Sergey Markedonov: "...Azerbaijan will never take Armenia's place in Russian policy in the South Caucasus"

- 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.

/Day.Az/