LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AROUND KARABAKH PROBLEM ARE NOT AIMED AT CONFLICT
SETTLEMENT, FORMER SPEAKER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SAYS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The latest events related to the
Karabakh problem are conditioned by other regional developments rather
than by the process of this problem’s solution, Tigran Torosian –
former speaker of the RA National Assembly, now an independent deputy
of the NA – expressed this opinion at the November 28 press conference.
In his words, no notable progress has been made in the conflict’s
settlement, while the developments taking place around the problem
serve the interests of other states.

A new situation has formed in the region after the Russian-Georgian
war. Under these conditions Georgia has finally asserted its
pro-American orientation, while Armenia allies itself with Russia, and
Azerbaijan’s role is increasing because, according to T. Torosian, the
one of the two superpowers, with which Azerbaijan will join up, will
have an influence in the region.

In the opinion of T. Torosian, signing the Moscow Declaration by
Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan is not aimed at settlling the Karabakh
problem: Russia simply made an attempt to show that it plays an
important role in the region. The Mayendorf document indicates the
Madrid principles, which are actually unknown. In the words of T.
Torosian, he cannot recall such a precedent. He said that some people
are mistaken, thinking that henceforth a military solution of the
problem is impossible in the region. However, according to T. Torosian,
the declaration does not contain any wording about the problem’s
solution only in a peaceful way: it notes about a political solution of
the problem which cannot exclude the possibility of a war.

Although Armenia’s foreign political activity has increased since
August, T. Torosian believes that there are no new achievements in
terms of results. In particular, no progress has been made in
Armenian-Turkish relations, and Turkey has not given up any of its
conditions for establishing relations with Armenia.