Vuhar Seidov: "The possibilities of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine are considered limitless"

Official visit of the President of Ukraine V. Zelensky to Azerbaijan

Why do we need GUAM? What does it mean to be a pragmatist state? What is expected in Baku from the future? About this and many other things - in a conversation with a well-known Azerbaijani political scientist, our own correspondent azertac in Germany Vuhar Seidov.  

Mr. Seidov, in your opinion, is there a need for GUAM today?

The island of Guam in Micronesia - yes, it is necessary. It is beautiful there, although it is far away and, accordingly, it is not accessible to everyone. And as for the organization, the fact that the member states of this association are victims of a disaster of the same nature - external aggression with the use of a motley "fifth column" within our states - is in itself a unifying factor. GUAM is useful at least because delegates from these countries can act as a united front when voting in various international platforms, such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and, in general, the UN as well. We are united by one "attack". Why refuse the organization, when it, at least, does not harm. The second thing is that its activity could be intensified. Yes, I agree with that.

Do Azerbaijan and Ukraine have prospects for defense and military-industrial cooperation?

Unlimited You know, we do not ask permission from anyone, from whom to buy defense products and to whom to sell. In this sense, Azerbaijan is a pragmatist state. If something is beneficial to us and suits us in terms of price and quality, then we buy it, and without looking around. Major world players have long since mastered this reality, and we have not felt the pressure for a long time. We are being pressured pointlessly. Therefore, you know, if Ukraine has potential, Azerbaijan is always interested in studying it and possibly using it. Our suppliers include Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, and a number of EU member states. Ukraine also occupies its niche in this series, and we are glad about this fact.

Recently, the Azerbaijani Bakcell acquired the Ukrainian operator Vodafone from the Russian MTS. This is a rather large deal - how else can strategic cooperation be fulfilled?

Azerbaijan acts according to the formula "everything that is beneficial to us". Everything that is profitable from an economic point of view and justified by investment deserves our attention. The details of the deal you mentioned are not disclosed, but the fact that Azerbaijani capital is expanding its presence on the Ukrainian market, I think, should please both parties. For Ukraine, this is investment, and for Azerbaijan, it is the development of new markets.

Vuhar Seidov

Is Azerbaijan currently experiencing competition from Russia, in particular, in the gas industry in the Turkish and European direction?

Azerbaijan does not cross anyone's path, including Gazprom. There are open paths for the export of gas to Europe and Turkey, both in Russia and in Azerbaijan. There are no obstacles on these paths, and no one interferes with anyone. And the demand for gas in the EU is so high that both states can sell their hydrocarbons indefinitely. Therefore, talking about competition is also an exaggeration. The second thing is that Russia does not mind controlling the routes of transit and transportation of this production. But the chain of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey and further Europe passes far from the sphere of control of the Russian Federation.

Since the change of power in Armenia, a significant period of time has already passed... Has something changed in the rhetoric and positions of Yerevan?

In order for the rhetoric to change, it is necessary to change the mindset. I am afraid that this will never happen to the Armenian leadership - whoever is at the helm of power. I am not asking for illusions about a peaceful resolution of the conflict. And the problem here is not in Azerbaijan. On the contrary, we suffered for a long time. Baku gave Yerevan too much time to reconsider the impasse of its position - almost a third of a century. Too many chances. In Armenia, there is no sense of an approaching denouement. And there they still think that they will be able to repeat what they miraculously managed to achieve in the uncontrolled 1990s. They do not understand that times are not the same anymore, and a miracle does not happen twice. In an attempt to keep everything, you can lose everything. If you want to leave something, then you must give up something. In the history of Armenia, as it seems to me, similar mistakes have already, unfortunately, taken place.

Elections are coming up in the USA next year. Is it possible to say that Baku maintains a comfortable dialogue with the White House of President Trump?

I think it is more comfortable than with his predecessor, who broke a lot of firewood in relations with Azerbaijan. A trusting relationship has developed with the current administration in Baku.

And last but not least, what does the expert community of Azerbaijan expect from the coming year?

In the internal life of the country - the acceleration of reforms initiated by the head of state. A new parliament will be elected. Elections are scheduled for February 9. I hope these will be young, energetic, well-educated professionals. The new composition of the parliament will become an aid and an additional driving mechanism in the reforms that are gaining strength.

Of course, we hope for an increase in the number of tourists, especially on the days of group matches of the European Championship in Baku.

If there is no collapse in world oil prices, which is not yet predicted, then the level of well-being of the population will further increase. Well, if there will be any macroeconomic force majeure on a global scale, then, I hope, the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan will help the country withstand another test. In foreign policy, I do not foresee any special hopes for the sobering up of Armenia. I think we should continue to strengthen the army and be ready to return what we have stolen. Azerbaijan has all legal grounds, rights, and power capabilities too.

And to you, the people of Ukraine, as well as to our other friends in GUAM, we wish peace, prosperity and restoration of territorial integrity.

talked Maxim Mikhailenko, editor in chief Newsky