SERGEY MARKEDONOV: I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT OVERALL AGREEMENT ON KARABAKH IS VERY NEAR

De Facto
Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, 05.12.08. DE FACTO. "Lavrov’s statement on the necessity to
elaborate basic agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh issue’s settlement in
the near future blends with Moscow’s logics on strengthening positions
in Caucasus and activation of mediator’s role", a political scientist
Sergey Markedonov told Politcom.ru.

According to Sergey Markedonov, one can speak of actualization of
Russia’s efforts on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement after a
five-day war, when preparation for a meeting in Moscow and then to
signing the Mayendorf Declaration on November 2, 2008, was being held.

Sergey Markedonov explains Moscow’s activation with some reasons:
"The first reason should be considered in a wider context of relations
between the West and Russia: Russia wants to show that it can not just
force to peace, as in case with Georgia, but also be an efficient
mediator and negotiator, and yet, the negotiator to be claimed by
the West.

That is the reason for Nagorno-Karabakh direction’s activation. Second,
Russia wants to use new opportunities that appeared after the five-day
war and strengthen its positions in Caucasus playing the role of a
mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, I do not believe
that the overall agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh is very near, since
conflicting parties’ stands are20far from compromise understanding".

To remind, upon completion of a meeting of MG representatives held in
Helsinki yesterday Russian FM Sergey Lavrov urged Karabakh conflict
parties to prepare basic principles of the conflict settlement and
an overall peace agreement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress