Ali Hasanov: “Azerbaijan is a true example of the secular model of the Islamic world”

BakuAli Hasanov, head of the department for socio-political issues of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, kindly agreed to answer questions “Daily Forum". In his interview, a high-ranking representative of Baku shared his views on the experience and achievements of Azerbaijan in the field of intercivilizational dialogue, and also spoke on the topic of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel.

— In the region where Azerbaijan is located, there is a complex geopolitical situation: instability, armed conflicts, increased radicalism, the aggressive foreign policy of some neighbors, the threat of terrorism, etc. What do you think are the main challenges facing Azerbaijan today?

— The South Caucasus region has important geopolitical significance and has great potential for development. Energy, transport and other transnational projects, some of which were initiated by Azerbaijan, have created favorable conditions for the prosperity of the region. However, such unresolved territorial conflicts as the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh, Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian, Russian-Ukrainian and others create the ground for destabilization of the situation and are a direct threat to regional security.

For example, as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan was occupied by neighboring Armenia, more than a million of our compatriots as a result of this aggression turned into refugees and internally displaced persons and were subjected to ethnic cleansing on their own land. I think and am confident that the Jewish people, who experienced the terrible events of the genocide of European Jewry - the Holocaust, treat our pain and the suffering of innocent people with understanding and pain - to Khojaly genocide actcommitted by Armenian armed forces in 1992 in Azerbaijan.

In this regard, I would like to highlight the recent speech by President Israel Reuven Rivlin from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, where, along with other tragic events of the twentieth century, Mr. President also noted the Khojaly genocide, for which we are sincerely grateful.

The uncontrolled territories seized by the separatists, including in Nagorno-Karabakh and around it, the so-called “gray zones” are an ideal place for the prosperity of international terrorism, the drug business, the illegal arms trade, etc. Of course, taking into account the fact that the neighboring countries also faced a similar situation, it is rather difficult to talk about strong regional security and regional stability.

Despite the difficult geopolitical situation over the years of independence, we managed to turn Azerbaijan into a strong, prosperous and steadily developing country. Against the background of non-abating confrontations, strengthening of radicalism, and also religious intolerance in the world, the international community observes a real and qualitative example of a modern and strong Azerbaijan, which in fact can be a true and real model for many countries.

— Do you think it is even possible to build a developed society that combines Islam and the secular foundations of the state?

The other day, the head of our state, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, noted that we all want to see stable, peaceful development in our countries. Radicalism is a threat to all of us, and the geopolitical position of our countries is a natural barrier to the penetration of radicals into the European continent. Azerbaijan serves as an authentic example of a modern and secular Muslim country. This suggests that in a Muslim country it is also possible to build a modern, secular society that respects traditional religions and is based on universal human values.

In June 2015, Azerbaijan will host the 1st European Games. And in 2017, our country will host the Islamic Solidarity Games. This is a clear example of a modern Muslim country that combines global and inter-civilizational traditions and values.

— What are the basic principles of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy?

Equal cooperation, respect for the norms of international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries are important principles of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Based on these principles, Azerbaijan cooperates with all countries of the region and the world, including the State of Israel. After the restoration of independence, Azerbaijan established close political ties with both the countries of the West and the East, and with neighboring countries. Our cooperation in the transnational oil and gas and transport sector has transformed the energy map of the region and Europe. We have provided and are providing comprehensive assistance to the international coalition in the fight against international terrorism and participated in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. There are enough examples of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and other countries of the world.

— How radical Islam is a threat to Azerbaijan?

— Of course, from time to time certain forces have tried and are trying to aggravate the internal situation in Azerbaijan as well, to disrupt the socio-political stability of the republic. There are attempts to destabilize society also through the religious factor. But the deep commitment of the Azerbaijani people to the traditions of tolerance, the idea of ​​multiculturalism and the government’s purposeful policy in this direction are the true obstacle to the spread of religious radicalism in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani people and the leadership of the republic will never allow the chosen model of a secular state to give way to the model of a religious state, and this policy will be continued in the future.

— How would you characterize the current relations between Azerbaijan and Israel and how do you see the further development of these relations in the future?

— In recent years, Azerbaijan has become a dynamically developing country in the world and has strengthened its status as a regional leader, political, economic and humanitarian center of the South Caucasus. Having become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and guided by international legal norms, Azerbaijan took an active and principled position in making decisions regulating the system of international relations throughout the world.

Azerbaijan conducts a balanced foreign policy aimed at preserving and developing relations with all countries of the world. I can note with satisfaction that the relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, both in bilateral, regional and international relations, are of a strategic partnership. In the political sphere, I would like to note the mutual understanding and friendly relations between the leaders of our countries.

We actively cooperate in the economic sphere, special attention is paid to energy, the supply of advanced technologies, military, telecommunications, agricultural and other areas. Also important are the socio-cultural, spiritual and human relations between our peoples, social organizations, the media, as well as diaspora organizations.

As for the prospects of bilateral and multilateral relations, they can be assessed only positively. There is great potential for developing and deepening cooperation in regional and international relations.

Unfortunately, from time to time attempts of some international forces to dissolve these relations are traced, but we are sure that such attempts will not give any result. We also hope that the biased anti-Azerbaijani articles recently published in some Israeli newspapers are not taken seriously either by official circles or the Israeli public.

— Can Azerbaijan become a bridge between the State of Israel and the Muslim world?

— The official implementation of the policy of a secular, modernized, multicultural society in the republic demonstrates the commitment and consistency of President Ilham Aliyev to the goal of turning Azerbaijan into one of the world's humanitarian centers. We have fully secured all the rights of national minorities, religious concessions, including the 20-thousandth Jewish community, its cultural and religious life. I want to note that there is also an Azerbaijani diaspora in Israel, uniting 70.000 people from Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan, which is part of the Islamic world, at the same time has friendly ties with both all Islamic countries and the State of Israel. I believe that this practice can also serve as a model in inter-civilization bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan believes that in the modern world there is no place for national and religious confrontations, territorial claims, escalation of tensions by artificially forcing national and religious intolerance, incitement of violence and hostility. All issues must be resolved within the framework of international law, constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. Our country, if necessary, can contribute to the cause of strengthening peace and stability in the Middle East, between Israel and the Islamic world, etc.

President Ilham Aliyev in the Red Sloboda

— What is the situation of the Jewish community of Azerbaijan today and how does this community influence Azerbaijani-Israeli relations?

Of course, in the establishment and strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, a significant role was played, and both Jews from Azerbaijan, who now live in Israel, and the Jewish community of Azerbaijan will play a significant role.

Regardless of national, ethnic or religious affiliation, all citizens of Azerbaijan are linked by a common history, common destiny and common interests. Jews, as well as representatives of other nations and ethnic minorities living in Azerbaijan, have always been full members of society, have never felt alienated. The settlement of Krasnaya Sloboda, located in the Guba region of Azerbaijan, with the exception of the State of Israel, is the only compact place of residence for Jews in the world. I can say with confidence that the Jews of Azerbaijan, unlike the Jews living in Armenia, have almost never encountered any manifestations of anti-Semitism. Even during periods of outbreaks of anti-Semitism and exacerbation of anti-Israeli sentiments in various countries of the world, Azerbaijan maintained a friendly attitude towards Jews.

The Jewish community shows an active civic position, plays an important role in the social, political, economic and cultural life of Azerbaijan. It is represented in the country's parliament - Evda Abramov is the deputy chairman of the Human Rights Commission of the Milli Majlis.

About twenty sociocultural and charitable Jewish organizations are registered and functioning in Azerbaijan. At the republican level, I would like to mention the activities of such organizations as the House of Jews, the Azerbaijan-Israel Society, the Association of Jewish Women of Azerbaijan, the Center for Jewish Culture, as well as the branch of the international Jewish organization Sohnut and others. With the assistance of the Jewish communities and the Israeli embassy in Baku, they hold many cultural events, publish Jewish literature, and organize various events.

Currently, there are seven synagogues in the capital of Azerbaijan, as well as in the cities of Guba and Oguz. In 2003 and in 2012-ies in Baku, at the expense of the Azerbaijani state, two new synagogues, which are one of the largest in Europe and stand out for their architectural features, were built and opened for religious events. Every year, material assistance is allocated from the state budget of Azerbaijan to the Jewish religious community functioning in the republic.

According to the initiative of the Organization of Jewish Women of Azerbaijan, the first Jewish kindergarten was opened, which is provided with the most modern equipment. There are 5 Jewish schools in Baku and Guba, where about 1500 schoolchildren are studying. On the basis of the secondary school number 46 of Baku, classes were opened for the study of Hebrew, Jewish culture and history. Since 2003, a private Jewish school has been functioning in Baku, and the Hebrew teaching has been included in the curriculum at the faculty of oriental studies at Baku State University. October 4 2010, within the framework of the project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation “Address of Tolerance - Azerbaijan”, President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Head of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and the International Foundation Or Avner, Lev Leviev took part at the opening ceremony of the educational center "Chabad-OR-Avner", designed for Jewish children living in Baku.

The Azerbaijan-Israel Friendship Society - "AzIz" publishes the newspaper "Azerbaijan-Israel", and the local Jewish society "Unity" in the village of Krasnaya Sloboda publishes the magazine "Gudyal".

Jews living in Azerbaijan widely celebrate their national and religious holidays, and the head of state annually makes an official appeal to the Jewish community.