Moscow State Institute of International Relations hosts roundtable on Contract of Century
Baku, September 28 (AZERTAC). The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) hosted a round table on the theme of the “Contract of the Century”, the agreement signed in Gulistan Palace, Baku on September 20, 1994 concerning the development of the deepwater oil fields "Azeri - Chiraq - Gunashli”.
The event was organized by the Azerbaijani club of MGIMO in partnership with the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia. The meeting was attended by students and graduates of the leading universities based in Moscow.
Chairman of the Azerbaijani club of MGIMO Emil Ibragimov spoke about the activities of the Azerbaijani national groups and expressed the hope that these meetings will be held as often as possible.
The moderator of the event was the member of the Executive Committee of the AMOR, honorary chairman of the Azerbaijani club MGIMO Natig Aliyev. In his speech, he touched on the main aspects of the Azerbaijan’s energy policy. He said, "one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy is in the area of energy security, which is based on the oil strategy developed by Heydar Aliyev". Aliyev said that Heydar Aliyev's oil diplomacy has strengthened the country's position on the world arena and mobilization of foreign investment, which, in turn, has accelerated the integration of Azerbaijan into the world community and created favorable conditions for economic development in the country.
The speakers stressed that "the signing of the Contract of the Century helped overcome the international isolation in which Azerbaijan was at that moment, as the Heydar Aliyev managed to attract investment through the most influential and prestigious oil companies of the world, and Azerbaijan’s oil policy has received international recognition."
The Contract of the Century has been reflected on 400 pages and 4 languages. Some 13 companies (Amoco, BP, McDermott, Unocal, SOCAR, LukOil, Statoil, Exxon, TPAO, Pennzoil, Itochu, Ramco, Delta) from 8 countries (Azerbaijan, USA, Great-Britain, Russia, Turkey, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia) have participated in signing the Contract of the Century. This contract has paved the way towards the signature of further 27 contracts with 42 oil companies from 19 countries.
After the signature of the Contract of the Century, the parties to this document have established working structures - the Steering Committee, Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) and the Consulting Council. They have initiated its activities as they have been granted with legal competencies based on the special decree signed by the President of Azerbaijan on December 2, 1994.
The speech held by President Heydar Aliyev at the signing ceremony of the Contract of the Century on September 20, 1994 is a meaningful historic document which enables us to use the language of political analysis and not merely of political interests. It reflects many principal key points and sound thinking laid in the core of intentions and decisions made by the head of the Azerbaijani State.
The Contract of the Century inevitably changed the scale of social actions in Azerbaijan: the nation has got a chance for a new beginning and to leave chaos and collapse behind because of the massive inflow of financial capital into the country. The Azerbaijani nation has been given a vital mission with concrete contents. It was most important to implement the modernization of the nation while meeting two significant conditions: Firstly to preserve the independence of the state and secondly to stimulate and use the moral and spiritual forces of the people. The Contract of the Century became the driving force of this modernization, which can be seen as the expression of practical energy of any individual while the control over processes and developments was ensured by the state. In this understanding, the meaningful word of “the Contract” gained a long-term operational meaning.
After more than 15 years, the implementation of the Contract of the Century gives a solid foundation to be confident about the potential force of the Azerbaijani people. This force depends on infinite reserves of human energy, strong will and aspirations towards greater achievements.
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