Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 12
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
Humanism and solving the problems through dialogue are the main directions of Azerbaijan's foreign policy, head of the Department of Public and Political Issues of Azerbaijani President's Administration, Ali Hasanov told Trend on Feb. 12.
Hasanov was speaking about the need to tighten the legislation and take warning measures to prevent Azerbaijani youth involvement in armed conflicts abroad, particularly in Syria.
The high-ranking official underscored that Azerbaijan is not involved and does not intend to be involved in the conflicts in various world countries, including Syria.
"Azerbaijan is a country suffering from the conflict," he said. "Some 20 percent of its territory has been occupied. The country has directed all resources towards fair solution of this problem in accordance with the principles of international law. Thus, involving our compatriots in conflicts in other regions, turning them into victims of someone's interests and unclear ideas, is disturbing, because theey are our citizens and the country can't remain indifferent to their fate."
Hasanov underscored that on the other hand, today Azerbaijan itself needs patriotic and selfless youth and citizens loving their nation. He said Azerbaijan, using all available methods, tries to prevent its citizens from getting involved in various conflicts.
"The security bodies, the Foreign Ministry and the embassies closely work on this issue and take appropriate measures. But it is necessary to take into account that this is a very complex issue, which at some point may require a systematic approach," Hasanov said.
"Azerbaijani citizens' participation in conflicts in various hot spots bears a private character. But if this process acquires a mass character and there will be a threat to society, then, as noted above, steps can be taken to implement systematic measures and tighten the legislation as their integral part," Hasanov said.
Touching upon the fact that a great place is allocated to the promotion of radical religious movements in the media outlets and social networks, which can cause damage to Azerbaijan's national security, Hasanov said that in a time when the world faces economic crisis, social unrests, civil strife, bloody conflicts and tensions, some certain external forces, which dislike Azerbaijan, are worried about the country's dynamic development and sustainable stability.
The head of the presidential administration department stressed that sometimes foreign media outlets publish biased materials about Azerbaijan that are far from being objective.
"The internet and online social networks in particular, are absolutely free, and unfortunately the global network is used for carrying out campaigns against various individuals and countries, for pressure on public opinion, artificially creating grudge in the society, as well as for the stimulation of religious radicalism. Often the shadow of certain external forces and international organizations can be seen behind these attempts," Hasanov underscored.
"However, Azerbaijan is a strong state capable of adequately preventing any threats or attempts aiming to harm its national security," he added.