Experts highlight positive mood in Karabakh peace talks
By Rashid Shirinov
International community and mediators recently show more interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, believes Mikhail Neyzhmakov, political expert & head of the Center for International Politics at the Institute of Globalization and Social Movements (IGSM).
Neyzhmakov, talking to Trend, however said that it is early to talk about a noticeable breakthrough in the conflict resolution.
The expert went on to say that the preparation for major international agreements can take much time.
“Let’s recall the West-Iran talks on lifting the sanctions which successfully completed after a certain period of time. As for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, various ways of the conflict settlement are being rather discussed,” he said.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow hopes to more clearly define the further steps towards the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Refusing to disclose the details of the meetings on the Nagorno-Karabakh for ‘known reasons’, Lavrov said it is necessary to be careful towards those “sprouts of hope” so that not to hamper the progress.
“But there are grounds to presume that currently we are closer to success than ever before,” he added.
For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict which emerged over Armenia's territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor. 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.
Over the entire period of its existence, the OSCE Minsk Group, which acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, failed to move forward in resolving the long lasting conflict.
Meanwhile, Sergey Markov, Russian president’s confidant, member of the Russian Public Chamber claimed that the intensification of talks on Nagorno-Karabakh will lead to a serious breakthrough in solving the conflict in the near future.
Markov said that the frequent meetings and negotiations of the world leaders can result in de-occupation of Azerbaijani territories in exchange for unblocking Armenian borders.
“Armenia will withdraw from territories around Nagorno-Karabakh and the first Azerbaijani families will be able to return to their ravaged houses this year,” Markov said.
The expert stressed that the intensification of diplomatic contacts testifies that real, intensive negotiations are being held. “Azerbaijan and Armenia will sign an agreement soon,” he said, adding that the details of the reconciliation are being discussed.
While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.
Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.
---
Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz