Presidents’ Moscow meeting will be a deal on what Armenia will get in exchange of return part of occupied lands to Azerbaijan: Azerros official

Q: What do you expect from the coming Moscow meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenia Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan?

A: If I am not mistaken, it is already 6th meeting of the heads of two states over the last year and it is very important. Previously, the meetings were not so frequent. This points to constant interest by Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve the problem and that the Minsk Group mediators, and, above all, Russia and the United States, have more interest in this.

Moscow and Washington require the conflict to be resolved in the shortest time possible. And the involvement of Turkey in this matter points to U.S. impact on it. I think the international community today is more interested in solving this problem. Therefore, I do not think that this will be the last meeting. I do not think that this meeting will be historic, but there is some progress occurring. Political scientists and experts from both sides interpret them differently. Of course, people in Armenia say that Madrid principles infringe their interests. This is the same case with those in  Azerbaijan. But the question could not be solved in a different way. Of course, some interests will be harmed. Otherwise, there will not be any compromise.

I think that earlier the talks were composed of three parts - the non-use of military force, the right of nations to self-determination and the principle of state sovereignty over the territories. But military component is now being discussed to a lesser extent. You can do this with the help of ministers of foreign affairs and defense.

Q: Is Armenia’s readiness for preliminary stage of resolution, that is, return of five regions, is being discussed?

A: There is a need to find a compromise between solution of the two other specified parts. I think that the question of the return foothill and lowland areas of Karabakh overdue and may well be resolved in the foreseeable future. Another question is that what compromises Armenia may require from Azerbaijan. I think that the presidents speak more frankly as they sometimes meet without mediators face to face. A more candid and more realistic. We do not know what they say and in what terms and we will hardly ever know it.

But it seems to me that there is  principle position on return of these territories to Azerbaijan. This position is held by Armenia as well. Otherwise its situation becomes hopeless.

I think that the meeting that will be held on July 17, roughly speaking, will be a deal on what Armenia will get in exchange of return part of occupied lands to Azerbaijan. I think that opening the border with Turkey is a vital issue for Armenia, but it is impossible to insist on this during a meeting with Azerbaijani president and it is not within the competence of Azerbaijan. It is not enough for Armenia and they want to win something and in the Karabakh conflict. Most likely, Sargsyan will insist on providing a temporary status of Nagorny Karabakh (the shorter the period the better it will be for Armenians) and the acceleration of the referendum on final status. If Sargsyan insists on this position, then he can call himself a winner in the eyes of the Armenian community.

/Day.Az/