Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

A forum on Azerbaijani-German dialogue entitled "Azerbaijan's path to Europe: progress and potential" kicked off in Baku on May 24.

The two-day forum was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in cooperation with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany as well as the European Union and also issues of regional security were discussed at the forum.

Distinguished representatives and officials from Germany and Azerbaijan are in attendance.

Addressing the forum, the head of the Europe and North America Department of Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Jens Paulus, said that he had witnessed a drastic change in Azerbaijan and hailed rapid development of the country.

Paulus noted that the EU is interested in Azerbaijan not only due to its energy potential; the cooperation with Azerbaijan also includes political and security issues. He said Azerbaijan contributes to the security of the region.

Speaking at the forum, head of the Presidential Administration's social and political affairs department, Ali Hasanov, hailed the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation.

"After we regained our independence, we unequivocally announced that we have chosen the path to Europe," Hasanov said.

"The European way of development fully meets the interests of the Azerbaijani people and corresponds to the historical traditions of Azerbaijan. We see our future in the integration into European countries and the European Union," Hasanov noted.

Hasanov said Azerbaijan chose the European path of development in 1992 and this choice was reflected in Azerbaijan's state policy, Constitution and all documents on state-building.

He said Azerbaijan does not see its future security model within NATO or the Collective Security Treaty Organization; Baku has chosen the way to join a bloc of neutral countries.

"It does not mean that Azerbaijan will not or cannot change its choice. The choice can change any time. Azerbaijan's national interests are the decisive factor, and if national security interests require that it is necessary to join NATO, then it will be so. If national interests require reconsidering Azerbaijan's participation in CSTO, this issue will be reconsidered. Our security, energy, economic, political and social interests stem from and are based on the needs, interests of the Azerbaijani people," Hasanov said.

Also addressing the forum, former State Secretary of Germany Friedhelm Ost spoke about the history of Azerbaijan-Germany cooperation.

He said Azerbaijan is an important partner of the EU in the South Caucasus region and expressed willingness to develop cooperation with the country.