Interview with Tadeusz Iwinski, head of the PACE external ties committees, Polish Seym deputy.
Q: There is an opinion that the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan is directly connected with the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. How can you comment on this opinion as a person who is well familiar with the situation in Azerbaijan and has recently observed elections to Milli Majlis?
A: I share this opinion. I think the more Azerbaijan moves in the direction of democratic reforms, the sooner this protracted conflict will be settled. I believe the November 7 parliamentary elections which I observed showed that Azerbaijan is moving in the right direction.
Q: Is the soonest resolution of the Karabakh conflict possible?
A: It is possible to attain the desired in case of the favorable developments, that is without additional tensions in the region, through continuation of a dialogue, diplomatic efforts on the resolution of all regional problems, including conflicts. Speaking about a dialogue, I mean not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also continuation of diplomatic efforts to establish a dialogue between Turkey and Armenia (in addition, the peace process on the Karabakh conflict can be influenced by the recent intensification of Turkey), as well as Georgia and Russia.
Q: Does it mean that other regional problems can influence the situation with the resolution of the Karabakh conflict?
A: Yes, and Iran can be called another factor of this kind. On the one hand, thanks to this problem, which is, undoubtedly, of geopolitical importance, the world community continues to pay an increased interest to the whole region and respectively the regional conflicts. In this sense, the Iranian problem is playing a positive role. On the other hand, the escalation of tensions around Iran with the further undesirable implications may have a negative impact on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
Q: How possible is the resumption of war between Azerbaijan and Armenia?
A: It is an extremely undesirable development. The events in neighbor of 2008 were the obvious proof of how this script may end. It is very difficult to attain something through force, even if the restoration of justice is at issue. I am familiar with the problems caused by the Armenian-Azerbaijani war. Being to chairman of the PACE commission on issues of migration and refugees, I have repeatedly visited the region and met with refugees.
Thus, the long-term resolution of the conflict can be achieved only peacefully. Therefore, this dialogue should continue to find political resolution. The resolution of the problem of liberation of occupied lands can occur only within the framework of the dialogue.
Lala B.
News.Az
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