CPC - Caspian Policy Center
CPC Staff
Ambassador (Ret.) Robert F. Cekuta
Energy and Economy Program Chair
Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan (2015 – 2018), Bob Cekuta has long and extensive experience as a top level U.S. diplomat. Deeply engaged in advancing high-profile international energy projects, trade policy initiatives and agreements, commercial sales, and other complex international security matters, Amb. Cekuta’s positions in the State Department included Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities.
His overseas postings included the U.S. Embassies in Berlin and Tokyo where he oversaw the full range of economic, commercial, nonproliferation, and scientific relations. In addition, Bob was Deputy Chief of Mission in Albania and held positions in Vienna, Baghdad, Kabul, Johannesburg, and Sana’a, Yemen. He established the Economic Policy Analysis and Public Diplomacy Office in the State Department’s Bureau for Economic and Business Affairs, and served on the boards of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), where he also chaired the IEA Board’s Standing Group on Long-term Cooperation charged with anticipating global energy developments.
During his career with the State Department Ambassador Cekuta received nine Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards, four Superior Honor Awards, five Meritorious Honor Awards, and the Career Achievement Award. He is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the National War College.
News
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India is the geopolitical behemoth of South Asia, boasting a population of over one billion with projections indicating that it will soon overtake China
Looking to the Caspian for Today’s and Future Energy Needs
A pipeline bringing one billion cubic meters (BCM) a year of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria formally opened July 8 with a ceremony
The European Union-Azerbaijan Natural Gas MOU: Our CPC Senior Fellow Breaks it Down
The European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Azerbaijan to increase Azerbaijan’s export of natural gas to Europe
Sourcing Rare Earth Minerals In Central Asia
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Work with Russia’s Neighbors to Make Sure Sanctions Bite Hard
Imposing sanctions to punish institutions and individuals connected with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is just the first step. Working to ensure effective
Azerbaijan and Armenia — It’s Time to Work towards Peace
Recent incidents in Karabakh show both the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the absolute need for the parties to start taking serious