Eurasianism and the Concept of Central Caucaso-Asia

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Eldar Ismailov and Vladimer Papava
more to find ways to develop alternative routes for transporting oil and gas
by circumventing Russia. 166 Accordingly, Ankara, Brussels, and Washington
are particularly interested in enhancing the security of the existing pipeline
system in Azerbaijan and Georgia. 167 Kazakhstan, is also very much
interested in the security of the transportation corridor passing through
Azerbaijan and Georgia, despite its close relations with Russia. 168 One way or
another the Caucasian energy corridor is one of the main problems of the
new U.S. administration. 169 At the same time, many states interested in
diversifying the pipeline network have also stepped up their efforts in this
area. 170
Another initiative to intensify economic partnership between Azerbaijan and
Georgia, as well as draw Turkey into this process, is putting the Kars-
Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku rail system into operation. 171
In this context, joint actions between Azerbaijan and Georgia at the
international level are acquiring special significance. They are primarily
using the GUAM framework which unites countries that have basically
common interests in preserving territorial integrity – Georgia, Ukraine,
166 Ivan Krastev, “Russia and the Georgia War: the Great-Power Trap,” Open
Democracy News Analysis, August 31, 2008, .
167 Jon. E. Chicky, The Russian-Georgian War: Political and Military Implications for U.S.
Policy, Policy Paper (Washington, D.C.: Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, Johns
Hopkins University-SAIS, February 2009), p. 12, .
168 Nargis Kassenova, “Kazakhstan and the South Caucasus Corridor in the Wake of
the Georgia-Russia War,” EUCAM, EU-Central Asia Monitoring Policy Brief, No. 3,
January 29 (2009), .
169 Svante E. Cornell, “Pipeline Power. The War in Georgia and the Future of the
Caucasian Energy Corridor,” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 10, No. 1
(2009), .
170 Paul Goble, “Nabucco After Budapest: Old Problems, New Challenges and a
Changed Role for Azerbaijan,” Azerbaijan in the World. The Electronic Publication of
Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, Vol. I, No. 3, February 1 (2009), .
171 For example, Samuel Lussac, “The Baku-Tbilisi- Kars Railroad And Its Geopolitical
Implications for the South Caucasus,” Caucasian Review on International Affairs, Vol. 2
(4) (2008), pp. 34-46, ; Taleh Ziyadov, “Officials Meet to Discuss South
Caucasus Rail System,” Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol. 2, No. 232, December 14 (2005), <
http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=31218>.