Political analyst describes OSCE MG statement toothless

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs released another toothless statement which has set sign of equality between Armenia and Azerbaijan, political analyst Tevan Poghosyan said, speaking to Aysor.am.

“They are trying to refer to Armenia with two points and to Azerbaijan, again, with two points. They mentioned the provisions which found place in the previous statements of the Minsk Group. There is nothing new in them but an impression is as if they are repeating the old traditions and are trying to prepare a meeting,” the political analyst said.

As to the part where the co-chairs urge the sides to refrain from statements and actions suggesting significant changes to the situation on the ground, prejudging the outcome of or setting conditions for future talks, demanding unilateral changes to the format without agreement of the other party, or indicating readiness to renew active hostilities, Poghosyan said that more probably they mean Azerbaijan who may have voiced some issues before them.

“Hence, we must get used not to ascribe the unaddressed statements to us. More probably, Azerbaijan has put an issue on changes of some inner formats,” Poghosyan said.

“I am convinced that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs understand very well that Artsakh has always been a conflicting party. So, what format is it being spoken about? In the end they state that no matter what the discussions will be held with all the parties the issue relates to. The Armenian side has not demanded change of format, just on the contrary, it stated about the necessity of restoration of the format,” Poghosyan said.