"Turkey's factor in Karabakh process can be neutralized only through active involvement of Russia," Armenia's former president Robert Kocharyan said Friday at a meeting with political experts. "Russia is the only country that can effectively do that and it currently enters into a phase of increasing its leverage. Russia has proved on numerous occasions that no policy can be imposed through sanctions," Kocharyan added.
Speaking of the prospects for Karabakh settlement through negotiations, Kocharyan said that the talks would likely continue, however they may not be that fruitful as desired.
"There are number of sensitive issues what regards to substantive talks. No side will refuse to participate in the negotiations. They would sit at the table but I do not see any possibility to come to an agreement," Kocharyan said, pointed also to the lack of mechanisms to impose pressure on the sides.
"The format of the talks itself does not imply any possibility to exert pressure on the sides. The mandate of the OSCE Minsk Groups implies working with parties and persuade them for a final solution but to not impose ready solutions."
Reflecting on Turkey's activation in the region, Kocharyan said the matter is not only about Karabakh but comes as an issue of regional security. In the words of the former president, with all its actions, Turkey attempts to counterbalance Russia in the region.
"In case of a future border incident, Russia will need to talk not only with Aliyev but also Erdogan. That is now what is done by Turkey today in agreement with Azerbaijan. Next will come Turkey's more active involvement in the negotiations. Turkey may become a factor to consider," Kocharyan said, pointing to the case of Syria, where in his words, no solution will come without without Turkey.
To prevent the scenario in our region, the former president suggests active resistance and action from Armenian authorities which he does not see.
