Dennis Summut: "It is necessary to improve the Minsk process"

-How, do you think, will the resolution on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, recently adopted by the UN, influence the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh?

-I think Azerbaijan should use peaceful means for the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In this sense the UN resolution is one of such means. I can not criticize Azerbaijan for using its diplomatic potential to defend its position. That is a matter of tactics.


-Don't you think that the failure of the co-chairing countries to vote against this resolution damage the image of these countries as mediators in the Karabakh conflict settlement?

-I was surprised that the co-chairing countries voted that way. I confess that I did not expect such a decision from them. But as I understand on the whole, the co-chairs did not spoke against this resolution, they showed resentment over its overall initiation. I think such voting should be assessed not as a voting of the co-chairing countries, but merely three countries -the United States, Russia and France. Anyway, the result should be taken into account.

-Then, are the appeals, voiced in Baku, regarding the need to change the co-chairing countries, justified?

-The Minsk process has several components. This is, primarily, the OSCE itself. The second is the Minsk Group, the third are the Minsk group co-chairs in the person of the mediating countries and the fourth is the community, representing these countries.

I do not quite understand what this protest is against and what is the object of criticism: whether it is the OSCE, or the Minsk Group, or the co-chairmen or their separate representatives.

I have always said that the Minsk process should be flexible. The situation around Nagorno Karabakh has changed and it should be confessed that there is a need for improvement of the Minsk process. This process is not something sacred or untouchable. This is just an instrument, owing to which the world society offered its assistance to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem 10 years ago and which should be changed depending on the current situation.

-How can Serzh Sarkissyan's presidency influence the negotiation process on Nagorno Karabakh problem?

-I was in Armenia last week and met with different state officials. They assured me at each meeting that great changes are expected in Armenia. There will be new ideas and new policy. This implies not only Nagorno Karabakh but also the overall policy. Anyway, this will also be connected with the Karabakh problem.

I think we are on the important stage when the mechanisms of talks should be intensified. And I do hope that Azerbaijan and Armenia will use it in the coming months. 

/Day.Az/