US Expert about Azerbaijan as a member of UNSC
Gerald Robbins, Senior Fellow at the US Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), who specializes in analyzing Turkey, the Caucasus region and Central Asia, described Azerbaijan's membership to the UN SC in an interview with Turan’s Washington DC correspondent.
Mr. Robbins served as Program Director for Freedom House in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the mid 1990's, where he managed post-Soviet political and economic programs.
Question: What should Azerbaijan change in its foreign policy now that it is a member of the UN Security Council? What kind of challenges will the country face?
Answer: UN members probably see Azerbaijan as a Muslim society with minimal Islamist traits. It's likely perceived as an "honest broker" who can see both sides of a contentious issue ie. the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether Baku can keep navigating a middle route through such contentious matters will be a major challenge.
Question: While trying to keep the balance between such big powers as Russia Iran and the West, Azerbaijan was always avoiding "sharp statements (for instance, during the Russia-Georgia war) in its foreign policy. Will it be easy for the country to continue like that as a UN SC member?
Answer: A seat on the Security Council doesn't protect Azerbaijan from uttering "sharp statements". Geopolitical realities still prevail, so I don't sense any noticeable changes occurring.
Question: Why do countries like Azerbaijan that were strictly criticized for human rights and democracy violations, are fighting their way to UN SC? What do they need it for?
Answer: The UN gives nations like Azerbaijan an inclusive voice on the world stage. A nation trying to project its voice outside the United Nations venue would have a very daunting task and likely be derided for its "outside" status. The rich assortment of UN aid programs are further incentives to working within the system than rejecting it.
Question: Years ago Azerbaijan was a member of the UN Human Rights body, but reportedly it didn’t decrease the concerns over human rights in Azerbaijan itself? Back then many western countries didn’t support Azerbaijani membership, and the same happened now. What should the country do to earn the international trust?
Answer: Heed the concerns and try using the enchanced status of the Security Council as a portal to reform. Granted there is a double standard with several nations who accede to the UN's Human Rights body, but Azerbaijan doesn't have to follow example. The Security Council is a special opportunity to project Azerbaijan's diplomatic nature - such scrutiny should also serve as an incentive to remedy the nation's shortcomings and international condemnations.
Question: Azerbaijan often complains that although it does everything to gain the West’ support on the international tribunes, it never happens. What would you advice to Baku officials and ordinary Azeris?
Answer: Stay the course, as frustrating as it can be. The Security Council elevation is a higher, more closely examined level to showcase Azerbaijan to policy makers. Adeptly maneuvered, it's a prime opportunity for changing Western sentiments.
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