IPI President Rød-Larsen Visits Azerbaijan

On March 11-12th, a delegation from IPI led by IPI President Terje Rød-Larsen visited Baku to discuss possible cooperation with Azerbaijan. The main topics of discussion included energy and security, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as regional security and cooperation in the Caspian and Caucasus region.

Mr. Rød-Larsen met with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and subsequently with the Head of the Foreign Relations Department, Novruz Mammadov. Mr. Rød-Larsen highlighted IPI’s work in exploring new approaches to resolving the protracted conflicts in Europe, such as in Nagorno-Karabakh, where there is an ongoing crisis.

In addition, Mr. Rød-Larsen gave a presentation on the Oslo Accords and current developments in the Middle East at the Center for Strategic Studies. He also visited the new campus of ADA University, where he was received by the Rector (who is also Deputy Foreign Minister), Hafiz Pashayev.

In a meeting with the Minister of Energy, Natiq Aliyev, Mr. Rød-Larsen described IPI’s project on energy and security and discussed ways to improve stability and cooperation on energy-related issues. In particular, the meeting focused on the implications for energy and security on the new Trans-Anatolian and Trans-Adriatic pipelines, as well as the possibilities and limitations of a Trans-Caspian pipeline.

IPI will follow-up the visit in a number of specific areas including training, support for mediation, and cooperation on energy and security issues.