Russian expert on trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian presidents in St. Petersburg

It is argued that the United States has paid much attention to relations with Azerbaijan lately. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Azerbaijan recently and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is going to trip to Azerbaijan in early July. In your opinion, what is the aim behind these high-level visits?

I believe this is not what they say paying much attention. Simply Americans seek to eliminate disbalance that appeared in relation to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan occupies a significant place in the region as frequently confirmed by American media. Seeing that Baku and Moscow have become closer as of late, the United States tries not to lose foothold in the region and eliminate the current disbalance.

May these measures impact resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or accelerate it?

International Economic Forum has got underway in St. Petersburg. Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia held a trilateral meeting to talk about the Karabakh conflict. There is a need to reach progress in this regard. However, the sides have failed to do so. Nothing serious will happen in near future. Media in St. Petersburg reported that the visit of Robert Gates to Baku was related to speedy resolution of the Karabakh conflict and possible deployment of peacekeepers in Azerbaijan. I personally do not believe in this because peacemakers are not needed there.

Armenian media released the same reports claiming that Russian president will submit a new plan on conflict resolution to the Armenian leadership during his upcoming visit to Armenia. The new plan ostensibly provides for liberation of three occupied regions of Azerbaijan…

When I read about it, I was very surprised. It is impossible to deploy peacekeepers, particularly Americans, near areas that border with Iran. It is increasingly difficult to deploy peacekeepers in territory of other state especially in case of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Personally, I do not believe in this alleged plan of Russia.

Russia is more active among the three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. In your view, does Moscow really want to resolve the conflict?

On one hand, both conflicting sides and co-chairs want to make efforts to get the conflict resolved as soon as possible. On the other hand, all parties except for Azerbaijan have a reason not to do this. In other words, on one hand, conflict hinders many things; on the other hand it opens up some opportunities to co-chairing countries in terms of politics.

Azerbaijani parliament passed a Military Doctrine a couple of weeks ago. According to Armenian media, this move was seen in Armenia as a next step towards forceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Do you share this view?

I do not think so. It is not 1990s when it was possible to rapidly start a conflict. This conflict is of great importance for the international community, and today it is no so easy to initiate military action.

I think that we will see some progress in the settlement process. Analysis shows that this year the conflict resolution should move forward. Some steps will be taken, but this does not mean that they would produce a final solution.

/Day.Az/