Azerbaijan–Belarus relations
Encyclopedia
Relations between Azerbaijan
and Belarus
are at very high level that Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko
describes Azerbaijan as a "saver" of independence and sovereignty of Belarus and adds that "there's not anything close" in Azerbaijani-Belarussian relations. Both countries were part of the Russian Empire
until 1918 and before 1991, they were part of the Soviet Union
. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Minsk and Belarus has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
. Azerbaijan is a full member of the Council of Europe
, Belarus is a candidate. Belarus is a full member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
and Azerbaijan is an observer member. There are more than 6,000 Azerbaijanis live in Belarus.
Ilham Aliyev
paid a visit to Belarus on October 17-18, 2006 which was the first high level visit of Azerbaijan. During the visit nine bileral documents were signed. Lukashenko also paid a visit to Baku and met with Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade, he visited Haydar Aliyev Foundation, and took part in the official opening
ceremony of the national exhibition of Belarus in Azerbaijan.
, does not recognize The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Alexander Lukashenko have stated that Belarus takes a neutral side on this conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and supports peaceful resolution. However, Belarussian political experts claim that Belarus "clearly siding" with Azerbaijan and supports Azerbaijan's position.
Azerbaijan is also helping Belarus to acquire alternative oil sources. Minsk recently began importing oil from Venezuela
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 Odessa-Brody pipeline and the Brody-Mozyr section of the Druzhba pipeline.
and Bobruysk. However, current level of relations in tourism and education remains as weak.
Azerbaijani diaspora organizations remains active. Current Israel
i ambassador to Belarus is Azerbaijani-born Yosef Shagal
. Azerbaijanis appear in Belarussian popular culture as well that Belarussian singer of Azerbaijani origin Gunash Abbasova was awarded with "State of Award of Republic of Belarus". One of the most known TV hosts in Belarus Leyla Ismayilova is also an Azerbaijani.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
are at very high level that Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko has been serving as the President of Belarus since 20 July 1994. Before his career as a politician, Lukashenko worked as director of a state-owned agricultural farm. Under Lukashenko's rule, Belarus has come to be viewed as a state whose conduct is out of line...
describes Azerbaijan as a "saver" of independence and sovereignty of Belarus and adds that "there's not anything close" in Azerbaijani-Belarussian relations. Both countries were part of the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
until 1918 and before 1991, they were part of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Minsk and Belarus has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
. Azerbaijan is a full member of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, Belarus is a candidate. Belarus is a full member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
and Azerbaijan is an observer member. There are more than 6,000 Azerbaijanis live in Belarus.
Recent political relations
Diplomatic relations between two republics established in 1993 but two countries started to get close during past decade. President of AzerbaijanPresident of Azerbaijan
The country of Azerbaijan is a presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government...
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
paid a visit to Belarus on October 17-18, 2006 which was the first high level visit of Azerbaijan. During the visit nine bileral documents were signed. Lukashenko also paid a visit to Baku and met with Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade, he visited Haydar Aliyev Foundation, and took part in the official opening
ceremony of the national exhibition of Belarus in Azerbaijan.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Belarus, like all other members of United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, does not recognize The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Alexander Lukashenko have stated that Belarus takes a neutral side on this conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and supports peaceful resolution. However, Belarussian political experts claim that Belarus "clearly siding" with Azerbaijan and supports Azerbaijan's position.
Economic relations
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. 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. Belarus-Azerbaijan trade might reach $800m in 2011.Azerbaijan is also helping Belarus to acquire alternative oil sources. Minsk recently began importing oil from Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
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 Odessa-Brody pipeline and the Brody-Mozyr section of the Druzhba pipeline.
Military cooperation
The acceleration of the relations between Defense Ministries of both countries is in the interest of the both sides. Azerbaijan have been described as largest weapon buyer of Belarus. On 14 November 2008, Belarus and Azerbaijan signed agreement on military cooperation.Humanitarian area
Cultural relations are at stable level. Azerbaijani and Belarussian cinematographers constantly take an active part in film festivals held in both countries. On May 22-24, 2007 Azerbaijan Culture Days were held in MinskMinsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
and Bobruysk. However, current level of relations in tourism and education remains as weak.
Azerbaijani diaspora organizations remains active. Current Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i ambassador to Belarus is Azerbaijani-born Yosef Shagal
Yosef Shagal
Yosef Shagal is an Azerbaijani-Israeli politician and former journalist. He served as a member of the Knesset for the Russian-immigrant dominated Yisrael Beiteinu between 2006 and 2009.-Background:...
. Azerbaijanis appear in Belarussian popular culture as well that Belarussian singer of Azerbaijani origin Gunash Abbasova was awarded with "State of Award of Republic of Belarus". One of the most known TV hosts in Belarus Leyla Ismayilova is also an Azerbaijani.