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BAKU: South Caucasus Needs "Helsinki-Type" Security Conference

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  • BAKU: South Caucasus Needs "Helsinki-Type" Security Conference

    SOUTH CAUCASUS NEEDS "HELSINKI-TYPE" SECURITY CONFERENCE
    Leyla Tagiyeva

    news.az
    Nov 24 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Alexandros Petersen News.Az interviews Alexandros Petersen, Dinu
    Patriciu fellow for Transatlantic Energy Security and associate
    director of the Eurasia Energy Centre at US think-tank the Atlantic
    Council.

    How do you see the state of the Karabakh conflict settlement process,
    considering recent events?

    There is no doubt that the Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan
    and Armenia is not only of bilateral but also of regional concern,
    since Turkey is now normalizing relations with Armenia which affects
    the situation. Russia is involved in the process, supplying Armenia
    with money and arms. Moreover, this assistance is provided at the
    diplomatic level. We should not forget Iran either.

    Another factor that makes the conflict of international concern is
    the interest of the superpowers, primarily, the United States, the
    transatlantic community and the EU in its resolution.

    We should also realize that not only the West but also the East -
    the countries from the other side of the Caspian Sea and further to
    the East - are interested in the settlement.

    Azerbaijani authorities call the conflict a threat not only to regional
    but also international security. Do you agree with this?

    Yes, this conflict is a hindrance to the East-West transportation
    corridor from Asia to Europe. So there is no doubt that this
    is an international conflict. To be honest, it should not be
    viewed as a purely regional problem. It is odd that despite the
    international importance of this problem, little is being done to
    achieve a settlement, at least by the countries that call themselves
    "superpowers". I think Russia plays a big role here, hampering progress
    on the part of the Minsk Group, but there are other reasons too.

    What changes are needed to make the superpowers take effective measures
    to settle the conflict?

    There are several important aspects here. First of all, we should
    step up the work of the Minsk Group, especially the United States and
    France. Moreover, we should let Turkey become active in the process
    as a Minsk Group member and a country that plays an important role,
    especially in relations with Armenia. I think these three powers -
    the United States, France and Turkey - should put consolidated pressure
    on Russia to play a constructive role in the Minsk process.

    But Russia has repeatedly proposed several initiatives on settlement of
    the problem, in particular, promoting meetings between the presidents.

    Yes, in recent years we have seen Russia playing a leading role here
    by promoting high level meetings, including between the presidents of
    Azerbaijan and Armenia without involving other Minsk Group co-chairs.

    Yet, in the current situation, Russia's attempts to become the only
    arbiter in the conflict settlement are counterproductive. Therefore,
    we should strengthen the Minsk process and put pressure on Russia
    not to replace this process.

    There is another aspect related to the medium and long-term. In order
    to achieve a settlement of the conflict, regional integration and
    cooperation between the three states in the South Caucasus, a kind of
    a conference on regional security based on the Helsinki process needs
    to be created. I think by doing this we would achieve settlement not
    only of the Karabakh problem but also the South Ossetian and Abkhaz
    conflicts, thereby promoting the interests of all the aforementioned
    superpowers.
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