Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 20 / Trend R. Hafizoglu/
Kuwait's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ghassan Al-Zawawi spoke in an interview with Trend Middle East Desk
Q.: How do you assess the current level of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait? What are the main priorities of your activity in the nearest future?
A.: First of all, we thank Trend Agency for attention. We wish you success in your work and look forward to further cooperation with such an influential agency.
Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait are specific. It is stipulated by certain geopolitical factors. Unfortunately, our countries adjoin to ill-natured countries. Moreover, our similarity lies in the availability of natural resources. I am very proud that I work in Azerbaijan, in a country where oil was industrially produced for the fist time in the world. There is a misconception that oil was industrially produced for the fist time in Pennsylvania. After careful considering this issue, I found the opposite. The palm of supremacy belongs to the Azerbaijani field Bibi Heybat. Extraction was carried out here seven years before the operations in Pennsylvania.
Relations between Kuwait and Azerbaijan in the political and cultural spheres develop at a high level. At this position I intend to further strengthen this cooperation.
In my work I took Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's wishes as a basis. These wishes include bringing our economic relations to the level of cooperation in other spheres. This proposal was made within my meeting with Azerbaijani President while delivering credentials.
Building strong economic ties is one of priority spheres of our activity.
Q.: Mr. Ambassador, what is official Kuwait's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? What proposals can official Kuwait make to resolve this conflict?
A.: Kuwait's official position has been repeatedly expressed at the level of the international organizations and the UN. It is the need to observe the international law and support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Kuwait has faced a similar problem in 1990 and our position can not be different, because we understand the feelings of people deprived of their lands by violence and occupation.
Basing on personal experience I wish the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan not to lose hope because the belief in a just cause is the most important factor in the return of rights to inhabitants.
Q.: At what level is the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kuwait in the field of education? Is there an exchange of students between countries? What actions are carried out for the development of bilateral cooperation in this area?
A.: Unfortunately, Kuwait-Azerbaijan relations in this area are limited on a number of objective reasons. It is related with the fact that neither Kuwait, nor Azerbaijan is considered as research centers. Of course, we would like to change this situation. But such issues are not solved only in terms of policy.
Suppose you have a younger brother who wants to study nuclear physics. You will advise him to go to study in Kuwait, proceeding from good relations with this country. He, in his turn, will consider your proposal biased. Political solutions can not stipulate the development of ties in education between the two states, though they create a certain basis in this area. Even if we demonstrate some persistence, I think, we will not be able to solve this problem soon.
However, Azerbaijanis get education in Kuwait. It is a matter of honor for me to work with some of them. I call them "children of Kuwait".
Q.: How do you think will Azerbaijan-Kuwait Investment Company (KAIC) prefer the construction sector of Azerbaijan while financing strategic projects in 2010? In general, how do you assess the development of construction and non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan?
A.: Azerbaijan-Kuwait Investment Company is still too young. We, as the embassy, carefully regard this practice because it is a new practice. If it succeeds in this issue, then it will start as a torch, lighting the path of Kuwait investments in Azerbaijan.
Perhaps it will be useful for you to know the following facts. One of the statistical information relating to a special sector of Kuwait, says that following the events in the United States on September 11, the U.S. government with more tension around the status of financial transactions, the adoption of specific decisions in this area, based on the internal reasons, a large sum worth $ 400 billion belonging to Kuwait was returned to it. These funds belonged to the special sector but not the state. As you know, capital is "cowardly" and it should be so. Capital must grow and develop. If it remains without development, it can face the risk of its existence.
We are very interested in the practice of Azerbaijan-Kuwait Investment Company and its achievements. First, because, as I said, this practice relates to Kuwait's special sector.
Kuwait's side is represented in the company by the company registered in the stock exchange, and even having special authority on Kuwait's Stock Exchange. Another important reason is that this is the first joint venture, in which the Azerbaijani government participates with its Investment Fund. Third, because this is not investment of certain individuals, but corporate investment (made by legal entities).
Speaking about the individual investments, we must stress that they were before corporate ones. One citizen of Kuwait arrived in Azerbaijan 12 years ago. Since that time he has been engaged in making investments in the restaurant business. This person belongs to one of the famous aristocratic families of Kuwait. He is the son of a very experienced ambassador. This is Kuwait's first investment in Azerbaijan with a twelve-year history. But the real company is a legal entity. Its success is very important to us. We wish success to this company. We would like that the State of Kuwait and the Azerbaijani Republic to have mutual interest in successful work of this company.
Q: At what stage is the preparation of an inter-governmental agreement on Azerbaijani-Kuwaiti cooperation in trade?
A: During his visit to Kuwait, the President of Azerbaijan has signed five agreements that make up the infrastructure of relationships and agreements between the two states. These include the general agreement on the promotion and protection of investments, eliminating double taxation, economic and technical cooperation. However, not the number of agreements, but creating conditions for citizens of both countries to make mutual visits, exchange goods and investments between the two countries is important. This means that the agreement is a kind, not a goal, but a mean of opening a path. Nothing can be achieved without a certain way. These agreements are the way leading us to the goal. Also, we must know that the agreements are the beginning of activation and the promotion of economic ties between the two countries.
Q: Is the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development ready to mitigate procedures and conditions for investments in Azerbaijan's economy?
A: The Kuwaiti Fund for Economic Development has helped a number of projects for a certain period. From the point of view of creation, amongst the development funds in the Middle East, it has the longest history and was established by the State of Kuwait to assist developing countries and friendly countries in need. Over past few years, the Fund has provided preferential loans to Azerbaijan as well, funded the construction of the Baku district roads.
The road was built by the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. Unlike other funds, the method of work of the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development is that it provides very little information on its activities on assistance to other countries. It does not use this as a means of propaganda. Kuwait Fund for Economic Development was founded upon the Islamic and Arab principles "left hand should not know what the right hand is doing". The late Emir of Kuwait Jabir Ahmed directly dealt with this issue. For this reason, many states give preference to the Kuwait Development Fund. Today, Azerbaijan regained its prosperity, the sphere of oil production develops. Today, Azerbaijan has rich reserves. Some of the officials with whom I met said that Azerbaijan has become a rich country. I would say that this is a wrong opinion. Azerbaijan has always been rich, the lack of material reserves does not mean that this country is poor. Poverty is not associated with the presence or absence of wealth. Poverty is the loss of human intelligence.
Let us set Bangladesh as an example. In terms of material criteria, the country is considered poor. But whether is it poor in reality? Let us set example the Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunis. He created a bank, which is considered legendary in terms of economic development of weak spheres for the poor, and created opportunities for them to participate in nation building. Can this state be considered poor? I believe that this understanding should be re-considered.
With full confidence we can say that over recent years, Azerbaijan has not needed any help. I have no information about such wishes. Usually, a side seeking to obtain assistance or loans first establishes relations through existing channels and later expresses its desire. So, the question is connected with the Azerbaijani side, with the presence or lack of such desires. However, I do not think so. I believe that the material wealth of Azerbaijan and its wise leadership will not allow a similar requirement.
Finally I want to bring to your attention that as usual, on Feb. 25 Kuwait will celebrate its National Holiday and Feb. 26 - Holiday of Freedom. On this occasion, the Embassy will organize a reception on Feb. 24. Once again I wish successes to Azerbaijani-Kuwaiti relations.
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