ArmInfo.Involvement of Azerbaijan in various transport and energy projects of Russia is of some concern. Such an opinion was expressed by ArmInfo Russian analyst Sergei Markedonov, commenting on July 21 in Sochi Vladimira Putina met with President Ilham Aliyev."And, for example, about this project strengthens Russian ally Armenia's isolation, potentially being treated as part of the Transcaucasian ligament with the EU via Turkey completion of construction of the Baku-Akhalkalaki- Tbilisi-Kars railway was announced shortly before the Sochi meeting between Putin and Aliyev.
And while many Certain issues of the project are still unfinished, it is already obvious that BATK is a headache for Russia, "he said.Noting the paradox of Azerbaijan's partnership with Russia, the analyst emphasized cooperation in the sphere of defense and mutual support of the ruling power systems "for the sake of stability," and not only in the Caucasus but also in the context of the "Greater Middle East".
On the other hand, Markedonov notes the distancing of Azerbaijan from the EAEC, accompanied by a desire to shake the status quo around Karabakh.Meanwhile, even these local targeted primarily at a domestic audience attempts, according to his estimates, making for regional and international security risks threaten the Russian position in the Caucasus. Against this background, Moscow, unwilling to turn Azerbaijan into a second Georgia, can not do all its bets on Baku alone.
In turn, Azerbaijan, having a keen interest in the constructive relations with Moscow and, without seeking to join NATO or the EU, are not ready to abandon the concentrate their interests in the EAEC."It seems that such a set of baseline data makes friction and occasional increase in acute problems in Russian-Azerbaijani relations inevitable. And their regulation requires periodic contacts and clarify positions at the highest level. This is particularly important given the personification of power in both countries and a greater role in Building relationships personal factor, "- summed up Markedonov.