Peter Semneby: "Azerbaijanis are a specific nation that combines both European values and Asian traditions"

- Does the European Union consider the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan to be a test for democratic development?

- The political part of the agenda plays an important role in the plan of actions, we have developed with Azerbaijan. In this connection, of course the elections, which are a responsible test for young democracy, are also an important stage in the development of our relations.

- Will possible violations during the election process influence the rate of Azerbaijan's integration with Europe?

- I would not want to speculate on the problems. I do hope that the elections will be free and fair.

- Is the European Union ready to assist in this process?

- Certainly, the European Union is ready to assist in the achievement of this goal. This concerns both us and Azerbaijan.

- The European Union is growing into a more active independent player in the South Caucasus, along with such traditional actors as Russia and the United States. In this connection, how great is Brussels' interest in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which hinders the full implementation of joint projects, including Nabucco?

- I would not say that Nabucco and Karabakh conflict are directly bound. For us both are important. Certainly, the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict is important for us, because this region would have been different if not for this conflict. It would be a region where countries are more developed than now, which is also critical for security. This would have been a safer region, which would attract more foreign investors to it.

Undoubtedly, all these positive processes would have occurred, if not for this conflict. The Karabakh problem is really an obstacle on the way of development of a whole region for a long period.

- You have been engaged in the South Caucasus for long and you have managed to study the mentality of local people. Azerbaijanis are Muslims, people with predominantly Eastern nature. At the same time the country's leadership has chosen the European integration as an unquestionable priority of external policy. Do you think Azerbaijanis are more Eastern or Euriopean nation?

- Azerbaijanis are a specific nation, which combines European values and Asian traditions, which means that Azerbaijan may play a unique role. In this connection, I do hope that this role will be a wealth for the European Union.

- Some state that the main reason of Turkey's non-admission to the European Union is an attempt to preserve the status of "a purely Christian club" for this organization. What do you think about the position of some radical circles in Europe, who states that "there is no place for a Muslim country in the European Union"?

- I can state that today Islam is one of the most important religions of the European Union. I do not agree that European Union is a Christian club. What is really important is to define whether a country supports European values of not.

Thus, I would not put the question this way. I think, Turkey has made its choice 80 years ago and has become a European country by its constitutional system, by features of its identity and other characteristics. That is the point.

/Day.Az/