AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ANALYSTS DISAGREE ON IMPACT OF TURKISH-RUSSIAN RAPPROCHEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
M. Aliyev

Trend
May 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani political analysts disagree on the possible positive
impact of the Turkish-Russian rapprochement on resolving of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkish-Russian rapprochement, mutual visits of the Presidents, and,
moreover, the abolition of the visa regime will have a positive
impact on resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, strengthening
of Azerbaijani position, political analyst Fikret Sadikhov told
Trend today.

He said that Russia has always been an ally and a major military and
financial sponsor of Armenia because of concerns over Russian-Turkish
confrontation. Moscow relied on Yerevan as a springboard, the military
and political base from which it will be possible to resist the
influence of Ankara.

"Now, actual Russian-Armenian alliance is not so strong amid
strengthening of relations between Turkey and Russia," analyst said. He
said that the last meeting of the presidents of Turkey and Russia,
their agreement to cancel the visa regime can give a new impetus to
the peace negotiations of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Drawing an analogy between the Turkish side’s statements about the
readiness to engage in mediation efforts in this matter and Russian
Defense Minister’s visit to Baku, which followed the participation
of President Ilham Aliyev in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow,
Sadikhov expressed his belief in the influence of these processes to
accelerate resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .

"Armenia has been driven into a corner. It should give a clear answer
about the update Madrid principles. It rushes about and understands
that this document will lead to de-occupation of Azerbaijani
territories in any version," he said.

Another Azerbaijani political analyst, Director of the Center for
Political Technologies and Innovations Mubariz Ahmedoglu is skeptical
regarding discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by the Presidents
of Turkey and Russia.

"I do not think Russia is ready to discuss with Turkey the issue of
resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia voluntarily or
forcibly will withdraw other co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group from
the game, influence on them for its own interests", Ahmedoglu said.

He said that Russia will make every effort to prevent joining of
other countries in the region, including Turkey and Iran, the process.

"Statements by Medvedev in Ankara were sounded to pay tribute to
Turkey. The statements of the Turkish side are sincere. They want
processes on resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to intensify,"
the Center director said.