Israel, Jerusalem /corr. Trend R.Mammadov / Stable and independent Georgia is of interest for Azerbaijan, said the Israeli Haifa University's Expert for Middle Asia and South Caucasus, Avino Idan.
"The structure peculiarities of South Caucasus in combination with the current geo-political geo-economic factors present conditions, under which Azerbaijan and Georgia transforms into very important factor of survival for each other," the expert said in his interview with Trend.
According to him, the general vectors of interdependency in dyad of Azerbaijan and Georgia are, on the one hand, determined by the pro-western orientation of Georgia, its geo-political situation and transportation of energy resources which is very significant for Azerbaijan, and on the other hand, consideration of the energy security of Georgia and other dividends from transit of Azerbaijani oil via Georgia's territory.
" Georgia has strategic importance in implementing geo-political projects in South Caucasus. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, which is being constructed, ensure Georgia's energy security from Russia, which is still only gas supplier to Georgia," Idan said. According to him, Georgia will receive 800mln cu.m of gas per year through this pipeline. In addition, the USA promises Georgia to assist in increasing Azerbaijani gas supplies, considering that Georgia refused to sell its gas pipeline to Russia.
Touching upon the latest events in Georgia, the conflict occurred between the Authorities and opposition and as a result the presidential elections were scheduled for 5 January in Georgia, the expert said that it was the integration of domestic and out political factors. "One the one hand the political and economic reforms by Saakashvili, privatization and foreign investments, fight against corruption, reduction the number of Georgian policemen created a serious basis of opposition for the Georgian President. From the other hand we should not forget the geopolitical factor, Georgia is in the centre of geopolitical clashes between the United States and Russia," he said.
According to him, Georgia remains the near abroad for Moscow, part of its hegemony, the personality of Saakashvili and pro-east, pro-American course of his regime irritates Russia, including the factor that Georgia forms the borderland of the NATO, actively taking part in the Partnership for Peace program. Georgia is the key regional country for Turkey and the United States.
Georgian President Mikhael Saakashvili has recently announced emergency situation in the country for 15 days and some restriction have been injected in the activities of the media. In accordance with the appropriate legislation, during the emergency situation the Georgian citizens are not allowed to hold manifestations and demonstrations and strike
According to the Israeli political scientist, the Georgian President had serious basis charging Russian special services in connection with the recent events in Georgia. However, the Georgian leadership should submit real facts about interference of Russian to internal affairs of the independent Georgia.