Globalinfo.az presents an interview with Maryam Gulamova Karabekiroglu, the Chairperson of the Caspian-Alpine Society, an organization operating in Switzerland.
– Could you briefly tell us about your organization? What prompted its creation and why specifically in Switzerland?
– Our society is an NGO based in Zurich, established to strengthen cooperation and dialogue between Switzerland and Azerbaijan. We see our role as building a bridge between the Alpine region and the Caspian basin. In short, our mission is to position ourselves as a think tank exploring political, economic, social, and humanitarian-cultural aspects and aimed at mutually beneficial cooperation with civil society, political circles, business communities, media, and academic circles in Switzerland.
Regarding the creation of the Caspian-Alpine Society, let me take a brief excursion into the past. I have been living in Switzerland for almost three years, having moved here for family reasons. My connection to the public sector dates back to the mid-2000s. Since then, I have been actively involved in the work of various NGOs, media, municipal bodies, and both private and public sectors in Azerbaijan. In Turkey, I worked for almost 10 years in various companies, including state-owned corporations.
After moving to Switzerland, I naturally developed a network with our compatriots here. We began sharing our thoughts and ideas. Discussions about the strategic importance of the Caspian region, its ties with European countries, and the dynamics in our region led us to the idea of creating such a center.
– What methods do you plan to use to achieve your goals? It’s no secret that the field itself and the set tasks require significant resources.
– That’s a very timely question. It is indeed a responsible field, requiring both material and human resources. But Azerbaijan’s importance in the Caspian region, its strategic significance in terms of energy resources and transport, simplifies our task. In this sense, we will not have difficulty finding partners in Switzerland, at least in understanding us. If we can promote a proper and non-stereotypical understanding of Azerbaijan in the country where we live, then we have fulfilled our mission. In a world where events change not daily, but hourly, crises and turbulence create the need for new perspectives and viewpoints. We strive to be part of this list and believe that there can never be too many think tanks.
As for the methods we plan to use, in addition to the think tank, we intend to implement integration projects, conduct public surveys in Switzerland and neighboring countries, and organize conferences and seminars. We also prioritize unlocking the potential of our compatriots in the diaspora, supporting them, and creating synergy. Our approach is that you are considered integrated to the extent that you participate in the intellectual discourse of the country where you live and make your voice heard. Our goal is to go beyond narrow frameworks, integrate into the society in which we live, and look at events in a broader context. We will be happy to cooperate with both the diaspora and organizations in Azerbaijan, as well as with all compatriots with a deep vision.
– Did I understand correctly that you also function as a diaspora organization?
– In the classic sense, we cannot be called a diaspora organization. Let me clarify my thought to avoid misunderstanding. By “classic,” I mean the popular approach to perceiving the diaspora. When we hear news about a successful Azerbaijani abroad, we think, “Did he do something for Azerbaijan?” This is an important criterion for us. Although our compatriot is not obliged to do something specifically for Azerbaijan, if he has reached a certain level in his field in the country of residence, has influence, he automatically does something for Azerbaijan. I want to say that idealism and romanticism, as factors that add color to our lives, should go hand in hand with rationality.
Speaking of the diaspora, it is fair to note that Azerbaijanis generally do not experience problems with integration, especially with European values and laws, and live in harmony with these values, being hardworking, noble, and cultured people.
– Will your arguments be heard and accepted in a country like Switzerland, considered the cradle of direct democracy and neutrality? Isn’t this the main problem in the West – they don’t want to hear us?
– We will be heard; it’s a matter of time. Overall, modern Azerbaijan is a very interesting country. First of all, we must remember that it is a young state. Open to new technologies, constantly striving for development, a secular state. Today, Azerbaijan is being carefully studied in various think tanks around the world. Externally, we create the impression of an ambitious, self-confident state. In reality, it is. This evokes sympathy from some and antipathy from others. But Azerbaijan has no other choice – it has to assert itself as a state strengthening its positions through its capabilities, resources, and adherence to both written and unwritten laws and rules. The reason is simple – if you are not ambitious, others will dominate you.
The current situation is that the collective West, a conditional geographical concept, is itself going through a painful process of reformatting. Old formats, templates, and a mentoring language no longer work in relations with strengthened, self-confident countries offering their own rules of the game. The West continues to use old tools out of inertia, which leads to crises and complicates the situation. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, says that this is outdated, it’s time to take the next step. Dogmas are harmful; any idea, turning into a dogma, becomes dangerous. Let’s try to better understand each other through dialogue and cooperation.
Translated from globalinfo.az
