Why do Minsk Group Co-chairs Keep Silent?
“Obviously it’s an alarm, and by that the Armenian side attempts to hint both mediators and Azerbaijan that the issue is too close to its settlement, at least, by the part of Armenia. Even if the war resumes, and no one but Armenia will recognize it, surely, the only step the Armenian side may take, is recognition of Artsakh, to legalize its relations and mediation in Artsakh, ”Styopa Safaryan, founder and head of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA), told 168.am, touching upon RA draft bill on “Recognition of Artsakh Republic,” which RA Government will discuss on May 5.
According to S.Safaryan, Armenia hints, if the world doesn’t initiate anything and won’t suspend Azerbaijan, or Azerbaijan itself won’t stop, we’re going to face an even more complicated issue, than we had before, “Azerbaijan has already started complaining to international organizations. Yesterday Azerbaijani Defense Minister officially reflected to it, stating that, basically, Armenia eliminates Minsk mandate. Azerbaijan seems to become an indirect MG defender, however, we shouldn’t forget that elimination of MG mandate was exactly what Azerbaijan strived to, and in this case, despite it blames Armenia, it will be glad, if Armenia removed that mandate, and a new one was shaped within UNO, or even if not shaped, it will free its hands to restrain the war.”
Accordingly, the expert considers that Armenia shouldn’t lose soberness, “Not regarding the fact that it didn’t recognize Artsakh, but even if the time comes, it’ll clearly state that UNO mandate is spread on NKR, and by that Armenia doesn’t leave the negotiations, simply the status is changing.”
S.Safaryan stressed, that Azerbaijan itself realizes and announces, that recognition, like Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Byul Byul ogly warned Moscow, means there is no way out, but war, “Azerbaijan, on the one hand, currently attempts to increase pressure over Armenia, on the other hand, for it, surely it’s the change of a status quo, accordingly, it both warns Moscow on its actions, and the world, on the other hand, it puts guilt on the Armenian side.”
For the expert silence of MG Co-chairs is unusual, “It’s rather curious, that under such mobilization any preventive statement hasn’t been made by the MG. Russia also doesn’t implement anything, which recently stressed its importance in the conflict, accordingly, the situation is unusual. The issue is about to enter a deadlock and obviously this silence either means the mediators have no way out, or in this case as well the war will be accompanied with recognition. And what the territories will be like after the war, nobody may anticipate, however, this silence is a sign of acceptance, as we don’t observe any other developments.”
By Razmik Martirosyan
