A favorable condition has been established for Armenian diplomacy in negotiations: Alexander Rahr
“The statement issued by OSCE MG was balanced,” Alexander Rahr, German political scientist, told 168.am reflecting to the statement issued by OSCE MG these days. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States), released a statement linked to the incident near Chinari village on December 29.
“Baku and Yerevan continue to accuse each other of a December 29, 2016 attempted incursion on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resulting in casualties. Armenian Armed Forces are still holding the body of an Azerbaijan serviceman killed in the fighting.
Violations of the ceasefire are unacceptable and are contrary to the acknowledged commitments of the Parties, who bear full responsibility, not to use force. The Co-Chairs urge the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to strictly observe the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016, including obligations to finalize in the shortest possible time an OSCE investigative mechanism,” the Co-Chairs stated.
Reflecting to the comments that the statements was unilateral, as it contained a hint addressed to Armenia with the content of returning the body of Azerbaijani saboteur, Alexander Rahr stated that on the whole, balance was maintained in the statement. According to him, there were messages both for Baku and Yerevan.
“At the moment Yerevan has the possibility to insist on installation of investigative mechanisms, on account of the Co-Chairs’ call addressed to Yerevan on return of the corpse of the saboteur. Allegations on how the saboteur appeared on that part of the border are grounded as well, aren’t they? It isn’t a secret for any mediator which side is demanding in this conflict and threatening with war, however, as long as there are no facts, the Co-Chairs attempt to avoid from accusatory diplomatic language, as it may more sharpen the situation on the contact line, stirring Baku’s anger, which may be reflected in negotiations.
To solve this very issue OSCE MG intends to install those mechanisms to reflect to the incidents in a targeted manner. However, I consider, the part of the statement referring to the necessity of installation of investigative mechanisms and implementation of the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg were addressed to Baku, which is obvious and which was confirmed by Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian. At this stage positions of OSCE MG Co-Chairs and Armenia coincide,” the German analyst said.
According to the latter ongoing diplomatic process, including the December incident on Armenia-Azerbaijan border, has created favorable conditions for Armenian diplomacy. “The Armenian side should demand installation of investigative mechanisms on the contact line and on the border, which will allow the Minsk Group to work more productively. Armenia may work a bit “aggressively” to that end,” he said.
By Araks Martirosyan
