Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 9
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The economic relations and the implementation of joint projects, aimed at ensuring energy and transport security, are a priority of cooperation between the South Caucasus countries and Turkey today. But unfortunately, not for Armenia, and thereby not the entire South Caucasus .
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey have established strategic relations that contribute to the development of these countries. The traditional (fourth) trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of these countries, to be held in Turkish city of Kars on December 10, testifies to this.
Along with the political issues, the issues of transport and energy projects being implemented by the sides are expected to be discussed as part of the meeting.
Of course, such projects as the TANAP gas pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway corridor will be among the main topics of discussion.
In the conjuncture of enhanced bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey, these projects require more of Azerbaijan's attention..
Currently, Turkey is a part of the energy and transport route, which is an alternative to the Russian one. And maintaining this status is beneficial for both Baku, as well as Tbilisi, which is in a very tense and trying relationship with Moscow.
In fact, this meeting, in addition to "coordination of positions" before the end of the year, aims to reaffirm the commitment of Turkey to the implementation of all launched projects and the principle of security of the projected investments of tens of billions of dollars.
Both the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars projects are important for Azerbaijan in terms of security of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as well, which is under siege as a result of Armenian aggression. It is intended to open railway communication with Nakhchivan and to supply gas owing to these projects.
Given the geographical position of the three countries, the cooperation between them is of strategic importance. The projects that are implemented by these countries are also significant.
Unfortunately, these projects are not always assessed appropriately. Some international and in fact all Armenian media outlets unfairly write that the union of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey targets Armenia.
Actually, it is a result of Armenia's own foreign policy; the country could be literally entangled in the network of huge economic projects of global importance, but its policies prevent it from being involved and building a sound economy.
The occupation of Azerbaijani territories, frivolous claims against Turkey, and territorial claims against Georgia have turned Armenia into a rouge state. As a result of its policy, more and more Armenian citizens are choosing to emigrate if they can, and if current trends and policies are not changed, Armenia will soon be a ghost country.
Edited by CN
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Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu