azerbaijani, armenian and french presidents discuss peace in paris

Culture | Public Affairs
Business | Philanthropy
(Photo: Présidence de la République/C. Alix)
AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN AND FRENCH PRESIDENTS
DISCUSS PEACE IN PARIS
Also in this issue:
TEAS Business Forum hits new heights in London
CATBIG/TEAS briefing outlines the opportunities
TEAS brings Azerbaijani delegation to London Stock Exchange
Andrea Bocelli headlines at Buta Gala Concert in the Albert Hall
Ed Kashi’s IDP photos brought to the heart of Berlin
11 / 2014
Please see inside for how to win £100 of Amazon vouchers
11 / 2014
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Welcome to the TEAS Magazine
The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) is a UK-registered pan-European organisation dedicated
to raising awareness of Azerbaijan and fostering closer economic, political and cultural links
between that country and the nations of Europe.
As well as promoting the positive aspects of Azerbaijan, TEAS also highlights the plight of the
875,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country. These people are
unable to return to their homes and lands because of the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh
and seven surrounding districts by Armenia’s armed forces – in defiance of four UN Security
Council resolutions.
TEAS has three main facets to its operations:
•
Culture – TEAS raises awareness of Azerbaijan’s rich and vibrant culture to a worldwide
audience by organising cultural events and operating as a networking centre.
•
Business – TEAS supports its membership of European and Azerbaijani businesses. It
provides a platform for organisations to establish links and strengthen their existing business
relationships via a programme of networking opportunities across the regions.
•
Public Affairs – TEAS works to increase awareness about Azerbaijan amongst key opinionformers, key decision-makers and other political, academic and civil society stakeholders.
In pursuit of its objectives TEAS:
•
Organises meetings with interested parties, opinion-formers and decision-makers
•
Arranges roundtables, seminars, lectures and conferences
•
Publishes pamphlets, reports, bulletins, books and produces films
•
Facilitates fact-finding trips by politicians and business people.
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Sponsorship
TEAS offers a range of corporate and
individual membership packages, providing
such benefits as advertising, trade missions,
networking, business sector advice and
hotel discounts.
TEAS also offers numerous sponsorship
opportunities throughout the year for its
events and conferences. To find out more,
e-mail: [email protected].
Win £100 of Amazon vouchers!
To stand a chance of winning £100 of Amazon vouchers, simply answer the following 10 questions, the answers to which will be found in this issue.
In the case of a tie, a draw will be made. Previous winners are ineligible to answer, as are TEAS employees and their families. Please send all entries
to [email protected] by 17:00hrs (GMT) on 8 December:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
How many times have the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents met this year?
Can you name one of the musicians who performed at the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society AGM and Meeting?
What was the value of UK exports to Azerbaijan in 2013?
Where did the Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts Gala Concert take place?
Can you name one of the works performed by Andrea Bocelli at the Gala Concert?
Which author wrote Man of the Mountains?
Can you name one of Ella Leya’s CDs?
How many athletes are expected to participate in the Baku 2015 European Games?
How much has the European Investment Bank lent for the development of Azerbaijani small- and medium-sized enterprises?
Where will the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers meet in December?
Latest members:
11 / 2014
www.teas.eu
Politics and News
03
Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS
From the TEAS Director
This month saw the fourth annual TEAS
London Business Forum take place. The
event boasted a host of heavyweight
business speakers from the UK and
Azerbaijan, including Shahmar Movsumov,
Executive Director, State Oil Fund of
Azerbaijan (SOFAZ). Tobias Ellwood MP,
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs also
attended, representing David Lidington, UK
Minister for Europe, who was on tour in the
region and visited Baku.
The following day, financial services
delegates who attended the Business Forum
were invited to a meeting and presentation
at the London Stock Exchange. Amongst
the delegates was Farid Ismayilzade,
Founder and CEO, GoldenPay, which issued
Azerbaijan’s first IPO earlier this year.
Continuing the business theme, I was
delighted to join H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh,
Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK and
Charles Hendry MP, Prime Ministerial
Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan, at a CATBIG event hosted by
British Expertise focusing on doing business
in Azerbaijan. Over 60 delegates from a
wide range of sectors attended. Meanwhile
Azerbaijan continues its ascent up the World
Bank’s Doing Business rankings, this year
climbing a further eight places.
A House of Lords report on using IT to
bring government closer to the public has
now cited Azerbaijan’s ASAN service as an
example of best practice. Knowledge of this
initiative is now becoming widespread, as
representatives of ASAN have been busy in
recent months showcasing this innovative
concept across Europe.
The TEAS Berlin office hosted the Ed
Kashi photographic exhibition Unresolved
Dreams: Azerbaijan’s Refugees and IDPs.
The opening was attended by around 300
people, and received wide coverage in the
Berlin media.
French President François Hollande chaired the meeting between the Presidents (Photo: Présidence de la République/C. Alix)
Presidential meeting in Paris, brokered by Hollande
Following meetings in Sochi and Newport,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met
for the third time this year on 27 October
in Paris, with dialogue being brokered by
French President François Hollande. This
was significant in itself, as France is an
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country and
also home to a large and influential Armenian
diaspora. The French President initially met
each President separately, and the summit
concluded with tripartite dialogue.
The meeting marked a continuation of talks
aimed at resolving the Armenian–Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The office
of President Hollande stated: “the status
quo is not sustainable”, and the leaders’
acceptance of this became evident when
they agreed to exchange information about
those who had gone missing during the war,
which raged from 1988–94. This year has
seen the worst upsurge in violence between
the sides in the 20 years since signing the
ceasefire, resulting in the deaths of over 30
servicemen.
According to the office of French President
Hollande, the meeting concluded with
an agreement between the Presidents to
“continue the dialogue, in particular with
a new meeting in September 2015 in the
margins of the UN General Assembly
session in New York.” The issue of Shahbaz
Guliyev and Dilham Asgarov, two Azerbaijani
hostages currently undergoing an illegal
‘trial’ in Nagorno-Karabakh, was also raised.
James Warlick, US Co-Chair, OSCE Minsk
Group tweeted: “I think the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan agree the Paris
summit was a positive step, thanks to
President Hollande.” Malena Mard, Head,
EU Delegation to Azerbaijan commented: “I
think this type of high-level meeting definitely
plays a very important role in changing the
status quo and is a step towards achieving
peaceful resolution.”
Pata Zakareishvili, Georgian State Minister
for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, also
expressed optimism, saying: “The Azerbaijani
and Armenian Presidents’ meeting in Paris
encourages us to believe there will be crucial
advancements towards settlement of this
conflict. We’re convinced that the dynamic
development of such meetings will soon give
positive results.”
In a significant move, France – one of the CoChairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – hosted
talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
Presidents, brokered by French President
Hollande. The talks were designed to lessen
tensions on the ‘contact line’, where fighting
has flared up in recent weeks.
Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS
11 / 2014
www.teas.eu
04
Politics and News
Anglo-Azerbaijani
The Co-Chairs of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society – Lord
German (far right) and Professor Nargiz Pashayava (right)
Society announces its
plans in London
The Anglo-Azerbaijani Society Annual
General Meeting (AGM) and Reception
has taken place at the Royal Garden Hotel
in London, attended by more than 300
diplomats, businesspeople, members and
supporters.
H.E.
Tahir
Taghizadeh,
Azerbaijani
Ambassador to the UK, commented: “The
Anglo-Azerbaijani Society embodies the
ideals of Azerbaijan. During my recent
visit to Baku, I was asked why relations
between Azerbaijan and the UK are so
strong. I replied that, unlike some other
countries, the UK has never passed a piece
of anti-Azerbaijani legislation. Also, unlike
some other leading nations, it has never let
domestic politics impact its policies in the
region. It has also never mixed its political,
security and economic interests in the
South Caucasus, where Azerbaijan is the
leading nation.”
Lord German, newly-appointed UK CoChair, Anglo-Azerbaijani Society, said: “I
am ambitious to develop the role of this
society, to extend our friendships and to
create a bridge between our two countries.
We are an apolitical organisation, and
the main tenets of our mission statement
are that we will foster Anglo-Azerbaijani
relationships in all respects and assist in
making a positive change by increasing
awareness of Azerbaijan to the benefit
of all. We seek to develop friendship that
adds value and has purpose.”
Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, Azerbaijani
Co-Chair,
Anglo-Azerbaijani
Society,
replied: “Following in the footsteps of Lord
Fraser, his late predecessor, I am sure the
efforts of Lord German will lead the Society
to further success, particularly regarding
charitable, cultural and educational
endeavours. Time has shown that we
have won trust from the citizens of our two
countries, and this trust has opened new
horizons for us.” Professor Pashayeva
also noted that around 5000 Azerbaijani
students had received education in the UK
over the last 20 years.
Gordon
Birrell,
Regional
President:
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, BP,
concluded: “I believe that the theme of
friendship is very appropriate. My career
has led me to spend two periods of my
life in Baku, and I have been welcomed
twice into Azerbaijani society with great
friendship. BP strongly supports one of
your central aims – that of developing
the skills and talents of the Azerbaijani
people. As the single largest investor in
the country, we take great pride in playing
a role in Azerbaijan’s development as an
independent nation.”
The event concluded with a short concert
by BP Cultural Ambassador Azerbaijani
violinist Nazrin Rashidova and Bulgarian
guitarist
Stanislav
Hvartchilkov,
performing works by Edward Elgar, Astor
Piazzolla and the Azerbaijani folk song
Sari Gelin. Pianist Murad Adigozalzade
then gave a solo performance of Fikret
Amirov’s Five Miniatures, amongst other
works. The concert concluded with a
duet between Nazrin and Murad on Fritz
Kriesler’s Caprice Viennois. For more
details of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society,
go to www.anglo-azerbaijani.org.
Euro glory for English Futsal champions Baku United
UEFA European Futsal Champions Baku
Utd have entered the Elite Round – the
first time for a UK-based club – with
a 100 per cent record, having been
drawn against such leading clubs as FC
Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon and Dina
Moscow. Futsal is a five-a-side form of
Association Football.
The road to the Elite Round began with
a hat-trick of wins in Serbia when they
faced Luparense from Italy, Ekonomac of
Serbia and Athina 90 from Greece. Their
remarkable talent was soon demonstrated
back home in London when they were
pitted against Maccabi GB, winning by a
staggering 21–0. The Baku FC website is
www.bakutd.co.uk.
NEWS FROM BRUSSELS
e-mail: [email protected]
In October, elections were held for the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Armenia, EU-Azerbaijan and EU-Georgia Parliamentary
Co-operation Committees (PCCs). The election resulted in Sajjad Karim MEP (UK, ECR) being elected as Chair, alongside Elisabeth
Köstinger MEP (Austria, EPP) and Antanas Guoga MEP (Lithuania, ALDE) as Vice-Chairs.
Relations between the European Parliament and the Parliaments of the South Caucasus are conducted within the framework of the
European Parliament’s Delegation to these PCCs, as specified in the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA). The PCCs
exert parliamentary control over the implementation of these agreements, and act as an open forum for debate on issues of common
interest. The PCC members are kept informed on the outcome of discussions between the EU and relevant Co-operation Councils
and Executive Committees, and can express their views in recommendations addressed to the authorities of the partner countries, the
European Commission and the Council.
The European Parliament Delegation to the three PCCs comprises 18 members and 13 substitutes. The Delegation and each PCC meet
twice a year – once in one of the working places of the European Parliament and once in their respective countries.
11 / 2014
www.teas.eu
Politics and News
05
UK Europe Minister – ‘people-to-people’ dialogue is necessary
David Lidington, UK Minister for Europe,
visited Baku as part of a trip to the South
Caucasus. During his time in the country,
he met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign
Affairs Minister, and members of civil
society. He also delivered a speech at the
Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA),
where he characterised the current state of
UK–Azerbaijani relations.
Mr Lidington commented: “UK diplomats
have an excellent relationship with their
Azerbaijani counterparts based on trust,
respect and honesty. This was particularly
well-demonstrated
after
Azerbaijan’s
election to the UN Security Council, when
Azerbaijan and the UK co-operated very
closely on a number of key decisions.
“The UK remains the biggest single foreign
investor in Azerbaijan, accounting for around
half of all foreign investments in this country.
Last year, our exports to Azerbaijan reached
almost $1bn (£635.1m). In return, the UK is
the top destination for Azerbaijani students
studying overseas. We already have a strong
and vibrant relationship that I will be proud to
further develop over the coming years.
“Russia’s interference in eastern Ukraine
and its illegal annexation of Crimea have
brought back into sharp focus the continued
unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus,
both here and in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, and the continued need to resolve
the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is a
matter of deep regret that – on the twentieth
anniversary of the 1994 ceasefire – we
still seem to be a long way from an agreed
sustainable and political settlement. In fact,
there have been more deaths this year than
in any other since 1994. This is a conflict that
has caused 20 years of lost opportunity and
20 years of continued hostility, hatred and
suffering.
David Lidington, UK Minister for Europe, answering questions at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (Photo: British
Embassy in Azerbaijan)
“Every year, both Azerbaijanis and
Armenians die on the contact line as a
result of this ongoing conflict. Every year
those forced from their homes at the time
of the war continue to suffer the anguish of
living in exile. Many continue to live in very
difficult conditions – hundreds of thousands
of Azerbaijanis remain in Internally
Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, some of
which I visited earlier today. The suffering
of the displaced and dispossessed is a
reminder of the continuing human cost of
this conflict.
“Diplomats will appreciate that only
diplomacy can bring about peace, and
diplomacy can only succeed if those who
disagree meet to resolve their differences.
It is something of a common concept
in diplomacy that you have talk to your
enemies if you are going to bring about
peace. So I welcome the recent meetings of
President Aliyev and President Sargsyan –
in Sochi; at the NATO Summit in Newport;
and in Paris. Regular high-level meetings
are one vital step towards building peace.
“Of course, I personally, and the UK
government, strongly support the work of
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in trying
to achieve a lasting peace. The Madrid
Principles, set out in 2007, provide the
basis for a deal, but they involve difficult
decisions and compromises for both
sides. It is important that these principles
are discussed more openly, both in
Azerbaijan and Armenia. The provisions
include the return of the occupied
territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh
to Azerbaijani control. There can be no
settlement without respect for Azerbaijan’s
sovereignty, and the recognition that its
sovereignty over these territories must be
restored. An enduring settlement will also
have to recognise the right of all IDPs and
refugees to return to their former places of
residence.
“Over the last three years the UK has
invested almost €2m (£1.6m), and the EU
a further €6m (£4.8m), in funding projects
that are aimed at breaking down walls and
developing understanding between the
communities affected by the conflict. We
believe that people-to-people interactions,
and the peace-builders who sustain these
links, are an essential element of any
peace and reconciliation process. We need
to put people at the heart of the solution in
Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Sports surmount
boundaries
(from left) Patrick Hickey, President, European Olympic Committee and Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer, Baku 2015
11 / 2014
Armenia has agreed to participate in the
Baku 2015 European Games in Azerbaijan
in June, despite the ongoing NagornoKarabakh conflict. The decision comes in
the wake of European and International
Olympic Committee (IOC) officials travelling
to Armenia last month to discuss their
participation. Patrick Hickey, President,
European Olympic Committee, reflected:
“It’s a very tense situation and we had an
excellent meeting with our colleagues in
Armenia. They agreed to participate in
the Games next year and will come to our
general assembly in Baku in two weeks’
time. All the problems were solved.”
www.teas.eu
06
Culture
Andrea Bocelli headlines Buta Gala at the Royal Albert Hall
The second Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts has opened with a
landmark concert of Azerbaijani classical, jazz and mugham music
at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Lasting until March 2015,
the impressive range of concerts and exhibitions will take place
across London, showcasing all modes of expression, including
music, photography, film and art.
The concert – featuring the London Philharmonic Concert
Orchestra – marked the first time that Azerbaijani classical
music had been performed at London’s premier concert venue,
and was attended by around 3000 people. Classical works in the
programme included Azer Rzayev’s Violin Concerto, performed by
Israeli violinist Schlomo Mintz, which skilfully combined plaintive
mugham harmonic progressions for the orchestra with passages
of extreme virtuosity for the solo violin and Bahash’s Aria from
Sevil by Fikret Amirov, sung by Welsh tenor Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts.
The Turkish mezzo Burçin Savigne then gave an emotional
interpretation of Farhad Badalbeyli’s lushly-orchestrated Ave
Maria, symbolically combining phrases in Latin and Azerbaijani to
demonstrate the common ground of Islam and Christianity and the
inherent tolerance of Azerbaijan.
British mezzo Joan Rodgers CBE performed the impassioned
Nigar’s Aria from Koroglu by Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Affecting photographs
of the ruined city of Shusha, currently under Armenian occupation,
were projected during composer Farhad Badalbeyli’s tribute to his
ancestral home city, during which Joan Rodgers united with tar
virtuoso Arslan Novrasli. This was particularly poignant as many
tar virtuosi came from Shusha and other cities that remain under
occupation.
In contrast, a mugham trio of Arslan and Nurlan Novrasli (tar
and kamancha, respectively) and Munis Sharifov (khanende)
passionately interpreted a mugham dedicated to the beautiful girls
of Baku. Jazz pianist Isfar Sarabski then picked up the pace, uniting
with Malcolm Creece (bass) and James Madden (drums), initially
alongside the orchestra for his classically-inspired composition
Prélude, and then in standard trio format for the funky G-Man.
The concert memorably ended with three pieces featuring worldrenowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performing Puccini’s
Donna non vidi mai, Donizetti’s Ah mes amis, pour mon âme and
concluding with his international hit Con te patiro (Time to Say
Goodbye), where the lyrics were cleverly altered to Time to Say
Salam.
Nasib Piriyev, Director, Buta Arts Centre, commented: “As a huge
admirer of Maestro Bocelli, I am thrilled he launched the Buta
The exhilarating performance by acclaimed jazz pianist Isfar Sarabski was a particular highlight
Festival with us. This magnificent event marked the beginning of
a five-month showcase of Azerbaijani ancient and contemporary
arts in London – one of the global epicentres of arts and culture.
We were honoured to have Andrea join us and could not have
wished to start the festival on a better note.”
Forthcoming concerts will include a tar concert by Arslan Novrasli
at the Central Hall Westminster on 27 November; a concert of
works by Niyazi at The Barbican on 9 December; and a tribute to
jazz-mugham pianist pioneer Vagif Mustafazadeh at the Central
Hall Westminster on 16 December. The full schedule can be seen
at www.butafestival.com.
Azerbaijani film Nabat submitted for Oscars
The Azerbaijani feature film Nabat,
directed by Elchin Musaoglu, has been
submitted as the Azerbaijani entry for the
Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film
category. The film has also been presented
at the International Film Festival in Tokyo,
Japan. Elchin previously directed more
than 50 documentaries and feature films,
and won the Best Foreign Film prize at
the Houston International Film Festival in
Texas in 2009.
The film, shot in 2014, is dedicated to
all those whose lives were impacted by
11 / 2014
the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. It central premise
relates to the residents from a village that
have been forced to leave their homes due
to an ongoing battle. However, one elderly
woman refuses to leave her bedridden
husband and the grave of her son.
Mr Musaoglu reflected: “In all conflicts, it is
the mothers who suffer the most. Paradise
must be found beneath the mother’s feet. I
sincerely believe that if the mothers were in
charge, the world would be a better place.”
To see the trailer, go to http://bit.ly/nabat.
www.teas.eu
Culture
07
Ed Kashi’s images from
Azerbaijani IDP camps
opens in Berlin
The Unresolved Dreams: Azerbaijan’s
Refugees and IDPs exhibition opened
on 30 October at the Epicentro Art
Gallery in Berlin, featuring photographs
of Azerbaijani refugees and internally
displaced persons (IDPs), taken by
renowned US photojournalist Ed Kashi.
The opening took place in the presence
of the photographer and was supported by
TEAS Germany, with more than 400 guests
in attendance.
World-renowned photographer Ed Kashi discussed his photojournalistic approach at the Berlin opening
More than 875,000 refugees and IDPs have
been residing in camps across Azerbaijan
for over 20 years since they were forcibly
expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh and the
seven surrounding districts by Armenian
forces, which continue to illegally occupy
this territory. This led Ed Kashi, who has
contributed to the National Geographic
Magazine, New York Times, Time and
Newsweek to turn his lens on the everyday
lives of these IDPs and refugees. The
images serve to capture their challenges,
but also their hopes and the resilience of
the human spirit.
Ed Kashi said: “With the topic of IDPs and
refugees currently growing in importance
across many parts of the world, it is
important that we do not forget these
people who have been suffering from the
Armenian occupation of their homeland
for over 20 years. Azerbaijan has one of
the largest IDP populations in the world.
Through my work, I am expressing a
responsibility for these people, so it is
a great honour to present this in Berlin
today.”
In June 2013, Ed Kashi visited Azerbaijan
for the project, and the resultant photo
exhibition has previously been shown in
London and Paris. The project is supported
by the VII Photo Agency, co-founded by
Ed, and by TEAS.
Man of the Mountains launched in London
The novel Man of the Mountains by Zaur
Hasanov, in an English translation by
Caroline Walton, has been launched at
the Azerbaijani Embassy in London, in
collaboration with Silk Road Media. The
book won the Open Central Asia Book
Forum and Literature Festival Contest in
2013. It tells the story of a young Muslim
Chechen boy on the eve of the Soviet
collapse who becomes a central figure in
the struggle by indigenous people against
both the Russians invading the country
and Islamic radicals trying to capitalise on
the situation to push their narrow political
agenda. Phantasmagorical sequences
also blend the story with elements of
Azerbaijani poetry by Nizami Ganjavi and
other literary and historical figures.
Vusal
Abdullayev,
First
Secretary,
Azerbaijani Embassy to the UK, said: “Zaur
represents a new generation of Azerbaijani
authors. It is a significant achievement to
be translated and published in English, as
this provides the opportunity to be read
internationally. There are strong economic
and diplomatic relations between the UK
and Azerbaijan, but it is also vital that
there is literary and cultural traffic between
the countries and an understanding of its
historical background. Literature provides
an insight into the national psychology of
nations. Without knowing literary works,
11 / 2014
one cannot claim to understand the culture,
history and origins of a country.”
Zaur Hasanov commented: “I have a
background in television documentaries
and believe there is value in this information
about the Caucasus, as my book contains
elements and details that are not covered
elsewhere. In my part of the world, literature
is very important. Such poets as Nizami
and Fizuli made an enormous contribution
to world literature, but they do not feature
heavily on reading lists beyond my region.
I hope my book provides a glimpse into my
part of the world.”
Caroline Walton, Translator, explained:
“I accepted the commission because this
seemed to be a very interesting book. It
helps western readers understand the
mentality of the Caucasus region, which is
not so well-known in the west. It’s a very
intimate portrayal of mountain family life,
and is very touching, charming and sad.
It is particularly pertinent to today, as it
shows how the process of radicalisation
takes place.
“The book illustrates in a unique way
how the combined forces of external
intervention – in this case Russia and
elements from the Middle-East – lead to
the radicalisation of village boys. It also
Author Zaur Hasanov explains the background to his
award-winning novel
sheds light on the fate of the Chechens
– in 1944 the deportation by Stalin led to
an estimated 200,000 deaths. The impact
of this is really brought home by one of
the characters that demonstrates great
wisdom and rises above the politics. Man
of the Mountains also brings the work
of the poet Nizami Ganjavi to western
attention – the English translation of his
works was last printed in 1881. This book
is therefore doubly important.” Man of the
Mountains can be ordered at http://bit.ly/
mountainszaur.
www.teas.eu
08
Personalities – Ella Leya
Ella Leya – salvation through music
The California- and London-based, Bakuborn Ella Leya is a composer, singer and
writer. Her US CD releases include Queen
of Night, Russian Romance and the Secret
Lives of Women. Many of her CDs have a
great personal significance and Queen of
Night and especially the songs Kabbalistic
Prayer and He’s Just A Little Boy were
tributes to the memory of her son Sergei,
who passed away due to leukaemia. On
the other hand, Russian Romance dug
into her cultural heritage, combining
classic Russian poetry and Middle-Eastern
rhythms set against her own atmospheric
melodies. Her latest CD, entitled the Secret
Lives of Women, celebrates six of the most
famous and infamous femme fatales from
history – namely Princess Diana, Mata
Hari, Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn, Sappho and
Sarah Bernhardt.
Ella Leya has toured with her Selah Jazz
Orchestra across Europe and the US, and
has been featured on the National Public
Radio Shows Global Hit and Weekend
Edition, and the International Review
of Music. Her songs have appeared in
many films and television shows, such as
Ocean’s Twelve, PU-239, My Sassy Girl,
Dirty Sexy Money and Samantha Who.
Most recently, Ella has turned her hand
to fiction, and has written her first book,
entitled The Orphan Sky, the protagonist
of which is a 15-year-old piano prodigy
named Leila Badalbeili who was a spy
for the Azerbaijani Communist Party in
the 1970s, but her aspirations to dedicate
her life to her country disintegrate when
she falls in love with Tahir, a young artist
suspected of being a traitor. The book
has attracted plaudits from Quincy Jones,
Maxim Vengerov and others, and is
currently being slated for a film adaptation.
TEAS caught up with Ella when she visited
its London offices.
How aware of Azerbaijan are the US
population?
I have been away from Azerbaijan for
over 20 years, and in the US, awareness
of the country is negligible. In California,
where I live, there is a large Iranian
community. A high proportion of these
are ethnically Azerbaijani, but they seem
to downplay their ethnicity. On the other
hand, what Americans see in the media
about Azerbaijan is mostly a negative
picture of the nation in relation to its
conflict with Armenia. My dream is to bring
about a wider and more positive image of
Azerbaijan through my debut novel.
Can you describe your jazz career in the
US?
I have performed jazz music for many
years. My recording entitled Russian
11 / 2014
Jazz singer and pianist – and now author – Ella Leya
Romance was ranked amongst the 10
Best World Music Albums by Billboard in
2006. The Los Angeles Times music critic
Don Heckman called it “Russian Blues”,
and the New York Times’ Jon Pareles
wrote: “Ella Leya sings with a tenderly
mournful voice in exquisite arrangements
that merge chamber music, Russian
and Central Asian touches.” It was very
strange, as I lived in Moscow for many
years before I left for the US, yet I had
never sung in the Russian language. To
me, this was the language of oppression.
I sang jazz, and also worked in the
Jewish Musical Theatre in Moscow. I
performed solely in English, until I was
performing in Siberia and the directive
came from the state that I was not to be
able to perform in English, so I had to
resort to scat-singing.
Russian Romance came about when I was
performing, and my musical collaborator,
who is a jazz and classical professor of
guitar called Fareed Haque, of Pakistani
descent, said he had heard a beautiful
song in Russian and asked why I did not
sing in the language.
The record was made in collaboration
with him and a group comprising ethnic
instruments and jazz musicians playing
guitar and acoustic bass, two cellists,
cymbalon, bayan (Russian accordion),
ocarina, the choir of the Belarusian Church,
dombra (Kazakh stringed instrument), and
a wide range of percussion, including
the qaval drum used in Azerbaijani
mugham. One reviewer wrote that it was
unnecessary to understand the language,
as the language of music penetrates the
www.teas.eu
Culture
soul. Music is the most elusive and most
universal language. I did some work for
US television, including some rock, so I
undertook a recording entitled the Secret
Lives of Women, which received some
critical acclaim, and this is when I had
an interview with NPR. We also made
a promotional video in which Janina
Gavankar, who is a beautiful Hollywood
actress and a dear friend, plays the femme
fatale. She is probably best-known for
her television work in True Blood and The
L-Word.
How did jazz enter your life in Baku?
The music of the pianist and composer
Vagif Mustafazadeh, pioneer of jazzmugham, introduced me to jazz, and I
attended many of his performances. He
used to experiment with his vocal intervals
on us – he loved to compose in moving
intervals. He used lots of mugham elements
and microtones from our national music.
His wife Eliza was a singer from Georgia.
After he died in 1979, we created a jazz
club in Baku and named it in his honour.
We rehearsed in The Transportation Club
and other government-run recreational
facilities, and performed at the Azerbaijani
Oil and Chemistry Institute. I studied at
the Sumgait Musical Academy, and then
studied computer science.
My mother was a paediatrician and my
father was an engineer on the subway
system, where he was in charge of the
electrical design for the Baku subway
system. In 1967, when I was a small girl,
one night he took me on the first test train
on the Baku subway. He also worked
on the Leningrad, Tashkent and Tbilisi
subway systems, amongst others. My
parents instilled the importance of having
a serious profession to fall back on, rather
than solely concentrating on music. I often
feel I compose music with a mathematical
basis. My degree may have been in
computer science, but my thesis was on
programming Bach on the huge computers
of the time.
My parents adored music, and took
me to many performances. I performed
with my jazz orchestra at the Gulustan
Palace of Roses in Baku in 1981, built to
commemorate the visit of Soviet President
Leonid Brezhnev. The programme was
prepared specifically with him in mind,
and we awaited his arrival. However, he
arrived, saw the height of the staircase to
the podium and decided to return to his car
without attending the concert. The next day
he gave a long speech, attached an order
to the flag of Azerbaijan and left Baku. My
band and I did not mind as it provided an
opportunity for us to perform. Thereafter
we performed around the Soviet Union for
over a year.
11 / 2014
I sang a programme of standards made
famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday
and Sarah Vaughan. However, I was really
introduced to jazz by the voice of Liza
Minnelli. In the early 1970s, there was a
small shop across from my school. I used to
visit this shop to listen and buy LP records.
The proprietor used to wear a tunic and
leather trousers, and was very unusual in
Baku at this time. It was rumoured that he
bought the records on the black market and
was actually an American spy. I heard him
playing Liza Minnelli’s recording of Maybe
This Time from the film Cabaret. I felt that
Liza’s voice had a nostalgic quality. It was
a world that seemed familiar, and I wanted
to be there, but the voice and those lines
were so different to the classical music that
I had studied. I bought this single recording
for five kopeks, and learned the recording
phonetically, without understanding the
lyrics. I was always emulating western jazz
singers – for example, I learned Mr Paginini
by Ella Fitzgerald and I had no idea it was
about, but I knew every syllable. It was
the same with Sarah Vaughan and Diana
Ross. However, Billie Holliday particularly
spoke to me.
Such singers were not really popular in
Azerbaijan at the time. It was a strange
period –we prepared a jazz programme
for Brezhnev, but no-one really spoke
English. The justification for jazz being
permitted during the Soviet period was
because it emanated from the oppressed
black population in the US. For example,
the black American bass Paul Robeson
was a staunch Communist. If we obtained
information or music, we would share it with
another person in our circle of trust. Jazz
allowed us to seek and find each other.
However, Soviet films contained jazz; the
Azerbaijani composer Tofig Guliyev had
a jazz band; and German jazz stars were
brought over in the 1930s and toured the
entire Soviet Union.
Initially I performed on piano and was
told I didn’t have a voice in music college.
However, I began singing due to Muslim
Magomayev – the greatest Azerbaijani
popular singer during the Soviet period. I
heard he didn’t initially have a voice, but
he developed it by singing and practising
for many hours. In Moscow, I sang in the
first jazz club in the city across the street
from the US Embassy. All the European
jazz people who came at the end of the
1980s performed there, and this gave me
invaluable experience.
I was part of the most famous Soviet State
jazz orchestra of the 1980s, and we went
on tour for six months. We performed every
jazz style type, ranging from traditional to
avant-garde. We were then banned from
singing in English, due to the Cold War.
09
Ella’s multifaceted semi-autobiographical novel is set to
awaken American audiences to the culture and history of
her homeland
Two influential Americans visiting Moscow
heard my singing, and invited me to come
to the US with my son Sergei, who died from
leukaemia just before his ninth birthday. I
had always dreamed of coming to the US,
because the greatest jazz musicians were
there and I have a love of freedom and
self-expression. I achieved my jazz dream
and performed with some incredible jazz
musicians. One week after arriving in the
US, I sang alongside a terrific saxophonist
called Dan Smith. We ended up auditioning
nine musicians in Norfolk, Virginia.
I have been very lucky with performing,
and have taught at Virginia and
Northwestern Universities. In Chicago,
I created the Centre for Voice to coach
singers and actors. I never thought I would
have a career in music – I would just be
a songwriter. My song, entitled I’m in
Love, is now part of the great American
songbook and has been featured in two or
three films.
Sergei and I spent almost two and a half
years in hospitals, waiting for a bone
marrow transplant. My son and I would
write lyrics together – his English was
much better than mine. I went to the
studio alone, but then things blew out of
proportion as the CD Russian Romance
proved very successful. I have my own
record label, never pursued any recording
deal, and turned one down with Arista. I
could not commit to constant performing –
in order to support a record, you have to
perform all the time. Working with Arista
would have been too much. It is necessary
to be completely committed and full of
energy and health. If I had gone on the
www.teas.eu
10
Culture
I couldn’t stop. I had to research a lot
of material along the way about music,
architecture and art. I wanted it to be as
accurate as possible.
How did it become a publishing project?
At the suggestion of my husband, who
is a rabbi from Los Angeles, I sent the
book to three agents for assessment. The
third agent said it would appeal to the
same audience as The Kite Runner. He is
unusually hands-on because he works with
his authors, and encouraged me to write
in a similar way to lyrics for songs and to
not limit myself. I undertook many rewrites
for the editor, and the editing process has
been very time-consuming. The Orphan
Sky will be published in February 2015, and
my agent is also submitting it to Hollywood
agents to see if a film version could be
viable. I would like the film to be shot in
contemporary Azerbaijan, which is so
different to what I, and the main character,
left behind. We will show the country as
being westernised and developed.
Ella’s CD Russian Romance was
positioned amongst the 10 Best World
Music Albums by Billboard in 2006
road, I would not have written the novel.
How did you come to write The Orphan
Sky?
My publisher has said that the book is the
first on Azerbaijan to be written in English
and published in the US. My original title
for the novel was Maiden Tower, but the
publisher felt this would make it appear too
much like an historical novel, whereas we
want to promote it as commercial fiction,
to open many more doors. The idea is that
readers who know nothing of Azerbaijan
will want to read the book. My book is a
phantasmagorical, time-travelling, genredefying love story. This is my first book,
although I have previously written a couple
of plays that were staged in Chicago.
In my book, some elements are
autobiographical and others are based on
my friends and my sister – much is based
in fact. The story is about a girl called Leila
Badalbeili who is a piano prodigy and just
a few days away from the selection contest
for the Budapest Piano Competition. She is
from a ‘Communist Royalty’ family as her
grandfather received Orders of Lenin and
other awards. Her father is an oilman, and
her mother is a famous paediatrician. They
live in a gorgeous flat in a castle. However,
the book begins in Los Angeles in 2002 at
the Pacific Design Centre when there is an
exhibition of Azerbaijani art. All attendees
11 / 2014
are going crazy over one particular painting.
Leila recognises herself in the painting as
half-princess, half bird, standing on the top
of the Maiden Tower with her arms spread
into the wakening sun. She wonders how
the painting came to Los Angeles, as it was
painted in Kabul, Afghanistan and the artist
is unknown. Leila returns home and plays
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3, and
this is something she has not done for over
20 years, since she went into exile. The
story interweaves fairytales, mythology,
belief and Soviet-era paranoia.
I have a wonderful agent in New York, and
have tried to make the book as accessible
as possible for those who are coming to
the country and the region for the first
time. It has been through many revisions
with my agent and the publisher, and I
have a terrific editor. Many aspects, such
as a jazz performance for Soviet troops
in Kabul Stadium, during the invasion
of Afghanistan, were based on my own
experience. We played under a sky of
helicopters – we couldn’t even hear
ourselves. Some of the audience were just
boys who had been drafted, aged 18 or 19
years.
I wrote the book without a publishing deal
upfront, and took a break from recording
and performing for three years during
this period. Once I had started writing,
Will you return to performing?
I will now return to performing to promote
the book, and I want to combine jazz
and mugham and experiment with this. I
previously experimented with new age jazz
in Chicago, and there is a smoothness in
Eastern Music, in my view. American jazz is
in stagnation, and much is very derivative.
New developments are coming out of
countries that have recently obtained their
independence, such as Azerbaijan.
I believe my objective is to promote my
country – many people still don’t know
Ella’s self-penned title song I’m in Love can be heard on the
soundtrack to several films and television series
where Azerbaijan is located. The Orphan
Sky is intended to be engrossing and
engaging, and people like love stories. I
am hoping it will awaken America and the
world to my beautiful homeland.
For more information on Ella Leya and The
Orphan Sky, go to www.ellaleya.com.
www.teas.eu
Business News
Tobias Ellwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs (Photos: Andrew Wiard)
11
Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy; Vice-Chairman, All-Party Parliamentary Group for East
Asian Business clarifies a point to Dirk Schuebel, Head of Division, Eastern Partnership – Bilateral
(Division for Relations with Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and the Southern Caucasus), EEAS
Standing room only at the TEAS London Business Forum in London
More than 300 diplomats, politicians and
decision-makers attended the fourth TEAS
Business Forum in London on 5 November.
This year’s event was subtitled Economic
Diversification is the Key.
Opportunities in the burgeoning information
and communications technologies (ICT) and
financial services sectors were particularly
in the spotlight. The energy panel of worldrenowned experts also attracted a great
deal of interest, not least because the past
year has seen the signing of the $45bn
(£28.6bn) final investment decision (FID)
between the Azerbaijani government and
the BP-led Shah Deniz Consortium.
Tobias Ellwood MP, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, thanked TEAS for
organising the conference and said: “With
significant volumes of both oil and gas,
Azerbaijan is a key player in the energy
world and is a strategic energy partner
for the UK and the rest of the EU. The
development of the Shah Deniz field and
construction of the Southern Corridor to
Europe is something that we all welcome
and fully support. We appreciate that energy
security benefits the entire EU. The UK is
the largest FDI contributor to Azerbaijan,
and there is opportunity to further
demonstrate our commitment to the country
with more frequent visits by Ministers and
even the Prime Minister, bringing political
engagement of the highest level.”
Energy panel chair Mehmet Ögütçü,
Chairman, Global Resources Partnership,
asked the Minister to extend an invitation
to UK Prime Minister David Cameron to
visit Baku. Mr Ellwood promised to table
this suggestion at the earliest available
opportunity.
Shahmar Movsumov, Executive Director,
State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ),
reflected: “Azerbaijan has achieved great
political and macroeconomic stability, and
these remain pillars of our development.
The catalyst for Azerbaijani development
was the signing of the Contract of the
Century with a BP-led consortium 20 years
ago. The Azerbaijani economy has tripled
during the past decade. We anticipate
around seven per cent annual GDP growth
during the next five years, much of which
will be generated by the non-oil private
sector. Diversification has been declared as
a priority for the country by the Azerbaijani
government.”
H.E.
Tahir
Taghizadeh,
Azerbaijani
Ambassador to the UK, commented:
“We are currently at a new stage of our
development. We are now looking forward
H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK, discusses some of the potential
benefits of investing in his country
11 / 2014
to hosting the European Games in 2015,
and the following year Formula 1 cars will
race through the streets of Baku. This will
place Baku in the radar of ordinary citizens
across Europe. It will also showcase the
diverse opportunities in the country.
“The UK has never passed a piece of antiAzerbaijani legislation, recognises the
importance of stability in the region, and
has never been confused about the balance
of its own economic and political interests.
Azerbaijan accounts for 70 per cent of the
South Caucasus economy. It is the hub for
the region and serves as a bridge between
East and West, serving as the new border
of Europe.”
Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS, said:
“The
hydrocarbons
sector
currently
employs one per cent of the Azerbaijani
working population, and that is why we
try to focus on other sectors at the TEAS
Business Forum. For example, the financial
services sector is quickly developing in
Azerbaijan and needs UK expertise from
the City of London. During 2013, over 40
industrial enterprises were opened, and the
Azerbaijani government is actively seeking
to cultivate private enterprise.”
Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy;
Vice-Chairman, All-Party Parliamentary
William Louis-Marie, Practice Director, Communications, BEGOC, explained the significance
of the European Games
www.teas.eu
12
Business News
Vanessa Raine, New Business Director, UEI Holding, flanked by William Louis-Marie, Practice
Director, Communications, BEGOC (left) and Patrice Olhats, Advisor, International Business,
Eiffage
Group for East Asian Business, explained: “Azerbaijan is a very
reliable energy supplier and of great strategic importance. I look
with admiration upon that which has been achieved in Baku and
across the country. Azerbaijan deserves to be the focus of attention
and investment. There are great opportunities in the financial
services industry. During the recent downturn, Azerbaijan remained
unaffected, and its economic stability has been recently reaffirmed
by Fitch Ratings. There is a programme of improvement across
the regulatory structures of the financial services industry in the
country and there are great opportunities for collaboration between
UK and Azerbaijani banks.”
Dirk Schuebel, Head of Division, Eastern Partnership – Bilateral
(Division for Relations with Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and the
Southern Caucasus), European External Action Service (EEAS),
commented: “EU member states have substantial and growing
business relationships with Azerbaijan. It is important to the EU, as
a growing economic power and the focus of a great deal of trade.
Given the location of Azerbaijan in a troubled neighbourhood, it is
also an important security partner. Our joint objectives are stability,
security and prosperity.”
The selection of Baku to host the inaugural European Games in 2015
has resulted in an unprecedented wave of construction across the
country. William Louis-Marie, Practice Director, Communications,
Baku 2015 European Games Operation Committee (BEGOC), said:
“This will be the biggest sporting event – in fact, the largest event
ever – to be hosted in Azerbaijan. Altogether, 6000 athletes, 10,000
officials and 1000 journalists will attend the event across 17 days
of competitions. Azerbaijan has taken on a great challenge – to
organise the inaugural European Games in 30 months. President
Aliyev has decided that sports are the ideal vehicle to promote his
country. It will serve to root Azerbaijan firmly in Europe.”
As Azerbaijan tries to diversify its economy, ICT is taking centrestage as the country transforms into the regional ICT hub. Zaur
Hasanov, Director, Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway
(TASIM) project said: “TASIM passes through 20 countries,
including Georgia, Turkey and Turkmenistan, connecting Europe
and Asia. We have the direct support of the UN General Assembly
– three resolutions have been passed in support of TASIM.”
Farid Ismayilzade, Founder and CEO, GoldenPay said: “The ICT
sector is a very young sector in Azerbaijan, and all the panellists
for this session are under 30 years of age. It is noteworthy that
Zaur Hasanov, Director, TASIM project outlines
his country’s role as a regional ICT hub
11 / 2014
The Business Forum provided unmatched
networking opportunities
Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS in conversation with Shahmar Movsumov, Executive Director,
SOFAZ
the Azerbaijani ICT Ministry has been renamed as the Ministry of
Communications and High Technologies. We want to export our
technologies and also attract foreign investment. The Azerbaijan
Diplomatic Academy has recently opened an ICT department to
train the new generation of software engineers.”
Vugar Farman Aliyev, Country Managing Partner, KPMG Azerbaijan,
commented on the current state of the financial services market:
“The banking assets versus GDP ratio has increased in recent
years, but still only accounts for 31 per cent of GDP. In Switzerland,
this is 700 per cent – we have much to do in developing the banking
sector, but we have one of the highest GDP growth rates in the
region, so there is great potential.”
Fariz Azizov, Chairman, Baku Stock Exchange, said: “Baku Stock
Exchange was created to support the privatisation process. The
country is now entering a new stage of capital market development.”
The energy session focused on the implications of the Southern
Corridor, which will bring Azerbaijani Caspian Gas direct to Italy
and provide the EU with a major source of secure energy.
Joe Murphy, Vice-President, Southern Corridor, BP, commented:
“This a series of mega-projects. This represents $45bn of investment,
bringing 16bn m 3 (bcm) per annum of gas from Azerbaijan to Turkey
and then into Europe. The scale and size of such a project would
have been inconceivable until recently. This is being developed
within five years, with first gas coming to Europe in 2020.”
Magsud Mammadov, External Relations Manager, Trans-Anatolian
Pipeline (TANAP) acknowledged: “The Southern Corridor project
is 3,500km long and will initially deliver 16bcm by 2020, and be
upscaled to deliver 31bcm by 2026. TANAP is capable of delivering
100bcm per annum. Construction will begin next year, and take five
years to complete.”
Christopher Pincher MP, Chair, Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary
Group and Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select
Committee revealed: “The world and Europe are hungry for gas.
Between 1970 and today, the demand for gas in the UK has doubled.
Our coal-fired power stations are being decommissioned over the
next four years, despite the fact that 38 per cent of UK energy
comes from coal. Energy security will become more important as
we become more reliant on gas. Azerbaijan represents a secure
source of this energy.”
Coming in the wake of the groundbreaking
of the Southern Energy Corridor, the energy
panel outlined the future benefits for EU
Mehmet Ögütçü, Chairman, Global Resources
Partnership and Rufat Afandiyev, UK Director,
SOCAR, discuss the latest developments
www.teas.eu
Business News
13
Azerbaijani Ambassador
and Prime Ministerial
Trade Envoy join forces
TEAS has collaborated with CATBIG – a
business-to-business network for UKbased companies, focusing on the countries
of Central Asia and the Trans-Caucasus
– to organise a briefing for more than 60
diplomats and international delegates
from the UK energy, financial services,
information technology, infrastructure and
agricultural sectors.
Charles Hendry MP, Prime Ministerial
Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan
and Turkmenistan,
commented:
“An
excellent state of relations exists between
the countries, and it is imperative for British
businesses to see where the opportunities
lie and understand how UK and Azerbaijani
governments and partner organisations
can collaborate to help UK businesses
optimise their revenues.
“The
relationship
is
currently
overwhelmingly centred around oil and
gas, and BP was significantly the first
international investor in the country,
following the regaining of independence.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has
spoken of BP as being the partner of
choice for another 20–30 years. The
final investment decision (FID) between
the Azerbaijani government and the BPled Shah Deniz Consortium, signed in
December 2013 in the presence of the Rt.
Hon. William Hague MP, former UK Foreign
Secretary, can be seen as the next stage of
this relationship. This marks the first step
in the Southern Gas Corridor, which will
bring Azerbaijani Caspian Gas to Southern
Europe and ensure European energy
security and energy supply diversification.
“Around 500 UK companies and 5000 UK
citizens are working in Azerbaijan, most of
which are related to BP and its partners.
We now need to take this relationship
beyond energy, and help build the skills
base amongst local people in Azerbaijan.
The Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park is
currently under construction, and British
investment and the skills that British
(from left) Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS; Charles Hendry MP, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan; H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK; and Peter Lindsay, Director, Elmhurst Solutions
companies can bring are a necessity. The
White City Project has transformed an
area of heavily contaminated land into a
world-class location for top-quality hotels.
British companies can certainly contribute
in terms of design, architecture and project
management. There is also collaboration
in the information technology sector, and
more students are being sent to the UK on
Presidential scholarships than any other
country. There are also great prospects
in the financial services sector, which
remains underdeveloped.
“Baku is preparing to host the inaugural
European Games and many companies
and specialists who were involved in
the London 2012 Olympics are working
in Baku. Azerbaijan will be on the World
Stage for the first time, and Formula 1
will be hosted in 2016. I am certain that
Baku will rise to the occasion due to the
drive and determination of the Azerbaijani
government. Azerbaijani Ministers are proBritish, keen to see engagement and want
British business in their country.”
H.E.
Tahir
Taghizadeh,
Azerbaijani
Ambassador to the UK, stated: “Our
Ministers are pro-British and are also proAzerbaijani, and our economic, political
and security interests almost coincide.
We want our relationship with the UK to
outlast our hydrocarbon resources. Since
2003, due to political stability and sound
macroeconomic policies, the country
transformed and the economy grew 3.2
times by 2013. Last year, AzerSpace–1,
the first Azerbaijani satellite was launched,
Moving on up the Doing Business rankings
Azerbaijan has improved its position by eight positions in the annual Doing Business
2015 report, issued by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. The
country, classified as an Upper Middle Income country, now ranks at 80th place out of
189 countries. The improvement is attributable to three successful reforms in the criteria
for Starting a Business, Registering Property and Paying Taxes. The full report relating
to Azerbaijan may be viewed at http://bit.ly/doingbusinessaz.
11 / 2014
and will soon be followed by the second
satellite. There are also many projects
aimed at developing the tourism industry.
“Azerbaijan accounts for 70 per cent of
the South Caucasus GDP, and trades
with around 150 countries. Azerbaijan
was ranked in 38th position in the Global
Competitiveness
Report
2014–15,
published by the World Economic Forum.
Azerbaijan applies the same principles as
the UK in terms of economic development
and political ideals. Economic issues will
remain at the top of my Ambassadorial
agenda. I am committed to bringing easy
access to the Azerbaijani economy for UK
businesses, whether in the energy or nonenergy sector.”
Charles Hendry MP commented on the opportunities for British
businesses in the country, both in and outside of the oil and gas
sector
Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, said: “As
you will be aware, Azerbaijan is a very
prosperous and stable country, but it has
a long-running conflict with neighbouring
Armenia and has to look after around
875,000 refugees and Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs). This is a considerable
financial burden, even for a wealthy
country such as Azerbaijan. It is our job to
remind people that the conflict is ongoing
and that these people are unable to return
to their rightful homes.”
The meeting was followed by a questionand-answer session which covered such
topical issues as flights and visas; the
status of the Caspian Sea; the TransEurasian
Information
Superhighway
(TASIM)
project;
and
educational
development in the country.
www.teas.eu
14
Business News
Azerbaijani delegation visits London Stock Exchange
TEAS facilitated a landmark meeting at the
London Stock Exchange on 6 November
– the heart of the City of London –
between representatives of the London
Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and an
Azerbaijani delegation. The meeting came
a day after the fourth TEAS Business
Forum, during which opportunities in the
nascent financial services sector and
the evolution of capital markets were
highlighted as being essential steps
towards the further development of the
country (see pp.11–12).
Nikhil Rathi, Head of International
Development and Chief of Staff, LSEG,
said:
“The
TEAS
Business
Forum
demonstrated that there is a great deal of
interest and excitement surrounding the
development of Azerbaijan. The country
has very strong growth prospects, and
the Asian Development Bank is predicting
GDP growth of 5 per cent next year.
Azerbaijan has a number of initiatives in
place to use private sector-led investments
to develop its infrastructure. Aside from
the hydrocarbons sector, the small-
Azerbaijani delegates, London Stock Exchange experts and TEAS employees had an invaluable opportunity to exchange
views on the development of Azerbaijani capital markets (Photo: Layton Thompson)
and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
market is increasing in importance, and
these companies are the engines of any
developing economy.
“Capital markets have significant potential
in Azerbaijan, and the country plays an
essential and unmatched role in the South
Caucasus economy. We are delighted to
welcome the Azerbaijani delegation to the
London Stock Exchange.”
Taleh Kazimov, Chief Investment Officer,
Pasha Bank, reflected: “Today has been an
important day in the development of closer
links between Azerbaijan and London. I
was delighted to be part of the delegation to
visit the London Stock Exchange, one of the
world’s most international capital markets.”
Presentations
were
then
made
to
representatives of Pasha Bank, AFB Bank
and GoldenPay – the first Azerbaijani
online payment service, which recently
issued the country’s first initial public
offering (IPO).
European Investment Bank to lend €25m for SME development
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €25m (£15.9m) for the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in
Azerbaijan. This inaugural EIB loan to the country will be made in collaboration with AccessBank, the leading Azerbaijani finance provider
for SMEs. The move will support development of the private sector, thereby contributing towards job creation and improving living standards.
Wilhelm Molterer, Vice-President, EIB, outlined the rationale behind the decision, saying: “SMEs are the backbone of the economy and a
major focus for the EIB. It is therefore logical that our first-ever loan in Azerbaijan is for this purpose. We appreciate the professionalism of
AccessBank, which is an excellent partner for the EIB in Azerbaijan.”
Michael Hoffmann, CEO, AccessBank, commented: “We greatly appreciate the support of the EIB in providing this large-scale SME loan
to AccessBank. We are simultaneously proud that EIB, a highly reputable financial institution, has partnered with us for its first lending
operation in Azerbaijan. The funds will make a significant contribution towards the Bank’s SME lending activities, which are directed towards
supporting expansion of this dynamically developing sector.”
Statoil sells stake to Petronas
According to ABC News citing Associated Press, Norwegian Statoil
has sold its stake in the Shah Deniz gas project in Azerbaijan to
Malaysian Petronas for approximately $2.3bn (£1.4bn). According to
Statoil, the sale “optimises our portfolio and strengthens our financial
flexibility.” Lars Christian Bacher, Executive Vice-President for
Development and International Production, Statoil, reiterated: “We
remain committed to our business in Azerbaijan, which continues to
play an important role in Statoil’s international portfolio.”
Azerbaijan – international transportation hub
Azerbaijan – located at the intersection of the East–West and
North–South transportation corridors – is continuing to develop
as a transportation hub, according to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev. He made the comments in a message to delegates attending
a conference entitled The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway: New
Opportunities in the Development of the Silk Road.
President Aliyev stated that the country is currently developing
transportation services, creating high-quality modern infrastructure,
improving transportation management mechanisms and expanding
integration into the international transportation system. In his
message, President Aliyev stated that the BTK railway line would
soon become operational, commented on its economic viability and
stressed it is “stable, secure and fully compliant with environmental
11 / 2014
standards.” The message continued: “This marks the beginning
of a new era in transportation development. This railway line will
expand multi-modal transportation opportunities and ensure the
growth of passenger and freight transportation.”
The President explained that that the new ferry terminal at the
Baku Sea Port had already become operational. He predicted:
“The Baku Sea Port will be commissioned in 2015, and its annual
cargo transportation capacity will be gradually increased to 1m
containers, equating to 25m tonnes. Creating such infrastructure
is a contribution towards the development of trade and transit
transportation between Asia and Europe along the Silk Road,
together with optimising the efficient use of transport and the transit
potential of the Caspian region.”
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Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
15
Foreign Ministers to meet in Basel
Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister, has revealed that he will meet
Edward
Nalbandian,
his
Armenian
counterpart, in Basel in early December on
the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council
Meeting. He commented: “Everything will
depend on the constructive approach of
Armenia. They say that we should remove the
snipers from the frontline, but we are talking
about establishing relationships between the
communities. The most important aspect
is the removal of Armenian forces from the
occupied territories. If this happens, there will
be no incidents. The OSCE Minsk Group CoChairs also believe this is an important step,
necessary for conflict resolution.”
Edward Nalbandian, Armenian Foreign Minister (second from left) exchanged dialogue with Elmar Mammadyarov, his
Azerbaijani counterpart (fourth from right) during the recent Presidential meeting in Paris (Photo: Présidence de la
République/C. Alix)
‘EP Friendship Group’ for Nagorno-Karabakh receives official rebuke
News that a ‘friendship group’ had been formed in the European
Parliament (EP) was officially dismissed in an EP press release
on 24 October. The release states that: “The ‘friendship groups’
reportedly created by the EP for relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia,
and even unrecognised entities such as Nagorno-Karabakh,
cannot be considered official EP bodies, irrespective of how they
present themselves. Even if they are constituted by MEPs, such
groups do not represent the EP as such or its opinions, and neither
do they benefit from its support.”
It continues: “MEPs may, if they so wish, create intergroups –
unofficial groups intended to hold informal exchanges of views
on particular subjects. The intergroups are nonetheless subject
to internal rules of the House and their establishment needs to be
approved by the political leadership of the House. However these
groups are not Parliament bodies and their positions commit only
themselves, not the EP as such.
“Given that the above ‘friendship groups’ were created outside all
existing Parliament channels, they cannot be referred to as EP
intergroups either. They are purely informal groups, which in no
way reflect the views of the EP as a whole.”
French MPs consider Azerbaijan to be a strategic EU partner
The October 2014 issue of La Revue
du Trombinoscope, the leading monthly
French political magazine, contains an
article entitled Why is Azerbaijan a key
partner for the European Union?, published
in association with TEAS France. The
magazine has an estimated circulation of
3,500 copies.
Signed by French MPs Jérôme Lambert
(RRDP), Thierry Mariani (UMP) and JeanLouis Dumont (SRC), the article recalls the
background of EU–Azerbaijani relations and
underlines the relevance and importance of
this country to the EU as a strategic partner
in both business and energy matters.
In addition, the three MPs remind readers
that Armenian armed forces continue to
illegally occupy around 20 per cent of
Azerbaijan territory for over 20 years.
Despite four resolutions being passed
against Armenia by the UN Security
Council, together with condemnation by
other international organisations, the
occupation has resulted in more than
875,000 Azerbaijanis becoming refugees
and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The authors emphasise the essential role
of France as a Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group, tasked with establishing a
negotiated peace to the conflict, and stress
that resolution is the prerequisite to a more
stable and affluent South Caucasus.
The MPs reiterated their support for a
peaceful conclusion to the conflict and
welcomed French President François
Hollande’s initiative to broker a meeting
between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
and Armenian President Serzh Sargysan in
Paris on 27 October.
Appeals to international bodies for hostages’ release
Azerbaijan has appealed to several
influential
international
organisations
regarding the release of two Azerbaijani
citizens taken hostage by Armenian forces
in the occupied territories in July. The
Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers announced
that the government is continuing to make
efforts to free Azerbaijani citizens Shahbaz
Guliyev and Dilham Asgarov.
Armenian forces killed Azerbaijani citizen
Hasan Hasanov and took the two hostages in
the Shaplar village of the occupied Kelbajar
region on 11 July. All three men had visited
the region to tend their parents’ graves.
Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime
11 / 2014
Minister, has now requested support from
Peter Maurer, President of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); Ban
Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General; Antonio
Guterres, UN High Commissioner for
Refugees; Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights;
Viviane Reding, Vice-President, European
Commission; Thorbjorn Jagland, SecretaryGeneral, Council of Europe; and Lamberto
Zannier, OSCE Secretary-General.
Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime
Minister, went on to discuss the issue with
Dag Sigurdson, Head of the Azerbaijani
office of the UN High Commission for
Refugees
(UNHCR),
who
expressed
concern over the illegal ‘trial’ of the
hostages by the occupying forces in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
During the meeting, it was also noted that the
Azerbaijani government is in the process of
implementing large-scale works to improve
conditions for the refugees and IDPs in
Azerbaijan who are the ongoing victims
of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr Sigurdson explained
that this work was highly appreciated by the
UNHCR High Commissioner and other UN
officials, and often cited as an example for
other countries confronting similar issues.
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11 / 2014
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