AMERICAN ANALYSTS URGE OFFICIAL WASHINGTON TO BE ATTENTIVE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS POLICY

Today
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Feb 25 2010
Azerbaijan

The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington
conducted a conference devoted to interests of the USA in the South
Caucasus region.

During discussions on the situation in region from the point of view
of security and energy cooperation, the conferees focused on the
unresolved conflicts on South Caucasus, collision of the interests
of regional authorities, and also the energy security.

Famous scientists on Eurasia, including the general analyst of the
Heritage Foundation Ariel Kohen, the general analyst of Jamestown
Foundation Vladimir Socor, professor of the USA Military College Steven
Blank, the employee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Thomas de Waal have underlined that, contrary to interest of foreign
policy of the USA in the South Caucasus region, last years official
Washington`s attention weakened to this region.

And it, in turn, let other interested regional forces to penetrate to
the South Caucasus. According to analysts, the government of President
Barack Obama should reconsider the foreign policy pursued on South
Caucasus and in the Caspian basin, put forward a new strategic idea,
and raise authority in region.

Representative of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Fariz Ismailzade
and Azerbaijan`s consul general in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov noted
the position of Azerbaijan, saying that despite the complexity in
the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan is hopeful.

"We are for friendship with all neighboring states. But, despite it,
realities show that the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is the most basic obstacle in establishment of peace and cooperation
in region".

At the conference, deputy vice-president of the State Oil Company of
the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Vitaly Beylarbayov reported on the role
of Azerbaijan as producer of oil and gas in energy security, and also
on the energy projects having important strategic value for Azerbaijan,
and the modern Silk Road connecting the European Union with the East.