TODAY.AZ / Politics

Director of International Security Program at the Atlantic Council on Azerbaijan's role in South Caucasus

04 November 2010 [17:35] - TODAY.AZ
Interview with Damon Wilson, Director of International Security Program at the Atlantic Council (Brussels).
How do you assess Azerbaijan’s current role in the South Caucasus?

I think Azerbaijan’s role is very important not only in the region, but in a broader context. The republic plays an important role in economic, political and energy terms. These are the factors which provide a broad regional cooperation. Azerbaijan has a unique capacity on all these issues and a unique ability to respond to the challenges facing the region. And I think that in the coming years it will enable to resolve conflicts and other problems.
 
What steps, in your opinion, should be taken to make Karabakh problem one of the most important issues on the agenda of the international community?

I believe that the world community is already involved in the Karabakh conflict settlement. This problem is fairly well known in key capitals, in countries that play a key role in world politics, and causes an understandable concern, including in connection with the recent tension in the Karabakh conflict zone. On the other hand, I would like to see more attention to these issues, more pressure from the entire international community, which wants to achieve an early solution to the conflict, not leaving it for later.

How do you see further cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO? Can we assume that once this cooperation will reach the level of membership in this military-political bloc?
 
Thats for Azerbaijan to decide. The decision that Baku wants depends on itself. I think if there is such a desire, the republic is able to achieve this, and it will be provided with support. Moreover, Azerbaijan’s desire to develop close cooperation with NATO or the EU does not mean that it will worsen relations with Russia or Iran. Nobody wants Baku to face a difficult choice. I think there are opportunities to strengthen co-operation. Not to mention at the same time NATO membership, we can make today a great deal to enhance cooperation between the alliance and Azerbaijan. This means not only cooperation on security issues, but also the values of the Euro-Atlantic community, such as strengthening of market economy, development of small and medium enterprises and economic diversification. All this can help further strengthen ties with the West and NATO, in particular. In other words, we are able to do much more before the issue of membership may appear on the table.


/Day.Az/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/76146.html

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