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SERGEY MARKEDONOV: "AZERBAIJAN IS NOT INTERESTED IN "LAYING EGGS" INTO WEST'S BASKET, LIKE GEORGIA DOES"
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/poli tics/47604.html
Sept 17 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Sergey Markedonov, famous Russian political
scientist and chief of department of problems of international
relations of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis.
- By recognizing independence of South Ossetia, Russia has created a
problem for Azerbaijan, which has its own territorial conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh. What will be the focus of the presidents' talks?
- The current visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev is of
special importance in the history of the bilateral Russian-Azerbaijani
relations. This is a visit of the leader of the Caucasus state after "a
five-day war" and Russia's recognition of independence of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. The leaders of the two countries will have to respond
to a number of basic questions, which are of great importance for
security of not only this region, but also the entire Eurasia. Not
considering Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan have issues, which need
discussion. I think that one of the priority issues of talks will be
the establishment of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations not bound to
Georgia. We have many similar problems, including the Caspian Sea,
borders at the Dagestani section, problems of Islamic fundamentalism
and, finally, the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan, which
are of great importance for Russia's support to Azerbaijani powers
during parliamentary elections in 2005 created a political background
for the relations between Putin and Aliyev and the entire Azerbaijan.
- Will Moscow transfer the precedent of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
to other unrecognized formations? Azerbaijan is extremely concerned
over Russia's position on Nagorno Karabakh issue...
- Presently, it is important for Russia to show that recognition of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not a secret plan of Moscow to restore
the Soviet Union. This is a reaction to a definite challenge. Speaking
conditionally, Russia is repeating the US methodology of Kosovo. It
does not mean that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a special case.
Moscow's positions are quite different on Nagorno Karabakh. The Russian
diplomacy will try to persuade the partners that it is necessary to
continue talks where there is a possibility for the peaceful, not the
forced, resolution of the conflict. I think the talks between the two
presidents will be constructive as Azerbaijan is not interested in
"laying eggs" into West's basket like Georgia does. Baku has its own
interests, coinciding with those of Moscow.
- Do you think that the presidents will discuss the intensification
of Turkey's role in the South Caucasus region, especially Ankara's
intention to mediate between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan?
- Naturally, this aspect will also be discussed. They will also
discuss the Turkish project of the Caucasus problem. Another question
is that, unfortunately, this is unreal today. The interests of the
South Caucasus states are too diverse. But it is better to discuss
something than to be at war.
- Is Moscow interested in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict? Does Moscow need Baku in the light of the recent events in
the region?
- As a good partner, Baku is important for Moscow. This was
reiterated by Dmitri Medvedev during his visit to Baku. Azerbaijan
is an economically developing and politically stable country, despite
being a Muslim. What do we imply by saying "the resolution"?
It is necessary to understand that the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is not a victory of either Azerbaijan or
Armenia. Resolution is concessions which the sides will make. It is
important to find the formula of a compromise, but not a victory. I
think Baku is well aware of what the forced resolution of the
conflict means.
- Georgia's situation showed that it is now impossible to rely on the
West and the United States. Do you think this fact may push Azerbaijan
towards to Moscow?
- Today Azerbaijan is not facing such a choice. Georgia made a choice
towards the West and this did not have a positive result. Any state
settles its own national tasks, considering the contacts with regional
players. West is a player, like Iran, Turkey and Russia.
The attitude towards Nagorno Karabakh differs from that of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. If the West is against South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, its attitude towards Nagorno Karabakh is different. Your
political scientists attempt to "try" Georgia's case on Azerbaijan. But
the case is not suitable for it as Baku's external policy is a policy
of swings.
By some objective reasons, Azerbaijan can not turn towards Russia. West
is always criticizing Azerbaijan for violation of human rights and
liberties and low level of democracy and so on.
During the "five-day war" Ilham Aliyev did not attend the meeting
in Tbilisi, like some other presidents did and Moscow, certainly,
appreciated this fact.
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/poli tics/47604.html
Sept 17 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Sergey Markedonov, famous Russian political
scientist and chief of department of problems of international
relations of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis.
- By recognizing independence of South Ossetia, Russia has created a
problem for Azerbaijan, which has its own territorial conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh. What will be the focus of the presidents' talks?
- The current visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev is of
special importance in the history of the bilateral Russian-Azerbaijani
relations. This is a visit of the leader of the Caucasus state after "a
five-day war" and Russia's recognition of independence of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. The leaders of the two countries will have to respond
to a number of basic questions, which are of great importance for
security of not only this region, but also the entire Eurasia. Not
considering Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan have issues, which need
discussion. I think that one of the priority issues of talks will be
the establishment of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations not bound to
Georgia. We have many similar problems, including the Caspian Sea,
borders at the Dagestani section, problems of Islamic fundamentalism
and, finally, the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan, which
are of great importance for Russia's support to Azerbaijani powers
during parliamentary elections in 2005 created a political background
for the relations between Putin and Aliyev and the entire Azerbaijan.
- Will Moscow transfer the precedent of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
to other unrecognized formations? Azerbaijan is extremely concerned
over Russia's position on Nagorno Karabakh issue...
- Presently, it is important for Russia to show that recognition of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not a secret plan of Moscow to restore
the Soviet Union. This is a reaction to a definite challenge. Speaking
conditionally, Russia is repeating the US methodology of Kosovo. It
does not mean that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a special case.
Moscow's positions are quite different on Nagorno Karabakh. The Russian
diplomacy will try to persuade the partners that it is necessary to
continue talks where there is a possibility for the peaceful, not the
forced, resolution of the conflict. I think the talks between the two
presidents will be constructive as Azerbaijan is not interested in
"laying eggs" into West's basket like Georgia does. Baku has its own
interests, coinciding with those of Moscow.
- Do you think that the presidents will discuss the intensification
of Turkey's role in the South Caucasus region, especially Ankara's
intention to mediate between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan?
- Naturally, this aspect will also be discussed. They will also
discuss the Turkish project of the Caucasus problem. Another question
is that, unfortunately, this is unreal today. The interests of the
South Caucasus states are too diverse. But it is better to discuss
something than to be at war.
- Is Moscow interested in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict? Does Moscow need Baku in the light of the recent events in
the region?
- As a good partner, Baku is important for Moscow. This was
reiterated by Dmitri Medvedev during his visit to Baku. Azerbaijan
is an economically developing and politically stable country, despite
being a Muslim. What do we imply by saying "the resolution"?
It is necessary to understand that the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is not a victory of either Azerbaijan or
Armenia. Resolution is concessions which the sides will make. It is
important to find the formula of a compromise, but not a victory. I
think Baku is well aware of what the forced resolution of the
conflict means.
- Georgia's situation showed that it is now impossible to rely on the
West and the United States. Do you think this fact may push Azerbaijan
towards to Moscow?
- Today Azerbaijan is not facing such a choice. Georgia made a choice
towards the West and this did not have a positive result. Any state
settles its own national tasks, considering the contacts with regional
players. West is a player, like Iran, Turkey and Russia.
The attitude towards Nagorno Karabakh differs from that of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. If the West is against South Ossetia and
Abkhazia, its attitude towards Nagorno Karabakh is different. Your
political scientists attempt to "try" Georgia's case on Azerbaijan. But
the case is not suitable for it as Baku's external policy is a policy
of swings.
By some objective reasons, Azerbaijan can not turn towards Russia. West
is always criticizing Azerbaijan for violation of human rights and
liberties and low level of democracy and so on.
During the "five-day war" Ilham Aliyev did not attend the meeting
in Tbilisi, like some other presidents did and Moscow, certainly,
appreciated this fact.