Political expert Rasim Agayev spoke in an exclusive interview Day.Az.
Day.Az: To what degree Iran’s supply of nuclear fuel dangerous for Azerbaijan?
Rasim Agayev: This is a very dangerous sign for Azerbaijan and the region as a whole, although it was expected. There are clear signs of militarization in the Greater Caucasus. Iran adjoins this geopolitical region with arms race with its program of military development. Armenia’s nuclear pretensions should have been predicted.
It is typical for Armenia and it does not conceal its military ambitions. Hence, such a trend, given the aggressive course of Armenia. Its ambitions and claims include acquiring military capabilities that would put it in a unique position not only with Azerbaijan but also with Turkey, where it could speak the language of force.
Q: How can Iran’s supply of nuclear fuel to Armenia impact situation in the region?
A: If such pretension is realized and Armenia which is linked to Russia with military and strategic commitments, I am afraid that the Caucasus will resemble the south-east Asia, which will be very difficult to calm down and control.
The West turns a blind eye to such pretension by Armenia and it will seriously change the situation. Quite different tasks will be set before Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani diplomacy should exercise serious control over this process, investigate and ring the bell.
I think it is high time to make proposals and policy initiatives related to the demilitarization of the South Caucasus. The issue is not that Armenia will have nuclear weapons, but the fact that saturation of arms in this small region of the globe. The South Caucasus is becoming a powder keg which is easy to blow up.
On the other hand the message could be viewed as a definite signal from Iran to Azerbaijan in connection with the problems emerging in relations between Baku and Tehran.
Q: Does IAEA exercise control over this issue?
A: IAEA should directly control the various nuclear programs of Iran. I believe that we should involve the IAEA in this regard due to the fact that Azerbaijan will build the nuclear power plant, but in Armenia it is already there.
