Today, Azerbaijan is conducting a multi-vector foreign policy. This is all the more relevant when a formerly unipolar world is turning into a multi-polar one. A few days ago, China became the world's second largest economy after the United States. Considering the major changes in the world order, Azerbaijan is conducting a policy of multi-vector mutual relations. This, in turn, allows foreign policy interests to be carried through and expands opportunities for economic interaction, since geopolitics is to a greater extent geoeconomics. Azerbaijan’s foreign policy primarily takes into account the internal economic demands of Azerbaijani society. This is an important constant in a world that has just begun to overcome financial crisis. In this light, the Azerbaijani president is conducting the most rational policy of all the possible options, which serves to strengthen the country’s positions globally and to improve the welfare of Azerbaijani citizens.
What role does Azerbaijan play in the region today?
Today Azerbaijan is not only a transport corridor, an important link in the chain of European energy security or a simple supplier of energy to world markets. The country is gradually transforming into an intellectual and information unit, in other words, into a hub. Azerbaijan is growing into a priority element of information exchange and intellectual interaction in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan is clearly leading in terms of the number of information resources that broadcast in different languages and cover a wide news and analytical spectrum. In this respect, different think-tanks and brains trusts are showing interest in increasing cooperation with Azerbaijan.
The first symposium of international relations scholars on “The South Caucasus in a Changing World” will be held in Baku on 21-24 October. This is evidence that Azerbaijan will soon become an important area of intellectual discussions on international relations. This annual symposium will be a forum for an exchange of views, broad discussions and mutual communication.
The steps taken in the country have a significant role in this. They include intensive economic development in the regions, political stability and cultural events which are changing the country's image in the eyes of the West. For example, the second music festival in Gabala is a visiting card for Azerbaijan and provides the image of a cultural centre combining eastern traditions and western culture and innovation.
At the same time Azerbaijan should not be viewed as a bridge. We are already the centre of regional policy, economy, culture, information exchange and intellectual interaction. Our interests are spreading both regionally and globally. We are interested in foreign policy initiatives in Asia and Europe which serve both to strengthen friendly relations and promote economic interests. Considering the changing role of Asia and the traditional place of the Old World in the world order, the logic of the head of state's foreign policy helps to change the framework of the traditional perception of Azerbaijan abroad.
How do you assess the special role of the younger generation in development and innovation?
Azerbaijan’s young generation is being formed with respect for the three "I"s - the Internet, innovations and individualization. Statistics show that technology takes 45% of our time every day. News, TV, radio, correspondence, communication with friends and colleagues often occur via the Internet. Naturally, priorities are changing, we communicate less, relying on the virtual world. Even meetings are often held via webcam. But this prospect cannot be reversed and will further change people in the 21st century.
Of course, this changes and sometimes complicates the work of the state as a political body. Time is going faster and technology is "encouraging" it. The traditional state of the end of last century is already almost an archaism, although the concept of the state will long remain the priority factor in relations between people. But the forms inside it are changing which is natural. This is how it has always been and will remain. Meanwhile, the role of the state must adjust to these transformations every day. It cannot be otherwise. Therefore, President Ilham Aliyev’s main work is designed to create all the right conditions to promote the wide development of personality, in particular, for young people. This is the basis of the president’s innovative approach to state development overall.
What are the peculiarities of the new generation? Is the younger generation the main stimulus of development?
Or course, young people are the main stimulus of progress. The average age of managers is gradually falling. This is a global trend. While top managers used to be 37, now statistics show they are 10 years younger. Of course, the state must catch up since there is an awareness that the new Y and Z generation is growing. They have increased expectations, they are not especially interested in climbing the career ladder; it is more important for them to tackle the most interesting objectives; they do not take criticism and are sure that they know more than they really do. This is an important social phenomenon which must be taken into account.
The past generation, generation X, dated to a period of globalization and tectonic shifts in geopolitics. The current generation is being formed fully under the influence of technology, global communications and adaptation to a changing environment. Individualism is the priority for this generation.
Therefore, the state is trying to take account of these social transformations, since the future of the country is bound to the steps that are taken today.
Elnur Aslanov is the Chief of the Political Analysis and Information Support Department of the Office of the President.
* This article is an excerpt from its original version published by News.az on 23 August 2010.
