MANDATE EXPIRES, IMPRESSIONS REMAIN…

The head of the Baku Office of the OSCE, Bilge Cankorel, is completing his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan. Bilge Cankorel started his mission in Baku on 10 April 2009. At the time, the appointment of a Turkish citizen as OSCE ambassador to Azerbaijan was not universally welcomed. Many thought that his attitude towards Azerbaijan would be different from that of his predecessors - expectations were high. This is why some were even offended when Cankorel, for instance, diplomatically shied away from a question about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: "The mandate doesn't allow me to do that." Today the diplomat is returning to Turkey, and it is interesting to look back at the last two years, to find out his impressions of Azerbaijan. 

Ambassador, your mission in Azerbaijan ends on 8 June. What are your impressions at the end of your stay in Azerbaijan? How will you remember Azerbaijan?

As an ambassador, I will have a lot to remember. Azerbaijan is a young and independent state. A lot still remains to be done - it can't be done in 20 or 25 years. Of course, any country has an agenda and should aspire to change and develop society as a whole. But it is not so easy.

 While working in Azerbaijan I have witnessed progress in a number of political issues. Now it is easier for Azerbaijan to implement plans to strengthen its statehood. There are changes in the sphere of democracy as well. While I have been in Azerbaijan there have been two elections, and there are very many positive things there, except for some minor issues. Yet, there is a lot that needs to be changed. I hope I can see that, albeit from a distance.

The OSCE is providing support for democratic processes and civil society development in Azerbaijan, and is closely involved in resolving other issues. Azerbaijan has markedly stepped up the anti-corruption campaign lately. What would be your advice from international experience?

We know of the work the Azerbaijani government is doing. We jointly support a number of projects with the government. Work on streamlining Azerbaijani legislation is still ongoing. We are making a lot of effort to this end, and I am very pleased with the results of our work in combating human trafficking and in cooperating with political parties. We attach special importance to the fight against trafficking. There are also suggestions about the state budget. We think that the government's economic policy should be more transparent, in line with international standards. 

As for corruption, this evil exists throughout the world. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't fight it. We should analyse our problems and find their roots. The problem of corruption in Azerbaijan has existed for a long time. It should be viewed as a complex and multifaceted issue. So it is impossible to simply crack down on corruption and eradicate it. We have provided the government with certain technical suggestions on this issue, and we have suggestions that should be implemented soon. To be honest, I would very much like to see specific results from our work in this sphere.  

In general, how pleased are you with the two years as OSCE ambassador to Azerbaijan? What else could have been done, had there been the time or opportunity?

Azerbaijan has changed out of recognition in the two years. And this holds true not only for Baku. I have often travelled to the districts in connection with our projects, and there I have witnessed incredible development. I also saw that the global economic recession did not affect Azerbaijan. The country has weathered the crisis without any implications for its economy. 

Azerbaijan intends to join the World Trade Organization. In parallel, it cooperates with the European Union. So there are issues on which it should hurry up. We at our end are always ready for cooperation. 

We often hear that the world is unfair. Do you agree?

The world can be both fair and unfair. And there is no such thing as a single world. There are different systems, regimes. As soon as you become a member of such organizations as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the European Union, issues of fairness arise. Let's assume that you are not a member of these organizations and are not accountable to anyone. There can be no talk of justice in the country then. Not a single state that is not accountable to others can be fair. To be accountable to oneself is not enough. Justice appears when you report to an international organization of which you are a member. But the world is different. There are regions like Africa, South America, China, etc. And it depends on what you see as the world.

For example, international organizations are often accused of double standards.

There may be five, 10 and even a million standards. For example, France and Turkey can't have the same standards. Azerbaijan joined the OSCE and the Council of Europe of its own accord, and I don't see any difference between their standards. Within the organizations, too, the same standards apply to all. 

Your appointment as head of the OSCE Baku Office was not universally welcomed. Some suggested that due to your Turkish origin you would be different from your predecessors. Is it possible to go beyond the framework of the mandate? Are there perhaps some exceptions?

It is one thing what people want, and quite another what the requirements are. I understand this attitude towards me in Azerbaijan - we speak the same language, can communicate easily, etc. 

Indeed, when the OSCE appointed me as ambassador here and when I took office as the first ambassador of Turkish origin, there was a lot of talk. But it soon became clear to all that professionals should be impartial. Only in this case can Azerbaijani society and the OSCE treat us with respect. This is better for Azerbaijan too. It also means that we are doing our work without deceiving ourselves. Only in this way can we achieve results not only for ourselves, but also for the country in which we are working.  

Where will you work after Baku?

I will go to Turkey from here. God willing, after many years, I will live in Istanbul, my native city, again. I don't plan on working in public service as yet. I am going to start a new life. I may engage in academic work or teach at a university. In other words, time will tell.

Are there any plans associated with Azerbaijan? 

Anything is possible. Perhaps I will publish a book or make a few speeches.