"It is impossible to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully today"

How would you assess the efforts of mediators to move Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the dead-end?

I have to admit that the question of maintaining status quo will dominate in the process of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. The fact is that the U.S. today is really making serious attempts to influence the situation. The U.S. officials recently visited the region. However, they are very cautious about the settlement process, particularly given Russia’s position. Apparently, softening of Russia's position towards nuclear sanctions against Iran prompted the U.S. to listen more attentively to what Moscow says on the post-Soviet area.   
 
During her recent visit to the region Hillary Clinton said what hosts wanted to hear from her while framing the position of United States on old track - level of democracy, strengthening of bilateral relations, etc., and did not give anyone any concrete promises. In fact, her task was to strengthen the anti-Russian trend among CIS countries. Hillary Clinton saw talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a ritual process. She left full of uncertainty.

In your opinion, does Russia have a real willingness to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Russia is not ready to resolve the conflict quickly, although it claims it can. Moscow seems to fail to understand how serious Turkey’s reorientation is. Russia intends to strengthen ties with Turkey. In turn, Ankara is concerned over the U.S. support for Baku. In such a confused situation status quo in the conflict is, of course, preferable to all the major players.

Are hostilities likely to be resumed?

It is clear that the Armenian army is too weak to resist Azerbaijani army. Therefore, Russia will have to take the side of Yerevan in the framework of the CSTO agreement. And it is clear that if there is military conflict, it will turn into a disaster in the region. Therefore, the Russian leadership hopes no war will take place. It must be admitted that the United States should also give its approval to outbreak of hostilities. 

How do you see the scenario of the next developments around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement?

I think no significant changes will happen in near future. Of course, it would be better if the issue is resolved peacefully, but this is impossible today.

What, except Armenia’s stance, does hinder it?

Unfortunately, world powers are playing their games. As soon as the United States steps up efforts in this matter, Moscow will do everything to maintain the status quo because it is not satisfied with Washington’s desire to replace it in the former Soviet Union as a regulator of various problems.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will pay an official visit to Yerevan in early August. Can this visit bring about some progress in terms of settlement of the conflict?

Most likely, the visit will not lead to serious progress.


/Day.Az/