Moscow-Baku: stake on cooperation

In recent weeks we have witnessed a significant growth of diplomatic activity of Moscow in the Azerbaijani direction. After the ministry for foreign affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov the head of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko visited Baku. Apparently Russian top officials try to solve several acute problems together with Azerbaijani colleagues. First of all it concerns leasing of Gabala RLS: it seems the neighbors have different views on it. Less and less time remains for making a decision, but Baku and Moscow cannot define the cost of the station. Of course, some say not only economic, but also political background influences probable intention of Baku to increase rental for Russia. For example, some experts associate the position of Azerbaijan with absence of progress in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because Russia, despite all Medvedev’s efforts, hasn’t persuaded Armenia to move the process from “the dead point.” In other words the Kremlin couldn’t or didn’t want to push Yerevan to withdrawing its troops from a part of occupied territories. Other observers speak about contradictions between Baku and Moscow in the energy sphere – especially prospects of construction of the Transcaspian pipeline, which could take Turkmenistan at European markets, but it is prevented by Russia and Iran.

Obviously these aspects play their role. Now Baku and Moscow has a political bargain with economic background, where Gabala RLS is only one card in this game. In November 2011 the deputy minister for foreign affairs of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov announced new price policy of Baku. “Current rentals by Russia for Gabala RLS are $7 million annually, and it is an inadequate price,” Azimov said commenting on intentions of the Azerbaijani side to raise the rental. “On the one hand, rentals are inadequate to importance of the RLS for Russian interests in the sphere of regional and international security. On the other hand, rentals are inadequate to risks and threats to Azerbaijan,” the Azerbaijani diplomat emphasized.

The easiest thing is to criticize Baku for its “excessively high demands.” However, following your own interests is a natural behavior for two independent states. Moreover, the only country that still actually has a military base in Azerbaijan is Russia. Azerbaijan hasn’t allowed Turkey or the US to be present at its territory. The foreign military presence is forbidden by the constitution of Azerbaijan, but Baku was managed to find a loophole for its northern neighbor. A political courtesy toward the Kremlin is obvious.

That is why Baku tries to get adequate compensation in economic terms, if not political. Mutually beneficial price is a challenge for negotiators. It is interesting that the head of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko optimistically told about agreement on several issues in the negotiations on Gabala RLS. Earlier the foreign minister of Azerbaijan confirmed that in the nearest future Azerbaijan would present its answers on Russian questions. It means the negotiations are intensive, and the sides are enthusiastic to find a solution.

Any intergovernmental relations can be considered through confrontation or cooperation. But it is important to pay attention not to short-term political ambitions and tactical steps by the countries, but to the long-term vector of bilateral relations. As for Azerbaijan and Russia, for 20 years of diplomatic relations between them a firm fundament for stable development has been built. Azerbaijan is the only country of the South Caucasus where education in Russian language is spread in many schools and universities. State support of the Russian language and intensification of cooperation in the cultural sphere prove a long-term constructive Baku’s attitude toward Russia.

Continuation of the course on improvement of strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan is an optimal way that enables solution of appearing problems. Results of the talks on prolongation of leasing Gabala RLS should confirm it.

Orkhan Sattarov. Exclusively to VK