Moscow has held a presentation of the non-commercial partnership Politological Center “North-South” for development of science and information means with Caucasian region. The presentation involved a round table conference on “Topical problems of the South Caucasus with the context of Russian-Azerbaijani relations”. Experts discussed issues of security, energy cooperation, information-expert cooperation of the two states.
Ismail Agakishiyev, founder of the Center for Caucasian Studies of the Russian State University for the Humanities, drew attention to a set of issues.
Firstly, the number of dialogue platforms for media and experts does not meet the scale of goals set by the authorities of Russia and Azerbaijan within the framework of strategic partnership, he says.
Secondly, despite a strong bond of agreements between Russia and Azerbaijan on cooperation in the humanitarian and information spheres, most documents are not functioning. Some of them only serve as a PR move, the expert continues.
Ismail Agakishiyev believes that preservation of the Russian language in Azerbaijan is a problem. Though the Russian language is still used by the urban population, its use has dropped beyond Baku. Students prefer Western languages as a way to realize career ambitions and achievement of business success.
Many educational projects organized by specialized humanitarian funds are declarative and lack solution of practical goals in development of bilateral cooperation. Branches of Russian higher education centers are functioning well in Azerbaijan but real demand for Russia is a lot higher and is not limited with specializations offered by the branch of the Moscow State University, the expert adds.
Agakishiyev believes that the traditional format of humanitarian forums and round table conferences is old. Innovative methods, gradual abandoning of the format of science reports and start to use live discussions are the necessary methods.
The expert says that dragging can be overcome with expansion of communication platforms through cooperation of expert and media communities. Formation of the “North-South” Politological Center may be the first step towards fulfilling the goals. Russian and Azerbaijani media need regular dialogue platforms, press and electronic applications describing events in both states, Ismail Agakishiyev concludes.
