LINKING SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT WITH OSCE MINSK IS UNPROMISING: AZERBAIJANI MP

Today
Dec 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (parliament)
Fazil Mustafa.

Day.Az: Optimistic statements were made after Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers’ meeting. Is resolution of the Karabakh conflict
likely to see progress soon?

Fazil Mustafa: Of course, it is difficult to judge outcome of
foreign ministers’ negotiations from aside. Azerbaijan-Armenia
negotiations have recently been intensified due to the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement. However, I see no reason for an optimistic spirit
about resolution of the conflict.

What can give an impetus to resolving the Karabakh conflict?

First, the international community is trying to eliminate possible
military solution to the Karabakh conflict limiting the ways Azerbaijan
can use to return the Armenia-occupied lands. I believe the world
community’s pressure on Armenia to take constructive position may give
impetus to the conflict settlement. If this does not happen, Azerbaijan
has a right to consider other ways of solving the Karabakh conflict.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he is going
to debate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at a coming meeting with U.S.

president Barack Obama. Do you think the new U.S. administration may
change position on the Karabakh issue?

I think the new U.S. administration will not change position on the
Karabakh issue. Washington took a position more loyal to Moscow to
avoid confrontation with Russia that might occur in case U.S. changes
position on our region. On other hand, much will depend on the Turkish
prime minister and his ability to change Barack Obama position on
the Karabakh conflict.

Can activities of the OSCE Minsk Group be revived through reforms?

I think linking settlement of Karabakh conflict with OSCE Minsk
is unpromising. The fact is that the OSCE is losing credibility as
an organization. The OSCE Chairman also admits it noting a need to
reform this organization. I think that a new format will be offered
soon to replace the OSCE Minsk Group to assist in resolving the
Karabakh conflict.