Day.Az Interview with Daniel Pommier Vincelli, Researcher and
professor, Sapienza University of Rome
- What are your impressions of Azerbaijan? What do you think about its
future?
Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, inhabited by generous and open-minded
people. Thanks to a high degree of social cohesion Azerbaijan overcame a deep
crisis, caused by the aftermath of the dissolution of Soviet
Union and the
conflict with Armenia in early '90s. After two decades the political turning
point given by the rise to power of H. Aliyev produced a fast growing economy
and a dynamic society, relying on political stability guaranteed by the strong
leadership of I. Aliyev. Of course, as in every country (including Italy) there
are problems and contradictions. But Azerbaijan is following the right path and
building a strong civic society. My auspice for future is that Azeri people
could soon join European family and European values and system.
- What can you say about balancing policy that Azerbaijan adheres in
relation with the influential powers in the region and beyond?
Independence is always a best choice. The important thing is to avoid
isolation. I think that Azerbaijan as
minor regional power should maintain
independence among different interests in a crucial region where great and
medium powers launch their ambitions. Nowadays the country should avoid
isolation either, by enhancing links with reliable European partners like
Italy. Even the definition of West does not cover properly anymore a very
complex framework. Being pro-west does not necessarily mean pro-American. I do
hereby support this independent stance of Azerbaijan. The milestones of this
policy should be the international cooperation, international law and
stability. I think that so far Baku respected all these key principles.
- If to talk namely on the relations with Europe, what do you think about
future of Azerbaijani-European ties?
Azerbaijan in Europe is a dream I often dream of. I do not know if Europe will
enlarge against to East as she did until 2007. I hope that we could obtain one
day the historical landmark of having Turkey in Europe as a full member. Until
then the European enlargement is more a political approach than institutional
and legal. Europeization means sharing the same values and strategies. I think
that both parts could strengthen their links if they focus pragmatically on the
same task: a peaceful, large, open and democratic Europe (or Eurasia) from the
Atlantic to Central Asia.
- Then, how to explain the fact that the European Union’s role in the South
Caucasus looks weak, though, according to Brussels, that region holds an
important place on the agenda of European diplomacy?
Europe is often weak not only regarding Caucasus. I think, as I told in the
previous question, that Europe should be more pragmatic and not losing time in
useless polemics with Azerbaijan, like the election process. The partnership
with Azerbaijan is strategic. I hope that next Vilnius meeting will pave the
way to enhanced cooperation with the most fast growing economy of the six
Eastern partnership countries.
- Share your thoughts with respect to Karabakh problem and its perspectives
of settlement
I am always very stunned by the fact that in Europe very few people know that
not only Karabakh is under Armenian occupation but many Azeri districts, which
in 1992-1994 were inhabited by a clear majority of Azeri: people actually
internally displaced in Azerbaijan. The Azeri nation suffered then a great and
unjust loss of territory, people and future. This concept should be fully
understood by the international community. Of course I support a peaceful
solution based on the mutual principle of self determination and integrity of
the Azerbaijani borders, as based in the four UN resolutions. I hope that the
meeting between the presidents of the two countries, the first without official
mediators, could lead the issue out of stagnation
.bmp)
