Dmitry Kiselyov: Russia-Azerbaijan relations - factor for peace in Caucasus and beyond

Russian-Azerbaijani relations are a factor for peace in not only the Caucasus, but also in the wider region, Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Director General, director general of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, popular TV host Dmitry Kiselyov said, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza on the sidelines of the presentation of his book titled 'Kiselev vs Zlobin. Fight for deeply personal things,' co-authored with president of the Center on Global Interests Nikolai Zlobin.

"Russian-Azerbaijani relations are a factor for peace in the Caucasus, and not only in the Caucasus, but also in the wider region. For example, Azerbaijan quite successfully acts as some kind of mediator between Russia and Iran, even a partner in our tripartite projects," he said.

Dmitry Kiselev noted that an important contribution to the formation of modern mutually beneficial and constructive strategic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan was made by national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. "It seems to me that he laid a foundation. Aliyev’s idea was to build a triangle relationship of Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran, and this triangle turned out to be fairly balanced, making Russian-Azerbaijani relations a factor in the settlement of the Caspian Sea," the Rossiya Segodnya general director explained.

"President Ilham Aliyev continues his father’s policy in this sense. Azerbaijan's development is fairly fast, its position on the international stage is confident, and a stable and balanced society lives there. I think it is a great merit of the current political dynasty,"  Dmitry Kiselev stressed.

Speaking about the Caucasus as a whole, a popular TV host said that the region should remain self-sufficient and peaceful. "I think the Caucasus should manage its own destiny, it does not need to be led by someone. Let Azerbaijan be Azerbaijan, Armenia be Armenia, and Georgia be Georgia. Our North Caucasus is also many-sided, multifaceted and colorful, everything should be balanced. The Russian concept, which implies a multipolarity, is harmonious enough for the Caucasus," he concluded.