Caspian Sea status issue unlikely to be solved and here is why
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva
Astrakhan holds the regular summit of heads of Caspian littoral
states Sept.29, which attracts attention of many international
players. This is not surprising, since the interests of many
countries intersect in the Caspian region today not only in terms
of geography, but also in terms of geopolitics and economics.
Located at the crossroads of "East - West", "North - South"
intercontinental transport directions and communications, the
countries of the Caspian region are included in the fundamental
interests of such major international players like the United
States, Europe and Russia.
Summit of the Caspian littoral states in Astrakhan means a lot both
for the fate of the entire region and each country of the region
separately.
Regarding the main issue for the countries of the Caspian region
- Caspian sea status, it is unlikely that the countries will soon
come to at least any kind of consensus in this case, as they all
all have different understanding of a perfect solution. Another
thing that is crystal clear is that all five states have completely
different roles in the region.
While the current issues of the Caspian Sea status are being solved
at the meetings of representatives of various levels, the
fundamental issues are not, as they are stumbling blocks in the
foreign policy of the Caspian littoral states.
It is difficult to reach a single solution of such an important
issue for the region, when the positions are contrary to each
other. And it is unlikely for this situation to change in the near
future, so it is more likely that the political and economic
cooperation between the countries will be the main topic of the
summit, rather than the Caspian Sea status.
At the same time, Azerbaijan plays one of the key roles in the
region due to several circumstances, and cooperation with Baku in
various areas will be one of the key themes of the summit.
For many years, the western countries have regarded the Caspian Sea
region, especially Azerbaijan as a source of energy resources. At
the same time, the construction of a gas pipeline connecting
Azerbaijan and the West will start in 2017. By virtue of
cooperation in the energy sphere, namely Azerbaijan can be regarded
as a country opening alternative routes for the supply of energy
resources of the Caspian Sea region to the West.
Currently, Azerbaijan's strategic objective is to maintain balance
in its relations with all the interested foreign players, by
prioritizing its national interests. In this regard, Azerbaijan's
interests coincide with the interests of the West which intends to
gain energy independence from Russia.
Favorable geostrategic location, rich hydrocarbon reserves and
secularity - all these factors are in favor of Azerbaijan in this
issue. In terms of economic efficiency, the country maintains equal
partnership relations with Russia without exacerbating this
country's influence.
In terms of cooperation with Caspian Sea countries, it is an
important factor that Russia regards Azerbaijan as a transit
country for its relations with Iran. Currently, the supply of
electricity to Iran through the territory of Azerbaijan is under
consideration. The sanctions imposed on Russia by the West prompt
Russia to significantly increase its trade turnover with Iran in
2014.
Iran will get great opportunities to enter the Russian market with
various goods and at the same time, this will allow Azerbaijan to
significantly increase the trade turnover with both of the
countries, and get additional funds to transit goods.
Azerbaijan also shares Russia's and other Caspian Sea countries'
view to prevent the emergence of the foreign forces in the Caspian
Sea region. This issue may also be among the topics to be discussed
in the summit.
Another important regional player in the Caspian Sea region,
Kazakhstan, which is the ally of Russia and depends on this country
on many economic issues, still tries to hold an independent
position and become a kind of mediator between the other Caspian
Sea countries.