Russian expert: Negotiation process is only solution to Nagorno-Karabakh problem
By Rashid Shirinov
The negotiation process is the only and correct format for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
A well-known Russian expert Vyacheslav Smirnov made the remarks in an interview with Day.Az on February 25.
He noted that certain intensification in the negotiation process has recently come from the international mediators of the OSCE Minsk Group.
“The recent visit of the Minsk Group co-chairs to the region has showed that the member countries of the international structure are making efforts to give impetus to the negotiation process and direct it in a positive direction,” the political scientist said.
He added that intensification in the negotiation process is necessary, and after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia, the parties must continue constructive negotiations.
“I believe that Russia, as the main moderator of the negotiation process, playing a leading role in the OSCE Minsk Group, will continue to take steps in this direction, urging the parties to effectively discuss the problem on the basis of the Madrid principles,” Smirnov also noted, recalling the need for a phased solution to the conflict.
The Madrid Principles were proposed to Azerbaijan and Armenia by the OSCE Minsk Group back in 2007. The principles stipulate a gradual settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In particular, they envisage the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied areas adjacent to the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, provision of an interim status for the region and future determination of its final legal status. Moreover, all internally displaced persons and refugees, who account for more than a million of Azerbaijan’s population, should return to their former places of residence, according to the Madrid Principles.
Smirnov also expressed his opinion on the change in the status quo on Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that Azerbaijan notes the inadmissibility of the status quo and the international mediators also consider this a necessary step for the settlement of the conflict.
“I believe that the status quo must be changed, but for this the Armenian armed forces must be withdrawn from the territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with the requirements specified in the resolutions of the UN Security Council,” the expert concluded.
Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on the country. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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