In 1991, after the disintegration of the USSR, Azerbaijan restored its independence. But in the government crisis that followed, with the loss of territory as a result of the Armenian aggression, the Azerbaijani people wanted Geidar Aliev to come to power. The then leaders of Azerbaijan were compelled to invite him officially in Baku. On June 15, 1993, Geidar Aliev was elected chairman of the Supreme Council, and on July 24, with a decree of the Milli Medjlis (parliament) he assumed the office of President. With the general elections in October 1993 Geidar Aliev was elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This event opened a new era for the Azerbaijani people and statehood. On October 11, 1998, with exceptionally high electoral activity, the head of state was re-elected President with 76.1% of the votes. Geidar Aliev was the personality who managed to unite the people, to stop the military aggression against Azerbaijan, to restore its fame of an oil country, to turn it into one of the most economically advanced countries in the region, and create conditions for democratic development and progress in the republic.

I have to note with regret that the 20th century, which brought the country independence, did not save it from aggression and territorial claims. Today, as we know, as a result of the aggression of Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, 20% of the country’s territory (890 towns, villages and hamlets) is occupied, over 1 million people are displaced, 30,000 have been killed, 50,000 are injured or handicapped. The damages are estimated at 60 billion dollars. Modern Azerbaijan has sufficient potential for forceful solution of the conflict and liberation of the occupied territories, but as before, it remains an adherent to the peaceful solution of the Armeno-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. President Ilham Aliev makes maximal efforts for the quick peaceful solution of the problem by direct negotiations with Armenia’s president. Negotiations are also carried out within the OSCE Minsk Group at the level of foreign ministers and special representatives of the presidents of the two countries.

We can confidently say that Azerbaijan, built up with the consistent efforts of the all-nation leader Geidar Aliev, continues along the road of democratic development and this irreversible process will contribute for the higher international prestige of the country and strengthening of its independence.

In 1995 the presidents of Bulgaria and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Some clauses of this agreement are already successfully implemented. What are the envisaged lines of cooperation?
The agreement, signed between President Geidar Aliev and President Zhelyu Zhelev, gave impetus to the overall development of our relations. Today we have over 20 concluded agreements and treaties, most of which ratified and, as you said, successfully implemented. This is expressed in the dynamic growth of the trade and economic cooperation, the joint actions within the signed agreements.

Please note that while in 2002 the trade between our two countries amounted to 9,300,000 dollars, toady it is 54,800,000 dollars. I would like to stress that our countries attach due importance to the stepping up of cooperation within the framework of important international projects such as TRASECA (the Euro-Asian transport corridor), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, the partner relations in GUUAM, etc.

In what fields there is potential for contacts between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan? On what should we focus our attention in the bilateral relations?
We have all prerequisites for intensification of the cooperation between the two countries. I think the two countries should ratify the achieved agreements as soon as possible and make maximal efforts for their implementation. I am sure the fulfillment of the decisions, especially in the field of transport services, will be of great importance for raising the level of the trade-economic relations between our countries and peoples.

In the field of culture and tourism?
The cultural relations are far from neglected. Eminent specialists from the two countries are in fruitful cooperation. I may say in this area we have wonderful plans and relations. I would cooperate in any way possible, I have some good ideas and I will try to realize them.

Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are tourist countries. In this sense tourism is an important part of the life of both nations. We will do our best to have more and more Azerbaijanis coming for holidays in Bulgaria. I am sure this will happen. People know, they remember that Bulgaria is a splendid tourist country and would visit it with pleasure.

Modern Azerbaijan is an oil country. Oil contracts and the grandiose projects in the field of energy promise a huge economic growth. How would you comment this?
Despite all difficulties caused by the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against Azerbaijan, under the guidance of the national leader Geidar Aliev in our country the foundations were laid of a new stage of democratic, independent socio-economic development and favorable conditions were created for high economic growth. The oil strategy, worked out and consistently implemented by Geidar Aliev has not only socio-economic but also political implications. It is one of the major achievements of the country. As a result of it today Azerbaijan has a favorable investment climate and cooperates with different companies from the national sector of the Caspian Sea. Testimony to this bear the over 23 contracts with 25 oil companies.

The Azerbaijani part of the pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan is already put into operation. Its whole construction is scheduled to be completed soon. The oil pipelines Baku-Novorosiysk and Baku-Supsa are already functioning. After the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan oil pipeline and the gas pipeline Baku-Erzerum the revenues for the Azerbaijani economy will grow, and this will boost the prosperity of the population and the integration of Azerbaijan in the global economy.

What will be your personal efforts for the promotion of bilateral contacts between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan?
On the eve of my appointment as ambassador to Bulgaria I undertook before the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev the commitment to work for the further all-round enhancement of the relations in compliance with the national interests of the two countries. All my personal efforts will be subordinated to this task.

You have been in Bulgaria for several months now. What places have you visited in our country? What are your first impressions?
In the sphere of our work I and all officials at the embassy have been connected in some way to Bulgaria. We are very happy to be working here now and be able to contribute for the strengthening of the friendly relations between our countries. We have not been in Bulgaria long, but we already love your wonderful country and your great people.

Ralitza Dukadinova

On August 15, at the BTA national press club there was a press conference of H.E. Mr. Elman Zeinalov and H.E. Mr. Ivan Palchev, Ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria to Azerbaijan, on the subject: State and prospects of the Bulgaria-Azerbaijan political, economic and cultural relations in the light of the forthcoming visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliev in Bulgaria.