The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has failed to confirm or refute Elmar Mammadyarov's remarks that Azerbaijan does not rule out its possible accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Though Mammadyarov's remarks have caused a wide response because the country has chosen the path of non-alignment, Baku suggests abstaining from hasty conclusions, Russia-based Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes.
Azerbaijani expert Shahid Shahaliyev says that Mammadyarov's words have obviously been misinterpreted. "Until very recently, Azerbaijan was committed to the principle not to join any economic blocs. The minister himself has repeatedly stated that," says the expert. "Azerbaijan will not join the EEU until the Karabakh conflict is resolved and the troops are withdrawn from the occupied territories," he notes. As regards the Russian-Azeri ties, the expert stresses, "today our countries have warm and friendly relations based on mutual respect and cooperation," he says.
To recall, when asked at the UN General Assembly about possible accession of Azerbaijan to the EEU, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said, "Never say never".