How do you assess the foreign policy of the Azerbaijani government (towards the US and the Karabakh negotiations)?
It seems to me that Azerbaijan has followed a balanced foreign and strategic policy since the end of 1993. By and large it has had the resources not to be caught up in the rhetoric—and the battles– of the mini-cold war continuing in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan has been realistic regarding the significance of Russia in the region—and, as a corollary, the more limited capabilities of the US in the region– and for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan has avoided the route taken by Georgia and that is to its credit. As for the Karabakh negotiations, as I indicated above, I do not feel I am sufficiently informed to make an assessment on the current negotiations, including Azerbaijan’s position in those negotiations. I know that there is a willingness to see the problem resolved. But, as in the past, willingness is a necessary but not sufficient condition for success. I know that in the past there were many misconceptions and misjudgments, along with the best of intention
