Tweet
SERGEY MARKEDONOV: "...AZERBAIJAN WILL NEVER TAKE ARMENIA'S PLACE IN RUSSIAN POLICY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS"
Today.Az
July 8 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Sergey Markedonov, famous Russian political
scientist and chief of department of problems of international
relations under the Institute for Political and Military Analysis.
- How do you assess results of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's
visit to Baku?
- Dmitri Medvedev's visit to Azerbaijan is a positive step. The head
of state even called Azerbaijan the strategic partner in the South
Caucasus. Undoubtedly, the visit fixed numerous bilateral compliments.
However, I would not overestimate this event, as Russia and Azerbaijan,
alongside with sympathies and antipathies, have definite objective
restrictions. Thus, Baku is discontented with Moscow's position on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan expects a more appropriate
position on the Karabakh issue from Russia.In turn, the Kremlin is
resented with Azerbaijan's close relations with NATO, traditionally
warn relations with Georgia and others. Medvedev's visit could not
settle a number of issues, as their settlement requires serious and
durable approach. Such issues are not settled within one visit.
I think Russian President, visiting Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and
Kazakhstan, wanted to learn their positions.
- Why does Moscow intend to buy natural gas to Baku? Some time ago
Russia supplied gas to Azerbaijan itself and coolness was caused by
differences in this very sphere...
- I am not an economist and it is difficult for me to comment on this
issue. Though the past years, energy in Russia has transformed into
political factor. From the political point of view, this issue can be
characterized as a thaw in the relations between the two countries. By
2006 Vladimir Putin had managed to promote further development of
Russian-Azerbaijani relations. There were mutual visits, signing of
agreements and contracts and so on,
However, beginning from the end of 2006 relations started to cool due
to the gas and Georgian factors. Dmitri Medvedev decided to attain
thaw in them.
- Before the visit of the Russian President to Baku, newly elected
president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had paid an official visit to
Moscow, during which the sides discussed Nagorno Karabakh issue
among others. Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan also discussed the
Karabakh issue. Do you think, Medvedev intends to ensure more active
participation of Russia in the resolution of this issue?
- No progress should be expected until the sides find a mutually
acceptable formula of the conflict resolution. The talks with
participation of Dmitri Medvedev, George Bush and Barak Obama, if the
latter becomes a President, can be held hundreds of times. The talks
will be senseless until the sides make concessions. Anyway talks are
better than military actions. Moscow's role in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict should not be overestimated. There are no USSR or Central
Committee of the Communist party to help settle the issue.
- Will the visit of the Russian President to Azerbaijan promote
further close cooperation and closing of the two countries?
- Before 2006 Russia and Azerbaijan had been demonstrating possibility
to settle any issues in the way acceptable for all. I think Azerbaijan
will never take Armenia's place in Russian policy in the South
Caucasus. It will never become Russia's main partner in the Caucasus.
Today.Az
July 8 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Sergey Markedonov, famous Russian political
scientist and chief of department of problems of international
relations under the Institute for Political and Military Analysis.
- How do you assess results of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's
visit to Baku?
- Dmitri Medvedev's visit to Azerbaijan is a positive step. The head
of state even called Azerbaijan the strategic partner in the South
Caucasus. Undoubtedly, the visit fixed numerous bilateral compliments.
However, I would not overestimate this event, as Russia and Azerbaijan,
alongside with sympathies and antipathies, have definite objective
restrictions. Thus, Baku is discontented with Moscow's position on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan expects a more appropriate
position on the Karabakh issue from Russia.In turn, the Kremlin is
resented with Azerbaijan's close relations with NATO, traditionally
warn relations with Georgia and others. Medvedev's visit could not
settle a number of issues, as their settlement requires serious and
durable approach. Such issues are not settled within one visit.
I think Russian President, visiting Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and
Kazakhstan, wanted to learn their positions.
- Why does Moscow intend to buy natural gas to Baku? Some time ago
Russia supplied gas to Azerbaijan itself and coolness was caused by
differences in this very sphere...
- I am not an economist and it is difficult for me to comment on this
issue. Though the past years, energy in Russia has transformed into
political factor. From the political point of view, this issue can be
characterized as a thaw in the relations between the two countries. By
2006 Vladimir Putin had managed to promote further development of
Russian-Azerbaijani relations. There were mutual visits, signing of
agreements and contracts and so on,
However, beginning from the end of 2006 relations started to cool due
to the gas and Georgian factors. Dmitri Medvedev decided to attain
thaw in them.
- Before the visit of the Russian President to Baku, newly elected
president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had paid an official visit to
Moscow, during which the sides discussed Nagorno Karabakh issue
among others. Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan also discussed the
Karabakh issue. Do you think, Medvedev intends to ensure more active
participation of Russia in the resolution of this issue?
- No progress should be expected until the sides find a mutually
acceptable formula of the conflict resolution. The talks with
participation of Dmitri Medvedev, George Bush and Barak Obama, if the
latter becomes a President, can be held hundreds of times. The talks
will be senseless until the sides make concessions. Anyway talks are
better than military actions. Moscow's role in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict should not be overestimated. There are no USSR or Central
Committee of the Communist party to help settle the issue.
- Will the visit of the Russian President to Azerbaijan promote
further close cooperation and closing of the two countries?
- Before 2006 Russia and Azerbaijan had been demonstrating possibility
to settle any issues in the way acceptable for all. I think Azerbaijan
will never take Armenia's place in Russian policy in the South
Caucasus. It will never become Russia's main partner in the Caucasus.