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INDEPENDENT, CONFIDENT, PERSISTENT: NEW FOREIGN POLICY OF AZERBAIJAN IN 2009
Rasim Musabayov
Today
http://www.today.az/news/analytic s/58515.html
Dec 24 2009
Azerbaijan
Small countries like Azerbaijan with small territory, population and
economy find it hard to resist great powers in international arena.
They have to maneuver between them, to draw attention in their country
and often play role of supplicant seeking understanding and support.
It is even harder for countries that have recently acquired or
restored independence. Let's remember how Azerbaijan entered
international politics. In early days, Azerbaijan was expected
not only to make its position clear for foreign politicians and
diplomats, but also to report basic information about its history,
geography and potential. Being a victim of aggression and part of its
lands being occupied, Azerbaijan faced abroad with misunderstanding
and misconceptions about itself and nature of the Karabakh conflict
specifically formed by the Armenians, their lobbyists and backers.
However, the situation improved step by step especially after the
country was headed by such experienced and respected leader as Heydar
Aliyev. The development of country's diplomacy, and consistent and
multi-faceted policy boosted Azerbaijan's independence and country's
foreign policy positions on the international arena.
Signing and implementation of large-scale energy projects, rapid
economic growth, accumulation of significant monetary resources enabled
Azerbaijan to establish itself as the largest and most attractive
country in the South Caucasus. Volume of foreign trade turnover, which
is several times higher than the corresponding figures of Armenia and
Georgia together, testifies to this fact. Azerbaijan outperforms its
neighbors in the region also in terms of major foreign policy events,
contacts at the level of ministers and other senior officials. The
situation is similar in its relations with major transnational
corporations and investors.
One can say that the task of attracting attention and interest of
leading world and regional powers to Azerbaijan has been solved
successfully. In the meantime, Azerbaijan became full member of
majority of international and regional organizations. Azerbaijan
was able to balance competing interests of large and regional powers
without causing their direct displeasure or hostility and gradually to
enhance independence. Rapid economic development, domestic political
stability and growing strategic interest in our country have given
the necessary resources. As a result, expression of independence and
solid defense of interests intensify in Azerbaijan's foreign policy
in the outgoing 2009. Let's recall some facts.
When a large consignment of Russian weapons previously exported from
Georgia to the Gumri base in Armenia was reported to be donated to
Armenia, Azerbaijan demanded an explanation from Russian authorities.
Moscow had not only to provide explanation, but also confirm earlier
assurances that these weapons will remain under Russia's control with
no delivery to Armenia. Further, despite Moscow's clear discontent,
participation of Azerbaijani officers in NATO exercises in Georgia was
authorized while Armenia could not resist this pressure. Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili, hated by the Kremlin leaders,
was officially invited to Baku, which demonstrated strengthening
Azerbaijan-Georgia partnership.
Contrary to position of Western powers, Turkey and many Islamic
countries, Azerbaijan called for strict adherence to principles
of international and territorial integrity of states and refused
to recognize Kosovo's independence. Moreover, Azerbaijan recalled
peacekeeping unit from Kosovo announcing that it can no longer deploy
them there under new conditions. Azerbaijan openly backed Serbia
at the hearing in the International Court of Justice where Belgrade
raised the issue of illegal recognition of Kosovo's independence.
Baku did not left unanswered the way Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
was welcomed in Iran either. Despite Tehran's obvious dissatisfaction
and even menacing hints by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces
Islamic Republic of Iran, Azerbaijan hosted Israeli President Shimon
Peres and confirmed its intention to further develop partnership with
this powerful and technologically advanced country.
By developing relations with the European Union, Azerbaijan
joined "Eastern Partnership" program. But this did not prevent
Baku from resisting Brussels' attempts to start some programs in
Nagorno-Karabakh. EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter
Semneby, who was heading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh without
permission of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, was forced to go back
on halfway.
Tough response to signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols involving
normalization of bilateral relations and opening of borders was the
most impressive demonstration of Azerbaijan's growing independence
and confidence. Baku warned Ankara outright that ratification and
implementation of these agreements without tackling the Karabakh
conflict will weaken Azerbaijan's position and if Azerbaijan's
objection is not taken into account, it will have negative impact on
the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic partnership. Neither explanation
of the Turkish leadership nor intervention by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton softened position of the Azerbaijani leadership.
Erdogan-Gul government was forced to slow down ratification of these
protocols publicly declaring that without progress in resolving the
Karabakh conflict, normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and
opening of borders will not happen.
Azerbaijan acted independently also in relation to the Nabucco
strategic gas pipeline. Azerbaijan said it is interested in this
project and stands ready to fill it up with gas from Shah Deniz II.
However, without regard as to how this can be seen in the United
States and the European Union, it took steps to diversify gas exports
in the northwards (Russia) and southwards (Iran). At the same time
Baku took a hard bargaining with Ankara on price of gas and tariffs
for the gas exports to European markets through Turkey.
Another example is the recent reaction to the move by the U.S.
Congress which not only increased requested amount of aid to Armenia
from 30 to 41 million dollars, but also allocated $8 million for
Nagorno Karabakh. It happens not for the first year. But this time
Baku was not limited to verbal expression of dissatisfaction.
Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis adopted a special resolution in this
regard with the Foreign Ministry sending an official note to the
U.S. government to provide an explanation.
Azerbaijan is holding adhesive negotiations within the Minsk Group
and despite persuasions of mediators, it will not give consent to the
wording of the Madrid principles which pose a danger to its sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Even being aware that the world nervously
responds to any words or actions that pose a military threat, the
Azerbaijani leadership explicitly states that use of force to restore
its territorial integrity and liberate Armenia-occupied lands is not
only excluded, but can be put into practice in case the negotiations
are deliberately prolonged.
Such statement by Azerbaijan was a surprise to great and regional
powers. They all will further have to reckon with Azerbaijan's
confidence and sometimes rigid intransigence. We are not poor
relatives or eternal asylum seekers in the international arena. Unlike
many countries of the CIS, we have something to offer and give our
partners in the world. Azerbaijan has growing and solvent market. It
is impossible to implement major energy and transportation and
communication projects in the region without Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's
strategic position is extremely important in the context of regional
security and geopolitics.
This allowed to focus foreign policy on a consistent upholding
interests of Azerbaijan and to think less about how to look pleasant
and obedient in the eyes of the powerful. For those who fear foreign
complications, I would say that the noticeable changes in Azerbaijan
actions are not an obstacle to develop partnerships with large and
small countries. On the contrary, it allows you to put them on a
solid foundation of mutual interests.
Rasim Musabayov
Today
http://www.today.az/news/analytic s/58515.html
Dec 24 2009
Azerbaijan
Small countries like Azerbaijan with small territory, population and
economy find it hard to resist great powers in international arena.
They have to maneuver between them, to draw attention in their country
and often play role of supplicant seeking understanding and support.
It is even harder for countries that have recently acquired or
restored independence. Let's remember how Azerbaijan entered
international politics. In early days, Azerbaijan was expected
not only to make its position clear for foreign politicians and
diplomats, but also to report basic information about its history,
geography and potential. Being a victim of aggression and part of its
lands being occupied, Azerbaijan faced abroad with misunderstanding
and misconceptions about itself and nature of the Karabakh conflict
specifically formed by the Armenians, their lobbyists and backers.
However, the situation improved step by step especially after the
country was headed by such experienced and respected leader as Heydar
Aliyev. The development of country's diplomacy, and consistent and
multi-faceted policy boosted Azerbaijan's independence and country's
foreign policy positions on the international arena.
Signing and implementation of large-scale energy projects, rapid
economic growth, accumulation of significant monetary resources enabled
Azerbaijan to establish itself as the largest and most attractive
country in the South Caucasus. Volume of foreign trade turnover, which
is several times higher than the corresponding figures of Armenia and
Georgia together, testifies to this fact. Azerbaijan outperforms its
neighbors in the region also in terms of major foreign policy events,
contacts at the level of ministers and other senior officials. The
situation is similar in its relations with major transnational
corporations and investors.
One can say that the task of attracting attention and interest of
leading world and regional powers to Azerbaijan has been solved
successfully. In the meantime, Azerbaijan became full member of
majority of international and regional organizations. Azerbaijan
was able to balance competing interests of large and regional powers
without causing their direct displeasure or hostility and gradually to
enhance independence. Rapid economic development, domestic political
stability and growing strategic interest in our country have given
the necessary resources. As a result, expression of independence and
solid defense of interests intensify in Azerbaijan's foreign policy
in the outgoing 2009. Let's recall some facts.
When a large consignment of Russian weapons previously exported from
Georgia to the Gumri base in Armenia was reported to be donated to
Armenia, Azerbaijan demanded an explanation from Russian authorities.
Moscow had not only to provide explanation, but also confirm earlier
assurances that these weapons will remain under Russia's control with
no delivery to Armenia. Further, despite Moscow's clear discontent,
participation of Azerbaijani officers in NATO exercises in Georgia was
authorized while Armenia could not resist this pressure. Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili, hated by the Kremlin leaders,
was officially invited to Baku, which demonstrated strengthening
Azerbaijan-Georgia partnership.
Contrary to position of Western powers, Turkey and many Islamic
countries, Azerbaijan called for strict adherence to principles
of international and territorial integrity of states and refused
to recognize Kosovo's independence. Moreover, Azerbaijan recalled
peacekeeping unit from Kosovo announcing that it can no longer deploy
them there under new conditions. Azerbaijan openly backed Serbia
at the hearing in the International Court of Justice where Belgrade
raised the issue of illegal recognition of Kosovo's independence.
Baku did not left unanswered the way Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
was welcomed in Iran either. Despite Tehran's obvious dissatisfaction
and even menacing hints by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces
Islamic Republic of Iran, Azerbaijan hosted Israeli President Shimon
Peres and confirmed its intention to further develop partnership with
this powerful and technologically advanced country.
By developing relations with the European Union, Azerbaijan
joined "Eastern Partnership" program. But this did not prevent
Baku from resisting Brussels' attempts to start some programs in
Nagorno-Karabakh. EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter
Semneby, who was heading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh without
permission of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, was forced to go back
on halfway.
Tough response to signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols involving
normalization of bilateral relations and opening of borders was the
most impressive demonstration of Azerbaijan's growing independence
and confidence. Baku warned Ankara outright that ratification and
implementation of these agreements without tackling the Karabakh
conflict will weaken Azerbaijan's position and if Azerbaijan's
objection is not taken into account, it will have negative impact on
the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic partnership. Neither explanation
of the Turkish leadership nor intervention by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton softened position of the Azerbaijani leadership.
Erdogan-Gul government was forced to slow down ratification of these
protocols publicly declaring that without progress in resolving the
Karabakh conflict, normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and
opening of borders will not happen.
Azerbaijan acted independently also in relation to the Nabucco
strategic gas pipeline. Azerbaijan said it is interested in this
project and stands ready to fill it up with gas from Shah Deniz II.
However, without regard as to how this can be seen in the United
States and the European Union, it took steps to diversify gas exports
in the northwards (Russia) and southwards (Iran). At the same time
Baku took a hard bargaining with Ankara on price of gas and tariffs
for the gas exports to European markets through Turkey.
Another example is the recent reaction to the move by the U.S.
Congress which not only increased requested amount of aid to Armenia
from 30 to 41 million dollars, but also allocated $8 million for
Nagorno Karabakh. It happens not for the first year. But this time
Baku was not limited to verbal expression of dissatisfaction.
Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis adopted a special resolution in this
regard with the Foreign Ministry sending an official note to the
U.S. government to provide an explanation.
Azerbaijan is holding adhesive negotiations within the Minsk Group
and despite persuasions of mediators, it will not give consent to the
wording of the Madrid principles which pose a danger to its sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Even being aware that the world nervously
responds to any words or actions that pose a military threat, the
Azerbaijani leadership explicitly states that use of force to restore
its territorial integrity and liberate Armenia-occupied lands is not
only excluded, but can be put into practice in case the negotiations
are deliberately prolonged.
Such statement by Azerbaijan was a surprise to great and regional
powers. They all will further have to reckon with Azerbaijan's
confidence and sometimes rigid intransigence. We are not poor
relatives or eternal asylum seekers in the international arena. Unlike
many countries of the CIS, we have something to offer and give our
partners in the world. Azerbaijan has growing and solvent market. It
is impossible to implement major energy and transportation and
communication projects in the region without Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's
strategic position is extremely important in the context of regional
security and geopolitics.
This allowed to focus foreign policy on a consistent upholding
interests of Azerbaijan and to think less about how to look pleasant
and obedient in the eyes of the powerful. For those who fear foreign
complications, I would say that the noticeable changes in Azerbaijan
actions are not an obstacle to develop partnerships with large and
small countries. On the contrary, it allows you to put them on a
solid foundation of mutual interests.