The NKR former parliamentarian Vahram Atanesyan about possible meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia and the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan
– In the recent period, the border situation seemed to calm down. What is your explanation? Is it caused by the upcoming elections in Azerbaijan?
– There are no elections in Azerbaijan as we visualize. And the border situation has nothing to do with the elections. Aliyev regime with troops in the contact line and tension on Armenia’s border was trying to create an imitation of renewed war to act in the diplomatic platform with a “peaceful” stance. The trick did not work, the Azerbaijani army once again had heavy casualties, the President of Armenia talked about punishing Azerbaijan and forcing him to make peace and about the possibility of recognizing the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku realized that the Armenian side has means and readiness to counteract to provocations, thus, it will not agree to unilateral concessions. And now, it is a little quiet on the borders. Perhaps, it is also due to waiting for the visit of the Minsk Group co-chairs to the region.
– The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs visit to the region is expected in the near future. The NKR President’s spokesperson said that the circles of the meetings are changing. The co-chairs at this time will be limited to official meetings. Does this change adds or subtracts anything in the overall process?
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– The co-chairs have always given preference to official meetings. It’s true, they communication with the representatives of public circles a couple of times in Artsakh, but in general, the discussions are always confidential. This time, they come in the hope that they will manage to agree on the schedule of the next meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this sense, I think, the mediators will have less work to do in Stepanakert, unless, of course, the opportunity to visit Artsakh is used. I think, under any pretext, Azerbaijan will refuse the offer to meet at a high-level. Baku has nothing to say and does not want to take on responsibilities. This is a personal impression.
– Do you follow the Baku preparations for the parliamentary elections? In your estimation, how are they going on? What will be the results given the current situation in Azerbaijan, especially, apparent violations of human rights and restrictions, the international observers’ “boycotting” these elections?
– There are no elections in Azerbaijan, simply, the powers of the parliament are coming to an end, and it is necessary to change some people, but since it is not possible to do it with the presidential decree, a day has been set when some people will be forced to go to the “polling stations,” take a ballot and enter the booth … The rest will be done by the CEC, which has the list compiled by the Office of the President. It is no coincidence that no international structure will carry out an observation mission. The only authoritative observer would be Russia’s CEC Chairman Churov, who will announce that the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held in full accordance with the procedures of the Constitution and national laws.
– Will the meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan take place in the year-end? Will it be a regular one or given the regional developments, there might be progress regarding the NKR conflict settlement?
– I do not think they even the mediators have expectations of any progress in the negotiation process. The problem is more practical – not to allow such an escalation of tension when the war renewal will be inevitable. But here too, we are dealing with serious discrepancies of the co-chair countries. We must hope that the fragile peace in the South Caucasus is equally dear for the United States and Russia. It can be positively affected by the political resolution of the situation in Syria if the parties will manage to rise above the ambitions. Otherwise, we can also appear in the zone of instability in the Middle East, along with the intimidation incurred thereof.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
