Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan Relations: Shattered Brotherhood

Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations, which experienced a significant thaw since the death of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi), deteriorated again last week (June 19). The most recent conflict began when Turkmenistan started undertaking seismic work on a disputed oilfield in the Caspian Sea. The oilfield, discovered by Azerbaijani geologists, is called Kapyaz in Azeri and Serdar in Turkmen. Reserves in the oilfield total around 150 million barrels of oil. In response, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned Turkmenistan’s ambassador in Baku, Toyly Komekov, where Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov expressed Azerbaijan`s strong protest over the violation of the agreement. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reminded Ambassador Komekov that the two Caspian littoral states’ presidents agreed in 2008 that no exploration work or production would be carried out at the Kapyaz field until all issues on the division of the seabed are resolved. During the meeting, Baku indicated that Turkmenistan`s unlawful activities are unacceptable and that Azerbaijan reserves the right to defend its sovereign rights in the Caspian Sea (Azernews, June 20). The Turkmenistani Embassy was quick to respond to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s declaration. In a statement issued the next day, it claimed that Azerbaijan’s State Border Service took unlawful actions against a civilian vessel carrying out scientific research work in the non-Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian. The Embassy warned that adequate measures would be taken if such actions continue (Turan, June 21).... FULL STORY>>