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Department chief of Azerbaijanâ€™s Presidential Administration: â€œOur country has univocally chosen the European way of developmentâ€

24 May 2013 11:19 (UTC +04:00)

The European way of development fully meets the interests of the Azerbaijani people and corresponds with the historical traditions of Azerbaijan. We see our future in the integration into the European countries and European Union,” said chief of socio-political department of the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov addressing the Germany-Azerbaijan dialogue forum entitled “Azerbaijan’s path to Europe: progress and potentials”, APA reports.

Hasanov said that Azerbaijan is a uniting country at the crossroads of the Muslim and Christian worlds: “The values and traditions of both civilizations existed in Azerbaijan. So, there were two ways when we regained the independence: either to accept the modern European values and integrate into Europe or closely integrate into the Muslim world. Of course, there are organizations uniting the Muslim world such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, but the people and state of Azerbaijan and its leaders have chosen the European way of development.”

Hasanov mentioned that Azerbaijan chose the European way of development in 1992 and this selection was reflected in Azerbaijan’s state politics, Constitution and all documents on state-building.

Department chief said Azerbaijan does not see its future security model within NATO or Collective Security Treaty Organization, Baku has chosen the way to join the bloc of neutral countries and partnering with these two organizations is continuing its path of neutral security.

“It does not mean that Azerbaijan will not or can not change its choice. The choice can change anytime. Azerbaijan’s national interest is the decisive factor, if the national security interests require that it is necessary to join NATO, then it will be so. If national interests require reconsidering Azerbaijan’s participation in CSTO, this issue will be reconsidered. Our security, energy, economic, political and social interests arise from and are based on the needs, interests of the Azerbaijani people,” he said.