The controversy over the Caspian Sea mineral resources and Armenian perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this Master’s Essay is to explore the rivalry over the Caspian Sea mineral recourses and its implications for Armenian foreign policy making. Several issues will be covered in this essay. First of all, since the controversy in the Caspian Sea region is connected with the interests and geopolitical calculations of several states inside and outside the region, the essay illustrates the main players and correspondingly their strategic interests in the region. Secondly, due to the fact, that several issues, such as the legal status of the Caspian Sea, export pipelines and freedom of transit, and environmental issues, have become vivid in recent years, they will be thoroughly covered in this essay. In the third part of this work, the developments in the Caspian after 11 September 2001 will be discussed, since it is apparent that new geopolitical situation has emerged in the region after terrorist attacks on the United States. In the fourth part of the essay, implications for Armenian foreign-policy making will be made. And finally, conclusion and recommendations of this study are followed.