Q: How important was Ilham Aliyev’s visit for your country?

 

A:  Very important.  President Aliyev’s visit to the United Kingdom was at the formal and specific invitation of my Government.  My Government only issues 12-15 of these invitations each year. So I’m delighted that, out of all the countries in the world, my Government chose Azerbaijan as one of a dozen or so priority countries with whom we wish to deepen our bilateral relationship. We wanted to develop that relationship across the board – as you can see by the number of areas covered in the Joint Communique which was issued by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Aliyev following their talks. (For the text of this communiqué, click here)

 

Q: Is the British PM’s visit to Azerbaijan expected?

 

A: There are no plans at present for such a visit. But you know what they say in international relations – always expect the unexpected.

 

Q: SOCAR and BP have signed a MOU on exploration of oil fields. When this project will be implemented, what are the UK’s expectations from this project?

 

A:  This is a commercially highly significant MOU, signed at No10 Downing Street by BP and SOCAR in the presence of my Prime Minister and of President Aliyev. Both sides are actively working together so as to take forward the areas of cooperation as set out in that MOU.

 

Q: Shall we expect any new energy projects?

 

A:  I think the focus right now is on the implementation of what has already been agreed. As for my Government’s interest, that is in supporting the Azerbaijani Government’s work to create and to sustain the sort of economic environment which encourages foreign investors to bring their capital, their ability and their management skills to Azerbaijan.

 

Q: Are there any non-energy projects between the UK and Azerbaijan and what are their perspectives?

 

A: Your government has been outstandingly successful in creating the sort of economic conditions which have led international oil companies to invest billions of dollars of their own money in this country. That has brought huge benefits to Azerbaijan as a result. Azerbaijan has won itself an international reputation in the oil and gas sector as a reliable and business-like partner. We believe that the reasons which led international oil companies to invest in this country with confidence should apply to all other sectors of the Azerbaijani economy.

 

For example, the Lord Mayor of the City of London – which is the world’s premier centre for financial skills – visited Baku last week with a large business delegation. Their purpose was to explore opportunities to help Azerbaijan develop its financial services sector – banking, accountancy, legal services, leasing, development of financial investment instruments and so on.  The Lord Mayor last visited Azerbaijan in 2003, with a business delegation of three companies. This time, the Lord Mayor was accompanied by a business delegation of 14 companies. That tells you something about how firms in my country view the growing potential of Azerbaijan as an emerging market.  (For further details of the Lord Mayor’s visit, click here)

 

Q: Azerbaijani students are interested in British education. Do you keep in touch with Alumni to find out how they apply their knowledge?

 

A:  We are in regular contact with Azerbaijani students who have studied in the UK on a British Government-funded scholarship scheme. We value their commitment to develop their own potential, we think that UK education can help them do that, and we want them to use those skills to contribute to the future development of Azerbaijani society. For example, the British Council in Azerbaijan held a reception only last week so that UK scholarship alumni could meet the Lady Mayoress of the City of London – who is a professional consultant in the field of information and communication technology and who has a particular interest in developing the educational potential of young people.

 

Q: What kind of assistance does the UK render to Azerbaijan for Euro-Atlantic integration?

 

A: We strongly support Azerbaijan’s decision progressively to integrate its activities with those of Euro-Atlantic institutions. In particular, we welcome the Azerbaijani Government’s commitment to specific and detailed partnership arrangements with the EU – in the form of the “Eastern Partnership” – and with NATO – in the form of an individual partnership action plan or “IPAP”.    The assistance we give to Azerbaijan is generally as part of one or other of those institutional relationships. For example, in the context of Azerbaijan’s NATO IPAP, we make places available on various British-run training courses to help Azerbaijan develop its skills in the area of international support to peace building operations. Or in the context of Azerbaijan’s Eastern Partnership with the EU, we encourage UK firms to take part in “twinning” arrangements to help Azerbaijan develop its central government administrative capabilities. These are only two examples from the range of activities we undertake in partnership with the Azerbaijani Government.

 

Q: Discussions on settlement of DQ conflict has been intensified recently. Does your country monitor the negotiations process and what do you expect from it? How does the UK see the resolution of this conflict?

 

A:  We are not one of those countries which are Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group process. Nevertheless, we follow the Minsk Group-facilitated negotiations very closely. It was, for example, one of the main issues of discussion between my Government and President Aliyev when he visited London a few weeks ago. We also contribute directly to the Minsk Group process by making available personnel, advice and assistance to the Co-Chairs.  And we also support a range of activity by civil society both here in Azerbaijian and in Armenia designed to create the conditions which will be needed to nurture a negotiated settlement when that it agreed between the two governments. The fact is that achieving a lasting, negotiated settlement to this tragedy is of key importance – of fundamental, central importance – to securing stability and prosperity to the South Caucasus region. That’s why it’s important to us.

 

As a child growing up in the 1970s in the UK, I clearly remember how much of domestic British politics was dominated by terrorism in Northern Ireland and the terrorist attacks which occurred in England too as a direct result.  At the time, it seemed that peace would never be achieved, so deep and bitter were the divisions in Northern Ireland. It was a long, difficult road - which demanded real courage and vision from politicians in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland every step of the way - which eventually resulted in a peace agreement being signed. Implementation of that agreement is still continuing. It will take years before that process has been completed. But the key thing is that a peace agreement was signed, and a new generation from both sides of the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland are together building a shared future of prosperity and security greater than anything their parents thought possible.

 

Q: What kind of steps are being taken to restore the BBC broadcast to Azerbaijan?

 

A:   My Government, along with the rest of the EU, has repeatedly made clear our dismay at the ending of BBC World Service broadcasts. This was one of a number of important issues discussed during President Aliyev’s recent visit to London.  As you can see from the joint communiqué issued by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Aliyev, both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work on this issue with a view to finding a satisfactory solution. I will be taking forward discussions on this basis with senior Azerbaijani officials in the near future.

 

www.apa.az news website.

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