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Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 1 2007
Ambassador Arif Mammadov: Azerbaijan should participate in all
programs of the PACE
[ 01 Feb. 2007 16:21 ]
The head of Permanent Office of Azerbaijan to Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe, Ambassador Arif Mammadov interviewed by the
APA European bureau
- What are the differences and similarities in the working principles
of European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CE)?
- The main difference between the EU and CE for Azerbaijan is that we
are the member of the CE, but not the EU. Of course, the EU is a
unity of mighty states both from economic and political points of
view. EUR100bn budget organization has great financial potential and
its opportunities are broad. The EU is not an international
organization but a union of states assumed any national authorities
entrusted to the EU. The CE is an international organization and the
problems on human rights and democracy are attached special
importance. We always express our opinion as a member of this
organization. The EU Neighborhood Policy program includes, for
example, packet of finances, projects and programs of economic
character. Azerbaijani president during his visit to Belgium and the
EU said that compared with previous 10 years, Azerbaijan does not
need financial aid and humanitarian programs. We are a mighty state
from economic point of view, and our need is mainly connected with
democratic development of our society. I think that the CE's role in
this field is very important. Even if a country is strong and rich
from economic point of view, it will be weak in case democratic civil
society is not established. Therefore the CE's activity, role and our
work is very important in this sphere. Besides, EU-CE partnership in
this field is very important for us.
- As a diplomat working in Europe for a long time, do you think it is
possible to coordinate European values and values of Azerbaijan?
- I was in contact with the EU for a long time, and it made influence
on my outlook and other matters. For example, Armenian ambassador has
again exaggerated the problem of Armenian genocide recently. I said
we should look forward. The nation that quotes to the past, remains
in the past, the nation that sees the future, looks forward to the
future will always move forward. I told them that they touch upon the
problems happened at the beginning of the XX century, and who will
speak about the happenings of the end of XX century. To know
literature and quote to history is good, but to live with obscure
past, will do no good to a man, or to the state. We should think only
about the future. Europe suggests it. Europe suggests that we should
establish strong, mighty, democratic society by peace. We should
develop and think about strengthening our societies and countries. I
think that the society where democratic principles develop more will
be powerful from economic point of view. The stronger our democracy
and economy are, the more important Azerbaijan nation will be.
Azerbaijani president always says that we are ready to give authority
to ethnic Armenians and create conditions for their economic
development as Azerbaijani citizens. Azerbaijan is ready to
contribute more-than-its-budget to the development of Nagorno
Karabakh. Our citizens living there should know that to live within
Azerbaijani borders and government, to be Azerbaijani citizen, to
develop in democratic Azerbaijani society means the development of
their future generation.
- What kind of innovations do you expect from Azerbaijan and CE
relations?
- I think we should join discussions covering all issues. If we
pursue this policy the interest to our country will increase in
European countries. That is, it is important not to waste our
opportunity, our active participation in the discussions of issues on
international problems, energy, human rights is very important not
only for Azerbaijan but also for Caucasus region. The role of member
countries strengthen in CE and it consider that EU is not satisfied
with it in some points. The weight of Russia, as well as other
countries in CE increase, pressure mechanisms expands; strong
politicians and diplomats are involved to this issue. You know that
EU has passed decision on establishment of Fundamental Laws Agency.
It is stated that this agency will not hamper the activity of EC and
European court of human rights. But this is only statements; I think
that EU wants to establish the agency to discuss its issues only by
means of this institution. If we take into consideration the work of
the EC in various counties, it is possible to say that the goal of
this agency is to limit all of these. The weekly budget of EU equals
in annual budget of CE, and then it is doubtless that these problems
will appear. Against the background of these processes, we should
show positive sides of Azerbaijan, represent ourselves as close
country to European values, and every-one should see that Azerbaijan
made proposals that can be understood and admitted in European level.
The economy and establishment of civil society should develop in
parallel. We should actively partake in all programs of EC. It is
important to implement it not only in Baku, but also in all regions.
Europe has a great experience in the above mentioned fields and we
have no alternative. Everything begins with mentality; we should
accelerate adaptation to European mentality. It should not be only
state policy; generally, different programs should be implemented in
the society. These programs are pushes for the development of the
society. For example let's take the education of our students in
foreign countries. Azerbaijani president's decree on education of
students abroad is one of the great steps in this sphere. From this
point of view I consider that we should not be satisfied with
36%-economic growth, should step forward for the adaptation to
European standards. As you get acquainted with the documents signed
with CE, you understand that these documents bear great importance
for Azerbaijan. We should look for the ways how to implement these
documents. /APA/
Feb 1 2007
Ambassador Arif Mammadov: Azerbaijan should participate in all
programs of the PACE
[ 01 Feb. 2007 16:21 ]
The head of Permanent Office of Azerbaijan to Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe, Ambassador Arif Mammadov interviewed by the
APA European bureau
- What are the differences and similarities in the working principles
of European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CE)?
- The main difference between the EU and CE for Azerbaijan is that we
are the member of the CE, but not the EU. Of course, the EU is a
unity of mighty states both from economic and political points of
view. EUR100bn budget organization has great financial potential and
its opportunities are broad. The EU is not an international
organization but a union of states assumed any national authorities
entrusted to the EU. The CE is an international organization and the
problems on human rights and democracy are attached special
importance. We always express our opinion as a member of this
organization. The EU Neighborhood Policy program includes, for
example, packet of finances, projects and programs of economic
character. Azerbaijani president during his visit to Belgium and the
EU said that compared with previous 10 years, Azerbaijan does not
need financial aid and humanitarian programs. We are a mighty state
from economic point of view, and our need is mainly connected with
democratic development of our society. I think that the CE's role in
this field is very important. Even if a country is strong and rich
from economic point of view, it will be weak in case democratic civil
society is not established. Therefore the CE's activity, role and our
work is very important in this sphere. Besides, EU-CE partnership in
this field is very important for us.
- As a diplomat working in Europe for a long time, do you think it is
possible to coordinate European values and values of Azerbaijan?
- I was in contact with the EU for a long time, and it made influence
on my outlook and other matters. For example, Armenian ambassador has
again exaggerated the problem of Armenian genocide recently. I said
we should look forward. The nation that quotes to the past, remains
in the past, the nation that sees the future, looks forward to the
future will always move forward. I told them that they touch upon the
problems happened at the beginning of the XX century, and who will
speak about the happenings of the end of XX century. To know
literature and quote to history is good, but to live with obscure
past, will do no good to a man, or to the state. We should think only
about the future. Europe suggests it. Europe suggests that we should
establish strong, mighty, democratic society by peace. We should
develop and think about strengthening our societies and countries. I
think that the society where democratic principles develop more will
be powerful from economic point of view. The stronger our democracy
and economy are, the more important Azerbaijan nation will be.
Azerbaijani president always says that we are ready to give authority
to ethnic Armenians and create conditions for their economic
development as Azerbaijani citizens. Azerbaijan is ready to
contribute more-than-its-budget to the development of Nagorno
Karabakh. Our citizens living there should know that to live within
Azerbaijani borders and government, to be Azerbaijani citizen, to
develop in democratic Azerbaijani society means the development of
their future generation.
- What kind of innovations do you expect from Azerbaijan and CE
relations?
- I think we should join discussions covering all issues. If we
pursue this policy the interest to our country will increase in
European countries. That is, it is important not to waste our
opportunity, our active participation in the discussions of issues on
international problems, energy, human rights is very important not
only for Azerbaijan but also for Caucasus region. The role of member
countries strengthen in CE and it consider that EU is not satisfied
with it in some points. The weight of Russia, as well as other
countries in CE increase, pressure mechanisms expands; strong
politicians and diplomats are involved to this issue. You know that
EU has passed decision on establishment of Fundamental Laws Agency.
It is stated that this agency will not hamper the activity of EC and
European court of human rights. But this is only statements; I think
that EU wants to establish the agency to discuss its issues only by
means of this institution. If we take into consideration the work of
the EC in various counties, it is possible to say that the goal of
this agency is to limit all of these. The weekly budget of EU equals
in annual budget of CE, and then it is doubtless that these problems
will appear. Against the background of these processes, we should
show positive sides of Azerbaijan, represent ourselves as close
country to European values, and every-one should see that Azerbaijan
made proposals that can be understood and admitted in European level.
The economy and establishment of civil society should develop in
parallel. We should actively partake in all programs of EC. It is
important to implement it not only in Baku, but also in all regions.
Europe has a great experience in the above mentioned fields and we
have no alternative. Everything begins with mentality; we should
accelerate adaptation to European mentality. It should not be only
state policy; generally, different programs should be implemented in
the society. These programs are pushes for the development of the
society. For example let's take the education of our students in
foreign countries. Azerbaijani president's decree on education of
students abroad is one of the great steps in this sphere. From this
point of view I consider that we should not be satisfied with
36%-economic growth, should step forward for the adaptation to
European standards. As you get acquainted with the documents signed
with CE, you understand that these documents bear great importance
for Azerbaijan. We should look for the ways how to implement these
documents. /APA/