Russia shows its muscles in the region - expert E. Shahinoglu

Baku / 19.03.18 / Turan: Under the complicated international situation, it becomes increasingly difficult for Azerbaijan to pursue a balanced foreign policy, said the head of the Atlas Research Center Elkhan Shakhinoglu in an interview with the Cətin sual (Difficult issue) of the Turan agency. He said that the relations between the West and Russia are extremely tense, sanctions against Moscow are expanding.Against this background, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pursue a balanced foreign policy.Sometimes the powers demand Baku to make an unequivocal choice.These circumstances, according to Shakhinoglu, will put Azerbaijan in the near future before the need for maneuvering.On the other hand, regional tension is growing and the militarization of the Caspian by Russia is intensifying.It got to the point that Moscow dealt a blow to Syria with medium-range missiles from the Caspian.

Russia opposes the construction of an underwater gas pipeline in the Caspian from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan.In addition, Moscow is strengthening the military grouping in Dagestan.Russia is demonstrating muscles in the region, launching missile strikes against Syria from the Caspian Sea without any need, increasing military forces in Dagestan.On the one hand, the Russian Federation shows that it has the most modern weapons. On the other hand, the Kremlin sends a message to the Caspian countries that it is he who is the owner of the Caspian Sea.As relations between the West and Russia and Iran deteriorate, tensions will also worsen around Azerbaijan.Iran and Russia will require their neighbors to distance themselves from the West.In Iran and Russia, wary of the development of Azerbaijan's relations with Israel and the West, respectively.

Azerbaijan sells oil to Israel, buys weapons from it, but Iran believes that this cooperation is directed against Tehran.Similarly, Russia is suspected that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the West is directed against the interests of the Russian Federation.Therefore, as Western policy becomes tougher against Russia and Iran, certain circles of these countries will also toughen their attitude towards Azerbaijan.At the same time, Shakhinoglu drew attention to the fact that regional economic projects with So, Baku, Moscow and Tehran implement the North-South transport corridor project.

Recently, a meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia was held in Baku to discuss the implementation of the South-West transport corridor project, which envisages transshipment of cargoes from the Indian Ocean to the Black Sea and further to Europe. The opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway facilitates the realization of this idea.Azerbaijan believes that North-South and South-West projects can mutually complement each other and this will allow to combine the economic interests of major powers.This is in the interests of both Azerbaijan and other parties.However, the extent of Iran and Russia's interest in these projects will be shown by the time, Shahinoglu said. -06D-