The Republic of Azerbaijan is considered as one of the reliable partners in the foreign policy of Scandinavian countries-Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Since 1992 countries of northern Europe have been keeping diplomatic relations strong and stable with the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially the deep and comprehensive development of the cooperation in various areas- such as politics, economy, technology, science, education and energy that is significant and necessary issue in the interests of the foreign policy of Scandinavian countries and Azerbaijan.
The territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also the peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorny-Karabakh conflict have been supported by the government of Nordic countries more than once in accordance with principles of international law, as well as resolutions of the UN Security Council. All of them have already opened their own embassies in Baku.
The role of Norway in economy and energy of Azerbaijan
The Kingdom of Norway recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on January 2, 1992. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 5, 1992. The embassy of the Kingdom of Norway to Azerbaijan was opened on July 22, 1998. Mutual cooperation has been expanded between two countries since the begging of 1990 years. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Norway on April 24-25, 1996. During his visit he exchanged views with the Norwegian king Harald V, Prime Minister G.Brundtland, President of the Norwegian Parliament K.Grondahl, Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Godol, Minister of Energy and Industry K.Stoltenberg on the development of relations between the countries.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met the Prime Minister of Norway K.M.Bondevik during the third summit of the member-countries of the European Council held in Warsaw on May 16, 2005. The parties expressed their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as the successful activity of Statoil in Azerbaijan. Calling Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline a historic event, Kjell Magne Bondevik appreciated it as one of the biggest projects in the world. Ilham Aliyev emphasized the existence of opportunities for developing the relations not only in energy sector, but the other fields of economy as well. Contracts on taxes and investments were signed during that visit.
Energy and economic issues aim to play vital role in the development of mutual cooperation, while numerous economic and energy agreements have been signed by the representatives of the governments of two countries. Norwegian companies, include main energy giant-Statoil are granted opportunities to contend with other western companies in Azerbaijan, as huge investments are still putted on the exploration of oil and the reconstruction of fields in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian sea, and the promotion of progress in economic sectors by Norway. For instance, the president of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed new energy agreement with Statoil, which it is expected to build up “Karabakh oil field” in Caspian Sea.
SOCAR reports that the sides agreed on cooperation in the sphere of exploration, development and sharing of production from a number of promising areas in the Caspian Sea and development of Karabakh oil field. In addition, mutual cooperation between two countries indicates itself in education, science and culture. Public figures of Norway and Azerbaijan are interested in cooperating each other closely in culture, such as the day of Norwegian concert was organized in Baku Music Academy to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and Azerbaijan, as well as cultural events of Azerbaijan were held in Norway. In scientific field, Memorandum on cooperation was signed by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Research Council of Norway, November 22, 1994.
Numerous documents-such as Memorandum, Joint Declaration, Convention, Protocols were signed by the governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Norway which are aiming to serve for the expansion of relationship between two countries in the foreign policy, mutual defence, investment, taxes and energy.
Foreign relations with Sweden, Denmark and Finland
The diplomatic relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the Kingdoms of Sweden and Denmark, also Finland were established in 1992, while the independence of Azerbaijan was recognized by these countries. Since this year the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been working on the enhancement of bilateral relations with Sweden, Denmark and Finland in the number of fields on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.
Three northern countries of Europe and the Republic of Azerbaijan are interested in cooperating reciprocally each other within the United Nations, OSCE and other organizations. Sweden, Denmark and Finland have companies in Baku, while they are engaged in the implementation of numerous projects in order to develop economic, social and technological services in Azerbaijan. Moreover, there is a huge potential for the strengthening of dialogue in culture, science and technology not only between representatives of the governments, but also public figures of Azerbaijan and these countries.
In 2004, The Azerbaijani parliament voted for the ratification of an Azerbaijani-Danish memorandum on implementation of the Kyoto protocol under which Denmark committed itself to financing a series of projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Azerbaijan.
Denmark also cooperates with Azerbaijan in bringing peace and political stability to the Caucasus, Denmark has contributed $4 million to programs to achieve this. The 'Azerbaijan-Denmark Friendship Group' was established in the Azerbaijan parliament. The Danish brewery company Carlsberg, bought Baku-Castel brewery in 2008. In 2011, Vestas delivered a wind farm with a capacity of 48 megawatts to Azerbaijan.
During the meeting with Swedish FM Margot Wallstrom, who visited Azerbaijan in February 2016, the ministers reviewed the current status of relations, issues on the agenda between the two countries and stressed the importance of high level mutual visits with a view of expanding cooperation. They noted 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden.
Foreign ministers of both countries have scrutinized the ways of further development of economic relations between their countries. In this regards, they commended activity of Swedish companies in Azerbaijan and mentioned the importance of increasing mutual investment. The ministers also said that there is broad potential for strengthening of economic-trade relations and increasing of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Sweden.
The trade turnover between the countries exceeded $68 million last year, overwhelming majority of which accounted for imports from Sweden.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Timo Soini on the sidelines of the 24th OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna, Austria, to discuss relations between the two countries. The foreign ministers exchanged views on the projects that are interesting to Azerbaijan and emphasized the importance of the twining projects implemented within the framework of cooperation with the EU.
International and regional energy projects which have been carried out by the Republic of Azerbaijan-such as Southern Gas corridor and its considerable component-Trans Adriatic Pipeline are considered by Nordic countries as essential contribution to European Energy security. Additionally, in diplomatic negotiations Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is mentioned as accessible project that has object to restore short way between the East and West.
Officials of the government of the Nordic countries also underscore the importance of peace, stability and prosperity in South Caucasus.
Yunus Abdullayev
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