The mediators try to ensure the continuation of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process
Eduard Nalbandyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, met with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as well as Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, in Paris on Sunday. According to the statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nalbandyan drew the co-chairs’ attention to the fact that not only had the Azerbaijani side not made public the joint press releases agreed on during the previous two meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the co-chairs in Paris, but it had also made statements, which had nothing to do with the discussed issues, in an already established style. “It has already become a custom that Azerbaijan declines the proposals made by the co-chairs and then expresses concern about the negotiating process,” the Armenian Foreign Minister stated. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reasserted that Armenia would make further efforts, along with the co-chairs, aiming at the exceptionally peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs released a statement on the results of a meeting with Nalbandyan, as well as a meeting with the Azeri Foreign Minister, Elmar Mamedyarov, on March 2. “The Co-Chairs repeated their concerns regarding the issue of civilian flights to Nagorno-Karabakh and the recent violence on the Line of Contact. They also discussed ideas to strengthen the ceasefire,” the co-chairs’ statement reads.
The co-chairs also informed that they will travel to the region in the next few weeks “to discuss with the Presidents next steps aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution of the conflict.” On March 2, US President Barack Obama congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his reelection. According to the press release on the Armenian President’s official website, Obama’s letter reads: “We will continue to strongly support progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, which requires meaningful movement toward a settlement that provides lasting peace and security. We also want to continue our work to promote the eventual normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. Your reelection presents opportunities to advance the relationship between our two countries and to build your legacy as a leader who solidifies Armenia’s reforms and furthers the cause of peace for your people and the people of your region.” Pointing out a set of priorities in the congratulatory letter, Washington expects that Armenia would make “meaningful movement” toward the conflict settlement within the framework of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process. In other words, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country hints at a change of status quo based on the Madrid Principles. Whereas after Ramil Safarov, an Azeri murderer, was extradited to Azerbaijan and was heroized at the state level, the negotiating process has been, to put mildly, in strong confusion. Let us remind that on February 25, John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, congratulated S. Sargsyan on his reelection and also talked about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, stating: “I also remain committed to helping your country find a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and I ask that you continue to give the Minsk Group Co-Chairs your full support. We cannot be satisfied with the status quo: we must seize this moment to pursue meaningful progress in the peace process.” Earlier, François Hollande, the president of another OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country, France, had sent a congratulatory letter, which read: “After the elections, I also reiterate my resolve to do everything possible to achieve peace and stability in the South Caucasus. France – a Co-Chair of the Minsk Group and Armenia’s friend – remains committed to assist in the long overdue peaceful and just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” Such statements and letters have certainly been made public many times in the recent years, and of course, it will be an exaggeration to say based on these letters that some steps, which will change the situation, can be expected in the near future. Probably, the mediators try to save the negotiating process and ensure the continuation of negotiations in the format of the Minsk Group co-chairs, which really is under threat. By the way, another interesting fact; Azerbaijan has been complaining about the effectiveness of the OSCE Minsk Group for years, even the issue of whether its existence was appropriate or not has often been raised. Yesterday Raffi Hovhannisyan made a statement in Freedom Square, which will probably not be disregarded by international organizations, diplomats, and experts. He said that the Minsk Group co-chair countries – the Russian Federation, France and the United States – “given their narrow geopolitical interests, took an anti-democratic and disgraceful action, recognizing an illegal, illegitimate president.” “It is still not too late, and I am ready to meet with them, from Obama to Vladimirovich, and allow them to be so grand as to correct the mistake that they made. However, unless they do that, it will be impossible to recognize the functions of the Minsk Group and their well-known principles, which are obsolete, unnecessary, and void,” the Heritage Party leader stated.
EMMA GABRIELYAN
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