International studies expert Suren Sargsyan, referring to the Pashinyan-Aliyev meetings, noted that they were not negotiations. Sargsyan observed that no specific discussions took place during these meetings that were outside of the framework that includes the co-chairs of the Minsk group. “The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan are not negotiating. They are simply meeting, speaking, and talking about the history of the negotiations process.”
Sargsyan said that Armenia has now announced that Artsakh also has to be one of the negotiating sides and it needs to be present during negotiations. “This is very difficult to make into a reality because Azerbaijan will not negotiate if the President of Artsakh or another representative is present. I think that we will not be able to make this initiative into a reality, and negotiations can fall apart.”
Suren Sargsyan also noted that the Minsk group co-chairs go to Artsakh when they visit the region. “Stepanakert is involved in this case.” So, Artsakh is both present and not present in negotiations. “Negotiations will continue as they have for 25 years. There won’t be any new foundations or approaches. Now it is a little difficult to understand if the sides are negotiating according to a specific agreement or not. I do not understand if the Madrid Principles are still on the table, or if the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements are.”
Nelly Babayan
