RUSSIA MOVES TO REPAIR TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN
Sergei Blagov
EurasiaNet, NY
April 2 2007
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is intent on reducing tension with
Azerbaijan, one of the Caspian Basin’s key energy producers.
During and informal get-together March 27 in Moscow, Putin was
unusually solicitous toward Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "I
am grateful to the president of Azerbaijan for using any opportunity
for meeting," the Itar-Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying. Putin
went on to say that Aliyev "always was a welcome guest."
Putin’s charm offensive is linked to geopolitics and Russia’s
unstinting efforts to maintain its commanding Caspian Basin energy
position. Starting in late 2006, Azerbaijani-Russian relations took
a nosedive after the Kremlin-controlled conglomerate, Gazprom,
attempted to dramatically raise the price of natural gas exports
to Azerbaijan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At
the time, Aliyev essentially told Russia to take a hike, saying that
Azerbaijan would not tolerate "commercial blackmail."
Most former Soviet states are energy-dependent on Russia, and thus
have little leverage in pricing negotiations with Russian energy
suppliers. Not Azerbaijan, which is projected to more than double
its oil production over the next three years, from 237 million
barrels to 476 million barrels, according to a report published by
the Moscow Times. Baku is also expecting to significantly increase
in gas production over the same period.
The Aliyev administration reacted to the Gazprom move by declaring
that Azerbaijan would cease importing Russian gas, and suspend oil
exports via Russian pipelines. Baku’s action got the Kremlin’s
attention. Increasing the pressure on Russia to make amends
was Azerbaijan’s zealous efforts to establish good relations
with Turkmenistan, which, if successful, could pave the way for
a trans-Caspian gas pipeline. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive]. That potential export route would break Russia’s
stranglehold over Central Asian gas exports, potentially dealing a
severe blow to the Kremlin’s energy policy. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].
Details of the March 27 discussions between Aliyev and Putin proved
elusive, but the two appeared to ease the bilateral chill. Putin
invited Aliyev to attend St. Petersburg’s 11th International Economic
Forum and an informal CIS summit this June. In response, Aliyev
said Baku was ready to discuss bilateral issues. He added that the
two countries enjoyed "stable, friendly and cooperative relations,"
and indicated that he would attend the events in St. Petersburg. The
Azerbaijani news agency APA, quoted Aliyev as saying the two presidents
had a "fruitful exchange."
Strategic considerations perhaps prompted Aliyev to mend fences with
Moscow. Azerbaijan has in recent months sought to bolster support
for its negotiating position in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks. A
settlement has eluded Azerbaijan and Armenia in the long-running
negotiations. Nevertheless, international mediators hope that a
breakthrough can be achieved in 2007. Aliyev and members of his
administration insist that any settlement must leave the disputed
territory under Azerbaijani control. Armenian leaders are equally
adamant that a peace deal leave Karabakh independent of Baku.
During a March 28 visit to Baku, Russia’s Federation Council Speaker,
Sergei Mironov, characterized the lack of a Karabakh settlement as
a "wound that does not heal." In comments broadcast on Azerbaijani
television, he went on to express confidence that "Russia will do
its best to help resolve the issue as soon as possible."
In Baku, Mironov also discussed economic issues with Parliament
Speaker Ogtay Asadov and Prime Minister Artur Rasizade. "Our positions
on international problems coincide," Mironov said, noting that
bilateral trade turnover experienced a surge in 2006 and stood at
over $1.5 billion for the year. Russia runs a healthy trade surplus
with Azerbaijan.
Russian officials have moved to reassure Baku over a new law that went
into effect April 1 that imposes a ban on foreign citizens from selling
goods at markets in Russia. Mironov announced during a March 28 news
conference that the legislation would not impact the large number of
Azeris in Russia, many of whom sell produce and other goods at market
across Russia. "Nothing will change in the lives of Azerbaijanis in
Russia," Mironov insisted.
Editor’s Note: Sergei Blagov is a Moscow-based specialist in CIS
political affairs.