Azernews.Az

A European Union official has expressed confidence that the Armenian leadership will realize that maintaining the status quo in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict forever is impossible.
Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, made the statement in an interview with Russian daily newspaper Vremya Novostey during a visit to Russia.
Semneby said, further, that Azerbaijan and Armenia have significantly advanced in discussing the mechanisms of the conflict settlement.
"Many issues have yet to be agreed regarding details. But I am confident that, if a favorable environment emerges, they can move forward further," the EU envoy concluded.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy part of Azerbaijani territory in defiance of international law. The OSCE-brokered peace talks have not yet resulted in a solution of the conflict.
Semneby said he could not give a specific answer as to which concessions can be made by Baku and Yerevan.
"Everything is clearly indicated in the Madrid principles. Certainly, the most complicated problems are hidden in the details, but the Madrid document reflects a decision on mutual concessions, while the most complex issues, including the determination of Upper Garabagh’s status, are postponed indefinitely."
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs brokering the peace process submitted a set of basic principles for the conflict settlement to the sides in November 2007. The peace outline calls for "the return of the territories surrounding Upper Garabagh to Azerbaijani control." It also covered "a corridor linking Armenia to Upper Garabagh", as well as a future determination of the final legal status of Upper Garabagh "through a legally binding expression of will" and the right of "internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence."
Baku says the occupied districts must be freed and Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the armed conflict in the early 1990s returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Regarding the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, Semneby said the reconciliation process opens up new opportunities for Garabagh conflict settlement. "This process fosters a positive dynamic," said the EU envoy.
Nonetheless, Semneby believes it is wrong to link the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement with Garabagh settlement. According to him, these are two separate conflicts and linking them could again close the doors opening up for mending ties.
"At the same time, it is clearly seen that tangible tension in one of these conflicts immediately affects the overall environment. It should be ensured that these processes positively affect one another."
Turkey and Armenia face decades of enmity due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and genocide claims. In a bid to normalize ties, the two governments signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders on October 10. However, the documents require ratification in both countries’ parliaments, and Ankara has made clear that it could normalize ties with Yerevan only after the Garabagh conflict has been fairly settled.
Semneby said parliamentary approval of the Armenian-Turkish protocols cannot be guaranteed but added he is "confident that this will happen."
The EU official believes that ratification of the documents meets the interests of both countries.
"This is an issue of vital importance for Armenia. Turkey did not start the process due to its well-wishing attitude, it meats its interests, as well. This step is one of the first examples of Turkey’s new policy toward neighboring states. Certainly, taking into account Azerbaijan’s interests and how Azerbaijanis will react to this is important for Turkey. But, sooner or later, this process will end in a way that complies with Turkish interests."
Semneby said being in conflict with Armenia restricts Ankara’s potential clout in the South Caucasus region. Normalizing relations with Yerevan will open up new opportunities, strengthen security in the volatile region and improve economic relations, he added.*