Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Representation in Turkey holds international conference “Energy security and regional problems in Caucasus”
Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Representation in Turkey and Uludagh University holds international conference “Energy security and regional problems in Caucasus” in Bursa.
Delivering greetings from President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva to the participants of the conference from all over the world, the Head of the Representation Samir Jafarov said commemorative ceremony is held on May 8 due to the 20th anniversary of the occupation of Shusha, the centre of the Azerbaijani culture, by Armenians, and May 10 is the 89th birthday of national leader Heydar Aliyev. So, the conference dedicated to the most necessary problems of the region held on these dates by the Foundation named after the great leader is an important event.
Addressing the event, former member of the US Congress Michael McMahon called Azerbaijan a leader and most developed country of the region. Criticizing the US administration’s policy on Azerbaijan, he noted non-appointment of a new ambassador to Baku and obstacles the previous ambassador faced are connected to some political circles preferring national interests to local ones. Washington should establish closer relations with Azerbaijan, a leader in the region, and with other Turkic republics. To ensure energy security, transport energy resources to Europe more reasonably, the US should pursue a quicker policy in South Caucasus. It would serve the peace and stability in the region as well.
First Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Arif Hashimov said Azerbaijan implemented independent energy policy yet in the 70-80s of the last century when the republic was led by great leader Heydar Aliyev. “Contract of Century” was signed after founder of the modern state of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev returned to the power and the country became the leader of the region.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey Faig Baghyrov highly valued the conference coincided with the birthday of national leader Heydar Aliyev. He noted the great leader, who attached great importance to economic relationship with Turkey, specially in energy sector, achieved accomplishment of huge transnational projects such Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum. New projects are implemented thanks to President Ilham Aliyev, who continues this policy.
Assistant to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Fatih Ceylan said the priority to Ankara in assurance of global energy security is supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Daghyg Garabagh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflicts in South Caucasus are serious obstacles to the development of the region and implementation of energy-communication projects. Components here are ethnic, religious and territorial disputes and each should be solved on the basis of international law. Keeping status quo in the Daghyg Garabagh conflict cannot last long. Ineffective work of OSCE Minsk group as a mediator demands reformation of this institution on the basis of additional members. Turkey demands fulfillment of the UN Security Council’s resolutions for the liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. After those resolutions are fulfilled, Turkey may discuss normalization of relations with Armenia and opening of frontiers. After the occupied lands are freed, a new geopolitical situation and additional energy routes would emerge in the region.
Secretary General of Turkic Speaking Countries Cooperation Council Halil Akinji, Aide to Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Sefa Aytekin mentioned importance of the energy projects implemented in the region, stressing the determination and intellect of genius of Turkic world Heydar Aliyev in this field.
Azerbaijani MP Fazil Mustafa, Professor of the University of London Shirin Akiner, Professor of Istanbul Culture University Hasan Koeni, representative of the US German Marshall Foundation, Professor Joshua Volker talked of the significance of South Caucasus and Central Asia to the global energy security and important role of Azerbaijan in this affair.
The reporters replied to questions from journalists and students.
In reply to question about the position of the US in the settlement of the Daghlyg Garabagh conflict, Michael McMahon said the conflict must be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shares the same position. Barack Obama’s administration should understand that the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict can lift the influence of Washington in the region and strengthen energy security.
The conference, which brings together scholars from German, Russian, Canadian, Turkish and US universities, will continue on May 10.