Holland Takes the Baton from Putin: Tarasov
Russian analyst Stanislav Tarasov published an article on Regnum—“Hollande takes the baton from Putin.” He mentions the well-known interview of Novruz Mammadov, deputy head of Azerbaijani presidential administration, that in St. Petersburg the sides agreed on phase-to-phase settlement, according to which the Armenian side will withdraw 5, then 2 provinces. Tarasov also stated that in recent two meetings, basically, presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their adherence to the 1994-1995 agreements, under which signatures of Yerevan, Baku and Stepanakert are found, from which the analyst supposes that at a certain phase Stepanakert will join negotiations. Stanislav Tarasov also reminded remarks by Edward Nalbandian, RA Foreign Minister, that an agreement on phase-to-phase settlement of the issue hasn’t been reached.
“From formal standpoint this corresponds to the reality, as the meeting launched in Russia’s northern capital, in fact, confirmed resolutions of Vienna summit, which, according to Nalbandian, “Will provide corresponding conditions on resumption of negotiations of issue settlement.” Thus, agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg, which seemingly should be enshrined upon a special agreement, bears technical, temporary nature, which will allow making a shift to more concrete negotiations of settlement.
By the way, Nalbandian uses the term “package settlement” on account of “Recognition of the right of sovereignty of Artsakhi people and clarification of its status by Azerbaijan.” According to Mammadov, phase-to-phase approach observes “Freeing of 5 provinces, then of 2, opening of the corridor and only after it clarification of NK status,”” Stanislav Tarasov wrote.
He also reminded another crucial accentuation, which refers to Azerbaijan-Russia relations: Mammadov intended to remember the very high level of Azerbaijan-Russia relations, remember that Russia may have a more decisive role within international law, in case, when although France and the USA are also Co-Chairs, they are relatively far from those processes.
By this, according to Tarasov Azerbaijan made an unsuccessful attempt. To draw a dividing line between the OSCE MG Co-Chairs. In his words such a reverence directed to Moscow by Baku means, that the Azerbaijani side is suspicious that Washington and Paris will play in favor of pro-Armenian scenario in NK conflict settlement. Although he also states that some Azerbaijani politicians continue claiming that Armenian diplomacy has failed throughout recent two decades. “However, only a blind and deaf person may fail to understand that practical implementation of Vienna-St. Petersburg agreements will qualitatively change the situation in the region, it narrows the possibilities to continue former course of conflict settlement between Baku and Yerevan.
Compromise between the sides is practically inevitable,” mentioned Tarasov, adding that such situation is existent, as presidents of Co-Chairs assumed a role.
He also stated that after the meeting in St. Petersburg, Paris expressed willingness to organize a meeting, and supposedly, the meeting will be held under leadership of François Hollande. Tarasov hopes that Barak Obama will also manage to organize a meeting before he leaves the office.
In his concluding remarks the Analyst states interview of Igor Popov, OSCE MG Russian Co-Chair, that OSCE specialists are busy developing documents on implementation of resolutions reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg summits, then reflection of Alexander Lukashevich, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the OSCE, regarding the fact that the documents will refer to installation of OSCE mechanisms on Karabakh conflict zone and expansion of the office of Andrzej Kasprzyk.
Prepared by Araks Martirosyan
