Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the two discussed the relations between two strategic partners.Why I am saying “strategic partners”for Azerbaijan and Russian Federation.As you know,a year ago it was signed a strategic document consisting of 43 clauses.In his meeting with Sergey Lavrov Azerbaijani president said that he hoped 2023 will be a year of progress in the normalization of relation between Azerbaijan and Armenia.I have Aliyev’s opinion so understood that right now we have political will to normalize relations with Armenia and I hope that Russia will not interfere to this process.On the other hand,in a near future we expect a new negotiation between Aliyev and Pashinyan.The current relations are strained between Moscow and Yerevan.That is why,Russia will do it’s best to hinder the peace process in the framework of Brussel Format.
In addition,Aliyev thinks that Russia is a friend,ally and neighbour of Azerbaijan.It is fact that Russia has a special role to play in helping to regulate interstate between Azerbaijan and Armenia.We know that last year in Prague an important afford was made in this direction,documents defining the conceptual nature of the future peace agreement ,namely the mutual recognition of of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two countries were adopted.It is clear that there is a mutual political will by Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve Karabakh problem and to eradicate misunderstandings.Especially,there is a paper which is accepted as Washington document to sign a peace agreement.Russia is against to this agreement due to its geopolitical interests is South Caucasus.If the Western brokered peace agreement is signed between Baku and Yerevan,there is not any necessity for Russian peacekeepers not only in Karabakh,but also in Armenia.The final peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan means that Armenia can quit CSTO and Euroasian Economic Unian led by Russia.For the next step Armena and Azerbaijan can integrate to EU.In order to prevent this political goal,Russia needs longstanding conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.Russia tries to maintain its influence in South Caucasus through the help of ethnic conflicts.All these are difficult enough now.But a lot of things depend upon both Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Kamal Aliyev