AZERBAIJAN-IRAN CHECKPOINT TALKS MESSAGE TO ARMENIA, MINSK GROUP – OPINION

17:27 02.08.13

The negotiations over the opening of the border checkpoint between
Iran and Azerbaijan are a clear message to all the countries in the
region, according to Sergey Shakaryants, an Armenian political analyst.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the expert said the successful
process aimed at the opening of the Horadiz-Aslandyuz checkpoint is
Iran’s hint to the sides involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement efforts.

According to him, the message is first of all directed to Armenia.

“With readymade programs, the neighboring state reiterates directly
that no country can adopt a decision without considering its opinion.

So the Transcacaucasus is within the range of its interests,” he said,
ruling out any intervention by the EU, Russia, NATO or UN.

The expert noted Azerbaijan could not have been the initiator of the
process given that the checkpoint is in a conflict zone.

“That’s a conflict zone which has no population, so it doesn’t make
sense to open the border,” he added.

Shakaryants referred to the checkpoint’s significance since the
period of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “Two military operations
were carried out in 1993. Many remember only one, when Iran opened
the border to save feeling Azerbaijanis from our attacks,” he said,
noting that the second time country opened the checkpoint to ensure
the safe delivery of the humanitarian aid from Horadiz.

“With this steps, Iran reminds us of concrete military operations
that took place in 1993. Besides, Iran reminds of its troops’
deployment on Nakichevan’s territory, when nobody had the right to
speak, knowing that it doesn’t make sense. So Iran needs 24 hours to
occupy Nakhicevan,” he added.

The expert said it would be advisable for President Serzh Sargsyan
to head to Islamic Republic in the present circumstances to attend
President Rouhani’s inauguration event.

“I think there will be a meeting without ties with the Iranian side
to give the Armenian president a hint as to the sensibility of his
steps in the region,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress