Interview with Rasim Musabeyov, parliament deputy, political scientist.
Q: May Russia’s initiatives in holding meetings of presidents and foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia be effective in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict?
A: Naturally, Russia is familiar with the situation more than other Minsk Group co-chairing states. In addition, unlike other Minsk Group co-chairing states Russia neighbors with the conflict parties and is familiar with the processes in this region better than others. All the same Russia is Armenia’s strategic partner and simultaneously, it intends to raise relations with Azerbaijan to the level of strategic partnership. Naturally, Russia had no chance to be beyond these processes. Russia is always inside these processes.
All the same, Russia’s interest in this conflict is the preservation of status quo and in case of definite achievements in the resolution of the problem, it is interested in not weakening or preserving relations with the sides, but their strengthening that is to make that no one turns his back to Russia. Russia has not yet been able to find such a formula, but it continues efforts to achieve it.
Q: What has caused Moscow’s interest in holding such a meeting in early 2011?
A: The situation around Nagorno Karabakh is not passive. On the background of no results in the negotiation process, intensive armament occurs, military preparations are held in open and military threats are growing. If negotiations do not yield any results, do not create a hope, the situation will end in military actions, which in turn raises risks in the region. Naturally, in the established conditions Russia seeks to make definite initiatives, involve the conflict parties to a definite process. I do not say that such meetings may create a certain jump in solving the problem, but anyway, the process will lead the conflict parties somewhere.
Q: The observers have formed an opinion about the great interest and sincerity of Medvedev, unlike Putin, in the attainment of peace in Karabakh settlement. Does this assessment meet the real situation?
A: We should not search sincerity in such issues. I do not think people, participating in these negotiations, seriously discuss issues in a sincere form. But I do not feel that the current Russian president is more interested in the resolution of the conflict, more than Putin. Anyway, Azerbaijan sees difference in Medvedev and Putin’s approaches in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. It is obvious that Medvedev is more optimistic in the results of talks while Putin is pessimistic and supports preservation of current status quo.
Q: Is there a hope for a breakthrough in Karabakh solution in 2011?
A: I have not fully lost my hope. All the same I want to note that this hope decreased compared to the last year. By my estimates, the possibility of a breakthrough in Karabakh settlement in 2011 is lower than in 2010. Unfortunately, I would like to note that we will further observe raising military tensions. However, I find it difficult to say that it will resume hostilities but the situation is fixed in this very direction.
Lala B.
News.Az
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