Baku Would Like More Support from Russia in Karabakh Issue

PanARMENIAN.Net - «Most Azeri observers note the trusting relations between Aliyev and Putin, as well as the regularity of their rendezvous: they met three times only within past year. In other words, there is an idyll between Russian and Azeri Presidents, but it can be damaged resulting from today's talks. Thus Aliyev can raise the issue of activation of Moscow's role in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,» writes Baku-based Zerkalo newspaper. In the newspaper's opinion, «difficult Washington talks with the Armenian party await official Baku and Azerbaijan would like to get more support from Russia. Besides, official Baku can again raise the issue of transfer of military equipment from Georgia to Armenia. The issue has always been a stumbling block in the Azeri-Russian relations. The question on against whom the military force is aimed is open. (Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization answers that question in an indirect manner.)



The project of laying Trans-Caspian oil and gas pipelines to transport Kazakh and Turkmen hydrocarbon can be an especially disputable issue. Besides purely economic dividends, the project has political underlying cause: Azerbaijan will be able to provide energy support to neighboring states, e.g. Georgia. Besides, Azerbaijan will occupy a more importance position in Europe. In other words, the project that is actively promoted by the West, fully meets Azerbaijan's interests.» «Moscow perhaps does not like active military cooperation between Baku and Washington. The matter is extremely important from the point of view of possible exacerbation of the situation around Iran. Azerbaijan can turn into a military base, and it does not suit Russia. These and other matters can result in serious problems between the two countries,» the Zerkalo writes.