Change of status-quo in Karabakh not favorable to Iran: Skakov

“Currently escalation on the conflict zone isn’t favorable to Iran and Russia,” Alexander Skakov, Russian political scientist, told 168.am reflecting to Putin-Rouhani forthcoming negotiations, during which NK conflict peaceful settlement will be touched upon as well.

In an interview with RIA Novosti Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, informed that Russian president Vladimr Putin and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani will touch upon NK conflict settlement during the forthcoming meeting.

According to Alexander Skakov, the part referring to Karabakh in anticipated negotiations shouldn’t be overestimated, as Iran isn’t an OSCE MG Co-Chair and is a regional actor with its interests—common border with the conflict zone, where, naturally, military operations are a direct threat to it.

“Regarding Russia I may state that Russia is discussing NK conflict with Turkey, the USA, Azerbaijan and Iran. Obviously, escalation on the conflict zone is beneficial neither to Russia, nor to Iran, as Russia’s situation is rather hard conditioned by developments ongoing in Donbass, possible steps by Trump administration are unpredictable to all sides, and change of status-quo on NK zone isn’t favorable to Iran.

Out of all this I may suppose that the sides will exchange views on ongoing situation. Iran can’t assume a serious role in negotiations, as theoretically it’s impossible,” Alexander Skakov said. The latter excludes, that as a result of these discussions new formats may develop, as NK conflict zone situation is being discussed during all international meetings with the countries of the region.

“But I repeat, such discussions shouldn’t be overestimated, as these are traditional discussions. Three countries move forward the negotiations on the conflict zone—the USA, Russia and France, which they also fail to fulfill productively,” Skakov concluded.

By Araks Martirosyan