Finnish envoy: Stability in South Caucasus can only be achieved through negotiations

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Finland have a 30-year history, and during this time cooperation between the two countries has developed rapidly.

Report presents an interview with Kirsti Narinen, the Ambassador of Finland to Azerbaijan with residence in Ankara, who is also an ambassador to other countries of the South Caucasus. The ambassador spoke about the possibilities for expanding cooperation between the countries and commented on the process for normalizing Azerbaijan - Armenia relations.

- What could you say about cooperation between Finland and Azerbaijan within international organizations?

International organizations all have their own agendas and dynamics. The more our national agendas converge, the more cooperation there is. For example recently in New York there at the United Nations-led Water Conference both Finland and Azerbaijan had a very visible role as water and efficient water management is important to us both. Azerbaijan is also a party to many water-related international conventions where Finland has been the initiator.

- Could you tell us more about the priorities of Finland's Chairmanship in OSCE in 2025?

After the Finnish April parliamentary elections, a new government was only nominated on June 20, also the new Minister for Foreign Affairs. Therefore we do not have the decisions on the priorities yet. OSCE is also missing the Chairperson for 2024 which complicates preparing for our presidency. However, Finland is a historic defender of the OSCE agenda, multilateral security and international law-based order. It is vital that OSCE survives the present turbulent times, approves its budget and makes the needed other decisions to enable Finland to hold the 50th Anniversary Chairpersonship with solid priorities and results.

- How would you comment on the situation in the region of South Caucasus, as well as on the renewed talks on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia? In your opinion, how soon do you think peace will come to the region, could you please share your vision?

Firstly it is good and important that the dialogue on the peace agreement and its modalities are resumed. Sustainable peace and stability can be reached only via negotiations in which both sides show sufficient political will to see also the other party's angle and make the necessary compromises. Coerced peace is not sustainable, history has several examples of this. Parties should particularly refrain from strong rhetoric and rather use reconciliatory language to support the dialogue.

EU and President Charles Michel have put a lot of effort into facilitating the process and Finland, with the entire EU, fully supports his work. EU's efforts are aligned with the USA's active role - both are needed. I hope the coming meetings shall again take the process steps towards a sold result which also the people of the two countries can live with.

The timeframe is essentially irrelevant. The most important moment is the day after the signing. Implementation requires trust which at the moment is vague. Sustainable peace requires an increasing trend of cross-border contacts - trade, transport, connectivity, humanitarian, environmental, administrative etc. The aim is to eventually consider your neighbor as your neighbor, not your enemy. This shall take time.

The most important part is to start delimiting and demarking the borderline. Without that, I am afraid that skirmishes continue and people suffer, both civilians and military on both sides of the borderline. Also, this takes time, but to start is essential.

- Are there any Finnish companies interested in the rehabilitation of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories of Azerbaijan?

Usually, companies need to know the market and business environment before they attend complicated and time/money-consuming tender participation.

So the first step is to bring Finnish and Azerbaijani companies together to get to know the market and each other. We have plans to have Business forum -type meetings both in Helsinki and Baku later this year. In May the Nordic Business Club in Baku was launched - this is also to widen the base of networks and exchange information on business opportunities and partnerships.

- Could you please comment on the cooperation between the countries in the energy sector? Is Finland willing to share its experience with Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy?

There is a growing interest in logistics as the Middle Corridor is taking shape and compensating the Russian North Corridor which is largely out of the market. The digitalization of the Port of Baku is an important step in the development of its services.

In other words, there is potential to be identified. Obviously, every company and investor is very interested in the business climate, financial market, rule of law and transparency of the market. Azerbaijani market is not entirely open, existing partnerships are strong thus it is challenging for new companies to enter the market. We aim at proving this wrong.

- There is active cooperation between Estonia and Azerbaijan in the field of IT, is Finland willing to share its experience with Azerbaijan in this field?

I am not aware of Azerbaijani cooperation with Estonia but as Finland and Estonia are best partners, perhaps this cooperation can be extended and complemented with Finland. Cybersecurity is a vital part of the ICT sector.

- How do you assess cooperation in the education sphere and culture? What should be done to increase exchange of students?

There is some cooperation, I know as we also deal with entry permits for students - mainly via direct cooperation links between Universities and EU's Erasmus+ exchange program.

This is warmly welcomed trend and must be extended. All people-to-people contacts are needed to build bridges and links between our two countries. Contacts usually lead to more interest and meetings, tourism and business.

As for education system, Finnish system is well-known and we gladly share our experiences. Perhaps language and teacher training could be good cooperation sectors as well and media literacy which was discussed at the seminar recently.