Armenian pundit points out Azerbaijan’s crucial role for both Russia, West

Armenian political analyst Suren Surenyants has described Azerbaijan as a country of crucial importance for both Russia and the West.

“Azerbaijan is more inclined to address problems in the region, but availing this opportunity, it also strives to improve its value in this multi-layered game," Surenyants said in an interview with Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

"And in Armenian society now there is an impression as if Aliyev is "afraid" to go to Brussels, Aliyev is "afraid" to go to Washington. One thing to remember is that it was on a Western platform that Azerbaijan managed to resolve the Karabakh issue. It is not that Aliyev is "afraid" to go to the West, he simply made the most of this platform. Now he is telling the same West that if they agree with his agenda, he can come.

Therefore, let's get it right. Aliyev, unlike Pashinyan, pursues a very effective policy with both centres and, by maneuvering, raises his importance or legitimizes his agenda. For example, earlier neither Washington nor Brussels talked about transportation communications or economic corridors. They only talked about Armenia's territorial integrity. Now they are discussing this corridor very seriously. Why? To please Azerbaijan and attract it to the Western platform. And when Azerbaijan moves to the Western platform, when the same West shows interest in it, Nikol Pashinyan will be forced to reduce his demands in the peace process. Yes, Azerbaijan is a much more important country for both Russia and the West,” Surenyants underlined.