Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The first meeting of Azerbaijanis working in international organizations kicked off in Baku on March 17.

The event is bringing together Azerbaijanis working for the United Nations organizations, Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking Countries, International Organization for Migration and offices of other organizations in various countries.

The event aims to create a systematic approach and a unified center of the Azerbaijani citizens with international work experiences to ensure their active participation in the development of the country. The creation of a single database covering detailed information about the Azerbaijanis working for international organizations, establishment and application of regular coordination mechanisms are among the goals of the congress.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov delivered a speech at the plenary session on "Current situation and future development prospects of Azerbaijanis working for international organizations".

He spoke about the role of international organizations in international relations, geopolitical processes in the international arena and the status of Azerbaijan in this system as an independent state.

Mammadov said Azerbaijan has turned into a key country in the international arena, and it has taken the path of independence and development in the last 23 years.

"However, some people both within the country and outside it do not want to see such success," he noted.

He pointed out that the Armenian lobby conducts activity against Azerbaijan in the world.

"Some politicians, media outlets and public figures under their influence carry out campaigns against Azerbaijan. They spread fictitious, false information, lies and slander about Azerbaijan, they do "black PR" against the country," Mammadov said.

"You, as sons of the country, are entrusted with the important task," he said, addressing the participants of the congress.

Mammadov said today, the number of Azerbaijanis working in international organizations has reached 100, and it is growing day by day. "Our compatriots are promoted to higher positions in various organizations," he said.

He called to continue holding similar congresses. "It would be nice if it becomes a tradition to expand cooperation and communication with each other, and with institutions and structures in Azerbaijan," he said.

Azerbaijan has embassies in 57 countries, while its general consulates operate in ten countries. Azerbaijan is the home of embassies of over 50 countries, and general consulates of three countries, he said.

"Over 20 Azerbaijani organizations are working in the world, while the same amount of representative offices of foreign organizations are operating in Azerbaijan," Mammadov underscored.

Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said there is a need to increase the number of Azerbaijani citizens working in international organizations.

"Azerbaijani citizens working in such organizations must communicate with each other," he said.

He said it is necessary to create a flexible system. "The exchange of information and coordination may be the first objective. It is also necessary to put forward initiatives on regional and trans-regional projects in accordance with the interests of Azerbaijan and to create opportunities for their realization in Azerbaijan," he said.

"It is a must for Azerbaijan because the country is developing and its international prestige is growing," he noted.

Azimov also spoke about certain forces working against Azerbaijan, one of which is Armenian propaganda.

"Azerbaijan is strongly against our development," he said. "By taking advantage of all opportunities, the country is telling lies about us," he added.

Azimov went on to say Azerbaijan's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is based on international principles, supported by the majority of countries and organizations.

Azimov stressed that the 'Great Return' project associated with the return of people from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to their native lands, must be promoted in the international organizations.

"One must not forget that there are refugees and internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan who were forced to leave their lands," he said. "The problem of refugees and internally displaced persons has been solved temporarily. This must not be considered as a solution to the problem. Real solution comes when then return to their homelands." he said.

Addressing the event, Head of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration Department for Work with Law-Enforcement Bodies, Fuad Alasgarov said Azerbaijan should change position towards some international organizations.

"So far, organizations such as Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Transparency International pursued a policy of double standards towards Azerbaijan and have prepared reports based on false information. Rather than to co-operate with such organizations, it is necessary to fight the double standards and prevent the spread of false information spread about Azerbaijan," he said.

Alasgarov said he doesn't think that co-operation with these organizations can be successful.

"I think that we must change our position in relation to them," Alasgarov noted.

Also, Alasgarov stressed the importance of expanding the ruling party's international cooperation.

"Not only South America, but all countries in America as a whole must be included in the scope of the ruling party's cooperation," he added.

"As for the European countries, we must define the approach to expand the scope of cooperation in two directions, namely the countries of Western Europe and Eastern Europe," he said, adding that it is also necessary to expand relations with Central Asia.