Azerbaijani analysts point to geopolitical pretext of Biden's recognition of Armenian Genocide

The statement of the US President, Joe Biden, on recognition of Armenian Genocide is backed by the US desire to strengthen its positions in Southern Caucasus, but this will not seriously affect the relations with Azerbaijan, the Baku analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have predicted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 24, the US President, Joe Biden, recognized the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) treated the statement of the US President on the Armenian Genocide as populism; and the official Baku accused the American leader of distorting the historical truth.

The Biden's statement will have no significant impact on US-Azerbaijan relations, said Rasim Musabekov, a political analyst and a member of the Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis' committee on international and inter-parliamentary relations. Given the Azerbaijan's geopolitical importance, Washington is unlikely to want to spoil relations with Baku, Mr Musabekov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "The US cooperates with Azerbaijan in the field of security and in countering international terrorism. Azerbaijan is a supplier of energy resources to Europe, which also meets the West's strategy of diversifying sources of hydrocarbon supplies," the political analyst has explained.

The Biden's statement is backed by the US desire to restore its positions in Southern Caucasus, believes Togrul Djuvarly, a member of the Azerbaijan National Public Committee for European Integration (ANPCEI).

"During the Trump's administration (Joe Biden's predecessor as US President, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") America withdrew from the regional processes, and, in particular, in Southern Caucasus. The new administration is trying to return to the region," Mr Djuvarly told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Togrul Djuvarly agrees that the Biden's statement and the reaction thereto by the official Baku will not affect the bilateral relations. "In his congratulatory message to Azerbaijani President, Biden expressed Washington's interest in developing cooperation in the spheres of economy, energy, security and regional reconciliation. If the US hadn't had such plans, Biden wouldn't have congratulated Aliev at all," Mr Djuvarly is sure.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 26, 2021 at 07:13 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.