“Volume of Azerbaijani sovereignty is greater than that of Germany and Japan”

Interview by Maria Sidelnikova, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

 

Dmitry Kiselev, the director general of the Russia Today information agency, has visited Baku this week. He met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and thanked him for supporting Russian-speaking mass media and education centers in the republic. Kiselev shared his impressions about the visit and the prospects of Russian-Azerbaijani relations in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.

- Dmitry Konstantinovich, what have you discussed with the president of Azerbaijan?

- A meeting with a head of state is a closed thing. It was without press. It was about getting acquainted. I had never met Mr. President. But I can say that the meeting impressed me. He was a firm, big politician, I would say, of a more than regional level, whose word guarantees security in the region. Azerbaijan is developing fast. I think many of my colleagues should visit Azerbaijan, Baku, to share my bright impressions.

- What prospects of Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the light of the worsening international situation do you see?

- I think that Azerbaijan is a hard nut for the whole world. It chose an absolutely independent policy suitable for its national interests. I suppose it can be an example for many countries. For example, for Germany, Japan, such large countries, as it may seem. So I would advise Merkel or Shinzo Abe to visit Azerbaijan and meet with the president of this growing country.

- Do you think a second anti-Russian front is starting in the South Caucasus?

- Judging by my visit to Azerbaijan, and as far as I know Armenia, no. There are certainly such attempts. The Americans would love to create a base in Azerbaijan or Armenia, but they will not succeed. I hope that these countries and their authorities, their elites, would be smart enough never to make that happen. Because an anti-Russian front would be in American interests, but whatever the Americans touch turns to dust. Countries such as Libya, Syria, Iraq, Georgia and Ukraine have simply collapsed. I would not advise anyone to become subjects of experiments in the Caucasus.

Says Dmitry KiselevInterview by Maria Sidelnikova, exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaDmitry Kiselev, the director general of the Russia Today information agency, has visited Baku this week. He met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and thanked him for supporting Russian-speaking mass media and education centers in the republic. Kiselev shared his impressions about the visit and the prospects of Russian-Azerbaijani relations in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.- Dmitry Konstantinovich, what have you discussed with the president of Azerbaijan?- A meeting with a head of state is a closed thing. It was without press. It was about getting acquainted. I had never met Mr. President. But I can say that the meeting impressed me. He was a firm, big politician, I would say, of a more than regional level, whose word guarantees security in the region. Azerbaijan is developing fast. I think many of my colleagues should visit Azerbaijan, Baku, to share my bright impressions.- What prospects of Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the light of the worsening international situation do you see?- I think that Azerbaijan is a hard nut for the whole world. It chose an absolutely independent policy suitable for its national interests. I suppose it can be an example for many countries. For example, for Germany, Japan, such large countries, as it may seem. So I would advise Merkel or Shinzo Abe to visit Azerbaijan and meet with the president of this growing country.- Do you think a second anti-Russian front is starting in the South Caucasus?- Judging by my visit to Azerbaijan, and as far as I know Armenia, no. There are certainly such attempts. The Americans would love to create a base in Azerbaijan or Armenia, but they will not succeed. I hope that these countries and their authorities, their elites, would be smart enough never to make that happen. Because an anti-Russian front would be in American interests, but whatever the Americans touch turns to dust. Countries such as Libya, Syria, Iraq, Georgia and Ukraine have simply collapsed. I would not advise anyone to become subjects of experiments in the Cauca