STATEMENT on the necessity of Azerbaijan’s integration with the European Union
STATEMENT
On the necessity of Azerbaijan’s integration with the European Union
We, the signatories of this statement, politicians, intellectuals, civil society activists, and representatives of the independent press, the young activists, based on the fact that
– even at the beginning of 20th century the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic identified the modernization of our society as one of the main directions of development; that our state is built on the basis of democratic values and principles which have penetrated from Europe;
– currently the European Union (EU) has opened a wide range of opportunities for the development of the member countries of the structure, as well as signatories to the Association Agreement it is not posing a threat to their independence;
– at the same time the European Parliament adopted resolutions on Karabakh conflict in support of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the EU’s commitment in rapid resolution of the conflict by peaceful means and in conformity with the principles of international law;
– besides, the Eastern Partnership Program Association Agreement proposed the EU participants, could accelerate the political, economic and legal reforms in these countries,
WE STATE :
1. The Association Agreement with the EU is fully consistent with the wishes of our people to build a democratic state. This agreement will create favorable conditions for ensuring human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan, development of free trade and the economy as a whole, strengthen social protection, the formation of an independent judiciary, democratic elections, to get closer to the existing EU high standards in many areas, from education and medicine to customs and tax services, banking organizations, etc.
2. The document on Strategic partnership proposed the European Union by the Azerbaijani government for modernization can not replace an Association Agreement, although it still controls the strategic partnership between our country and the EU.
3. While making geopolitical choice of our country the most important thing should not be the interests of any individuals and groups, or other countries, but the protection of the independence of our state, achieving freedom and prosperity to our people in the long term. From this point of view, Russia’s desire to involve Azerbaijan by various ways in the Eurasian Economic Community concerns us. We declare that this association, which does not promise long-term political and economic benefits, is created mostly to ensure the interests of the current Russian leadership. Azerbaijan’s joining this community could undermine its independence, its slow political and economic development. Therefore, Azerbaijan cannot participate in this association.
4. Azerbaijani authorities should put an end to the tradition of the preferences of their personal and group interests to general public interest; taking into account the fundamental interests of our people, it should announce that the Association Agreement with the EU will be signed for this purpose to intensify the ongoing negotiations with the EU;to ending, at last, negotiations artificially prolonged for 18 years, should ensure that the country’s membership in the World Trade Organization; to release political prisoners in the country as quickly as possible; to start a comprehensive political reforms that open for Azerbaijan the way to Europe.
- Agil Samadbayli, chairman of Central Council of The Whole Azerbaijan Union
- Ali Abbasov, Professor
- Arif Hajili, Head of the executive apparatus of Musavat Party
- Ali Karimli, Chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party
- Arzu Abdullayeva, Co-Chair of National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly
- Aslan Ismayılov, Lawyer
- Aygun Panjaliyeva, Board Member of NIDA Civic Movement
- Aytakin Imranova, Head of Control Committee of Historical-cultural and natural heritage protection Public Union
- Azer Mehtiyev, Support for Economic İnitatives
- Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Former prisoner of conscience
- Beybala Abil, Deputy chairman of Classic Popular Front Party
- Jeyhun Mammadzada, Board Member of Free Youth Organization
- Jamil Hasanli, Chairman of National Council of Azerbaijan
- Jesur Mammadov, “Doctrine” Journalists’ Military Research Center
- Elchin Sadigov, Lawyer
- Eldaniz Guliyev, Film-director
- Elmira Muradaliyeva, Professor
- Elnur Astanbayli, Journalist
- Elton Quliyev, Advocate
- Emin Husenli, Raphael Lemkin Center
- Emin Milli, Former prisoner of conscience, Managing Director of “Meydan” TV
- Afgan Mukhtarli, Journalist
- Alovsat Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan Migration Center Public Union
- Annaghi Hajibayli, Azerbaijan Lawyers Association
- Abulfaz Gurbanly, deputy-chairperson of Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan
- Asabaly Mustafayev, Democracy and Human Rights Resource Center
- Fuad Aghayev, Lawyer
- Fuad Hasanov, Chairman of Democracy Monitor
- Fuad Qahramanli, Deputy chairman of APFP
- Gozal Bayramli, Deputy chairman of APFP
- Gultakin Hajibayli, Former parliamentarian
- Gunay Ismayılova, Lawyer
- Hafiz Hasanov, Law and Development Public Union
- Hasan Karimov, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of APFP
- Hikmat Hajizada, Economic and Political Researches Center
- Ibrahim Ibrahimli, Member of Coordination Center of the National Council of Azerbaijan
- Intigam Aliyev, President of Legal Education Society
- Isa Gambar, Chairman of Musavat Party
- Kamil Vali Narimanoghlu, professor
- Leyla Aliyeva, National and International Researches Center
- Leyla Yunus, human rights defender, Institute for Peace and Democracy
- Latafat Malikova, Regional Human Rights and Education Center
- Mahmud Hacıyev, Member of National Council of Azerbaijan
- Mehman Aliyev, Director of Turan Information Agency
- Mehriban Vazir, writer-publicist
- Malahat Nasibova, human rights defender
- Matanat Azizova, Women Crisis Center
- Mirali Huseynov, Democracy Learning Public Union
- Mirmahmud Miralioghlu, chairman of Classic Popular Front Party
- Mirvari Gahramanli, Oil Workers Rights Protection Organization
- Muzaffar Bakhishov, chairman of “Legal state” Research Fund
- Namizad Safarov, lawyer
- Natig Jafarli, REAL Movement
- Natig Karimov, Chairperson of Nardaran Elderly Peoples’ Council
- Narmin Rahimli, Positive Changes Youth Movement
- Nuraddin Mammadli, Doctor of Science
- Nuraddin Mustafayev, member of Coordination Center of the National Council of Azerbaijan
- Ogtay Gulaliyev, Society for Democratic Reforms
- Galandar Mukhtarli, member of National Council of Azerbaijan
- Gubad Ibadoghlu, Economic Research Center
- Gulu Maharramli, professor (there is a note)
- Rafig Manafli, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the CSP
- Rahim Hajiyev, “Freedom” newspaper editor-in-chief
- Rasim Garaja, writer
- Razi Nurullayev, Chairman of the “Region” International Analytical Center (RİAC)
- Rasul Jafarov, Human Rights Club
- Rashad Shirinov, political scientist
- Rashid Hajili, Media Rights Institute
- Rovshan Almuradli, director
- Rovshan Ahmadov, former first-deputy at Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, chairperson of The Committee for Protection of Islamist Prisoners’ Rights
- Rovshan Hajiyev, journalist
- Rustam Ibrahimbeyov, film director, screenwriter, dramatist
- Sabir Rustamxanli, chairman of Civil Solidarity Party (there is a note)
- Samir Kazimli, Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center
- Sulhaddin Akbar, Free Democrats Party
- Vidadi Mirkamal, lawyer
- Xalid Aghaliyev, lawyer
- Khadija Ismayıl, journalist
- Shahin Hajili, Najaf Najafov Foundation
- Shahvalad Chobanoghlu, journalist
- Shahla Ismayıl, Womens Association for Rational Development
- Ulvi Hasanli, Board Member of NIDA Civic Movement, member of National Council of Azerbaijan
- Yegana Hajiyeva, political scientist
- Zamin Haji, journalist
- Zafar Guliyev, political scientist