The United States is engaged in working out a strategic plan of actions in the Caucasus and Central Asia, “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” German newspaper writes. Amplifying its presence in the Caspian region rich in oil and gas, the US first of all wishes to slacken its dependence upon Arabic countries, which are the main suppliers of energy resources to the West. On the other hand, Washington fears possible destabilization of situation in the Caucasus and Central Asia, where Muslim population prevails and the influence of Islamic fundamentalists grows. The newspaper analysts suppose that the beginning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which will let pump oil from Azerbaijan to Turkey omitting Russia, can be considered a great success for the US. The article says that Moscow will have to put up with the increasing presence of US at its southern borders, demanding certain concessions in return. In particular, Washington does not hamper Russia’s urge towards increasing its export share at the market of energy resources. Losing economic and political control over transportation of oil through the territories of the former Soviet republics due to building of the new oil pipeline, Moscow is trying to strengthen its positions at the European energy market.
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