CACI and CSIS Forum: Azerbaijan in a Changing Caucasus: Developments in Foreign and Domestic Policies

Azerbaijan has recently embarked on a series of reforms to modernize the country’s economic and social policies. In foreign relations, Azerbaijan is in the final stages of negotiating an enhanced cooperation agreement with the European Union, and continues to work toward the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor. Increased diplomatic activity has intensified expectations surrounding the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, while U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton’s visit to the South Caucasus in October also suggests growing U.S. engagement. The American Foreign Policy Council’s Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and the Center for Strategic & International Studies held a discussion with three senior Azerbaijani parliamentarians, who provided an update on developments in Azerbaijan and the region.

Speakers: 

Mr. Samad Seyidov – Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament, Head of Azerbaijan-USA working group on interparliamentary relations
Ms. Sahiba Gafarova – Member of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament
Mr. Asim Mollazada – Member of the Committee on Foreign and Interparliamentary Relations of Parliament

Introduction: Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Moderator: Jeff Mankoff, Deputy Director, Russia & Eurasia Program, CSIS