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Vagif Sadikhov: â€œResolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the first duty of Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairsâ€ - INTERVIEW

Vagif Sadikhov: â€œResolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the first duty of Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairsâ€ - <font color=red> INTERVIEW</font>

03 July 2009 14:10 (UTC +04:00)

- Why just July 9, 1919 is the Day of Diplomacy? Isnâ€™t the foreign policy activity of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic before this day taken into consideration?

- The foreign minister was appointed in 1918, but the ministry was officially established in 1919. The documents found in the national archive showed that regulations of the ADR Ministry of Foreign Affairsâ€™ secretariat were approved on July 10, 1919. There was no official organization before to regulate the ministryâ€™s activity. Therefore history of the Azerbaijani diplomacy dates back to that day.

-There was symbolic Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan during Soviet period. What is this period in the history of Azerbaijan diplomacy?

- Azerbaijani diplomacy existed during the Democratic Republic, during USSR period, in 1991 during the collapse of USSR and when Azerbaijan was restoring its independence. It passed different phases during the Soviet period. First, pre-World War II, second during the war and third post-war period. Azerbaijani diplomats were working in the important strategic regions during the war. There were many Azerbaijani diplomats and public figures in the Soviet mission in Iran in 1941-1948 after USSR, Britain and USA sent troops to Iran. That period left unique vestiges in the history of our diplomacy.

- Was the model of any country used in forming of the present Ministry of Foreign Affairs? What is the structure of the ministry?

- There were enough changes as against the USSR period. We were a part of USSR as an allied republic and the duties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic were completely different from the duties of present ministry. Regarding the structure that ministry had 15-20 personnel. The foreign policy was within the authority of the central government and foreign ministries of the allied republics couldnâ€™t make independent steps. They were carrying out the functions like protocol, information. The USSR collapsed in 1991 and we had to establish our foreign policy office from point zero. Our duties and functions were changed and the structure of the ministry was also changed in parallel. The situation in the country was sorrowful in 1992 and we had poor financial opportunities in that period. We had no opportunities to use model of any country. The structure was formed according to our duties.

The international organizations were our priorities. We had to work closely with OSCE and UN because the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict was going within these organizations. European countries were our priorities because they are OSCE members. Relations with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries were also priorities. After that our country took its place among the world countries, we started to discover other geographical regions and international organizations which caused the opening of new departments and offices in the ministry. We have representations to newly-discovered regions and organizations.

- Have the foreign policy priorities changed?

-Mostly the priorities were not changed, but their list was extended. The main goal of the diplomatic mission of every country is to represent the interests of its country abroad. The diplomatic mission becomes strong when the country it represents is strong. The opportunities and duties of the diplomatic service are extended by the extension of opportunities of the country. The priorities are not changed, they are extended and deepened.

-Please inform about the number of diplomatic representations and diplomats abroad.

-There are nearly 350 personnel in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its office in Nakhchivan. There are two types of the ministry personnel: direct personnel of the diplomatic service with diplomatic ranks and administrative-technical personnel. We have 64 diplomatic missions abroad- embassies, permanent representations to the international organizations and consulates general. There 51 embassies, 6 consulates general and 7 representations and nearly 600 diplomatic personnel abroad.

- Azerbaijanâ€™s Consulate General has recently been opened in Yekaterinburg City of Russia. What other diplomatic representations are going to be opened?

- The Presidentâ€™s order on establishment of Azerbaijanâ€™s Consulate General in Yekaterinburg City has remained in force for more than two years. Some days ago, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appointed Sultan Gasimov to the post of Consul General in Yekaterinburg. The Consulate will start operating in August-September. We are also working on the implementation of orders regarding the establishment of Azerbaijanâ€™s embassies in a number of countries, such as Argentina, Thailand, Vietnam and Croatia. According to our constitution, heads of diplomatic representations and consulates are appointed by the head of state.

- Will the Consulate General be opened in Batumi?

- We are thinking about it. Georgia, particularly Batumi is of great importance for Azerbaijan. Our oil and gas pipelines pass through Georgia, sea ports, refineries etc. are very important for the export of products sent from Azerbaijan. We are working in this direction.

- Are you satisfied with the recruitment test to the Ministry? Has the Diplomatic Academy started making contributions to the personnel training process?

- The law on â€œPublic Serviceâ€ of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted in 2001. The law also reflects the recruitment test. We have already conducted 4 recruitment tests so far. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov personally attaches great importance to the recruitment process. Establishment of Foreign Ministryâ€™s Diplomatic Academy is a great achievement for us and tremendous contribution to the development of diplomatic service.

- Do you use all diplomatic opportunities to spread realities about Nagorno Karabakh conflict across the globe?

- Resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the first duty of Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bringing the realities about the conflict into the notice of the world and defending Azerbaijanâ€™s position are the duty of our diplomatic representations. These issues are implemented on the basis of instructions given from the Ministry to the embassies. Sometimes itâ€™s easy to work in this direction in some countries and organizations but in some cases itâ€™s hard. However, we are making every effort to bring the realities about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict into the notice of the international community.

- What events will be held on the occasion of 90th anniversary of the Diplomacy?

- 90th anniversary of the diplomatic service is very important for the Ministry. We have started publishing a collection of documents on foreign policy of Azerbaijan. We are publishing the documents covering 2004-2008 in 10-volume succession. The conferences in different subjects will also be held in our embassies in foreign countries.

- Have any prizes been instituted for diplomatic service?

- A badge â€œfor merits to international cooperationâ€ has been made by the order of Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.