CAUCAZ – PROVOCĂRI VERSUS OPORTUNITĂÞI.

tural and religious segregation (an obstacle in attracting signifi cant foreign investment and achieving a coherent development program). Seen by most of the parties involved as a geopolitical area of potential infl uence, the region has real development opportunities, but it could be drawn into a potentially implosive uncontrollable race, a range of geopolitical clashes and geostrategic repositioning that can evolve unfavourably for the well-being of the cohabiting communities. The Caucasus ethnic disputes led to military clashes with the Russian Armed Forces for more than two centuries and rooted some anti-Russian sentiments for generations. Ethnic fragmentation, division and resettlement carried out in the Caucasus by the Soviet leadership sought to create a buff er zone, characterized by constant instability and a zone where policies contrary to the Kremlin’s vision could not be implemented. Regaining the infl uence lost by Turkey, consolidating Iran’s fragile position in the region, Russia’s desire to reconquer, along with the expansion of China’s economic projection, hinders European and transatlantic eff orts for a democratic development of the region, that could be benefi cial for the citizen of Caucasus [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]