Ali Al Amoudi (Abu Dhabi)
Mahir Aliyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UAE, stressed the historical importance of his country’s celebrations of the first Independence Day, and the sacrifices made by his people to achieve it.
The ambassador praised the level reached by the distinguished relations between his country and the UAE and their transition to the level of partnership, as it celebrates this year the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, expressing his satisfaction with the development they are witnessing. He said that the UAE has been Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner in the GCC region for a long period of time. According to our official statistics, the volume of trade exchange between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to more than 50 million dollars in 2021, an increase of 25 percent compared to 2020.
He added that the value of Emirati investments in Azerbaijan until 2021 amounted to $2.5 billion through projects in the sectors of oil, renewable energy, transportation, food industry, logistics and others. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has invested about 400 million dollars in the UAE markets in various fields.
Ambassador Aliyev said that the UAE, through the “Masdar” company, is building the Karadag solar power plant, which has a production capacity of 230 megawatts, and the plant is expected to start commercial operations in 2023, with an investment value of more than 225 million dollars. He explained that the plant will help generate half a billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is enough to meet the needs of more than 110,000 homes. Masdar has also signed agreements to develop other clean energy projects in Azerbaijan.
Below is the text of the interview:
* Azerbaijan celebrates Independence Day on May 28. Can you shed light on what this historical station represents in the national march of the Azerbaijani people?
The Republic of Azerbaijan celebrates the 104th anniversary of its independence. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed on May 28, 1918, after the collapse of the Tsarist Russian Empire. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first multinational, multi-party secular parliamentary republic established in the Islamic East.
On May 28, 1918, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Assembly of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared the independence of Azerbaijan to the world, following the centuries-old tradition of our people in establishing the state. In a short period of time, the first parliament and government of Azerbaijan was established, borders were defined, important measures were taken in the field of state-building, important steps were taken to recognize the republic at the international level and protect national interests. The laws adopted by the new parliament played a major role in consolidating national independence, ensuring political, economic and cultural development in the country, and consolidating democratic principles. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which only lived for 23 months, had a great influence on the establishment of democratic traditions in the Islamic East.
Despite the difficulties that the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has faced, it has achieved significant achievements. Women gained the right to vote, and with this step they preceded even the most advanced countries in the world at that time. The government at that time was interested in establishing the national army, educating the people and developing science, as Baku State University was established – the first university in the country. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in leaving indelible traces from the memory of the Azerbaijanis, giving them hope that independence could be achieved again, and this hope was realized on October 18, 1991, after nearly seventy years.”
After its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan faced very serious challenges, including economic stagnation and internal chaos, but under the leadership of the national leader and founder of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and current President Ilham Aliyev we have overcome these challenges. Azerbaijan built its foreign policy on the principles of international legality, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. Parallel to the consolidation of foreign policy and democratic reforms in Azerbaijan, great strides have been made for the massive economic transformation towards a market economy. Azerbaijan has become a reliable partner in the region and the world.
* His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan stressed the importance of developing his country’s partnerships with the UAE. How do you view the development of relations between the two friendly countries?
The Republic of Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the development of friendly relations and cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, a country that shares the same cultural, historical and religious values, and Azerbaijan is determined to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates. During these years, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates have successfully and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields serving the national interests of both countries and their aspirations for development. Of course, we must stress the important role of political will and close friendly relations between the leaderships of the two countries in achieving the current high level of bilateral cooperation. This provides a solid ground for enhancing joint action between the two countries to raise the levels of bilateral relations.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev praised the successful development of relations between the two countries in the political, economic, investment and other fields when he recently received the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates His Excellency Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber. At the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev described the implementation of the 230 MW Karadagh solar power plant project, which will be built by the UAE company Masdar in Azerbaijan, as a good example of ensuring common interests and opportunities. Here it is necessary to mention a telephone conversation between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, and His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, during which the development of bilateral relations was praised and views were exchanged on prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy and other fields. .
Also, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy close cooperation and coordination within the framework of international organizations, which enhances their roles and contributions to the consolidation of peace, security and progress in our region and the world.
The most prominent sectors of cooperation
* In continuation to the previous question, what are the most prominent sectors of joint cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE, especially in the fields of investments, and the fact that the UAE is your country’s first commercial partner?
– Trade and investments are among the main areas of cooperation between our two countries. The United Arab Emirates has been Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner in the GCC region for a long period of time. According to our official statistics, the volume of trade exchange between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to more than 50 million dollars in 2021, an increase of 25 percent compared to 2020. With its economic diversity, geographical location and promising opportunities, Azerbaijan is a very ideal place for Emirati business circles to engage in commercial activities and investments. Investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE is developing rapidly. I would like to note that the value of Emirati investments in Azerbaijan until 2021 amounted to $2.5 billion through projects in the sectors of oil, renewable energy, transportation, food industry, logistics and others. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has invested about 400 million dollars in the UAE markets in various fields. Today, we are pleased to witness a dynamic development in our economic, commercial and investment cooperation. A prime example of this is the groundbreaking ceremony that was held in Baku in the presence of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on March 15 of this year for the Qaradagh solar power plant with a production capacity of 230 megawatts, which will be built by the UAE company Masdar. The station is expected to start commercial operations in 2023, with an investment value of more than $225 million. This plant will help generate half a billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is enough to meet the needs of more than 110,000 homes. Masdar also signed agreements to develop other clean energy projects in Azerbaijan, during the same inauguration ceremony.
Here it is worth noting the strengthening of tourism cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan is one of the main tourist destinations for the citizens of the United Arab Emirates. We are pleased to see an annual increase in the number of Emirati nationals visiting our country.
We hope and believe that our joint endeavors will achieve in the coming years a noticeable increase in the economic and trade partnership and the volume of mutual investments in all areas of common interest for the benefit of our two friendly countries.
joint councils
* Relations between the UAE and Azerbaijan witnessed the establishment of business councils and joint committees in various fields and fields. How do you view the role of these councils in developing and developing relations?
– In this regard, we must emphasize the active role of the Azerbaijan-UAE Intergovernmental Economic Committee in the development of economic and trade partnerships. In 2021, the UAE hosted the eighth session of this committee, which was chaired by the two countries’ Ministers of Economy. In addition to the main traditional areas, the session also focused on new economic sectors, such as space, innovation, renewable energy, digital transformation, fourth industrial revolution, etc. We have a wide range of future and promising opportunities to increase economic activities and trade exchange between the two countries. The two sides are working on joint practical steps to explore opportunities for cooperation, to facilitate and expand economic partnerships and trade exchange, and to provide new investment opportunities for businessmen in our two countries, through the establishment of business councils and joint committees.
So far, more than 30 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements have been signed between our two countries, the most important of which are two agreements on avoiding double taxation and mutual protection of investments.
We are pleased to see companies from the UAE active and investing in our country. Azerbaijan has become a very attractive destination for investors from all over the world. About 280 billion dollars have been invested in the Azerbaijani economy, half of which is foreign investment.
Challenges
* The world today faces many challenges in terms of securing energy supplies, the repercussions of climate change, food security issues, the wave of epidemics and disasters. How do you view the level of cooperation and coordination between the two countries to confront these challenges?
The countries of the world and the region today face many challenges at the global level, including climate change, food security, energy security, and so on. There is an urgent need for mutual cooperation between countries and the establishment of stability and lasting peace in the world to face these challenges. We can say that Azerbaijan and the UAE are interested in cooperation in this field, as in all other areas. We are currently working on preparing a document on cooperation in the field of food security. We have fruitful negotiations on cooperation in the field of climate change, and we plan to implement concrete cooperation in this field. The two countries enjoy distinguished relations in the fields of traditional and renewable energy, and here it is worth noting the strong joint cooperation between our two countries within the framework of OPEC Plus.
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