Azerbaijani press: Rob Sobhani: So-called elections in Nagorno-Karabakh may hurt peace process

Wed 15 Apr 2020 16:15 GMT | 20:15 Local Time

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With the entire world facing the crisis of the coronavirus, it is both strange and unfortunate that so-called "elections" have taken place in Nagorno-Karabakh, US expert, CEO of Caspian Group Holdings Rob Sobhani told Trend.

“This, of course, does not help in any way further the cause of peace and may even hurt the peace process. The International community responsible for conflict resolution will not be happy with these so-called "elections" because the mood across the world is to promote cooperation and peace,” he said.

Sobhani pointed out that the three co-chairs US, Russia, and France may now renew their efforts to solve the conflict.

“In fact, the global pandemic has created a situation across the world that shows world leaders must cooperate to solve problems such as the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. More broadly speaking, the recent intense talks between Russian and US presidents on the global oil price collapse may pose a new opportunity for world leaders to cooperate on the resolution of the conflict,” he concluded.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS