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Romanian Speaker: Azerbaijan can benefit from Romaniaâ€™s experience for integration into the European Union

10 April 2007 10:25 (UTC +04:00)

- How will you characterize relations between Romanian and Azerbaijani parliaments?
- Being chief of Senate since 2000, I have always paid special importance to parliamentary policy. Direct contacts with parliaments and parliamentarians are effective means for establishing a number of positive bilateral and multilateral relations. It should also be related to the relations between Romanian and Azerbaijani parliaments. Azerbaijani parliamentâ€™s speaker Ogtay Asadovâ€™s visit to Bucharest played an important role in these relations. We spoke about value and importance of interparliamentary relations in strengthening cooperation between the two countries, as well as shared position on inviolability of territories and territorial integrity. So, I would highly appreciate our interparliamentary relations there are perfect prospects to expand bilateral relations in different spheres. Ogtay Asadovâ€™s meetings with Romanian President and chief of the Senate in December, 2006 gave impetus for extending mutual relations between Romania and Azerbaijan in political and economic spheres.
- What issues will be discussed during your visit to Azerbaijan?
- I would like to see your country, hospitality of Azerbaijanis and have negotiations with your political leaders. Unfortunately, because of the state of internal policy of Romania I should stay in Bucharest. Therefore, I will not be able to visit Azerbaijan this year. But be sure that I will do my best to realize Ogtay Asadovâ€™s invitation as soon as possible.
- What is the level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania?
- As I said, political relations are perfect. I think that there is need for better and permanent mutual contact. We should exchange experience and share all difficulties our countries came across during the period of fundamental changes. Romaniaâ€™s being member of the European Union and Azerbaijanâ€™s economic growth are very profitable conditions for cooperation. Ogtay Asadovâ€™s statement â€œOne of Azerbaijanâ€™s priorities is to ensure Romaniaâ€™s energy security and his guarantee for Azerbaijani expertsâ€™ working in this direction is regarded as important political and economic message. We can provide Azerbaijan with high-quality equipment of Romania in oil and gas sector, fittings and equipment for energy and agricultural sector.
- Are you satisfied with the level of cooperation between Romanian and Azerbaijani legislative bodies?
- There always is a need for extending cooperation and we have much to learn from each other. We have good bilateral relations and we are cooperating in multilateral sphere. Our parliamentary delegations are cooperating, for example, our cooperation on the level of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. So, we decided that Romanian parliamentarians should present Azerbaijan experience in legislation achieved while integrating into the European Union. It would be better to hold meetings between the parliamentarians of standing commissions. Romanian parliament approved thousands of laws conforming to the laws and commitments of European Union for 12 years. Ogtay Asadov and I came to the conclusion that Romania-Azerbaijan friendship groups will play important role in deepening of relations in this sphere.
- Romania became the member of European Union on January 1. How can Bucharest help Azerbaijan in integrating into this organization?
- Basing on our experience, I can say that integration into the European Union is a very complicated and long process. The process depends on political and economic factors, and some political moves. I mean the problems appeared after the number of EU members reached 27. There should be patience and efforts in order to conform to the norms of European Union from the aspect of politics, economy and legislation. Successful ending of debates with the European Union and signing European New Neighborhood Policy individual action plan should be regarded as an important step for Azerbaijan. Romania supports Azerbaijanâ€™s efforts to integrate into European organizations. /APA/