Azerbaijani MP: This is another bluff by Armenia

Given ongoing negotiations to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, how do you assess main points to address this issue? In your opinion, do they meet Azerbaijan’s interests?

Formally, essence of the Madrid principles, under which the Karabakh conflict is being resolved, can be summarized in three points: restoration of territorial integrity, recognition of people's right to self-determination and security guarantees for the Nagorno-Karabakh population.

The first principle meets Azerbaijan’s interests since it implies restoring Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

As to the second principle, I can say that Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that residents of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region’s Armenian and Azerbaijani communities have been able to decide their own future within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. This means that Nagorno-Karabakh will be able to obtain status of high autonomy within Azerbaijan.

Concerning the third principle, Azerbaijan is ready to give security guarantees to the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh within Azerbaijan.

Speaking chronologically, stepwise model of the Madrid principles implies return of Azerbaijan’s seven regions first of all. Later,  Azerbaijani refugees will return to Karabakh paving a way for recovery of the ethnic structure of the region. Only after that the Nagorno-Karabakh population will have a chance to self-determination within Azerbaijan, which, as has often been noted, may help the region to attain high status autonomy.

All forces in Azerbaijan share this position. If the Madrid principles suggest resolution of the Karabakh problem under this model, it will suit Azerbaijan.

In your view, should Azerbaijan set time limit in terms of progress in settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

It is difficult to discuss this topic. I think if time limit is set, Azerbaijan will have to start a war in case its requirements are not met. To do this, Azerbaijan must be prepared in two ways. Firstly, combat readiness of the Azerbaijani army, and, secondly, work on the international arena. This paragraph implies that in case of outbreak of hostilities, world's states will support Azerbaijan or at least will maintain their neutrality and not support Yerevan. If these conditions are met, Azerbaijan will be able to recover its territory.

However, Azerbaijan does not want victims, and will seek to resolve the Karabakh issue peacefully. So, Azerbaijan's setting time limit for Armenia’s withdrawal from occupied lands is formal. I believe Azerbaijan will start a war in event peaceful settlement of the conflict lacks progress.

Yerevan openly expressed dissatisfaction with Ankara's delaying ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. In your opinion, may Armenia withdraw from the protocols given the fact that Armenia is set to make amendments to the law on international treaties that provide for withdrawal of country’s signature from them?

I think Armenia will not make such a move. This is just another bluff by Yerevan.

But if Armenia finally takes such a step, it will deal a blow to country’s international credibility.

Frankly, I think that by such threats Armenia is trying to encourage world powers to pressure on Ankara on the Armenian issue.

Z. Ahmadov