Russian expert: Kazakhstan will have no serious impact on resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

"Obviously, OSCE presidency is a matter of image for Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is simply unable to carry out any reform and put forward active initiatives in the OSCE. Not only because it lacks great geopolitical asset, but also because the OSCE countries do not expect Kazakhstan to do it. It is rather a kind gesture directed to all post-Soviet space,” the expert said.

“One should not forget that Kazakhstan will hold OSCE chairmanship for only 6 months, after which it will be handed over to another country. During this time, Kazakhstan will be able to hold a few advanced expert discussions involving policy makers at international level, but no more," Karavayev said.

"Other countries will not want to pass the palm of leadership in the negotiation process to Kazakhstan, and most likely welcome Astana’s attempts to contribute to settlement process. Even if Kazakhstan were provided with such an opportunity, it does not have appropriate resources to put pressure on Armenia, or, for example, deal with how Azerbaijan will be put into practice the highest degree of autonomy of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
 
“I do not think that Kazakhstan may have some special influence on the current status quo, and seriously impact the situation in favor of the resolution of the conflict," the expert added.

T. Teymur