With this consideration talks have been
held with the Agency for Transition of Financial Technologies, ATTF,
on rendering assistance to Azerbaijan in the training of banking
specialists. Under the project it is planned to organize short-term
and long-term courses for the improvement of the banking system both
in Baku and in Luxembourg.

The improvement of the legal agreement base of the relationships
continues. Draft text of an agreement on cooperation in the sphere of
culture, education and science has been submitted to the consideration
of Luxembourg. An agreement on avoiding dual taxation, which is
scheduled for signing in the near future, has been initialed. Close
contacts have been established with different state bodies of the
country. The cooperation within the framework of international
organizations, including UNESCO and ECOSOS, go on successfully.

Question: In what stage are the mutual relationships with the
Netherlands?

Answer: The Azerbaijani embassy received an accreditation in the
Kingdom of the Netherlands on 26 January 2005. Last year a number of
meetings were held at the Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands with
respect to discuss issues of development and strengthening of the
Azerbaijani-Dutch cooperation in different spheres both in bilateral
format and in the international organizations. Close relationships
have been set up with many state bodies and public organizations.

They conduct constant work with the governmental international
organizations in Hague, such as the International Tribunal, the
International criminal Court, and EuroPol. Work over the achievement
of an agreement with the Dutch organization on education, attraction
of Azerbaijani students to different universities of the Netherlands
is also being cared out.

Positive tendency in the relationships between Azerbaijan and
the Netherlands also reflects on the strengthening of economic
relationships. Increase which has been observed in the goods turnover
between the two countries over the past few years testifies for it.

Work over the development and improvement of the legal-agreement
base not only in the political and humanitarian, but also economic
sphere, is underway. The discussions on inclusion of Azerbaijan into
different economic, humanitarian programs, which are implemented by
the Netherlands, continue.

Question: In what stage is the issue on coordination and adoption of
an Action Plan under the European Neighborhood Plan?

Answer: The Action Plan is an important program instrument of
the European Neighborhood Policy. It is intended to reflect major
milestones of strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU.

Azerbaijan implemented substantial work with regard to hold talks
on the Action Plan with European partners. The official opening and
the first round of talks were held last December. The second round of
consultations was conducted in Brussels on 7 March 2006. Summarizing
the results of the talks I want to say that we succeeded to achieve
agreement on a number of questions. However, there are some items
still to be coordinated. So, there is necessity in one more meeting.

In general, I can’t say that the Action Plan should be ready by
autumn meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Council of Cooperation, which
is expected to adopt this document. But for the time being both the
EU and Azerbaijan are carrying out painstaking work over the text of
the document to meet the deadline.

Question: What about the resolution of an issue on opening of the
European Commission’s diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan?

Answer: A resolution on the opening of a representation of the European
Commission in Baku has been already taken – it is to open and set up
activities in 2007. At present a special representative of the EC on
Azerbaijan, Alan Waddams, represents the organization.

>>From 2003 to February 2006 Heikki Talvitie, a Finnish diplomat,
had been the EU special envoy on South Caucasus. From February 2006 a
Swiss diplomat, Peter Semnebi, replaced him in this post. Along with
different tasks, he is also in charge of assisting the resolution of
existing conflicts in the region.

Question: What work is being carrier out for unifying the efforts of
the Azerbaijani Diaspora in the EU countries, including Belgium?

Answer: Several organizations representing the Azerbaijani Diaspora
function in Belgium, but, unfortunately, there is no unity among
them. The Diaspora mainly includes ethnic Azerbaijanis, citizens of
Turkey and Iran. There is also small Diaspora comprised of Azerbaijani
citizens.

Our embassy tries to unite common efforts in the name of Motherland.

At present the key task of the work with the Diaspora is assistance
in the establishment of a unified, strong, efficient body, which
could unify all Azerbaijanis. It is necessary to maintain or install
national originality, culture, language. We try to render comprehensive
assistance to our Diaspora in the organization of different culture
events, political actions. The embassy permanently carries out joint
meetings with the participation of representatives of Diaspora, marks
Novruz Bayram, the Independence Day of Azerbaijan, and Solidarity
of World Azerbaijanis. It all target unification of uncoordinated
organizations, representing the Azerbaijani community in order
to enable them to state Azerbaijan’s stance from the tribunes in
accessible for diplomats.

It is very important to establish and strengthen the youth, the student
organizations in Europe. They could be base for lobby activities in
the international organizations.

Work experience in Europe testifies that the practice of conduct
of pickets and demonstration by the Diaspora is less efficient. It
is necessary to carry out painstaking work on the level of student
organizations, as the results can be achieved only at the expense of
the high intellectual level.

Question: What are the perspectives for Euro-integration of
Azerbaijan? What is the most difficult in this process?

Answer: Perspectives for the development of relationships are of
course very good and the talks on Action Plan testify for it. The EU
is interested in the cooperation with Azerbaijan and considers it as a
country which plays important role in ensuring the energy security of
the EU. However, the Euro-integration requires tremendous efforts and
close interaction between different bodies of the EU and Azerbaijan
on the expert level.

Due to some problems, we could not achieve the adoption of European
standards, establishment of necessary legislative basis and sanitary.

With huge capacities of export of agriculture products and fish,
unfortunately, we are unable to realize it. Even import of Greece nuts
from Azerbaijan was ceased due to high-toxic substance – aflotoxine –
in connection with non-observation of technical norms while collection
and preservation of the product.

Frequently, people without knowledge of foreign languages come to
Europe for different important events, where no interpretation is
provided. As a result, there is no benefit of their participation
and additionally, it damages the country’s image.

Concerned on the above-mentioned it is necessary to carry out a set
of actions on the improvement of personnel working in the direction
of Euro-integration. It is also necessary to give incentives to the
attraction of highly educated specialists to the state service. The
state service should become more attractive than the work in the
foreign companies.