NATO’s New Energy Security Role in Azerbaijan: Balancing the Interest between West and Russia

Yıl 2017, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 2, 169 - 192, 27.10.2017

Hasan Korkut Hamza Preljevic

https://doi.org/10.14782/sbd.2017.71

Öz

Considering the contemporary developments in the
international relations, the Azerbaijan’s relations 

with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are of
great significance. Due to the rich oil and gas

reserves and Azerbaijan’s geostrategic
importance as an energy crossroad between Europe and Asia, the

country has always been attractive for many actors after
the collapse of the Soviet Union. Not only the

neighboring countries Turkey, Iran and Central Asian
countries, but also the United States, European

Union (EU) and China. Therefore, Azerbaijan tries to gain
the maximum from the geostrategic

position, but at the same time the country must play
carefully in the foreign policy creation. Azerbaijan

is committed to the cooperation with the Western
countries, particularly with NATO alliance and the

EU, to downturn the Russian influence. Stronger
cooperation with NATO could also mean stronger

cooperation with the EU member states. On the other hand,
the energy security is becoming an

increasingly important issue in the domain of energy. One
of the key tasks of the national security of

Azerbaijan is ensuring the security of energy corridors
and the transportation of the energy resources.

The critical energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan is not
only important to the country itself, but also to

EU and NATO. How does access to and transit of energy
sources from the Caspian Region influence

NATO-Azerbaijani relationship? The energy supply map is
much internationalized, and the protection

of critical energy infrastructure goes beyond the
national level. This requires from Azerbaijan to seek

for regional cooperation and stable regional security,
which could be assisted by NATO. The Alliance

supported an active role for NATO in ensuring the
security of energy supplies for the allies, but also

they supported the assistance in the energy security for
the partner states. Most EU member states

are also members of NATO, and energy security may emerge
as an issue handled in a joint initiative

by these two organizations. This paper discusses the
Azerbaijani critical energy infrastructure, and

NATO’s possible role
in the protection of the energy infrastructure. Also, the paper discussed NATO’s

reasons for being involved in the energy security, and
how NATO’s energy security evolved from Riga

Summit Declaration in 2006 to Warsaw Summit Communiqu. in
2016. More importantly, this paper 

will answer to what extent the changes in NATO’s security policy
affects Azerbaijan.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Azerbaijan, NATO, European Union, Russia, Critical Energy Infrastructure, Energy Security

Kaynakça

• Aslanbayli, B. (2015). NATO’s Possible Role in the Protection of Critical Energy Infrastructure in Azerbaijan. Caucasus International,3(4), pp. 133-143.
• Azernews. (2015, July 12). NATO: Azerbaijan becoming important component of global energy security. Retrieved from http://www.azernews.az/nation/85630.html.
• Betley M., Bird, A. & Napodano, M. (2000). Evaluation of EC Tacis Country Strategy: Azerbaijan 1996-1999.
• Investment Development Consultancy, France & Development Strategies, Italy. Retrieved from ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/evaluation/evaluation_reports/reports/tacis/951538_en.pdf.
• British Petroleum. (2015). BP in Azerbaijan Sustainability Report 2015. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/ content/dam/bp/pdf/sustainability/country-reports/bp-sustainability-report-2015-azerbaijan.pdf.
• British Petroleum. (2016). BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2016. Retrieved from https://www. bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/energy-economics/statistical-review-2016/bp-statistical-review-ofworld- energy-2016-full-report.pdf.
• British Petroleum. (2016). Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/ operationsprojects/pipelines/BTC.html.
• British Petroleum. (2016). South Caucasus pipeline. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/ operationsprojects/pipelines/SCP.html.
• British Petroleum. (2016). Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/en_az/ caspian/operationsprojects/ACG.html.
• British Petroleum. (2016). Shah Deniz Stage 2. Retrieved from www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/ operationsprojects/Shahdeniz/SDstage2.html
• British Petroleum. (2016). Shah Deniz Stage 1. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/ operationsprojects/Shahdeniz/SDstage1.html
• Choucric, N. (1977). International Politics of Energy Interdependence, Lexington Books. European Commission. (n.d.). Supplier countries, Energy. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/ topics/imports-and-secure-supplies/supplier-countries.
• European Commission. (n.d.). Supplier countries Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/ imports-and-secure-supplies/supplier-countries.
• European Commission. (2016). EU-Azerbaijan Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/Joint_Declaration_Baku_2016.pdf.
• European Dialogue. (2014). NATO: Azerbaijan is a country of pivotal importance for Europe’s energy security. Retrieved from https://www.eurodialogue.eu/%20NATO-Azerbaijan-is-a-country-of-pivotalimportance- for-Europe-energy-security.
• European Union External Action. (September 9, 2016). EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1999). Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eu-az_pca_full_text_0.pdf.
• Eurostat, Statistics Explained. File:Main origin of primary energy imports, EU-28, 2004–14 (% of extra EU- 28 imports) YB16.png. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/ File:Main_origin_of_primary_energy_imports,_EU-28,_2004%E2%80%9314_(%25_of_extra_ EU-28_imports)_YB16.png.
• Gallis, P. (2006). NATO and Energy Security. Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress.
• Galiyev, P. (2014). The Impact of the Ukrainian Crisis on the Foreign Policy of Azerbaijan Republic. Retrieved from http://4liberty.eu/impact-ukrainian-crisis-foreign-policy-azerbaijan-republic/. German, T. C. (2008). Corridor of Power: The Caucasus and Energy Security. Caucasi an Review of International Affairs, 2(2), pp. 64-73.
• Gurbanov, I. (2015). Importance of NATO’s Engagement in Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection in the South Caucasus. Caucasus International, 5(3), pp. 89-100.
• Ismayilov, K. & Zasztowt, K. (2015). Azerbaijan’s Risky Game between Russia and the West. The Polish Institute on International Affairs. Policy Paper, 32(134), pp. 1-6.
• Koremenos, B. & Lipson, C. (2001).The Rational Design of International Institutions. International Organization 55(4), pp. 761–799.
• Labandeira, X. & Manzano, B. (2012). Some Economic Aspects of Energy Security. Economic for Energy. Retrieved from http://eforenergy.org/en/.
• Larsson, R. L. (2008). Security implications of the North Stream Project. For the European Parliament. Retrieved from www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2008/388931/EXPO-AFET_ NT(2008)388931_EN.pdf.
• Legendre, T. (2007). The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Future Role in Energy Security. The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations, 8(2), pp. 1-8.
• MacDougall, J. C. (2009). Post-Soviet Strategic Alignment: The Weight of History in the South Caucasus. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Georgetown University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Government. Retrieved from https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/ handle/10822/553091/macDougallJames.pdf.
• Mammadov, N. (2010). About the main directions in the Foreign Policy of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan Focus, 2(2), pp. 17-51.
• Minasyan, S. (2013). Russian-Armenian Relations: Affection or Pragmatism?, Elliott School of International Relations, George Washington University, PONARS Eurasia Policy Memo No. 269, pp. 1-5.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. (2016). Bilateral Relations - Russia. Retrieved from www.mfa.am/en/country-by-country/ru/.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Azerbaijan. (n.d.). Azerbaijan-European Union. Retrieved from www.mfa.gov.az/en/content/555.
• Monaghan, A. (2008). Energy Security: NATO’s Limited, Complementary Role. Research Division - NATO Defense College, Rome - No. 36.Retrieved from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/56022/rp_36en.pdf NATO. (2016). Relations with Russia. Retrieved from http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50090. htm.
• NATO Review. (2007). Debate: Should NATO play a major role in energy security? Retrieved from www.nato. int/docu/review/2007/issue1/english/debate.html.
• NATO (2006). Riga Summit Declaration (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Riga on 29 November 2006).Retrieved from www.nato.int/ docu/pr/2006/p06-150e.htm.
• NATO (2008). Bucharest Summit Declaration (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Bucharest on 3 April 2008). Retrieved from www.nato. int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_8443.htm.
• NATO (2010). Lisbon Summit Declaration (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Lisbon). Retrieved from www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/ official_texts_68828.htm.
• NATO (2012). Chicago Summit Declaration (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Chicago on 20 May 2012). Retrieved from www.nato. int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_87593.htm?selectedLocale=en.
• NATO (2014). Wales Summit Declaration (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Wales). Retrieved from www.nato.int/cps/cn/natohq/ official_texts_112964.htm.
• NATO (2016). Warsaw Summit Communiqué (Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Warsaw 8-9 July 2016). Retrieved from www.nato. int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_133169.htm. National security concepts of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2007). Retrieved from https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/154917/Azerbaijan2007.pdf
• Paul, A. and Rzayeva, G. (2011). Azerbaijan – The key to EU energy security, European Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.epc.eu/documents/uploads/pub_1357_azerbaijan_-_the_key_to_eu_ energy_security.pdf
• Ratner, M., Belkin, P., Nichol, J., Woehrel, S. (2013). Europe’s Energy Security: Options and Challenges to Natural Gas Supply Diversification. CRS Report for Congress. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/ crs/row/R42405.pdf
• Rzayeva, G. (2015). The Outlook for Azerbaijani Gas Supplies to Europe: Challenges and Perspectives. United Kingdom: Oxford University.
• Shepsle, A. S. (2008). Rational Choice Institutionalism. In The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions (pp. 23-39). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Shiriyev, Z. (2015). NATO’s South Caucasus paradigm: beyond 2014. European Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.epc.eu/documents/uploads/pub_5598_article_-_zaur_shiriyev.pdf
• Stefan, G., Marilena M., Tabriz, G., & Costel, S. (2013). Points of the states involved in energy projects in South Caucasus. Constanta Maritime University’s Annals, 13(8), pp. 289-297.
• Süleymanov, E, Aras, O. N., Huseynov, R. (2013). The Importance of Azerbaijan’s Energy Revenues in its Exports Volume and the Effects on the National Economy. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(6), pp. 79-88.
• Tase, P. (2014, April 10). Azerbaijan’s strategic relations with the United States. Foreign Policy News. Retrieved from http://foreignpolicynews.org/2014/04/10/azerbaijans-strategic-relations-united-states/ TANAP (n.d.). Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Retrieved fromhttp://www.tanap.com/tanapproject/ why-tanap/.
• Tekfen Construction. (2016). Turkey - TANAP Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project-LOT 3. Retrieved from www.tekfeninsaat.com.tr/pipeline_project_detail.asp?id=25.
• Tekfen Construction. (2016). Turkey-TANAP Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project-Compressor and Mattering Stations. Retrieved from www.tekfeninsaat.com.tr/pipeline_project_detail.asp?id=26.
• Trading Economics (2017). Russia Exports (1994-2017). Retrieved from www.tradingeconomics.com/ russia/exports.
• Trading Economics. (2017). Azerbaijan GDP Annual Growth Rate (2001-2017). Retrieved from www. tradingeconomics.com/azerbaijan/gdp-growth-annual.
• US Energy Information Administration. (2016). Country Analysis Brief: Azerbaijan. Retrieved fromhttp:// www.marcon.com/library/country_briefs/Azerbaijan/azerbaijan.pdf
• Wallander, C. A. (2000). Institutional Assets and Adaptability: NATO After the Cold War. International Organization 54(4), pp. 705–735.
• Walt, S. M (1990). The Origins of Alliance. United States: Cornell University Press.
• World Bank (2016). Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP). Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/loans-credits/2016/12/20/trans-anatolian-natural-gas-pipeline-projecttanap.
• World Bank (n.d.). Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Retrieved from http://projects.worldbank. org/P157416?lang=en.
• Yildirim, Z. (2012). U.S. Foreign Policy towards Azerbaijan: From “Alliance” to “Strategic Partnership”. Alternatives Turkish Journal of International Relations, 11(4), pp. 1-15.