Neighboring countries can not wait for Russia’s reaction forever

Day.Az: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev considers it necessary to revive the idea of establishing Caspian Economic Cooperation Organization. This idea was previously examined, but a final decision was not made. How real is the establishment of the organization now?

Tofiq Abbasov: Attempts to establish a Union of five Caspian littoral states on the humanitarian level have already been made. For example, a humanitarian forum has been held in Aktau and Astrakhan. In parallel, the countries expressed the desire to create a Caspian economic cooperation organization. But these ideas were not transferred into actions.

The Caspian basin has its own unique features and its essence is that there is an ideal opportunity for a new, more mobile and efficient scheme of cooperation between them. But as the time is lost, real prerequisites also lose significance. The reason for this is political ambitions of certain countries in the region who do not revive cargo transport, create a new transport interchange and communication. There is a need to be guided not by political motives, but by economic ones.

Q: What is the aim of launching this organization?

A: In a sense, the idea of establishing a Caspian economic cooperation organization is dictated by the fact that some of the littoral states did not want presence of foreign forces in the region, especially the EU and the United States. Russia and Iran show more activity in this regard. Their interests coincide at the point that the Western powers would not have a reliable foothold in the area of the Caspian Sea. But that does not meet the strategic interests of other countries in the region.

As we know from past practice of past years, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, namely, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have initiated the influx of foreign capital in the area of the Caspian basin. It was, basically, a Western capital, and it dramatically increased the economic potential of the South Caucasus and Central Asia and allowed to revive energy sector of the post-Soviet countries.

For example, for Russia it would be better to participate in the projects, rather than condemn them.

But Azerbaijan has demonstrated his pragmatism in the new environment.

Q: Russian foreign minister says all projects related to any Caspian pipelines should be considered solely on the basis of the consent of the five Caspian littoral states. To what degree the proposal is reasonable?

A: In this case, I think Russia shows signs of his old illness. It is afraid that the new projects will be in the bottom of the Caspian Sea or bypass Russia and will be competitive for the communication of the northern neighbor.

If so, Russia should demonstrate mobility and flexibility in these matters and its commitment to the principles of good neighborliness. Yes, in today's world, economics prevails over political motivation, or rather, defines it. But Moscow must understand that interests of other states also have a right to exist.

Neighboring countries can not indefinitely wait for Russia’s reaction and to coordinate plans and actions with it. Each country has its own strategic interests, priorities and they consist of multiple components, where the mood and conclusions of other States do not play a key role.

Every State has the right to establish a long-term plans and programs which are usually based on market conditions and geopolitical expediency.

/Day.Az/