Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in negotiations only way to change Mi

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in negotiations only way to change Mi

    Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in negotiations only way to change
    Minsk Group format - expert

    15:04 * 01.02.15


    The only way if changing the Minsk Group format is Nagorno-Karabakh's
    involvement in the negotiations, political scientist Hrant
    Melik-Shahnazaryan told Tert.am.

    The latest statement by the Minsk Group is clearly accusing
    Azerbaijan. The reason is a threat of war because one is objecting to
    a war in the region.

    Asked whether the Minsk Group's latest statement be said to have put
    an end to the tradition of parity, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

    "The Minsk Group, as mediator, had always tried to equally criticize
    both the states. However, the latest statement was obviously accusing
    Azerbaijan and demanding that it honor its commitments. The
    commitments have repeatedly been stated and it is common knowledge. As
    to the message addressed to Armenia, all the conflicting parties have
    always been supposed to take measures to defuse tension. If we compare
    the previous statements by the Minsk Group, we should note that the
    statement is clearly addressed to Azerbaijan. We should also note the
    fact that it was a meeting with the Azerbaijani FM. That is, the
    mediators see the opposite side creates problems. And there is no need
    for a meeting with Armenia's FM."

    Since Azerbaijan is ignoring international organizations' calls and is
    even critical of the Minsk Group, can that state be expected to
    consider the latest statement?

    "I do not hope Azerbaijan will come to senses if we consider the fact
    that Azerbaijan has political problems to solve in the region as well,
    and escalating helps Azerbaijan to more efficiently deal with the
    problems. Azerbaijan has dozens of reasons for such behavior, and I
    think they will not miss a chance to escalate tension. Azerbaijan has
    a task of correct calculation. They do not want a large-scale war and,
    in the contest of international situation and Russia-West
    confrontation, they are seeking to escalate tension. It is the
    Armenian side's position, especially the position declared by the
    Armenian president, and our military potential and regular
    retaliations that play a deterring role."

    Asked about Russia's position in the context of close Armenian-Russian
    relations, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

    "Russia is seeking to get over the situation, maintaining relations
    with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. That is, Russia's position is
    similar to that of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, which, of course,
    does not mean defused tensions or does not reflect Armenian-Russian
    relations as allies. We have to do serious diplomatic work with
    Russia. I think Armenia should make more consistent efforts to have
    Russia assume a stronger pro-Armenian position."

    As regards the opinions that the approaching Armenian Genocide
    centennial accounts for the border tension, and Turkey is inciting
    Azerbaijan to divert the international community's attention, the
    expert said:

    "I am sure that diverting the international community's attention from
    the Armenian Genocide is the major reason for the tension because the
    Armenian Cause as a factor, especially in the Turkey-West relations,
    is playing a rather serious deterring role in preventing Turkey from
    accomplishing its European integration task and intensifying its
    regional activity. Turkey is ready for any steps to neutralize the
    Armenian Cause as a political factor. However, neither the West nor
    Armenia will ever reject such a tool. Well aware of the fact that the
    Armenian Genocide centennial this year could make this factor even
    stronger, Turkey and Azerbaijan are trying to divert the international
    attention. If we see the frequency of meetings between top-ranking
    Turkish and Azerbaijani officials, we can see that the two states have
    drafted a clear policy for this year and are jointly implementing it."

    As regard the possibility of changes in the Minsk Group format,
    considering Azerbaijan's criticisms and the latest thesis about
    Germany's claims to replace France as OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
    state, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

    "I rule out any changes in the Minsk Group format because it would
    require the Armenian side's consent as well. The only way if changing
    the Minsk Group format is Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in the
    negotiations. For years, Azerbaijan has consistently been doing its
    utmost to put an end to the Minsk Group as such and have the
    Nagorno-Karabakh problem discussed in a different format. Azerbaijan's
    aim is clear. They are aware that, beside dealing with the
    Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Minsk Group is a kind of club
    where Russia, the US and the European Union (EU), represented by
    France, are coordinating their policy in the region. And as long as
    the Minsk Group is working, the presence of any external actor as a
    political factor in the South Caucasus is actually ruled out, which
    is, of course, against Azerbaijan's interests because they want to see
    Turkey as their powerful ally in the Caucasus."
    With this end in view, Azerbaijan is seeking to have the Minsk Group
    dissolved. It failed during previous years, when more favorable
    conditions for that were available, nor will it succeed in the future,
    the expert said.


    http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/02/01/Minsk-group/1575566

Working...
X