Artsakh’s position over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement unchanged – expert

Aysor.am spoke with former chairman of Artsakh’s NA’s Foreign Relations Committee, expert Vahram Atanesyan about the domestic developments in Artsakh, situation over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

-Mr Atanesyan what developments are currently taking place in Artsakh’s domestic life regarding the recent protest rallies?

- The situation in Artsakh is always under control and stable. I do not think that actions with participation of 20-30 people may be of serious political significance.

- Nevertheless, protest rallies, resignations occured. What do you link it with?

- I would not say that some resignations were agreed with public demand. These resignations might have taken place without these rallies.
May be there are some disagreements, dissatisfaction but none of them get a political manifestation.

-The domestic developments in Artsakh have direct influence on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, what is the situation in this regard?

The authorities have clear position over the negotiation process which has many times been stated by the President of the Artsakh’s Republic. Artsakh is for peaceful settlement of the conflict, there is no way back. Artsakh sees the resolution in the international recognition of its independence within the borders acceptable for the people of Artsakh.
  
The position of mediators over the issue is also clear, but the parties fail to come to agreement due to unconstructive position of Azerbaijan.
We may unanimously state that Azerbaijan has no aim to settle the issue peacefully. Only after Baku expresses readiness to discuss the issues Artsakh is interested in – the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and the territories - serious peace talks may take place.

Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are expected to meet in September. This meeting will show whether the mediators will succeed in organizing the meeting of the leaders of the two countries or not.

After the leaders of the two countries meet and Ilham Aliyev starts negotiating with new Armenian authorities it will be possible to make conclusions over the further pace of the peace talks.

- Do you see the necessary will from the Azerbaijani side?

-Azerbaijan has always had one vision of the conflict settlement and that is the military one. Unfortunately they have this approach now as well. They did not pick a lesson from 2016 April war during which they strategically lost the war.

- Is Artsakh able to confront the existing challenges?

- Presidential and parliamentary elections are due in Artsakh in 2020. Currently the political forces are getting prepared for them. My impression is that the forces currently represented in the parliament will be the favorites at 2020 elections. There are new movements who are trying to turn into parties but there is no much time for that.

President Bako Sahakyan fully manages the situation, the political processes are quite controllable and there is no force majeure situation in Artsakh.