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 Azerbaijan |  Belarus |
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The importance of relations betweenAzerbaijan andBelarus is reflected in the Belarusian presidentAlexander Lukashenko describing Azerbaijan as a "saver" of independence and sovereignty of Belarus and adds that "there's not anything close" in Azerbaijani-Belarusian relations.[1] Both countries were part of theRussian Empire until 1918 and before 1991, they were part of theSoviet Union. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Minsk and Belarus has an embassy in Baku.[2] Both countries are full members of theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and theCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Azerbaijan is a full member of theCouncil of Europe, Belarus is a candidate. Both Azerbaijan and Belarus are full members of theNon-Aligned Movement (NAM). There are more than 6,000 Azerbaijanis living in Belarus.[3]
In terms of political sense, Azerbaijan has a partial pro-Western government aligned withTurkey and theUnited States (both the latter areNATO members) while Belarus is allied politically and economically with Russia.
Diplomatic relations between two republics established in 1993 but two countries started to get close during past decade.President of AzerbaijanIlham Aliyev paid a visit to Belarus on October 17–18, 2006 which was the first high level visit of Azerbaijan.[4] During the visit nine bilateral documents were signed. Lukashenko also paid a visit to Baku and met with Prime Minister of AzerbaijanArtur Rasizade, he visitedHeydar Aliyev Foundation, and took part in the official openingceremony of the national exhibition of Belarus in Azerbaijan.[5]
Belarus, like all other members ofUnited Nations, does not recognizeThe Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Alexander Lukashenko have stated that Belarus takes a neutral side on this conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and supports peaceful resolution.[6] However, some Belarusian political experts claim that Belarus is "clearly siding" with Azerbaijan and supports Azerbaijan's position.[7]
The Agreement on socio-economic cooperation is the main document defining the perspectives of bilateral relations between the Azerbaijan and Belarus for the period up to 2015.[8] Between 2008 and 2010, Belarus-Azerbaijan trade grew from US$100 m to US$146 m. More important than this moderate increase is the fact that Belarus enjoys a trade surplus, which helps to counteract its immense foreign trade deficit.[9] Belarus-Azerbaijan trade might reach $800m in 2011.
Azerbaijan is also helping Belarus to acquire alternative oil sources. Minsk recently began importing oil fromVenezuela but direct shipments to landlocked Belarus are difficult. Baku thus agreed to swap schemes by which Minsk gains access to Azerbaijani oil in exchange for Venezuelan oil. By mid-July, the Mozyr refinery in Belarus is scheduled to start processing significant volumes of oil from Azerbaijan on a regular basis. Test shipments of Azerbaijani oil have been ongoing since February through Ukraine's Odesa-Brody pipeline and the Brody-Mozyr section of the Druzhba pipeline.[10]
The acceleration of the relations between Defense Ministries of both countries is in the interest of both sides. Azerbaijan has been described as largest weapons buyer of Belarus.[7] On 14 November 2008, Belarus and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on military cooperation.[11]
According to a joint journalistic investigation by the Buro Media,Hetq andOCCRP, during theSecond Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan shot down Armenian drones with thePechora-2TM air defense system, purchased from the private Belarusian arms manufacturer Tetraedr.[12]
Cultural relations are at stable level. Azerbaijani and Belarusian cinematographers constantly take an active part in film festivals held in both countries. On May 22–24, 2007Azerbaijan Culture Days were held inMinsk andBobruysk. However, current level of relations in tourism and education remains as weak.
Azerbaijani diaspora organizations remains active. FormerIsraeli ambassador to Belarus is Azerbaijani-bornYosef Shagal. Azerbaijanis appear in Belarusian popular culture as well that Belarusian singer ofAzerbaijani originGunesh Abasova was awarded with "State of Award of Republic of Belarus". One of the most known TV hosts in BelarusLeila Ismailаva is also an Azerbaijani.
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