Aliyev and Medvedev Speak about Energy Transit and Regional Disputes

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed energy exports, the disputed status of the Caspian Sea and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during the first day of Aliyev's April 16-17 state visit to Moscow.

The state-run news agency ITAR-TASS reported that the Kremlin hopes to follow up on signs of cooperation between the two states on Caspian Sea energy transportation. The signing of a deal for exports of Azerbaijani gas to Russia's North Caucasus is expected by the end of May, Trend news agency reported.

But the Kremlin is betting on more than energy partnership with Baku. Without going into details, Medvedev said that strategic partnership between the two states will deepen, RIA Novosti news agency said.

Analyzing the meeting, Russian commentators suggested that a possibility of geopolitical shifts in the South Caucasus, such as the potential normalization of ties between Azerbaijani ally Turkey and foe Armenia, have provided a window of opportunity for Moscow to win over Azerbaijan and get a stronger hold on the country's hydrocarbon wealth.

Azerbaijani energy analysts have routinely disputed that belief, noting that the gas to be exported to Russia in no way involves supplies targeted by Western-backed pipeline projects.