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with drafting the different science In this context Azerbaijan tried to bene- fluenced the common European
education laws and making proposals fit from the opportunities proposed by economic area, and the indivi-
to bring our national legislation into the EU projects to successfully imple- dual economies of all EU member
line with European and Bologna stan- ment its European-oriented foreign countries. This impact has had terrible
dards. The new "Law on Education" economic policy. As a person who consequences on some sensitive eco-
intending to improve and modernize conducted research on Azerbaijan's nomies like Spain, Italy, Greece and
the Azerbaijani education system has integration into the EU, I can confirm Cyprus. Of course, we observe the sub-
already been adopted by our Parlia- that Azerbaijan could become one of sequent negative impact on the EU's
ment. Now we are working on a new the important strategic and reliable role and place in the global economy,
"Law on Science" that will substantiate partners of this unique regional eco- as well as on its foreign policy towards
the relevant reforms in this important nomic integration union. The success its neighbours.
sphere. Being economists, we also par- was based on mutual objectives and
ticipate actively in the drafting and targets stated in both the EU's policy In the case of Azerbaijan, there are
discussions of economy-related laws, towards the South Caucasus region no serious problems in our co-opera-
particularly the laws on the annual and Azerbaijan's EU-related economy tion with the EU following the men-
State Budget of Azerbaijan. policy. tioned difficulties since the European
economy is quite sustained and EU-
Of course, it is not easy for me to hold The EU is now Azerbaijan's main tra- Azerbaijan relations are based on real
two different responsible positions at ding partner covering approximately economic conditions. In this regard, I
the same time. However, my activities 42% of the country's total foreign am still in favour of Azerbaijan's inte-
as a parliamentary expert and univer- gration into the EU.
sity vice-rector are actually two com-
plementary sides (one legislative, ano- Q: Finally, Mr Vice-Rector, where
ther practical) of the same education would you like to see "your" uni-
sphere. In fact, this helps me to work versity a couple of years from
more effectively on both positions as now?
these two directions are interrelated
and interdependent. The real potential of our univer-
sity makes me confident that we will
Q: You have conducted research achieve all our goals in the forth-
on the integration of Azerbaijan coming years. We have reason to be
into the European Community more ambitious and self-confident,
economic sphere. Are you still in and those are very important elements
favour of this integration? in achieving success. Frankly speaking,
I can assure that in the near future you
The topic of my Ph.D. thesis was the will find my university's name on the
"European Neighbourhood Policy and list of the world's most prestigious uni-
prospects for Azerbaijan's integration versities, as well as in recognized inter-
into the European economic area". I national rankings of higher education
would like to sum up EU-Azerbaijan institutions.
relations. The European Union (EU)
recognized the independence of Azer- There is no doubt that the global
baijan in 1991 and established official higher education market is becoming
diplomatic ties in 1992. Since then co- more and more competitive day by
operation between the EU and Azer- trade turnover, reaching US$14 billion day. In this regard, it is obvious that
baijan has been developing both on in 2012. About 47% of Azerbaijani ex- we have to consider all aspects of this
bilateral and multilateral levels. The ports and almost all oil and gas export competition and do our best to use our
"Partnership and Co-operation Agree- go to European markets. Of course, the so-called comparative advantages effi-
ment" between the EU and Azerbaijan energy sector is the main area of EU- ciently.
was signed in 1996 and anticipated the Azerbaijan co-operation. This arises
development of mutual relationships from mutual interests in this sphere -- Summing up all the above-mentio-
in political, economic, cultural, social the EU wants to diversify its sources of ned ideas and approaches, I believe
and other fields. Later, Azerbaijan was energy and Azerbaijan uses alternative that in a few years ASEU will become
included in the European Neighbour- methods of transport so that its hy- one of the preferred places to obtain
hood Policy (ENP) initiated by the EU drocarbon resources reach European advanced economic education. Combi-
in 2004. Being one of the main ele- markets. Additionally, Azerbaijan's fa- ning all the favourable circumstances
ments of the EU's foreign policy the vourable geostrategic position makes for globalized education and mul-
ENP aimed at ensuring the political it a key participant in the historical ti-cultural learning, ASEU will bring
stability and promotion of economic "Silk Road", a bridge between Europe the Azerbaijan education system into
development through reforms, regio- and Asia with efficient transport and the sphere of international higher
nal development and mutually benefi- communication opportunities. education.
cial co-operation. Then Azerbaijan be-
came one of the key participants of the I agree that the EU has changed I thank you for your interest in my
EU's Eastern Partnership (EP) initia- much since 2008. The recent global university and you may interview me
tive starting in 2009, which was more economic/financial crises and their again in five years to talk about the
ambitious with concrete objectives. consequences have significantly in- actual results of these targets!

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