Azerbaijani political expert: Armenia is major obstacle to settlement of Karabakh conflict

Recently, Mark Medish, Assistant to former U.S. president Bill Clinton said that settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict depends not only on Armenia and Azerbaijan. What are your views on this statement?

Much depends on the sides. But Armenia is major obstacle in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Assistant to former U.S. president is right in saying that today there is a situation which necessitates intervention of outside forces to revive the settlement process rather than a constant balancing of forces as the Minsk Group does.

Attempts to resolve the Karabakh conflict date back to the 90th. Former U.S. Secretaries of State Cyrus Vance and James Baker made efforts and visited the region at that time. Unfortunately, their participation was reduced to ensure that the parties to the conflict will negotiate peacefully, but the Karabakh issue remained frozen for a long time. Of course, such situation could not suit Azerbaijan. Later active efforts by Azerbaijan led to establishment of the OSCE Minsk Group which did not live up to expectations as the history showed.  
 
What can be alternative to the OSCE Minsk Group? Can it be re-organized?

I think it is high time for all participants of the Minsk Conference to convene. There is a need to make changes to staff of co-chairs or introduce a  principle of rotation. Many states are able to enter in the MG in Europe including Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. Turkey may also join the MG as it has recently intensified efforts in the region. It is clear that Russia and the U.S. will be the basis, but rotation or changes to the MG is necessary. This may bring certain dynamism to settlement of the Karabakh conflict and revive the process, because the MG fails to meet its tasks.

The West says that Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in Zurich are able to positively influence the Karabakh settlement. What is your opinion on this issue?

Signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols without taking into account Azerbaijan’s interests can not have a positive effect on settlement of the Karabakh conflict because it provides an additional advantage to Armenia.

But, following Azerbaijan’s reaction to the Zurich agreement, there was a rethinking of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Parties no longer ignore Azerbaijan stance as immediately after Azerbaijan announced diversification of energy supplies in search of new allies. Therefore, the Turkish parliament promises not to ratify the Armenian-Turkish protocols. All relations should be based on common interests. There will be no peace and security in the region without a solution to the Karabakh conflict.


/Day.Az/