Kimana Zulueta-Fülscher

What are the main problems in East European states during elections?

Eastern Europe is a vast geographical area. Even countries located in the Southern Caucasus, though they share a common history as Soviet republics, differ in their particular circumstances and experiences with democracy. For instance, as the OSCE/ODIHR noted for the past Azerbaijani presidential elections, held in 2008, there were improvements, compared to previous elections, but the election still failed to meet OSCE commitments, mainly in the field of separation of powers, freedom of the media, voter education, and also electoral administration training, etc. Most post-Soviet republics share these problems, but their outlook and effect may vary.

It’s no secret that some of the post-Soviet republics would like to be NATO members. How crucial are problems with human rights for their Euro-Atlantic integration process?

Democratic governance and respect for human rights are prerequisites for NATO, as well as EU, membership. The question is rather whether respect for human rights might be downplayed in the face of trade or security interests. Many Western countries have been accused of this double standard. Though in some special instances these interests might bring countries closer to some of these organizations, it is unlikely they will be granted full membership. To reach accession, some far-reaching reforms need to be implemented.

There is an opinion that the Russian-Georgian war scared the West, and now the USA and NATO prefer not to anger Russia by military and other contacts with Georgia and other Russian neighbours. Do you share this view?

The conflict in Georgia only shed light on the low likelihood of the “frozen conflicts” being resolved after NATO membership. Even though the prospects of Russia moving on the offensive against NATO are low, the consequences of NATO being dragged into a full-scale war would be unforeseeable. I would say it is a question of priorities and prudence, and not a question of fear.

What are the prospects for post-Soviet republics’ membership of NATO in the future?

There have been steady improvements in relations between Azerbaijan and NATO since Azerbaijan joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) in 1994, a program meant to increase cooperation with NATO. Still, there is some work to be done before the start of accession negotiations. And I am not only referring to issues related to respect of human rights and institutional strengthening and reform. The so-called “frozen conflicts,” which represent a regional problem and a liability, need to be resolved sooner rather than later. An open conflict could have fatal implications, not only for the countries directly part of it, but for any country or organization involved.

NATO is seen in the post-communist states mostly as a military union. What role can NATO play in improving the democratization process in the republics of the former USSR?

Democratic reform and cooperation with other NATO country forces are the two main objectives of NATO in Azerbaijan. In fact, NATO cooperates actively with Azerbaijan on defence and institutional reforms that partially amount to a governance or democracy support program. Any approach of Azerbaijan towards Euro-Atlantic institutions will be met by reform efforts and obligations. This is all detailed in Azerbaijan’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). The question, though, is how effective  NATO is in promoting democracy or institutional reform in Azerbaijan. This is the real question, as I understand it, and one that you will be much more capable of answering than me.

Azerbaijan is NATO’s strong partner in many fields. What do you expect from the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan in November this year?

It would be desirable for the Election Code to be implemented in good faith, addressing some of the shortcomings that the OSCE/ODIHR noted for the presidential elections held in October 2008, e.g. encouraging competition and political debate, investing in voters’ and the administration’s civic and electoral education, and promoting an open and vibrant media environment.

Kimana Zulueta-Fülscher is a visiting scholar at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, at Johns Hopkins University. She holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from the University Autónoma, Madrid. Her dissertation dealt with political judgment and preventive/preemptive war. Her topics of interest include: political judgment and responsibility, democratization, human rights, energy, Europe and the Caucasus.

Aliyah Fridman
News.Az