"The Islamic Republic of Iran is a very important center that can supply gas and oil to those countries," said Servati.
Radio Goftogoo's "Political Dialogue" program had a phone call interview with Dr. Hadi Servati, an Iranian political expert, on the economic and geopolitical importance of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy.
Hadi Servati stated that the Caucasus region, which is close to Balkans and the former Soviet Union, has always been one of the most controversial and critical territories; “It has almost always had security, economic and political challenges because of their importance. It has constantly been invaded by many strong regional, and at times international powers.
He continued; “This region was defined as part of the Eastern Bloc after the World War, and different republics were standing against the West Bloc in the Cold War. The international equation changed with the break-up of the Soviet Union and the formation of new republics in the region, although for the Caucasus these changes were not merely geopolitical.
“The Caucasus also has geostrategic and geo-economic positions; “Such superior positions have defined a specific space in the international equations that define Asia, Europe and especially West Asia,” he said in his interview with Radio Goftogoo.
Regarding regional and trans-regional competitions over the Caucasus, he said; “Such competitions are held to protect national interests and the basis of these competitions is the economy, because they are powerful countries that in besides political, military and Technology is also economically viable.”
“The main issue among these powers is to maintain their interests, that is, providing primary resources, said Servati, noting that the equations of power are currently disturbed in the world. All the issues around the Silk Road and the North-South Corridor are about facilitating access to raw materials. The Chinese have recreated their role in this new competition and environment, and in the next two years they will have the top position in the world.”
He stressed that Central Asia, due to its favorable energy, is a good position of various dimensions; “The region can be a corridor or part of the road that can serve the interests of emerging powers, including China. Apart from Mongolia, there are many countries in Central Asia with all of which China has concluded energy contracts.”
This political expert described the Caucasus access to the southern regions, especially the Persian Gulf, as quite vital for the countries of that region and said; “The Islamic Republic of Iran is a very important center that can supply gas and oil to those countries.”
By Zahra Judaki
