UDC

94(479.24)

Authors

Alasov Imamaddin Farman ogly
Postgraduate Student, P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University
14 Sovetskaya St., Yaroslavl, 150000, Russian Federation;
e-mail: alasov_imam@mail.ru

Abstract

The article dwells on the relationship between Russia and modern independent Azerbaijan. It provides an analysis of for the most part effective cooperation between the two countries in the political, socioeconomic, military, cultural and other spheres. The author reveals the importance of Azerbaijan to Russia today when the interest of Western countries and the United States for this region, as well as its role in the South Caucasus, is growing and its geopolitical ties with Middle Eastern countries (Iran, Turkey) are becoming stronger. At the same time, the author names some controversial points of interaction between the two countries: the status of the Caspian Sea basin and Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian factor, transport of energy resources, etc. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia and Azerbaijan started building up their relations practically from scratch. Initially, the two countries had a number of various complaints against each other, but the author notes that it in large part depended on the heads of state and shows the dynamics of bilateral relations considering who was in power at a certain period. The author makes a short historical excursus and highlights the essential role of Azerbaijan in the Soviet economy (the Caspian oil). He also stresses the importance of Russia-Azerbaijan trade relations on the federal and regional levels, pointing out that Azerbaijan is the best and most significant transit corridor connecting Europe with Asia. In terms of cultural relations, the focus is given to the essential role and status of the Russian language in education and culture of Azerbaijan. Over the past two years, due to the volatile situation in West Asia as well as the division of spheres of influence between the great powers (the US, China and Russia), developing relations with its southern neighbours has been rising in importance for Russia.

Keywords

Azerbaijan, trade relations, Caspian Sea, Caspian Sea basin, Caspian countries, Caspian Five, NATO, Nagorno-Karabakh

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