Azernews.Az

BAKU – Many analysts consider the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh the most dangerous conflict in the region. It poses a greater threat than the South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria disputes, an expert at the Chatham House think tank in London says.

James Nixey said, however, that Western attention is focused not on Karabakh, but on Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"As an expert on the Caucasus, I think this is bad, but at the same time I have to admit that compared to other regions of the world, Karabakh is very small. It is no good that the West is not paying attention to it, and, unfortunately, this requires something terrible to happen there, as was the case in Rwanda, Kosovo or Iraq," Nixey said. He believes the West would focus on the Karabakh conflict only in case of bloodshed.

Nixey sees no point in peace talks currently underway with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France.

"There is a process dubbed the Minsk process which is dead. It would be better for the European Union to be involved in it instead of France. But this wouldn't be enough either. To resolve the conflict, both parties should be willing to put an end to it, be self-critical and comprehend each other’s stance."

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994. About 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, is under the occupation of the Armenian armed forces. Peace talks have been largely fruitless so far.