ABSTRACT
Up to the mid-1990s the South Caucasus was widely perceived as Russia’s geopolitical backyard. Moreover, it was regarded as a region of endemic conflicts and problems. Thus, thinking in the West was mainly driven by a ‘Hands Off’ policy. However, significant Western interest and involvement in the region started soon after a deal between Azerbaijan and Western consortia had been signed in September 19941 on the future exploitation of offshore oil resources in the Caspian Sea. This resulted in a reevaluation of strategic priorities.
