Azerbaijani political expert: Armenia is a country with a sick mentality

What do you expect from a coming meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama?

Resolving the Karabakh is one of the aspect of global geopolitics. I have seen no changes in geopolitical alignment of forces in the region recently. Therefore, there are no prerequisites to change Washington's position on settlement of the Karabakh conflict. I think the United States will further support Armenia’s position of in resolution of the Karabakh conflict. No changes in this regard should be expected.

May re-organization of the OSCE Minsk Group help revive the organization?

I think replacement of co-chairs will not cause significant changes in the OSCE Minsk Group activities. There are proposals to change France for the EU. First, I do not think that the EU wants to get involved in this conflict, and secondly, the EU this is the same France.

Besides, I think, the OSCE Minsk Group copes with its tasks. They organize a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani sides as well as submit their proposals on the conflict. It should be noted that the main role in resolving the Karabakh conflict belongs to not to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, but to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Settlement of the conflict depends precisely on our positions.

Do you believe Armenia will ratify the Armenia-Turkey protocols before Turkey?

I do not think so. The fact is that the Turkish issue is more important for Yerevan than the Armenian issue for Ankara. The issue of reconciliation with Turkey is one of the most difficult for Armenia. On the other hand, Ankara has reiterated that it will not open borders with Armenia till it returns Azerbaijan’s occupied lands. Armenian-Turkish border might be opened if Armenia makes breakthrough in settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

OSCE MG co-chairs made quite optimistic statements on the outcome of the Munich talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents. What is the nature of these statements?

I think that the Minsk Group co-chairs make optimistic statements just because they get salaries. Whatever they say the negotiations depend almost on the parties to the conflict. Armenia is a country with a sick mentality, so the value of a position Azerbaijan holds is constantly growing. A lot will depend on what decision Azerbaijan will take.

Recently, media often reports that Armenia will return Azerbaijan’s seven occupied regions. How realistic is such a course of events?

I think we can talk about return of not seven, but five regions of Azerbaijan. After that borders may be opened and economic relations can be established between Baku and Yerevan. At that time while we fight with each other, the rest of the world works and develops. In short,  Armenia and Azerbaijan should be given a chance to peace.


/Day.Az/