"Armenian population of Karabakh should accept Baku's proposal"
Warsaw Professor Zasztowt talks to Caliber.Az
INTERVIEWS 23 January 2023 - 18:58
Huseyn Safarov Caliber.Az |
The appearance of the Russian oligarch Ruben Vardanyan in Karabakh and his further actions raise many questions, according to the Professor of the Middle East and Caucasus Studies Department of Warsaw University, Konrad Zasztowt. However, it is clear that the task of this “State Minister” is to influence the process of the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Commenting on the current situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani track for Caliber.Az, the Polish scientist said, that “Of course, Russia has its troops in Karabakh and in the South Caucasus region in general. However, the military potential of the Russian army, which is currently involved in the war against Ukraine, has been exhausted, so Moscow is not able to carry out any serious political, military and diplomatic activities in other areas. On the other hand, Moscow is still trying to use some form of influence in the Karabakh region. The presence of Russian businessman Ruben Vardanyan in Khankendi, for example, raises a number of questions. Probably, Vardanyan is one of the last instruments of influence on the political situation in both Azerbaijan and Armenia”.
As per Zasztowt, Baku and Yerevan must continue the difficult negotiations in order to fully resolve the issue.
“For thirty years after the First Karabakh War, we have witnessed the negotiation process and we know that all efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to settle the conflict have not yielded any positive results. However, the main problem is not only the position of both sides in the negotiations, but also the different interests in the regional politics of the intervening geopolitical forces. In particular, Russia and even some European countries are interested in the status-quo on the Nagorno-Karabakh [Karabakh region of Azerbaijan] issue, rather than solving problems between the two sides. For the Kremlin, Karabakh has always been a serious lever of pressure on the authorities of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Moscow, therefore, interferes with the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
At the same time, no other state except Russia can seriously influence Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, yet ever since Moscow started the war in Ukraine, official Baku and Yerevan have ignored the words and statements of Russia and other mediators. The question is whether both sides will take full advantage of this opportunity. Azerbaijan has more military advantages than Armenia, yet Baku is trying to resolve the issue peacefully. The Armenian population of Karabakh should consider this attitude a positive signal and accept the Baku's proposal as a guarantee of lasting peace. However, one will have to go a long way to find a common language”, our interviewee is convinced.
At the same time, the expert is confident that the European Union, Türkiye and the United States can contribute to the establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Karabakh.
The US and the EU can help the peace process, but Washington and Brussels are unable to resolve the main issues related to the situation in Karabakh. In any case, direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia is very important. Türkiye and Georgia, as countries of the region, can also make a positive contribution to resolving the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and ensuring peace in the region. A peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan could give a positive impetus to the opening of borders, the transport of transit goods, the free movement of people, the establishment of business relations and the development of tourism. This will ultimately lead to a safe and secure life for all the people of the South Caucasus. The conclusion of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will solve many problems in the region”, Zasztowt summed up.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Iran re-evaluating its ties with Azerbaijan, Armenia Baku - more important, honest partner than Yerevan
25 April 2024 - 12:00
|
2
|
Armenia returns four villages to Azerbaijan, paving the way for peace in the South Caucasus Landmark accord
23 April 2024 - 09:14
|
3
|
Mark Rutte seeks Türkiye's backing for new job A new pair of hands
24 April 2024 - 16:55
|
4
|
"Peoples of South Caucasus should resolve their differences independently" Foreign analysts on Caliber.Az
24 April 2024 - 17:40
|
5
|
Armenian PM's Moscow visit sparks speculation on bilateral relations Dilemma between East, West
23 April 2024 - 11:19
|
One international destination everyone wants to go to this summer
25 April 2024 - 23:00
Azerbaijani leader's plane makes its maiden voyage from Fuzuli to Berlin
25 April 2024 - 20:59
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan forge closer ties during high-level meetings
PHOTO/VIDEO25 April 2024 - 20:53
Russia’s Putin to visit China
25 April 2024 - 20:45
Azerbaijani tourism agency granted membership in Global Sustainable Tourism Council
25 April 2024 - 20:37
Azerbaijani parliament condemns EP's biased resolution on human rights
25 April 2024 - 20:25
Putin calls on large businesses to traditionally take part in SPIEF 2024
25 April 2024 - 20:19
Iranian defense minister heads to Astana for SCO defense ministers' meeting
25 April 2024 - 19:59
Türkiye neutralises over 800 terrorists since early 2024
VIDEO25 April 2024 - 19:43
European Parliament urges member states not to consider Russian elections legitimate
25 April 2024 - 19:24
How Iran covers up damage from Israel’s strikes?
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 19:05
Palestinians retrieve 392 bodies from 3 mass graves in Gaza’s Khan Younis
25 April 2024 - 18:46
Iran to launch missiles anywhere in Israel if necessary, general warns
25 April 2024 - 18:27
Twenty border markers installed between Azerbaijan & Armenia
Delimitation progress25 April 2024 - 18:18
Dozens detained at protests in Armenia
25 April 2024 - 18:08
Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan expanding cooperation in space industry
25 April 2024 - 17:49
Controversial Nobel Peace Prize nominee Vardanyan faces int’l scrutiny & opposition
A closer look at actions contrary to peace & humanitarian efforts25 April 2024 - 17:31
Iran builds up military power by showing off advanced Bavar-373 air defence system
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 17:15
Presidents of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan visit Fuzuli, Aghdam cities
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 17:05
Lukashenko blames opposition and NATO: They want to take a district in Brest region by force
25 April 2024 - 17:00
Top Israeli, Egyptian officials secretly meet to discuss possible Rafah invasion
25 April 2024 - 16:41
Energy leading to peace
Proceeding from Azerbaijani President’s speech in ADA25 April 2024 - 16:22
“It would be a big mistake if Armenia used the support gained from the EU against Azerbaijan”
Amashov’s impromptu interview with Ambassador Sharp25 April 2024 - 16:16
Armenian Parliament speaker says legitimate border crucial for peace with Azerbaijan
25 April 2024 - 16:07
New mass grave discovered in Khojaly
Investigation underway / PHOTO25 April 2024 - 15:51
Port of Baku: the Eurasian trade hub working to expand and accelerate growth
Article by Euronews / VIDEO25 April 2024 - 15:39
Hybrid warfare being waged against Armenia, official says
25 April 2024 - 15:24
Azerbaijani police discover cache of weapons in Khankendi, linked to Armenian forces
25 April 2024 - 14:58
Zakharova slams Armenian media for distorting Russian leadership’s statements on Baku-Yerevan ties
25 April 2024 - 14:44
Baku, Budapest cement economic ties, sign protocol
25 April 2024 - 14:27
Yerevan ready to discuss gas purchase with Baku – Armenian Speaker
UPDATED25 April 2024 - 14:15
Azerbaijan set to take bold steps vis-à-vis climate change - minister
25 April 2024 - 14:09
Official: Hamas would lay down its weapons if two-state solution implemented
25 April 2024 - 13:54
Türkiye captures nearly 3,000 Islamic State suspects in 10 months
VIDEO25 April 2024 - 13:40
Blinken tours China to promote some ties
25 April 2024 - 13:26
Azerbaijani presidential aide showcases Fuzuli's rebirth in stirring social media video
25 April 2024 - 13:15
Media: China harbours ship tied to North Korea-Russia arms transfers
25 April 2024 - 13:11
Western Azerbaijan Community condemns US human rights report as discriminatory
25 April 2024 - 12:58
Israeli Air Force strikes dozens of targets in Gaza
VIDEO25 April 2024 - 12:43
Hungary prepares to participate in Karabakh's reconstruction
25 April 2024 - 12:29