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Romanian ambassador Nikolae Ureche: â€œRomania has always been and will be reliable partner of Azerbaijanâ€

05 May 2009 11:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Viktoria Dementieva â€“ APA. Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Romania to Azerbaijan Nikolae Ureche interviewed by APA

-How do you assess the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Romania?

-The relations with Romania developed and reached the high level after Azerbaijan gained its independence. Mutual visits on various levels, including on the level of presidents allowed us to recognize each other and strengthen bilateral relations. The dialogue between our presidents gave impetus to the cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest â€“ political, economic and humanitarian fields. I want to note that our cooperation has strong legal basis â€“ the two countries have signed 50 agreements on various fields.

Energy is one of the most attractive fields for both Romania and Azerbaijan. Energy cooperation is always discussed during the presidentsâ€™ visits, the heads of states discuss ways to strengthen this cooperation. Related decisions are passed on the level of joint meetings of the intergovernmental commissions. The fourth meeting of Azerbaijan-Romania intergovernmental commission will be held in Baku this year. Romania is also interested in extending cooperation in shipment. Shipment of transit goods to Western Europe through Central Asia and Caucasus via the Black Sea may turn Romaniaâ€™s Constance port to the main door to deliver goods to Europe. Support for the present TRACECA projects and revival of the Silky Road meet the interests of both countries. Agriculture, construction and textile are also spheres arising mutual interest for cooperation.

The last, but not the least important spheres for cooperation are culture, science and education. These spheres make it available for the people to understand one another, despite remoteness from geographical aspect. I believe that much work will be done in this field and our embassy will promote Romaniaâ€™s science and culture in Azerbaijan.

I should note that both parties highly appreciate the level of bilateral cooperation. I am proud of the level of bilateral relations and of my great contribution to this.

-Are you satisfied with the level of economic cooperation?

-Economic cooperation is very good, but I believe that this state does not completely reflect our economic potential. Romania is interested in giving impetus to economic cooperation. Trade turnover between our countries made up $192.9 million in January-November, 2008. Export is $161 million and import $31.83 million. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Romania was $9 million in 2004. As seen, export of goods from Azerbaijan to Romania surpasses Romaniaâ€™s export to Azerbaijan. We wish balance to be restored in this field. We understand that it is very difficult to realize it, export of oil and oil products from Azerbaijan to Romania is increasing, but we want to restore the balance by increasing export of goods to Azerbaijan. We hope that the 4th meeting of Azerbaijan-Romania intergovernmental commission will allow to increase the tempo of economic cooperation. Representatives of Romanian companies will visit Baku in the second half of the year. Moreover, Azerbaijani businessmen will visit our country to examine investment potential.

-How can Romania support Azerbaijan in strengthening relations with the European Union?

-If course, Romania intends to strengthen the relations with the Caucasus countries in future. Romania, like other countries of the European Union located on the border with the Black Sea region and NATO members, is interested in having active dialogue with the states of the region and takes active part in the initiatives of the European Union. The new document comprising the cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan is Eastern Partnership program that will be signed in Prague soon. Romania supports Azerbaijanâ€™s participation in the Eastern Partnership program that will make available to establish closer cooperation with the European Union. Our country has always been and will be reliable partner of Azerbaijan. We are ready to extend our political relations, cooperation on the level of various organizations and support official Bakuâ€™s policy of European and Euro Atlantic integration.

-Romanian embassy has been carrying out the NATO coordination mission on Azerbaijan since January, 2009. How do you value prospects of Azerbaijan-NATO relations?

-Romania received the mandate of NATO coordination center in Baku on own initiative. We are resolute to support efforts of Azerbaijan to strengthen its relations with alliance. We believe that our efforts will lead to the successful implementation of IPAP II and will enable NATO and Azerbaijan to improve coordination of the efforts toward stability in Afghanistan. One of the important directions of our work is to make Azerbaijani community more familiar with the NATO goals and duties. We consider that we have enough experience and skills to carry out this mission effectively. Turkeyâ€™s 16-year mission is a challenge for us, but I believe that Romania will properly continue this activity and will do useful work for Azerbaijan.

Now I want to share my opinion on the future of NATO-Azerbaijan relations. I am in optimistic mood. This point of view was expressed by Foreign Minister of Romania Christian Djakonesku at NATO conference in Baku organized by the Romanian embassy. The foreign minister emphasized that NATO together with other international organizations plays important role in the strengthening of security and supporting the reforms in the partner countries â€“ West Balkan, Black Sea and Caucasian region. Romania is one of the strong supporters of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership (EAP) and we consider that EAPO needs in new impetus. This partnership has to target more concrete results toward the interests of the alliance and partner countries. The most strategic interest of the alliance is extension of partnership network outside the Europe. Aspirations toward this will have positive impact on the international security. Azerbaijan is an important partner for NATO. The closer cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan will be useful for the stability and security in the Black Sea region.

- Are NATO officials planning to visit Azerbaijan in the near future? Will NATO Secretary General visit our country?

-There are very large visit programs. Most of the NATO officials will visit Baku in May to attend Partnership for Peace Programâ€™s 15th anniversary events. NATO representatives are planning to visit Azerbaijan in June within the NATO Week events. Various expert groups of the alliance are also expected to visit Azerbaijan. New Secretary General was elected in NATO summit in Strasbourg and Kehl and there is no report on his visit to your country.

-What are positions of Romania and NATO on Nagorny Karabakh conflict?

- In very beginning, Romania supported the peaceful solution to Nagorny Karabakh conflict on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, according to the UN and OSCE resolutions. As a member of the European Union, Romania shares the EU position on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Groupâ€™s mediation mission. The EU position is that the conflict must be resolved peacefully on the basis of dialogue between the two parts. EU is analyzing the opportunities to form the mutual trust to accelerate the process of settlement of the conflict. Romania welcomes the intensifying of the diplomatic negotiations and we hope that such efforts will lead to the new positive results. At the same time, we are concerning over the daily incidents in the front line causing new losses. It is one more reason for us to support the peaceful and long-term solution to Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

NATO has an active cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia and both attend the Partnership for Peace Program. Each of them has an individual action plan. NATO supports the OSCE Minsk Groupâ€™s activity and welcomes progress in the peace talks. NATO member countries expressed their concern over the regional conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova at the NATO Strasbourg-Kehl Summit. The NATO countries call on the conflicted parts to participate in the peaceful solution to the conflict, to avoid actions threatened regional stability and security and to respect the present format of the negotiations. NATO is always respecting the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Moldova. The alliance will continue to support the efforts toward the peaceful settlement of the conflicts.