(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Elnur Enveroglu Read more The ongoing processes are beginning to shape a new political
reality in the European Political Space. In this sphere, which has
been observed to emerge from Reykjavik to Baku, the name of
Azerbaijan has also been present from the very beginning, and it is
a specially invited party to this format.
Currently, when looking at the European space, it is clearly
seen that the OSCE is in a completely paralyzed state and does not
have any role in the issue of European security. On the other hand,
although many issues are discussed within NATO and the EU, these
organizations cover certain states. In other words, there is no
institution that can play the role of a discussion platform within
the general European framework.
Currently, the European Political Union is in the process of its
formation and serves as an important platform for conducting open
and informal discussions between the states at the level of
leaders.
At the meeting in Chisinau attended by the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev based on a special invitation, discussions
are continued at the level of working meetings as well as general
plenary meetings at the level of leaders and top diplomats. It
should be noted that, as in the first meeting held in Prague, three
main directions were defined in the meeting held in Moldova:
energy, transport links and security.
There is no doubt that the participation of the head of state of
Azerbaijan in this meeting is not limited only to the issue of
security in Armenia and the South Caucasus. The fact that
Azerbaijan hosted an international event called Baku Energy Week a
day before the event shows that it has wide economic opportunities.
Especially in the meeting of Moldova, Azerbaijan is active in
issues related to energy and transport. Here, relevant working
groups and President Ilham Aliyev personally participate in open
and useful discussions with state and government leaders.
As mentioned earlier, Azerbaijan is already putting aside the
deliberately extended problems related to Armenia in the South
Caucasus. Prolonging the conflict issues in the region in a
meaningless way and fruitless discussion does not benefit any
party. Even the Western partners who have taken the initiative in
these issues understand that negotiating with a state like Armenia
is a waste of time. As the top leaders of the European Union have
noted, Azerbaijan, the most reliable partner, is seen as an
attractive party in the discussions of more large-scale energy
projects today.
A new model of the European Political Union
As for the future prospects of the European Political Union,
what form it will take and finally its formation as an organization
that can have a new pan-European character - this is a topic of
discussion for the future. Currently, there is no unified opinion
among the states on this issue, but such prospects are possible in
the future.
It should be noted that over time there was a concept within the
framework of the OSCE that would go from Vancouver to Vladivostok,
but as we can see now, a new reality, i.e., a political concept,
covering a political space from Reykjavik to Baku is being
formed.
The transformation of Azerbaijan into the energy capital
of Europe
As mentioned earlier, political motives are beginning to change
in the European space. The ongoing situation in Ukraine and the
emerging economic necessity have become the driving factors for all
these processes. Europe sees Azerbaijan as a door of hope and has
unlimited confidence in its vast potential. This is not an
exaggeration - indeed, the international event called Baku Energy
Week, attended by President Ilham Aliyev a day before his visit to
Moldova, clearly described everything. Today, in such a situation,
the leading states of Europe, as well as the Eastern Europe, the
Balkans, and the Baltic states, which are seriously affected by the
war in Ukraine, give great priority to economic values.
And finally, the participation of the President of the Republic
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the second summit of the European
Political Union organized in the capital Chisinau based on the
invitation of the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu
and the President of the Council of the European Union Charles
Michel can be noted as an important meeting with many points.
It is of note that Azerbaijan's political and economic relations
have developed at a high level not only with European countries,
but also with Moldova. There is a high-level dialogue between the
two countries, and these mutual relations continue to develop in
the spirit of friendship and cooperation today.
Within the framework of his visit to Moldova, President Ilham
Aliyev also met with Moldovan President Maya Sandu and Prime
Minister Dorin Recean, and during the discussions, the parties
brought up the prospects of economic cooperation in agriculture,
energy, and investments in large-scale projects. It is also
significant to noted that diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan
and Moldova have been going on for 31 years. Back in 2005 and 2009,
when President Ilham Aliyev visited Moldova, 63 documents were
signed between the two countries.
Note that since 2004, the Intergovernmental Commission on
Economic Cooperation has been operating between the two countries.
The commission has held 4 meetings so far, and the last meeting was
held in October 2022.
Today, 23 investment companies belonging to Moldova operate in
Azerbaijan mainly in the fields of industry, transport, trade, and
services. It is no secret that Moldova has invested 3.8 million US
dollars in Azerbaijan (mainly non-oil and gas sector). Meanwhile
Azerbaijan has invested USD 13.8 million in Moldova (non-oil and
gas sector). In addition, in 2022, the total trade turnover between
Azerbaijan and Moldova amounted to 23.85 million USD, which is a
3.79 times increase compared to 2021.
At the same time, Azerbaijan's humanitarian aid to Moldova once
again clearly shows the existence of mutual and warm relations
between the two countries. Back in 2020, during the height of the
pandemic, humanitarian aid worth 455,428 manats (about 268,000 USD)
was sent from Azerbaijan to Moldova to support the fight against
the coronavirus. In order to meet the needs of Ukrainian IDPs who
moved to the territory of Moldova since the beginning of the war in
Ukraine, the state of Azerbaijan provided 29,12 tons of medicines,
and humanitarian aid worth of USD $ 1 mln was sent to Moldova on
April 15, 2022.
Along with all this, cultural relations between Azerbaijan and
Moldova are also developing. It should be noted that with the
support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a Culture and Education
Center was built in Ceadir-Lunga, Gagauzia AutonomTerritorial
Authority of Moldova. In addition, the President of Moldova Maia
Sandu personally participated in the event held in Chisinau this
year on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of
Azerbaijan on May 28 and the 100th anniversary of National Leader
Heydar Aliyev.