Dennis Sammut: “The region has huge potential that is suffocated by the Karabakh conflict”

- What is your attitude towards the process of breaking up OSCE Minsk Group started by Azerbaijan?

- I know that Azerbaijan has been increasingly critical of the OSCE Minsk Process. I have spoken in the past on the need to evaluate how this process has developed and the need to strengthen it. After fifteen years of negotiations in this framework it would be very odd if such an evaluation does not take place.

However I am certainly against breaking up the Minsk process unless an alternative arrangement to which both sides agree is in place.

- The Armenian side has many times stated that the Minsk Group has not exhausted itself and expressed readiness to continue the negotiations with the existing format. How will you comment on Azerbaijani behavior, which is trying to step back from the negotiation process by stirring the current format?

- There are many ways in which the Minsk process can be energized without breaking it up. Armenia does not need to make this an article of faith and nor should anybody else. If Armenia and Azerbaijan are genuinely committed to a peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict they need to agree on what is the best format to achieve this. The peace processes that have been most successful are those that have been most flexible. However changing the structure of the peace process on its own will not solve anything. It is important both countries negotiate in good faith.

- What format may be considered an alternative for continuing the negotiations? Will the international community consider the military way of conflict regulation acceptable?

- As far as I know Azerbaijan's position is to reserve the right for a military solution if all else fails. I do not think all else has failed. I very strongly believe that a peaceful solution to the Karabakh problem is possible. The two sides are at the moment only using unilateral negative tactics. They can also use unilateral positive tactics.

The region has huge potential that is suffocated by the Karabakh conflict. In making their calculations the leaders of the region need to factor this in as well. This is not a luxury; it is their duty to their citizens. I do not think that wars solve anything in the South Caucasus which is why for me the military option is not acceptable.

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