Elin Suleymanov

The Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles hosted a seminar for a group of graduate students from the University of Southern California. The discussion focused on recent developments in Eurasia, the US policy towards the region and the issues of regional energy security. The seminar was facilitated by USC professor Robert English.

Speaking to the students, Consul General Elin Suleymanov shared his views about regional dynamics and emphasized the need for a more focused and consistent US policy towards the region. Perceived inconsistencies, double standards and pursuit of short term objectives at the expense of long term strategy are all damaging for the US interests in the region.

At the same time, a major success of US regional policy in 1990’s, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was made possible by a sustained, clear bipartisan commitment from Washington. Presently, in spite of Azerbaijan’s readiness to be a part of an expanded East-West natural gas corridor, there is an obvious lack of leadership on the part of potential consumers of Caspian gas.

Suleymanov pointed out the urgent need to resolve the Armenia –Azerbaijan conflict as soon as possible and expressed his hope that the United States would intensify activity in this direction. A fair solution for the conflict would benefit the region as a whole and facilitate Armenia’s integration with its neighbors.

According to the Azerbaijani diplomat, the example of the Georgia-Russian conflict in 2008 has demonstrated that unresolved territorial conflict undermine all other aspects of development in the region. Suleymanov also reminded the audience that both Georgia and Russia are Azerbaijan’s neighbors and close partners in the region and that Azerbaijan would be happy to see improved Georgian-Russian relations soon.

News.Az