Tofig Zulfugarov
Encyclopedia
Tofig Zulfugarov Nadir oglu (born in 1959) also spelled as Tofiq Zulfuqarov, is a politician from Azerbaijan. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan under Heydar Aliyev
from March 1998 until October 1999 when he was replaced by Vilayat Guliyev
.
. His family moved to Baku
, Azerbaijan
in 1961. He studied at Baku school No. 93 in 1966-1976. Zulfugarov was admitted to in 1976 and graduated from Azerbaijan State University with a degree in Oriental studies
(Eastern studies) in 1981. In 1981-1984, he served in Soviet Navy
. From 1984 through 1985, Zulfugarov worked at the Komsomol
committee. From 1985 on, he worked at the Department of Arabic studies at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
. In 1988, Zulfugarov started working on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 1991, he worked at the Political Science department of Institute of History of National Academy of Sciences.
. During his career at the ministry, he served as head of department, office director, deputy minister and eventually, from March 5, 1998 as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic. In October 1999, Zulfugarov resigned along with Vafa Guluzade
and Eldar Namazov
as a sign of protest for unacceptable plan for resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which included a territorial swap
between Azerbaijan and Armenia with Azerbaijan recognizing de-facto rule of Armenia of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia ceding Meghri
corridor allowing the physical link between Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhichevan
with Azerbaijan proper. Zulfugarov has been a proponent of granting Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh
the highest degree of self-rule and autonomy within Azerbaijan claiming it would be "less than independence but more than autonomy". During his term as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zulfugarov signed a number of important state documents including the Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) Counter Proliferation Agreement with the United States
, as a result of which the US Department of Defense in partnership with US Customs Service trained and equipped the Azerbaijani counterparts in techniques preventing, deterring and investigating incidents related to proliferation of WMDs (nuclear, chemical and biological weapons).
In 2005, he was appointed Ambassador of Azerbaijan Republic to Latvia
. Under the same mandate, Zulfugarov is also the Ambassador to Estonia
. Zulfugarov is often creditted for his extensive work on Karabakh problem, peacemaking initiatives and restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan Republic.
Tofig Zulfugarov is fluent in Russian, Arabic and English.
Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev , also spelled as Heidar Aliev, Geidar Aliev, Haydar Aliyev, Geydar Aliyev was the third President of Azerbaijan for the New Azerbaijan Party from June 1993 to October 2003, when his son Ilham Aliyev succeeded him.From 1969 till 1982, Aliyev was also the leader of Soviet...
from March 1998 until October 1999 when he was replaced by Vilayat Guliyev
Vilayat Guliyev
Vilayat Guliyev Mukhtar oglu is a politician from Azerbaijan. He was elected to the Azeri parliament in 1996 as a supporter of President Heydar Aliyev...
.
Early life
Zulfugarov was born on November 1, 1959 in a Russian town of RostovRostov
Rostov is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, one of the oldest in the country and a tourist center of the Golden Ring. It is located on the shores of Lake Nero, northeast of Moscow. Population:...
. His family moved to Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
in 1961. He studied at Baku school No. 93 in 1966-1976. Zulfugarov was admitted to in 1976 and graduated from Azerbaijan State University with a degree in Oriental studies
Oriental studies
Oriental studies is the academic field of study that embraces Near Eastern and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages, peoples, history and archaeology; in recent years the subject has often been turned into the newer terms of Asian studies and Middle Eastern studies...
(Eastern studies) in 1981. In 1981-1984, he served in Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
. From 1984 through 1985, Zulfugarov worked at the Komsomol
Komsomol
The Communist Union of Youth , usually known as Komsomol , was the youth division of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Komsomol in its earliest form was established in urban centers in 1918. During the early years, it was a Russian organization, known as the Russian Communist Union of...
committee. From 1985 on, he worked at the Department of Arabic studies at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences , located in Baku, is the main state research organization in Azerbaijan...
. In 1988, Zulfugarov started working on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 1991, he worked at the Political Science department of Institute of History of National Academy of Sciences.
Political career
In 1992, Zulfugarov started working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of AzerbaijanMinistry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is a Cabinet-level governmental agency in Azerbaijan Republic in charge of conducting and designing Azerbaijani Foreign policy.- History :...
. During his career at the ministry, he served as head of department, office director, deputy minister and eventually, from March 5, 1998 as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic. In October 1999, Zulfugarov resigned along with Vafa Guluzade
Vafa Guluzade
Vafa Guluzade is an Azerbaijani diplomat, political scientist and specialist in conflict resolution. He worked as Foreign Policy State Advisor for Azerbaijan President between 1990-1999.- Education and political career :Vafa Guluzade was born on December 22, 1940 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR. Mr...
and Eldar Namazov
Eldar Namazov
Eldar Namazov Sagif oglu is a politician from Azerbaijan. He served as the head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Republic and the Presidential aide to Heydar Aliyev.-Early life:...
as a sign of protest for unacceptable plan for resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which included a territorial swap
Meghri
Meghri is a city in southern Armenia, located in the Syunik province, near the border with Iran. The city's economy is based on the food industry, and contains a bread-baking factory, canneries and a winery. Meghri has a significantly milder climate than the rest of the cities in Armenia, and...
between Azerbaijan and Armenia with Azerbaijan recognizing de-facto rule of Armenia of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia ceding Meghri
Meghri
Meghri is a city in southern Armenia, located in the Syunik province, near the border with Iran. The city's economy is based on the food industry, and contains a bread-baking factory, canneries and a winery. Meghri has a significantly milder climate than the rest of the cities in Armenia, and...
corridor allowing the physical link between Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
with Azerbaijan proper. Zulfugarov has been a proponent of granting Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
the highest degree of self-rule and autonomy within Azerbaijan claiming it would be "less than independence but more than autonomy". During his term as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zulfugarov signed a number of important state documents including the Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) Counter Proliferation Agreement with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as a result of which the US Department of Defense in partnership with US Customs Service trained and equipped the Azerbaijani counterparts in techniques preventing, deterring and investigating incidents related to proliferation of WMDs (nuclear, chemical and biological weapons).
In 2005, he was appointed Ambassador of Azerbaijan Republic to Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. Under the same mandate, Zulfugarov is also the Ambassador to Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. Zulfugarov is often creditted for his extensive work on Karabakh problem, peacemaking initiatives and restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan Republic.
Tofig Zulfugarov is fluent in Russian, Arabic and English.
See also
- Elmar MammadyarovElmar MammadyarovElmar Mammadyarov Maharram oglu , born on July 2, 1960, Baku), is the Foreign Minister in the Government of Azerbaijan since 2004. Mammadyarov speaks Russian, English and Turkish.-Early life:...
- Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic