ARMENIAN ROLE IN CAUCASIAN ENERGY CORRIDOR IN COMMON INTEREST – ANALYST
Aliyah Fridman

news.az
Feb 3 2010
Azerbaijan

Jeffrey Mankoff News.Az interviews Jeffrey Mankoff, associate director
of international security studies, Yale University.

Do you think that the main mediators – Russia and the USA – are really
interested in a Karabakh settlement?

Yes, because it is broadly speaking in both of their interests. Russia
would like to end Armenia’s diplomatic isolation, and everyone
is interested on some level in the idea of including Armenia in a
Caucasian energy corridor.

And what about Turkey’s activity in the region? May Ankara be
successful in establishing peace in the South Caucasus?

It will be a challenge. As long as the 1915 issue remains unresolved,
many Armenians (not to mention the Armenian diaspora) will oppose
any settlement brokered by Ankara.

Do you think the Turkish and Armenian parliaments will ratify the
two protocols soon?

The Armenian parliament is already wary of the government’s interest
in a deal with Turkey, and might well block ratification of any
agreement. At the same time, the Azerbaijanis are wary of having their
claim to Nagorno-Karabakh sold out as the price for a resolution
between Turkey and Armenia. So there are plenty of obstacles along
the way.