Vladimir Yevseyev: appointment of Kosachev the head of "Rossotrudnichestvo" is aimed at strengthening the role of Russia in the post-Soviet space

President Medvedev has appointed  Konstantin Kosachev the new head of "Rossotrudnichestvo." Kosachev served as the head of the Duma International Affairs Committee in the last Duma.

The new head of the "Rossotrudnichestvo" will continue work in promoting Russian influence abroad and particularly in the post-Soviet CIS countries similar to the American USAID or British Council.

Konstantin Kosachev has also been delegated special Presidential Envoy on relations with the CIS countries.

In an interview to "Vestnik Kavkaza" the director of the Center for Public Policy Research, Vladimir Yevseyev, noted that "Vladimir Putin is dissatisfied with the situation that is developing in the former Soviet Union. First, in the past years relations with Uzbekistan have worsened. Tashkent is effectively blocking the initiative of Russia at the level of the CSTO and in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Apparently, one of the goals would be to somehow restore relations with Uzbekistan. Secondly, I think the problem is posed in the relations with Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is now more than ever active and interested in expanding cooperation, and it would probably be foolish not to make use of the situation," the Russian expert said.


In addition, Vladimir Yevseyev believes that Russia has a very strong interest in Azerbaijan. The expert urged not to concentrate only on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, but also develop economic ties.
 
Yeveseyev stressed that Russia should cooperate with Armenia as well as Azerbaijan. He also stressed that the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem lies in the interests of Russia. When the solution is found, Russia will intensify its influence in the region, Yevseyev said. Vladimir Yevseyev also noted that the situation in the Caucasus is very complex, as no one can exclude the possibility of military action against Iran.