The strategy for the new Silk Road is not really new, as we have been talking about it for 20 years, the political scientist, MP Rasim Musabekov told Turan IA, commenting on the recent statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State, Hoagland, on this topic.
In the statement Hoagland noted significantly increased US attention to energy infrastructure in Central Asia and security issues.
What is the political and commercial support for the United States and other Western countries in the implementation of the project?
In answering this question, Musabekov said: "Azerbaijan does not feel it. I recall that when Azerbaijan began construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, it asked for US support. Even a small support would have political significance, but unfortunately we did not see it. "
How important is Azerbaijan's participation in the project of the new Silk Road? According to Musabekov, without the participation of Azerbaijan, this project is impossible. For the way from Central Asia across the Caspian comes to Baku. Azerbaijan is already building 70 km from Baku (Alat) a new modern port providing multimodal transportation. Its first stage has already been launched.
In addition, Azerbaijan implementing pipeline projects starts modernization of the railway.
"Unfortunately, the US shouldered the financial and political burden of the project on Azerbaijan," said Musabekov.
Concerning the rivalry between Russia and the West in the region, Musabekov expressed the view that the more there are commercial projects away from politics and competition of the world centers of power, the better.
"Access of Central Asian countries to Europe is completely necessary and logical. However, the transformation of these projects to the struggle between the US and Russia or the United States and China creates additional risks," said Musabekov.
According to the deputy, projects within the Silk Road strengthen regional and bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan gives preference to bilateral relations and tries to realize their projects with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Turkey on a bilateral basis.
Commenting on the appeal of the Assistant Secretary of State to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to simplify customs standards, Musabekov said:
"There is an international project TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia). Under this project, work is done on harmonizing standards and tariffs. This is important for bilateral relations. But if we want to see it as an international corridor, there must be achieved multilateral agreements," said Musabekov. -1606D-
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