Azerbaijan's policy on religious is model for other countries: British MP
By Aynur Jafarova
Azerbaijan's policy on religious and ethnic minorities is a model for other countries. Liberal Democratic Party representative in the British parliament Lord Mike German said, answering the European Azerbaijan Society's (TEAS) questions on Azerbaijan's economic and foreign policy.
He said Azerbaijan serves as a buffer against intolerance in the region.
Lord German went on to say that the TAP project will not only provide additional energy security for the United Kingdom (UK), but also make the diversification of supplies possible which is vital for the economy of his country.
"It is important to express gratitude to Azerbaijan for support, provided to the United Kingdom in meeting its present and future needs," Lord German said.
According to him, the foreign direct investment share of the United Kingdom in Azerbaijan accounts for 44.1 percent.
"It means that the United Kingdom is a possible, reliable and long-term investor in Azerbaijan. Surely, these factors make the relationship between the two countries significant," German said.
"The west highly appreciates Azerbaijan's contribution to restoration of peace across the region as well as in the world as whole. Azerbaijan's increasing role on the UN Security Council and its upcoming presidency in this organization demonstrates that the country has significant global influence. Undoubtedly, this will increase Azerbaijan's authority across the world and positively influence to the image of the country, spearing head the peace efforts," German said.
The UK recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in March, 1992.
The economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the energy sector, is at the core of the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK. The UK is the largest foreign direct investor in to Azerbaijan, followed by the U.S. and Japan.
Azerbaijan cooperates with the UK in exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. BP as a leading oil company has been active in Azerbaijan since 1992 and participates in the main production sharing agreements such as the "Contract of the Century" (Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli), the agreement signed in 1994 with major oil companies of the world to tap the country's resource-rich energy fields, and the major Shah Deniz gas project.
According to the Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee, in 2012 the British investments accounted for 51.7 percent of all foreign investment (about 1.7 billion manats).
The Britain - Azerbaijan Business Council was established in September 2009 with the aim to expand business cooperation between the two countries and deepen their trade and investment ties.