U.S. eyes Caucasus as next stage of NATO enlargement
"The U.S. and EU view the South Caucasus not only as an energy supplier but also as a transit region allowing to transport hydrocarbon from Central Asia to world markets bypassing Russia and Iran," political observer of the strategic culture foundation Alexander Krylov says. "Successful functioning of new energy corridors built by the United States and EU is impossible without settlement of some pressing problems. First of all it's maintenance of stability and counteraction to attempts of resumption of large-scale hostilities in conflict zones. Besides, the West needs to prevent destabilization in transit states - Azerbaijan and Georgia.
When the military stage was over in early 1990-ies, the conflicts entered the 'frozen' stage that initiated negotiation processes under the aegis of the UN and other international organizations. The talks did not reconcile the sides. Moreover, the problem of the not recognized states tends to aggravate. Reduction of Russian military presence and active penetration of the U.S., EU and NATO in the region may change the balance of forces.
Washington is not going to abandon Caucasus rearrangement plans. Integration of three South Caucasian states and pushing Russia out of the region is a priority. At that accession of the republics to the EU is not supposed even theoretically, since it's NATO that should become the main tool of the Euro Atlantic integration. Washington eyes the Caucasus as the next stage of NATO enlargement and simultaneous accession of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia is supposed to be the best variant.
The current U.S. administration prescribes a bit part for Russia in the forthcoming rearrangement of Caucasus and uses local allies for the purpose by rendering political and financial support.
Russia's only real strategic partner in the South Caucasus is Armenia that builds its foreign policy by the principle of balance between different military and political blocs whose interests immediately concern the Caucasus. Yerevan pursues a pro-Russian policy, since it's best of all meets the republic's interests at the current stage," Krylov says, reports New Region.
When the military stage was over in early 1990-ies, the conflicts entered the 'frozen' stage that initiated negotiation processes under the aegis of the UN and other international organizations. The talks did not reconcile the sides. Moreover, the problem of the not recognized states tends to aggravate. Reduction of Russian military presence and active penetration of the U.S., EU and NATO in the region may change the balance of forces.
Washington is not going to abandon Caucasus rearrangement plans. Integration of three South Caucasian states and pushing Russia out of the region is a priority. At that accession of the republics to the EU is not supposed even theoretically, since it's NATO that should become the main tool of the Euro Atlantic integration. Washington eyes the Caucasus as the next stage of NATO enlargement and simultaneous accession of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia is supposed to be the best variant.
The current U.S. administration prescribes a bit part for Russia in the forthcoming rearrangement of Caucasus and uses local allies for the purpose by rendering political and financial support.
Russia's only real strategic partner in the South Caucasus is Armenia that builds its foreign policy by the principle of balance between different military and political blocs whose interests immediately concern the Caucasus. Yerevan pursues a pro-Russian policy, since it's best of all meets the republic's interests at the current stage," Krylov says, reports New Region.
