Azerbaijan should conduct a very balanced policy - Tofig Zulfugarov

Baku/29.03.18/Turan: In the context of a possible expansion of the sanctions of the West against Iran and Russia, Azerbaijan should conduct "a very balanced policy", said Tofig Zulfugarov in an interview with the program Cətin sual (Difficult issue) of the agency Turan. Concerning the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia, Zulfugarov drew attention to the fact that in the region where Azerbaijan is located, there has always been a clash of interests. "Now the clash of interests of superpowers has become especially acute. Risks in the region have increased. Therefore, Azerbaijan should be especially cautious and pursue a very balanced policy," he said.

According to him, the superpowers, primarily the US, traditionally exerted pressure on Azerbaijan. "We must always remember that Iran and Russia are our neighbors and we must maintain the links established with them throughout the history," Zulfugarov said.

Commenting on the growing tensions between the West and the Russian Federation due to the "Skripal case," the ex-minister said that the Russian leadership after the presidential elections faced a dilemma: to continue the old policy of confrontation with the West, or to change policies and step by step to eliminate tensions. Azerbaijan in this situation should behave according to its own interests.

"This is a crisis situation for Azerbaijani diplomats and therefore an active policy should be conducted," Zulfugarov said. Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of the United States and at the same time a neighbor of Russia and Iran. In such a triangle, Baku must protect its interests and, within the limits of its capabilities, help to eliminate this tension, speaking with concrete proposals. In this sense, there is some experience and should be strengthened, Zulfugarov said.-16/03D/06-