RIA Novosti media agency hosted a press conference dedicated to the theme: “Russia, Azerbaijan, USA in the context of the multi-vectored policy”, timed to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s independence. The issue was discussed by Russina, Azerbaijani and American experts: Sergey Mikheyev, the head of the Caspian Partnership Institute, Ajar Kurtov, the chief editor of the “Problems of national strategy” magazine, ex-CIA adviser Poll Goeble, the vice- of the Azerbaijani Academy of Diplomacy Fariz Ismailidze and the chairman of the Azerbaijani US-graduates association, Djeykhun Kyaramov.
- What chances does Azerbaijan have to become a regional leader?
Fariz Ismailzade (Baku)
Azerbaijan is already a leader, it is a locomotive of the region! 88.5% of the South Caucasus’s GDP is produced in Azerbaijan. Moreover, Azerbaijan sponsors projects in neighboring countries. For example, it invests into oil chemical sector of Turkey, is building the railway between China and Europe (Baku-Tbilisi-Kars). Azerbaijan invests to Romania, Asian countries and the Russian North Caucasus. Delegations from Dagestan visit our country often. Recently the Russian vice Premier, the plenipotentiary envoy of the president in the NCFD Alexander Khloponin has visited us. Discussion concerned financing of Azerbaijani-North Caucasian economy projects.
Azerbaijan exports oil and other important energy resources to Iran, Turkey, Georgia and other countries of the region. It improves economy integration of the region. Azerbaijan can do many things in the sphere of regional security.
Azerbaijan has great potential in the region and in the Central Asia. We are exporting Kazakh oil to the world markets. Many countries have already understood that Azerbaijan is a key transport and economy centre.
Sergey Mikheyev (Moscow)
Azerbaijan is the most developed country of the South Caucasus today, there is no doubt. I think in many spheres it has the most developed industry. And of course it the richest state in the South Caucasus. On the other hand, Azerbaijan cannot be a political leader of the region, as South Caucasus has three poles. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are independent, all-sufficient autonomous political poles. These countries are different in civilization aspects, they have different views of the process of development. That’s why I cannot imagine Azerbaijan to be a political leader for Armenia and Georgia. The South Caucasus is too difficult region for one country to be a guiding star for two others.
However, Azerbaijan can be a leader of integration and cooperation in the Caspian Sea region. For Russia and Iran the Caspian region is a periphery, i.e. development centers are focused in other regions of these countries. To be a leader of the Caspian region Azerbaijan has to understand that multi-vectored policy should have priorities.
Special relations with Russia and Iran contradict Western vector. Without tight and constructive relations with Russia and IRI Azerbaijan couldn’t be a leader of the Caspian region. West supports Azerbaijani striving for leadership, but it is cunning. It wants Azerbaijan to be a provider of its interests.
Paul Goebl (Washington)
I cannot answer for the US and West, but I can say that nobody believe that Azerbaijan can provide policy, which ignores interests of Iran and the Russian Federation. Despite animosity between the USA and Iran, neighboring countries always strive for close and warm relations. The idea that Azerbaijan can orient only to Russia or Iran is wrong. It is also wrong to say that Azerbaijan should look only at the USA. It is balance in the foreign policy provided by Azerbaijan that enables it to implement its potential. Azerbaijan is not only a leader of the Caucasus, its influence is wider. We shouldn’t underestimate its potential.
