Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
 Saturday


Russian expert does not rule out official recognition of Azerbaijan as
an aggressor state by OSCE MG Co-chairs



YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. The addressed statement of the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs was an ultimatum warning to Azerbaijan, expertin
MiddleEastandCaucasusaffairs Stanislav Tarasov told “Armenpress”,
commenting on the May 18 statement of the Minsk Group Co-chairs, which
says that according to information received from various sources, the
Azerbaijani side fired a missile on the contact line on May 15
targeting a military object of the Armenian side.

“Azerbaijan intentionally followed the policy of wrecking the current
phase of the negotiations, because there are preconditions that are
not in its interests. Azerbaijan deliberately pursues confrontation,
and it’s difficult to predict what it expects from that. There are
different versions. I would like to believe that it will not unleash a
war, but a sharp aggravation of the situation is expected. When it
will occur is unclear. It’s just necessary to be vigilant and be
ready”, Tarasov said, adding that the recent steps by Azerbaijan seem
to be a means to check the reaction of Moscow and Yerevan.

Stanislav Tarasov does not rule out that in case of a resumption of
another war it’s possible that the Minsk Group Co-chairs will
officially recognize Azerbaijan an aggressor state.

“The Minsk Group Co-chairs spoke out unprecedentedly sharply against
Azerbaijan, which means that demonstration of aggression by Azerbaijan
is expected. After the Minsk Group recognizes Azerbaijan an aggressor
it’s rather possible that the international community or some
countries recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. The
statement of the Minsk Group Co-chairs means that maybe they are
preparing for a move”, the Russian expert said, adding that all the
Co-chair countries are UNSC members, and if they recognize Azerbaijan
an aggressor, Azerbaijan will not see Nagorno Karabakh even in its
dreams.

Syuzi Muradyan