NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS ONE OF MOST DIFFICULT ONES ON THE PLANET: SENIOR EXPERT AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Today.Az
tics/54021.html
July 22 2009
Azerbaijan

The G-8 leaders’ statement on Karabakh testifies that this is rather
high-profile conflict, Head of the Russia, Eurasia and International
Energy Security Department of The Heritage Foundation (U.S.), Political
Scientist, Ariel Cohen said.

"The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the most difficult ones
on the planet and G-8 seeks to resolve it to reduce tensions in the
South Caucasus," Cohen said.

At the recent summit, the G-8 leaders made a statement on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in which they urged the Azerbaijani and
Armenian leaders to resolve the remaining differences and finish the
peace settlement.

Cohen said that neither side is prepared to yield its interests:
Azerbaijan is focusing on its sovereignty and Armenian is making
claims on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"I think it would be beneficial for both parties if the Armenian
population of Karabakh were to be allowed to live here and Azerbaijan
were to maintain its sovereignty," he said.

Cohen said that the borders of the former Soviet Union should not be
considered in Karabakh, in Abkhazia or Ossetia.

People’s diplomacy can play an important role to form public support
in the settlement of the conflict, Cohen said.

In early July, the Azerbaijani and Armenian representatives visited
Baku, Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabakh.

"At the end of the day, this is a question for the two countries’
leaders, as well as the groups and institutes supporting and opposing
them," Cohen said. "They make the decisions on war and peace, which
include Nagorno-Karabakh."