“We do not see any positive steps from Ankara, but continuous demands, not steps typical of good neighborly relations. Therefore, I am quite puzzled, I doubt the purpose of this 3 + 2 format,” said former Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan in a conversation with journalists, referring to the 3 + 2 format. The former Foreign Minister said that he hoped that our diplomats had calculated the threats that may arise in connection with the further work of this format.
In response to the question of if it can hinder the work of the Minsk Group co-chairs, Ara Ayvazyan answered, “I am afraid that this format may try to overshadow the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs, like a number of our international partners, state that the Karabakh issue is not closed, unlike the issues raised by official Baku and Ankara. I note that today the Minsk Group Co-Chairs are focusing on resolving humanitarian issues.”
Ara Ayvazyan hopes that the co-chairs will have the opportunity to visit the region as they have a task to prove their viability. In response to the question regarding Russia’s role in this issue, Ara Ayvazyan said, “Official Russia has always said that the Co-Chairs’ quorum is dealing with the final settlement of the conflict, noting that there should be a mechanism that will neutralize regional destabilizing tendencies,” he said.
In response to the question about the expectations for the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting to be held today, Ara Ayvazyan answered, “I do not think there will be a significant change. It is always good to have dialogue. We have seen that in many cases the agreements are not kept after dialogue. I hope this is another meeting that can make some progress, especially in resolving humanitarian issues.”
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Speaking about the fact that Armenia and Turkey have agreed to appoint a special representative for the continuation of the dialogue, Ara Ayvazyan said, “Remembering the famous classic movie, they say be close to your friend, but closer to your enemy. Naturally, there has always been an aspiration for a dialogue between Armenia, at least without preconditions. For a long time, there was no dialogue with Turkey. It is necessary to distinguish between the normal situation and the current situation, especially the direct involvement of Turkey in the recent war and the new preconditions for Armenia. It is very important that our partners in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have a good understanding of the agenda of the discussions.”
Tatev Harutyunyan
