Internationaler Workshop - Südkaucasus
The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) convened a workshop with politicians and experts from, the South Caucasus, Russia, Turkey and Germany on the topic South Caucasus: Geopolitical Interests and Multilateral Security” The workshop was funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedeom In two panels, the experts debated geo-strategic ambitions towards the South Caucasus and its relevance for the European energy policy.
The South Caucasus has become a focus of competing geopolitical interests of the EU and the US, but as well of its neighbors: Russia, Turkey and Iran. Dr. Wolfgang John from the foundations South Caucasus moderated the first panel about the interests and policies of the neighbors towards the South Caucasus How the South Caucasus states themselves respond to the increasing external pressure from their neighbors was an equally pressing question. Isa Gambar, Chairman of the Party Musavat, former President of the National Assembly of the Azerbaijan Republic complained about Russian Infringement and asked for a stronger European involvement, beyond declaratory demands for human rights. Dr. David Shahnazaryan, ex-minister and President of the Center for Political and Legal Studies "Concord" in Armenia analysed the isolation the latest events have brought for his country. He pointed pout that the genocide issue should not impede the build-up of future partnership with Russia. Ivliane Khaindrava, MP, Foreign Policy Speaker of the Republican Party of Georgia, described his country’s w way into NATO and the frustrations after the recent summit in Bucarest. Prof. Dr. sc. Alla A. Yazkova, Head of the Center for Mediterranean and Black Sea Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow soberly compared Goals and Results of Russia's South Caucasus Policy, with a view to Moscow’s problems to create new strategic partnerships. Dr. Henning Riecke, DGAP, Head of European Foreign and Security Policy Program discussed the EU’s role as player in the Southern Caucasus, pointing to the long-term time-frame of the Unions activities. Policy.
The Secod Panel looked at the perspective of the South Caucasus to become a hub for Europe’s Energy Security. Dr. Henning Riecke chaired the panel on this key topic on the EU’s policy agenda. The EU seeks to limit the energy supply dependence from Russia and to look for a geographical differentiation of energy suppliers. Dr. Cagri Erhan, Vice-President of ASAM - Eurasia Strategic Research Center, Ankara, argued that the role of Turkey hub for energy transits to Europe might have a positive impact on the accession talks with the EU. Isa Gambar described Azerbaijan as a major factor for Euro-Atlantic Energy Security. Dr. Jörg Himmelreich, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at The German Marshall Fund of the United States pointed to the interdependence of the EU’s energy and Russia policies Alexander Rahr, Program Director Russia Eurasia, argued, that Europe is nor sufficiently prepared to take on the increasing competition over pipeline projects to the Caspian Sea.
