Americans not to get desired effect from their diplomatic steps in Caucasus

Friday, 05 February 2010 09:15

Political scientist Zardusht Alizade has commented on visit of US first Assistant Secretary of State James Steinberg to the South Caucasus countries.

"US has its geopolitical and economic interests in the Caucasus, therefore, I view the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State to the region as the inspection one. The South Caucasus is very important for the United States, therefore, from time to time they send their senior officials here".

According to the political scientist, he is likely to put pressure on Sargsyan for Armenia to accept the Madrid principles while in Baku and Ankara he will discuss the issues of the Armenian-Turkish border.

"I am confident that the issue of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement will be discussed during the meeting with our leadership and Baku will be urged not to hamper this process. The same will be discussed with Turkish FM Ahmed Davutoghlu. It means that during these meetings Baku and Ankara will set their provisions for normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations before Washington.

It is not by accident that the meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoghlu will be held after his meetings with Sargsyan. But considering the recent statements of both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Premier Erdogan, it can be said for sure that Americans will not get the desired effect from their diplomatic steps in the South Caucasus", he said.

Alizade noted that the normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations is not actual for Ankara now, at least before 2011 parliamentary elections.

"Erdogan’s government will not accelerate this process in such a strained political situation in Turkey. Yerevan also understood that the Turks have postponed this issue, therefore, they are "playing tricks" with the decision of the Constitutional Court and discussion of this issue in the parliament. Yet the last word will be said by Ankara and its position is clea", he said.