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Argentine Ambassador: â€œThe Armenian community in Argentina does not have any effect on the relationship with Azerbaijanâ€ - INTERVIEW

Argentine Ambassador: â€œThe Armenian community in Argentina does not have any effect on the relationship with Azerbaijanâ€ - <span style="color: red;">INTERVIEW

16 July 2013 07:47 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Anakhanum Hidayatova – APA. The first Argentine Ambassador to Azerbaijan Carlos Dante Riva’s interview to APA

- You are for the first time in Azerbaijan, Is this experience different than you expected?

Having been chosen to work here by Argentina’s President, Cristina Kirchner, surprised me, because I didn’t expect to be the first Ambassador in Azerbaijan. Then, I started to investigate with colleagues and friends. I felt impressed when I arrived here. I found this country as adjusted to contemporary standards. People are very friendly and hospitable. The city is beautiful, and the country is developing day by day. Azerbaijan’s potential is big; everybody is moving towards innovation. My main task here will be to bring our people closer to local people in the cultural aspect. Then, the other kinds of relations will grow rapidly. This requires a lot of time, so it is necessary to go forward slowly. In this issue, television, tourism, students will play a key role. There is a strong political relationship between the countries, which are developing dynamically.

- A year and a half ago, former Chargé d'Affaires Alberto Alonso said in an interview: “We are trying to get to know each other, in order to discover in which directions both countries can cooperate”. What is your opinion?

Again, I want to stress the current high level of political relation between Argentina and Azerbaijan. Anyway, I am sure that this relation can be improved. Both sides are trying to share their own experience. For instance, you know that Argentina has a very strong experience in agriculture. We decided to start up here in this field. Azerbaijan has a strong experience in the field of oil. This resource has been extracted in Argentina since long time ago, but we are not strong as Azerbaijan is. We can use this county’s expertise. Here, it is impossible to enhance the bilateral trade. In this field of education we can do a good work. There is also potential in the filed of telecommunications, power, science. We have to work in projects concerning those sectors.

- How much Argentine investors are working in Azerbaijan? In general, how many Argentine people are interested in Azerbaijan?

Investment is important in order to increase mutual trade relations. I guess that Argentine investors are interested in medical, shipping investments here. I believe that the attraction of Argentine investors to Azerbaijan will increase in the future.

- After the opening of the Consular Department of Argentina in Azerbaijan, how many visas have been issued to Azerbaijani citizens?

Overall, I believe that tourism has a great potential between both countries. Baku is a very beautiful city. Azerbaijan has beautiful, natural regions. Azerbaijan and other countries in Central Asia can play an important role in order to attract Argentine tourists. Besides, we are fostering the visit of Azerbaijani people to Argentina, because seeing a country through the own eyes is an important thing. During the half current year, we have processed near 50 visas applications. This process is becoming simpler. On the other hand, Turkish Airlines plays an important role since it offers a direct flight to Argentina with short stop over. In comparison, Qatar Airways requires to stop over in Doha. In addition, football can play a major role in enhancing mutual relations, because there is great interest in this sport here. It is possible for Argentine coaches to be able to come and train players here. We want to take advantage of this interest. Regarding polo sport, we should not forget that it has been strongly developed in Argentina. Actually, Argentine polo horses and trainers will participate in September at the First Polo Tournament in Baku.

- Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group operates in Argentina. How is your assessment?

I did not have the chance to meet with the members of this group, but I plan to do it this week.

- Argentina has a large Armenian Diaspora. They have been living in Argentina for a long time. Could the approach to Azerbaijan obstruct your activities?

Argentina has an important Armenian community living there since ancient times. Taking into account that Argentina maintains good relations with all the communities, the Armenian community does not have any effect on the relationship with Azerbaijan. On the contrary, Argentina has close links with both countries in various ways. Argentina is a peaceful country and supports the peaceful settlement of all conflicts throughout the world. Argentina supports the UN resolution of all issues. Common interest between Argentina and Azerbaijan are strong, and we must strengthen our ties.

- What is the official position of the Government of Argentina to Nagorno Karabakh?

Each country must respect the territorial integrity of others, not only regarding Nagorno Karabakh, but in relation to all the region as a whole. There is no other way for this conflict to be solved than peacefully in the framework of OSCE. This conflict is not involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, but it could cause effect to other countries. We strongly support the resolution of the conflict in peace.