First Vice Speaker: "We are the children of the third republic" - INTERVIEW - Part 1

Baku. 11 December. REPORT.AZ/ Report’s interview with the first Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Chairman of the Committee on Defense, Security and Fight against Corruption, Ziyafat Asgarov.

- Our meeting coincides with a very important day – the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani parliament. How would you characterize the centuries-old history of our parliament, especially the activity of the parliament in the period after gaining independence for the second time?

- First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, our people on this wonderful jubilee. The first meeting of our parliament was exactly 100 years ago-on December 7, 1918. I wish our state to develop even further. Let the flag once raised never fall!

As for the development of the parliament after the state independence for the second time, first of all, I want to mention that we have already built a third republic and we are the children of the third republic. To say the truth, I was born in the second republic – in the Azerbaijan SSR. However, I was lucky to see the independent Azerbaijan- the legal successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which functioned in 1918-1920. Undoubtedly, the traditions of parliamentarism have developed significantly in Azerbaijan during the period of both republics. But, of course, independence is just independence. It is a great happiness to be independent, to become a sovereign state and to be a member of its Parliament. I want to note that the Azerbaijani Parliament has adopted a number of laws and decisions since gaining independence.

I would like to take an excurse to the time when we declared the de-jure independence. Though the Declaration on State Independence, the Constitutional Act had been adopted from 1991 till the first half of 1993, no significant work was done to establish a legal state or a constitutional state. Let's recall for a moment what happened at that time. Anarchy and chaos prevailed in the country. I would even say that our state independence faced a great threat. I remember that period well. I was a student of the Baku State University and later worked as a teacher at the university. I regret that certain forces inside and outside the country seriously targeted the state independence of Azerbaijan during that period. However, fortunately, when our great leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power again, he started to develop our country with the true support of people. As you know, we adopted our first National Constitution in 1995 and I was a member of the working group of the Constitutional Commission under the leadership of the great leader. Our great leader attached great importance to the adoption and content of the Constitution. First of all, it was our first National Constitution. Secondly, it was to reflect such human ideas and values that all the rights and freedoms of the independent state and its independent citizens, that we dreamed for centuries could be ensured in such way that every citizen of Azerbaijan could feel comfortable. So, every norm, every provision and article of the Constitution was to determine the interests of an Azerbaijani citizen, so that all citizens, all people would benefit from it. And it really happened. As you know, for the first time a legal document was approved through referendum on such a large scale after the Constitutional Act state independence. As the chairman of the Constitutional Commission, our great leader always recommended us to do so that along with the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the laws adopted on the basis of the constitution should also be developed the way to ensure and serve the people’s interests.

After the adoption of the Constitution, we adopted a number of laws. Imagine that we adopted laws, codes, civil, civil procedural, administrative, criminal, criminal procedural codes and other large-scale laws relating to the ombudsman, the Constitutional Court, the status of judges and courts. All these are very important documents to strengthen and develop the legal bases of the independent Azerbaijani state.

I cannot say the exact number, but thousands of laws have been adopted, and the main philosophy of all these laws is that all accepted normative legal acts serve the provision determined in Article 12 of our Constitution: "The highest goal of the state is to ensure the human and civil rights and freedoms and to provide decent living standards for the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan." As it is known, we have already joined the Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe, and we are gradually improving improve our legislation in line with the requirements of this Convention.

- Did Azerbaijani Parliament fully fulfilled its legislative functions on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Parliament?

- You know, legislation is a constant normative process. As long as Azerbaijani state exists and there is development, the laws will be adopted and then be accepted. They will be adopted for millennia.

Under the modern requirements, the norms and principles of international law, as well as the conventions adopted by the international organizations that we are members, there is a fairly perfect legislative base in Azerbaijan. In this sense, we can say that Azerbaijan's legislation has been improved and developed greatly, and today, Azerbaijan has developed a comprehensive legal framework.

- Are you satisfied with the laws of Azerbaijan, or rather, the mechanism of implementation in the executive structures of Milli Majlis?

-In general, I always say that the implementation of the adopted law is a very important issue. The laws can be adopted perfectly. However, we want their implementation to be also perfect. Since, after all, the adopted law and its implementation are again based on the citizens’ rights and freedoms. The laws adopted by our parliament, especially our constitution, are for people and citizens. But, of course, sometimes we can observe some shortcomings in the work. By the way, there is a very good cooperation between the executive structures and Milli Majlis. We have very good relations and cooperation with the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers, and other central authorities. If amendments and changes are felt necessary to some laws, we do it. If it is necessary to adopt new laws, we adopt them, since, as you know, the dynamics of public relations is very active nowadays. And to respond to this mobility, we should work operatively and we try much in this field.

- 100 years ago, those who organized the Azerbaijani Parliament and those who had seats in parliament had enough influence in the society. I do not mention their names, as a scientist, you know it well. Do you think after 100 years those who are members of the Azerbaijani parliament, especially MPs, have as much influence in society?

- First of all, I wish God's mercy on those who established the Republic of Azerbaijan at that time. There were very good parliamentarians of those times. Undoubtedly, we, as a state, are the legitimate successor of that Republic, and we try and should try to continue these great traditions established at that time. Independence and sovereignty were the first on the basis of those traditions. I believe that every Azerbaijani MP tries to understand his responsibility. Naturally, there are certain articles in the press, the activity of MPs is also assessed, which is normal. We live in a legal-democratic state, and every person, every citizen of Azerbaijan has the right to express his views on the activity of the Azerbaijani parliament. They can criticize or praise, they can say a pleasant or unpleasant word. This is their right. But we try to carry out works that will preserve the political course of our respected President in regard of the inner and foreign policy of Azerbaijan, the national interests of Azerbaijan, the sovereignty of Azerbaijan, as well as to support our president in developing and achieving progress of the country. By the way, I would also to mention that Mr. President highly appreciated the activities of the Deputies during the solemn meeting on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Parliament.

- The issue on increasing material supplies of the MPs are discussed intensively both by the public and Milli Majlis. This is not welcomed unambiguously by the public. By the way, what is your opinion about this issue?

- As you know, this issue was sufficiently discussed in both press and parliamentary sessions. Therefore, there is no need to add anything else.

- You have also emphasized that the legislative function is a continuous process, since life is constantly developing. Now, let’s say sincerely, can an Azerbaijani MP completely represent his people and his voter in the society today?

- Anyway, we are working on this issue, In general, I sincerely can say that every member of the Azerbaijani parliament tries to fulfill the tasks of their voters, and to speak and discuss the issues that concern them. If you paid attention to the state budget discussions, then you would see it. Each member of Milli Majlis raised some issues concerning his/her area.

Of course, Mr. President periodically signs various orders regarding the development of industry and agriculture, as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects related to roads, bridges, water, gas, electricity and etc. By the way, I express my deep gratitude to the respected President for his titanic efforts.