The Azerbaijani political analysts predict a breakthrough in the solution of the Armenian -Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“I am convinced of Ankara’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is consistent and will remain so. I cannot imagine the Karabakh dispute to remain suspended while the Turkey-Armenia relations were being normalized. Taking into account the situation in the region, I think there will be a breakthrough in resolving the conflict,” Rasim Agayev, Azerbaijani independent political scientist, said at a roundtable on “The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish relations. Parallel processes or ….” on Sept.16
On Aug. 31, Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an agreement to launch “internal political consultations” to sign the Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on Development of Bilateral Relations, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported.
The political consultations will complete within six weeks. Afterwards, two protocols to be submitted for approval by the parliaments of two countries will be signed,” the same source added.
At present, Turkey does not plan to disclose the borders with the neighboring Armenia, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davudoglu said.
There are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and the borders have been closed since 1993.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.
According to Agayev, each country in the South Caucasus has its own opportunities. “The Armenians’ positions in the world are strong enough due to powerful Armenian lobby. However, Azerbaijan has strategic springboard and energy. At present, Armenia seriously relies on the improvement of the situation after opening borders and moves towards the resolution. Turkey, of course, must proceed from its national interests that are vast and varied. I am sure that Ankara’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh consistent is consistent and will remain so,” the political scientist said.
Armenians; efforts to achieve half-recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh will be the first step towards full recognition, independent political analyst, Zardusht Alizade, said.
“Regardless the content of the protocol, I believe the movements in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are hiding behind this. If this were an open declaration, then the government, disliked by more powerful political forces, would change in Armenia. We should expect the signing of a framework agreement in several months,” Alizade said.
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