Efim Pivovar: “Russia and Azerbaijan should use a multi-vector policy in favor of our relations”

Interview by Daria Melikhova, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Efim Pivovar, RSUH President, historian, Associate Member of the RAS, told Vestnik Kavkaza about his impressions from the Baku international humanitarian forum and expressed his view on the prospects of Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

-          Recently the international humanitarian forum took place in Baku. What are you impressions from the event?

-          I am happy that the initiative which was born several years ago has got such a nice continuance. The forum is really international and is appreciated by the humanitarian community. There are many economic and political forums, but few humanitarian forums. It brings together various experts: scientists, social activists, politicians, journalists, artists, writers, composers. It encourages development of humanitarian ties between nations.

-          What do you think about relations between Russia and Azerbaijan?

-          We are strategic partners. It is not an empty phrase for us, but a reality which is related to the history of two nations which provide the partnership. We have deep roots of cooperation at the social level, at the humanitarian level of two countries, at the level of common families, common people. So, I don’t see an alternative to improvement of the partnership. Constant cooperation is realized at all levels – in economy, in business, in common life, in routine, in culture, in science, and in education.

-          What can you say about contribution by presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev to the development of relations between the countries?

-          It is a key moment for the development of relations, a guarantee of the fact that they will be improved. The policy of our leaders determines a format and intensiveness of our relations. Even the humanitarian forum appeared as an initiative of two presidents. A qualitative progress in relations between our countries in the post-Soviet period was connected with a meeting between Heydar Aliyev and Vladimit Putin at the turn of the century. Thus, I think it is a guarantee of bilateral relations.

-          Do Russia and Azerbaijan have a potential for economic integration within the Eurasian projects implemented by Russia?

-          I think we have potential and it is not being used in full. Both Russia and Azerbaijan provide  amulti-vector foreign policy, multi-vector economic, trade relations with other countries, neighbors, friends, partners, new countries which haven’t been partners previously; but it doesn’t prevent development of relations between our countries because the history of our cooperation is very long. I believe the potential of our relations is not used in full. Both Russia and Azerbaijan export oil and gas, but we are interested in joint transport flows in the sphere; we are interested in technological cooperation in the sphere. There are many other spheres where we have a big potential, and it is not used in full.

-          Soon Azerbaijani President will take part in the Vilnius summit of the Eastern Partnership. How can it influence the relations with Russia?

-          Some political scientists consider the Eastern Partnership or GUAM, for instance, anti-Russian projects. But I think it is simplified interpretation of the processes which go on in the world politics. The summit and Azerbaijan’s participation in it confirm that Azerbaijan provides multi-vector foreign policy. Neither Azerbaijan nor Russia is interested in using it to the damage of our relations. I think both sides are reasonable enough to consider the factor building multi-vector policy.

-          How can Russia influence settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today?

-          Russia is a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, and the meeting is a result of activeness of the Minsk Group and its co-chairs in the negotiations. Of course we expect further steps and count on them. Time will tell whether it will be successful. However, any talks are better for nations than the alternative. The alternative is awful military actions, unfortunately. So, we support the initiatives, welcome them, and we expect that the meeting will give impetus to development of the peacemaking process. Russia’s position is well-known, and of course we will continue promoting it in the future.