Indeed, the military cooperation between the two countries has been on the rise in the past several years. Lack of progress in the negotiations for the peaceful solution of the territorial conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh and the growing calls for military intervention pushes Azerbaijan to seek partners aside from traditional ally Turkey. Pakistan, a country that shares historical, religious and cultural ties with Azerbaijan, was the second country after Turkey to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence. Now, it could serve as an excellent source of military partnership. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev has previously paid a visit to Islamabad and signed several bilateral agreements on cooperation in the fields of military equipment purchase, training of the personnel and anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling measures. While in Baku, the Pakistani delegation has also promised to assist Baku in strengthening of its borders.
Pakistan, the only Islamic country which possesses nuclear weapons, is a much needed ally to Azerbaijan in both political and military fields. Being a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Pakistan also supports Azerbaijan in the international arena and has been a key player in OIC’s decision to recognize the territorial aggression of Armenia towards Azerbaijan. Similarly, Pakistan can be a good ally to other Islamic countries in fighting terrorism. While in Baku, President Musharraf condemned international terrorism and urged the Islamic countries to liberalize themselves to get rid of this fundamentalism.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan, which is keen to develop its economy, is looking at Pakistan as another trading partner. Currently, the bilateral trade amounts only to $1.1 million, out of which Azerbaijani exports were only at $25-30 thousands (2003). Azerbaijan and Pakistan agreed to increase the participation of Pakistan in the Great Silk Road projects and involve Pakistani companies in the oil and gas sector of Azerbaijan. The Pakistani President specifically suggested establishing joint ventures in the oil field and asked Azerbaijan to help Pakistan in the training of energy sector personnel. The minister of fuels and natural resources of Pakistan Nauriz Shakur Khan also asked for Azerbaijani experience in the offshore energy explorations.
Other areas of possible cooperation include agriculture, textiles, humanitarian and social issues, customs and finance. The National Banks of both countries pledge to cooperate and establish branch offices in respective countries.
Meanwhile, several local analysts considered Musharraf’s visit as an attempt by the Azerbaijani government to balance the foreign policy between the Russian and pro-Western interests. Vafa Guluzadeh, a former foreign affairs advisor to former President Aliyev, stated in the local media that Russia had been increasing its attempts to gain control over Azerbaijan and Pakistan could serve as a counter-weight against that. “I am sure the Americans are well informed about Musharraf’s visit,” said Guluzadeh.
Indeed, in the last several weeks several high ranking Russian delegations, including Moscow mayor Luzhkov, head of the audit chamber Sergey Stepashin (who also served as a prime minister under former Russian President Yeltsin) and head of the CIS secretariat Vladimir Rushaylo visited Baku and met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. It appears that the geopolitical rivalry over the Caucasus between the West and Russia is again on the rise and Russian “emissaries” are attempting to increase the economic tools of control over Azerbaijan. Whatever the case is, Turkish-educated Musharraf presents an excellent opportunity for Azerbaijan to strengthen its economy and army and Baku is not planning to miss this chance.
Book S. Frederick Starr and Svante E. Cornell,