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Chairman of the UK-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Group Mark Field: â€œThis is clearly strong investment which I think is a great sign of confidence in Azerbaijanâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

12 July 2010 14:28 (UTC +04:00)

- What is your first impression about Azerbaijan?

- I am very glad to be here. We had a very long trip which was related I had a chance to go beyond the capital. And I saw a lot of beautiful city as well. Baku is great and modern city. I think you look at the buildings is going on striving city, this is clearly strong investment which I think is a great sign of confidence in Azerbaijan that has very important very proud history. After the independence over last 20 years it is going strength and strength.

I was recently elected as the Chairman of Party group for Azerbaijan. That it is the group within the parliament which has made up of MPs and House of Lords from all of the political parties. We have about 25 members of specific strong interested in relations between UK and Azerbaijan. And I think it is the reflection of importance that we attach to this relationship in many ways diplomatic means and also of course increasing the economic side.

- As the Chairman of the UK-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Group, what can you say on the most important problem of our country - Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

- I know it is a very important conflict, and my heart goes up to those people who have got relatives in Nagorno-Karabakh in view that country is not whole without having this resolved. And as you know, both UN and EU made their position on this very clear. The inmportance of Armenia withdraw and clearly we are working towards that goal in peaceful way. We are trying to get the rapid resolution of this issues. And that is clearly I hope to debate this year . We not simply talk to Nagorno-Karabakh. It is very important, but British parliamentaries donâ€™t see Azerbaijan just through the land of this issue . We have of understanding and the importants of trading links. Importance of oil and gas, importance of other commercial interests are going forward. So we make the future the better place for the young people of Azerbaijan.

- What do you think about the integration of Azerbaijan into NATO?

- Obviously the Caucasus are very important and strategic area and of course I can see very much understand why Azerbaijan would have some interesting in this regard. I am very encouraged that relation with NATO and EU is a process that begins and it will take some time for both sides to know more about what NATO membership and EU membership. But it is encouraging sign because this is crucial strategic area.

- Could you comment on the role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of Europe and its influence in the region?

- The energy security is very much important and for UK. As you may know we have had some oil and gas in North Sea. And that is diminishing and the energy security is more important. It is a mix of energy â€“ new renewable energy and wind energy in particular in UK. To build nuclear plants takes a long time. So the future of oil and gas is extremely important. And I think that the connection the links that we have with Azerbaijan are very important. The energy security is one of the big issues and one of the things that many politicians quite realize how important it will be in next 4 or 5 years. And I think it could only work for even strong relations between our countries.

- What EU can do to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

- One of the ways is by talking closely to as many parts as it possible. And I think the raising the profile is extremely important. Azerbaijanis and Armenians have interest to resolve it. Important to stress if there is the peaceful resolution it will benefit the whole region. The region has fantastic tourist location.