(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Rena Murshud read more For the first time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took part
as a guest in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on
May 25 this year in Moscow. Participating in the same briefing, the
official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria
Zakharova, said that Moscow welcomes and highly appreciates
Azerbaijan's interest in the activities of the Eurasian Economic
Union.
According to the Russian diplomat, an increase in the level of
cooperation between Baku and the EAEU would bring tangible economic
benefits to all parties. And it would also have a positive impact
on strengthening interstate ties and integration processes, which
are, first of all, mutually beneficial and based on a mutually
respectful approach.
But does Azerbaijan's participation in the briefing mean that it
will take part in the alliance in the future? Another issue is how
the West, which does not have a warm attitude towards Russia and
imposes sanctions against it, will react to this?
“Of course, Azerbaijan's participation in the meeting of the
Supreme Eurasian Economic Council testifies to certain balancing
tendencies in its foreign policy. However, this does not mean that
it wants to take part in any military alliance.”
An Azerbaijani political analyst, Turab Rzayev said this to Azernews , while discussing Azerbaijan's
participation at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic
Council. Referring to geopolitical rifts and the approaching
polarization currently taking place in the world, he said that
examples of this are the Western bloc (Canada, USA, Great Britain,
etc.), the Eastern bloc (Russia, China, Iran, etc.), India,
Turkiye, Azerbaijan, which are trying to pursue a balanced policy
between east and west.
“Therefore, Azerbaijan periodically discusses economic and
political issues and projects with the West, even the project of
transferring the Trans-Caspian gas belt to Turkmenistan. At the
same time, also participates in Eurasian Economic Union meetings.
In this matter, it is important what mutual benefits Azerbaijan can
receive,” expert said.
According to him, the oil and gas sector, which plays a
paramount role in the Azerbaijani economy, may suddenly become the
object of sanctions, and pressure mechanisms may be activated.
“However, Azerbaijan can remain there with an observer status or
participate in any economic activity in accordance with its
interests. I think that additional steps will be taken in this
direction,” Rzayev said.
Speaking about the positive aspects of special concessions
between the Eurasian Union and Azerbaijan on certain issues, the
expert noted that last year the West imposed sanctions against
Russia.“The sale of agricultural, fruit and vegetable products
produced in Azerbaijan and in the countries of the Middle East
(Turkiye, Iran) to the Russian market through Azerbaijan can also
have a positive impact on tourism.”
However, the expert stressed that all these issues need to be
approached very carefully.
"That is, Azerbaijan should approach the sanctions imposed by
the West with caution and not take contradictory steps. Otherwise,
Azerbaijan may also suffer the fate of countries that have recently
been under pressure from the West. For example, Serbia and Georgia
were warned. Some (more than 20) Armenian companies fell under
sanctions," the expert noted.
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Rena Murshud is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @r enatagiyeva