Interview of Chief of Political and Military Analysis Department of the Institute and assistant professor of Russia State Humanitarian University Sergei Markedonov to Day.az.
-How do the results of the negotiations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia held in Saint-Petersburg should be evaluated?
– I think that there are no unexpected changes. They decided to continue the negotiations. To be honest, as an expert I didn’t expect any big successes and breaks, as there were no compromises to be proposed.
– Are the people who believe that the next meeting of the presidents will have successful results right?
– They are not right! The question is always banal. What do they base on while coming to this conclusion? You know, before asserting you need to have any fact basis. So what do they base on? On 2 hours meeting between the presidents held in Prague? But it is very little for talking about any break or change.
– What do u think about possible meeting of Ilham Aliyev and Serj Sarkisyan in July? Cochairmen stated that both presidents had given their consents.
– I think that this meeting will not give any big results either. I can explain why. A negotiation is a process of professional diplomats who achieves any kind of compromises cynically and easily. Presidents do not hold negotiations.
To be honest, this format can seem quite weird and it doesn’t regard only to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Everyone has his own profession. The duties of a president are to take responsibility in a difficult moment for the country, cover important decisions for his nation with authority.
– Which co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group makes more efforts for solution of this conflict- USA or Russia? It seems like France is more passive.
– I wouldn’t say that France is passive. Each has its own recourses and they are unlimited. This is a huge illusion that Washington or Moscow can solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Washington or Moscow can only help to solve this problem. Or they can somehow limit the negotiation process. That is a fact that there are no negotiations with abstract goals. This is also one of the fundamental principles of diplomacy. Consents is not reached as some guys do want real peace between nations.
There are national interests. Now Nagorno-Karabakh quo status suits Russia and USA. But they have different reasons. But in general, their interests meet. Thus right or wrong Russia and USA are doing something.
– Do you agree with the statement of one of the candidates for Iran presidency Mohsena Rezai that “the activeness of Iran in foreign policy can guarantee substantial break in the regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”?
– First of all we should take into consideration that June 12 is Presidential Election Day in Iran and this statement was made during the campaign. Besides, I think that the keys for the solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are not in Tehran for the same reason that they are not in Washington or Moscow either. The other question is any of 4 candidates for presidency of Iran share the same values that Iran needs to be having a voice in the concert of Caucus-Near East.
day.az
