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Ambassador of Belgium to Azerbaijan: We want the respect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in frames of international law

13 November 2007 09:32 (UTC +04:00)

-How do see the relations between Azerbaijan and Belgium in political, social and economic spheres?

- The opening of an embassy which we are doing now I think is very important moment in the relations between our countries. Of course we established the diplomatic relations since 1991 after Azerbaijan becoming independent. But opening the embassy now is an important issue now. I think there is more to do, to accomplish. I think the embassy here will be an effect of getting more cooperation, more exchanges. Everyone is praising the economic development of Azerbaijan, and economic and trade cooperation is also the thing we would like to do, but it goes further than only business. I think Belgium is the country central of EU â€“ we have the host of EU, NATO, other organizations. I think Azerbaijan is also a focus in that part of Eurasia, of the region. When it comes to political contacts â€“ I think it already happened â€“ the president Aliyev was in Belgium last year. In 2006 Belgium chaired the OSCE, and in that capacity the MFA of Belgium visited Baku and the region for several times.

- Which spheres are the most possible to cooperate for our countries?

-Azerbaijan has signed the ENP action plan with the European Union. I think Belgium, as well as the entire EU; can help Azerbaijan with the implementation, democratization, local government works. We can help in practical steps. I think we should also develop the contacts in non-governmental spheres. In terms of education â€“ between universities, also with the NGOs, also culture, human, student exchanges, etc.
Belgium is also as a part of EU is interested in Azerbaijani energy resources. EU wants to diversify its energy recourses supplies, and in that terms of view the Caspian region is very important. There are also business opportunities to cooperate in IT, technical, financial and construction services. We donâ€™t have big projects or contracts â€“ but we are looking for partners. Certainly Im also discussing mow an idea of having a business forum between our countries with my colleague â€“ the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belgium.

-Will Belgium be sending a delegation on the presidential elections in 2008 to Azerbaijan? Do you believe Azerbaijan can have free and fair ones?

-We donâ€™t send special delegations, but our representatives will come in the framework of ODIHR OCSE.
Azerbaijan is improving. It already implemented some of the commitments. We are looking forward for the next election process. As for the press issues about Azebaijan â€“ we refer to the EU statement made a few days ago and to the action plan too. And we hope the opposition representatives will also not be silent.
The last elections were better than the previous ones. They could have been better in terms of free and fair. We look forward for the Azerbaijani election process to take place in frame of the recommendations, and if Azerbaijan needs help â€“ it will get it.

- What is Belgiumâ€™s opinion on Nagorno-Karabakh problem?

-When we were chairing OSCE in 2006 we got a very close understanding for the conflict, and also for the opinions of both sides involved. We want the respect for the territorial integrity in frames of international law. I also think the conflict must be resolved peacefully. It is a difficult situation, and it is not so easy to solve it. We in Belgium know how difficult it is for two different communities to live together. In Belgium we have the Flemish, the German and the French speaking communities. So we can understand that.

- Some experts say the MG OCSE doesnâ€™t work pretty well, and it might be more active if change one of the co-chairs. Would Belgium want to become one?

-The Mink Group, the co-chairs and the OSCE itself is there to help the parties involved to negotiate, to work on that process. That would be very unrealistic to think that it is very easy to solve this problem. The conflict has to be solves by the sides themselves, so they donâ€™t have to blame the mediators. It all depends on Azerbaijan and Armenia. /APA/