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were affected. The government immediately drafted of our territory. It's a complex situation and involves a lot
a new economic policy, which is mainly designed of components such as the withdrawal of the Armenian
for the non-energy sector. In 2007-2008, in addition occupation forces from Azerbaijan, return of Azerbaijani
to oil exploration, we discovered huge offshore gas refugees and the internally displaced persons to their
fields. Today gas production is more important than native lands, the complete restoration of the economy of
oil production, and today we are finalizing the longest the presently occupied area.. This is the reason why the end
pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Italy. of the occupation is a complex notion. This is the priority,
and it finds its manifestations in internal policy, external
Today we are investing a lot in infrastructure projects, policy, economic policy and even in cultural policy. All
environmental projects, tourism and health care. These of our cultural elements, museums, monuments in the
are the priority areas of our government. occupied territories have been destroyed, so, this also
touches on culture. That continues to be the priority for
Q: What does Azerbaijan have to offer as a tourist Azerbaijan. The rest comes after that.
destination?
Let me put it this way: the territory of Azerbaijan Q: Finally Mr Ambassador, you have now been posted
contains 9 out of the world's 11 existing climatic zones. in Geneva for more than two years. From your previous
We do not have the classic dessert as in Saudi Arabia, experiences, what are the pros and cons here?
nor the tundra like in northern Canada and Russia, but I am a person who always looks at things from an
all the rest is there, lakes, mountains, sea... In the north, optimistic point of view. First of all, Geneva is very well
we have the Caucasian mountains that mark the border suited to be the centre of international diplomacy. It is
between Russia and Azerbaijan. There we have fantastic not a big city, but it's very well organized, like Switzerland
resorts with international airports. People go there to ski. in general. Sometimes as a diplomat I feel a little
We also provide medical tourism. We have two unique ashamed vis a vis the local Swiss population because of
things. One is the medical spa in the city of Naftalan, and us, diplomats giving probably so many headaches to the
the other one is a salt mine in Nakhchivan region, where local authorities. Probably they have plenty of reasons to
people can stay and breathe. It's very good for people be critical of the international community. In any case,
with asthma and skin diseases. We are also developing as a member of the diplomatic corps, I think the United
cultural tourism. You can go up in the mountains, and Nations is lucky to be located here, and I'm grateful for
find unique villages with crafts going back to centuries, all the support we get from the local authorities. We are
more precisely the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries also very grateful to the locals who are so tolerant and
because they preserved their traditional way of life. It is open, not only to us but also to our family members.
also a very popular destination among tourists. We are mostly busy in meetings in the United Nations
agencies, but we also have our family members who
Q. As a former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, what are probably enjoying more of Geneva than we do. My
challenges do you see as being ahead of your country, impression of Geneva is also my wife's impression, so,
apart from finding a peaceful solution of the conflict with I see Geneva not only through my own eyes but also
Armenia? through those of my wife, who is more exposed to the
First of all, since 1992, the priority for Azerbaijan's city than I am.
foreign policy has been putting an end to the occupation Thank you very much Mr Ambassador.

20 DIVA - INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT