FIVE PILLARS OF COOPERATION

- Recently, once again the international community has voiced concerns over the missile and nuclear tests in North Korea. What could be the cause of these actions of Pyongyang? Is it possible to characterize them as a provocation?

- The main cause of the DPRK’s repeated nuclear and missile tests is to complete their nuclear and missile programs. When they complete the programs, they will take maximum use of the nuclear weapons to protect its fragile regime from various threats from either inside or outside and to threaten their enemy countries, mainly Republic of Korea. Of course, the repeated nuclear and missile tests by North Korea are serious violations of international laws.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK, North Korea) is the only state who conducted nuclear test in the 21st century. This year alone, it had concluded two tests in eight months: the fourth test on January 6 and the fifth on September 9. The DPRK also has launched 22 ballistic missiles over 14 instances since its fourth nuclear test.

The DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs are a clear threat and brazen challenge not only to the Republic of Korea and its neighbors but also to the world. Kim Jong Un of the DPRK stated that he is developing nuclear weapons not just for defence but for preemptive strike. The DPRK’s nuclear weapons program gravely undermines the credibility of the NPT(Non-proliferation Treaty) regime,  turning Northeast Asia into the most nuclearized region in the world, and poses a serious security threat to all countries in the world as the DPRK further advances its ballistic missile technology. Moreover, considering the DPRK’s track record of illicit activities, including the manufacture and trade of narcotics and counterfeit currency, the possibility of the DPRK’s nuclear technology and material to be transferred to terrorist organizations cannot be ruled out as well.

As proven in history, the DPRK’s centrally planed and isolated economy is not sustainable. However, the DPRK leadership continues to divert scare resources for WMD(Weapons of Mass Destruction) development and its personal cult in complete disregard of the human rights and economic plight of its people. The international community needs to work together to make the DPRK leadership realize that its nuclear and missile programs will guarantee not its survival but its demise.

- What could be done to stop North Korea from threatening peace in the region and in the world? Are you working on any formula or model for solving this problem?

- The DPRK’s September 9 nuclear test clearly reveals its maniacal recklessness and pathological obsession with nuclear weapons. Unless the international community takes extraordinary action to block the DPRK leadership from completing its nuclear program, the world will face the DPRK capable of using nuclear weapons mounted on missiles at war.

The United Nations Securuty Council unanimously adopted resolution 2270 under Article 41 of the UN Charter on March 2 2016, in response to the DPRK’s fourth nuclear test and its ballistic missile launch. The resolution is widely acknowledged as one of the most robust and comprehensive sanctions measures ever against a WMD program, but there are many more things for the international community to do in order to make the DPRK leadeship give up its nuclear ambitions. A new resolution of the UNSC has to close loopholes in previous resolutions on the DPRK by both strengthening existing sanctions and imposing new measures. Moreover, given that the DPRK has persistently violated international obligations under the UN Charter, including all Security Council resolutions adopted against the DPRK since its first nuclear test in 2006, it is necessary to scrutinize the DPRK’s qualifications as a member of the UN should it continue to violate obligations under the UN Charter.

- How would you describe the level of political relations between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea? What is being done and what else needs to be done for the development of this relations?

- We have been developing our political relations in very active way since we started our diplomatic relations in 1992. We have exchanged many important visits : three state visits, two prime ministers’ visits and many other important visits. However, considering the huge potential for bilateral cooperation between our two countries, we should not be complacent with the achievements we have made so far.

- What practical steps are taken to realize this potential?

- The first ever Economic Cooperation Commission was established this year and held its first meeting in Seoul. A high-level delegation including six deputy ministers have represented Azerbaijan at this event. This shows the degree of importance that the Azerbaijani government attributes to the cooperation between our countries.

The first political dialogue between our countries took place last year, shortly after my arrival to Azerbaijan. In a few days, your Deputy Foreign Minister will travel to Korea to take part at the next political dialogue. In fact, ‘political dialogue’ means a platform where we can discuss all areas of cooperation and I think this is very important.

In general, there is no issue that Azerbaijan and Korea would be unable to address.

- The volume of trade between our two countries totaled $134 million in 2015. However, the opportunities to expand is much greater. What measures could be taken to intensify the bilateral trade? Which types of Azerbaijani goods are of interest to the Korean market and what else could the Republic of Korea offer to Azerbaijan?

- You are right. The trade volume of $134 million in 2015 was far short of fully exploiting our rich economic cooperation potentials. The Korean economy stands at the 11th largest one in the world, competitive in most of all economic areas. Azerbaijan also achieved a brilliant economic success since its independence in 1991. It’s my firm belief that when our two countries cooperate helping each other with their own advantages, we can share enormous benefit from it. It’s my view that our two countries could cooperate in five priority areas: medical industry, ITC, petrochemistry, transport and tourism. As the Korean peninsular was the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road, Korea is also keenly interested in reviving the trade network. Opening a road will comes with increasing the opportunities for business and peoples exchange.

Azerbaijan is attractive in Korea with its tourism and agricultural products, fruits in particular. In consideration of rich tourism potential of Azerbaijan, the prospective of our cooperation in the sphere seems very bright. The cooperation in petrochemical industry will also benefit both of us.

- Azerbaijan has fast-tracked the implementation of its post-oil economy due to the sharp drop in the oil price. How do you see the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Korea in this context of the new economic policy? What are the opportunities for cooperation?

- I highly appreciate the Azerbaijani Government’s timely decision to take industry diversification policy. I am sure that the policy will bring a healthier and richer economy for the Azeri people. The policy has already shown substantial outcomes in many areas, tourism and agriculture in particular. The active administrative reforms taken by the Azeri government also increase economic effectiveness in Azerbaijan, vitalizing its economic activities both internally and externally. As Korea has developed a highly diversified, free and comparative economy, our cooperation in the area of industry diversification looks like very prospective. In consideration of high quality human resources of Azerbaijan, our cooperation in ITC and medical service is most likely to be successful. Recently I visited ASAN center to hear from Mr. Karimov, chairman of the center about ASAN services and the ABED project. I was really impressed by the technological advancement of Azeri e-service industry. I am planing to invite many Korean ITC engineers and professionals to Azerbaijan to assist local business incubators and start-ups and teach at ITC departments of major universities here. Korean-model polyclinic complex looks to be also highly prospective to be introduced, because it could go well with rich medical human resources in Azerbaijan. With a successful establishment of highly advanced polyclinic complex will Baku be a medical hub in Caucasus region, working for enhancing medical welfare of the Azeri people and furthermore creating a higher value-added industry.

- Is there any progress towards the establishment of the polyclinic complex?

- Initially, we are planning to invite the Korean professors to Azerbaijan and to provide training to personnel at the Azerbaijan Medical University. At this stage of cooperation, we assume to have the human resources ready for the polyclinic complex.

A group of representatives from the Korean Health Committee have already visited one of the clinics of the University and held discussions. It is planned to sign a memorandum of understanding between both institutions.

- How much investment is required to implement the project and what are the potential sources of funding?

- Currently, we are pondering over various sources of funding. The first option to consider is to ensure the funding through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), which can provide long-term low-interest loans to support the project. Another option is encouraging private companies to make a joint investment. But this is a large project, which requires some $200 million of investments based on our rough estimation.

The last but not the least important aspect of this endeavor is the duration of project implementation. However, its success will likely improve the health of the local population, increase the number of overseas patients and benefit the Azerbaijani economy thanks to the development of medical tourism. Korea provides high-level medical services for affordable prices.

- Currently, Azerbaijan is paying active attention to the development of the tourism industry. In foreign countries, Korean tourists are known as active tourists. But Azerbaijan is now yet on the priority list of Korean tourists. What do you think should be done to turn Azerbaijan into the tourist attraction for the Korean citizens?

- You are right. Around 20 million Korean people travelled abroad in 2015. However, only about 4,000 Korean people came to Azerbaijan last year. The number is thought to be far short to meet the vast tourism potential of Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan are many tourist attractions coming from its long history and brilliant culture. And the beautiful foods and kind people, hunting and fishing could be another attractions for Korean people.

This year, the visa procedures were simplified for the citizens of both countries, which is a positive sign encouraging the development of bilateral relations. In addition, the launch of direct flights will further increase the volume of passenger traffic between our countries.

- By the way, what is the status of discussions concerning the direct flights between Baku and Seoul?

- We continue negotiations with AZAL but the company is obviously interested in economic benefits of direct flights. Currently, the passenger traffic between Korea and Azerbaijan around 6 thousand people per year, which is too low for the launch of direct flights and the reason of AZAL’s hesitation. My proposal is to choose Kyrgyzstan as a transit country. Despite the absence of direct flights between Bishkek and Seoul, the passenger traffic between both cities is very large. Therefore, a transit flight from Baku to Seoul via Bishkek would be economically profitable for AZAL. We are planning to make this proposal and continue our discussions in this direction. Also, I have recently heard that it was planned to launch direct flights from Baku to the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator. This is another proposal that would enable transit flights from Baku to Seoul and we are planning to discuss it with AZAL as well.

- As far as the transport are concerned, the Korean companies would be quite welcome at the free trade zone to be established at the new International Sea Trade Port in Baku.

- Certainly, we are currently working on attracting the Korean companies to the free trade zone adjacent to the sea port in Alat. We would like to attract as many Korean companies as possible. But above all, I would like to see the cooperation between the free trade zone in Azerbaijan and the industrial parks in Korea. A cooperation between similar institutions will guarantee the transfer of industrial plants or technology to Azerbaijan in the future.

- Mr. Ambassador, during the meeting in our editorial office you’ve mentioned the intention to implement large-scale projects to promote Korean culture in Azerbaijan. If it’s not a secret, could you tell in more details?

- Many people say cultural diplomacy constitutes major factor and key solution to resolve tensions and conflicts of the modern world. Mutual understanding of cultures is considered as most fundamental access to resolving conflict or easing tension both in international politics and personal relations. More important is that the cultural understanding is usually spilled over to the cooperation in other areas. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between our two countries. To commemorate it, many cultural events are to be arranged: Korean Park project, Gayageum-Mugham joint concert, International Symposium on the Altaic heritage in Azerbaijan, Baku Korean Studies Center establishment project, Korean movie screening and many other events.

In a broad sense, as Altaic language speaking nations, our two peoples are more requested to cooperate in cultural area. My greatest achievement and most important objective would be the establishment of an alliance of the Altaic nations, including Azerbaijan and Korea. Therefore, it is required to ensure the rapprochement of our nations through re-thinking the ways to revive the forgotten cultural intimacy and kinship of both nations, which would eventually increase bilateral cooperation.

 - Who do you see as part of this alliance and what would be the format of such a cooperation?

- The idea of Altaic alliance is not an official initiative proposed by the Korean government. However, it has been widely discussed both at government and public levels and is backed up by the increasing number of people. The Koreans believe that it is important to nurture and further develop the cooperation with the nations speaking the Altaic languages and the countries with close cultural ties with Korea. Therefore, the Republic of Korea is trying to benefit from this historical and cultural proximity as a tool to further improve its diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan.