Xenophon Paper 2 pdf - ICBSS

with Russia, Turkey, Iran, the United States and the EU, thus trying to address the
interests of near and distant powerful actors. From a geopolitical standpoint, only through
such a balanced diplomatic stance, has Azerbaijan been able to guarantee national
security and good economic prospects. This small Caucasian state has always been
able to play a more independent role because of Caspian oil riches and a very experienced
political leadership. But Russia and Iran still regard Azerbaijan’s endeavours to expand
cooperation with Euro-Atlantic structures as a potent challenge. Iran’s aggressive stance
against Azerbaijan 12 in the Caspian basin in 2001 solidified Azeri-Turkish relations and
linked the two BSEC member countries even closer. 13 Besides, Azerbaijan’s strong
support of the anti-terrorism campaign has significantly extended security ties with the
United States, thus deepening US strategic interests in the entire region. The strengthening
of US-Azeri security relationships has also cleared the way for wide-ranging cooperation
with other Western democracies, and especially the EU member states such as Germany,
Great Britain, France, and Italy.
For Azerbaijan, national interests have begun to take on a more pronounced role in the
country’s strategy for developing bilateral and multilateral ties. Being a member of the
BSEC since 1992, Azerbaijan has contributed significantly toward promoting the building
of a permanent and extensive institutional framework for cooperation that covers all
levels of governance including intergovernmental, parliamentary, business and financial
bodies. Azerbaijan’s participation in the BSEC is aimed at protecting its strategic interests
in the wider Black Sea area and moving forward in accomplishing measures for closer
integration into the European Community. The ruling elite in Baku is keen to see the BSEC
as an efficient regional structure where their country could develop multilateral partnership
mechanisms with key Black Sea states, particularly Turkey, Russia, Greece, Ukraine,
and Georgia. Other priorities focus on ensuring further security of energy supplies,
including diversification of oil and gas export routes from the broader Caspian basin and
Black Sea region to the European markets. By materialising energy transport projects,
Azerbaijan seeks to reinforce the role and presence of the BSEC in Eurasia.
percent of 1714 respondents in total have supported a balanced foreign policy for the country, while 22.1 percent
have expressed their support for a policy directed toward Europe, 14.6 percent voted for policy toward the CIS,
12.6 for policy toward Turkey, 12.1 for policy toward the U.S. and only 3.7 for policy toward Iran. Further details
on this issue are available in the Poll Archive in Russian language at the website – http://www.day.az (accessed:
on 8 November 2006).
12 In July 2001, tensions between Baku and Tehran reached their peak because of the regular violation of
Azerbaijan’s air space by Iranian jet fighters and Iranian naval forces’ attacks on an Azeri oil exploration ship in
the Caspian Sea. See RFE/RL Newsline, 26 July 2001.
13 Baku views Turkey’s presence as a factor of stability and security in the region, and strongly welcomes Turkish
military involvement in the reformation of the Azeri army in accordance with NATO standards.
32 UNFOLDING THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION VIEWS FROM THE REGION