“We can factually state that we are in the negotiations phase,” Azeri affairs expert Anzhela Elibegova stated during an interview with journalists at the Hayeli club in reference to the negotiations that took place over the past several days. According to her, if the sides were in a pre-preparation and discussions phase, then the sides are now in a negotiations phase, which is being done in accordance with a document.
In reference to the Armenian side’s announcement, Anzhela Elibegova stated that a time frame and agenda must have been established and said, “Therefore, we are entering a more intensive negotiations phase. We can expect that the process will quicken in 2020 and the co-chairs will place more pressure on all sides. The Minsk Group co-chairs called upon the sides to be creative so that society can view this as calls for peace. The second thing is confidentiality. I cannot remember when the last time was that negotiations were kept confidential. So, we will receive less information about what is going on in 2020. In the future, the negotiations process will become even more closed and we will have less of an opportunity to make conclusions.”
According to the Azeri affairs expert, to imply that there is no document is impossible. She claims that negotiations have been taking place for three days, and it is already clear that these are not simply about making calls for peace. Instead, the negotiations are about the conflict itself, and we can expect for there to be tension in the negotiations process in 2020.
Anzhela Elibegova predicts that, when Azerbaijan and Artsakh are finished with their elections in two months, the “war” will begin. “The co-chairs said that the issue needs to be resolved with concessions, but this is painful for both sides because no one will be satisfied. The Azeri side opened its cards and the Armenian side opened its cards. Now, as far as I understand, they are trying to create a modified document. As far as whether or not that will serve our interests more, I cannot say. We will essentially see this document when it is complete. If the Azeri side started the process, then it also has expectations that the document will be spun in its favor. Now, there will be a diplomatic war at the negotiations table. Azerbaijan has a clear resolution; if things do not go in its favor at the negotiations table, it will start to shoot. Azerbaijan also proved this in April of 2016.”
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Tatev Harutyunyan
