Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAKU1481
2007-12-13 11:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY ASSESSES POSITIVELY
how-toVZCZCXRO0859 OO RUEHDIR DE RUEHKB #1481/01 3471137 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131137Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4435 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 2515 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHDIR/IRAN RPO DUBAI IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PBTS ENRG ETRD AJ TX TU
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY ASSESSES POSITIVELY
CASPIAN DELIMITATION TALKS WITH TURKMENISTAN
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse per 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PBTS ENRG ETRD AJ TX TU
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY ASSESSES POSITIVELY
CASPIAN DELIMITATION TALKS WITH TURKMENISTAN
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse per 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On December 7, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf
Khalafov told the DCM that his and the Prime Minister's
November talks with the Turkmen Government had been positive.
Khalafov said he specifically went to Ashgabat to conduct
bilateral consultations on Caspian delimitation. The Prime
Minister, on the other hand, had been in Turkmenistan for a
Commonwealth of Independent States Heads of Government
meeting.
PROGRESS IN DELIMITATION, MEDIAN LINE UNRESOLVED
-------------- ---
2. (C) Khalafov noted that the discussions covered a number
of technical elements, including the principles for
determining delimitation, navigation maps, and methods for
calculating the median line. While a definitive delimitation
formula was not agreed, the talks certainly brought both
sides closer, according to the Deputy Minister. In
particular, a common understanding of where the median line
between the two countries lies remains the key unresolved
issue. (NOTE: In previous discussions, the Turkmen side has
asserted that the Absheron Peninsula (upon which Baku is
situated) should not be calculated into the median line
formula as it juts out prominently into the Caspian Sea. End
Note.) He noted that the delimitation talks will continue on
January 8 in Baku.
BAKU WANTS ENERGY COOPERATION, NOT TAKING THE INITIATIVE
-------------- --------------
3. (C) On issues separate from delimitation, there are
continuing signs of progress and goodwill. Turkmen President
Berdimuhamedov received both Khalafov and the Prime Minister,
speaking positively about improving bilateral relations and
the need to broaden cooperation. On energy transit issues,
Khalafov said that the Azerbaijani position remains clear
that it is willing as a transit country to support a future
Turkmen decision to diversify its energy delivery options.
It is, however, not an Azerbaijani initiative, Khalafov
stressed. He added that certain neighbors (read Russia) will
object to transit through Azerbaijan, but that these same
countries do not ask for permission of their neighbors when
they undertake pipeline or other similar projects.
4. (C) Khalafov also met with Turkmen Foreign Minister
Meredov. They decided to hold a joint commission session
soon that will focus on economic cooperation. In addition,
Meredov said that the Turkmen Embassy in Baku will be opened
soon. (Comment: A common refrain. End comment.)
Turkmenistan plans to hold a conference on "Preventive
Diplomacy" soon that will be attended by international
organizations and bilateral delegations. Khalafov plans to
attend and will also use this visit to pursue consultations
on Caspian delimitation.
TURKS CONSIDERING A THREE-WAY SUMMIT
--------------
5. (C) The Turkish Ambassador told Ambassador Derse on
December 12 that President Gul's visit had gone extremely
well, with the two leaders establishing very positive
chemistry in a four hour meeting. Berdimuhamedov had agreed
with Gul that Turkmenistan should explore its energy delivery
options, including the TCP. The Ambassador noted that Gul is
working to promote a meeting between President Aliyev and
Berdimuhamedov in the next several months, with timing and
modalities to be determined -- perhaps a three way meeting at
Gul's invitation in Turkey, or finding a way to have
Berdimuhamedov come to Baku.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Khalafov's rosy picture is in sharp contrast to the
Foreign Minister's negative assessment of progress in the
delimitation talks. Khalafov emphasized that these talks
remain bilateral and that Azerbaijan has resisted Iranian and
Russian pressure to include other littoral states in the
process. Since the death of former Turkmen President
Niyazov, Azerbaijan has stuck to the policy that if they can
strike a bilateral deal with Turkmenistan, it will result in
a de facto demarcation of the entire Caspian, with Iran
isolated. Whatever the truth about whether there has been
BAKU 00001481 002 OF 002
real progress in these discussions, the pace has been brisk.
Khalafov and his Turkmen counterpart have met at least once
every two months specifically to push forward the
delimitation issue. This pace is continuing.
DERSE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PBTS ENRG ETRD AJ TX TU
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY ASSESSES POSITIVELY
CASPIAN DELIMITATION TALKS WITH TURKMENISTAN
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse per 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On December 7, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf
Khalafov told the DCM that his and the Prime Minister's
November talks with the Turkmen Government had been positive.
Khalafov said he specifically went to Ashgabat to conduct
bilateral consultations on Caspian delimitation. The Prime
Minister, on the other hand, had been in Turkmenistan for a
Commonwealth of Independent States Heads of Government
meeting.
PROGRESS IN DELIMITATION, MEDIAN LINE UNRESOLVED
-------------- ---
2. (C) Khalafov noted that the discussions covered a number
of technical elements, including the principles for
determining delimitation, navigation maps, and methods for
calculating the median line. While a definitive delimitation
formula was not agreed, the talks certainly brought both
sides closer, according to the Deputy Minister. In
particular, a common understanding of where the median line
between the two countries lies remains the key unresolved
issue. (NOTE: In previous discussions, the Turkmen side has
asserted that the Absheron Peninsula (upon which Baku is
situated) should not be calculated into the median line
formula as it juts out prominently into the Caspian Sea. End
Note.) He noted that the delimitation talks will continue on
January 8 in Baku.
BAKU WANTS ENERGY COOPERATION, NOT TAKING THE INITIATIVE
-------------- --------------
3. (C) On issues separate from delimitation, there are
continuing signs of progress and goodwill. Turkmen President
Berdimuhamedov received both Khalafov and the Prime Minister,
speaking positively about improving bilateral relations and
the need to broaden cooperation. On energy transit issues,
Khalafov said that the Azerbaijani position remains clear
that it is willing as a transit country to support a future
Turkmen decision to diversify its energy delivery options.
It is, however, not an Azerbaijani initiative, Khalafov
stressed. He added that certain neighbors (read Russia) will
object to transit through Azerbaijan, but that these same
countries do not ask for permission of their neighbors when
they undertake pipeline or other similar projects.
4. (C) Khalafov also met with Turkmen Foreign Minister
Meredov. They decided to hold a joint commission session
soon that will focus on economic cooperation. In addition,
Meredov said that the Turkmen Embassy in Baku will be opened
soon. (Comment: A common refrain. End comment.)
Turkmenistan plans to hold a conference on "Preventive
Diplomacy" soon that will be attended by international
organizations and bilateral delegations. Khalafov plans to
attend and will also use this visit to pursue consultations
on Caspian delimitation.
TURKS CONSIDERING A THREE-WAY SUMMIT
--------------
5. (C) The Turkish Ambassador told Ambassador Derse on
December 12 that President Gul's visit had gone extremely
well, with the two leaders establishing very positive
chemistry in a four hour meeting. Berdimuhamedov had agreed
with Gul that Turkmenistan should explore its energy delivery
options, including the TCP. The Ambassador noted that Gul is
working to promote a meeting between President Aliyev and
Berdimuhamedov in the next several months, with timing and
modalities to be determined -- perhaps a three way meeting at
Gul's invitation in Turkey, or finding a way to have
Berdimuhamedov come to Baku.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Khalafov's rosy picture is in sharp contrast to the
Foreign Minister's negative assessment of progress in the
delimitation talks. Khalafov emphasized that these talks
remain bilateral and that Azerbaijan has resisted Iranian and
Russian pressure to include other littoral states in the
process. Since the death of former Turkmen President
Niyazov, Azerbaijan has stuck to the policy that if they can
strike a bilateral deal with Turkmenistan, it will result in
a de facto demarcation of the entire Caspian, with Iran
isolated. Whatever the truth about whether there has been
BAKU 00001481 002 OF 002
real progress in these discussions, the pace has been brisk.
Khalafov and his Turkmen counterpart have met at least once
every two months specifically to push forward the
delimitation issue. This pace is continuing.
DERSE