Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Fikrat Sadigov.
The Armenian side has recently announced that it might recognize the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh as a sovereign entity. Do you think Armenia will take such a move?
I think that the Armenians are bluffing. This is real political bluff aimed both at domestic audience and public of Azerbaijan. They think having heard such threats, Azerbaijani public will be frightened and wait for Armenia to recognize the separatist entity.
Of course, Armenia is scared of those statement voiced by Azerbaijani leadership about the outbreak of hostilities if the peace talks bring no results.
I think that the Armenian side is disingenuous as usual seeking to give legitimacy to an absolutely lawless processes and phenomena that occurs in our region.
What consequences recognition of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh may have for Armenia?
I believe that even if Armenia formally declares recognition of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, it will a pure profanation. Not only its partners and allies, but entire world community will condemn Armenia for this move.
Moreover, if Armenia recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh, this would not be great loss for Azerbaijan because Nagorno-Karabakh is occupied Azerbaijani territory in any case.
Nagorno-Karabakh has already been de facto recognized by Armenia which originally stood behind all these events and supported and supplied the separatist Karabakh both materially and politically.
Also, the president and defense minister of Armenia periodically visit the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and hold meetings there. So, there is nothing new for us in this regard. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan should not leave it unattended and should draw the appropriate conclusions on the basis of norms and principles of international law and bring these issues into discussion of world community.
What response steps Azerbaijan can take if Armenia recognizes independence of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh?
There are four Security Council resolution which clearly state that the Armenian forces must withdraw from occupied Azerbaijani territories.
In the case of Armenia's recognition of independence of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry will need to raise this issue at the UN, in order to have one of the resolutions altered and have written there that the occupying party is not just Armenian armed forces, but the Armenian Republic. In addition to the fact that it does not admit it did it itself, but not through some of Armenian forces, it still ignores international documents that were once adopted and which clearly indicate the need for withdrawal of armed occupying forces from Azerbaijani territory.
Thus, the picture depicted above is not in favor of Armenia at all and will put the country in even more stupid and desperate situation.
In this case, Azerbaijan should also ask the UN General Assembly and Security Council and other European organization to convene. Azerbaijan will have to raise the issue of appropriate sanctions against Armenia as an aggressor state, which does not only fulfill earlier resolutions, plus flagrantly violates territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and ignores interests of the international community, especially those countries which are co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group.
