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On April 4 at the History Department of the Moscow State University
scientific-practical conference "South Caucasus. Elections: new geopolitical realities.
Economy, security, humanitarian issues" was held.
The event was organized with the support of the Center for Political Science "North - South"
and information-analytical agency "Vestnik Kavkaza".
Leading experts and scientists from Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia
met to discuss the most pressing issues in the region.
Alexei Vlasov, editor in chief of Vestnik Kavkaza
There are fundamentally new trends in the field of security.
Economic landscape of the region is changing.
Finally, the Russian leadership promotes initiatives,
proposals aimed at establishing new patterns of interaction
between the economies of the South Caucasus and Eurasian integration project.
On January 1, 2015 the Eurasian Economic Union will start functioning,
and, of course, every country in the region to some extent
will determine the parameters of cooperation with the Eurasian project in the format of three countries
- Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, but it is likely that in the near future,
the composition of the integration project will be expanded.
The South Caucasus entered into a long election cycle.
Elections in Armenia have just ended.
Presidential election in Azerbaijan and Georgia will be held in autumn.
All this will also, of course,
influence the nature of relations between the countries of the South Caucasus and the Russian Federation,
and we are grateful to our colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan,
which have responded to the invitation of the historical department of Moscow State University
and taken part in today's event,
and it would be interesting to hear the point of view of experts from these countries
- what are the risks,
what opportunities will open in a new geo-strategic perspective to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Alla Yazykova, head of the Mediterranean-Black Sea Center of Institute of Europe of RAS
Summarizing the results of the Russian policy in the South Caucasus in the last two decades,
we must admit that the result was gradual weakening of Russia's position in the region
and in its relations with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and more recently to some extent with Armenia.
Now, in my opinion, the communication with the EU is much more difficult than even with the United States,
given the crisis and confusing situation in the EU.
Assessing the prospects for relations in general with the South Caucasus,
it cannot be denied that the military conflict in the Caucasus worsened Russia's relations
with the Western world and, in particular,
with Georgia and the subsequent global financial crisis make us think
about the future trajectory of most Russian policy and how it responds to the challenges faced.
Meeting the challenges of maintaining stability on the southern borders of Russia,
as well as the historical basis of its relations with the peoples of the South Caucasus,
requires overcoming the existing contradictions in the relations with the countries of the region,
on the one hand, and cooperation with the international community in solving its problems, on the other hand.
This requires the development of new strategic approaches and finding solutions
in dealing with major world powers and their unions.
Alexander Dzasokhov, Trustee of the Russian Council on International Affairs
A new geopolitical cycle has come.
This should be kept in view, because after a failed attempt of a unipolar world and a bipolar world,
a quite understandable period has come when neighbors,
and often not even the neighboring states in the geographical sense,
seek common interests to form a multi-polar world.
This is the first point.
The second point is related to the fact that until 2004 there were regular meetings of the Caucasian states.
This occurred most often with a few exceptions, within the CIS summit.
In 2004, when a political force, as they say, Saakashvili,
came to power, this enhancement was unreal.
And it is strange, if you look at our Caucasus, the Greater Caucasus.
This is a rare and very exceptional case when the countries of the region
are not collected together and do not see any urgent issues, issues of new challenges and strategic issues.
Do not assume that I may be getting ahead of our ability,
but we must draw attention to the subject, to form public opinion,
because we are conduct disunited discussions,
and even if they are at a substantial level, but there is no resonance, we do not achieve the goal.
We need, perhaps, to raise the level of discussion.
So I would even think of a good, thorough preparation of all-Caucasian forum of not only the authorities,
but what is more important - powerful, existing and operating with a reputation
and expertise civil society organizations.
Seymour Aliyev, a political scientist
This conference, of course, is of great importance as a platform for dialogue.
This dialogue is very important in terms of cooperation.
The holding of such dialogues, these meetings leads to a greater understanding of each other and,
consequently, making important decisions.
Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute, political scientist
The study of the Caucasus for Russia, I think, is of importance, not only academic, but also practical.
And, of course, in the South Caucasus, the scientists themselves should figure out what is happening here,
in Russia, and try to somehow share that information with the Russians, considerations that exist
- it is also important.
Therefore, this kind of conference, in my opinion, is extremely important and necessary.