AZERBAIJAN IN ‘DIPLOMATIC CUL-DE-SAC’ THANKS, IN PART, TO ARMENIA
Tert.am
15:06 ~U 21.01.10
Azerbaijan finds itself caught in a diplomatic cul-de-sac as it
debates whether to eliminate visa requirements for Iranians and Turks
in reciprocation for similar privileges granted by Iran and Turkey
to Azerbaijani citizens. Concern over the political situation in Iran
influences Baku’s caution toward Tehran, while concern over Turkey’s
rapprochement with Armenia makes it sluggish toward Ankara. Meanwhile,
both Iran and Turkey are pressing for a final decision, reports
EuroasiaNet.
As of February 1, Azerbaijani citizens will be able to enter Iran
visa-free for one-month stays, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign
Affairs announced earlier this month. Tehran has indicated that it
plans to increase that period to three months.
Tehran expects Baku to respond in kind; but, for now, little indication
exists that Azerbaijan is ready to make that move.
Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesperson Elhan Polukhov told
EurasiaNet that Baku will consider Iran’s proposal "on the basis of
the national interests of Azerbaijan."
Some analysts believe, however, that Baku is not ready to eliminate
the visa requirements for Iranians.
According to Elhan Shahinoglu, head of the non-profit Atlas research
center, "Baku is concerned about Iran’s active intelligence activity in
Azerbaijan, [and] unhappy with Tehran’s close relations with Armenia,"
Shahinoglu commented.
Iran is not the only country looking to Azerbaijan for visa-free
access, however. Turkey, too, has proposed that both countries
lift their visa restrictions; it lifted its own restrictions for
Azerbaijanis a year and a half ago. "Technical issues" allegedly
postponed Azerbaijan’s reciprocation of the deal during a December
2009 visit to Ankara by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
Shahinoglu believes that there will be no decision until definitive
movement occurs one way or another on the reopening of Turkey’s border
with Armenia.
"The decision on simplifying visa requirements for Turkish citizens
will depend on developments in the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement
process," Shahinoglu forecast.