Page 5 - Azerbaijan State University of Economics

THE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES: THEORY AND PRACTICE, V.72, # 1, 2015, pp. 5-26

TURKEY AND IRAN: POLITICAL RIVALRY AND ECONOMIC

COOPERATION THROUGH THE AGES

Ignatiev Pavlo Mykolayovich

professor, doctor of political science of the Institute of International Relations of
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Bovsunivskyi Pavlo Vasylovich

associate professor of the department of area studies of the Institute of International
Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, PhD holder.

Received 27 February 2015; accepted 15 May 2015; published online 07 July 2015

Abstract

Turkey and Iran from the ancient times have been experiencing severe

confrontation and simultaneously close interdependence in the economic field that

has considerable impact on modern international relations in the Middle East and

Post-Soviet space. Rivalry of both countries is strengthened by Sunni-Shia divide in

Muslim world and support of different sides in Armenia - Azerbaijan conflict.

Special importance in the mutual relations of neighbours has competition in the

Southern Caucasus, which is important with its energy rich Azerbaijan and creation

of land routes for Caspian oil and gas to Europe in order to lessen dependency of the

European Union on Russian energy. Using close relations with Azerbaijan, Turkey

makes all efforts to become an energy bridge between energy resources of Caspian

Sea and European consumers. On the other hand, Turkey is deeply interested in

Iranian gas because of the geographic proximity and huge resources of the supplier.

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