PanARMENIAN.Net
U.S. eyes Caucasus as next stage of NATO enlargement
16.02.2007 16:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `The U.S. and EU view the South
Caucasus not only as an energy supplier but also as a
transit region allowing to transport hydrocarbon from
Central Asia to world markets bypassing Russia and
Iran,’ political observer of the strategic culture
foundation Alexander Krylov says. `Successful
functioning of new energy corridors built by the
United States and EU is impossible without settlement
of some pressing problems. First of all it’s
maintenance of stability and counteraction to attempts
of resumption of large-scale hostilities in conflict
zones. Besides, the West needs to prevent
destabilization in transit states – Azerbaijan and
Georgia.
When the military stage was over in early 1990-ies,
the conflicts entered the `frozen’ stage that
initiated negotiation processes under the aegis of the
UN and other international organizations. The talks
did not reconcile the sides. Moreover, the problem of
the not recognized states tends to aggravate.
Reduction of Russian military presence and active
penetration of the U.S., EU and NATO in the region may
change the balance of forces.
Washington is not going to abandon Caucasus
rearrangement plans. Integration of three South
Caucasian states and pushing Russia out of the region
is a priority. At that accession of the republics to
the EU is not supposed even theoretically, since it’s
NATO that should become the main tool of the Euro
Atlantic integration. Washington eyes the Caucasus as
the next stage of NATO enlargement and simultaneous
accession of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia is
supposed to be the best variant.
The current U.S. administration prescribes a bit part
for Russia in the forthcoming rearrangement of
Caucasus and uses local allies for the purpose by
rendering political and financial support.
Russia’s only real strategic partner in the South
Caucasus is Armenia that builds its foreign policy by
the principle of balance between different military
and political blocs whose interests immediately
concern the Caucasus. Yerevan pursues a pro-Russian
policy, since it’s best of all meets the republic’s
interests at the current stage,’ Krylov says, reports
New Region.