Follow us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • AppStore
  • RSS
Azernews.Az
Friday January 15 2021
  • Latest
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Oil & Gas
  • Armenian Aggression
  • Nagorno-karabakh conflict
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Healthcare
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Travel
Home
  • Home
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Oil & Gas
  • Armenian Aggression
  • Nagorno-karabakh conflict
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Healthcare
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Travel

OSCE Minsk Group’s format changing on agenda

3 February 2015 18:28 (UTC+04:00)
4 910

By Sara Rajabova

The ineffectiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is tasked to broker the peace talks over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has been strongly criticized by politicians.

No breakthrough has been achieved over the resolution of the long-lasting conflict that emerged in 1988 over Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan, though the negotiations are underway through the mediation of OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries -the U.S, France and Russia for over two-decades.

The government officials and experts from different countries have accused the Minsk Group of following unsuccessful policy regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Meanwhile, the replacement and increase of the co-chairing countries’ number are the most commonly voiced ideas.

Azay Guliyev, Azerbaijani MP believes that the time has come for officially reviewing the composition of the OSCE Minsk Group and beginning discussion on its extension.

Guliyev, who is also Deputy Chairman of the OSCE PA’s Committee on Political Affairs and Security, said at parliament’s spring session that Azerbaijan has been in touch for 20 years with the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group but its composition has not had a positive impact on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He suggested Germany and Turkey’s including in the list of the OSCE Minsk Group’s co-chairing countries.

Stressing that Angela Merkel, Germany’s Federal Chancellor pledged her country's support in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Germany, Guliyev said it is necessary to take a moment to raise the issue of Berlin’s inclusion into the list of the Minsk Group’s co-chairs.

"The second proposal is to include Turkey, which is a strong state in the region," he added, noting that this country has certain features that may influence the settlement process of this conflict.

He also recalled Ankara’s statement noting that the opening of borders with Armenia depends on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I think that, until recently, all three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group supported Armenia. Therefore, it is necessary to revise the composition of the Minsk Group for creating a balance to ensure a fair position and I plan to raise the issue at the PACE winter session,” Guliyev said.

Turkish MP Sinan Ogan supported Guliyev’s suggestion on inclusion of Germany and Turkey in the list of the Minsk Group co-chairs.

He told Trend that the policy pursued by the Minsk Group is unsuccessful because there is a strong Armenian diaspora in the co-chairing countries.

Ogan noted that the problem should be resolved at the current stage, adding that to this end, a strong international organization is necessary. “Unfortunately, OSCE Minsk Group has completely lost its respect,” he said.

However, Matthew Bryza, Director of the International Centre for Defense and Security in Estonia and former U.S. ambassador in Azerbaijan said criticizing the Minsk Group for ineffectiveness is not fair.

“The co-chairs and the Minsk Group itself are consistently criticized for having not achieved anything. It is not true and it is not the way we look at it,” he told Trend.

Bryza said the framework has been finished since 2008, adding that there are the Madrid Principles that are absolutely workable compromises allowing Azerbaijan to restore its territorial integrity.

Touching upon Turkey and Germany’s inclusion in the list of Minsk Group co-chairing countries, he considered it as impossible.

There is absolutely no way that Armenia will ever accept Turkey as a mediator in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, according to Bryza. He added that Turkey is a country that Armenia is more afraid of it than any other.

Bryza further said Germany is not able to make a significant contribution to the settlement of the conflict, adding that the EU could make a lot of sense, since it is a partner of the U.S. and Russia.

Bryza believes a better idea would be to pull the Minsk Group out of discussion and encourage the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to talk to each other, noting that there is no need for mediators anymore and the sides can appoint separate mediators - someone that can be trusted to arrange the meeting.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

  • #OSCE MINSK GROUP
  • #NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Related News

Azerbaijan warns Armenia over illegal visits to Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan warns Armenia over illegal visits to Nagorno-Karabakh

11:20
Azerbaijan releases video from Imambinasi village in liberated Kalbajar

Azerbaijan releases video from Imambinasi village in liberated Kalbajar

17 December 2020 11:58
President sets up agency for coordinated solution of problems in liberated lands

President sets up agency for coordinated solution of problems in liberated lands

25 November 2020 12:54
Azerbaijani Justice Ministry department for Nagorno-Karabakh set up

Azerbaijani Justice Ministry department for Nagorno-Karabakh set up

23 November 2020 15:21
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry appeals to population of occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry appeals to population of occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region

27 September 2020 11:36
Armenia's illegal settlement in Azerbaijan's occupied territories military crime

Armenia's illegal settlement in Azerbaijan's occupied territories military crime

14 September 2020 11:03
Armenia’s environmental terror in occupied territories

Armenia’s environmental terror in occupied territories

7 September 2020 14:09
Armenia seeks to settle Lebanese Armenians to occupied Karabakh

Armenia seeks to settle Lebanese Armenians to occupied Karabakh

10 August 2020 13:59
International community condemns illegal elections held in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Karabakh <span class="color_red">[PHOTO]</span>

International community condemns illegal elections held in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Karabakh [PHOTO]

1 April 2020 20:04
NATO does not recognize so-called &quot;elections&quot; in Nagorno-Karabakh <span class="color_red">[PHOTO]</span>

NATO does not recognize so-called "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh [PHOTO]

1 April 2020 16:45
  • Latest
  • Popular
19:50 • OSCE Chairperson-in-Office appoints Special Representative for South Caucasus
19:35 • Azerbaijan announces starting date for COVID-19 vaccination
19:26 • Azerbaijani ombudsman visits persons detained during anti-terror operations in liberated lands
19:15 • Azerbaijan shows video footage from Gasimli village of Aghdam district [VIDEO]
19:00 • Azerbaijan discloses amount of compensation paid to depositors of closed banks
18:54 • Azerbaijani wagon washing station shows record performance following automation [PHOTO]
18:39 • Karabakh regional branch of Regional Development Public Association to operate in Shusha
18:26 • Azerbaijan reveals number of vessels repaired at 'Bibiheybat' Shipyard in 2020
18:10 • Schoolchildren gain their first achievement in 2021 with Azercell’s support
18:00 • President Aliyev: Great return to liberated lands begins [UPDATE]
18:00 • Rainless weather expected in regions
17:51 • Azerbaijan's medical authority talks effectiveness of Sinovac vaccine
17:40 • Azerbaijani FM meets with ICESCO Director General
17:27 • Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy to contribute to turning Karabakh into prosperous region
17:21 • First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva: I am very happy to be in our liberated ancient city of Shusha [VIDEO]
17:15 • Azerbaijani manat significantly undervalued against US dollar, study finds
17:05 • Country registers 349 new COVID-19 cases
17:00 • Azerbaijan shows video footage from Boyuk Marjanli village of Jabrayil district [PHOTO/VIDEO]
16:55 • Ukraine excludes Azerbaijan from list of dangerous countries due to COVID-19
16:48 • Precious metal prices up in Azerbaijan
11:20 • Azerbaijan warns Armenia over illegal visits to Nagorno-Karabakh
10:00 • Azerbaijan among TOP-5 happiest countries
18:00 • President Aliyev: Great return to liberated lands begins [UPDATE]
12:25 • Defence Ministry sapper units continue to demine liberated territories
16:12 • Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev forming new economic map of region
14:27 • TOTAL committed to joint projects with Azerbaijan despite France's biased position [PHOTO]
13:35 • Azerbaijan to build 37-storey building for its Central Bank
12:47 • Mud volcano erupts in Gobustan
13:10 • Albanian temples in previously occupied Azerbaijani lands transformed into Armenian Gregorian churches
12:30 • National judokas win silver medals in Qatar [PHOTO]
13:50 • ICESCO proposes to declare Shusha as capital of Islamic world [PHOTO]
11:59 • Azerbaijan's PM signs order on restoration of facilities damaged in Patriotic War
10:50 • Presentation of books on Azerbaijan's Karabakh in Kazakh language held [PHOTO/VIDEO]
15:45 • Azerbaijan Woman Awards to be held in Baku [PHOTO]
10:23 • Azerbaijani defence chief, Japanese envoy mull military cooperation
15:42 • FMs of Russia and Iran to discuss situation around Nagorno-Karabakh
11:38 • Azerbaijani FM meets with Prime Minister of Pakistan
10:36 • Currency rates for Jan. 15
14:50 • PASTPRESENTFUTURE solo-show of Azerbaijani Aida Mahmudova presented in New York
15:00 • Chief editor of Trend News Agency beats COVID-19, grateful to First VP Mehriban Aliyeva
See more
AzerNews Newspaper
AzerNews
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • RSS

Information

About us Contacts Advertising Azernews In Print

News Archive

© 2021 AzerNews. All rights reserved