Armenia needs tumult regarding Madrid principles to mislead world community: political expert

Day.Az: Publication of the Madrid Principles by the White House caused wave of discontent and resentment in Armenia. How this may impact the negotiation process?

Eldar Namazov: Officials in Armenia are very appreciative of the Madrid Principles and say that all the requirements by Armenia have been taken into account in these principles. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Armenia's three main demands, which include: security of Nagorno-Karabakh, security corridor linking Armenia and Karabakh and the right of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination through a referendum are reflected in the Madrid Principles.

I think some excitement in Armenia caused by dissatisfaction with the principles is linked with strained relations between the authorities and the opposition, or is an artificial one, aimed to mislead the world public opinion and try to obtain additional benefits in subsequent stages of the negotiation process.

Q: Do Madrid Principles  suit Azerbaijan?

A: I think that the some points in the principles are very dangerous and cause serious objection. Primarily, this relates to the fourth paragraph, which reads: “The right of Nagorno-Karabakh to express the will of the legally binding determination of final status.”

But everyone knows there was an ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijanis can not live there. Another point that Azerbaijan’s Constitution does not allow to hold referendum on such issues. Also, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were forcibly deported from Armenia just for the fact that at one time there was an idea of a plebiscite in Karabakh and Azerbaijani-populated areas in Armenia. Under these conditions, talking about how to determine Karabakh's status by referendum, of course, is not acceptable to Azerbaijan.

Q: What nature will the next meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to be held in Moscow on July 17 will have?

A: I think that this meeting will be hard. Much remains do to  about the Madrid Principles so that they are fully supported by Azerbaijan. I believe that organizing such meetings and discussions are very useful. The negotiations must continue, but the negotiations must clearly delineate the boundaries of those compromises which Azerbaijani side is ready to make. I think that the negotiations will not be easy. But the peaceful way does not suggest easy ways.

Q: Is it possible to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by military means at the current stage?

A: International law gives such guarantees to Azerbaijan. Each state has a right to protect its territories. Azerbaijan will never abandon its territories, of course, Azerbaijan is trying to resolve the conflict through peaceful negotiations, but not everything depends on Azerbaijan. I think no one has the right to expect that for the sake of preserving peace in the region Azerbaijan will be ready for the partition of its territories. Therefore, a military solution to the conflict, unfortunately, we can not exclude.

/Day.Az/