Baku, Azerbaijan, July 23
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
The European Council President Donald Tusk's visit to Azerbaijan has been one of the very important events both for Azerbaijan and for the Europe-Azerbaijan relations, said Novruz Mammadov, the deputy head of Azerbaijani presidential administration, chief of the administration's foreign relations department.
He made the remarks speaking with reporters on July 24.
Novruz Mammadov underscoring the importance of the visit noted that it was one of Tusk's first visits, and perhaps his first foreign visit outside the European countries.
Tusk openly said that for the European Union, Azerbaijan is a truly reliable and strategic partner, Mammadov added.
Mammadov also said Azerbaijan cooperates with the EU in a number of areas at a high level and the country has provided its capabilities for the energy supply.
"It is very important that during the talks there was an extensive exchange of views on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Mammadov further said. "And the unacceptability of keeping the status quo was underscored, and the European Council's president openly stated that the EU supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan."
"We have come a long way to get such a legal assessment," said Mammadov. "This shows how great importance the European Council attaches to cooperation with Azerbaijan."
Mammadov said that initially, there was a certain agreement on this visit.
Indeed, Tusk was supposed to pay this visit during the European Games, according to Mammadov.
The European Council's president intended to take part in these Games, but the developments in Greece in June created a very serious situation, he said, adding that therefore, the heads of the European Council were to meet.
"The situation was critical. Therefore, Tusk apologized and notified us that he won't be able to come and cancels the visit," said the top official.
There have been various approaches to a number of issues between Azerbaijan and EU structures, as well as some western structures in recent times, especially, since early 2015, according to Mammadov.
"We believe the main reason is that since the first days of gaining independence, Azerbaijan has been successfully and closely cooperating with the EU and European states in all fields and in a number of very important strategic spheres," said the top official.
"Personally, I want to mention that among the post-Soviet states, there is no other country as Azerbaijan which successfully and comprehensively cooperates with European structures and European countries," he added.
The top official said Azerbaijan cooperates with EU and European countries at the strategic partnership level in some fields, adding that energy sphere is one of them.
"The projects implemented in the energy sphere in these years became major projects that contributed to the development, stability and security of the region in general and to some extent, to Europe's energy security," said Mammadov.
Furthermore, he noted that Azerbaijan very effectively fights terrorism together with the European Union.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan cooperates with European structures in ensuring peace in various parts of the world, according to the top official.
He added that Azerbaijan very closely cooperates with EU in political and cultural spheres.
"Nevertheless, we have made open, sincere and stricter demands to European structures since early 2015," he said.
"We say that if we have such cooperation in the strategic sphere, we expect equivalent attitude in return," said Mammadov. "However, unfortunately, although we have been waiting for a long time, we can't get this attitude at a desirable level."
When certain short statements or remarks are made about European structures and countries, representatives of some non-governmental opposition organizations and oppositionists calling themselves activists make a fuss at once, said Mammadov, adding that no one thinks that maybe these remarks have grounds.
Let them to serve their patrons, those who finance them, said the top official, adding that however, it would be better if they remember that they are Azerbaijani citizens.
Mammadov said that in recent years, he hasn't heard these people demanding European structures, or any country to show a fair position on Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Meanwhile, talking about the human rights, none of them has ever said a single word about the violation of fundamental rights of over a million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs and perhaps, won't say further, since they fulfill only orders.