Ambassador: Azerbaijan is the largest economic partner of Austria in the South Caucasus - INTERVIEW

Baku. 2 November. REPORT.AZ/ Report interviews Austrian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, H.E. Axel Wech who is completing his diplomatic mission in the country.

- How do you assess the level of Azerbaijani-Austrian relations?

Austria and Azerbaijan enjoy good relations. We have many common things and interests. We maintain good cooperation both on international and multilateral level. For example, we are working closely on disarmament on the level of UN. Azerbaijan plays a definite role in the region. This relates to its trilateral cooperation with Russia, Iran Turkey, so the country can moderate several issues in the region. For example, Azerbaijan did a very good job in the Russian-Turkey crisis around SU-24.

- What spheres are priority in developing the bilateral relations?

Energy sector remains the main point in our bilateral relations. We had interest on the NABUCO pipeline project, which did not succeed. But our cooperation in energy is not only our bilateral relations. It's also the EU-Azerbaijan relations. Azerbaijan is the largest economy in the Sothern Caucasus. And there is a huge potential, but this potential still depends on oil prices, because our main trade is related to oil.

- Economic cooperation is an extremely important part of Azerbaijani-Austrian relations. Its main point is energy. In what other spheres are the countries cooperating actively?

One of the strong sector we are engaged in Azerbaijan directly or indirectly is tourism. Another sector we are working closely with Azerbaijan is transport, including the cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road. We are also cooperating in the sphere of improvement of Azerbaijani railway system. Azerbaijan is the largest economic partner of Austria in the South Caucasus. Thus, our trade turnover for 2017 was about 422 million euro with Austria's import making 362 million euros.

- Austrian companies are also working successfully in Azerbaijan in the sphere of architecture and construction. Has their number in Azerbaijan increased and are there any new projects that Austrian companies can or already participate in?

Last two years were quite difficult for Azerbaijani economy and we did not have any new contracts. Even in those times Austrian companies stayed here and worked within old contracts. But now it's picking up again. For example, one of the Austrian companies is also engaged in the Old City renovation. And for now there are 40 companies with Austrian capital in Azerbaijan.

- Are the Austrian companies interested in investing in Azerbaijan? Which spheres do they mostly prefer?

Austrian companies are surely interested in investing to Azerbaijan. They are signing long-term engagements with Azerbaijan, not just for coming here and making quick bucket. They see a long-term perspective here. And the most attractive spheres for them are tourism, construction and transport. Austria is very interested in Azerbaijan's regional projects, especially such energy projects as the Southern Gas Corridor. Austria, as a member of the European Union, is interested in diversification of its energy supplies.

- Azerbaijan is increasing its tourism potential. Are Austrian tourists interested in visiting Azerbaijan? How could we do the country more attractive for them?

For now Azerbaijan has been focusing on tourists from the Gulf states, not so much on European markets. Also Azerbaijan is focusing on conference tourism and has a lot of five-star hotels. But Austrian tourists prefer middle- class tourism and in this case the travel companies offer them the South Caucasus tours to all the three countries. But Azerbaijan still has quite a broad potential for attracting Austrian tourists.

- As you know Azerbaijan is country, which faces Armenian aggression. As a result of occupation, the country lost 20% of its territory and has more than 1 million refugees and IDPs. How can Austria promote the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution?

There is a set of mechanisms like OSCE which see us working together and cooperating. Of course, the principal line we are looking for is a peaceful solution within the OSCE Minsk Group. Austria is not directly involved in the solution of Naghorno-Karabakh conflict. As you know Austria was a chair in OSCE. We had a different role. We had to moderate the process, without taking the sides. But of course we have our say within the framework of the EU and OSCE.

- Mr. Ambassador, you a completing your diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan. What will be the most memorable part of it?

I think the most challenging part of my mission here was about the economic downturn. But for sure Azerbaijan is an economically attractive country, and if there were no economic downturn, we could do more. And I think we also could do more in cultural sphere.