Russian politicians comment on possible appointment to post of new OSCE MG Russian co-chair

Aleksei Vlasov, Director of Post-Soviet Area Studies Center:

“The question has not been resolved yet. It is of great importance in terms of figure who will participate in making significant and important strategic decisions. So, perhaps this appointment has not been decided yet. Therefore, this information has not yet been confirmed nor refuted. I think this matter will be cleared up in the next few days.”

Sergey Markedonov, Deputy Head of Political and Military Analysis Institute and associate professor at State Humanitarian Institute:

 “I do not know whether this substitution will take place. I also do not think this is somehow important geopolitical event. Most likely it will be technical. In any case, whoever will be co-chair of the Minsk Group from Russia, it will not mean a dramatic shift in the activities of the Group and Russia’s attitudes towards the Karabakh conflict settlement.”

Alexander Karavayev, Russian political expert and head of Political Forecasting Center for Post-Soviet Area Studies:

“This is really a technical thing related to the fact that the staff issue hs not been decided yet. Replacement is likely to take place in the second half of 2009. The very practice of appointing Russian diplomats shows that this is very long process which requires many inter-coordination and principal decisions. Indeed, the activities, which the Minsk Group is involved with, are very important for Russia. There is a need for a professional expert who will be able to adequately perform the job. But there are no so many people in Russia. In any case, there are people and this simply requires a certain choice.

Some rumors had it that Grigory Karasin will be appointed to this post as his job performance in the Foreign Ministry are highly appreciated by Russian observers and experts. He was even nominated to the post of Russian ambassador to Ukraine. I remember Former Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasily Istratov as other candidate.

I think his work in that capacity has been quite successful and his is “talked about” in terms of Karabakh problem and situation in the South Caucasus. Activities of the Minsk Group are diplomatic work and I think a professional career diplomat will be appointed all the same.”  

/Day.Az/