International community has levers to restrain Azerbaijan, but fails to use them effectively

It’s high time for the international community, and first of all the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to understand that the blurred and ‘balanced’ statements they make  result in human losses, said MP Karen Bekaryan, President of the “European Integration” NGO.

According to him, the international community has levers to influence Azerbaijan in case of escalation at the border, but it fails to make effective use of them.

“The reason is simple; interests are being placed above values,” Bekaryan told a press conference today.

He said this position is dangerous, especially considering that no one wins anything here, not even those who place certain interests above values.

Karen Bekaryan considers that by keeping silence on border incidents the international community assumes responsibly for the bloodshed and human losses.

“I think this perception is gradually maturing, but too slowly. Unfortunately, this slow pace leads to more losses,” he said.

The MP reminded the shooting down of an Armenian helicopter by Azerbaijan last November, when the international community once again failed to give a proper response, forcing us to recover the bodies of the pilots through military actions.

“Azeri soldiers were killed as a result of the operation. But did anyone ask why we did so? No, because it was clear to everyone that this was the only option left.”

Referring to President Serzh Sargsyan’s address to the UN General Assembly, Karen Bekaryan said there was a serious focus on the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and this could be considered one of the most essential achievements of the centennial year.

“The speech highlighted the main targets of the pan-Armenian agenda in this centennial year. Naturally, it was stressed that there can be no essential progress on issues of security unless such crimes are recognized and condemned,” Bekaryan said.