The EU-Azerbaijan strategic partnership is impossible without democratic reforms

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-The Eastern Partnership Forum-2018 Civil Society has taken place. How will this Forum be remembered? What questions were raised in connection with Azerbaijan at the Forum?

- The Forum was mainly remembered by two questions: the adoption of packages for a number of internal reforms. This is, first of all, the code of ethics, and secondly - the creation of an arbitration committee. That is, the code of ethics is quite a lengthy document: from now on, it will determine the principles and values ​​on which the forum will be based. The creation of an arbitration committee was also very important, as there are sometimes misunderstandings within the forum, whether between platforms or between platform authorities. As for Azerbaijan, one of the resolutions adopted by the forum was connected precisely with Azerbaijan. In fact, this text was distributed before the start of the forum with the signature of more than 50 organizations. There was an appeal to the leadership of Azerbaijan and the EU that during the negotiations the main criterion was human rights. If agreement is reached, let human rights and democracy take one of the important places in this document.

In the basis of this appeal, the Azerbaijani delegation on behalf of the forum, using the same text, proposed to adopt a resolution, which was adopted unanimously. The elections for the position of coordinator of the National Platform can be called interesting, but of technical nature in connection with Azerbaijan. These elections were held only for the National Platform of Azerbaijan, because the coordinators of the National Platforms of five other countries will continue their activities over the next six months. Our coordinator Ziya Guliyev decided to resign ahead of time, for this reason we were forced to choose a coordinator for two terms. The first term is until March 31, 2019, when Zia Guliyev"s term ends. The second is from April 1, 2019 until the end of 2020. As a result of the elections, Zaur Akper will be the coordinator until March 31, 2019, and I will be from April 1.

-Before the forum, some media spread the information that the government of Azerbaijan had not been invited to this event, and the reaction was at the level of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The forum organizers denied this message, noting that they would officially send an invitation to the government of Azerbaijan. Interestingly, was the government of Azerbaijan represented at the forum this time, and at what level?

-No, no one from the government of Azerbaijan participated in this forum, and it was not represented at a top level. Of course, it looks shameful: why did they make such a noise, and what does the current attitude show?

- They write that at such events, even representatives of Armenia, along with Georgia, say regard human rights, democracy, fair elections, reforms, willingness to cooperate, and civil changes to be an exemplary model for the region. Azerbaijan among the Eastern Partnership as a "special case" is referred to in a negative form. Is it so?

-Unfortunately, it is so, because in recent years the Azerbaijani authorities are condemned. The attacks of the authorities, reactionary changes in legislation, and other reasons have worsened the situation of civil society in Azerbaijan. Not only at this forum, but also at other international events, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the civil society of Azerbaijan to talk about human rights and democracy issues, especially after the peaceful revolution in Armenia this spring. At present, we are in an excluded state. The NGOs representing Armenia and officials everywhere and in every way advertise a peaceful change in their country carried out in a civilized way, as well as at this forum. On the opening day of the forum, the foreign minister was one of the panelists, and extensively touched on this question in his speech. On the last day of the forum, spoke one of Pashinyan's former assistants. He told about the same issues. That is, the main message was that as a country of the Eastern Partnership, Armenia is following the path of democratic reforms. The country demonstrated the potential for democratic changes. Civil solidarity was demonstrated peacefully, without any violence, and voted for its future. That is, they send messages in this direction.

It is quite clear that during discussions and even decision-making, all this will play a role. Thus, unexperienced representative of Armenia was elected to the newly formed Arbitration Committee. One of the reasons is not his personal qualities, but the fact that he represents Armenia. This, of course, is regrettable. First of all, the Azerbaijani authorities and civil society must come up with something, since our country is often mentioned among the countries being criticized, because there are 116 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. In recent years, Azerbaijan has been passing on numerous corruption charges. Most of these accusations have already been proven - Laundromat, caviar diplomacy, and more. Currently, on the initiative of Holland, sanctions are imposed on violators of human rights within the EU. Such countries as Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt are called; these sanctions will be applied to violators of human rights.

- In the middle of 2019, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership Program, the EU intends to complete negotiations on a new agreement, announced the head of the EU representative office in Azerbaijan, Kaustutis Yankauskas. Do you think all problems are fixed for signing a new agreement?

- I know what the European Union wants, maybe they want to sign this agreement on the eve of the 10th anniversary. While it is difficult to talk about eliminating all the problems, because, unfortunately, negotiations are still closed. Civil society does not participate in the negotiations, and is not sufficiently informed about the progress of the negotiations. There was very brief and occasional information that there are serious delays even in the trade issues, not only in political issues, human rights, and democracy. However, the recent public statement by the EU ambassador suggests that there seems to be a lot of progress, at least in the area of ​​trade and politics. It is not an exception that these negotiations will be completed by the specified time. In this regard, we can only make predictions, but do not want to do it. In general, it is difficult to predict anything in this matter. I just especially want to emphasize that in the resolution of the European Parliament, adopted by a large majority of votes, there is a fairly open message. According to him, if an agreement is signed between the EU and Azerbaijan without resolving the issue of human rights, especially the release of political prisoners, the agreement will not be ratified in the European Parliament. It seems to me that this should take into account both the government of Azerbaijan, and necessarily the executive structures of the EU.

-To sign an agreement with the EU under the Eastern Partnership Program, the government of Azerbaijan must either make concessions on the issue of human rights, democracy, civil society, or at least convince the Europeans of this. In your opinion, if Azerbaijan applies the second version, will the Europeans close their eyes to this?

-It is very difficult to answer this question. Of course, there can be each of both options. It is quite possible that statements will be made on some issues. For example, all political prisoners, or, as it was done in 2016, most of them should be released. And on this basis to convince the Europeans participating in the negotiations. Perhaps the executive structures of the EU may close their eyes to some issues, and it is also possible that political leaders of some European countries, proceeding from their own interests, will pass by the issue of human rights. However, as I said, we need to remember the resolution adopted by the European Parliament in spring this year, which openly states, if there is no progress in the field of human rights, political prisoners are not released, the situation does not improve, then we will not ratify this agreement. I think that this should be seriously considered. In particular, the European structures should seriously think about this, since in the end this could cause a crisis within the EU. It's no secret that there are more than 100 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. And this is proved by the European Court, there is other irrefutable evidence. It is very important that the resolution of the European Parliament is taken into account.

-What should be done to improve Azerbaijan"s relations with the EU and the West?

-Improving relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, the West serves only the national interests of Azerbaijan. We must understand that in the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, and in the issue of territorial integrity, and in the context of political and economic security in the sense of geopolitical support, our main ally is the West. Sometimes even the authorities do not deny it. If you remember, the authorities of Azerbaijan expressed their gratitude to Western countries and individual Western institutions for the support provided in the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, other large projects and the South Gas Corridor under construction.

In fact, it seems to me that the Azerbaijani authorities are well aware of the need for good relations with the West. However, they should also understand that the deplorable state of human rights in the country, the situation with civil society, the presence of over 100 political prisoners is a high risk not only for the relations with Europe, but also a risk to the stability and security of the country itself. Both historical and actual examples, as well as practical examples of the modern world, clearly show that it will be difficult enough to maintain independence, stability, sustainable development without protecting human rights, solving people's problems, taking measures towards democratic development, especially for such small countries as our, with such a complex geopolitical situation. Therefore, it is necessary to create conditions for the activities of democratic institutions, civil society, political parties, guaranteed fulfillment of commitments made by Azerbaijan. Nobody wants anything else or any extraordinary steps, too. Although the situation has reached the point when just extraordinary measures should be taken. But we do not want any measures from the outside. We want Azerbaijan to start taking steps on its own, and this is necessary to improve relations with the West. The West names Georgia, Ukraine or other countries going the way of democracy as its strategic partners. Other countries the West can call partners, supporters. However, when it comes to strategic partnership, reforms in the field of human rights and democracy must be carried out without fail, and political prisoners should be released. Civil society legislation should be simplified, and all obstacles to their activities should be removed.