Eastern partnership - 10: Expectations and results

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and European countries began forming after gaining of our independence. Involved in the integration process were 6 post-Soviet countries. By the way, a regular phase of these relations also known as "Eastern Partnership" Program (EPP) is considered to be a third phase of cooperation with the European Union (EU).

Large-scale solemn ceremonies were held in 2019 on the occasion of 10-anniversary of cooperation between Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. No ceremonies of this sort were held in Azerbaijan.

This notwithstanding, following formal relations, the countries of "Eastern partnership" (EPP) are going to develop political frames in 2020. Note that member-states and the EPP (governments, parliaments, local and regional governmental bodies of power) invited international organizations, financial institutions, representatives of civil societies, business and private sector, scientific community, analytical centers, youth, mass media and other parties concerned to attend discussions. These discussions will be finalized by a document mirroring a new framework for "Eastern Partnership" after 2020.

When it is talked about these 10-year long significant events, the latter could be united into several groups notable for moments worthy of mentioning.

Why did the civil society fail to take advantage of the EPP?

It has to be kept in mind that the "Eastern Partnership" Program was drawn up largely by a group of persons notable for their monopoly position in the NGO sector. "Eastern Partnership" Program elections were led by a narrow group persons that bestowed a doubtful benefit upon the government". As an exception to the rule, there were also merited and authoritative representatives of civil society. The Program-involved members stressed episodic successes of civil society within the framework of cooperation with the EU. On the other hand, no opportunity was available to take advantage of the cooperation potential.

If Azerbaijan is not minded to develop relations with the EU, why should it waste time and devaluate values? Why are senseless expectations generating in society? Was it so necessary to dissemble all these years? Note that EU"s aspiration to take Azerbaijan off from the Russian orbit and accept it as a part of Europe is easily understandable. What good will it do for the Azerbaijani authorities to be in alliance with Russia to the end of time? If a strategic severance will sooner or later occur, why should not we accelerate the process? Even despite a punch. Note that Elchibey was cuffed in due time? Didn"t he take a bitter triumph of Russia for sherbet when 90, 000 -strong Russian army left Azerbaijan at his demand? If non-durable heads of the state make a sacrifice of this sort, won"t our nation join the ranks of world"s free countries? If those willing to get to the paradise are not brave enough to meet the death, they are doomed to live at Hades forever.

Our courteous refusal from collaboration with EU institutions is based on such tactful issues as democracy and human rights. They are reckoned to be a weak link of the Azerbaijani authorities. Frequent postponement of this process is none other than an attempt to discontinue nation"s development. Failure to develop under the pretext that terms proposed are inconvenient for you should be interpreted as manifestation of corporate, not national interests. As a matter of fact, the political intendment calls for professional management of state affairs, not a kind of company management.

Countries of Eastern partnership and small- and medium-sized entrepreneurship: the lowest index

It ough to be noted that the role of Azerbaijan in the said process was due not only to the sial and institutional aspect. Our poor achievements within the framework of the program go back to economy.

As is known, a factor that accounts for a tendency of the development of a country"s economy is dependent upon a degree of involvement of subjects of small-and medium-sized entrepreneurship in GDP formation, employment and export. For example, small- and medium-sized enterprises take above 50% of total employment and GDP in the United States, Japan, England, Germany, Poland and Hungary. According to the Turkish Statistics Institute, the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the production sector of economy is above 3 mln which makes up 98,0-99,0% of total number of enterprises. Note that more than 75% of employed population is engaged in SME subjects.

It should be borne in mind that small- and medium-sized enterprises constitute the basis of the European economy. Suffice it to say that 99% of business un the EU and two thirds of employment in the prive sector fall on their share. Besides, small- and medium-sized enterprises pay an important role in ensuring the economic growth, introduction of innovations, creation of jobs and social integration.

It should be remembered that Azerbaijan is ranked last by a share of small- and medium-sized enterprises in economy "Eastern Partnership" Program. Under a plan of road maps, a share of small- and medium-sized enterprises in GDP will reach 15% in 2020 and 35% in 2025 - 35%. This index is expected to reach 60% after 2025.

Worthy of approval are progress made over the past two years in establishing an institutional and organizational structure required for enhancing a role and a competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises. It has to be kept in mind that under last year"s polls 32% of EU companies assessed the establishment of the Agency for development of small and medium business as "good", and 53% as "middle".

However, EU companies are concerned this year about effectiveness of the new body. Thus, just 15% of EU companies believed the agency to be effective for needs of small and medium-sized enterprises while 35% confessed that they were badly aware of its activity. As has been noted above, Azerbaijan is far behind all EPP countries by a share of small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in country"s economy. The latter testifies to high coefficient of resource concentration in our economy.