By Per Holmström, Ambassador of Sweden to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. More than 20 years have passed since The 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and more than 15 since the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Many positive developments have taken place in the meantime, but we are all far from reaching our objectives when it comes to gender equality. More work is needed. In 2014 the Swedish Government and Foreign Minister Margot Wallström declared that Sweden would conduct a feminist foreign policy. At the time, the term was met with some giggles, some misunderstandings, some hostility, but also with a lot of anticipation and enthusiasm. Today, it is a more broadly accepted concept and some countries are actually following suit. Apart from the obvious principle, working towards gender equality is not a zero-sum game. Instead, empowering women and girls is a win-win situation, for individuals as well as for societies. And on a more personal note, as a parent, how could I wish for anything else than for my teenage daughter – and the millions of her likes throughout the world – to live in a world where they can achieve their full potential and live lives free of discrimination? I am happy and proud to do my part to try to achieve that goal. It all starts somewhere. The objectives of the Swedish policy cover a wide range of areas, such as full enjoyment of human rights, freedom from physical, psychological and sexual violence, participation in preventing and resolving conflicts, and post-conflict peacebuilding, political participation and influence in all areas of society, economic rights and empowerment as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). To make it simpler, and maybe a bit catchier, we like to talk about the 3R’s as a concept, those being (equal access to) rights, representation and resources.[1] In The Hague – rightly called the capital of peace and justice – the concept of equal access to rights is more pertinent than in many other places. Among the many institutions in the city, the International Criminal Court – the ICC – is perhaps the most well-known, and absolutely one of the more important, as its task is to make judgements on the most serious crimes, such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. As it should, the Court is a fully independent institution, but that does not exclude participation by “member states” – the State Parties – in promoting the Court’s activity and its mandate. Many are actively engaged in encouraging so called universality (attracting more signatories), promoting States cooperation with the Court, or in our case furthering the concept of complementarity, a bit simplified this implies working towards adapting states’ legislation, procedures and administration so that prosecuting the most serious crimes can take place in the state concerned, rather than at the ICC. Sweden, deeply committed to a well-functioning multilateral system, is proud to take on a special role in this important effort, together with Botswana. In doing so we have been focusing specifically on victims of sexual and gender based violence in conflict. Sadly, such crimes are frequent, and in some instances cynically used as a strategy in conflicts. By working together with the Court, governments, administrations and civil society in identifying hurdles and solutions, our aim is to raise awareness but also to increase the possibilities for those victims to be able to gain access to justice. It is far from academic. Real people, real women and girls (and men), face stigma and genuine obstacles to having their voices heard. Any one victim helped is worth the effort. Photography by Mr. Sören Andersson.   [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6Q46cdndw

European Commissioner High Representative, Federica Mogherini and H. E. Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan  By HE Mr Fuad İsgəndərov, Head of Mission of Azerbaijan to the EU, Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg. Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has played an important role in bridging East and West through connecting Central Asia with Anatolia, the Black Sea and beyond. Situated on the west coast of the Caspian Sea and at the feet of the Caucasus Mountains, the country has been a pivotal point in the connection of civilizations since ancient times, welcoming merchants from across land and sea. Traditional east-west corridor is now reinforced by huge energy infrastructure projects initiated by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan as an enabler and contributor to the European energy security is investing on new pipelines and sophisticated interconnections across the region pledging to bring billions of cubic meters of natural gas volumes through Southern Gas Corridor. This multibillion dollar project has been inspired by successfully realized regional oil and gas pipelines such as Baku – Tbilisi –Ceyhan and Baku – Tbilisi – Erzurum, backbones of long-term diversification strategy of Azerbaijan.

The long-term perspectives of contribution of Azerbaijan to the development of east-west corridor cannot be entirely attributed to trans-regional oil and gas infrastructure projects. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project which is to be operational by the end of this year is widely acknowledged as an inherent component of revived Silk Road initiative. This railroad will join the ranks of the region’s most critical infrastructures once China’s Silk Belt concept comes to the fruition. The geostrategic location has become a more valuable asset for modern Azerbaijan positioning the country as a vital centre for the exchange not only of goods and merchandise, but of ideas, customs, religions and cultures. Azerbaijan, a predominantly Shiite Muslim country, is also home to several other ethnic and religious groups, including ancient Zoroastrian, Christian, and Jewish communities. Respect and tolerance for national minorities has played a vital role in the development of the country from antiquity to the days of the Silk Road to modernity. Today multiculturalism, religious tolerance is more than a state policy in Azerbaijan; it is a reflection of the mood of the society. Azerbaijan’s multi-vector cooperation transcends neighboring countries and it is underpinned by the realization of far-reaching common objectives. Therefore, Azerbaijan attaches critical importance to fostering Euro-Atlantic relations. Today practical role assumed by Azerbaijan in addressing common pressing challenges in Europe and beyond positions the country as a crucial partner in the region. It should be emphasized that unlike others Azerbaijan has never been a burdensome partner or a troublemaker in its relations with the European Union. Quite the reverse, its engagement and partnership with the EU aimed at contributing to the realization of the latter’s strategic objectives. These objectives are not limited to securing future alternative gas volumes through Southern Gas Corridor but fighting against growing threats, such as radicalization, religious extremism which can be easily translated into deadly acts perceived as crimes against humanity. And it is also equally important that fighting new threats should not be done at the cost of overriding fundamental values, especially those related with religious tolerance and multiculturalism. Terrorism bears no ethnicity, religion or race. It has no faith. However, the relations of the EU with Muslim world are at great risk with domestically rising political populism against Islamaphobia under the pretext of fighting terrorism which is prone to drive the EU to the possible confrontation against Muslim world. Europe should avoid becoming a side of further polarized and alienated world. Azerbaijan with its vibrant multicultural society is ready to work with its European partners through exchange of its centuries-long experience in tackling imminent challenges. New geopolitical developments and complexities in the EU neighborhood will shape its future relations with Azerbaijan. It is due to these circumstances the EU and Azerbaijan have decided to upgrade their bilateral contractual relations which will reflect the strategic spirit of long-term engagement. Both the EU and Azerbaijan has gone through difficult times in their relations and now both sides share the common understanding that acting on illusions and romanticism is in fact distancing each other rather than bringing them close. The consultations have successfully been concluded in this framework and now Azerbaijan is looking forward to launching official negotiations on the draft bilateral agreement. The EU-Azerbaijan cooperation is not only bound to the critical infrastructure related projects. The success of Southern Gas Corridor will create more interdependency in the relations. This interdependency is capable to manifest itself in deepening political dialogue and further opening trade perspectives. Unfortunately, ongoing occupation of the territories of the Azerbaijan by Armenia keeps posing threat the peace and prosperity in the region. The persistent presence of Armenian armed forces in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 adjacent regions despite the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions demanding unconditional and immediate withdrawal of occupying forces from these territories is a source of instability and frequent outbreaks of deadly military confrontations along the line of contact. The recent provocative acts by Armenian armed forces in April 1 sparked tensions in the frontlines and triggered adequate military response of Azerbaijan. Though ceasefire deal has always been fragile so far, this time the conflict has experienced an unprecedented confrontation. The question is why now? The devil is in the timing of provocations. Azerbaijan hosted second meeting of Advisory Council on Southern Gas Corridor in 29 February which was attended by EU vice-president Maroš Šefčovič and joined by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini. Both vice-presidents in Baku reconfirmed the EU’s full political support and solidarity in timely realization of this project. Azerbaijan and its European partners set date to hold a groundbreaking ceremony of Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, a downstream component of Southern Gas Corridor in May. High Representative also retains the tone and emphasis of the EU’s clear position on explicit support of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the beginning of April President of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a visit to the US and held fruitful meetings with US leadership in Washington where the latter expressed support to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and also hailed Azerbaijan as a crucial partner addressing key challenges in the region. And then it happened… Feeling more abandoned and isolated in the region with an attempt to sabotage these developments Armenia launched unprecedented military provocations along the frontline. It was unprecedented because military operations directly targeted civilians living in the frontline areas as well as critical regional infrastructure projects. One fact should not be dismissed. Azerbaijan’s counter military operations did not take place in Armenia-Azerbaijan border, nor in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan armed forces fought in the occupied districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh region.

So, what is next? Azerbaijan’s roadmap to peace and stability is clear and based on international law. The principles are enshrined in relevant UN Resolutions, OSCE documents and decisions as well as numerous resolutions of the European Parliament adopted in this framework. They all stress support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Azerbaijan, call for unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from occupied territories and ensure safe return of internally displaced persons with dignity to their places of origin. Armenia’s goodwill and constructive engagement in this regard will open perspectives for full-fledged regional partnership in the South Caucasus which will eventually create favorable and equal opportunities for all countries to benefit from existing and perspective trans-regional initiatives in the region. South Caucasus is in close proximity to the EU, thus we believe that it is also in the best interests of the EU. Cooperation mood of Azerbaijan with Europe cannot be ruined by long-standing security challenges.                                    

Interview following the roundtable meeting on “Georgia’s European way and foreign policy priorities” on the occasion of the visit of the Georgian Delegation to The Netherlands led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Gigi Gigiadze, 25 April, 2016 at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   By Elizabeth Naumczyk, photographer Henry Arvidsson. Diplomat Magazine was given the unique opportunity to conduct an interview with Mr. Gigi Gigiadze, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who was keen to explain his current visit concerning bilateral political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and The Netherlands. The Minister’s schedule included a roundtable meeting on Georgia’s European way and foreign policy priorities organized by the Clingendael Netherlands Institute of International Relations and the Embassy of Georgia, at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after which this interview was conducted. The Minister began by saying: “Georgia has a good record on reforms. Georgia has a good achievement in terms of overall development of the country. Georgia has a good record in terms of getting closer to the European Union (EU) in terms of accepting and taking over the values which in the EU are the most important ones. But Georgia always used to be and continues to be a true European country. … Georgia is one of the first Christian countries in the world. We always felt Georgia belongs to Europe and European civilization … after regaining independence the situation has changed and we are free to choose and we would like to keep this choice.” There is a high expectation that Georgia will achieve the visa liberalization with the EU during the EU Presidency of The Netherlands in a couple of months. Mr. Gigi Gigiadze was the chief negotiator and led a group of governmental institutions on the Visa Liberlisation Action Plan (VLAP).   He said he was proud to have had the opportunity to work with young people in this group who did “such an amazing job and have achieved such a success”. In December 2015 the European Commission in its fourth and final progress report recognised that Georgia had fully implemented all the reforms necessary for visa liberalisation with the EU. Georgia, said Mr Gigiadze has “overfulfilled” its obligations by even completing additional recommendations. On 9 March, the Commission presented the legislative proposal on amending the respective regulation allowing short-term visa waiver for Georgian citizens within the Schengen area. The proposal is being discussed at the EU Council and the European Parliament and is expected to be in place before July 2016.

The VLAP is a technical instrument and not linked to any political item.   Mr. Gigi Gigiadze said, if the visa liberalization is done during The Netherlands EU Presidency, it will build on the relationship between the two countries and solidify the partnership. The EU’s bilateral cooperation with Georgia contributes to its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. Visa liberalization will affect every aspect of the social life in Georgia “it will be amazing, no one could imagine a year ago it would be happening.” .   Mr. Gigi Gigiadze said once in place it will provide the younger generation with the opportunity to travel to the EU and see what they were taught from childhood for themselves, “see for themselves what Europe is based on, how Europe is functioning…the main deliverable – people will increase their belief in the whole process.” Since regaining independence at the beginning of the 1990s, every generation in Georgia was told to get closer to Europe and now the second language in Georgia is English. The Minister explained the importance of European integration in Georgia’s foreign and domestic policy. All the main political parties in Georgia agree on the foreign political agenda and these parties represent the majority of the population. Georgia belongs to Europe and is guided by its longstanding goal to integrate into the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Today, Georgia’s main aim is to achieve the closest possible political association and economic integration with the EU by continuously reforming the country and surveys show that last year it was one of the best performers “we are already a very reliable partner of the EU.” Georgia has advanced reforms and contributed to the establishment of the legislative policy and institutional framework in compliance with the best European and international standards. Mr Gigiadze highlighted justice reforms with new regulations being adopted in the area of human rights.   Last year Georgia adopted anti-discrimination law and achieved good results in terms of media freedom, consolidation of democracy and institutional building. He emphasised that the reforms were first and foremost for the benefit of the country. In 2015 The Netherlands was the third biggest investor in Georgia. Dutch expertise, especially in the agricultural sector is highly valued, as is the assistance of the Dutch Government through governmental agencies in the implementation of projects in agriculture and rural development as well as human rights, and so forth.   But Georgia can also contribute its ancient technology of wine-making spanning some 8,000 years. Georgia was the first producer of wine and has some 550 grape varieties. It is called the “cradle of wine-making” and traditionally the process has been to use huge clay pots anchored in the ground contributing to the special flavour of Georgian wine. Mr. Gigiadze said he appreciated the support of the Dutch Government for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-recognition policy, its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as well as the UN Resolution on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and contribution to the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM). Georgia has become an exceptional performer and an encouraging model for other EU partner countries having met concrete deliverables demanded by the EU in order to move forward in the areas of visa liberalization and the effective implementation of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA) signed in June 2014 with the EU. Through the Association Agreement, Georgia launched a comprehensive legislative approximation with the EU acquis. European norms and standards are being gradually introduced in each and every aspect of political, economic and social life. With the solid support of the EU and its member states, Georgia has advanced its democratic reform agenda and stepped up sectorial cooperation in key areas such as energy security, transport, environment, education, science, culture, innovations and information technologies. The DCFTA is an essential component of the Association Agreement and a major opportunity for the modernisation of Georgia’s economy, as well as a huge stimulus to reform. Providing access to the world’s largest market of 500 million consumers without tariffs and quotas is set to enhance Georgia’s attractiveness to foreign investments and create jobs in the country. The economic reforms implemented under the DCFTA have contributed to enhanced trade with the EU and increased foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow. All EU Member States have completed the ratification procedures of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, including the Netherlands, which finalised the ratification process in September 2015. While undergoing final procedures at the Council, the Agreement is expected to enter into force in summer establishing the new legal framework of the enhanced EU-Georgia relationship. Pending the entry into force, the Association Agreement has been provisionally applied since September 2014. For its part, the Georgian government remains committed to seizing the full potential of its enhanced relationship with the EU and making the best use of these agreements and reaping the benefits of the political association and economic integration process “demonstrating that reforms are feasible and states are promoted in line with the “more for more” principle. Mr. Gigiadze ended by saying that Georgia attaches great importance to the Dutch EU Presidency and wishes it success in the fulfilment of its agenda.