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‘Azerbaijan is a land of music and culture’

Q. How would you describe the current relations between Indonesia and Azerbaijan?A. Indonesia recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 28, 1991, and established diplomatic relations with Baku on September 24, 1992. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Jakarta in 2005, and Indonesia opened its embassy in Baku at the end of 2010. Relations between the two countries are developing successfully at the bilateral level and within the framework of different international organizations. The opening of the Indonesian embassy in Baku will give an additional impetus to fostering relations between Indonesia and Azerbaijan.

Q. What would you say about your citizens living, studying and working in Azerbaijan?
A. There are 35 Indonesians living in Azerbaijan, most of them are staff of the embassy with their families, Indonesians working with oil companies in Azerbaijan, Resident Representative of Asian Development Bank (ADB) with his family, Indonesians married to foreigners and Indonesians married to Azerbaijanis. Currently, there are no Indonesians studying in Azerbaijan, but long ago, in 1962, there were around 50 students at Baku’s prestigious State Oil Academy. After completing their studies, many of them went back to Indonesia to work in the oil and gas industry, and out of 50, two Indonesians decided to stay in Baku until now.

Q. Is there any student exchange program?
A. As yet, there is no student exchange program, but I am happy to inform you that every year the government of Indonesia offers 3 kinds of scholarships, namely, Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarships (IACS), Dharma Siswa, and Master Program in the framework of Developing Countries Partnership.

Q. What is the trade turnover between the two countries?
A. Indonesia is among Azerbaijan’s biggest 10 trade partners. For example, in 2009 trade between Indonesia and Azerbaijan worth $664.5 million was recorded. Indonesia imports crude oil from Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan imports some goods from Indonesia, such as rubber products, household appliances, vegetable oil and textiles.

Q. What can be done to increase tourist exchange?
A. Both Azerbaijan and Indonesia are rich in terms of beauty, their cultural and ultimately, geo-strategic position. Both countries are abundant in places of interest, and both are also countries of warm, friendly and Oriental hospitality. Recently, many Azerbaijanis have taken interest in visiting Indonesia as tourists. Due to the lack of information about Indonesia, some Azerbaijanis know little about the country. Therefore, the Embassy of Indonesia will try to do its best in order to disseminate information about Indonesian culture and tourism by taking part at an international festival or international exhibition in Baku or other cities of Azerbaijan. In addition, the embassy will regularly send the Travel Writer and Tour Operator to Indonesia.

Q. Do you like music? What about Azerbaijani music?
A. Yes, I do. Indonesians share with Azerbaijanis a love for music, be it classical or contemporary. Azerbaijani music is enriching world musical culture with its rare pearls, taking two main forms: folk music that includes songs, dances, Mugam and Ashig music, and contemporary music that includes classical music, jazz, pop and rock. The tradition of folk music has a special place in Azerbaijani music, and in 2003 it was included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage.

Q. What do you think about our culture?
A. Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has maintained a unique culture and traditions. It used to be a major trading hub on the Great Silk Road, and its people of various nationalities, religions and ethnic groups are very tolerant, coexisting peacefully in Baku and other cities. It is like in Indonesia. The country also boasts many talented artists, writers, philosophers, intellectuals and thinkers, both in the past and the present. And two years ago Baku was selected as the Capital of Islamic Culture by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). This year, Azerbaijani singers won Europe’s prestigious Eurovision song contest. I can say hat in addition to being a "land of fire" and a "land of wind", Azerbaijan is a land of music and culture.