Interview with Alexander Cornelissen, former head of the OSCE Office in Baku.
Q: Can you share your impressions of the first international symposium of international relations scholars held recently in Baku?
A: I think such conferences are very important. Such events, which gather representatives from all over the world - Europe, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan and elsewhere - promote better perception of Azerbaijan and the problems the country is facing.
Q: How would you describe the role of Azerbaijan, which is recognized as the regional leader?
A: Azerbaijan is really a very important country in the region. For example, you have very close relations with Georgia. I hope we will once again see the South Caucasus as a region of comprehensive cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, for which Baku is striving. I think this is the right diplomacy. In the end, this rapprochement will happen. It may happen in 10 or probably 20 years, but it will happen.
Q: Do you really think that the antagonism in relations between Azerbaijanis and Armenians will be reduced to naught in this time?
A: Certainly, I can even give an example: imagine that in 1942-1943, the time of the Second World War, you are talking to an ordinary Frenchman about his opinion of the Germans and, vice versa, you are interested in the opinion of a German about the French, and you even say that they will soon co-exist in a single community - the European Union. Both would be sure to say “this is impossible” but it happens.
Q: Considering Armenia’s unwillingness to make compromise, it is hard to believe in an imminent resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
A: I think all problems will be settled in the long-term. This requires good will, motivation and hard work.
U.U.
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