A speedy solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict requires the liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and return of the refugees and IDPs to their homes

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan Musaid bin Ibrahim es-Suleim’s interview with APA

- How do you assess the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia?

- Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have strong fraternal relations which are based on mutual respect, sincere friendship and a common Islamic heritage. Our countries have established cooperation and coordination, serving the interests of both countries. These relations that bring pride for all of us continue to develop thanks to attention and care of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and President Ilham Aliyev. Currently, together with our brothers in Azerbaijan, we are trying to increase this cooperation in all spheres, especially trade, investment and culture.

- This year high-level mutual visits were made from both countries. Two countries reached agreements in several areas. At what level is Saudi Arabia going to participate in oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan?

- Indeed, this year has been successful in the development of Saudi Arabia-Azerbaijan ties. So, we can mention Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Saudi Arabia and other high-level visits made after this visit, including the visit of Saudi Arabian minister of trade and industry to Azerbaijan a few months ago. With regard to cooperation between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia in the oil and gas sector, the issue was discussed during the Azerbaijani president’s visit to the Kingdom.

At the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali al-Naimi, it was noted that there are good opportunities for Saudi Arabian companies in Azerbaijan as well as favorable conditions for their activity there as contractors and as investors. Moreover, the sides discussed the exchange of technical information and experience in this area, as well as the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project. In my opinion, both oil producing countries have great potential for expansion of cooperation in this field. We have a good experience in this issue. Thus, Saudi Arabia’s company Delta played a major role in the signing of the 1994 Contract of the Century, having historical importance for Azerbaijan. The company participated in the creation of a consortium of oil company for joint exploitation of large oil fields such as Azeri, Chirag, Guneshli in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Even now, there are no obstacles to cooperation between the two countries in new regional oil and gas projects.


- What other areas of cooperation do the two countries intend to develop?

- Our countries are willing to cooperate in the fields of economy and investment, especially the tourism, agriculture, and mutual investment sectors. There are good conditions in the abovementioned sectors. Let’s take tourism as an example. Azerbaijan has beautiful places such as Sheki, Gabala, Guba, Ganja, etc. with high tourism potential, breathtaking sights, beautiful nature, and charming coasts. It should be noted that Saudi nationals often prefer to spend their holiday in foreign countries. According the latest statistic data, four million Saudi citizens spent their holiday abroad last year. According to international statistics, Saudi tourists spend the highest amount of money on tourism worldwide. They are said to spend more than $20 billion on foreign tourist trips every year. For this reason, a number of countries compete with each other to attract more Saudi tourists. There is a chance to have them meet Azerbaijan. Our peoples have a lot in common in terms of religion, culture, and customs. This creates fertile ground for tourism between the two countries.

The two countries have huge potential to cooperate in the agriculture sector. A Saudi delegation specialized in agricultural investment is due to make a visit to Azerbaijan.


- What is the position of Saudi Arabia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? The settlement of the conflict is prolonging. What does Saudi Arabia think of possible solutions to this problem?

- Our position regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has always been obvious and transparent. Saudi Arabia always supports the territorial integrity and border inviolability of Azerbaijan, in accordance with resolutions by international organizations, and even it plays an important role in the adoption of resolutions that support Azerbaijan’s just cause. Our countries have coordination and close cooperation with each other within a number of international forums and organizations. We hope resolutions by international organizations will contribute to the settlement of the conflict and will bring peace and tranquility to the region. Any conflict or war in a region has a negative impact on its development and full realization of its potentials. A speedy solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict requires the liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and return of the refugees and IDPs to their homes. The resolutions that we mentioned have stressed it many times.

- Would you please tell us about the Yemen crisis and the role of Saudi Arabia in the solution of the crisis?

- As you know, the situation in Yemen deteriorated as Houthi militants and forces loyal to former president Saleh overthrew the legitimate government, creating a very dangerous situation that now pose a threat to regional security, stability and tranquility as well as global peace and security. Unfortunately, foreign-backed Houthi militants do not seek to bring peace to Yemen and its people, planning to destabilize the situation in the Kingdom and Gulf states. Following the coup, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2140 for the restoration of law and realization of the process of political transition. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states acted upon their responsibility with regard to the fraternal Yemeni people and decided to accept the request of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi for the provision of all kinds of aid to cope with serious threats posed by Houthi militants after Yemen’s legitimate government was toppled and to protect Yemen and its people from the aggression of foreign-backed militants. Another reason is that the events threaten the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states as Houthi militants are not satisfied with Yemeni territories and have arbitrarily fired at the kingdom’s towns and cities along the border, killing a number of civilians and soldiers. Houthi militants and their backers do not only destabilize Yemen but also massacre people and curb the delivery of humanitarian aid. All this brought about the emergence of a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Saudi Arabia hastened to deliver aid to the affected and allocated $274 million for humanitarian actions through the UN. Moreover, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman established the Humanitarian Aid Center, to which he allocated $300 million. After the Aden airport was liberated, the kingdom has been delivering daily humanitarian aid to Yemen via air bridge. Houthi militants and forces loyal to the former president have not taken into account the interests of the Yemeni people and the humanitarian situation. The Kingdom and coalition forces have complied with the “humanitarian ceasefire agreement” despite Houthis violating it repeatedly.

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