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Ambassador of Kuwait Ghassan Yousuf Al-Zawawi: â€œI understand the feelings of the people who are forced to leave their homesâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

Ambassador of Kuwait Ghassan Yousuf Al-Zawawi: â€œI understand the feelings of the people who are forced to leave their homesâ€ â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW</font>

02 March 2010 10:20 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Lachin Sultanova, Ibad Bagirov â€“ APA. APAâ€™s interview with ambassador of Kuwait Ghassan Yousuf Al-Zawawi

-How do you evaluate the level of the present relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait?

-The level of the relations between the two countries is good, the relations are developing. If I were you I would ask whether I am satisfied with the level of the relations or not. I would say no. what should be done for it? I see that much has been done in this direction, but compared with the opportunities it is little.

-What should be done to improve the relations?

-Much can be done on several levels. On the official level the governments of Kuwait and Azerbaijan are working in this sphere, they have established regular cooperation. These are the relations on the level of governments. They are civil servants, as you know their activity is restricted to the issues of budget and priorities. There are also other issues that impede the realization of the potential, there is no time to mention all. I can show example from other more active organizations that can do more in these spheres. There is an Organization of Asian Muslims in Kuwait. This is a nongovernmental organization, more precisely, an independent organization having no links to the government, it has done much in the joint activity with the bodies responsible for religious sphere in Azerbaijan, established excellent bridges in the relations between of the two countries. The Organization of Asian Muslims could establish strong and sincere friendship between the peoples of Kuwait and Azerbaijan before the embassy of Kuwait was opened in Azerbaijan. This is an example of cooperation opportunities. Before coming to Azerbaijan I got acquainted with the information about the activities in the country. I also investigated the activity of the organization. At first sight one thinks that they are religious persons, only grow beard and say â€œAllahu akbarâ€. But I was surprised when I saw their progressive thoughts. I learned that this organization sent Azerbaijani young persons, though in small groups, to study abroad. Now they are graduates. Some of them studied in the US. So, as I have said government bodies are not the only means to strengthen the relations. By the way, the persons studied through the Organization of Asian Muslims have specialized in a number of scientific spheres. Their education has not been restricted to religious or cultural spheres. This organization hasnâ€™t educated them with religious sciences and specialties. I considered it while saying that there are organizations having opportunities to take clear stand and act freely. President touched upon this issue at the meeting. I think there are spheres what we can establish better and brighter mutual relations.

-In what sphere can the economic relations be developed between Azerbaijan and Kuwait?

-There are investment relations in this sphere which I can call it unsatisfactory. Kuwait capital came to Azerbaijan before the openings of embassies. One courageous Kuwaiti investor came to Azerbaijan 12 years ago and opened here chain of restaurants. Of course, it was courageous step for that time. It is connected with private relations. As to relations in the level of companies, I must say that there are partner joint-stock companies in the example of Kuwait- Azerbaijan Investment Company between Kuwait non-state sector (Kuwait Finance House) and Azerbaijani government. We wish success to this practice and want it to make way for further investments.

-When and where will the first meeting of Azerbaijan-Kuwait intergovernmental commission be held?

-These works are in final stage from procedure standpoint. You can be sure that Azerbaijani ambassador to Kuwait Shahin Abdullayev is one the active ambassadors in Kuwait. I think tat he will be competitor for the commission with his fruitful activity and with this activity he will involve the commission to work, too.

-Both countries are oil-rich countries. Are there expected realizations of any joint projects on energy sphere?

-Of course, our relations in the direction of exchanging the practice, investments sphere or in the level of joint projects have to develop. Azerbaijan is the first country in the world where oil extracts by industrial method. As a citizen of oil country I can say proudly that I am in the capital which has changed the view of the world. Every morning I ask myself your question- when I will achieve the joint, appropriate, grandiose project between Azerbaijan and Kuwait. Oil is natural cooperation sphere between the two countries.

-Are negotiations held in this respect?

-I would like it to be. Unfortunately, I couldnâ€™t meet with officials of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic. I would like to meet with SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and learn their strategy. Kuwaitâ€™s State Oil Company is a developed enterprise. As you know, though Kuwait is a little country, it is a oil-rich country. If we look through the ancient history of Kuwait, we will see that Kuwaitis have been busy with trade. They used to travel different countries. In accordance with these historical traditions Kuwaitis are ready to travel the far-away countries of the world for doing business, invest and joint projects in the basis of mutual advantage. But unfortunately, I couldnâ€™t take such businessmen here. We are guests, if host doesnâ€™t tell as â€œwelcomeâ€, what we can do then; we are shy people according to our character. Trade Minister of Kuwait is my friend. His visit to Azerbaijan was planned, but the situation in Kuwait hadnâ€™t give opportunity to it and visit had been delayed.
He always says that he wants to visit Azerbaijan and to learn opportunities for cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

-Is the easing of visa regime between the two countries on agenda?

-Kuwait is small country. It has three million population and 17 000 square meters of territory. There are about one million local Kuwaitis in the country and therefore Kuwait is not interested in the easing of visa regime because its infrastructure can not sustain such duty.

-What about the easing of visa regime for diplomats and owners of special passports?

-I couldnâ€™t discuss this issue with the officials. Visa-free travels are based on two factors. If there are intensive commercial relations between the countries and relevant agencies are leaning that and submitting their proposals to the government or there is a political will and the heads of stats decide to cancel visa regime because of political interests. I donâ€™t support the cancellation of visa regime because we are not neighbor countries and there is no direct maritime communication between our countries. I have been trying to meet with AZAL officials since my arrival. I wish the two countries to set up direct flights in the near future.

-How do you value prospects of cooperation in tourism field?

-A delegation of the Organization of Kuwaiti Youth Development, the non-governmental organization visited Azerbaijan two weeks ago. They were hosted by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports. They held a press conference on return to Kuwait and shared their good impressions about Azerbaijan. You should know that it is more impressive what a Kuwaiti young man tells his friends about Azerbaijan than what I say in Baku or what Azerbaijani ambassador to Kuwait Shahin Abdullayev says. We are always talking with Shahin Abdullayev about this issue and discussing the ways of development of this sphere. There is a political will and there are opportunities to make it reality. My opinion is that both countries need in a natural transport to realize passenger traffics and cargo shipments. At the present time it can be implemented only via air transport.

-How is the Kuwaitâ€™s position on Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

-Kuwait declared its position at the international level. I am always answering this question at the meetings with the officials or journalists, but I donâ€™t get tired with doing that. On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein occupied Kuwait. I was at the Kuwaiti embassy in Baghdad in that time. Approaching the problem not from the diplomatic point of view, but as an ordinary citizen, I understand feelings of the people who are forced to leave places they are tied with. Kuwaitâ€™s attitude towards the Nagorno Karabakh problem is arisen from the sincere feelings. Do the international organizations enough work for solution of this problem? I canâ€™t say so. Even the countries mediating between Azerbaijan and Armenia by the OSCE decision acknowledge that. As an ordinary citizen, I understand feelings of the people expelled from Nagorno Karabakh. The international community can prove that it achieves anything only in that time when they will return to their homeland. Nothing happened so far.

-Does it mean that they did nothing?

-I donâ€™t say it. If I left Karabakh, my homeland, and I am living in Baku suburbs, how can I accept it if the international community says that it does its best. I can say that he international community did everything when I return home. I can say it at least because of my experience of 7-months Iraqi invasion in Kuwait. When I returned home I could say that the international community could fulfill its duty.