Azerbaijani experts: OSCE Minsk Group's 'new ideas' must comply with international law

Azerbaijani political scientists believe that "new ideas" from the OSCE  Minsk Group tasked with resolving ongoing territorial conflicts between Azerbaijan and Armenia must comply with international law.

"New ideas" from the OSCE Minsk Group should reflect rational thought that corresponds to the basic norms and principles of international law," political scientist Fikret Sadikhov said.

OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Robert Bradtke said in an interview with the BBC this week that the co-chairs have "new ideas" to tackle the decades-long problem.

"Last week we familiarized Baku and Yerevan with these ideas. After that, we will once again visit the region in late September or early October."

According to Sadikhov, if the co-chairs' "new ideas" are related to an "appease Armenia and calm Azerbaijan" policy, then they will come to nothing.

"If the Minsk Group still cannot get a clear answer from Armenia about its proposal based on the Madrid Principles, I do not know how Armenia will respond to 'new ideas' put forward by the Minsk Group," Sadikhov said.

He said it seems that the Minsk Group and some international organizations are collecting resolutions on the subject.

"A very minimal and simple thing remains to be done - to put basic pressure on Armenia as an occupying power to liberate the occupied Azerbaijani territories," Sadikhov said.

Azerbaijani political analyst Rasim Agayev said that "if [the new idea] is radically new, then it should relate to the status of Karabakh."

"But suppose that we are talking about old ideas interpreted under a new situation. It always comes back to the manner of the old plan, which must be adjusted," Agayev said.

Agayev believes the 'new ideas' proposed by the mediators will cause apprehension among both or one of the parties.

"The catch is that if there are 'new ideas' the initiative must belong to one party - because if the party to the conflict itself is taking the initiative, it earns the public's trust, and its takes responsibility," Agayev said.


/Trend/