AZERBAIJAN’S STRATEGY FOR THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ENERGY TRANSPORT ROUTES
AZERBAIJAN’S STRATEGY FOR THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ENERGY TRANSPORT ROUTES

Summary/Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to reveal a formula for determining transport routes that facilitate the export of Azerbaijani hydrocarbons to world markets. Azerbaijan is a country with no access to the open seas. One of the essential problems with which landlocked states are faced is the pursuit of stable and secure access to world markets, which play a crucial role in the exporting country’s political and economic stability and welfare. Without access to the open sea, these states strongly depend on the political will of their neighbors who can use their geographically advantageous location for their own national interests. This problem is also of concern to the states of the Caspian Sea region, including Azerbaijan. During the early years of its independence, Azerbaijan, whose main export items are oil and natural gas, pursued and energy policy that prioritized the provision of stable and secure routes to the world markets. For Azerbaijan, this was necessary to prevent its possible dependence on neighboring countries, as well as to be able to maneuver in the case of unforeseen circumstances. The ideal policy and the main task of Azerbaijan’s energy strategy is the diversification of export transport corridors. This article analyzes the policy of Azerbaijan to create sustainable and alternative energy transport links and to establish relations with available and potential transit states. In addition, this paper will evaluate the success of this strategy and define future prospects for the development thereof.

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