Azerbaijan not needs exceptionally pro-American or pro-Russian policy: director of strategic research centre

"A double standard policy must not be pursued in the 21st century, especially toward small states which strengthen their independence under very difficult conditions," Nuriyev told journalists on April 28.

Sincerity must be a prevailing factor when speaking about partnership, he said.

Azerbaijan pursues the policy which enables to maintain stability in the region, Nuriyev said. "While comparing Armenia and Georgia, Azerbaijan becomes an attractive country which can be a guarantor of stability and security in the region," the director of the Centre of Strategic Studies said.

The country would have much more opportunities, if not the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Nuriyev said. He said Azerbaijan's foreign policy has exceptionally peace character. "We do not have aggression, but pragmatism and we believe in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through a peace way," he said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

"Azerbaijan copes with all problems, it has a well-prepared leadership and decisions are passed at a high-professional level. Under all difficulties, we have pragmatism, but not emotionality. We do not need exceptionally pro-American or pro-Russian policy. We act in our own way," Nuriyev said.

Since 2003, the world is displaying a geopolitical respect to Azerbaijan and settles account with its national interests which is observed both by U.S. and Russia. "Our diplomacy will yield fruits. Multi-faceted diversification will enable us to maintain equilibrium between the U.S. and Russia, U.S. and Iran, and even between Turkey and Russia," Nuriyev said.

/Trend News/