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Romanian Foreign Minister: Bucharest supports peaceful solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict in accordance with UN Resolutions and OSCE decisions
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27 Aug 2007 17:05 ]
Romania’s Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu’s, interview to APA’s Eastern Europe bureau
- How do you appreciate relations between Azerbaijan and Romania?
- Romania is the second country after Turkey to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence. We have recently marked the 15th anniversary of Romania-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations. Bilateral cooperation between our countries has always developed. High-level contacts and continuation of political dialogue on different levels proves it. High-level visits formed the basis for the bilateral relations. President Ilham Aliyev paid a successful visit to Bucharest three years ago. 11 agreements improving legal basis of our bilateral relations were signed during the visit. These documents created firm basis for the bilateral relations and are of great importance for their development. President Traian Basescu’s visit to Baku in October, 2006 created conditions for signing new agreements giving impetus to the expansion of relations. The presidents’ talks proved that we share the same opinion regarding bilateral, regional and international problems. The presidents also exchanged views on stimulation of bilateral cooperation in energy sphere, so that the international community is paying more attention to the energy security on global level. The two presidents confirmed that the number of provision sources and transport communications for ensuring energy security is very important. President Traian Basescu’s visit to Baku not only proved Romania-Azerbaijan relations but also gave impulse to bilateral, especially commercial and economic relations. Economic agents of the two countries should deal with these relations. Romanian president, Mr. Traian Basescu’s recent visit to Baku on occasion of the second summit of GUAM – organization for democracy and economic development (June 19, 2007) created conditions for the high-level dialogue with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. The meeting again proved that the bilateral relations are of great importance and develop. Romania that left behind the transition period with complications and difficulties is ready to share its experience with friendly countries. We attach special importance to the bilateral relations with Azerbaijan and partnership relations on the level of Black Sea cooperation.
- What stage is the Paneurope project on? What are Romania’s plans and expectations concerning Constanza-Trieste pipeline?
- Romania actively supports PEOP (Pan European Oil Pipeline) that will sort Europe’s energy import. It is known that Europe has increasing need for oil and European Union needs securing this strategic provision. So, PEOP is the appropriate, effective alternative way of solution that will help increase energy security of Europe. At the same time, PEOP ensures direct access of the Caspian oil to Western Europe. This oil pipeline is also important in terms of growing industry as it offers new contacts to oil companies between the Caspian resources and oil refineries in Europe. We are pleased that European commission is getting more active. This simplified signing the agreement between the direct partners.
The representatives of participant states together with European Energy Commissioner inked Declaration of Ministers on Constanza-Trieste oil pipeline project in Zagreb. This is an important step in the development of the project. It is hoped the procedure of building a company for the project will end by the end of the year by the support of European Commission and Secretariat of the European Charter. In this respect, Azerbaijan can be an important supplier of this pipeline, and its involvement would ease successful implementation of the project.
- In what fields may Azerbaijan be interesting for Romania except for energy sphere?
- Romania regards Azerbaijan as a reliable partner to ensure security and stability in Black sea region. Speaking of Romanian-Azerbaijani economic relations, the potential proposed by the both of these markets has not yet been estimated. The level does not satisfy us despite the fact that trade turnover has risen recently. Romanian economy develops very fast and may offer Azerbaijan more that furniture. Azerbaijani economy is attractive for foreign economic agents. I believe that Romanian economic operators would look forward to accessing to other markets.
- What position do South Caucasus and Azerbaijan take in Black Sea Initiative supported by Bucharest ?
- Black Sea Forum on dialogue and Partnership is a large regional platform among littoral states. Azerbaijan completes the line of Black Sea states. Development of democratic values, human rights, sustainable or market economy is a basis of partnership affecting various levels of national and regional societies in Black sea region.
- What is Bucharest ’s position concerning Transnistria conflict and other frozen conflicts in Post-Soviet states?
- Romania supports the solution of Transnistria conflict within the framework of Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Romania wants the Nagorno Karabakh conflict be solved by means of talks. Under the principles of international law, Romania supports peaceful solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in accordance with the corresponding UN Resolutions and OSCE decisions. Taking into account OSCE efforts and Minsk Group’s activity towards the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Romania is optimistic that progress of further important and decisive steps in this field.
- Azerbaijan and Romania are cooperating in military sphere. Does Bucharest, as NATO Alliance member intend to deepen this cooperation?
- Romania backs the stability, democratic development in Azerbaijan and its position to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures. Azerbaijan is active partner of the Alliance and Romania taking into account its positive dynamic role in partnership mechanisms, particularly, its serious insolvent in the operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. We appraise Azerbaijan’s successes within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with the Alliance in 2006. We think successful implementation of IPAP’a goals create a large ground for deepening of Azerbaijan-NATO relations. We welcome that Azerbaijan will have more enlarged, new IPAP that will bear more commitments by the end of 2007. As NATO member, Romania is pleased with Azerbaijan’s progress in application of military reforms. We approve the cooperation in military and military-political spheres regulated with the agreements concluded between Bucharest and Baku in 1999, 2000 and 2006 and hope the bilateral political dialogue in the issues of common interest such as stability and security in the Black Sea region will be enlarged. We regard Azerbaijan as a player which has a strong role in defining of regional security atmosphere. This profile should be completed with the interest towards domestic development because this is the very factor which guarantees sustainable and expected targets of foreign policy. We hope NATO summit in Bucharest scheduled for April, 2008 will achieve significant progress in the implementation of the projects and brave initiatives made during Riga summit, including cooperation within EAPC and relations with the partners in enlarged Black Sea region.
- Romania shows interest in GUAM. What plans does Bucharest have regarding this organization?
- Romania’s interest in the developments ongoing in its eastern neighborhood is a natural case for any member of Euro-Atlantic community dealing with enlargement of stability, security and welfare area beyond NATO and EU borders. Stable, democratic and prosperous enlarged Black Sea region, its close integration into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures is Romania’s fundamental strategic interest. In this context, our country is pursuing an active policy on regional cooperation in both south-Eastern Europe and Enlarged Black Sea region. Romania is making regular efforts for making Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership institution. The initiative calls for maintenance of democracy and economic development, energy security, raising of confidence, strengthening of stability, peace and security. Moreover, our country is active part of European Commission’s Black Sea Sinergy Declaration. Romania is planning to have close cooperation with the Black Sea littoral states as well as other nearby countries, including Azerbaijan in order to implement these initiatives. Taking into account strategic importance of the Black Sea region we are following with great interest the steps taken by all cooperation mechanisms and structures in this region. In this context, Romania has welcomed GUAM turning to an international organization and the member states’ finding ways to reach long-term solution of the challenges that the region face. As the member of the European Union and NATO, Romania is not considering ODED-GUAM membership but as Romanian President Mr. Trian Basescu confirmed in his speech made in Baku summit of ODED-GUAM summit (June 19, 2007) Romania welcomes positive steps taken by GUAM states and is interested in having dynamic political and economic relations in energy security with these states. Romanian president’s presence in GUAM summits as guest (April 22, 2005, Chisinau; June 19, 2007, Baku) as well as Romanian Foreign Minister’s attending the summit of ODED-GUAM in Kyiv (May 22-23, 2006) show that Romania shows a special approach to the initiatives of regional cooperation and backs their full development.
- What is your assessment of the prospect of Azerbaijan’s access to the European Union?
- European Union’s including the South Caucasus countries to the European Neighborhood Policy is a decision on establishing close relations with them. Romania did a lot for taking such step and accelerating implementation of this decision. EU-Azerbaijan action plan concluded in 2006 is a proof of expanding relations between the Union and your country. We welcome the decision which is of political nearing character and gives Azerbaijan chance to join to EU PESC declaration. Azerbaijan is a member of European Neighborhood Policy. Azerbaijan is the member of European Neighborhood Policy program encouraging civil society cross border cooperation through European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Cross Border Cooperation Sea Basin Program. We should understand the efficiency and character of new tools and funds and appraise it maximally for the benefit of the region and our domestic development. Moreover, EU has carried out approach towards the Black Sea region through initiative of Black Sea Synergy this year which Romania took an active part in its preparation. We rely on participation of Azerbaijan in the realization of new regional cooperation initiatives. We positively assess your country’s participation in Black Sea cross border cooperation program under European Neighborhood Policy.
- What is your assessment on prospects of SOCAR’s activity in Romania?
- Romania is interesting in having various ways of ensuring its energy resources and playing active role in ensuring Europe’s energy security. As a member of EU, Romania supports the Union’s preparing only policy in energy sector. Following this, we also want to discuss finding corresponding form for signing bilateral agreement between Romania and Azerbaijan on cooperation in energy sector. We welcome SOCAR’s opening a branch establishment in Romania. This company’s functioning in Romanian market shows that Romanian-Azerbaijan relations is in the stage of maturity. We examine it as bilateral prospects, prism of common Euroatlantic security interests. SOCAR can enter European market using Romania as a transit gate through its Bucharest representation. Romania can be a passage for the transition of Azerbaijan’s resources to Central and Western Europe with its strategic position. Moreover, SOCAR has experienced companies for being reliable partners.
Our country has great oil refinery enterprises in European standards, complicated energy transport infrastructure, great internal distribution net and these are privileges for the development of efficient cooperation between SOCAR and Romania. On the other hand, Azerbaijan’s participation in our market coincides with the interests of Romania and it increases competition.
- How can Romania and Azerbaijan cooperate in the framework of Nabucco project?
- Nabucco project will have a great share in ensure of energy security of Europe. Its efficiency has been recognized in EU level by inclusion into the list of infrastructural projects which is priority for Europe in the framework of European Commission’s Action Plan on European Energy Policy adopted by Council of Europe on March 8-9, 2007. Development of Nabucco project and development of relations with Caspian countries is priority of Romania. Taking into consideration the energy resources Azerbaijan is of great importance as a potential supplier.
As a sign of assessing Azerbaijan’s important role in ensure of energy security of the region and Europe as well both sides plan establishing energy partnership and development of the cooperation within the framework of Nabucco project./APA/
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