Recent intensification in the Azerbaijan-U.S. relations is logical amid the U.S. growing interest in the South Caucasus, the Deputy Director of Strategic Culture Foundation Andrei Areshev told NEWS.am.

The South Caucasus and Azerbaijan in particular are assuming a more important role in the context of Washington’s plans on Afghanistan and the projects of energy transportation from the South Caucasus to Central Asia. “Being well ware of this, Baku is definitely trying to make the Karabakh issue a guarantee of its relations with Washington. The U.S., however, cannot hand Karabakh to Azerbaijan on a plate,” the expert says. Besides, the U.S. is not interested in destabilization in the region or resumption of hostilities in the Karabakh conflict zone. “Therefore, Washington’s regional policy will follow this logic,” Areshev said. He stressed that the Azerbaijan-U.S relations will thereafter be dynamically developing.

Washington is definitely interested in creating its military infrastructures in the South Caucasus and is undoubtedly holding talks with Baku. “With the explosive situation involving Iran (though it is unclear how it will develop), U.S., beyond doubt, will be interested in establishing its military bases in Azerbaijan, close by Iran,” Areshev said.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently met with Azerbaijani Defense Minister in Baku. Gates stated that Azerbaijan is one of the U.S. strategic allies. He also handed U.S. President Barack Obama’s letter to President Aiyev, which indicates Baku’s role in the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and struggle against international terrorism. In his letter, Obama praised Azerbaijan’s efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict.