TODAY.AZ / Politics

Phased settlement to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict agreed

22 June 2016 [15:33] - TODAY.AZ

/By Azernews/

By Gulgiz Dadashova

The parties to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have agreed during the St. Petersburg meeting on a phased settlement to the conflict, said Novruz Mammadov.

"That is, from now on in the conflict resolution it is needed to move step by step – first liberation of five regions of Azerbaijan, then two more regions and identifying the corridor. Then comes definition of a status of Nagorno-Karabakh. In this regard, in principle, the two sides reached an agreement," Mammadov stated.

The commentary from the state has proved “positive” statements and opinions voiced by experts after the recent presidential summit, saying that real steps taken for the just solution of the conflict, erupted back in 1990s following Armenia’s territorial claims.

Mammadov, the deputy head of Azerbaijani presidential administration, chief of the administration's foreign relations department talking to local TV stated that at the St. Petersburg meeting the priority was given to a phased solution to the conflict.

However, a quick resolution to the conflict would be difficult given Yerevan’s ever-changing stance. Baku is still skeptical over Yerevan’s willingness to follow through on its agreements given its history of impeding the peace process and attempts to keep the status quo.

"This is agreement achieved for now," said Mamnadov, who does not exclude the possibility that the Armenian side as it was before takes steps provocative and refuses to fulfill this promise.

Baku has repeatedly stated that it may become impatient if it sees that the negotiations are drawn to no avail. If the peace talks will not be able to overcome strategic gap in the positions of the parties, it may trigger a war in the region.

President Ilham Aliyev, recently warning about the inadmissibility of ever-lasting status-quo stated that it is time to take concrete steps. “The occupier should be faced with very serious pressure, so that the issue is resolved peacefully,” he said in Baku, ahead of the June 20 meeting.

The Nagorno-Karabakh talks held in St. Petersburg between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents and mediated by the Russian president were deemed “useful” and “important” by observers, while Baku called it “constructive.”

The summit on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in St.Petersburg has created a favorable psychological atmosphere for further advancing the political process, believes Matthew Bryza, the former co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group US, former Assistant Secretary of State for South Caucasus.

Talking to Trend he said global change and a breakthrough in resolving the conflict was not expected after the meeting.

"But, the meeting consolidated the results achieved in Vienna on May 16. It was decided to increase the number of OSCE observers. In general, the fact that the meeting took place, it is certainly a positive fact, he said.

MP Aydin Mirzazade is also hopeful over the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying that the recent meeting raises hopes.

“Although no specifics of the meeting and agreements achieved are disclosed, still the fact that the talks held on a trilateral basis, that is with participation of Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian presidents and agreement on continuation of talks gives grounds to say that there were recorded progress in the process,” he said.

Mirzazade stressed that if Armenia again demonstrates non-constructive position in the negotiations to extend the status-quo, then Azerbaijan will have to think seriously about the next steps. "Azerbaijani side has already stated about this. Azerbaijan's position is clear. In no case, not an inch of its territory will be compromised to Armenia.’

Local expert Emil Huseynli also is sure that the St. Petersburg meeting will open new opportunities for the gradual settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The statement voiced by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on holding of a constructive discussions, shows that Armenia has realized the impossibility of preserving the status quo, said Huseynli.

"It is clear that the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia in particular, show a serious will for the prompt settlement of the conflict," believes Huseynli.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/152011.html

Print version

Views: 1027

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: