Interview with expert at Azerbaijan-based Lider TV Tofiq Abbasov.
Day.Az: What are your views about the Munich meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian president?
Tofiq Abbasov: Western press widely highlighted the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict prior to the Munich meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents. Some articles and comments even discussed likelihood of Azerbaijan’s conducting operation to compel Armenia to peace.
It is not accidenal at all. Most recently, at a meeting with a group of refugees and internally displaced persons Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the negotiations to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh must have not a formal, but specific nature. The Azerbaijani president once again demonstrated commitment to assertion the just position of his country which implies that the conflict can be settled only within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
On the other hand, the Azerbaijani leader made it clear that he aims to secure tangible steps towards resolving the problem. Apparently, Munich meeting is seen as effective as a result of the unambiguous and clear position. Because there is every reason to speak not about an imaginary, but tangible breakthrough.
Q: What concrete steps can be taken in order to turn this breakthrough into actual steps for a just settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: The peace process has been delayed by Armenia which has always demonstrated a commitment to outright obstruction. Suffice it to recall how Armenian negotiators made a fuss, protracted discussions on agenda of negotiations and repeatedly returned to the previously negotiated issues under various pretexts. Of course, such an imitation of the talks can not last forever. It is high time for the Armenian side to decide on fundamental matters.
The solution of the conflict should begin with withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. Only after this, follow-up questions, including the status can be decided.
Q: Is the Armenian leadership able to explain to citizens that it is no longer possible to protract negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: I think that not only the Armenia leadership, but also Armenian society understands that the negotiations have been overly protracted. Maybe, Armenia has certain hopes and illusions that Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will postpone the Karabakh issue for long term or powerful countries will maintain their incompliance constantly. But this will not happen.
Diplomatic pressure by Azerbaijan undermines fundamental basis of Armenia’s platform. Arguments of the Armenian diplomacy is no longer tenable. This was possible due to the fact that Azerbaijan’s leadership took a wise stance in negotiations and succeeded to combine the Karabakh problems and Turkish-Armenian reconciliation in a single context.
President Ilham Aliyev at a recent meeting with the displaced persons noted Azerbaijan’s obvious superiority in defense and economic spheres and country’s demographic potential, which meant at the right moment that Azerbaijan is able to tip the scales in its favor not only in the negotiating table. I believe not only Yerevan appreciated this imperative in a duly manner…
This also shows that Azerbaijan is not just ready for a forceful solution to the conflict, but also to a long war, which is the not the same case with Armenia. Therefore, if we exclude possibility of repetition of 1999 events which saw shooting in the Armenian parliament, one can expect that the Armenian leadership simply have to accept conditions referred to by the Azerbaijani leader. The reason is realities, that is lack of alternative which Armenia faces today.
Day.Az
