Elkhan Alasgarov: 'Valdai' conference becomes step towards Middle East peace

The International conference 'The Middle East: When Will Tomorrow Come?', organized by the 'Valdai' International Discussion Club, which allowed to hold meaningful discussions between experts of the mediating countries in resolving the intra-Syrian crisis, was another positive step towards the stabilization in the Middle East region, the PhD, head of the expert council of Baku Network, Elkhan Alasgarov, told Vestnik Kavkaza following the conference.

According to him, the conference was organized very timely. "Now, in the course of establishing the peace process in resolving the Syrian crisis, it is time to discuss the future of the Middle East. Holding this conference, inviting experts, diplomats and military personnel who are involved in developments in the region, and holding discussions with them is a very positive step. We can say that the Valdai club held the event, which coincided with the next stage of the region's life," Elkhan Alasgarov believes.

The peace process in the Middle East will be this new stage. "It is necessary to note the participation of experts on the Russian-US relations, because after the presidential elections in the US there was uncertainty about the Washington's position on the Middle East. The experts discussed what the region can expect from the new US administration, which is considering the possibility of establishing partnerships with Russia, which, in its turn, is a major participant in the anti-terrorist operation in the Middle East, together with Iran and Turkey," he noted.

"If you look through the prism of the held events - the talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in Astana, the trilateral Russia-Turkey-Iran meeting on the Syrian settlement, the meeting of the Chief of the Russian General Staff and his US counterpart in Baku, the Munich Security Conference, the Syrian opposition's visit to Moscow, the 'Valdai' conference - you will see that this sequence of events gives way to a further improvement of the situation in the Middle East," Elkhan Alasgarov stressed.

The head of the expert council of Baku Network drew attention to the importance of Azerbaijan's participation in the Middle East process. "We represent a country that is at the crossroads of all roads going from the North to the South and from the East to the West. Not without reason 2016 was declared the year of multiculturalism here.  The Republic is a hotbed of strong stability in the region, which gives us the opportunity to participate in such events.  In Baku, we will continue to discuss the future of the Middle East with experts and all interested parties," he said.

"As a result, this successful conference of the Valdai Club made another step towards the creation of a peaceful environment in the Middle East," Elkhan Alasgarov concluded.