Geopolitical position and present international status of the Republic of Azerbaijan demand implementation of the balanced foreign policy. Pursuing a foreign policy inclined to only one of the global power centers causes huge danger to the existence of a state. This factor significantly restricts the opportunities of a country to take a worthy place in the system of international relations. For this reason, Azerbaijan is especially sensitive about the principle of pursuing the balanced foreign policy. Analysis of the present geopolitical situation shows the only possible way to accomplish the duties of our republic’s foreign policy, also to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the way of balanced foreign policy. The balanced foreign policy concept will serve the national interests, as well enlarge the international cooperation. Today, implementation of energy projects from Central Asia to Turkey and Europe through Caucasus is impossible without participation of Azerbaijan. For this cause, Azerbaijan is accepted as a state playing the role of main key in the realization of energy projects in a large geographic space. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway serve the regional and global progress, basic principles such as peace and stability. Azerbaijan’s rich hydrocarbon resources will for long years safely provide partner states of our country, including Europe with energy. According to the most minimum calculations, Azerbaijan’s gas resources total 2-5 trillion cubic meters, while oil resources are forecasted for 100 years at least. It is ground to say Azerbaijan will for long years play its role as a very important and strategic partner in the energy sphere and this role will be growing. It all once more show that the Republic of Azerbaijan is an influential actor of international political processes in the modern global system and the world community accepts Azerbaijan’s rising potential to take more active part in these processes.   

Naila Mammadova,
“Azerbaijan Realities”.