"Europe should be more active in this process, sometimes acting in parallel with Turkey"

In your opinion, how does Europe sees Azerbaijan today: just as an energy producer or more than that?

Today Azerbaijan is an energy supplier, but can also be a transporter country in near future if the Nabucco project is built, and the EU will also import gas from Turkmenistan. However, the bilateral cooperation has much more elements than energy. Azerbaijan is a key regional player and an important country for security in the South Caucasus. In this sense, the foreign policy of Azerbaijan, aimed at building a balanced good relations with Russia, Iran and Turkey, is the key to stability and is also important for Europe.

Is Europe ready to engage in a “fight” with Russia and the U.S. for economic interests in the South Caucasus?

I think you mean a symbolic "fight". I do not think that the EU and U.S. have strained relations over  energy in South Caucasus. It was the United States that encouraged the EU to invest in the BTC and BTE, and now backs the Nabucco project. Furthermore, I believe that relations with Russia on energy corridors are also likely to become less intense once Moscow implements projects like Northern and Southern Stream in cooperation with European partners. Russia is less concerned about energy infrastructure bypassing Russian territory, and it can even invest in these projects.

In your opinion, may the European Union and NATO play a role to promote security in our region?

The role of NATO as well as the role of the United States under President Obama have reduced role in the South Caucasus over the past two years. Meanwhile, Turkey's role in the region is growing. For the EU it will be important to take responsibility for regional security, because it is the only player which all parties see as relatively neutral, especially in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

EU’s Eastern Partnership is too weak to deal with security issues, to fill the current gap and is more important in terms of Pan-European Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The OSCE also remains a regional player, and within this framework Europe can play a positive role in solving regional problems.

In your opinion, how far Azerbaijan and Georgia are likely to accede to NATO? Do you think it can happen in foreseeable future?

No. After the Georgian-Russian war, Georgia's chances for NATO admission were reduced to zero. It will take Georgia many years to gain membership or even Membership Action Plan. Azerbaijan also has never expressed serious interest in obtaining NATO membership. It seems that the country is quite comfortable to work with the alliance within the Partnership for Peace. If Azerbaijan wants to join NATO in future, it must occur in parallel with Armenia because it is impossible to gain NAO membership alone, given the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

What role Europe can play in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution?

Europe should be more active in this process, sometimes acting in parallel with Turkey. This is the basis for achieving economic development in the region. In addition, helping Armenia to get out of isolation could help start constructive consultations with that country on liberation of Azerbaijan’s seven regions so that both countries agree on a process which should lead to an full coordination of Nagorno-Karabakh status.

Do you share the opinion that such conflicts jeopardize European security?

Yes, it's true. Europe have learned lesson from the war in Georgia that the war in Europe is not something left in the past, and this danger is still very real. In this sense, active diplomacy and attention of Europe and its partners to the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh remain essential.


/Day.Az/