Relations between Moscow and Baku are free from political speculation

Mikhail Belyayev for Vestnik Kavkaza

The upcoming visit by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan is one of acutest topics in the Azeri media. Its various political, economic, cultural, and other aspects are being discussed. It is notable that in Azerbaijan the major mass media and leading political scientists and analysts consider relations between Moscow and Baku from a pragmatic point of view. As the result, certain projects requiring cooperation with Russia have no political character. Cooperation with Russia in politics, economy, and the military sphere is beyond doubt.

Politics and economy

The Baku Worker newspaper writes about the principles of the foreign policies of Azerbaijan: “Regional processes, the balance of forces in the confrontation between the East and the West have many times demonstrated that Baku’s words almost never differ from its decisions.”

It was confirmed by President Ilham Aliyev in Vesti-24. “We don’t obey anyone; it is impossible to make us do something against our strategic partnership,” Aliyev said, responding a question on possible participation of a powerful foreign player in development of foreign political vectors.

Of course the problem has supra-regional content and directly influences the balance of global interests and contradictions of the world agenda. However, it doesn’t prevent official Baku from its own visions and independent course. The position proves intention of Azerbaijan as a capable subject to implement its own strategy. Its essence is providing interests matching the current context on improvement of trust in the region and the world.

As for trade issues with the Russian side, purchases of strategic arms, and so on, Baku has the principle of an equal share, which doesn’t go beyond common norms. At the same time, it confirms a desire of Azerbaijan to reach a consensus with all parties of the international developments, including neighbors, strategic partners, for example, Russia.

It seems Moscow understands it very well. The deputy chairman of the State Duma Lyudmila Svetsova told the agency AzerTAj: “Our relations have been built not for years, but for centuries. We are united by common history, common borders. Despite the fact that new independent states have formed in the political space, it is important for us for Russia and Azerbaijan to be together as strategic partners.”

Meanwhile, the mass media widely cover certain political and economic initiatives connected with the upcoming visit by Putin to Baku. The political scientist Parviz Darabadi stated at an interview to “Echo” that the visit by Russia’s head to Baku is remarkable, especially considering the fact that President Putin has been in Azerbaijan long time ago: “The visit will be obviously positive. In general relations between the two countries are stable and have a tendency to further development, deepening, and enrichment. The visit by Putin to Azerbaijan will give an impetus to development of the bilateral relations. I think political cooperation between the sides, economic issues connected with security in the South Caucasus, and the Karabakh problem will be discussed.”

Humanitarian cooperation

The favorable climate in the bilateral relations between Moscow and Baku is created by humanitarian cooperation which is traditionally tight, active, and multisided. Azerbaijani traditions of tolerance are important as well. Commenting on a huge interest of Russian tourists to Azerbaijan, the PR expert, chairman of the nongovernmental organization “In Favor of Public Relations Development”, Shalala Gasanova, said: “Azerbaijan is one of few CIS countries where numerous Russian schools remained, many Russian-speaking periodicals are published, and Russian is heard in Baku streets. It provides certain trust by Russian citizens to us. There are professional Russian-speaking mass media and TV-channels. Russian citizens see this and realize that security is guaranteed in the country. They receive new impressions in Baku.”

The “political” discussion ahead of the visit by Putin coincides with the traditional Qabala musical festival which is thought to be an important event in the cultural life of Azerbaijan. The majority of the media noted that Russian musicians took part in it. Some leading Azerbaijani mass media purposely announced performances of Russian musicians in Qabala.

Earlier Azerbaijani periodicals paid special attention to the ceremony of graduation from the Baku branch of MSU. Traditionally the leadership of the university, scientific and art elite of Azerbaijan, journalists, and Russian diplomats participate in the ceremony. A detailed report on the ceremony was published by the agency Trend.