RUSSIA MUST DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN AS FUTURE LEADER IN REGION: RUSSIAN MP

Trend
Feb 6 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia must develop relations with Azerbaijan as the future leader in
the South Caucasus, Russian member of parliament and Deputy Chairman
of the State Duma Political Research Committee Sergey Markov said.

"I respect Azerbaijan. I have always supported Russia’s increasing
cooperation with the country as our two nations have traditionally been
close. We must develop relations with Azerbaijan as the future leader
in the South Caucasus," Markov said in an interview with Trend News.

Russia must have deeper strategic relations with Azerbaijan, he
asserted. For this purpose, Russia must install a military base in
the country. Azerbaijan should join the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO), Markov added. The more Azerbaijan and Armenia
join similar organizations, the closer they will be to resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said.

"Russia will invite Turkey to actively partake in these organizations
in the near future. We hope Azerbaijan will use this opportunity as
Turkey’s traditional ally," Markov said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved through peaceful
political means, he said.

Markov said time is on Azerbaijan’s side as the country’s economic
growth far exceeds Armenia’s.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.