U.S. need to secure Azerbaijan as a regional ally, assisting the latter in the transfer to global energetic level, according to Nikolai Zlobin, director of the Russia and Eurasia Project at the U.S. World Security Institute.

“However reason behind Azerbaijan’s inability to become a true ally to Washington, is the country’s shortcomings in the level of democracy and decision-making system,” Zlobin told a news-conference in Yerevan.

“The two countries have satisfactory tactical relations yet their strategic ties are not strong enough,” the expert said, characterizing Georgia as an ideal regional partner to U.S.