POLITICAL SCIENTIST ILGAR MAMEDOV: MIXED CO-CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP IS FUTILE AND WILL NOT LEAD TO A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today.Az

May 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict with a mixed
Russian-Western co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group is not possible,
said political scientist Ilgar Mamedov, commenting on the statement
by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov on the failure of
negotiations with the current authorities of Armenia on the Karabakh
conflict.

I. Mammadov believes that there must be either western co-chairmanship
– the United States, France and so on, or the Russian one. That’s when
the negotiation process can lead to the soonest peace. According to
him, under the current format, Russia is not interested in resolving
the conflict, and Azerbaijan must explain to it all benefits of
the resolution.

"With the format when Russia is not interested in resolving or does
not understand its interest in a peaceful settlement, and the Western
countries do not think about the ways to resolve the conflict, the
peace process can not be efficient", said I. Mamedov.

Mamedov called the advances made under Kocharyan’s presidency as
diplomatic games and stressed noted the importance of negotiating
in full with the Russian side. He also said Russia now has real
opportunities for the sole solution to the Karabakh issue, together
with Azerbaijan. In his view, this historic chance could bring many
benefits to Russia.

"In case there is not understanding, Azerbaijan should follow a
different path, the path of deepening the cooperation with the West",
said the expert. However, he said that the Azerbaijani side should
try to find ways for agreements with Russia.

"It is still possible to try to persuade, negotiate with and explain
to Russia. In case it does not understand anything completely, it
is necessary to take a strict course for Euro-Atlantic integration",
added he.