Belarus President Alexander Lukhashenko's calling President Ilham Aliyev as 'Leader of the Caucasus' during his state visit to Azerbaijan is the beginning of a new stage in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) area. Lukashenko is one of those few politicians, who are at the foundation of the processes that happen in the CIS. Those processes raised Lukashenko to the presidency in Belarus. 

Following the last presidential election, Lukashenko spends a lot of time on realization of the integration ideas in the space of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, ADB, CSTO and the CIS. His visit to Azerbaijan showed that the processes have started to get updated. Lukashenko said that he would encourage Azerbaijan to join ADB and CSTO. In a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, he made a statement that "You are responsible for the Caucasus region as a leader." He repeated the phrase "the leader of the Caucasus in Ilham Aliyev's example" several times. This is not a random word said by Lukashenko. This will be repeated many times with Vladimir Putin. Maybe it was a pre-agreed idea.

According to Lukashenko's (and Putin's) generalizations, the processes happening in the Caucasus require a leader. Those who adhere normal development in the Caucasus must support the integration of the South Caucasus, and then the strengthening of intensive relations between the south and the north of the region. Those who intend to divide the Caucasus will also encourage the process of disintegration among the countries of the South Caucasus. They will support various ethnic, religious and separatist disputes between the north and south of the region. As the leader of the Caucasus, President Ilham Aliyev will lead these processes in the direction of progress and development. 

The detailing of this process is also very interesting. Alexander Lukashenko is very sensitive to the word 'Minsk'; experts know that a number of processes in the CIS and European area are connected with the name of Minsk. To host some processes in Minsk, Lukashenko make intensive contact with the Vatican. 

The foundation of the OSCE Minsk group was laid in Minsk. The terms "Minsk-1" and "Minsk-2" remain relevant to the situation in Ukraine. These agreements represent a form of cooperation between the CIS and Europe.

Alexander Lukashenko, who recently discussed Ukraine's recovery with President Ilham Aliyev, may propose Minsk as a potential venue for these efforts. Belarus and Azerbaijan could jointly offer to mediate the process between Ukraine and Russia.

The CIS countries, including those in the Caucasus region, could actively participate in Ukraine's recovery. Participating in such a reconstruction project could strengthen the atmosphere of unity and solidarity within the Caucasus.

While Lukashenko's idea might receive some private support, a clear methodology for publicly presenting it is needed. This could be facilitated by President Aliyev's position as a prominent leader in the Caucasus.

It's important to note that the designation "Leader of the Caucasus" is specific to Ilham Aliyev, and there is currently no alternative candidate. This proposal could also send a specific message to certain internal forces within Azerbaijan.

Mubariz Ahmadoglu

Director of Political Innovation and Technology Center

AzVision.az

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