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BAKU: Karabakh Talks Need Progress Within Six Months

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  • BAKU: Karabakh Talks Need Progress Within Six Months

    KARABAKH TALKS NEED PROGRESS WITHIN SIX MONTHS

    news.az
    Nov 10 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Rasim Musabeyov News.Az interviews Azerbaijani political scientist
    Rasim Musabeyov.

    What can you say about the current state of the negotiation process
    on the Karabakh conflict settlement?

    I can say that the negotiations are intensive but without any visible
    progress.

    What is the reason for the recent intensification in shuttle diplomacy
    by the mediators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation
    in Europe's Minsk Group?

    This was caused by the absence of results and a willingness to promote
    the process. Four years of work are at stake. This negotiations process
    is the longest and the most productive in terms of meetings, various
    discussions and visits. The issue is not limited only to the co-chairs
    of the Minsk Group. The process has also involved the presidents of
    the mediating states who in their special statements have supported
    the intention to reach agreement on the basis of the Madrid proposals.

    Is a breakthrough in the conflict settlement by the end of the year
    realistic?

    Progress by the end of the year does not seem realistic to me
    because I think little time is left. The presidents are to meet in
    November but I do not think that just one issue is left that can be
    settled during the meeting. It is obvious that the process is at the
    finishing line. The issue cannot be protracted for long. In fact,
    I think if no progress is made in the coming three to six months,
    it will be difficult to keep the process working.

    Despite the optimistic statements by the mediators and their frequent
    visits, the conflict parties still fail to agree on the main issue -
    the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. What is your view of this?

    It is not surprising that the sides cannot agree on the status of this
    region for the simple reason that Armenia is demanding the inclusion in
    the agreement of a mechanism leading to Nagorno-Karabakh's secession
    from Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan cannot agree to that and I do not
    think anyone can make Azerbaijan do so.

    What is the way out of this deadlocked situation?

    The way out is for the issue to be left open. The issue can find
    its solution within the framework of the territorial integrity of
    Azerbaijan as the internal self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh,
    but taking the Azerbaijani community of this region into account too,
    since their will is no less significant than the will of the Armenian
    community.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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