Perhaps the Azeri Foreign Affairs Minister, Elmar Mamedyarov, announced on December 18th that he reached a mutual agreement with the Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister regarding the Artsakh conflict, President of the Yerevan press club Boris Navasardyan believes that such statements should not be considered news. According to him, Azerbaijan continues to have a “hopeful” image so that it can carry out political and psychological pressure on Armenian authorities. “I don’t think that Azerbaijan can expect drastic changes from Armenian authorities because our position is clear: we will speak about the resolution of the conflict when Azerbaijan is ready. But it is not ready yet,” Boris Navasardyan told reporters.
He believes that there will not be serious changes in the Artsakh resolution process next year. “Military operations can be possible drastic changes. We can never exclude that possibility, but there are no preconditions for the peaceful way to resolve the conflict and for compromise.”
Despite Azerbaijan’s “constructive” announcements, Boris Navasardyan believes that it is important to remember that Azerbaijan created a ring of tension around the Nakhichevan border over the past several months. “Since the situation has changed in Armenia, Azerbaijan is giving it hope that it can negotiate in a constructive environment. On the other hand, it implies that it is prepared for drastic operations. It’s telling us to choose.”
The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to Mamedyarov’s statement.
Luiza Sukiasyan
