ArmInfo. No doubt, Azerbaijan prefers to solve the Artsakh problem by settling all the issues at a time by means of another military aggression, Ruben Mehrabyan, an expert for the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs, said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"And we all see Baku is not at all concealing its goals, which can be explained – first of all, due to the proportion of forces between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And we understand that this proportion allows Azerbaijan to have such plans. Another question is the price Azerbaijan and [President Ilham] Aliyev himself could pay for that," Mr Mehrabyan said.
An attempt to resolve the Artsakh problem by force will turn into a political price for the organizers, while Baku is not at all sure if such a price will be acceptable to them – or what price it will prove to bee at all. In this context, Mr Meharyan thinks that capturing Artsakh could well turn into a political bankruptcy for Aliyev.
"It is clear that Azerbaijan's life-long ruler does not at all like this prospect. He is perfectly aware that such actions would make him 'unworthy of handshake'. So all the risks are being reckoned with - and Baku is good at reckoning. So I think they are most likely to refrain from such steps given their unpredictable consequences," Mr Mehrabyan said.
In this context, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Brussels is an attempt to curb Azerbaijan's expansionist aspirations. Given the present international situation, the very meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev is a deterrent. In this respect, Mr Mehrabyan considers Armenia's diplomatic efforts right.
Armenia's premier is in Brussels now and is scheduled to hold a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Before leaving for Brussels, Mr Pashinyan announced intentions to discuss issues related to commencement of peace negotiations with Aliyev.
"In fact, Aliyev is rather vulnerable. So he cannot ignore a number of geopolitical factors and international position. Armenia, in turn, has to take advantage of these factors in opposing Azerbaijan to curb its aggression, which is actually being done now. And success depends on effective and consistent steps, as well as on a number of external factors. One thing is certain, Armenia has every chance for it and has just to take it," Mr Mehrabyan said.