Ilham Aliyev: We will rejoice in your achievements and victories
President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan is paying an official visit to Ukraine, during which the presidents of both countries are meeting for the second time. Prior to his visit, President Aliyev kindly agreed to an interview with The Day, the journal Profile, and the First National Channel. He spoke about the prospects of bilateral relations, important international issues, and some topics he plans to discuss with President Viktor Yanukovych.
“Our bilateral contacts are evolving very effectively and dynamically; there is a high degree of political interrelationship. For a number of years, practically since achieving our national independence, our countries have been closely collaborating; and our bilateral contacts in the economic sphere are expanding. We see very good prospects. Azerbaijan regards Ukraine as a very close friend. In view of such traditions, I consider it my duty to state that my visit will play an important role; I’m sure that in the course of this visit we will once again examine our bilateral agenda and determine the way to go. Of course, topics such as business cooperation are especially important during this post-Soviet period, so we can support each other using our potentials. Our economies are not competing against each other. I expect that a policy aimed at active cooperation between our countries will be adopted, in the bilateral as well as regional format, including collaboration with international organizations.”
The Ukraine-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission convened in early October, for the first time in four years [since its inception]. Does this have anything to do with Ukraine’s new government? Is it the beginning of a new phase in our bilateral relations? How viable, in your opinion, is the idea of the Eurasian oil pipeline? In case the Odesa-Brody pipeline is placed in reverse mode, what amount of oil supplies could Ukraine expect?
Aliyev: “To begin with, the ‘new team’ in Ukraine is actually nothing new for Ukraine or Azerbaijan, because we actively collaborated with your country when Viktor Yanukovych was Prime Minister of Ukraine. He visited Azerbaijan in 2006 at the head of a large delegation. It was then important issues of further economic collaboration were determined. I have known him for a number of years, so the matter of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the current Ukrainian administration doesn’t seem to be a problem. I’m sure that the kind of relations that we developed in previous years will be bolstered. I have met with President Yanukovych three times since his inauguration and we have been able to discuss the prospects of bilateral relations broadly. As for our relations with regard to international organizations and political cooperation, this is something to be considered on the highest political level. Ukraine has always supported Azerbaijan, and vice versa. In other words, there is a solid foundation for bilateral relations.
“We believe that there is currently a good opportunity of buttressing precisely the economic aspects. The possibility of Azerbaijani companies investing in the Ukrainian economy is being seriously considered, and there are se-veral projects ready for deliberation. The same is true of Azerbaijani companies taking part in various infrastructural projects [in Ukraine]. Of course, the issue of collaboration in the energy and oil spheres has always been at the top of the agenda. Azerbaijan is prepared to take part in this project, because my country has been actively working on matters relating to oil, gas or other energy supply diversification. With the Ukrainian side willing, such matters can be resolved quickly and effectively. I must say that some of these matters have been settled. A company known as Sarmatia has been established, technological and economic studies carried out, so that Azerbaijan’s oil is being supplied to Ukrainian industrial facilities. Therefore, to give all this a fresh impetus, to systematize there separate projects, it is necessary to once again discuss everything in detail and make certain decisions. Azerbaijan is prepared to take part in this project because it intends to further diversify its energy supply exports.”
Would you specify any such export amounts?
“Our oil exports use several pipelines, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Supsa, and Baku–Novorossiysk ones. In other words, all of the oil we want to export is transported using these pipelines.
“Therefore, we can’t possibly discuss any surplus amounts of oil we would be willing to sell. Even after increasing the oil extraction rate — something we’re actually going to do — these pipelines’ capacities allow us to have all this oil transported in these three directions.
“There is no pipeline linking Azerbaijan to Ukraine, so the Ukrainian refineries are supplied with oil from Ceyhan, which is a long way, of course. Your economy will be more effective if you can receive such oil supplies from the Black Sea terminals. Therefore, it is necessary to seriously assess this economic aspect. As for political support, Azerbaijan has been providing it.”
Gas is a topic closely related to oil. We know that Azerbaijan will supply liquefied gas to Romania. Ukraine is actively discussing the issue of a plant in Odesa to buy Azerbaijani liquefied gas. Foreign media have written and spoken much about Azerbaijan having no surplus gas. Could you please comment on this?
“At one time some of the media were as active discussing oil resources, alleging that Azerbaijan has no oil left, that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project would never be carried out, because without oil supplied from third-party countries it would never be able to use its capacity in full. At the time, these allegations were taken for what they were worth, and were of course falsehoods. The pipeline was built and it is currently the only Caspian oil supply line to the global market, to the Mediterranean coast. Azerbaijan’s current oil fields allow our country to make full use of this pipeline. When the construction of the pipeline began, the oil extraction rate was 15-16 million tons. Today, it is in excess of 50 million tons. Naturally, the presence of reliable export routes predetermines investments in the oil/gas sphere. Azerbaijan’s current gas deposits allow this country to feel confident despite all those apparently biased and bribed media reports. Let me tell you the proven gas fields in Azerbaijan amount to some 30 billion cubic meters, compared to 10-11 [billion] used for domestic consumption. We can quickly boost the gas extraction rate to 40, even 50 billion cubic meters, but we need contracts to do so. Therefore, we will discuss this kind of cooperation between our countries, the more so that this aspect has never been seriously considered during previous years.”
Filling stations bearing Azerbaijan State Oil Company logos appeared in Odesa this August. Can you tell us about this project?
“I’m very glad to know that this state-run company, SOKAR, is investing in this sphere. This company will extend its activities to other Ukrainian cities. Furthering this field of endeavor will, of course, depend on the effectiveness of this particular project. I think that we have good prospects here, and that we won’t have any problems in this sphere.”
Azerbaijan is known as one of the most important buyers of Ukrainian weapons. What projects are you planning in this realm?
“There are also good traditions in the military-industrial complex. Azerbaijan has been purchasing Ukrainian material for a number of years. Our country is quite satisfied with this business cooperation and sees good prospects. Azerbaijan’s current financial capacity is incomparably higher in the early years of [national] independence. Its defense budget allocations next year will amount to more than three billion dollars. Most of this money will be spent on military purchases and domestic manufacture of the required material. In fact, Azerbaijan has started developing a military-industrial complex of its own. Some of our MIC products are on international displays and being exported. I must say that our Ukrainian partners have played a part in these projects; we have joint ventures and intend to further this cooperation.”
There are reasons to expect the Transnistrian conflict to be settled before long. If so, will this have a positive effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue?
“Doubtlessly, should any of the post-Soviet conflicts be effectively resolved, this would give an impetus to the settlement of other such conflicts. After all, they have much in common: aggressive separatism, ethnic cleansing, encroachments on territorial integrity, and occupation. Lots in common, indeed, although the history of such conflicts and relations among the peoples involved varies. Needless to say, Azerbaijan wants all such conflicts settled. If and when this happens, I’m sure that all countries will become aware of the advantages. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is at the top of Azerbaijan’s political agenda. Other than that, I can see no short- or long-term problems. Our economy is showing steady progress, our country is dynamic, modern, and it has made its name on the international arena, in certain aspects, let alone Azerbaijan’s regional image. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hasn’t held back our economic progress; we have shown spectacular progress with a million refugees and domestic migration in a country with a nine-million population. Imagine our situation without this progress. So much spent on our defenses, on the resettlement of refugees, providing them with adequate housing accommodations. We’re building settlements, schools, hospitals, and roads. We’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars on all such projects. Armenia could also take part in regional development, cooperation, and economic integration projects, but this won’t happen until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled. I also think that they [i.e., the Armenian government] harbored absolutely ungrounded expectations with regard to their relations with Turkey; they expected an open Armenian-Turkish border. This never happened. First, because it is impossible to normalize relations with a country to which you’re placing territory claims and keep trying to denounce in all international organizations, in conjunction with the so-called genocide. Second, because there is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the key factor holding back cooperation in this region. Armenia, therefore, has two options: (a) sticking to its aggressive policy, contrary to the rules of International Law, thus driving itself further down the blind alley, and (b) discard this policy and establish normal relations with Azerbaijan and other countries. In fact, Armenia’s territorial claims address not only Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also other countries in the region, although these claims remain shelved. All of us have to live in this region, so it’s best to have a well-off friend than a foe in the neighborhood.”
What are the most instrumental lessons that you have learned from your father? What are your innovative contributions to Azerbaijan’s politics?
“My father, Heydar Aliyev, is behind everything we have achieved, everything Azerbaijan can boast of today. Before he became head of state, our country was on the verge of collapse. Our history records a period when Azerbaijan received independence, after the fall of the Russian Empire, but this independence lasted two years, then it was taken away from us, due to a number of objective reasons, also because neither our politicians, nor political institutions were prepared to deal with this independence. The Soviet Union fell apart in 1991 and Azerbaijan became an independent country, but we could lose our independence in 1993. Add here the Armenian aggression, the civil war in Azerbaijan, and a very complicated political process, let alone the economic crisis. It was then that the people of Azerbaijan displayed their will and wisdom by voting for Heydar Aliyev in 1993, even though among those in power were reactionary, I’d even say extremist, racket-like forces. He laid the foundations of today’s Azerbaijan. Our people cherish his memory, and this is graphic evidence. He was an extraordinary personality; he had courage, took a principled stand, and he has foresight. He loved his people and dreamed of when we would become masters of our country. His dream had come true, so my main task in 2003, after coming to power, was to lead Azerbaijan along the road of progress and modernization. I had to transform this country into a modern, dynamic one, with all the universally recognized liberties, where everyone would be happy and faring well, without poverty, unemployment. I’m happy to say that much has been achieved along these lines. As I’ve repeatedly stated, independence doesn’t mean having a national flag and other attributes; it means whether or not you can wage an independent policy. The more so in the case of a country that has for centuries been part of other states and empires, never standing a chance of gaining independence. Generations of Azerbaijani have been born and died with this cherished dream. Finally, our generation is standing this chance. We have no right to let it pass. We must use it so that our country could spend centuries evolving as an independent state.”
May I pose a question relating to the First Lady of Azerbaijan? Together you appear to be one of the most spectacular VIP married couples. Is she jealous of the time you devote to politics?
“Women have always been treated with respect in Azerbaijan — I mean on the social and family levels. I’m happy that Mehriban is also taking part in a number of important projects in Azerbaijan. Her status as First Lady comes from her husband’s status, the rest is what she actually wants and is prepared to accomplish while having this standing. I’m also glad to know that much has been achieved and is being worked upon by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by Mehriban. This foundation is meant to help people in Azerbaijan live a better life. In fact, it is the last resource for all those who fail to find assistance from authorities. The last door to knock on and expect it to open — which is the case.”
What does Ukraine spell for you as an individual and politician?
“Of course, there are all those political and economic ties, investments. All this is important, for they determine further progress for our countries and peoples. Yet this comes second on my personal agenda. Whenever I hear Kyiv or Ukraine, I have very positive emotions. Ukrainian music and culture in the first place. We love them, as we do the overall image of the Ukrainian people. People in Azerbaijan treat Ukrainians as their close friends. Our peoples have cooperated over a lengthy historical period, during the USSR period and after becoming nationally independent countries. Ukraine is one of Azerbaijan’s key [business] partners. There is a monument to Taras Shevchenko in Baku, where the local Ukrainian community members gather. Whenever I think of Ukraine, I’m aware of the Ukrainian freedom-loving spirit. We feel very friendly about your country and people, and we wish Ukraine the best of success — and it can prosper, for there are all prerequisites, and we will rejoice in your achievements and victories.”
