PRESIDENTS’ MOSCOW MEETING WILL BE A DEAL ON WHAT ARMENIA WILL GET IN EXCHANGE OF RETURN PART OF OCCUPIED LANDS TO AZERBAIJAN: AZERROS OFFICIAL
Today.Az
cs/53863.html
July 16 2009
Azerbaijan
Editor-in-chief of St. Petersburg-based magazine Konservator, member
of the Central Council of the Eurasian Congress of Azerbaijanis and
presidium of the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy Azerros Rustam
Arifjanov spoke in an exclusive interview with Day.Az.
Q: What do you expect from the coming Moscow meeting of Azerbaijani
and Armenia Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan?
A: If I am not mistaken, it is already 6th meeting of the heads of
two states over the last year and it is very important. Previously,
the meetings were not so frequent. This points to constant interest
by Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve the problem and that the Minsk
Group mediators, and, above all, Russia and the United States, have
more interest in this.
Moscow and Washington require the conflict to be resolved in the
shortest time possible. And the involvement of Turkey in this matter
points to U.S. impact on it. I think the international community today
is more interested in solving this problem. Therefore, I do not think
that this will be the last meeting. I do not think that this meeting
will be historic, but there is some progress occurring. Political
scientists and experts from both sides interpret them differently. Of
course, people in Armenia say that Madrid principles infringe their
interests. This is the same case with those in Azerbaijan. But the
question could not be solved in a different way. Of course, some
interests will be harmed. Otherwise, there will not be any compromise.
I think that earlier the talks were composed of three parts – the
non-use of military force, the right of nations to self-determination
and the principle of state sovereignty over the territories. But
military component is now being discussed to a lesser extent. You
can do this with the help of ministers of foreign affairs and defense.
Q: Is Armenia’s readiness for preliminary stage of resolution, that
is, return of five regions, is being discussed?
A: There is a need to find a compromise between solution of the two
other specified parts. I think that the question of the return foothill
and lowland areas of Karabakh overdue and may well be resolved in the
foreseeable future. Another question is that what compromises Armenia
may require from Azerbaijan. I think that the presidents speak more
frankly as they sometimes meet without mediators face to face. A more
candid and more realistic. We do not know what they say and in what
terms and we will hardly ever know it.
But it seems to me that there is principle position on return of
these territories to Azerbaijan. This position is held by Armenia as
well. Otherwise its situation becomes hopeless.
I think that the meeting that will be held on July 17, roughly
speaking, will be a deal on what Armenia will get in exchange of return
part of occupied lands to Azerbaijan. I think that opening the border
with Turkey is a vital issue for Armenia, but it is impossible to
insist on this during a meeting with Azerbaijani president and it is
not within the competence of Azerbaijan. It is not enough for Armenia
and they want to win something and in the Karabakh conflict. Most
likely, Sargsyan will insist on providing a temporary status of Nagorny
Karabakh (the shorter the period the better it will be for Armenians)
and the acceleration of the referendum on final status. If Sargsyan
insists on this position, then he can call himself a winner in the
eyes of the Armenian community.