On March 16, 2021 experts of the NISS and of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (Azerbaijan) participated in the online-webinar
On March 16, 2021 the online webinar was held with the participation of experts from the National Institute for Strategic Studies (the NISS) and the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), Baku, Azerbaijan. The event took place in the format of expert discussion with the rotating interventions by representatives from each of the parties. On the part of Azerbaijan, the event was moderated by the head of the AIR Center Dr. Farid Shafiyev. To participate in the discussion were also invited the heads of other Azerbaijani analysis centers, such as the Topchubashov Center (located in Baku) and the Caucasus Policy Analysis Center (CPAC). On the part of the NISS in the webinar participated a group of experts, chaired by the director of the Institute Dr. Oleksandr Lytvynenko.
The event was focused on the discussion of wide range of issues regarding bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, i.e. in the context of the present-day security situation in the Black Sea–Caspian Sea region.
The heads of both institutions made their opening statement. The head of the AIR Center Farid Shafiyev emphasized the importance of strategic partnership between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, by also giving definition of the modern Azerbaijani foreign policy context.
Director of the NISS Oleksandr Lytvynenko stressed the significance of holding discussions for comparing expert points of view regarding situation in the Black Sea–Caspian Sea region, as well as for elaboration of common vision and approaches for regulation of political and economic issues, which are of general interest for both states.
The experts of the NISS in their reports focused on the following issues:
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Specificities of the bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, as well as the current state and perspectives for cooperation between two states in the frames of multilateral formats; the issues and perspectives for the operation of the regional projects, such as the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, and the priority areas for cooperation (power industry, transport, education etc).
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The present-day security situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh, the significance of the Azerbaijani experience for the process of modernization and reforming of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Special attention was given by representatives of the both parties to the necessity of further development of the mechanisms for economic cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan. It was stated, that in 2020 the reduction in imports and exports between Ukraine and Azerbaijan fell short of the global average, and its share in total for Ukraine was lower than of other states. This state of affairs raised the issue of intensified search for opportunities for increasing trade volumes. According to the experts of the NISS, suchlike opportunities might be provided by participation in the EU initiative to establish “Service for trade-related technical assistance in frames of the Eastern Partnership”, that is going to be forcefully implemented since mid-2021. This initiative is aimed at increasing trade between the members of the Eastern Partnership, as well as between these countries and the EU States. The speakers also pointed to the need for turning attention to the interest for cooperation with GUAM of such great powers as Japan and Canada, as long as both Ukraine and Azerbaijan are its member states.
Experts and partners of the AIR Center defined in their reports the main agenda and key perspectives for cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan in frames of the regional initiatives, while also taking into account positions of the other countries in the region (Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania); they also expressed their views on the process of the further conflict resolution in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Substantive discussion raised strong interest of participants from both parties. This resulted in proposals impending further developments of the regional cooperation.
*The panellists on the part of the NISS: