“Azerbaijan’s growing geopolitical and geoeconomic weight globally is directly linked to the country’s independent foreign policy, its significant role in energy security, as well as its creation of new regional realities in the South Caucasus.”
MP Bahruz Maharramov said this in a statement to Globalinfo.az.
He said that several important strategic factors underlie European leaders’ particular interest in President Ilham Aliyev’s position and their preference for partnership with Azerbaijan:
“First, Azerbaijan is an indispensable partner in diversifying and securing Europe’s energy supplies. Particularly after the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union turned to alternative sources to minimise its dependence on Russian gas. The direct transportation of Caspian natural gas to European markets via the South Caucasus Gas Pipeline and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, initiatives in which Baku is the driving force and a key participant, played a decisive role in helping the continent overcome its energy crisis. The European Commission regards Azerbaijan as a reliable ‘strategic energy partner’ and seeks to expand this cooperation into green energy, particularly the transmission to Europe of the Caspian’s renewable energy potential.
Second, through Ilham Aliyev’s determination, Azerbaijan has become a key logistics hub in Eurasia, particularly on the Middle Corridor linking Central Asia with Europe. At a time when global trade routes are diversifying and sea and land routes face geopolitical risks, Azerbaijan’s transport and communications infrastructure provides a safe and short transit link between East and West. Baku’s support and infrastructure are strategically important in Western efforts to establish alternative trade and supply chains.
Third, largely due to the decisive role of the President’s personal leadership, Azerbaijan has fundamentally changed the geopolitical architecture of the South Caucasus by resolving a conflict that had persisted for many years. The country’s restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty has reshaped the balance of power in the region, while also demonstrating that Azerbaijan is the key actor in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.”
Bahruz Maharramov
The MP said that the European Union and individual European states have to take Azerbaijan’s position into account in the process of establishing stability in the South Caucasus, delimiting borders and opening regional communications:
“Because no major project or security architecture in the region can be implemented without Baku’s consent and participation. Azerbaijan’s balanced and pragmatic multi-vector diplomacy in global politics has strengthened its international standing. By pursuing an independent line based on national interests in its relations with the West, the East and neighbouring states, official Baku does not become an instrument of confrontation for any bloc. Amid deepening global polarisation, both Europe and other global powers need Ilham Aliyev’s balancing position and stabilising role. This means that the approaches put forward by our President as the country’s leader are closely followed and assessed internationally.”
Laman Imran
Globalinfo.az
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