Pakistan is like home away from home for Azerbaijanis

By Saeed Minhas
Islamabad: Azerbaijan will continue to support Pakistan’s fair stand on Kashmir issue at all international foras and hope that UN would try to resolve this longstanding issue between Pakistan and its neighbouring country as per its mandate, says Charge d’affaires of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Mr. Dashgin Shikarov.

In an exclusive sitting with Daily Times, the soft spoken Azeri envoy spoke at length on issues ranging from relationship between Pakistan and his country besides shedding some light on his country’s concerns regarding Armenian occupation of his lands, developments in Afghanistan, right to access nuclear options, role of Russia in new world order and the huge potential of his country with regard to the energy requirements of the regional and international community.

Here is full transcript of the interview

DT: Where do you see existing state of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations and where is it heading?

Shikarov: Azerbaijan and Pakistan have seen each other as a brotherly country. Pakistan was the second country which recognized independence of Azerbaijan after Turkey in 1991. We highly respect and appreciates that Pakistan has always emphasized on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and condemns Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent 7 districts and denies recognizing Armenia because of its internationally criminal actions. Azerbaijan also completely supports Pakistani position on Kashmir issue and is in favour of the UN resolutions affirming Pakistan’s fair view.

Ever since the first visit of the then Pakistani President in 1995 to Azerbaijan and a reciprocal visit of president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev in April 1996, both countries have covered lots of ground in political and economic spheres.

Azerbaijanis know and admire literary activities and revolutionary poetry of Muhammad Iqbal, great son of Pakistani people. We feel Pakistan as our second home away from home because of cultural, social and religious bondage. We have many Pakistanis living, studying and working in Azerbaijan. There are numerous marriages between these brotherly nations and they are increasing day by day.

Feeling the pain of Pakistani brethren, Azerbaijan played its due role by donating over US $ 1.5 million during the 2005 earthquake and over US $ 200 million during 2010 floods. We sent other humanitarian aid during both the calamities besides sending doctors and paramedics to help our Pakistani brothers when they needed it the most. After 2005 earthquake, Rara High School for girls in Muzaffarabad, Kashmir was built on the initiative of first lady Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This school is the first educational institution of Heydar Aliyev Foundation abroad which symbolized brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The officials of Azerbaijani embassy to Pakistan has submitted their 5-day salary amounted 5 000 dollars to Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.

Of course, we think that we should try to do our best to further promote political, economic and cultural relations. Inshallah, Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations will increase and consolidate more by our mutual efforts.

DT: How does Azerbaijan see developments in neighbouring Afghanistan?

Shikarov: Azerbaijan supports the stability, peace and progress in Afghanistan. Both Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are members of international organizations, such as UN, OIC and ECO. The president Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev declared in all platform that Azerbaijan is ready to play its role in construction process of infrastructure of Afghanistan. The government of Azerbaijan asked Afghanistani side to arrange the list of objects which need the construction. Azerbaijan also provides Afghanistan officials to attend the training courses in Baku.

I should add that the events take place in Afghanistan don’t impact our internal situation and commercial policy in negative meaning. Along with its ability of preserving stability, Azerbaijan has old and rich culture that enables many nations, beliefs to live together in peaceful conditions. All faiths suitable to human nature can express themselves and there is no space for radicalism in our country. Azerbaijani Government does guarantee this atmosphere.

DT: How much role does Russia has to play in the Afghan situation in the context of American presence in Afghanistan?

Shikarov: It is my view that all countries should do their best to provide stability, progress and prosperity in Afghanistan and give full support to achieve this aim. Azerbaijan is the supporter of diversifying its energy resources and exploring possibility to export its oil and gas productions to neighbouring and regional countries, according to its increasing capability. Azerbaijani Government discusses conditions of oil and gas export projects and diversification of its pipelines. There are some economic, geographic and security factors to be taken into consideration to carry out lasting energy projects together with other countries.

DT: What about the nuclear options you had after USSR breakdown and how safe are they?

Shikarov: I wish to inform that Azerbaijan has never had nuclear objects. But our country recognizes the right of nuclear utilization by peaceful aims. Generally, we prefer to use wind energy, because Baku and other seaside places enjoy windy climate. But this does not mean that we will never search the possibility to benefit by that kind of energy.