Top official: Azerbaijan has regional and int’l reputation

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 13 / Trend S. Agayeva / Azerbaijan has both regional and international reputation among world countries from the political point of view, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov said in an interview with Trend. "Azerbaijan marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of its independence this year," he said. "The achievements were made in foreign and domestic policy. I would like to stress some of them." The national leader Heydar Aliyev laid the basis of the Azerbaijani foreign and domestic policy, Mammadov said. His course covers decades and focused for the future. "As this foreign policy course is conducted correctly, today we see these achievements," he said. Mammadov said everybody notes that Azerbaijan is really a regional leader. This is so, but recent events show that Azerbaijan's credibility, ratings and capabilities extend far beyond the region. "Azerbaijan has taken the first place in the Eurovision song contest this year. It was not just a victory in the contest. Azerbaijan has proved that it has the opportunity to take its rightful place among the nations, he said. Mammadov said Azerbaijani people proved that we have made great achievements in the field of music, literature and culture. This means Azerbaijan's integration with the European countries. This is accepted and confirmed by the European nations, he said. Azerbaijan's electing to the UN Security Council was the second event, he said. Mammadov said that in spite of great difficulties, the Azerbaijani diplomacy made a decision to go to the end. "Finally, about 155 world countries have shown willingness to prove their faith in Azerbaijan and voted for our country," he said. "The country and its president have great confidence worldwide." From the political point of view, Azerbaijan enjoys not only regional but also international reputation among world countries, he said. "I think, Azerbaijani diplomacy will further strengthen its credibility within the President's foreign policy course for the next two years," he said. "At the same time, Azerbaijan is one of the most active countries in terms of international cooperation today. I think that Azerbaijan will continue its dynamic development in the future." He said that leading Azerbaijan for 35 years, Heydar Aliyev changed the appearance of Azerbaijan and Baku. President Aliyev made it even more beautiful for the last eight years. "I am sure that the subsequent years will be more successful for Azerbaijan and full of great achievements," he said. He noted the authorities do not plan to determine a new direction in foreign policy. Azerbaijan's political course is to establish good relations with all countries, he said. "In particular this concerns neighboring countries, then the countries with which strategic relations have been established and the countries with which broad ties exist," he said. Azerbaijan has very important and difficult tasks in the period of activity in the Security Council, he said. "A new group must be established at the Foreign Ministry," he said. "It will participate in the preparation of Azerbaijan's position related to all processes occurring in the world. I think that if we fail to achieve the desired results on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue by using our authority and opportunities during our activity in this organization, we will work to include this issue in the agenda of this organization." Novruz Mammadov'statement can be also followed on his personal Twitter page at www.twitter.com/NovruzMammadov Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az