INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
AZERBAIJAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA
Azerbaijan is a member of 32 International and regional organizations: UN (March 1992), Council of Europe (March 2001), CSCE (January 1992), CIS (September 1993), Organization of Islamic Conference (1992), Council of Europe (status of special observer, June 1996), European Union (Agreement on partnership and cooperation, 1996), OEC (Organization of Economic Cooperation, 1992), Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (1992), European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (1992), World Bank (1992), UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRCRC), Interpol, the International Olympic Committee, etc.
Conceptual basis of Foreign policy of Azerbaijan aims to preserve and strengthen national independence and territorial integrity, develop equal mutually beneficiary relations, establish friendly links with all countries of the world. Among the prior tendencies are the relations with Eurasian neighbors including CIS countries, bordering states, traditional European trade partners as well as leading world states, members of Security Council, countries of Islamic and Turkic world. The better part of diplomatic effort of Azerbaijan is focused on the search for ways to regulate the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Four resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884) were adopted by the UN Security Council demanding release and return of all refugees to the places of their settlements on the territories of Azerbaijan that are still under Armenian occupation. The UN 39th session of the Commission on Women adopted the resolution demanding the release of all women hostages captured during armed conflicts.
The visits of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev to UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Turkey, China, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were to implement the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. While signing the agreement "Partnership for Peace" in headquarters of NATO in Brussels, Heydar Aliyev explained the concept of Azerbaijan diplomacy in the following way: "Having taken the decision to sign the treaty we hope not only to acquire peace and stability in this region but also to bring our people in contact with values of western democracy, to create new conditions for active collaboration with all countries of world countries". Azerbaijan participated in the work of the international summits - "People Settlements and Development" in Cairo, and "Social Development" in Copenhagen, "Women's Issues" in Beijing, "Human Settlements" (Habitat II) in Istanbul and also in regional and subregional meetings, conferences, congresses, and exhibitions.
The Republic has signed a number of international agreements and treaties, joined such important conventions as Convention on Children Rights, Convention on the Liquidation of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
