“For the first time in over 30 years, there is a real opportunity to achieve peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which I think is an extremely significant event“, said Professor Stephen Brooks of the US National Defense University in an interview with the Azerbaijani agency AZERTAC, BTA reports.
According to him, in a broader geopolitical context, the possible observance of such an agreement would be yet another proof of Russia's international isolation. “Despite the traditionally strong ties between Russia and Armenia, including the Russian military presence on Armenian territory, Armenia was left without support from Moscow during the last conflict. This undoubtedly undermines Russian influence in the Caucasus“, Brooks emphasized.
Regarding President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Washington, the American expert welcomed the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and the United States, emphasizing the removal of restrictions on military cooperation between the two countries.
“The United States is already among Azerbaijan's five largest trading partners, and the new agreement is likely to deepen this cooperation. It provides the United States with priority access to economic opportunities in the so-called transport corridor that should connect Nakhichevan with the rest of Azerbaijan“, Brooks noted.
He added that Russia has so far hardly commented on the agreement, except for a warning against “foreign interference“. Something that, in his opinion, sounds ironic, considering Russia's actions in Georgia and Ukraine.